CHAPTER 310: A CHAOS OUTSIDE THE OFFICE

Jeanne stared at Dimitri, stunned by his ominous words.

Downfall of the family?

Her mind raced. Fear twisted in her gut as she tried to make sense of what he was implying. "Downfall? What do you mean? Is Augustine planning something? Dad... are you hiding something from me?" Her voice trembled with suspicion.

Dimitri’s lips tightened. There was so much he couldn’t say, especially not the vile truth about Gabriel. That secret was too dangerous. It would shatter what little stability their family still had.

He met her gaze and spoke carefully. "You know how much Augustine has endured over the years. I do want to give him the recognition and justice he deserves, but Gabriel and Denis will never allow it. And that will only deepen Augustine’s resentment toward us."

He sighed, restless in his seat. "I’m afraid if we leave it like this, that bitterness will eventually turn into full-blown hatred. I want to prevent that. I want them to realize they are not rivals. They are brothers. If they can see that, maybe they’ll start standing by each other instead of pulling this family apart."

He gripped his cane and slowly rose to his feet. "I’m doing this for the future of this family. I hope you understand."

Jeanne lowered her head, her fists clenched tightly against the cold floor. Her husband and son were the only ones who truly mattered to her. Augustine meant nothing to her. He had always been the outsider. He had been pushed out once before, and if necessary, they could exclude him again.

Her heart burned with defiance. She wanted to say, ’He was never one of us. Why should I care what happens to him?’

But when she lifted her head, none of that resentment showed. She swallowed her fury. "I understand. I know you only want what’s best for us. I do too. I want peace in this house."

She stood up, her voice growing more urgent. "But don’t do it now. Let me speak to Denis first. When the time feels right... I’ll tell him myself." She clasped his hand with determination, a pleading look on her face. "Just don’t say a word to Augustine. Let me handle this, please."

A tense silence followed as Dimitri studied her face, torn between her request and the weight of the truth that still lingered in his heart. But that tension dimmed a bit the next moment.

He had already made arrangements and had instructed the butler. Whether he personally told Augustine or not, the truth would come out eventually. Agreeing with Jeanne wouldn’t change the fact.

"Alright," he relented. "I’ll give you the chance to tell him yourself. But you have two weeks. If you don’t, I’ll do it."

"No, please," Jeanne said quickly. "Two weeks is enough. I’ll find the right moment to tell him."

Dimitri gave a short nod before turning away and heading into his room.

As soon as he was out of sight, Jeanne wiped away her tears, her expression twisting into a cold sneer. ’I’ll never tell him anything,’ she thought darkly. ’And I won’t let you do it either. Two weeks... that’s all I need to deal with you.’

She stormed out of the house.

A short while later, the butler entered Dimitri’s room, carrying a glass of juice. He found him seated in his recliner by the window.

"Your juice, Master," the butler said, approaching carefully.

"Leave it there," Dimitri instructed, gesturing to the side table.

The butler placed the glass down but hesitated, glancing at him with concern. "You gave her time... but can you trust her?"

Dimitri’s expression didn’t waver. "It’s not about trust," he said quietly. "She is Denis’s mother. This truth concerns her deeply, and she should be the one to tell him. But even if she doesn’t, the truth will come out. Just follow the plan."

