CHAPTER 198: CHAPTER 198

Olivia’s POV

When Kennedy pulled us out from under the bed - first Kira, then me - I knew we were absolutely doomed.

I immediately started searching my mind for an excuse, any excuse, that could possibly explain why we’d been hiding under Maxwell’s bed while a naked woman tried to seduce him.

Kennedy was still holding my arm, studying me from head to toe with those sharp, analytical eyes that had always been able to see through everyone’s bullshit.

"You must be the famous Oliver," he said slowly. "My supposed cousin."

I immediately ducked my head, trying to hide my face behind the wig. He can’t see me properly. Please don’t let him recognize me.

"What were you doing in my bedroom?" Maxwell’s voice was cold, controlled, nothing like the rage-filled roar from moments ago.

I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. My brain had completely short-circuited.

Thankfully, Kira stepped in.

"When I came to my boyfriend’s room, we were together," she said quickly, her voice steady despite the absurdity of the situation. "And we started hearing voices outside the door. Voices talking about a conspiracy."

"Yes!" I jumped on the story, finding my voice. "We heard Maxwell’s door open, so we snuck inside through the connecting door. We hid behind the curtains first and heard everything - the whole plan between that woman and the security guard."

It was absolute rubbish. Complete nonsense. But it was all I had.

Kennedy’s eyebrow raised. "And how exactly did you end up under the bed if you started behind the curtains?"

Shit.

"We went under there to hear all the devious details better," Kira said without missing a beat. "And then we stayed there so Maxwell wouldn’t fall into their trap. The plan was to save him when he came in all drugged and vulnerable."

Maxwell’s lips curved into something that wasn’t quite a smile. His eyes locked onto Kira. "You wanted to save me?"

Kira nodded, but it was just a short, jerky movement.

"You, Kira?" Maxwell pressed, clearly enjoying her discomfort. "Are you absolutely sure about that? Or were you hiding there to help Agnes get the deed done?"

Kira sucked in her breath dramatically, her hand flying to her chest. "I would never! I’m not like that. I would never do something so... so horrible!"

As she spoke, I noticed her eyes kept darting to Kennedy. Quick, furtive glances that she probably thought were subtle but absolutely weren’t.

Oh no. Her feelings for him were still strong.

After all these years, after everything that had happened between them, Kira still carried a very bright torch for my brother.

And Kennedy was married. Happily married. If Kira let herself fall for him again, he’d break her heart into a thousand pieces without even trying.

We stood there in silence, waiting for judgment, waiting for Maxwell to call our bluff or Kennedy to see through our ridiculous excuse.

Instead, Maxwell surprised us both.

"Thank you," he said, and he actually sounded sincere. "For trying to protect me. That was... brave of you both." He moved toward the door. "Now, let’s all head down to dinner. I’m starving."

Kira cleared her throat loudly. "Actually, I’ve done what I came here to do - checking on my man. I really should head home now."

I shot her a look that could kill. Don’t you dare leave me here alone!

"Are you okay with that, Oliver?" Maxwell asked, his eyes finding mine.

"No!" The word came out too quickly, too desperately. "I mean... I’ve missed my girlfriend so much. If you wouldn’t mind, I’d love for her to spend the night. Please?"

Kira’s expression said she wanted to murder me, but I didn’t care. If Kennedy figured out who I was tonight, I needed backup.

Maxwell’s lips twitched. "Of course. Any girlfriend of Oliver’s is welcome in my home."

Dinner was tense from the moment we sat down.

Maxwell called for Mrs. Tote, the head chef, before anyone could touch their plates.

"Was anyone in the kitchen earlier?" he asked. "Any of the security guards?"

Mrs. Tote shook her head firmly. "No, sir. I just finished cooking, and I was in the kitchen the entire time. No one came in."

"Good." Maxwell nodded. "Thank you."

Only then did we start eating, and I kept my head down, shoveling food into my mouth to avoid having to speak.

That strategy lasted approximately thirty seconds.

"So, Oliver," Kennedy started, "are we truly cousins?"

I swallowed hard. "Yes. Distant cousins. I only just found out myself recently."

Keep it vague. Don’t give details he can verify.

"Interesting." Kennedy cut into his steak carefully. "What are your parents’ names?"

My heart stopped. "I’m... I’m an orphan, actually."

The lie tasted bitter on my tongue, especially since my very much alive parents were expecting me for lunch tomorrow.

