My Love Until the Last Goodbye by Alut

Chapter 0096

Leonard and Maximus sat in stunned silence as Catherine warmly embraced the imposing figure of Marcus Bartz. The mysterious man who had just entered the room carried himself with quiet authority, but his connection to their family remained a puzzle.

“Peter, I’ll admit, I doubted when Grandma said you’d be at this meeting,” Marcus said casually.

“Marcus! It’s a wonderful surprise to see you again, brother,” Peter replied, his tone familiar and warm. “Brother?” Catherine interjected, her curiosity piqued “How exactly do you two know each other?”

“We met at a hospital,” Marcus began.

“I think we should move to the conference room,” Peter interrupted quickly.

“Yes, you’re right,” Catherine agreed, taking charge. “Now that we’re all here, let’s begin. Marcus, my dear, I need only the five of us and Frederick in the room. Would you mind asking your security to wait outside?”

“Of course,” Marcus turned to his guards. “Please wait here. If I need you, I’ll let you know.”

With security stationed outside, the group moved into the expansive conference room. Catherine took the head seat at the table, flanked by Leonard and Maximus on one side and Marcus and Peter on the other. Marcus and Peter conversed like old friends, discussing business ventures and investments, with Peter recounting their meeting in New York. It was clear they’d maintained contact for some time.

Maximus and Leonard exchanged uneasy glances, baffled by the unexpected camaraderie. They couldn’t fathom Marcus’s connection to the Palmers or why he was here.

“Let’s begin,” Catherine announced, her tone commanding

“Mom,” Leonard said, breaking the silence. “What’s so important that you had to bring us all here?”

me remind you all that Palmer Group is a family business built on years of

such violations of privacy infuriating, the offending magazine and TV network

of my grandson Maximus’s impending fatherhood. Congratulations, Maximus. I haven’t

tone, knowing there was

to stay with Mary Preston. To ensure the divorce proceeds quickly and smoothly, I will assign one of our family lawyers to handle it. Ideally, you

and that b

money to her. me

13

+25 BORUS

fell silent, waiting for her to continue.

touch a single cent of this family’s fortune if she wants wealth, it

stunned. Marcus who had listened quietly until now, leaned back In his chair, unsure how lie fit into

here and why I summoned you all

presence filling

Palmer Conglomerate didn’t begin with us. It was founded through a partnership between the Palmers,

our community, took it upon himself to share what little he had. He always ensured that my family and Marcus’s had food on the table

his shop. Together, with their pooled savings, they turned a modest

and dissolved the partnership. The Bartzs and the Prestons bore the brunt of his failures. Worse still, Frank Levett–Alexia’s father–embezzled millions during this time,

1 would protect it better than my husband. His condition was clear: I had to return the

here, Marcus. I’ve watched you rebuild your life after the tragedy that took your family. You’ve honored the Bartz legacy, and I’m proud of what you’ve achieved. If your

to let her words sink in before