Chapter 20 Maxine handed Jessica an old phone , showed her which number was hers , and then gave the caregiver Kira some instructions before leaving the hospital . She had a meet - up scheduled with her bestie , Cleo Wheeler . Cleo was a gossip reporter at an entertainment company , well - connected and experienced . She orice went undercover in a superstar's neighborhood for three whole months and ended up like a wild woman , all to dig up some dirt . And boy , did she succeed ! She exposed that superstar's late - night meetings with multiple directors , making a huge splash in the entertainment news scene . Maxine was seeking her help this time . Stepping into the rendezvous , Maxine spotted Cleo fiddling with a long - focus lens . " New toy ? " Maxine asked , taking a seat across from Cleo . She was about to make small talk when Cleo sighed , " Don't even mention it . The last one got busted . " Maxine was surprised at her words . " You treasure your lenses the most . How did it get broken ? " Cleo then started pouring out her woes . " You wouldn't believe it . A couple of days ago , I went to shoot some no - name model . First day there , and boom ! Her bodyguards caught me ! That model has a temper like a firecracker . " She charged at me and smashed my camera to the ground . If it weren't for my 6'3 " partner coming along , I might not have made it out alive . " Maxine was intrigued . " You're pretty well - known in the biz . Who's so bold to mess with you in public ? " There was that time with a top - tier wannabe who almost got physical with Cleo . Her fiery temper kicked in , and the next day , she dropped that celeb's love scandal online . " That model has a sugar daddy - a pretty famous rich kid , surnamed … Jenson ? Seems like he's the son of the Jenson Construction Group's boss . " As Cleo finished her sentence , Maxine's heart skipped a beat . " Is he Gabriel Jenson ? " she asked . " Yeah , yeah ! You know him ? " Maxine's hand suddenly tightened , and her face turned gloomy in an instant . Cleo noticed something was off , put down the camera , and gazed at her seriously . " What's up ? " " Remember when I told you that I took on a sexual assault case at the beginning of the month ? The defendant is Gabriel Jenson , son of the Jenson Construction Group's CEO . " Cleo froze instantly at her words . " Oh my ! What about that case now ? " A shadow passed over Maxine's eyes as she replied , " Lost . The plaintiff committed suicide by drowning herself . I just finished attending her funeral today . " " Oh my God ." Cleo , who usually had a silver tongue , was completely speechless right now . " So you called me today- " " After the plaintiff died , she left behind a five - year - old daughter with no one to take care of her . So I adopted her , But I'm leaving for abroad soon and have a bunch of things to handle . " So I thought if I could find this kid's biological father , maybe he could look after her for a while until I'm done with everything and can take her back . " 10:45 Tue , Chapter 20 Cleo frowned as she listened , retorting , " Your logic doesn't make sense - If you can find the kid's dad , why not just let him take custody instead of adopting her yourself ? " " If that man were reliable , how could he let my client raise their child alone ? Doesn't he know how hard it is for single moms ? And from what my client initially told me , the father never cared about them at all . " " But you're leaving the child in his care ? Isn't that practically throwing the kid into a wolf's den ? " Cleo was even more confused . Maxine pinched the bridge of her nose , replying , " Maybe if we give him some money , it might work ? I just keep thinking that a father wouldn't be so cruel to his own child ? Even if he sees the kid as a burden , he won't have to carry that burden forever . " The most important thing is that my client died tragically . I'm really afraid that Gabriel might be planning something new . "