CHAPTER 97: CHAPTER 97: IF YOU CAN’T STAND IT, YOU CAN LEAVE TOO

Outside the door.

Caleb Xavier leaned on his dragon-headed cane, listening to their conversation, his gaze falling on a small ginger cat in the corner.

He frowned. "Why are you feeding a cat? Isn’t your cat outside? Get out here!"

Inside, there was a brief silence.

Then, Donovan Xavier’s deep, powerful voice came through, tinged with impatience.

"I’m with a woman!"

This old man, really, forcing me to be so blunt about it.

Rosalind Rowan, who was standing to the side, heard this, and her eyes immediately reddened.

Seeing her reaction, Caleb Xavier took his cane and banged it against the door, shouting angrily, "This is outrageous! Rosalind is still out here! Have you considered her feelings?"

Inside the room.

Donovan Xavier listened to the incessant chatter outside, his head aching. Any good mood he might have had vanished into thin air.

He looked down at the woman in his arms and asked, "Do you want to go out and see Grandpa with me?"

Chloe Preston shook her head.

Donovan Xavier spoke softly, "I’m here. I’ll protect you. You don’t have to be afraid of him."

Chloe Preston glanced at him.

It’s not a matter of fear. His grandfather dislikes me, and seeing me would surely lead to a confrontation. The scene would probably get very ugly.

Then, she pursed her lips and said, "You lost your memory, so you don’t know, but your grandfather actually dislikes me a lot."

"Aside from Isla, no one in the Xavier family likes me. They don’t approve of us being together."

Donovan Xavier fell silent.

He remembered Leo Sterling saying something about this. Before he lost his memory, he had apparently severed ties with the Xavier family for her sake.

He found that hard to believe. Would he really go to such lengths for a woman?

Caleb Xavier was still standing outside, knocking on the door relentlessly.

A moment later, Donovan had her lie back on the bed and pulled the blanket over her. "Alright, then stay here," he said in a deep voice. "Get some sleep. I’ll be back soon."

Chloe Preston nodded.

Donovan patted her head, let go of her, and was about to get up when she grabbed his hand.

"What’s wrong?" he asked.

Chloe Preston didn’t say anything. She just leaned over, closed her eyes, and forcefully kissed his cold lips.

Her kissing was clumsy and haphazard, with no technique to speak of.

She then moved lower, biting his Adam’s apple.

Donovan Xavier leaned back slightly, letting out a muffled hum.

She let go, leaving a faint, red bite mark on his throat.

Donovan’s heart stirred. He raised his eyebrows, leaned close to her ear, and chuckled hoarsely, "Teasing me like this... When I get back, I’ll be sure to return the favor, twice over."

As he spoke, his fingers slid down gently, stopping at her collarbone before inching downwards.

Chloe Preston blushed and shot him a playful glare. "Get out of here already."

Donovan Xavier chuckled, a wide, handsome grin spreading across his face. He stood up, straightened his clothes, and walked to the door.

CLICK—

The door opened. Caleb Xavier stood there, glaring daggers at him.

Rosalind Rowan stood nearby, her gaze feigning nonchalance as it drifted into the room, landing right on Chloe Preston, who was reclining on the bed.

She gritted her teeth, a cold glint flashing in her eyes.

Donovan noticed her look. His expression turned cold as he stepped out and shut the door firmly behind him.

Caleb Xavier turned and headed downstairs.

Donovan Xavier went over, picked up the cat from the corner, and followed them.

「Downstairs.」

A short while later, Caleb Xavier was leaning against the sofa, processing what Donovan had said. His brow tightened. "So, what you’re saying is that you’ve lost your memory and don’t remember a lot of people?"

"Yes," Donovan replied.

Caleb let out a breath of relief. "Thankfully, you didn’t forget me and your dad."

"So, when do you think you’ll recover?"

"I don’t know." Donovan leaned lazily against the sofa, his tone indifferent. "The doctor said it varies from person to person. It’s possible I’ll never get my memory back."

Caleb paused, then probed, "So... Do you remember Chloe Preston?"

Donovan shook his head.

Seeing this, Caleb was delighted, almost jumping with excitement.

He doesn’t remember that woman! He definitely won’t fall for her again!

Rosalind Rowan, sitting nearby, was also secretly excited.

He’s forgotten that woman, which means I have a chance now!

Donovan, cradling the cat in his arms, looked at the old man before him and frowned slightly. "Grandpa, what are you so happy about?"

Caleb coughed a few times, took a sip of tea, and tried his best to suppress his joy. "Nothing... It’s nothing."

"Let me ask you again, grandson. You really don’t remember her?"

Donovan lowered his eyes to play with the cat in his lap, his voice calm. "That’s right."

"However, I plan to marry her."

Caleb thought he had misheard. The teacup in his hand trembled and fell to the ground with a loud CLATTER.

"What did you say!"

Donovan looked up at him, his tone unchanged. "I said, I’m going to marry her."

Caleb was shocked and couldn’t comprehend it.

Didn’t he lose his memory? Doesn’t he remember her? How could he want to marry her? That woman must have cast a spell on him! Otherwise, how could he be so bewitched?

His lips twitched into a strained smile. "Dear grandson, you said you don’t remember her. Why would you still want to marry her?"

"I don’t remember her," Donovan said, "but that doesn’t mean I’ve lost my feelings for her. I can sense a special connection between us. It’s a feeling that makes me irresistibly want to be close to her and accept everything about her. When she’s with me, I feel at ease."

He continued, "Besides, she’s carrying my child now. I have to take responsibility."

"I don’t agree!" Caleb’s anger surged as he slapped the table.

Donovan’s gaze remained perfectly calm. "If you don’t agree, then we have nothing more to talk about. You can leave."

Rosalind Rowan pursed her lips. "Donovan, how can you talk to Grandpa like that?"

Donovan glanced at her coldly. "You don’t like it? You can leave too."

"All of you, get out. I’m busy. I don’t have time to stand here and argue with you."

He stood up and looked at Housekeeper Wallace. "Housekeeper Wallace, see our guests out!"