?Chapter 803:

    “Wait a minute. So what you’re really afraid of isn’t losing Aurora Apparel, but missing me?”

    Maia could only stare, speechless. Somehow, she had walked straight into that one.

    “You shameless flirt,” Maia said, rolling her eyes, though the smile tugging at her lips betrayed her fondness.

    Confidence colored Chris’ voice as he paused, turning to face her directly. With a gentle hand, he brushed a stray strand of hair from her forehead.

    “Why would I be worried? You’re extraordinary. There’s no way you’ll lose.”

    Whatever happened — no matter what the world took from her — he intended to remain by her side.

    Besides, Mariana’s terms only mentioned Maia staying away from him. Nothing ever said Chris couldn’t be the one to chase after her instead.

    “Now tell me,” he said, a hint of curiosity in his tone. “What sort of wager are you nning to put on the table if you win against Mariana?”

    Lifting her gaze toward the clouds, Maia’s eyes sparkled with secret delight. A mischievous grin spread across her lips.

    “Funny, someone always used to make me guess things. Why don’t you try your luck this time? If you manage to get it right, I’ll spill the secret.”

    Caught off guard, Chris paused, an uneasy look flickering across his face as he scratched his cheek.

    “I have no idea.”

    A burst ofughter escaped Maia as she watched him flounder.

    “Exactly. That’s because I haven’t actually made up my mind yet.”

    A sudden spark of mischief danced in her eyes as she decided to both tease Chris and dig for answers about Mariana’s odd request. She cleared her throat, schooling her features into seriousness.

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    “Chris, there’s something I’d like to ask, and I want you to bepletely honest with me.”

    He leaned in, curiosity mingling with a touch of yful worry.

    “What’s on your mind?”

    Chris’ brow knit together before he exaggerated a look ofic anxiety.

    “I noticed Mariana seems to have quite the special interest in you, doesn’t she?” Maia looked at Chris with mock seriousness dancing in her eyes, her voice dropping low as she asked, “Why do you think she went through all the trouble of making that bet? Does Mariana want me to avoid everyone in the Cooper family, or is it specifically you she’s trying to protect?” She lifted an eyebrow with obvious amusement.

    Behind her yful tone, genuine curiosity burned in her gaze. “Something tells me Mariana’s hostility toward me goes way beyond just losing Aurora Apparel Company. I think this might actually be about you, Chris.”

    Chris felt himself stumble for a moment, then he couldn’t suppress a wry smile. “Back when I was stuck with the Cooper family, Mariana was literally the only person who showed me any decency,” he exined with quiet reflection. “She almost never joined in when the others mocked my illegitimate status, and she was the only one who didn’t treat me like I had some kind of disease. After all these years, we’ve managed to keep things peaceful between us.”

    Chris shifted to face Maia directly and gave her nose a gentle tap. “She’s nothing more than my cousin, my uncle’s daughter. What exactly is running through that head of yours?”

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