James cleared his throat as they approached—now just a few feet away.
“Ms. Maya!”
His voice cut through the hum of conversation, startling her slightly. A few heads turned, attention briefly shifting to their corner of the lobby.
James offered a reassuring smile, his tone light but practiced. “Saw the men in black, huh? Nothing to worry about—they’re Mr. Ashcroft’s security team. Just standard protocol.”
Ashcroft stepped forward smoothly, sunglasses glinting. “Yeah, you know… gotta protect the goods.” He gave Maya a wink. “Just in case there are any crazy ladies out here who want to kidnap me.”
Harper gasped, playing right along. “True! That actually makes sense. You’re the infamous Nicholas Ashcroft, after all—sole heir to the Ashcroft estate, family fortune, secret vaults of gold, p
