Chapter Thirty-One

**Genevieve**

Nervous does not even come close to what I feel right now, Greyson and I went over and over the plan on the way here.

The plan was clear, get Max to tell me when he is going to break the news to their dad. Once we have that information, we can begin his takedown.

As far as he is aware Brittany and Greyson are back together and I am still very much in this for the money.

As I sit and wait in this restaurant, staring around me I can see why he has chosen it. I have been placed in a booth at the back within view but just far enough away that no one will hear our conversation.

I must give him some credit, it is clever, it's the exact kind of place I would have picked. The waiter approaches the table carrying the glass of wine I ordered, I smile politely and say thank you only to catch Max striding over to the table.

A huge smirk on his face as he slides into the seat opposite. He drops his eyes to my chest and I silently wish I had worn something high necked.

“Well, well, I hear you put on quite a performance. Brittany is ecstatic, she practically planned her wedding and the birth of the brat”.

His words shoot through me, he just called the baby he has fathered a brat he truly has no morals.

“Well, I’m sure she will get what she wants soon enough. I am sure Greyson, and she will have a wonderful life. Now did we come here to talk about how they might decorate their house or are we here to talk about bringing him down”.

I take a sip from my glass and await his response. Perhaps I was a little too forward, but I would like to leave his company sooner rather than later.

“Hmm I see someone came to play today; I like this fiery side of you”


“It’s the exact opposite Max, I’m not here to play I’m here to end this. I have plans and the longer this takes the further the delay will be so let us cut the crap”.

“Keep talking about taking my brother down like that and I might try to take you home”.

He winks at me like its complement, like I should be flattered he was not to sleep with me while he has a wife and child and has fathered a child to a vulnerable woman.
“I suppose you are right though; we are here to do business.”


The waiter once again comes to the table and silence falls between us as we order as soon as he moves away Max begins again.

“I know when I will do it When I will break the news to my dear Father about Greyson and his love child”.

“How will you do it?”

I’m careful not to ask when I don’t want to seem too eager but asking how gives the impression, I'd like to have some input in his downfall.

“How?”

“Yes how, I’d like some input on how you bring him down. I think humiliation is key”


I wince internally at my own words, knowing that I would never willingly do anything to hurt Greyson.

“Our Father will be holding the annual Maddox inc Christmas party, the whole company will be there as well as a few of our top investors. Let us just say Greyson will have two dates that night. His ravishing wife and his pregnant mistress”

“You’re going to invite her ?”


“I’m going to send her an email from Greyson’s PA, asking her to come in place of you, telling her I’m going to announce it to my father”


He stays silent once more as the waiter puts the food down and once again steps away from us.

“I assume there is more to this plan Max. It’s rather tame”.

He laughs and stabs his food with his fork, before pointing it at me.

“You really are something you know, If I had known you were this ruthless, I would have reached out to you long ago”.

Shoving the fork in his mouth he chews; mouth open with all the grace of a pig.

“I just don’t think simply inviting her and causing a scene will be enough, Greyson will deny it and I know you know that too”


“Your right it won’t be enough, but it’s not all. Every year my Father shows a slideshow with pictures of all our employees and families throughout the year”.

“And you’ve done something to that?”

“Let’s just say it will show my brother in some compromising situations”.

I mentally flashback to my own brother doing something almost identical to me, only the pictures had been edited. The woman in the picture had my face but it was not me.

I take a bite of my food carefully to draw the attention to my mouth as I take it off the food off the fork, I want Max to answer this next question and sleazy flirting is all he knows. It is time for me to really play his game.

“How, how have you gotten golf of these images Max”.

I stare into his eyes. As he leans forward into the table before he scoots around the booth getting closer to me.

My instincts tell me to move but I know I cannot, I need to know where he got this information. He leans into my ear, his hot breath making me shudder.

“Let’s just say he won’t appear so saint-like”


I turn to him scooting back to create some distance.

“Are they real? The pictures?”

“Brittany is real, but there’s no way my brother has a good a body as me it’s just as shame my face had to be replaced with his own”


That is when it dawns on me. The images he is going to use are of him, I feel sick in the pit of my stomach.

“Does she know?”

“Does who know”.

He pulls his plater around to him and finishes the last of his food.

“Brittany, does she know you took those pictures?”

“No, but you see that’s the beauty of it, no one will see this coming and when she sees her own naked body on the screen, she will be so distraught the scene that unfolds will be spectacular”.

I see the hint of evil glow in his eyes.

He really is sick.
“My father won’t see her go without once he knows she is carrying his child he will take care of it and the pictures will be removed from the internet as quickly as they go up. But the image.”

He gulps down the last of his wine and wipes his mouth.

“That image will be burned into the back of everyone’s mind, they will look at Greyson and see the woman he cheated on his quiet beautiful wife with”.

He places a hand on my leg, and I want to punch him in the right in the nose. Instead, I slowly lift his hand and put it back on his knee.

