Chapter 83

The air between Marissa and Theodore was thick with unspoken intimacy, their eyes locked as if a single moment alone would be all it took to ignite their passion.

The next second, they forced themselves to look away.

What seemed like an eternity of eye contact lasted only a few seconds, yet in that brief span, a quiet storm stirred between them-an unspoken pull charged with emotion and tension that no one else could sense.

Both felt it at once, that sudden, magnetic spark neither could ignore.

Marissa flushed deeply, not just across her cheeks but down her neck as well. Her usual calmness slipped, replaced by an unfamiliar glow that made her look soft er, more alluring. She, however, didn't notice the shift at all. Heat spread across her face, her heartbeat thudding a little faster, yet she thought she still appeared calm.

Theodore, on the other hand, betrayed nothing on the surface. His expression remained serious, almost calculating, yet underneath, his mind was a storm of thought and feeling, battling to suppress the sudden pull toward her.

Though neither had touched a drop of alcohol,Marissa felt a heady lightness.

Theodore's stern, commanding presence filled the air, yet there was an unexpected charm in the way he carried himself.

She swallowed hard, her eyes refusing to leave his face.

He was everything she found attractive-handsome,effortlessly put-together, with those defined features and slightly tousled hair that made him look naturally confident. The glasses gave him a polished edge,while the faint curve of his lips... Wait,was that a smile?

Startled by her own observation, Marissa blinked and instinctively asked, "What are you staring at?"

Theodore's answer came without hesitation, steady and unapologetic. "You."

The word hit harder than Marissa expected. She was used to people hiding behind politeness or vague charm, so this man's bluntness left her momentarily speechless. When she finally managed to respond,her words came out softer than intended. "Do you like what you see?"

As soon as she heard herself, she wanted to take it back.

Why did her voice sound so flirtatious?

That wasn't like her at all. Theodore's mouth twitched, almost forming a smile as his eyes wandered back to her face. His heart thumped wildly in his chest, no matter how calm he tried to look.

When he stayed silent, Marissa bit her lip,uncertain of what to think. Feeling awkward, she waved a hand in front of him, her tone cooling again. "What's wrong with you?" she asked, her eyes showing just a trace of worry.

"Nothing," he said quietly, shaking his head.

His face looked perfectly composed, but inside, his thoughts were anything but peaceful. In that instant,he caught himself imagining... a future, a lifetime shared with her.

Theodore shut his eyes briefly, his Adam's apple shifting as he swallowed, trying to regain control.

Marissa, puzzled by his reaction, found herself staring at his throat, oddly tempted to brush her fingers over the curve of his Adam's apple.

Catching herself, she drew in a quiet breath and took a small step back, putting a bit of space between them.Forcing her composure, she murmured, "Shall we go?"

"Sure," he replied simply. Without another word, they started down the stairs side by side.

Boden and Wilbur followed behind, both pulling out their phones to snap a few photos. When they were done, they looked at each other and grinned knowingly.

Outside the private studio, a swarm of reporters waited eagerly, their cameras flashing nonstop at the sight of the door opening.

Marissa, however, was struggling in silence. She had never worn high heels before, and each step in the eight-centimeter stilettos felt like walking a tightrope.

At first, she managed to keep up with Theodore's long strides, but by the time they stepped out of the elevator and into the lobby, he was practically pulling her along.

Even the strongest woman had her weak spots, and for Marissa, it was clearly the heels.

Feeling a tug at his arm, Theodore glanced back, immediately noticing her strained expression.

"You alright?" he asked, his deep voice carrying genuine concern.

Marissa bent slightly, rubbing her calf while offering a small, embarrassed smile. "I'm just... not used to wearing heels," she admitted.

"Mind if I take a look at your ankles?" Theodore asked,his steady gaze fixed on her face as he waited for permission.

Marissa's dress was light and delicate, the thin straps draping gently over her shoulders and exposing smooth skin beneath. The fabric shimmered softly under the light, hugging her figure in all the right places.

Every small movement she made seemed effortlessly elegant, captivating in its simplicity.

Her long, toned legs looked even more striking in the heels, the asymmetrical hem of her dress-shorter in front, longer behind-giving her an almost otherworldly allure.But Theodore's sharp mindregistered a small problem.If he crouched down tocheck and she wasn't wearing safety shorts,thingscould turn awkward quickly.

Dresses like this were meant for visual effect,oftenpaired with seamless undergarments for a perfectsilhouette.

Theodore stayed perfectly composed,his earlierintensity replaced by a calm expression.

His level of self-control was impressive,somethingMarissa couldn't help but quietly admire.

After a brief pause,she finally shook her head andsaid softly,"I don't mind."