Chapter 12

"Amber said you tried to push me to divorce Tobias, just so the Cavendish family would lose the Hastings as our biggest support.

"Then you'd make your move to take down the Cavendishes.

"How exactly were you planning to do it?"

Lisette's tongue flicked across her lips - like a snake about to strike, eyes locked on prey, deadly accurate.

"Were you going after my parents? My brothers? Or maybe just me?

"Or did you see all of us as roadblocks to be cleared?

"Let me guess... one by one, you'd have us all killed!"

Maverick's face turned dark - no, darker than dark. Whatever he expected, it wasn't this.

Lisette smiled at him, but her words stabbed deep. "If Amber hadn't spilled everything while drunk, I'd still be in the dark about what a snake you really are."

That line? Crushed the last bit of composure Maverick was holding onto.

He scrambled for control. "Lise, don't believe her. She made it up!"

Of course Maverick would bounce back - he's a pro at lying through his teeth.

He didn't miss a beat. "She confessed to me, I turned her down, and now she's trying to destroy me with this ridiculous story. I've been living with your family since I was ten! Your parents treat me like their own, and Bryce and I are like real brothers. Why would I ever betray that?

"We pretty much grew up side by side. You know who I am better than anyone. I care about the Cavendishes just like you do. I would never plot against my own family. I swear. I never had anything like that in mind!"

Maverick held up three fingers, making a solemn oath. With that serious face, it was almost convincing.

And honestly, if Lisette hadn't lived through the bloodbath that wiped out her family - if she hadn't been framed and pushed to such a humiliating end by this same man - she might've believed him again, just like before.

But...

No "ifs" anymore.

She'd died once.

And now she knew exactly what kind of monster Maverick really was. Bloodthirsty, venomous, heartless.

Lisette gave him a look full of contempt, her lips pressed into a cold line. "I don't believe you."

Several little words. But each one landed like a splash of freezing water straight to Maverick's soul. The chill ran bone-deep. He shivered.

Lisette's eyes were dark and cold, her stare cutting like a blade.

"Ever heard the saying, Maverick? Play stupid games, win stupid prizes. You did this to yourself."

With that, she picked up the glass jar and walked out of the kitchen, her steps sharp and deliberate.

By the time she joined Tobias and the others, she'd switched right back into her sweet, pampered-princess mode.

Smiling. Chatting. Light as air.

Lisette passed out mugs of her homemade honey lemon tea, offering cheerfully, "Let's eat at Harvest Fields for lunch, yeah? Mom, you love Mr. Fields' chicken broth - I'll ask him to make you two pots."

Daphne's face lit up. "That sounds great. And since it's the weekend, your dad and the others don't have work. After lunch, let's go soak in the hot springs at Phoenix Crest Estate."

Just then, Maverick walked out from the kitchen, looking like a ghost.

Daphne was about to ask something, when Lisette chirped, "Oh, Maverick said he's heading back to the set - says he can't join us."

Feeling the weight of Tobias's sharp glance beside her, she turned and gave him a sly little wink. He snorted in amusement.

Watching her playfully stir the pot, Tobias couldn't help but want to team up - take her side, join her little games, and mess with the people she wanted gone.

Daphne sighed. "Actors really work too hard."

And she didn't forget to remind Maverick, "Don't forget to see a doctor. If something's wrong, get it checked early. Leave it too long and you might end up half paralyzed."

Maverick looked distracted and unsettled. He barely said goodbye before rushing off.

Daphne watched his hurried figure disappear and commented, "He really does look swamped with stuff. Bryce, ask Dr. Lowe to swing by and check on him soon."

Her imagination was always running wild. Bryce coughed lightly into his fist. "Sure."

"Health comes first. No matter how busy he is, he's gotta take care of himself." Daphne still looked a bit concerned.

Lisette's eyes sparkled. "Guess what, Mom, Dad... he's dating someone." That got everyone's attention real quick.

"Maverick's dating?!"

"With who?"

"He's twenty-five, totally reasonable age! Still, how come he kept quiet about it?"

"Lise, do you know the girl?"

Lisette nodded. "Yeah, and so do you."

Everyone?

Bryce thought for a second, then figured it out. "Amber?"

"Yup, that's the one."

"Amber's the granddaughter of the Ramsey family butler. Grew up in the Ramsey household with Maverick. Practically childhood sweethearts. When the Ramsey family ran into trouble, Mr. West took his family back to their hometown. But they stayed in touch, and once Amber started university here in Veridia, it all just naturally happened."

As Lisette laid it out, everyone started remembering those times Maverick and Amber had been together. The more they thought about it, the more it seemed like something really was going on.

Bryce raised an eyebrow. "I'd asked Maverick before. He said they were 'just friends.' Why lie?"

Lisette acted thoughtful for a moment. "Maybe... it's about Amber's background?"

"Silly boy..." Marshall sighed. "We've never cared about social status. If he really likes her, I'll throw them a big fancy wedding. Give that girl the wedding she deserves."

Marshall was never one to sit on things. Once he heard something, he had to act.

He turned to Bryce. "Maverick's the type who never changes his mind once it's made up. You look into this. If he and that girl are serious, then we can't let him keep stringing her along."

"Got it. I'll get on it."

Bryce didn't waste time. He was already giving orders before he even sat down.

Lisette quietly let out a sigh of relief. With her brother's people keeping tabs on Maverick, that cautious snake would definitely sense something. He'd have to be more careful now. At least for a while, he wouldn't dare make too many moves. Which gave her a bit more breathing room to regroup and grow stronger.

Lisette glanced over at her number one partner-in-crime -

Tobias was glued to his phone again, probably juggling some work stuff. Guy really did not know the meaning of downtime.

Daphne took a sip from the tea her daughter had made and smiled at Marshall. "I always knew something was up between those two. You can see how Amber looks at Maverick - it's the same look I have when I see you. Pure joy."

Marshall's heart just turned to mush hearing that. He leaned in, took her hand, and said sweetly, "Bryce's running the group just fine now. Once this year's over, I'll hand everything over to him. Then I'll be all yours."

Bryce came back from handling business in time to hear that.

Lisette used the moment to pat his shoulder and joked, "Bryce, you know what they say - kids with affectionate parents grow up fast. From now on, Dad, Mom, the boys, and I—we're all counting on you to feed us! Big responsibility, huh?"

Bryce grinned and tweaked her nose. "I'm not feeding you. Let your dear husband do it."

Tobias locked his phone, looked up, and answered seriously, "Sure."