Chloe looked at Liam carefully. His words made sense, and slowly she felt relief in her heart. She finally believed Liam was telling the truth.
Liam turned back to Maria, trying to smile calmly now.
"What about you, Mother? Aren’t you going to get a car?"
Maria shook her head gently, her eyes looking down.
"No, Liam. I don’t feel like getting a car anymore. I just want to leave."
At that mont in ti Liam didn’t say another word. Without waiting, he turned around and walked quickly out of the showroom. He left first.
Chloe gently held her mother’s hand, squeezing softly as she spoke in a calm voice.
"Mom, please calm down. Liam is actually right this ti. I understand what he’s saying. Even , I don’t think it’s good for him to buy a car that’s less expensive than Valentina’s. It doesn’t make sense at all."
At that mont her mother looked at Chloe quietly, shaking her head slightly. But Maria couldn’t hold back her thoughts anymore. She took a slow breath, then turned fully towards Chloe, looking into her daughter’s eyes seriously.
"Chloe, listen to carefully," Maria said, keeping her voice low but clear.
"Don’t let Liam trick you with sweet words. Did you not see the way he was looking just now when Raymond caught him? Think carefully about what just happened."
Chloe frowned, a bit confused, as Maria continued speaking.
"Rember how quickly Liam changed when Raymond asked him questions? Suddenly, he beca kind and caring, holding your arm and smiling like he cared a lot," Maria explained clearly.
"That kindness ca out of nowhere. Why wasn’t he kind and caring from the start? He only beca like that after he almost got caught in having interest in Valentina."
Maria shook her head softly, sighing deeply.
"It’s clear to , Chloe. Liam never really wanted to buy you that car."
Maria took a deep breath, shaking her head slowly. She looked Chloe straight in the eyes and spoke quietly, almost like sharing a secret.
"Chloe, listen carefully. Liam is just playing gas right now. Look closely at him. I think he’s starting to have second thoughts about marrying you. I’m not completely sure, but I feel it deep inside ."
Hearing what her mother just said.
Chloe swallowed hard, her heart beating a bit faster.
"Mom, do you really think Liam would do sothing like that?" Her voice shook slightly, showing she was afraid of what she might hear next.
Maria nodded gently.
"Yes, Chloe. Look at the way he’s acting now. Do you think a man who truly loves you would behave this way? Think about it carefully."
Chloe stayed silent for a mont, thinking deeply. Then she finally nodded slowly.
"I understand what you’re saying, Mom," Chloe replied softly. "But no matter what Liam does or thinks, I’m still going to do everything needed to make sure this marriage works. I’ll do my best so everything turns out fine."
Maria smiled a little, gently touching Chloe’s shoulder.
"Good. That’s all I wanted to hear from you."
Maria looked towards the exit, her voice a little more worried as she spoke again.
"But Chloe, please keep your eyes open. Watch Liam closely. Because right now, sothing isn’t right."
Chloe nodded again, trying to hide her worry. She knew her mom was right. Liam’s actions were getting stranger each day.
"Let’s just go ho," Chloe said softly.
"We’ll figure everything out from there."
Maria gave Chloe a small smile, holding her hand gently as they began to walk slowly out of the showroom.
At that mont a realization hit Maria, then she took a deep breath, stepping away from Chloe as she clutched her phone tightly. Her perfectly manicured fingers hovered over the screen for a second before she finally dialed the number. The line rang twice before a deep, gravelly voice answered.
"Well, well... Look who finally rembers ," the man chuckled, his voice carrying the weight of soone who had seen too much, done too much. "Maria, I never thought I’d hear from you again. What’s wrong? Soone pissing you off already?"
Maria smirked.
"I’m back, Damon," she said, her tone dripping with confidence.
"And I need you."
However There was a brief silence on the other end before Damon Blackwood, the ruthless enforcer of the underground syndicate known as The Black Bear, let out a low laugh.
"That so?" he mused.
"Didn’t think you’d co crawling back so soon. What’s got your blood boiling this ti?"
Maria’s grip on the phone tightened. She glanced over her shoulder, as her thoughts was still on Raymond and Valentina, her lips curling in disgust.
"I have a problem that needs fixing," she said.
"And you’re just the man for the job."
Damon exhaled slowly, his voice dropping into a more serious tone. "You know my rules, Maria. This ain’t charity work. You better have sothing worth my ti."
Maria smirked again, already knowing exactly what to offer.
"Oh, trust , Damon... this one’s personal."
At that mont Damon let out a low chuckle, his voice heavy with amusent.
"Sounds like it’s serious, Maria. And you know I don’t handle business over the phone. You want my help, you co to ." His tone was firm, leaving no room for negotiation. "et at my place. We’ll talk."
Maria didn’t hesitate.
"Understood," she replied smoothly before ending the call. She slid her phone back into her purse, exhaling as she turned to Chloe, her expression unreadable.
Chloe frowned slightly, sensing the shift in her mother’s deanor. "Is sothing wrong?" she asked, her voice laced with curiosity.
Maria gave her a tight-lipped smile. "Nothing you need to worry about, sweetheart. Just so important business I need to handle." Her gaze was sharp, calculated. "You should go ho for now. I’ll et you there later."
Chloe hesitated, but years of knowing her mother told her not to push when Mother was like this. She nodded. "Alright. Just... don’t take too long."
Maria smirked, reaching out to adjust a strand of Chloe’s hair.
"I won’t. Now go."
Chloe gave one last glance before turning to leave. As soon as she was gone, Maria’s smirk faded, replaced by a cold, determined look. She straightened her coat and walked toward the exit, her heels clicking against the floor with unwavering confidence.
She had a eting to attend.
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