CHAPTER 225: CHAPTER 225: FIRST TIME

Standing at the hotel room door, Lana Xavier felt like she was a cooked little octopus, her face surely red as could be.

This was the first time in her life she’d entered a hotel with a man.

Although she was no longer young, her dating experience was zero.

She didn’t know what she was supposed to do at this moment.

In her wildest dreams, she never imagined it—she had been the one to invite Julian Xavier, yet Julian bought the tickets, and they were tickets for a two-day one-night package.

"How about... maybe we should just forget it..."

"Forget what?"

With one hand on Lana Xavier’s shoulder, Julian Xavier used the other hand to swipe the room card and open the weighty door.

"I bought a two-day ticket, are you not planning to accompany me?"

A hint of grievance slipped through Julian’s voice.

"No, I want to be with you!"

Lana turned to look at Julian, and upon meeting his smiling eyes, her heart couldn’t help but race.

When it came to handsome men, she had seen plenty.

There was the gentle and graceful Ethan White, and the overly authoritative Caleb Lockwood.

But only Julian Xavier made her feel this way, made her heart flutter.

Lana’s face burned intensely; she was so nervous that her limbs became stiff.

She didn’t know whether she walked in on her own or was pushed in by Julian Xavier, she just found herself beside the bed inexplicably.

"So... um... isn’t this... progressing too fast?"

Lana’s tongue curled.

Julian Xavier smiled softly.

"Don’t you like me?"

"I... I... I... like you..."

Lana’s last half of the sentence was so quiet she could hardly hear herself.

"Then just relax and give yourself to me, don’t worry, I’ll be very gentle with you..."

Julian’s calm voice seemed magical; Lana couldn’t resist at all.

She didn’t realize how Julian Xavier had managed to strip off her clothes so confusingly.

She only knew that she was dazedly pushed onto the bed by Julian Xavier, and what followed was a fiery passion.

Lana Xavier experienced it for the first time.

She thought Julian wasn’t lying when he said he’d be gentle with her.

But...

After comfortably venting on Lana Xavier, Julian Xavier got out of bed, took a shower, and then returned to bed and lit a cigarette.

Water drops trickled down from his wet hair to his high nose bridge.

He puffed smoke while scrolling on his phone.

On WeChat, Claire Shaw had sent several messages in succession.

Claire Shaw: joker what are you doing? Why aren’t you replying to my messages?

Julian Xavier, also joker, glanced at Lana, who was lying on the bed asleep, blood staining the sheets beneath her, and typed a few words:

Busy helping a naive girl lose her innocence!

Claire, upon receiving this message, paused and sneered:

You know a naive girl?

joker: Changing flavors, better than your whore kind.

Claire’s hand shook, almost dropping her phone.

She gritted her teeth in frustration, but couldn’t do anything about joker.

Claire Shaw: The Fulton Family has gone bankrupt, I’ve lost another helper. If you still want shares in Lockwood Group, you’ll have to help me figure out a way.

joker: I won’t chase men, if you can’t win Caleb Lockwood’s heart, what can I do? It’s for you to figure out. I’m giving you another month, if you can’t secure Lockwood Group shares by then, I’ll send you back to Meridia to live the life you used to.

Claire looked at her phone, every word from joker filled her with fear, raising goosebumps.

You wouldn’t dare!

She sent back these two words through clenched teeth.

joker didn’t respond, so she typed a long string of threats—

Let me tell you, I am back in City A, whether or not Caleb marries me, I will always be his first love, his white moonlight. There’s no way he would let you take me away, even if he doesn’t love me, he will always protect me.

That’s the confidence Claire Shaw had.

Maybe Caleb didn’t have the feelings for her he did back in high school, but as long as she had Ellie’s identity, Caleb wouldn’t let anyone harm her.

joker, looking at Claire’s message, replied with "haha".

The news of The Fulton Family’s bankruptcy spread quickly, and Serena Jennings also heard.

Today, Patrick Rhodes invited her to Riverview Imperial.

This hotel had been purchased by The Fulton Family, but after The Fultons went bankrupt, it ended up in The Rhodes Family’s hands.

The Rhodes Group already managed The Violet Hotel chains, so bottoming out Riverview Imperial was sensible.

Yet visiting this hotel again made Serena Jennings sigh deeply.

"Things are truly unpredictable!"

Walking beside Serena, Patrick knew what she was sighing about.

"Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west... my dad always says, business is cut-throat and ever-changing."

Seeing the surprise in Serena’s eyes, Patrick bit his lip.

"What kind of look is that? Even if I’m a trust fund kid, I’m proactive. I’m not just a caretaker, I’ve helped with the family business plenty... though I can’t compare to Brother Lockwood!"

Patrick touched his nose.

"Look, I asked you here to talk business."

Saying this, Patrick suddenly grabbed Serena’s hand.

Before she could react, she was pulled to a marble statue.

"This hotel was taken over by The Rhodes Group, and I plan to renovate it. Can you advise me?"

"Me?"

Surprised, Serena pulled her hand free from Patrick’s grasp.

Though her hand wasn’t held for long, it was already covered in sweat.

Serena looked around.

She felt the hotel’s heating was perfect—not too hot or cold—and didn’t understand why Patrick’s palm was so sweaty.

"I’m not an interior design expert. I can offer advice on jewelry design."

"No need to be modest, you have a good eye and taste. I trust you."

Patrick patted his chest.

Just like that, Serena unexpectedly became Patrick’s consultant, accompanying him around Riverview Imperial several times.

As it turned dark, Patrick suggested they have dinner here.

This invitation did not surprise Serena.

The elegant light yellow strap dress she wore was a gift from Patrick.

For merely giving advice, there was no need to dress like this.

Clearly, Patrick planned to invite her to dinner.

The two of them sat by the window, enjoying a great view of the dazzling night scene outside.

The table was set with romantic candlelight and a few rose petals.

The petals alone wouldn’t cause Serena any allergies.

Serena had never imagined having a candlelit dinner alone with Patrick.

Previously, Patrick used to call her an old hag, especially after Claire returned to the country.

Thinking of Claire, Serena’s expression slightly shifted.

"What’s wrong? Isn’t the dish tasty?"

Patrick sensitively noticed the change in Serena’s face.

Before Serena said "No," Patrick raised his hand and called over the waiter.

"May I take your orders..."

The waiter’s words trailed off abruptly.

Serena, upon seeing the waiter, was quite startled.

"Cynthia Fulton?"