My Clingy CEO Husband

###Chapter 15: I Heard You Were Looking for Me

Ethan Hawthorne’s breath brushed across her forehead, carrying an intense, aggressive quality.

Maxine Rhodes took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down once again.

She raised her hand, her fingertips professionally pressing against his tense biceps. They then slid down to feel his abs. ’Hmm... they feel amazing,’ she thought.

"Significant increase in muscle mass, clear definition, and a well-controlled body fat percentage."

She offered her objective evaluation, then looked up to meet his deep gaze, the corners of her lips curling into a smile. "It seems Mr. Hawthorne’s personal trainer is very effective. The money wasn’t wasted. I suggest you keep it up."

Ethan Hawthorne watched her seriously assessing his muscles. ’I wonder if this seduction tactic I read about online is actually working...’ he mused.

He abruptly straightened up, putting distance between them. "Mrs. Hawthorne is quite the professional."

His tone was filled with unconcealable frustration. "I’m going to take a shower."

As the sound of running water soon trickled from the bathroom, Maxine Rhodes finally let out a slow breath.

She relaxed into the sofa and picked up a financial magazine, but her fingertips were still slightly hot.

’I have to admit, Ethan Hawthorne’s results are certainly visually striking,’ she thought.

But did he think a little eye candy was enough to disrupt her career ambitions?

’Hmph. Not even close.’

Ever since they parted on bad terms at the coffee shop, Benjamin Sterling hadn’t given up. On the contrary, he had intensified his harassment of Susie Summers.

He was like a drowning man now, with Maxine Rhodes being the only piece of driftwood in his eyes. Susie had become the only path he could grab onto to reach that driftwood.

Day one.

Benjamin Sterling: [Susie, my attitude was bad yesterday. Can we talk again? Just for ten minutes.]

After reading it, Susie Summers tossed her phone aside and complained to Maxine Rhodes, "See? I told you he’d come crawling back."

Day two.

Benjamin Sterling’s call came in. Susie hung up immediately. He switched to sending a WeChat voice message, his tone filled with suppressed anxiety: [Susie, I’m begging you! Just help me get Maxine to meet with me. Just once! I’ll never bother you again after this!]

Susie replied with a [Smile] emoji sticker.

Day three.

Benjamin Sterling’s messages started to take on a threatening tone: [Susie, don’t force me to come to your shop! You know I’m capable of anything right now!]

Susie took a screenshot of the message and sent it directly to Maxine Rhodes: [This rabid dog is starting to bite.]

Maxine Rhodes: [Let him stew for another day. The time is almost right.]

On the evening of the fourth day.

As Susie’s dessert shop was preparing to close, Benjamin Sterling showed up at her door, just as expected.

He looked haggard and worn out, with dark circles under his eyes. Even his expensive suit was wrinkled.

"Susie!" he blocked the doorway, his voice hoarse. "What will it take for you to help me?"

Susie crossed her arms, slowly looking him up and down. "Benjamin Sterling, look at the state you’re in. What makes you think you’re worthy of our Max?"

"Yes, yes, you’re right, I’m not worthy!" Benjamin Sterling yielded almost instantly, his tone pleading. "But I really need to see her, just once. I was wrong about what happened before. The company... the company can’t wait any longer! Please, just do me this favor and help me arrange a meeting. I promise I’ll disappear afterward!"

Susie watched his pathetic, groveling display, sneering inwardly while pretending to hesitate. "...And you really promise you won’t harass me anymore?"

"I promise! As long as she agrees to see me this one time!" Benjamin Sterling said hurriedly, as if he’d just seen a glimmer of hope.

Susie gave a reluctant nod. "Alright, since you seem so sincere. I’ll try, but I can’t guarantee she’ll agree to see you."

After Benjamin Sterling left, profusely thanking her, Susie immediately messaged Maxine Rhodes: [The fish has taken the bait completely. It’s about to die from being out of water. Just waiting for you to reel it in.]

