hapter 449 Odd Sensation


    Tess looked puzzled.


    That brief hesitation was all it took to ignite something in Max.


    50


    +10 Free Coins


    “Tess, you really misunderstood me. Back then, you pointed the finger at me because I benefited the most a year ago. But I swear, I was innocent.”


    “Then, tell me–who was actually guilty?”


    Tess fixed Max with a searching stare.


    Max met her eyes; he knew she was probing, but he took a breath and said slowly, “Nadine.


    Tess’s fingers tightened on her fork.


    “You sure?”


    “Yeah.” Max showed no hint of lying–calm, almost fatalistic.


    He lifted his gaze to hers. “Raven should’ve pulled the surveince footage by now, right?”


    At those words, Tess mmed her fork down on the table.


    She looked


    up,


    sudden and sharp. “What do you mean?”


    Max smiled faintly. “The footage from a year ago–if even Finn couldn’t find it, how could you have tracked it down so easily?”


    “So you nted that clue on purpose? Why give it to me?”


    Tess watched him warily, trying to read whatever scheme he had tucked away.


    “Tess, you can rx around me. I want to help you. This isn’t some ploy to win you over–just don’t keep shutting me out.”


    Max’s voice was earnest; those warm, moonlit eyes made his words feel like heat on her chest.


    But Tess’s skin crawled.


    <i>Gross</i><i>. </i>


    If she didn’t already suspect Max had a hand inst year’s mess–if she didn’t suspect he and


    <b>19:51 Thu</b>, Nov <b>6 </b>


    Chapter 449 Odd Sensation


    Nadine might both be involved–she could’ve been fooled by this show of feeling.


    (50)


    +10 Free Coins


    “If you say you love me, and you have that surveince on hand, why let Nadine frame me?”


    Tess watched him hard, and sure enough, she saw his expression crack for a split second.


    “Tess, I did try. But back then, everyone knew I was close to you, and Finn always resented me. They never gave me a chance to bring proof. I exhausted myself trying <i>to </i>help, and in the end, you still went to prison.”


    Regret spread across Max’s face.


    Hearing him–watching him–made Tess feel like the world inside her turned over.


    <i>Hypocrite</i>.


    “You showed up and aren’t touching your food … ” Max said, lowering his eyes; for a beat, he looked mournful, then perked up and added, “If that dish doesn’t suit you, I’ll have them bring <i>a </i>fruit wine.”


    He was trying to change the subject.


    Tess offered a half–smile but didn’t engage. “Fine. I heard this ce has a new cherry wine.”


    “I’ll get it.‘”


    Max didn’t hesitate; he called a server and specifically asked for a low–alcohol option.


    Thoughtful–yet the man in front of her was far from the big brother she’d once known.


    Tess turned her gaze out to theke.


    Kenobi Lake Residence–the ce was named for the round mirror–likeke outside the window.


    Night wasing; the sunset faded, and golden ribbons spread over the water, still glittering.


    Tess stared and felt oddly detached.


    “Miss, your low–proof cherry wine.”


    The drink arrived quickly; Max helped set a straw in the ss and pushed it toward her.


    “Try it.”


    19:51 <b>Thu</b>, Nov <b>6 </b>


    Chapter 449 Odd Sensation


    Under his eager look, Tess studied the wine.


    It was a deep red–she couldn’t help but think of blood.


    She frowned; something about the ss set her on edge.


    “What’s wrong?”


    She hesitated, and Max, concerned, urged, “It’s warm out–drink before it melts.”


    Tess hesitated, then took a sip.


    The cherry was bold and weirdly intense; the chilled fruit juice was oddly refreshing.


    She took another sip, then set it down.


    “How is it?”


    Max nced at the ss, then back at her.


    “Not bad.”


    ? ?


    50


    +10 Free Coins


    Tess gave a perfunctory answer, grabbed her bag, and stood. “I’ve had my drink. I’ll be going


    now.”


    Max didn’t stop her; he stayed seated. “Alright.”


    Tess rose quickly–maybe she’d sat too long–shadows seemed to blur in front of her for a


    moment.


    She blinked and the dizziness passed.


    She chalked it up to a moment of low blood pressure and walked out briskly.


    Halfway to the door, she had to steady herself against the frame.


    She rubbed her temple; the room felt oddly tilted.


    Her first thought went straight to that ss of cherry wine.


    Sara Lili


    <strong>Sara Lili</strong> is a daring romance writer who turns icyndscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of d’s breathtaking cold.