Chapter 32
The door slammed open violently, the sound reflecting the opener's foul mood. Grandpa Joke, widowed early but having experienced married life, knew full well the awkwardness of the situation. Combined with seeing Maya and Max grow up, viewing them as his own children, he'd genuinely hoped they could be together. Yet now, feeling he'd acted rashly and inappropriately by rushing over, he felt a pang of guilt. The old man's eyes darted away. *"Just draw the blood first."* Silence. The surroundings were eerily quiet except for the rhythmic *drip, drip* of liquid hitting the floor. Following the sound, Grandpa Joke exclaimed, *"You're bleeding?!"* Looking closer, Max stood there, jacket draped loosely, hair slightly disheveled, his eyes shadowed and unreadable. He covered his nose and mo
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