Chapter 39 : A Complex Web Of Secrets

Damon's empire

Maxwell's room

Adrian furiously barged into Maxwell's room, where Maxwell was lounging, a cigarette dangling between his fingers. The smoke hung thick in the air, a stark contrast to the stormy expression on Adrian's face.

"Maxwell, you're here smoking while Francis has escaped!" Adrian thundered, his voice echoing through the room.

Maxwell looked up, unfazed, and sighed. "I assigned guards to him. It's not my fault they're incompetent."

Adrian huffed, his anger barely contained. "Really now? You were given the simple task of making sure Francis stayed in custody, but you handed it off to some useless guards?"

Maxwell's eyes narrowed slightly, but he remained seated, taking another drag from his cigarette. "And what would you have me do, Adrian? Babysit him personally? I have other responsibilities too."

"This won't do," Adrian snapped, turning towards the door. "Father needs to hear about this."

"Just a minute, Adrian," Maxwell said, his tone suddenly sharper. Adrian halted, turning back with a glare.

*

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Maxwell rose slowly from his chair, exhaling a cloud of smoke. "Do you have an issue with me? Because this isn't just about Francis's escape."

Adrian's eyes flashed with anger. "You're right, it's not. You've been shirking your duties for too long, Maxwell. You think you can just sit back and let others clean up your messes."

Maxwell's gaze hardened. "And you think you can do everything yourself? You're just as flawed as the rest of us, Adrian. You just hide it behind your self-righteousness."

Adrian stepped closer, his fists clenched. "At least I take my responsibilities seriously. This empire is falling apart because of your laziness."

Maxwell laughed bitterly. "You think you're the savior of this empire? Newsflash, Adrian: you're not. We all play a part in this, and your constant need to control everything is just as destructive."

Adrian's jaw tightened. "I don't have time for this. I'm going to Father."

Maxwell's voice took on a mocking tone. "Go ahead, run to Daddy. Maybe he'll pat you on the head and tell you what a good little soldier you are."

Adrian spun on his heel and stormed out, his anger now a cold, simmering rage. Maxwell watched him go, a frown creasing his brows.

*

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As Adrian headed towards his father's quarters, his mind raced with thoughts of revenge and retribution. He would ensure that Maxwell paid for his negligence and disrespect. Francis's escape was a serious breach, and it needed to be addressed swiftly.

Meanwhile, Maxwell put out his cigarette and began to think. Adrian's outburst had struck a nerve, but it also made him realize that there were deeper issues at play. He needed to be more careful, to play his cards right if he wanted to survive in this power struggle.

*

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Damon's Chamber

Adrian stormed into his father's chamber, his anger barely contained. His father, Damon, looked up from his desk, his piercing eyes assessing his son's fury.

"Father, we have a serious problem," Adrian began, his voice tight. "Francis has escaped, and it's all Maxwell's fault. His incompetence is endangering our empire. You need to deal with him."

Damon raised an eyebrow, leaning back in his chair. "Calm down, Adrian. Tell me exactly what happened."

Adrian took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. "Maxwell was supposed to oversee Francis's custody, but he handed it off to some useless guards. Now Francis is gone, and Maxwell is just sitting back, smoking and making excuses."

Damon's gaze sharpened. "I see. And you believe Maxwell is solely to blame?"

"Yes," Adrian replied, his voice edged with frustration. "He's been neglecting his duties for too long."

Damon studied his son for a moment, then spoke calmly. "Adrian, I sense there's more to this than just Maxwell's negligence. What's really bothering you?"

Adrian hesitated, his anger flaring again. "It's... it's not just about this. Maxwell has been keeping things from me. Important things."

Damon's eyes narrowed. "Such as?"

Adrian blurted out before he could stop himself. "He knew about Mother—Sophia's secret—but he kept it from me when I asked. He knew the truth, and he didn't tell me."

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Damon's expression shifted from curiosity to surprise, and then to a cold, calculating look. "Sophia's secret? And Maxwell knew about this?"

Adrian nodded, his rage still simmering. "Yes. He withheld information that I had every right to know. He betrayed my trust."

Damon leaned back, his fingers steepled as he considered his son's words. "This changes things. If Maxwell knew something about Sophia and kept it from you, that's a significant breach of trust."

Adrian's eyes blazed with determination. "Exactly. We can't allow him to continue undermining us from within."

Damon sighed, his gaze still fixed on Adrian. "I understand your frustration, but we must handle this delicately. Maxwell is a valuable asset, despite his faults. We can't afford to make hasty decisions."

Adrian clenched his fists, struggling to contain his emotions. "What do you suggest, then?"

