The Villainess Needs a Hug (Ivy Windsor) novel Chapter 903

Even if they couldn't make it work romantically, she would never hesitate to help him if he needed it.

Turning to face him, she looked genuinely ready to assist, as if being useful to him brought her a sense of purpose.

Seeing the ice finally thaw, Naylor's expression softened. "It's like this. I'm in the early stages of acquiring an overseas firm, and there are a lot of complex procedures that require top-tier legal counsel. The firm my company usually partners with had some major compliance issues recently, so I’m cutting ties with them. I'm struggling to find a solid replacement on short notice, especially someone with aggressive international law experience. I was wondering if you had any connections."

Katrina's eyes lit up with professional enthusiasm. "Actually, yes! My mentor's wife is brilliant in that exact field."

"Your mentor's wife?"

"Yeah. My grad school advisor specializes in criminal and civil law, but his wife is an absolute shark in international corporate law. I can reach out and see if she's taking on new clients."

A genuine smile spread across Naylor's face, his gaze warming as he looked at her. "That would be incredible. I'd really appreciate it."

"It's no trouble at all."

"Let me take you to dinner tonight, then. I have a few preliminary questions about the contract structures. Given the confidential nature of the acquisition, I really can't risk bouncing this off lawyers I don't trust."

Katrina wasn't entirely naive. She suspected he was just manufacturing an excuse to buy her dinner, but his reasoning was so perfectly professional and bulletproof that she couldn't find a valid reason to shoot him down.

She hesitated for a split second before nodding. "Alright. Fine."

They drove to a high-end restaurant. Throughout the meal, Naylor expertly kept the conversation focused strictly on business, and the atmosphere between them grew surprisingly comfortable.

After they finished, he naturally drove her home.

Katrina was still living in a cramped rental apartment just a few blocks from the hospital.

But the sheer terror of losing her mother paralyzed her, making her selfishly beg her mom to endure the agony of treatment just a little longer.

She wanted to keep her mother alive. Every extra day meant one more day of being loved, one more day of not being completely alone in the world.

But for her mother, every single day was a waking nightmare of pain. Letting go was her only true relief.

Hearing the raw devastation in her voice, Naylor's chest tightened violently. Acting purely on instinct, he reached across the console and enveloped her small hand in his, gripping it tightly.

Katrina jolted in surprise. She snapped her head up to look at him, her beautiful eyes shimmering with unshed tears, looking so incredibly fragile and broken that it tore at his heart.

Naylor stared deeply into her eyes. In that fleeting, emotionally charged second, an overwhelming, undeniable urge to marry her seized him.

"Katrina... let's get married. Let's do it so your mom can have some peace of mind, yeah?"