Chapter 55
Maximus:
I’m sitting across from him, watching as he devours a large bite of his hamburger, humming in satisfaction. I roll my eyes at the exaggerated way he sips his drink. I really don’t know why he insisted on meeting me here.
When Mason suggested having lunch with me, I wasn’t thrilled about it, especially having him at my workplace. All I wanted was for summer to come faster. I needed Mia back home so Mason could pester her, and I could finally get some work done.
Mason, with his mouth full, flashes me a grin. I let out a quiet chuckle and shake my head. Some things never change. Even though he’s wearing his sharp black suit, I can still see the little boy who used to run around the mansion in nothing but his underwear.
I smile at the memory.
“Are you just going to keep staring at me, or are you going to eat your lunch too?!” Mason says between bites, still grinning wide. His gummy smile is now on full display. “I am telling you, this is the best burger in the whole of NYC!”
I let out a low laugh.
Shaking my head, I unwrap a burger, and then take a bite.
"Do you remember when Father wouldn't let us have all this junk food?" I ask. "He always said it wasn’t food for people of our class and made us eat those awful vegetables that were completely tasteless." I sigh, savoring the moment. "Thanks for the lunch. I can't even remember the last time I had a hamburger."
I take another bite, sighing in contentment. Mason laughs at my reaction.
"See, I told you just one bite would—"
But Mason stops mid-sentence when the door slams open. He turns around, and I lift my head from my food to see Jess walking in, looking like a ferocious wolf. She strides toward me, her pace quick and determined.
I frown. “Jess, what are you doing here? I thought I’d made it clear several times that you-"
Before I can say any more word, a sharp slap suddenly lands across my face. I’m caught completely off guard.
What the fcking hell??!
The burger slips from my hands, and I bite the inside of my cheek, forcing myself to keep my anger in check. I don’t want to lash out at her. Not like this. Not here.
“Have you gone insane, Jess? Why the hell would you lay your hands on my brother??!”Mason growls before standing up and shoving Jess away slightly.
Knowing this would escalate quickly to something I won’t like, I stand up quickly, putting myself between them to hold him back. I don’t want him hitting her, even though his reaction surprises me. Mason’s never been the violent type. He’s always calm and collected in every situation, something I’ve admired about him.
“Fuck you, Mason! Of course, you defend your brother. You two are birds of a feather!” Jess yells with ragged breath. “Your brother is nothing but a cheat, and you’re here defending him. Am I seriously not enough for you, Maximus? You had the audacity to take my step-sister out on a date and hold her hand, both of you looking like a happy couple!”
Jess shoves me back, roughly taking out a brown envelope and tossing it at me. The pictures spill out onto the floor. Mason immediately bends down and picks them up. His expression deepens into a frown as he glances at me briefly before turning to Jess.
His face hardens into a scowl as he stares at her, and for a moment, I feel like I’m looking at a stranger. Mason crumples the pictures in his hands, and I pick up one of them. My stomach twists when I see it. Selene and I having lunch yesterday.
Oh God, what is this??!
The angle of the shot suggests it was taken from a very close range, which means it wasn't taken outside like I thought.
How did I not notice the surroundings? The person who took this picture didn’t care about getting it published.
They had one target in mind: Jess.
They knew exactly what kind of wife I had. A jealous mess. I honestly do not understand what they were hoping to achieve by giving these pictures to her.
It’s clear they wanted to stir the pot, to make my life more chaotic than it already was. Jess would believe anything, and they knew exactly how to exploit that.
On a second thought, Jess might have sent them. Was she stalking me now?
"So, what if he has lunch with Selene?" Mason snaps. "They were acquaintances before they got married. Don’t you have male friends? Does Maximus check on you every minute of the day? My god! Get the hell out of here, Jess!"
“Seriously?? That’s all you have to say?”
“Tell me, what should I have said?”Mason furrows his brows. “Oh, yes. I should have scolded Maximus just because he has a whiny and insecure bitch as a wife. You’re so pathetic, Jess. I wonder how Maximus actually puts up with you.”
Jess gasps and takes a step back. “W- what?”
She immediately turns towards me. “Maximus.. aren’t.. aren’t you going to say anything and-"
“Just shut up, Jess. Shut the fck up!” I yell at her and I see her take another step back, flinching slightly. “You’re going to pay for what you’ve done. That, I promise you.”
She clenches her jaw at my words. Then, snapping her head towards Mason, she shoots him a sharp glare before storming out of the office with clenched fists.
Once she’s gone, Mason turns to me. A huge smile spreads across his face before he picks up one of the photos and says, “You have quite some explaining to do, Maximus Hemsworth.”