Chapter 22 Elias knew Vespera , but the man and little girl with her were strangers to him . He didn't think much of it . " Vespera , what a coincidence , " Elias said with an easy smile . Vespera's gaze swept over Calista as if she weren't even there . " Indeed . Have you eaten , Elias ? Stay and have something , " Vespera said , her tone sickeningly sweet . Elias didn't know what tied the man and little girl behind her to Calista , but he caught the undercurrent in Vespera's glance - something sharp , dismissive . So he shifted , closing the space to stand beside Calista . " Already ate , " he said with the same pleasant smile . " Wouldn't want to intrude . " Something in that small movement made Vespera's stomach tighten . She shot Calista a quick , involuntary glance before turning back to hook her hand through Maximus's arm . " Maximus , this is the brilliant senior I told you about . " The moment Maximus stepped into the restaurant holding Maisie's hand , he saw Calista . She'd clearly taken the time to get ready - skin smooth , lips softly tinted , even her lashes curling upward in delicate arcs . She looked different today , striking in a way that made the memory of her pale in comparison . But what was more striking was that Maisie stood right in front of her , and Calista didn't even glance at her - as if they were strangers passing on the street . Maisie also saw Calista , but quickly turned her head away . She still couldn't let go of the fact that her mother had hit Miss Vespera . In her view , Mommy was wrong - and hadn't even apologized . So forgiveness wasn't on the table . Still , a small part of her hoped Mommy would come over and coax her a little . But Maisie prided herself on having principles : no apology , no discussion . Besides , she figured Mommy would cave soon - maybe even pick her up , say sorry , and smother her with kisses . Maximus withdrew his gaze and nodded at Elias . " Hello . " " Hello . " Elias responded politely , then turned to Vespera.- " Vesper " Vespera , I've already had lunch . Let's catch up another time . " Vespera felt it would be awkward to press further, so she let it go with a slightly disappointed smile . Elias nodded slightly at Maximus in farewell , then followed Calista . 11:28 Rejected by the Alpha , I Became the Pack's Queen 67.7 % Chapter 22 As Calista headed toward the door , Maisie's heart lurched . Maybe , just maybe , Mommy would pick her up , and then she could scold her in her most mature voice , telling her it was wrong to hit Miss Vespera that day . But before that scene could finish playing out in her mind , Vespera's hand waved in front of her face , pulling her attention back to the table . Vespera bent down , her palm gently brushing Maisie's forehead . " Maisie , what's wrong ? " Maisie instinctively looked back - just in time to see her mother and Elias heading toward the door without looking back . Not even a moment's pause - not even as she walked right past her . Her small face instantly flushed red . She stamped her foot hard , her little mouth pouting . " Bad Mommy ! If you don't want me , I'll make Daddy not want you either ! " Though Maisie had been scheming in her mind to team up with Daddy and give Mommy the cold shoulder , she still gave Vespera a sweet smile . " Miss Vespera , I'm fine . I just want to hear you play piano again . " Vespera's expression softened . " As it happens , I have a performance tonight . How about I call a friend and have them set aside two tickets for you and your daddy ? " Maisie's eyes lit up , clapping her hands . " Yay , yay ! Miss Vespera , you're the best ! " Then she threw herself into Vespera's arms , wrapped her arms around her neck , and nuzzled against her cheek . Maximus felt momentarily dazed , caught off guard not only by Calista's reaction but also by her indifference toward their daughter . In his memory , Calista had always loved Maisie deeply - the kind of mother who couldn't even run to the bathroom without lingering for one more hug . He could still clearly recall bringing Maisie to Gray Manor to visit her grandfather . Calista had come home unable to find her daughter , rushed over in a panic , scooped up the girl who was eating a sandwich , and held her close while tears streamed down her face . At the time , Maximus thought Calista was being too dramatic . -But now ? She hadn't even given Maisie a second glance , let alone spoken to her . In the past , she would have been clinging to their daughter , unwilling to let go . " Maximus ? " Suddenly , Vespera noticed his distracted expression , straightened up , and walked to his side . ( 0 ) ( 0 ) 11:28 Rejected by the Alpha . I Became the Pack's Queen 69.4 % Chapter 23 Chapter 23