CHAPTER 40: CHAPTER 40: SHE’S BRAVER WHEN DRUNK

Donovan Xavier smiled, taking an umbrella from the back of the car as he was about to get out and meet her.

But when he saw the man behind her, he froze.

Chloe Preston ran out, planning to drive straight back to The Xavier Residence.

"Chloe!" a male voice called out from behind her.

Chloe Preston paused and turned her head. "Dr. Jenson, is there something else?"

Aiden Jenson smiled, handing her the items he was holding. "No, you just forgot your bag and the flowers. I brought them out for you."

Chloe Preston reached out, took them, and thanked him politely. "Oh, thank you."

Inside the car, Donovan Xavier watched this unfold, his slender knuckles on the car window curling into a tight fist as the warmth vanished from his eyes.

Alright, so this woman accepted flowers from another man! How dare she!

Chloe Preston casually raised her eyes and happened to notice a black Phantom parked at the entrance. She immediately recognized it as Donovan Xavier’s car.

He came to the hospital?

Without a second thought, she ran straight toward the car.

"Why are you here?" Chloe Preston ran up to the car and lifted her glistening eyes to the man inside.

Did he come specifically to pick me up?

Donovan Xavier leaned against the leather seat, his black suit immaculate and crisp. His features were handsome and rugged, and his brow held a hint of aloof nobility, giving him an unapproachable aura.

A heavy rainstorm raged around them. Chloe Preston was drenched to the bone, her body icy and shivering.

Donovan Xavier remained silent as he opened the car door. He didn’t spare her a single glance, his demeanor utterly cold.

Chloe Preston hurriedly got into the car and closed the door, feeling a hint of warmth in the enclosed space.

Liam Keane glanced back at her and smiled slightly. "Miss Preston, Mr. Xavier came here specifically to pick you up from work."

"Ah?" Chloe Preston was taken aback and turned to look at the man beside her.

Donovan Xavier was still silent, his expression cold, his entire demeanor indifferent and aloof.

He seemed rather unhappy.

"What’s wrong?" Chloe Preston asked softly.

Donovan Xavier looked out the car window, a cold chuckle escaping his lips.

At the hospital entrance, Aiden Jenson still stood there, his posture upright, his gaze fixed in their direction.

Donovan Xavier’s ink-black eyes turned cold and sinister. He shot a look at Liam Keane. "Drive."

Sensing the anger in the man’s words, Liam Keane shivered slightly. He pursed his lips, started the car, and quietly raised the interior partition.

Donovan Xavier lowered his gaze. It unintentionally fell upon the jasmine flowers she held in her arms, and another cold scoff escaped him.

Does she cherish them that much?

Chloe Preston looked at him, gently pursed her lips, and asked again, "You... what’s wrong with you?"

Why is he suddenly so cold and distant? I didn’t even do anything to provoke him.

As she asked, her gaze shifted downward, and she noticed a bouquet of white roses resting by his left hand.

Are these for me? If they aren’t, I’ll be the one who’s embarrassed.

Donovan Xavier didn’t respond. His brow was furrowed and his expression utterly indifferent as he casually pulled a thin blanket from the side and tossed it onto her.

She’s soaked through. It won’t be good if she catches a cold.

Chloe Preston took the blanket and casually dabbed at her clothes. Her thick, dark hair was dripping wet, and her eyes, bright and moist, were strikingly beautiful.

The next moment, she couldn’t help but sneeze.

Donovan Xavier heard it, and his brow seemed to furrow slightly. But he still didn’t speak, simply closing his eyes.

After a while, the car arrived at The Xavier Residence. The rain was still coming down hard.

Housekeeper Wallace ran forward holding a large black umbrella over their heads.

Donovan Xavier got out of the car, his voice cold. "Just shelter her. And go make a cup of ginger tea."

With that, he strode away. His back was proud and his demeanor utterly cold and detached as he tossed the bouquet of white roses he was holding onto the ground.

A cold wind blew past. Chloe Preston stood frozen, staring blankly after him.

At that moment, Liam Keane lowered the car window. After a few seconds of hesitation, he said, "Miss Preston, Mr. Xavier bought those roses specially for you. He said you liked them."

Chloe Preston’s clear, water-like eyes flickered.

「Upstairs, in the room.」

Donovan Xavier came out of the bathroom after a quick shower. He was tall and well-built, dressed in a black robe with the collar slightly open, exuding a cool, damp mist. His expression was indifferent as he walked to the bedside, lifted the quilt, and lay down.

