Chapter 74

The grand Manchester Hotel's lavish suite did little to soothe Margaret's frayed nerves. She paced the plush carpet, her designer heels sinking into its softness with each step. Across the room, Maxwell sat in an armchair, his fingers steepled under his chin, a calculating gleam in his eyes.

"Are you certain this will work?" Margaret asked, pausing to face him.

Maxwell's lips curled into a cold smile. "Trust me, my dear. I have connections that can make people disappear without a trace."

Margaret's perfectly manicured nails tapped against her arm as she considered his words. "And what about Carson? He's not a fool. He'll come looking for her."

"That's where your part comes in," Maxwell replied, rising from his seat. He walked to the window, gazing down at the bustling Manchester streets. "You'll need to keep him distracted. Use your history, your charms. Whatever it takes."

A bitter laugh escaped Margaret's lips. "My charms? The man left me at the altar. He won't even look at me now."