“Maggie, welcome back!” Madeline Johnston, sharp in a crisp business suit, walked over with a warm smile. Her two children dashed ahead, throwing their arms around Maggie and affectionately calling her “Auntie Maddy.”

Madeline greeted each of them with a kiss and a squeeze, and as the kids pulled away, she couldn’t help asking, “You’ve been doing so well abroad. What made you come back all of a sudden?”

“There was something off about that car accident,” Maggie said, her smile equal parts alluring and assured. “And besides, Aubree’s glory days are numbered.”

The woman standing in front of Madeline was no longer the shy Maggie from five years ago. Everything that had been taken from her, she was going to reclaim—piece by piece.

Madeline let out an impressed whistle. “Look at you, Maggie. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, but you came back more dazzling than ever. I bet you’ve got admirers beating down your door now, don’t you?”

“Yeah, and they’re all a total headache,” Wade cut in before Maggie could answer.

“Watch the attitude,” Maggie chided gently, tapping her son’s head with one finger before turning back to Madeline with a grin. “Oh, stop. And look at you—a full-on businesswoman now. Your brother told me you’re still single. Are you ever going to settle down?”

“Men are exhausting. I’d rather spend my time with you, Maggie,” Madeline laughed. Her career meant she couldn’t freely choose whom to love. Besides, she found her work far more captivating than any romance.

As they kept talking, a sleek limousine pulled up behind them, carrying a man with a cold, distant air. It was Braxton Thompson, just back from a business trip.

A familiar face flickered through his mind, and Braxton’s expression clouded. He shook his head at the thought. That woman was supposed to be gone—lost at the bottom of the cliff. How could she be here?

He didn’t even like her. So why did she keep creeping back into his head?

The memory of her accusations five years ago resurfaced, sharp and familiar, bringing the same old pang with it.

“Mr. Thompson, Ms. Foster heard you’re back and would like to invite you to dinner,” his secretary informed him.

“I understand,” Braxton said, shutting his emotions down and slipping back into his icy demeanor.

“The twins are simply adorable. Thank goodness you didn’t—ah, forget it. Don’t worry, I’ll look after them,” Madeline gushed over the two children, her maternal side showing. Even though she couldn’t stand Braxton, she had to admit he had remarkable genes. Wade especially was ridiculously handsome.

Maggie watched them with a soft smile. She understood what Madeline had almost said. After narrowly escaping death, she’d thought about ending the pregnancy. But the moment she found out she was carrying twins, she couldn’t do it.

The children were innocent. They didn’t deserve to carry the weight of Braxton’s name.

She hadn’t come back only for revenge. She also needed to pay her respects to the woman who had once cared for her at the orphanage. The late director had been uncommonly kind to her, and Maggie felt she had to be there for the funeral.

She left the children with Madeline and borrowed a car to visit the orphanage.

“Look—there’s the deadbeat dad who ditched Mom!” Wade jabbed a finger at the headlines.

“So, Wade, how exactly are you planning to pull off your secret plan?” Aspyn, ever the obedient sister, asked, following her brother’s lead.

“What secret plan? What are you two up to?” Madeline asked, walking back in with a bowl of fruit and playfully tousling their hair.

She knew Braxton’s kids couldn’t possibly be as innocent as they looked. Their charm had almost fooled her.

“Spill. If it’s not too insane, I might even help. Otherwise, I’m calling your mom.”

Wade and Aspyn exchanged a mischievous look. Then Wade flashed a charming smile and ran over to rub Madeline’s shoulders. “I knew you were the best, Auntie Maddy! They say beautiful people have kind hearts. No wonder you’re so gorgeous!”

“Yeah, Auntie Maddy, you get prettier every day,” Aspyn agreed with her brother.

Madeline was left speechless.

These kids were a pair of clever little devils.

Still, she couldn’t stand Braxton, and whatever mischief they were plotting sounded like fun she could get behind.

Meanwhile, at a high-end hotel, all eyes and cameras were fixed on a glossy event. The CEO of Thompson Group had rented out the entire venue to throw a birthday party for his rumored girlfriend, Aubree Foster. The hotel’s giant digital screens flashed photos of the couple in an embrace, sending the media into a frenzy.

Braxton, who was usually allergic to tabloids, had the press buzzing with this romantic scandal. Reporters—and even some of his fans—were eager to see for themselves how he spoiled Aubree.

