《My Beloved Has Risen from Death鈥檚 Embrace》
Chapter 1
Chapter 1
Xanthe
was dead.
Her spirit hovered over the graveyard; she wasmenting her tragic fate. Once the heiress of the
prestigious Nightshade Group, she had fallen hard for a do uchebag, ending with her family destroyed
and herself dead. It was both sad and absurd. Just as her soul was about to dissipate, a strange figure
caught her eye.
Underneath the dense pine trees, a sleek, pitch ck Rolls-Royce was parked. From it stepped a
striking man, who was cradling a bouquet of vibrant, blue-violet irises.
Those bright-colored flowers, vivid and dazzling, were her favorites during her lifetime.
As he approached, she could see his face clearly.
It was hauntingly beautiful sharp, hawkish eyebrows over deep eyes, a straight nose leading to a
chiseled jawline. He looked like a masterpiece crafted by the heavens, wless in every way.
Wasn¡¯t this Orion Lockwood, the prominent heir of the Lockwood Group from Crestwood? What was he
doing here, standing by her grave?
Driven by curiosity, she watched as he stopped in front of her tombstone, his eyes intently fixed on the
inscription, ¡°Heiress of the Nightshade Group ¨C Xanthea Nightshade.¡± His tall frame began to tremble,
his pupils turning a fiery red, his face ghastly pale against his shocking expression, which made him
both unfathomable and dreadful.
Suddenly, a terrifying, gutturalugh broke from his throat, sending chills down her spine,
Why did he look so maddened? Why did hisughter sound so heartbreakingly hopeless?
Before she could ponder further, a shocking scene unfolded. The man got down his knees and began
to dig at her grave frantically!
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¡°Hey, are you insane?! Stop it! What are you doing? Why are you digging up my grave? Do I even
know you?¡±
Xanthea was both furious and frantic, snarling around him, but as a mere wisp of a soul, she went
unnoticed.
¡°Mr. Lockwood! Mr. Lockwood!¡±
A frantic flurry of footsteps approached, and a young assistant hurried over from the car, grasping at his
arm pleadingly, ¡°Mr. Lockwood, please stop; Ms. Nightshade¡¯s already gone.¡±
¡°Get away!¡±
He roared violently, his eyes zing, terrifying both the assistant and Xanthea, who stepped back in
fear.
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¡°She¡¯s not dead. She¡¯s not dead.¡±
He kept mumbling those words, his knuckles bleeding as they mixed with the dirt, yet unaware of the
pain, like a soulless puppet, a sight so harrowing.
The assistant couldn¡¯t help but cry, and Xanthea was stunned, trying to recall any past entanglement
she might have had with him.
Orion was a business mogul of Crestwood, known for his ruthless tactics that had propelled the
Lockwood Group to the top. She barely knew him, only having a few unpleasant encounters.
She remembered once, as a child, he had tried to give her a doll to cozy up to her, which she not only
rejected but also stomped into the dirt, vowing never to befriend such a ¡°crazy boy¡±.
As they grew up, his fearsome reputation and skyrocketing status only made her keep her distance.
The only connection they might have had was through the news she heard. about his pursuit of
Miranda Moore, her stepsister, the very one who had h ooked up Xanthea¡¯s fianc¨¦ and pushed her
down the stairs!
But what did that have to do with her? Why would he unearth her grave?
with
¡°Ms. Nightshade, you never so much as nced at him when you were alive; why torment him now in
death?¡±
The assistant tearfully stared at her tombstone, eyes filled with resentment.
Xanthea was baffled; she was tormenting him? Right now, it seemed like Orion was the one
desecrating her grave. Wait!
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Orion actually unearth her coffin using just his hands. Just as she
was relieved that her coffin, made of durable mahogany, was too sturdy for him to open, he pulled out a
familiar-looking Swiss army knife from his coat
That knife looked so familiar; wasn¡¯t it the one her uncle had given her for her birthd How did it end up
in his hands?
Mouth agape, she watched as Orion pried open her coffin with that sturdy knife.
Despicable! Using her own gift to vite her resting ce, what a hideous crime!
When her body was exposed to the sunlight, the air grew deathly still.
Xanthea looked at her own body, which had fallen from the twenty-sixth floor. Thankfully, a safety
below had preserved her corpse, and the mortician had applied her makeup beautifully; she looked
more asleep than dead.
She was so young; if only she could live again, she¡¯d never be so foolish. Sighing, she nced irritably
at Orion, only to be struck by his reaction once more.
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Chapter 1
As the lifeless, peaceful body of the girl entered his vision, his eyes hollowed out, turning. into deep,
dark abysses, his lips pale. It was an expression beyond words.
As if his soul had been ripped out, leaving behind an empty shell. As if his entire world had been
destroyed.
After a long silence, a painful, beast-like moan filled the air.
Orion, with muddy, blood-stained hands, cradled her face from the coffin, kissing her lips with a
reverence as if holding the world¡¯s most precious treasure.
Tears streamed down the tranquil, beautiful face of the girl, and Xanthea¡¯s soul gasped in shock.
¡°Xan, it¡¯s too cold down here for you, wait for me to kill them all, and I¡¯ll join you.¡±
Chapter 2
Chapter 2
Holy cr ap!!!
Was he kissing her dead body? Did he have a thing for corpses?!
Xanthea, shivering with horror, saw Orion not only bizarrely kiss the girl¡¯s lips for a long while but also
picked up her lifeless body and headed towards the Rolls-Royce.
What in the world did he want with her body? Wasn¡¯t kissing her enough, now he wanted. to take her
home for some sick game?
Fuming to the point of nearly exploding, Xanthea was about to follow when suddenly her soul got
sucked into the knife Orion was holding. When she was released again, she found herself in the chilling
breeze of a pitch-dark rooftop.
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As Xanthea realized it was a rooftop, her spirit trembled.
This was the very rooftop where Xanthea had caught Matthew and Miranda in the middle of a
disgraceful scene and was then pushed off the building.
Two people, one was her longtime beloved fianc¨¦ and the other was her stepsister who she trusted
implicitly had betrayed her in the cruelest way. She despised them!
But this wasn¡¯t the Nightshade Group¡¯s rooftop; their building had only twenty-six floors. This ce had
a towering sixty-six floors, and the neon logo shining on the building. opposite was the emblem of
Crestwood ¨C the Lockwood Group Twin Towers!
¡°Oh, please, let me go; let me go, please.¡±
A familiar voice came from behind. Xanthea quickly turned around to see two people, their limbs tightly
bound with nylon ropes and covered in blood, kneeling and begging pitifully.
Matthew and Miranda! What were they doing here looking like this?
As she looked past them, Orion¡¯s tall silhouette cast a dark shadow on Matthew and Miranda¡¯s faces.
His fingers were embedded with a de that was slowly dripping blood, like a demon king who had just
walked out of hell, his entire aura dark and ominous. Under Miranda¡¯s terrified gaze, he lifted her to the
edge of the rooftop, slicing her face open de by de. ¡°Ah!!!¡±
Miranda¡¯s screams were heart-wrenching, and Xanthea was so frightened that her soul nearly s
cattered.
Orion, how could he¡
Wasn¡¯t he supposed to be infatuated with Miranda? Even Xanthea, who paid no mind to
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Chapter 2
celebrity gossip, had heard about his grand pursuits. How could he now treat her so brutally? Miranda
had always been so proud of her looks since young.
In the next second, Miranda¡¯s figure vanished from the sixty-sixth floor, shocking Xantheal into near
paralysis. Matthew, who was kneeling on the ground, fainted from fear.
He pushed Miranda off the building? From the sixty-sixth floor!
To him, the woman disappearing seemed as trivial as a passing breeze. Then, he grabbed
Matthew.
As Matthew¡¯s body dangled over the edge, Xanthea noticed that he was already terribly wounded, his
body a bl oody mess.
Orion looked at the man who seemed already dead, his eyes filled with cold fury, like a dark of
twisted hatred, his knuckles cracking audibly.
¡°Matthew, even sneaking a peek at Xan from afar, I¡¯d feel it¡¯s a luxury; how dare you!¡±
In a moment, Matthew too plummeted from the high-rise.
Xanthea watched in shock; for a second, the scene was eerily reminiscent of her own death, only theirs
more tragic.
The cutting wind swept over Twin Towers, and on the rooftop, the man slowly wiped the murky blood
from his fingers, his violent expression fading into a look of soft longing, ¡°Xan, I¡¯lle to join you.¡±
He wiped thest drop of blood from his hand and pulled out the knife, pressing it against his major
artery.
¡°No!¡±
¡°Xan, you¡¯re awake! Thank goodness, you scared me to death!¡±
¡°Xan, don¡¯t be scared. I¡¯m here; it¡¯s all right now.¡±
With a scream, the figure in the bed slowly opened her eyes to see a few anxious faces.
Her dad Christopher, mom Susanna, brothers Ethan and Samuel? Xanthea stared nkly, blinking.
Was she hallucinating? How could she see them all? And all so young ¨C seeing her father was one
thing, but wasn¡¯t her mother critically ill from stress? Ethan had gone abroad for treatment, and Samuel
had beatose trying to save her.
¡°Xan, what¡¯s wrong? Did something scare you?¡±
Samuel, seeing her dazed expression, quickly touched her forehead while Susanna wiped away tears,
scolding Christopher, ¡°It¡¯s all your fault, insisting on holding Xan¡¯sing-of-age ceremony at Lakeside
Manor, knowing full well she¡¯s terrified of water. Falling into theke must have terrified her. If anything
had happened to her, I would never
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Chapter
forgive you!¡±
¡°I¡¯m so sorry, my dear; it¡¯s all my fault.¡±
Feeling the warmth of Samuel¡¯s palm on her forehead, Xanthea listened to her parents¡¯ familiar voices,
her pupils suddenly trembling.
She quickly pinched herself on the thigh..
Ouch! It was real; all of this was actually happening!
She had returned to the day of hering-of-age celebration right after college graduation. Go d had
truly given her a chance to start over!
Now, her mother wasn¡¯t yet critically ill, Ethan Hadn¡¯t had to go abroad for treatment, and Samuel was
alive and well.
With that thought, Xanthea suddenly burst into tears and threw herself into Samuel¡¯s arms, sobbing
uncontrobly, ¡°Samuel, Samuel!¡±
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Chapter 3
Chapter 3
Samuel had beenpletely taken aback by her sudden hug and the affectionate way she called his
name, but he quickly recovered, embracing her joyfully and affectionately kissing her hair, ¡°I¡¯m here; I¡¯m
right here, Xan. Don¡¯t be scared.¡±
¡°Dad, Mom, Ethan, did you see that? The first person Xan thought of when she woke up was me. That
just shows I¡¯m the most important person to her!¡±-
Their family, hearing Xanthea¡¯s loud, strong cries and Samuel¡¯s teasing banter, finally rxed, thankful
that everything was alright.
¡°Xan, you can¡¯t just think about Samuel. You also have your lifesaver to thank! You fell into the
backyard pond this time, and it was all thanks to Matthew who quickly spotted you and pulled you out.
It could have been unimaginable otherwise.¡±
Christopher gratefully pulled Matthew, who was standing behind him. When Xanthea lifted her head
from Samuel¡¯s arms and saw Matthew, the excitement in her eyes instantly turned to hatred.
Beside him stood Miranda, looking all pretentious. This deceitful, cruel pair ¨C she would. never forgive
them in this lifetime!
Her intense loathing was masked by her tears, unnoticed by those around her.
Matthew sat down by the bed, gently touching her hair, ¡°It was nothing, Mr. Nightshade. I¡¯m just d
Xan¡¯s safe and sound.¡±
Xanthea looked at him with disgust, about to shake off his hand, when she noticed his shirt, soaked
from the pond water, revealed nothing underneath.
In her past life, she had fallen into the garden pond and lost her memories after being saved, only to
hear from others that Matthew had heroically saved her. She had fallen deeply in love with him since.
But this time, she remembered everything about falling into the water.
had
As she struggled in the icy water, feeling her consciousness fading, strong arms suddenly pulled her
close. The force was so great that her lips unintentionally pressed against his chest, right on an iris
tattoo.
But Matthew had no such tattoo on his chest ¨C he wasn¡¯t her savior!
Indeed, how could someone who schemed to betray her affection, seize her inheritance, and take her
life, risk his own to save her?
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was it?
She had been so ridiculously wrong from the start. But if it wasn¡¯t him, then who
Xanthea looked up and realized that besides her family, there were also numerous guests from the
party, and among them stood a tall, imposing man who caught her eye
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14:55
Chapter 3
immediately.
Orion? Their eyes met unexpectedly, causing Xanthea to shiver.
He seemed to notice too, his brows slightly furrowed, his long eyshes casting a shadow over the
somber light in his eyes. He clenched his hands and left without a word. Xanthea wanted to call out to
him, but only managed a weak moan.
Sam asked, ¡°Xan, what¡¯s wrong? Are you feeling okay?¡±
¡°I¡¯m fine.¡±
She hadn¡¯t even noticed Orion at hering-of-age celebration in her past life.
Just now,
her mind uncontrobly shed back to the cruel scenes of him dealing with the deceitful pair, giving
her a fright. He must have misunderstood.
Though now surrounded by rumors making all of Crestwood tremble, everyone might fear him, but she
couldn¡¯t ¨C after all, he was the man who had sought revenge for the blood. feud on her behalf.
¡°Mom, I need to use the restroom.¡±
¡°Sure, let Miranda apany you
¡°Xan, let me,¡± Miranda approached with a look of concern, but before she started offering her help,
Xanthea immediately rejected her.
¡°No need!¡±
Miranda paused for a moment, and then nodded with a smile.
As soon as Xanthea stepped outside, she followed Orion¡¯s figure, but the man, with his long legs,
quickly disappeared from her sight.
¡°Why¡¯s he walking so fast?¡±
She unwittingly followed him to the backyard. After looking around and feeling a bit disappointed, she
turned to leave but tripped heavily over a stone.
¡°Ah!¡±
As she cried out in surprise and tried to get up, a pair of shiny ck leather shoes. appeared in front of
her. She looked up, Orion?
The man standing against the light didn¡¯t look at her but spoke in a cool tone, ¡°I¡¯ll call someone for you.¡±
¡°Hey, not necessary!¡±
Xanthea¡¯s eyes lit up as she grabbed his ck trouser leg, ¡°Aren¡¯t you right here? Could you please
help me up, Mr. Lockwood?¡±
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Chapter
Caught by surprise, Orion stiffened for a moment.
He slowly looked down at the girl sitting on the ground, her dimples showing as she smiled, her eyes
sparkling even in the shadow, like a radiant little sun. Dazzling.
He paused for a few seconds, then bent down to lift her up, and as he did, Xanthea instinctively
wrapped her arms around his neck, cheerfully thanking him, ¡°Thanks.¡±
Before she could finish, she felt herself almost slip and clung to him tighter.
¡°Am I heavy for you?¡±
She looked at Orion with a tinge of confusion.
Must be kidding. She had once seen him effortlessly lift Matthew, who weighed over 150 pounds, on
the rooftop of Twin Towers. How could he not carry her, who weighed less than 100 pounds?
And he had held her so skillfully when lifting her out of a grave before.
She started straight at him, her beautiful eyes filled with doubt; Orion¡¯s lips tightened. slightly as he
averted his gaze and then firmly picked her up.
As he lifted her, Xanthea experienced up close what was meant by a stunningly handsome
face.
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Chapter 4
Chapter 4
Raven-ck eyebrows framed his deep-set, piercing eyes, and his lips and nose. proportioned
as if sculpted with meticulous care by a renowned artist. His jawline was perfectly defined.
She had first been utterly stunned by his presence at the cemetery, and up close, he was even
more breathtaking. It was hard to imagine anyone in the entertainment industry who could
surpass his allure.-
Unfortunately, he always wore a cold expression, and his aura was chilling, almost devil-like.
Coupled with the outrageous rumors circting in the news, it was no wonder people were
wary of him.
¡°Ms. Nightshade, where are you headed?¡±
Ms. Nightshade? Such a formal address. Weren¡¯t they on a first-name basis at the cemetery?
¡°Back to my room, thank you.¡±
Xanthea, worried she might fall, instinctively snuggled closer to him. She felt him pause as if
shocked by electric contact. Curious, she looked up just in time to see a faint crescent-shaped
scar on the left side of his neck.
That scar looked familiar. Could it be she was the one who left it?
Three years ago, when the Martinez family first made a name for themselves through a
coboration with the Nightshade family in Crestwood, Matthew was cornered by a group of so-
called elite heirs. They taunted him, throwing stones and mocking his father for being a social
climber, and Matthew as nothing but apdog to the Nightshade¡¯s
heiress.
Overhearing this, she had angrily thrown stones back at them. When the leader, a blond punk,
charged at her, she raised a sharp-edged stone in defense.
Just as the punk¡¯s fist was about to hit her, a shadow darted from behind her, breaking the attacker¡¯s
arm. The punk cried and begged for mercy, but she couldn¡¯t stop the stone in her hand, which heavily
struck the neck of a young man, leaving a crescent-shaped wound and blood gushing out. At that
moment, she was only thinking of Matthew and didn¡¯t even see the face of the man who helped her.
She took Matthew¡¯s hand and ran
away.
Afterwards, when thinking about that young man, she couldn¡¯t even remember his face. and name. And
soon, she totally forgot all this.
It turned out, the person who had helped her was him.
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She had not only publicly insulted him by calling him ¡°crazy¡± but had also ungratefully
14:55
injured him without so much as a thank you. How could she have been so foolish, so cruel?
Overwhelmed with regret, Xanthea felt tears welling up in her eyes. She wanted to ask him why,
despite all the annoying things she had done, he still chose to help her, to protect her, to avenge her.
And why, after her supposed death, had he chosen to end his own life?
But if she asked him now, he might think she was insane. Feeling a sting in her nose, Xanthea raised
her hand to rub it but realized her arm clung to his wet chest.
She paused for a moment, and then it dawned on her.
Water? From where? His shirt was wet, but the party was held in the main hall ¨C no chance of getting
sshed there. Could it be
shes of struggling in the water, strong arms, a muscr chest, and that protective embrace at the
cemetery holding a bouquet of irises toward her grave passed through her mind.
Could it be that he was the one who had saved her from the pond just now? Xanthea about to tug at his
shirt, eager to see if there was an iris tattoo underneath, when suddenly she heard a voice.
¡°Xan, what¡¯re you doing here?¡±
was
Matthew approached rapidly. Seeing him still sparked anger, but she managed to control herself as he
came closer, ¡°Just felt a bit stuffy, went for a walk in the garden and identally tripped. Luckily, Mr.
Lockwood was there.¡±
In this new life, she could easily cut all ties with Matthew to avoid repeating her past tragedies. But that
would let him off too easily.
He deserved to be ruined, to experience the despair she had felt in her past life.
¡°Alright.¡± Matthew smiled slightly, nodding respectfully to Orion, ¡°Thank you, Mr. Lockwood, for your
help. I¡¯ll take her from here.¡±
¡°Mr. Lockwood, thank you.¡±
Before she could finish, Orion had already set her down and turned away, lips pressed.
She hadn¡¯t even gotten a chance to see if there was an iris tattoo on his chest!
¡°Xan, are you hurt?¡±
¡°I¡¯m fine.¡±
¡°Howe Mr. Lockwood was holding you? Do you know him?¡±
After Orion had walked a distance, Matthew¡¯s respectful demeanor shifted to one of
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suspicion.
Rumors had it that the heir to the Lockwood Group was unpredictable and mysterious, always
avoiding women. Why then did he attend Xan¡¯sing-of-age celebration and rush to aid her
over a simple fall?
Xanthea noticed the change in his expression and scoffed internally, ¡°We don¡¯t know each
other. He was just lending a hand. What about it?¡±
¡°Nothing, just that his reputation isn¡¯t great. Heard he had m ental issues as a kid that led to the
deaths of his stepmother and a se rvant. Now, he¡¯s ruthlessly pushing out his own uncle in the
Lockwood Group¡¯s power struggles. Xan, you¡¯re so pure and kind, should probably stay away
from such people.¡±
As he reached to touch her hair, she subtly dodged, ¡°Since when did you be such a
gossip, believing all these ridiculous rumors, Matthew?¡±
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Chapter 5
Chapter 5
Ugh, talked about being two-faced and utterly hypocritical.
In front of Orion, he acted all humble and ttering, but behind his back he was spreading rumors and
badmouthing him. She remembered when she was young, she stepped on Orion¡¯s doll and called him
a ¡°crazy boy¡±. It seems it was because he whispered in her ear
back then.
In her past life, she was blinded by love, willing to listen and believe everything he said, not even
seeing such obvious attempts to drive a wedge between them.
Matthew choked a bit, ¡°Even if it¡¯s just rumors, there¡¯s no smoke without fire. Better safe. than sorry.
Xan, let me help you.¡±
¡°No need, I¡¯m fine now.¡±
Xanthea walked away on her own.
Matthew watched, stunned as the girl who had just been weakly leaning on Orion now strode away as
if carried by the wind.
That evening, a sleek silver Rolls-Royce Phantom sped along the outskirts of the city. Inside, the man
in the shadows of the tinted windows slowly unclenched his fist, still seemingly feeling the delicate
touch and scent of that young girl¡¯s waist.
Ever since the Nightshade family g, Mr. Lockwood seemed to be in a foul mood.
Cedric, driving the car, nced nervously in the rearview mirror and saw Orion deeply inhaling the
scent from his palm. His expression was that of an addict in the throes of withdrawal, so obsessed it
was almost frightening!
The birthday partysted until 8 PM, and after the Nightshade couple had seen off all the guests,
Xanthea couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Mom, Dad, why did Orione to mying-of-age party? Did you
invite him?¡±
¡°Mr. Lockwood?¡± Christopher shook his head, The Lockwood Group¡¯s a big name in Crestwood, far
beyond my reach. Mr. Lockwood had his own reasons for attending.¡±
¡°Reasons? What reasons?¡±
Seeing Xan¡¯s rare interest in someone other than Matthew, Christopher borated, ¡°Haven¡¯t there
been rumors that Lucian, founder of Twin Towers, is stepping down, and his youngest son Timothy and
eldest grandson Orion are vying for the top spot at the Lockwood Group?
One is a seasoned veteran with deep roots in thepany, the other a business prodigy who boosted
the Lockwood Group to the top within just two years as CEO. The board¡¯s split in their support for them.
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Chapter 5
The Lockwood Group is also negotiating a huge deal with the international MJ Group, a deal sorge
most can¡¯t even fathom. Lucian then announced that whoever secures this deal will inherit his position
and shares.
So, both parties started reaching out to MJ Group. MJ Group¡¯s CEO, Tyson, not wanting to get tangled
in Lockwood¡¯s internal strife and being an avid gem gambler, came up with an idea.
In three days, there will be a gem gambling event at Eden Heights Estates. Both Timothy and Orion
can bring teams. Whoever cuts the most beautiful gem wins the deal with MJ Group.¡±
Susanna added, ¡°Remember that stone your dad found at K.K Mountain? It looked just ordinary back
then; turns out it contains a gem of considerable value.
Mr. Lockwood¡¯s visit today was to inspect that stone, likely trying to discover its qualities to gain an
edge at the gem gambling event.¡±
As they exined, Xanthea vaguely remembered something, not about the gem betting event but
about a shocking car ident in Crestwood three dayster.
#A severe traffic ident on Lumina Avenue, a Rolls-Royce collided with a truck. One dead and the
other seriously injured, from the Lockwood Group board, Timothy and Orion#
Once released, the news shocked the nation, and rumors spread online that ¡°Orion bribed the driver to
seize control of the Lockwood Group by murdering his uncle¡±, even reaching Xanthea, who usually
didn¡¯t pry into others¡¯ lives.
Clearly, it was an ident, but Orion bore all the me. Could it be?
At the gem betting event, Orion lost to Timothy who officially took over the Lockwood Group. When
Timothy was suddenly killed, everyone suspected Orion.
No wonder his reputation suffered so badly afterward. It was all media spection a malicious
conjecture!
If Orion wanted to kill Timothy, why would he share a car with him and end up serious injured himself?
With his status and talents, taking over the Lockwood Group was onl matter of time. There was no
need for such drastic measures.
Xanthea clenched her fists, angered. No, she had to stop this!
Miranda, noticing her unusual demeanor, was a bit curious, ¡°Sis, what¡¯s wrong? Why the sudden
interest in Mr. Lockwood?¡±
¡°Just feel strange; that¡¯s all.¡±
¡°Okay.¡± Miranda nodded, and then suddenly addressed, ¡°Matt said he¡¯s not a good perso It might be
better for you to stay away from him.¡±
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Chapter 5
Xanthea looked at her. Those words sounded painfully familiar.
In public, she pretended to be knowledgeable and gentle, but behind closed doors, she was cruel and
spiteful. She and Matthew really were a perfect match. How had she not seen it before?
Or maybe, like in her past life, Matthew and she just wanted her to be a naive puppet, easily controlled
and kept away from the outside world?
¡± see, thanks for the heads-up.¡±
Xanthea curled her lips up, thinking. ¡°Orion might not be a saint in your eyes, but to me, he¡¯s been a
real lifesaver!Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.
Chapter 6
Chapter 6
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The buzz about MJ Group¡¯s uing gem betting event was all over the inte.
Xanthea did a quick search and got the gist. She¡¯d been pondering over how to attend the event, and
as it turned out, Eden Heights Estates was opening its doors to some of the prominent families of
Crestwood that day. All she needed was an invite.
That was a small matter for Samuel to handle.
Samuel was in his study, buried in paperwork, when suddenly, a fluffy figure pounced on him, ¡°Samuel,
still buried in work at thiste hour? You¡¯re working too hard; let me give you a shoulder massage!¡±
¡°Unsolicited favors usually have strings attached,¡± Samuel let out a fond smile upon seeing her. He put
down the contract, ¡°Out with it, my little princess, what do you need from me now?¡±
¡°You know me better than I do myself, Samuel! I wanna go to the gem betting event the day after
tomorrow!¡±
¡°The gem betting event? Since when did you be interested in that sort of thing?¡±
¡°It¡¯s all the buzz online! Plus, I heard that a lot of prominent sons and daughters will be there. I¡¯ve
grown up now; can¡¯t I go out, see the world, and make some new friends?¡±
¡°Of course, you can.¡± Samuel looked at her, pleasantly surprised, ¡°I was worried you were too caught
up with Matthew to care about anything else.¡±
He flipped open a document he was holding, ¡°Here, I thought this was what you came for.¡± Xanthea
looked and her expression changed abruptly, ¡°Is that a bid book from the Martinez Group?¡±
¡°Yes, the group was initially considering proposals from thirteenpanies, but Matth handed this
directly to me, even mentioning you.¡±
¡°Don¡¯t sign it!¡±
¡°What?¡±
¡°I said, don¡¯t sign with the Martinez Group. If this bidding is supposed to be public, then Matthew
bringing the bid book directly to you is a vition. And vitions should be disqualified.¡±
Xanthea spoke with a grave and serious expression, leaving Samuel stunned.
Was this really his little sister? Normally, she would have been crying and pleading on Matthew¡¯s behalf
by now, but today¡.
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Chapley b
Realizing she had been perhaps a bit harsh, Xanthea calmed down.
¡°Samuel, I¡¯m not as enamored with Matthew as you think. You, Ethan, Mom, and Dad are my real
family. Your thoughts and feelings matter the most to me. So, please don¡¯t let your decision be swayed
by me. Besides, if Matthew¡¯s just someone who climbs up by clinging onto others, I¡¯ll soon grow out of
liking him.¡±
Before she could finish, Samuel pulled her into a tight embrace.
¡°My lit
little princess, you really have grown up. I¡¯m so happy, so relieved!¡±
Xanthea had always been the family¡¯s ray of sunshine, but ever since Matthew came into the picture, it
felt like that sunshine had been hijacked. After a recenting-of-age celebration, he felt as though his
ray of sunshine had returned.
Listening to hisughter, Xanthea felt a twinge in her nose. She wasn¡¯t just growing up; she was
reliving a lifetime.
In her previous life, she had been deceived by Matthew, blindly favoring and aiding him, which led to
the downfall of the Nightshade Group. Samuel died in a car ident v while trying to salvage the
company.
She couldn¡¯t bear to endure the loss of a family member again.
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Chapter
Chapter 7
Chapter 7
Xanthea asked, ¡°So, are you gonna listen to me or not?¡±
¡°Of course! Your word isw to me, Xanthea!¡±
The door suddenly swung open, and Ethan entered with a stern face, looking at the joyful siblings,
¡°Xan, you woke up today and only hugged Samuel. Now here you are whispering secrets with him.
Don¡¯t you care about me anymore?¡±
Xanthea burst intoughter at the obvious jealousy on Ethan¡¯s face and quickly ran over to pull him
close, ¡°Ethan, we were just nning a surprise for you!¡±
¡°What surprise?¡±
¡°We¡¯re all going to the gem betting event the day after tomorrow!¡±
¡°Isn¡¯t that supposed to be a surprise just for you?¡±
Late at night,ughter echoed from the second floor of the mansion. Miranda looked towards the
brightly lit study, her grip tightening on her cellphone.
From her first day in this family, she was told that Samuel¡¯s study was off-limits to everyone. Listening
to the sounds from inside now, it seemed it was just off-limits to her alone.
In the Nightshade family, she was always just an adopted daughter, an outsider. Without any real
support, she figured it was only a matter of time before she¡¯d be pushed out.
¡°Miranda, are you still there?¡±
The voice on the phone snapped her back to reality, ¡°Matt, I¡¯m here; sorry, what were you
saying?¡±
¡°I was asking, did you notice anything off about Xan today?¡±
¡°Off?¡±
Miranda recalled how earlier that day she tried to help Xanthea, only to be publicly rebuffed, her face
soured at the memory.
¡°Maybe she was just a bit irritable. After all, she¡¯s the precious daughter of the family. I wasn¡¯t there for
her when she fell into the water, so I can¡¯t really me her.¡±
Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.
Normally, Matthew would haveforted her, sensing the subtext in her words. But now his mind was
filled with images of Xanthea ignoring him when she woke up and the indifferent way she left, which
seemed not too abnormal butcked the usual adoring attention and instead carried a mysterious air.
¡°By the
way,
did she say anything after I left?¡±
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Chapter 7
Miranda replied, ¡°Nothing much, she just mentioned Orion briefly.¡±
¡°What?¡±
Matthew frowned at her words, quickly recalling the scene in the garden where Orion was carrying
Xanthea.
When did Xan ever show interest in anyone besides him, especially someone rumored to be a
troublemaker?
¡°Matt, what¡¯s wrong?¡±
¡°Oh, nothing. The Masked Singer finals are next weekend, right? I¡¯ll definitely be there to support you,
and to see you win the title of the century¡¯s greatest singer!¡±
¡°Thanks, Matt.¡± Miranda smiled, her earlier dejection disappearing, ¡°Now, seems like only you truly care
about me. Most of the times, I feel like I¡¯m just a spare part in the Nightshade family.¡±
As she continued to speak, Matthew checked his phone to see if Xanthea had texted him. Normally,
she would have bombarded him with messages by now. He had been home for quite a while, yet there
was still no sign from her.
