The Billionaire's Intern (Maya Thompson) novel Chapter 294

Claim

“What? Did I say something wrong?” Maya’s voice was light, teasing, but her eyes sharpened as she

studied Harper’s reaction.

Harper’s eyes practically bulged, her fingers clutching the edge of the couch as if it were a lifeline. She shot upright, a mix of scandalized disbelief and exasperation written across her face. “He is! Maya, Hiro is… he’s incredible-loyal, smart, kind-literally everything any parent would dream of for their daughter. And-” she shuddered, pressing a hand to her chest, voice dropping to a frantic whisper, “not to mention… hot. Like… dangerously hot.”

Her gaze darted around, wild and panicked, as if confessing a forbidden truth. “But… he’s also my best friend! We grew up together!”

She leaned back, throwing her hands in the air, eyes wide, lips trembling, the very picture of

Harper-level dramatics.

Harper’s words tumbled out in a flurry, her hands fluttering as she tried to explain. She didn’t notice Ashcroft standing a short distance away, his posture deceptively relaxed, but his gaze sharp, catching only fragments-the part where she said, “he’s amazing-loyal, kind, smart-literally everything any parent could dream of for their daughter. And, not to mention… hot. Like… dangerously

hot!”

Something tightened in his chest. A flicker of irritation, quick and unfamiliar, crossed his expression. He wasn’t sure why her praise of Hiro struck such a nerve, only that it did.

Stepping forward with deliberate casualness, Ashcroft let a slow, sharp smirk play at his lips. “Ha,” he said, voice smooth, dripping with amused challenge. “With standards like yours, I’d be careful. By your glowing description, that Hiro guy might just turn out to be a zero after all.”

Damien, catching the brief flare in Ashcroft’s eyes, smirked knowingly. Harper froze mid-gesture, eyes widening in shock, sensing a tension she couldn’t yet name. Maya, silent but gleeful, fought back a laugh at how transparently Ashcroft had reacted.

“Ha! What do you know?” Harper snapped, voice bright but laced with sharp humor. She waved a hand at him, playful yet firm. “If my standards are questionable, how about you? Mind your own business, will you? Last I checked, we’re not close. So…. scoot!” She punctuated it with a sharp glance and a roll of her eyes before turning her attention back to Maya.

Her gaze softened, drifting into the distance as a wistful shadow crossed her expression. “I want to be with someone I love, you know? I may be a hardheaded bitch, a rebellious daughter, all of that –but I’m still like any other woman in this world. I want to fall in love. I want to be loved… the real

way.”

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