Damon stood, walking around the desk to stand in front of his son. "We need to get to the bottom of this. I will speak to Maxwell and determine the extent of his knowledge about Sophia. If he has indeed betrayed us, he will face the consequences."

Adrian nodded, though his anger remained. "Thank you, Father. I just want what's best for our family and our empire."

Damon placed a hand on Adrian's shoulder, a rare gesture of fatherly reassurance. "I know you do, Adrian. We will handle this, together. But remember, our strength lies in unity. We must be careful not to let personal grievances tear us apart."

Adrian took a deep breath, trying to let his father's words calm him. "I understand. I'll await your decision."

Damon gave a curt nod. "Good. Now, go. I have matters to attend to."

As Adrian left the chamber, his mind was still racing with thoughts of Maxwell and Sophia's secret. He knew this was far from over, and he was determined to see justice done, no matter the cost.

*

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Damon was left in deep thought as Adrian left his chambers. He paced the room, piecing together the implications of what he had just learned. Maxwell had indeed known about Sophia's secret—specifically, that Anthony and Adrian were brothers—a fact they had both decided to keep from Adrian. But Adrian's mention of it now, combined with his intense anger, made the situation highly suspicious.

Damon frowned, wondering if there were other secrets about Sophia that Maxwell might be keeping from him. The idea that Maxwell could be withholding critical information gnawed at him, raising questions he could no longer ignore.

---

### Damon's Contemplation

Damon sat back down at his desk, staring at a framed photograph of Sophia. His mind churned with memories and unanswered questions. Sophia had always been a complex woman, full of secrets and unspoken truths. Had Maxwell been her confidant all along? And if so, what else could he be hiding?

Adrian's discovery meant that Damon needed to act quickly and decisively. The stability of their empire depended on knowing the full truth. Maxwell's loyalty was now in question, and Damon needed to find out just how deep this betrayal went.

---

Damon picked up his phone and dialed a number. The call was answered on the second ring.

"Find Maxwell and bring him to me," Damon ordered curtly.

As he waited, Damon reviewed the facts: Adrian's outburst, Maxwell's possible duplicity, and the secrets about Sophia. He needed to get Maxwell to talk, and he had ways to ensure that he did.

---

It wasn't long before Maxwell was escorted into Damon's chamber. The man looked as composed as ever, though Damon could sense an underlying tension.

"Damon," Maxwell greeted, his tone neutral.

"Maxwell," Damon replied coldly. "We need to talk."

Maxwell raised an eyebrow. "About what?"

"About Sophia," Damon said, his voice hardening. "And about what other secrets you might be keeping from me."

Maxwell's eyes narrowed, but he maintained his calm. "I told you everything I knew about Sophia's situation."

Damon leaned forward, his gaze piercing. "Did you? Because Adrian seems to believe there's more to the story. He mentioned you knew something he didn't."

Maxwell shifted slightly, but his composure remained. "Adrian is emotional. You know that. He's grasping at straws because he's upset about Francis."

Damon slammed his fist onto the desk. "Enough, Maxwell! I need the truth. What else are you hiding about Sophia?"

Maxwell's calm façade cracked slightly. He took a deep breath. "There are things I kept quiet about, yes. But I did it to protect you and the family."

Damon's eyes blazed with anger. "What things, Maxwell? Tell me now."

Maxwell looked at Damon, realizing he had no choice but to come clean. "Sophia had more secrets. There were aspects of her life she didn't share with you. I only learned of them after her disappearance."

Damon's heart pounded. "Like what?"

Maxwell hesitated, then spoke. "Sophia was involved in a clandestine organization. She was working on something big, something that could disrupt not just our empire, but others as well. I didn't want to tell you until I had all the details."

Damon's mind raced. "What kind of organization?"

Maxwell looked around the room, ensuring they were alone. "I don't have all the specifics, but it was powerful and secretive. I believe it has connections that go deeper than we initially thought. And it's possible that Mary's - Khalid's wife disappearance is tied to them."

Damon sat back, absorbing the revelation. "Why didn't you tell me this sooner?"

"I was protecting you," Maxwell insisted. "And I needed time to verify the information. If we act rashly, we could be putting ourselves at even greater risk."

Damon's anger simmered down, replaced by a cold determination. "We need to uncover everything. I want you to dig deeper, find out what you can about this organization. And Maxwell," he added, his voice dangerous, "if you ever keep anything from me again, there will be consequences."

Maxwell nodded, understanding the gravity of Damon's words. "I will, Damon. I promise."

As Maxwell left the room, Damon leaned back in his chair, his mind whirling with the implications of what he had just learned. The web of secrets surrounding Sophia was far more intricate than he had imagined, and he knew he had to tread carefully. One wrong move could unravel everything.