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Chapter 8
Chapter 8
In the glittering night, under the shimmering lights, a crowd of elite and influential figures gathered at
Eden Heights Estates for the grand gem betting event.
In the center of the banquet hall, hundreds of jadeite rough shipped from Suncrest and Sra were
disyed under custom-made ss domes. Each stone varied in size and shape, indistinguishable to
the untrained eye from mere ordinary rocks to potentially invaluable gemstones.
Sponsor MJ Group¡¯s chairman, Tyson, warmly weed the distinguished guests from the stage,
while Timothy, seated in the VIP area, shed a confident smile at a young man. across the room
whose aloof demeanor betrayed his noble status.
He had invested a fortune to bring a renowned jadeite expert from Sra, convinced he would cut the
finest jade of the evening, securing his position as the unchallenged head of the Lockwood Group.
Cedric, unwittingly concerned, noticed an unfamiliar face among the opposing appraisal
team.
The appraisal crews on both sides were professionals selected through formal institute, approved by
Lucian. However, right now Timothy had brought someone they didn¡¯t know, which could potentially
influence the oue of thepetition.
¡°Boss, look!¡±
Cedric suddenly raised his voice, but theposed man in the VIP seat barely blinked an
acknowledgment, ¡°Noticed.¡±
¡°You¡¯ve noticed?¡± Cedric was somewhat surprised, ¡°Ms. Nightshade just walked in, and you noticed?¡±
Just then, the previously detached man sharply turned his head.
He was right; the boss couldn¡¯t ignore Ms. Nightshade.
At the entrance, three extraordinary figures walked in. The young woman in the center wore a simple
white dress with ruffled edges, her slender figure entuated by a minimalistic belt, and her wavy
blonde hair fluttered in the breeze, highlighting her radiant face and elegant corbones.
Despite her in attire, she stole the show upon her arrival.
¡°Wow, is that the Nightshade siblings? Truly a sight to behold!¡±
¡°The Nightshade family genes are really something else! I¡¯ve met the brothers before and they were
stunning, but the youngdy¡¯s even more dazzling, even outshining those. actresses present.¡±
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Chapter 8
¡°So beautiful, heard she just turned eighteen this year.¡±
Xanthea entered the room, and before she had time to appreciate the splendor of this gem betting
event, her attention was immediately drawn to a man sitting in the VIP area.
She couldn¡¯t avert her gaze at Orion for he was remarkably extraordinary among the crowd.
The man was seated under the most dazzling lights, legs crossed; he didn¡¯t say a word, yet his
particrly elegant demeanor and prominent countenance rendered him an aura of someone from an
illustrious family.
She waved at him excitedly, only to see him pause and look away instantly as if caught for doing
something unspeakable.
¡°Pretending you don¡¯t know me, huh?¡± She thought.
Ethan and Samuel looked puzzled, following her gaze, ¡°Xan, who are you greeting?¡±
¡°No one!¡± Xanthea quickly covered their view with her hand, ¡°Let¡¯s just take our seats.¡±
Whatever Orion had done for her before or after she died, it was clear he cared more than The let on.
She nned to uncover the true reasons bit by bit.
Did pig fly now?
was
Ms. Nightshade making a greeting to the boss especially with such enthusiasm, unexpected; the boss,
on the other hand, looked indifferent. What exactly happened at the Nightshade family gathering?
¡°Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats The gem betting event is about to begin. First, let us
wee the teams from the Lockwood Group, represented by Mr. Timothy Lockwood and Mr. Orion
Lockwood.¡±
¡°Boss, Boss?¡± Tyson finished announcing, but it took a couple of calls before Orion responded, ¡°Yeah.¡±
Cedric scratched his head. It wasn¡¯t that the boss ignored Ms. Nightshade¡¯s greeting; he was simply
lost in thought.
As the professional appraisal teams took the stage, the buzz of conversation filled the air ¡°I heard this
event is specifically set up for the Lockwood Group. Mr. Lucian Lockwood¡¯s choosing between his
youngest son and his eldest grandson to lead the Lockwood Group.¡±
¡°Right, many have even bought stocks in anticipation!¡±
¡°If Timothy wins, it¡¯s expected, but if Orion does, he¡¯ll be Crestwood¡¯s youngest tycoon ever. Such an
impressive young man!¡±
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14:55
Chapter 8
¡°It¡¯s like he¡¯s favored by the g ods, taking on the group and going head-to-head with Timothy. Not
everyone has that kind of fortune or ability!¡±
Tyson announced, ¡°The rest could raise the paddle and participate in the betting if you¡¯re interested.¡±
After Tyson finished, no one entered the bet. Despite the presence of many of
Crestwood¡¯s elites, few were genuinely interested in gem betting; they were just drawn by the battle
between Timothy and Orion.
Moreover, in the game of gem betting, the unmeasurable risks and challenges of the trade deterred
even the wealthiest from wagering recklessly.
As Ethan and Samuel focused on the two appraisal teams, Xanthea suddenly stood up.
Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.
¡°What¡¯s up, Xan?¡±
¡°I¡¯m joining the bet.¡±
¡°What?!¡± Both men were shocked, thinking she was joking.
Xanthea grinned mischievously and raised her bidding paddle. ¡°My dear brothers, you didn¡¯t really think
I brought you here just to watch, did you?¡±
Chapter 9
Chapter 9
¡°Oh? This youngdy wants to join the betting game?¡±
Tyson¡¯s eyes lit up when he saw a stunning youngdy raising her paddle, and he immediately sent
someone to invite her over.
The guests inside the venue were shocked to see Xanthea raise her paddle.
¡°The Nightshade heiress? What¡¯s she doing getting involved in a betting game?¡±
¡°So young, what does she know about gem betting? Maybe she just wants to make an appearance in
front of everyone!¡±
¡°And making an appearance isn¡¯t cheap. Tyson¡¯s gem starts at 500 grand. Not everyone can afford
that.¡±
¡°Exactly. If she gets even a little gem out of it, consider it good luck. Bad luck means just a piece of
worthless rock and a waste of hundreds of thousands.¡±
¡°I¡¯ve heard about the Nightshade family¡¯s precious gem, who¡¯s treated as a treasure by her family. To
see her here, even her reckless actions are indulged, escorted by her two brothers no less.¡±
The protective brothers at that moment were massaging their foreheads, inwardly eximing that they
were dragged into this, but as long as she was having fun, money was a minor detail.
When Xanthea passed by Lockwood rock identification and spotted Orion, it was clear he hadn¡¯t
expected her to join the betting game. A flicker of light passed through his deep-set eyes.
She smiled at him gently, her grin seemingly provocative or teasing, which dazzled h eyes.
Xanthea¡¯s participation was just a brief interlude, and soon the focus returned to the professional gem
appraisal teams, with only Orion¡¯s intense gaze still lingering on h
Due to the mystery and unpredictability of gem betting, after many years, the inner ci still hadn¡¯t found a
reliable way to appraise them, relying instead on the color, shape, tiny fissures of the stones, with luck
ying a major part.
The assistant thought Xanthea might know a little about gem identification or was just guessing based
on luck when choosing the stones. However, upon her entry, she requested the assistant to open a
gem¡¯s ss cover.
¡°Ms. Nightshade, sorry, but ording to the rules, you can¡¯t touch the gem directly.¡±
is th
Xanthea uttered, ¡°I won¡¯t touch it, just want to smell it; against the rules?¡±
To smell?
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Chapter y
The assistant, having been in the gem business for years, had never heard such an odd request. It was
just a stone, what could she possibly smell? But smelling wasn¡¯t against the rules, so he opened the
ss cover.
Xanthea closed her eyes, leaned forward, and gently sniffed.
Calcium carbonate, sodium silicate, and silicon dioxide mixture, just an ordinary stone.
Since she was young, she had discovered her unique sense of smell, able to detect scents that normal
people could not, but hadn¡¯t discovered a way to make use of it.
It wasn¡¯t until she took a chemistry ss in middle school that she realized she was detecting the
chemicalponents of items.
She proudly shared her ability, only to be considered a freak or used of making it up. She never
expected it toe in handy at today¡¯s gem betting event.
¡°All right, next one.¡±
Just a sniff, and she wanted the next one? The assistant, puzzled, opened the next one.
Xanthea sniffed dozens of stones, all ordinary, with at most one or two containing mediocre quality
fragments of jade.
Just as she was doubting whether this was all a scam by Tyson, smallest, most ordinary-looking raw
stone at the venue.
ar steps halted at the
Was this the pure scent of jadeite? The assistant was about to cover it again when she stopped him.
¡°Wait!¡±
She sniffed again, unsure, and the pure, rich scent of jade filled her nostrils.
Xanthea couldn¡¯t believe her eyes as she stared at the raw stone, which was really. intricate to detect.
Who would have thought that such an ordinary-looking stone, one that could be overlooked on the
street, contained an extremely rare type of jade, so rare she couldn¡¯t even name it.
¡°This one!¡±
Content ? N?velDrama.Org.
This one? The assistant looked at her as if she were a joke.
Across the venue, which stone didn¡¯t look better and more like jade than this one? The professional
teams had passed this stone without a second nce.
She was about to spend 500 grand on what looked like a worthless rock, truly a novice mistake!
¡°Ms. Nightshade, are you sure?¡±
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Chapter 9
¡°Very.¡±
As Xanthea hammered the deal, the Lockwood Group¡¯s professional gem appraisal teams announced
their chosen betting stones.
Tyson led a team of top-notch experts to the banquet hall¡¯s center,mencing the grand gem-cutting
ceremony.
The entire venue held its breath as the thrilling moment unfolded.
First was Orion¡¯s team. The expert ced the betting stone on a precision cutting machine, and with
one cut, a piece of exquisite, high-quality emerald appeared, eliciting a thunderous apuse from the
audience.
¡°An exceptional emerald! What luck, Mr. Orion Lockwood truly is G od¡¯s favored one, a real gem among
men, undoubtedly the future leader of Twin Towers!¡±
¡°Such an eye-opener. I used to think gem betting was a scam, but who knew such a priceless jade
could actually be cut out!¡±
¡°With the emerald appearing, its symbolism and value are clear; there¡¯s no need for furtherpetition,
right? Lucky I bet on Mr. Orion Lockwood, can¡¯t lose now!¡±
The room buzzed with discussions, and Tyson also sent his congrattions to Orion, but Timothy
seemed utterly unfazed, waving his hand to have his team¡¯s stone brought forward.
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Chapter 10
Chapter 10
Master Johnson, known as the ¡°Sorcerer of the Stone Betting Field,¡± personally selected a gemstone
that, when cut, revealed nearly a kilogram of icy emerald jadeite, which caused a round of enthusiastic
apuse to erupt in the banquet hall.
¡°Icy emerald jadeite! This is the only stone that can rival the imperial green jadeite!¡±
¡°What a dramatic turn of events! I wonder how the judges will decide now!¡±
¡°Both stones are top-notch, unveiled on the same day, no wonder there¡¯s such fiercepetition within
the Lockwood Group. Orion and Timothy, in terms of skill and luck, are evenly matched!¡±
With the contest revealing both imperial green and icy emerald jadeite, Tyson was thrilled, immediately
calling for an expert on-siteparison.
After thirty minutes of meticulous examination, the results were announced.
Both stones were nearly equal in all evaluated aspects, but the victory was decided by a mere 5 grams,
with Timothy¡¯s team¡¯s icy emerald jadeite weighing slightly more than Orion¡¯s team¡¯s imperial green
jadeite.
Timothy¡¯s team clinched the victory by this slim margin!
The crowd murmured in awe, marveling at the old adage, ¡°In the end, it¡¯s experience that trumps
youth.¡± Timothyughed heartily and pped his hands as he approached Orion.
¡°My dear nephew, you let me win today!¡±
Cedric clenched his fists, feeling irked by Timothy¡¯s boastful demeanor, and he wondered where he had
found such a skilledst-minute ally.
Raising an eyebrow, Xanthea found her suspicions confirmed. In her past life, Orion had lost to his
uncle at this very gemstone betting event, which led to malicious rumors whe theyter had a car
ident-it was spected Orion had engineered it to seize contro thepany.
This time, she would not let him lose.
¡°What a day it will be when you work under me
As Timothy extended his hand towards Orion, a clear female voice cut through the noise, halting their
conversation.
¡°Wait!¡±
Everyone turned to see Xanthea, who had her arms crossed, lookingposed and confident. ¡°Mr.
Lockwood, I¡¯m afraid I must disappoint you. My stone hasn¡¯t been cut yet.
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Chapter 10 Choptry
Timothy turned, ¡°And you are?¡±
¡°I¡¯m part of Orion¡¯s gemstone appraisal team. ording to the rules, the best stone selected by our
team is used for the evaluation, and mine hasn¡¯t been cut yet. Aren¡¯t you jumping to conclusions a bit
early?¡±
Laughter broke out in the hall.
¡°She¡¯s cutting the stone for Orion¡¯s team? You must be joking!¡±
¡°That unremarkable small rock she¡¯s holding? It¡¯s probably full of concrete inside!¡±
¡°The Nightshade family heiress looks like a goddess but seems tockmon sense; how dare she
unt herself like this at a critical event which concerned the session of the Lockwood Group. Is this
a joke to her?¡±
¡°No matter what she cuts, it can¡¯tpare to icy emerald jadeite. This is just ridiculous.¡±
Cedric was baffled.
Ms. Nightshade was part of the appraisal team? He hadn¡¯t heard about it. Did she event know how to
appraise gemstones?
Xanthea¡¯s gaze met Orion¡¯s across the room.
His deep, inscrutable eyes mirrored her confident, radiant smile, as if he couldn¡¯t quite figure her out,
while her eyes conveyed one message-Orion, do you trust me?
Timothy, amused by her deration, turned to Orion, ¡°Nephew, is she really part of your team?¡±
¡°Yes.¡±
Without a second¡¯s hesitation, Orion confirmed it firmly.
Laughter filled the air again,
Xanthea was briefly stunned; she was prepared for Orion to deny her part, and was reat to cut the
stone herself.
Unexpectedly, he had agreed without a thought, a move that seemed absurd to outsider
¡°What? Did I hear that right? Mr. Lockwood actually acknowledged her?¡±
¡°It¡¯s weird; why would Mr. Lockwood indulge her? Is it just to save face for the Nightshac family?¡±
¡°Nonsense, the Lockwood Group is a top-tier financial empire in Crestwood; Mr. Lockwood doesn¡¯t
need to give anyone face. He¡¯s probably just setting her up for embarrassment because it¡¯ll be p in
the face once the stone is cut!¡±
¡°Xan, what¡¯s going on?¡± Ethan and Samuel came running over with a foggy head. Xanthea gestured for
them to wait and see.
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14:55
Chapter 10
Timothyughed heartily, extending his hand to Xanthea in a mocking gesture, ¡°Then please,
proceed!¡±.
The assistant ced Xanthea¡¯s chosen stone under the machine. Timothy leaned towards Orion,
¡°Orion, you¡¯re young, don¡¯t be such a sore loser. Losing to your uncle with imperial green is far better
than ending up with gravel.¡±
He hadn¡¯t finished his sentence when the entire betting hall fell into a deathly silence, followed by a
wave of awe.
Orion looked past Timothy to see a faint purple hue swirling under the machine; at this, his eyes
narrowed in surprise.
¡°My God! What¡¯s this purple? I¡¯ve never seen purple jadeite before in all my years in the industry, and
such arge piece!¡±
¡°The beauty of this purple jadeite! Brilliant, moist, and finely textured, and it¡¯s glowing!¡±
¡°So beautiful! It¡¯s so captivating! Could this be a divine stone?¡±
The hall was filled with gasps and praises.
In the center of the hall, under the brilliant crystal lights,y arge jadeite; it was clear
and glowing with a gentle purple light, proiming its unparalleled regal status.
Chapter 11
Chapter 11
Tyson lunged forward with palpable excitement. He had been obsessed with gemstone gambling for
years but had never seen such a top-tier violet gemstone-it was breathtakingly beautiful, almost
maddeningly so.
¡°Is this a violet gem with green swirls?¡±
¡°Exactly!¡± The experts, all seeing this type of gemstone for the first time, couldn¡¯t contain their
excitement. ¡°Moreover, this violet gem with green swirls weighs 7 kilograms. Given the price of $3
million per kilogram and its rarity, its market value is conservatively estimated at $100 million!¡±
¡°My God, $100 million!¡±
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The banquet hall erupted into chaos once again, and everyone¡¯s eyes were filled with an incredible,
envious frenzy.
¡°Crestwood has never seen such an expensive violet geme from a rough stone! Today, we¡¯ve
witnessed a miracle!¡±
¡°True gems are priceless, and this proves it.¡±
¡°Violet has always been a color symbolizing royalty and fortune since ancient times. $100 million is just
its price tag; its rarity and prestige are beyond mary value!¡±
As the crowd buzzed with loud discussions, their gaze shifted unanimously back to Xanthea-now filled
with respect and admiration, a stark contrast to their earlier scorn and mockery.
Who would have thought that such a young woman could unearth a rare gem from such an ordinary-
looking stone? How did she do it?
Ethan and Samuel were also stunned. Was Xanthea just casually making $100 million?
¡°Ms. Nightshade, could you please sell this gemstone to me? Name your price-any price will do!¡±
Running up to Xanthea, Tyson pleaded fervently. Smiling slyly, she raised an eyebrow at the man
opposite her. ¡°It¡¯s not up to me. You¡¯ll have to ask my boss.¡±
Tyson turned to look at Orion.
The violet gem was mesmerizing, which held everyone¡¯s gaze firmly, but Orion looked past it, and
fixated his eyes on the radiantly smiling young woman behind it; then his look. turned deeply intense.
She seemed like a divine figure, shining brighter than the rarest treasures.
¡°Mr. Lockwood, please, whatever the price, whatever the terms, our MJ Group will agree. Just let us
have this violet gem!¡±
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14:56
Chapter 11
Cedric waspletely overwhelmed by the scene; hearing this, he quickl
opened the contract. ¡°Mr. Tyson, our only purpose in attending this gemstone gambling event today
was to secure a contract with MJ Group.¡±
Tyson immediately agreed, ¡°Yes, yes, all right! Let¡¯s sign! We can do it right now!¡±
The appearance of the violet sacred gem had dramatically shifted the fortunes of the Lockwood Group.
Everyone epted the oue of thepetition without question, except for Timothy, who was
caught off guard by this sudden turn of events. He looked at Orion and then red at Xanthea, his face
turning pale with rage and his eyes red with fury.
¡°You little cheat!¡±
With his finger trembling, he pointed at Orion,pletely losing hisposure. ¡°You didn¡¯t say you
had an outsider on your team before thepetition!¡±
The venue assistant exined, ¡°But that¡¯s not against the rules, Mr. Lockwood. You¡¯ve lost.¡±
¡°I haven¡¯t lost! There must be some trickery!¡± Timothy was fuming, nearly grinding his, teeth. ¡°Orion,
where on earth did you find this cheating woman? I demand a search!¡±
As Timothy angrily pointed at Orion and insulted Xanthea, Orion hardly changed his expression.
However, when Timothy uttered the words ¡®cheating woman, Xanthea saw a chilling coldness sh in
his eyes. She quickly stepped in front of him.
¡°Mr. Lockwood, I respect you as an elder, but if you won¡¯t ept today¡¯s result, then I¡¯ll just take my
$100 million gem and leave now.¡±
¡°No, no, no!¡±
Hearing her words, Tyson quickly signaled to the venue staff. ¡°Get the troublemaker out o here now!¡±
Several burly bodyguards in ck suits and sunsses immediately dragged the furious Timothy out of
the venue. ¡°Let me go! Let me go!¡± ¡°Orion, you wait!¡±
¡°Ms. Nightshade is truly clever; she defused the situation with just a few words!¡±
¡°Stunningly beautiful, incredibly smart, and extraordinarily lucky-truly a prodigious young woman!¡±
As the crowd in the banquet hall murmured their admiration, Xanthea turned and almost bumped into a
firm chest. With the man¡¯s subtle scent of pine reaching her nose, she stepped back.
When had Orion gotten so close?
Orion looked down, his pupils reflecting her figure; yet his emotion was unreadable.
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¡°Why did you help me?¡±
¡°Because,¡± Xanthea¡¯s eyes sparkled, ¡°I¡¯d like to make a deal with you.¡±
A deal?
As if thinking of something, the man had his gaze deepened.
¡°Matt¡¡±
Before he could finish, Xanthea tiptoed closer to his ear and whispered so softly that only they could
hear, ¡°I¡¯ll secure the MJ Group order for you, and in return, you take off your shirt for me, okay?¡±
As the girl was close to him, her voice was as soft as a caress, which sent a thrilling shiver through
him; especially her bold words made Orion¡¯s ears visibly turn reddened.
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Chapter 12
Chapter 12
Xanthea couldn¡¯t believe how quickly his ears could turn so red, as if he was touched by magic. She
paused, noting the curious gaze of the guests surrounding them, and added, ¡°Not here, but when it¡¯s
just the two of us.¡±
As she spoke, the man¡¯s ears flushed even deeper, and the red even crept down his neck.
Xanthea was s
stunned. He was a grown man; what was the big deal about taking off his shirt to show her something?
Was he really that shy?
Wait a minute!
Did he misunderstand something?
She just wanted to see if he had the iris tattoo on his chest, to confirm if he was her lifesaver. He
couldn¡¯t possibly think she was proposing some sort of indecent exchange,
Content ? N?velDrama.Org.
could he?
Realizing the possible misunderstanding, Xanthea saw the intense gaze in his dark eyes ignite like a
spark and rapidly turn into a zing me. The heat in his eyes, now tinged with red, seemed ready to
consume herpletely.
Oh no!
That terrifying look in his eyes.
He must think she was insulting him!
Xanthea quickly waved her hands, trying to exin, ¡°Don¡¯t get me wrong, I didn¡¯t mean it like that. I
heard you had some unique marks, and I was just curious to see them. If it¡¯s not convenient for you to
show me, even a photo would do!¡±
Why did it feel like she was bing more of a creeper, as if she was some kind of bul demanding a
hot guy¡¯s nude photos?
In her urgency, she raised her voice, which attracted the attention of Cedric standing nearby.
Unique marks?
Was Ms. Nightshade referring to the scars from cigarette burns inflicted by the CEO¡¯s stepmother when
he was a child?
How could Ms. Nightshade be so cruel!
He knew it. Why had she suddenly changed her attitude towards the CEO, smiling and helping him out
when she had always been cold and dismissive before? She must have concocted a new way to
humiliate him!
What was she nning to do with those photos? Spread them around?
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14:56
Chapter 12
As Xanthea pondered whether she had made herself clear, she saw the fiery look in his eyes cool
down; he had his lips pressed tightly as if he was suppressing intense emotions, and his whole body
was exuding a chilling aura.
Was he not angry anymore? But why did it feel so cold around them?
¡°No.¡±
The man¡¯s response was cold, and Xanthea almost doubted her ears.
No?
She was offering a billion-dor bet, MJ Group¡¯s order, and the sole heir position of the Lockwood
Group in exchange for just a nce at his chest, and he said no?
Was she insane? Was his body that precious? But if he was so valuable, why did he unhesitatingly
shield her from harm, even contemting ending his own life after her supposed death? This man was
truly baffling.
¡°Thump thump thump¡± The phone rang, and after Cedric answered, he hurriedly said to Orion, ¡°Mr.
Lockwood, Chairman Lockwood called. He wants you and the vice president back at thepany
immediately. The shareholders¡¯ meeting has started, and he¡¯s announcing the heir!¡±
Timothy and Orion? Heirs to the shares?
No, Orion must not go!
As soon as Cedric finished speaking, Xanthea grabbed Orion¡¯s wrist, ¡°You can¡¯t go!¡±
Cedric said, ¡°Ms. Nightshade, this is urgent, please don¡¯t interfere with the CEO now!¡±
Ethan and Samuel were also stunned. What was Xanthea doing today? Why did she suddenly decide
to join the bettingpetition and bizarrely stake a billion dors to g to Orion, and why was she now
stopping him from attending a shareholders¡¯ meeting?
They remembered correctly; she wasn¡¯t that close to Orion, were they?
Ethan said, ¡°Xan, let go of Mr. Lockwood. The shareholders¡¯ meeting is crucial for the future of the
Lockwood Group, stop this nonsense.¡±
Samuel even pulled Xanthea away, ¡°Mr. Lockwood, sorry about this. She¡¯s being impulsi please go
ahead if you have business.¡±
¡°I can¡¯t let him go, I have something to say to him.¡±
Even as Samuel pulled her away, Xanthea clung to Orion¡¯s wrist, and her eyes were desperately
searching for a reason to keep him there.
She absolutely couldn¡¯t let him leave with Timothy in the same car, but as she was faced with the
shareholders¡¯ meeting and the heir position, any excuse she found seemed weak He surely wouldn¡¯t
listen to her!
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She had her fingers dig into his suit, gripping his wrist. Orion looked down at her and murmured,
¡°Hmm.¡±
The whole room went silent for a second after his deep, maic monosyble.
¡°I¡¯m staying. Speak.¡±
Xanthea, being speechless, stared at him with a serious expression. He agreed just like that? She
hadn¡¯t even said anything yet.
Cedric, looking stunned, almost dropped his phone.
The CEO was putting aside a diligently nned position as chairman for Ms. Nightshade¡¯s single
sentence? Unbelievable!
He couldn¡¯t understand what was so special about Ms. Nightshade. Although she came from a
distinguished family and was breathtakingly beautiful with incredible luck, her nature was too harsh.
With her being always cold and demeaning towards the CEO, how had she managed to captivate him
sopletely?
Chapter 13
Chapter 13
¡°Uh.¡± Stumbling over her words, Xanthea hurriedly pulled a small white bottle from her pocket, ¡°This is
a special form I got a scar removal cream. Just apply it to the scar morning and night, and your skin
will be good as new!¡±
Orion eyed the small bottle she was eagerly offering, and a flicker of doubt crossed his brow.
¡°The scar on your neck was my fault, and I¡¯ve never apologized for all these years. Today, that stone is
my way of making it up to you, and you don¡¯t need to take off¡ uh.¡±
She cut herself off, noticing the curious nces of the guests around them.
Orion¡¯s gaze, however, was fixed on the bottle; he was unable to look away.
She remembered?
She had always remembered?
ncing at the time, Xanthea unscrewed the cap, ¡°Let me apply some now, see if it¡¯s as miraculous as
the herbalist imed.¡±
The girl tiptoed; her enchanting face suddenly turned magnified in his eyes, causing him to involuntarily
step back.
¡°No need, I¡¯ll do it myself.¡±
He instinctively reached for the bottle but ended up holding her hand instead.
Xanthea looked down at their intertwined hands, feeling puzzled.
Orion, as if jolted by electricity, released her, but Xanthea promptly pushed him back into his seat, ¡°Oh,
come on, don¡¯t reject my kindness, or I¡¯ll feel guilty!¡±
¡°Xan!¡±
Ethan and Samuel exchanged surprised nces at Xanthea and Orion¡¯s intimate behav while Cedric
paced anxiously nearby.
Every second was crucial in thepetition to seed the Lockwood Group, and here was the CEO,
getting ointment applied by Ms. Nightshade in the middle of a party.
The crowd at the banquet murmured among themselves; the men were envying and the women turned
green with jealousy.
¡°Rumor had it that the Lockwood Group¡¯s prince was a loner, uninterested-in women, but that seems
false now, doesn¡¯t it?¡±
¡°With Ms. Nightshade¡¯s breathtaking beauty, no man could resist, Mr. Lockwood included
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¡°I¡¯m furious! I tried everything to get a word with Mr. Lockwood today, and here Ms. Nightshade
manages to get hands-on!¡±
¡°Even the recognized beauties of the entertainment industry have fallen before Mr. Lockwood without a
second nce. What chance do you think you had? I bet Ms. Nightshade¡¯s boldnesses from that
rare amethyst she unted.¡±
¡°Yeah, she¡¯s just lucky, otherwise why would Mr. Lockwood even notice her!¡±
As Xanthea gently spread the scar removal cream on his scar, he subtly turned his head away. His
impable profile tensed as sharply as a knife¡¯s edge, and his skin from ear to neck blushed red as if
scorched by fire; his body¡¯s heat was palpable even to her light. touch.
To the unaware, it would seem she was a me herself.
Feeling his controlled breathing and reaction, Xanthea almostughed. Was he always this shy?
Now, he was nothing like the ruthless, cold-hearted heir of the Lockwood Group rumored to kill without
blinking an eye on rooftops.
¡°Such a good boy.¡±
The more he restrained himself, the more Xanthea wanted to tease him.
Content ? N?velDrama.Org.
She had her fingertips gently massage the skin; the touch, mixed with her teasing breath, lingered
around his neck. He felt the warmth inside him suddenly surge, and his struggle to maintainposure
tinged his dark pupils with a hint of red, and made his throat sore.
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Chapter 14
¡°Ms. Nightshade, please hurry up! We¡¯re really running out of time.¡±
Cedric was making a final plea when his phone suddenly rang. Oh no, it must be the chairman calling
to chew him out.
He answered, and secondster, the phone slipped from his ear, his speech stuttering, ¡°Sir, just now,
the police called, Mr. Timothy Lockwood was in a severe car crash on Luminal Avenue, the car was
wrecked, he¡¯s gone.¡±
As he spoke, the banquet hall erupted into chaos; everyone stared wide-eyed and speechless, unable
to believe that the man who had just been with them was now gone.
Only Xanthea calmly screwed the cap back on the bottle, and pulled out a handkerchief to meticulously
wipe her fingers. ¡°There you go, Mr. Lockwood, keep this bottle safe, remember to apply it morning and
night.¡±
As she handed the bottle to the man, she caught his gaze shifting from shock to a deep, focused
intensity.
Seeing thatplex look. He must have realized that her earlier nagging not only hadn¡¯t hindered his
session to the helm of the Lockwood Group but had actually saved his life. Clever girl.
go.¡±
¡°Bro, it¡¯s gettingte, let¡¯s go
¡°Ms. Nightshade!¡±
Xanthea turned to leave, and Orion tried to grab her, only managing to pull off the silk handkerchief
half-stuffed back into her pocket.
Xanthea turned, shing him a bright, sweet smile, ¡°Mr. Lockwood, until next time.¡±
When the Nightshade siblings left the gemstone convention, Orion had his gaze lingerin on the striking
figure in the middle until she disappeared. He then looked at the handkerchief in his hand, and held it
tightly as if afraid it would vanish like she had, as if by holding it, he could feel the warmth she left
behind.
Cedric, still stunned, finally managed to say to Orion, ¡°Thank goodness we didn¡¯t go back with Mr.
Lockwood just now, otherwise¡ So, Ms. Nightshade, she actually saved our live by coincidence?!¡±
¡°What did she just say?¡±
¡°Huh? Ms. Nightshade? She said ¡®until next time¡¯?¡±
Until next time.
Orion pocketed the handkerchief, with a subtle smile ying at the corners of his lips.
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Once they got into the car, Xanthea was immediately bombarded with questions from Ethan and
Samuel on either side.
