The Billionaire's Intern (Maya Thompson) novel Chapter 398

Chapter 178: The Little Firecracker-1

A brief silence followed, settling over the table like an unspoken agreement.

Then Alice spoke again, her voice gentler, almost reflective.

“If people learned how to express what they truly feel… wouldn’t everything be easier?”

Her smile didn’t fade as her gaze shifted-brief but unmistakable-between Maya and Damien, before finally settling on Ashcroft.

“Do you agree, Nicholas?” she asked lightly.

Nicholas swallowed hard.

He lifted a hand to the back of his neck, laughter slipping out a second too late. “Ah… yes. Of

course. Of course, I do.”

A few smiles surfaced around the table.

Some amused.

Some a little too knowing.

Alice nodded once, seemingly satisfied.

Nicholas returned the gesture, then quietly moved to take his seat, relief written plainly

across his features.

Only then did Alice raise her hand-subtle, practiced.

A petite woman stepped forward at once, dressed in tailored black trousers, a crisp white polo beneath an open black suit jacket. She bowed politely to the table before turning to

Alice.

“This is my assistant, Hana,” Alice said calmly, offering a brief introduction.

Without ceremony, Alice passed her the wrapped bottle Nicholas had brought.

“Please take Mr. Ashcroft’s generous gift to the vehicle.”

“Kashikomarimashita,” Hana replied softly, bowing once more before withdrawing, her footsteps soundless as she slipped from the room.

The dinner and conversation around the table resumed, but something had shifted.

It was subtle-almost imperceptible if you weren’t looking closely. Laughter came a beat too

hapter 178 The Little Firecracker-1

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late. Smiles didn’t quite reach their eyes. Even the clink of cutlery sounded measured, cautious, as though everyone were stepping carefully around an unspoken truth.

Maya kept her gaze fixed on her plate.

She could still feel Damien beside her-the space he occupied, the heat of his presence, the absence of his hand where it had been only moments ago.

Damien ate mechanically. Polite. Composed. Perfectly controlled.

Alice’s words lingered, echoing softly in her mind.

If people learned how to express what they truly feel… wouldn’t everything be easier?

Maya exhaled quietly and lifted her glass, taking a small sip of water she didn’t need. Her pulse refused to slow.

She didn’t look at him.

Because if she did, she wasn’t sure she’d be able to keep pretending that everything was fine.

Her thoughts were interrupted when Alice spoke again.

“As I was saying earlier, Damien, I apologize for my daughter’s actions.”

Damien inclined his head, sincerity in his voice.

“That’s not necessary, Aunt Alice.”

Alice shook her head gently.

“I disagree. What she did was… manipulative. She even kept it from me for so many years.”

Damien set his cutlery down gently. He picked up his napkin and dabbed at his lips before speaking.

“And… let’s admit it,” he added, calm but firm. “Clever, too. She did what she thought was best

at the time, to protect herself. Besides, she didn’t cause the company-or me-any trouble at

all.”

He paused, letting the words settle, then continued. “In fact, she excelled in her role. The PR department benefited greatly from her contributions.”

A quiet exhale left Damien, the edge in his voice easing.

“And… honestly, if it weren’t for her, Maya probably would have quit.”

His gaze shifted to Maya and held. Too steady. Too intentional.

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Capte 128 The Little Firecracker 1

In his eyes, she caught it-the unspoken plea, the weight of everything they had left unresolved. Words swallowed. Of truths still waiting to be said.

“Everything…” he continued, carefully, “…worked out for the better.”

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The words sounded measured, almost rehearsed. As if he weren’t speaking only about the company-or Harper-but about them. About choices made and paths taken. About the fragile hope that maybe, somehow, the damage hadn’t been permanent.

Maya’s fingers tightened around her cutlery. Then she looked away, as if forcing herself to.

Alice noticed it-the weight behind Damien’s words, the intention behind his pause, the silence that followed. Understanding flickered across her features. Her expression softened, a small, knowing smile tugging at her lips as she exhaled.

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