Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Max recalled Mary’s objective. He looked at the necklace before helping Sofia take off the one she was wearing around her neck, then put the new one on her.
Sandra had already brought the mirror for Sofia to take a look at herself. In the reflection, the diamonds sparkled as they reflected the bright lights.
Sofia smiled as she ran her hands over the jewels, “Well, this looks really nice.”
“Max has such good taste,” Sandra remarked
“Of course he does! Otherwise, how could he have picked you as his woman?”
Max’s eyes swept over their necklaces. A thought came to him, and something dark flashed in the depths of his eyes.
A short while later, the maid came to inform them that Mary had arrived.
Sofia smiled and said, “Max, today Mary is here to do an exclusive interview with Sandra for their platform. You should sit next to Sandra and keep her company later.”
Mary, Priscilla and Andrew had just entered the foyer.
Sandra then reached for Max’s arm again, thinking that with outsiders around them, Max would give her a chance. But her hand ended up frozen in the air.
Max asked the maid to prepare refreshments and greeted Mary and her colleagues.
Mary went to greet Sofia first. Her eyes swept over the necklace around her neck. She smiled and complimented, “Aunt Sofia, this necklace of yours is so beautiful. It’s a limited edition version that just came out. You have such good taste.”
“You’re complimenting the wrong person. Max bought it as gift for Sofia.” Sandra replied. Touching the necklace around her neck again, she said, “Max always has good taste.”
“Your necklace is beautiful, too.” Mary smiled politely.
Sandra immediately looked fondly towards Max and said proudly, “It’s a gift from Max. You know that.”
“I forgot.”
After a few words of courtesy, Mary cut to the chase of the real topic for the day.
“Miss White, can we start the interview?”
Mary was wearing a long-sleeved shirt and long pants for the day. She took care to hide the kiss marks left by Max last night, which could not be covered up fully, and did extra checks before she left the house.
When Sandra stared at her, she didn’t even blink an eye. After a few glances, Sandra didn’t find anything suspicious. Then she asked Max, “Max, why don’t you stay with me for this interview?”
Max didn’t answer her immediately. Instead, he looked at Mary. The two of them locked eyes. Only then did Max say in a casual manner, “Mary, my presence won’t interfere with your interview, right?”
Mary met his eyes and said indifferently, “No.”
“Max, you sit here then.”
Sandra smiled delicately and said, “Mary is not an outsider! Max, we should sit together. It’s no big deal.”
“That’s right! You’re getting married next month. How can you not sit together? There’s no reason for you to sit apart from each other.”
Sofia, who was at the other side, stood up. Originally, she was going to keep Sandra company. Now that Max was back, she naturally no longer had to stay around.
Just Max’s presence was going to be the best way to provoke Mary.
She snickered inwardly, then said with a loving smile on her face, “Mary, after your interview with Sandra, don’t leave so soon. Stay for lunch with us.”
“Sure.” Mary agreed readily.
Sofia smiled even more cheerfully, “Then I’ll go get the kitchen ready while you interview Sandra and Max.” She then turned around and went into the kitchen.
Max sat down on the single couch. His slender and long legs were casually crossed together. Cell phone in hand and with a faint expression, he turned down Sandra’ request. “Since it’s your interview, it should be focused on you.”
He was not here to keep Sandra company.
Sandra didn’t dare to continue insisting in front of Mary and her colleagues, for fear that she would end up embarrassing herself.
She smiled thoughtfully and said, “Okay, then Mary, you guys just focus on me, not on Max, since he doesn’t like it.”
“No problem.” Mary turned her head to look at Andrew, who nodded knowingly.
Everything was ready. Mary followed the interview script given by Sandra and asked her the questions accordingly.
“So, Miss White, may I ask when was your first night with Mr. Gaston?” On the single couch, Max, who was holding a glass of water, suddenly choked and coughed. He clenched his fist against his lips with one hand, holding the glass in the other, and lifted his eyes towards Mary with a sullen look.
Mary had heard his cough and sensed his gaze but did not turn around. With a professional smile on her face, she looked at Sandra warmly and generously.
Sandra didn’t answer her question. Instead, she frowned and worriedly got up and went over to soothe Max.
“Max, are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m alright. You go back to your interview.”
Sandra somehow felt a sense of rejection from Max’s sudden drop in tone, making her withdraw her hand.
“Okay.” She sat back down.
Mary repeated the question she had asked earlier.
Before Sandra could answer, Max said in a deep voice, “Change the question.”
“…”
Mary didn’t say anything. She just faintly looked at Sandra. Sandra was no less than a top tier actress. Her acting skills were practically second to none.
