After what seemed like an eternity, he finally accepted this reality.
His face felt as though he had been violently slapped, the irony bitter and absolute.
At that moment, Claire finished gathering her personal belongings and respectfully bowed to Maxwell.
“Mr. Reed, I’ve said all I can. Olivia is not a good woman. You betrayed such a wonderful wife, and then you refused to trust her. You’ll regret it eventually.”
“Whatever you decide to do about Olivia from now on is none of my business. I hope you’ll forgive my outspokenness, considering my years of service to your family. I’ve already spoken with your mother about my resignation. After today, I won’t be coming back to serve you. I hope you find a suitable housekeeper soon.”
With that, Claire left without a backward glance, taking her luggage with her.
She was getting on in years; her willingness to stay and care for Maxwell and Jessica had been out of loyalty and appreciation for Jessica’s kindness.
But now there was no reason to stay.
The entire house fell into deathly silence, with only the security footage still playing on the computer, seeming to mock Maxwell’s foolishness.
He felt empty inside, with an indescribable sense of panic, as if something precious had been lost.
If Olivia was lying this time, was it possible that every other time had been a lie as well?
Once the seed of doubt is planted, even the slightest evidence can make it sprout and grow into a towering tree.
Maxwell’s body radiated a terrifying coldness as he called his assistant.
“Check Jessica’s whereabouts for the entire day a month ago, after I had her workspace vandalized.”
The assistant acknowledged the order and immediately began investigating.
The few minutes of waiting felt like an eternity to Maxwell.
If Olivia had been lying all along, what had he done to Jessica?!
Just the thought made him sick to his stomach, bitterness rising in layers.
At that moment, Olivia sent him several pitiful emojis:
[Mr. Reed, what’s wrong with you these past few days? Why haven’t you come to see me? Have you… decided not to pursue me anymore?]
[But I was almost… almost ready to accept you.]
[I know you can’t let go of Professor Reid, but now that you’re divorced, she probably won’t come back, right? Couldn’t you try to move on and be good to just me?]
Looking at these messages, Maxwell might have once felt a twinge of sympathy, perhaps even rushing to comfort her and fulfill her every wish.
However, now that he knew she might have been lying to him all along, he found these words inexplicably fake.
12:08
His ‘Harmless‘ 10–Year Fling? My Secret Divorce Paners Say Goodbye Forever!
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Chapter 13
Her emotions seemed artificial, each word hiding countless ulterior motives.
During this time, she’d been playing him hot and cold, stringing him along like a master manipulator. Her ultimate goal couldn’t be more obvious–without a doubt, she just wanted to marry him, to bask in wealth, luxury, and exclusive devotion all to herself.
Maxwell’s expression darkened, his elegant fingers hovering over the screen for a long time without typing a single word.
Just then, his assistant called:
“Mr. Reed, we’ve confirmed all of Mrs. Reed’s movements that day. I’ve sent you the detailed surveillance footage and photos. After leaving you, she didn’t go anywhere–she went straight home to rest. She never went to the university to find Miss Grant.”
“According to Miss Grant’s roommate, there was no mention of Mrs. Reed threatening Miss Grant to delete your contact information. In fact, just before Miss Grant complained to you, she was laughing and chatting with friends, talking about sending them gifts.”
Hearing this, Maxwell finally understood the truth–Olivia was nothing but a complete and total fraud!