Chapter 488

Chapter 488:

Ever since her return from abroad, Jada had the unsettling feeling that nothing was within her grasp anymore.

“Jada?” Mara said as she entered her room. “I saw Norton just left. Are you alright?”

The look on Jada’s face stunned Mara. She rushed over, lifting Jada from the floor and guiding her to the sofa. “What happened?”

Jada felt numb, a bitter hatred boiling within her as she balled her fists tightly. She remained silent, but Mara could already guess the situation.

“Did Norton… argue with you?” Mara questioned, confusion evident. “Why would you two fight?”

In that moment, Jada dropped her pretense, her expression dark and malevolent. “He’s got a girlfriend now,” she stated icily.

Mara blinked in surprise. “He’s dating someone?”

“Yes, an actress,” Jada answered before an idea struck her. “Mom, I need your help. Aren’t you close with Mrs. Santos?”

“Yes, Amanda has approached me several times, hoping you’d consider dating Norton,” Mara said, her tone laced with displeasure. “I told her you only see him as a brother. How could Norton lower himself to date an actress now? If Amanda finds out, she’ll be furious. I’ll visit her and straighten this out.”

Jada felt a slight lift in her sour mood. Even if she wasn’t with Norton, Amanda would definitely make life harder for Maxine.

The Santos family had always been beneath the Kleins, but Amanda was ambitious. She wanted Norton to marry someone appropriate to secure his status and elevate the Santos family’s position. Amanda would never settle for an actress as her daughter-in-law. Maxine would suffer.

Meanwhile, after he left Jada’s home, Norton’s thoughts were jumbled. He never realized Jada actually loved him or that she’d say such things. To him, she had always seemed pure and kind. Could it really be that she acted this way out of love, like she claimed?

Despite everything, Jada’s image in Norton’s mind had shattered. Norton felt even more for Maxine.

The moment he got home, he headed straight for Maxine’s room.

Norton had designed this room just for Maxine—a luxurious pink princess suite lavishly adorned with high-end brands, designer bags, and premium skincare products.

Maxine was at her vanity, carefully going through her skincare routine when Norton wrapped his arms around her from behind. “You’re here,” she said, squirming a little. “Let go; I’m trying to apply my cream!”

Noticing the natural beauty products she was using, Norton asked, “Why aren’t you using the expensive skincare products I got for you?”

“Natural Beauty works for me,” she replied simply.

“Alright, Maxine, I’ve missed you so much.” Norton rested his head on her shoulder, breathing in her sweet scent, feeling instantly at ease. He leaned in and gently grazed her neck with his lips.

“Ah!” Maxine yelped, pushing him away. “That tickles! Go to bed. I’m going to sleep too.”

“But I want to be with you just a little longer,” Norton pleaded softly, gazing at her like a hopeful puppy.

Maxine wasn’t swayed. “If I stay up late, my skin will suffer, and I still have filming to do.”

“Yeah, sure. Filming is clearly the priority to you.” Reluctantly, Norton backed off and left.

He couldn’t sleep until late, but the next morning, he woke up early to make Maxine breakfast. By eight o’clock, she hadn’t come out yet, which was odd, as she usually woke up at seven.

Norton decided to check on her and opened the door—only to find Maxine wasn’t in her room. When had she left?

He quickly dialed her number.

“The number you have dialed is currently busy.” He tried calling multiple times but got the same response. He sent her a message but found she had blocked his number.

Norton was losing his mind. What in the world had happened to Maxine?

As he sat there, a message came through. It was from Maxine—a photo of him and Jada standing close, appearing as if they were about to kiss.

Instinctively, Norton wanted to explain himself, but then he read Maxine’s message: “Your relationship with Jada is too complicated. I’m focused on my career. Maybe the picture doesn’t tell the whole story, but I can’t deal with the mess. Let’s end this here. Don’t reach out, and I won’t see you again.”

Norton’s eyes went blank as he slumped back against the wall. It felt like there was a gaping hole in his chest, and the cold air rushed right through it.

Desperate, he sent her message after message.

“Maxine, please don’t leave me. I swear there’s nothing going on between me and Jada. I’ll cut all ties with her, and she’ll never bother us again.”

“Maxine, I’m begging you. Please don’t do this.”

He flooded her with texts, but there was no answer.

His heart sank deep as he collapsed against the wall, burying his face in his knees as his shoulders shook with grief.

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