The Billionaire's Maid Bride novel Chapter 616

"Hughes is a couple of years younger than Emma, and Allison always teases her, calling him her 'little boyfriend.'

\"He's hurt, and you've got the nerve to tease me about my little boyfriend, Hughes? I gotta go—Allie is waiting for me...\"

Emma hung up the phone, her heart racing with concern as she grabbed her jacket.

Just then, Hughes caught her fingers, his eyes narrowing with a mix of pain and mischief. \"What was that? I've got no energy?\"

Emma flushed, surprised he'd hung onto her offhand comment. She leaned down, pressed a reassuring kiss to his lips, then pulled back with a smirk. \"Poor choice of words. You're as tough as a lion, Mr. Kenneth. But I do have to run. Allie and I are heading to Silvertown for a film shoot, and I'll be gone for a couple of months.\" She squeezed his hand. \"I'll make time to come see you, okay? Take care and don't be too stubborn. Call Bryan if you need anything.\"

As Emma dashed out, Hughes chuckled softly, the scent of her peach perfume lingering in the air—a comforting reminder of their moment. Despite the sting of his wound, he found himself smiling again. He whipped out his smartphone and shot her a text.

\"Slow down on your way, Lauren. If you need me, I might not make it, but Bryan's your guy. He's almost as good as me, minus a little finesse.\"

At 10 a.m., Leah hosted a card game.

Margo, carrying a tray of iced tea, opened the game as the well-to-do ladies from Northfield gathered around the table. Ever since the news that Leah's golden girl, Penny, was set to marry into the prestigious Lindbergs, Leah had found herself in the inner circles of Northfield's elite. Though she couldn't bring herself to splurge on handbags worth millions, her daughter's upcoming nuptials were her golden ticket.

Lucian's betrothed.

It had been over a year since the engagement, and while Penny hadn't yet wed into the Lindbergs, and the Flanagans were the butt of many jokes, no one dared mock Leah to her face.

The cards were dealt, and Leah's luck was in. She won two rounds straight, her smile growing with each victory.

\"Seems I'm on a roll today,\" Leah beamed.

Marian, on a losing streak, forced a grin. \"Mrs. Flanagan, I've heard the fortune-teller at St. Michael's Chapel is quite miraculous. I sought a blessing for my daughter six months ago, and just last month, she got engaged to the Young family. A match made in heaven.\"

\"The tech business is booming for both families,\" added another guest, nodding in agreement.

\"Really? Maybe I should pay a visit,\" Mrs. Posner exclaimed, intrigued by the idea.

Leah clutched her cards tighter. \"A fortune-teller at St. Michael's?\"

Marian nodded, \"I know you don't believe in this stuff, Mrs. Flanagan, but seeing my daughter so happy in her marriage, it's all I could ask for.\"

Leah filed the information away. If Penny could get pregnant, it would smooth over any lingering doubts about the marriage. Maybe St. Michael's was worth a shot. With that thought, Leah prodded Marian for more details."