Chapter 71
In the CEO’s office, Kathleen was sitting on the couch talking to Sebastian.
When she heard Charles at the door, she gave a faint smile. “Maxine’s here, huh?”
Charles nodded with a strained look.
Sebastian frowned slightly. “So? Why are you acting like it’s a big deal?”
Charles glanced between the two, clearly uneasy.
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He wanted nothing more than to pull Sebastian aside and warn him–if Maxine saw Kathleen here, things would get ugly fast.
Kathleen stood up with a light smile. “I get it. Charles thinks I’m in the way. I’ll head out.”
“Don’t mind him. You’re here on business,” Sebastian said flatly. “Just let Maxine in when she gets here.”
Charles looked like he was about to cry. He tried to speak up. “Mr. Mason, that might not be the best idea. Mrs. Mason and Miss Lane haven’t exactly been on good terms. If they run into each other today—”
“He has a point,” Kathleen interrupted, picking up her purse with a calm smile. “It’s fine, Sebastian. I’ve said what I needed to say. I’ll get going. Tell Maxine I said hello.”
With that, she walked out. Charles quietly let out a sigh of relief.
As Charles escorted her to the elevator, Kathleen gave a soft laugh. “Relax, Charles. I’m not a criminal. No need to escort me like one. By the way, I noticed Sebastian’s cup was empty. His throat’s still bothering him, right? Why don’t you make him some lemonade?”
Charles nodded with a polite smile, but as soon as he turned around, he rolled his eyes.
He’d seen plenty of women try to charm Sebastian over the years, but Kathleen’s tactics were something else. Subtle, polished–and completely fake. If he hadn’t been around this long, he might’ve fallen for it.
Still, it didn’t help much; Sebastian couldn’t see through her.
Charles headed back to the office, wearing a grim look, unaware that Kathleen hadn’t actually gotten into the elevator.
She watched Charles walk away before turning to glance at the other elevator. The numbers were still climbing. Maxine was in that one, she thought.
A small smile tugged at Kathleen’s lips. She didn’t step into the elevator in front of her. Instead, she waited for its doors to close, then casually looked down at her phone and strolled toward the other one.
Moments later, the elevator doors slid open, and Maxine stepped out–only to find Kathleen standing there, scrolling through her phone.
Maxine froze for a beat, caught off guard.
Kathleen looked up with feigned surprise, smiling as if she hadn’t planned it. “Oh, Maxine? What brings you here?”
Maxine narrowed her eyes. “What are you doing here?”
“I came to see Sebastian,” Kathleen said sweetly. “His throat’s been acting up, so I brought him some lemonade.”
Maxine smirked, finally understanding why the receptionist had tried so hard to stop her. She didn’t bother replying and
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Wed, 18
Chapter 71
walked straight toward the CEO’s office.
“Hey, Maxine–what’s the rush?” Kathleen called after her. “You didn’t even say why you’re here*
Maxine stopped and turned, her eyes cold. “Why I’m here has nothing to do with you.”
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Kathleen gave a half–smile. “That’s not very fair, is it? You and Sebastian are practically divorced. Isn’t it a little inappropriate to keep showing up like this?”