“Max. Greyson’s downfall will be my uprising but make no mistake, us working together is not an invitation into bed “

He stares at me blankly before laughing.

“How about we have this conversation again when my brother loses everything and you are on a high, I’ll help you get to a state of elation”.

That sick feeling bubbles again, I pour more wine into both our glasses before raising it. I have had enough of being in this situation and I would like out now.

“To Greyson’s downfall”

We clink glasses, take a slip and slide out of the booth.

“Leaving so soon?”

“Our business is done Max Unless you have anything else to share?”

He does not say anything but scans my body from toe to head.

“No. Well, in that case, I will see you at the Christmas party, for now, I have to go home and play the distraught wife”.

He laughs again and slaps the table.

“Now that I would like to see, just remember to play your part on the night too Genevieve and this will all go smoothly”.

I nod and turn hurrying out of the restaurant and down the street. I told Greyson I would be done by 9 and to pick me up around the corner then. I left a little too early so I pulled out my phone and sent him a message.

*Your brother and I are done; I have left the restaurant. I will wait for you at the Luca’s diner*
I know he won’t be happy with that, but Luca and his Nona’s restaurant are just around the corner and I know no one will expect me to be in there, it's like a safe zone.

The place is packed as usual and pushes my way into the door Nona spotting me almost instantly and ushering me to a table at the back, much to the distaste of some of the other customers.

A few moments later she sat in front of me placing down two cups of tea and sandwich.

“Oh Nona, it’s okay I have just eaten, thank you though”.

She smiles at me and pulls it towards her, I cannot help but notice how busy they are.

“Nona do you and Luca need some help tonight”.

“Don’t be the silly girl you are not dressed to work here with us”


“Who cares it’s just a dress and besides the clothes are just get up, before all this, I was a waitress”.

With that Luca comes over to the table.

“Hi Gen. Nona, I’m sorry but we need help to clear the table”.

I can see how tired she looks. Standing up I take off my jacket.

“You stay put Nona. I'll help Luca”.

I turn to him and smile.

“Come on done look at me like that. I might be wearing heels but I’m a damn good waitress now what do you need help with”.

“You can’t be serious Gen”.

“Oh, I am, now are we going to stand here and argue or are you going to let me help so you can get through this rush?”

He eventually gives in and leads me behind the counter, handing me an apron and instructing me to clear down the table.

I do as he says, clearing tables, taking orders and interacting with people. It is the first time in a while I have felt connected.

I always thought I hated being a waitress, but I have missed it. Soon enough the ques of people have died down and the atmosphere into the room has gotten quiet.

I go back behind the counter taking the last of the plates before seeing the time. Shit. Greyson is probably waiting for me. I pull off my apron and hand it back to Luca who is now considerably less flustered.

He pulls me in for a hug.

“Thank you so much for helping us tonight Gen”.

I break away to say something before I am pulled into Nona for a second hug.

“You are wonderful, I am getting too old for all of this. It is a shame you are married to such a fine young man or I would set you up with Luca. I can see how much your husband loves you though”


Luca’s face flashes red as well as my own, what does she mean? How is she now Greyson?

“Nona, how do you know my husband?”

She laughs before responding.

“He’s been sat having tea with me pretty much since you started your work, He is wonderful”.

She has the brightest smile on her face as a peer over her shoulder to see Greyson sat in the chair was smiling at me and sipping tea.

I feel a rush of happiness seeing him here looking so relaxed and happy. I say my goodbyes offering Luca and Nona my help should they ever need it before walking over to him.

“Greyson what are you doing here?”

“Well, I came to collect my wife the second she texts me. When I got here however, I saw how happy she looked working and smiling and I didn’t want interrupt, you looked happy and were smiling it’s not a side of you I’ve seen before, so I sat back and admired it”


“You’ve been sitting here this whole time?”

“Yes, and you were right Gen, the food here is amazing. Nona must have given me at least three sandwiches, we have to come back”.

“I would love that Grey; you should meet Luca “

I turn to call him but Greyson stands grabbing my hand pulling me to face him.

“I already have. He gave me quite a talking to about hurting you. These two are very fond of you, you would think you had known them your whole life”


I get that wave of happiness again, I feel the same way about them, they feel homely.
“They are great people Greyson; I just wish they had what they needed to really brighten this place up”


As much as I love this place, it needs a fresh coat of paint and some new furniture, I spoke to Luca about it during service, but they just do not have the funds.

He agrees with me as he holds my jacket for me to slip my arms in, interlocking my hands with his. He leans down into my ear.

“Come on Gen let's go home, we have a lot to catch up on”.

We walk out waving our goodbyes before Nona shouts for us to stop, shoving two large takeaway bags into Greyson’s hand and hugging us both, Luca waves from behind the counter and we exit into the cold New York air.

We slide into the car, the feeling of happiness bursts when Greyson asks.

“So, what did Max have to say?”