Chapter 98: Chapter 98
Olivia’s POV
The next morning, I found myself kneeling beside Mitchell’s spot by the window, where she was sat regally like the princess she was. Her gorgeous white fur gleamed in the morning sunlight, and those mesmerizing green eyes tracked my every movement as I walked round the living room, getting ready.
"Hey, my beautiful girl," I whispered softly, gently stroking her fur. She immediately began purring - deep and rumbling.
"Mitchell, sweetheart, I need to tell you something important," I began, trying to keep my voice steady and soothing. Mitchell’s ears perked up, and she tilted her head in an adorable way that made her look like she was actually listening to every word. "I have to go on a little trip with Maxwell for a few days, okay? I’ll be back before you know it, and you shouldn’t miss me too much."
As if she understood exactly what I was saying, Mitchell’s expression seemed to shift. Her green eyes widened, and she let out a small, plaintive meow that sounded almost like a protest.
"Oh, don’t give me that look," I said, scratching behind her ears in the spot that always made her close her eyes in bliss. "You know I can never stay away from you for long. You’re too spoiled, and I’m too attached to my fluffy shadow."
She had earned that nickname honestly - ever since we’d taken her in, she followed me everywhere. Kitchen, bathroom, bedroom - wherever I went, there was Mitchell, padding along behind me or finding the perfect spot to supervise my activities. She was like a beautiful, furry stalker who happened to purr.
I scooped her up into my arms, and she immediately nuzzled against my neck, her whiskers tickling my skin. "Maxwell is sending one of his staff members to take care of you while I’m gone. But I promise you, no one will spoil you quite like I do."
Mitchell meowed again, this time with disapproval. Her green eyes stared into mine intently, and it made me almost laugh.
"Are you going to miss me, my little drama queen?" I asked, booping her pink nose gently.
She responded by headbutting my chin and purring even louder, which in Mitchell language clearly meant ’of course I’ll miss you, you ridiculous human, now don’t leave me.’
After making sure Mitchell was settled with her breakfast, I headed to my room to get dressed. I chose a nice suit, then applied my Oliver disguise to perfection.
Kira was waiting in the kitchen when I emerged, her expression filled with worry and forced cheerfulness.
"You sure you’re ready for this?" she asked, wrapping me in a warm hug.
"As ready as anyone can be for a trip with their enigmatic boss," I replied, trying to sound a little funny.
"Just... be careful, Liv. Promise me that. Always be on your disguise at all times."
"I promise," I said, kissing her cheek goodbye. "Take care of Mitchell for me. And remember the plan about the staff member."
"Got it. Now go before I change my mind and tie you to a chair to keep you here."
"Yes, momma."
As I turned to leave, Kira held me back. "Olivia, about last night...."
"I know. When I get back okay?"
She nodded solemnly.
Outside, I hailed a cab to Maxwell’s mansion, but every mile we passed made my stomach twist tighter with anxiety. When the imposing gates finally came into view, I had to take several deep breaths to calm my racing heart.
A staff member led me through the compound into the house, then to the living room.
I sat on the edge of a white sofa, checking my watch every few minutes. Maxwell was supposed to be down by now, and...
That’s when the commotion outside began.
Raised voices, the sound of someone arguing with the security staff, and then a woman’s voice rising above it all in desperate pleading.
"Please! I just need to see him! Maxwell! MAXWELL!"
I moved closer to the window and my heart sank. Sabrina was outside, looking disheveled and frantic as she argued with two security guards who were clearly trying to prevent her from entering.
"Ma’am, you need to leave the premises," one of the guards was saying firmly. "Mr. Wellington has made it clear that you’re not welcome here."
"You don’t understand!" Sabrina’s voice cracked with desperation. "I need to talk to him! I need to explain!"
Just then, I heard footsteps on the grand staircase behind me. I turned to see Maxwell descending, looking so handsomely dressed in a dark suit that it made my breath catch. Behind him, a staff member carried a sleek black traveling bag.
The moment Sabrina spotted Maxwell through the window, she pushed past the guards with great energy, as she frantically rushed toward the front door.
"Maxwell! Maxwell, please!" she burst through the entrance, tears streaming down her face. Her usually perfect appearance was completely undone - hair disheveled, makeup smeared, designer dress wrinkled. "Please, just listen to me!"
Maxwell’s expression didn’t change. He looked at her with a cold indifference he might show an annoying insect.
"It was all a mistake!" Sabrina threw herself toward him, but he stepped back, avoiding her grasp. "I don’t have feelings for Vanessa! I never did! It was just... just confusion, just a moment of weakness!"
She was sobbing openly now, her words coming out in desperate gasps. "You have to believe me, Maxwell! I love you! I’ve always loved you! I would do anything - anything - to prove it to you!"
The staff members looked uncomfortable, clearly unsure whether to intervene or pretend they couldn’t see the former mistress of the house having a complete breakdown.
Maxwell remained silent, his jaw set in a hard line. Instead of responding to Sabrina’s pleas, he turned to me instead.
"Have you packed everything you need?" His voice was calm, as if there wasn’t a woman falling apart in front of him.
I nodded, not trusting my voice. The entire situation felt surreal.
"Good. It’s time to go."
"No!" Sabrina’s voice rose to near-hysteria. "Maxwell, you can’t just ignore me! I’ll keep coming here every day until you take me back! Every single day! I won’t give up!"
For a moment, I thought Maxwell would continue ignoring her entirely. But then he paused, turned slightly in her direction, and spoke just one word, his voice flat and emotionless: "Do as you please."
The dismissal was so cold, so final, that even I felt the chill of it. Sabrina’s face crumpled as if she’d been slapped, but Maxwell was already walking toward the door, expecting me to follow.
I hurried after him, so very aware of Sabrina’s broken sobs behind us. As we reached his car, I could hear her calling his name one more time, the sound raw with desperation.
Why was he so cold towards her? Didn’t he love her in the slightest? I thought he was once possessive about her, what changed?
All these thoughts were racing through my mind as I opened the passenger side and got in.
The moment Maxwell got into the car through the other side, the atmosphere became suffocating. The tension was so thick I could practically taste it. Even breathing seemed too loud, too intrusive in the loaded silence.
The driver started the engine and we started moving.
Beside me, Maxwells’s shoulders were rigid, and his knuckles were white as he clenched them.
As we drove away from the mansion, I couldn’t help but glance back to see Sabrina still standing in the driveway, her figure growing smaller and smaller until she disappeared entirely.