The Billionaire's Intern (Maya Thompson) novel Chapter 339

Chapter 157: Collateral Mischief-1

Harper’s jaw dropped. For a full second, she couldn’t even blink-just stared at the screen,

mortified, as her brother grinned like a devil in disguise.

Cham

Her stomach twisted in that familiar mix of dread and irritation. Why did he have to say that? Why

now? She could feel Ashcroft’s sharp gaze like a phantom from across the table, piercing through

her even on the other side of the world. Ugh. I cannot deal with him right now. I just… can’t.

“Kenji!” she hissed, voice strangled between outrage and disbelief. ‘

But it was too late. Everyone at the table was laughing, Ashcroft’s expression had gone dangerously unreadable, and Maya looked like she was trying very hard not to burst into nervous

laughter.

Harper forced a stiff, painfully bright smile and blurted out, “Umm-okay, well! That was… fun.” Her tone was too high, too rushed. “Oh, look at that-we’ve just arrived! Great timing!” She waved awkwardly at the camera, already reaching for the end button. “So, that’s settled then! Take care of Jaime’s medical files, and whatever he needs to bring-medications, personal stuff-just have them ready. I’ll, uh, call you back tomorrow to talk logistics, okay? Okay! Bye, Maya!”

And before anyone could respond, she jabbed at the screen and ended the call.

The call ended with Harper’s face frozen mid-wave before the screen went black.

For a beat, no one moved. The laughter that had filled the room seconds ago evaporated, leaving behind an awkward, humming silence. Maya’s polite smile lingered a moment too long before slipping. Across the table, Jaime fidgeted with his spoon, pretending to study the tablecloth.

Damien cleared his throat, the sound sharp in the quiet. “Well… that was-”

“Quite entertaining,” Dominic cut in, grin lazy as he lifted his glass for a sip.

Eleanor, who had been quietly observing while sipping her tea, set her cup down with delicate

precision. “Young people these days are quite…

“Contentious,” Charles finished smoothly, amusement tugging at his mouth. His eyes slid toward

Ashcroft with a knowing smirk.

Across from them, Ashcroft’s hand lingered near his wine glass. His expression remained calm-

controlled-but his eyes told another story. The faintest muscle ticked in his jaw, a glint of something sharp flickering behind his composure. Irritation warred with a darker intrigue, the kind

that came from being both challenged and fascinated.

“That woman,” he thought, his thumb tracing the rim of his glass, “is testing my patience.”

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OOG

GO

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