bChapter /bb182 /b

    Maxine smiled and said, “Thanks, officer.”

    The captain waved it off with a smile. “Don’t mention it. But Miss Wheeler, you’d better stay vignt from inow /ion.”

    After leaving the police station, everyone wore grim expressions. The case had made little headway, they’d only managed to nab a few small fries.

    Maxine asked, “Any updates from Lucy Bar?”

    Urban said, “The surveince team has no updates. They haven’t shown up since that night.”

    Cleo rubbed her temples in frustration. “Why can’t those jerks just drop dead already?”

    Cleo grumbled, “I’ve still got big scoops to chase! If I have to keep working from home because of this mess, I’ll be broke as hell!”

    Maxine shrugged. “Looks like you’re out of options now.”

    Another kidnapping would mean certain death for her.

    b85/bb% /b

    b28 /b

    Cleo slumped dejectedly into the front passenger seat, never once lifting her head. Maxine, her face expressionless, turned to Brian beside her and said coldly, “Don’te looking for me unless it’s important. This is the final time. If you show up again, you’ll just have to wait in the lobby indefinitely.”

    Brian looked at her in shock. “Mom!” he cried.

    Urban reached out and waved a hand in front of him. “Listen, kid, you’ve got it wrong, she’s not your mom. Your mother passed away in a car ident three years ago.”

    Brian lunged forward desperately. “That’s a lie!”

    Maxine frowned. “Brian.”

    Sensing the warning in her tone, Brian let go of her hand, looking dejected. He stayed silent until they reached the Mason family.

    Urban said, “Hop out, Mr. Mason.”

    Watching his dejected figure walk away, Urban asked, “So you’re really just going to ignore him?”

    Maxine took a deep breath. “Cleo’s case and my dad’s investigatione first.”

    Right now, she couldn’t be bothered with the Mason family’s affairs.

    Urban really didn’t hold back when he asked Maxine to help with ba /bfew cases. He had stacks of documents delivered to her, along with contact details for all thewyers handling each case bat /bthe firm.

    These were all minor cases. After a quick review, Maxine handed them boff /bto the junior associatesb, /bleaving her with some free time,

    Jessica beamed from the other side of the screen. “Maxine! When are youing back? I miss you so muchb!/b”

    After Jessica finished speaking, William eagerly squeezed into the frame and called out, “Maxine! When bare /byouing bback/b? We all miss byou /bso muchb!/bb” /b

    Maxine chuckled. “Soon, in just ba /bfew weeks. I promise I’ll be bback /bbfor /bChristmas.”

    Jessica whined, drawing out the sound. “All the way till Christmasb? /bMaxine, hurry bup /bband /bbcatch /bthe bbad /bbguys /bbso /bbyou /bbcan /be back band /bbe bwith /bme!”

    Maxine smiled and pointed her phone at the window. “Lookb, /bit’s snowing bhere/bb./b”

    bAcross /bbthe /boceanb, /bthe btwo /blittle ones gasped in wonder.

    b1/2 /b

    09:15

    Tue, 24 Jun b24 /bbJun /b

    b85/bb% /b

    The video call connection was poor, so they had to end it quickly.

    Maxine stared out the window at the snowscape, lost in thought. She had lost count of how many years had passed since her father’s passing. bTime /breally flew by. In just a few more years, Brian and Jessica would reach the age she had been back then.

    The ringing phone snapped Maxine out of her thoughts. She nced at the screen, it was a number she didn’t recognize. After ba /bbrief hesitationb, /bbshe /banswered, “Hello?”

    Brian’s frantic voice came through the phone. “Mom! Come back quickly! Dad’s really sick!”

    Maxine paused. “If he’s sick, call a doctor. I’m not one, just get the butler.”

    Brian’s voice choked with sobs. “Dad gave the staff the day off today. bIt’s /bjust me and him here. Mom, please ie /iright now! I think Dad’s dying!”

    For a moment, Maxine’s hand trembled. She couldn’t hide the shock that hit her.

    色