"Wow, I didn’t know that. Sorry for bringing it up." Kennedy apologized.

"How has life been in London?" Kira jumped in, her voice bright and loud. "Must be exciting!"

I mouthed a silent "thank you" to her. Then immediately started munching my food when I noticed Maxwell staring.

"It’s been good," Kennedy said, seeming content to let the cousin topic drop for now. "I’m currently working at the university as a lecturer. On a long leave right now."

"Oh? Which university?" Kira leaned forward with interest.

"Oxford."

The word hung in the air like he’d just said he worked on the moon.

"Oxford?" Kira’s eyes went wide. "As in... Oxford Oxford? In England?"

"That’s the one."

I nearly choked on my water. Kennedy was teaching at Oxford? When had that happened? He’d been at the state university last I knew, and now suddenly he was at one of the most prestigious universities in the world?

I wanted to congratulate him, to say how proud I was, but I couldn’t. Because Oliver didn’t know Kennedy. Oliver was just a distant cousin who’d never met him before tonight.

"That’s incredible," Kira said, and I could hear the admiration in her voice. "Your students must be so lucky. What do you teach?"

"Literature and creative writing."

Kennedy started explaining his work, and I used the distraction to turn my attention to my plate, keeping my head down and my face hidden behind my hair.

I caught Maxwell staring at me. Specifically, at my mouth.

I immediately started packing food into my mouth again, anything to avoid his unsettling gaze.

"Do the girls have crushes on you?" Kira asked suddenly, her tone playful.

The moment the words left her mouth, I saw her face change. Saw her realize what she’d just said.

Kennedy looked up, and the temperature in the room dropped ten degrees.

The room became filled with silence, painful and thick.

"Kira..." Kennedy started.

"Sorry!" She cut him off, her voice climbing higher. "Sorry, I didn’t mean... it was just a joke. You’re handsome and some of the girls probably..." She stopped, then literally smacked her forehead with her palm. "God, just ignore me. Pretend I didn’t say anything."

I watched her mortification with a mixture of sympathy and gratitude. She was throwing herself under the bus to protect me, and I’d never loved my best friend more.

We ate in uncomfortable silence for several minutes.

Then Kennedy spoke again, but this time, he wasn’t looking at me.

"Your hair looks good, Kira," he said, his voice softer. "The short style suits you."

I watched Kira’s face flush bright red, her hand automatically going to her short hair. "Thank you," she whispered.

The tenderness in the moment made my chest ache. I wanted to say something, to break the tension, to ask Maxwell the question that had been bugging me since we left his bedroom.

But I was terrified that opening my mouth would remind Kennedy I existed, and he’d start interrogating me again.

Still, I had to ask the question.

"Did you really throw her out naked?" I asked, unable to help myself.

Everyone looked at me, including Maxwell who looked up from his plate. "I did."

"Why?"

He studied me for a moment, like he was trying to figure out why I cared. "Because she violated my home. My privacy."

"But..." I hesitated. "Was it because she tried to destroy the sheets? The... evidence of last night?"

Or was it because she was in your bed? Because if that’s the crime, then I’m guilty of the same thing.

Something flickered in Maxwell’s eyes. "I threw her out because I believe she was the woman who took advantage of me last night. And any woman who tries to exploit a man’s vulnerable state especially when he’s drunk and unable to consent - is a criminal. She should be treated as such."

The relief that flooded through me was so intense I nearly dropped my fork.

He thinks Agnes was the woman from last night. He doesn’t know it was me.

"Wait," Kennedy said, setting down his wine glass. "The same woman came last night too?"

Maxwell nodded. "I was drunk last night. Drank too much while working late. And I have... hazy memories of a woman being in my bed. After tonight’s incident, I’m fairly certain it was Agnes, taking advantage of the situation."

"That’s assault," Kennedy said flatly. "You should press charges."

"I’m considering it."

I kept my head down, my heart racing. Maxwell genuinely believed Agnes had been the woman in his bed. Which meant my secret was safe.

For now.

"So, Kira," Kennedy said, turning his attention back to her. "What are you doing these days? Career-wise?"

"I’m working remotely," Kira lied, seeming grateful for the neutral topic. "Digital marketing, mostly. It’s flexible, which is nice."

"That’s..."

The doorbell chimed, cutting Kennedy off mid-sentence.

We all turned toward the entrance as one of the staff members hurried to answer it.

The door opened, and my blood turned to ice as Damien stepped inside.