Chapter 63: Chapter 63
Olivia’s POV
"Could it be because of my name?" I asked, leaning forward across the table. "Maybe he just wants to punish me because I bear the same name as his first love?"
Julian paused in the middle of sipping his tea and stared at me like I’d just suggested the moon was made of mayonnaise.
"Baby girl, are you even thinking at all?" he said, setting down his cup. "Maxwell knows you as Oliver, not Olivia. How exactly would he be punishing you for having a name he’s never heard you use?"
"Yes, I know," I said, fidgeting with my napkin. I hadn’t told him about Maxwell’s double life, and I didn’t know if I could trust him well enough to spill that particular information. Should I tell him? He obviously means no harm.
Julian’s eyebrows drew together as he studied my face suspiciously. "Hold up. There’s something else you’re not telling me, isn’t there? I can practically see the words trying to crawl out of your mouth."
I glanced around the cafe nervously, then leaned even closer. "If I tell you this, you have to promise me - swear to me - that you won’t breathe a word of it to another soul."
Julian’s eyes lit up like a Christmas tree. "Honey, you’ve got my complete and undivided attention. I swear on my mother’s life, my grandmother’s grave, and my uncle’s expensive horses that whatever you’re about to spill will stay locked in this vault." He tapped his temple dramatically.
I took a deep breath. "The first time I crossed paths with Maxwell wasn’t in the company."
"Where was it then?"
"A love doctor’s office."
Julian literally froze. "I’m sorry, what? Maxwell Wellington was in a love doctor’s office? Was his relationship with Sabrina that rocky? Why would he need the help of a love doctor?"
"No, no," I said quickly, waving my hands. "He wasn’t there as a client. He was the love doctor."
The teacup that Julian had picked up slipped from his fingers, clattering onto the saucer. "Come again?"
"Maxwell Wellington owns a love coaching business. He goes by Dr. Heart, and he gives relationship advice to people."
Julian stared at me in complete silence for what felt like an eternity. Then he started laughing.
"You’re telling me that the human ice sculpture upstairs - gives people advice about love?" He shook his head vigorously. "Absolutely not. I refuse to believe this."
"Julian, I swear on everything holy, I’m telling the truth."
"But where would he even find the time? The man practically lives at the office. I’ve seen him here at midnight reviewing case files. When exactly is he playing Dr. Love?"
I leaned back in my chair. "When I first started at the company as an attorney, Maxwell wasn’t there. Everyone said he was in Europe on a business trip."
Julian nodded slowly. "Yeah, he was gone for like three weeks..."
"That’s when I met him at his love doctor office. He was probably running his side business while pretending to be overseas."
"My head is about to explode," Julian muttered, pressing his palms against his temples. "Hold on, let me process this. You’re telling me that our resident sociopath has been moonlighting as a romance guru? The same man who looks like love is very far from him?"
"That’s exactly what I’m telling you. And Julian, when I first met him as Dr. Heart, he was completely different. Sweet, charming, even a little flirtatious. But the moment I started talking about Alex, he turned cruel and dismissive."
"Wait, wait, wait." Julian held up both hands. "You went to see a love doctor about Alex? Oh honey, the plot thickens."
"That’s not the point right now," I said, though my cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "The point is that Maxwell had two completely different personalities. Dr. Heart was almost... nice. But when I mentioned wanting advice about Alex Gregory, he became vicious."
Julian was quiet for a moment, his fingers drumming against the table as he processed this information. "So why are you telling me this detail anyway? What does his double life have to do with your current situation?"
"Because the timeline adds up perfectly," I said urgently. "The moment Maxwell returned from his ’business trip’ and resumed his role at the company, he demoted me from attorney to assistant. He’s been cruel to me ever since."
"So?" Julian shrugged.
"So I think he knows I’m Olivia, and he’s just pretending not to know."
Julian let out another loud laughter. "Honey, that man is not the type to encourage fraud. If Maxwell Wellington discovered that one of his employees was living a lie, he would have fired them immediately and probably called security to escort them out. He doesn’t play games - he destroys people."
"I was sure he didn’t recognize me either," I admitted, "but Sabrina’s confession about his first love being named Olivia opened my eyes. What if Maxwell does know exactly who I am, and he’s simply punishing me for lying to him and committing fraud?"
Julian went quiet again, his expression growing more serious as he considered my words. "You know what? That actually makes a twisted kind of sense. The story does add up in a sick, psychological way."
"You think so?"
"Think about it - Maxwell is a complete psychopath when it comes to his cases. He’s famous in courtrooms for the way he destroys opposing counsel. He doesn’t just win; he obliterates people. And you’re telling me he recognized you from day one and has been psychologically torturing you ever since?" Julian nodded slowly. "Yeah, that sounds exactly like something he would do."
My stomach dropped. "So what should I do?"
Julian stirred his tea thoughtfully. "Before we jump to conclusions about Maxwell knowing your real identity, we need to test him. We need to find out for sure if he truly knows who you are."
I sat up straighter, suddenly curious. "How?"
"I’m going to think of something deliciously devious," Julian said with a wicked smile. "Give me until tomorrow’s lunch. I’ll have a plan by then."
I glanced at my watch and nearly choked. "Shit! I’m five minutes late!"
"Damn! That man is going to roast you. You better run along."
I bolted from the cafe, my heart racing as I realized I’d just offended Maxwell for the hundredth time this week.