Chapter 7 Reid canceled all his appointments and refused to leave Maxine's side while she recovered in the hospi- tal. He fed her every meal himself, tended to her wounds, and even woke up in the middle of the night to make sure she hadn't kicked off her blanket. But Maxine remained calm and distant throughout. On the day she was discharged, Reid, thinking she must be bored out of her mind, threw a lavish party to celebrate her recovery. The banquet hall glittered with gold and crystal, champagne towers stacked like mountains; guests were dressed to the nines, and laughter and chatter filled the air. Everywhere she turned, people looked on in envy. "Mr. Merrow absolutely dotes on Ms. Valemont...' "I heard all those gifts are limited editions - some of them were bought at auctions for sky-high prices..." "Ms. Valemont is so lucky..." Standing at the center of the crowd, Maxine's face was utterly expressionless. Reid couldn't take it anymore. He pulled her aside into a quiet corner and asked in a low voice, "Are you still mad at me?" He gently stroked the inside of her wrist, his tone coaxing, "I swear, I really did mistake you for some- one else that night. "What will it take for you to forgive me? Babe, tell me I'll do anything, okay?" Maxine looked at him, and suddenly she smiled. "Alright. Fire Kelsey." Reid's expression shifted, his voice softening. "Her family's struggling-her parents are both sick. Do you really have to go that far?" Maxine just stared at him in silence. 0.0 %. 06:32 A moment ago, he'd said he'd do anything. But the second it involved Kelsey, he backed down without hesitation. She was about to say something when a staff member handed Reid the phone. It was Kelsey. On the other end, she was sobbing hysterically. "Mr. Merrow... help me! Someone brought a bunch of thugs... they're going to hurt me..." Reid's face changed instantly. "What did you say? Where are you?!" But the call had already been cut off. Reid's face was grim as he tried to call her back, but the line never connected. He turned to Maxine, his gaze shifting from panic, to suspicion, to barely contained anger. "Max, where's Kelsey?" His voice was tight, but he managed to keep it civil. Maxine's heart clenched painfully. He didn't trust her. He didn't even need to check-he'd already decided she was the one behind it. Her voice trembled. "You think it was me?" "It's not that," he said, rubbing his brow. "It's just... she said someone was trying to hurt her..." "So what?" Maxine's voice shook. "You really think I'd do something like that?" Reid was silent for a moment, then spoke quietly. "I'm not saying that. But right now, it's an emergen- cy..." "One phone call from her and you're this worked up?" Maxine suddenly laughed, but her eyes were icy cold. "Reid, what exactly is going on between you and her?" His frown deepened. "This is a life-or-death situation, Maxine. Is this really the time to get jealous?" "Jealous?" Maxine's voice was so soft it was barely more than a whisper. "You think that's what this is?" Reid took a deep breath, trying to keep his tone gentle. "Max, there's nothing between me and her. But she might really be in danger right now. Just tell me-was it you...?" 27.9 %. 06:32 Chapter 7 288 (Vouchers "It wasn't me," Maxine cut him off, every word sharp as a knife. "For the last time, I have no idea where she is. I didn't send anyone after her!" Reid stared at her, his agitation growing more and more obvious. Minute after minute ticked by, and Kelsey's phone never rang back. Finally, he lost all patience. He gripped Maxine's wrist so hard it felt like he might crush her bones. "Max, I told you I already punished her! Why are you still doing this? Destroying a girl's reputation is the lowest thing you could do. I don't have time for this. Tell me where is Kelsey?!" - Maxine's face went white with pain, but she stubbornly repeated, "I don't know! Ask me a hundred times, my answer won't change!" Reid was furious. "Maxine! I feel like I don't even know you anymore!" He flung her away. Maxine stumbled, slamming her lower back into the corner of a table, her forehead hitting a sharp edge of the décor. Blood immediately gushed down her face. All around her, people screamed, "Mr. Merrow, Ms. Valemont is hurt!" But Reid didn't even turn around. He strode out without a backward glance, barking orders into his phone. "Send everyone to look for her! Find the last place Kelsey was seen!" Maxine braced herself on the table and slowly straightened up. Warm, sticky blood trailed down her temple, but she felt nothing. What was this, compared to the pain of her heart being ripped to shreds? She stared blankly in the direction Reid had gone, and suddenly, she smiled. Why would he care about her? Right now, every thought in his head was about Kelsey. Just like once upon a time, every thought had been about her. People rushed over, trying to help her to the hospital, but she gently shook her head, pushing away ev- ery hand, and walked out of the banquet hall alone, 59.7 %. 06:32 Chapter 7 288 Vouchers Boom! Just as she stepped outside, a deafening crash sounded behind her. Maxine turned to see the gilded plaque that read "Reid Loves Maxine Forever" come crashing down, splitting in two. She stared at the broken plaque and suddenly burst out laughing. She laughed and laughed until tears streamed down her face. "Reid, so this is your 'forever.' Turns out it was over in a blink. 11 92.8%. 06:32 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!