MAXWELL'S POV My eyes followed Hannah's form as she dashed off. I flicked my gaze back to Kieran, who was standing with his hands casually tucked into the pockets of his tailored suit. The tension between us was thick, even if no one around us noticed.The steady thrum of music in the background filled the silence. I furrowed my brow slightly, shifting my focus towards him.“So,” Kieran began, his tone a little light. I glared at him. “That went well. Couldn’t keep her out there any longer, huh?”My smirk didn’t reach my eyes. “You think this is funny, Kieran?” My voice was low, controlled. “I don’t have time for jokes. You know that.”Kieran shrugged nonchalantly. “I’m not laughing, am I? Just making an observation. That’s what I’m here for, right? Observing… and digging. It doesn't help that you stood me up the other time.” He let the words hang in the air for a moment, gauging my reaction.I clenched my jaw. “ You're still gonna get that match.” And I'll fucking break your teeth.
MAXWELL'S POV One thing Maxwell didn't want was to deal with a drunk Hannah. Yet, here she was, in the passenger seat, singing along to a song that wasn’t even playing.He sighed, glancing at her out of the corner of his eye. Her cheeks were flushed, and her usually pristine hair was slightly tousled. She leaned her head back, eyes closed, a content smile on her lips.“Maxwell,” she murmured, her voice dreamy and slurred, “do you ever think about what it would be like… to just let go?”Maxwell’s hands tightened on the steering wheel. “Let go of what, Hannah?”She turned her head to look at him, her expression serious in that exaggerated way only someone intoxicated could manage. “Let go of all the rules. You’re always so… controlled. It’s like you’re afraid to have any fun.”He gave a noncommittal grunt, trying to focus on the road. “Someone has to be in control.”She giggled, a sound that was both charming and dangerous. “But not tonight. Tonight, you should let go… just a little.”
ARTHUR POVThings didn't go as we planned.We waited in the darkness of the garden, watching the taillights of Maxwell and Hannah’s car fade into the distance. Or as I'd like to call her, Isabella.I found it funny how that woman was able to fool Maxwell. Then again, he wasn't as observant as I thought.My muscles tensed, and adrenaline had begun to flow freely in my veins. Why was I feeling like this? I had done numerous heists before, so what the hell? It felt like everything hinged on this moment.A part of me also felt that tonight wasn't gonna go so well.“Let’s go.” Korra whispered, staring at the house with a weird expression.We moved quickly, slipping through the back door and into the kitchen. I must say, this is a very nice place. She led the way, moving like she basically owner the place. I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was a lot she probably knew, and wasn't saying.For the fact that she just decided to help me…No.That was something I'd deal with later.We reach
ISABELLA'S POV My head pounded so hard, as if someone was beating a drum inside. I could still feel the alcohol in my system, and it took all my willpower not to throw up. I groaned, burying my face in the pillows. The light that threatened me through the cracks of the curtains we're not relentless. I sniffed the pillowcase, relishing it's softness. I froze, this didn't smell like my pillow…where is all the lavender?“Oh, God.” Realization smacked me in the face.Fragments of last night pieced themselves together in my brain, and I almost died from mortification.I had tried to seduce Maxwell.Something I could never think of even trying to do in my sober state.It didn't help that each thought sent splinters of pain through my brain. I couldn't remember the last time I was hungover. I could almost hear Maxwell’s deep voice, cutting through the haze of my half-dreams.As if on cue, the door swung open.I stilled my breath, not daring to turn around. I closed my eyes, trying to stay a
MAXWELL'S POV As soon as Hannah left the room, I turned back to my laptop, which was underneath the newspapers. I tossed them aside.Who still reads newspapers?I had tried the daunting task of going through the wedding's camera footage, but I couldn't find anyone who could match the description of “Arthur”.I sighed, groaning.As if he could see through the screen, my phone buzzed with Keiran's message.“How many rounds did you two have? Why are you still in bed?” His text read.Such an asshole.“Get a life, Keiran.” I texted back.“I got one of the best lives any hot 24 year old could ask for. What do you mean man?”I sighed.“I'll be at your house in an hour.”Arsehole.I drove through the spiralling roads that led to Kieran’s secluded estate, contemplating if I could puff a cigarette here or wait until I got to his house. He always had good cigars, and with my status, smoking anywhere was not a good idea. The evening sun cast long shadows across the dense forest that surrounded
ISABELLA'S POV I glanced at my reflection in the hallway mirror and buttoned up my coat. My fingers trembled slightly. It wasn't the alcohol that refused to leave my system, or Maxwell's constant teasing that reminded me of my misbehavior last night. There was a chill feeling deep inside of my bones that no amount of clothing could banish. I felt like it was because I was about to meet Hannah. Her visits never proved good.Why had I agreed to this again? The memory felt murky now, a blur of whispered promises and unspoken threats. The cold air hit my face, stinging my cheeks. She wrapped her coat tighter around herself and walked to her car.The drive was a short one, but it felt like an eternity. Her mind raced, replaying all the things she’d learned in the past few days. Maxwell was not the man he pretended to be—she had always known that—but his secrets ran deeper than she’d ever imagined. And Hannah… well, Hannah was another story altogether. What kind of woman asks someone to i
HANNAH'S POV I watched Isabella walk away, a not so grateful smirk plastered on my face.I took a sip of my latte, warming up my fingers. The rain outside was relentless.My determination wasn't.Hannah Smith, how did it come to this?When a woman actually feels replaced, that's how the fuck it comes to this. Who did Isabella think she was?I fought back the urge to laugh. I spent three months….three months! Trying every trick known in the book to make Maxwell come around. And she does it so effortlessly.I may have not liked him, but he has always been mine.Mine.I exhaled silently as the memories of the past week flashed through my head…..“You are one insolent, and stupid girl! Maxwell is a billionaire!” My dad yelled, sitting in my face. I sat in the middle of the sitting room, surrounded by our elders. My mom had informed my dad of my return before he had a chance to come back home himself, and he thought…’oh, my daughter disobeyed. Let's call her relatives.’I hated them all,
HANNAH'S POV The night and morning after that, probably the most annoying. Henry sent three text messages, insisting I meet him on his terms. It was suffocating, like I had a choice, but I was not allowed to even think of the second option.Being blackmailed into doing something is probably one of the worst feelings ever.Still, I had to do it, so I dressed up that morning, and boarded a bus straight to the capital city. Mom and dad claimed to have given me time, but they barely spoke to me at home. I knew they were mad, but what could they do?Maxwell wasn't someone my dad could easily approach, and even if he could, I knew he didn't have the guts to spill anything.I sighed, tossing thoughts of my family to the back end of my mind and focusing on getting to Henry's office.**********The air was thick, as if the walls themselves were holding their breath. Or maybe it was my own perspective. I sat stiffly in the oversized leather chair, taking in the interior of the office. Mostly a