"Are you... going to sleep now?" Chloe Preston stood at the door, her lips pressed together, quietly watching him.

Donovan acted as if he were deaf. He closed his eyes, turned over, and showed her nothing but his cold, heartless back. He seemed to be sulking.

Chloe stood there watching him for a good while, then lowered her gaze, disappointment welling in her eyes. Then, she turned and went downstairs.

The door closed softly behind her.

Hearing the sound, Donovan opened his eyes. He sat up, throwing off the quilt, and glanced at the tightly closed door.

Ha! She actually just left! Can’t she tell that I’m angry? Not a single word to coax me. Heartless woman! Ungrateful little thing!

Donovan was so angry he felt like he was having a heart attack. The man, who was nearly six-foot-three, lay back down and childishly pulled the quilt completely over his head.

I’ll just sleep. If I don’t, she’ll be the death of me!

Half an hour later, Donovan was lying under the quilt with his eyes closed, but he didn’t feel the least bit sleepy.

Suddenly, something soft and light pressed against his back. It was warm and fragrant.

Donovan’s back stiffened.

Who else but Chloe Preston would be so bold as to climb onto his bed, so fearless as to sneak into his quilt, and so audacious as to hold him?

"What are you doing in my bed?" he asked coldly, his eyes still closed.

Chloe gently pressed her face against his broad back, her fair, slender arms carefully wrapping around his firm waist as she giggled. "Getting into bed to sleep with you, of course."

Her voice was soft and sweet, enough to make a person’s bones melt.

Donovan, however, just sneered. "Ha."

"Let go."

This was the first time he had ever told her to let go.

But Chloe only hugged his waist tighter, refusing to let go. "No."

"Mr. Xavier, don’t you like me holding you like this?"

Furious, he lied, "I don’t."

Chloe paused for a few seconds, blinking her clear, moist eyes, then smiled radiantly. "Fine, then I’ll go hold someone else!"

As she said this, she decisively released him, lifted the quilt, and started to get out of bed.

The next moment, a large, well-defined hand seized her wrist. He flipped over, pressing her heavily beneath him.

"Chloe Preston, you dare!"

Donovan trapped her firmly in his arms, his dark eyes cold and wicked, radiating pure anger.

Chloe smiled, her eyes shimmering like rippling water as she reached up to wrap her arms around his neck. "Of course I don’t dare."

She had showered, and her whole body smelled sweet and fragrant. She was wearing a light pink, lace-strapped nightgown with a neckline so low it left little to the imagination.

Donovan’s eyes gradually darkened. He raised an eyebrow and smirked. "Chloe Preston, dressed like this... are you deliberately trying to seduce me?"

Chloe admitted it freely, her eyes curving into crescents as she gave him a dazzling smile. "I am."

She was incredibly close to him now. Donovan could smell the faint, intoxicating scent of wine on her.

He frowned slightly. "You drank?"

Chloe smiled, her face flushed and her eyes hazy with intoxication. "Just... just a little bit."

"Why did you drink?"

"To cheer you up."

At her words, Donovan’s dark, night-like eyes stirred.

"Why cheer me up?" he asked, his dark eyes staring straight into hers, profound and deep.

Chloe’s head felt a little dizzy. Gazing at the impossibly handsome and proud man before her, she smiled with a soft, drunken haze. "Because you were angry."

When he was angry, of course, she had to appease him.

As she spoke, her expression fell, a hint of grievance on her face. "But I don’t know why you’re angry, and I don’t know how to cheer you up, so I got myself drunk."

When she was drunk, she was bolder. She could be completely uninhibited in front of him.

Chloe’s soft, pliant hands rested on his shoulders as she buried her head in the warm crook of his neck. "Donovan Xavier, don’t be angry, okay?"

"When you’re angry, you become so fierce and so, so cold to me. It makes my heart ache a little."

She looked up at him with drunken eyes, a watery mist clouding them. Her voice caught with a hint of a sob, making her look utterly pitiful.

As Donovan looked at her, his long, bony fingers curled slightly, and he pressed his thin lips together. Something in his heart suddenly softened.

He was about to speak when he inadvertently glanced at the table beside them. There, a bouquet of white roses was arranged perfectly in a white jade vase.

He started. Didn’t I throw the flowers away?