“Let’s go,” Maxine said coldly, turning on her heel.
Sebastian’s stance couldn’t be clearer. There was no point wasting another second here.
Outside the courthouse, a crowd had already gathered–victims from past cases who had rushed over after hearing the verdict. When news broke that Kathleen had won, some couldn’t take it. Emotions boiled over right there at the courthouse steps.
“You shameless monster! Helping the devil–may you rot in hell!” screamed the same middle–aged woman who had exposed Kathleen online. Tears streamed down her face as she pointed at Kathleen in a rage.
Kathleen, shielded by court officers, barely spared her a glance. With icy detachment, she said, “I’ve already won my case. I don’t know who started those rumors about me, but if you continue spreading them, I have every right to pursue legal action.”
With that, she turned and walked off, stepping into
a
car idling by the curb.
Maxine recognized the vehicle instantly—it was Charles’s.
So Sebastian had even sent Charles to pick Kathleen up?
Maxine shut her eyes tightly, drawing in a sharp breath. Beside her, Cleo glanced over with concern. “Are you Okay?”
Maxine’s hands gripped the hem of her shirt, her fingertips like ice. Her voice trembled slightly. “I’m fine. Let’s go home.”
She was leaving the country. Staying here any longer only made her feel sick.
Her visa had been ready for weeks. She’d originally planned to leave after wrapping up a few things. But now, drained and disillusioned, she couldn’t stand the idea of dragging things out with Sebastian any longer.
Cleo, fully understanding, didn’t press her. She helped Jessica finish her school withdrawal, then accompanied Maxine on a shopping trip to gather everything she needed for the move abroad.
At the firm, Maxine wrapped up her remaining caseload and handed over her duties.
“So soon?” one of her junior colleagues asked, surprised.
Maxine handed him a file. “Yes. You’ll take over this case moving forward. If anything comes up, message me.”
The junior accepted the file and nodded seriously.
Just then, Urban’s assistant walked in. “Ms. Hudson, Mr. Soto is here. He’d like to see you”
It was no surprise Urban had heard about her departure. Most things at the firm eventually made their way to him.
Urban was seated at his desk, flipping through a file. When the door opened, he looked up and smiled. “I heard you’re heading overseas.”
She sat down across from him. “Yeah. I’ve booked a flight for next week. Just tying up
loose ends before I leave.”
At the mention of her plans, Urban hesitated, then asked, “So… what about the divorce papers with Sebastian? Did he finally agree?”
Maxine pressed her fingers to her brow, visibly weary. “No. But I’m done fighting. If I come back one day, I’ll deal with it then.”
Without Sebastian’s signature, the divorce wasn’t legally finalized. But dragging it out was pointless. She’d rather leave. A marriage certificate from here
wouldn’t matter once she was abroad.
Urban’s brow twitched ever so slightly. “There’s a gala next month. I saw the guest list today–his plus–one is Kathleen. If they’re so you hanging like this?”
now why
Chapter 144
Maxine paused, then said quietly, “Whatever he does has nothing to do with me anymore.”
Urban asked gently, “Got everything settled for the move? Need a hand with anything?”
“I’m good, thank you,” she replied. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll be heading off now.”
Urban tapped his finger lightly on the desk. “That’s all–oh, right. When exactly are you flying out?”
