?Chapter 768:

The simple response caught Maia off guard, her brewing anger faltering slightly. A frown creased her brow. Every time she prepared to unleash her frustration on Chris, he somehow managed to disarm herpletely. It felt like throwing a punch only to have it sink harmlessly into cotton.

Maia released a heavy sigh. Forget it. As long as he was safe, nothing else mattered.

Taking a few more deliberate bites, she fixed him with a stern look. “Pack everything quickly after this. We can’t afford any dys getting to the airport.”

“Absolutely, whatever you say, honey,” Chris replied, his smile radiatingpletepliance.

Once breakfast ended, Chris disappeared into his room to pack.

Exhaustion weighed heavily on Maia’s eyelids, and she let out a long yawn. Just as she turned toward her room for a much-needed nap, her phone buzzed to life. Lenny’s name shed across the screen.

“Hello, Professor Bryant?” Maia answered.

Lenny’s familiar voice crackled through the speaker. “Have you already booked your flight, Maia?”

“Nine this morning,” Maia confirmed briefly.

Static filled the pause before Lenny’s hesitant response. “You’ll need to cancel it immediately. I just received urgent notice that I’m required to leave Drakmire this afternoon for an international academic summit in Otruitho.”

The news hit Maia like a cold wave. “This suddenly? How long will you be away?”

“Orders from the higher-ups. There’s no refusing something like this,” Lenny said, his voice carrying unmistakable weariness. “After the summit concludes, I’ll be conducting lectures there for two weeks.”

He paused briefly before continuing. “I’m well aware of Chris’ condition, though. Here’s what I’m thinking: bring him directly to Sceibar Royal Academy Hospital in two weeks instead. Their facilities are state-of-the-art forprehensive evaluations and testing. Better yet, several of the world’s…”

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“Leading neurosurgery and general surgery experts will be attending the summit. I can arrange for a joint consultation with them.”

The suggestion struck Maia as an unexpected stroke of fortune. Gathering such renowned specialists in one ce was practically unheard of, so she didn’t hesitate. “Perfect. I’ll bring him over in two weeks then. Thank you, Professor Bryant.”

Phone call finished, Maia stepped into the living room to find Chris busily stuffing his suitcase.

“Change of ns,” she announced. “Professor Bryant is heading to Otruitho this afternoon for a summit. I’ve spoken to him, so your medical appointment will have to wait. We’ll go in two weeks.”

ncing up with a crooked smile, Chrisughed. “Guess life’s curveballs win out over even the bestid ns.”

A pointed look from Maia cut through his levity. “At least he informed me as soon as he got the news, which is more than I can say for you.”

Embarrassment flickered across Chris’ face. For a moment, he had no defense, so he settled for a sheepish grin. A hush fell between them, tension lingering in the air.

Maia broke the silence, her tone calm but edged with warning. “Let’s not repeat this. If anything changes, I want to know right away.”

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