Chapter 1324:


    “This isn’t the ce for that conversation,” Maia said atst.


    Pattie nced around and dropped her voice to a whisper. “You’re right. I got too excited. We’re still at the charity g.”


    The next instant, her expression brightened, mischief dancing in her eyes. “But did you see Kiley’s face? She went pale as a ghost in seconds. Absolutely priceless! Though I’ll give her credit—she can act. That forced smile stayed stered on somehow.”


    Pattieunched into a vivid reenactment of Rosanna’s earlier humiliation, then paused, concern creeping into her tone. “Just watch yourselfter, Maia. Kiley took a serious blow tonight. She won’t forget it.”


    “I know.” Maia nodded. Then her gaze drifted toward Chris, worry flickering across her features.


    She’d never told him about her time behind bars, never mentioned the different identities she’d worn like armor. The fear gnawed at her—what if he thought she’d been dishonest? What if he realized how much she’d kept hidden?


    She pressed her lips together, gathering courage. “Chris, could you step away with me for a moment? There’s something I need to tell you.”


    Alice threaded her way through the thicket of the crowd, only to find with a pang of regret that Maia and her bodyguard had already vanished from the venue.


    However, her disappointment was fleeting, for she felt certain Maia would reappearter.


    She scanned the room, her eyes quicklynding on the vacant spot where Rosanna had previously been seated.


    That venomous woman had been expelled and would not be resurfacing.


    Alice deemed the situation perfect. She could im Rosanna’s chair and secure a superior vantage point for watching Maia.


    As she weighed this n, Alice registered the familiar face of the actor, Ss, and politely leaned in to inquire, “May I sit here, sir?”


    Ss snapped free of his reverie, redirecting his gaze from the spot where Maia had slipped away to the elegant woman poised before him.


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    She was encased in a light gray gown, tailored to hug her figure, highlighting her graceful and ethereal form.


    Compared to Rosanna, this woman carried herself with far more poise and sophistication. Her fashion choices were both refined and singr.


    Ss searched his memory, attempting to ce her background, yet no details surfaced.


    He swiftly concluded she must be a devoted admirer. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have migrated from her original spot merely to sit beside him.


    Faced with an admirer, Ss effortlessly slipped into his public persona, inhabiting the role of the perfect gentleman.


    “Of course,” Ss replied with a courteous nod. “This seat is freely avable.”


    Alice offered a soft, demure smile in return and settled slowly into the chair. Out of the corner of her eye, she noted that Ss was still scrutinizing her face.


    A flicker of confusion passed through her, prompting her to wonder why his attention remained so fixed.


    Feeling mildly uneasy, Alice paused for a moment, certain she shared no history with the acimed actor.


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