CHAPTER 79: CHAPTER 79

Maxwell’s POV

Where the hell was Alex!

I thought to myself as I stood at the corner of a fountain, surveying the crowd for my best friend.

Shit! I should’ve been here earlier, now I have to deal with all these unwanted attention of being on the other side of the crowd.

What’s with the crowd anyway? Hadn’t Alex mentioned keeping it simple?

I started making my way toward the building where I’d probably find Alex or Gabriel.

I hadn’t even taken three steps when I heard my name.

"Maxwell Wellington!"

I turned to see a woman I’d never met before, approaching quickly. I squinted my eyes, trying to place where I’d seen her but nothing was coming up.

"Hello, Maxwell." She greeted, coming to stand in front of me. "I’m Pauline Danford, a friend of your mom’s."

Of course It had to be my mom.

"It’s been difficult getting a hold of you, and there’s something I’d really like to discuss." She continued.

God. Not right now. Conversations like this never ended well. But I nodded my head slightly, indicating for her to go on.

"My daughter Jessica just graduated from Columbia Law. She’s well learned and very beautiful and I thought perhaps..."

"I’m sure she’s very accomplished," I cut her off quickly. "If you’ll excuse me, I need to find the groom."

I walked away before she could continue her obvious matchmaking attempt. These people never learned.

Just when I finally spotted Alex near the bar, I get accosted by a slender looking woman who looked like she wanted to cry.

"Maxwell! I heard about your accident! How absolutely dreadful!" She said, reaching out to touch my hand.

"I’m okay now. Please excuse me." I said again, hurrying past her as I literally ran towards Alex’s side.

"There you are," I said as I approached him. "I’ve been looking everywhere for you."

Alex turned, his face lighting up. "Max! I was starting to think you weren’t coming."

"Bro, you must be joking. Why would you think that?" I asked in an incredulous voice. "I just got held up in the office. My assistant was a bit sick, so I had extra work on my desk."

"On a Saturday. Of course. Of course." Alex grinned sheepishly, then looked around. "How are you finding the crowd? I know this wasn’t the plan, but Vanessa decided at the last minute that she wanted a big party."

"The crowd is the crowd." I said dryly, beginning to sound impatient.

Alex studied me for a moment, spotting the way I nervously tapped my feet against the floor.

"Is everything okay?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Let’s cut to the chase, Alex. You know why I’m here. Did you send the text?"

Alex nodded. "Yes, don’t worry about it. I’m very sure it was received."

"Are you sure? Because..."

But Alex suddenly went still, his eyes focused on something behind me. The smile vanished from his face, replaced by panic.

"What?" I started to turn around, but he grabbed my arm.

"Don’t turn around," he said urgently, his voice low.

"Why? What’s..."

"It’s your mother."

I went completely still. "What did you just say?"

"Your mother is here," Alex whispered, glancing nervously over my shoulder. "She’s about twenty feet behind you, holding court with some other ladies."

Every muscle in my body tensed. "You invited my mother to your engagement party?"

"I didn’t!" Alex said quickly. "My mother did. Mom had a few invitation slots for her close friends."

I closed my eyes briefly, feeling that familiar knot of tension form in my shoulders. "Please tell me she came alone."

Alex winced. "Sorry, but no. She’s got someone with her. A young woman who looks to be around your age. Very beautiful as well. I’m guessing your mother brought her for you, since you’ve refused to marry Sabrina or anyone else she’s suggested."

Of course she did. Even at someone else’s engagement party, my mother couldn’t resist her obsession to see me married off.

Without wasting time, I placed my hand on Alex’s shoulder. "I need to find somewhere to take cover. I’ll find you again."

"Max, you can’t just..."

I didn’t wait for him to finish. I was already heading towards an area where I hoped my mother wouldn’t find me.

Hopefully she spots Damien first and turns her attention towards him.

Thank you, Lord for giving me a brother.

Olivia’s POV

I shouldn’t be here.

The thought hit me the moment I stepped into the party venue. Everything about this place screamed of money and elegance.

Guests were dressed in expensive designers. The venue was decorated with expensive lightings and artifacts. The whole environment looked so stunning that it felt like a crime to arrive without a plus one.

I tugged nervously at my cheap suit, feeling like an imposter. Even some of the people I recognized from work looked completely different here, polished and sophisticated in a way that reminded me exactly how far removed I was from their world.

My plan was simple: find Alex, congratulate him on his engagement like any good friend would, let him see that I’d actually shown up, then quietly slip away before something happens.

The crowd was massive, making it easier for me to blend in.

But as I scanned the room, looking for Alex, I saw something that made my blood run cold.

My mother.

She was standing near a group of elegantly dressed older women, laughing at something one of them had said. She looked beautiful - wearing a sophisticated black cocktail dress I’d never seen before, her hair was perfectly styled, pearl earrings catching the light. She looked like she belonged here in a way I never could.

What the hell is my mother doing at Alex’s engagement party?

Then I remembered. She was friends with Gabriel’s mum.

Panic shot through me immediately. There was absolutely no way I could let her see me here. Not dressed like this, not pretending to be a man. She would recognize me instantly, even across a crowded room.

Oh God, oh God, oh God.

Without thinking, I spun around and began moving quickly in the opposite direction, weaving between happy people chatting. My heart was pounding so hard I was sure they could hear it.

I had no idea where I was going, the venue was huge. I just knew I needed distance - as much space between my mother and me as possible until I could figure out how to congratulate Alex and escape without being seen.