CHAPTER 36: CHAPTER 36: YOU’RE MY WOMAN

Chloe Preston naturally chose the former.

Her beautiful, radiant face was flushed as she tilted her head up, her small hands clutching his black collar.

Chloe paused for a few seconds before gently pressing her lips to his cool ones. "Honey."

"Are you satisfied now?"

Donovan Xavier’s breath caught in his throat. Gazing into her eyes, as clear as water, his mind was in turmoil.

This was far more than satisfying. At this moment, he wished he could offer her his very life.

Seeing his silence, Chloe pressed her lips together and lightly tugged on his sleeve.

"Why aren’t you saying anything?"

Donovan gazed at her deeply, his slender, bony fingers curling slightly.

He lowered his eyes, glancing at the hand pulling his sleeve, and reached out to embrace her.

A flicker of panic showed in Chloe’s eyes, and she turned to run.

Donovan raised a hand and easily pulled her back, trapping her firmly in his arms.

「Outside the door.」

Several employees were pressed against the door, their ears pricked, eavesdropping on the spectacle inside.

"Hey, what do you think they’re doing in there?"

"Between two adults, what else do you think they could be doing?"

"But Chloe is usually so decisive and formidable, a total powerhouse. Who would’ve thought she was already taken!"

「Inside the room.」

On the wooden recliner, Donovan held the woman in his arms, his eyes closed as he kissed her.

When Chloe was finally released, she gasped for breath.

But Donovan felt it wasn’t nearly enough.

Chloe reached out and nudged him. "Don’t be so wild."

"If a man isn’t a little wild, how can he expect a woman to like him?"

Donovan drew closer, his voice deep. "Chloe Preston, I’ve been thinking about our relationship these past few days. Let’s recon—"

Just as he was speaking, the door suddenly clicked open.

Donovan’s eyes widened in shock. He immediately shielded the woman in front of him, quickly grabbing a nearby blanket and wrapping her up tightly.

Terrified, Chloe buried herself in the man’s warm embrace.

The employees stumbled and fell. They scrambled to their feet, shut the door, and called out apologetically, "The door’s faulty, it opened by itself! We didn’t see anything, you... you two continue!"

How could they possibly continue after that? The interruption had thoroughly extinguished any mood.

At that moment, Donovan’s handsome face was as black as coal.

Chloe tilted her head up from his embrace, her eyes clear and moist, and shot him a playful glare. "This is all your fault. They definitely saw you kissing me. How am I supposed to maintain my authoritative image in front of them now?"

Donovan chuckled softly. "You’re my woman. Kissing you is perfectly natural."

Chloe’s face flushed.

A faint smile touched Donovan’s features. He said nothing more, simply picking up the breakfast beside them. "There’s congee. Would you like some?"

Chloe leaned on his shoulder, her eyes bright. "I’m tired. You feed me."

Her bold request was a rare and refreshing change.

Donovan raised an eyebrow. He opened the lid, his lips curling into a low chuckle. "If you want me to feed you, that’s fine. Come here and kiss me first."

The bright smile on Chloe’s face froze.

"Then forget it. I’ll eat it myself."

She said this as she reached for the congee in his hand.

That liar. Just yesterday, he said he’d feed her every day as long as she wanted.

Donovan chuckled and pulled her closer. He stirred the congee with a spoon and said, "Alright, alright. I’ll feed you."

「Twenty minutes later.」

After finishing the congee, Chloe patted her stomach, flopped back onto the recliner, and smiled. "Full and satisfied. A little nap now would make this even more perfect."

Donovan set the bowl down and leaned over. "Let’s nap together."

Suddenly, the sharp ring of a phone broke the silence.

Donovan pulled out his phone, glanced at the screen, and answered with a frown.

A voice came through immediately. "Mr. Xavier, your mother has had a relapse. She was just throwing things and hitting people; we couldn’t restrain her."

"Now she’s self-harming again. We’re at our wit’s end! Please, you have to come back and check on her!"

The sound of a cup smashing on the floor could be heard through the phone.

Listening, Donovan gripped his phone tightly, his brow darkening. "Alright, I understand. I’ll be over immediately."

Chloe had overheard some of it and asked softly, "What’s wrong with your mother?"

Donovan didn’t explain much, his voice gravelly. "It’s nothing, don’t worry. I’ll handle it."

He then leaned in and kissed her forehead. "I have to go now. You can be as busy as you want during the day, but you must be back at The Xavier Residence by seven tonight. Do you hear me?"

"I’ll call you then. If I find out you’re not home... Chloe Preston, you know what I’m capable of."

Chloe’s brows furrowed slightly. "You’re not coming back today?"

"My mom is in Portdrey," Donovan explained. "I’m flying over now. After everything is handled, I probably won’t make it back tonight."

"I’ll likely return tomorrow morning. Be good and wait for me at The Xavier Residence."

Chloe leaned against his shoulder and nodded, appearing incredibly docile. "Mm."

Donovan stroked her hair and held her, reluctant to let go.

Chloe’s eyes were clear as she looked at him. "Go on, hurry. Don’t waste any more time."

Donovan nodded. Without another word, he stood up, methodically straightened his suit, and gave her one last look. "I’m leaving."

「Outside the door.」

The group of employees was still huddled by the door, cautiously eavesdropping. Their faces were the very picture of gossip.

Suddenly, the door opened.

The group yelped in fright, scrambling away to pretend they were busy.

Donovan stepped out and swept a casual glance over them. "Why so flustered? Is your boss lady usually this fierce?"

The group nodded in unison.

"Our Chloe is more than fierce. She’s an absolute beast at work, a true workaholic!"

"Sometimes when she gets angry, I have to steer clear of her. I’m always afraid she’ll fire me if I so much as look at her the wrong way!"