Chapter 188: Invitation to Lanai Island

Watching her leave, Lucas couldn’t shake the strange expression he had seen on her face earlier.

She didn’t seem happy.

In fact...

She looked almost troubled.

The words she had said downstairs kept replaying in his mind.

"A certain annoying bastard changed my plans..."

His curiosity was immediately piqued.

Without thinking too much about it, Lucas followed her upstairs.

A few moments later...

He knocked gently on the half-open bedroom door.

"Maya?"

She turned around while folding her clothes into a small handbag.

Seeing Lucas standing at the door, she forced a smile.

"Is something wrong?"

Lucas walked into the room and leaned casually against the wall.

"I should be asking you that."

"You don’t seem very happy about going to school."

"You looked upset during breakfast."

He looked directly into her eyes.

"So..."

"What happened?"

Maya remained silent for several seconds.

She hesitated.

Then she let out a helpless sigh before picking up her phone.

Without saying anything, she handed it to Lucas.

"It’s this..."

Lucas lowered his head and looked at the message displayed on the screen.

It was from the Student Union executive group chat.

---

Emergency Student Union Meeting

All executive members are required to attend today’s planning meeting regarding the upcoming university trip to Lanai Island.

Attendance is mandatory.

---

Lucas raised an eyebrow.

"Lanai Island?"

"I thought this was just a normal meeting."

Maya smiled bitterly.

"If only it were that simple..."

She slowly sat down on the edge of the bed.

"You know..."

"I’m the Student Union President."

"So naturally, I have to attend."

"But..."

She paused for a moment before rubbing her forehead in frustration.

"I already know who came up with this meeting."

"And I can even guess what he’s planning."

Lucas frowned slightly.

"...Who?"

Maya’s expression became noticeably colder.

"Bryce."

"Bryce Whitlock."

"The principal’s son."

Lucas narrowed his eyes.

"The principal’s son?"

Maya nodded.

"He’s also the Vice President of the Student Union."

"In other words..."

"He’s technically my assistant."

Her tone was filled with obvious annoyance.

"For the past few years..."

"He’s been pursuing me."

"Not openly..."

"But in every possible way."

"Flowers."

"Gifts."

"Finding excuses to spend time with me."

"Using Student Union activities to get closer to me."

"I’ve rejected him countless times."

"But he simply refuses to give up."

Lucas quietly listened without interrupting.

Maya continued,

"This Lanai Island trip..."

"I can almost guarantee it was his idea."

"He knows I can’t refuse official Student Union activities."

"So..."

"He deliberately used this opportunity."

She clenched her phone slightly tighter.

"He’ll definitely spend the entire trip trying to stick to me again."

Her beautiful brows knitted together.

"Honestly..."

"It’s becoming exhausting."

"I’ve made my position perfectly clear."

"But no matter how many times I reject him..."

"He just keeps pretending not to understand."

She sighed softly.

"It’s getting more and more frustrating."

Hearing Maya’s explanation, Lucas couldn’t help raising an eyebrow.

He was genuinely surprised.

Principal Malcolm had always treated him with respect ever since learning about his identity.

The old principal had been nothing but courteous whenever they met.

Yet...

Lucas hadn’t expected the principal’s own son to be pursuing the woman he liked.

Although he and Maya hadn’t officially confirmed their relationship...

In Lucas’s heart...

He had already begun to regard her as his woman.

The thought of another man constantly hovering around her was enough to make him slightly uncomfortable.

After a brief moment of silence, Lucas smiled reassuringly.

"You don’t need to worry so much."

"It’s part of your responsibility as Student Union President."

"Just attend the meeting."

"At the very least, you’ll know exactly what they’re planning for the trip."

Maya nodded softly.

"I know..."

She understood Lucas was right.

Avoiding the meeting would only make things more troublesome later.

After thinking for a moment...

A mischievous idea suddenly appeared in her mind.

Her beautiful eyes lit up.

Without warning...

She took two small steps forward until she was standing directly in front of Lucas.

Then...

She gently leaned against him.

Her soft body rested comfortably against his chest while her delicate hands lightly held onto his arm.

Looking up at him with bright, pleading eyes, she spoke in an unusually sweet voice.

"Lucas..."

"Can I ask you for a favor?"

The sudden change in her attitude caught Lucas completely off guard.

Especially when she was looking at him with such an adorable expression.

It was a side of Maya he had never seen before.

Usually...

She was calm.

Elegant.

Mature.

But right now...

She looked just like a spoiled little girl asking for candy.

Lucas couldn’t help smiling.

"What favor?"

Maya blinked before speaking carefully.

"Can I... add your name to the participant list?"

"You could come to Lanai Island with us."

Her voice became even softer.

"It’ll only be a few days."

"And..."

She lowered her head slightly.

"I’d feel much more at ease if you were there."

As she spoke...

She unconsciously leaned a little closer.

Lucas could clearly feel the warmth of her soft body pressing gently against him.

The faint fragrance of her shampoo mixed with her natural scent drifted into his nose.

Combined with her irresistibly cute expression...

It was almost impossible for any normal man to refuse.

Lucas smiled helplessly.

"You really know how to negotiate."

Maya immediately looked up expectantly.

"So..."

"Does that mean you agree?"

Lucas laughed.

"Alright."

"I’ll go."

The moment those words left his mouth...

Maya’s entire face blossomed into a brilliant smile.

"Really?"

"You can’t go back on your word."

"You promised."

Lucas nodded with a smile.

"I promised."

"I’ll definitely be there."

Hearing his answer...

Maya happily wrapped both hands around his arm.

"It’s a deal."

Then...

Almost at the same moment...

The familiar mechanical voice echoed inside Lucas’s mind.

[Ding!]

[Maya’s Favorability has increased by 1 point.]

[Current Favorability: 100]

[Congratulations to the Host!]

[You have received 100 Mind Insight Point.]

Before Lucas could even react...

Another notification immediately followed.

[Ding!]

[The Favorability of bound target Maya has reached the maximum value!]

[Special Completion Reward Unlocked!]

[Would the Host like to claim it immediately?]

Lucas’s eyes lit up.