Sister 156
Still, Urban offered her a brief explanation.
A few days before Maxine was supposed to leave the country, Urban had casually asked about her departure time. He arrived at the airport half an hour early, waiting to surprise her–but she never showed. Instead, he got the news: Maxine had been in a car accident.
He had acted faster than even Sebastian, immediately arranging for an international medical team to assist with her treatment.
“But why hasn’t Maxine shown any signs of improvement after all this time?” Cleo finally asked, her tone skeptical but calm.
Urban replied, “First, her injuries were truly severe. Second, I needed a reason–a way to take her away.”
“What?” Cleo blinked, not quite following.
Urban looked at her and said plainly, “After hearing the doctors‘ assessment, I came up with a plan: fake her death. That way, I could free her from Sebastian and get her out of the country without interference.”
As it turned out, the plan had worked perfectly. He’d used Sebastian’s guilt like a lever–and it had bought Maxine her freedom.
Cleo narrowed her eyes. “Tell me the truth–was her accident your doing too?”
She had suspected for a long time that Urban’s interest in Maxine wasn’t just professional. From the moment Maxine had taken on his legal case, it had been obvious to anyone with eyes. What kind of boss took his lawyer to every event and social function?
Especially when he and Sebastian were barely one glare away from a fistfight every time they met.
Urban was not the harmless, polished gentleman he appeared to be. He came from a vicious family, fought off a scheming half–sister, and still managed to keep Maxine safe–calling him calculating was an understatement.
Urban didn’t deny it. “I knew about the accident, yes. But it really was Gabriel who ordered the hit. By the time I found out, it was too late to stop it.”
“You’re all insane,” Cleo bit out through clenched teeth. “That innocent taxi driver had a wife and daughter. And the truck driver–he lost everything trying to pay compensation.”
Urban gave a half–hearted shrug. “It wasn’t me who pulled the trigger. Maxine made herself a target. With how obvious her moves were against Gabriel, even I couldn’t protect her on my own.”
Cleo dropped her gaze, feeling a heavy despair settle in her chest. As much as she hated to admit it, he was right.
Urban had his own war back home. A conniving stepsister, family politics, constant vigilance–splitting his attention between that and Maxine had already stretched him thin.
After a beat of silence, Urban scoffed. “So instead of grilling me, maybe take your questions to Sebastian. He’s her husband, remember?”
“Not anymore,” Cleo replied coldly. “Maxine is dead. She has nothing to do with Sebastian now.”
Urban smiled faintly, clearly satisfied with her attitude. “Good. As long as you’re on board. Once her condition stabilizes, I’ll arrange for a private jet to take her abroad for treatment. In the meantime, I’ll need you to keep watch here.”
“No problem,” Cleo answered without hesitation. “You can count on me.”
Maxine had already suffered more than enough. There was no way she’d let her fall into another trap.
Urban glanced behind Cleo, his eyes settling on Jessica. “What about her? I can take her with us.”
After all, the paperwork was already done. It would be a waste not to use it.
1/2
Sat, 21 Jun
Chapter 156
Cleo pulled Jessica forward gently and crouched to her level. “Would you like to go with them? Go overseas for a while?”
Jessica had been listening quietly from the side. She was young, yes, but she wasn’t oblivious. Her eyes lit up with sudden hope. “Does that mean Maxine isn’t really dead?”
