The Devil Who Claimed Me

Max slammed the divorce papers onto the table. His glare locked onto the lawyer standing across from him.

"What does she think of herself?" he snapped. "Without me, she is nothing. She wouldn’t survive a single day without my family’s protection."

The lawyer remained calm. "You betrayed her. That’s no longer a secret. The entire city knows about it."

He adjusted his glasses. "So stop making things worse. Sign the papers. If this case goes to court, you’ll be forced to answer questions you won’t like."

His tone turned colder. "And the humiliation will only grow."

Max’s expression darkened. "Are you threatening me?"

His voice thundered through the room. "Do you even know who you are talking to? My father can destroy you."

The lawyer met his gaze without flinching. There wasn’t a trace of fear on his face.

"Then I’ll see you in court."

Dropping those words, he turned and walked out.

The office door clicked shut.

For a moment, silence lingered.

Then Max tore the divorce papers into pieces. The shredded fragments rained onto the floor.

"Mila... You want to get away from me? That’s not happening."

His eyes turned bloodshot.

Suddenly, his phone rang. He glanced at the screen.

Luke Bellini.

His confidence and arrogance disappeared from his face. A flicker of unease crossed his eyes.

Slowly, he answered.

"Hello..." His voice sounded noticeably weaker.

"Come home. Now."

The call ended before Max could reply.

Max stared at the screen. A curse escaped his lips.

"Shit."

He threw the phone onto the desk.

He knew exactly why his father was furious about the scandal and the public outrage.

And in his mind, all of it was Mila’s fault.

"It’s all because of you." His expression twisted. "I’ll deal with you later."

He stormed out of the office.

The moment he stepped outside, chaos erupted. Reporters swarmed him from every direction. Microphones were shoved toward his face.

Camera flashes exploded endlessly.

The sudden brightness nearly blinded him. He instinctively raised an arm to shield his eyes.

"Dr. Max..." A female reporter pushed forward. "We heard you’ve been removed from the research team. Is that true?"

Max froze.

Removed? Nobody had informed him.

Another reporter immediately jumped in. "Dr. Mila has already confirmed it."

"She announced that Dr. Grant will be leading the team from now on."

"The hospital no longer wants you."

Questions bombarded him from every direction.

"Are you getting divorced?"

"Did your affair destroy your marriage?"

"Did Dr. Mila leave you because of your infidelity?"

Max’s mind went blank.

The reporters didn’t stop.

One of them suddenly raised a phone. "Breaking news. Mr. Bellini has officially removed you as his successor."

The crowd gasped.

The reporter continued, "He has publicly disowned you and named his eldest son as heir."

Max’s entire body stiffened. "What?"

The word barely escaped his lips when another reporter quickly checked his phone.

"It’s true."

"The Bellini Corporation just released an official statement."

The crowd exploded.

The news spread instantly.

Luke Bellini had disowned his favorite son.

Max stood frozen. The noise around him faded.

His mind struggled to process what he had just heard.

His father had abandoned him.

Suddenly, several men dressed in black pushed through the crowd. They surrounded him immediately.

"Move aside."

The reporters were forced back. Questions continued to fly through the air.

But Max barely heard them. He was escorted into a waiting car.

The door slammed shut.

Silence filled the vehicle.

Yet the reporters’ voices continued echoing inside his head.

The car drove away.

He didn’t even notice the journey. When the vehicle finally stopped at the Bellini estate, he blinked and returned to reality.

A guard opened the door. "The boss is waiting."

Max nodded numbly. Then he walked into the mansion.

Luke sat in the living room. His face was grim. His eyes were cold.

The moment Max entered, Luke’s expression darkened.

"You." His voice was filled with rage. "I gave you everything."

His glare sharpened. "I chose you as my successor. I trusted you more than anyone. I thought you were understanding, calm, and successful. But you are reckless."

His fist slammed against the armrest.

"I even arranged your marriage to the woman you claimed to love. And you betrayed her?"

Max lowered his head. Shame washed over him.

"Because of you, the entire family is being dragged through the mud. The company is losing money. Investors are furious. Partners are threatening to terminate contracts."

