Chapter 20
Maxine handed Jessica an old phone, showed her which number was hers, and then gave the caregiver Kira some instructions before leaving the hospital.
She had a meet–up scheduled with her bestie, Cleo Wheeler.
Cleo was a gossip reporter at an entertainment company, well–connected and experienced. She orice went undercover in a superstar’s neighborhood for three whole months and ended up like a wild woman, all to dig up some dirt.
And boy, did she succeed! She exposed that superstar’s late–night meetings with multiple directors, making a huge splash in the entertainment news
scene.
Maxine was seeking her help this time.
Stepping into the rendezvous, Maxine spotted Cleo fiddling with a long–focus lens.
“New toy?” Maxine asked, taking a seat across from Cleo.
She was about to make small talk when Cleo sighed, “Don’t even mention it. The last one got busted.”
Maxine was surprised at her words. “You treasure your lenses the most. How did it get broken?”
Cleo then started pouring out her woes. “You wouldn’t believe it. A couple of days ago, I went to shoot some no–name model. First day there, and boom! Her bodyguards caught me! That model has a temper like a firecracker. “She charged at me and smashed my camera to the ground. If it weren’t for my 6’3” partner coming along, I might not have made it out alive.”
Maxine was intrigued. “You’re pretty well–known in the biz. Who’s so bold to mess with you in public?”
There was that time with a top–tier wannabe who almost got physical with Cleo. Her fiery temper kicked in, and the next day, she dropped that celeb’s love scandal online.
“That model has a sugar daddy–a pretty famous rich kid, surnamed… Jenson? Seems like he’s the son of the Jenson Construction Group’s boss.”
As Cleo finished her sentence, Maxine’s heart skipped a beat.
“Is he Gabriel Jenson?” she asked.
“Yeah, yeah! You know him?”
Maxine’s hand suddenly tightened, and her face turned gloomy in an instant.
Cleo noticed something was off, put down the camera, and gazed at her seriously. “What’s up?”
“Remember when I told you that I took on a sexual assault case at the beginning of the month? The defendant is Gabriel Jenson, son of the Jenson Construction Group’s CEO.”
Cleo froze instantly at her words. “Oh my! What about that case now?”
A shadow passed over Maxine’s eyes as she replied, “Lost. The plaintiff committed suicide by drowning herself. I just finished attending her funeral today.”
“Oh my God.” Cleo, who usually had a silver tongue, was completely speechless right now. “So you called me today-”
“After the plaintiff died, she left behind a five–year–old daughter with no one to take care of her. So I adopted her, But I’m leaving for abroad soon and have a bunch of things to handle. “So I thought if I could find this kid’s biological father, maybe he could look after her for a while until I’m done with everything and can take her back.”
10:45
Tue,
Chapter 20
Cleo frowned as she listened, retorting, “Your logic doesn’t make sense–If you can find the kid’s dad, why not just let him take custody instead of adopting her yourself?”
“If that man were reliable, how could he let my client raise their child alone? Doesn’t he know how hard it is for single moms? And from what my client initially told me, the father never cared about them at all.”
“But you’re leaving the child in his care? Isn’t that practically throwing the kid into a wolf’s den?” Cleo was even more confused.
Maxine pinched the bridge of her nose, replying, “Maybe if we give him some money, it might work? I just keep thinking that a father wouldn’t be so cruel to his own child? Even if he sees the kid as a burden, he won’t have to carry that burden forever.
“The most important thing is that my client died tragically. I’m really afraid that Gabriel might be planning something new.”
