The Billionaire's Intern (Maya Thompson) novel Chapter 322

Chapter 150: A Warm Welcome-1

The moment the car slowed to a stop, Maya’s pulse began to race. Her palms grew clammy

against her dress as her fingers twisted together in her lap.

It hit her all at once-how much her life had changed in less than three months.

Not long ago, she’d been just another working student-pouring coffee by day, cramming for exams by night, counting coins each week just to get by. Then came the internship that was supposed to change everything-until it almost destroyed her.

She could still feel the echo of that fear sometimes-the suffocating moment when she was trapped, powerless, certain she wouldn’t make it out. But somehow, through chaos, pain, and a

twist of fate, she ended up here.

A week ago, she was a normal employee tagging along for an ocular visit and PR shoot.

Claim

Today, she was returning as Damien Blackwood’s girlfriend-the man whose name carried both power and danger, the man who had claimed her as his future wife-while carrying the weight of her newly discovered identity as the Lockwood heir.

And now… she was about to meet the Matriarch of the Blackwood family. About to share the same space with people who lived at the very top-people she never imagined she’d stand beside. Names she’d only ever seen printed on magazine covers, lit up on billboards, etched across

skyscrapers.

Her throat tightened. It didn’t matter that Damien sat beside her, his hand warm and steady over

hers. The thought alone made her heart stumble, nerves clawing their way up her chest.

Outside, the manor loomed nearer, its golden lights flickering through the dusk like watchful eyes.

A poised, elegant older gentleman stood framed by the open doors ahead-his sharp features and

quiet command bearing a striking resemblance to Damien’s.

Maya drew in a slow breath, willing her heart to calm. You can do this, she told herself. You have to.

“Are you okay, love?” Damien’s voice broke gently through her thoughts, low and steady. His hand tightened around hers, thumb brushing over her chilled fingers. “Your hands are cold. Are you not feeling well?”

She exhaled the breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding, the sound trembling faintly as it left her. Her pulse thudded in her ears, and she gave a shaky smile. “I’m fine,” she murmured softly.” Just… nervous.”

Damien chuckled quietly, the sound warm and low. He leaned closer, the faint scent of cedar and

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Chapter 150 A Warm Welcome 1

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sea salt surrounding her as his lips brushed her cheek. “Relax, love,” he murmured against her skin,

his tone threaded with gentle amusement. “They won’t bite.”

The convoy rolled to a stop in the courtyard. Ahead of them, Dahlia’s car came to a halt first, sleek beneath the fading glow of the lanterns. The driver quickly stepped out and rounded the car to open her door, the movement smooth and practiced.

A second later, Damien pushed his door open and stepped out into the cool evening air. He circled to Maya’s side, his movements unhurried but purposeful. When he opened her door, she looked up at him-at the quiet steadiness in his eyes-and for a moment, the weight in her chest eased.

“Come on,” he said softly, offering his hand. “Let’s go meet the family.”

Dominic Blackwood stood at the grand entrance, framed by the soft amber glow spilling from the manor’s open doors. His tall frame carried the kind of presence that commanded a room even before he spoke-sharp suit, salt-and-pepper hair, and an expression caught somewhere between impatience and excitement.

As soon as Dahlia stepped out of her car, his face broke into a smile. “You took your time,” he teased lightly, his tone rich with affection as he closed the distance between them. He bent to press a kiss to her cheek, his hand lingering on her arm in a gesture that spoke of decades of quiet

devotion.

“I told you the sea was calm,” Dahlia replied with a knowing smile, her voice carrying that soft, unshakable grace that always seemed to steady him.

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When they stepped apart, Damien turned slightly, the soft evening light catching his profile. “Dad,” he said, his tone gentling as he drew Maya a little closer. “This is Maya.”

For a moment, Dominic just looked at her-really looked. Then a slow, almost reverent breath escaped him, and his lips curved into something between disbelief and awe.

“Finally,” he murmured, eyes flicking between them before settling fully on her. “Good God…” His voice faltered slightly, thick with something that sounded a lot like emotion. “You look just like your

mother.”

The words hung in the air-soft, heavy, and unmissable,

Maya’s breath caught at the mention of her mom, a warmth blooming in her chest. She could see it

clearly-mirroring how Dahlia had reacted the first time they met-the acknowledgment, the

recognition, the fondness they held for her mother, the genuine friendship that shone through. For a fleeting moment, she felt her mother’s presence radiating from them.

She forced a small, shy smile and dipped her head slightly. “Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Blackwood.”

Dominic’s face softened instantly. The faintest shadow of surprise in his eyes gave way to

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