Divorce Me I'm Done Serving You (Ayla and Troy) novel Chapter 673

"Does it have to be right now?" Max caught the tension in Mervin's voice immediately.

Mervin's eyes flickered to Ayla, worry etched across his face.

Max's tone was calm and unwavering. "It's fine. You can say it in front of her."

Ayla noticed how transparent Max was with her. Maybe that was why honesty could win favors. She realized it was his sincerity that had let them become friends so quickly. The goodwill Max showed her had truly made a difference.

Mervin's hesitation seemed like a signal to Ayla. She wasn't oblivious, nor did she want to pry into Max's private affairs. "If it's personal, you two should go talk," Ayla offered. "As for who's been following me, I'll look into it myself."

Max appreciated how different Ayla was from most women he knew. Anyone else would have asked for his help, and he wouldn't have minded playing the hero. But Ayla was calm, capable, and independent—someone who could stand on her own.

If they ever ended up together, she'd be an equal partner, not someone waiting to be rescued.

"Alright," Max agreed easily, his trust in her unwavering.

Still in his pajamas, Max left Ayla's room with Mervin and headed back to his suite.

The instant they walked in, a gun pressed cold and hard against Max's forehead.

The air turned heavy with tension.

Max hadn't seen this coming. Suddenly, Mervin's anxious, defeated look made sense—he'd been threatened.

Max froze for a second, but then his attitude shifted. He relaxed, betraying not a flicker of fear, and looked straight at Draven, who was waiting for him inside.

"Mr. Storm, long time no see," Max said, raising his hands in a gesture of surrender.

Mervin followed suit, hands up, mimicking Max's calm.

Draven sat on the couch, his gaze dark and bottomless, while Herman stood behind him. The two men exuded an intimidating presence. Max was used to seeing Draven spar with Troy, but now he found himself facing Draven as an opponent.

It was an unfamiliar feeling. Max had never liked violence; he always preferred resolving things peacefully.

"Thanks for the warm welcome, but isn't this a bit much?" Max tried to keep things light.

Draven signaled the bodyguard with a glance.

The man stepped back just a little, lowering the gun but not putting it away.

Another guard closed the door behind them.

Maybe this was why Troy hated Draven so much.

Troy was the dominant type, but Draven was just as strong—sometimes even more so.

How could Troy stand it?

Max replied, "Mr. Storm, spying isn't a good look. Ayla just told me how much she hates being watched. She was disgusted."

Draven's jaw tightened, the coldness in him only growing sharper.

Max stared him down, then shrugged. "You know everything already. So I'll be clear—right now, I'm Ayla's boyfriend."

The words seemed to freeze the air, filling the room with ice.

Draven's expression darkened further, and the pressure he radiated became almost unbearable.

Max's smile faltered for a moment, then returned. "I suppose you won't be giving us your blessing, Mr. Storm. But there's really no need to be so angry."

He kept his tone light, even friendly. "You and Ayla broke up a long time ago. She was never unfaithful to you, and there was no overlap. Our relationship started fair and square. So why act like you've been robbed of some priceless treasure?"