Urban flashed Maxine a smile. “Long time no see, Mrs. Mason. Sorry for just showing up out of the blue, but now that the case is finally over thought we could celebrate together.”
He never once glanced at Mona, even though she’d hurried over.
Cleo scooted up to Maxine and quickly defended herself, “I just ran into him at the door, I swear! This has nothing to do with me,”
Maxine didn’t bother saying anything.
wanted to come in, nobody could stop him anyway.
Mona eyed the well–dressed young man in front of her. She didn’t know Urban, but it was obvious from his air that he was loaded or at least someone important. The thought instantly made her perk up, eager to get on his good side.
She sidled up to Urban with a flattering smile. “Hi, I’m Maxine’s mom. Thanks so much for looking after her these past few days.”
Urban had those naturally charming, gentle features, especially his alluring eyes, that made him look like the perfect gentleman, completely hiding the scheming underneath. If Mona had been a bit more observant, she might have caught the open disgust in his eyes whenever he looked at her.
Cleo tugged Maxine’s arm and whispered, “He actually mentioned there’s a networking event this afternoon. I heard a bunch of experts will be there. I’m working on a feature about traditional painting. Can you help me out, please?”
Maxine sighed, a little exasperated. “Is there anywhere you can’t get into?”
Cleo pressed her palms together, pleading softly, “That guy is seriously hard to approach, but he’s pretty close with the Soto family. He’ll probably show up at the event.”
After saying that, she glanced over at the woman chatting up Urban nearby and whispered, “Do you know why your mom came looking for you this
time?”
Cleo was quick on the draw. She’d already found out what was going on with Mona just last night.
After she left home, Mona did work a few months of odd jobs, but couldn’t take the tough life and ended up coming back. Then she remarried and had a
son.
Cleo tugged Maxine a little closer, her tone wary. “The guy she married? Total gambling addict. He racked up a ton of debt, and just last month, he came home drunk, fell into the river, and drowned. The whole thing caused a big stir back in your hometown.”
Cleo pulled out her phone, tapped a few times, and showed Maxine some news screenshots. “After her husband died, the local police did look into it. It really was just an accident. But she kept insisting the debt collectors drove him to his death, even accused the cops of being in on it and messing up the case. She made a huge scene outside the police station for ages.
“Take my advice. Don’t go soft on her. Sounds like she’s gotten into gambling herself these past few years, and that debt she owes? It’s not all her dead
husband’s debt.”
Maxine let out a cold laugh. All this time, she’d thought her mom left her behind to chase a better life. It turned out she just wanted to gamble.
Mona cradled her kid and tried to chat with Urban, even attempting to get him to hold Miles. When he turned her down, she gave an awkward smile and said, “He’s actually really well–behaved, and he looked just like Maxine when she was little.”
Cleo stared at Maxine in disbelief. “Does she need her eyes checked or what?”
Miles’s face was so chubby that one could barely see his features. Just his short, stubby body alone was nothing like Maxine’s. Cleo felt next–level mom goggles.
Urban didn’t respond. He glanced at his watch, then turned to Maxine. “Mrs. Mason, I still need a date for tonight’s party. Are you free?”
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