All Chapters of I’m Back, Mr. CEO : Chapter 271 - Chapter 280

MAYA POV}My mother insists on having a family dinner this Sunday. Even when the family consists of just the three of us now.I’m setting the table when Sophie emerges from her room, looking better than she has in days. She’s wearing makeup again. Did her hair. Almost looks like Sophie from before.“You look nice,” I say, arranging the silverware.“Thanks. I thought it was time to stop hiding.” She helps me with the napkins. “Your mom invited someone, by the way. I hope that’s okay.”“Who?”“Your uncle James. He’s in town for business.”Uncle James. My mother’s brother. The one who helped us rebuild after my father died. The one who always seems to see through everyone’s bullshit.Great.He arrives at six-thirty sharp, carrying wine and that knowing smile that’s always made me nervous.“Maya, sweetheart.” He hugs me tight. “How are you holding up?”“I’m fine.”“Liar.” But he says it fondly. “And you must be Sophie. I’ve heard a lot about you.”Sophie shakes his hand, and I don’t miss

I can’t stop thinking about those two seconds.Two seconds where Sophie’s lips were on mine and I didn’t immediately pull away. Two seconds that feel like a betrayal worse than anything I’ve been accused of.It’s been three days since it happened. Three days of replaying the moment over and over, analyzing every detail, trying to understand why I froze instead of pushing her away instantly.Was I really that drunk? That desperate for human contact? That broken?Or is there something wrong with me? Something that proves maybe I am capable of the things Sophie accused me of?“You look like hell.” Derek sets a coffee in front of me. We’re at his apartment because I can’t stand being in mine anymore. Every corner reminds me of that kiss.“Thanks.”“When’s the last time you slept?”“Don’t remember.” I wrap my hands around the mug but don’t drink. “Derek, I need to tell you something. And you’re going to hate me for it.”He sits across from me, expression serious. “What happened?”“Sophie c

“I mean I’ve protected you. Kept your secrets. The kiss, for one. But other things too.” She pauses. “Things you don’t even know about yet.”“What things?”“It doesn’t matter. What matters is that I’m on your side. I’ve always been on your side.” She takes a breath. “Derek’s been investigating me, hasn’t he? Digging into my past. Trying to find dirt to turn you against me.”“How do you know about that?”“Because I’m not stupid. I see the way he looks at me. The questions he asks Maya. The suspicious phone calls.” She laughs. “Let me save you both some time. Yes, I had a fiancé who died. Yes, I benefited from his life insurance. And yes, the police investigated and found nothing because there was nothing to find. Jeffery had a heart condition. He died of natural causes.”“Derek didn’t say murder. He said mysterious circumstances.”“Same thing, isn’t it? When you want to paint someone as a villain.” Her voice hardens. “I loved Jeffery. His death destroyed me. And using that tragedy to m

“Sophie’s unraveling.”“Or she knows you’re investigating and she’s getting nervous.” Rachel types back a response. “I’ll see what else Kelly knows. Maybe Sophie’s made other mistakes we haven’t caught yet.”“Good. Keep me posted.” I stand, stretching. “I’m going to talk to Anthony Martinez today. See if I can get him to flip.”“Be careful. If Sophie finds out you’re approaching her co-conspirator—”“She’ll panic. Make another mistake. Which is exactly what we want.” I kiss Rachel quickly. “Trust me. This is going to work.”“I hope you’re right. Because if it doesn’t, you might make things worse.”She’s not wrong. If I push too hard, if Sophie realizes how close we are to exposing her, she might do something desperate.But we’re running out of time. Maya’s been living with Sophie for nearly a month now. The longer they’re together, the deeper Sophie’s manipulation goes.And Ethan’s barely holding on. The guilt from that kiss, the isolation from Maya, the constant accusations, it’s des

{MAYA POV}I’m heading to the kitchen for water when I hear Sophie’s voice from the guest room.She’s on the phone. Door slightly ajar. Speaking in that low, intimate tone people use when they don’t want to be overheard.I should keep walking. Should respect her privacy.But something makes me stop.“I know it’s taking longer than expected, but he’ll come around eventually.” Sophie’s voice is soft, almost tender. “He’s vulnerable right now. Broken. That’s exactly where I need him to be.”My hand freezes on the water glass.“No, she doesn’t suspect anything. She trusts me completely.” A pause. “Because I’ve been careful. Patient. Playing the long game.”Who is she talking about? And who is “she”?“Once he realizes Maya’s never coming back, once he’s desperate enough, he’ll turn to me. And then everything I’ve worked for will finally pay off.”Ice floods my veins.She mentioned my name. She’s talking about me. And him… who is him?“I just need a little more time. A few more weeks of her