Chapter 9

Max’s POV

It’s not like I had not expected the reporters will snoop. I mean, that was the reason they were here in the first place. The plan was to get them all around her and then, just as I had done, I would be the Prince Charming to swing in and rescue her. Every now and then, to maintain balance, things like this needed to happen to remind her she badly needed me.

“Harry,” I called as we reached one of the quieter rooms in the house.

“Yes, sir?” my butler appeared almost instantly; his hands clasped behind his back.

“Stay outside this door,” I instructed, gesturing to the room I’d just led Sienna into. “Make sure no one gets in unless I say so. And get her whatever she needs.”

Harry nodded. “Understood, sir.”

Sienna, standing by the window with her arms crossed, glanced at me suspiciously. “I don’t need a babysitter, Max.”

“It’s not about what you need,” I said, keeping my tone even. “It’s about keeping people out. The last thing we need is another ambush.”

Like I cared… Oh, I did care. I need my baby.

She didn’t respond, just turned her back to me and stared out the window. Typical.

I looked at Harry again. “No interruptions, no exceptions.”

“Yes, sir,” he repeated.

Without another word, I left the room, shutting the door firmly behind me.

The reporters were still gathered in the garden, their attention shifting as I approached. Cameras flashed, microphones were extended, and the familiar buzz of questions filled the air.

“Mr. Hollandale, can we have a moment of your time?” one of them called.

“Of course,” I said smoothly, stepping onto the small platform that had been set up for the event.

The questions came fast, but I was ready for them.

“How long have you and Sienna been together?”

“For a while now,” I replied, flashing a practiced smile. “We kept things private to focus on building our relationship away from the public eye.”

“How did you meet?”

“A mutual friend introduced us,” I lied effortlessly. “We hit it off immediately.”

“Some say your relationship is a publicity stunt to repair her reputation. What do you say to that?”

I leaned slightly toward the microphone, my expression turning serious. “I’d say that’s nonsense. Sienna doesn’t need me to ‘repair’ anything. She’s a strong, talented woman who’s been through more than most people could handle. I admire her resilience, and I’m proud to have her by my side.”

The reporters murmured among themselves, jotting down notes. I wasn’t done.

“In fact,” I continued, “I’m excited to announce that Sienna and I are planning a grand white wedding soon. It’ll be held at St. Matthew’s Church, and we can’t wait to share this special moment with our loved ones.”

That got their attention. Cameras clicked furiously, and questions erupted all at once.

“When is the wedding?”

“Why St. Matthew’s?”

“Who’s invited?”

I raised a hand to silence them. “Details will be announced soon. For now, we’d appreciate your support and respect for our privacy.”

With that, I stepped off the platform, ignoring the chaos I’d just created.

As I moved through the crowd, I noticed Victor and Grace Brooks standing near the edge of the garden, their expressions anything but pleased.

“Maxwell,” Victor called, waving me over.

I approached them, keeping my demeanor calm and polite. “Mr. Brooks, Mrs. Brooks. Enjoying the evening?”

Victor forced a smile. “It’s... quite the event. You certainly know how to make a statement.”

“Thank you,” I said, matching his fake friendliness. “Sienna deserves nothing less.”

Grace chuckled, though there was no humor in it. “Speaking of Sienna, this is all very sudden, isn’t it? We had no idea you two were even acquainted, let alone... serious.”

I shrugged lightly. “We wanted to keep things private until we were sure. I’ve always respected Sienna’s need for discretion.”

Victor’s smile tightened. “And you’re sure about this? Marriage is a big step, especially with someone who’s... well, had her fair share of challenges.”

“I’m more than sure,” I said firmly. “Sienna is the woman I want to spend my life with.”

Grace tilted her head, her tone dripping with false concern. “But you must understand our hesitation, Maxwell. Sienna has a history of... let’s say, poor decisions. We just want what’s best for you.”

“I appreciate your concern,” I said, my voice calm but sharp. “But Sienna is more than capable of making good decisions. She’s stronger than you give her credit for.”

They exchanged a glance, clearly frustrated with my refusal to budge.

Victor cleared his throat. “We’re just saying, maybe you should reconsider. This marriage could complicate things—for both of you.”

“Complications don’t scare me,” I replied, smiling faintly. “Besides, Sienna is worth it.”

Grace’s patience snapped. “Maxwell, let’s not pretend she’s some perfect saint. You’ve seen the headlines. You know what people say about her.”

“I know the truth,” I said simply.

Victor sighed, his voice taking on a sharper edge. “We’d like to speak to her. This... arrangement needs more thought.”

“That won’t be happening,” I said, crossing my arms. “Sienna has been through enough tonight. I won’t let you stress her further.”

Grace’s voice rose. “We’re her parents, Maxwell! We have every right—”

“Is there a problem?”

All three of us turned to see Sienna standing a few feet away, her expression unreadable.

Victor and Grace immediately softened their tones, their fake smiles returning. “Sienna, dear,” Grace said sweetly. “We just wanted to talk to you, that’s all.”

Sienna glanced at me, then back at them. “It’s fine. I’ll talk to them.”

“Are you sure?” I asked, my voice low.

She nodded. “Yes.”

For a moment, I studied her face, searching for any sign of hesitation. There wasn’t one.

“Alright,” I said, stepping closer. Leaning down, I pressed a kiss to her forehead, ignoring the irritation bubbling inside me. All these expressions were needed. No one must suspect that whatever was happening between us wasn’t real.

“I’ll leave you to it.”