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 glead in the morning sunlight, and those srizing green eyes tracked my every movent as I walked round the living room, getting ready.
"Hey, my beautiful girl," I whispered softly, gently stroking her fur. She imdiately began purring - deep and rumbling.
"Mitchell, sweetheart, I need to tell you sothing 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 too much."
As if she understood exactly what I was saying, Mitchell’s expression seed to shift. Her green eyes widened, and she let out a small, plaintive ow that sounded almost like a protest.
"Oh, don’t give 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 nickna honestly - ever since we’d taken her in, she followed everywhere. Kitchen, bathroom, bedroom - wherever I went, there was Mitchell, padding along behind 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 imdiately nuzzled against my neck, her whiskers tickling my skin. "Maxwell is sending one of his staff mbers to take care of you while I’m gone. But I promise you, no one will spoil you quite like I do."
Mitchell owed again, this ti with disapproval. Her green eyes stared into mine intently, and it made almost laugh.
"Are you going to miss , 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 ant ’of course I’ll miss you, you ridiculous human, now don’t leave .’
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 erged, her expression filled with worry and forced cheerfulness.
"You sure you’re ready for this?" she asked, wrapping 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 that. Always be on your disguise at all tis."
"I promise," I said, kissing her cheek goodbye. "Take care of Mitchell for . And rember the plan about the staff mber."
"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 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 ca into view, I had to take several deep breaths to calm my racing heart.
A staff mber led 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 soone 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 welco 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 . I turned to see Maxwell descending, looking so handsoly dressed in a dark suit that it made my breath catch. Behind him, a staff mber carried a sleek black traveling bag.
The mont 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 sared, designer dress wrinkled. "Please, just listen to !"
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 mont of weakness!"
She was sobbing openly now, her words coming out in desperate gasps. "You have to believe , Maxwell! I love you! I’ve always loved you! I would do anything - anything - to prove it to you!"
The staff mbers looked uncomfortable, clearly unsure whether to intervene or pretend they couldn’t see the forr 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 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 ti to go."
"No!" Sabrina’s voice rose to near-hysteria. "Maxwell, you can’t just ignore ! I’ll keep coming here every day until you take back! Every single day! I won’t give up!"
For a mont, 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 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 na one more ti, 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 mont Maxwell got into the car through the other side, the atmosphere beca suffocating. The tension was so thick I could practically taste it. Even breathing seed too loud, too intrusive in the loaded silence.
The driver started the engine and we started moving.
Beside , 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.
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