Madeline had been talked into bringing the twins, but the glitz and glam only made her uneasy. She couldn’t stand Aubree.

“You two seriously wanted to come here?” she asked.

“I heard the food here is amazing, and Aspyn was curious. So I figured we’d come,” Wade reasoned, his eyes scanning the room. Madeline was skeptical of his innocent act. Still, she agreed—curious about what Wade was up to.

“Okay. The place is reserved, but I know the hotel manager. You can go in, but don’t wander off!”

Elsewhere, Maggie attended the orphanage director’s funeral. The late director had been a pillar to so many, and the legacy she left drew a crowd of dignitaries and supporters to the memorial.

Maggie wore a black dress, her face half-hidden by a mask, standing quietly at the back. She had come only to pay her respects.

“Did you hear Braxton Thompson might show up here too?”

“Wasn’t he supposed to be at Aubree’s birthday party today? Why would he be here?”

The murmuring of two women nearby drifted to her. Even after all this time, the sound of Braxton’s name still stirred an unwelcome ache in her chest.

Just then, the crowd shifted, and Maggie was jostled forward. Trying not to fall, she turned—and collided with a solid chest.

The distinct scent of tobacco filled her senses, and she knew immediately who it was.

Her hands gripped the tailored fabric of his suit, wrinkling the expensive material. The startled murmurs around them seemed deafening as she looked up into Braxton’s cold eyes.

Just her luck—it was Braxton Thompson.

Thankful for the mask, she pushed her sunglasses up and apologized politely. “I’m sorry—I lost my balance. Thank you for catching me. I can pay for the suit.”

Her voice was familiar, but distant and formal. Braxton frowned and pulled her back toward him, making her stumble into his arms.

His strong hands closed firmly around her arms.

“Maggie Thompson! You’re alive?”

The man spoke, each word tight with an intensity that barely masked what he was feeling.

“Who is she?”

“Sir, you must be mistaken,” Maggie Thompson replied. “I don’t know you.” Her nails pressed into her palm, the sting grounding her. Her gaze was steady, a little perplexed—like she was looking at a total stranger.

Braxton Thompson felt like he’d been struck by lightning. Disguise or not, that voice and those eyes were unmistakable. He couldn’t accept that he’d gotten it wrong. In one swift move, he ripped off her sunglasses and mask—then recoiled, shoving her back in disgust.

“Who are you?” His eyes went wide with shock and disbelief. The brief hope he’d been clinging to vanished in an instant.

Maggie watched his sudden change with a touch of irony. So he really was looking for her? The eagerness he’d shown a moment ago suggested she meant something to him.

She slid her sunglasses back on, her gaze curious but cool. “I think you’ve made a mistake. I’ve only just come back to the country. It’s unlikely we’ve ever met.”

Braxton studied her, his chest going oddly hollow. The woman before him was undeniably striking—beautiful in a way that was sure of itself. The mole above her eyebrow was one thing his wife didn’t have. And there was a maturity in the way she moved, nothing like the timid woman he’d once known.

His ex-wife Maggie had been meek and unassuming—easy to push around, never daring to speak up. He’d kept her out of the public eye, convinced she wasn’t ready to be seen. Yet the woman in front of him radiated confidence, a professional who commanded attention.

Ready to leave, Maggie offered a polite smile. “I’m sorry about today. Consider this my way of making amends. Goodbye.” She handed him a gem—a design she favored, rare enough to make up for the damage to Braxton’s suit.

As she walked away, they’d drawn more than a few curious looks—including from Braxton’s assistant, Gustavo Cruz, who was left completely bewildered.

Wasn’t this woman stunning—just like his former wife? Braxton had stayed loyal all these years, even turning down Aubree Foster’s advances. Today’s encounter seemed to fly in the face of everything he’d held on to.

Still, Gustavo had to admit she did bear some resemblance to Maggie.

“Mr. Thompson, what’s going on?” Gustavo asked cautiously, trying to make sense of Braxton’s intentions. The usually composed man had just acted completely out of character—maybe he’d mistaken this woman for Maggie.

“Apologize first,” Braxton instructed, his expression cool and distant. He gave a slight bow and swiftly walked away.

In the car, Braxton couldn’t shake the encounter. “Gustavo, could she possibly be alive?”

