Chapter 6 Patrick Delgado , the firm's director , saw Maxine busting her ass . He sighed , shaking his head . " Sorry , Maxine . My hands are tied . Orders from the big shots . " But the bad news didn't stop there . Next thing she knew , her assistant got reassigned to Kathleen , with some lame excuse about a " staff shortage . " It was a total setup , leaving Maxine out in the cold , stripped of all her clout at the firm . Furious , she was ready to storm the partners ' offices and raise hell , but Patrick held her back . In a low voice , he let slip that someone else was calling the shots . In a heartbeat , Sebastian's face popped into her head . No one else could pull off a move this smooth , this ruthless . It had to be him . Patrick practically shoved her out the door to go home and cool off . The second she got there , she dialed Sebastian's number , her blood boiling . His assistant picked up , cutting to the chase . " Ma'am , the case ? Mr. Mason's call . He thinks you should kick back at home for a while . " " Who the hell does he think he is , running my life ? " Maxine snapped , barely holding it together . The assistant's tone was flat . " Just following Mr. Mason's orders , ma'am . " ' And , yeah ?,' Maxine thought, her temper flaring . ' Just because I brought up divorce , he's pulling this stunt to keep me under his thumb ? Total asshole ! Her heart pounded with fury , but she knew getting worked up was a dead end . She hung up the phone with a huff , glanced at the desk calendar , and scratched out today's date with a sharp swipe . Twenty - five days to go . Meanwhile , the assistant hung up and stepped into Sebastian's office . " Sir , I clued Mrs. Mason in . " Sebastian , slouched behind his desk , flipped a signed contract shut . " Put a couple more guys on her . I want to know her every move . " " On it ," the assistant said with a quick nod . Sebastian's scowl didn't budge . This case Maxine was stuck on ? It was bad news . The defendant had enough power to crush anyone in their way . If she kept digging , she was walking straight into danger . Real danger . With her law firm job gone , Maxine was left kicking her heels at home . She caught a quick nap , waking to a sky splashed with sunset pinks and oranges . Her stomach rumbled , so she headed downstairs to scrounge up some grub . To her shock , Sebastian was already there - home way early . After years of marriage , the guy was practically glued to his office , barely making it back by ten . But today ? She glanced at the clock - not even six . " Work was chill today , " Sebastian said , noticing her stare . " About the firm- " " No need to explain . I'm good ," Maxine cut him off , her tone flat . 1/2 Chapter 6 Sebastian hesitated , gave her a quick look , but let it go . Brian , still sore from yesterday , huffed and turned away , though his eyes kept darting back to her . Maxine ignored him , aiming for the kitchen . " I'm in the mood for fried fish tonight ," Brian called , all stiff and snippy . Sebastian piped up , " And a paella . " Maxine stopped , cool as ever . " Tell Alisson . " " I want you to cook ! " Brian snapped , his voice hot with anger . " You're my mom , aren't you ? Kathleen always whips up whatever I want ! " Maxine turned , her gaze steady but sharp . " Then go cry to her for dinner . Seems like you'd rather call her Mom anyway , right ? "