Chapter 600
Chapter 600:
“That was extraordinary!” Pattie exclaimed, her enthusiasm unmistakable as she sidled closer to Roland. She had a mission tonight. She had to keep Roland in check, prevent Chris from misreading Maia’s intentions, and ensure that Chris’ role as Maia’s husband remained concealed.
Roland’s face darkened as he watched the performance, his irritation palpable.
Pattie leaned in, her breath brushing his ear. “Penny for your thoughts?” she murmured.
With Elvira momentarily distracted, Pattie seized her chance.
“Care to join me for a drink, Mr. Cullen?” she asked, her tone teasing yet insistent.
Roland glanced up, ready to decline, but Pattie’s expression left no room for refusal.
“Been apart for just a few days, and already you’re so distant. Don’t you recall that night at the hotel?” she whispered, her lips grazing his ear.
A chill of dread coursed through Roland. He clapped a hand over her mouth, casting furtive glances at Elvira and Maia.
“Please don’t say that, Miss Miller,” he hissed, exhaling in relief when he saw neither woman was watching.
“Nothing happened that night p>
“Really? Are you so sure we did nothing?” Pattie purred, her voice a velvet lure as she traced a finger along a button on his shirt.
Her warm breath fanned his face, stirring unease. That night, clouded by too much drink, remained a blur in Roland’s memory, and her words sowed seeds of doubt.
With a coy smile, Pattie raised a glass to his lips. “Drink this. It might jog your memory p>
Elvira, catching sight of Pattie’s brazen closeness to Roland, felt her jaw tighten and her expression darken. How dare Pattie exploit the moment to ply her brother with liquor?
The audacity was infuriating.
Gripping a wine glass, Elvira moved to intervene, but Maxwell deftly stepped into her path, blocking her advance.
Her frown deepened, her temper flaring, until Maxwell spoke. “Dr. Cullen, I need to discuss a personal matter. I’ve heard of your reputation as the renowned healer of Drakmire. Your last visit to Wront caused quite a stir. You see, I had an accident before and was left with a hidden injury that no doctor could cure. It’s fortunate to meet you today. I wonder if you could take a look p>
His tone, now earnest, contrasted sharply with his earlier levity. Elvira’s professional ethics tugged at her, but the timing was maddening.
“I’m terribly sorry. Tonight isn’t ideal. But please, come see me tomorrow,” she replied, her voice tinged with regret.
Maxwell, undeterred, lifted his shirt to reveal chiseled abs, pressing a hand to his right side. “It hurts here when touched,” he said.
Elvira stared, momentarily stunned by his shamelessness, though she couldn’t deny his impressive physique.
Shaking her head to clear the errant thought, she snapped back to reality.
Before she could react, Maxwell seized her hand and placed it on his rib. “Feel it, Dr. Cullen. Something’s not right,” he said, a roguish yet disarming smile playing on his lips.
A wave of heat rushed to Elvira’s cheeks, and she quickly pulled her hand away, taking a hasty step back. Inside, she kept telling herself to remain composed. She reminded herself of her profession and that Maxwell was only here because he wanted a medical opinion.
“Mr. Payne, if you’re worried about your health, you ought to visit a real hospital. I can’t find anything out of the ordinary just by touching p>
With his chin propped up, Maxwell watched her with a new spark of interest. All it took was a little teasing, and she turned red in an instant. Still, he told himself that he was only doing all this for Chris’ sake.
Message from Noah: Have a great weekend dear ones. God loves you and Noah wishes you all the best. (˵ •̀ ᴗ – ˵ ) ✧