226 Chapter 226- Unmasked Devotion

    Maverick felt as though she’d pped him. The question came out of nowhere, catching himpletely off guard.

    Maverick watched their silhouettes disappear into the crowd, already turning to head in the opposite direction when movement in his peripheral vision made him freeze. There, partially concealed behind a decorative pir, stood Veronica.

    Before he could formte a response, Veronica pressed on, her tone growing more caustic. “So what’s your endgame here? Did you march over here to issue some kind of ultimatum? To threaten me into leaving your goddess alone?”

    The coldness in her expression was unmistakable. When her gaze settled on Niall specifically, it carried the kind of hatred typically reserved for sworn enemies. The look was so venomous that Maverick felt his protective instincts re.

    “She doesn’t care about me?” The temperature in Veronica’s voice dropped several degrees. “You certainly have an inted opinion of your precious Niall, don’t you?”

    Her casual reference to his father unsettled him deeply. The way she spoke suggested familiarity, as though she’d formed her own opinions about Doran Harris. But how could someone like Veronica possibly know anything meaningful about his family?

    This woman was definitely plotting something against Niall.

    She’d been ready to call it a day when fate decided to throw Niall and Sabrina directly into her path once again.

    The memory of that elegant charity g surfaced unbidden. He could still picture Cullen extending his hand to Veronica, leading her onto the dance floor with that enigmatic smile. Both Maverick and Edric had been convinced it was Cullen’s way of delivering a subtle warning, a gentleman’s threat wrapped in the guise of social courtesy.

    Maverick strode toward her with purposeful steps.

    In Maverick’s mind, Niall could do no wrong. She was perfection incarnate, deserving of worship and protection from lesser beings like Veronica.

    Maverick’s face flushed with indignation. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

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    226 Chapter 226–Unmasked Devotion

    “What exactly are you nning?” Maverick’s voice cut through the ambient noise of the shopping center like a de.

    Veronica had her hands full with purchases from the afternoon shopping trip. Two small potted sulents bnced precariously against several ceramic figurines and ss ornaments that had caught her eye on impulse. Her apartment had felt sterile and unweingtely, more like a temporary shelter than a home, so she’d decided to invest in some decorative touches.

    The encounter had revealed more about Maverick’s character than Veronica’s intentions, and they both knew it. His desperation to protect Niall had made him sloppy, emotional, and ultimately ineffective. As Veronica disappeared into the crowd, Maverick was left to wonder whether he’d aplished anything other than making

    himself look foolish.

    Now, watching Maverick approach with that familiar scowl etched across his features,

    she braced herself for whatever confrontation he had in mind.

    The nt nursery had been her primary destination, but a charming little boutique next door had lured her in with its collection of delicate home essories. She’d selected a few pieces that spoke to her aesthetic sense, hoping they might help fill the emotional void that seemed to permeate her living space.

    His jaw tightened involuntarily.

    Veronica had encountered Doran Harris on only a handful of asions, but each

    interaction had left asting impression. The man possessed a rarebination of genuine warmth andmanding presence, the kind of natural leadership that inspired both loyalty and respect. He treated people with dignity regardless of their station, yetmanded attention when he spoke.

    He studied Veronica’s face carefully, noting the way her lips pressed into a thin line, the way her fingers curled slightly at her sides. Everything about her bodynguage screamed danger. His suspicions solidified into certainty she was still nursing a grudge against Niall, and he couldn’t stand by and do nothing.

    Rather than appearing intimidated, Veronica simply studied him with those prating eyes, a hint of amusement flickering in their depths.

    Maverick’s expression hardened further. “She couldn’t care less about your existence. You’repletely irrelevant to her life, yet here you are, still clinging to some pathetic

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    226 Chapter 226–Unmasked Devotion

    vendetta. Don’t you realize how ridiculous that makes you look?”

    That had been exactly Maverick’s intention, and they both knew it.

    Every instinct told him to walk away, to pretend he hadn’t seen her. But something about her posture, the rigid set of her shoulders, made him pause. Her attention wasser–focused on Niall and Sabrina’s retreating forms, and the intensity of her stare sent an ufortable chill down his spine.

    Sabrina scanned the area one final time, her eyes searching every corner for any trace of Veronica. Satisfied that the coast was clear, she linked her arm through Niall’s and guided her toward the exit.

    Without another word, she turned on her heel and walked away, her posture straight and confident. She didn’t look back once, leaving Maverick standing there with his threats hanging uselessly in the air between them.

    Her mocking words only fueled his anger. “Maybe I should go have a conversation with Mr. Dennis instead. Suggest he keep a closer eye on you.”

    Veronica didn’t bother to borate on her observation. Instead, she adjusted her grip on her packages and fixed him with a steady stare. “You want to run to Cullen with your concerns? By all means, go ahead. I’ll be right here when you do.”

    Veronica’sugh was sharp and humorless. “How fascinating. Even Cullen hasn’t stooped to making direct threats against me. But here you are, Mr. Harris, rushing to y the knight in shining armor. What gives you the authority? Are you harboring some secret obsession with Niall?”

    The silence stretched between them until she broke it with an unexpected question. “Are you actually Doran Harris’s biological son?”

    His voice took on a more menacing edge. “Or perhaps you think Cullen’s previous warning was too subtle for yourprehension?”

    The afternoon sun filtered through the shopping center’s skylights, casting long shadows across the polished floors. Maverick remained frozen in ce for several moments, reying the conversation and trying to determine his next move. Veronica’s parting words echoed in his mind, carrying an undertone of challenge that

    made his skin crawl.

    Veronica shifted her packages to get a better grip, raising an eyebrow at his usatory

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    tone. “nning for what?”

    Looking at Maverick now, with his petnt expression and emotionally driven behavior, Veronica struggled to see any trace of his father’s character. Perhaps romantic obsession had a way of reducing even grown men to irrational shadows of

    themselves.

    Whatever game she was ying, Maverick was certain it would end badly for everyone

    involved.

    Maverick made no attempt to conceal his feelings. In front of Veronica, there was no point in pretending his admiration for Niall was anything less thanplete devotion.

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