Chapter 300
Chapter 300
【Luna's Perspective】
I was just finishing when I noticed Matthew, my six-year-old brother, talking animatedly with a man I hadn't seen arrive. My heart nearly stopped when I recognized him.
Noah Walker.
My body reacted before my mind could fully process what I was seeing—my heart hammering against my ribs, fingers suddenly numb, a cold sweat breaking across my skin. I rushed forward, dropping my basket of flowers, and scooped Matthew into my arms, holding him protectively against my chest.
"Get inside right now," I ordered the nanny who had been watching Matthew from nearby. "Take the young master inside immediately. Don't ever let him talk to strangers again, especially this one."
My voice came out sharper than I intended, but the fear coursing through me was overwhelming. The nanny looked startled but quickly took Matthew from my arms.
"But Luna, he's nice!" Matthew protested as he was led away. "He knows magic tricks!"
I kept my eyes fixed on Noah, not daring to look away even for a second. His familiar face wore an amused expression that made my skin crawl. I knew what he was capable of.
"That was quite rude, Ms. Blake," Noah said, taking a casual step forward. "We're hardly strangers, are we?" His smile widened. "I drove through the front gate with proper clearance. Is there a problem with that?"
"Security!" I called out, my voice steady despite my racing heart. "Please escort Mr. Walker off the property immediately."
Two security guards appeared almost instantly, moving toward Noah with professional efficiency.
"Is there a problem, Mrs. Morrison?" one asked, his hand resting near his concealed weapon.
"Yes. Please remove this man from the premises," I instructed firmly.
Noah's expression hardened slightly, but the smile never left his face. "Really, Luna? This is how you treat guests now?"
Before the guards could reach him, the front door opened, and my heart sank as I saw Grace emerge, followed closely by my grandfather George.
"Is this how the Blake family treats their guests?" Grace demanded, her voice sharp with indignation. "Calling security on my husband?"
George looked confused, his eyes moving between Noah and me. "What's happening, Luna? Is everything alright?"
I hesitated, my mind racing. I had no concrete proof that Noah was William. And with Grace here, Noah wouldn't dare try anything. Her presence actually made me feel safer, ironically enough.
"I wasn't aware that Mr. Walker was an invited guest," I said carefully.
Grace's perfectly manicured eyebrow arched. "I'm here to speak with you, actually. And it's Mrs. Walker now, if you don't mind."
"Of course," I replied, keeping my voice neutral. "Mrs. Walker."
Grace dismissed the security guards with a wave of her hand and then turned her attention fully to me.
"I've come about Lily," she said, her voice cold. "How dare you have her committed to a psychiatric facility? Who do you think you are to make such decisions?"
I took a deep breath, maintaining my composure. "Mrs. Walker, I suggest you verify your facts before making accusations. Lily was admitted at her own request, and her brother Nathan signed the papers as her legal guardian."
Grace's eyes narrowed. "I don't believe that for a second. You've always been jealous of my friendship with Lily."
"I have no reason to be jealous," I replied evenly.
"Have your husband fix this immediately," Grace demanded. "Get my friend released, or when my husband becomes president, his first order of business will be removing you from the national research facility and terminate the contract between your husband's company and the Ministry of National Defense."
I couldn't help but laugh at her outrageous threat. "Even your father wouldn't dare make such presumptuous statements. Your husband hasn't won the presidency yet, but you're already abusing power you don't have. One can only imagine the disaster if he actually takes office."
Grace's face flushed with anger. "You'll regret this, Luna Blake. Mark my words."
She turned and stormed toward her waiting car, Noah following behind. Before he left, he turned to give me one last smile—a gentle, almost loving expression that chilled me more than any threat could have.
As they drove away, George placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Are you all right, Luna? You look pale."
I shook my head, the weight of the encounter settling heavily on me. "Grandpa, please make sure Noah Walker and his wife are never allowed on this property again, no matter the reason. In Washington, there's no one my husband can't stand up to. You can take a firm stance."
George nodded, his eyes twinkling with pride. "Of course, dear. With Max backing us, we fear no one."
---
The next few days passed in a blur of preparations. With the election drawing closer, Max was increasingly busy in Washington, while I prepared to take over Project Azure at the Langley facility. The official appointment letter had arrived, naming me as Chief Engineer and Advisory Consultant.
As I reviewed the team roster, one name caught my attention: Daniel Moore, the second group leader. I remembered him as Lily's former classmate—technically competent but not exceptional, someone who had risen through connections rather than merit.
Our plans were set: I would take Liam to the Langley facility while Max remained in Washington until after the election. The separation would be difficult, but necessary.
The evening before my departure, we visited the Morrison family home. Helen and James were in the living room, doting on their grandson Liam, who giggled as his grandfather made silly faces at him.
"Look at him," Max said softly, standing beside me in the doorway. "He has your smile."
I leaned against him, savoring the warmth of his body. "And your stubbornness."
Max wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me closer. "I don't want to be apart from you," he admitted. "Two months feels like forever."
"When did you become so clingy?" I teased, but I felt the same way.
"I'll fly out to see you and Liam whenever I can," he promised, his lips brushing against my temple. "Be careful at Langley. The security there is good, but—"
"I know," I interrupted. "And you be careful in Washington. William is like a rabid dog—when cornered, he'll bite."
Our moment was interrupted when Thomas and Elizabeth entered the living room. Elizabeth's face was tense, and she didn't acknowledge our presence.
"Elizabeth," I greeted politely.
She rolled her eyes in response.
"Is something wrong with your eyes?" Max asked, his voice dangerously quiet.
Elizabeth smirked. "You're so protective of your wife now, Max? Can't let her suffer even a glance?"
"Since you're aware of it, perhaps you should mind your attitude," Max replied coldly.
I placed a hand on his arm. "Max, it's fine. Don't worry about it."
"My attitude has always been this way," Elizabeth shot back. "If you don't want your precious wife to feel uncomfortable, don't bring her around. I simply don't like her."
"Luna has never done anything to you," Max said, his voice tight with restrained anger.
Elizabeth laughed bitterly. "Does one need a reason to dislike someone?"
Helen and James, sensing the tension, quietly took Liam and left the room. Thomas stood awkwardly to the side, saying nothing.
"Are you certain your dislike is without reason?" Max asked pointedly, his gaze shifting briefly to Thomas, whose face darkened as he looked down, fists clenched.
"Luna, let's go see if Orion called," Max said abruptly, taking my hand and leading me from the room. I could feel Elizabeth's furious gaze following us as we left.
---
【Third Person Perspective】
The living room fell silent after Max and Luna departed. Elizabeth stood rigid, her face a mask of pain barely concealed by anger.
Thomas finally broke the silence. "We should get a divorce."
Elizabeth's head snapped toward him, her eyes wide with shock and fury. "Are you out of your mind? Divorce? Did I hear you correctly?"
Thomas looked at her directly, his expression resolute despite the pain evident in his eyes. For six months, he had wrestled with this decision, watching his wife's behavior grow increasingly bitter as her longstanding love for his brother Max twisted into a toxic hatred directed at Luna.
"You've always loved Max," he said quietly. "From the beginning. Never me. Your feelings haven't changed—they've just turned to resentment." He sighed deeply. "Why continue this charade if it's making you so miserable?"
Elizabeth stared at him, her face draining of color. For a long moment, she said nothing, the truth of his words hanging in the air between them.
Finally, she spoke, her voice eerily calm. "Make sure the property division is clear. I'm available anytime to sign the papers." Without another word, she turned and walked upstairs.
Thomas collapsed onto the sofa, covering his face with his hands as silent tears slipped between his fingers.