When Summer Lowell initially chose this apartment, it was because she was fond of the good lighting in the living room.
At this moment, a large amount of sunlight streamed into the living room, and on the large sofa in the center, a back was facing her, sitting there flipping through a newspaper.
Summer's heart skipped a beat.
It was a back she was extremely familiar with.
So familiar that her heart raced at the sight of it.
How could he be here?
And he has the audacity to drink coffee?
Before Summer could react, the figure in the distance moved.
"Awake?" Maxim Sinclair folded the newspaper in his hand, set it aside, got up, and walked around the sofa toward her.
"Good morning, Director Lowell!"
Summer took a step back, staring at him warily, "How did you get here?"
"You drank a lot last night. Does your head hurt?" Maxim's tone was gentle, but Summer felt nothing but chills.
If even her own refuge wasn't safe, where could she hide?
Maxim lightly frowned, "Why aren't you speaking? You look exhausted. I ordered breakfast and a hangover soup for you. Don't drink so much next time; it's bad for your health."
Summer stepped back again, staring at him perplexedly, not forgetting to grab a baseball bat and point it at him, "Stay right there, don't come any closer. I asked how you got my house key. Do you know your actions are illegal? How did you get in here?"
"Why are you so nervous?"
Unfortunately, the baseball bat in her hand was useless against him.
Maxim approached with a smile at the corner of his eye, stopping two steps away from Summer, his voice gentle, "As for how I got in, of course, I opened the door and walked right in."
"Why do you have my house key?"
While Summer spoke, she searched for her phone with the corner of her eye, planning to call the police if things went south.
"You're asking too many questions; I don't want to answer."
Maxim saw through her intent, stopped advancing, turned to the floor-to-ceiling window, and after gazing at the view outside, said, "I must say, you have a good eye for picking apartments. The lighting here is indeed nice."
Summer didn't take pleasure in his praise, her expression turning even darker, "Did you steal my keys?"
Before Maxim could respond, Summer's heart sank.
Sure enough, Maxim turned his head from the window and looked at her, his face full of mockery, "You talk about stealing in front of me? When it comes to stealing, I think you have more experience, don't you?"
Once again, the conversation hit a dead end.
Summer didn't want to entangle herself with him on this issue, averting her face, and abruptly changing the subject, "If you need something from me, you can just call me. I would naturally meet you. There's no need for illegal tactics like this."
"But I just so happen to enjoy this method. What can you do about it?" Maxim observed that she was showing signs of anger and intentionally provoked her.
"I'm telling you, if you dare do this again, I'll call the police. You know that your actions are considered trespassing." Summer warned him sternly, unwilling to engage in idle banter.
"Calling the police?" Maxim slowly shoved his hands in his pockets and walked closer step by step, his shiny leather shoes tapping on the wooden floor, echoing in Summer's heart with each step, "How interesting."
Summer retreated several steps, avoiding him, "I'm serious, don't mess around. There's a police station less than 500 meters away."
"Go ahead, call them now. Between the two of us, who do you think is more afraid of meeting the police?" Maxim stopped, leisurely taking a folder from the table next to him, showing it to Summer, "Open your pretty eyes wide and take a good look at the contents of this document."
A bad premonition rose in Summer's heart. Taking advantage of Maxim's inattention, she quickly snatched the folder away.
Maxim leisurely straightened the slightly messy cuffs of his shirt, "No need to rush. Even if you burn it now, it's useless. How could I possibly show you the original?"
"What do you mean?"
Summer's fingers tightly clenched the document, revealing its contents: evidence of her stealing secrets while working as Maxim's secretary.
"What do I mean? I'm simply showing you what you did, commercial espionage? Oh, and by the way, I have a friend who works at the police station. It seems he's looking for an opportunity to make a merit and get a promotion."
Summer crumpled the paper into a ball, throwing it aside, facing him grimly, "Just say it, what do you really want?"
As she spoke, Summer took a few steps and grabbed Maxim by the tie, pulling him close to her face, "Maxim Sinclair, since you have such evidence, why don't you just go to court and sue me? If you hate me so much, hire a lawyer and send me to jail. Wouldn't that satisfy you?"
Maxim's eyes flicked to Summer's bare feet, calmly reminding her, "Put on some shoes; your health isn't good. Take care not to catch a cold."
"Stop pretending in front of me," Summer released him, walked to the entrance, and put on her slippers, then looked at him fiercely, "Doesn't your company have a legal team? Let them sue me then!"
As she spoke, Summer laughed at herself, closing her eyes and chuckling lowly.
She truly had enough.
She would rather go to jail now than have the elusive Maxim Sinclair appear before her time and again.
The wall around her heart that she had struggled to build, she didn't want it destroyed so easily.
Maxim, however, maintained his composure, watching her until she finally finished speaking. Then he leaned in close, whispering in her ear, "Doing as you suggest would be too easy. I much prefer seeing you in constant fear."
"You're insane!"
"Well said," Maxim clapped his hands lightly, "You just realized I'm crazy? What, do you regret provoking me back then?"
"I, Summer Lowell, never regret anything I've done." Summer looked at him resolutely, suddenly turning and picking up the phone, dialing the police, "I surrender. Are you satisfied now?"
The next moment, Maxim swiftly grabbed the phone and violently smashed it aside.
The phone hit the wall with a "bang," shattering into pieces.
"Are you calling to surrender or to report my trespassing?"
"Maxim Sinclair, can you let go of what happened back then? I admit, I did wrong by you. So call the police. I'm willing to pay for my actions from back then."
"Wishful thinking." Maxim took a sudden step forward, pressing down on Summer, gripping her jaw, "Inflicting such a price is too boring. You tricked me back then, and I won't let it slide."
"Then what do you want?" Summer struggled to break free.
"What will I do?"
Maxim leaned close to her ear, enunciating softly, "I'll crush what you hold dear, bit by bit. Then I'll watch as you cry and beg for my forgiveness, Summer. We have plenty of time ahead."