The Billionaire's Intern (Maya Thompson) novel Chapter 562

< Chapter 291 Practice What You Preach

Chapter 291: Practice What You Preach

For just a split second, Harper’s confidence wavered.

The question had caught her off guard, but she quickly regained her composure before answering as though it hadn’t affected her at all.

“Because it’s a complete waste of time,” Harper replied without hesitation.

Claim

“Would you believe he’s been sending me messages acting like a jealous boyfriend?” She let out a scoff.

“The other day, he said we needed to talk. Then yesterday, he practically blew up my phone with calls and all these weird text messages asking where I was, what I was doing, and who I was with.” She rolled her eyes. “Like, what the heck does he need to know for?”

She shook her head.

“And besides… talk about what? We had sex. So what? It’s not like it was our first time.” She snorted softly. “Why’s he suddenly acting like he’s obligated to take responsibility… or like there’s something more between us?”

Maya quietly studied Harper. Beneath the annoyance in her voice, she sensed something else.

“You know he likes you.”

Harper almost laughed.

“What?” She shot Maya an incredulous look before returning her attention to the road. “Are you serious? Liking someone isn’t the same as loving them.”

She shook her head.

“Come on, Maya. He’s a playboy. The whole world knows that.”

Her fingers tightened ever so slightly around the steering wheel.

“Nicholas Ashcroft is the kind of man who changes women as often as he changes his clothes. He thinks with what’s between his legs, not with his brain… and definitely not with his heart.”

She let out a quiet breath.

“I don’t believe someone like him could stay loyal to one person forever.”

After a brief pause, she spoke again, her voice softer.

“… And I’m not the type who settles for being someone’s bed warmer… or just another flavor of the month I’d be a fool to think i’d be any different.”

Her voice dropped to almost a whisper.

“I don’t want to get hurt.”

Maya looked at her for a long moment before smiling softly.

174

< Chapter 291-Practice What You Preach

“People used to say the exact same thing about Damien.”

Harper didn’t respond.

“They said he wasn’t capable of loving anyone.”

A quiet laugh escaped Maya’s lips.

“And yet…” She shook her head. “Who would’ve thought someone like him would fall in love with me?”

Her gaze drifted toward the passing city outside.

“And who would’ve thought I’d fall in love with someone like him?”

Harper slowly exhaled.

“It’s different.”

Maya tilted her head.

“Different how?”

For several seconds, only the quiet hum of the Audi’s engine filled the space between them.

Finally, Harper spoke.

Claim

“Because Damien genuinely fell in love with you. I just… don’t think Nick is capable of loving someone.”

Maya reached over and gently rested a hand on Harper’s shoulder.

“You remember what you told me before?”

Harper glanced at her briefly.

“You told me that if I never gave Damien a chance, I’d never know what could happen.”

A small smile tugged at Maya’s lips.

“I think the same thing applies here.”

Harper remained quiet.

“I’ve seen things you haven’t.” Maya’s smile softened. “The way he looks for you whenever you walk away. The way he talks about you when you’re not around. The way his expression changes whenever someone mentions your name.”

She gave Harper’s shoulder a gentle squeeze.

“He may still be trying to figure out what he’s feeling… but I genuinely believe those feelings are real.”

Harper kept her eyes on the road.

“And what if you’re wrong?”

Maya smiled gently.

<Chapter 291 Practice What You Preach

“Then you’ll have your answer.”

She paused.

“But if you never give him the chance to prove you wrong… you’ll spend the rest of your life wondering what might have been.”

Maya let the words linger for a moment before speaking again.

“Why do you think he insisted on coming on this trip?” she asked.

Claim

“It wasn’t for Damien. It wasn’t for me. It wasn’t for Jaime either.” She chuckled softly. “And it definitely wasn’t for whatever excuse he came up with.”

Her smile grew warmer.

“He came because of you.”

Harper let out a small, self-deprecating laugh.

“So… what? I’m supposed to believe my story is going to end the same way yours did?” She shook her head. “Don’t get your hopes up. Nicholas Ashcroft has a reputation for a reason.”

Maya’s voice softened.

“I’m not saying you should fall in love with him tomorrow. I’m just saying… don’t close the door before he even has the chance to knock.”

Maya paused before continuing.

“You can deny it all you want, but I know you’re feeling something.”

Her expression turned gentle.

“I think you’re still trying to figure out your own feelings… just like Nick is trying to figure out his.”

“The difference is that instead of facing them, you’re running away because you hate complications, But avoiding your feelings won’t make them disappear, Harper. It’ only hurt you more.”

Harper met Maya’s eyes.

୮

For the first time since the conversation began, every emotion she had been trying so hard to hide was reflected in her eyes-uncertainty, fear, and vulnerability.

Maya simply gave her a reassuring smile.

“For someone who’s always giving everyone else relationship advice, you’re terrible at following your own. Maybe it’s time you practiced what you preach.”

Harper couldn’t help but laugh.

“You’re right… I should.”

She turned her attention back to the road, her smile slowly fading as Maya’s words lingered in her mind.

< Chapter 291-ractice What You Preach

Claim

For the first time, she had no comeback. The thoughtful look in her eyes suggested that Maya’s words had Teached a part of her she had spent a long time trying to ignore.

The remainder of the drive passed quietly.

Neither of them brought up Nick again.

Instead, the conversation gradually shifted to lighter topics, allowing the tense atmosphere inside the car to slowly fade.

Not long after, Harper guided the Audi through the towering iron gates of the Takahashi Estate.

Unlike Blackwood Manor, the Takahashi family’s residence embraced a distinctly Japanese aesthetic. Traditional architecture blended seamlessly with modern design, creating a perfect balance between timeless elegance and cutting-edge innovation-a reflection of the family itself.

The convoy that had arrived ahead of them was already parked outside.

Harper pulled in behind the last SUV before switching off the engine.

“We’re here.”

The two stepped out of the car and made their way toward the entrance.

Standing at the front door was Mr. Takahashi, with another elderly gentleman quietly standing beside him.

By then, everyone from the SUVS had already gotten out. Mr. Takahashi greeted his wife with a warm embrace before exchanging pleasantries with Dahlia.

Harper and Maya walked over and took their place behind the others.

The moment Mr. Takahashi’s eyes landed on Jaime, he froze.

The welcoming smile on his face slowly faded.

“Dad?” Harper called out, immediately noticing the sudden change in his expression.

When he still didn’t respond, she followed his line of sight toward Jaime before looking back at him in confusion.

”

…Dad? What’s wrong?”

23

Comments

LUCK DRAW >

Vote

10.2K