Chapter 57 It Was All a Trap

Isabella had arrived at the penthouse, one of the clerks opened the front door for her.

"Good afternoon, Mrs. Collins." Fabricio, the clerk, said when he saw her enter.

"Good afternoon, Fabricio..." Isabella replied as she entered. “And my spouse? Still in the office?

"Yes, ma'am, you are in the office with Mr. Maximiliano. The gentleman came to visit. - The employee reported.

"Oh, Max's father," she muttered thoughtfully. Then he turned again to Fabricius. “Do you think it's a good idea to go straight to greet him, or should I leave them alone?

"Whatever you like, ma'am... This is your home. Fabricio replied with a slight bow of his head. "But it would be in good taste to take a minute to greet your father-in-law." He added while still leaning.

"Yes, you're right... Thank you, Fabricio. Isabella said, giving him a grateful smile before heading towards Maximo's office.

Isabella smiled at the subject, who looked up with esteem. In the few months that she had lived in Maximo's apartment, Isabella had made some friendship with the employees, always trying to treat them as her friends and with great respect.

Without saying more, Isabella advanced towards her husband's office and from the hallway she heard his name.

“Maximo, I read the news about Isabella... “Maximilian.

"Are they talking about me?" thought the young woman, pausing for a moment by the door, curious at what she was hearing.

"And that's why you're here, right?" “Maximum.

"I'm worried, it's just rumoring now, but you know that gossip can ruin a family's reputation." I know you've placated it, but we both know what the better alternative is. “Maximilian.

"That won't happen. This gossip will not grow; The news will soon be forgotten. I have everything under control... “Maximo.

"Really?" Because it seems that you are quite overwhelmed with work. I don't think you have the control you say. Therefore, I think it is time for you to leave everything in my hands and sign the power of attorney for me as we agreed... “Maximilian.

"What?" “Maximum.

"There's no heir yet to keep your spouse tied up, but you'll figure that out later." The important thing is that Isabella is already in love with you, as we planned... “Maximilian.

“Father... “Maximo.

“It is the best for everyone, and I already have everything ready to comply with our agreement. Believe me, Max, this is the best time. Why give it any longer? So, we are also doing your spouse a favor by taking her away from all this talk..."

"Father...!" “Maximum.

“She will understand that it is best to stay away to prevent gossip and rumors from growing. And you? Finally, you can go abroad, and you will be free. “Maximilian.

- FATHER! Maximus shouted, and a knock resounded, making Isabella startle.

The sound of firm determined footsteps was getting closer and closer. Isabella trembled at the thought that she could be discovered, both Maximo and her father could find her spying and consider what she had heard. I couldn't let that happen.

She walked away immediately, quickening her pace, and trying to be as discreet as possible, until she quickly reached the exit.

"Ma'am?" The clerk at the door was surprised to see her return, especially since she looked agitated.

"I'm going out, Fabricio..." Isabella announced, while the man looked at her in bewilderment.

Before the employee's perplexed look, Isabella recalled that a few days ago, an employee had called Máximo to inform him that his spouse was crying, and it seemed that something was wrong with her.

"I don't think you have much time to have everything under control as you say," Maximilian had said, "there is still no heir to keep your spouse tied up," he continued remembering the painful words that had been engraved in his mind.

Could it be that...? Máximo had her under surveillance?, was he controlling her?, was that also part of the plan they were talking about?, she was not sure, but she still had to be careful.

"I forgot my phone at my grandmother's house, Fabricio..." Isabella explained, pretending to check her bag.

"We can send for him, ma'am..." replied the clerk.

"I'm fine..." Isabella stared at him, trying to look serene. "I don't mind going. Anyway, I'll go with the driver and come back later. My spouse is obviously busy; I tried to stop by to say hello, but I heard that they were talking about business behind closed doors, and I preferred not to disturb..." He lied as he shrugged. "I don't have anything else to do today, so..."

