252: Unexpected Rescue Mission

In what could have been a scene straight out of a melodramatic action movie, Maxwell found himself playing the unlikely hero in a rescue operation that was never on his day's agenda. "Note to self," he mused as he dashed up the stairs, "next time, include 'impromptu heroics' in the schedule." Arriving at the hotel, Maxwell's celebrity status took a back seat to his role as an overprotective brother. "Who needs paparazzi when you've got kidnappers for fans?" he quipped, spotting the suspicious duo from afar. The sight of Alex, Emma's infamous ex, playing the role of kidnapper was enough to send Maxwell into action-star mode—minus the stunt double. Maxwell's agent, usually more accustomed to handling schedules and public appearances, found himself in the midst of a crisis management scenario that no PR training could have prepared him for. "Great, I'll add 'key-fetching' to my resume. Right after 'unlicensed detective' and 'amateur negotiator.'" With the room key finally i