<h4>Chapter 408: Chapter 408 Hidden Agendas</h4>


    Author’s pov


    Cecilia’s lips curved into a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. She clearly saw through Maggie’s act.


    Maggie’s perfect mask cracked for half a second. Hershes fluttered, her smile stiffened, and that tiny slip was enough to ripple through the room.


    A few people pressed their lips together, trying not tough.


    Martha didn’t even bother hiding her amusement; she let out a deep, genuineugh that bounced off the high ceiling, sharp as crystal.


    The sound made Maggie’s expression freezepletely.


    But years of social training kicked in. In the blink of an eye, she smoothed her face again, her tone syrupy and calm.


    "Cecilia, I truly apologize for my behavior, "she said, voice trembling just enough to sound heartfelt. "I misjudged both Zane and you terribly. I was foolish and wrong. Thank goodness everything has been cleared up now. Cecilia, wee home ! "


    Every word was identical to what she’d said before, only this time sheyered on even more emotion.


    Her voice broke at all the right moments, her eyes glistening with practiced tears.


    Zane’s expression softened immediately, his gaze filling with sympathy.He reached for her hand like someone desperate to believe in redemption.


    It was almost painful to watch.


    Cecilia stayed rxed, still leaning lightly against Alpha Sebastian’s shoulder.


    Her eyes never left Maggie.


    "Is a verbal wee all you’re offering ? "she asked, her tone easy, almost yful, though the steel underneath was unmistakable.


    Alpha Sebastian didn’t move, his calm presence a silent anchor beside her. His expression was unreadable, but his attention never wavered. He looked like a man watching a chessboard, waiting to see the other yer’s next mistake.


    Maggie blinked, caught off guard by the question.


    For a split second, her practicedposure faltered. But she recovered quickly, forcing a smallugh.


    "Of course not, "she said smoothly. "While checking on your sister, I had the staff prepare the best guest room on the second floor for you tonight.


    Next week, I’ll personally host a wee reception to announce to all of Denver that the Locke heiress has returned. "


    Her voice softened as she said, "Tomorrow morning, I’ll go to the cemetery in the east district. I want to tell Reba that I’ll take good care of her daughter. "


    She lowered her head, and tears shimmered before slipping down her cheek.


    It was a perfect act, almost like a movie scene.


    The room, however, wasn’t buying it.


    A wave of quiet disgust rolled through the crowd.


    Only Zane looked moved, his hand tightening around hers in miscedpassion.


    Maggie dabbed her eyes with ace handkerchief, taking a shaky breath before continuing.


    "Cecilia, I know you might hate me or think I’m being insincere, but please... give me a chance. Let Zane and me make things right. "Her voice trembled just enough to sound fragile.


    Across the room, the Cole patriarch and Luna Regina shared a look that said what everyone was thinking.


    The act was disgusting.


    For the woman who caused Reba’s death to stand here crying in front of her daughter was not just shameless, it was cruel.


    Martha’s earlier amusement had vanished, reced by a hard, cold stare. Even the air seemed to chill.


    Cecilia straightened slowly, pulling away from Alpha Sebastian’s shoulder.


    The teasing smile faded from her lips, reced by something quieter, sadder.


    When she finally spoke, her voice was calm, but it carried an edge that cut through the room.


    "You’re being so kind to me, "she said softly. "I’d be ungrateful to reject such heartfelt words. But considering you killed my mother and brother, pretending there’s no resentment would be... dishonest, wouldn’t it ? "


    The silence that followed was suffocating.


    Maggie’s tears froze mid-fall. Zane’s hand slipped from hers.


    "So I’ll be honest, "Cecilia continued. "I have one request. It might sound a little much, but your sincerity has given me the courage to say it. After all, you wouldn’t refuse me after such a touching apology... right ? "


    She leaned forward slightly, her eyes bright and earnest, her tone deceptively gentle. "You’ll grant me this, won’t you ? "


    Her gaze moved between Maggie and Zane, open and expectant, like a child asking for something simple.


    But the tension in the room was anything but simple. No one breathed. Even the chandelier light seemed to dim.


    Maggie’s fingers curled tightly against her dress, knuckles white.


    A cold ripple ran through her, the faint smile slipping as dread crept into her eyes. She could feel the trap closing but couldn’t find a way out.


    When Maggie said nothing, Cecilia tilted her head, her voice soft but cutting.


    "You can’t ? Were all those beautiful words just empty promises ? "


    Their eyes met. Cecilia was calm and steady, while Maggie trembled behind her mask. The silence was so heavy it felt like the room might crack under it.


    Suddenly, Maggie pressed a hand against her chest, her breathing short and uneven.


    Before she could speak, Cecilia’s voice cut through the tension, calm and sharp. "Don’t tell me you’re suddenly feeling unwell and need to leave. I guess all those heartfelt words were just for show after all. "


    "I wasn’t lying, "Maggie said quickly, her voice trembling with practiced fragility. "But I really don’t feel well right now. Can we talk about this another time ? "


    Cecilia’s expression softened just enough to look hurt, her tone trembling with quiet disappointment. "Why keep pretending ? I was foolish to think a stepmother could ever be sincere. "


    It wasn’t a real usation. It was bait, set on purpose, and the reaction came just as Cecilia expected.


    "Cecilia, please don’t say that, "Zane burst out, his tone pleading. "Whatever you want, I’ll agree. Just tell me what it is. "


    A flicker of disbelief crossed Maggie’s face. Her husband’s eagerness to submit had caught even her off guard. For a moment, she simply stared, stunned into silence.


    Cecilia didn’t look at Zane. Her gaze stayed locked on Maggie. "Does he speak for you too ? "


    Maggie’s jaw tightened, her teeth almost grinding together.


    She forced her voice to stay calm. "Of course your father’s word counts, "she said with a strained smile. "Go ahead and ask. Even if you wanted me gone, or worse, I wouldn’t say no. "


    The words dripped with false martyrdom, and Zane fell right into the trap. He squeezed her hand protectively, his face full of guilt. "If anyone’s to me, it’s me, "he said. "Whatever Cecilia asks, we’ll face it together. "


    Cecilia blinked, momentarily speechless.


    Around the room, several people exchanged looks of disbelief and awkward sympathy. The whole scene felt like something out of a cheap soap opera.