Max's face changed instantly. He shot to his feet and shoved the security guards off him.
“Kenneth, did all that studying rot your brain? We're telling you to return to the family line—that's the Perry family accepting you. How can you keep degrading yourself by carrying your mother's name? You know, a few hundred years ago, that would've been an absolute disgrace. You wouldn't be able to walk down the street without people cursing you to your face.”
My brows knotted tight. Every word out of Max's mouth made my skin crawl. If there hadn't been so many people watching, I would have gone up there and slapped him twice more.
Diane fixed her eyes on Kenneth too.
“Kenny, your father had no choice back then. He had to let you take the Delgado name. But Perry blood runs through your veins. If you don't change your name back, you won't even be laid to rest in the Perry ancestral graves when you die.”
I stepped in front of my son and let out a cold laugh.
“Your Perry ancestral graves? Help yourselves. My son wouldn't be caught dead there.”
Kenneth spoke up right behind me.
“Dad, I won't be changing my name. Please don't try to persuade me anymore. I only want to be a Delgado.”
Pride flooded through me as I looked at my son. I opened my mouth to speak, but before a single word came out, I was shoved hard to the side.
Then I saw Max kick Kenneth square in the body.
“You worthless disgrace! How did I end up with something that has no dignity, no self-respect? Fine—today your father's going to discipline you properly.”
By the time security rushed in and hauled Max off, Kenneth's arms and torso were already mottled black and blue.
Looking at my son, the pain hit me so hard I could barely breathe.
“Mom, I'm fine. Don't worry about me.”
My fists clenched so hard my knuckles ached. I turned to Max, and every part of me wanted to destroy him.
“Max. We're getting a divorce.”
He snorted, completely unbothered.
“Fine by me. Give me the kid, or leave the marriage with nothing. Those are your two options. Otherwise I'm not signing a thing.”
A sharp, contemptuous breath left my throat.
“Not a chance. The Delgado assets are mine. Don't even dream about it.”
Max smiled.
“Then I'll take the boy. You hear that, Kenny? Your own mother doesn't even want you. Come on, come home with me.”
Diane started shouting too.
“Hand Kenny back to the Perry family right now! He has Perry blood in him. He's a Perry descendant!”
I reached into my bag and pulled out a report.
“Kenneth is my son. He has nothing to do with Max Perry. And he has absolutely nothing to do with the Perry family.”
