Chapter 120
I took a deep breath and pointed at the closet. "Explain this?"
Adam looked up from his laptop. He rubbed his nose and coughed twice, feigning innocence. "It was James. He took the initiative. I didn't tell him to do it, but who knew he would send all my clothes over? Honestly, he didn't even ask for my opinion."
I stared at the ceiling, speechless. "Shameless," I muttered.
I turned around and slammed the bedroom door shut, leaving him and his excuses in the hallway.
I threw myself onto the bed. Before I could process the invasion of my space, my phone rang. It was Amy.
My irritation vanished instantly. I picked up. "Hey, baby!"
"Mommy," her sweet voice came through the speaker. "Are you coming to pick me up tomorrow?"
"Yes," I said, rolling onto my back. "I’ll be there right after breakfast."
Amy paused. "Mommy, don't you have work tomorrow?"
"No work," I said, a smile spreading across my face. "Mommy is going to take a break for a while. I’m going to take you out to play."
"Really?"
I laughed. "Really. We'll go to lots of places. I’ll make a plan later."
"Yay!" she cheered, her voice bubbling with happiness. "I can't wait!"
"Goodnight, baby. Mommy will see you tomorrow."
"Goodnight, Mommy."
I hung up and closed my eyes. The corners of my mouth lifted. It felt incredibly good to not worry about money for the first time in my life.
Ding.
My phone buzzed again. This time, it was Chloe.
"Maya," she said. "Why did you call me earlier?"
I let out a breathless chuckle.
"Did you win the lottery?" Chloe asked dryly. "What's with the mood?"
"Close," I said. "Call me your sugar mama, because I'm rich."
"Shut up. Did you actually win?"
"I got fired from Garrison Industries," I said calmly. "They paid me a settlement."
"Oh, come on. I thought you really hit the jackpot. How much could Garrison possibly pay you? Ten thousand? Fifty?"
"Fifty million."
The line went dead silent. "How much?"
I heard Chloe suck in a sharp breath.
"Fifty million dollars."
I quickly summarized the situation—how Victoria tried to drug Julian and frame me, and how the money was essentially hush money from Thomas Garrison.
"So fifty million is basically Thomas trying to buy peace?"
"Yeah," I said. "But let's be honest. The Chairman only bled that much cash because Adam pressured him."
Chloe sighed. "Lesson learned: Find a man with power."
"There's more," I said. "I moved."
Chloe paused. "Moved where?"
"Marlborough Street. The brownstone." I looked around the room. "Adam transferred the deed to my name."
"Okay," Chloe said, her voice serious. "Lesson learned: Find a man with power who is also generous. Maya, I am insanely jealous right now."
I bit my lip. "To be honest... if I put aside my fears, having a boyfriend like Adam Sterling does feel pretty good."
"Stop hesitating!" Chloe practically shouted. "Say yes! Marry him immediately!"
I went silent for a moment. The excitement faded slightly. "But I’m scared, Chloe. What if one day he stops liking me? Then everything I have now becomes a joke."
"Why do you have to obsess over feelings? Forget the future. Nobody knows what will happen. Maybe Adam is a romantic fool who will love you forever."
She continued. "Sometimes we overthink things. Just live in the moment. Even if Adam changes his mind later and you divorce, you don't lose anything. You can take half his assets."
"With that kind of money," she added, "you could date a different male model every week. Life would be fantastic!"
I laughed. "What about you and Parker? Have you thought about a long-term future?"
"Not really planned."
I knew she wasn't as casual as she sounded. After her ex-boyfriend Marcus, she was terrified of getting hurt again.
"Anyway," I said, changing the subject. "I’m a rich woman now. Tomorrow night, dinner is on me. We are going big."
"Yes!" Chloe cheered. "I want Australian lobster!"
"Done."
"Wow! Is this what having a sugar mama feels like?"
"I’m purely nouveau riche," I joked.
As I laughed with Chloe, I felt something poke my foot.
I turned my head. Adam was sitting at the foot of the bed. He was poking the sole of my foot with his index finger, looking at me with a face full of grievance.
I pulled my foot back instantly. "I have to go," I told Chloe. "Talk tomorrow."
I hung up and glared at him. "What are you doing?"
Adam’s eyes lit up, his gaze raking over my body. "Looking for something to do."
My face flushed red. "Get out!"
Adam stared at me with those deep eyes. "Come on. We've rested all day."
I grabbed a pillow and threw it at him. "Don't try anything."
Despite not having work, my biological clock woke me up at the usual time. I went downstairs and made breakfast.
Just as I finished plating the eggs, the front door opened. Adam walked in wearing a black tracksuit.
"It’s freezing out there," I said, looking at him in disbelief. "You went running?"
Adam wiped his face with a towel and flashed a wicked grin. "I have to keep my stamina up. To make sure you're fully... satisfied."
I slammed the bowl onto the dining table with a loud clatter. "Who asked for your satisfaction? You narcissist!"
Adam laughed, walking closer to the island. "Fine, fine. Let's just say I want to satisfy you."
I rolled my eyes, ignored him, and marched to the kitchen to grab a fork.
Adam went upstairs to shower. When he came back down, I was already eating. I didn't wait for him.
He sat opposite me. He looked at the simple breakfast—toast, eggs, and bacon—but his eyes looked hungry.
After we finished, Adam lingered. He sat on the couch, making no move to leave.
I changed my clothes and grabbed my car keys.
Adam shot up from the sofa. "Where are you going?"
"To pick up Amy."
"Why?" He frowned. "Let her stay at the estate. We can continue our two-person world. It’s nice."
I gave him a withering look. "Are you her biological father? You only think about your own desires."
Adam didn't look ashamed at all.
I rolled my eyes, ignored him, and walked out the door.
I drove to the old apartment complex first. I met the landlord and handed over the keys.
I got back in the car and drove to the Sterling estate.
I parked in the driveway and got out. I spotted Mrs. Sterling on the front steps. She was wrapped in a thick coat, directing the staff. They were loading a large suitcase into the trunk of a black SUV.
I paused, confused. "Grandma?" I called out. "What are you doing?"
Mrs. Sterling turned around. Her face lit up with a mischievous smile.
"Oh, Maya," she said happily. "The house on Marlborough Street is so spacious. I decided I’m moving in with you."