The Billionaire's Intern (Maya Thompson) novel Chapter 551

Silence settled over the cabin once more as Maya quietly reflected on their words.

Then, unable to bear the heavy atmosphere any longer, Jaime was the first to break the silence.

A small grin spread across his face as he looked at Maya.

“That’s right, May. Just like I promised you, once I get better, I’ll be the one protecting you too. I’ll work hard, become successful, and make lots of money. Then no one will ever be able to push us around again.”

His determined expression was so earnest that it melted the lingering heaviness in the cabin.

A chorus of warm laughter followed.

Maya smiled, reached over, and affectionately ruffled his hair.

“Okay, Super Jaime. I get it.” She chuckled. “You’ll be my knight in shining armor.”

Jaime immediately shook his head.

“Umm… nope.” He pointed toward the screen where they had watched the press conference moments earlier. “That’s Damien’s job.”

He tapped a finger against his chin, pretending to think.

“I’ll be your…”

His face suddenly brightened.

“Your personal bodyguard!”

Lee immediately raised a hand.

“Hold that thought. That’s already my job.”

Another round of laughter echoed through the cabin.

Jaime laughed along before snapping his fingers.

“Oh, I know!” He pointed proudly at himself. “I’ll be your secret weapon!”

Maya raised an eyebrow as if to say, Really?

Then she smiled, reached over, and gently pinched his cheek.

“Hmm… I like that. And i’ll hold you to it too.”

The cabin erupted in laughter once again.

Then, as though a completely unrelated thought had hijacked his brain, Jaime’s eyes lit up with unmistakable excitement.

“Oh! Speaking of Japan…” He turned eagerly toward Alice. “Aunt Alice, how far is the Ghibli Museum from  where we’re staying?”

Alice couldn’t help smiling.

“Not very far,” she replied. “Once you’ve recovered, I’ll make sure Kenji takes you anywhere you’d like to go.

“Really?” Jaime’s eyes sparkled. “Awesome! I’ve always wanted to see it in person!”

Watching his excitement, Dahlia smiled warmly

“That reminds me,” she said. “Since you’ll only be staying in Japan for a short while, there’s someone I’d like both of you to meet.”

“All right…” she said. “Now tell me.”

Dear Friend  blinked.

“Tell you what?”

Alice’s smile faded into a more serious expression.

“Who is this mysterious friend you’re suddenly so eager for Maya and Jaime to meet?”

Dahlia remained silent.

She turned away, her gaze drifting toward the window as she considered her answer. For a long moment, the only sound between them was the quiet hum of the aircraft.

She knew the decision she had made carried enormous risks. The fewer people who knew about it, the safer everyone would be. But Alice had been her closest friend for decades. if there was one person she could trust to understand… it was her.

Taking a slow breath, Dahlia finally turned back to face her.

“…It’s Cecilia.”

Alice frowned slightly.

“Cecilia?”

She searched her memory, repeating the name in her mind. Then, as realization suddenly struck, her eyes widened.

“…Cecilia Lockwood?”