CHAPTER 29: CHAPTER 29: DON’T LIKE ANY OF THEM

「Ten minutes later.」

Outside the Xavier Residence, a dozen luxury cars were parked. The car doors opened. Caleb Xavier, the patriarch of the Xavier family, was slowly helped out by his bodyguards.

His hair was white, and though his face was weathered and smiling, his eyes held a sharp glint that commanded respect.

The doors of the cars behind him opened as well, and woman after woman stepped out. Each was tall and slender, with fair skin and beautiful features. They moved with an elegance and poise that marked them as well-bred young ladies from prestigious families.

Isla Xavier stood inside, leaning against the door and counting on her small fingers. "Brother, there are seventeen of them in total!"

"Just one more and you’d have the Eighteen Immortals!"

"Brother, all these ladies are so pretty. Isn’t there one you like?"

Donovan Xavier turned his head and shot her a cold glare. "Are you itching for a beating?"

Isla met his gaze and swallowed hard. "My mistake! I know that in your heart, you only love Sister-in-law! They’re not pretty at all; they can’t even compare to her!"

Just then, Caleb Xavier, supported by bodyguards and leaning on his dragon-headed cane, approached. "My dear grandson, Grandpa has come to see you! My dear grandson, why is the door locked? Let Grandpa in."

Donovan Xavier stood just inside the doorway, tall and imposing, his black eyes like ice. "You may come in. The entourage you brought with you may not."

In response, Caleb glanced at the group of women behind him and chuckled. "Donovan, these are all fine young women that Grandpa chose with great care. You’re not getting any younger, you know. It’s time to think about marriage. Take a look. Is there anyone here you like? Why don’t you get to know each other?"

Donovan cast a dismissive glance over them. "I don’t like any of them."

The words made Caleb anxious. "How can you not like any of them? You have to give me a reason!"

Donovan replied with a single word. "Ugly."

Caleb sputtered, "What did you say?"

Standing to the side, Isla chimed in, "My brother said they’re ugly!"

Caleb was so furious his mustache seemed to bristle. "How could they be ugly? I hand-picked every single one of them! They are the most suitable candidates for the future Mrs. Xavier!"

Donovan’s expression remained placid. "You needn’t worry about my future Mrs. Xavier. And from now on, please stop interfering."

Caleb clutched his chest, his heart aching with anger. "What do you mean I don’t need to worry? Do you know how old you are? If you don’t get married soon, do you think anyone will still want you?"

Donovan stated simply, "Someone will."

Hearing this, Caleb sensed something was off. "What do you mean by that? You already have someone?"

Donovan’s dark eyes deepened. "No comment."

Caleb frowned. "I’m your grandfather! Why won’t you tell me? I’m telling you, I don’t care if you have some woman on the side. Today, you must choose one of these ladies I brought for a blind date!"

Donovan challenged, "And what if I don’t?"

Caleb reached into his pocket, pulled out a small bottle of pills, and glared at him. "If you don’t agree to the blind date today, I’ll swallow this poison and die right here in front of you!"

Donovan clenched his jaw. After a few seconds, he glanced at Housekeeper Wallace. "Go buy the finest coffin available. Then, notify the funeral home to come over. Tell them an old man has died at the entrance of the Xavier Residence.

"Cause of death: suicide by poison.

"No special treatment is necessary. Just put him in the coffin and send him to the crematorium to be burned."

"Yes, sir!" Housekeeper Wallace replied briskly.

"Donovan Xavier!" Caleb swayed, leaning heavily on his cane, so angry he was about to pass out. "Are you really going to watch your own grandfather die?"

Donovan fell silent. He gestured to a servant with his eyes, and the door was opened. He stepped forward, took the bottle from his grandfather’s hand, opened it, and swallowed all the pills inside in one gulp.

Seeing this, Isla cried out anxiously, "Brother!"

