The Billionaire's Intern (Maya Thompson) novel Chapter 458

Chapter 201: Seamless Deception-1

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Cruz and Hudson exchanged a brief glance, then nodded once. They carefully placed the black box-looking like a sturdy suitcase-on the table.

The lock was anything but ordinary. Sleek, glassy, and humming with quiet energy, it looked more

like a futuristic interface than a security mechanism. Hudson placed his thumb against the

surface. Instantly, it glowed, projecting a holographic outline of his fingerprint. A soft beep confirmed recognition, the display flashing green.

Then six faint dots appeared. Hudson swiped across them, tracing a pattern with precise movements. Another beep, another green light. Then came a subtle click, the unmistakable sound

of the lock disengaging.

He lifted the latch and swung the case open. Inside, two glass containers lay nestled in custom foam, molded flawlessly to their shape. Hudson and Cruz lifted them with careful precision, placing each on the table like priceless artifacts-then smoothly shifting the black case to the floor, clearing space without breaking the moment.

The masks inside gleamed under the office lights, immaculate and almost otherworldly.

For a moment, the room held its breath. Every eye was on them, waiting for the next move.

Then, faint pulses of blue light flickered across each mask’s surface, almost like they were alive-

watching back.

James and Monroe froze, both silently impressed. The masks were astonishing-every detail

mirrored their boss perfectly.

Ashcroft’s reaction was even more striking. His eyes widened as he took in the lifelike features, the way the skin, jawline, and contours were captured with uncanny realism-as if the face itself had

been peeled off and preserved inside the glass.

It wasn’t just a mask. It was a perfect replica, every line, every nuance, every subtle expression

frozen in place.

Damien remained silent, eyes sharp and calculating, impressed and undeniably curious.

Harper’s voice cut through the room, bright and teasing. “Aren’t they a beauty?” She peeled off her sheet mask, revealing her glowing face.

James cleared his throat. “Ms. Lin… these are…”

“Badass, huh?” Harper interrupted, grinning. “I know, I know…”

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hapter 201 Seamless Deception-1

Ashcroft’s voice snapped, sharp and horrified. “No! These are… some weird, scary-shit!”

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Harper rolled her eyes, her smile fading, replaced by irritation. “Ugh! You’re such an ass! A total killjoy! Debbie Downer! Negative Nancy! Urgh! Seriously, stop being so annoying!”

Ashcroft’s jaw tightened, voice low but clipped. “And you… are impossibly cheerful. It’s maddening.

Harper threw her hands up, mock horror in her tone. “Maddening? Me? Oh no, Mr. Grumpypants!

You’re the one sucking all the fun out of the room!”

Ashcroft’s lips twitched-eyes narrowing, fixed on the tablet screen. “What did you just call me?”

His voice was low, serious.

“Mr. Grumpypants!!” Harper shot back, totally unbothered.

Ashcroft snorted, disbelief lacing his tone. “Oh, so I’m Mr. Grumpypants… but you get to give these two ‘Big Daddy’ and ‘Stud fucking Muffin’ and I’m the grumpy one?!”

He leaned closer, jaw tight, jealousy written all over his face. “Seriously?!”

Harper blinked innocently. “What are you-”

Damien cleared his throat, his voice smooth as it cut clean through the moment. “As entertaining

as this is, I’m sure your… aggressive flirting can wait.”

Both Ashcroft and Harper stilled, caught off guard by Damien’s choice of words.

Ashcroft leaned back slightly, the edge in his posture easing just a fraction. On the screen, Harper blinked, momentarily speechless.

Around them, the other men suddenly found anything else far more interesting-averting their gazes, adjusting their stance, pretending they hadn’t just witnessed the exchange unfold.

The silence that followed was noticeably more awkward. Neither Ashcroft nor Harper made another attempt to argue.

Damien, unfazed, spoke again. “About the activation?”

Harper straightened on the screen, quickly regaining her composure. “Right, right! Okay-go ahead and take the masks out and put them on.”

She gestured toward the cases. “Those glass containers are sterilized and climate-controlled, so they’re clean and ready for use. The inner lining is already calibrated for skin contact.”

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