Chapter 54

54 Sibling Shield It was a classic sibling dynamic – Maxwell knew his sister Emma well enough to avoid setting her up romantically after her recent divorce. He believed she deserved a peaceful life, possibly leading the family business, under the protective wing of her brothers.

As Tom reflected on Maxwell’s words before leaving the house, he felt a sense of responsibility weighing on him. “Here’s the deal: Maxwell didn’t set up any business meeting for you. He just wants you at his concert tour next month, front row. And, your identity as his sister might be revealed. Maxwell has become protective, especially since that incident three years ago.

Initially, Maxwell had shielded Emma from the public eye, but the events three years prior had changed his stance, prompting him to draw her closer into his world.

Emma laughed off the overprotectiveness, “Okay, got it. Anything else?”

Tom hesitated, then disclosed additional information he hadn’t planned on sharing. “There’s more.

Bella’s agent contacted me about her guest appearance at the concert. Surprisingly, Maxwell agreed, seemingly to channel your frustrations towards her.”

Tom didn’t mention the evidence Maxwell had gathered against Bella, intending to expose her. This was all to protect Emma from the messy details, knowing Maxwell’s longstanding resentment towards Bella.

Emma was taken aback, “Bella at Maxwell’s concert? She’s way out of her league, isn’t she? From acting to intruding into a concert?”

Despite her reservations, Maxwell’s decision was final. The concert wasn’t about mingling with someone like Bella.

“Isn’t this a bit extreme for Maxwell? He’s an international star. He doesn’t need to involve himself in these squabbles.”

Emma considered intervening, but knowing Maxwell’s stubbornness, especially post the incident three years ago, she doubted he would listen.

Tom shrugged. “You know Maxwell; he is always set in his ways. Once he decides something, it’s final.

He’s already made the arrangements and might announce it soon. I don’t know Elena’s reasoning, but Maxwell isn’t going to let this opportunity pass to make a point.”

Tom’s words resonated with Emma.

“What are you doing here?”

Lost in thought about Maxwell’s plans, Emma was startled by Alex’s angry voice. Turning around, she saw him and his colleague, Nathan, approaching with a mix of curiosity and spite.

Emma was flustered – it seemed she ran into Alex and Nathan everywhere. Each encounter reminded 54 Sibling Shield her of their dissolved relationship.

“What am I doing? That’s none of your concern. We’re divorced, remember? I can meet whoever I want. If you can’t handle that, maybe it’s time you learned a lesson.”

Emma pondered whether Alex’s constant interference was due to losing a project to her. Why else would he be so fixated on her actions? Was he stalking her? How else could she explain how she always seem to run into him at every corner of the city? These thoughts raced through her mind.

Alex was visibly shaken, the reality of their severed ties hitting him anew. Yet, he couldn’t accept being adversaries.

“You’re doing this to spite me, aren’t you? Because of what Nathan did. Look, if there’s anything you’re unhappy about, we can talk it out.”

“What do you plan to offer, compensation? I didn’t take a dime in the divorce. All I wanted was to be free from our relationship, if one could even call it that.‘

Emma’s words were firm and clear. She didn’t need Alex’s money. What she valued most was her independence and peace of mind.