¡°Xan, don¡¯t you think you owe Ethan and me an exnation about today?¡±
Xanthea tried to y dumb, ¡°What do you mean?¡±
¡°What was your real purpose at the convention today? How did you manage to find that rare jade? Why
did you choose to help Orion? How long have you known him?¡±
¡°Stop!¡± Overwhelmed, Xanthea decided toe clean. ¡°Three years ago, I was hassled by some thugs
on the street, and Orion saved me. Being too scared, I ran away; I only remembered him when I saw
the scar on his neck on my eighteenth birthday. So yes, you¡¯re right, I wasn¡¯t here for the convention. I
was here to deliver his medicine. As for finding that rare violet jade, that was just a stroke of luck, and if
it helped him, consider it a way to repay the favor. Ethan, Samuel, you guys aren¡¯t upset that I handed
over such a treasure to someone else, are you?¡±
¡°Of course not!¡± Samuel shook his head. ¡°Since he saved you, it¡¯s only right for you to help him, but.¡±
Ethan picked up where he left off, ¡°It looks like there¡¯s more to your rtionship than just a chance
encounter, right?¡±
Xanthea looked at Ethan¡¯s serious expression, ¡®What else would it be?¡±
Content ? N?velDrama.Org.
¡°Although it sounds a bit far-fetched,¡± Samuel stroked his chin thoughtfully, ¡°does Orion have feelings
for you?¡±
Chapter 15
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?¡±
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¡°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
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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
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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.
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Chapter 16
Matt lowered his head, and Miranda, feeling the hint in his touch, slowly closed her eyes and leaned in
closer.
Just as their lips were about to meet, Matt¡¯s mind wandered unexpectedly. Xan had not contacted him
all day, which was unusual, and she hadn¡¯te home yet. Where could she be?
The brief pause made the atmosphere awkward. Losing the mood, Matt let go of Miranda, who quickly
straightened up. ¡°Sorry, Matt, I got a little carried away there.¡±
Her voice was soft, and her fingers nervously dug into her palm. He had seemed so lost in the moment-
why did he pull away? She had worked so hard to seduce him, even made the first move, and still, she
couldn¡¯tpete with Xan¡¯s ce in his heart?
¡°It¡¯s alright, it¡¯s a bit chilly out here; maybe we should head inside to the living room?¡± Matt suggested.
Just as Xanthea was about to capture the moment on her phone, she saw them part. How unfortunate.
She frowned and moved closer, catching snippets of their conversation.
¡°Maybe not,¡± Miranda said, looking down and biting her lip. ¡°Once Xan gets back, you won¡¯t have time
for me.¡±
¡°Why would you think that?¡±
¡°I asked you out because I¡¯ve been really stressed about the finals of The Masked Singer, and talking
to you always helps. You saidst night you¡¯de to the show to support me, was that true?¡±
¡°Of course, I¡¯ve never backed out of a promise to you.¡±
Xanthea listened attentively, though feeling disgusted about it, and ended the essential details.
The Masked Singer? That rang a bell.
up picking c
Miranda had dropped out of Kingswood Academy two years ago and, through family connections,
entered the entertainment industry. Despite herck of formal training an surviving on the fringes of
fame, a lucky break on The Masked Singer propelled her to stardom with her performance of ¡°Whispers
in the Dark¡±-a song Xanthea had helped he craft.
photos captured at the tinum
But her memory wasn¡¯t from that. It was the scandalous Hotel after the finals, showing Matt and
Miranda in apromising position. The details had been so clear, and even the room number was
visible in the tabloids. Matt had
brushed it off with a simple excuse-¡®Miranda had twisted her ankle, and he was just helping her¡¯-an
exnation so flimsy that it wasughable.
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Chapter 16
Now, it was clear they had nned to meet up after the show, and their affair was hidden. under the
guise offort and support.
Xanthea¡¯s thoughts turned dark with a vengeful idea.
October 6th was the day she and Matt were supposed to have gotten engaged in another. life. What if
on that day, she exposed Matt and Miranda¡¯s scandalous affair on the big screen at their engagement
party? For Matt, who prized his image above all else, it would be a humiliation worse than death.
As for Miranda.
Only in her final moments did Xanthea realize how venomous her stepsister had been; she was always
lurking, pretending to be the innocent flower while plotting to take over her life.
She decided then and there that she would never let Miranda rise above her. She would keep her firmly
beneath her, always dependent on her, and always lesser.
Returning to the living room, Xanthea found Matt and Miranda already seated, chatting with Ethan and
Samuel, who looked puzzled at herte arrival. ¡°Xan, where did your You disappeared the moment we
got here.¡±
¡°Just a little stomach trouble,¡± Xanthea replied smoothly.
Miranda immediately showed concern. ¡°Xan, are you okay? Did you eat something bad?¡±
Xanthea smirked internally; it¡¯s not because of bad food, but a distasteful revtion. I¡¯m fine, really.¡±
Susanna chimed in, ¡°Xan,e over. Matt¡¯s been waiting to talk to you.¡±
¡°Xan,¡± Matt approached with concern, ¡°Where did you go today? You didn¡¯t text, and I w getting
worried.¡±
¡°Was I?¡± Xanthea could barely hide her disdain. ¡°I was out helping Samuel pick a birthd gift for his new
girlfriend.¡±
Samuel was caught off guard, and Ethan, left out of the lie, exchanged confused looks.
Susanna was perplexed; Xanthea had told her that she was attending the event earlier.
gem betting
Matt, trying to change the subject, mentioned, I¡¯ve got our tickets to Willowdale. We can head out
anytime in the next few days.¡±
Willowdale? The trip they had nned seemed like a distant memory now: How could she possibly go,
knowing what she knew?
¡°No need, Matt. It was just a joke, don¡¯t take it too seriously. I heard that the Martinez
Group is busy with a big contract with Samuel¡¯spany. You must be swamped.¡±
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Chapter 16
Her words hung heavy in the air, a stark contrast to the light-hearted ns they once. made, now
overshadowed by betrayal and secrets.
The unexpected refusal caused Matthew to freeze mid-motion as he was pulling out his wallet.
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Chapter 17
Chapter 17
Was it all just a joke?
She had pleaded with him for so long, and it was all just forughs?
And no wonder the Martinez Group¡¯s bid proposal was rejected first thing in the morning. It turned out
Xan never actually spoke to Samuel on his behalf.
Matthew stared at Xanthea, who was all smiles just like usual, yet somehowpletely different.
Before, he could read her like an open book, but now, standing so close, he couldn¡¯t decipher her
thoughts at all.
¡°I¡¯m tired, I think I¡¯ll head up to bed early, Matt. Drive safe, huh~¡±
Xanthea-stretchedzily and made her way upstairs.
Her change in demeanor left the family stunned.
Christopher set down his tea, thinking back to how thrilled Xan used to be when Matthew would ask her
out. But today, she coldly turned him down, and from their conversation, it was clear that she hadn¡¯t
interceded for the Martinez Grou
Having witnessed Xan¡¯s change of attitude the night before, Samuel, catching his parents¡¯ surprised
looks, smiled proudly.
Xan had grown up, no longer the little girl who constantly followed Matthew around.
Miranda frowned, puzzled by Xanthea¡¯s cold demeanor towards Matt. Were they having a falling out?
¡°Xan!¡± Matthew called after her, ¡°So what have you been up totely? I heard you¡¯ve already submitted
your thesis.¡±
Xanthea paused on the stairs, then turned around with a secretive smile, ¡°Lately I¡¯ve been preparing a
surprise for Matt and Miranda.¡±
Miranda and Matthew met her gaze and smiled faintly.
¡°Thanks, Xan.¡±
So, she was nning a surprise, no wonder she was so secretive.
On the way home, Matthew put the concert tickets back in his bag and tried to calm his troubled
thoughts. It must be the stress from work, he thought. Xan has liked him since. they were kids, and
there¡¯s no way she¡¯d suddenly be distant.
Suddenly, his phone chimed with a news alert Eighteen-year-old girl strikes a million-dor gem at the
event!¡¯ He expected it to be just another clickbait, but his finger
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14.56
identally scrolled to a very familiar photo.
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Xan?
How could it be her?!
Feeling shocked, he opened the article and waspletely dumbfounded.
How was Xan at a gemstone gambling event, helping someone named Orion strike a gem? When did
she get so close to Orion? And why would she deceive him? What was she thinking? A sense of
unprecedented nervousness and caution washed over him as he clenched his phone and opened
Xanthea¡¯s chat window.
Meanwhile, Xanthea had reached her room and immediately found the old Canon camera, then dialed
her Uncle Oliver Lopez.
¡°Well, well, if it isn¡¯t my long-lost niece remembering her old uncle. Did that mutant iris seed I gave you
finally sprout?¡±
¡°Not yet~¡± Xanthea cooed, ¡°I always miss you, Uncle. Just need a little favor today.¡±
¡°I knew it, you never call unless you need something. What is it, princess?¡±
¡°Well, I want topete in the finals of The Masked Singer.¡±
¡°The Masked Singer? Since when are you interested in that?¡±
¡°Haven¡¯t you always said I have a good voice? want to give it a try.¡±
¡°You¡¯ve got more than a good voice ¨C but also charm, poise and intellect ¨C you¡¯d be a star in the
entertainment world. You want to join The Masked Singer, huh? The finals are on this weekend; it¡¯s too
late to enter normally but you can go as a surprise contestant in th final challenge. You¡¯ll battle against
the season¡¯s top three contestants. If you win, the championship is yours! You up for it?¡±
Absolutely.
If she could make Miranda an overnight sensation with one song, she could certainly again.
¡°Just wait and see, Uncle!¡±
After setting up her camera, Xanthea began writing her song. After appearing on The Masked Singer,
she nned to sneak into the hotel to catch Matthew and Miranda in apromising situation ¨C killing
two birds with one stone. She really was a genius!
As she worked, messages from Matthew popped up like spam, which Xanthea swiped away
impatiently. How had she ever fallen for such a man in her past life?
Just before turning off her phone, she saw a financial headline ¡®Curtain Call! Timothy unexpectedly
deceased, the Lockwood Group board announces Orion as the official. sessor of Twin Towers¡¯ third
generation leader!¡±
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Chapter 1/
They announced it so quickly? Xanthea chuckled to herself. Although the oue was the same, the
public opinion this time was vastly different.
In her past life, after he lost a gemstone bet and survived a car crash with Timothy, the inte had
suspected him of murder. This time, however, he was celebrated as a ¡°national treasure¡¯ and ¡®life¡¯s
winner.¡¯ He must be throwing a party now, she mused, wondering if he remembered to apply his scar
treatment.
That night, in a sleek and minimally decorated three-story mansion in Sunset Hills Estates, the
moonlight scattered through therge bedroom windows, casting a dappled glow on the man clutching
a pink handkerchief, whose robust silhouette was heaving.
As the room heated up, the air filled with a potent mix of male hormones, apanied by a series of
husky, maic voices, making the stars outside shimmer with an extra hint of romance.
¡°Xan, Xan, Xan.¡±
Chapter 18
Chapter 18
A young girl in a flowing white dress descended like an angel; her radiant smile was blooming as she
approached him. With each step closer, she whispered sultry words into. his ear, while gently applying
ointment to him with her slender and smooth fingers.
And then that teasing ¡®Good boy, each sybleced with a poison so tempting, drew him deeper into
torpor.
As the image of the girl flickered in his mind, Orion reached a crescendo; his usually deep voice turned
raspy and unrecognizable.
¡°Xan, my Xan.¡±
She was wrong; he wasn¡¯t good, not at all. He thought about it, crazily, desperately.
Saturday, 7 PM, at the Discovery Pavilion, the finale of The Masked Singer beckoned.
As the season¡¯s most anticipated prime-time music reality show, the finale drew crowds in droves,
making the pavilion packed with fans holding up glow sticks and banners. The show was broadcast live
across major TV and online tforms, which captured the grand spectacle.
¡°Colorful lights and passionate screams have ignited the finale!¡± the host bellowed into the microphone,
pumping up the atmosphere. Tonight, right here, we¡¯ll witness eleven contestants who¡¯ve battled their
way to this grand finale. Who will emerge victorious and be crowned ¡®the century¡¯s greatest singer?
Let¡¯s find out!¡±
¡°Before we start, let mey out the rules. There are 11 contestants in the finale, each of whom will
perform their chosen songs. Three judges will score them, and we¡¯ll also open up online voting so that
you, the audience, can have your say. Scores will be based on 70% from our judges and 30% from
public votes!¡±
¡°Additionally, this season of The Masked Singer introduces a challenger round. Three surprise
contestants, masked and mysterious, will battle the top three finalists. The scoring remains the same,
and if the challenger wins, they im the championship!¡±
¡°Everyone¡¯s familiar with the rules now, and here¡¯s a special surprise: the CEO of TOYUM Group, our
main sponsor, is here tonight. He¡¯ll be watching the entire finale and will crown our champion with the
title of ¡®the century¡¯s greatest singer¡±!¡±
As the host finished, Matthew spotted a striking figure settling into a dimly lit corner with the best view.
The lights made it hard to see his face, but his chilling aura was
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unmistakable. Orion?
After a rare gemstone auction where Xan had secured a once-in-a-lifetime jade for him, and his sole
competitor Timothy met with an unfortunate ident, had he now fully taken over the reins of the
Lockwood Group?
What a gap between the fortunes of men, Matthew mused. If Xan got any closer to a titan like Orion,
could she really remain unaffected?
What was he thinking? Xan wasn¡¯t that kind of girl. Shaking his head, Matthew nced at the bouquet
next to him, and started to regret his decision toe and support Miranda. Xan hadn¡¯t even revealed
her surprise to him yet.
Backstage at The Masked Singer, the contestants buzzed with excitement at the news.
¡°OMG! Did you guys hear who the new CEO of TOYUM Group is? Orion of the Lockwood Group!¡±
¡°No way! I heard he¡¯s not only a billionaire but also insanely handsome, outshining top. models!¡±
¡°And he¡¯s presenting the trophy tonight. Word has it, the winner might alsond a major endorsement
deal with one of TOYUM¡¯s uing lines!¡±
Miranda, upon hearing Orion¡¯s name, couldn¡¯t help but rise and sneak closer to the stage, only to catch
a glimpse of that distinctively handsome face in the dimly lit corner. Just one look sent her heart racing.
At Xanthea¡¯sing-of-age party, she had noticed him, who was the most dazzling presence;
however, he was surrounded by intimidating rumors and gave out a frosty aural that kept everyone at
bay.
Now, just dayster, he had ascended from heir apparent to the actual power behind the Lockwood
Group?
With her eyes gleaming, Miranda clenched her fists. Tonight, she was determined to win, to be
the center of attention, and to prove her worth to the Nightshade family; she was aiming for heights
even they couldn¡¯t reach.
With that, the host announced, ¡°Let the grand finale of The Masked Singer begin!¡±
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Chapter 19
Chapter 19
At eight o¡¯clock, the grand finale kicked off with the energy of a rock concert. Eleven contestants took
their turns on stage, and their performances elicited cheers from the excited crowd. Initially, Cedric was
all ears, soaking in the atmosphere with enthusiasm. But after a few songs, his excitement began to
wane. The performances, thoughtpetent, started to blend into one another,cking any standout
moments that couldn¡¯t be better experienced through a polished studio recording.
It wasn¡¯t until the final contestant stepped onto the stage that Cedric¡¯s interest perked up. again-not
because she was exceptionally different, but because from the moment she appeared, her nces
seemed to seek out the CEO, as if hoping for a moment of eye contact.
Miranda? Why does that name sound so familiar? Wait, isn¡¯t she the adopted daughter from the
Nightshade family, Ms. Nightshade¡¯s sister?
¡°Mr. Lockwood.¡±
Cedric turned and saw Orion engrossed in the stock charts on his tablet,pletely oblivious to the
live show. It was impressive, almost eerie, how Mr. Lockwood could focus in such a noisy environment.
But then again, attending this finale wasn¡¯t originally on Mr. Lockwood¡¯s schedule. He had been roped
into it due to a previous CEO¡¯s public promises, so hisck of interest was understandable.
¡°Mr. Lockwood, the contestant on stage is Ms. Nightshade¡¯s sister.¡±
¡°Mhm.¡±
The man responded tly, and his eyes never strayed from the screen.
¡°Hello everyone, I¡¯m Miranda, contestant number 11. Tonight, I¡¯ll be performing an origina song,
¡®Whispers in the Dark¡±,¡±
The song burst into life; its clear melody and upbeat rhythm was infused with sweet lyric transforming
the mood of the venue into something light and joyful. Cedric found himself genuinely intrigued. The
arrangement, lyrics, and harmonies of ¡®Whispers in the Dark¡¯ were distinctly superior to the previous
performances, and surprisingly, it was an original piece. Ms. Nightshade¡¯s sister was indeed talented.
Xanthea arrived at the Discovery Pavilion just in time to catch ¡®Whispers in the Dark¡¯ live. The light,
sweet tune and lyrics were like bursts of pink bubbles, delighting the senses and lightening the heart of
the audience. She remembered crafting this song while deep in the throes of a new love, believing
herself to be the happiest person in the world. Now, those illusions of happiness and sweetness had
shattered, revealing the grim reality beneath.
¡°My dear, thepetition is nearly over, and you just show up now?¡± Backstage at the
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Chapl
pavilion, Oliver sighed in relief upon seeing her ¡°I thought you were going to forfeit!¡±
Xanthea yfully stuck her tongue out. ¡°Uncle, don¡¯t you know that the big stars always make a grand
entrance?¡±
¡°Already acting the diva, aren¡¯t we?¡± Oliver chuckled. ¡°Come on, don¡¯t dawdle. Your makeup artist and
gown are ready.¡±
Xanthea gazed at the dazzling gold gown and the intricate matching jewelryid out before her, her
eyes wide with surprise. ¡°Uncle, I¡¯m just going up to sing a song. Isn¡¯t this a bit much?¡±
¡°Not at all! This is your first public appearance, and you need to dazzle everyone!¡±
¡°Plus, the biggest sponsor, TOYUM Group, is choosing a spokesperson today. Looks are just as
important as talent.¡±
Being coaxed into the makeup chair, Xanthea still felt a bit bewildered. She
e wasn¡¯t nning onunching a career today-she just wanted to outperform Miranda.
¡°Xan, what do you think of this mask?¡±
Oliver pulled out a mask with a mysterious flourish. It was a stunning silver fox mask, seductive and
captivating, with an iris flower embellished on the left eye, which added an enchanting touch.
¡°This was custom-made just for you. I knew you¡¯d love it. Wear it on stage, and no one will know who
you are until you finish singing.¡±
¡°Perfect.¡±
Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.
She took the mask, and caressed with delight the iris adorning it.
Half an hourter, Xanthea emerged from the dressing room, fully transformed.
Oliver, who had been waiting, turned to see her and was momentarily speechless. ¡°Beautiful!
Absolutely stunning!¡±
Normally he was never at a loss for words, but now he was so overwhelmed that he only apud and
repeatedly murmur in awe.
d
Chapter 20
Chapter 20
Chapter 20
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¡°Xan, you are really the most beautiful girl in the world, even prettier than any star I¡¯ve seen during my
years in showbiz!¡±
¡°Uncle, aren¡¯t you exaggerating a bit?¡±
Xantheaughed, but as she looked at her reflection in the mirror, her makeup and dress perfect for the
event, she also felt a sense of novelty and estrangement.
¡°Not at all, when you step on stage, you¡¯re going to steal the show!¡±
¡°What part are they at right now?¡±
¡°The judges are selecting this season¡¯s finalists for the contest. I believe the list will be announced
soon.¡±
From backstage, through a narrow pathway, they could get a general view of the expo hall. Xanthea
tilted her head slightly and saw Orion? What was he doing here!
¡°Uncle, why is Orion here?¡±
¡°Oh, you haven¡¯t heard? Yesterday, the Lockwood Group announced that he has officially taken over all
enterprises under Twin Towers, including the TOYUM Group. So today, he¡¯s attending as the CEO, and
he will also be presenting the awards to the winners.¡±
¡°He¡¯s now the chairman of the Lockwood Group, the top tycoon in Crestwood, Xan. If you debut project
is in coboration with him, that¡¯s really starting on the shoulders of al giant.¡±
On ¡®The Masked Singer¡¯ stage, the host loudly announced, ¡°After a fiercepetition, these three
contestants have been chosen as this season¡¯s finalists: Hannah, Zoey, and Miranda. Let¡¯s give them a
big round of apuse!¡±
Xanthea nced at the big screen disying the names, then back at Orion sitting in the prime seat,
suddenly connecting some dots.
In her past life, Miranda had rocketed to fame with her song ¡°Whispers in the Dark,¡± not only clinching
the contest but alsonding a major endorsement with TOYUM Group. Could Orion have noticed her
then, gradually falling for her, leading them both down a troubled path?
As someone who had been through hardships, she couldn¡¯t just stand by and watch him fall into the
same traps. Today¡¯s surprise entry had to seed!
The host continued, ¡°But let¡¯s not get too excited just yet! Because next, we have three powerful
mystery challengers stepping up. If they manage to overthrow our finalists, they¡¯ll take their ces! Are
you all ready? Let¡¯s wee the challengers with a big round of apuse!¡±
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As the mystery challengers arrived, the crowd reignited with excitement. Among the apuse, two
challengers, one wearing a cat mask and the other a rabbit mask, managed to eliminate fimalists
Hannah and Zoey with high scores. However, Miranda still remained ahead.
Miranda stood offstage, a confident smile ying on her lips.
She sneaked a peek at the distinguished man sitting in the VIP section, knowing she was thest
challenger left. The TOYUM Group endorsement was almost hers.
¡°Now, let¡¯s wee our third challenger with warm apuse. She will perform an original song titled
¡®Butterfly. This will also be the grand finale of this season¡¯s ¡®The Masked Singer¡¯. Will she make a
surprising victory, or will Miranda defend her crown? Let¡¯s find out!¡±
¡°Xan, don¡¯t be nervous for your first stage appearance; I¡¯ll be right here watching, you got this!¡±
Oliver ced a fox mask on Xanthea. She smiled slightly and picked up her gown, ¡°Don¡¯t worry.¡±
As the final act of ¡®The Masked Singer¡¯s third season began, everyone watched intently. Cameras
zoomed in at the stage entrance, where a golden high heel slowly stepped forward.
The girl, her dress adorned with dazzling rhinestones, caught everyone¡¯s eyes. Her elegant high heels,
the shimmering hem of her gown, her wlessly long legs, and the gentle curves of her waist dazzled
like a beacon, walking amidst a radiant gxy.
Instantly, the audience let out gasps of admiration and envy.
¡°Oh my God, it¡¯s like a goddess has descended
¡°God, how can thisdy be so stunning? I need all her info in three minutes; I¡¯m g
her fan!¡±
¡°Holy smokes, that waist-to-hip ratio, those long legs, that perfect figure, forgive bluntness, but all I can
say is wow!¡±
¡°She¡¯s so beautiful, I don¡¯t even want to blink. Is it even possible for someone this beautiful to actually
exist?¡±
be
Chapter 21
Chapter 21
¡°Angel, stop singing, you¡¯ve already captured my heart!¡±
Good Lord, even 3D modeling can¡¯t craft a figure so wless. This contestant must be at visual treat
nted by the show¡¯s producers!¡±
Matthew had nned to present flowers to Miranda as a pre-show gesture, but the moment the
challenger appeared, he froze, especially when he saw her wearing at seductive fox mask, revealing
just her rosy lips, mesmerizing enough to make the bouquet in his hand crash to the floor.
What a beauty, so enchanting that his eyes couldn¡¯t move away.
This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
Previously, the most beautiful person he had seen was Xanthea, but the girl before him. now surpassed
Xanthea in grace and aura, unimaginable how stunning she would be without the mask.
¡°Wow!¡±
ww
Cedric covered his mouth and nose, fearing his excitement might lead to a nosebleed. She was just
too, too beautiful! He turned his face and saw the man next to him focused on his work, quickly shut his
mouth. Orion, aside from his special attention to Ms. Nightshade, showed no interest in other beauties,
and Cedric knew better than to disturb. Oliver stood with arms crossed, smiling proudly from the
audience. This was exactly as he had imagined; a show-stopping entrance!
Only Miranda, observing the stirring atmosphere and Matthew¡¯s obvious distraction, felt a flicker of
disgust and jealousy.
An attention-grabbing outfit like that, just a ploy for fame, no shortcuts here on Masked Singer¡¯ stage
for mere looks, without talent one is just a jester!
The stage filled with elegant, soothing music, the unique gentle tones of the viol gradually calming the
restless air.
Xanthea approached the microphone and as the music climaxed, she began to si Her voice brought a
deathly silence over the audience so intense you could hear a drop.
The three judges on stage were stunned, incredulous as they looked towards the gorgeous girl behind
the microphone. It had been years since they¡¯d heard such a captivating voice in the industry, years
since anyone made them feel the urge to bow respect. Today, it happened on this stage!
Her pure, ethereal voice, like a gentle breeze, traveled through the hall, knocking on the
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Chapter 2
and leaping into every listener¡¯s
sat.
nerve, reaching even the VIP seats where a focused man
Orion¡¯s hand paused on his mouse, his gaze slowly lifting from hisputer and following the divine
contours of the girl up to the seductive fox mask adorned with a
delicate iris on one side.
It was her!
Her sublime tone, the piano¡¯s fluctuating melodies, and the gripping lyrics unleashed at powerful
energy that contrasted with her appearance, immersing the entire auditorium in her beautiful song.
Some listened enraptured, others teared up, lost in a dreamlike intoxication.
Could there really be a girl so beautiful and with such a melodious voice, a true fairy descended?
Cedric, excitedly turning to look, saw Orion was also watching her, no, more than just watching.
In his deep eyes, there seemed to stretch a vast, intricately binding the radiant girl under the
spotlights, pulling her into a boiling, scorching depth, slowly devouring herpletely.
Cedric saw a nearly savage emotion in his eyes, a possessiveness so intense it was palpable.
For the first time, he saw Orion show such fierce emotion for someone other than Ms. Nightshade,
utterly surprising. But who could not love the stunning beauty on stage with a voice of an angel?
Who knew, not only was she gorgeous, but her singing was enchanting too. Is the such a perfect girl in
the world? Matthew waspletely mesmerized, forgetting pick up the bouquet intended for Miranda.
¡°Goodness, this is too delightful! Even I, a singer of many years, must admit defeat me, this has
nothing to do with technique or practice, it¡¯s pure natural talent!¡±
Chapter 22
Chapter 22
¡°I swear, next to her, the 11 of us look like amateurs!¡±
¡°No kidding, she¡¯s totally schooling us, okay? Where did the producers find this surprise contestant?
Looks like she¡¯s set to steal the crown!¡±
¡°Is it even a surprise anymore? Just look at the judges¡¯ faces and the crowd¡¯s reaction. When her
scorese out, she¡¯s definitely breaking the charts!¡±
Backstage, ten contestants were fervently discussing, all eyes eventuallynding on Miranda, each
filled with a mix of awe and sympathy. Everyone had thought Miranda, the reigning favorite, was a
shoo-in for the title. Now, it seemed her chances were slipping right through her fingers.
How could this happen?
This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
Miranda watched the young girl on stage, disbelief etched across her face. Anyone with a bit of musical
sense could tell-they were all outssed the moment she started singing.
Where did shee from? Why hadn¡¯t she been on any singing shows before suddenly appearing on
¡®The Masked Singer¡¯? And with such a natural talent, why hadn¡¯t the producers scooped her up sooner
to build hype? Something didn¡¯t add up.
She must be a seasoned singer the producers brought in for a ratings boost, not just some surprise
contestant!
Yet, scanning the current music industry, there was no one so young and stunningly talented. Was
Miranda truly about to lose her grown to this neer? No, it couldn¡¯t be.
Miranda clenched her fists, her body trembling slightly from nerves and fear.
As the violin faded, Xanthea¡¯s rendition of ¡°Butterfly¡± drew to a close. The microphone caught herst
breathy note, and the venue erupted in prolonged apuse and ecstatic shouts. Fans would¡¯ve
stormed the stage if not for the security holding them back.
¡°Champion! Champion! Champion!¡±
The final night¡¯s atmosphere had reached a fever pitch, with thousands of spectators chanting in
unison, almost lifting the roof off the venue. The judges exchanged looks, marveling at the true power
of music.
¡°Finally, a miracle has graced our stage,¡± the host eximed, grabbing the microphone and rushing
onstage. ¡°Thank you to our third surprise contestant for tonight¡¯s auditory feast. Now, let¡¯s see her
scores!¡±
With each thud, the judges¡¯ lights lit up, and the giant screen showed the online voting numbers
skyrocketing. Not just the live audience, but the entirework was going wild, pulling in friends and
family to vote for Xanthea.
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Chapter 22
In just a minute, the surprise contestant¡¯s votes had already tripled those of the previous top scorer,
Miranda!
The host, visibly shaken by the rapidly climbing numbers, shouted, ¡°Let us give a roaring round of
apuse to congratte our surprise contestant who has garnered over five million votes, and now, I
officially announce the champion of this season¡¯s ¡®The Masked. Singer¡¯ is¡¡±
He paused for dramatic effect, ¡°Let¡¯s have Producer Oliver make the announcement!¡±
Oliver, beaming with pride, strode onto the stage, bypassing the host and confidently cing his hand
on Xanthea¡¯s shoulder-a move that instantly caused a stir.
What was this producer thinking?
Capitalizing on his position to boldly flirt with the beautiful singer on live TV? Who would. stand for this?
Just as the audience began to protest, Oliver chuckled, ¡°Xan, you may remove your mask now.¡±
Xanthea gracefully untied the butterfly knot of her mask, and in an instant, a stunningly beautiful face
appeared on every screen, captivating everyone.
¡°Hello everyone, I¡¯m Xanthea.¡±
The venue plunged into a moment of stunned silence, then was quickly drowned by a tidal wave of
praise and cheering.
¡°Oh my gosh! Gorgeousdy, I¡¯m crazy for you, absolutely nuts!¡±
¡°Her beauty is unreal, like she stepped out of a 3D model!¡±
¡°She¡¯s got to have the highest beauty rating ever. I¡¯m a fan for life!¡±
In the front row, Matthew stood up in shock-Xan? It was her?
When did she join ¡®The Masked Singer¡¯? Could this be the surprise she mentioned a fe days ago?
Chapter 23
Chapter 23
Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.
The surprise e was palpable in the air as Matthew watched her on stage, a revtion in every sense of
the word. Never had he known she could sing, and so beautifully at that. Dressed in a stunning evening
gown under the dazzling spotlight, she resembled a radiant superstar, eliciting uncontroble screams
from the audience. The shy girl who usually hovered in his shadow seemed to have transformed
completely. It was mesmerizing.
Xanthea?
Miranda reeled back in disbelief when the mask was lifted, her face draining of color as she staggered,
nearly falling over. Jealousy and hatred swelled within her, uncontroble and fierce.
How could it be Xanthea? How could she appear on ¡°The Masked Singer¡±? Before the contest, hadn¡¯t
Xanthea helped her write songs and wished her victory? And when it mattered most, Xanthea had
snatched the championship right from her hands. It must have been deliberate, a ploy to crush her and
bask in her superior vanity. That wretch!
