Chapter 15


    Xanthea was unwrapping a piece of candy and popping it into her mouth when Samuel’s words nearly


    made her choke. “Sam, what are you on about? How could that even be possible?”


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    “Why not possible? Look at today’s gathering-every debutante and starlet dressed to the nines, all


    trying to outshine each other; they were obviously all here for him. But he didn’t so much as nce at


    any of them. Instead, he only had eyes for you, not to say he even ditched the important Lockwood


    Group board meeting just for a word from you.”


    “That’s because I helped him win big at the stone betting table. With the MJ Group. contract in the bag,


    Lockwood shares were his no need to rush off to that meeting.” Xanthea paused, then added, “And like


    you said, with all the stunningdies around, why on earth would he be interested in me?”


    “Because you’re the most stunning, Xan!”


    Ethan and Samuel chimed in unison.


    Xanthea rolled her eyes. “The world of brotherly love is truly mad.”


    Ethanughed, “Xan, I’m not just being overprotective. You have no idea how captivating you looked


    today. If I weren’t your actual brother, I’d fall for you myself.”


    Samuel, running his fingers through her hair proudly, added, “Yeah, Xan, you were so confident and


    radiant, a far cry from the girl who used to orbit around Matthew. This is the charisma that our


    Nightshade family princess should embody!”


    Listening to them, Xanthea briefly spaced out. In her past life, her love for Matthew was all-consuming,


    to the point where she had lost herself entirely.


    “Even if I am great, Orion couldn’t possibly like me.”


    “Why are you so sure?”


    Initially, when she saw Orion excavating her grave, kissing her corpse, and even going as far as to kill


    Matthew and Miranda; she wondered if his actions stemmed from affection. But upon reflection, it


    seemed improbable.


    First, they hadn’t spent enough time together for any affection to be that deep. Second, considering


    how openly he had pursued Miranda in his previous life, he would have dered his feelings if he liked


    her. Thirdly, there was his reaction today when she asked him to take off his shirt.


    “Sam, can I ask you, Mr. Experienced, something?”


    Samuel clicked his tongue, “Xan, what’s with that title? My escapades were all just for


    14:56


    Chapter 15


    “If a girl you liked asked you to undress, what would you do?”


    Samuel smirked, “Is that even a question?”


    Forget it!


    Remembering Orion’s almost stormy expression when she brought it up today, Xanthea felt certain. He


    couldn’t possibly like her. As for why he kept helping her and even killed Matthew and Miranda, there


    must be other reasons.


    “Let’s drop it, will you? I can tell whether someone likes me or not,, right?”


    “Better if he doesn’t,” Ethan interjected. “Rumor has it that the Lockwood Group’s family feuds were


    fierce. Orion, being the eldest grandson, was deeply involved. Although now a famed business prodigy,


    he had trouble altering his formed traits of paranoia, gloom, and cruelty. Being liked by someone with


    such ws is a misfortune in itself.”


    Xanthea disagreed; everyone, no matter their past, deserved a chance at happiness. Besides, she


    couldn’t see how someone who blushed at mere close contact with a girl could be all that bad.


    On hering-of-age day, her uncle had a special iris mutation flown in from Seraphia. It had been in


    the soil for three days, and as soon as she got home, Xanthea dashed to the backyard eager to check


    for sprouts. Instead, she stumbled upon a sickening scene.


    Behind the lush ivy trellis, Miranda and Matthew were locked in an embrace; their silhouettes nearly


    merged as if they were kissing.


    Xanthea froze, with her fists clenched so tightly that her knuckles whitened, and her darkened with


    anger.


    For a moment, she was transported back to the night before her death when si with excitement, had


    gone to tell Matthew she had chosen her wedding dress, marry him. Instead, she had found him


    entangled with her stepsister on the roo


    Back then, it felt like a bolt from the blue; now, it was just revolting to realize tha been together all


    along, and had treated her like a fool for


    years.


    Xanthea wanted to storm over and tear their faces off, but reason held her back.


    “Ah


    Miranda ‘tripped’ over a small stone and fell straight into Matthew’s arms; she clutch waist and said,


    eyes


    “Matt, sorry about that. Didn’t sleep wellst night and been feeling dizzy all day. Than for catching


    me.”


    The pretty girl nestled in his arms, gazing up at him with vulnerable eyes, while his hand


    ng


    2/3


    Chapter 15


    rested on her exposed waist; the ambiguous atmosphere drew them closer.


    Matthew, feeling emboldened, squeezed her waist. Despite his long rtionship with Xanthea, she had


    always kept him at arm’s length, citing family traditions, promising herself to him only after marriage.


    But it was too much for him to face her stunning beauty daily; in order to maintain his gentlemanly


    image, he had restrained himself. Miranda, less striking but more amodating, was a different story


    altogether.


    3/3