?Chapter 126:


    The woman’s heart skipped a beat.


    With a slow, seductive sway, she strutted over, halting before him. Tossing her hair over one shoulder, she purred, “Hey, gorgeous. Smoking alone? Need somepany?”


    Her delicate fingers brushed his arm, her body leaning forward with practiced allure.


    Chris’ gaze sharpened briefly with contempt.


    Just then, out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of a familiar figure. With a slight shrug of his shoulder, he shook off the woman’s hand. In one swift motion, he sidestepped, leaving the woman leaning forward into empty space. Startled, she gawked at him.


    He coolly dusted off the spot she had touched, as if ridding himself of something unpleasant.


    Smirking faintly, he said, “Apologies, my wife’s arrived.”


    And with that, he strolled away, leaving the woman frozen, mouth agape.


    Across the room, Maia exited a private suite, ncing casually toward a nearby corner where a man and a woman seemed engrossed in a close exchange. Such scenes were a dime a dozen here; she barely registered it.


    Just as she turned to leave, a towering figure abruptly blocked her way. Before she could react, he grasped her hand firmly.


    Startled, Maia lifted her head — and met Chris’ piercing gaze.


    “Chris? What are you doing here?” she gasped, her shock slipping out unchecked. Suspicion prickled as she peered past him.


    Sure enough, the man she had noticed earlier had disappeared; the woman remained, glowering at her like a jilted lover.


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    Maia stammered, flicking her eyes back to Chris. “Did I interrupt something?”


    The question escaped before she could swallow it back.


    Chris had long been known for his flirtatious ways, so it wasn’t surprising to see him casually charming others.


    However, now that they were officially bound by marriage, even if merely in a technical sense, they were recognized as husband and wife.


    Her inquiry could easily be taken the wrong way.


    Chris, naturally, picked up on her true intent. Arching a brow, heced his fingers through hers, their palms joining in a firm grip. Shifting his attention back to the other woman, he tipped his chin with a slight air of satisfaction and dered, “See? I’m not by myself. My wife is right here.”


    His voice held a subtle arrogance, as though proudly unting his status. It also carried the unspoken message that he had no ties to the woman before them.


    Maia’s face warmed unexpectedly at the public deration.


    Then Chris’ rich, velvet tone dipped low, a teasing murmur reaching her ears. “She wouldn’t leave me alone. Lucky you came.”


    The woman before them scoffed with annoyance. How could a man so striking already be imed? Still, if given the opportunity, she wouldn’t have minded his marital status. Watching him boast so openly, though, was salt poured into a fresh wound.


    Flushed with humiliation, she pivoted sharply and marched away.


    Maia began hesitantly, but he dropped his gaze to her, his dark eyes sparkling under the ambient lighting with a mesmerizing intensity.


    “Were you nning to meet someone here?” he asked.


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