Gustavo knew he meant Maggie. “Sir, that was a plunge into a void. The driver was unrecognizable. It’s unlikely she survived…”

A fall from that height wouldn’t leave anyone alive—unless by some miracle, like Madeline Johnston. They’d found her bloodied clothes with signs of predators nearby. Nothing more.

Maggie’s name had become a forbidden topic, never to be mentioned around Braxton.

“I guess. A woman like that wouldn’t have survived,” Braxton mused, turning the gem over in his fingers. It was designed by AE, a renowned international designer whose work had shot to fame over the past two years. It seemed unlikely his ex-wife had connections like that.

Gustavo felt a flicker of irritation. Why had Braxton held on to her earlier? His boss was clearly haunted by his past—and by his dreams.

“Mr. Thompson, are we heading to the Vienna Hotel now?” Gustavo asked hesitantly. Aubree had been nagging him about this event for quite some time.

“Yes.”

Lost in thought, Gustavo had to brake suddenly—but the car still crashed into the one ahead. His temper flared.

Maggie hurried out of her car, already apologizing. “I’m so sorry—I just got my license, and I’m not very experienced.”

“What kind of driving is that? Why are you slamming the—?” Gustavo began, then stopped short. He recognized her face. For a moment, neither of them could speak.

Maggie was speechless. They were crossing paths again so soon? What rotten luck. She should’ve let someone else drive today.

She felt embarrassed and annoyed at the same time. She’d rushed to the Vienna Hotel after Madeline said she was there with the kids, and her nerves had made her hit the gas instead of the brake.

She hadn’t expected to run into Braxton again.

“Who exactly are you?” Braxton demanded, suspicion flaring in his eyes. Running into her like this was too convenient to be a coincidence.

Maggie wanted to avoid him entirely. “Sir, like I said before, I don’t know you. This was an accident, and I take full responsibility. I’ll cover the damages.”

She handed Gustavo her contact info, eager to leave. “I’m in a hurry. I’ll pay for the repairs.”

“Give her the invoice,” Braxton said coldly. Gustavo handed her a detailed repair estimate. “This car is a limited edition worldwide. Every part is custom-designed, so the repairs have to be custom-made, too. The total comes to two million four hundred thousand dollars.”

Why not just rob me? Maggie almost blurted out, her heart sinking. Damn Braxton and his money.

She sighed, chalked it up to bad luck, and reluctantly wrote out a check. As she started to get back into her car, Braxton climbed in beside her.

“What are you doing?” Maggie demanded, momentarily stunned.

“That’s not pocket change. How do I know your check won’t bounce?” Braxton Thompson asked, his tone leaving no room for argument. The car Maggie was driving—an understated Mercedes borrowed from Madeline Johnston—didn’t exactly scream someone who could casually throw around millions. His suspicion wasn’t unwarranted.

Maggie sighed. “I really need to get to the Vienna Hotel. If you’re that worried, why not just call the cops? File a report and stop worrying about me vanishing.”

As luck would have it, Braxton was headed to the Vienna Hotel, too. “My car’s down for the count. We’ll go together. Though your driving could use some work...” He glanced at Gustavo Cruz. “You drive.”

Frustration washed over Maggie. She’d completely forgotten Braxton was going there for Aubree Foster’s birthday party. Eager to shake off the encounter, she’d blocked out the details.

Fine. It was just a ride. Still, the jab at her driving was uncalled for.

Resigned, Maggie moved to sit in the front passenger seat—only to find Gustavo had already planted a spiced honey cake there. With no other choice, she reluctantly climbed into the back.

Gustavo couldn’t wrap his head around the president’s logic. The damage to their car was minor—nowhere near bad enough to keep them from driving. Why squeeze into this cramped little ride? But questioning orders wasn’t his style. So he arranged a tow and grudgingly accepted his new role as chauffeur.

Braxton stayed quiet during the ride, subtly studying Maggie. The familiarity was almost unnerving.

Maggie kept her thoughts locked down and tried to make herself as invisible as possible.

As they neared the hotel, Madeline called. “When are you getting here? The kids are getting hungry.”

“Don’t wait for me—go ahead and eat. Leave when you’re done,” Maggie said quickly, worried about running into Braxton. That would only feed his suspicions.

She hung up and caught Braxton’s gaze lingering on her phone screen, where Madeline’s name was still displayed.

She looked away fast. She always avoided direct eye contact with him—those piercing eyes seemed to strip secrets bare. And yet, no one could ever tell what lay beneath them.

