After her rebirth

"You're lying!" Brynn, visibly shaken, suddenly stepped forward and slapped Clara.

Clara didn't dodge, but the pain was intense. She instinctively covered her cheek. Her face stung, but Clara laughed.

"If Desmond finds out you hit me, do you know what will happen?" Clara said, dialing Desmond's number.

Brynn's panic was evident. She tried to snatch Clara's phone but accidentally knocked over the coffee on the table.

The coffee spilled onto both of them, and the cup shattered loudly.

Other patrons in the café turned to look. Clara took advantage of Brynn's distraction and hurriedly left.

Once outside, she redialed Desmond's number.

Desmond didn't answer. Clara thought for a moment and hailed a cab to head to the Boleyn family estate.

Across the street, in a restaurant, Jesse and Cecilia were having lunch by the window. Cecilia saw Clara rush out of the café, looking disheveled, and hurriedly get into a cab. She was puzzled.

Jesse tapped her head lightly. "What are you staring at? Focus on your food."

"I saw Clara. It looks like someone spilled coffee on her. She must have pissed

someone off," Cecilia said, ready to share the news with Katniss.

Jesse stopped her. "Katniss is off to Starhaven for training. Maximilian is probably with her now. Don't bother them."

Cecilia was surprised. "She's going to Starhaven already? So soon?"

"Yeah, the first round of selections is done. I knew the results early this morning."

Jesse was one of the top surgeons in Luminous City, known for his genius. He was also close to Brent, so he naturally got the news early.

"Why didn't you tell me? I need to say goodbye to Katniss," Cecilia said, heading out. Jesse sighed and followed her.

He thought to himself, he had tried to stop her, so if Maximilian got annoyed, it wasn't his fault.noveldrama

They arrived at Golden Crest Estates.

Katniss was playing a puzzle game with Maximilian. She had bought it on a whim because it looked fun but had set it aside until now.

Maximilian had decided to leave work early, so she thought it would be nice to work on the puzzle together.

The puzzle was large, and the special puzzle board extended beyond the table's edge.

They were squeezed together on one side. Katniss took out the reference image and compared a piece.

She stared at it for a long time, unsure where it fit.

Maximilian watched her furrow her brows in concentration and sat beside her.

"Maximilian, where does this piece go?"

Maximilian leaned in, studied it for a moment, and pointed to the upper left corner. "Here, I think."

Katniss looked closely and realized he was right. She quickly placed the piece in the upper left corner.

After a while, Katniss noticed Maximilian's keen observation skills. He could easily spot where pieces fit, while she struggled.

The room was filled with her praises for Maximilian and his affectionate laughter. Conrad didn't want to interrupt, but guests had arrived downstairs-Cecilia and Jesse. Seeing Conrad lurking at the door, Maximilian whispered to Katniss and went to the door.

Conrad quickly informed him about Jesse and Cecilia's arrival.

"Jesse? What's he doing here?" Maximilian asked, frowning.

"He's here with Ms. Thorne," Conrad replied.

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Katniss heard Cecilia's name and put down the puzzle. "Cecilia's here?"

Maximilian, despite his reluctance, nodded.

"Let's go down. I'm leaving tomorrow, and I forgot to tell Cecilia."

She had been with Maximilian since she got the news, and they hadn't separated. She

forgot to share the good news with Cecilia.

They went downstairs together. Cecilia ran to Katniss as soon as she saw her.

"Katniss, why didn't you tell me about the training?"

Katniss apologized. "I forgot. I meant to tell you after I told Maximilian."

Cecilia glanced at Maximilian, who looked serious, and smiled at Katniss. "It's okay. I know now, so I came to congratulate you."

Jesse also congratulated Katniss. "Congrats, Katniss."

"Now that you've congratulated her, you should head back to the hospital. Don't

disturb us," Maximilian said bluntly, eager to send them away.

No one liked their time together being interrupted.

"Maximilian, let's have them stay for dinner. It's a good chance to catch up," Katniss said, tugging at his sleeve and looking at him with pleading eyes.

Maximilian couldn't resist Katniss and finally agreed.

"But dinner will be an hour early," he said, determined to send them off sooner.

Mira started preparing dinner early. Katniss wanted to help but was pushed out by

Mira. "Mrs. Hamilton, just enjoy your time with them."

Katniss was leaving Luminous City tomorrow, and Mira didn't want her to tire herself

out.

When Katniss left the kitchen, Jesse was talking to Maximilian.

Cecilia looked at Maximilian, then at Jesse, and pulled Katniss aside.

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She told Katniss about seeing Clara on the street. Katniss didn't ask for more details.

"I know, Cecilia. I'm leaving tomorrow. Let's enjoy dinner and not talk about unpleasant things."

Cecilia felt it was a pity but didn't press further.

Dinner at Golden Crest Estates was an hour early. After dinner, Maximilian promptly

sent their guests away.

Jesse quickly pulled Cecilia along.

Once they left, Maximilian carried Katniss upstairs.

Katniss whispered, "We haven't washed up."

Maximilian nodded and carried her to the bathroom.

Katniss had an early flight, and Maximilian didn't want her to oversleep. He also

wanted to spend time with her, so he moved everything up.

The bathroom was steamy, and Katniss's face was flushed.

After the bath, Maximilian handed her a glass of wine.

It was red wine, its deep color mesmerizing under the light.

She hadn't even drunk it yet but was already feeling tipsy.

"Don't like it?" Maximilian asked, holding her close.

Katniss shook her head and took a sip.

The wine was exquisite, making her feel even more intoxicated. The man holding her

was equally intoxicating.

Under the influence of alcohol, Katniss leaned in and kissed Maximilian.

The night unfolded.