Why would Xanthea do this? Wasn¡¯t everything she already had enough-wealth, family, friends,
ssmates, and Matt¡¯s attention? Did Xanthea know how much she had sacrificed for this day? She
despised Xanthea!
1
¡°Ms. Nightshade?¡± Cedric¡¯s jaw dropped upon seeing Xanthea, almost tumbling from his seat. More
than shock, his heart was filled with sorrow.
He had hoped that a new goddess would divert Orion¡¯s attention, allowing him to move past his
unrequited love for Ms. Nightshade. But fate had cruelly looped back to her. It seemed Orion was
destined to fall for her.
Oliver grabbed the microphone, ¡°Xan is my niece, and her participation in ¡®The Masked Singer¡¯ caught
me off guard but delighted me. I¡¯m amazed by her courage to step up a wild card contestant and by her
talent in clinching this stage. Congrattions, Xan!¡±
¡°Thank you, Uncle,¡± Xanthea¡¯s eyes twinkled with joy.
The host then announced, ¡°Now, please wee the major sponsor of this season, M Orion
Lockwood, CEO of the TOYUM Group, to present our champion, Ms. Xanthea, wit the honorary crown!¡±
A spotlight suddenly illuminated the VVIP seat, casting light on Orion¡¯s noble andposed figure,
provoking waves of gasps and cheers from the female audience. ¡°Oh my gosh, he¡¯s so handsome!¡± ¡°Is
he really a CEO and not an actor?¡± ¡°Is this really ¡®The Masked Singer¡¯ or just a feast for the eyes?¡±
As everyone¡¯s eyes turned to the sponsor¡¯s seat, Xanthea¡¯s gaze inadvertently met Orion¡¯s She
couldn¡¯t shake off the feeling that he had recognized her long before, watching from the shadows.
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Their paths seemed intertwined, destined to meet here of all ces.
The crown for ¡°The Masked Singer¡± finale was a masterpiece, intertwined with vines and adorned with
thousands of pearls, perfectly matching her gown¡¯s theme.
Orion stepped forward, his tall, impressive figure overshadowing her on the stage.
Xanthea looked up and smiled brightly, ¡°Mr. Lockwood, we meet again.¡±
¡°Indeed, Ms. Nightshade.¡±
As if dazzled by her smile, Orion¡¯s gaze briefly flinched, then focused on the radiant crown. He carefully
lifted the crown, gently cing it on her elegantly styled hair, as if fearing the sharp jewels might snag a
strand.
Hearing him call her ¡®Ms. Nightshade, Xanthea couldn¡¯t help but chuckle lightly. The stark. contrast to
the more intimate ¡®Xan¡¯ he once used made her curious and yful, eager to explore the man behind
the facade.
She tiptoed, teasing, ¡°Did you use the ointment I gave youst time?¡±
Orion momentarily lost himself in her stunning presence, his hand slipping from the crown to her neck,
appearing almost as if he were about to pull her into a kiss.
Oliver, observing from the side, overheard their familiar and somewhat intimate exchange, surprised,
¡°Xan, you know Mr. Lockwood?¡±
Xanthea nodded, ¡°Yes, we¡¯ve known each other for some time.¡±
¡°Really? You never mentioned that before.¡±
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Chapter 24
Chapter 24
Xanthea said, ¡°We don¡¯t have frequent interaction before. Only recently¡¡±
¡°I applied.¡±
Orion¡¯s bted response and irrelevant answer made both Xanthea and Oliver stunned for
a moment.
¡°Yes, I applied it well.¡±
Oliver looked at Orion¡¯s serious eyes that were burning at Xanthea, and sensitively sensed a trace of
unusual feelings from it. He hurriedly said, ¡°Xan, the program will endter. The organizer will hold a
cocktail party. Let Mr. Lockwood bring you to attend it. There are many celebrities at the cocktail party.
He can introduce them to you. I have to go backstage to deal with some trivial matters. I can¡¯t
apany you anymore. I¡¯ll pick you! up when it¡¯s over.¡±
After Oliver proposed, Orion stared at Xanthea for a moment. His nervousness expectation were
hidden under his dark eyes.
and
Xanthea hesitated, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts as she contemted attending the uing
party. Her decision was made for her when she caught sight of Matthew and Miranda causing a scene
below.
¡°Matt.¡± Xanthea¡¯s voice trailed off as she watched the unfolding drama.
Matthew was about to rush forward with a bouquet for Xanthea when Miranda, stumbling and tearful,
crashed into his arms. Her face was blurred with tears as she sobbed, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m so sorry I let you
down. I didn¡¯t expect Xanthea to show up out of nowhere.¡±
¡°Miranda, let go of me!¡± Matthew frowned, trying to disentangle himself from her grasp, which only
tightened.
¡°You think I¡¯m useless, don¡¯t you? I can¡¯t measure up to Xanthea. You won¡¯t start hating me. now, will
you?¡± Miranda¡¯s voice was choked with despair.
This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
Without the championship and the lucrative endorsement from the TOYUM Group, all her carefullyid
ns had evaporated. Now, clinging to Matthew was herst chance to turn. things around.
Matthew, annoyed yet restrained by the fact that Miranda was Xanthea¡¯s sister, couldn¡¯t just push her
away harshly, especially not in public where it could cause a scene. Heforted her and led her out
of the venue, his mind racing with irritation.
Well, the pair were heading to the hotel earlier than nned, their urgency palpable. Xanthea thought
she better follow them.
Realizing the gossip that could ensue, Xanthea made a quick decision. ¡°Uncle, I need to handle this. I
won¡¯t be attending the party!¡± She hurried down, her dress fluttering behind
GIL
14:57 ¡ª
Chapter 24
her. As she raced past, her crown¡¯s sharp embellishments grazed Orion¡¯s hand, drawing blood that
dripped ominously, mirroring the dark smirk on his face.
Outside the Discovery Pavilion, Matthew had just ushered Miranda out and was calling a cab.
¡°Miranda, you¡¯re not in the right state; I¡¯m sending you back to the Nightshade residence,¡± he
suggested firmly.
¡°No, I won¡¯t go back there. They¡¯ll justugh at me!¡± Miranda clung to him desperately, shaking her
head frantically.
¡°They¡¯re your family,¡± Matthew said, his patience wearing thin.
¡°They¡¯re not my family; they¡¯re her family. They only care about my sister, never seeing my efforts. At
the Nightshade residence, I¡¯m just like a servant, unnoticed and uncared for. All I have is you, Matt. You
won¡¯t despise me too, will you?¡± Her hands moved suggestively down his chest, hinting at more.
Usually, Matthew might have responded, but today his thoughts were consumed by Xanthea, leaving
no room for Miranda¡¯s advances.
¡°Miranda, you¡¯re misunderstanding something here!¡± He pushed her away firmly, confusion etched on
her face.
¡°A misunderstanding? All the kindness you showed me, was that all just a misunderstanding? You
came today to support me, was that also a mistake?¡±
¡°I was kind because you¡¯re Xan¡¯s sister. If it wasn¡¯t for that, we¡¯d have no connection at all!¡± Miranda
was stunned, the cold dismissal contrasting sharply with the warm gestures he had shown when they
were alone. Her heart ached as she struggled to reconcile this new, distant Matthew with the one she
thought she knew.
v sister?
¡°Matt, have you also fallen for Do you think she¡¯s better than me, ready to abandon me?¡± Her voice
cracked, a mix of betrayal and desperation echoing with ea word.
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Chapter 25
¡°What are you talking about?¡± Matthew snapped at her fiercely. ¡°I¡¯ve been your sister¡¯s boyfriend, I am
now, and I always will be. I only love Xanthea. Stop spouting nonsense and daydreaming, or don¡¯t
me me for being heartless!¡±
With those words, he turned and walked away, leaving Miranda alone in the cold wind, screaming
uncontrobly, ¡°Ahh-¡±
How could she have pinned her hopes on a man who lived off his girlfriend? Ridiculous! Now she had
lost everything-her championship, her man, all stolen by Xanthea!
After shaking off Miranda, Matthew, carrying flowers, hurried towards the venue, but the event had
ended, and the audience had thinned out. He saw no sign of Xanthea.
At the n Hotel, Xanthea, with a camera in hand, stood at the door of room 1010 and swiped her key
card.
act.
She had bribed the hotel manager earlier, just so she could catch a cheater in the Scanning the room
for the best hiding spot, she noticed that the wardrobe next to the master bedroom offered the best
view and was least likely to give her away.
Checking the time, Xanthea deftly slipped into the wardrobe with her camera, anticipating the imminent
arrival of Matthew and Miranda, given their frantic behavior earlier.
On the hotel¡¯s top floor, ¡®The Masked Singer¡¯ after-party buzzed with activity as directors, producers,
and invited celebrities mingled in high spirits. Yet, the protagonist sat in a dim corner of the banquet
hall, downing one ss of wine after another.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
Cedric, noticing the two empty bottles on the table, fretted, ¡°Mr. Lockwood, please stop drinking. Wine
packs a punch; if you keep going, it might end badly!¡±
He couldn¡¯t fathom what had happened. Before the award ceremony, Orion had beenposed, but
afterwards, he seemed like a changed man, emanating a chilling aura that made people shiver. Surely,
Ms. Nightshade must have said something to upset him this
much.
The high alcohol content dulled Orion¡¯s senses and numbed his body, though his heart ached more
intensely. Orion¡¯s eyes, bloodshot, fixated on a neatly folded silk handkerchief on the table, while
echoes of nightmares resounded in his ears.
¡°Get away, I¡¯d never be friends with a lunatic!¡±
¡°Why is it always you? Get lost, I hate you, I hate you the most!¡±
¡°Don¡¯te near me anymore. I¡¯ll never like you in my life.¡±
¡°So, you fancy the Nightshade family¡¯s darling, huh? Keeping her picture hidden, so twisted at such a
young age. Look at your scars; are you even worthy?¡±
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Chapter 25
Despite the fortress he had built around his heart, a simple ¡°Mr. Lockwood¡± and her smile had easily
breached his defenses. What was he longing for? A mere semnce of respite powered by her
inherent kindness, which she extended to everyone?
A cynical smile broke across Orion¡¯s lips, more terrifying than tears.
In the middle of the banquet hall, surrounded by everyone, starlet Olivia held a wine ss, asionally
ncing at the man in the corner.
She hade to the party specifically for Orion, CEO of the TOYUM Group and the power behind the
Lockwood Group-the youngest billionaire in Crestwood and the shadowy big boss of Starlight Media. A
connection with him, even for just a year, could set her up for life!
Noticing his somber mood as he brooded in the corner, she wondered what troubled him. Perhaps a
gentle, soothing approach might endear her to him.
With that thought, Olivia, smiling coyly, approached the secluded corner.
¡°Mr. Lockwood, hello, I¡¯m Olivia from Sunshine Media.¡±
Before Cedric could intervene, Olivia ced her wine ss on the neatly folded silk handkerchief in
front of Orion.
As soon as the ss touched the table, Orion looked up, his gaze intense and dark as a demon¡¯s,
making Olivia shiver from head to toe.
¡°Mr. Lockwood, ah¡ª¡±
The ss was knocked aside by Orion, spilling red wine all over Olivia¡¯s hair and dress, leaving her in
utter disarray.
Themotion caught the attention of the entire party. The organizers and agents rushed over, pulling
a trembling Olivia away. ¡°Olivia, what are you doing? Apologize to Mr. Lockwood right now!¡±
¡°I¡¯m so sorry.¡±
Cedric red at Olivia with a mix of anger and urgency as he watched Orion pick up the handkerchief,
his expression terrifying.
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Chapter 26
Chapter 26
Ever since Xanthea dropped her handkerchief at that event, Orion cherished it like a priceless treasure.
He took it everywhere, but somehow, he lost sight of it, and that young starlet snatched her opportunity!
Olivia didn¡¯t even know what she did wrong to infuriate the mogul, who was fuming with rage. She just
kept weeping and apologizing, but the situation only escted. Cedric, worried Orion might do
something reckless in his distraught state, quickly asked Oliver to help clear out the guests.
¡°Mr. Lockwood, you¡¯ve had too much to drink. Let me help you to your room to rest.¡±
In room 1010, hidden in the wardrobe, Xanthea was initially anxious and alert, waiting with her camera.
Eventually, she dozed off, her head lolling until it hit the back of the closet, jolting her awake.
Rubbing her head, she nced at the time-strangely, almost an hour had passed. Why hadn¡¯t the
scandalous pair shown up yet? She was sure she got the room number and time right.
Just as she puzzled over this, the hotel room door banged open.
She perked up instantly. Here theye!
The two stumbled in, noisy and reeking of strong red wine, which wafted into the wardrobe, making
Xanthea cover her nose and mouth. Apparently, the couple had stepped out for a drink to set the mood,
no wonder they were sote-and so stered. Didn¡¯t they worry about not being able to performter?
From the bathroom came the sound of running water. Xanthea strained her ears but couldn¡¯t make out
anything else.
Cedric, using all his might, managed to help the nearly six-foot-three man into the bathroom. He was
panting as he turned on the shower, adjusted the temperature, and got everything ready for a bath. He
hesitated about whether to help Orion with his buttons, but just as he bent down, Orion snapped his
eyes open and coldly barked, ¡°Get out!¡±
Startled, Cedric scrambled out of the bathroom, ¡°I¡¯ll be going then, Mr. Lockwood. Please call me if you
need anything. Don¡¯t strain yourself!¡±
Half an hourter, there was still no sound from the bedroom. Xanthea was getting impatient. Did the
couple decide to just get it on in the bathroom? If so, her trip here would be a waste. She had to check.
Just as she was about to open the wardrobe door, arge, veiny hand beat her to it.
At that moment, the bright chandelier light flooded the dark closet, the air momentarily thick with
tension.
Chapter 26
Xanthea¡¯s face froze as she looked up to see defined abs that made her rethink everything she knew
about Matthew-had she really never noticed his physique before?
She slowly lifted her gaze, following the trail of his sculpted chest up to his neck, then the water
droplets tracing his defined jawline, and finally, to a strikingly handsome face.
Orion?
Her eyes widened in shock-it was him!
A mix of surprise and relief filled her. Thank goodness it wasn¡¯t Matthew. If she had been caught red-
handed, all her ns would¡¯ve been ruined!
Curled up in the closet like a frightened deer, her face lit up with a radiant smile, oblivious to the
ominous change in the man¡¯s expression above her.
Seeing the girl suddenly appear before his eyes, Orion¡¯s alcohol-blurred vision sharpened briefly, his
stare piercing, then overwhelmed by a tidal wave of immense despair.
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Another hallucination.
How many times had it been now?
His longing for her was deep-seated, always manifesting as illusions that he could only watch from afar,
followed by a profound emptiness and loneliness. Maybe he was truly. drunk today, the hallucination
lasting so long and so vividly animated that he wanted to unleash all the pent-up emotions he had been
suppressing.
¡°Mr. Lockwood, what a coincidence to see you again.¡± Xanthea timidly extended a hand, greeting him
politely yet awkwardly, ¡°I know you must be wondering why I¡¯m here, but don¡¯t rush, just help me out of
this closet, and I promise I¡¯ll exin everything!¡±
Chapter 27
Chapter 27
Was she talking?
Orion tilted his head slightly, a look of confusion evident on his face.
Xanthea couldn¡¯t help but find the gesture endearing, especially since the man standing before her was
nearly six-foot-three, with a physique rivaling that of an international supermodel, and was d only in
a loosely draped bathrobe. His cold, executive demeanor mixed with such an innocent expression was
both jarring and adorable.
She only saw the cuteness,pletely missing the sinister twist in his deep eyes that shed the
moment she spoke.
In reality, even hearing her speak was a luxury. In his mind, could he not take control? Indulge in those
dark, hidden desires that haunted him day and night.
With a a swift motion, he pulled her from the closet. Xanthea was surprised by how effortlessly his
strong arms lifted her-she weighed about 130 pounds, after all. Clearly, he was the same man who had
effortlessly dealt with Matthew on the rooftop.
¡°Thanks, you¡¯re really strong, those muscles aren¡¯t just for show, huh?¡±
Just as Xanthea was about to give him a thumbs up, she suddenly found herself dizzy and tumbling
onto therge bed.
Orion didn¡¯t justy her down as she had imagined. Instead, like a predator that had been lurking in the
jungle, he pinned her down with fierce determination, trapping her limbs
beneath him.
Her curvaceous figure sank into the soft bed, her hair disheveled, and her V-neck slightly open a stark
contrast against the wine-red sheets, sparking a predatory glint in his dark
eyes.
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All he could see was her stunning face and alluring body, driving him to madness with each beautiful
curve.
¡°Orion, what are you-¡±
Her words were cut off as the brooding man leaned down and captured her lips fiercely.
¡°MMpph. Mm!¡±
Her eyes and mouth widened in disbelief, giving him the opportunity he needed.
He devoured her like a starved beast.
¡°Baby, darling, I¡¯ve missed you so much.¡±
Xanthea panicked, her eyes watery and trembling, trying to turn her head away as her body writhed in
resistance. Her clenched fists struggled against his strong hold, but her
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Chapter 27
naive attempts at resistance only seemed to entice him more, unbeknownst to her that her feeble
strength was like spitting against the wind.
¡°Orion, what are you doing? Let me go, now!¡±
¡°Jerk, creep, you¡¯ve got the wrong person, who¡¯s your darling.¡±
Her first kiss in this lifetime, taken by him in a drunken haze, was something she had intended to
preserve.
Sweet, intoxicating, irresistible-like a beautiful poppy, dangerously alluring despite the poison lurking
within.
As she struggled, something inside Orion ignited explosively. His movements froze for a moment, and
just when Xanthea thought to escape, he pulled her tightly against him.
His embrace was tight, almost suffocatingly so.
¡°Darling, don¡¯t be afraid, don¡¯t run, okay? Just look at me, just once. Don¡¯t be so cold, or l fear I might
go mad, might not be able to stop myself from doing something we¡¯ll both regret.¡±
His grip tightened further, as if trying to meld her into his very bones, his voice turning from pleading to
ominously menacing.
Xanthea coughed violently, pounding his arm with her fists. For the first time, she felt the stark
difference in strength between men and women, how even basic resistance was futile in such danger.
Yet, he eventually let her go.
But as soon as he released her, his hand tore through her blouse. As Xanthea struggled, she saw his
nearly pathological obsession and the lust in his eyes, like a demon lost in fantasy and desire, ringing
rm bells in her mind. He couldn¡¯t possibly be thinking of¡
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Chapter 28
Chapter 28
No, she couldn¡¯t let this continue. If she did, she was literally going to lose it!
Xanthea gritted her teeth, bracing herself to use all her strength to strike at Orion¡¯s nape with her bare
hands.
But just as she was about to make her move, Orion copsed onto her with a loud thump, like a
machine that had suddenly been switched off,pletely incapacitated.
Xanthea blinked in surprise and quickly crawled out from under him.
She clutched her tattered dress and stood by the bed, her expression one of righteous indignation, like
a damsel who had been wronged. She rushed to kick his peacefully sleeping face, but stopped her foot
just before it could touch him. No woman could bring herself to mar such a perfect face, but how could
she let him off without teaching him a lesson after all the trouble to keep her first kiss intact for two
lifetimes!
Biting her lip, Xanthea was pondering which cruel retribution to use when she noticed his robe was
disheveled, exposing his chest.
Wait! She had always wanted to see if he had the iris tattoo on his chest, to confirm if he was her
lifesaver. What better time than now?
She carefully knelt beside him, poking his face several times to ensure he didn¡¯t react before she felt
relieved.
It seemed she wasn¡¯t misled; men really do lose certain abilities after drinking.
Gently, she lifted his robe, and as a stunning blue-purple iris slowly unfolded on his right chest,
Xanthea was speechless.
Was it really him?
On hering-of-age day, the person who saved her in theke behind the garden wasn¡¯t Matthew,
but him!
It turned out he was her savior in a past life as well!
Xanthea sat dumbfounded on the bed, unable to fathom why he had helped her so much, saved her
life, and never told her. Was it just to be a good person, or did he fear she would cling to him?
Underneath the iris tattoo was?
She couldn¡¯t help but touch the uneven skin beneath the tattoo, which appeared to be old burn scars,
probably from cigarette burns given their shape.
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Who would dare to torture the heir of the Lockwood Group, leaving burn marks on his body?
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She remembered the old news about the brutal family feuds within the Lockwood Group. If they were
true, then like her, Orion was just a child at the time, with no chance to resist, which might exin his
current cold, distant demeanor. Perhaps the iris tattoo was meant. to cover those scars?
Xanthea felt a pang of sympathy, but her hand was suddenly grasped tightly by his.
¡°Ah!¡±
She screamed in fright, quickly shaking off his hand and looking at him as he crashed again, standing
up with her heart still racing.
She was crazy, how could she feel sympathy for an almost-assant!
But considering he had once saved her life, she would call it even. Besides, he had drunk so much, he
probably wouldn¡¯t remember whether he was embracing a person or a ghost tonight, and who were all
those endearments and bizarre words meant for? It was hard to believe such a handsome, talented,
and wealthy man would harbor unrequited love.
Forget it, she thought, better leave now. If he got up in a drunken frenzy and pinned her down again,
she¡¯d be utterly helpless.
Xanthea quickly got dressed and ran out. Reaching the hotel lobby, she remembered her camera and
turned back, just in time to see the unmistakable outline beneath his robe, making her feet slick with
fear.
A man that tall, that intimidating, could have been disastrous had he not passed out!
Back at Serenity Oaks Estates, the Nightshade family home.
In the dead of night, Xanthea crept into the house like a thief, just about to head upstairs when the
lights flicked on. In the hall, her parents, Ethan, and Matthew sat neatly lined up.
Xanthea was dumbfounded.
Seeing her, Matthew rushed over, his face etched with concern, ¡°Xan, where have been? I¡¯ve searched
the entire convention center and couldn¡¯t find you!¡±
Christopher and Susanna said, ¡°Xan, why are you back sote?¡±
you
Ethan said, ¡°About appearing on ¡®The Masked Singer¡¯ without giving us a heads-up, don¡¯t you think you
owe us an exnation?¡±
Chapter 29
Chapter 29
Samuel frowned as he looked at Xanthea, swaddled inyers despite the scorching summer heat.
¡°Xan, why on earth are you wrapped up like it¡¯s winter? And that scarf, really?¡±
Bombarded with questions, Xanthea felt her head spin.
I
¡°Well, can I just go upstairs and drop off my stuff first?¡±
Without waiting for an answer, she dashed upstairs, yanked off her scarf, and grimaced at the twin ¡®love
bites¡¯ Orion had left on her neck. Were they from a dog? What would parents think if they saw?
a her
She grabbed her concealer and worked diligently until the marks were barely visible, then slipped on a
turtleneck just to be sure. Satisfied that no one could see the marks, she opened her door.
Matthew, who had been waiting right outside, nearly stumbled in.
¡°Matt?¡±
¡°Sorry, Xan,¡± he stammered. ¡°I was just about to knock. Where were you tonight? I¡¯ve been really
worried!¡±
¡°Tonight,¡± Xanthea nced at him, a trace of hurt in her eyes. ¡°After the awards, I wanted to tell you
first, Matt. But I saw you leaving with Miranda, and when I tried to catch up, I got mobbed by fans. My
dress almost got ripped, and it was only when my uncle showed up that I managed to escape.¡±
Matthew hurriedly exined, ¡°Xan, don¡¯t get me wrong. I didn¡¯t leave with Miranda on purpose. She
was upset, and I thought it might affect you, so I had the driver take her home early.¡±
So that¡¯s why she hadn¡¯t seen them at the event.
¡°I wouldn¡¯t misunderstand, Matt. It¡¯s just sad I couldn¡¯t celebrate with you
His guilt, already simmering from the wait, deepened. He cursed himself for his indecisiveness with
Miranda, which almost led him astray.
previous
¡°I¡¯m
sorry, Xan. I really wanted to celebrate with you today. I even bought flowers. And you, you were so
stunning on stage tonight, so charming, totally different from usual.¡±
His eyes, filled with passion and admiration, didn¡¯t escape Xanthea¡¯s notice. She chuckled inwardly; he
really could have been an Oscar winner, not just a charming face in the crowd.
¡°Really? Then I¡¯ll sing just for you, Matt.¡±
¡°Please do!¡±
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Just as Matthew reached for her hand, Xanthea, light as a bird, flitted downstairs. ¡°Mom, did you make
all this delicious food for my celebration?¡±
Watching her retreat, Matthew let his hand fall, resigning himself to wait a little longer. Soon, he
thought, they would be engaged, and she would truly be his.
Back when he considered engagements merely a formality, now he couldn¡¯t wait for theirs.
Susanna, hearing Xanthea¡¯s voice echo through the mansion, scolded gently, ¡°Keep it down, don¡¯t
wake your sister.¡±
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Xanthea stuck out her tongue yfully. She loved stirring things up.
¡°You little mischief-maker! Not a peep aboutpeting in ¡®The Masked Singer, especially to Miranda.
She¡¯s been so confident, bragging about winning since the first episode. And then you swooped in and
snatched it right from under her. She¡¯s been crying in her room since we got home.¡±
¡°Mom, it¡¯s not ¡®swooping in¡¯ if it¡¯s done fair and square with sheer talent!¡±
Samuel, unable to contain his pride, wrapped an arm around Xanthea. Ethan chimed in, ¡°Xan, I
watched the finale live. In a word, you were spectacr, the star of the show.¡±
¡°Thanks, Ethan, Samuel!¡±
¡°There she goes, gloating again. Spoiled rotten by her brothers! You don¡¯t understand the situation!¡±
Christopher scolded her. ¡°Xan, you were wrong not to tell us earlier. Go get your sister for dinner.¡±
As he spoke, Miranda¡¯s door upstairs swung open.
The girl emerged in a thin nightgown, her hair disheveled, eyes red and face streaked with
tears.
Seeing her state, Susanna rushed over. ¡°Miranda, you¡¯re up! Come, the food¡¯s ready. Your sister just
got back, and I¡¯ve already scolded her.¡±
Chapter 30
Chapter 30
¡°No need, it¡¯s not Xan¡¯s fault.¡±
Miranda looked down, shaking her head slightly as she picked up a cup of coffee and offered it to
Xanthea. ¡°Xan, congrats on winning the championship.¡±
She hadn¡¯t finished her sentence when she burst into tears.
¡°I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m sorry I¡¯m falling apart. It¡¯s just that I feel so useless, such a failure. I¡¯ve tried so hard, for
so long, and in the end, I¡¯m nothing. My carefully prepared song couldn¡¯t even match up to the one you
sang offhand. I just don¡¯t know what I can do anymore.¡±
Tears streamed down her face, and though she spoke no me towards Xanthea, every word seemed
to point towards her.
Xanthea observed the silent tension at the table and the using looks from her parents, and she
smirked inwardly.
What a bitch!
In her past life, it was with this masterful strategy that Miranda had won her father¡¯s heart, infuriated her
mother, and ended up with Matthew. This time around, Xanthea wouldn¡¯t let it happen again.
¡°Sorry, Miranda, I didn¡¯t mean to steal your thunder. You know I¡¯m not really interested in fame or
championships; otherwise, I would haveunched my career long ago, Xanthea said, biting her lip, her
face a mask of guilt. ¡°Butst night Uncle suddenly called me, saying the third surprise guest for ¡®The
Masked Singer¡¯ had backed out at thest minute, and he couldn¡¯t find a recement. He thought of
me. I wanted to refuse, but he said if no one could fill in, the show would suffer a huge loss and might
even be canceled under suspicions of foul y.¡±
¡°Oliver called you?¡± Susanna asked, surprised.
Xanthea nodded. ¡°Yeah, you can call him if you don¡¯t believe it.¡±
She thought, ¡°Sorry, dear uncle, but sometimes you have to y your cards.¡±
¡°I see.¡± Susanna¡¯s expression softened. ¡°Well, I can¡¯t me you then. Oliver is carefu his decisions; he
wouldn¡¯t have asked you unless it was absolutely necessary.¡±
Xanthea continued, ¡°And I didn¡¯t expect that the song I threw togetherst night would surpass the one
you worked on for a month, Miranda. ¡®Whispers in the Dark¡¯ was something I crafted with care!¡±
¡°What?¡± Christopher was stunned. ¡°You wrote Miranda¡¯spetition song?
This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
Miranda¡¯s hand trembled as she held her coffee cup, while Ethan and Samuel looked at Xanthea in
surprise.
1/2
14:57
¡°Yes, the song Miranda used in the finals, from the lyrics to the arrangement, was all my work. Didn¡¯t
you guys know?¡±
Xanthea looked puzzled at Miranda, who, under the questioning nces from around the table, had
tears awkwardly hanging on her cheeks, unsure of what expression to wear.
Miranda thought, ¡°When did she be so maniptive and innocent-looking?¡±
With just a few words, Xanthea had managed to cover up the fact that she had snatched the trophy,
even though they had agreed to keep the songwriting between them. Now, Xanthea revealed it in front
of everyone, tantly embarrassing her!
¡°I-I had prepared three songs for the finals. I didn¡¯t n to use ¡®Whispers in the Dark,¡¯ but my coach
made me draw lots, and that¡¯s the one I picked.¡±
Miranda¡¯s stuttering exnation sounded redundant to the Nightshade family. Since event the
competition song was written by Xanthea, what did sess or failure have to do with her? Rather, they
should be thanking Xanthea.
Christopher chuckled and served Xanthea a piece of steak, ¡°Alright, let it go. The past is the past.
Whether it¡¯s Xan winning the championship or Miranda, it¡¯s a reason to celebrate.¡±
¡°Thanks, Dad.¡±
Xanthea smiled happily, holding her te, while Miranda, her nails nearly digging into her! palms,
looked utterly miserable..
In her previous life, Xanthea¡¯s downfall was due to her romantic naivety, not because she couldn¡¯t
compete. This life, she intended to make Miranda relive everything she had
endured.
¡°Xan, I had no idea you were not only brilliant in your studies but also so talented in music creation,¡±
Matthew said, clearly impressed. He had heard ¡®Whispers in the Dark¡¯ be the finals and loved it,
thinking Miranda was the author and even felt moved because thought he was the inspiration.
To find out the true creator was Xanthea.
He was about to ponder this when Xanthea gave him a satisfying reply, ¡°I should rea thank you, Matt.
Without you, I wouldn¡¯t have had such great inspiration.¡±
Chapter 31
Chapter 31
The prototype is really him!
Matthewughed, looking at her with reluctance to turn away.
Samuel watched Xanthea¡¯s bright but fleeting smile, feeling a hint of hypocrisy inexplicably, reminiscent
of how he used to dismiss those frivolous things outside, wondering if his sister who had been
infatuated for years had now turned into a heartbreaker!
Christopher also sensed something from the gaze of the two, as it used to be Xan looking at Matthew
with stars in her eyes, now it seemed to have reversed.
Xanthea felt disgusted by Matthew¡¯s constant gaze on her, she could barely finish her meal, and just as
she was about to put down her cutlery, she nced at Miranda and then at Matthew, suddenly hatching
a n.
Her entry into The Masked Singer upset Matthew and Miranda¡¯s ns to spend intimate time together,
resulting in her not capturing anything on camera, wasting her efforts for nothing, and being taken
advantage of by Orion Lockwood!
