?Chapter 865:


    Ethan decided he didn’t mind missing dinner as long as Maia would still visit his home, so he quickly agreed to her n.


    Once the call ended, Maia and Chris made their way to the elevator and rode straight up to the building’s highest floor.


    The top floor buzzed with energy, especially outside the spicy restaurant she and Pattie always favored, where a sizable crowd waited for a table.


    Chris took in the scene and asked, “Isn’t it possible to reserve a spot at this ce?”


    A shrug from Maia answered him. “Reservations only open on the same day. We’ll just have to take a number and wait it out.”


    They grabbed a reservation ticket and found six parties ahead of them, which meant about an hour before they could be seated.


    With a small grin, Chris remarked, “People must be hooked on this food.” If he remembered correctly, the owner of this restaurant was Maxwell. He was considering calling Maxwell to pull a few strings.


    But before he could act, an unwee voice cut through the crowd. “There you are, Maia. I’ve been searching everywhere for you.”


    Turning around, Chris watched as the speaker pulled off his sunsses and removed a ck mask, finally revealing himself.


    Standing before them was Vince.


    Almost without thinking, Maia shifted closer to Chris, putting a little distance between herself and Vince.


    With Chris standing firm by her side, she met Vince’s gaze and asked, her tone calm and measured, “Vince, what exactly do you want from me?”


    Vince’s eyes zed with a sudden, desperate fire, as if a dormant spark had roared to life. He lunged forward, his polished shoes clicking against the pavement.


    “Maia, can we talk? Just you and me?”


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    Maia’s face hardened, her lips pressing into a thin line. She folded her arms, her voice sharp as a winter gust.


    “Vince, if you’ve got something to say, spit it out now. I’m done with private chats.”


    The memory of that tainted wine ss shed in her mind. Vince’s relentless attempts to bend her to his will still stung, raw and unforgiving.


    Chris, silent as a shadow, stepped forward and nted himself between Maia and Vince. His broad shoulders squared, unyielding as a mountain, his face a mask of cool indifference.


    Vince’s gaze darkened, his jaw clenching as he red at Chris.


    “Get out of the way,” he spat, his voice dripping with disdain. “You’re nothing but the Cooper family’s bastard. Who do you think you are, standing there like you own her?”<fn0e56> Follow current nov?ls on find~novel</fn0e56>


    His hand shot out, aiming to shove Chris aside. But the moment his palm met Chris’ shoulder, it was like pushing against a steel beam. Vince staggered back, his face flushing crimson, the effort futile against Chris’ immovable frame.


    Humiliation burned in Vince’s eyes. Behind Chris, Maia’s voice sliced through the tension.


    “Vince, we’re done. Have some self-respect.”


    She turned on her heel, her steps brisk as she headed toward the restaurant’s glowing entrance.


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