?Chapter 769:

Promise written across his expression, Chris replied, “You have my word. It won’t happen again.”

Satisfied with his response, Maia chose not to press further. A yawn escaped her as she retreated toward her bedroom.

No sooner had she sunk into bed than her phone buzzed again. Alice’s name shed across the screen.

“Maia, check your inbox! I just sent thetest design drafts,” Alice said, her excitement spilling through the line. “Also, I’d really love for you toe to the art show.”

Exhaustion pressed at Maia’s temples. The show wasn’t on her agenda, but since she’d be taking Chris for his appointment soon anyway, and the art show’s location wasn’t far from the hospital, she decided it would fit right in.

“Sure,” she replied, her voice tired but agreeable. “I’ll be around for other business, so I’ll stop by.”

Alice practically squealed with delight. “Fantastic! I’m flying back to Otruitho in a couple of days. Call me when you get there — I want to greet you myself!”

“Sounds good, see you soon,” Maia answered, her smile audible in her tone.

With the conversation over, Maia sank deeper into the mattress, set her phone aside, and let sleep finally overtake her.

Elsewhere, the ss bell sounded at Wront University, marking the start of a break.

Mnie rose from her seat, scooped up her textbook, and strode directly toward Ethan, who sat in the back corner.

To any observer, her movements seemed casual, even as she spoke in a voice meant to be overheard. “Ethan, can you help me with this function? I’m stuck.”

That got his attention. Ethan looked up, ready with an answer.

However, Mnie leaned in close and whispered, “I’m not here for math. Any news about Maia’s marriage?”

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Ethan stiffened, casting a wary nce around the ssroom. Keeping his voice low, he replied, “Like I said before, I really don’t know… Besides, break’s not the best time for this conversation.”

Instead of letting the matter drop, Mnie dragged over a ssmate’s chair and sat right next to him. “Breaks are perfect for these kinds of talks. From now on, expect me every time the bell rings — always with a math problem or two,” she teased.

A mischievous glint lit her eyes as she raised an eyebrow, clearly pleased with her n.

After weighing her words, Ethan realized that maybe this wasn’t such a bad idea after all. He leaned closer and kept his voice low. “Got any bright ideas? If I go straight to Maia, she’ll just shut me out.”

Leaning in, Mnie nearly brushed against his arm as she whispered, “Actually, I do. Where is Maia living these days? If you give me her address, I can hire a private investigator to keep watch. There’s no way her husband can hide forever. If they show up together, we’ll have proof — and a photo to match his face to his name.”

The suggestion caught Ethanpletely off guard. The thought of bringing in a private investigator was something he had never dared to consider. Questions about the cost swirled in his mind, but he doubted it would be cheap.

The real hitch was his totalck of information about Maia’s home life. He admitted sheepishly, “But I honestly don’t know where she lives now. Maia alwayses to see me. I’ve never been invited to her ce.”

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