Chapter 291 He Checked Out
Vicky raised her head and looked at Maia. “My purpose here is to design unique dresses for you. It’s because you were the only one for Cedric. In any case, I’m here to serve you.”
“Is that all?” Maia squinted at her, “Don’t you think you need to explain yourself about the painting?”
Vicky was a little surprised. She did not think Maia would press her this much, “Are you wired differently? You’re catching on to things too quickly. Once you discover a lead, you unearth the rest of them. How do you do it?
“You are truly worthy of being the CEO of Starlight Entertainment. Pretty, sexy, and smart. You’re the whole package. Your strengths are more than enough to ensnare the heart of a sea of men!”
Maia frowned, “Are you paying me a compliment or lobbing an insult at me, Vicky?”
“Well, you shouldn’t have questioned our friendship. Let’s say we’re even now!” Vicky was not going to hold it in. She was a straightforward person. Either she liked someone or she hated them, and she truly wanted to remain friends with Maia.
Maia was not the petty type, either. “Who asked you to lie to me?”
“Do you think I had a choice? My boss gave me an order. I’m weak and defenseless. What else could I have done?”
“Are you sure weak and defenseless is an accurate description for you? Out with it. What on earth was the story with the painting?” /
It was definitely Rita in that painting. That much she was certain. However, how did Vicky come to acquire it? She might have thought it was fate previously, but it was different now. She felt that someone purposely gave the painting to her through Vicky and made it look like it happened by chance.
With that said, who could have done it? Could it have been Cedric?
Maia was not so sure about that. After all, this was about his mother’s fate.
Vicky was troubled. She stuttered for a while and said, “Can you just ask Cedric about this yourself, Maia? If he finds out that I tattled, he might punish me for it. What am I going to do if he kicks me back to my family?”
“He won’t do it. You have my word.‘
“I guess you’re right.” Vicky nodded, “I’ll be safe as long as you have my back. After all, he’s completely in love with you!”
+15 BONUS
Vicky knew she could no longer hide it from Maia. From the moment Maia was suspicious of her, it was all over. In fact, Maia probably had an answer in her heart. She was merely trying to get an assurance from her now.
“You must’ve guessed it, Maia. This painting was, in fact, made by a student who was both deaf and mute. However, I didn’t buy it. I didn’t even discover it. Cedric was…”
“What did you say?” Maia might have had an answer by herself, but she was still taken aback when her suspicion was confirmed. She could hardly believe it.
Vicky saw that she was shocked. “What’s wrong with you, Maia? Don’t you already have an answer in your
heart?”
What on earth was Cedric trying to achieve? Shouldn’t he have destroyed the painting the moment he got his hands on it? Why would he give it to her through Vicky? What in the world was he thinking?
Did he know what consequences his actions would bear? She could very well have found some leads with it and eventually the actual evidence. After that, she would ruin Rita thoroughly! The Larkins would become a local scandal. It might even lead to some detrimental effects for HL Corporation!
Had he gone out of his mind? Was he going to leave his mother to fend for herself for her sake? Was he going to turn a blind eye to all the consequences?
Why would he show up before her again and again after she had rejected him for the umpteenth time? He had saved her selflessly and protected her time and again. Why did he go the extra mile to gather evidence on her behalf?
Why did he do what he did? What on earth was he trying to achieve?
Images of him saving her without a care about himself flooded her mind. She thought of the incident from Eldertown and the moment Theo held her at gunpoint.
He had simply saved her so many times. Each and every one of the moments was very impactful for her. Maia felt a ball of heat forming up within her chest, melting away her icy shield completely. A wave of warmth flowed into her heart and made it leap.
Vicky saw that Maia had been quiet for some time now. She looked at her in concern and shook her for a while.
“Maia?” She called out for her. With that, Maia’s mind came back to reality slowly. She placed her gown on the couch and left the suite.
Vicky was puzzled even more now, “Where are you going, Maia?”
At that moment, the makeup artist and the stylist had arrived. Hope was dressed in her gown too. All of them saw Maia walking out of the suite. They looked at each other and were
+15 BONUS
“Where’s Maia going, Vicky?” Hope looked at Vicky and asked. Vicky shrugged and shook her head, “No clue.”
Maia walked into the suite next door. She saw him on the balcony next door yesterday. So, that meant this was his room! She was going to get to the bottom of it!
Why did he do it? Why did he help her from the dark? What was his goal?
However, the suite door was opened when Maia arrived. He was nowhere to be seen. Instead, a hotel staff were cleaning up the suite. She stepped in and asked, “Excuse me. Did the guest in this room check out?”
The hotel staff nodded, “That’s right. Mr. Cedric has checked out of the hotel.”
“Where did he go?” Maia was a little frustrated.
The hotel staff shook his head, “I’m not too sure about it. I’m just here to clean up his room.”
“Thank you.” Maia turned around and left the suite. So, it turned out he checked out of the hotel. What did it mean? Was he trying to stay away from her so he won’t annoy her?
It did not matter. She had to get to the bottom of it! Maia took out her phone and was about to call him when she was reminded that he was blacklisted. She gritted her teeth and stopped.
Was there any need for this?
Maia could not help but to smile.
The answer was a resounding no. They no longer mean anything to each other. Why would she need to do this?
Just like that, she tucked her phone back in her pocket and returned to her room.
