Chapter Thirty Four: Not A Fair Game

Amelia sat on the edge of her bed, her phone in her hand, staring at the screen. She had just sent Maxwell a text, asking him to dinner. The message was brief, carefully worded to sound casual yet sincere:

*Hey Maxwell, I was thinking we should have dinner sometime. There's a lot I want to clear up between us. Are you free tomorrow evening?*

Her heart pounded as she waited for his response, the seconds stretching into what felt like hours. She knew this was risky, but she also knew it was their best shot at getting closer to the truth.

Her phone buzzed, and she quickly unlocked it to see his reply:

*Sure, Amelia. Tomorrow evening sounds great. How about 7 PM at Delilah's?*

Relief and anxiety washed over her simultaneously. She was glad he had accepted the invitation, but the reality of what she was about to do hit her hard. She needed to play this perfectly to get Maxwell to open up without raising his suspicions.

*Perfect. See you then,* she typed back, her fingers trembling slightly.

Amelia spent the rest of the evening preparing herself, mentally rehearsing the conversation she needed to have with Maxwell. She knew she had to be convincing, had to make him believe she was genuinely sorry for any misunderstandings and genuinely interested in making amends.

---

The next evening, Amelia stood in front of her mirror, adjusting her dress for the umpteenth time. She had chosen something simple but elegant, a dress that conveyed both professionalism and a touch of vulnerability. She wanted to appear approachable, yet not overly eager.

She took a deep breath and grabbed her purse, giving herself one last look in the mirror. "You can do this," she whispered to herself. "You have to."

Arriving at Delilah's a few minutes early, she chose a table near the back, where they could talk without being overheard. She ordered a glass of water and waited, her mind racing with thoughts of how the evening might unfold.

When Maxwell arrived, he spotted her immediately and made his way over, a confident smile on his face. "Amelia," he greeted her, pulling out a chair and sitting down. "It's good to see you."

"You too, Maxwell," she replied, forcing a smile. "Thanks for agreeing to this."

"No problem at all," he said, waving a waiter over to order a drink. "I was surprised to hear from you, to be honest."

Amelia nodded, her expression serious. "I know. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately, about everything that's happened. I realized I owe you an apology."

Maxwell raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "An apology? For what?"

"For the way I've acted," Amelia said, choosing her words carefully. "I’ve been distant, and I let my personal feelings get in the way of our professional relationship. I’ve been unfair to you, and I'm sorry."

Maxwell leaned back in his chair, his eyes studying her. "That’s very big of you to admit, Amelia. I appreciate it."

Maxwell, adept at reading body language, noticed Amelia's slight unease and the faint tremor in her hands as she lifted her glass. He observed the way her eyes darted around the restaurant, her gaze lingering on certain spots. Something was off. He let his gaze casually drift around the room, pretending to take in the ambiance. That’s when he noticed Jonah lurking at the corner, partially obscured by a plant, watching them intently.

Maxwell's smile never wavered, and he continued the conversation as if nothing were amiss. "You know, Amelia," he said, his voice smooth and conversational, "I've always admired your dedication to your work. It's rare to find someone so passionate and committed."

Amelia forced a smile, trying to mask her growing anxiety. "Thank you, Maxwell. That means a lot coming from you."

Maxwell nodded, leaning back in his chair and taking a leisurely sip of his drink. "It's a shame we’ve had our differences. But I believe we can move past them and work together harmoniously. Don’t you agree?"

"Absolutely," Amelia replied, her voice steady but her heart racing. "I think this dinner is a good first step."

He watched her for a moment longer, then casually glanced at his watch. "Well, I think it's about time I head out. Early start tomorrow." He stood up, signaling for the waiter. "Shall we?"

Amelia took a deep breath, her resolve hardening. She couldn't let Maxwell leave without getting a closer look at his wrist. Determined to make him stay, she quickly stepped in front of him as he started to walk away.

"Maxwell, wait," she said, trying to keep her voice steady and light. "It's still early. How about we stay a bit longer and order dessert? I'd really like to talk more about your ideas for the hospital."

Maxwell paused, his expression unreadable. For a moment, she feared he might see through her ruse. Then he smiled, a hint of curiosity in his eyes. "Well, I do have a sweet tooth. Sure, let's stay a bit longer."

Relieved, Amelia gestured for him to sit down As they settled into their seats, she signaled the waiter and ordered a selection of desserts. Maxwell watched her, his gaze keen, as if trying to discern her true intentions.

"So, Amelia," he said smoothly, "what specifically do you want to know about my ideas for the hospital?"

Amelia leaned forward, trying to appear genuinely interested. "I was particularly intrigued by your mention of the research facility. It sounds like they're doing some groundbreaking work. I'd love to learn more about it." Amelia had seen a research facility dealing with mostly children and figured Maxwell might possibly be recruiting kids for them.

Maxwell nodded, his eyes narrowing slightly. "The facility is indeed at the forefront of medical research. But it's not something we can discuss in detail over dinner. It requires more... formal setting."

"Of course," Amelia replied, forcing a smile. "But I'm genuinely interested, Maxwell. Maybe you could give me a brief overview? Just a taste of what they're working on."

Maxwell hesitated, then reached for his glass of water. Amelia seized the moment, focusing on his wrist as he lifted the glass. She tried to make it seem casual, but her eyes were trained on the spot she suspected the tattoo might be.

There it was. For a fleeting second, she saw the edge of a tattoo peeking out from under his shirt cuff. Her heart raced, but she maintained her composure.

Maxwell set his glass down and leaned back, watching her intently. "You're quite persistent, Amelia. I admire that. But some things are better left undisclosed until the right time."

She nodded, her mind racing. "I understand. I'm just eager to contribute in any way I can. The hospital means a lot to me."

Maxwell's smile was thin, almost predatory. "I can see that. Perhaps we can arrange a more formal meeting at the facility. I'll see what I can do."

As the desserts arrived, Amelia's mind churned with possibilities. She had confirmed the tattoo, but it wasn't enough. She needed more information.

They chatted amiably as they ate, Maxwell recounting stories of his past successes and ambitions. Amelia listened, though her mind was elsewhere. She had to find a way to get closer to the truth.

Finally, Maxwell glanced at his watch again. "It’s been a delightful evening, Amelia, but I really must be going."

Amelia nodded, forcing a smile. "Of course. Thank you for staying longer. I appreciate it."

Maxwell stood, and as he reached out to shake her hand, she saw the tattoo more clearly. It was a small, intricate symbol, something she couldn’t quite place. She had what she needed.

"Goodnight, Amelia," he said, his grip firm and his eyes piercing. "I look forward to our next conversation."

"Goodnight, Maxwell," she replied, her voice steady. "Thank you again."

As he walked away, Amelia felt relieved. She had taken an important risk, but it had paid off. She hurried out of the restaurant, her mind already racing with the next steps.

Back at her apartment, she quickly texted Jonah.

Got a good look at the tattoo. It's real. We need to figure out what it means. Meet me first thing in the morning.