?Chapter 410:


    Seeing his silence, Maia leaned in closer, her whisper tickling his ear. “Are you worried that those flirtatious women will keep their distance once they learn you’re taken, Mr. yboy? Don’t fret, our marriage is in name only. Even after you marry me, you’re still free.”


    Chris’s eyes darkened further, a visible shadow of displeasure crossing his features.


    As Chris’s hand reached toward Maia’s waist, a sudden voice interrupted the moment. “Chris, Miss Watson, are you two familiar with each other?”


    Chris turned to see udius standing behind him, holding two sses of champagne and looking puzzled.


    Simultaneously, Maia and Chris blurted out, “No, we aren’t!”


    The moment the words left their mouths, both felt a twinge of irritation at the other for the instant denial.


    Chris’s frustration was evident as he squeezed the bridge of his nose tightly. “udius, why are you here? Don’t you see I’m engaged in conversation with Miss Watson?”


    udius grasped the situation at once.


    It was clear that Chris had taken a liking to Maia.


    Even at the Cooper Group’s cocktail party, Chris couldn’t stop flirting.


    udius snorted coldly and deliberately bumped into Chris as he walked past him.


    As he approached Maia, udius offered her a ss of champagne and whispered earnestly, “Believe me, Chris is merely a superficial charmer with no depth. His charm is skin deep, and he’s been involved with more women than he can remember.”


    “Appreciate the heads-up,” Maia responded, stepping back slightly to keep the conversation formal, her demeanor unruffled.


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    udius raised his ss toward Maia. “Miss Watson, would you do me the honor of having a drink together?”


    Maia responded calmly, “My pleasure.”


    At that moment, Rosanna, who had been looking for udius, caught sight of him with Maia. Why was he with Maia?


    A wave of difort washed over Rosanna.


    Grasping her champagne firmly, Rosanna strode toward udius, each click of her heels on the floor echoing her resolve.


    udius belonged to her, and she was not about to let Maia take him away.


    Meanwhile, as Maia and udius raised their sses, Maia felt a sudden tug on her wrist. Before she couldprehend what was happening, Chris had pulled her to his side.


    Positioning himself protectively in front of Maia, Chris maintained a facade of calm. However, his eyes betrayed a cial sternness.


    Rosanna arrived just in time to hear Chris’s icy scoff. “What do you think you’re doing, udius? Are you going to take my woman from—”


    “Your woman?” udius shot a sharp nce toward Maia, who stood slightly behind Chris, and issued a disdainful scoff. “Since when did Ms. Watson be your woman?”


    Chris pivoted smoothly on his heel and, without hesitation, reached back to seize Maia’s hand in a firm, almost possessive grip. His expression softened into azy, flirtatious grin as he replied, “The woman I set my eyes on first is destined to be mine — no exceptions.”


    Even as he spoke, Chris’s gaze locked onto Maia’s, intense and unwavering, as if every word he uttered was a vow meant just for her. The air between them seemed to crackle with unspoken promises. Maia felt her heart give an involuntary lurch, thrown into a confusing whirl of emotions that she couldn’t untangle.


    Across the room, Rosanna stood frozen for a moment, jealousy shing hot and sharp through her chest as she watched the two stunning men silently battle over Maia.


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