"Yes, Master," the butler replied with a nod. "Everything will proceed as you instructed."

~~~~~~~~

A few calm days had passed.

Augustine had been immersed in work these days, often returning home too late. But today was different. He wrapped up early and drove straight to Anne’s office to surprise her and share dinner together.

He pulled up in front of the office building and sent her a message: ’I’m waiting outside. Can you come down?’

Anne’s eyes lit up the moment she read his text. A wide smile broke across her face. "He came to pick me up," she exclaimed, brimming with joy.

She had missed him more than she admitted, but his demanding schedule had kept them apart. Lately, he would come home late at night, often after she had already fallen asleep. They had barely had time to talk to each other. But today, he was right outside, waiting just for her.

Without wasting a second, she replied: ’I’m coming.’

She tucked her phone away, grabbed her bag, and went out. The moment she stepped out of the office building, her eyes landed on him.

Leaning casually against his car, Augustine looked effortlessly captivating in a sleek gray suit. The breeze ruffled his hair, sending a few strands tumbling across his forehead.

For a second, she just stood there, taking him in. He looked so handsome that she couldn’t stop her heart from skipping a beat. With a grin, she made her way toward him through the gate.

As soon as Augustine spotted Anne stepping out of the gate, he moved toward her, closing the distance in just a few strides. He wrapped his arms around her, burying his face in the crook of her shoulder, breathing in her soft, floral scent.

"I missed you," he murmured, holding her even tighter.

Anne melted into his embrace. "Mmm... it feels so good," she whispered. "I missed you every single moment."

Pulling back slightly, Augustine gazed into her eyes. "I’m sorry," he said. "Work has kept me tied up lately. I haven’t been able to give you the time you deserve. But tonight is all yours. I’m at your service. I’ll fulfil all your demands."

A mischievous smile lit up her face. "Then take me home. My leg cramp is killing me."

He chuckled. "I’ve got just the remedy for that. Let’s get you home."

He led her to the car and opened the passenger door. Anne stepped in gracefully, her eyes never leaving him. Their gaze lingered intimately until he closed the door and walked around to the driver’s seat, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Just as Augustine was about to slide into the driver’s seat, a flash of movement in his peripheral vision caught his attention. A truck was barreling down the road, heading straight toward his parked car. His entire body stiffened, the smile on his face disappearing.

Alarmed, he turned sharply to look at Anne.

"Get out of the car—now," he shouted, waving his arms frantically.

Anne, halfway through buckling her seatbelt, froze. She didn’t catch his words. The car’s soundproof interior muffled everything outside. Confused by his sudden panic, she narrowed her eyes, wondering what he was trying to say.

Augustine’s blood ran cold as he realized she wasn’t moving, and the truck was almost upon them.

"Damn it." He sprinted to her side without wasting another second. He tore open the car door and yanked her out just in time.

The next instant, a deafening crash shattered the air. The truck slammed into the car with brutal force, sending it skidding and crumpling across the road like a toy smashed underfoot.

Clutching Anne tightly, Augustine spun them away from the site. He staggered and slammed hard into the boundary wall, shielding her with his body. Pain flared through his back, but he didn’t let go of her, didn’t let her fall.

Anne stood frozen in his arms, completely stunned. Her mind went blank, her limbs locked in place. She didn’t speak, didn’t move, only her heart pounded violently in her chest.

Slowly, her gaze shifted toward the chaos. The car was a mangled wreck, twisted and broken just a few feet away, while the truck disappeared into the distance.

She could barely believe it. One second more, and they would have been inside that wreck.

Chaos exploded all around them.

The piercing crash had drawn everyone’s attention. Guards from the gate came rushing over, while employees exiting the building paused in stunned silence. Even passersby stopped, drawn in by the horrific scene.

Gasps and murmurs rippled through the gathering crowd.

Augustine winced, pain flaring sharply at the back of his head. He raised a shaky hand to touch it and hissed softly. His fingers brushed a swollen, stinging patch. When he pulled his hand back, crimson smeared his fingertips.

Only now did he realize he had been injured.

Anne’s breath caught when she saw the blood. "Augustine!" she cried, grabbing his hand. Tears sprang to her eyes as panic surged through her chest.

"You are bleeding," she whispered, fear clouding her features.

"I’m alright," he said quietly, attempting to steady her, even though he could feel himself fading. The edges of his vision wavered, shadows crawling inward. His knees threatened to give out beneath him, but he braced himself. He couldn’t collapse yet until he made sure about Anne’s safety.

"Call... Gustave," he breathed, his strength draining.

Anne couldn’t make out his words. Her panic grew tenfold as she watched his eyes flutter shut. "Augustine," she shouted, patting his cheeks. "Don’t fall asleep. Please... stay with me."

Augustine wrapped his arms around her with all the remaining force he could gather. "I’m right here... you are safe."

"Help," Anne screamed out.

One of the guards reached them, wide-eyed. "Madam, are you—?"

"Call Nathan," she pleaded.

The guard gave a sharp nod, already pulling out his phone and contacting the front desk.