secret lover 171 Summary


    In this chapter, Axel and Ethan discuss the growing threat posed by Martinez and the need to monitor Maxime closely. Axel insists on caution, emphasizing the importance of keeping their Wright empire discreet and off-limits, especially since he now has a family to protect. Despite Ethan’s suggestion to expand their business in ris to counter Martinez, Axel firmly rejects the idea, showing his determination to avoid unnecessary risks and keep their worlds separate.


    Their conversation reveals the tension between maintaining control and preparing for inevitable conflict. Axel’s cold and calcted demeanor contrasts with Ethan’s more pragmatic approach, but both understand the stakes involved. Axel’s protective instincts surface strongly when he vows to destroy anyone who threatens his family or their legacy, highlighting his fierce loyalty and ruthlessness.


    Later, Axel’s mood softens as he prepares to leave for dinner with his wife, Evelyn. The warmth of home offers a brief respite from the dangerous pressures outside. However, the moment is tinged with subtle tension when Evelyn senses Axel’s drinking, hinting at the emotional weight he carries beneath hisposed exterior.


    The chapter closes with Axel stepping into his family life, momentarily setting aside the looming threats. Yet, the unresolved dangers surrounding Maxime and Martinez remain, underscoring the fragile bnce Axel must maintain between his personal and criminal worlds.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below


    171 It Makes me Human!


    After a long pause, he finally spoke.


    “Keep a close eye on Maxime. Report it to me from time to time. I don’t want to make any move until I know more. I don’t decide based on paranoia alone.”


    “Yes, I will.”


    “By the way, Collins has been digging into him as well, but I haven’t checked histest report. I’ll ask Collins to send everything to you, too. See if there is anything in it that might be useful or concerning.”


    Ethan nodded.


    “I’ll wait for his message.” He hesitated for a moment, then said, “Axel, how about we start an embark


    business here in ris? If Martinez is nning something, we could-”


    The rest of the sentence faded when Axel’s expression changed, his face hardening immediately. His piercing look was enough to silence Ethan.


    “No,” Axel said sharply.


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    1/10


    His voice was calm, but there was no room for


    argument.


    “I have a family now, Ethan. You know we can’t risk that, right? This city is off limits. We built the Wright empire by staying out of sight here. That’s not changing. No question about it.”


    Ethan sighed softly, but his eyes reflected understanding.


    “I thought you’d say that. But if Martinez tries to move against the Knights, we’ll need to act fast. Stay ahead of them. You can’t keep both worlds separate forever.” Ethan still tries to convince him.


    “Axel, sometimes we must ept that a collision between two forces at a single point is inevitable. Especially when the weaker force tends to be aggressive and violent. Like the Martinez…”


    A faint, humorless smile curved Axel’s lips.


    “Don’t worry. If ke tries to y games with my


    family’s name, I won’t stay silent. I’ll bury his business even deeper before he even begins. I’ll bury him too, if


    necessary.”


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    2/10


    A dangerous glint shed in Axel’s eyes… cold and calcted, the kind of look that made men like Ethan remember exactly who he was. Axel Knight was the coldest and most fearless man he had ever known.


    “I’ll wait for your order, Sir…” Ethan said quietly. “And I’ll always be ready to take action.”


    Axel didn’t answer right away. He walked back to the seating area and sank onto the sofa, the weight of his thoughts settling over him.


    He swirled the remaining whiskey in his ss, staring into the amber liquid.


    After a moment, he asked, “How’s business on your side?”


    Ethan leaned against the wall, crossing his arms.


    “Stable. Business as usual. The shipping lines expanded smoothly, and the casinos in Nevalis and Velden have doubled their profits this quarter. We tightened ourwork; no leaks this time. Collins‘ encryption system works perfectly.”


    “Good.”


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    3/10


    Axel nodded slightly, his tone distracted but approving.


    “Make sure our men in Port Cape remain discreet. I don’t want the capital’s media to link the Wright Group to any of our shipments. If they could, many things would be in jeopardy.”


    Ethan gave a shortugh.


    “Rx, Boss. They won’t. I made sure all records are burned, and the few who know the real connections… Well, they don’t talk anymore. They know if they do, they will swim among the fishes. Forever.”


    Axel’s lips curved slightly, though his eyes remained


    cold.


    “Efficient as always.” He said, raising his empty whiskey ss.


    The fire popped softly inside the stove. Outside, the wind howled faintly through the pines.


    For a long time, neither man spoke. The air was thick with unspoken tension and the weight of choices that could not be undone.


    13:40


    4/10


    Finally, Ethan pushed off the wall and said quietly, “You’re different now. More cautious. Fatherhood suits you, but it also makes you hesitate.”


    Axel looked up, his eyes sharp. “It makes me human,” he replied.


    Ethan held his gaze for a moment, then nodded. “Maybe that’s what scares me.”


    Axel’s expression didn’t change.


