CHAPTER 28: CHAPTER 28: MR. XAVIER, DO YOU HAVE A CONSCIENCE?

Chloe Preston withdrew her hand and pouted. "No way."

Donovan Xavier smiled lazily and said nothing. He scooped her up into his arms and carried her to the full-length mirror nearby.

Chloe Preston quickly turned her head away.

Tears welled in her eyes as she pushed against his chest, struggling. "You’re bullying me! Why did you bring me here?!"

Donovan asked with mock seriousness, "You don’t like it?"

"I don’t! I want to get out!"

Donovan leaned in from behind, gently burying his head in the crook of her neck. He inhaled her faint, sweet scent, his voice deep and sultry. "Faye Hughes was in a car accident today and nearly died. I went to the hospital to see her. I wasn’t trying to hide it from you, but work was so hectic that I forgot to tell you.

"Chloe Preston, don’t be mad."

Chloe’s gaze flickered.

Was he explaining himself?

Chloe Preston calmed down and pursed her lips. "Then why was your phone off earlier?"

"What a silly question," Donovan replied. "The battery died. I only managed to charge it a little on the way back."

"So she was in a car accident," Chloe said. "Is she okay now?"

"It’s still quite serious."

"In that case, why did you leave the hospital and come back?"

"It’s all because of you," Donovan said. "And I still haven’t asked you, why did you suddenly try to run away from home? Was it just because I went to see her?"

Just as Chloe Preston was about to speak, the phone rang again. As before, Donovan ignored it.

Chloe knew who was calling. She glanced at him. "Why aren’t you answering?"

Donovan’s eyes half-closed as his lips curled into a smile. "I’m afraid you’ll get jealous."

The next second, he tilted her chin up with one hand and kissed her.

「The next day, in the morning.」

Lying on the soft, massive bed, Chloe Preston’s eyelids fluttered as she slowly woke up.

She instinctively reached for the space beside her. It was empty.

He was gone.

Just then, the door clicked open.

Donovan Xavier walked in. Tall and handsome, his gaze swept over the woman in bed with a smile. "Awake?"

Still drowsy, Chloe Preston snuggled into her pillow, her voice soft and raspy. "Why are you up so early?"

"It’s not early. It’s nine o’clock."

"Ah!"

Chloe immediately sat up. She must have been exhausted last night; otherwise, she would never have slept in this late.

She was about to get out of bed, but her whole body ached intensely.

Seeing her expression, Donovan walked over. "What’s wrong? Are you not feeling well?"

Pain drained the color from Chloe Preston’s face. "It’s all thanks to you!"

Hearing this, Donovan raised an eyebrow and couldn’t help but let out a low chuckle. "My fault, my fault."

Then, he scooped her up again and carried her to the bathroom to get cleaned up.

Afterward, he carried her all the way from the room to the downstairs living area, not letting her walk a single step for fear it would hurt.

The servants bustled about, clearly not daring to stare, yet they couldn’t help but steal glances at the couple.

Chloe leaned against his chest, her face flushing as she struggled lightly. "They’re all watching. Put me down."

Donovan’s tone was perfectly natural. "No. We’re being open and honest. Let them look all they want."

He walked over, set her down on a chair, and glanced at a servant. "Serve the food."

Suddenly, a pleasant but urgent female voice called out from the entrance.

"Brother, something terrible has happened!"

"Brother, where are you? Brother, come out quickly!"

Isla Xavier burst in like a whirlwind, ran to the table, and downed a large pitcher of water. Then, with her hands on her hips, she panted heavily.

At the sight, Donovan’s brow furrowed in anger. "Look at you. Is that any way for a high-society lady to act?"

Hearing this, Chloe gently tugged his sleeve. "Don’t talk to her like that."

Isla grinned, hands still on her hips, her youthful face bright and cheerful. "See? My sister-in-law knows how to stick up for me!

"Right, Brother! Something huge has happened!"

Donovan ladled a bowl of soup for Chloe. "What is it now? Did you skip school again and get yelled at by Dad?"

Isla waved her hand dismissively. "No! Grandpa’s here!"

Donovan’s expression remained placid. "Oh. So he’s here. What are you panicking about?"

"Grandpa brought a whole group of eligible young ladies from high society. He’s here to find you a match!"

Donovan froze. "What did you say?!"

Matchmaking?

Upon hearing this, Chloe Preston also stopped drinking her soup.

Then she leaned back lazily in her chair, crossing her long legs. A playful look entered her eyes as she gazed at the man. "I didn’t realize you had to go through matchmaking, too.

"After spending the night with me, you’re going to meet other women today? Mr. Xavier, do you have a conscience?"

The words sounded very familiar. He had said the same thing to her when she’d gone on a blind date.

Donovan leaned down, lightly pressing his forehead against hers. A smile touched his lips. "The old man arranged it. You can’t blame me.

"And how could those debutantes compare to Miss Quinn?

"Now, be good and wait for me in our room. I’ll handle the rest."

With that, Donovan beckoned to two maids. "Help her upstairs. Be careful."

Chloe Preston rose from her chair and pushed the maids away, walking toward the stairs on her own. "I don’t need their help! I’m not an invalid, I can walk!"

She took two steps forward, but her waist ached as if it were about to snap.

Chloe clutched her waist, her pretty face scrunching up in pain. She turned back to the maids. "Ahem. I admit my voice might have been a bit loud just now.

"Maybe... you should help me after all."

Donovan chuckled softly, an unmistakable trace of affection in his eyes.

Then, she looked at Isla. "Has Grandpa arrived yet?"

"Not yet," Isla shook her head. "I came ahead to give you a heads-up. He should be here any minute now."

Donovan gently ground his teeth. After a moment’s thought, he glanced sideways at Housekeeper Wallace.

Housekeeper Wallace immediately rushed forward. "Your orders, sir?"

Donovan said flatly, "Lock the door."