The Trending Topic Herself: The Villainess is the Superstar!

Chapter 296: Maya Monroe, I Really Want to Be With You Forever

Scott stood behind, watching them leave with wide eyes. He took a step forward but then withdrew, hesitant and troubled.

The atmosphere between the two was so tense it felt like they might start fighting at any moment. Remembering Ian Rowe’s previous questions, Scott instantly felt all his hairs stand on end.

Ivy bent down as she descended from the RV, holding a storage box. Seeing Scott standing there with a forlorn expression, she walked over and asked with concern, "Scott, what’s wrong? Do you have something on your mind?"

"Well... Mr. Rowe came over and, coincidentally, ran into Leo. Now the two of them went outside... to talk."

Ivy frowned slightly, "Oh... but why would they chat together? Could they be friends in private?"

Seeing that Ivy didn’t understand the essence, Scott could only sigh deeply, "You got here late, I don’t know how to explain some things to you..."

Ivy bit her lip, puzzled, "Is it hard to explain?"

"A bit, yeah. Right now it’s very critical and tricky."

Ivy nodded in confusion, "Well, Scott, you handle your stuff. I’ll go take care of what Maya asked."

Scott looked troubled and just hummed in response.

Scott took out his phone from his pocket, deciding to call Ryan Spencer for advice.

In important situations that were hard to resolve, Scott would always consult Ryan.

This matter was quite significant, as it would severely impact Maya’s real life.

Ryan answered quickly, his voice as calm and collected as always, never hurried: "Scott, what’s up?"

Scott explained the situation briefly and expressed his thoughts, "I want to go over and try to intervene. I’m afraid they might start fighting."

There was a few seconds of silence from Ryan’s side, seemingly not expecting such a dramatic situation to unfold. He pondered, "It’s better if you don’t get involved; let them sort it out themselves."

"But what if they start fighting? You didn’t hear how cold Mr. Rowe’s tone was... He’s usually cold when speaking, but this time it was like a volcano about to erupt..."

"You’re overthinking it. Mr. Rowe is too rational to get physical. Leo, even less so, he’s famous for his good temper. They both know their boundaries."

A female secretary’s voice came through from Ryan’s side, "I have a meeting to attend now."

Scott stood there for another minute, then decided to follow Ryan’s advice.

*

After finishing her scene, Maya heard Scott report the incident. Upon returning to the spot, there was still no sign of Ian Rowe, and no one knew where he’d gone to talk.

Maya frowned unconsciously and made a call directly.

This time it wasn’t immediately answered; it took about ten seconds before a cold voice came from the other end.

"Maya?"

Hearing his tone was relatively normal, Maya couldn’t help but let out a sigh of relief. Her gaze fixed on a peach tree in the distance: "Where are you now?"

The other end was silent for a few seconds, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

"Wait for me, I’ll be right back."

After hanging up, Scott asked from the side, "Maya, how is it?"

"Shouldn’t be a problem"

Maya, somewhat absent-minded, tossed her phone to Scott: "Put this in my bag. Let’s wait over there."

Maya stayed under the tent, holding a basket of fruit. Not long after, it was nearly empty.

"Maya, should I prepare more?"

"No need." Maya placed the basket on the table in front of her and took no further action.

When Ian Rowe walked over, this was the scene he saw: Maya reclined in a bamboo chair, her expression serene, her beautiful eyes fixed in one place, with only the orange juice in her hand swaying gently.

For some reason, Ian felt as if his heart was subtly moved.

"Why are you staying under the tent? There are many bugs here."

Maya was dressed in a simple-style short-sleeve shirt, her two slim, white arms exposed. Her skin was extremely fair, and the slight redness on her left arm was barely concealed.

Ian looked at her, "Let’s head back to the RV."

Maya stood up and took his arm, almost instantly feeling the tension in his muscles.

"I just heard you went to see Leo?" Her tone was frank, revealing no other emotions.

Ian didn’t want to hide it from her: "Just talked about a few things."

"About me?"

They got on the RV; Scott smartly stayed behind, not intending to disturb their time together.

"Yes."

"I don’t know why you would think that, but Leo and I really are just friends, and if I add a bit more, we’re childhood friends..."

Maya didn’t say the other part aloud: In her eyes, everyone in this world was nearly the same; everyone was alike.

Ian’s jealousy was a bit excessive.

Ian paused, glanced at her sideways, and smiled slightly: "Are you explaining to me?"

This time it was Maya’s turn to be stunned; her earlier actions were indeed explanations. Realizing this, Maya’s expression became slightly awkward:

"Yes."

"Maya... Could it be possible that you care about me more than you think?" His eyes were deep, giving off an extremely focused feeling when he looked at someone.

Care?

Maya didn’t answer. She also asked herself this strange question in her heart.

Care? Care about Ian Rowe?

She wanted to give a negative answer immediately, but her suddenly rapid breathing proved her heart was far from calm.

For the first time, she hesitated over something like this.

The consequence of hesitating was losing the upper hand.

By the time Maya realized, Ian’s body was already pressing towards her. She thought it would be another hot kiss, but instead, it was a gentle hug.

Maya’s face was almost buried in Ian’s broad chest, the familiar scent of sandalwood enveloping her, strong and domineering, impossible to ignore.

She heard Ian’s heartbeat, one after another, like a drum.

"Maya, I really want to be with you forever."

His voice was as deep as ever, but this time it carried a bit of melancholy and wistfulness.

Ian unconsciously tightened his embrace and sighed, "Even if I hold you tightly enough, you would still run away, wouldn’t you?"

"Every second with you, I’m both satisfied and anxious, fearful it might be the last."

"Husband, what are you thinking, I..."

Sweet words seemed hard to come by, so Maya remained silent.

But Ian’s presence was too overwhelming, not just smelling his scent, feeling his heartbeat; Maya felt her brain turn to mush, filled only with Ian’s face.

Time ticked by, and neither spoke, just quietly holding each other like this.