Chapter 180: A Night Alone With Maya
Lucas was just about to leave the banquet hall when he glanced at Maya.
Although she was trying her best to appear calm…
He could easily tell what was on her mind.
She didn’t want to go home.
Not tonight.
After everything that had happened…
The broken engagement.
The public humiliation.
Her family’s constant pressure.
Going back to the Laurent residence was probably the last thing she wanted.
What she needed now wasn’t another lecture.
She needed time to breathe.
Lucas smiled gently.
“How about we grab a drink?”
“You’ve had a rough day.”
“Let’s find somewhere quiet and relax for a while.”
The moment Maya heard those words, her beautiful eyes brightened.
A warm feeling quietly spread through her heart.
Lucas had noticed.
He understood exactly how she felt without her saying a single word.
He wasn’t forcing her to return home.
Nor was he asking questions that would only reopen fresh wounds.
Instead…
He simply gave her an excuse to escape for a while.
Maya couldn’t help smiling.
“…Okay.”
She nodded softly without the slightest hesitation.
To her…
Lucas really was an incredibly considerate man.
The two of them walked out of the banquet hall together before getting into Lucas’s Lamborghini.
The powerful engine roared softly as Lucas started the car.
He had originally planned to take Maya to Hanky Panky Bar.
With his highest-tier membership…
He could reserve an entire private lounge with a single phone call.
No one would disturb them.
Just as Lucas was about to drive away…
Maya suddenly spoke.
“Actually…”
“We don’t have to go to a club.”
Lucas turned to look at her.
“Hm?”
Maya smiled gently.
“I’ve been to your house before.”
“I still remember your private wine collection.”
“There were so many expensive bottles that I couldn’t even recognize half of them.”
She laughed softly.
“I don’t think any bar in Silvermont has a collection that compares to yours.”
She looked out the window before speaking again.
“So…”
“If you don’t mind…”
“Why don’t we just go to your house instead?”
“It’ll be much quieter.”
“And honestly…”
“I don’t really want to be around a crowd tonight.”
Lucas was slightly surprised.
He had been planning to show off his exclusive membership at Hanky Panky Bar.
Who would’ve thought…
Maya would suggest going to his house instead?
Thinking about it carefully…
She was right.
After everything that had happened today…
The last place Maya needed was a noisy nightclub filled with strangers.
His villa was quiet.
Comfortable.
There would be no unnecessary attention.
They could simply have a drink and relax.
However…
Another problem immediately surfaced in Lucas’s mind.
Debbie.
Daisy.
And Mia.
All three of them were currently staying at his house.
If he suddenly brought Maya home…
Things could become rather…
Awkward.
Debbie and Daisy probably wouldn’t mind.
After spending time with the sisters…
Lucas had already realized they weren’t the jealous or possessive type.
If anything…
They would probably tease him a little before happily welcoming Maya inside.
But Mia…
Lucas honestly wasn’t sure how she would react.
Lucas couldn’t help rubbing the bridge of his nose helplessly.
“Looks like…”
“This is going to require a bit of explaining.”
Still…
He wasn’t about to refuse Maya over something so trivial.
He smiled and nodded.
“Alright.”
“My house it is.”
Hearing his answer…
Maya’s smile became noticeably brighter.
For the first time since leaving the banquet…
The heaviness weighing on her heart seemed to ease just a little.
Soon, Lucas started the Bugatti and slowly pulled away from the hotel.
The engine let out a deep, powerful growl before the supercar merged onto the highway.
The city lights gradually illuminated the road as night quietly descended over Silvermont.
Normally…
Lucas enjoyed driving fast.
But tonight…
Since Maya had specifically asked to go to his house instead of the club, he naturally followed her suggestion without complaint.
The two chatted casually along the way.
Sometimes they laughed.
Sometimes they simply enjoyed the comfortable silence.
Before long…
The Bugatti slowly entered the villa district.
As the car approached the entrance, the intelligent gate recognized the license plate and automatically slid open.
Lucas drove into the spacious courtyard before parking smoothly in front of the mansion.
He glanced around instinctively.
“…Strange.”
The villa seemed unusually quiet.
Unlike the lively atmosphere from the past few days…
There wasn’t a single light on upstairs.
No voices.
No footsteps.
It was almost as though nobody was home.
Lucas didn’t think too much about it.
Instead…
He secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
To be honest…
He had already been preparing himself for the awkward explanations he might have to give if Debbie, Daisy, and Mia were all inside.
Now…
It looked like fate had saved him from that headache.
He opened the front door and invited Maya inside.
The moment they stepped into the luxurious living room, Lucas casually pressed a button on the smart control panel.
Soft golden lights gradually illuminated the mansion.
At the same time…
The villa’s built-in surround sound system slowly came to life.
A soothing jazz melody gently flowed through every corner of the house.
The sound quality was exceptional.
It felt as though a private concert was taking place inside the living room itself.
Maya couldn’t help looking around.
Even though she had visited the villa once before…
She still couldn’t help admiring it.
The peaceful atmosphere…
The elegant decoration…
Combined with the relaxing music…
Made all the stress she had been carrying throughout the day slowly melt away.
Lucas walked toward the private bar.
Rows upon rows of expensive liquor were displayed neatly inside the illuminated wine cabinet.
He casually selected a bottle before pouring two glasses.
“Cheers.”
He smiled as he handed one to Maya.
Maya accepted it with both hands.
“…Cheers.”
The crystal glasses lightly touched.
As the conversation continued…
One glass became two.
Then three.
The atmosphere between them gradually became increasingly relaxed.
The alcohol slowly warmed Maya’s cheeks, leaving a faint blush on her delicate face.
The sadness that had weighed on her heart all day seemed to fade further with every sip.
Instead…
Whenever she looked at Lucas…
Her heart would inexplicably beat a little faster.
The man sitting beside her had protected her in front of everyone tonight.
He had stood against Malrik without hesitation.
Transferred billions of dollars to her without asking for anything in return.
Bought her the necklace she liked.
And afterward…
Rather than taking advantage of her vulnerable state…
He had simply brought her home so she could quietly relax.
The more Maya thought about it…
The gentler her gaze became.
Little by little…
Her eyes lingered on Lucas longer than before.
Without even realizing it…
The distance between them on the sofa seemed to shrink naturally.
Her mind was no longer occupied by the events of the banquet.
Instead…
It was gradually being filled by only one person.
Lucas.