Chapter 124: Chapter 124
David’s POV
I arrived at Wellington’s mansion a few minutes before noon, my car driving through the tree-lined driveway like it belonged there. Though honestly, compared to this place, my car looked like a toy.
The house - no, mansion - was absolutely massive. Impressive didn’t even begin to cover it. This wasn’t just wealth; this was generational, old-money, "I-could-buy-your-entire-existence-and-not-notice" kind of wealth. The kind I’m still chasing even though I’m well loaded.
The gates opened automatically as I approached, and I drove through, parking my car in the driveway. I took a moment to appreciate the environment, the gardens, the fountain, the sheer scale of everything. Maxwell Wellington was living in a completely different stratosphere, and I couldn’t even begin to compare.
A staff appeared the moment I stepped out of my car, greeting me politely and leading me inside through the massive doors.
The interior was even more impressive - gleaming marble floors, crystal chandeliers, expensive artworks. Whoever built this house paid very good attention to details. It was truly breathtaking.
But what caught me off guard was seeing Alex and Gabriel lounging in the sitting area, along with another guy who I’d seen the night of Alex’s party - Damien, Maxwell’s brother.
"David!" Alex stood up with a smile. "What are you doing here? This is a huge surprise."
I returned the greeting, shaking hands. "Alex, Gabriel. Good to see you both. What are you guys doing here?"
"We’re here for our homie," Gabriel said with a casual shrug. "Maxwell."
Something in my chest tightened. "Is he alright?"
"Yeah, just a little sick," Alex replied. "Nothing serious. Pneumonia, but he’s recovering."
Meanwhile, the other guy - Damien was watching me with interest, but said nothing.
I nodded towards him, and he nodded back, still watching me.
"Bro, I didn’t see you after that night at the party. I didn’t even realize when you left."
I tried to put on an apologetic expression. "I’m so sorry I left that day without notice. Something really important came up, and I had to rush out." Alex nodded at my explanation. "As for what I am doing here, Maxwell agreed to take on my case. We’re meeting today to go over the details."
Alex and Gabriel exchanged a look - one of those silent communication moments that told me something was off. They turned back to me with confused expressions.
"Your case?" Gabriel asked slowly. "What kind of case?"
"My divorce case," I said, watching their reactions. "The one I told you guys about. I’m divorcing my wife."
Their confusion deepened. Alex actually blinked, like he needed to process what I’d just said.
"Are you serious?" Gabriel leaned forward. "Maxwell is really taking on your divorce case?"
"Yes..." I drew out the word, suddenly feeling uncomfortable. "Why? Is that a problem?"
"It’s just..." Alex glanced at Gabriel again. "Maxwell has never taken on a divorce case before. Like, ever. He usually passes those to other attorneys in his firm. It’s not really his specialty."
My stomach dropped. "Are you sure about that?"
"Completely sure," Gabriel confirmed. "He handles major corporate cases. Hostile takeovers, that kind of thing. High-stakes business stuff. Divorce cases are too... too messy."
I didn’t know what to feel about that information. On one hand, maybe it meant Maxwell saw something interesting in my case. On the other hand, why would one of the city’s top lawyers suddenly decide to take on a case that was beneath his usual clientele?
"Are you absolutely certain?" I pressed. "Maybe he’s expanding his practice areas?"
"Not Maxwell," Alex said with certainty. "He doesn’t just randomly take cases outside his expertise."
The atmosphere was getting tense, the silence stretching uncomfortably. I could feel their curiosity, their suspicion about why I was really here.
Gabriel must have sensed it too, because he suddenly patted me on the back with forced cheerfulness. "Hey, chill. Maybe Maxwell just likes you well enough to take up the case. You must have made quite an impression."
I tried to smile, but it felt stiff on my face.
"Yeah. Maybe."
Just then, a maid appeared in the doorway. "Mr. Banks? Mr. Wellington is ready for you. Please follow me to the conference room."
"See you later, bro." Alex said as I followed the maid out.
As we walked through the mansion’s hallways, my mind was churning with different thoughts. Why would Maxwell Wellington take on my mundane divorce case if it wasn’t his usual field? What was his angle?
The maid stopped at a set of double doors, knocked once, then pushed them open. "Mr. Banks, sir."
I stepped into the huge conference room. It had a large table in the middle, with leather chairs and books lining the walls. Very corporate, very serious.
But I stopped short the moment I saw who else was in the room.
Olivia.
Still dressed as a man. Still wearing that ridiculous disguise. Still pretending to be "Oliver Hopton," Maxwell’s assistant.
What the actual fuck?
She was standing near the window with a file in her hands, and when she saw me, her entire body went rigid before she quickly tried to compose herself.
But I’d seen it. That moment of pure terror.
Maxwell was seated at the head of the conference table, looking every bit the powerful attorney. He glanced up from the documents he was reviewing and smiled - a cold smile that didn’t reach his eyes.
"David. Right on time. Please, have a seat."
I couldn’t move. I was staring at Olivia - at Oliver - trying to process what I was seeing.
How was she still here? How come Maxwell hadn’t fired her yet? Or exposed her? Or done anything?
What the hell was going on?
"David?" Maxwell’s voice cut through my shock. "Is everything alright?"
I forced myself to look away from Olivia and focus on Maxwell. "Yes. Sorry. Just... admiring your conference room. Very impressive."
"Thank you." Maxwell gestured to the chair across from him. "Oliver will be taking notes during our meeting. I hope that’s not a problem?"
Oliver? He called her Oliver. Like she was actually a man. Like everything was completely normal.
What the hell is wrong with this man!