"Are you sure?" The clerk insisted.

"Yes, and please, Fabricio... Don't tell Máximo that I was here..." the young woman muttered.

"What?" The man looked at her more confused.

"I had told my spouse that I would spend the whole day with my grandmother, and if he finds out that I came for a minute and left, he will surely worry, he will think that something happened. Isabella tried to explain herself.

"But..."

- Please, Fabricio. Isabella took the man by the arm, looking at him with a small pout. "I don't want to bother Maximo, much less worry him. I'll go with my driver and come back later.

"Okay, I understand, ma'am. The man nodded, captivated by the kindness and good treatment that Isabella had always given him.

"Thank you. Isabella quickly left for the Sinclair mansion.

The young woman was lost and dazed along the way, but she forced herself not to cry or show any emotion other than tranquility, despite feeling how she was crumbling inside.

He tried not to think about what he had heard, he concentrated on the landscape, because otherwise it would be impossible to contain himself.

Isabella felt that she had to be careful with her spouse's employees, so while the chauffeur talked to her as usual, Isabella tried to appear natural.

It was essential to stay strong, because Maximus, definitely, could not find out that she already knew the whole truth.

The young woman arrived at the mansion, where Margaret and Aiden were still chatting pleasantly in the main room, and when she entered, when she noticed Margaret's employees walking away, she could not bear it any longer.

The tears were imminent, the moans sounded loudly, Isabella barely held herself as if she were in some pain, she bent and shuddered from the frame of the entrance to the main hall.

“ Isabella! But what happened to you?! Aiden and Margaret shouted around her, worried, as soon as they saw her enter and burst into tears.

“ Be... We need to talk... A place... Sure... No one can hear... “

He stammered between groans.

"Let's go to my office!" Margaret ordered, and Aiden took the girl's arm to help her walk.

Margaret ordered tea for her granddaughter and waited, full of anxiety, for she would be able to calm down, for the bitter crying prevented her from speaking.

"Isabella, you have to tell us what happened. Make an effort to control yourself, you've got us on tenterhooks, my dear... What happened? It must be something very serious for you to arrive in that state. Margaret murmured, while Aiden watched her silently seriously, without leaving her side.

“It was all a trap... From the beginning, it was a lie. He deceived me, He deceived us all! Isabella replied through tears.

- But what are you talking about, girl?! We need you to be clearer. Who deceived us? Margaret ordered, desperately.

“Maximum. Isabella replied.

- What?! Margaret and Aiden looked at her confused.

"I heard them... I heard Máximo talking to his father. They have some kind of deal... Or a deal, I don't know! The young woman groaned, trembling.

"But what are you talking about, girl?" Margaret asked, confused.

"From what I understood, they have a plan..." Isabella took a deep breath, fighting the strong lump in her throat. "Máximo had to make me fall in love, I think I also had to get pregnant to ensure an heir..." His eyes filled with tears as he spoke. “Although now that seems not to be so important to them. They are not going to wait for it to be in state; Due to the scandal with the press, they decided to rush the plan...

"What?" Isabella, I still don't understand..." Aiden asked, visibly confused.

"Maximo and his father planned for Maximo Collins to make me fall in love and get pregnant, and then banish me..." Isabella said in a trembling voice.

- What?! Margaret and Aiden exclaimed in unison.

- They were in the apartment office, I heard them from outside... They said it was time to step aside and that they would do me a favor to avoid public scandal. They talked about a power of attorney that Máximo had to sign to his father, so that Maximilian would take care of everything and then, Maximo... He could go abroad to live his life. Isabella brought her hands to her face, unable to contain herself any longer.

"No, that's impossible..." Margaret murmured, thoughtfully. - I investigated Máximo; he is... He's a good man.

"Faces we see..." Aiden whispered, his gaze lost and very serious.

“Grandma... I need a divorce, I have to separate from Maximo..." Isabella looked up, tears welling up.