Since that¡¯s the case, why couldn¡¯t she create another opportunity to get them back. together and take
a photo as a keepsake?
¡°Mirry, although I didn¡¯t intend to join The Masked Singer this time, it was indeed wrong of me not to tell
you in advance. How about I take you out for a trip in a few days to make it up to you?¡±
¡°No need.¡±
Xanthea held her hand, looking guilty, ¡°Are you still unwilling to forgive me?¡±
Miranda looked at her, almost grinding her teeth in frustration, but she couldn¡¯t refuse in front of
everyone, ¡°Then let¡¯s listen to you.¡±
together.
Xanthea smiled and looked at Matthew, ¡°Then Matt, the three of us should go to Didn¡¯t you buy tickets
to Willowdalest time?¡±
¡°Sure! Let¡¯s go with Xan¡¯s n!¡±
Ethan Nightshade and Samuel were unhappy, ¡°We want to go too.¡±
¡°Well, there aren¡¯t enough tickets. Let¡¯s go together next time!¡±
On the flight to Willowdale, in the first-ss cabin, Xanthea took her ticket.and sat down next to a
stranger, then turned around and enthusiastically waved at Matthew and Miranda, ¡°Matt, Mirry,e sit
here!¡±
Matthew looked at the seat, puzzled, ¡°Xan, aren¡¯t you sitting with me?¡±
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Chapter 3
Miranda also looked at her strangely; the first-ss seats on the ne were paired together, and they
bought three tickets, so the single seat was obviously hers, but Xanthea had already taken it.
¡°I¡¯ve been feeling a bit airsicktely, afraid that sitting with Matt will make me want to talk,
and that would make me even more nauseous!¡±
¡°Then I can take care of you.¡±
¡°No need, no need!¡± Xanthea waved her hand, ¡°I¡¯ll just sleep for a while now, and then enjoy Willowdale
when we get there.¡±
¡°Okay then.¡±
Matthew couldn¡¯t argue with her and sat down next to Miranda.
The tension between them from their argument outside the Discovery Pavilion hadn¡¯t dissipated, so
Matthew put on earplugs and a sleep mask and dozed off.
Miranda, seeing his actions, had a slight change in expression.
Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.
Men are truly fickle; just earlier, he was flirting with her and now, pretending as if nothing. happened as
soon as she¡¯s no longer useful.
If it weren¡¯t for Xanthea pressuring her in front of the family, she would never havee
on this trip!
After the two settled in, Xanthea silently took out her phone and connected to an external
device.
She had installed a miniature listening device and a pinhole camera on Matthew¡¯s briefcase, so every
move they made would be reflected in detail on her phone throughout the journey.
As the ne was about to take off, Miranda got up to go to the restroom. Passing by first row of the VIP
seats in the first-ss cabin, she unexpectedly saw a man with a
and extraordinary sleeping face.
Mr. Lockwood?!
She turned around, only to see the elegant man reclining lightly on the couch, eyes sligh closed,
breathing evenly. In front of him were aputer and several folders, the shimmering screen reflecting
on his dark suit and impable features. Even while sleeping, a sense of refined nobility emanated
from his bones, stirring the heart.
Seeing him up close like this was more impactful than on The Masked Singer stage; Miranda¡¯s heart
was in turmoil, mixed with a hint of joy.
She never expected to encounter him here; was this fate?
Unfortunately, this fate could onlyst until the nended.
14:57
No, she had to find a way to hold on to it
Chapter 32
Chapter 32
A flight attendant glided down the aisle, her cart clinking with beverages. Seizing the moment, Miranda
grabbed a ss of red wine, quickly adjusted her hair, and strode toward the first-ss cabin, aiming
directly for the VIP seats. Just a step away from her target, she stumbled, drenching a man¡¯s brand-
new suit pants in wine.
¡°Hey!¡±
Cedric, who was seated nearby, was the first to react, pausing his work.
¡°What¡¯s going on here?¡±
¡°I¡¯m so sorry, I just felt a bit dizzy and lost my bnce.¡± Miranda clutched her forehead, her face a
picture of remorse as she apologized repeatedly. ¡°Maybe I can help clean that up for you?¡±
As she spoke, she knelt by Orion¡¯s feet, her hands reaching for his pants.
The cold wine had disturbed Orion from his light doze. His eyes snapped open to a pitiful face looking
up at him, her eyes red and pleading. Suddenly, a fierce re shot from his eyes, ¡°Scram!¡±
That single word sent chills through Miranda, causing her hands, which were about to touch his leg, to
tremble with fear.
Cedric, experienced in corporate dealings, had seen through Miranda¡¯s intentions from the moment she
knelt. Trying to attract the attention of Orion with such a crude tactic wasughable. He hadn¡¯t had the
chance to intervene before Orion woke up.
Already suffering from insomnia and having worked intensively for several days, Orion had just
managed to catch a bit of sleep on the flight, only to be rudely awakened.
¡°I¡¯m so sorry, sir, it wasn¡¯t intentional.¡±
Xanthea, engrossed in adjusting the resolution of her smartphone¡¯s external device, was suddenly
drawn by themotion at the front of the first-ss cabin. Rushing flight attendants headed in that
direction.
Was that Miranda¡¯s voice?
What happened?
She put away her phone and approached the VIP exclusive seats, catching glimpses of the scene
through several flight attendants trying to calm the situation.
What¡¯s going on?
Orion? Miranda?
Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
Why was Miranda kneeling in front of Orion?
1/3
¡°I can help clean it up orpensate.¡±
¡°Miss, please step aside immediately; we will handle this ourselves!¡±
Hearing Cedric¡¯s words, and seeing Miranda with the wine ss and her overdone act of contrition,
Xanthea got it.
This bitchy girl, always seizing any opportunity to hook up with men, had just spilled wine on Orion¡¯s
pants.
Such a tactic, whether clever or tacky, was debatable.
¡°I¡¯m sorry, sir.¡±
Before Miranda could persist, Cedric was about to intervene when a familiar voice cut through.
¡°Hey, sis, what happened? Why are you kneeling here?¡±
Xanthea pushed past the flight attendants and feigned surprise at the scene, ¡°Mr. Lockwood, what a
coincidence to see you again, good morning.¡±
Orion¡¯s irritation seemed to vanish at the sight of her, like a gust of wind clearing away storm clouds,
leaving only a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
Sister?
As Cedric heard her speak, he finally realized that the woman kneeling was Miranda Nightshade, the
adopted daughter of the Nightshade family he had seen on ¡°The Masked Singer.¡± No wonder she
seemed familiar; he thought she was just another employee who had tried to scheme against Orion
before!
¡°Xan, I identally spilled wine on this gentleman.¡±
¡°Good morning, Ms. Nightshade.¡±
Her tearful exnation was interrupted by his greeting, calm and rich, like a refreshing breeze on a
summer day, starkly different from his earlier hostile tone.
Miranda froze.
Why?
Was it because he didn¡¯t recognize her? Or simply because Xanthea was the legitimate heiress of the
Nightshade family?
¡°Oh, it was just a misunderstanding, everyone here is acquainted, no need for such a
fuss.¡±
Bending down, Xanthea gently helped Miranda up, introducing her, ¡°This is Mr. Lockwood, CEO of the
Lockwood Group. He attended mying-of-age ceremony at Lakeside Manor and was a special
guest on ¡®The Masked Singer, remember, Miranda?¡±
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14:58
¡°I-I just didn¡¯t recall immediately.¡±
Miranda awkwardly exined while Xanthea patted her shoulder reassuringly, ¡°It¡¯s okay, I¡¯ve this. You
can go back to your seat now¡±
got th
What?
The abrupt turn of events stunned Miranda.
¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±
A flight attendant urged her from behind, ¡°Please return to your seat, miss, the ne is about to take
off.¡±
¡°No, it¡¯s nothing.¡±
Miranda turned around, her face finally betraying her frustration.
She had taken such a risk to connect with Orion, only to be effortlessly ousted by Xanthea. Why did
everything have to be apetition with hertely!
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Chapter 33
Chapter 33
watched Miranda leave the room with a stiff back and couldn¡¯t help but smirk triumphantly. That
schemer didn¡¯t get what she wanted-must be fuming now!
As she turned to apologize to Orion, he spoke first, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I didn¡¯t know she was your sister.¡±
Xanthea raised an eyebrow, pleased by his ignorance.
¡°It¡¯s alright, but your pants.¡±
She nced down and upon seeing the specific area of his soaked suit pants, she quickly looked
away, recalling thest glimpse she had caught in the hotel before their hasty departure.
Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
This Miranda, really bold, huh? Sshing with such precision, wasn¡¯t she afraid Orion would explode in
anger?
Orion looked down, his gaze turning dark and stormy, ¡°I¡¯ll go to the restroom to handle. this.¡±
Xanthea quickly stepped aside, ¡°Sure!¡±
Cedric approached, ¡°Ms. Nightshade, what brings you here?¡±
¡°Just traveling.¡±
¡°To Willowdale? What a coincidence.¡±
¡°What else?¡± Xanthea eyed his skeptical look, her brows slightly raised, ¡°Do you think Mr. Lockwood
here is so charming that I would orchestrate a chance encounter?¡±
Cedric hurriedly replied, ¡°Of course not!¡±
He wanted to cover her mouth as he heard her raise her voice, though he knew she wa fond of Orion.
There was no need for such hurtful remarks!
He just felt that she and Orion had some kind of fate, continuously bumping into each other since her
coming-of-age party, though it seemed like a cursed fate!
Every encounter seemed to guarantee Orion would get hurt, whether sweetly or sorrowfully, likest
time at ¡®The Masked Singer¡¯.
¡°I¡¯m sorry about today, I should head back.¡±
Xanthea waved him off, about to return to her seat when she noticed Miranda casting a subtle nce in
her direction.
Still not giving up? With such persistence, no wonder she had Orion wrapped around her finger in the
past life.
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Chapter
¡°Excuse me, miss.¡±
Several chefs from the kitchen began bringing out dishes, each revealing enticing and aromatic food
that could whet anyone¡¯s appetite.
Xanthea was stunned, ¡°Did you bring your own chefs?¡±
Cedric nodded, ¡°Yeah, Mr. Lockwood doesn¡¯t have a great appetite. So, whenever he travels, he brings
along the Lockwood family¡¯s private chef.¡±
¡°That extravagant? You think you own the ne or something?¡±
¡°Well, Hayes Airport actually belongs to the Lockwood Group. We didn¡¯t notify the air traffic control in
time today because the trip was so sudden, that¡¯s why we didn¡¯t use the private jet.¡±
Xanthea was speechless. The world of the wealthy was beyond her understanding, but she had a n
to thwart that schemer.
¡°Actually, I haven¡¯t been feeling well either, didn¡¯t eat much since getting on the ne, and now seeing
all this, I¡¯m kind of hungry.¡±
Cedric looked puzzled; they had just boarded the ne, hadn¡¯t they?
Xanthea raised her eyebrows at him, Cedric still confused, what did she mean?
Ten minutester, Orion returned from the restroom to find a scene before him.
Xanthea was sitting cross-legged in the corner of the sofa, her curly blond hair almost enveloping her
petite figure, her palms cradling a juicy peach, nibbling on it bit by bit. Her cheeks gently puffed out with
each bite, her darkshes fluttering, making her look like a cunning, fluffy fox secretly enjoying a peach
in a fairy-tale forest.
Caught in the act by Orion, Xanthea stuttered, ¡°Cedric told me to eat!¡±
Cedric, who was wrongfully implicated and seated beside her, protested, ¡°It wasn¡¯t me, I
swear!¡±
Orion didn¡¯t react but just stared at her in a daze. Seeing him spaced out, possibly charmed, Xanthea
waved her hand, ¡°Mr. Lockwood? Orion?¡±
Snapping out of it, Orion quicklyposed himself and pushed several dishes and desserts in front of
her, ¡°Help yourself.¡±
¡°You¡¯re the best!¡± Xanthea shed a satisfied, sweet smile, ¡°Then I won¡¯t hold back!¡±
Rolling up her sleeves, she was about to dive into the dish when her utensils clinked against Orion¡¯s,
though she picked up a piece of sea cucumber while Orion picked out some finely chopped onions.
¡°You don¡¯t eat onions either?¡± she asked, surprised, feeling a kinship, ¡°What a coincidence, I don¡¯t like
them either. Seems we have simr tastes, we could share a meal!¡±
Chapter 34
Chapter 34
Her offhandment made the man pause in his vegetable picking before he muttered a low, ¡°Yeah, I
don¡¯t like it.¡±
Cedric, standing nearby, shook his head discreetly.
Xanthea really was clueless. If Orion didn¡¯t like onions, there was no way the private chef would include
them. Clearly, Orion knew she disliked them and had picked them out on
purpose.
Xanthea chewed on her sea cucumber, relishing its light, meaty taste, smooth without being greasy. It
was like a dance on her taste buds. ¡°This is delicious, Orion. Where did you find this chef? Their
cooking is way better than my nanny¡¯s!¡±
¡°If you like, I can arrange for them to cook for you sometime.¡±
¡°No need for that, though I¡¯d really like to meet them.¡±
¡°What for?¡±
¡°Just to admire someone who can cook this well.¡±
¡°You have a thing for people who can cook?¡± Orion looked up at her, and Xanthea caught a fleeting
spark in his eyes, almost like a mirage. ¡°Yeah, I think people who can cook are incredibly charming.
Unlike me, I¡¯m all thumbs in the kitchen, no matter how much I try to learn.¡±
¡°You¡¡±
¡°What?¡± Xanthea looked at him, noticing his hesitation.
¡°Nothing.¡±
You are irresistibly charming, too.
Xanthea didn¡¯t press further and continued eating her piece of carp. Mid-chew, Orion ced a tablet in
front of her.
Curiously, she picked it up and when she saw the dazzling array of jewelry on the screen, she couldn¡¯t
help but exim, ¡°These pieces are stunning! You can¡¯t find these in regr stores; they must be
collectors¡¯ items for the ultra-rich, right?¡±
¡°Last time, your help was crucial in securing a deal with the MJ Group. I haven¡¯t had a chance to thank
you properly. If you like, all these pieces are for you, Ms. Nightshade.¡±
What? All these pieces? For her?
Xanthea was speechless, just about to respond when a tiny carp bone lodged in her throat, and she
dared not speak, her face turning pale.
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Chapter 34
Orion noticed her difort, his expression immediately sharpening. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±
¡°Ah.¡±
Xanthea opened her mouth, pain evident as she pointed to her throat. Orion instantly understood,
stepping forward to hold her chin. ¡°Don¡¯t move!¡±
His deep, soothing voice seemed to have a magical effect, and Xanthea obeyed instinctively, feeling
him gently tilt her head back against the couch, his fingers prying open her jaw before reaching into her
mouth.
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Xanthea widened her eyes in surprise, but the pain quickly brought her focus back.
Fingers were fine as long as they could remove the bone. It was too ufortable stuck in her throat,
and his fingers, slender and precise, almost like tweezers.
But she had overestimated her tolerance and underestimated the bone¡¯s persistence.
¡°Ah!Ahh!¡±
¡°Stop, it hurts, it really hurts.¡±
¡°Orion, be gentle, it¡¯s so painful!¡±
¡°It seems to be going deeper, it¡¯s really stuck, what do we do?¡±
¡°Slow down, please, just stop! Ohh.¡±
When Orion finally saw the bone, he was confident he could remove it, but the process proved
excruciatingly difficult.
Her lips, red as roses, were soft and tempting.
As his fingers entered, they were enveloped in an unexpectedly warm and slippery sensation, sending
shivers down his spine.
Orion¡¯s body tensed, hearing her intermittent moans, which sounded distressingly enticing. despite her
obvious pain.
He tried to focus, but the relentless buzzing in his brain and the overwhelming sensations made him
falter again and again.
Nothing had ever been this challenging.
After what felt like an eternity, the bone was finally extracted. Xanthea swallowed a few times to ensure
there was no more difort or pain and sighed in relief, ¡°Ah! It¡¯s out.
That feels so much better.¡±
¡°Thank you!¡±
She twisted her neck, looking at Orion, only then noticing his face and neck were flushed, his brow
sweaty, his eyes dark and intense, his Adam¡¯s apple bobbing with each swallow as if he had endured
an excruciating ordeal.
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Chapter 35
Chapter 35
¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Xanthea muttered under her breath. She¡¯d only bitten into a fish and now her mouth
was a battleground where a tiny bone had decided to lodge itself. But it wasn¡¯t just the pain that caught
her off guard-it was Orion¡¯s reaction. The man was blushing furiously, looking for all the world like he
had when she had applied some scar treatment lotion on his back at the gemstone auction. Back then,
his shyness had a clear cause-her touch. But now?
Her mind reyed the sharp yelp she had let out while trying to dislodge the fishbone. It had been a
bit,well, suggestive, perhaps. Was that why he was acting like a shy
schoolboy?
It was almostical. This was the same man who, at the n Hotel, had seemed almost a different
beast-ferocious and intense. How could one person flip so drastically between such extremes?
¡°You okay?¡± she finally asked, breaking the awkward silence.
¡°I¡¯ll just go to the bathroom to take care of this Orion said abruptly, standing up with the offending bone
held delicately between his fingers. His voice was oddly hoarse.
¡°Sure.¡±
She watched him pause halfway to the bathroom, his silhouette tall and imposing. ¡°Don¡¯t eat any more
fish till I get back. I¡¯ll check it for bones.¡±
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Really? Orion was offering to pick her fish clean? Xanthea, the only girl in the wealthy Nightshade
family, had been pampered all her life but never to the extent of having someone else check her food
for bones. The gesture was sweet, albeit a bit too intimate for their level of acquaintance. It seemed he
truly appreciated her help-so much so that he¡¯d even offered her a collection of expensive jewelry as a
thank-you.
¡°Okay,¡± she replied, not touching the fish dish again. After a while, her stomach full and satisfied, she
nced at the time. Nearly twenty minutes had passed; what was taking Orion so long?
She yawnedzily, sinking deeper into the couch and began scrolling through her phone. Before she
knew it, her eyes drifted shut, and she dozed off.
When Orion returned, he found Xanthea asleep, curled up like a small fox in the corner of the couch.
The remnants of his earlier frustration softened at the sight. Gently, he draped. his jacket over her, his
fingers inadvertently brushing through her thick, wavy hair.
Cedric, who had finished his work, stole a nce at his boss kneeling next to the sleeping girl, inhaling
the scent of her hair like some scene straight out of a creepy movie.
¡°Babe,¡± Orion murmured, then caught himself. He reluctantly let go of her hair and closed his eyes,
expecting a sleepless night. Yet, lulled by the soft rhythm of her breathing next to
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him, he drifted into a deep sleep.
Meanwhile, Miranda, having returned to her seat, kept checking her watch. After nearly ant hour, her
patience wore thin, and she made to check on Xanthea, only to be stopped by Cedric.
¡°Ms. Moore, don¡¯t think I didn¡¯t warn you. Mr. Lockwood let it slide the first time because of Ms.
Nightshade, but if there¡¯s a next time, I doubt you¡¯ll have much of a future in
showbiz.¡±
As the ne¡¯s inte announced their arrival at Willowdale Holiday Resort, Xantheal stirred awake.
Feeling the jacket draped over her, she brought it to her nose, inhaling the light scent of pine that was
uniquely Orion¡¯s. The dreamy feeling lingered; she had dreamed of running through vast forests.
She sat up, the painting-like peaceful face of Orion beside her a stark contrast to his usually icy
demeanor. ¡°Never thought ¡®Sleeping Beauty¡¯ could apply to a guy,¡± she whispered to herself.
As she attempted to return his jacket without waking him, she found her path blocked by his long legs.
After hesitating, she decided to carefully step over him, but just as she managed, Orion woke up.
His eyes opened to the confusing sight of Xanthea straddling him.
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Chapter 36
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!
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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.
Chapter 37
Chapter 37
As she walked, she suddenly doubled over, clutching her stomach in pain.
Seeing this, Matthew quickly dropped his luggage, ¡°Xan, what¡¯s wrong?¡±
¡°I don¡¯t know, my stomach just started hurting all of a sudden.¡±
Miranda chimed in, ¡°Xan just had lunch with Mr. Lockwood on the ne, maybe it was something off
with the food.¡±
What?
Matthew paused, Xanthea had lunch with Orion? Didn¡¯t she say she was just going to say
hi?
Xanthea looked up at Miranda, realizing that in her past life, she really had been too
lenient with Miranda. Now, she saw that every action Miranda took was calcted and cun ning.
Matthew said, ¡°Xan, just hang in there, the car is outside. We¡¯ll head straight to the hospital!¡±
¡°No need, I just need to use the restroom.¡±
She waved off his concern and quickly headed towards the bathroom.
¡°Xan.¡±
Matthew watched her leave, then turned to Miranda, ¡°How did you know Xan had lunch with Orion?
Why didn¡¯t you tell me?¡±
¡°Matt, you put on your earplugs the moment we boarded the ne. Didn¡¯t want to talk to me, right?
Why should I bother trying to chat if I¡¯m just going to get shut down? And remember at the Discovery
Pavilion, you said if I wasn¡¯t Xanthea¡¯s sister, I¡¯d be nothing to you. Why should I have any obligation to
tell you anything?¡±
Miranda looked at him, a smirk crossing her face, ¡°What¡¯s that expression, Matt? Are scared? Or are
you jealous?¡±
Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
you
It definitely wasn¡¯t jealousy. Everyone but Xanthea could see that Matthew wasn¡¯t really interested in
her; he was just eyeing the substantial wealth of the Nightshade Group, seeing her as a step up. If not,
he wouldn¡¯t be flirting with her while dating Xanthea.
But ever since Xanthea¡¯sing-of-age ceremony, her demeanor had changed significantly, and upon
meeting Orion, Matthew began to fear losing the backing of the Nightshade family, bing more
proactive towards Xanthea.
¡°Don¡¯t worry, Orion would never be interested in Xanthea.¡±
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Chapter 37
No matter how much Xanthea changed, she couldn¡¯t shed her naive, love-struck nature.
Winning the grand finale of ¡®The Masked Singer¡¯, what a prestigious honor and such fame! Instead of
capitalizing on this to break into show business, Xanthea was wasting her time on a romantic getaway
with Matthew. What a fool!
A man like Orion, destined to stand at the pinnacle of the Crestwood business world, would never fancy
such a trivial woman. His interest in Xanthea was solely because she was the heiress to the
Nightshade family!
Matthew couldn¡¯t refute her words but still felt an uneasy twinge in his heart.
He had never doubted Xanthea¡¯s sincerity towards him. Before Orion came into the picture, she only
ever had eyes for Matthew, never initiating conversation with other men, let alone having lunch with
them.
And the way Orion looked at Xanthea was unfathomable, but Matthew¡¯s instinctive male wariness
reminded him to keep her away from Orion. It was just too risky.
Especially since hering-of-age, her striking looks and sharp wit were bing more apparent.
As time ticked by, Matthew and Miranda grew impatient, frequently checking their watches.
1
¡°Why hasn¡¯t Xane out yet? I hope nothing¡¯s wrong. Miranda, could you check on her, please? Wait
a minute.¡±
Chapter 38
Chapter 38
Matthew¡¯s mobile phone suddenly received a text message, which was from Xanthea.
[Matt, my tutor called me temporarily to inform me that there is a problem with my thesis, which may
affect my graduation. I must go back to school to revise it immediately. It¡¯s urgent, so I will leave first! I
didn¡¯t have time to tell you, and I can¡¯t travel with you. I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯ll make up for it next time! But since
you are there, it¡¯s hard to get a ticket for those exhibitions, so you and Miranda can take a good look for
me. Remember to take more photos of the exhibition for me. Oh, you know like those the most!]
¡°Xan went back?¡±
Matthew looked at the text message in shock as if he was watching a prank, and Miranda also received
the same text message.
Could there be such a coincidence?
And the time was toote to tell them in person?
What the hell was Xanthea up to? It was as if Miranda couldn¡¯t see through her anymore since her
coming-of-age.
¡°It¡¯s done!¡±
Xanthea typed the message quickly, her fingers a blur on the screen. She had nned to catch the
earliest flight back to Crestwood, but as she nced out at the airport¡¯s panoramic view of the endless
blue ocean and the tropical palm breezes that seemed to brush the pink clouds above, she was
captivated once more.
Willowdale had always been a dream destination for her. In her past life, she had insisted on visiting
with Matthew, but back then, Matthew¡¯s affections were already secretly engaged with Miranda, leaving
Xanthea feeling neglected. She had been too fixated on him to truly appreciate the beauty around her.
Now that she was here again, she couldn¡¯t let this opportunity slip by.
After leaving the airport, she made her way to various famousndmarks and trendy food spots, taking
selfies and soaking in the local culture. At a renowned wishing tree, an old monk unexpectedly handed
her a fan inscribed with the words-You will encounter the love of your life in Willowdale.
Really? In her previous life, the word ¡®love¡¯ had almost destroyed her. Now, it made her shudder.
This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
As dusk fell, Xanthea found herself in the bustling center of Willowdale, surrounded by tourists all
staring up at a giant digital screen, animatedly discussing the ongoing show. She looked up to see
herself performing in the grand finale of ¡®The Masked Singer¡¯-her song ¡°Butterfly¡± was ying.
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er voice is like
¡°Oh my gosh, I¡¯ve been loving hertely! Not only is she gorgeous, but her something out of heaven!¡±
¡°To debut with such a song and win the championship, she really is something special. It¡¯s
mesmerizing!¡±
¡°That song has been topping the charts on Jasmine Music for days now. It¡¯s a pity Xanthea doesn¡¯t
have an official social media profile, or I¡¯d definitely follow her. I heard a fan club sprang up and it¡¯s
already nearing ten million followers in just a few days. She¡¯s as popr as a B-list celebrity!¡±.
¡°She¡¯s so beautiful, she has to debut as a star. We just have to wait and see!¡±
¡°I agree, it¡¯d be a waste of talent if she didn¡¯t pursue a career in entertainment!¡±
Hearing the lively chatter of the group of girls next to her, Xanthea couldn¡¯t help but interject, ¡°She
probably won¡¯t debut.¡±
The moment the words left her mouth, the chattering girls went silent, turning to her with puzzled looks.
Xanthea, donning a fisherman¡¯s hat and now covering her face with the fan, remained unrecognized.
¡°Who are you? How do you know she won¡¯t debut?¡±
¡°Yeah, why would you say that?¡±
¡°Because she wasn¡¯t trained, she might not be able topete with others in the industry. Plus, singing
is just a hobby for her. Maybe after this song, she won¡¯t release another, and her poprity will fade
quickly.¡±
Chapter 39
Chapter 39
Xanthea had always dreamed of bing a renowned chemist, but as she nced at the group of
girls before her, their expressions had noticeably hardened.
Each one red at her with furrowed brows and piercing stares, as if they were ready to
skin her alive!
She wasn¡¯t part of any fan club and had no idea that her words had unwittingly hit a nerver with these
star-chasing girls. Sensing danger, she paused briefly before turning to make a
run for it.
To her dismay, the girls chased after her in fury.
¡°Stop right there!¡±
¡°Don¡¯t run, tell me whose fan are you!¡±
¡°Xan hasn¡¯t even debuted, and you¡¯re already cursing her to fail; that¡¯s so cruel! Stop, I¡¯m going to
expose you as a hater!¡±
What?
Xanthea was terrified by their relentless pursuit, dashing with all her might until she reached a deste
golden beach, finally losing sight of them.
¡°Fandoms these days are terrifying, they even chase down their own idols!¡±
Gasping for air, she prepared to head back when she faintly heard a baby-like crying
sound.
As night fell, stars sprinkled across the dark sky, casting a glittering glow on the beach.
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Scanning her surroundings, Xanthea spotted a small, adorable figure on arge rock by the shoreline.
Approaching, she discovered it was a four or five-year-old boy.
The little boy wore trendy Air Jordans and a loose T-shirt paired with tapered cargo pants, topped with
a white baseball cap, looking both cool and cute from behind.
Out here alone at night, he must have gotten separated from his parents.
¡°Hey little guy, are you lost?¡± Xanthea greeted him as he turned his face towards her.
Underneath his baseball cap was a stunningly handsome and adorable face that took her breath away.
His delicate, fair face was slightly furrowed, his thin lips were as pink as peach petals, and his thick
eyshes fluttered like fine feathers over his sparkling blue eyes, making him. look like a pristine doll
from a disy case-utterly heart-melting!
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Chapter 39
This was the umpteenth time that day Sebastian Thompson had been approached. He had intended to
ignore her, but her voice sounded kind of nice, so he turned around.
He hadn¡¯t expected her to be so pretty; pretty enough to make him almost gape, but as gorgeous as
she was, he disliked nosy people.
He snorted and turned his face away.
Xanthea found his aloof demeanor amusing and sat down beside him.
¡°You can¡¯t sit here!¡±
¡°I just did. What are you going to do about it?¡±
Sebastian red at her with wide eyes, his usual rebuff having deterred many that day,
earning him scoldings for his ungratefulness. But she-she was being even more childish. than a child,
utterly juvenile!
¡°So cute!¡±
His annoyed expression was too adorable, and Xanthea couldn¡¯t help but pat his head, causing
Sebastian¡¯s face to turn from red to his neck, stuttering, ¡°I¡¯m not cute! I¡¯m fierce, okay?¡±
As a pretty girl, how could she casually pat a boy¡¯s head?
super
Watching his blushing quicken and his sharp, refined features, Xanthea felt a moment of familiarity.
Why did he seem so familiar?
Chapter 40
Chapter 40
¡°Alright, alright, you¡¯re super fierce! Want some candy?¡±
She pulled out a handful of colorful starfish-shaped candies from her pocket, which she had bought at a
popr tourist spot earlier that day. Not only were they pretty, but they tasted absolutely amazing.
¡°Don¡¯t treat me like a little kid!¡± Sebastian said indignantly, but his frown turned into a smile when he
saw the shiny candies in her hand. ¡°Starfish-shaped, wow!¡±
Xantheaughed. If he wasn¡¯t a little kid, then what was he?
The starfish candies quickly bonded the two, turning them into tight buddies. With nothing else to do,
Xanthea sang nursery rhymes and told jokes, making Sebastianugh till he bent over.
But when she mentioned it was gettingte and she needed to take him home, his face. immediately
fell.
¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±
¡°I don¡¯t want to go home.¡± Sebastian mumbled, fiddling with the candy wrappers. ¡°There¡¯s no one at
home, it¡¯s so lonely and-boring, no one to y with.¡±
No one at home?
Looking at his smooth, fair cheeks and his stylish, clean outfit, Xanthea doubted that he was really left
alone.
¡°Where are your mom and dad?¡±
¡°Mom and dad went on a trip abroad. They said my uncle woulde stay in Willowdale for a while to
keep mepany, but I waited and waited, and he never showed up. He¡¯s a liar, and I don¡¯t want to
talk to him ever again!¡±
As he spoke, Sebastian looked like he was about to cry again.
Promising something to a kid and not keeping it, his uncle really was awful!
