CHAPTER 27: CHAPTER 27: BABY, STOP MAKING TROUBLE

The person inside the room remained silent.

Donovan Xavier stood at the door, tall and erect. His dark eyes stared quietly at the wooden panel before him, his expression unreadable.

What is she up to now?

Nearby, many servants stole glances in his direction, whispering among themselves.

"Does that woman have a death wish? Daring to lock him outside!"

"She’s just taking advantage of his affection for her, acting spoiled!"

"He looks furious. I’ll bet six hundred bucks she won’t live to see the morning!"

Donovan Xavier took a deep breath, turning his head to glance at Housekeeper Wallace. "What’s wrong with her?"

She was so well-behaved this morning. Why is she acting like this now? It’s not as if I provoked her. The books were right. Women are fickle, changing from one moment to the next.

"Uh... I-I’m not sure," Housekeeper Wallace stammered.

"Useless," Donovan Xavier snapped.

Housekeeper Wallace was speechless.

It’s not like I would know the reason for their marital spat! It was clearly his own incompetence that had upset his darling wife. Yet, instead of reflecting on his actions, he just scolds me every day. He treats me like his personal punching bag!

Donovan Xavier’s brow furrowed slightly. He reached out and knocked gently on the door again. "Chloe Preston, open the door."

A minute later...

"Chloe Preston, my patience is wearing thin. You’d better open this door for me!"

Another minute later...

"Chloe Preston, if you don’t open the door, I’m leaving!"

Three minutes later...

Donovan Xavier still stood outside the door. His gaze grew colder by the second, his hands clenched into tight fists, and his handsome face was as dark as charcoal.

The servants, enjoying the drama, began whispering again.

"Look, he’s really lost his temper now. That woman is definitely doomed!"

"I bet he’s about to call security to break down the door, then throw her into the river to feed the fish!"

Donovan Xavier restrained his mounting irritation, clenching his jaw as he warned himself not to get angry. After a few seconds of silence, he reached out and knocked again. "Baby, stop fooling around."

"I need to sleep. Let me in," he said, his voice becoming significantly lower and gentler.

The surrounding servants were completely dumbfounded.

Baby? She locked him out, and he’s still calling her that? Shouldn’t he be throwing her into the river to feed the fish! Is this really the same man we remember being so ruthless?

Still, there was no response from inside the room.

Donovan Xavier closed his eyes. Veins bulged on the back of his hand as his anger finally erupted. "Chloe Preston, do not test my limits!"

"Chloe Preston, are you still alive in there?"

"Are you dead?"

The room remained utterly silent.

A sudden unease gripped Donovan Xavier. He spun around and shot a cold glare at the servants. "Who knows how to pick a lock?"

A hush fell over the group.

"Completely useless, every one of you," he sneered.

The servants remained silent.

He then glanced at Housekeeper Wallace. "Go find a piece of wire."

"Yes, sir!"

「Inside the room.」

Chloe Preston was leaning back in the bathtub, her eyes closed as she comfortably soaked in the warm water. Music was playing nearby, the volume a little loud.

A moment later, the bathroom door was suddenly thrown open.

"Chloe Preston!"

"Who’s there?!"

Chloe Preston jumped in fright. Her eyes snapped open, and she quickly tried to cover herself, sinking her entire body into the hot water. When she saw who it was, she froze for a moment.

Why is he back? Wasn’t he supposed to be with Faye Hughes?

Donovan Xavier stood in the bathroom doorway, tall and long-legged, an icy glint in his eyes.

Why does he look so angry? I didn’t do anything wrong. Why is he looking at me like I’m a criminal on trial?

Donovan Xavier said nothing, his brows furrowed as he strode toward her.

Seeing this, Chloe panicked and quickly tried to stop him. "Don’t come any closer!"

"Get out! I’m taking a bath!"

Donovan Xavier heard her but continued forward, stopping beside the tub. The music was still playing. His temple throbbed as he reached out and switched it off.

"Listening to music, soaking in a hot bath... You really know how to enjoy yourself!"

"Chloe Preston, who gave you the nerve to lock me out?"

Chloe Preston paused. "When did I..."

Then she remembered. When she came back to her room to take a bath, she had locked the door, worried that one of the servants might walk in unexpectedly.

So this man was locked out the whole time? Given his temper, isn’t he going to tear me to shreds right now?

Meeting his icy gaze, Chloe shrank back, sinking her neck into the hot water. "I didn’t do it on purpose."

"Don’t be angry. You got in, didn’t you?"

Donovan Xavier remained silent, extending a hand with long, slender knuckles toward the hot water.

"What are you doing?!" Chloe cried out.

"What do you think?" Donovan Xavier shot her a look that was half a smile, half a sneer.

Chloe Preston’s entire body tensed instantly.

Noticing this, Donovan Xavier asked, "You’re scared?"

His black suit was impeccably tailored without a single wrinkle, which, paired with his devastatingly handsome face, made him look like a charming rogue. He was the very picture of a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

"You’re being a pervert! I’m going to report you," Chloe Preston said.

Donovan Xavier laughed.

Then, with a sudden movement, he wrapped an arm around her waist and lifted her out of the water, catching her completely off guard.

Chloe Preston was terrified.

Donovan Xavier forced her to sit on the edge of the bathtub, leaning back against his chest. "Report me?"

"I am the police. Go ahead, Miss Quinn, feel free to file a report. I will personally see that justice is served for you."

Chloe Preston’s face turned bright red.

Donovan Xavier said no more. He simply lowered his head and kissed her.

Chloe Preston struggled against him.

Just then, a phone began to ring. The steamy, amorous atmosphere in the bathroom instantly dissipated.

Donovan Xavier pulled out his phone and glanced at the screen.

Chloe Preston saw the name, too. It was Faye Hughes. Disappointment involuntarily shadowed her eyes.

Donovan Xavier hung up without answering.

He leaned down to kiss her again, but Chloe turned her head, avoiding him just in time.

Donovan Xavier frowned, clearly displeased. "Chloe Preston, why are you dodging me?"

"Why don’t you go be with her?" Chloe retorted.

"Be with whom?"

"Don’t play dumb!"

Chloe Preston lifted her shimmering, watery eyes and glared at him. "Tell me, did you secretly go see Faye Hughes today?"

Donovan Xavier paused for a second, then raised an eyebrow with a playful chuckle. "Miss Quinn, are you keeping tabs on me?"

Does she even need to? Faye Hughes had already sent her a gloating text message earlier!

Chloe Preston turned her head away, crossing her arms over her chest. Her pretty little face puffed up in a pout. "You went behind my back to see another woman. Don’t even think about kissing me!"

An amused smile played in Donovan Xavier’s eyes. "Chloe Preston, are you jealous?"

He reached out, took her hand, and placed it on the lapel of his suit.

"Hmm?"

Leaning close to her ear, Donovan Xavier whispered, "Help me take this off. You can smell me and see if I have another woman’s scent on me."