Chapter 985

"You went shopping yesterday. Where do you want to go today? If it works, I can come with you."

Maeve shot him down instantly.

"No need. I have to go back to the Sterling estate."

Layne looked at her in complete confusion. Was she finally laying her cards on the table?

Hadn't she said her relationship with her family was toxic? She claimed she had practically escaped from that house, so why the sudden urge to return?

"You barely got out of there," Layne warned. "Going back now is like walking straight into a trap."

He had no idea what Alastair was truly capable of, but based on what Maeve had told him, the severe childhood abuse was undeniable. Otherwise, she wouldn't be so terrified of mere maids.

Maeve gave a faint nod. "There's something I have to take care of. It's time my family and I settled things once and for all."

She needed to find Alastair, and she needed to find Delilah. She wanted answers.

She and Quinn had been together for years. There was no way Delilah could have stolen him away in just two years. If she didn't act now, Delilah and Quinn were getting married next week.

She was utterly convinced Quinn hadn't forgotten her. The moment she showed up, he would dump Delilah and come running right back to her. Once that happened, she could finally come clean to Layne and tell him she already had a boyfriend.

"How exactly are you going to settle things? Go back and demand Alastair cut ties with you? If he decides to lock you up, you're just throwing your life away.

I'm worried about you. At least let me go with you. With the Everhart name backing you, Alastair wouldn't dare try anything. I can't let you do this alone.

If he locks you in the house and denies you're there, I won't have the authority to pull you out, even if I want to. Do you understand? You and I have no legal ties, but he's your father.

I have no legal standing to take you from him. Unless... we go get our marriage license right now. Then, no matter what danger you're in, I can get you out."

Maeve stared at Layne. For the very first time, she genuinely thought that if she hadn't met Quinn first, she might have actually fallen in love with Layne.

But it was useless. If she married Layne, how was she supposed to marry Quinn?

Her return was simply to prove that Quinn stiloved her. He must have been temporarily bewitched by Delilah or maybe he only agreed to the engagement because he thought Maeve was dead.

She couldn't expose Layne to her family, or else she'd blow the mission Alastair had given her. As long as she won Quinn back, the mission could proceed.

If Quinn actually married Delilah, then her contract with Alastair was void anyway,

and she would finally win her freedom from the Sterling family.

Her mind was made up. She definitely wasn't letting Layne interfere in her private affairs.

"My dad and I haven't completely burned our bridges yet. I'm sure he's been looking for me these past two years He'll probably be thrilled to see me, Relax it's not as dramatic as you think." Cortent

Layne watched her closely. For some unexplainable reason, he didn't believe a word

she said. It felt like she was lying right to his face, yet he had zero evidence.

If she was lying about her

relationship with the Sterlings, she had to be getting something out of it But he couldnt figure out what she could possibly want from him," because he had already given her everything-even an offer of marriage, which she kept refusing.

Maeve gently cupped his cheeks, offering a soothing smile.