Chapter 36


    Xanthea caught the look of surprise and confusion in his eyes as he suddenly awoke, and quickly, with


    a touch of embarrassment, withdrew her leg. “Ah, don’t get the wrong idea, I was just trying to step


    over you to get out without disturbing your sleep. Oh, and thanks. for your jacket!*


    She handed the jacket back to him, and Orion took it but didn’t move aside. “About the jewelry, Ms.


    Nightshade, have you considered my offer?”


    Xanthea waved her hand dismissively, “I appreciate the gesture, but I really can’t ept it!” The jewelry


    he showed her was indeed exquisite, each piece a rare treasure. If put on the market, each would fetch


    at least a couple of million, with the priciest pieces reaching up to several hundred million. How could


    she possibly ept suchvish gifts!


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Orion asked, “Not interested?”


    Of course, that wasn’t it! There wasn’t a woman in the world who could resist sparkling jewelry!


    Xanthea wanted to deny it but seeing his insistent look, worried he might think she was just being


    politely evasive, she nodded.


    “Then what about Crestwood’s real estate, shops, resources, anything catches Ms. Nightshade, just


    say the word.”


    “No, no, that’s alright!”


    your eye,


    Xanthea was stunned by his generosity. She had thought his previous life’s pursuit of Miranda was


    already extravagant, but that was nothingpared to what he was offering her now.


    “I told you, the rough diamond was to repay you for helping me fend off those thugs that one time. If


    you really want to thank me, then just owe me a favor, and I’d call you when need something, alright?”


    Xanthea’s stalling tactic worked effectively, and Orion nodded after a moment of silence.


    “Alright, that’s settled then! I should get going.”


    “Where to, Ms. Nightshade? Can I offer you a ride?”


    “Xan, what are you doing here?”


    Just as he finished speaking, Matthew ran up from behind, his eyes flickering with a hint of wariness


    upon seeing Orion and Xanthea together.


    He had fallen asleep as soon as he boarded the ne, thinking Xanthea had done the same. He hadn’t


    expected Orion to be on the same flight, let alone to wake up and see


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    Chapter 36


    them together.


    Xanthea replied, “Just bumped into Mr. Lockwood and came over to say hi.”


    “Oh.” Matthew forced a polite smile. “Mr. Lockwood, Xan and I are off to Willowdale for a trip. Didn’t


    expect to run into you here.”


    After he spoke, he extended his hand, but the man in front of him seemed not to notice, his eyes


    lowered, hiding the flicker of emotion.


    So, they were traveling together.


    After a few awkward seconds, Matthew’s smile stiffened, and his extended hand hung in the air


    ufortably.


    Xanthea looked questioningly at Orion, who coldly stated, “Sorry, I haven’t washed my hands.”


    What? Not washed his hands?


    Xanthea was shocked; did that mean his hands still had traces of her saliva? Surely, that


    was a lie?


    Matthew chuckled awkwardly and turned to Xanthea, “Let’s go then.”


    “Sure! Mr. Lockwood, till we meet again.”


    Xanthea waved at him, turned, and walked down the ne with Matthew.


    As the cabin cleared, only Orion remained, staring nkly at the boarding door as if he could still see a


    trace of the girl who had just left.


    Cedric sighed quietly to himself; he had predicted that any meeting between Xanthea and Orion,


    regardless of the circumstances, would end with Orion in a somber mood.


    Once off the ne, Xanthea touched her chin, plotting a way to slip away and leave Matthew with


    Miranda. That way, the filthy couple would inevitably reveal their true col


    under surveince.