?Chapter 1596:


    Dominic’s chest heaved as he ground out every word. “Do you even know who Chris is? I had his life investigated—every detail. He’s the illegitimate son the Coopers keep hidden. If it were just his family background, that wouldn’t matter. But look at how he lives!” He grabbed a crumpled folder from beside the bed and threw it onto the mattress.


    “He’s a shameless yboy who maniptes women using his charm. Bars, hotels, social events, actresses—you name it. I’ve seen the photos myself. Disgraceful doesn’t even begin to cover it.”


    Maia blinked, taken aback. “You did a background check on him? Did it ever ur to you that these could be fabricated?” She shook her head slightly, knowing the truth—these public images were nothing but Chris’s protective disguise.


    Before she could exin, Dominic cut her off.


    “The evidence came directly from military intelligence! How could it be fabricated? Maia, you’re being far too naive. You have no idea how deceitful some men can be. Don’t let him trick you—open your eyes!”


    Maia frowned, recognizing he would not let her speak. She knew that ingrained assumptions were difficult to overturn—but this was personal. Her choices in love were hers alone. She owed Dominic no exnation.


    Dominic studied her in silence. When she remained quiet, a cold determination gleamed in his eyes.


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    “You’re still trying to defend him?” he said slowly. “Fine. I’ll let you.” He inhaled deeply, speaking each word with deliberate force. “But I have one condition.”


    Maia felt a wave of unease. “Condition?”


    “Divorce him,” Dominic said bluntly, his voice cutting like steel. “Before anyone finds out you’re married, end it immediately. Sign the papers, and Chris will be released.” He leaned forward, the authority in his tone absolute. “If not… Cooper Group’s actions have caused public outrage. If I wanted, Chris could spend the rest of his life in prison. I would personally ensure he never sees freedom again. I’ll make him regret ever existing.”


    Dominic drew a measured breath, his words final and non-negotiable.


    “Maia… the choice is yours.”


    Under Dominic’s unyielding stance, Maia finally felt a profound disillusionment with bonds held together by nothing more than shared blood.


    Perhaps blind prejudice and domineering arrogance were not the sole reasons her mother had fled the Watson family all those years ago. But this crushing obsession with control—this need to dominate every life under his authority—was undoubtedly the final breaking point.


    Maia lifted her gaze, a faint crease forming between her brows, and studied the man sitting on the bed before her.


    Dominic Watson—an aplished general, a war hero decorated with countless honors—had spent his entire life victorious. His fixation on reproducing his own sess and driving the Watson family toward absolute supremacy was obvious, almost instinctive. Yet for all his triumphs, he had never learnedpassion. Nor had he learned respect.


    “There’s nothing left for us to talk about,” Maia said coldly. “Even now, you still don’t understand why my mother was determined to leave, do you?”


    Dominic froze. The weight in his expression deepened.


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