The Billionaire's Intern (Maya Thompson) novel Chapter 297

Chapter 140 Uninvited Presence-2

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Chapter 140: Uninvited Presence-2

He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze, then added, with a teasing confidence that made her heart skip, “Besides… it’s about time the family meets my bride.”

Maya’s breath caught, her cheeks warming as her pulse quickened. She looked up at him, eyes wide, caught somewhere between shock, delight, and disbelief. The weight of his words, the sincerity in his gaze, wrapped around her like a spark she hadn’t expected-but one she couldn’t

deny.

For a moment, the noise of the dining room, the clink of silverware, and even Dahlia’s gentle smile all blurred into the background. There was only Damien, and the unspoken promise in that single, potent declaration.

Dahlia’s eyes glistened, a tender warmth softening her usually sharp features. “Oh… your dad and I can’t wait, and I’m sure your grandparents will be very happy,” she said, her voice thick with

emotion.

A soft, knowing chuckle followed, her lips curving into a gentle smile. “Although I should warn you, sweetheart… Damien’s grandparents can be… a tad relentless,” she said, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “Ever since he turned twenty, the venerable Blackwoods have been dreaming about great-grandchildren. You’d better steel yourself-there’s no shortage of enthusiasm coming your way from those old, proud souls.”

Maya blinked, caught between amusement and nervousness, while Damien’s hand remained over hers, grounding her, his smirk teasing but protective. The warmth in Dahlia’s words settled over her, a reassuring blanket of family acceptance-and a reminder of the lively chaos that awaited.

The dinner flowed effortlessly after that. Dahlia shared stories from her younger days-tales of mischief, laughter, and hard-earned lessons that seemed to dance between nostalgia and wisdom. Maya hung on every word, captivated, seeing a side of her mother she had never imagined before. Each anecdote felt like a glimpse into the woman behind the legend, and with every story, Maya felt herself drawing closer, the connection deepening in a way that was both tender and profound.

As the evening drew to a close, the soft glow of the chandelier casting gentle shadows across the room, they agreed it was time to call it a night. Dahlia, ever reluctant to leave, lingered a little longer, her warmth and energy filling the space. It took a few reassurances from Damien-gentle but firm-that Maya would be safe and that they would see each other again the next day before she finally relented.

With a soft, reluctant sigh, Dahlia let herself be guided toward the door, her eyes lingering on Maya with quiet fondness before she finally stepped away.

Chapter 140 Uninvited Presence-2

The suite fell into a hushed calm, leaving the couple to their own privacy. The warmth of the evening-and the laughter and stories shared over dinner-settled over Maya like a gentle,

comforting blanket, wrapping the room in an intimate, almost sacred quiet.

On the other side of the island, the atmosphere was the stark opposite of the quiet intimacy

Damien and Maya shared.

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The cave swallowed sound and spat it back, the cries of a man in agony ricocheting through the darkness, multiplied until it sounded like an orchestra of suffering. The air was damp, metallic with the sharp sting of blood, every shadow clawing at the walls.

Ethan writhed against his restraints, chest heaving, face drained of color from the torment he’d endured. Each ragged gasp scraped the silence like the breath of a dying man. Harper’s eyes narrowed. With a flick of her wrist, the shuriken flew-merciless, precise-cutting through the

darkness and finding its mark.

But her focus wasn’t truly on him-not entirely. Her jaw was set, her chest rising and falling in quick, angry bursts. It wasn’t the exposure of her identity that had her blood boiling. It was Nicholas

Ashcroft.

The audacity of him-the way his words earlier had cut deeper than she cared to admit. They struck a chord she didn’t want touched, rattling her control, sparking something raw and

unwanted.

damn moment to myself, can I?”

Her bodigãdo stumbled into view, one arm clutching his stomach, his face tight with pain. His knees hit the stone floor, breath coming in short, sharp gasps.

“Bosu!” he rasped, bowing deeply despite his trembling frame. “Gomen’nasai! Kare wa tsuyokute watashi o attō shimashita… Watashi wa anata o shitsubō sa semashita. Dō ka watashi no inochi o

ubatte kudasai. Watashi wa ikiru ni ataimasen!”

(He’s strong-he overpowered me. I failed you. Please take my life. I don’t deserve to live.)

Harper’s shuriken lowered a fraction. Her eyes softened for just a heartbeat at the sight of him kneeling, broken but still begging for her judgment. She exhaled sharply and flicked her hand dismissively.

“Nah,” she said, voice cool but not unkind. “I’m not gonna kill you. You’re fine. Don’t be so dramatic.”

Her bodyguard blinked, shoulders trembling. For a heartbeat he froze, caught between fear and disbelief, then lowered his forehead toward the floor once more-this time in relief. “Bosu…” he breathed, voice cracking, “arigatō…” His grip on his stomach loosened, the tension in his body softening into a strange mixture of gratitude and shame.

“Didn’t think you had a soft bone,” Ashcroft drawled as he stepped fully into the cave, his stride unhurried, his presence filling the space. His smirk curved sharp in the dim light. “It suits you.”

Harper groaned, rolling her eyes so hard it nearly hurt. She turned to face him, arms crossed, her irritation sparking brighter than the torchlight.

“Why are you here?!” she snapped, her voice cutting through the cave like a whip, irritation sparking brighter than the torchlight, a pulse of frustration she couldn’t hide.

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