The Billionaire's Intern (Maya Thompson) novel Chapter 514

"Sweetheart."

Dominic immediately stepped forward.

"Where have you been?"

The question caused everyone in the room to focus on Dahlia.

For a brief moment, she seemed caught off guard by the number of people still gathered in the dining hall. Then, almost instinctively, her gaze drifted toward Maya before quickly moving away again.

"I was out," she answered.

The response came a little too quickly.

Almost as though she had prepared the answer in advance.

For someone as composed and thoughtful as Dahlia, the rushed response felt oddly out of character.

Dominic frowned.

"Out where?"

His concern was becoming increasingly obvious.

"You left shortly after Damien this morning. You sent me one text all day, and that was it."

He shook his head.

"I've been trying to get a hold of you since this afternoon. I even tried calling Kim, but neither of you could be reached."

A hint of frustration slipped into his voice.

"I was worried, sweetheart."

Damien's brows furrowed.

The more his father spoke, the more suspicious the situation became.

His gaze remained fixed on Dahlia.

Something wasn't right.

Dahlia hesitated.

The pause lasted only a few seconds, but it was enough to draw attention.

Enough to make several people exchange glances.

When she finally answered, her tone sounded perfectly normal.

Perhaps a little too normal. "I had some important things to take care of."

The answer did little to ease anyone's concerns.

Damien remained silent, but his eyes never left her face.

Something was definitely wrong.

He knew his mother too well.

Well enough to recognize when she was hiding something.

More importantly, she kept avoiding both his gaze and Maya's.

The behavior was subtle enough that most people would miss it.

He didn't.

Neither, apparently, did Charles.

The old patriarch's eyes narrowed slightly as he studied his daughter-in-law.

Meanwhile, Dominic's concern only grew.

It was already well past eleven.

While Dahlia occasionally came home late, she had never been the type to disappear without saying a word.

Not when she knew everyone would worry.

"Dahlia."

His voice softened.

"Did something happen?"

For the first time since entering the room, her composure visibly wavered.

It wasn't dramatic.

Most people probably wouldn't have noticed it.

But Maya did, and a feeling of unease immediately settled in her chest. "Aunt Dahlia?"

The concern in her voice caused Dahlia's expression to falter even further.

For a brief moment, she looked as though she wanted to say something.

Then she looked away.

"I'm fine," she said quietly.

A second later, she seemed to compose herself, smoothing away every trace of emotion as though nothing had happened.

"It has been a long day, and I'm just tired. I'd like to get some rest."

Her gaze briefly shifted toward Maya, and a small smile appeared on her face.

"We're leaving before sunrise. You should get some rest too."

Then she looked around at everyone else gathered in the dining hall.

"Please excuse me."

Without waiting for a response, she turned and headed upstairs.

The sound of her footsteps gradually faded into the distance.

Unfortunately, nobody believed her.

As Dahlia disappeared upstairs, a heavy silence settled over the dining hall.

For several seconds, nobody spoke.

Charles slowly turned toward Dominic, and the two men exchanged a look.

Nothing needed to be said.

"You got one."

Damien's arm remained firmly around Maya's waist.

"Now go home."

The other men nearby immediately tried-and failed-to hide their amusement.

Nicholas looked personally offended.

"Don't tell me you're jealous. I'm practically her brother now."

"Get out," Damien muttered, though there was a hint of amusement in his eyes.

Even Maya couldn't stop herself from laughing. Meanwhile, Nicholas raised both hands in surrender.

"Fine. Fine. Alright. I'll see myself out. Goodnight, everyone."

"Goodnight, Nick. Drive safe," Maya called after him.

A few minutes later, Monroe, Hudson, and Cruz excused themselves as well.

One by one, everyone gradually headed off for the night until only Damien and Maya remained in the dining hall.

The manor had grown noticeably quieter.

Damien glanced toward Maya.

"Let's go."

Maya nodded.

Together, they headed upstairs.

By the time they reached their room, the entire floor had fallen silent.

Maya stepped inside first.

"I'm going to wash up."

Damien nodded.

"Take your time."

A moment later, the bathroom door closed behind her.

Left alone in the bedroom, Damien locked the door before walking over to the side table and setting the container of cheesecake down.

Glancing toward the bathroom door, he raised his voice slightly.

"I don't think you should eat this tonight, love. The sugar content alone will keep you awake until dawn."

He didn't wait for a response.

Instead, he removed his coat and draped it over a nearby chair, then loosened his tie and began unbuttoning his shirt, finally shedding the last remnants of a very long day.

Halfway through unbuttoning his shirt, the bathroom door opened, and he instinctively turned toward the sound.

The words he had been about to say immediately died in his throat.

Maya stood in the doorway wearing a silk robe and something about the way she was looking at him immediately caught his attention.

Usually, Maya was the first to look away whenever their eyes met for too long. Tonight was different.