Nervous, Maggie started picking at her nails, an unconscious habit that kicked in whenever anxiety crept up.

“Do you know Madeline Johnston?” Braxton finally broke the silence, his gaze sharp and assessing.

“We met through an international buyers’ group. Why—do you know her?” Maggie feigned surprise, then added, “Your social circles must be pretty tight-knit.”

Stay calm. Don’t let him intimidate you. He doesn’t recognize this face now.

Bracing herself mentally, Maggie kept her expression calm as she met Braxton’s eyes.

“I was headed to the Vienna Hotel today. We just happened to meet at the children’s home, and then we cross paths again?” Braxton smirked, though the curve of his lips didn’t quite reach his eyes.

Maggie’s heart skipped a beat. Braxton had this unsettling habit of smiling when he was masking anger. That smile confirmed he hadn’t recognized her.

She thought about insisting it was just a coincidence, but she didn’t have the nerve. Who would buy that?

“What do you think it is, if not a coincidence? You think I’m deliberately trying to get close to you? Honestly, sir, you’re a little full of yourself. Might I remind you—you approached me first?”

Gustavo’s eyes went wide with alarm—especially at her bold crack about Braxton’s ego. He hit the brakes so suddenly that Maggie tumbled into Braxton.

The man chuckled, looking more amused than offended. “And who’s throwing herself into whose arms now?”

Maggie’s irritation spiked.

A hint of a smirk crossed Braxton’s face. The foul mood he’d been in seemed to lift, as if Maggie’s annoyance amused him.

“You call this driver of yours skilled? Slamming on the brakes on a perfectly smooth city road!” Maggie’s anger now had a target: Gustavo, her only available outlet.

Gustavo felt the sting of unfairness. If this woman had the nerve to talk back to Braxton, how could he not be nervous?

“Forget it. I’ve had enough!” Maggie snapped as they pulled up to the Vienna Hotel. She opened the car door, ready to make her escape, when Braxton caught her wrist.

“Trying to swap the damage for the money owed? Pretty crafty.”

Maggie fumed and yanked the keys from the ignition. “My check is solid. Believe it or not—call the cops if you don’t.” She snapped the words out and stormed off, afraid she’d say something she’d regret if she stayed a second longer.

As she walked away, Braxton found himself unexpectedly amused by her anger.

Gustavo stared at Braxton in disbelief. Was that an actual smile? Since his wife’s disappearance, Braxton hadn’t shown a hint of real emotion.

“Mr. Thompson, that woman can’t be Maggie. Her reactions seemed too genuine, like our run-ins really were just coincidences. I mean...”

Braxton cut him off coldly. “What makes you so sure?”

Startled, Gustavo stammered, “Because she didn’t try to get your contact information. That check looked like a genuine attempt to compensate you. If she were trying to pursue you, wouldn’t she have taken the chance to linger?”

Seeing Braxton’s expression darken, Gustavo stopped talking.

“Quite an analysis,” Braxton said with a sarcastic smile. Just as Gustavo let out a breath of relief, Braxton added, “Your bonus is safe, but don’t expect a raise.”

Gustavo, who had just submitted a request for a raise, felt like drowning in regret.

Still sulking, Gustavo grabbed the spiced honey cake and followed Braxton into the elevator.

Aubree’s birthday party was being held on the top floor—a privilege the Vienna Hotel had granted to no one else. It was Braxton’s way of giving her public recognition. Naturally, the place was buzzing with excitement. Except for the family hostile to Braxton, everyone else had sent a representative.

The guests were eager to see if Braxton would finally make his relationship with Aubree official. The rumors about them had been swirling for ages, but nothing had been publicly confirmed. Despite the lively party, Braxton’s conspicuous absence stirred gossip among those hungry for drama.

Aubree’s eyes kept darting to the entrance. Braxton had promised to come. His word was usually as good as gold, but his delay was starting to unsettle her.

“Sis, it’s such a big day. As your boyfriend, Braxton should be here, right? I heard the media’s ready to see him officially introduce you as his girlfriend. It’d be pretty awkward if he didn’t show.” Her envious acquaintance teased, clearly enjoying Aubree’s discomfort.

Forcing a smile, Aubree replied, “Of course he’ll be here. His gift arrived earlier, and he just got back from overseas. It’s understandable that he’s running late.”