At that moment, as Sidney looked at Maria’s radiant smile, his thoughts briefly drifted.That afternoon, she had been out having dinner with another man.She’d returned without letting him know.And yet…Sidney stopped himself from spiraling further into speculation. His tone was calm as he spoke, “I came to update you on the recent situation at the studio.””Oh?” Maria raised a surprised brow, clearly not expecting such an excuse from him.Nonetheless, she opened the door and said, “Come in, then.”After changing her shoes, Maria added, “Make yourself comfortable. I’m going to take a shower first.”Having spent the day out, she felt uncomfortable with the mix of lingering scents on her, especially after being grabbed by Tracy and Gorden earlier-it made her feel unclean.Sidney didn’t respond, simply stepping inside and taking a quick look around. The place was spotless, and there were no signs of anyone else being there.She hadn’t had other visitors.Sidney sat down on the sofa.As dusk slowly turned into evening, Maria finally emerged from her room after about thirty minutes. She was dressed in simple sleepwear, her long hair wrapped in a towel, and her cheeks were slightly flushed from the steam of her shower. Sidney’s gaze lingered on her, his eyes darkening almost imperceptibly.Maria pulled a drink from the fridge and glanced at him, asking, “Want one?”Sidney nodded. “Sure.”She grabbed another bottle, setting it down in front of him before settling into the armchair across from him-keeping a noticeable distance between them.That small gesture didn’t escape Sidney’s attention. His eyes flickered for just a moment. She hadn’t used to be like this.”Go ahead,” Maria prompted, opening her drink when Sidney still hadn’t said anything.Sidney cleared his throat, nodded, and took out his tablet.Opening the report he had prepared, he placed it in front of her and began explaining the recent developments at the studio.As Maria listened, she quickly realized that Sidney had real capability.The studio was running smoothly under his management, and he had even taken on several personal projects while recruiting talented designers. Her decision to let him take a stake in the studio and manage it seemed to be paying off. However, Maria’s attention soon drifted away from the content of his report.Instead, it shifted to his voice.His smooth, clear tone flowed like a gentle stream in the mountains.The thought crossed her mind: If this voice ever softly called someone “dear,” it would probably be intoxicating.Leaning back in her chair, Maria’s gaze landed on Sidney’s face.He was still focused on the tablet, speaking as if he had a lot to say.His lips, slightly dry, softened after a sip of the drink, glistening under the light.His voice grew even smoother, more soothing, as his Adam’s apple bobbed with each swallow a strangely alluring sight.For a fleeting moment, Maria felt the urge to reach out and touch him.But she held back.Suddenly, the image of Sidney and that girl having dinner together flashed through her mind.That… was probably his girlfriend, right?Hmph.Shebrought up the idea of themtogether, he’dtryingwasn’t appropriate. Yet, as soon as she left, he seemed to have started dating someone else.Clearly, he wasn’t interested in her anymore.Fine, then.She wasn’t one to dwell on things that weren’t meant to be.Before, she could afford to keep things playful, but now it was different. Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ Fɪndηovᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.With him handling the studio’s operations, if she continued with the same carefree attitude, he might have leverage over her-and that would mean risking her finances. Absolutely not.Sidney had been speaking for awhile when he finally looked up, onlyto find Maria staring off into space with a faint smile on her lips His eyes instantly darkened with a cool intensity.What was she thinking about? That man?QUMS
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