Maxine looked at Sebastian and eventually gave a slight nod.

    “Let’s go,” Sebastian said.

    Though Sebastian didn’t show much on the surface, inside, he was overjoyed.

    55 vouchers

    The inspection was only half serious. The branch staff would handle the financial issues. But since the person in charge heard that Sebastian had mentioned it, they tactfully didn’t press further. Sebastian only did a quick walkthrough today.

    Maxine followed him, offering professional insights at appropriate moments during their discussion.

    By the time they finished the tour, it was already afternoon.

    Sebastian took the opportunity to invite Maxine to dinner.

    “No need.” Maxine instinctively declined.

    Her thoughts were in disarray. She couldn’t make sense of her feelings for Sebastian after what Vivian and Lisa had said earlier.

    She turned to nce at Sebastian. He was still as handsome and proud as he had been back then.

    But after everything that had happened, she could no longer see him the same way.

    I just wanted to say thank you. Brian and Jessica have been craving food from Golden Diner. Come join us, Maxine,” Sebastian said in a soft voice. If one listened closely, there was a trace of pleading in his tone.

    He could sense Maxine’s sudden distance.

    A wave of panic surged in his heart. Instinctively, he reached out, trying to grasp the edge of her clothes, but Maxine had already stepped back, widening the space between them.

    Maxine said, “I’m sorry, I…”

    Maxine rubbed her temple, unsure of what she even wanted to say. But she knew she didn’t want that dinner.

    bSebastian /bsaid, “My apologies, I was too eager. Let me drive you back so you can rest.

    He dropped his arms in defeat. He had been too impatient, thinking that Maxine’s recent gentleness meant she had let go of the past.

    When he looked up again, the usual polite smile was back on his face.

    E55 vouchers

    “No need. I’ll head back on my own. You go take care of your work,” Maxine said, then turned and walked away without the slightest hesitation.

    A headache was pounding behind her eyes. She kept her head down, walking quickly, as if she could escape the moment faster that way.

    But just as the scent of pine unexpectedly filled her nose, it was already toote. Startled, she looked up wide–eyed, but couldn’t avoid it in time. The next second, her figure crashed right into a man’s chest.

    A broad chest wrapped around her, holding her securely.

    The man, surprised at first, quickly broke into a warm smile the moment he saw her face.

    “Fancy seeing you again, Ms. Hudson.” His deep, maic voice rumbled beside her ear, sounding incredibly pleasant.

    Maxine instinctively looked up.

    She cleared her throat awkwardly. “Sorry, I wasn’t watching where I was going. But could you… go of me first?”

    let

    Maxine was clearly ufortable. The man’s arm around her waist was too tight, as if she were trapped.

    Her flushed cheeks were strikingly red. Billett’s Adam’s apple bobbed involuntarily. His eyes were unreadable, with a hint of something deeper.

    Maxine didn’t seem to recognize him. But given the circumstances, that wasn’t too surprising. Just as he was about to say something, a figure rushed over. Before Maxine could react, Sebastian pulled her out of Billett’s arms and shielded her behind him protectively.

    He asked, “Thanks. May I ask your name?”

    Sebastian’s face was calm, but his tone was sharp andmanding, bringing the full weight of his usual businessb–/bworld presence,

    But Billett didn’t back down an inch. His aura was just as strong. Even when facing Sebastian, he merely nced at him with thinly veiled disdain.

    “See you next time, Ms. Hudson. And hopefully next time, you’ll remember me,” Billett said with a

    soft chuckle.

    Billett shifted his gaze from Sebastian to Maxine, whose delicate features were flushed with anger as she was firmly held behind him. With a soft chuckle, he ignored Sebastian entirely and strode off with his entourage.

    11:10 pm

    b55 /bvouchers

    His fingers still remembered the feel of her waist. Thinking of the man just now, a chill shed in his eyes.

    Billett thought, ‘Sebastian? That seemed to be the name.‘

    He scoffed. An idiot from the Mason family was not enough to know him.