Chapter 160
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“How are you settling in? Getting used to it here?“Cleo walked into the room, her voice light..
Maxine leaned against the sofa, tilting her head toward her
Where have you been the past few days?”
After bringing Grace over, Urban had returned to take care of things back in the country. Cleo had said a quick goodbye to Maxine, then vanished for several days without a word.
Cleo lifted the camera in her hand and grinned. “You t
award–winning actress–was attending an event
I think I’d come all the way out here and not get something out of it? Charlotte–the international nearby. I snapped a few shots while I had the chance.”
Maxine raised an eyebrow. “Be careful when you go out. It’s not as safe here as back home.”
Cleo gave her a playful wink. “Got it, mom. Don’t worry.”
Truth was, Cleo hadn’t planned to stay long anyway. This whole “business trip” had been a cover–an excuse to take her annual leave and see Maxine. After this, it would be a long time before she could visit again.
And Maxine wouldn’t even be able to see her off when she left.
“Promise you’ll call me, Okay?” Cleo’s nose was red from holding back tears. She turned to Jessica and added, “And you–don’t forget me, either!”
Jessica nodded seriously and pressed a hand–made Christmas card into her palm. “It’s not Christmas yet, but… Merry early Christmas, Cleo!”
Cleo smiled, touched, and gently pinched the girl’s cheek before reluctantly walking out of the room.
It hit Cleo hard–once Maxine left, she would be completely alone again. The thought tugged at her heart.
But what she didn’t expect… was that the moment she got back to Hatholand, Sebastian would show up–completely uninvited.
“I heard you went abroad,” he said bluntly, not bothering with pleasantries. “Mind telling me where?”
Cleo frowned. “Are you seriously tracking me now? Where I go is none of your business. Maxine is dead. So kindly stop harassing me,”
Sebastian didn’t back down. “Can I ask who you saw while you were there?”
That was when it clicked. Cleo’s eyes narrowed, a sharp glint of realization flashing through them. She let out a cold laugh. “What’s that supposed to mean? You think Maxine’s still alive? That we’re all conspiring to lie to you?”
Sebastian didn’t say a word. But silence was as good as confirmation.
Cleo’s heart pounded–but she kept her expression smooth and unreadable. His instinct was terrifyingly accurate; he was getting too close to the truth.
Still, for Maxine’s sake, she stayed composed. “You really are overthinking it. I flew out to chase a celebrity scoop. If you don’t believe me, go ahead and
check.”
Sebastian stared at her for a long moment, clearly trying to read her face. Cleo, impatient now, stood up. “Alright, if there’s nothing else, please leave. If you’ve got questions about Maxine, ask Urban yourself.”
Finally, Sebastian rose from his seat. “Thank you.”
He’d already contacted Cleo’s supervisor and confirmed–she had, in fact, gone abroad to follow Charlotte’s public appearances. But there was one thing that stuck with him; she had also used up all her long–accumulated annual leave on this trip.
Sebastian had no intention of questioning Urban. Drawing his attention would be too dangerous. If Maxine really was alive and Urban found out what he was up to, she might never come back to Hatholand.
No, he would wait–silently, patiently–until the day Maxine returned home.