¡°So you ran away from home?¡±
¡°Yeah!¡± Sebastian sniffled. ¡°If I can¡¯t wait for him, I¡¯ll make sure he can¡¯t find me either!¡±
¡°That¡¯s some serious revenge, but what if he calls the police and they bring you back?¡±
Oh, right!
Sebastian paused, looking at her somewhat panic-stricken. ¡°Then, can I hide at your ce. for a
while?¡±
¡°You¡¯re quite brave, aren¡¯t you afraid I might kidnap you?¡±
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¡°You¡¯re so pretty, if you kidnapped me, I¡¯d just marry you when I grow up!¡±
¡°Huh, always thinking big!¡± Xanthea scooped him up. ¡°Let¡¯s get moving. Better to go back on your own
than have the cops drag you back!¡±
¡°Waaaah, no no,¡± Sebastian kicked his legs and wailed. ¡°What if my uncle still isn¡¯t back?¡±
¡°Then I guess I¡¯ll just have to sacrifice my evening to keep youpany!¡±
¡°Really?¡±
Sebastian¡¯s eyes lit up, wiping away a couple of crocodile tears. ¡°Then let¡¯s hurry back!¡±
¡°Such a drama king!¡±
At Crystal Lakes Estates, number 27,
Inside the luxurious standalone vi, a crystal chandelier cast a soft glow, yet the living room of the
Thompson family was plunged into deep panic and dread.
This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
The ser vants knelt in a flurry, tears streaming down as they faced the man shrouded in a chilling
gloom.
¡°Mr. Lockwood, we¡¯re so sorry, we didn¡¯t know when Sebastian slipped out.¡±
¡°He said he wanted to go to the backyard to fly kites, and Nora and I went upstairs to get the kites. By
the time we came down, he was gone. We thought he was in the garden, but there was nothing there,
the butler knows this too.¡±
¡°Sebastian usually tells us where he¡¯s going, today was really out of the ordinary.¡±
At the entrance, some police officers paced back and forth, making calls, but as time ticked by, the
search teams still had no news about the whereabouts of the Thompson family¡¯s young master.
Helplessly, they looked towards the man at the head of the room offering words offort.
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Chapter 41
¡°Mr. Lockwood, please rest assured, the security in downtown Willowdale has always been top-notch.
We haven¡¯t had any incidents of missing children in thest six months. Sebastian will be found; he
couldn¡¯t have gone far!¡±
The butler looked up, his heart ski pping a beat as he observed the increasingly stern features and icy
re in Orion¡¯s dark eyes.
Ever since Lilian had passed away, Orion¡¯s main concern had been his young nephew.
Despite being swamped with corporate affairs, he made it a point to fly in from Crestwood to Willowdale
every few months just to spend time with Sebastian. It was unimaginable that today, of all days,
Sebastian had mysteriously vanished. This was the first time in
two decades of service with the Thompson family that he had seen Orion this
furiously enraged.
With more than ten hours since Sebastian¡¯s disappearance, the golden window for searching was
closing fast. If anything were to happen to Sebastian, the consequences were unthinkable.
As night deepened, the vi was aze with lights. Orion, after ncing at the clock countless times,
finally lost thest shred of hisposure.
¡°I¡¯ll find him myself.¡±
Outside Vi 27 in Crystal Lakes.
Xanthea stood at the door with Sebastian in tow, utterly stunned. ¡°A five-story vi-this is really your
ce?¡±
¡°Yeah, let¡¯s go inside!¡±
Xanthea was stunned. She had thought she was helping a lost boy she found on the beach, not
realizing he was a yful young heir from a wealthy family. His home was even grander than the
expensive new house her family had recently purchased!
¡°Alright, we¡¯ll¡¡±
Before she could finish, several uniformed officers and a teary-eyed maid ran out from the vi,
ecstatically lifting Sebastian into their arms.
¡°He¡¯s back, he¡¯s back!¡±
¡°Sebastian, where have you been all day? Mr. Lockwood and all of us have been worried sick!¡±
¡°Uncle¡¯s here?¡± Sebastian wriggled excitedly in the arms of one of the officers. ¡°Let me go, I want to
see Uncle!¡±
This cheeky boy had indeed triggered a full-scale rm by sneaking out. Shaking her
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Chapter 41
head, Xanthea said, ¡°Since your uncle¡¯s here, I better not intrude.¡±
¡°No!¡± Sebastian panicked at the thought of her leaving, clutching her hand tightly. ¡°You promised to stay
with me tonight!¡±
¡°That was before your uncle came back.¡±
¡°But, but.¡± He stuttered before suddenly dering with utmost confidence, ¡°But my uncle is
super handsome-the most handsome man in the universe!¡±
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Xanthea was puzzled. What did his uncle¡¯s looks have to do with anything?
¡°Mr. Lockwood, Sebastian-he¡¯s back!¡±
The butler, wiping away tears of relief, hurried to the foyer to report. Orion¡¯s tense expression softened
momentarily.
¡°Uncle!¡±
From afar, Sebastian¡¯s joyful call could be heard.
But before he could rush into his uncle¡¯s arms, a chilling voice stopped him cold. ¡°Sebastian
Thompson,e here now!¡±
Sebastian¡¯s legs halted as he saw the stormy expression on the man in the hall.
Uh-oh, Uncle was angry. Being called by his full name was usually a prelude to a spa nking!
Curious, Xanthea stepped inside, wondering just how handsome his uncle could be. The most
handsome man in the universe¡±? Surely an exaggeration. In her two lifetimes, she¡¯d met many, yet the
only one who could possibly live up to that praise was Orion himself.
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Chapter 42
¡°Help me! My uncle¡¯s gonna clobber me!¡±
She had just stepped into the foyer when Sebastian lunged into her arms, looking up just in time to lock
eyes with a man wielding a golf club.
For a second, both froze.
Xan?
What was she doing here?
Orion? Here of all ces!
Hold on!
Xanthea was stunned, gazing down at Sebastian, who clung tightly to her legs, then back up at the
astonished Orion. Suddenly, it clicked.
Uncle?
Mr. Lockwood?
Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
The most handsome man in the universe?
Could Orion be Sebastian¡¯s uncle?
No wonder she felt a sense of familiarity the moment she first saw Sebastian. Looking closer, there was
indeed a resemnce in their features, although their auras were worlds apart, which is why she hadn¡¯t
made the connection. Sebastian wasn¡¯t kidding when he sang his praises!
¡°Orion? What a coincidence.¡±
Xanthea was the first to recover, shing a smile that said fate works in mysterious ways. She pointed
at the shiny golf club in his hand, ¡°nning to use that for what exactly?¡±
Her sudden appearance caught him off guard, his face still clouded with anger that hadn¡¯t yet
dissipated, mirrored by the menacing gleam of the titanium club.
¡°He was about to-¡±
Before Sebastian could finish, Orion cut him off, ¡°It¡¯s a gift for Seb.¡±
He lowered his gaze and gently ced the golf club back in its box.
When he looked up again, his stormy expression had cleared, reced by a serene rity, ¡°Ms.
Nightshade, what brings you here?¡±
The Thompson family¡¯s staff and butlers were dumbstruck.
They had all braced for Orion¡¯s thunderous wrath, assuming Sebastian was in for a
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beating. Yet, the mood shifted in an instant from a tempest to calm skies. Who was this girl who could
sway Orion¡¯s emotions so effortlessly?
Previously, even when Sebastian had made serious mistakes, not even his parents could prevent Orion
from meting out discipline. Yet here was this girl, who needed only a nce to do so!
Sebastian was also stunned; he had merely hoped the lovelydy would buy him some time, but she
actually managed to make his uncle put down his weapon!
She truly was his guardian angel!
¡°I got lost ying outside today, and this lovelydy brought me back!¡±
Sebastian¡¯s grip on Xanthea¡¯s leg tightened, as if clinging to a lifeline.
A real angel then, descending upon each dark, forgotten corner to rescue those on the brink of despair.
Orion¡¯s gaze on her grew intense and searing, almost losing control as his soul seemed drawn to her.
Just as he was about to lose himself, his eyes shifted slightly, resting on Sebastian¡¯s small hands
clutching her leg.
Feeling that intense stare, Sebastian shivered.
That gaze was terrifying!
1
It was like the fierce boss in a superhero show suggesting that if he kept holding onto the lovelydy,
his fingers might just get chopped off!
Why though? She wasn¡¯t his to im!
Xanthea noted his fierce look toward Sebastian, realizing that the poor kid might still be in for a rough
time once she left.
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Chapter 43
Although Sebastian was a bit cheeky, his adorable looks and the delightful evening he had. provided
were enough for her to put in a good word for him.
¡°Since he¡¯s back now, please don¡¯t be too hard on him. He only ran out because he waited all day and
you didn¡¯t show up. Patience and guidance are necessary.¡±
¡°Alright.¡±
No sooner had she finished speaking than Orion agreed.
¡°Yay!¡±
Sebastian jumped up in excitement.
Who would have thought that the usually stern and imposing Uncle Orion could be so
obedient!
Xanthea affectionately ruffled his hair, ¡°All settled? Now, you need to promise to behave. and not run off
anymore. I need to head back.¡±
The word ¡®back¡¯ seemed to freeze Orion in ce, and Sebastian stopped his frolicking, clinging tightly
to her legs. The Thompson family¡¯s ser vants quickly came forward to plead, ¡°Miss, we owe you a great
deal for bringing the young master back. We¡¯d be lost without your help. Please, stay for dinner!¡±
¡°We really must express our gratitude!¡±
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Sebastian added, ¡°Please don¡¯t go. I don¡¯t want you to leave!¡±
¡°It¡¯s nothing, really, just a helping hand.¡± Xanthea smiled and shook her head, turning to Orion to help
her out of the situation, but unexpectedly, he also chimed in, ¡°Ms. Nightshade, please stay for dinner.¡±
¡°But I¡¯ve already eaten.¡±
¡°How about somete-night snacks then?¡±
He was persistent.
Scratching her head, Xanthea replied, ¡°That¡¯s very kind of you, but I just had your airline. -meal at
noon, and now a meal here? It doesn¡¯t seem right.¡±
¡°This meal is to thank you, Ms. Nightshade, for bringing Sebastian back.¡±
¡°Miss, please don¡¯t refuse. It would really bother us if you didn¡¯t stay for at least a meal today!¡±
¡°Don¡¯t go, please? Stay and y with me, will you?¡± Sebastian pleaded.
Caught between Sebastian¡¯s pleading and the Thompson family¡¯s hospitality, Xanthea
14:58
nced at her phone, ¡°Well, right now.¡±
Seeing her
Sitation, Orion gently asked with a lowered gaze, ¡°Or, perhaps you have friends waiting outside for you,
Ms. Nightshade?¡±
¡°Huh?¡±
Xanthea paused, then realized he was referring to Matthew and Miranda, as they had. nned a trip
for the day.
¡°No, that¡¯s not it. I prefer the natural beauty of Willowdale, while Miranda and Matthew like to visit
exhibits, so we split up. But isn¡¯t it a bit too early for ate-night snack?¡±
Sebastian was eager, ¡°If it¡¯s too early, why don¡¯t you y with me.¡±
Sebastian was about to suggest ying ball but nced at Orion and switched gears, ¡°Could you help
me with my homework?¡±
¡°Homework?¡±
¡°Yes!¡±
Before she could respond, she was hurried into the study by a little force of urgency.
Once inside, he quickly shut the door as if to prevent her escape.
¡°Please, you have to help me out!¡±
He looked
up at her with a pout and a face ready to cry. Xanthea couldn¡¯t help but pinch his chubby cheeks, ¡°Let¡¯s
talk properly, no cutesy stuff.¡±
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Chapter 44
¡°I sneaked out to y today, and my uncle is already super mad. If he finds out I haven¡¯t finished my
homework, he¡¯s definitely going to spank me. So can you help me out?¡±
¡°Homework help, huh?¡±
Xanthea nced at the stack of elementary school workbooks on the desk and nodded, ¡°You¡¯vee
to the right person, kiddo. I¡¯m a total genius!¡±¡±
¡°That¡¯s awesome!¡±
They sat down at the desk, Xanthea flipping through the easy-peasy problems, ¡°Which one should we
start with
Sebastian said, ¡°Language, I guess. I¡¯m not great at it.¡±
¡°Alright, let¡¯s start with the exercise then.¡±
Xanthea picked up a pencil and circled the question, when suddenly, a beautiful fruit tter appeared
before her, filled with cherries strawberries, bananas, and peaches-all her favorites.
She looked up to see Orion, a bit surprised, ¡°Mr. Lockwood, you¡¯re too kind, bringing me this fruit tter
yourself.¡±
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¡°No problem. Need me to peel anything?¡±
Peel?
What here needs peeling?
As she pondered, she noticed the bananas. He meant the bananas?
It was unusual; people usually offer to peel apples or pears, but bananas?
For a moment, it felt like being back on the ne, when she heard him offer to pick bones out of fish-a
surreal moment. How could such a considerate man be portrayed by the media as some ruthless
tycoon?
¡°No need, I need to help Seb with his homework first.¡±
Orion nced at Sebastian, who was munching on strawberries with his feet propped up, ¡°Are you sure
about tutoring him?¡±
Xanthea detected the skepticism in his voice and raised an eyebrow, ¡°Doubting my skills?¡± Little did he
know, she had graduated from Crestwood Hall Academy as the top student at the age of 18-a feat not
achieved in nearly a century.
Why would he doubt a prodigy?
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Orion stared at her, inspired by the fierce intelligence in her eyes, and said nothing. Xanthea decided to
prove her mettle with action.
¡°Seb, let¡¯s tackle the first question. Make a sentence using ¡°I, ¡°ballet, ¡®grandpa, ¡®a, ¡®principal,
¡®performed, and ¡®for.¡±
Sebastian wiped his mouth and blurted out without thinking, ¡°The principal and grandpa performed a
ballet for me!¡±
Xanthea¡¯s forehead creased, ¡°You think you¡¯re that influential to have the principal dance for you?¡±
¡°My grandpa performed a ballet for the principal?¡±
¡°Well, you are amazing.¡±
Sebastian furrowed his brows, seemingly stumped. Just as Xanthea was about to steer him toward
using himself as the subject, he suddenly eximed, ¡°The principal performed a ballet for my grandpa!¡±
Xanthea¡¯s mouth twitched-Dare he say that again?
¡°Right? Xan, am I not super smart?¡±
Xanthea thought, ¡°Smart, you¡¯re a real genius!¡±
Xanthea felt a bit embarrassed, only to see Orion across the table, a faint smile ying at his lips, and
she was unexpectedly dazzled.
Was this the first time she¡¯d seen him smile?
She hadn¡¯t expected that a man who usually seemed so aloof could have a smile that was so
disarming, almost ethereal. She dared not imagine how weak at the knees she¡¯d be if he whispered
sweet nothings with that smile.
¡°Xan,e on, praise me! Stop staring at Uncle Orion!¡±
Sebastian shook her arm, and Xanthea realized she had been gazing at Orion for qu while. What if he
thought she was some kind of flirt?
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Chapter 45
¡°Are you making fun of me?¡±
Orion shook his head, ¡°Not at all.¡±
¡°Yes, you were!¡± Sebastian caught him red-handed, while Xanthea yfully pinched his cheek, ¡°And
you, have you always been this cheeky?¡±
¡°What can I say? There isn¡¯t any other way to put it!¡±
Xanthea teased, ¡°Is there a chance it was ¡®I performed ballet for the principal¡±?¡±
Sebastian looked puzzled, ¡°But I can¡¯t ballet.¡±
¡°It¡¯s not about whether you can dance or not.¡± Xanthea furrowed her brows, ¡°Just write it down!.¡±
Xanthea snapped the workbook closed, ¡°I think your English needs a bit more work. Let¡¯s start with
something simpler, how about math?¡±
Sebastian nodded eagerly, ¡°Oh, I love math, always scoring top marks!¡±
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¡°Good.¡± Xanthea smiled, relieved, ¡°Let¡¯s solve a subtraction problem. 75 minus 16, set it up column-
style. If 5 minus 6 doesn¡¯t work, what should you do?¡±
Sebastian scratched his head, looking confused.
Xanthea started to exin, ¡°You need to borrow 1 from the 7, and that¡¯s what we called ¡®subtraction
with borrowing¡¯. You must have heard of it, right?¡±
Before she could finish, Sebastian interrupted, puzzled, ¡°Why borrow from 7?¡±
¡°Because 5 is less than 6.¡±
¡°But what if 7 doesn¡¯t want to lend it?¡±
Xanthea was almost questioning her own hearing as she stared at him like he was being deliberately
obtuse, ¡°Today, it has to lend whether it likes it or not!¡±
Her voice carried a trace of frustration, and just then,ughter echoed from above, sounding like
mockery. Just moments ago, Xanthea had been confidently challenging him, and now she faced her
first major setback.
Embarrassed, she wondered if Sebastian really was Orion¡¯s nephew. They say nephews are supposed
to resemble their uncles, but other than looks, what simrities did they share?
Everyone in Crestwood knew Orion was a once-in-a-century genius, and Sebastian was certainly a
¡®genius¡¯ in his own unique way.
Determined to prove herself, Xanthea pressed on to the next question, ¡°You must have
14:59 m)
learned this in kindergarten, right? How long is the book in front of you
Pointing to what should be the simplest question, she looked at Sebastian with hope He confidently
answered ¡°10 meters
Ten meters? Are you kidding me
Xanthea nearly choked with frustrati?ON
Now she understood why there were news stories about parents passing out while helping with
homework. A couple mor¨¦ igjject lens and chie might be the one Fainting
The Thompson family¡¯s study, with its semi-gen design allowed the household staff to observe the trio e
interactione. Asughter dicicasionally floated through the room, the servante exchanged surprised and
delighted nces
Chapter 46
Chapter 46
Orion was always a bit of a frosty character, keeping everyone at arm¡¯s length. Despite years of service
at the Thompson household, the staff had never seen him warm up to any guest like he did today, and
he even cracked a rare smile!
¡°Liam, look at Mr. Lockwood, Ms. Nightshade, and Sebastian together. Don¡¯t they look like a family of
three?¡±
¡°Absolutely! They¡¯re just like a newlywed couple helping their son with his homework!¡±
¡°Stop kidding around! Ms. Nightshade is a guest, and she looks quite young, maybe not even of age
yet,¡± the butler reprimanded them, but he couldn¡¯t help smiling too. Mr. Lockwood treated Ms.
Nightshade differently.
¡°Xan, you haven¡¯t said if it¡¯s true or not?¡±
Sebastian blinked his innocent big eyes expectantly at Xanthea, who massaged her forehead and
closed her eyes in resignation. ¡°You just said you always score first in math tests. Is it the highest score
or the lowest?¡±
¡°Of course, the highest!¡±
¡°And how many students are there in your ss?
¡°A lot, why do you ask, Xan?¡±
¡°Are you sure it¡¯s not just you?¡± Xanthea couldn¡¯t take it anymore and when she opened her eyes,
Orion was already smiling, his charm barely concealing her defeat.
¡°Orion, can you stopughing?¡±
¡°I did warn you.¡±
¡°Well, if you¡¯re so smart, why don¡¯t you try!¡±
¡°No, no,¡± Seeing the situation, Sebastian quickly grabbed her sleeve, ¡°Xan, your voice is nice, I want
you to tutor me!¡±
Xanthea stood up, ruthlessly pulling away his hand, ¡°If I tutor you any longer, I¡¯ll turn into a roaring
lioness!¡±
She thought Orion understood Sebastian well enough not to tutor him, but as soon as she stood up, he
took the still-warm chair she had just vacated.
Oh, quite confident, huh? Seems like he¡¯s done this before, got experience?
She was curious to see what tricks he had up his sleeve to handle this little monster.
¡°Pick up the pencil.¡±
¡°Ugh.¡±
14:59 )
Sebastian reluctantly picked up the pencil and flipped open his workbook, then under Orion¡¯s direction,
began to solve problems.
¡°What¡¯s 1+2+3+4+¡+100?¡±
¡°5050!¡±
¡°How did you solve it?¡±
¡°By using the Gauss¡¯s form (first term +st term) x number of terms ¡Â 2.¡±
¡°Describe the picture, in English.¡±
¡°Once upon a time, there was a little fox¡¡±
In just a few minutes of tutoring, it was like a magical movie unfolding before Xanthea.
She couldn¡¯t believe her eyes. Was this the same boy she had been tutoring just ago?
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moments
Not only could he form logical long sentences, but he also knew Gauss¡¯s form!
Was the little rascal just ying with her earlier? Or did he prefer this style of tutoring? What a joke,
Orion¡¯s method wasn¡¯t tutoring at all, it was more like a bossy CEO barking orders!
1
After staring in shock for a while, she realized that this sly uncle-nephew duo was j fooling her!
just
One was ying dumb to tease her, and the other, fully aware of everything, just watched her struggle
in silence.
¡°Very well then!¡± she eximed, finally catching on to their game.
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Chapter 47
Xanthea suddenly leaned forward, her hands resting on their necks as if she were a nimble fox
pouncing on its prey. With a devilish grin aimed slightly towards Sebastian¡¯s face, she said, ¡°Wow,
tutoring really works wonders, huh? You¡¯re like a whole new kid. If I¡¯d known you loved your uncle¡¯s
lessons this much, I wouldn¡¯t havee in.¡±
Xanthea thought, ¡°I should never have trusted this little crocodile¡¯s tears-time to let his behind meet the
harsh reality of a baseball bat¡±
Caught in the act, Sebastian gave a sheepish smile, his head shaking like a bobblehead.
He didn¡¯t really want to buckle down and do homework, but if he waszy or got it wrong, Orion would
spank him!
The girl¡¯s slender, soft hands casually rested on Orion¡¯s neck. As she spoke, her smooth fingertips
seemed to gently stroke the protruding vertebrae, sparking tingles that distracted Orionpletely.
Numbers and symbols blurred before his eyes, and he didn¡¯t.
even hear Xanthea¡¯s words.
So, when Xanthea turned to look at him, she caught him looking utterly distracted. ¡°Mr. Lockwood, so
this is your idea of hospitality, huh?¡±
¡°Yes! Uncle, how can you treat this beautifuldy like this? You make her help me with homework the
moment she steps in, and she¡¯s not even a tutor you hired!¡±
my
¡°Huh?¡±
Xanthea eyed Sebastian, wondering what mischief the little rascal was plotting now. He quickly showed
his true colors, ¡°She should be taking me to y! Hey, let¡¯s go upstairs and y some pool, it¡¯s super
fun!¡±
So he wanted to y, huh? Nice try, kid-do your homework!
Xanthea was about to refuse when she remembered the scene she¡¯d just been tricked into. Not getting
back at them just wasn¡¯t her style!
¡°Sure, Orion, why not?¡±
Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
She withdrew her hand, and after a moment, Orion finally cleared his throat and said, ¡°Alright.¡±
¡°Yay! I love you, beautifuldy!¡±
Upstairs in the game room, Sebastian rushed in and immediately grabbed a pool cue to start setting up
the game.
Xanthea watched his enthusiasm, then turned her attention to the sixteen colorful balls arranged on the
pool table. Her eyes gleamed with mischief. ¡°You y pretty well, Seb. This looks fun.¡±
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Chapter 47
Sebastian asked, ¡°You don¡¯t know how to y pool?¡±
¡°I know some rules, but I¡¯ve hardly yed. I¡¯m not very good. Maybe,¡± she turned to Orion, ¡°Mr.
Lockwood, could you teach me?¡±
¡°Sure.¡±
Orion took a pool cue, gently wiped it down, and slowly demonstrated the proper stance and technique.
Xanthea, however, wasn¡¯t watching his hands or techniques; instead, her gaze was fixed on him.
How could anyone have such grace, posture, and charisma? It was just unfair how effortlessly noble he
looked in any pose.
¡°Need me to demonstrate again?¡±
Orion put down the cue, and Xanthea quickly shifted her gaze away from him. ¡°No need, because I
won¡¯t learn this way. Maybe,¡± she picked up a nearby pool cue and approached him, ¡°Could you teach
me hands-on?¡±
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Chapter 48
Xanthea drew close unintentionally, a faint, sweet scent of iris wafting into his nostrils, intoxicating like a
potion, magnifying her stunning beauty before his eyes. The lingering thrill from moments ago surged
anew, destabilizing hisposure.
¡°I¡¯ve got a tutor at home, I¡¯ll have here up.
He set down his pool cue and turned to head downstairs, but Xanthea, arms crossed, teased him from
behind, ¡°Oh, it seems you can¡¯t handle it, Mr. Lockwood.¡±
Her words stopped him in his tracks.
In the next instant, before Xanthea could react, he grasped her hand and firmly pinned her against the
pool table. ¡°Spread your fingers, arch the joints upwards slowly, thumb pushed
close to the index finger to secure the cue properly, so it won¡¯t slip.¡±
up
His voice, deep and resonant, echoed in her ears. Xanthea was still lost in his fluid, assertive moves.
She tried to move but found his strength overwhelming; her body felt incredibly warm, like being near a
zing fire.
Was it really just a harmless joke that angered him this much?
¡°Wow!¡±
Sebastian covered his mouth with chubby hands, thinking how beautiful the scene looked with his
uncle holding Xanthea!
It was like aic book scene, where a muscr wolf pounces on a fluffy, adorable fox.
Feeling his gaze, Xanthea blushed, half-wishing she could cover his eyes, perhaps because their
current position was somewhat indecent, even though this was typical for teaching pool.
Gathering her scattered thoughts, she followed Orion¡¯s instructions. ¡°Like this?¡±
¡°Yes, keep your left hand a palm and a half away from the tip of the cue, right hand maintaining the
same distance.¡±
¡°Is this right? I think I¡¯m getting the hang of it!¡±
As she spoke, she turned her face slightly, her smooth cheek brushing against his prominent nose. It
was a tingling sensation, stirring the suppressed excitement inside him to roar back to life.
Orion¡¯s Adam¡¯s apple bobbed intensely as his voice grew hoarse, ¡°Focus ahead.¡±
Xanthea was trying to concentrate on the game, but the heat from his body was rising, scorching
enough to burn her the next second.
¡°Mr. Lockwood, are you feeling hot?¡±
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Chapter 48
¡°Focus on the game.¡±
Orion¡¯s voice was firm, though hoarse enough to lose some of its intimidating power.
It was obviously hot, yet she wasn¡¯t allowed to mention it!
Wait, why was he getting even closer? Didn¡¯t he know he was too warm?
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¡°Use your r right thumb and index finger to grip the cue, the other three fingers can also hold it lightly.¡±
The closer he got, the more difficult it was to speak each word, but he couldn¡¯t resist, the person he
could only dream about was right in his arms. He wanted to be closer, much closer, without considering
the consequences.
As he moved in too close, losing all sense of distance, Xanthea suddenly eximed, ¡°So, hitting it like
this should work, right?¡±
Her joy caused a slight movement of her body, inadvertently causing her¡..
Orion¡¯s mind exploded in a burst, as raw desire was starkly revealed. The stiffening of her body was
like a ssh of cold water, snapping him back to reality, causing his grip on the cue to falter.
Chapter 49
Chapter 49
With a loud ¡°thwack,¡± the cue stick missed its mark, and the billiard ball stayed put, not moving an inch.
The awkward moment caught the daydreaming Xanthea by surprise. She was about to point out the
miss when she saw Orion set down his cue and head toward
the restroom.
¡°Hey!¡±
Xanthea wanted to call him back but caught a glimpse of his face contorting slightly, and the reddish
tint at the edges of his eyes.
¡°What¡¯s up with him?¡±
Was teaching her how to y pool that distressing?
¡°It¡¯s nothing, Uncle Orion¡¯s just got a bit of a germ thing. He just hugged you, so he¡¯s definitely going to
wash his hands!¡±
Sebastian scampered over with his legs, and Xanthea¡¯s mouth twitched, ¡°Thanks for the truth bomb,
kid. Wish I hadn¡¯t asked.¡±
But she sensed there was more to it. Right before that failed shot, she¡¯d felt something intensely hot
bounce off her, but before she could react, the sound came.
¡°Though you¡¯re even slower at learning than me! I picked up the game faster than you!¡±
¡°Are you kidding?¡± Xanthea chuckled at him. ¡°I just learned from your uncle and I¡¯ve already got it. Just
wait, I¡¯ll show you how it¡¯s done!¡±
¡°I got it in one go too, but Uncle Orion didn¡¯t look as scary teaching me as he did teaching. you.¡±
Xanthea frowned, ¡°He looked scary?¡±
¡°Yeah!¡± Sebastian nodded vigorously. ¡°Super scary, like a fierce big bad wolf, like he wanted to gobble
you up!¡±
Xanthea was speechless.
Seems like she really did tick him off earlier, using reverse psychology to get him to tea her.
But no worries, she¡¯d get him even more riled up soon enough, especially after he¡¯d made fun of her
earlier in the study.
¡°Enough talk, let¡¯s see who wins a couple of games!¡±
Sebastian said, ¡°Alright!¡±
When Orion came out of the restroom, he saw Xanthea and Sebastian squished together,
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both energetically bantering and ying pool.
¡°Hey, I won again! How cool is that!¡±
Sebastian jumped up and down on a stool joyfully. Seeing Orion, he ran down to boast, ¡°Uncle Orion,
I¡¯ve beaten her over ten times. She¡¯s just no good!¡±
That little rascal!
Xanthea, with her hands on the cue stick resting under her chin, protested, ¡°I¡¯m only this bad because
your uncle messed up his first teaching shot.¡±
She looked over at the man, catching his amused nce, ¡°Right.¡±
What the hell?
What was he doing in the restroom just now?
He had entered with an air of barely suppressed irritability but emerged looking utterly satisfied,
especially those narrow eyes shimmering faintly pink, now twinkling with amusement. Was it even legal
for a man to be this enticing?
Could any woman really handle being his wife?
Swallowing hard, Xanthea quickly changed the subject to hide her flustered thoughts, ¡°Anyway, I
practiced a bit on my own and think I¡¯m getting the hang of it. How about the three of us y a round?¡±
¡°HAHAHA!¡± Sebastian burst outughing. ¡°You can¡¯t even beat me, and you want to y against Uncle
Orion? He¡¯s a pool wizard; you¡¯ll lose so badly!¡±
Listening to his unabashed ridicule, Xanthea narrowed her eyes, ¡°Is that so? Well then, I definitely need
to see this. Great Orion, shall we?¡±
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Chapter 50
Chapter 50
Orion didn¡¯t respond to her; he simply strode over to the pool table and with a smooth. stroke scattered
the racked balls. Skillfully, he pocketed each one, his movements fluid and precise, ying so
beautifully it was almost ridiculous. This prompted Sebastian to jump around, pping enthusiastically.
¡°Amazing! Uncle Orion, you¡¯re incredible!¡±
¡°Xan, are you convinced yet? Want to just give up?¡±
Xanthea watched him intently, a frown knitting her brows.
Ethan and Samuel were right; Orion was an enigma. Just when she thought he was a shy, blushing
guy, he turned into a charming rogue after a few drinks. And just when she assumed he was a
gentleman, he¡¯d go and show off his superior pool skills, embarrassing her in front of the kid.
What kind of man was he, really?
As thest ball dropped into the pocket, Orion slowly put down his cue stick and looked at her. For a
moment, Xanthea thought she saw a gleam of desire for praise in his eyes.
