Maia didn’t say much from start to finish, mostly silently eating. By the time the late-night meal ended, they said their goodbyesat the food stall and went their separate ways.

“Maia, I'll drive you home. It’s almost midnight, and I’m not at ease with you taking a cab alone,” Nigel said.

At this point, it was hard for Maia to refuse, so she nodded and followed Nigel towards where his car was parked. It was a bit of adistance from the cafe to Nigel’s car.

“Maia, if | remember correctly, Elena is the daughter of the head of the shipping group, right?Nigel asked.

Maia replied, “Yes, Nigel, do you know about the shipping group?”

Nigel smiled, “I’ve received their commission before, and I’ve met her father.”

Maia nodded. She should have thought of it earlier. Lawyers like Nigel, even if they didn’t directly involve themselves in thebusiness world, would still have close connections with people in those circles.

“| just didn’t expect Errol to be with Elena. After all, he loved Celia so much. | thought he wouldn’t be able to get over it for awhile. Now it seems that Errol has a strong recovery ability. That’s a good thing. As his sister, you should be relieved, right?”Nigel's tone was gentle.

Maia shook her head, “It’s because of this that I’m even more worried about Errol. No one can be immune from suffering. Errolhas established a connection with the shipping company in such a short time. Nigel, do you really think he has truly moved onfrom Celia’s departure?”

Nigel was slightly stunned, seemingly understanding something. “Are you suggesting that Errol is using marriage as a trade?”

Maia looked at Nigel, nodded slightly, and sighed, “Yes, only someone heartless would be so indifferent to matters of the heart.Errol marrying Elena is only for the sake of the vineyard’s export business. As you know, the Welbeck family’s shipping businessis substantial.”

“| never thought Celia’s departure would make Errol become like this... sigh...” Nigel shook his head gently, sighed, and thencontinued, “But, we still have to think positively. Maybe in the days to come, Errol will gradually fall in love with Elena. After all,she is a very good girl, and it’s evident that she likes Errol a lot.

Upon hearing Nigel’s words, Maia was momentarily stunned and then said, “Nigel, don’t you think what Errol is doing is unfair toElena? He sacrifices his own happiness and uses his marriage as a transaction. But what does it have to do with Elena?”

3+15 BONUSNigel understood Maia’s implication, but he could also understand Elena’s perspective.

“To be able to marry the person you love is a kind of happiness for Elena. Even if this person doesn’t love her now, who canguarantee that he won't fall in love with her in the future?” Nigel's tone was calm and gentle. “Being able to obtain the love of theone you love makes everything else unimportant.

“Even if the person you love doesn’t love you back, so what? On this point, | can understand Elena.”He looked at Maia with an expressive gaze. “Maia, you also know... you know how much | lovedyou."

11

The wind blew past their ears, but it dispersed the awkwardness of the moment.

Maia bit her lower lip, smiling lightly. “Nigel, | know your love for me is sibling love. | have always treated you as my olderbrother.”

Maia never expected Nigel to be so resolute. Until now, he hadn’t given up, even though she had indirectly rejected himcountless times. But he... still chose to love her. However, love was something she couldn't fake, and she couldn't deceive herown heart. Her heart didn’t belong to Nigel.

Nigel's expression stiffened for a moment, but his refined face still carried a smile. “Yes, | know. | know that you've alwaystreated me as an older brother.”

“Nigel, Uncle Lonnie called his daughter back to secure you as the son-in-law. At the latest next Saturday, you will meet thedaughter of the Knowles family!”

“You still remember this?” Nigel said helplessly, with a hint of disappointment in his eyes.

“Of course, how could a sister forget her brother’s important event?” Maia said with a smiling look at Nigel.Nigel awkwardly smiled, his tone gentle. “Hurry and get in the car.”

Maia nodded and, when she sat in the car, she also breathed a sigh of relief.

Soon, Nigel drove towards the Cloud Nine Residences. Upon arrival, Maia quickly opened the car door and said, “Thank you,Nigel. Drive safely on your way home.”

Nigel nodded. “Go wash up and sleep early. It’s late. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight, Nigel.” Maia waved to him before turning to walk into the building.

As soon as Maia entered the building, the housekeeper of this building stopped her. “Ms. Maia!

“4

Maia paused, looking at the housekeeper. “Is there something?”

2/3

+15 BONUS

Cloud Nine Residences was a high-end residence, and each building had a housekeeper.

“Ms. Maia, this was given to me by a gentleman just now.” The housekeeper handed Maia an envelope.

Maia looked at the housekeeper and asked puzzledly, “Gentleman? Which gentleman? Did he leave his name?”

The housekeeper shook his head. “He didn’t leave his name, but everyone knows this gentleman. He’s quite famous.”“Who?”

“Mr. Cedric Larkin.”

Maia felt a slight tremor in her hand as she took the envelope from the housekeeper.

“He waited for you here for a long time. It must have been at least two hours. | told him that you hadn't returned yet, and wedidn’t know if she would come back tonight. But Mr. Cedric didn’t say anything, he just kept waiting.

“He waited and waited until the ashtray on the garbage bin outside was full of cigarette butts. And youstill hadn't returned...‘

As the housekeeper spoke, Maia couldn't shake off the strange feeling in her heart. Somehow,

it made her uncomfortable.

“Later, | saw Mr. Cedric waited for two hours, so | told him that perhaps Ms. Maia wouldn't be coming back tonight. | suggestedleaving the items here, and | would personally deliver. Unexpectedly, Ms. Maia did come back, so now I’m handing everythingover to you intact.”

“Thank you,” Maia said.

“No need to be polite. It’s what | should do. But it was hard on Mr. Cedric. He waited outside the hall, and | heard from hisassistant that Mr. Cedric didn’t even have a meal...

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