Maloney stopped kissing Darlene and looked at her with l**t-filled eyes before hugging her. He laughed as her arms came around his neck. “Are you tired? How will you take the punishment then?”

“Go cut yourself into pieces!” Darlene said in one breath, her voice soft and feeble, still consumed by l**t.

“Honey, I haven’t even made love to you yet. How can I end my life?” Maloney asked as he kissed Darlene’s soft hair.

She looked up as his grip on her tightened, saying softly, “Hey, you’re hurting me…”

At this, he let go of her and turned so that they were now cuddling. “I was so excited to see you.”

Darlene’s sudden arrival had come as a great surprise to Maloney, who had become incredibly excited. All he wanted was to be one with the woman.

She looked up at him, but Maloney was studiously avoiding eye contact. It was rare for him to be so self-conscious. Darlene smiled. “I understand. But you still miss me even when you’re not lonely at nights, don’t you?”

At these familiar words, Maloney raised a hand and gently touched Darlene’s nose. “Yes,” he said dotingly.

It was at this moment that an old, heavy voice sounded, “Mose, the meeting…”

Before the man could finish his sentence, Maloney interrupted, “I’ll be right there. Go on.”

Darlene frowned as she noticed the white-haired old man stealthily glance at her and slowly retreat.

She looked at Maloney, confused and concerned at the thought of what the meeting could be and at the serious look on the old man’s face.

Maloney gently pulled her into his arms. “My grandfather suddenly passed away the night before last and now, there are a lot of conflicts in the Schmidt family again. Yesterday was my grandfather’s funeral, and a family meeting has been called today.”

His brief explanation carried a trace of solemnity and fatigue. Darlene pressed her cheek to his chest, quietly listening to his powerful heartbeat.

He must have been very busy over these past two days. After all, as leader of such a big family, he had a lot on his plate. Darlene was concerned about him, and all she wanted was to spend time with him and support him.

After a long time, Maloney asked, his voice heavy, “Darlene, I’m going to give up all of this. Will you…will you support me?”

She gently broke away from his warm embrace and looked into his eyes as she said, “I will support you no matter what you do.”

Their eyes flashed, reflecting each other’s feelings.

Now that the family ties were severed, Maloney didn’t want to lead the family anymore. It had now erupted into chaos, everyone fighting for their own interests. Every major power was coveting his position and there were countless people who wanted him to step down. Maloney also wanted to get away from all of this, have a wedding, and quietly spend the rest of his life with his love.

But if he gave up everything here, all his power would be destroyed, and at the same time, he would be betraying his father’s last wish. Leaving at this critical time meant that he’d be shirking his responsibilities towards those who trusted him. This was why Maloney felt so conflicted.

Darlene seemed to see the hesitation in Maloney’s eyes. She looked at him and said gently, “You can do whatever you want. Just be sure to deal with the things here in the best way possible. I will always be with you. Whatever happens, you still have me, our family, and our future children.”

Maloney was touched, choking at the feeling in her words. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he gulped, and two words escaped him. “Thank you.”

Darlene’s affectionate words seemed to bring Maloney to suddenly experience an epiphany. He was no longer alone now. Darlene and their future children would always be there for him.

He was grateful for the considerate and intelligent woman by his side, who had remained with him unconditionally during these times of terrible dilemma.

“You’re so polite with me. I have to punish you for this!” Darlene said, playfully pinching his waist. “Let’s go in. They are waiting for us.”

“Okay.” Maloney nodded, a faint smile on his face as he turned around, Darlene by his side.

As they walked up to the door, Darlene looked around at the depressing-looking building. She poked at the burly body beside her with her elbow and whispered, “Don’t hold me so tightly. Try to act like a patriarch, or others will say that you are obsessed with women.”

“But I am obsessed with you. That’s the truth. Why should I cover it up?” Maloney asked indifferently and touched her waist.

Darlene didn’t want to argue with him because she figured he was just being frank, and also because she was kind of enjoying this secret flirtation.

They passed through the spacious European-style corridor before coming to a stop before a scarlet door. Maloney instructed her, “Go inside and take the empty seat in the first row. After presiding over the family meeting, I’ll come take you away.”

Darlene nodded. They then entered the great hall of the Schmidt family. The rows of seats were almost full of people of different ages.

This was a grand gathering of one of the biggest political families in the United States. All the members of Schmidt’s direct and collateral families had gathered today, trying to gain something from the meeting before the leadership changed. Maloney walked gracefully up to the stage, and Darlene took her seat in the front row as a primary family member. Everyone was surprised at the sight of the gorgeous couple and instantly sobered up.

Darlene sat calmly in her seat, feeling the crowd’s collective hostile gaze on her from all directions. She trained her gaze on the man who belonged to her.

There were many children off stage, and no one presided over the meeting or paid attention to the proceedings for a long time. Darlene’s entrance, however, had attracted everyone’s attention, causing whispers and noise to inevitably erupt. Maloney gently raised a hand from up on stage and the whole audience quickly quieted down. He then spoke fluently, addressing the crowd. “Welcome to all the members of the Schmidt family who have come all this way. My grandfather, Frost Schmidt, passed away a few days ago, which had caused us great pain. But no matter what, we have to move on and live well. The Schmidt family will continue to thrive.”

He spared the apathetic-looking immediate elders in the front row an indifferent glance before continuing in a colder tone, “I know that many people present today are dissatisfied with my succession and management over the past few years. I know that none of you approve of me, an illegitimate child, and that all of you think I’m an unscrupulous man. I said at the succession ceremony five years ago that as long as one of you present was outstanding and worthy enough, I would give up my position as head of the family.

Yes, there has been talent in our family over the years, but the internal strife has become more intense. Someone gets hurt or killed by their family from time to time. I know all of this! But you should also know that the Schmidt family is not what it used to be. It is getting worse and worse. Other families are waiting to take our place. Have you ever rethought everything about yourselves? About why this could be happening? The main reason is that you are not united and always try to plot against your own family. How can such a family be considered strong?”

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