    “Don’t worry about me, Ethan. Just make sure the Wright Group stays behind the shadows, unseen and untouchable. And keep an eye on Maxime. If Martinez tries to drag him deeper, I want to know before it’s toote.”


    Ethan’s eyes darkened, but he nodded once.


    “Understood.”


    As he turned toward the door, Axel’s voice followed him quietly. “Ethan.”


    Ethan stopped and nced back.


    “Don’t trust anyone who smiles too much in this city,” Axel said, his tone low. “Especially ke Martinez.”


    13:40


    5/10


    A faint smile ghosted across Ethan’s lips. “You forget who taught me that rule.”


    He stepped out into the fading light, the forest whispering again as the door closed behind him.


    Inside the cabin, Axel remained seated, staring into the dying fire.


    The photos were gone, but their images burned in his mind.


    Maxime and Martinez.


    The spark of trouble had already been lit. And he knew… when the time came, he would decide whether to smother it quietly or let it ignite into war.


    The silence of the cabin broke when Axel’s phone


    vibrated across the coffee table.


    The sharp buzz cut through the heavy air, pulling him back from his thoughts.


    He reached for it, and the moment he saw the caller ID, the corner of his lips lifted.


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    6/10


    The tension that had been knotting his jaw finally loosened.


    He stood, grabbed his keys, and stepped out of the cabin as he answered the call.


    “Eve, I’ming…” he said, his tone soft. Before she could even reply, he continued, “Ten minutes…no, wait, I’ll make it seven.”


    A small, amusedugh echoed from the other end.


    Evelyn’s voice followed, smooth and warm, melting away thest remnants of the cold mountain air.


    “Take your time, Axel. I just wanted to ask if you’d like to have dinner with us.”


    “Of course, Eve. I’m on my way,” he said without


    hesitation.


    “Hmm… alright, drive safely.”


    When the call ended, a faint smile remained on his


    face.


    For a man who had just burned photographs that could start a war, he suddenly seemed like a happier man on earth.


    13:40


    7/10


    He got into his truck, started the engine, and


    descended the mountain road with a speed that made the trees blur past him.


    For now, he let himself forget about Maxime Knight and the dangerous mess his cousin was tangled in.


    He would deal with thatter.


    Tonight, his world narrowed to one thing: his wife and


    his son.


    When Axel finally reached the house, the evening


    lights were already on, casting a soft glow through the tall windows.


    He parked smoothly in front, straightened his shirt, took a deep breath, and hurried to get out of the car.


    The house door swung open before he could turn the


    handle.


    Evelyn stood there, framed by the warm light from inside. Her hair fell loose over her shoulders; she


    looked beautiful as ever.


    “Eve,” Axel greeted with a grin as he pulled her into his arms. “I’m notte, right?”


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    “No,” she said, smiling at how hurried he looked, with


    his usualposure reced by a hint of panic. “You’re right on time.”


    He sighs in relief.


    Sheughed softly, but then her smile faltered. Her nose twitched slightly, and her expression changed.


    “Axel…?”


    His body stiffened, just a fraction, before he saw the look in her eyes. She leaned back slightly, sniffing the


    air.


    “Are you drinking?” she asked, her tone calm but pointed. Conclusion


    This chapter delicately explores the tension between duty and personal life, highlighting Axel’s internal struggle as he bnces the cold ruthlessness required by his empire with the warmth and vulnerability brought on by fatherhood. His cautious approach to the threats looming over his family and business reveals a man who has evolved, now more human and aware of the stakes beyond mere power. The quiet moments shared with Ethan emphasize loyalty and the unspoken understanding that survival in their world demands both vignce and restraint.


    Despite the looming danger represented by Maxime and Martinez, Axel’s return home to Evelyn and his son offers a poignant contrast—a sanctuary where he can momentarily set aside the burdens of his empire. The tender reunion and Evelyn’s perceptive question about his drinking subtly underscore the emotional weight Axel carries, reminding us that beneath his hardened exterior lies a man profoundly affected by the precariousness of his world and the love that grounds him. This chapter closes on a note of fragile hope, where love and loyalty coexist with the ever-present shadow of conflict.What to Expect in Next Chapter?


    The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the fragile bnce Axel must maintain between his ruthless business empire and his tender family life. As the shadows of suspicion around Maxime and Martinez grow darker, Axel’s resolve will be tested in ways that challenge not only his strategic mind but his very humanity. The tension simmering beneath the surface hints at confrontations that could shatter the careful order he has built, forcing him to confront ufortable truths and hard choices.


    Meanwhile, the emotional undercurrents between Axel and Evelyn suggest that even within the sanctuary of home, the past and present dangers are never far away. The subtle shift in Evelyn’s demeanor hints at secrets or concerns that mayplicate their rtionship, addingyers of vulnerability and uncertainty to Axel’s already heavy burden. Readers can anticipate a chapter rich with emotionalplexity, where loyalty, trust, and the cost of power collide in unexpected ways.


    Sara Lili


    <strong>Sara Lili</strong> is a daring romance writer who turns icyndscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of d’s breathtaking cold.