Chapter 30 Maddox 55 vouchers After a meal , Uncle Sebastian and I were finally able to be alone in the study on the second floor , away from the overlapping chatter , cheers and loud music . " Well , check out this place , " he said as soon as he walked in . " I thought it was time to make a few changes , " I said , closing the door behind me . " What do think ? " " 9/10 ." " What ? Why not 10/10 ? " you Reaching for a book from one of the shelves , he said , " You shouldn't have gotten rid of that black table . You know I loved it . " " But this brown one is an upgrade ." I leaned against it . He nodded in agreement , then suddenly coughed . " Are you okay ? " I asked . He sighed with relief . " I'm fine , but for a moment there , I thought the poison from Margot's cake was starting to take effect . " I chuckled . " I'm glad I'm not the only one who felt that way about it . " " Come on . Just think about it , had that been the case we were all going to die along with her . " " Had I known that she would actually be the one to make it , I would have never agreed to it . Kate made sure to leave out that information . " " So , that's Kate ," he said . " I saw you constantly ignoring her . It didn't really seem like she was your date ." " She was , until you arrived ." While that was mostly true , it was also because I had given up on trying to paint a certain picture in front of Harper . He chuckled , his gaze now thoughtful as he flipped through the pages and came across my mother's picture . " Happy birthday . Had my sister been alive today , she'd be so proud , just like your father is ." I scoffed . " Yeah , and what a way to show it by giving me that present ." He closed the book and gently set it on the table . " Come on , you know he's trying . That's why you two had that conversation when you played golf with him a few weeks ago ." 7:29 Tue , Sep 16 Chapter 30 ... I sighed . " You're right ." : " Who knew your father had it in him to do such a thing ? That's really a good start ." " Yes , but don't tell him that . " My eyes widened a little . 76 55 vouchers He raised his eyebrows . " Scared I might end up exposing the fact that I know something I shouldn't ? " " It's just ... " I trailed off at the sound of overlapping heels and voices in the hallway . I couldn't make out who it was at first until they were close enough . It was Harper and her friends . My forehead creased when I learned that Margot had slapped her and planned to throw the three of them out . It wasn't her party and I wasn't about to let that happen . My uncle leaned forward as I began to type a message to the head of security so they wouldn't obey Margot's orders . I even included three names in the message . " Is that the same Harper you told me about a few weeks ago ? " he asked quietly , reading the name from the message . I nodded , then paid attention to the conversation the three of them were having . They began to analyse the artwork , Ella and Zoey's version of what they could see cracking me up and my uncle . It was all quite amusing until Harper focused on the lone child painting . I tightened the grip on the phone in my hand as I closed my eyes to listen to my racing heart while she broke it down for them . Her friends burst into laughter , but I wasn't laughing anymore . My uncle and I stood in silence until their voices faded the further they got away so they could get back to the party . " You okay ? " he asked . I clenched my jaw as I faced the floor . " Harper's been right before and she's not far from the truth this time . " " And you hate it ." He chuckled softly , placing his hand on my shoulder . " It was because you let me watch you paint a few years after you came to live with me that I got to understand you and everything you could never express with words . You could've shut me out if you wanted to , but you let me in . I'm not going to tell you how to live your life , but having someone else see the other side of you that others don't ? It doesn't happen everyday ." He was right , but that didn't make it easier . As I told him what else Harper had been right about , we were interrupted when a pair of heels in the hallway clicked against the floor until they stopped just outside the study . The door creaked open and my father poked his head in first , which was quite the surprise and right after he stepped in , Margot followed behind him and closed the door . " You're still in the study ? " Margot faked a laugh . " What could you two be talking about that takes so long ? " 7:29 Tue , Sep 16 Chapter 30 76 55 vouchers Uncle Sebastian narrowed his eyes dramatically , pushing himself off the table . " Hmm ... let's see , this party , the presents , the guests , the future and oh , the poison . " I held in my laugh . " Poison ? " Margot's eyes widened . " Trust me , you're the one person who's definitely safe ," he assured her . I held in my laugh again , glancing at my father who just eyed me suspiciously . " I just wanted to see you before we leave , " he said , stepping forward . " I know I say this a lot , but I mean it . I'm proud of you ." " Thanks . " I gave a light nod . " That's it ? " She cut in . " Is that all you've got ? We just gifted you a whole estate and