Could it be an illusion?
¡°Good enough?¡±
Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
His voice snapped her out of her thoughts, confirming it was no illusion. This was his of getting back at
her. Was proving himself so important to him?
way
way
¡°Absolutely, more than good enough! Truly, Great Orion, I¡¯ve never seen anyone y pool quite like
that. I¡¯m genuinely impressed!¡±
She praised him sincerely, though Orion could detect a hint of exaggeration and prete in her sparkling
eyes.
Sebastian chimed in, ¡°I told you Uncle Orion is a pool wizard, and you didn¡¯t believe me
¡°Alright, alright. Now it¡¯s your turn.¡±
Xanthea lifted Sebastian onto a bench. He grabbed a cue, and though his shots weren¡¯t as polished as
Orion¡¯s, he did quite well, his chin tilting up proudly. ¡°See that, Xan? You¡¯re definitely losing!¡±
¡°It seems so, huh?¡±
Xanthea rubbed her chin thoughtfully, eyeing both him and Orion. ¡°Since you¡¯re both so confident, how
about we raise the stakes? The winner gets to pick a punishment for the loser, who will have to ept
their fate gracefully.¡±
Her eyes were calm, but a storm was brewing beneath the surface, a sign that the sly fox was about to
show her tail. Orion agreed without hesitation. ¡°Sure.¡±
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14:59
¡°Xan, are you crazy? You¡¯re definitely going to be the one punished. Are you setting. yourself up?¡±
¡°Stop talking. Do you dare take the bet?¡±
¡°Of course!¡± Sebastian was as excited as if he¡¯d caught a falling pie from the sky. ¡°I¡¯ve already thought
of how to punish you. I¡¯ll use that feather to tickle your feet!¡±
Xanthea shuddered at the thought; this kid was even more ruthless than his uncle.
She walked to the pool table, turned slightly, and tossed her lightweight wooden cue into the air. It
twirled several times before she caught it deftly.
As Sebastian gaped, Xanthea swiftly bent down, her hair cascading beautifully. The cuel stick, like an
arrow shot from the sky, struck the central ball with a loud ¡®thunk, sending all sixteen balls rolling
smoothly into the pockets.
The room fell silent, punctuated only by the faint sound of the balls. Sebastian¡¯s mouth hung open wide
enough to fit a quail¡¯s egg, his wide blue eyes blinking in disbelief at the spectacle before him.
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Chapter 51
Chapter 51
Is this magic? It must be magic, right?
Xanthea was a fairy from a magic castle!
Otherwise, how could she perform magic?
Even though Orion had already suspected something, he was still astonished after seeing her series of
smooth movements. His eyes shone with the same fascinated light as Sebastian¡¯s.
After finishing her act, Xanthea pped her hands and looked at the uncle¨Cnephew duo in front of her,
who looked alike and wore identical expressions of admiration. A mischievous smile yed on her lips,
her vanity greatly satisfied, ¡°So, what do you think, gentlemen? Ready to admit defeat?¡±
Xan, you¡¯re so amazing!¡± Sebastian eximed, his eyes lighting up as he rushed toward her. ¡°Are you
a fairy? How do you Can you teach me, please?¡±
¡°Back off, don¡¯t butter me up.¡±
do magic?
Xanthea pushed him away disdainfully, still remembering his earlier antics in the study and his attempt
to tickle her with a feather.
¡°Punishment first, then we¡¯ll talk.¡±
¡°What?¡±
Sebastian frowned, regretting his earlier mockery of this beautifuldy. He knew she would seek
revenge!
He tried to sneak away, but Xanthea caught him, ¡°Orion, your nephew can¡¯t take a loss, what should
we do if he tries to run?¡±
Orion replied, ¡°He won¡¯t get far.¡±
Sebastian looked up in shock at his uncle¡¯s icy tone and thought, ¡°Uncle, aren¡¯t we supposed to be on
the same side? Xanthea is going to punish us!¡±
Xanthea, with a satisfied nod, squinted her smiling eyes.
¡°Xan, that¡¯s cheating! You weren¡¯t this powerful at the
¡°Sweetie, toote now! So, will you take your
punis
If I knew you could do magic, I wouldn¡¯t have agreed!¡±
willingly, or shall your uncle do the honors?¡±
N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.
Caught between a rock and a hard ce, Sebastian reluctantly epted his fate, ¡°Alright, Xan, how
will you punish me? You¡¯re not going to tickle my feet with a feather, are you?¡±
¡°Seb, you seem really scared of feathers. I¡¯m not that mean.¡±
¡°You¡¯re the best, Xan!¡±
As soon as Sebastian finished speaking, Xanthea came up with an even naughtier idea, ¡°I think you
should wear a cute, pink frilly dress and stand in the corner doing a handstand!¡±
¡°Ah-
Sebastian¡¯s expression changed instantly, his mouth agape as h
around the room
in protest,
¡°No
way! I don¡¯t
want to
wear a girl¡¯s dress! If people find out, they¡¯llugh at me!¡±
Xanthea rubbed her hands together like the Big Bad Wolf preparing to catch Little Red Ridi Soon, she
caught Sebastian, and with the help of the butler, dressed him in pink dress. She then joyously took
photos of him standing on his hands in the corner, making a face.
Hood.
as
hunting time!
a sparklin
¡°Seb, look at the camera, be a good boy!¡±
¡°Smile a bit, you look even prettier than the girls!¡±
¡°Wow, Xan, you are so mean.¡±
With her eyshes curled and dimples shallow, Xanthea pinched Sebastian¡¯s nose affectionately,
creating a scene so sweet it seemed almost surreal.
Orion took out his phone and captured the moment.
In the photo, the sweetness of the girl ying with the child was nothingpared to the deep
affection hidden in his eyes.
Chapter 52
Chapter 52
Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
Sebastian had wriggled and squirmed for a good while before he managed to escape from Xanthea¡¯s
clutches. He red helplessly at his uncle, who not only didn¡¯t help but also seemed to enjoy the
torment. He whispered into Xanthea¡¯s ear, ¡°Xan, you can¡¯t y favorites with Uncle Orion! He¡¯s bigger
than me, so his punishment should be tougher!¡±
Watching Sebastian so quickly betray their little alliance, Xanthea couldn¡¯t help but think their nephew¨C
uncle bond was as flimsy as a cheap stic toy. But she certainly wasn¡¯t going to let Orion off the hook
easily.
After happily saving the photos, she walked towards Orion with a mischievously gleeful look in her
eyes.
¡°Mr. Lockwood.¡±
¡°Feeling peckish?¡±
He beat her to the punch.
She hadn¡¯t felt hungry until he mentioned it, but now that she thought about it, after a long tutoring
session with Sebastian that left her fuming and a strenuous half¨Chour pool, she did feel a bit.
Wait a minute, this must be his gourmet trap! She absolutely couldn¡¯t fall for it!
¡°Not hungry, not at all!¡±
Orion said, ¡°I¡¯ll cook.¡±
What?
Xanthea was almost doubting her ears. ¡°You can cook?¡±
¡°Ms. Nightshade, you might not know this, but Mr. Lockwood isn¡¯t just good at cooking: he¡¯s
exceptional. It¡¯s a pity I¡¯ve only had the pleasure once, on his mom¡¯s 30th birthday, just one dish, but it
was memorable. Sadly, I haven¡¯t had that honor again.¡±
The butler seemed nostalgic, his face brightening as he recalled the event.
Xanthea grew more curious.
Who would¡¯ve thought? The once mighty prince of the Lockwood Group, now the top authority at Twin
Towers, could actually cook! She had a soft spot for men who could cook, especially when they were
as infuriatingly handsome as the man before her. The prospect of tasting his cooking¡
Xanthea hesitated, swayed.
Sebastian, seeing her about to be swayed by the promise of food, tugged at her sleeve, ¡°Xan, aren¡¯t
you going to punish Uncle Orion?¡± Right, she had finally cornered this cunning mogul, and she might
not get another chance. She definitely couldn¡¯t let him get away so easily!
¡°If you cook for me, I might consider not treating you as harshly as I did Seb
¡°Deal.¡±
He agreed without hesitation, making Xanthea feel slightly guilty Was she being too barsh?
Her gaze wandered over him, lingering on his chest, recalling the scenes from that night at the n
Hotel that had left her heart racing. The memory of his physique and strength, his sculpted abs and
biceps¡ He must work out regrly, right?
¡°Let¡¯s keep it simple. Do some push¨Cups.¡±
¡°How many?¡±
Xanthea thought for a moment and held up a finger. He still had to cook, so she didn¡¯t want him to
exhaust himself too much.
¡°When you¡¯re done, you have to say, Ms. Nightshade, you¡¯re so awesome, I really admire you!¡±
She sped her hands over her heart, mimicking an adoring fan. Orion, hearing the word ¡®admire had
a flicker of amusement in his eyes. ¡°Okay¡±
Sebastian pouted beside them, ¡°You¡¯re really not fair. You¡¯re letting Uncle Orion off so easy!¡±
¡°Well, that¡¯s the privilege of having culinary skills!¡±
Xanthea followed Orion into the gym area, watching as be loosened his tie and then began to do one¨C
handed push¨Cups!
this how strong men work out?
But
Chapter 53
Chapter 53
Orion had the kind of physique that didn¡¯t scream gym junkie; instead, there was a subtle power behind
his toned muscles, visible even through his crisp white shirt. The thought of him cooking dinner for her
later brought a delightful rush, giving her the peculiar sensation of having hired some sort of CEO¨Clevel
butler.
Afterpleting ten push¨Cups, Xanthea called out to stop, catching Orion¡¯s puzzled gaze.
¡°That¡¯s it!¡±
What was he confused about?
¡°One hundred.¡±
1 1?? F 3 0 ¡À 5 2 ¡Á 5 2 3 %
His voice was calm, and he continued the exercise. Xanthea was stunned. One hundred? One¨C
handed? Had he lost his mind?
She didn¡¯t im to understand the extent of a man¡¯s strength, but she often watched Samuel work out,
and even he struggled past forty. And here Orion was, aiming for a hundred one¨Chanded!
¡°Xan, don¡¯t worry, Uncle Orion¡¯s got the strength!¡± Sebastian chimed in.
*Strength or not, doing a hundred one¨Chanded push¨Cups could break him! Orion, don¡¯t overdo it, get
up. You still have to cook dinner!¡±
As a minute passed, Xanthea¡¯s doubts were thoroughly squashed. Orion hadpleted nearly ny
push¨Cups with ease, his expression unbothered, his form perfect.
Sebastian, watching Xanthea¡¯s astonished face, boasted, ¡°See, I told you Uncle Orion is strong! He
could even manage a hundred with you sitting on him, easily.¡±
Xanthea quickly covered his mouth. What kind of inappropriate things was the kid suggesting?
She was indeed shocked that Orion could effortlessly perform a hundred one¨Chanded push¨Cups, but
the terrifying thought of what could happen if she hadn¡¯t escaped that night at the n Hotel made her
shudder. With his daunting strength, she feared for her life!
Soon, Orion finished the set and stood up, looking at her intently, ¡°Want to give it a try?¡±
¡°Uh, what?¡±
Caught off guard by his suggestion and her own wandering thoughts, Xanthea shook her head
frantically, ¡°Try what? No, no, no!¡±
¡°Hop on.¡±
Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
Xanthea paused, realizing he was still talking about push¨Cups.
¡°No need, you¨Cyou go cook.¡±
1 8 3 8 2 2 2 2 5 5 5 5 3 1/¡À ¡Á
Noticing her blush, Orion¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly as he slowly moved closer, backing her against the
wall.
After his workout, the mild scent of cedar from his body was intensified, mingling with a distinctly
masculine hormone¨Cdriven aroma, enveloping Xanthea tightly, making it hard for her to breathe.
Yet, he kept advancing slowly until he cornered her, her lips trembling slightly, ¡°What¨Cwhat are you
doing?¡±
Orion lowered his gaze; his thick eyshes cast shadows on his cheeks as he leaned in close to her
ear.
¡°Ms. Nightshade, you¡¯re so awesome, I really¡¡±
He paused, his voice trailing off, and all she could hear was a faint whisper of admiration.
His deep, maic voice, slightly breathless from the exercise, was undeniably sexy at such close
quarters. The warm breath hitting Xanthea¡¯s ear sent tingles down her spine, nking out her mind
momentarily.
Chapter 54
Chapter 54
Until Sebastian implored from behind, ¡°Xan, you¡¯re squishing me.¡±
Only then did Xanthea realize Orion had already left.
Damn!
What had just happened to her?
It was as if she had been spellbound for a moment, unable to move. Could Orion be a wizard?
But men after a workout, his voice was too vibrant, too seductive, right? She almost felt her
stiffen!
Wait a minute, did Orion just y a trick on her? The word she really needed to hear was admire.¡±
In the living room, Sebastian and Xanthea sat on the carpet, building with Legos.
he just swallowed them up?
The Thompson family¡¯s staff gathered in aer, gossiping quietly as they watched Orion meticulously
preparing food in the ss¨Cwalled kitchen.
¡°I¡¯ve been working for the Thompson family for ages, but it¡¯s the first time I¡¯ve seen Mr. Lockwood
cook!¡±
¡°The butler mentioned that Mr. Lockwood only cooked once before during his mother¡¯s 30th birthday,
and even then, it was just one dish. Today, he¡¯s ordered a whole array of ingredients!¡±
¡°It¡¯s nearly midnight, and he¡¯s still so dedicated to making a midnight snack. I¡¯ve never seen Mr.
Lockwood this thoughtful for anyone. Do you think Ms. Nightshade might be his girlfriend?¡±
¡°She seems too polite and formal with him for that.¡±
¡°Yeah, but Mr. Lockwood¡¯s behavior is evidently special. Could it be Mr. Lockwood has a crush on Ms.
Nightshade?¡±
¡°You silly, this piece goes here,¡± Xanthea took a block from Sebastian¡¯s hand and ced it on top of
their Lego ship. Sebastian, hands cupping his chubby cheeks and eyes twinkling, stared at Xanthea,
¡°Xan, you¡¯re so magical!¡±
¡°What do you mean? Are you overwhelmed by my beauty and brains?¡±
¡°Not me, Uncle Orion is!¡±
Xanthea raised an eyebrow, ¡°Orion? What do you mean?¡±
¡°I have never seen Uncle Orion so nice and gentle with any girl. He personally washed fruits, yed
ball, and even made snacks. You¡¯re
the first!¡±
The little rascal, seemingly brash and carefree, but with such keen observations.
Xantheaughed, ¡°Maybe it¡¯s because there aren¡¯t many girls around him, so you haven¡¯t seen much.¡±
Orion¡¯s reputation in the outside world was fearsome, a simple inte search could chill the spine, and
most girls naturally steered clear, just like she would have in her past life. If it weren¡¯t for witnessing him
avenging her death and learning that he was her lifesaver, she probably would never have the courage
to approach him in this life.
Only upon getting closer did she discover he was nothing like the rumors.
¡°Not at all,¡± Sebastian shook his head vigorously, pointing at the Lego in front of him, ¡°There are loads
of girls around uncle, as many as this ship!¡±
Xanthea was shocked.
¡°Usually, lots of well¨Cdressed girlse to visit when Uncle Orion is here. It¡¯s so annoying! I asked the
butler, and he said they are all distinguisheddies from across the country, iming to visit Mom but
actuallying to see Uncle Orion!¡±
¡°Really?¡±
Xanthea was taken aback. Despite the fearsome reputation Orion had in the outside world, it seemed
many women were still drawn to him like moths to a me.Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.
Chapter 55
Chapter 55
It seems that thebination of beauty and money holds power beyond her wildest imaginations!
Sebastian said, ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ve even seen a few girls who frequent the garden confessing to Uncle Orion in
the backyard!¡±
¡°Seriously?¡±
There are such brave souls, and not just one!
¡°Seriously, I never lie!¡±
Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.
*So what happened after they confessed?¡± Xanthea asked curiously, to which Sebastian shrugged,
¡°Not much, I overheard them talking for ages, and then Uncle Orion asked who she was.¡±
Xanthea couldn¡¯t help but burst intoughter. So, the girls thought they were at a point where they
could confess, but Orion didn¡¯t even have a clue who they were?
She could already imagine the awkward atmosphere and the flushed faces of the girls. Although the
story sounded absurd, it strangely fit Orion¡¯s character.
¡°Also, there was this really scary incident at home.¡± Sebastian began, lowering his voice suddenly and
looking around before leaning closer to Xanthea, ¡°I must tell you, Xan, but you can¡¯t tell anyone else,
okay?¡±
Xanthea nodded, ¡°Your secret¡¯s safe with me!¡±
¡°The woman who used to teach me piano sneaked into Uncle Orion¡¯s room one night when he was
drunk.¡±
At the mention of ¡®drunk, Xanthea tensed up.
She had seen what Orion was like when drunk; it wasn¡¯t pretty. She hoped he hadn¡¯t done anything to
the piano teacher.
* F * 6 F F 3¡±
¡°Turns out, Uncle Orion walked in and nearly strangled her!¡±
This shocking twist scared Xanthea.
¡°The incident blew up big time. Uncle Orion was furious, the teacher was kicked out, and we haven¡¯t
hired any young women since.¡±
Sebastian pouted slightly as he spoke, seemingly confused as to why his uncle was so harsh, but
Xanthea understood.
It was clearly a trap set by the teacher, either because she was infatuated with Orion or because she
wanted to climb the socialdder by throwing herself at him while he was vulnerable. Unfortunately, it
backfired.
Such things weren¡¯t umon in high society.
¡°She was actually quite nice to me.¡±
¡°This situation isn¡¯t as simple as you think, you¡¯ll understand when you¡¯re older. For now, just know that
your uncle cares about you more,¡± Xanthea reassured him, patting his head. She realized she was
fortunate not to have encountered Orion in such a fearsome drunken state; perhaps he was too drunk
that night, lost his senses, or mistook her for his ¡®honey¡® or ¡®babe¡®?
¡°Seb, has your uncle ever had a girlfriend?¡±
¡°Never!¡± Sebastian shook his head decisively. ¡°Mom says Uncle Orion never really interacts with girls,
she even suspects he might not
like them at all!¡±
Huh?
Xanthea was puzzled. Who was the ¡®babe¡® he kept calling out for that night then?
Could it be every man¡¯s fantasy, a non¨Cexistent perfect goddess? Maybe he mistook her for her
because of their resemnce?
Oh, the curse of her devastatingly beautiful face!.
Xanthea held her face in her hands andughed narcissistically, causing Sebastian to look at her
strangely, ¡°Xan, why are youughing so creepily?¡±
Chapter 56
Chapter 56
¡°I¡¯m not creepy!¡±
Xanthe grabbed a wooden block and threw it at him, and he yelped, picking up two to throw back, ¡°Xan,
you are a grown¨Cup, you can¡¯t bully little kids!¡±
¡°Little kids are the easiest to bully!¡±
Peals ofughter drifted into the kitchen, where Orion, through the frosted ss, watched the joyous
intery of the girl and the boy below. The scene was a mirror of the countless sleepless nights filled
with dreams, yet infinitely more enchanting.
Even though it was just a fleeting illusion, he wished it couldst a little longer, much longer, ideally
forever.
An hourter, the butler descended the stairs and bowed, ¡°Ms. Nightshade, Sebastian, Mr. Lockwood
has prepared a midnight snack. Please join him in the dining room on the second floor!¡±
¡°Alright!¡±
Xanthea and Sebastian, washed up and racing each other, entered the dining room on the second floor
and were greeted by avish table set with an array of mouthwatering Willowdale specialties.
Sebastian eximed, ¡°Wow, it smells amazing and looks so bountiful, Uncle Orion, you¡¯re awesome!¡±
¡°Did you make all this?¡±
Xanthea was amazed as she looked at Orion. Even before tasting, the presentation and colors alone
were not the work of an amateur!
She had expected some simple cold cuts for a snack, but instead, it was a table full of exquisite dishes!
Orion urged, ¡°Ms. Nightshade, please, have a taste.¡±
¡°Sure, don¡¯t mind if I do!¡±
She quickly picked up her utensils, scanning the table with a touch of decision paralysis. Crab cakes,
roasted chicken, and fluffy mashed potatoes. Finally, she forked a piece of crab cake, its rich, creamy
filling perfectly soft and deliciously fragrant.
¡°Mmm! This is so good, how can it be this delicious!¡±
It was so delectable that her eyes squinted in satisfaction, emitting sounds of delight like a content fox.
Sebastian, too, lifted his spoon enthusiastically, ¡°Super delicious!¡±
Xanthea, overwhelmed with the vors, tried every dish on the table, finding each more delicious than
thest anything she had on the ne!
5 25 25 2 2 2 2 2 2
It seemed almost unbelievable. How could Orion, a busy CEO, not only cook but cook so divinely?
Was it fair for someone to be so perfect?
even better than
After sampling every dish, she noticed Orion¡¯s gaze fixed on her and paused awkwardly, ¡°Am I being
too unreserved? Your cooking is just tear¨Cjerkingly delicious!¡±
¡°Not at all.¡±
Not unreserved, but adorable, and very endearing.
¡°If you like it, please have some more.¡±
¡°Sure!¡±
¡°There¡¯s also soup.¡±
¡°Sure!¡±
¡°It¡¯s gettingte; perhaps, Ms. Nightshade, you could stay over.¡±
¡°Sure!¡±
Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.
Xanthea nodded automatically, and only a few secondster realized what she had agreed to. Stay
over?
She looked up to see his pleasantly upturned eyebrows and that lethally charming smile.
Staying over then, with a handsome man and delicious food could life get any more blissful?
¡°Why don¡¯t you join me in eating, instead of watching?¡±
¡°Alright.¡±
The three of them dined together, a harmonious, picture¨Cperfect scene. The butler, reassured, silently
agreed with the staff¡¯s whispers, they really did look like a family.
Chapter 56
Xanthea picked up a forkful of fluffy mashed potatoes, pulling out her phone, ¡°It¡¯s yummy, I have to take
a photo to remember this moment!¡±
Chapter 57
Chapter 57
¡°Why are you snapping photos?¡± Sebastian barged into her shot, boldly dering, ¡°If you marry me,
prettydy, you¡¯ll get to enjoy Uncle Orion¡¯s cooking every single day!¡±
¡°Hey, why wouldn¡¯t I just marry your uncle then?¡± Xanthea blurted out without thinking.
The moment the words left her mouth, Orion paused mid¨Cbite, and Xanthea froze, realizing her
comment was even bolder!
She looked across at the man who definitely heard her and quickly rified, ¡°I was just joking with the
kid, don¡¯t take it seriously, okay?¡±
Orion just nodded.
¡°He¡¯s kind of scary anyway.¡± Sebastian began, but the icy re from the man next to him cut him short.
He zipped his lips and gave Xanthea a look that screamed: See? Really scary!
Xanthea chuckled, ¡°Biting the hand that feeds you, huh? You¡¯re still eating the food he made, and you
dare to speak ill of him!¡± Orion spoke up, ¡°Liam, the desserts should be ready in the kitchen.¡±
N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.
¡°Right away, sir. I¡¯ll bring them over,¡± Liam replied.
¡°Dessert? Awesome! I love desserts!¡± Sebastian pped his hands excitedly, only to be doused by
Orion¡¯s chilly, ¡°Not for you.¡±
¡°What? Uncle Orion, I¡¯m sorry, I won¡¯t speak ill in front of Xanthea again. Let me have some, please!¡±
¡°My young master, you misunderstood,¡± the butler said affectionately. ¡°There really isn¡¯t any for you. Mr.
Lockwood made a special one just for Ms. Nightshade.¡±
Just for her?
Xanthea was ttered as she took a delicate bowl from the butler¡¯s hands.
She peered into the bowl, delighted, ¡°Is this Willowdale¡¯s famous dessert a Refreshing Delight?¡±
¡®Yes, the Refreshing Delight is a characteristic chilled dessert of Willowdale Ind, made with red
beans, peanuts, jelly noodles, and coconut, crafted from local produce. Since it¡¯s cooling, Mr.
Lockwood added dates and barley, which are beneficial for women, to ensure you can enjoy it without
any health concerns.¡±
Overwhelmed, Xanthea looked at Orion, her admiration reaching new heights, ¡°Mr. Lockwood, you¡¯re
too thoughtful! How is there such a vonderful man like you in the world? Whoever marries you will be
so lucky!¡±
She had always loved such treats, but her parents often refused her, citing it was too cold for a girl to
consume. She never imagined Orion¡¯s Refreshing Delight would cater to her taste while bncing the
cooling properties¨Cit was perfect.
Ms. Nightshade, I¡¯m ttered.¡±
Not at all! Where would I even find a handsome, rich, and culinary¨Cgifted man like you these days?
You¡¯re so precious!¡±
Holding the small bowl, she sincerely praised him, her clear amber eyes reflecting his figure as if
casting a divine halo around him, parking a greedy seed deep within his heart.
Matthew can¡¯t cook, can he?¡±
lis question startled her, and a mysterious silence fell between them.
Irion¡¯sshes lowered, hiding the immediate regret that surged beneath, wondering why he had asked
the question.
anthea didn¡¯t dwell on it, but hearing the name of that scoundrel Matthew during such a pleasant time
felt utterly disappointing.
Chapter 58
Chapter 58
¡°I¡¯ve never tried his cooking,¡± she said, shaking her head and scooping up a spoonful of Refreshing
Delight into her mouth. ¡°Why do you suddenly ask about him?¡±
¡°The Nightshade and Martinez union is the talk of Crestwood. Ms. Nightshade, aren¡¯t you set to get
engaged to him on October 6th?¡±
He knew he shouldn¡¯t have brought it up, let alone continue, but he simply couldn¡¯t control himself.
3 F 2 2 2 2 2
Xanthea looked at tam in surprise. She thought a business mogul like him wouldn¡¯t care about such
trivial high society gossip, yet here he was, knowing the details down to the exact date.
¡°Yes.¡±
October 6th wasn¡¯t just her engagement day, it was also the anniversary of her past life¡¯s demise!
That night, dressed in a pristine wedding gown, she had been pushed from the rooftop by a
treacherous pair, her blood staining the ground, a sight still vivid in her memory.
This time around, it would be Matthew and Miranda¡¯s turn.
Once the hidden cameras she had installed captured their illicit affair, their engagement day would
mark their public disgrace!
The thought thrilled Xanthea. She looked at Orion, recalling their encounter in the cemetery.
To this day, she didn¡¯t understand why Orion had dug up her grave, carried away her body, and killed
Matthew and Miranda. But one thing was certain: he too despised that deceitful couple. Since this was
the case, misery lovespany!
¡°Orion, would youe to my engagement?¡± she asked, her words slicing through the air like a
poisoned de, fears and darkest horrors.
posing his deepest
Orion¡¯s usually gentle eyes suddenly frosted over, turning into a dark, endless abyss, void of any light,
sending a chill down her spine.
That look was identical to the one he hadst life on the rooftop of the Twin Towers, when he had
terrifyingly ended Matthew and Miranda. Now, staring at her, he seemed like a vast vortex, ready to
swallow her whole.
Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.
Had she said something wrong? His anger was palpable.
Not just Xanthea, but even Sebastian beside her felt the chilling atmosphere. The butler, seeing Orion¡¯s
expression, was visibly shocked. Ms. Nightshade, engaged?
What would Orion do?
Orion¡¯s knuckles turned white as he gripped his cutlery, pale as if the bones beneath might show. Only
when he caught Xanthea¡¯s startled gaze did he manage to look away.
It took him considerable effort to rise from the dining table, his tall frame trembling slightly as he turned.
¡°Liam, after dinner, escort Ms. Nightshade upstairs to rest,¡± hemanded.
The butler, hearing his suddenly hoarse voice and seeing his trembling sleeves, felt a pang of
sympathy. ¡°Yes, sir.¡±
Xanthea wanted to speak, but she was at a loss for words.
She didn¡¯t fully grasp what she had said wrong to cause such a drastic change in his demeanor, turning
the once joyful and harmonious atmosphere into the current tension.
Orion ascended the stairs, his figure disappearing without a backward nce.
Consumed by despair and jealousy, he feared that turning around would shatter hisst bit of sanity,
pushing him to do something irreversible.
Chapter 59
Chapter 59
The darkness in the bedroom cloaked Orion¡¯s face, twisting his chilled smile into something more
haunting than tears. Orion¡¯s grip tightened, shattering an old photo frame that hung on the wall.
Illusions, no matter how long they linger, eventually shatter¨Cthey never morph into reality.
¡°Xan, what¡¯s wrong with Uncle Orion?¡± Sebastian asked Xanthea cautiously a
after a long silence.
Though he didn¡¯t fully grasp the situation, he could clearly sense that his uncle was deeply distressed,
as though he had suffered a tremendous blow.
N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.
Xanthea shook her head, her thoughts murky.
In the middle of the night, she tossed and turned on the guest bed at the Thompsons¡®, restless and
uneasy. She had thought that after a day full of activities, sleep would im her the moment her head
hit the pillow. Yet, every time she closed her eyes, she saw Orion¡¯s expression as he left the dinner
table.
What had she said wrong?
Was it just because she had invited him to the engagement party? Why had his reaction been so
severe? Could it be he was also reborn? Did he know what would happen to her on that day, hence his
reaction?
That seemed unlikely. On the ne, he didn¡¯t even recognize Miranda. If he knew her fate, he¡¯d surely
help her. Dealing with Matthew would be a walk in the park for him. He wouldn¡¯t have shown such utter
despair, as if he was out of options.
Pondering until five in the moming, Xanthea still couldn¡¯t piece it together. Exhausted, she watched the
early dawn light creep in and sat up, defeated. She needed to leave; staying here any longer would
only muddle her thoughts further.
In the early morning, Orion approached room 303, ready to knock on the door.
The butler hurried over with a note, ¡°Sir, Ms. Nightshade has already left. She left behind a fan and this
note.¡±
What?
He took the note and read the neat handwriting.
[I had to rush back to Crestwood for an urgent matter and couldn¡¯t say goodbye. I apologize if I said
somethingst night that offended you. Mr. Lockwood, I hope you can overlook my thoughtless words.
This fan, a charm I got yesterday, is both an apology and a thank you forst night¡¯s dinner, Xanthea.]
Below the notey a beautifully embroidered hand fan with a conspicuous message stitched onto it:
You will find your true love in Willowdale.
Clutching the fan so tightly the material strained under his grip, regret and despair rose in his eyes.
The butler, seeing his expression, opened his mouth to speak but ultimately said nothing, guessing that
Orion had intended to apologize to Xanthea in the early morning.
Back in Crestwood, Xanthea slept through the day and night, a deep, troubled slumber. Upon waking,
her first act was to check the surveince footage on her phone.
To her surprise, it revealed nothing incriminating¨Cjust Matthew visiting various exhibits and
performances, without a sign of Miranda.
It was odd. If they had been bold enough to embrace in the risky confines of their backyard, why was
there no trace of them taking advantage of such a perfect opportunity?
Had they be aware of her too obvious setup?/
Capturing them together in a photo was now going to be even harder, and with the wedding date
drawing near, failing to gather evidence would ruin all her ns.
Chapter 60
Chapter 60
[Xan, have you arrived at schoot yet?]
