bChapter /bb201 /b

    As if he could read her mind, Sebastian said helplessly, “It’s true. The garage was being renovated recently, so I asked bCharles /bbto /bbmove /ball bthe /bcars bout /bOnly two were left, and he had bto /bleave early due to a family emergency.”

    Maxine took a deep breath. “Then I’ll just call ba /bcab,” she said.

    Sebastian said, “It’s already past midnight, and this area is quite remote. It’ll be hard to get a ride at this hour. Just stay the night band /bleave tomorrowb./bb” /b

    Maxine checked her phone and was stunned, it was already the next day. She couldn’t believe she’d actually spent so much time in Brian’s room.

    Maxine had to admit Sebastian was right. The ride–hailing app kept searching bfor /bover a minute, but no driver epted her request. bWith /bba /bresigned bsigh/b, she reluctantly tapped to cancel the order.

    Hugh came downstairs with some fresh clothes for her. But it wasn’t until after Maxine had washed up that she realized Sebastian bhad /bbtotally /bset her up.

    The reason was simple, in the sprawling Mason mansion, there wasn’t a single avable guest room for her.

    Hugh said apologetically, “After the recent disagreement between Mr. Sebastion and Mr. Brian, he impulsively gave all the cleaning staff time boff/bb. /bbI’m /bafraid the spare rooms are probably covered in dust now…”

    Hearing this, Sebastian looked at her and said, “Then stay in the primary bedroom tonight.”

    Maxine said firmly, “Not a chance. I’ll sleep on the couch.”

    ‘The fact that I agreed to stay is already a lot to take in. There’s no way I’m sharing a room with Sebastian,‘ she thought.

    Hugh nced between the two of them and said respectfully, “We can’t possibly have Ms. Hudson sleep on the couch. Let me prepare a proper room for you right away.”

    As Hugh was about to turn and leave, Maxine looked at the elderly man and finally relented. “Never mind. Don’t bother cleaning. I’ll just make do with him for the night,” she said.

    Maxine lingered outside the door for what felt like ages, gathering her nerves before finally stepping inside. Sebastian was already sitting on the bed, casually flipping through a book with his phone resting nearby.

    Maxine noticed that Sebastian had left arge space for her on the bed. Hugh had even thoughtfully prepared two separate nkets ifor /ithem.

    ‘At least this is way better than sharing the same nket with him,‘ Maxine thought.

    Maxine shuffled hesitantly to the bed, forcing herself to appear indifferent to Sebastian sitting there.

    Just then, Sebastian suddenly said, “If you’re really ufortable, I can ask Hugh to get me an extra nket. I can sleep on the floor.“”

    As Sebastian started to get off the bed, Maxine stopped him through gritted teeth. “No need. Just leave it,” she said.

    Maxine thought, ‘Even with the central heating in the vi, sleeping on the floor all night would still make him catch a chill. Sebastian just got over a cold. If he falls ill again, he’ll definitely start whining and pester me to stay with him.’

    Without even changing out of her loungewear, Maxine burrowed straight under the covers.

    Sebastian watched her,pletely on guard. He pressed his lips together, opened his mouth as if to speak, but ultimately remained bsilent/b.

    In the middle of the night, Maxine tossed and turned restlessly, unsure whether it was because Sebastian was sleeping beside her or her pajamas bwere /bjust too warm, either wayi, /ishe couldn’t get ba /bgood night’s sleep.

    Maxine opened her eyes and gazed at Sebastian’s sleeping face beside her. She thought, ‘After all these years, he hasn’t changed at ball/b.‘

    Maxine let out a dismissive huff, yanked the nket up, and turned her back to him. What does it matter to me if he’s changed of her

    bitterly.

    As she turned away, Sebastian opened his eyes, I thought she’d finger just a moment longer for me… he must

    Maxine didn’t manage to fall asleep until almost dawn. By the time she finally woke up, it was nearly noon, and Sebastian was baiready /bng pan

    After Maxine came downstairs, the butler immediately brought out a reheated meal. “Ms. Hudson, Mr. Mason instructed me to make sure your Reaves. something to eat before seeing you off,” he said respectfully.

    AD