Chapter 110
Adam’s POV:
I knocked on Maya’s door for the third time, the sound echoing sharply in the silence.
No answer. No footsteps inside. No TV.
I checked my watch. It was late. I pulled out my phone and dialed her number. It rang endlessly until her voicemail picked up.
I hung up and immediately dialed James.
“Find out where Maya is,” I ordered, skipping the pleasantries. “Now.”
By the time I pulled my car up to the valet stand at the Ritz-Carlton, my patience had evaporated. I tossed the keys to the attendant and stormed through the revolving doors.
The mixer was over. The ballroom level was quiet, save for the clinking of glass as waiters cleared the tables. I scanned the area, but the room was empty of guests. I turned to leave, intending to check the perimeter, when a shrill voice echoed from the corridor near the elevators.
“I’m telling you, Sophia, she’s a fox. A climber.”
I recognized that voice. Victoria Garrison.
I moved silently toward the sound. Victoria was dragging Sophia by the arm toward the elevator bank.
“Maya is upstairs right now with Julian,” Victoria said, her voice trembling with malicious excitement. “We’re going to catch them in the act. Julian has been obsessed with her for months. You’re an idiot for wanting to marry him, Sophia. But don’t worry. Once you see them naked together, you’ll finally give up.”
My blood ran cold.
As they stepped into the open elevator, I stuck my hand out and stopped the doors. I stepped inside.
Victoria gasped, her face lighting up with twisted delight. “Adam! What are you doing here? This is perfect! You came just in time.”
She was practically vibrating with glee.
“We’re going to catch a cheater,” Victoria babbled, oblivious. “I’m going to show you what a dirty woman Maya really is. She doesn’t deserve you, Adam. She’s trash.”
“Is that so?” I asked, my voice dangerously low.
“Yes! I did some digging. They’re in Room 6067. I even got a key card.” Victoria waved a plastic card in the air like a trophy. “We’re going to bust in and catch them red-handed.”
I held out my hand. “Give me the card.”
Victoria didn't hesitate. She handed it over with a smug grin. “Here. Let’s go.”
The elevator doors opened on the 6th floor. I didn't wait for them. I moved like a storm front, striding down the hallway.
Room 6067.
I stood before the door. I took a deep breath, trying to control the violent urge to kick the door down. If Julian had touched her—if he had forced her—I would end him tonight.
I tapped the card against the sensor. The light turned green. I shoved the door open and stepped inside, my fists clenched so hard my knuckles turned white.
The scene inside stopped me cold.
It wasn't what I expected.
Julian was lying on the bed, his tie undone, eyes squeezed shut. He was thrashing against the sheets, his face flushed a deep, unnatural red.
“Hot...” he moaned, tearing at his collar. “So thirsty... Maya... water...”
Maya was standing by the bedside table, fully clothed in her business suit. She held a bottle of water. When I burst in, she jumped, and the water splashed onto the duvet.
She wasn't hurt. She wasn't undressed.
Relief washed over me.
Maya dropped the water bottle on the nightstand. She stared at me, her eyes wide. “How did you know I was here?” she asked, her voice tight. Then her gaze dropped to my hand. “And why do you have a key card?”
Before I could answer, Victoria and Sophia rushed into the room behind me.
They stopped dead. Victoria’s face fell. There were no naked bodies. No scandal. Just a sick man and his assistant.
Sophia, however, saw red. She saw her fiancé writhing on a bed and Maya standing over him.
“You bitch!” Sophia screamed. She scrambled onto the bed, crawling over Julian’s legs, eyes wild. “Maya!”
I moved instantly. I grabbed Maya by the waist and pulled her behind me, shielding her with my body.
“Stop!” I barked.
Sophia froze, pointing a shaking finger at Maya over my shoulder. “What did you give him? Don’t hide behind a man! Come out here! You have the guts to drug him but no guts to admit it?”
Maya gripped the back of my jacket. She peeked around my shoulder, looking bewildered. “I didn't give him anything! He drank too much. He’s drunk.”
Julian sat up, groaning. He blinked, his pupils dilated and unfocused. He looked at me, then his gaze drifted to Victoria, who was trying to blend into the wallpaper near the door.
Victoria flinched. “Don’t look at me!” she squeaked. She pointed at Sophia. “That’s your fiancée! Let her fix your problem!”
The room went silent.
Maya and Sophia both looked at Julian. He was tearing at his shirt buttons now.
“Hot...” Julian mumbled. He started to undo his belt.
Sophia turned her fury back to Maya. “You slut! You dared to drug him? You wanted to trap him into marriage? Even if he loses his mind, he wouldn't touch you!”
Sophia screamed and lunged again, trying to claw Maya’s face.
I shoved Sophia back. “Enough.”
“Mr. Sterling!” Sophia cried. “Are you protecting her? She drugged him! She’s trying to rape him!”
“It wasn't Maya,” I said coldly.
“Then who?”
Maya stepped out from behind me. She raised a hand and pointed directly at Victoria.
“Her.”
Victoria jumped. “Maya, don’t talk nonsense! Why would I do that? I didn't do anything!”
Maya’s eyes were sharp. “You just slipped up. You told Sophia to ask me for an explanation. But how did you know he was drugged? How did you know he needed... relief?”
Victoria paled. “I... I was just guessing! I didn't say that!”
Sophia slowly turned her head toward Victoria. The realization hit her.
“You knew,” Sophia whispered. “You knew the room number. You had the key card. You set this up.” Her voice rose to a shriek. “You drugged him! You psycho! You wanted to frame her, so you poisoned him?”
Sophia didn't wait for an answer. She launched herself at Victoria. “You crazy bitch!”
Sophia grabbed a handful of Victoria’s hair and yanked. Victoria screamed and clawed back. The two women crashed into the wall, screeching and fighting, a chaotic mess of expensive dresses and broken nails.
Maya stared at them, her mouth twitching. On the bed, Julian had managed to get his shirt off and was struggling with his pants.
My expression darkened. I turned, covered Maya’s eyes with my hand, and spun her around.
“We’re leaving.”
I dragged her toward the door.
“Wait, Adam!” Maya grabbed the doorframe, resisting.
“What?” I glared at her. “You want to stay? You want to help him undress?”
“No!” She shook her head. “But we can't just leave him. Look at him! We have to call an ambulance.”
“Not my problem,” I snapped. “Let’s go.”