As the Southern Wind Moves On

Chapter 17---Maxwell's Attitude

Ariana Whitmore cried bitterly, collapsing into Maxwell Harrington as she clung to him desperately, looking like a lost child—pitiful and helpless.

Maxwell held her close, soothing her. "Ariana, you're not alone, and you never will be. Calm down!"

She looked up at him, her eyes already swollen with tears. "Don't let her give birth to that child, please! I'm begging you, Maxwell… don't let her have it, or I'll die!"

Her words were firm and deadly serious.

Maxwell stared at her, his deep eyes clouded with anger. "Ariana, stop acting out!"

At that, she suddenly pushed him away, snatched a fruit knife from the side table, and slashed it across her wrist with shocking speed.

It happened too fast. I hadn't expected Ariana to go this far, and Maxwell probably didn't either. His entire being turned icy cold as he suppressed his panic and lifted her, rushing toward the emergency room.

But Ariana clung tightly to the bed rail, refusing to let go. With red, tear-filled eyes, she stared at Maxwell and pleaded, "Don't let her give birth to that child!"

I froze. How much did Ariana truly not want me to have this baby? Looking at Maxwell, I didn't wait for him to speak this time. Instead, I said, "Ariana, don't worry. I won't… I won't have this child."

"Elara Marston!" Maxwell exploded, his dark eyes now bloodshot with fury.

"If you don't get her medical help now, you'll suffer even more when she dies!" I said, forcing down the bitterness rising in my throat.

Maxwell clenched his lips, then gave me a deep, impenetrable look with his night-black eyes before sweeping Ariana into his arms and leaving the ward.

In the empty ward, I stared at the pool of blood left behind from Ariana's wrist—sharp, glaring, and cold.

My fever had broken, and though I still needed nutrient IVs, I had no heart to stay in the hospital. I refused further treatment and checked myself out.

After a night of heavy rain, Aquilon was renewed. I didn't go back to the villa. Instead, I headed straight to Harrington Group.

Arriving at the company's entrance, the receptionist hurried over. "Ms. Marston, Mrs. Whitmore, wife of Leonard Whitmore from Harmony Medical, has been waiting in your office for about fifteen minutes."

I nodded, pressed the elevator button, and told her, "Ask Spencer Hughes to prepare some gifts for me to give to Mrs. Whitmore later. Nothing too expensive, but something thoughtful."

The receptionist nodded.

I took the elevator up, called Elias Montgomery, and he answered on the second ring. "Elara!"

I was surprised—he used my first name directly this time. Frowning slightly, I said, "Are you free tonight? Can we meet?"

He seemed taken aback, paused, then replied, "Sure. Just tell me the time and place."

"I'll send it to you shortly." The elevator doors opened when I hung up. I texted Elias the details.

Then I went to the restroom to touch up my makeup before returning to my office.

Having followed Maxwell for two years, I hadn't come away empty-handed. Except for failing to make him fall in love with me, I'd gained a lot professionally.

At the very least, I'd transformed from a clueless rookie into someone capable of handling complex challenges with ease—undeniably, I had grown.

In the office, an elegant middle-aged woman in a plain peony-patterned cheongsam sat on the black leather sofa, holding her phone, seemingly reading messages.

I lightly knocked on the half-open door before stepping in with a smile. "Mrs. Whitmore, so sorry—traffic was terrible. I kept you waiting!"

She stood and shook my hand, smiling warmly. "No problem at all. I only just arrived myself."

After some polite exchanges, Mrs. Whitmore got straight to the point. "Mrs. Harrington, I apologize for taking your time during work hours, but as you know, our son Leonard Whitmore recently signed a contract with Harrington Group. But now such a big incident has occurred. I was wondering if you could speak to Mr. Marston about postponing the project's start date—just to give Leonard and me some breathing room."