?Chapter 161:


    As these thoughts swirled in her head, Maia felt a sudden dryness in her throat and reached for her water cup, only to find it missing. Instead, the cup was in another’s grasp.


    Looking up, Maia caught Chris drinking from it, his throat moving smoothly as he downed the water in a single gulp.


    Startled, Maia eximed, “Hey, that’s my water—”


    Chris ced the cup down, his lips curving into a slight smile. “Sorry, I didn’t realize,” he remarked casually.


    His eyes then settled on Maia with a trace of reproach, causing her to shift ufortably under his scrutiny.


    Chris moved closer, his tone light yet pointed. “I was outside on a call earlier. It seems you had quite the chat with Vincenzo?”


    Fearing a misunderstanding due to the online frenzy, Maia quickly exined, “Have you seen thetest online? There’s nothing between me and Vincenzo. It’s all sorted out now. Someone uploaded a video from that day. Here, let me show you,” she insisted, reaching for her phone to pull up the video.


    Maia straightened her posture and quickly pulled out her phone, determined to find the video for Chris to see.


    Chris found her earnestness mildly amusing. After all, he had been there himself and had arranged for the video’s restoration. Of course, he knew the details of her interaction with Vincenzo.


    Yet, even with all the facts, Chris felt a sting of irritation as a husband. That day, Maia had been so absorbed in her discussion with Vincenzo that she hadpletely overlooked Chris.


    Chris’s expression grew serious as he told her directly, “Maia, I’m your husband. Isn’t it inappropriate for you to engage so freely with another man, especially in my presence?”


    Taken aback by his words, Maia met his intense gaze. Could it be that Chris was feeling jealous?


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    The thought barely formed before Maia gave her head a firm shake. They had only just gotten to know each other. There was no way Chris felt anything for her — much less jealousy.


    Still, even if their marriage was nothing more than a paper agreement, they were technically husband and wife. She had been so wrapped up in chatting with Vincenzo earlier that she hadn’t spared Chris a second nce, probably making him feel left out and invisible. That was careless.


    Now that the whole inte was buzzing with rumors, it was no wonder he seemed upset.


    With that in mind, Maia raised her eyes and said earnestly, “Mr. Cooper, I’m sorry. I didn’t think about how you might feel.”


    Chris stiffened, caught off guard by her apology.


    When he stayed silent, Maia assumed that the damage ran deeper than she thought. After a beat of hesitation, she decided to try and smooth things over. “It really was thoughtless of me. Let’s do this — I’ll treat you to dinner tomorrow to make up for it. Deal?”


    One eyebrow lifted slightly as Chris met her gaze, a mischievous sparkle lighting his eyes. “Don’t forget, you already owe me a meal. With this apology dinner, that’s two.”


    Holding up three fingers in mock seriousness, Maia grinned. “Actually, it’s three. Remember L’Auréole? You treated me then too. That counts.”


    Without warning, Chris’ gaze shifted, darkening with something she could not quite name. Before she could react, he reached out and caught her raised fingers. With a gentle but deliberate pull, Maia lost her bnce and stumbled straight into him.


    There was barely any space left between them — no more than two inches — and the soft hush of their breathing tangled together.


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