CHAPTER 24: CHAPTER 24: GO WITH ME TO THE XAVIER RESIDENCE

Chloe Preston avoided her gaze, lowered her eyes, and whispered, "No... nothing."

"Nothing?" Ivy Lane demanded. "Then why did you sleep with him again!"

As she spoke, she grabbed Chloe’s arm and pulled her into the guest room, shutting the door.

Ivy leaned against the cold wall, crossed her arms, and scrutinized her. "Chloe Preston, you are going to tell me, from beginning to end, what exactly is going on between you and him right now!"

Chloe sat on the bed and pursed her lips. "I went on a business trip to Southel once and happened to run into him. He insisted that I go to his place."

"And you went?" Ivy asked.

Chloe nodded honestly.

Ivy pinched the bridge of her nose in exasperation.

"Chloe Preston, I know he’s handsome, but how could you have so little self-control!"

There’s a saying that’s absolutely right: a handsome man is a dangerous temptation!

"He gave me a billion dollars," Chloe said.

"How much! How much did you say!"

"He said if I thought it was too little, I could name my price."

But Chloe knew when to quit while she was ahead. Taking so much money for no reason made her feel a faint sense of guilt.

Ivy listened, once again dumbfounded. "Wow, that bastard really spared no expense. In that case, I can understand why you went. We have no reason to turn down money!"

"And then what?"

Chloe lightly picked at her nails, her small face flushing as her ears grew warm. "Then... we slept together."

"And after that?"

"He came back from Southel. He said he came back specifically to find me."

Ivy frowned slightly. "It sounds like he’s more serious about you than before."

"In the four years since you broke up, do you know anything about his love life?"

Chloe bit her lip gently. "His colleagues said he’s been single all these years. That I’m the first woman he’s ever brought back to his apartment."

Ivy glanced at her. "And you believe him?"

"Ninety percent convinced, ten percent doubtful."

The man was so wild and ferocious in bed, it truly felt like he hadn’t been with a woman for many years. He was absolutely ravenous.

Chloe lowered her eyes, hiding her emotions. After a long moment, she asked softly, "Ivy, am I pathetic?"

Even though they had broken up four years ago, the moment he reappeared and said a few sweet words, she would find herself helplessly falling for him all over again.

She fought desperately to forget him, but he seemed to have taken root in her heart, impossible to remove.

Ivy watched her quietly. "Chloe, you just love him too much..."

"Besides, your ex-boyfriend is undeniably outstanding. His looks, family background, and character make him almost perfect among men, except..."

"Except he doesn’t love me," Chloe softly finished her sentence, looking up at her friend, her eyes tinged with red.

Knowing how upset she was, Ivy quickly tried to comfort her. "That was then! Maybe he’s changed now!"

"Now that you’ve met again, has he mentioned getting back together?"

Chloe shook her head. "No."

He just flirts with me and teases me every day. Sometimes, he gets angry when he sees me with other men. I think he’s just possessive of me.

She spoke again. "Last night, he told me to pack my things and go with him to The Xavier Residence today."

Hearing this, Ivy leaned closer. "He wants you to live with him?"

"Yeah. Should I go?"

"Go! Of course, you should go! That’s The Xavier Residence! Do you have any idea how many women from prominent families in Kryton would kill to live there?"

"Rumor has it that aside from the staff, no woman has ever lived in The Xavier Residence. They say that whoever manages to move in is destined to be the next Mrs. Xavier."

"But Donovan Xavier asked *you* to move in! He must already see you as his Mrs. Xavier in his heart!"

Chloe immediately grew flustered, her beautiful cheeks turning a rosy red. "Don’t... don’t be ridiculous!"

How could he possibly see her as his wife? She felt he just wanted a bed warmer.

Suddenly, a knock came from the door.

"Chloe Preston, come out."

Hearing the man’s voice, Chloe stood up and went to open the door.

When the door opened, Donovan Xavier had already changed. He was impeccably dressed in a suit, his tall frame exuding a disciplined and formal air. He was dignified and cool, mature and steady.

He raised a large hand, wrapped it around her soft, slender waist, and pulled her into his arms. "Talking for so long. Were you bad-mouthing me?"

His palm was scorching hot where it gripped her waist, his thumb stroking her skin, both intentional and casual.

Chloe felt uneasy all over.

He seemed to love touching her waist, whether they were in bed or not.

"Can you stop being so handsy all the time?" Chloe bit her lip, protesting in a quiet voice.

Donovan’s eyes narrowed slightly. He leaned in, deliberately getting closer. "Liar. You know you like it when I do this."

Chloe was speechless.

Suddenly, Ivy coughed lightly behind them.

"You know what they say: couples who flaunt their love are doomed to break up fast. Tone it down, you two!"

Hearing this, Chloe immediately pushed the man away, her face flushing red.

Did we really look that in love? She certainly didn’t feel it.

Ivy reached out and patted her shoulder. "Chloe, since you have company, I’ll get out of your hair. I’m heading back."

Before leaving, she shot a pointed glance at the man. "Mr. Xavier, you’d better treat my Chloe well!"

"Otherwise, I’ll curse you every day to be infertile and childless for the rest of your life!"

With that, she swept out the door.

Donovan turned his head and clenched his jaw, glancing at Chloe. "Your best friend? What a sharp tongue."

Chloe met his gaze, her eyes clear and moist. A slight smile played on her red lips. "I’m telling you, not only is her tongue sharp, but her predictions have a nasty habit of coming true."

"So, Mr. Xavier, you’d better treat me well!"

Donovan lowered his head, lightly resting his forehead against hers, a faint smile gracing his lips. "Go pack your things. You’re coming with me to The Xavier Residence."

「An hour later.」

Chloe packed some necessary clothes and toiletries into a suitcase, then stood up and looked at the man. "I’m ready!"

Donovan walked over and took the suitcase. He was about to speak when his phone rang.