His voice grew harsher with every word.

"And all because you couldn’t keep your pants zipped."

Max clenched his fists. For the first time, genuine regret surfaced.

He finally understood the consequences of his actions.

Luke’s anger intensified when Max remained silent.

"I’m sending you away." His voice turned deadly calm. "You’ve caused enough trouble."

Then he pointed toward the divorce papers lying on the table. "Sign the divorce agreement."

Max finally looked up. His eyes were red. He slowly shook his head.

"No." His voice cracked. "I can’t."

Luke’s face darkened.

"I finally married Mila after all these years." Pain flashed across Max’s face. "I can’t lose her."

"Enough," Luke roared.

The veins in his neck bulged. "You’ve already lost her." His face turned crimson with rage. "The media is attacking us. The public hates you."

"Can’t you see the damage you’ve done?"

Max lowered his gaze again.

The reporters’ questions flashed through his mind. The disgust in their eyes, the mockery, the condemnation.

His chest tightened painfully.

"From now on," Luke said coldly, "you’ll do exactly as I say."

He tossed a plane ticket onto the coffee table. "I’ve arranged everything."

His tone left no room for argument. "You are leaving for Greece tonight. Stay there until this situation is resolved."

A moment later, he pulled out a black card and slid it across the table. "Five million limit. Use it."

Max stared at the card. But he didn’t touch it.

His voice grew hoarse. "I don’t want your money."

Luke frowned.

"I just want to stay here." Max’s eyes filled with desperation. "I know I made a mistake. I’ll apologize to Mila. I’ll issue a public apology if necessary."

He stepped forward. "Please, Dad. Don’t send me away."

Luke remained unmoved. "Enough."

The single word hit like a hammer.

Max flinched.

’I’ve made my decision.’

Luke’s gaze turned icy. "Obey me. Or you’ll suffer even more."

A chilling silence followed.

Then Luke glanced toward the guard. "Take him away."

The guard immediately grabbed Max’s arm.

"Dad—"

"Take him away."

Max was dragged out of the mansion despite his protests.

~~~~~~~~~~~

It was nearly dusk when Dominic arrived at the countryside estate. Several guards immediately blocked his path.

Dominic stopped before them. His expression remained stern.

"I’m Mr. Bellini’s secretary. Mr. Bellini has ordered me to bring his wife home."

The guards exchanged glances.

One stepped forward. "We haven’t received any orders."

Dominic narrowed his eyes. "He sent me all the way here. Is that not enough?"

The guards didn’t move.

Without another word, Dominic pulled out his phone and called Luke.

When the call connected, he spoke calmly. "Your guards are refusing to let me enter."

Luke immediately exploded. "Those idiots. Give the phone to the guard."

Dominic handed it over.

The guard’s face changed almost instantly after hearing Luke’s furious orders.

"Yes, boss." His posture stiffened. "I understand."

After the call ended, the guard hurriedly returned the phone. "My apologies." He bowed respectfully. "You may enter."

Dominic walked inside. The estate was lavishly decorated with expensive furniture, rare antiques, and oil paintings hung on every wall.

He found a maid and stopped her. "I’m here for Madam Celeste. Tell her to pack her things."

The maid nodded and left.

Several minutes later, footsteps echoed through the hall.

Dominic turned.

Celeste appeared. Her expression was cold. Her eyes were filled with resentment.

"Madam," Dominic lowered his head slightly. "I’m Roman. Mr. Bellini sent me to bring you home."

Celeste stared at him. "So I should be grateful?"

Her lips curled into a sneer. "He finally decided to lift my punishment."

Her voice echoed through the hall. "I’ve been locked in this place for five months. He never visited. He never called. And now he sends his secretary?"

Her anger erupted. "What does he think I am? Tell him to come himself."

Her eyes flashed. "I won’t leave until he apologizes."

Dominic remained expressionless. "He won’t come."

The blunt answer stunned her.

"And he won’t apologize." His voice was cold. "He has already shown mercy by allowing you to return."

A dangerous glint flashed in Dominic’s eyes. "If you continue resisting, I’m afraid Mr. Bellini may decide to cut ties with you permanently."