Page 338 of The Maxwell Brothers
“Oh, I hit a nerve, didn't I?” Malcolm sneered. “What's the matter? You don’t want the family name trashed in the papers? Two generations of Maxwells have managed to keep it out of gossip rags, but you failed. Unless I get my job back.” I wanted to punch the asshole in his face, but then he went on. “The heirs aren't living up to the Maxwell standards. Is that what you want? The Maxwell name trashed? You think your situation is difficult now, Reese? Imagine what it would be like if everyone knew therealstory. Poor Reese Maxwell! All the socialites would pity you.”
"Pity me for what?" Reese asked in an astonishingly calm voice. I had to grab the armchair with both hands to keep from leaping across the table. “You cheated on me with my best friend. That is not a reflection on me.”
“Is that what you’re learning in therapy these days? Oh yes, I know about your little trips.” The bastard was egging her on, trying to get a reaction just like he did with Tyler when my brother punched him.
“There’s no shame in reaching out for help. And I certainly needed it.” She turned to look at me, and I recognized that glance. She was telling me to remain calm. My cousin was about to turn the tables completely, and while I had no idea what she planned to do, I knew it would be epic. Reese only did epic.
She took a deep breath, looking at Ashburn and then finally at Malcolm.
“This is what we’re going to do,” she said, taking out her phone.
"What are you doing?" Malcolm asked.
“I’m calling the reporter who's been bugging me most about our breakup. FromVogue. I believe they offered the most money for my story, and I’m going to take it. I’ll give the interview myself and donate the money to charity.”
I blinked, straightening in my chair.Fucking hell. She thought she’d drop this bomb and I’d stay calm?
“Reese, do you want to talk about it first?” I asked.
"No, no, I've got it," she said, holding up a finger to me. Her hand was shaking a bit. She had her phone in the other hand while she looked straight at Malcolm. “You think you can hold this shit over my head my whole life and somehow make my family pay for it? You're delusional. Yes, it is important to me to keep the family name pristine.” Her voice broke, but she didn’t stop, merely took a deep breath. “Of course I’ve always wanted to honor it, which you know. But I'm not going to give you any opportunity to hurt my family by giving your twisted version of the story.” Reese paused again, sat straighter in her chair, and leaned closer to the table. “You want to make money. You find a goddamn job.”
Bam!The look on her ex’s face was priceless. It was all I could do to hold back my laughter.
“Ihada job. You took it from me,” he said through gritted teeth.
“And now I'm going to take this opportunity for you to make very easy money on the Maxwell name away from you too. Revenge is a bitch, isn’t it, Malcom?” Reese sneered.
“I can always reply to your interview. You can’t stop me from giving my side.”
Reese laughed. Her hand was shaking even more, but she had Malcolm by the balls. “Yes, you can. That's your right. You know how much you'll get paid for that? Nothing. Because you’renobody. It’s the Maxwell name and story they all want, and you know it.” Although I loved her bravado, as a lawyer, I did think Malcolm could find someone to give him something in exchange for his version of their breakup. But she was right—it would be very little once she got the story out there first.
She pressed two keys on her phone before putting it to her ear.
Malcolm rose to his feet. "Reese!"
Ashburn rose too, putting a hand on his shoulder. “Stay calm.”
“What the fuck? What is she doing?”
He advanced as if he were coming over to Reese, but I stepped to one side, right between them.
“Don’t come any fucking closer.”
“Stop her,” Malcolm said. “Stop?—”
"Hey, Vanessa," Reese said, "it's Reese Maxwell. You've contacted me several times. Okay, good. You know who I am.” The smirk she gave Malcolm was priceless. “Look, I know I've told you I have no interest in giving you an interview regarding the cancellation of my wedding, but I've changed my mind. I'm ready to give that interview. I can do it today. In fact, I’ll be wrapping up what I’m doing now in less than half an hour. I can meet you afterward if you can accommodate me.” After a few seconds of silence, she added, “Brilliant. Thank you. I’m on LaSalle. Yes, I know where the coffee shop is. I’ll lay it all out,and I'll be especially grateful if you can publish it in the very next edition.”
The woman on the phone said something more, and Reese smiled.
“Oh, you can publish it online first. That's even better. That way, everyone will know.” She ended the call the next second. “Seems like we have a plan.”
She was shaking imperceptibly. I stepped next to her, putting a hand on her back to comfort her.
“So Vanessa will take my interview. They’ll have a teaser onlinetoday. And for everyone who wants to read the whole story, they have to buy the next edition. And you, Malcolm, can give whatever the fuck reply you want. You'll earn pennies at best, and you know why? Becauseno onecares about what you have to say.” Her emphasis and delivery were impeccable and had Malcom seeing red.
Epic.
She turned to me and said, “I'll be waiting for you outside.”
