Chapter 106: Watching Her Work

Chapter 106: Watching Her Work
Macau —
The trade hall was already full by the time Valerie arrived. The place buzzed with activity, a sprawling maze of booths, conversation from hoteliers, investors, and industry reps weaving through the crowd. Banners under bright convention center lights lined the walls, promoting everything from high-end linens to digital booking systems.
The Massaro Group’s booth stood near the center with a digital display cycling through images of their latest properties: beachfront resorts in Bali, a boutique hotel tucked in the Alps.
Valerie’s staff manned the setup while she moved easily among the crowd, smiling, shaking hands, exchanging cards. This was her element.
Max stood a few paces away, his broad frame stationed near a pillar, eyes scanning the room. He was close enough to react, far enough not to stand out.
His black suit fit him well, blending into the sea of professionals. Every few minutes, he scanned the floor, his eyes always coming back to her. And now and then, Valerie’s gaze flicked toward him, a glance that lingered just long enough to make his pulse kick up. He’d return it with a half-smile, one corner of his mouth lifting, and she’d look away, her lips twitching like she was fighting a grin.
Valerie was deep in conversation with a silver-haired man in a pinstripe suit when Max noticed the guy’s hand linger a second too long on her arm. The man leaned in, gesturing animatedly, his smile a little too wide.
Max’s jaw tightened, but he stayed put, arms crossed, watching. Valerie handled it smoothly, stepping back just enough to keep things professional, her expression polite but guarded. When the man finally moved on, Max drifted closer, falling into step beside her as she headed toward the booth.
“Guy’s got a real knack for hospitality,” Max said, his voice low, just for her. He leaned in slightly, his breath brushing her ear. “Or maybe he’s just practicing for the charm offensive at the bar tonight.”
Valerie didn’t break stride, but her eyes sparked with amusement. “You’re keeping score now?” she asked, glancing at him sideways. “What’s the tally?”
“Three so far.” Max’s lips quirked. “Pinstripe back there, the guy with the bad tie by the coffee station, and that tech bro who kept name-dropping his startup. All circling you like sharks.”
She laughed under her breath, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Sharks, huh? You’re sounding a little territorial.”
“Part of the job,” he said, his tone light but his eyes holding hers for a moment. “Gotta make sure the CEO stays focused on hotels, not... extracurriculars.”
A new voice interrupted—a tall man in a charcoal suit, his hair slicked back, approaching with a smile. “Mrs. Massaro, I’ve been meaning to catch you,” he said, extending a hand. “James Carver, Carver Hospitality Group. I was impressed with your keynote yesterday.”
Valerie shook his hand, her demeanor switching seamlessly to professional. “Thank you, Mr. Carver. I appreciate that. What’s on your mind?”
As they talked, Max stepped back, resuming his post a few feet away. He kept his eyes on Carver, noting the way the guy’s gaze lingered on Valerie’s face, the way he angled his body a little too close.
Max’s fingers twitched at his side, but he stayed still, his expression neutral. Carver was smooth, tossing out stats about market trends and dropping hints about a potential partnership, but Max caught the undertone—the guy was testing the waters, seeing how far charm could carry him.
When Carver finally excused himself, promising to follow up over drinks later, Max moved in again under the pretense of checking her schedule on the tablet he carried.
“You know,” he said quietly, “if you keep smiling at men like that, I’ll have to start collecting room keys.”
She glanced at him sideways. “You’re supposed to be guarding me, not marking territory.”
“I can do both,” he said, the corner of his mouth lifting.
She almost rolled her eyes, but there was a faint curve to her lips as she turned back to the booth.
A few minutes later, a hotel owner from Singapore joined her, older and the kind who spoke too close and laughed too loudly. Max didn’t like the way his hand lingered when he shook hers.
Before Max could walk over to Valerie, another guy came over. She composed herself, but she felt his eyes on her again.
Later, while she spoke with two representatives from Hong Kong, Max took up a position behind her left side. When one of the men complimented her personally, Max leaned close, his breath brushing her ear.
“Tell him you’re married,” he murmured. “I should have made you wear your damn ring had I known.”
She turned slightly, just enough for him to catch her amused look. “Why are you acting like a jealous husband?”
“Well, someone has to play the part,” he said.
Valerie hid a small smile and turned back to the two men who were waiting for her answer.
Across the room, a photographer was snapping pictures of the event. Max’s gaze followed the flash for a moment before returning to her again—still watching, guarding, and maybe a little too invested.
The crowd had thickened by late afternoon, the steady flow of people blurring together. Valerie was finishing another conversation when a tall man with a distinct European accent appeared beside her booth. His name tag read Anton Devereux, D’Argent Group.
He was confident, well-dressed, and quick to compliment. “Mrs. Massaro, I’ve heard about your expansion in Southeast Asia. Impressive work.”
“Thank you,” she said, shaking his hand. “It’s been a busy year.”
Max watched from a distance. Anton kept her engaged, gesturing animatedly as he spoke, and Valerie—fully aware of Max’s eyes on her—leaned in slightly, smiling more than necessary. She didn’t even have to look his way to know it would get a reaction.
When she laughed at something Anton said, she caught a glimpse of Max from across the hall. He wasn’t smiling.
She looked back at Anton and brushed her hair behind her ear, letting her fingertips graze her neck. “You’ll have to tell me more about your European properties,” she said. “Maybe over coffee sometime.”
Anton smiled. “I’d like that.”
Valerie was playing it up, her glances darting toward Max every so often, like she was testing him. Her lips curved when she caught his gaze, and she held it for a moment before turning back to Anton, her posture open, inviting.
Anton was mid-sentence, describing some Normandy nightlife, when Max crossed the distance in a few strides. He stopped just behind Valerie. “Sorry to interrupt, Mrs. Massaro, but Mr. Massaro’s calling. He wants to speak to you. Says it’s urgent.”
Valerie turned, her expression shifting to one of mild surprise, though her eyes still danced with that teasing spark. “Oh? Right now?”
“Yeah,” Max replied. “He’s waiting.”
She turned back to Anton, her smile apologetic. “Sorry, Mr. Devereux, I need to take this. Let’s pick this up later?”
“Of course,” Anton said, his tone gracious but his eyes lingering on her a moment too long. “I’ll find you.”