Chapter 45

NADIA'S POV

My hands shook as I gripped my phone, my vision blurring with unshed tears.

“Max, I…” I started again, but I couldn’t finish. What was there to say? I had been caught.

The realization hit me like a freight train. There was no way out of this. Max knew, the restaurant patrons knew, everyone knew.

And Max? He just sat there, watching me, waiting for me to admit the truth.

I looked back down at the photo, my chest tightening with shame. The caption felt like a slap in the face, mocking me.

I had been so careful…or at least, I thought I had been. But now, it was all crumbling around me.

“Max,” I whispered, my voice barely audible.

He didn’t respond. He didn’t need to.

Because at that moment, I knew there was no escaping this.

The truth was out.

And there was no denying it anymore.

"Why did you post the video, Max?" I slammed my hands on the table, my voice shaking with anger. My heart raced as I stared at him.

The smug look on his face only fueled my rage. "You already knew I leaked the pictures! What more do you want from me?"

Max leaned back in his chair, the dim lighting of the room casting a shadow over his face. His smile was slow, calculated, like a predator sizing up his prey.

"Oh, Nadia," he said, his tone dripping with mockery. "I was just helping you face the truth. Isn’t that what you wanted? Honesty? Clarity?"

"Don’t twist this around!" I snapped, my voice rising. "You had no right…none…to post that video. You’ve ruined everything!"

Max’s smirk deepened. "Ruined? No, darling. I’d say I’ve only just started."

I clenched my fists, forcing myself to stay seated instead of launching across the table to wipe that smug expression off his face. My mind was reeling.

The video wasn’t just at the hotel…it was everything. Every calculated move I had made to sedate Richard and drag him to that damned room was now on full display.

"Do you even know what you've done?" I hissed, trying to keep my voice steady. My anger was bubbling dangerously close to the surface. "That video…"

"Is a masterpiece," Max interrupted. "Really, Nadia, you should give yourself more credit. It’s not every day someone can pull off a scheme so…creative."

I glared at him, my blood boiling. "You think this is a joke? That video was private. How did you even…"

Max raised a hand, cutting me off. "Let’s not focus on how I got it. The real question is, why did you do it in the first place? Poor Richard, so helpless, so…betrayed."

"Stop it," I muttered, my voice shaking now.

But he didn’t stop. "What was it, Nadia? A moment of desperation? A little jealousy?" His eyes narrowed as he leaned forward. "Or was it all about power? Watching him fall apart while you pulled the strings?"

I stood abruptly, my chair screeching against the floor. "What do you want, Max?" I demanded, my voice cracking. "You’ve exposed me. You’ve dragged me through the mud. What else could you possibly want?"

Max’s smile faltered, but only for a second. Then it was back, sharper than before. "You really don’t get it, do you?" he said, his voice low. "This isn’t about what I want, Nadia. It’s about what you’re willing to do."

I froze, his words slicing through my anger like ice. "What are you talking about?" I asked, though deep down, I already knew.

Max stood slowly, the air between us growing thick with tension.

"You used me, Nadia. All that flirting, the little games…you thought I didn’t see through it? You were just trying to make Richard jealous. And now," he added, his voice darkening, "it’s my turn to play."

I felt a chill run down my spine, but I refused to let him see my fear. "If you already knew," I began, my voice trembling despite my best efforts, "then why go through all this? Why expose me like this?"

"Because I can," Max said simply, his tone cold and final.

I stared at him, my mind racing. This wasn’t just about revenge for him. He wanted control, and now he had it. The ball was in his court, and I hated it.

"What do you want from me, Max?" I asked again, my voice quieter this time.

Max chuckled, the sound low and menacing. "Oh, Nadia," he said, shaking his head. "What don’t I want from you?"

I swallowed hard, my hands gripping the edge of the table for support. Whatever he wanted, I knew it wouldn’t be good. But I also knew I had no choice. He had the power now.

"You’re despicable," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

"And you’re a hypocrite," Max shot back, his eyes glinting with amusement. "But we already knew that, didn’t we?"

I wanted to scream, to throw something, to do anything to break the hold he had on me. But instead, I stayed silent, my anger simmering beneath the surface.

Max took a step closer, his smirk fading into something darker, more serious. "You should be careful, Nadia," he said softly. "You’re in dangerous waters now. One wrong move, and you might just drown."

His words sent a shiver down my spine, but I refused to let him see the fear in my eyes. "I can handle myself," I said, forcing my voice to stay steady.

"We’ll see," Max replied, his tone full of mockery.

I glared at him, my chest heaving with frustration. "You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?"

"Immensely," Max admitted, his smile returning.

I wanted to slap him, to wipe that smug look off his face. But I knew it wouldn’t do any good. He had won, and we both knew it.

As I later sat down there, seething with anger, I made a silent vow to myself. Whatever Max wanted, I would do it. But I would also find a way to turn the tables.

Max cleared his throat, breaking the silence.

"What now?" I snapped, my patience worn thin.

He smiled again, that infuriating, knowing smile. "Oh, don’t worry, Nadia," he said, his voice low and teasing. "We’re just getting started."