Betrayed By The Billionaire

41

Ten minutes later, Nanny White returned to stand before Chloe.

"Madam, I am so sorry. You’ve been treated unfairly. I’ve already explained the situation to the Master, but... he may still hold some misunderstandings regarding you."

"I know. Thank you, Nanny White."

Chloe hadn't actually expected the housekeeper to speak up for her. As for Xavier, he clearly harbored a deep-seated prejudice against women. It was only natural for him to interpret her actions with the worst possible intentions; his perspective was simply skewed by his own cynicism.

Objectively, Chloe understood his anger. She had failed to hold her ground and had wavered the moment the Old Madam pressured her. By not standing firm, she had invited her own humiliation.

After all, Xavier didn't want her money or her body; he was even helping her secure the Bishop Group. His only requirement was that she care for his son. As long as she didn't cross his boundaries, they could coexist peacefully. She just needed to keep that in mind.

However, the thought of how to tell the Old Madam that the wedding was off gave Chloe a massive headache.

Xavier didn't return to the office that afternoon.

After Liam Jr. fell asleep for his midday nap, Chloe began organizing her belongings. Her new room was situated directly next to the boy's, while Xavier’s suite was located on the opposite side of the private living area. It was a sprawling, interconnected wing of the mansion.

Xavier happened to pass by Chloe's open door on his way to check on Liam Jr. He caught a glimpse of her busily rummaging through suitcases and boxes. When he emerged from his son's room minutes later, she was still hunched over, focused on her packing. He paused at the threshold: What on earth is this woman so busy with?

Chloe was so engrossed in her task that she was completely unaware of his presence. As she struggled to zip open the final suitcase—which had been packed to bursting by the estate maids—the pressure caused several items to spill out. A small, unmarked box tumbled onto the floor.

Chloe picked it up, and the contents slid out into her lap.

Her heart stopped. It was the "bachelorette gift" her bridesmaids had jokingly given her the week before. She couldn't believe her family's maids had been mindless enough to pack this into her luggage.

Chloe was crouched with her back to the door. Sensing someone behind her, she saw a pair of polished black leather shoes enter her field of vision. She looked up sharply, her face drained of color.

Xavier was standing over her, his face so dark it looked like it was etched in ink. His gaze dropped to the "strange objects" Chloe was currently clutching in her hands.

"I... I can explain," Chloe stammered, her face turning a vivid, burning red. She dropped the items as if they were red-hot coals. "These were gifts from friends last week. I had no idea the maids tucked them into the suitcase."

Last week? Xavier’s eyes narrowed into slits. Last week was the lead-up to her wedding with Liam Martin. She had the audacity to bring honeymoon "toys" into his house?

His expression turned to one of utter loathing, as if he were looking at a pile of rotting garbage. "Get these filthy things out of my sight. Immediately."

"I'm on it!"

Chloe snatched up the two suggestive CDs, snapping them in half right in front of him. She shoved the rest of the items into a trash bag and sprinted out of the room toward the waste chute.

By the time she returned, breathless and trembling, Xavier had retreated to his own suite.

Chloe slumped against the wall, a cold sweat breaking out across her forehead. Talk about losing face! she thought. Why had she even let those things stay in her possession?

She finished the rest of her unpacking at lightning speed, scrubbed herself clean in a hot shower to wash away the embarrassment, and finally climbed into bed beside the sleeping Liam Jr., seeking the only peace the house offered.