Donovan chuckled softly. "They’re just candy beans." Then, he shook the empty bottle at the old man before him. "Grandpa, I know you too well. You’d never bring yourself to actually die. I can’t be bothered to argue with you. In short: I’m not going on a blind date. Please go home."

With that, he turned and walked away.

「In the bedroom.」

Chloe Preston was lying on the bed with a pillow propped under her waist, her body still aching all over.

CLICK.

The door opened.

Chloe Preston looked toward the sound and smiled, her lips curving. "You’re back."

Donovan walked over, sat on the edge of the bed, and pulled her into his arms.

Chloe leaned against his warm chest and looked up at him. "Did you go on the blind date?"

Donovan asked teasingly, "What do you think?"

Seeing his expression, Chloe assumed he must have gone, and her face fell.

Donovan chuckled, burying his face in the crook of her neck.

Just as he was about to speak, the door suddenly clicked open and was thrown wide.

"My dear grandson!"

Hearing the voice, Donovan frowned and cursed under his breath, immediately yanking the quilt up to cover the woman in his arms completely.

He looked back, his voice sharp with displeasure. "Grandpa, for someone your age, you should know to knock."

Caleb froze in the doorway, his eyes as wide as saucers and his mouth agape. He pointed a trembling finger at the lump under the quilt. "She... she... Who is she?!"

Donovan’s brow furrowed. "My woman," he stated simply.

Hearing this from beneath the quilt, Chloe Preston’s thick eyelashes trembled slightly.

Caleb demanded, "What were you two doing just now?"

Donovan replied, "The things people do."

"You, come out here!" Caleb snapped before turning and storming out of the room.

***

「Downstairs.」

Caleb was seated on the sofa, his sharp eyes fixed on the man standing before him. His aura was steady and imposing, befitting his age.

"I’m asking you, is that woman the reason you refused the blind dates?"

Donovan poured him a cup of hot tea. "Yes."

Caleb took the cup. "At least you’re honest. Still, you have a woman and didn’t even think to tell me sooner. I’ll ask you again, which prominent family is she from? How many people are in her family? What do her parents do for a living? And what about her own circumstances?"

Donovan listened, a slight frown touching his lips. "Are you running a background check?"

Caleb glared at him. "Of course I am! For the woman you’re with, I have to investigate her family back eighteen generations!"

"How about this: have her come down now so I can meet her."

Donovan moved to an adjacent armchair and sat down, his posture relaxed. "Let’s not," he said in a low voice. "She’s shy around new people. Your intensity would scare her."

Caleb’s brow furrowed in immediate anger. "Is my face scary? My face is the definition of kind and amiable! It’s delightful! Adults and children alike love me!

"But you’re right, today was a bit rushed. Another day, you will bring her back to the main residence so I can meet her properly!"

Then he leaned in closer. "Tell me, is she exceptionally beautiful?"

At this, Isla, who was peeling an orange, paused and broke into a grin. "Grandpa, let me tell you, my sister-in-law is absolutely gorgeous! Like a goddess who’s descended to Earth!"

Caleb lifted his chin and huffed. "I knew it. Your brother only has two standards for women: a pretty face and a hot body! That boy has no substance. He’s utterly shallow!"

Donovan remained silent.

A moment later, Caleb stood up, leaning on his cane. He glanced at Donovan. "I’m leaving. One more thing, your aunt’s birthday is in four days. Remember to go wish her a happy birthday."

Donovan nodded. "I know."

Caleb said nothing more and turned to leave.

He had only taken a few steps when he stopped and looked back at his grandson. "Ahem. I feel I should give you a reminder. You young people are always so full of vigor.

"No matter what, when you’re... doing that... you must make sure you take the proper precautions. Don’t you dare come to me with an unplanned pregnancy!"

Donovan, who was always calm and self-possessed, couldn’t stop the tips of his ears from burning at his grandfather’s words.

「Upstairs.」

Chloe Preston was still hiding under the quilt, not daring to come out.

The next moment, a corner of the quilt was lifted.