?Chapter 147:


    Chris chuckled lightly through the phone and said, “Then let’s eat together. I haven’t had anything either. Where are you? I’ll swing by and pick you up.”


    Trying to sound casual, Maia teased, “Aren’t you supposed to be driving your boss around today?”


    “The boss has a lunch meeting with an important client. It’s likely to runte, so I have some free time.” His voice held a rxed charm. “The real question, Miss Watson, is whether you’ll do me the honor of dining with me, your legally married husband?”


    Thatst bit carried a yful whine, as if he was using her of neglect. Caught off guard, Maia cleared her throat and responded with a small sigh, “I’ll send you the address.”


    Less than fifteen minutester, a cab rolled up to the curb, and Chris leaned out the open window. His arm restedzily along the frame, muscles taut and rxed all at once. With a tilt of his head, he said, “Get in.”


    Without a word, Maia slipped into the seat, making sure to leave a polite gap between them.


    Chris caught the move but said nothing, though the corner of his mouth lifted in quiet amusement.


    The ride was short, and the cab soon pulled up in front of a restaurant. A nce at the sign made Maia blink in surprise. It was a three-star establishment, famous for its award-winning chefs and sky-high prices.


    Given Chris’s job chauffeuring his boss around, she doubted his paycheck left much room for fine dining. Yet he acted like treating himself to luxury meals was no big deal. No wonder people gossiped about him being carefree and a little reckless with money.


    Still, the thought of owing him weighed on her mind. She had promised to treat him once, and today seemed as good a day as any to settle the debt.


    Choosing a cozy table by the window, they settled in as the restaurant’s soft lighting cast a warm glow over everything. A gentle melody floated through the room, courtesy of a live pianist tucked away in the corner.


    Your next chapter is here gα?ησν???s


    Paired with the quiet murmur of diners and the asional clink of cutlery, the music created a peaceful, almost dreamlike atmosphere.


    After handing his menu back to the waiter, Chris leaned in and chuckled lightly. “We should call this a celebration.”


    Eyebrows lifting in confusion, Maia asked, “A celebration?”


    “You, Miss Watson, just hit a million followers. That calls for a toast,” Chris said, lifting his ss with a glint in his eye.


    A wry smile tugged at Maia’s lips as she caught his meaning.


    Of course he had seen the chaos online. Honestly, with how the drama had exploded, it would have been a miracle if he had missed it. She was probably trending by now. With a light clink, she tapped her ss against his.


    “Thanks,” she said quietly, though her mind was already racing. For a moment, she simply watched him. The way the soft light spilled across his sharp features made her heart give an uneasy flutter.


    After a brief pause, she finally asked, “Chris, do you have any idea why Cooper Group suddenly spoke up for me?”


    For a moment, a shadow passed across his face.


    With an indifferent shrug, he replied, “Who knows what goes through Cooper Group’s head? Maybe they were just bored and decided to get involved.”


    Doubt flickered through Maia as she caught the dismissiveness in his voice. There was no way Cooper Group acted on random whims. Their te was always full—there was no reason they would dive into someone else’s mess without a solid motive.


    Since Chris offered nothing more, she tucked the question away. It was enough to confirm her gut feeling—it had nothing to do with him.


    .


    .


    .