bChapter /bb303 /b

    After Billett left, Sebastian turned around and stared hard at Maxine.

    There was tension, fear, and also suspicion in his eyes.

    “Maxine, who is he?” Sebastian asked.

    He couldn’t stop the unease stirring inside him. ‘Who was that guy? They looked… familiar with each other.‘

    Moreover, he wasn’t mistaken. Maxine hadn’t resisted his closeness. Even when she was in his arms just now, she hadn’t shown the slightest anger.

    That kind of reaction was far from reassuring.

    Maxine raised an eyebrow and shot him a look, her previously gentle tone growing colder.

    She replied, “Sebastian, I don’t like youing at me like this. No matter who he is, you have no right to question me. Don’t you think?”

    She pulled her hand back. That ufortable feeling surged up again.

    Maxine thought Sebastian hadn’t changed. He was still just as arrogant and self–righteous.

    Maybe Vivian was right. She really needed to think carefully before making any decisions.

    Noticing her resistance, Sebastian didn’t press further. Reluctantly, he let her go.

    Maxine didn’t take his offer for a ride. She wandered around aimlessly for a bit and then returned to the vi.

    Vivian and Lisa had alsoe back.

    Vivian sat frowning on the sofa, clearly troubled. Lisa was curled up in a single seat, wearing an odd expression while chatting with someone. It was hard to tell if she was happy or upset. She peeled and ate orange slices from time to time.

    “Maxine, you’re back!” Lisa eximed.

    Lisa perked up and put down her phone. She pounced on Maxine with excitement. Maxine clicked her tongue and tried to dodge, but Lisa had already pulled her into a tight hug.

    She asked, “See? Don’t I have strong boyfriend energy?”

    Lisa looked proudly at Maxine, her clumsy Hathndian making it sound almostical.

    Maxine patted her shoulder, smiling wryly. “Where did you even learn that phrase?”

    She set her bag down by the entrance and walked further into the house.

    “Just now, while I was browsing online,” Lisa replied.

    Maxine couldn’t helpughing. She opened the fridge, only to frown. Nothing was appealing inside.

    None of them had eaten yet, and they were all getting hungry. Vivian didn’t seem to have much of an appetite, but Lisa looked at Maxine with a mysterious grin. “Don’t cook. I’m taking you out tonight. I found a great spot, and I’ve got a surprise for you.”

    b1/2 /b

    23.10

    ue, 2 Sept

    Maxine raised an eyebrow slightly. ‘A good spot… found by Lisa?‘

    Anyone who didn’t know better would

    think Lisa was the local here.

    She was intrigued and shut the fridge, turning to Lisa curiously. “What ce?”

    Lisa grinned mischievously. “Secret. You’ll find out when we get there!”

    Vivian, listening to the two’s conversation, gave a helpless smile.

    But then she remembered something serious and called Maxine over.

    “There really is something wrong with Jeffrey.” Vivian got straight to the point, clicking her tongue in frustration as she began to describe what happened during their meeting.

    She continued, “At first, it was fine. We exchanged pleasantries, and nothing seemed off. But then, things got strange during our conversation.”

    She added, “He kept steering the topic toward thepany and toward you. I’m worried he’s targeting you. Maxine, do you know this Jeffrey?”

    Vivian looked at Maxine with some curiosity.

    Maxine rubbed her chin and instinctively shook her head. She didn’t know Jeffrey.

    She muttered, “That makes it even weirder…”

    But Vivian seemed to have pieced it together. “Actually, it’s not that strange. My guess? Bradley is still not giving up. This whole thing was probably his scheme. I just didn’t expect him to lie from the very beginning!”

    Just thinking about how even the name “Hugh Rowe” had been fake made her furious.

    Maxine felt a chill in her heart. Bradley really was bold.

    He was trying to iuse /iVivian against her, just because she exposed him during that meeting.

    Such pettiness was honestly unbelievable.

    Maxine said, “If that’s the case, we should just stay away from him…”

    “No way.” Vivian cut Maxine off sharply. Her beautiful face was full of mockery.

    Vivian scoffed. “Stay away from him? That’s too easy. I want him to know women are not so easy to manipte!”