?Chapter 1081:


    At first, the server paused, prepared to warn him about the risk of ordering more than they could finish. Before the thought was spoken, Carsen leaned forward at the head of the table and said firmly, “It won’t go to waste. We’ll see to that.”


    With that assurance, the server simply nodded, recorded the order, and added, “By the way, the fireworks over the river are about to begin. You may want to take a look.”


    “Fireworks? I didn’t see thating. I’d love to watch. Who’sing with me?” the first assistant doctor rose to his feet, excitement clear in his voice.


    To his surprise, everyone voiced their eagerness—everyone except Maia.


    “Perfect, let’s catch the show together,” Carsen replied as he stood. Turning to the nearby server, he instructed, “Have the wagyu ready for us when we return.”


    The group filed out of the private room. At the windows, diners were already gathering, faces lifted with anticipation for the night sky to burst into color.


    As Maia, not wanting to be left alone, rose to follow them out, her phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out, and Chris’s name glowed on the screen.


    Slipping away from the others, she headed toward a quiet corner of the hallway. A tall window there opened to the river, the ss reflecting the shimmer of night.


    As she pressed to answer, a firework streaked upward and burst into a cascade of dazzling light. The thunderous crack filled the air, followed by blossoms of color spilling across the sky. From the restaurant came cheers and apuse, their echoes carrying clearly through the phone.


    “Chris?” Maia called softly, noticing only silence on the other end. Still, no reply came from Chris.


    He remained silent, ncing around before moving away from the surrounding people. He had only meant to try his luck with a call to Maia. Earlier that day, she hadn’t answered, and he hadn’t expected her to this time either. Yet, to his surprise, Maia picked up.


    What unsettled him was the backdrop of fireworks and cheers spilling through the line—too vivid to mistake for an ident. After a stretch of silence, he finally asked, “Where are you right now?”


    Maia hesitated, then answered without much thought, “I’m at Pattie’s. Why do you ask?”


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    “Nothing important. I just wanted to know when you’ll be back,” Chris replied evenly, though his eyes moved sharply across the guests around him.


    Nearby, Maxwell caught sight of him on the phone. He shook his head with quiet resignation. Anyone with sense could tell who Chris was speaking to.


    “It may take a few days, most likely after the charity g,” Maia estimated softly. Lately, all her focus had been tied up in learning surgical techniques from Carsen.<fn37a9> ??? ????? ???????s ??? ?????s??? ?? Find★Novel</fn37a9>


    Realizing how much she had been neglecting Chris, Maia quickly added, “I’lle back the day after tomorrow. Could you prepare something special for me?”


    Chris lowered his eyes at her words, a smile tugging at his lips. “Of course.” There was always a quiet joy in being needed by the woman he loved, a warmth he couldn’t quite put into words.


    Once the call ended, Chris forced himself to believe he had imagined what he heard earlier. It waste, and surely Maia was already settled at Pattie’s home. Perhaps Pattie’s ce happened to be close enough to the river to catch the fireworks. Brushing aside his doubts, he went back to his seat.


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