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    Chapter 353


    Lale al right, flumanna sal in front of her vanity, her brows furrowed “Chris, do you think I was too harsh


    earlier? It was Mr. Lockwood’s first time visiting us, and he faced quite the interrogation. And Xan, she


    has just managed to move on from herst rtionship, and if ahe gets hurt again because of me


    “Don’t overthink


    Christopher reassured her, patting her shoulder gently. “You did it all for our daughter’s sake. I’m sure


    he’ll


    What worried him more was the acquisition contract from the Martinez Group. A deal involving assets


    worth over millions being handed ova just like that was not something to take lightly


    If it were anyone else, he would have been suspicious of a trick. But this was Orion, the richest man in


    Crestwood, not like Matthew What could he possibly want from the Nightshade family?


    Could he really like Xan that much?


    Ethan walked into the study and saw Samuel meticulously going through the contract under themp


    “Samuel, you were a bit out of line today”


    d his glosses. “It’s


    I’m sorry, big brother Samuel removed his sses. “It’s just that…


    “I know you care about Xan. We all do. But Onion shouldn’t have to pay for the mistakes Matthew and


    Miranda made. And I trust Xan. She’s smart and won’t fall in the same ce twice.”


    Ethan paused, looking down at the contract in his hands. “He’s willing to acquire the Martinez Group for


    Xan, something even we hadn’t thought of, right? That’s perhaps what sets him apart from Matthew


    One talked a lot but does nothing.


    This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    The other said little but did everything


    Samuel closed the contract file “I understand.”


    “Is anyone there? Can anyone hear me?”


    In her bedroom, Xanthea’s frustrations went from fiery to exhausted as she shouted until her throat was


    dry, on the verge of giving up when she suddenly heard Ethan’s voice.


    “Xan, stop shouting and go to sleep. Orion has already left.”


    “What?!” She perked up immediately, pressing her ear against the door. “Left? So soon? What did you


    do to him? Did you bully him?” “Big brother? You’re the best. Open the door and tell me


    “Zora, prepare some warm milk for Xan. Help her sleep”


    What responded to her was the exchange between Ethan and Zora, followed by their retreating


    footsteps.


    Xanthea flopped onto the bed, hugging her Hello Kitty plush, tears welling in her eyes. She and Orion


    were truly star–crossed lovers! The next morning, a convoy of cars parked outside the gates of


    Lakeside Manor, startling Zora into running back and forth with updates.


    Christopher and Susanna came out to see a refined figure stepping out from the lead ck Rolls–


    Royce


    “Mr. Lockwood?”


    Orion greeted them, “Good morning, I’vee to visit you today”


    Cedric and Jacob followed, their arms full of gift boxes. They exchanged looks, knowing they had to


    give their best today to help the boss win the girl,


    “Please,e in! Christopher, taken aback by the almost matrimonial grandeur, hurriedly invited them


    inside.


    Susanna quickly instructed, “Zora, go wake Xan up.”


    “Right away!”


    “Knock, knock, knock. Miss, are you awake? Mr. Lockwood is here”


    “Huh?”


    Xanthea was still immersed in sleep. But hearing the name “Mr. Lockwood,” she sprang out of bed as if


    on reflex, dashing out in her slippers.