Chapter 80 Chapter 80
Maxwell
“Hello, Hayes,” I said into the phone. This was the third time I was calling my private investigator, and my patience was already hanging by a thread. I needed answers about what Rhea had been doing during the five years she was out of the country, where my child really is.
“Boss,” Hayes began carefully, “I have tried digging into every possible detail. But it looks like your ex-wife has a lot to hide. Someone is deliberately blocking information. People have been paid to stay quiet. I couldn’t even trace the hospital where she supposedly gave birth.”
He paused before adding, “Honestly, sir, I don’t think she carried the baby herself. From what I’m seeing, it may have been through surrogacy.”
I let out a frustrated grunt. “For fuck’s sake,” I snapped. “Have you suddenly lost your spark?” My anger spilled over. “You used to be the best at what you do. Now all you give me is guesses—I think this, I think that.”
I tightened my grip on the phone. “I don’t pay you to think, Hayes. I pay you to dig out the truth,” I spat.
“I’m sorry, boss,” he said quickly. “I will dig deeper.”
“You better,” I warned coldly. “Because if I end up paying someone else and they do this job better than you, this will be the last time you ever work for me.” I ended the call without waiting for a reply.
Days had passed since Rhea laid out her ridiculous demands, and none of them had been met. Each day made me more restless than the last. My sleep was broken, my thoughts constantly drifting back to one thing, my son.
I would pay her any amount of money she asked for, no matter how unreasonable, if it meant seeing my child even once. Yet Rhea remained stubborn, unyielding, and completely in control.
And that only made me more determined to uncover the truth she was so desperately trying to bury.
Soon, Rhea came down the stairs wearing a thin nightgown that barely covered her body. She didn’t acknowledge me at first. Instead, she walked straight into the kitchen. A few minutes later, she came back with a cup of coffee in her hand and slowly walked toward me.
“Good morning, Max,” she said lightly. “You look grumpy and unsettled this morning. Is everything okay?” Her voice sounded sincere, but I knew better. She was well aware of how restless and angry I had been these past few days.
I didn’t respond. I moved to the couch and sat down, my eyes fixed on her as I studied her quietly. After a moment, she misunderstood my silence. She began to toy with her hair, then licked her lips slowly, clearly assuming my stare meant desire.
She tugged one side of her nightgown slightly lower and ran her hand over her boobs, moving toward me with slow, deliberate steps.
“Did you hire a surrogate to carry the child for you?” I asked suddenly.
She froze mid-step and hissed in annoyance. “So that’s why you were staring at me like that?” she asked sharply.
I smirked. “Even if you stood naked in front of me and begged, I still wouldn’t touch you,” I said calmly. “That attraction died years ago, Rhea. Nothing can bring it back.”
Her confidence shattered instantly. Hurt flashed across her face before she quickly adjusted her gown, covering herself again.
“Please,” she scoffed, forcing a laugh. “I don’t care what you think about me. There are plenty of men out there who would be happy to have me, even knowing I have a child.”
Then her expression hardened. “When are you paying the money?”
“When I see my son,” I replied firmly. “Once I meet him, I will send whatever amount you are asking for. Let me see him.”
She shook her head slowly. “Maxwell, I already told you. You are not meeting him until the money is paid into my account. And that’s final.”
I stood up immediately and stepped into her space, towering over her. “What are you hiding?” I asked coldly. “Why are you so desperate for the money?”
She said nothing, her eyes flickering. “Are you in debt?” I pressed. “Tell me the truth. Why do I have to pay you first before I’m allowed to meet my own son?”
The air between us turned heavy as I waited for her answer.
Amelia walked down the stairs just then. I immediately stepped back from Rhea, creating distance between us so Amelia wouldn’t get the wrong idea. Amelia was already dressed for work, her bag slung over her shoulder. She slowed slightly when she noticed the two of us standing there, her eyes flicking over us briefly before she continued down the stairs.
“Good morning, Mel,” I said quickly. I noticed she seemed ready to walk straight out of the house without acknowledging us.
“Morning to you too, Max,” she replied without stopping, her tone polite but distant.
Before I could say anything else, she headed toward the door.
“We are not done with our conversation,” Rhea said sharply, grabbing the back of my shirt as I moved to follow Amelia. “Where do you think you are going?”
“I have nothing else to say to you,” I replied firmly, pulling free from her grip. I hurried after Amelia, calling her name, but she didn’t turn around. I walked faster and caught up with her just outside, reaching out to grab her hand gently to stop her.
“Why are you giving me this attitude?” I asked, confused and frustrated.
She turned to face me, her expression calm but hurt. “Was I supposed to interrupt whatever discussion you were having with your wife?” she asked coolly.
“Ex-wife,” I corrected immediately.
She shook her head slowly. “It doesn’t look like that anymore to me,” she said. “I never thought you were a polygamous man, Max. But tell me, after that morning, after we slept together and you told me how much you wanted us to be together, you still came back to this house after leaving for work… just because you knew she was returning that same day?”
“And since then,” she continued, “you and her have been having quiet, secret conversations around the house. What exactly am I supposed to think?”
I frowned. “Who told you all this?” I asked. “Cynthia? The maids?” I sighed. “Because it’s not what it looks like. I promise you that.”
She looked at me steadily. “Then tell me,” she said softly. “What is it really like?”
I hesitated, knowing this wasn’t the right place or time. “We will talk when I get to the office,” I said carefully.
Her expression didn’t change, but the silence between us said everything.