The Trending Topic Herself: The Villainess is the Superstar!-Chapter 131: Picking Her Up Personally

Kiki was momentarily stunned, and then quietly clenched her fist. She glanced back at Maya.

Again, she considered Maya a strong competitor, yet Maya didn’t even look at her, as if she were just trash in the corner to be stepped on.

"Maya..." she murmured, her eyes igniting with flames.

Joel Quinn and his assistant stepped out of the elevator; they had an important matter to handle.

Joel was dressed in a dark red suit. It wasn’t a particularly subdued color, but it felt different on him. His cuffs were slightly rolled up, revealing the white shirt beneath.

He paused, his gaze shifting to a fleeting figure, narrowing his fox-like eyes. "Just now, was that Maya?"

The assistant shook his head; they had only glimpsed the waterfall-like thick black hair and the slender waist and figure.

Joel suddenly chuckled, "It should have been her. It’s a pity I didn’t run into her. I really wanted to see how tanned she’d gotten after being in the tropical rainforest for so many days. Wondering if she was as yellow as a potato..."

As if he thought of an amusing description, a light laugh escaped his lips, "She used to mock and bully me when we were kids, but now I don’t even have the chance to settle the score. Thinking about it, it’s quite regrettable..."

Joel walked ahead, with his assistant following behind.

Not paying attention, the assistant dropped his briefcase. The assistant patted his muddled head, about to bend down to pick it up, when a white hand beat him to it.

Kiki picked up the briefcase, gently dusting off the non-existent dust, but instead of handing it to the assistant, she raised her arm and extended it towards Joel.

Kiki’s cheeks held a faint smile, tender and considerate, "Is this yours? Here you go."

Joel didn’t take it; instead, he looked at her with a smile, "Do I really look so much like an assistant holding a bag?"

His voice betrayed no annoyance, but Kiki’s expression froze.

His handsome attire certainly didn’t make him look like an assistant, otherwise, she wouldn’t have rushed to pick up the bag.

Joel’s assistant came over and took the briefcase from Kiki’s hand, "Thank you."

Seeing Kiki’s awkward expression, Joel suddenly lost interest. Besides, he had important things to do now and couldn’t waste time here.

After all, she was just another moderately attractive woman, and there were plenty like her out there. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Joel strode away, his assistant closely following behind him.

*

Maya had just walked out with Ryan Spencer when Vincent Summers appeared.

Vincent was wearing a white shirt and casual pants, no longer dressed as the elite he once was, but surprisingly, the outfit suited his baby-faced charm.

"Maya?"

Vincent scrutinized her for a bit, originally thinking that after exposing herself to the sun, some changes like skin color would have occurred, yet surprisingly, she hadn’t changed at all.

She had just stepped outside when Vincent, leaning against the car, saw her.

Maya glanced at him nonchalantly, but with a hint of surprise in her eyes, "Why are you here? Do you have business at the company?"

Vincent frowned, "What would I be doing here? I’m here to pick you up. Let’s go, Ian’s been waiting for you for a long time!"

"Did my husband send you to pick me up?"

Vincent reluctantly nodded, "You’ve only been away for a bit, and you’re talking so much. Come on, let’s go!"

Since Ian wasn’t around, he didn’t have to be so cautious.

Ryan studied Vincent for a few moments, feeling that he seemed familiar. He said to Maya, "Maya, since someone’s here to pick you up, you should go. Be careful on your way, and keep an eye on the company’s updates during this period."

Maya nodded, then walked with Vincent towards the car.

Before reaching the door, she saw Vincent already opening the car door for her, his face turning kind and courteous, as if he were about to bow like a gentleman.

Seeing him act like that, Maya scoffed lightly, unsure of what had gotten into him.

Until she saw the man sitting in the back of the car.

Ian Rowe quietly observed her for a moment, displeased at her standing still, "Get in."

His clothes had been changed to casual wear, a coffee-colored striped shirt paired with beige trousers. Without the oppressive suit, his handsome brows and eyes were even more visibly exposed.

Maya had noticed that except for necessary business meetings, Ian preferred light-colored outfits; he favored elegant and stylish clothes rather than dull formal suits.

Maya had often thought that besides doing business, Ian was more suited to being a fashion model, though this was only based on appearance.

Maya quickly composed her expression, pretending to be surprised. "My god! Hubby, you actually came to pick me up personally! I’m so touched!!"

Saying that, Maya jumped into the car and gave Ian a bear hug, not forgetting to nuzzle against his broad shoulder.

She actually disliked physical contact with others, maybe it was because of staying too long in a harsh environment. In Ian’s embrace, she didn’t feel any obvious discomfort; she even felt quite warm.

Thinking this, she clung to Ian, nuzzling him twice more.

Ian awkwardly held back from moving, looking down at Maya’s dark hair, her slightly curled long hair cascading down to her waist.

A faint scent emanated from her, yet he couldn’t decipher what scent it was, his brain unusually muddled for a moment.

Finally, he rested his hand on her hair, finding the texture superb, as if touching a dry, soft cloud.

Vincent had just shut the car door when he was confronted with the affectionate scene. He curled his lips, coughing twice, "Enough with the lovey-dovey stuff, sit down and buckle up, we’re heading home."

After saying this, Vincent regretted it, not because he thought he’d said something wrong, but because Ian’s gaze swept over, cold and sharp, as if wishing it could bore holes in him.

Vincent could only turn away, daring not to speak again.

But he didn’t feel he’d said anything wrong. They could hug all they wanted after getting home; now it was time to buckle up. Most importantly, was it okay to display such affection to a single person?!

Maya lifted her head from Ian’s chest, "I was wondering why your attitude shifted so much, turns out it was just an act, Vincent."

Vincent felt guilty but could only play deaf.

Ian felt a sudden emptiness in his arms, trying to ignore the discomfort; he asked, "What? Did he bully you?"

Vincent shrank his neck; the question was directed at Maya, yet he felt the icy tone was aimed at him.

"Not really." Maya rubbed her slightly tired eyes.

"Hubby, I’m sleepy~"