bChapter 268 /b

    The phone on the table rang. Maxine picked it up. It was Urban.

    After a quick nce at the others, Maxine quietly rose and slipped out to the balcony. She answered the call with a soft, “Hello?”

    Urban’s cheerful voice came through the line, “How have you beentely?”

    Maxine murmured in agreement, “I am good. How are things on your end? Do you need any help?”

    Urban chuckled, “No need. Everything’s settled here, and I’ll be heading back home soon. Are you still there? If so, I could swing by to see you before! leave.”

    Maxine replied, “I had something to take care of, so I went back home first. You can head straight back.”

    There was a brief silence on the other end before Urban said, in a knowing tone, “Let me guess, you’ve already met Sebastian, haven’t you?”

    “Yeah, it was Brian who found me first,” Maxine replied.

    Urban let out a quiet sigh and said, “Alright, I’lle find iyou /iwhen I get back. How’s the situation with the Jenson family going?b” /b

    Maxine said, “Hamlin has entrenched deep connections in the capital over the years. It’s nearly impossible to bring him down with thiswsuit alone.

    “Besides, he’s been doing everything through proxies. Even if the police wanted to investigate, they wouldn’t be able to trace it back to him.”

    “Got it,” Urban said in a low voice, “I’ll be back soon.”

    Maxine responded, “Don’t worry. This isn’t a minor case. It involves a lot of people. I’m prepared for a years–long legal battle if that’s what it takes.”

    From the living room came Jessica’s earnest voice. Though she hadn’t spoken of it all these years, Maxine knew the girl had always carried her mother’s death in her heart. She’d just been sparing Maxine’s feelings by never bringing up the past.

    After hanging up, Maxine stared nkly at thewn outside, her mind a tangled mess. A wave of inexplicable frustration washed over her. She thought, ‘This shouldn’t be happening. There must be some leverage against Hamlin.‘

    Jessica’s voice called from the doorway. Maxine looked up as she walked over. “Are you okay, Maxine? You seem upset.”

    Maxine shook her head and gently ruffled her hair. “bIt’s /bjust that Urban called to ask about the Jenson family matterb, /bso

    Before Maxine could finish, Jessica cut in urgently, “Maxine!”

    Jessica paused, seeming to realize her tone had been a bit too sharp. She bit her lip, hesitated, then continued softly, “Actually… right now I just want to stay with you. If…”

    Jessica seemed bto /bbe struggling to find the right words. Maxine crouched down and gently took her hand. “I know you’re worried about me. Don’t be scared, we’ll get through this together. Besides, you still think about your mom all the time, don’t you?”

    In those early days abroad, Jessica would often hide under the covers at nightb, /bmuffling her quiet sobs. Maxine knew she didn’t want to bbe /bseenb, /bso beach /btime, Maxine would pretend to be asleep.

    In those nights, Jessica muffled her sobs, quietly calling bout /b“Mom” bagain /band again.

    Maxine wasn’t made of stone, she couldn’t help but be moved, and she often thought, ‘bTo /bhell bwith /bit! Maybe bI /bshould bjust /bbgo /bback bhome /bband /bbexpose /bball /bbof /bHamlin’s secrets.‘

    Even while she was abroadb, /bbshe /bkept up with news from home every day to stay updated on thetest developments bregarding /bbthe /bbJenson /bbfamily /bband /b

    Easnd Entertainmentb. /b

    b1/2 /b

    08:13 Fri, b4 /bJul

    Her eyes slightly reddened, Maxine gazed into Jessica’s eyes and whispered, “Trust me. I’ll make things right for everyone.”

    Jessica nodded, tears finally spilling over as she threw her arms around Maxine, burying her face in the crook of Maxine’s neck.

    ?

    一

    b87/bb% /b