?Chapter 178:


    Maia was a little taken aback that Chris had managed to find such fresh ingredients at such ate hour.


    Chris gave a crooked smile and said, “After grinding away for years, I’ve built a few connections. The supermarket manager’s an old buddy of mine.”


    Truth be told, the food had actually been sourced from the best restaurant in Wront, freshly picked or butchered that very morning, then flown over in cold storage.


    While Maia bustled around the kitchen, Elvira imed she was lending a hand but didn’t so much as lift a spoon. She was never the type to get her hands dirty with kitchen work.


    Chris offered more than once to pitch in, but Maia turned him down every time. In the end, he could only retreat to the living room and sprawl out on the sofa.


    Elvira shot a quick nce at the tall, easygoing man stretched out on the sofa. Then she leaned in toward Maia, gave her a little nudge, and whispered, “Maia…”


    “Since Chris lives next door, have you ever caught sight of his girlfriend? Does he swap girlfriends often?”


    Maia’s knife froze in mid-air for a moment, but she answered smoothly, “I have no idea. He lent me a hand once, but we hardly talk.”


    Elvira raised an eyebrow but chose not to dig any deeper. Instead, she moved even closer and whispered sharply into Maia’s ear, “Listen, you need to steer clear of that guy. He’s bad news. Think about it—what kind of man has the nerve to invite another woman over for dinner when his girlfriend’s out of town? I only asked him tonight to see what he’d do, and look—he showed up without blinking!”


    Elvira folded her arms across her chest, convinced she was only looking out for Maia. “Do you know the gossip about Chris around Wront? People say he’s just a pretty face drifting through life. Doesn’t even have a steady job.”


    Thinking of the private investigator’s report, Elvira added, “Word is, he switches women like most people change shirts. Don’t be fooled by that handsome face. Trust me, the better a guy looks, the more trouble he’s likely to be!”


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    Maia hesitated for a moment before ncing over at Chris, who was still lounging in the living room, casually tapping away on his phone. He was sprawled out on the sofa, his long legs stretched in front of him. Under the soft glow of the lights, the sharp angles of his face and the perfect cut of his features looked almost unreal—like a dreame to life.


    She had to admit, Chris had the kind of looks that could make any woman lose her head.


    There were moments when even she found her mind drifting without meaning to.


    But Maia understood very clearly what stood between her and Chris. She also knew deep down that a man like him—dangerous and tempting—was trouble she couldn’t afford to invite into her life.


    That was exactly why she had always kept him at arm’s length. A slight stiffness crossed Maia’s face as she remembered the half-meaningful things Chris had said to her the night before.


    She went back to chopping the vegetables and said in a cool, distant tone, “I know.”


    Afterward, Maia worked her magic in the kitchen, her movements smooth and effortless. Lately, she had been cooking for Kathie, and with every meal, her skills had only sharpened.


    Soon, a tantalizing aroma wafted up from the kitchen, rich and mouthwatering, tempting both Elvira and Chris within range.


    Chris, seated on the couch, unconsciously swallowed, his senses heightened as the delicious smell drifted toward him.


    When the meal was ready, Maia, Chris, and Elvira gathered around the table.


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