?Chapter 413:


    Without hesitation, udius raised his voice, calling out, “Someone!”


    An attendant quickly approached, bowing respectfully. “Yes, Mr. Cooper, how may I assist?”


    With a brisk motion, udius handed Rosanna over to the attendant and said, “Thisdy has injured her ankle. Please take her to one of the guest rooms to rest.”


    Rosanna’splexion paled. She had envisioned udius apanying her, providing an opportunity for them to be alone. Instead, he dismissed her abruptly.


    Her strategy of ying the frail and vulnerable woman had always worked with other men; even Vince had been easily swayed. However, udius appeared indifferent.


    Was it possible that she held less allure for udius than Maia, a woman who had experienced prison and had already been married?


    Rosanna was not ready to give up. Holding her ankle, she wobbled and cast a pleading gaze at udius. “Mr. Cooper, my ankle is in severe pain. I can’t walk any further. Could you please carry me?”


    udius responded with a cold look and said to the attendant, “She’s unable to walk. Fetch a chair so Miss Morgan can sit here.”


    A gentle chuckle slipped from Maia, unable to contain her amusement. Next to her, Chris folded his arms and looked at udius with a mixture of amusement and disbelief. “udius, you’re quite oblivious to women’s tactics. Don’t you see her n? She’s aiming for you to carry her to a guest room for some private time. She’s hoping that in a moment of weakness, you’ll fall for her and stay the night. Her ultimate goal is to secure a ce as ady of the Cooper family.”


    Chris’s remark, though light-hearted, cut through Rosanna’s act with unyielding rity.


    Upon hearing this, udius turned a cold gaze upon Rosanna and said, “A woman of your stature aspiring to join my family? You’re living in a fantasy.”


    Rosanna’s tears flowed freely as she was engulfed by humiliation and rage. Shaking, she covered her face and hurried away from the gathering, deeply embarrassed.


    As Rosanna retreated, Maia fought backughter, turning to Chris. “You really say exactly what you think, don’t you?”


    Chris lifted his eyebrows and shrugged dismissively. “Seems her ankle’s all better now, huh? I was only lending a hand.”


    The gentle light from the chandelier highlighted his striking features, captivating Maia for a brief moment.


    Then, as if the earlier disturbance had vanished, udius reappeared before Maia, toasting her with an uplifted ss. “Miss Watson, care for another drink?”


    Before Maia could respond, Chris grabbed the ss and drew her close, his gaze fixed on udius with clear hostility. “Miss Watson doesn’t drink well, so I’ll take her to rest awhile. And just as a reminder, she is a married woman, udius. Perhaps it’s time to abandon any inappropriate ideas.”


    Chris then firmly ced his arm around Maia, guiding her away from the scene.


    From behind them, udius called out, his toneced with tension, “Miss Watson! Are you really going to leave with him?”


    Maia, eager to distance herself from udius, nodded. “I apologize, Mr. udius Cooper, but I’m feeling quite tipsy.”


    udius’s tone became urgent. “Chris is merely a yboy who maniptes women. Doesn’t it concern you that he might take advantage of you while you’re drunk?”


    Maia turned her gaze to Chris, noticing his clenched jaw. A wave of difort briefly passed through her, but she quickly reassured him, saying, “I appreciate your concern, Mr. udius Cooper. However, Mr. Chris Cooper is merely showing kindness, and I have no reason to reject his generosity.”


    With these words, she discreetly signaled Chris by pulling at his sleeve. Grasping her intent, Chris no longer hesitated and snugly wrapped his arm around her as they departed.


    As he witnessed this, udius’splexion paled, a surge of fury tempting him to shatter the wine ss he held.


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