“Why did you come alone?
Where’s Justin?”
He worried about her safety traveling alone so late.
“Justin watches me during the day. I sent him to the hotel tonight–he can’t keep sleeping in the car.”
Maureen replied.
“I’ll assign more guards…”
Gareth’s offer was cut off by Maureen’s refusal.
“No need. That’d feel suffocating.”
She eyed the row of bodyguards behind him with discomfort.
“Alright then. At least I’m back now.”
Gareth’s eyes crinkled with a smile.
“Okay, let’s go. Katherine and Jacob are dying to see you.
When I left, they were dead tired but insisted on staying awake to greet you first.”
Maureen chatted and laughed with him as they walked.
Geoffrey watched everything unfold, his face dark as coal.
So she’d skipped coming home tonight… to welcome Gareth?
Over half an hour later.
Maureen and Gareth finally arrived at Katherine’s villa.
Before she could open the door, voices drifted from inside.
“Slow down! We’re surprising Mommy later–put the cake here, right here…”
Maureen couldn’t help smiling. These two had lied about being too sleepy to pick her up from the air-
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port.
They’d secretly planned a birthday celebration.
“Guess they’ll be disappointed,” Gareth remarked beside her.
“Should we wait before going in?” Maureen looked up at him.
Gareth’s throat tightened at her clear gaze. “Okay.”
They stood outside, enjoying the evening breeze.
“How’s Zoe been lately?”
“Fine. She just keeps telling me to bring you back sooner.”
Maureen frowned. “I want to return too, but Ethan’s treatment can’t wait.”
“We understand.” Gareth lowered his eyes. “Don’t worry. This will pass.”
She nodded.
Just as Gareth reached for the gift he’d brought, the door swung open behind them.
“Aunt Katherine, you’re so clumsy! How’d you drop the cake?”
“Wasn’t my fault! You mopped the floor too slippery. Now we gotta go buy another one…”
When the two stepped out, Maureen and Gareth were already waiting by the door.
Ethan reacted first: “Uncle Gareth.”
“Mm.”
Gareth ruffled his hair.
Katherine stared blankly at the man before stammering: “Mr. Burke, thanks for looking after our Ree- nie.”
“She’s my friend. Should.”
Gareth replied.
Katherine flushed: “Right, right! Come on in.”
She tugged Maureen aside: “Reenie, sorry about earlier-”
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“Heard everything.”
Katherine: “”
“The cake-”
“Too late for cake. Let’s just sleep.”
“Okay then.”
After Gareth arrived,
Katherine winked meaningfully at Jacob: “Roy, sleepy?”
The boy found his auntie here too obvious.
“Yeah. Tired.”
He faked a yawn.
“Wanna head to bed?”
She turned to Gareth and Maureen: “Got the room ready. You two chat. Roy and I’ll hit the hay.”
“Thanks.”
“Anytime.”
Katherine first settled Jacob to sleep, then pulled Maureen aside.
“I’ve arranged a huge room for you two.”
Maureen looked puzzled. “Us?”
“Yeah, a ten–foot–wide bed. Plenty of space for whatever you want.”
“Stop talking nonsense. We’re just friends.”
“Got it. Totally got it. I’m off to bed. Night!”
Katherine darted back to her own room.
Maureen sighed resignedly. Looks like she’d be sleeping on the couch tonight.
“Gareth, you must be exhausted after your flight.
Let me show you to your room.”
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James stepped before her, gazing deeply into her eyes. “Didn’t we agree I’d stay with you till midnight for your birthday?”
“So… we’ll sleep after twelve?”
“Alright.”
Only minutes remained until midnight.
James kept glancing at the clock, waiting to confess his feelings precisely at twelve.
Before he could, Maureen’s phone erupted in urgent ringing.
“Let me get this.”
She answered with slight embarrassment.
The caller ID flashed three large characters: Geoffrey.
“You have one minute. Get out here.”
Geoffrey’s voice on the phone carried a commanding tone.
Get out here?
Maureen tightened her grip on the phone and looked out the window. “Are you here?”
“What do you think?”
Geoffrey hung up directly.
Maureen looked at the ended call, then turned back to Gareth, a bit embarrassed. “Sorry, something came up. I need to go back.”
Gareth was about to ask what it was, but seeing her anxious and hurried expression, he didn’t press. He nodded. “Alright. Be careful.”
Maureen grabbed her bag and left quickly.
Gareth silently stood up and went out to the balcony, watching her back disappear, his expression com- plicated.
Outside the villa, a matte black Cadillac parked at the gate blended into the night.
Maureen walked over uncertainly.
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The car window slowly rolled down. Geoffrey was in the driver’s seat, his profile stern, the chill around him dropping the temperature inside.
He looked at Maureen, who had rushed out, his dark eyes icy. “Get in.”
This was a private villa area.
Maureen didn’t know how he got in. She pulled open the car door and sat in the passenger seat.
Geoffrey started the car and drove out of the villa area.
As they exited, Maureen realized the outer gate was crowded with dark–clad bodyguards.
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