Luke’s expression gradually turned cold.

"I’m your father," he said heavily. "Whether you like it or not, you can’t erase the blood bond between us."

Max’s eyes instantly burned with fury. "Now you remember the blood bond? Back then, it was you who cut ties with Mom."

His voice rose with anger. "You left us. You abandoned us because we weren’t important enough for you. And now you suddenly remember the blood bond?"

Luke’s face stiffened.

"Mom waited for you until the very end," Max continued harshly. "She kept believing you would come back someday."

Pain flashed through his eyes. "But you never did. She died waiting for you."

Silence filled the room for a few seconds.

"And me?" Max sneered. "I stopped wanting you a long time ago."

Luke’s stern face finally cracked with visible pain. "I was helpless back then," he rasped heavily. "My family business was collapsing. My parents pressured me to marry into another powerful family."

His voice turned quieter. "I didn’t have a choice."

Max snorted in disgust. "You had a choice. You just didn’t choose us."

Luke fell silent.

"You already have your family now," Max added fiercely. "I’m not part of it."

"You are my son," Luke interrupted firmly. "You are my family too."

"No." Max’s voice thundered through the room. "I am not."

Then he pointed a finger at Luke warningly. "Don’t try contacting me again."

He turned and started walking toward the door.

But Luke suddenly spoke again. "I know you are doing medical research."

Max paused.

Luke slowly stood up. "I can help you."

Max’s back stiffened.

"I don’t lack money anymore," Luke continued. "I want to invest in your research."

"We already have an investor," Max replied without looking back at him. "We don’t need your help."

"Max..." Luke’s voice finally lost its authority. It sounded helpless now. "I know I failed your mother."

Guilt clouded his face heavily. "I couldn’t give her the life she deserved. That regret has been killing me for years."

For the first time, the mighty businessman looked exhausted instead of powerful.

"Please...Give me one chance to do something for you."

"I don’t care about your guilt." Max turned. "When Mom was dying, I desperately needed you."

Luke froze.

"I called you countless times. I begged to see you." Max’s fists clenched tightly beside him. "But your wife wouldn’t let me meet you."

Luke’s face gradually turned pale.

"And you ignored us completely when we needed you the most. But now... Now I’m successful. I became a doctor without you."

Then Max’s voice turned merciless. "I don’t need you anymore."

He stormed out of the room. The door slammed shut heavily behind him.

Luke remained standing silently for a long moment. His fists slowly tightened.

Back then, he truly had been helpless. To save the Bellini empire and rise to the top, he had sacrificed the woman he loved most. At that time, he believed ambition mattered more than love. He believed power and wealth would eventually make him happy.

And now? He had everything. He had enough wealth for generations to live lavishly without working. He possessed an influence powerful enough to shake the entire nation.

But he still wasn’t happy.

The woman he married only stayed beside him for business ties. There was no warmth between them. No love. Even his children only cared about his power and inheritance.

But the one woman who had truly loved him without conditions was gone forever.

Luke slowly lowered himself back onto the sofa. For the first time in years, exhaustion appeared in his eyes.

His greatest regret was abandoning the woman who had loved him sincerely, and he couldn’t undo any of it.

But maybe he could still do something for Max. Perhaps that would lessen the crushing guilt weighing on his chest.

"Keep watching him," Luke ordered quietly.

The man beside him immediately straightened.

"I want updates on everything. Make sure he gets whatever he wants."

"Understood, sir."

After a brief pause, the man added respectfully, "The delegates have arrived. They are waiting for you."

Luke gave a curt nod. "Send them in."

The man bowed and walked out.

Outside the hotel...

Dominic had been sitting inside a black car parked across the street, waiting for updates from his men. Suddenly, his phone vibrated.

He opened the message immediately.

A photo appeared on the screen.

The moment he saw it, his posture stiffened sharply. "It’s Max..."

Below the photo was a short message: ’He met with Mr. Bellini.’

Dominic’s eyes narrowed dangerously. "What is Max doing with Luke Bellini?"

Uneasiness slowly crept into his chest. "Is he connected to the core team too?"

Or was it simply business?

Dominic wasn’t sure. But the moment Luke Bellini became involved, his instincts immediately warned him of danger. And Mila was currently with Max.

"This man isn’t trustworthy. Mila shouldn’t stay close to him."

Without delay, Dominic dialed Mila’s number.

But she didn’t answer.

His brows furrowed further. He called again.

Still nothing.

Worry immediately tightened inside him. "Why isn’t she answering?"

He called one more time.

No response.

"Damn it," he muttered sharply.

Immediately, he called one of his men.

"What’s Luke doing now?" he asked coldly.

"He is currently meeting several business delegates," the man replied. "What’s your order, boss? Should we move in?"

Dominic’s nostrils flared. "Wait. Mila is still inside. I’ll take her out first."

He opened the car door immediately. "Wait for my call."

Then he ended the call and strode toward the hotel.

Inside the banquet hall...

Max’s expression remained tense as he returned. The joy from earlier had completely disappeared. All that remained was frustration and bitterness.

"Max..." Mila immediately walked toward him. "Where did you go?"

Max forced a faint smile, but it never reached his eyes.

"What happened?" Mila asked worriedly while studying his expression carefully. "You don’t look good."

Max quickly shook his head. "No... It’s nothing."

He tried forcing another smile. "I’m fine."

Mila looked unconvinced. "Are you sure?"

"Yes." He took her hand in his. "The conference is already over. How about we go out for a while?"

Mila hesitated instantly.

Dominic had specifically warned her not to wander around after the conference. He had told her to return straight to his apartment.

"I don’t think it’s a good idea," she replied politely. "My boyfriend might already be waiting for me."

She tried pulling her hand away. But Max tightened his grip unconsciously.

"Please, Mila," he said quietly. "Come with me. I’m really disturbed right now. I don’t want to be alone."

Mila gaped at him.

This wasn’t the confident, cheerful Max she knew. He looked emotionally shattered.

She didn’t know what had happened, but leaving him alone felt cruel. After hesitating for a few moments, she finally sighed softly.

"Okay."

Max smiled. "Thanks, Mila." He hugged her.

Inside the private room behind the one-way glass wall, Luke quietly watched everything. His entire attention remained fixed on Max and Mila.

The business delegates sitting nearby no longer mattered to him.

For decades, he had devoted his entire life to business and ambition. And in return, he had lost the woman he truly loved along with his son.

For the first time in years, he wanted to fix something.

Luke gestured for his man to come closer.

The man in the black suit stepped forward respectfully.

Luke’s gaze remained on Mila and Max. "Investigate that girl," he ordered quietly.

The man immediately followed his line of sight.

"I think Max likes her."

Someone suddenly burst into the private room. His face was deathly pale, panic written all over it.

"Mr. Bellini," he shouted breathlessly. "You have to leave now."

Bang-Bang...

Before anyone could react, deafening gunfire erupted through the hotel, shaking the entire floor. Screams exploded outside. Glass shattered. Chaos instantly consumed the building.