?Chapter 1222:


    “You’ve stumbled on me, boy. Fortune’s on your side.” With a grunt, the man hoisted Jarrod over his shoulder and marched into the dense woods.


    A cabin emerged beyond a tangle of vines, its rough wooden frame tucked away in secrecy.


    Within the rose-covered manor, Chris sat at the head of a long table, the titanium mask on his face catching the light in a cold metallic sheen.


    His fingers were inteced, and his gaze swept over the four figures seated across from him.


    Invitation cards to the Cooper Group charity gy on the table between them.


    Even with their faces hidden behind masks, Chris never doubted their loyalty. Each of them was bound to him by a life debt.


    “Do you all understand?” Chris’s fingers tapped softly against the polished wood, his tone hard as steel.


    In perfect unison, the four rose, ced a hand over their hearts, and bowed low. “Whatever you desire will be fulfilled, sir.”


    Their devotion came from more than duty. It was gratitude.


    A decade ago, in a fire that should have swallowed them whole, Chris had dragged them out at the risk of his own life. Without him, they would have be nothing but ash.


    Chris gave a brief nod. “Good. Tomorrow, follow the n exactly.”


    After a short silence, he added, “Keep this in mind. Nothing outranks Maia’s protection.”


    Inside the car, Chris slipped off his mask.


    His face remained hard, the weight of the meeting still clinging to him.


    A nce at his phone revealed an unread message from Maia: “Mr. Cooper, I’ve just gotten home. When will you return?”


    The severity in his expression eased at once, and an involuntary smile curved his lips.


    “Soon,” he typed in quick reply.


    The tales you love are at g?lnσν???s?c?m


    Without hesitation, Chris pressed down on the elerator. The engine roared, and the car surged forward at full speed.


    Maia’s eyes fluttered open, hershes trembling. Her beautiful gaze found Chris hovering above her, tense and visibly on edge.


    She had rarely seen him so rattled, and augh bubbled up before she could stop it.


    “Well then, Mr. Cooper. Time toe clean,” she said, yful. “How did you manage to slip into my bed without me noticing? Think carefully before you answer. You won’t get a second chance.”


    Chris didn’t know which way was up. He couldn’t tell whether Maia was truly angry or just teasing him.


    There was no dodging it—he had crept into her bedroom, and when she opened her eyes, he was practically on top of her.


    Chris parted his lips. Just as he started to exin, Maia looped her arms around his neck, a smile tugging at her mouth.


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