She said reproachfully, “Mary, why would you ask me such a question! You clearly know that the first night between Max and me was under such circumstances. He didn’t even remember it back then.”
Priscilla and Andrew’s eyes widened in astonishment.
Mary raised her eyebrows, and questioned her lack of cooperation, “Miss White, today’s interview is all based on the questions you requested.”
“How is that possible? I didn’t request anything. You must have been mistaken.” Sandra said, and looked towards Max. She made an expression as if saying that she had been wronged by Mary.
She deliberately said, “Max, I really didn’t request for Mary to ask that kind of question. That night, although you pulled me into bed as soon as I entered the room, you were my fiancé. I just gave myself to you in advance, and I actually did that willingly from the bottom of my heart.”
Her words were rather dramatic. Priscilla and Andrew were embarrassed to even listen.
Max’s face turned more sullen.
“I will re-investigate what happened back then. If you guys have no problem with the interview, you may take a few pictures.”
He had so readily said that in front of outsiders. Everyone fell silent. The atmosphere in the large living room felt oppressive for a moment.
Sandra’s face went pale. Max did not show her any respect even in front of others. She never expected him to anyway.
She wanted to provoke Mary, but in the end, she herself had become a laughing stock.
She gritted her teeth in hatred, but controlled her anger. She squeezed out a faint smile and said, “Then you don’t need to interview or take pictures. I’ll ask my assistant to send you some later tonight.”
“Sure.” Mary didn’t give a damn.
With what she knew about Sandra, she would choose to send her wedding photos with Max if she were to choose the pictures herself.
“Priscilla, Andrew, pack up. We’re going back to the office.”
“Got it, Mary.” Priscilla and Andrew went to pack up.
Mary’s phone rang at this moment. Her eyes flickered for a second when she saw who was calling.
Just then, Max went up to her. He saw the incoming call at a glance, and his eyebrows furrowed. “Let them go back first. You’ll leave with me later.” The voice that fell on Mary’s ear was low and dominant. Mary hung up the phone call from John.
Sandra’s expression turned ugly. “Max, if you and Mary have something to say, just say it here. It wouldn’t be good if Mr. Liam knew you two were spending time alone. He might get jealous of that.”
Max simply ignored her and dragged Mary upstairs. Once upstairs and in the room, he pushed Mary against the back of the door.
“Why did you say you didn’t have the script for the interview when I asked you yesterday?”
Mary’s face remained indifferent, “Sandra has the right to ask for it as she wishes.”
He sneered, changing the subject, “Mary, you asked me to pass the necklace to that woman for you, and I did as you asked. Shouldn’t you be thankful to me?”
Mary said immediately, “Didn’t I give my body to you last night?”
“What’s in the necklace?”
His eyes fell on her delicate lips, his long fingers brushing up. His voice turned hoarse. Their breaths entwined at such a close distance. Mary’s heart skipped a beat. “It’s just a necklace. What else is there other than diamonds?”
“Then, in addition to the necklace, what else do you want to give? Say it. Maybe I can help you out.” Max leaned in a little closer, and was close to kissing her on the lips.
Mary raised her hand to cover his mouth. Although he had been stopped from touching her lips, the heat on her hand still made her heart skip a beat.
“You’re really willing to?”
Seeing the man’s deep and dark irises, Mary’s mind was a mess. She thought about roping him in.
From his words just now, it was obvious he suspected that there was something amiss with the necklace she had given Sofia. But he didn’t reveal her or replace the necklace either.
“Well, as long as you ask.”
He took in the sweet scent of her body. Hi Adam’s apple slid sensuously. In the tense atmosphere, Mary licked her dry lips.
“Well, you may help me put this in your mom’s bedroom and the room where the safe is.”
She said, looking down and taking out the miniature camera she had brought with her from her purse.
“This? What for?” Max’s squint narrowed sharply.
Mary met his gaze, “I’ll marry you only if I am convinced that your parents had nothing to do with my parents’ death.”
“Mary,” Max suddenly sneered, his long fingers suddenly cupping her chin.
She still believed Paul after all.
Mary furrowed her eyebrows. “I just need three months, after three months, if I can’t find any evidence, I’ll believe… that they have nothing to do with my parents’ death.”
“Paul asked you to come?” There was anger surging in at the depths of his eyes.
Mary was just about to answer when he stopped her again.
“No need to answer it. The same condition as last night, and I’ll help you.”
“…”
She did not utter a word.
She let her delicate fingers climb up his neck and went on tiptoes to offer her lips to him….