that's what you have to say ? How about- " " That's enough ." His voice was sharp as he looked back at her . " But - but honey , I'm just saying- " " This isn't the place for that . Let him enjoy his birthday . " He then placed his hand on my shoulder . " This party better not get too wild . " I nodded with a small smile . " We should get going now . " Margot's annoying voice cut through the air . " That's what we came here to say . " " Actually , I need to have a word with Sebastian in private , " my father said . She sighed heavily , like she was about to protest , but she could only look on as the two of them made their way out into the hallway and closed the door behind them . I didn't feel like leaving the study yet , so I looked down at my phone to read Kate's text messages . There were barely any words , just random letters she must have pressed hard on in her extremely drunk state . Reading that was still better than paying attention to Margot ." " Are you seriously going to act like you're no longer impressed by the cake ? " she asked . I looked up , furrowing my eyebrows . " I was ? " She placed a hand on her stomach as she burst into laughter . " Come on . You know it was that delicious and eye - catching . Give me some credit , " " Had Kate told me you'd be baking it , I wouldn't have allowed it . " She scoffed . " Happy birthday . If only Racheal could see- " " You don't get to mention my mother's name . " I snapped , towering over her . 7:29 Tue , Sep 16 Chapter 30 76 555 vouchers She flinched but quickly composed herself with a scowl . " What ? You think she's watching over you right now ? I'm the one who's always been here . You can try to push me away all you want , but I'm here to stay . It's not like you haven't known that for years ." " Is that why you're still trying so hard ? Going as far as deciding who gets to be thrown out of my party ? That's right , I heard about it . I dare you to try that with security and see if they'll listen to you . The people in my life only get to acknowledge you if I do it first . " She sneered , but there were approaching footsteps in the hallway again , Uncle Sebastian and my father's voices getting louder . She took a few steps back , faking that smile again . It was only when they came back in that I unclenched my fists . " You're back , " she chuckled . " Obviously , " Uncle Sebastian said to her , his response making me smile a little . She shot him a glare , wrapping her hand around my father's arm . " Can we go now ? " My father didn't even get the chance to get close enough , but he gave me a small smile . " I'll see you in your new office . " I nodded in agreement , watching the two of them walk out the door . Margot looked back at me and smiled . " Love you ! " When my father closed the door , Uncle Sebastian burst into laughter . " What was that last part ? " I huffed . " I don't even want to think about it . " " You okay ? " He placed his hand on my shoulder with concern . " You look a little ... red . " " I'm good ." I assured him . " I have to go now . " I frowned . " So soon ? " " I have work to do and it's urgent . I still told myself I needed to show up here ." " Thanks for being here ." I smiled . " Anything for my favorite nephew ." He led the way out the door . When we got to the painting Harper had talked about , I stopped in my tracks . " I just need a moment alone . " " Of course you do . Enjoy the rest of the party and remember to use protection ! " He patted me on the back , then whistled as he walked away . I was now alone and stared deeply at the painting , like I was seeing it for the first time , everything Harper said still running through my head . All I had done was keep my distance but in the end , it was all in vain . She 7:29 Tue , Sep 16 Chapter 30 made sure of that . : 76 55 vouchers Tiffany started a dirty game down at the party and the questions made me roll my eyes . She might've started with the guys , but that was all part of her plan . I had given her the benefit of the doubt just because this was my party and that infuriated me . She was in the middle of asking a question that would've led to everyone finding out that Harper was in my bed when the sound on her mic cut , just as I had instructed the DJ . I wasn't about to let Harper's intimate moments with me get exposed like that . The crowd cheered when I walked in , but my gaze was on Tiffany while she was still near the DJ booth . It was also possible that she was going to continue without a mic , so I grabbed her by the wrist and dragged her up the stairs with me after getting the music back up . She grunted a couple of times , demanding that I let her go , but it was only when we were alone upstairs that I did . " That was the perfect moment and you ruined it ! " she yelled . " Wait , why did my mic cut right on time to stop me ? " " This is my birthday party , not a place for you to get your revenge . You better be on your best behaviour before I throw you out . " She scoffed . " You can't be serious . Threatening me like that over a one - night - stand ? " I chuckled . " That's where you're wrong . " She blinked rapidly . " What ? " AD Comment Send gift No Ads Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!