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Even if Chloe were being "shameless," what business was it of Feifei’s? What right did she have to intervene?
Xavier reached out, his long fingers gently smoothing the hair of Liam Jr., who was still nestled in Chloe’s arms. The gesture was silent but spoke volumes: Their affairs as a couple were not open for public commentary by outsiders.
The room froze. A collective wave of confusion washed over the socialites. What did this mean? Was the "Great Demon" actually siding with her?
Feifei’s knuckles turned white as she clenched her fists. Didn’t he loathe her? Didn’t he literally throw her luggage onto the street? Didn’t he just tell Felix she wouldn't be his sister-in-law for much longer? The contradictions were spinning in Feifei's head, leaving her utterly blindsided.
Across the room, Victor Vance leaned back in his leather chair, his fox-like eyes glinting with pure mockery. To him, these women were transparently, tragically stupid.
Chloe looked at Xavier, her own palms slick with cold sweat. Despite her outward display of cool confidence, she was terrified. Playing mind games with Xavier Grayson was like walking a tightrope over a pit of vipers. Whether she won or lost this entire gamble depended entirely on his next sentence.
After a heavy silence, Xavier retracted his hand from his son’s head. His gaze, sharp as a surgical blade, locked onto Feifei. "Someone get this woman out of my sight. Now."
Feifei stiffened, her voice cracking with desperation. "Why? Master Grayson, you clearly don't even like her! Why are you doing this?"
Xavier’s voice was the definition of absolute zero. "Who are you to speak on our affairs? Don't let me see your face again."
As security hauled her out, Feifei’s face was as ashen as a corpse. Xavier’s gaze then drifted toward Serena and Bella. The two women stopped breathing, paralyzed by regret. In their eyes, Xavier was no longer just a man—he was a volatile, unpredictable force of nature.
Chloe was internally reeling from the shock. He actually has a soul? It seemed Xavier’s "Golden Eyes" could see through any masquerade.
The atmosphere in the suite had vanished along with Xavier's patience. He turned slightly, looking at Chloe. As if she had developed telepathy, Chloe immediately stepped aside, clearing a path for him and following him out.
As they passed Felix, Xavier paused. "You bring a woman like that out in public? You're a disgrace."
The room remained in a stunned silence. A disgrace? Should that word not have been reserved for Chloe? Felix looked down, fuming but silent. Bella felt a chill creep from her heart to her very marrow. This man—the one the city spoke of in hushed, terrified tones—was far more terrifying in person.
Inside the elevator, the silence was heavy. Chloe adjusted the sleeping Liam Jr. in her arms and stole a glance at Xavier. Then another.
"Thank you... for back there," she murmured.
Xavier watched her through the mirrored walls, a thin, biting smirk touching his lips. "You were acting quite arrogant a moment ago, weren't you?"
Chloe felt a surge of indignation. "I wasn't! They were the ones being insufferable. If you’d heard the things they were saying in that restroom, you’d have made sure their own mothers wouldn't recognize them."
Xavier arched a brow. "You seem to think you know me very well."
Chloe blinked, caught off guard. "No, no... I was just... guessing."
Xavier looked away, watching the floor numbers tick down on the display. "No," he said, his voice low and enigmatic. "You know exactly what you're doing."
Chloe: "..."
Chloe has survived the public execution of her reputation, but she is still technically evicted from the Grayson estate. As the elevator hits the lobby, will Xavier order her back into the car, or was his defense of her in the suite merely a matter of maintaining his own pride before he sends her away for good?
How should Chloe play her next move to ensure she isn't left on the curb again?
- Writer