Maxine Rhodes’s reply was swift: [Understood. Tell him, 9 AM tomorrow, at the company.]

She put down her phone and looked out at the brilliant city neons, a confident, determined smile forming on her lips.

「The next day, at 8:50 AM.」

The receptionist at the Sterling Enterprises headquarters was listlessly trimming her nails. The entire office was permeated with a depressing, dead atmosphere.

The shadow of a broken capital chain loomed over everyone, making even the air feel exceptionally heavy.

Just then, the DING of an elevator door broke the silence.

A slender and capable figure strode out.

Maxine Rhodes wore a sharp skirt suit, its perfect tailoring accentuating her confident, upright posture.

Her makeup was exquisite, her gaze sharp. Every step she took was steady and powerful, her high heels clicking against the marble floor.

The young receptionist was the first to react. Her nail clippers fell onto the desk with a CLATTER. She shot to her feet, her voice trembling with excitement. "Max... Maxine?!"

Her voice was like a stone dropped into a calm lake.

The once-dead office was instantly set ablaze with energy!

"It’s Maxine! Maxine’s back!!"

"Oh my god! It’s really her!"

"This is great! The company is saved!"

The veteran employees also rose from their workstations one after another, their faces filled with surprise and hope, as if they were looking at their savior.

They knew all too well how glorious the company had been when Maxine Rhodes was around, and how it had been driven step by step toward ruin in Benjamin Sterling’s hands.

Maxine Rhodes’s number one fan, Coco, rushed over, her voice filled with excitement. "My queen!!! You’re finally back!! I knew you wouldn’t abandon me!"

At the same time, Bubbles lunged forward. "Max Darling, I’ve missed you to death~"

Maxine Rhodes sidestepped his embrace, having anticipated it.

Her gaze swept across the familiar, expectant faces. She gave a steady nod, her voice clear and strong. "I’m back. From now on, everything will get back on track."

Her tone, filled with undeniable confidence, instantly soothed everyone’s unease.

Just then, the door to the president’s office was yanked open.

Benjamin Sterling stood in the doorway, staring at Maxine Rhodes, who was surrounded by the crowd and radiating brilliance.

Maxine Rhodes walked straight toward him, her red lips curving into a smile. "President Sterling, long time no see. I heard you were looking for me everywhere?"

"Maxine..."

He squeezed out what he thought was an affectionate expression. "You’re finally here. I’ve really missed you."

Maxine Rhodes couldn’t even be bothered to look at him, walking straight into the office and sitting down. "Benjamin Sterling, cut the hypocritical act and let’s get down to business."

Benjamin Sterling’s face stiffened. Suppressing his displeasure, he followed her in and closed the door.

"I know I was in the wrong before."

He tried to take Maxine Rhodes’s hand, but she coldly evaded him. "But when you broke up with me, I was truly heartbroken. This company is your baby too, after all. You couldn’t bear to see it go under, right?"

Just then, Rose Joyce walked in carrying coffee, a fake smile plastered on her face. "Maxine, it’s so great that you’re back. I was being immature before. Please don’t hold it against me."

Maxine Rhodes gave her a cool glance. "You’re right, Miss Joyce, you are very immature. But right now, please get out. We need to discuss business."

The smile on Rose Joyce’s face froze instantly. She looked at Benjamin Sterling, aggrieved.

Seeing that Benjamin Sterling made no move to defend her, she could only grit her teeth and retreat.

"Maxine, look..." Benjamin Sterling continued to feign a heartbroken expression. "We were together for five years, after all..."

"Feelings?" Maxine Rhodes let out a soft laugh. "Benjamin Sterling, I didn’t come back to talk about feelings. If you want to talk, show some sincerity. Otherwise, I’m leaving right now."

She made a move to stand, and Benjamin Sterling instantly panicked. "Don’t! You talk. Whatever you say."

Maxine Rhodes’s expression was cold. "As a matter of fact, I do have a way."*****