```text Chapter 230

“Why take sneaky photos? Let’s just take one together,” Anastasia said with a smile. “I don’t think we’ve ever actually taken a proper selfie.”

She pulled out her phone and opened the front camera. “Come on, smile.”

Maybe because the mood shift caught him off guard, Cassian looked totally unprepared. In the viewfinder, his expression was serious—like he wanted to smile but couldn’t figure out how.

Anastasia turned to look at him directly. “Just smile.”

Cassian tried to adjust, but his smile looked painfully forced.

He clenched his fists in frustration. He could handle the most challenging business negotiations without breaking a sweat, but right now he was so nervous he could barely speak.

“You know what, forget it. You’re probably just used to being serious all the time. Don’t force it—just be yourself.”

Cassian nodded and relaxed. This time the photo turned out way more natural than his awkward fake smile.

“Much better,” Anastasia said approvingly.

Cassian’s lips curved up slightly. “Send it to me.”

He actually liked how it turned out.

The second Anastasia sent it to him, Cassian immediately forwarded it to their family group chat.

Within minutes, the group absolutely exploded.

Anastasia had already been added to the chat by Cassian’s mom, so both their phones started buzzing like crazy at the same time.

Anastasia’s screen was flooded with praise from Richard and Lancey.

Lancey had written: I’m sending this to my mom friends to show off. My son and daughter-in-law are so gorgeous together!

Richard chimed in: Absolutely perfect match. They look like they were made for each other.

Reading all the comments, Anastasia felt her cheeks burning.

She never would’ve expected her serious father-in-law to gush like this.

“They’re always like this—pretty over the top. You’ll get used to it,” Cassian told her.

“I actually love it,” Anastasia said sincerely.

Cassian’s heart felt like it was overflowing with honey.

They walked hand in hand to the harbor to buy fresh seafood, then had it cooked at a nearby restaurant.

The preparation was simple, but the ingredients were so fresh that everything tasted incredible.

Anastasia was in seafood heaven. “This has got to be the best seafood I’ve ever had.”

Cassian looked at her adoringly. “If you love it here, we’ll come back all the time.”

He watched her hopefully.

“Definitely,” Anastasia nodded.

They held hands all the way back to the hotel before finally separating.

Turns out Tamia had been dragged into another poker game—they were even having meals delivered to the room.

When Anastasia and Cassian returned, Yinsen sidled up to Cassian and whispered, “Dude, your boys came through for you, right?”

Cassian gave a slight nod. “I suppose.”

“You suppose?” Yinsen scoffed. “We’ve been playing cards nonstop to keep those two distracted so you could have alone time with Ana. We’re dead on our feet, totally drained, and all you give us is ‘I suppose‘?”

“H-Garden gets an additional hundred million investment.”

“Now we’re talking! Best friends for life, baby!” Yinsen grinned ear to ear.

Griffin quickly rushed over. “Cassian…”

“The resort gets two hundred million more,” Cassian said before Griffin could even finish.

Yinsen’s face went dark. “That’s bullshit! Why does he get twice as much?”

“Because my wife likes it here,” Cassian said simply.

Griffin was absolutely glowing with triumph. “That’s just natural talent, bro. Can’t fake that.”

“Whatever.”

Tamia and Sharlene were enjoying the seafood Anastasia had brought back, looking totally satisfied.

“How was the poker?” Anastasia asked.

“Amazing! I won a bunch,” Tamia said.

Sharlene nodded enthusiastically, practically glowing. “Those two CEOs are terrible at cards. They lost almost every hand. I cleaned up! Guess all those prayers to the money gods finally paid off.”

Tamia kept eating, knowing the truth but not saying anything.

Those two were sharp as tacks—no way they were actually bad at poker. They were obviously throwing games to keep her and Sharlene occupied so Cassian and Anastasia could have their romantic time.

Whenever Tamia mentioned wanting to go find Anastasia, those guys would get nervous and keep losing money to make her stay.

After all the money these rich guys had made off regular people, was it really wrong for her to take a little back? ```