Chapter 631

Max helped Alec lie down, then lay on the single bed next to him. Thoughts swirled in his mind. If Alec died, how much of the inheritance would he get? Just then, a faint clacking of footsteps echoed from somewhere, followed by the sound of children laughing. Even the rustling of leaves outside the window was unusually clear, as though something was approaching. The room itself was utterly silent. It was so quiet that Max could hear Alec's breathing on the other bed. In an instant, Max felt his scalp tingle and his heartbeat quicken. The footsteps grew louder, stopping just outside the bedroom door. He could hear the faint murmurs of children as if they were discussing something. Suddenly, the murmuring ceased, and the footsteps entered the room. Max's mind was fully alert. Every sound was sharp in his ears, but his limbs were frozen in place. The footsteps were cheerful, almost like the children were skipping. They came closer and closer until they stopped at the edge of his be