CHAPTER 962: CHAPTER 962: RED ROSES AND LEAH THORNE

"Oh, that’s Leah’s brother, named Justin Xavier," Simon Ford replied.

Justin Xavier...

Cheryl Ford silently repeated the name in her mind. The man who had just emerged from that world-class luxury car, the Maybach, was surrounded by an aura of abstinence. His demeanor was cool and distant, yet he carried himself like an aloof emperor, making her heart skip a beat.

Cheryl prided herself on her beauty. Though she might not match Leah’s allure, the boys chasing after her could form a line stretching all the way to Gallia. Yet, Justin Xavier hadn’t even glanced at her, not even a fleeting look.

"Brother, you like Sister Leah, huh? I like Sister Leah, too. It’s modern times now; Daddy can’t control our feelings. Brother, cheer up and go after Sister Leah, and make her my sister-in-law as soon as possible." Cheryl cheered on her brother.

Simon nodded vigorously, "I won’t listen to Daddy. A girl like Leah, if I miss her, she’s gone forever."

...

Inside the Maybach luxury car.

Justin Xavier sat in the driver’s seat, with both hands on the steering wheel. He drove the car without looking away, smoothly making turns, changing lanes, and accelerating.

"Did you have a good time at the Ford house today?" Justin asked.

Leah Thorne nodded, "It was okay."

"What did Mr. Ford say to you?"

He asked directly. Leah turned her head to the side, her enchanting black eyes resting on his handsome face.

Justin focused on driving, his voice low and magnetic, "Actually, I can pretty much guess what it was about. Did Mr. Ford want you to join forces with him to retaliate against the Xavier family?"

Leah’s heart gave a slight tremble. She had mentally prepared for it, knowing she couldn’t escape Justin’s sharp insight, but now having him reveal it in a single sentence still shook her.

Justin turned his head to glance at her, "What do you think of Mr. Ford?"

Leah thought for a moment, "He is a good father..."

Ha.

Justin let out a low laugh.

Leah felt her words were dry and meaningless. That "ha" was clearly a mockery from him.

"I told you last night, Mr. Ford is a sly old fox. Initially, I didn’t plan to let you see him, but I was afraid you’d make a fuss, so I allowed you two to meet today."

"Leah, back in the day, the Thorne and the Ford families were indeed close, but then they drifted apart and even became estranged. Do you know why?"

"Did Mr. Ford tell you it was because of the Xavier family? Yes, back then, the Xaviers did play a role in creating tension and spreading discord. However, you’re underestimating your father, Quinn Thorne."

"Your father was undeniably one of the most outstanding figures in politics back then. He had an eye for people. At first, the Thorne and Ford families were inseparable, but Mr. Ford’s business nature gradually revealed itself, always wanting shortcuts from your father, which your father deeply disliked."

"Later, when Mr. Ford’s tax evasion and fraudulent accounting were exposed, it was my father, Hugh Xavier, who revealed it. Mr. Ford immediately sought help from your father, but your father only told him that the long arm of the law is inescapable and did not use his power for personal gain."

"That incident broke the Ford Group’s entire financial chain, and due to the huge compensation for evasion, although your father didn’t act selfishly, he did utilize all his savings to help Mr. Ford through the crisis and even assisted the Ford family in successfully relocating abroad for a fresh start."

"However, it was no use. Mr. Ford turned out to be an ungrateful wolf. He never had any gratitude towards your father, only grievances. Otherwise, why didn’t Mr. Ford even show himself when the Thorne family fell apart back then?"

"Over the years, Mr. Ford has harbored the most resentment towards our Xavier family. His youthful failure was the greatest regret and shame of his life. Just as he quietly emigrated abroad, he wants to return with flair, believing the Xaviers owe him and intending to repay double. So he came back and contacted you."

"Leah, now do you understand?"

Leah listened quietly. She didn’t know the past of the Thorne, Ford, and Xavier families. However, during her visit to the Ford house, she had already sensed the calculation and indifference in Mr. Ford’s eyes, so learning about this past didn’t impact her much.

"Leah, don’t you believe me?" Seeing her silence, Justin asked.

Leah slowly shook her head, "No, I believe you. Mr. Ford’s words had both truth and lies, but that’s not important..."

Justin turned his head, looking at her, clearly waiting for her to continue.

Leah met his gaze directly, "President Xavier, I should really thank you. Thank you for confirming Mr. Ford’s true intentions. He genuinely wants to collaborate with me and sincerely aims to bring down the Xavier family."

Justin was silent for a few seconds, then reached out to pinch her soft, charming cheek, "Stop messing around. You won’t be able to compete with me."

He spoke with a light-hearted tone, stating a fact in a very casual manner. He was probably the most arrogant and wild man Leah had ever met.

Leah curved her red lips without saying anything.

...

Simon Ford began officially pursuing Leah Thorne. He wanted to give Leah a big surprise, so he went to the mall to buy flowers.

Before long, a group of mall staff wearing blue badges approached. In the center was a tall and handsome figure, Justin Xavier.

This mall was a property under Xavier Corp, and Justin had come to inspect it with senior mall executives.

"Hello, Uncle Xavier," Simon Ford greeted.

Upon hearing "Uncle Xavier," Justin knew it was the sweet but naive Simon. He looked up and indeed saw Simon at the entrance of the flower shop. He walked over, "Young Master Ford, you’re buying flowers?"

"Yes, Uncle Xavier, you’re just in time. I want to buy flowers for Leah. What kind of flowers does Leah like?" Simon inquired.

Justin raised an eyebrow, his gaze falling on the large, blooming red roses not too far away. Leah loved red roses; only red roses were worthy of her.

"Leah doesn’t like flowers, any kind of flowers," Justin said indifferently.

"What?" Simon was taken aback, "No way, Leah doesn’t like flowers?"

Justin nodded assuredly, "Leah is also allergic to pollen."

Simon immediately showed a disappointed expression, "So that’s it..."

Justin looked at Simon with cold indifference. It was amusing how even a naive young monkey like Simon dared to compete with him for a woman now.

"Got it! Since Leah doesn’t like flowers, I’ll prepare heart-shaped candles and balloons for her. Uncle Xavier, you’re older, so you might not understand; girls love romance these days. I’ll get going—bye, Uncle Xavier." Simon left.

Watching Simon’s figure disappear from sight, Justin used his tongue to press against his right cheek. The girl he had painstakingly raised wasn’t going to be easily stolen by a bit of romance and sweet talk.