Chapter 2

The rain was pouring when I arrived at the film studio. Although the security guard recognized me, he refused to let me in.

"Mr. Boyd told us you're not allowed to go in."

"It's urgent."

"Mr. Boyd said he wouldn't see you, no matter how many times you came."

I stood in the rain, staring through the fences at the brightly lit film set. Maeve York's name was printed across the biggest promotional truck.

Sebastian had no qualms about booking an entire soundstage for her, but he wouldn't even give me 500,000 dollars.

I didn't make a scene, but just stood outside and waited.

Three hours later, Maeve's assistant walked out, holding an umbrella. "Ms. York wants to see you."

I followed her into the lounge. As soon as the door closed, two bodyguards blocked the exit.

Maeve, dressed in a haute couture gown, sat in front of the dressing table mirror. She gave me a once-over, her gaze lingering on my face for a long moment.

"So you're Amelia Hunt."

She stood up and slowly walked over to me. "Sebastian made you sound so greedy and low-class, so I thought you were some tacky woman. I didn't expect you to be this pretty."

I ignored the hostility in her voice. "Where's Sebastian?"

"Why are you looking for him?"

"I need 500,000 dollars. Just give me the money, and I'll leave."

Maeve's eyes lit up at my offer to leave. But the next second, she sneered, "Can you bear to leave? You gave birth to Sebastian's son, hoping to use your son to gain status, didn't you?"

She lifted her hand, and the diamond bracelet on her wrist came into my view.

I had seen it on the news. It had an auction price of 860,000 dollars, and it was Sebastian's wrap gift to her.

"Amelia, Sebastian doesn't love you. He only brought you back because you gave him a son."

I looked at her. "Are you done talking?"

Her expression darkened. "What?"

"I'm not here to pick a fight over Sebastian. I just want money."

Maeve stared at me, as if trying to decide whether I was telling the truth. Then she abruptly lifted her hand and slapped me in the face.

"Stop acting so saintly!"

My ears rang, and I stumbled into the dressing table. She grabbed my hair and forced me to look up.

"If you really don't care about him, why are you still with him? Everyone knows he loves me the most. But as long as you don't divorce him, I'll forever be branded a mistress!"

Even though my scalp hurt, I didn't struggle. "Then get me to leave."

Maeve froze.

I reached out my hand. "Give me 500,000 dollars, and I'll leave with my son immediately. We'll disappear from your world from now on."

She stared at my hand, the jealousy in her eyes slowly turning into contempt. "In the end, money is still what you want."

Maeve let go of my hair and picked up her phone.

A moment later, my phone pinged with a notification that a transfer of 100,000 dollars was pending.

I stared at the numbers. "That's not enough."

"That's all I'm giving you." Maeve tossed her phone onto the table. "I don't have 500,000 dollars. I'm giving you 100,000 dollars to get you and your son out of Sebastian's life for good."

She looked at the transfer details and smiled mockingly. "After all, you two are only worth this price in Sebastian's eyes. Now take the money and leave with your brat."

I finally lifted my head when I heard the word "brat". "He's not a brat. He has a name."

"What does it have to do with you?" Maeve raised her hand and slapped me again. "He's just a tool to keep Sebastian tied to you. You think he's worthy of having his name spoken in front of me?"

The corner of my mouth split, and blood dripped down my chin. But I didn't fight back.

I'd already received 100,000 dollars. I still needed another 400,000 dollars. As long as I could leave with Charlie, these slaps meant nothing.

"When is Sebastian coming back?" I asked again. "I need to get the remaining money from him."

The smile on Maeve's face immediately vanished. "I've already given you 100,000 dollars. Why do you still want to pester him?" She snatched the coffee from her assistant and splashed it in my face.

The hot coffee soaked through my shirt and scalded me, making me flinch.

"Hold her down."

Two bodyguards immediately grabbed my shoulders and forced me to my knees.

Maeve stepped on my hand, grinding her heel into my fingers. "I told you to take the money and leave. You should have known better. If you dare show up in front of Sebastian again, I'll make you and that brat disappear."

I stared at her. "I must see Sebastian today."

Maeve lifted her hand and slapped me hard across the face.

Once.

Twice.

Before she could slap me the third time, someone pushed the lounge door open. It was Sebastian. His gaze moved past Maeve, landed on my swollen face, and then on my hand beneath her heel.