Chapter 206

As the elevator doors sealed shut, the bodyguard wiped the sweat from his brow, ready to tell the guys to keep their guard up and be vigilant while posted here.

Then a nearby door swung open, and there was Max, leaning casually against the frame. The hallway lighting cast an almost ethereal glow around him, as if he were enveloped in an unreal. aura. His eyes were dark, like flames burning within them, yet those flames seemed to smother against cold ice, extinguished one by one.

“Mr. Dorsey, do you need anything?” the bodyguard asked.

“You don’t have to guard this place.”

“But Mr. Hatfield explicitly instructed…”

“I’m not comfortable with it.”

There was a hint of amusement in his gaze, though it seemed diluted.

The bodyguard could only nod. After seeking approval from Samuel, he removed the security on this floor.

Inside the room. Max surveyed the space that had been sterilized several times over. He approached the window and pushed it open.

The location was indeed prime real estate. Previously, when Brielle was scouting locations for the orphanage, Patrick had shortlisted several spots, and after process of elimination, only this area remained. It was a bit removed from the city center, but with the Hatfield family’s security. safety wasn’t an issue.

Nevertheless, this was Hatfield territory. Having accepted their generosity, he had to accept the Hatfield family’s invitation to attend their charity gala to show his gratefulness.

The cool evening breeze helped dissipate some of the heat as he shrugged off his suit jacket.

Meanwhile, in the other building’s hall, Lillian looked to Cameron, her nerves frayed. “He definitely drank it, right? We’re staying in the same building tonight, but there’s bound to be security on the top floor. Can you help me handle it?”

There was no turning back now.

Cameron thought it would be tricky, but he’d just heard that the top floor’s security had been withdrawn by Max himself. What was Max up to? Could it be, as Lillian suggested, that he was signaling her?

Uncertain but faced with Lillian’s question, he nodded, emphasizing, “Don’t provoke him too much, Lillian. He’s not like Spencer.”

Lillian said yes out loud, but inside, she was scoffing. All men were the same to her. And given that Max had taken something not readily available on the market, the slightest touch could 14:17 make a man’s determination falter, causing him to see only the woman he craved. “Let’s go. now. You check the top floor for anyone else, and leave the rest to me.”

She prepared the most seductive lingerie, ensuring that Max wouldn’t be able to look away once he glanced at it.

Cameron nodded, noticing others heading to rest as well, and followed suit. A few youngsters. chose to stay and continue the night’s festivities.

Lillian, buzzing with anticipation, felt her body grow warm as if she had taken the drug, not Max. She went to her room, slipped into her nearly non–existent lingerie, covered it with an oversized robe tied at the waist, and prepared to head to the top floor.

Clutching her phone, she awaited Cameron’s signal. The moment the top floor was clear, she’d make her move.

Sweat pooled in her palms as she paced. Finally, her phone buzzed. Her eyes lit up as she hit the answer button. Could it be this easy?

Cameron’s hesitant voice came through, “Lillian, are you sure about this? Really sure? Mom and Dad would still prefer you with Spencer, and something feels off about tonight.”

Lillian’s frustration flared, her eyes welling up, “You saw the pictures Spencer got caught in. Hel didn’t even come to explain. Clearly, I’m not in his heart. So what’s wrong with chasing the mant I like?”

Cameron fell silent. He rubbed his temples, his mind in disarray. After all, they were talking about Max, who was notoriously hard to impress. Even if Lillian was exceptional, if she didn’t catch his eye, how would he deal with the Haywood family?

Lillian’s crying broke through his indecision. Like a hammer, it shattered his hesitation. “The top floor’s clear. Max’s door is closed. Come on up.”

With this special permission, Lillian quickly wrapped herself in a robe and opened the door to her room.

Looking around as if feeling guilty, she made sure the corridor was empty before entering the elevator.