Chapter 15

Max’s POV

I hadn’t wanted to fire Harry. He was one of the best men I had on staff, someone I trusted to do the job right. But when Sienna got herself into trouble, his failure to keep her safe had left me no choice.

Or so I thought.

Bringing him back wasn’t a decision I made lightly. The truth was, I didn’t need Sienna’s nagging to know Harry wasn’t the problem—Sienna was. She couldn’t seem to stay put or follow simple instructions. Firing Harry had been more about making a statement than addressing any real incompetence.

When Sienna gave me that ultimatum— “Bring Harry back or forget about my security”—I’d almost laughed in her face. But the deal was the deal, and keeping her safe was part of it. So, Harry came back, and the look on her face told me she thought she’d won.

If only she knew how little any of this mattered to me. Firing Harry was simply my show of power; to remind her that the time she decided to misbehave, even slightly, she could have others crumbling for her sins.

On one such good days, I was stretched out in my king-sized bed, the room dark except for the faint glow of my phone on the nightstand. Notifications had been buzzing nonstop for the past hour, but I ignored them.

I rolled over, trying to block out the noise. But curiosity got the better of me, and I grabbed my phone, scrolling through the alerts.

Sienna’s name was everywhere.

"Actress-Turned-Gold-Digger: Sienna Brooks’ Scandalous New Role?"

"Maxwell Hollandale’s Fiancée Exposed: Is She in It for the Money?"

I sighed, tossing the phone onto the bed. I should’ve known this would happen eventually. Sienna had a knack for attracting chaos, and being attached to her was bound to come with collateral damage.

It wasn’t my problem, though. Not really. The deal was clear—twelve months, a grandchild, and then we’d go our separate ways. Let her deal with the fallout from her past. I would just play my part. But as I passed by her room on the way to my study, I heard something that made me stop in my tracks.

She was crying.

I didn’t need to look inside to know she was sitting on the bed, curled up in that way she did when she wanted to disappear. For a moment, I stood there, debating whether to walk away or say something.

What did I care if she was upset?

But then I remembered the agreement. I’d promised to help her rebuild her reputation, and this mess wasn’t exactly helping either of us.

I pulled out my phone and scrolled through my contacts until I found the name I needed.

“Ben,” I said when the call connected.

“Maxwell! Long time, no hear. What can I do for you?”

“I need a favor,” I said bluntly. “I want to schedule an interview. Tonight.”

There was a pause. “You? Doing an interview? That’s a first.”

“It’s important,” I said, ignoring his sarcasm. “I want it on the biggest platform you can get me.”

“Alright, let me see what I can do. What’s this about?”

“Sienna,” I said simply.

“Ah.” He didn’t ask for more details. “I’ll call you back in twenty.”

Two hours later, I was at the studio, sitting in a makeup chair as a stylist fussed over my hair.

“You don’t do this often, do you?” she asked with a grin.

“No,” I said flatly.

“Relax,” she said, patting my shoulder. “You’ll do fine. Just smile and be charming.”

“Charming,” I muttered. “Right.”

***

The interview was being broadcast live, and the studio lights were blinding. The host, a polished woman in her early forties, greeted me with a warm smile as I took my seat opposite her.

“Maxwell Hollandale,” she began, turning to the camera. “Billionaire businessman, philanthropist, and now, fiancé to one of Hollywood’s most controversial figures, Sienna Brooks. Thank you for joining us tonight.”

“Thank you for having me,” I said, keeping my tone polite but detached.

“Let’s get right to it,” she said, leaning forward slightly. “There’s been a lot of speculation about your relationship with Sienna. The headlines haven’t been kind. What do you have to say about all this?”

I smiled faintly, as if the question amused me. “Speculation is inevitable, especially when you’re in the public eye. But the truth is much simpler than people think. Sienna and I are in love. Everything else is just noise.”

“And when did this love story begin?” she asked, her tone curious.

I leaned back slightly, pretending to consider the question. “We met years ago, actually. Back when she was still in acting school.”

“Really?”

“Yes,” I said, nodding. “I was at a charity event she was volunteering at. She was so passionate and driven, even then. I was immediately drawn to her.”

“That’s quite the story,” she said, smiling. “But if you’ve known her for so long, why keep the relationship private until now?”

“We wanted to build something real before letting the world in,” I said smoothly. “Sienna’s been through a lot, and I didn’t want to add to that pressure.”

The host nodded, her expression softening. “Some have accused Sienna of using you for your wealth and influence. How do you respond to those claims?”

I kept my expression calm, though the question annoyed me. “Sienna doesn’t need to use anyone. She’s one of the strongest, most independent women I’ve ever met. If anything, I’m the lucky one in this relationship.”

The host chuckled. “That’s quite the endorsement.”

“It’s the truth,” I said firmly.

By the time the interview ended, I’d said everything I needed to say. I’d painted a picture of a love story the public would eat up, and if the host’s reaction was any indication, it had worked.

As I left the studio, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction. Sienna didn’t know it yet, but I’d just saved her reputation—and by extension, my own.

For now, at least.