[Xan, how is the thesis revision?)
[Xan, why didn¡¯t you reply to my message? I was worried about you.]
The incessant buzz of texts from Matthew had Xanthea tossing her phone aside in irritation when
suddenly her ringtone red.
Tm kinda swamped right now.¡±
¡°Xan. are you super busy?¡±
It was Oliver on the other end, and Xanthea quickly changed her tune, ¡°Oh, Uncle! Not too busy. I
thought it was a telemarketer.¡±
Ah, I¡¯ve got a bit of a thing to discuss today.¡±
¡°What¡¯s up, Uncle? Justy it on me, I¡¯m all ears!¡±
*Director Hawthorne is shooting a music video to promote the uing festival. It¡¯s a big deal, filled
with A¨Clist celebrities. It¡¯s a golden chance for neers to get some spotlight! We need someone to
y the ¡®Queen of Pop¡® and I immediately thought of you. After your win on The Masked Singer, you¡¯ve
be quite the sensation online, nearly ten million followers on Twitter! Director Hawthorne is quite
impressed with you!¡±
After hearing him out, Xanthea refused immediately, ¡°Uncle, that stint on ¡®The Masked Singer¡® was just
a spur of the moment thing. I¡¯m not looking to break into the scene. Please don¡¯t set up any gigs for
me. I¡¯m not interested, and I can¡¯t act.¡±
¡°It¡¯s just a music video, love. Your personal shots won¡¯t take more than five minutes, no lines to
memorize, no acting needed. Just follow the director¡¯s cues, and post¨Cproduction will handle the rest!¡±
¡°But¡¡±
¡°Xan, do it as a favor for me, would you? Remember the hustle I went through for your appearance at
The Masked Singer¡®?¡±
¡°Fine.¡±
¡°Oh, you¡¯re an angel! I¡¯ll send you the details soon. Make sure you¡¯re there day after tomorrow, on
time!¡±
Hanging up, Oliver sighed deeply.
Oliver had navigated the entertainment industry for years and his ultimate dream was to mentor a
superstar. Despite his efforts, the talents in hispany always seemed just shy of that breakout
potential.
Seeing Xanthea on stage that day, he believed he¡¯d found his star.
Now at the Elevation Building on the day of the shoot,
In the makeup room, assistant Wendy burst in, whispering excitedly to the star in the chair, Isabe,
¡°Isabe, have you heard? Judy has been reced. The new actress is on her way here!¡±
¡°Really?¡± Isabe stopped dabbing lip balm in surprise. ¡°Someone managed to oust the industry¡¯s
darling?¡±Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.
?? ? ?? ? ? ??
¡°I know, right? It¡¯s a dog¨Ceat¨Cdog world. Finally, someone¡¯s put Judy in her ce! She¡¯s been so
arrogant, unting her connections. Thinking she could overshadow you, a mere singer¨Cturned¨Cactress
wanting the lead in a music video? She even had several haute couture gowns ready to outshine
everyone!¡±
¡°Apparently, she spent a fortune and got reced before even stepping on set. Must be fuming now!¡±
Laughter filled the room as Isabe admired her fiery red lips in the mirror, ¡°I¡¯m curious about this
recement. Who could she possibly be?¡±
Chapter 61
Chapter 60 [Xan, have you arrived at schoot yet?] [Xan, how is the thesis revision?) [Xan, why didn¡¯t
you reply to my message? I was worried about you.] The incessant buzz of texts from Matthew had
Xanthea tossing her phone aside in irritation when suddenly her ringtone red. Tm kinda swamped
right now.¡± ¡°Xan. are you super busy?¡± It was Oliver on the other end, and Xanthea quickly changed her
tune, ¡°Oh, Uncle! Not too busy. I thought it was a telemarketer.¡± Ah, I¡¯ve got a bit of a thing to discuss
today.¡± ¡°What¡¯s up, Uncle? Justy it on me, I¡¯m all ears!¡± *Director Hawthorne is shooting a music
video to promote the uing festival. It¡¯s a big deal, filled with A¨Clist celebrities. It¡¯s a golden chance
for neers to get some spotlight! We need someone to y the ¡®Queen of Pop¡® and I immediately
thought of you. After your win on The Masked Singer, you¡¯ve be quite the sensation online, nearly
ten million followers on Twitter! Director Hawthorne is quite impressed with you!¡± After hearing him out,
Xanthea refused immediately, ¡°Uncle, that stint on ¡®The Masked Singer¡® was just a spur of the moment
thing. I¡¯m not looking to break into the scene. Please don¡¯t set up any gigs for me. I¡¯m not interested,
and I can¡¯t act.¡± ¡°It¡¯s just a music video, love. Your personal shots won¡¯t take more than five minutes, no
lines to memorize, no acting needed. Just follow the director¡¯s cues, and post¨Cproduction will handle
the rest!¡± ¡°But¡¡± ¡°Xan, do it as a favor for me, would you? Remember the hustle I went through for
your appearance at The Masked Singer¡®?¡± ¡°Fine.¡± ¡°Oh, you¡¯re an angel! I¡¯ll send you the details soon.
Make sure you¡¯re there day after tomorrow, on time!¡± Hanging up, Oliver sighed deeply. Oliver had
navigated the entertainment industry for years and his ultimate dream was to mentor a superstar.
Despite his efforts, the talents in hispany always seemed just shy of that breakout potential.
Seeing Xanthea on stage that day, he believed he¡¯d found his star. Now at the Elevation Building on the
day of the shoot, In the makeup room, assistant Wendy burst in, whispering excitedly to the star in the
chair, Isabe, ¡°Isabe, have you heard? Judy has been reced. The new actress is on her way
here!¡± ¡°Really?¡± Isabe stopped dabbing lip balm in surprise. ¡°Someone managed to oust the
industry¡¯s darling?¡± ?? ? ?? ? ? ?? ¡°I know, right? It¡¯s a dog¨Ceat¨Cdog world. Finally, someone¡¯s put Judy in
her ce! She¡¯s been so arrogant, unting her connections. Thinking she could overshadow you, a
mere singer¨Cturned¨Cactress wanting the lead in a music video? She even had several haute couture
gowns ready to outshine everyone!¡± ¡°Apparently, she spent a fortune and got reced before even
stepping on set. Must be fuming now!¡± Laughter filled the room as Isabe admired her fiery red lips in
the mirror, ¡°I¡¯m curious about this recement. Who could she possibly be?¡±Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
Chapter 62
Chapter 62
Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
¡°Ugh Xanthea sighed as she observed Isabe¡¯s exasperated demeanor, reminiscent of their past.
Both had attended the same high school, but their paths rarely crossed until a school dance
competition ced them in direct rivalry. Xanthea had clinched the first prize, leaving Isabe with
second ce. That sparked a relentless imitation spree from Isabe.
Whatever Xanthea did, Isabe did too. If Xanthea joined the honors program, Isabe would switch to
the honors as well. If Xanthea ran for student council
so would Isabe. Xanthea chose science? Isabe did the same. Then came the singing contests,
advanced cement, and even topping the ss¨CIsabe stopped at nothing, hiring a slew of tutors
and sinking a fortune into extra lessons!
Eventually, Isabe even started mimicking Xanthea¡¯s style of dress, her way of speaking, and her
personal likes, to the extent that their ssmates joked about them being a couple, much to Xanthea¡¯s
annoyance.
Whenever they met, Xanthea would scornfully call her a ¡°copycat,¡± but Isabe never ceased her
mimicry. It wasn¡¯t until after the SATS, when Xanthea scored the top citywide and got into Crestwood
Hall Academy, that she finally managed to shake Isabe off her trail.
What puzzled Xanthea was why Isabe, a childhood star with countless fans from her movie days,
would ever feelpelled to imitate a rtively unknown like her. The one thing Isabe never copied,
though, was Xanthea¡¯s crush on Matthew.
Back in her previous life, Matthew was Xanthea¡¯s world. So when Isabe replicated every other aspect
of her life, Xanthea confronted her furiously, asking if she was going to im Matthew too.
Isabe had scoffed, iming she would never stoop so low, which, admittedly, was the one area
where Isabe¡¯s taste proved superior. ¡°Rumor has it you¡¯re about to get engaged?¡±
¡°Word travels fast, huh?¡±
Xanthea was puzzled at how Isabe, even after years apart, seemed to know her every move. Was
she still observing and imitating her from afar?
Isabe crossed her arms and chuckled sarcastically, as if watching a fool walk into a trap.
¡°What¡¯s so funny?¡±
¡°I find it hrious that after all these years, your taste is still as poor as ever,¡± Isabe taunted.
Xanthea bit her tony
he couldn¡¯t refute thatment.
Isabe mistook her silence for indifference, which infuriated her even more. She swallowed the rest of
her intended barbs, thinking vengefully, ¡°Just you wait, Xanthea. You¡¯ll regret this.¡±
Suddenly, the dressing room door was kicked open with a loud bang, startling everyone. They turned to
see Judy, the diva known for her tantrums, standing furiously at the entrance, nked by two
stagehands trying desperately to calm her.
The role has been decided. Director Hawthorne himself made the call. There¡¯s no use causing a
scene,¡± they pleaded.
¡°Let go of me! I want to see who dares to steal my spot!¡±
Isabe, spotting Judy¡¯s rage, gleefully said to Xanthea, ¡°She¡¯s here for you.¡±
Judy, notorious in the industry for her bratty behavior and powerful sponsors, usually had everyone
cowering. But now, she was outmatched by Xanthea¡¯s snagging the coveted role.
As Judy saw the card on Xanthea¡¯s makeup table, she burst into the room, her eyes burning with envy
at the sight of Xanthea¡¯s stunning reflection in the mirror.
Chapter 63
Chapter 63
¡°Are you the little tramp who stole my gig?¡±
¡°Looking all young and flirty, must have slept around to bag this opportunity, huh?¡±
¡°Barely out of school and already selling out in showbiz.¡±
Judy burst into the room spewing filth from her mouth, her words so vile that even the crew of the
music video shoot, who were usually thick¨Cskinned, couldn¡¯t muster the courage to intervene.
Xanthea had never met her before and was clueless about what was happening. Realizing she was the
target, she frowned and her eyes narrowed, ¡°Excuse me? What did you say?¡±
Judy shoved the makeup artist who was busy with her eyebrows. The artist¡¯s hand shook, and the
pencil streaked a line across Xanthea¡¯s jawline, leaving a mark. She bent over repeatedly apologizing,
¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Ms. Nightshade, it wasn¡¯t intentional!¡±
¡°I said you¡¯re a slut-¡±
¡°p!¡±
Judy couldn¡¯t even finish her sentence before Xanthea, rising abruptly, delivered a fierce p that
skewed Judy¡¯s head and sent her staggering back a couple of steps.
A collective gasp filled the makeup room. Everyone was stunned. Judy was known for bullying others,
but no one had ever seen her on the receiving end. And here was Xanthea, not just retaliating but
landing a p right across Judy¡¯s face.
Xanthea was just a young girl; where did she get the courage and confidence to do that?
Before anyone could recover from their shock, an even more astonishing scene unfolded.
Five bright red finger marks quickly appeared on Judy¡¯s cheek. She stumbled back, incredulously
raising her head to look at Xanthea, almost snarling as her face turned red with rage and she
screamed, ¡°You little bitch, you dared to hit me!¡±
¡°And what if I did?¡±
Xanthea grabbed a bottle of makeup remover from the table, unscrewed the cap, and walked over to
Judy. Towering over her, she grabbed Judy¡¯s! poured the entire bottle over her face.
¡°Consider it a favor, cleaning out that foul mouth of yours.¡±
She poured the makeup remover onto Judy¡¯s face with an expressionless face, as casually as if she
were watering nts at home. Despite the cruelty of her actions, her poise was elegant and detached,
instilling a mix of awe and fear.
Isabe watched the dazzling sharpness that Xanthea exuded and couldn¡¯t help feeling rmed.
This was Xanthea, the young heiress of the Nightshade family, born into luxury and adored by all. Her
innate nobility and pride were something Isabe could never emte, just like in the dance
competition where they both performed ¡®the Swan Lake¡®. Even though Isabe danced just as well, all
eyes were on Xanthea.
¡°Ah ah ah!¡±
Judy was sputtering and choking on the makeup remover, struggling desperately. She lost several
strands of hair before finally breaking free from Xanthea¡¯s grasp.
Disheveled, with makeup smeared and her haughty demeanor washed away, Judy was visibly shaken
by Xanthea¡¯smanding presence. Desperate, she yed herst card, ¡°You¨Cyou dare do this to
me! Just wait, my husband is upstairs in a meeting. Once hees down, he¡¯ll make you pay!¡±
Upstairs?
At that, everyone in the makeup room gasped.
This building, aside from hosting the cultural festival music video shoot, was also the venue for the
ongoing executive meeting of the Crestwood¡¯s elite¨Cthe Lockwood Group!
Could it be that Judy¡¯s benefactor was a board member of the Lockwood Group? No wonder she was
so brazen all the time!
Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.
For a moment, everyone looked at Xanthea with pity.
Chapter 64
Chapter 64
The Lockwood Group¡¯s board members were household names in the world of affluence, each having
made a mark on the national rich list. They also had control over the leading entertainment empire,
Starlight Media, and were credited with catapulting celebrities like Isabe into the limelight. They were
the epitome of both wealth and power..
Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.
Poor Xanthea was in a tough spot. Even with her solid connections in the entertainment industry, she
was no match for them.
¡°Really? Then tell him to hurry up and get down here; I¡¯m running out of patience.¡±
Xanthea calmly screwed the cap back on her makeup remover, her audacious words sending a shock
wave through the room.
Judy had yed her trump card, yet Xanthea dared to speak so boldly. She truly was as fearless as a
young calf unaware of tigers. Did she even realize the magnitude of facing the Lockwood Group¡¯s
board?
Judy¡¯s backer was a board member of the Group? As the realization sank in, Isabe grasped the
gravity of the situation.
At this point, the Lockwood Group¡¯s influence was so significant they could single¨Chandedly control
Crestwood, let alone a small entertainment sector. Even the well¨Cestablished Nightshade family
couldn¡¯tpete. If this escted, Xanthea could lose everything.
¡°Xanthea, this is a set for filming a music video, not a ce for causing trouble. Since you started the
altercation with Judy, you need to apologize to her now,¡± Isabe said as she approached, arms
crossed, and turned to Judy. ¡°Judy, she apologizes, and we let this go for today, okay?¡±
¡°Why should I?¡± Judy began, but Isabe cut her off with a nod towards a camera above the makeup
room. Judy turned and froze.
There were cameras here?
Had they captured her cursing and her embarrassing moment with the makeup remover? If that
footage got out¡
Judy red venomously at Xanthea, teeth clenched, ¡°Fine, as long as she apologizes.¡±
Isabe nodded, satisfied Judy would agree. After all, Judy was an industry insider and needed to
maintain her reputation. If the video leaked online, her public image would be ruined, and her bare¨C
faced appearance was indeed pitiful.
Isabe stepping in to defuse the situation puzzled everyone in the makeup room. Why would she help
Xanthea after being infuriated by her just moments ago? It was bizarre, almost as if her feelings for
Xanthea were a mix of love and hate.
Xanthea four
¡ê 1 3 20 26 ¡Á 2 2 2 2 2 2 8 ? ¡Á
e¡¯s intervention odd but didn¡¯t dwell on it. Sitting on the sofa, she smirked at Judy, ¡°You want an
apology? Fine, but you¡¯ll have kneel to hear it.¡±
Judy was enraged, ¡°You!¡±
Isabe, seeing Xanthea cross her legs and sit back leisurely like a queen in court, warned, ¡°Xanthea,
don¡¯t always be so arrogant. The Lockwood Group isn¡¯t something you can provoke.¡±
Before Isabe could finish, the elevator at the end of the VIP corridor opened directly across from the
kicked¨Copen door of the makeup room. A group of neatly dressed businessmen in suits, all members of
the Lockwood Group¡¯s board, stepped out.
Seeing her opportunity, Judy rushed towards one of the m¨¦n, crying dramatically, ¡°Honey, I¡¯ve been
bullied. You have to stand up for
me!
Xanthea watched the scene unfold with a bit of disdain.
This man, with his white hair and old enough to be Judy¡¯s grandfather, was really her husband and not
her father¨Cinw?
¡°Judy?¡±
really
Michael was taken aback by the woman who threw herself at him. After a closer look at the disheveled,
frantic woman, he recognized her as Judy.
Chapter 65
Chapter 65
Michael didn¡¯t rush to calm her down; instead, he pushed her away in a panic and hissed, ¡°Stop making
a scene, the Chairman is here
As soon as he finished speaking, the grand VIP elevator opened to reveal a figure of distinguished and
noble stature, surrounded by a crowd of people.
Everyone in the makeup room straightened up and greeted him with bows, ¡°Good morning, Chairman
Lockwood!¡±
Orion stepped out of the elevator, and his gaze immediatelynded on Xanthea, who was leisurely
lounging in the makeup room, her legs crossed and a yful expression on her face as though she
were watching a show. His usually calm eyes stirred with a ripple of disturbance.
Caught off guard by his presence, Xanthea blinked in surprise and then realized that Judy¡¯s husband
must be an employee at Lockwood Group¨Cno wonder Judy was so arrogant.
She had been ready to put Judy¡¯s delusions to rest, but now that Orion was involved.
¡°I don¡¯t care!¡± Judy ignored Michael¡¯s attempts to calm her down and began to create a scene publicly.
¡°I¡¯ve been terribly insulted today, bullied by some brash young girl, and you need to defend my honor!¡±
Her noisyints shattered the brief silence. Orion¡¯s brow furrowed slightly, his tone icy, ¡°What¡¯s
going on?¡±
Seeing Michael, usually so imposing, now retreating like a scared turtle, not standing up for her, Judy
was livid. Her face was flushed with anger when she heard the chairman of Lockwood Group speak
and quickly shook Michael off.
Michael, a veteran member of the Lockwood Group board, had his family member bullied¨Csurely the
chairman would intervene, right?
If such a high¨Cprofile figure took action, this disrespectful girl was doomed!
¡°Mr. Chairman, I am Michael¡¯s wife, and I was personally selected by Director Hawthorne to y the
lead in the music video.¡± Judy said, tears streaming down her face as she pointed at the young girl in
the makeup room.
¡°But she used her connections to steal the opportunity from me! Not only that, when I confronted her,
she insulted me, pped me,
face!¡± pulled my hair, and poured makeup remover all over my
To prove her point, she exposed her swollen left cheek to everyone present.
Xanthea watc
tearful, vivid disy, thinking that Judy was indeed more suited for the role of a drama queen¨Cher
acting skills
were impa.
¡°What¡¯s going on here?¡±
¡°Is she his family member? She looks different from thest one I saw.¡±
¡°Anyway, this shouldn¡¯t be happening here.¡±
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Amidst Judy¡¯s exaggerated tale, the board members whispered among themselves, trying to piece
together the truth.
Michael red at Judy. Seeing Orion¡¯s expression grow colder, he couldn¡¯t tell if it was because of
Judy¡¯s words or because Judy had pointed at the girl in the makeup room.
Orion approached the makeup room.
From a distance, Xanthea could feel the chill emanating from him. She licked her lips nervously¨Chad he
believed Judy¡¯s nonsense? Whether he believed it or not, Judy was still a family member of a board
member of Lockwood Group. Given her husband¡¯s senior position, it was logical for Orion to protect
them. Since he had stepped forward to handle the situation, Xanthea was prepared to give him an
exnation.
Chapter 66
Chapter 66
Xanthea uncrossed her legs and stood up from the couch. Before she could even open her mouth, the
man approaching her lowered his gaze to her right hand and asked, ¡°Does your hand hurt?¡±
As he said this, everyone in the room was stunned, staring with their mouths agape as if they couldn¡¯t
believe their ears.
They had assumed that with Chairman Lockwood stepping in, Xanthea was done for, beyond rescue
even by the highest powers. But instead of confronting her, Chairman Lockwood was gently asking if
her hand hurt from hitting Judy?
His expression was tender and caring, much like a parent concerned about their injured child!
Judy, who was standing outside, was dumbfounded. Isabe, who had been somewhat uneasy,
suddenly looked shocked.
Did Xanthea know Chairman Lockwood?
And judging by Lockwood¡¯s demeanor and tone, their rtionship was unmistakably deepl
Xanthea had thought he came to reprimand her on behalf of Judy, but his unexpectedly caring question
caught her off guard, and she just shook her head.
Hurt?
Judy should be the one hurting, why would she?
She had never encountered anyone asking if hitting someone¡¯s face made your own hand hurt. Orion
was as enigmatic as ever
As Xanthea shook her head, a small drop of dried blood, where her jaw had been nicked by an
eyebrow pencil, caught Orion¡¯s eye like a sharp needle, stiming deep emotions within him.
He instinctively reached out, and just as he was about to touch her cheek, Xanthea dodged slightly,
stopping him in his tracks, ¡°What happened here?¡±
Orion¡¯s icy tone made the makeup artist behind them tremble in fear, who then stammered, ¡°Chairman
Lockwood, I apologize, it wasn¡¯t intentional. I was applying makeup to Ms. Nightshade when Miss Judy
pushed me hard, causing the eyebrow pencil to scratch Ms. Nightshade¡¯s face
At this, a chilling and fierce storm brewed in Orion¡¯s deep eyes. His gaze turned sharp and menacing
towards Judy, as if he could tear her apart with his look alone.
Seeing the situation, other board members of the Lockwood Group shuddered in fear. Michael, who
had known Orion¡¯s temperament for years, pped Judy across the face in a panic.
This wretched woman had finally caused trouble!
The force of his p was many times stronger than Xanthea¡¯s, knocking Judy to the ground, her ears
ringing as she nearly passed out.
¡°A madwomaning out of nowhere using people, I don¡¯t even know her!¡± an infuriated Michael
yelled, pointing at his secretary, ¡°John, John, get her out of here!¡±
As Xanthea curiously touched her jaw following Orion¡¯s gesture, she was startled by the sudden
outburst.
Just moments ago, Judy had joyfully thrown herself into Michael¡¯s arms. Although he was initially
surprised, the panic in his eyes clearly showed he knew her, and he had been subtly pulling her hand
behind him, as if hiding something shameful.
Now, with Judy embarrassing him in front of everyone, he instantly disowned her and struck her
viciously. Was this really her husband?
Given how despicable her husband¡¯ turned out to be, where had Judy¡¯s confidencee from to speak
so boldly in front of Xanthea?
Xanthea watched the scene unfold with irony, while others shifted their shocked gaze from that scene
back to her.Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.
Chapter 67
Chapter 67
Judy was famously pampered by her high¨Cprofile patron in the industry, receiving everything from solo
albums and film roles to custom designer gowns. She could do no wrong in his eyes, and even when
she threw her weight around with other stars, Michael would quietly smooth things over.
But today, he had shockingly abandoned and publicly confronted Judy¨Call because Xanthea had been
identally scratched!
It was unbelievable!
Xanthea must have some unusual connection with Chairman Lockwood, because only a displeased
look from him had prompted Michael to act so ruthlessly against Judy!
Vet, Xanthea seemed just a young girl. What could her rtionship with Chairman Lockwood possibly
be?
Rumors had it that Chairman Lockwood was a confirmed bachelor and the sole heir to the Lockwood
Group. The theories of her being
girlfriend or sister didn¡¯t quite fit. Judging by today¡¯s incident, his reaction towards Xanthea seemed
more like she was his cherished darling.
¡°What¡¯s going on? Why are there so many people gathered at the door? Has something big
happened?¡±
Suddenly, a voice emerged from outside. Director Hawthome made his way through the crowd to the
makeup room door and, upon seeing Xanthea and Orion inside, hurried in apologetically.
¡°Chairman Lockwood, what brings you here? Such a small matter, and it has brought you personally!¡±
¡°Ms. Nightshade, I¡¯m so sorry, truly! I had already terminated the contract with Judy due to her constant
demands for changes. After much difficulty. Mr. Lopez managed to bring you in, but I didn¡¯t anticipate
Judy would cause such a scene here. It was my oversight. I hope she hasn¡¯t disturbed you.¡±
¡°It¡¯s alright.
¡°Let me apply some ointment for you.¡±
As soon as Xanthea spoke, Orion pulled out a small, elegant bottle.
¡ª
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Wait, wasn¡¯t that the scar treatment cream she had given him?
He still had it? And carried it with him?
It seemed he had been diligently applying it morning and night, just as she¡¯d advised.
¡°No need, it¡¯s just a small scrape. I hardly feel it; it¡¯ll heal in no time.¡± She smiled and shook her head.
¡°Thanks for your concem, Lockwood, but I won¡¯t keep you from your schedule. Director Hawthorne,
when do we start shooting?¡±
¡°Uh.¡± Sean stammered, ¡°Whenever you¡¯re ready, Ms. Nightshade!¡±
¡°Great! Just give me a moment then, I haven¡¯t finished my makeup.¡±
Xanthea reassured the trembling makeup artist with aforting look and resumed her seat before the
vanity mirror
Orion watched her reflection, his grip tightening on the bottle.
Was she still upset about that night?
Mr.
Seeing him still standing behind her in the mirror, her eyshes fluttered, seemingly masking some
deep, hidden emotion. Curious, she blinked.
Why hadn¡¯t he left yet?
She thought he¡¯d be eager to deal with the Judy and Michael situation, so she hadn¡¯t said much to hold
him back. But there he was, lingering. Did he have something to say?
Just as she was about to turn and ask, he walked away.
Xanthea thought, ¡°Well, that¡¯s just wishful thinking on my part.¡±
¡®Chairman Lockwood, take care!¡±
Sean escorted Orion to the door, and the members of the Lockwood Group board dispersed. The staff
in the makeup room finally breathed a sigh of relief and began whispering among themselves, looking
of Xanthea with envy
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Chapter 68
¡°Wow, there¡¯s always a bigger fish, huh? Today was definitely an eye¨Copener!¡±
They had Judy pegged as a spoiled princess with a silver spoon, but they were wrong Xanthea was the
true queen, all elegance and grace under the radarl
Not only was she handpicked by Director Hawthome himself, but she even turned down Chairman
Lockwood¡¯s favor without batting an
eye!
Outside the Elevation Building, after Michael dealt with Judy, he regretfully chased after Orion trying to
exin, but he was stopped by the bodyguards before he could get near the car.
As the car sped down Central Avenue, Jacob flipped open his tablet. ¡°Mr. Lockwood, that singer Judy
has been Michael¡¯s mistress for over two years now. It¡¯s been kept under wraps, both internally and
externally.¡±
¡°Send the video to his wife
Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
¡°Right away.¡±
Jacobpiled the video data and hit the enter key. ¡°That Judy?¡±
¡°Disfigure her.¡±
The two words coldly uttered made Cedric, driving in front, shudder. What on earth had transpired in
such a short meeting?
Orien was known for his ruthless decisiveness, but he¡¯d always taken care of the veterans who
contributed to the Lockwood Group. To go this far against Michael, he must have crossed a serious
line.
In the music video about the Queen of Pop, as Oliver mentioned, there weren¡¯t many shots of her, but
each frame was strikingly beautiful.
Sean had thought his first coboration with Xanthea might be challenging, given herck of acting
background and experience in film. To his surprise, she was a natural. She grasped the script
profoundly and quickly understood everything he said. Her camera presence was unbelievably
wless.
Her perfect, radiant face showed no ws at any angle, and her sparkling, luminous eyes seemed to
capture the soul of anyone who looked into them on the big screen.
In less than an hour, the shooting wrapped up smoothly, and Sean happily shook her hand. ¡°Ms.
Nightshade, I was right to choose you. Working with you today was a pleasure, and I hope we can do it
again
¡°Thank you for your guidance, Director Hawthome.¡±
After exchanging pleasantries with him, Xanthea headed back to the dressing room to grab her bag
and leave, only to be stopped by Isabe.
¡°Xanthea! You did great in that shoot. Even the picky Directof Hawthome couldn¡¯t stop praising you.
Looks like you¡¯ll be a highlight once
it airs¡±
Xanthea paused but didn¡¯t turn around. ¡°Scared, are you?¡±
¡°Scared of you? Please!¡±
Isabe approached her, arms crossed. ¡°I¡¯m the lead actress, and no matter how brilliant you are,
you¡¯re just a supporting role!¡±
¡°Oh.¡±
Xanthea nced at her posture, tempted to remind her that crossing arms while speaking often
showed ack of confidence and insecurity.
And yet, every time they spoke, Isabe crossed her arms.
¡°Hey, lead actress, would you mind stepping aside? Stop orbiting around me.¡±
There wasn¡¯t a hint of jealousy in her eyes, only a disdain that stung Isabe deeply,
Why was it always like this?
From middle school to university, from being a child star to a top celebrity in the entertainment industry,
Xanthea had never seen Isabe as a threat, easily overshadowing her at every turn.
Xanthea just casually won a champlowship on The Masked Singer, helping out and effortlessly
obtaining resources that others would kill for getting into a fight without any repercussions but instead
receivingfort.
Chapter 69
Chapter 69
It seemed like everything in this world was either something Xanthea desired or didn¡¯t bother about,
with no middle ground. And it seemed everyone favored and adored her unconditionally, no matter her
actions.
But Isabe, no matter how hard she tried, no matter how high she climbed, no matter how strong she
pretended to be, always felt like a mere shadow in her presence.
Isabe questioned fiercely, ¡°What exactly is your rtionship with Chairman Lockwood?¡±
Xanthea raised an eyebrow, a smirk ying on her lips. ¡°It¡¯s something you¡¯ll never be able to
replicate.¡±
¡°You!¡±
Isabe clenched her teeth, furious. Xanthea always knew exactly how to strike at her weakest points.
¡°Bye, copycat¡±
Xanthea brushed past her, leaving Isabe watching her retreat, her fury nearly palpable. ¡°What are
you so proud of, Xanthea? Even if you have everything, you¡¯ll always be a loser in love!¡±
¡°When you were head over heels for Matthew, he was busy flirting with your dear stepsister, sparks
flying everywhere!¡±
¡°Isn¡¯t it ironic? Life gave you beauty, brains, talent, and a wealthy family background. And yet, what
good did it do? You still blindly fell for a man who mooches off women, losing to your stepsister who¡¯s
nothingpared to you. Talk about karma!¡±
¡°One day, you¡¯ll end up with nothing, abandoned by the ones you love!¡±
Her tirade echoed like thunder, halting Xanthea in her tracks. She slowly turned around, disbelief
etched across her face.
How could Isabe know about Matthew and Miranda¡¯s affair? How could she predict her tragic fate
from a past life?
Seeing the absurdity on Xanthea¡¯s face, Isabe knew she didn¡¯t believe her. Well, it didn¡¯t matter.
Sooner orter¡
¡°How did you know about Matthew and Miranda behind my back?¡±
Before Isabell¨¢ knew it, Xanthea had rushed up to her, her hands trembling as they gripped Isabe¡¯s
cor.
Isabe was stunned.
Xanthea was so agitated. Did she believe it? How could she?
Wasn¡¯t Xanthea always blindly loyal to Matthew, dismissing any negativity as nder or jealousy?
There had been simr usations. before, why would she believe it this time?
And for someone who had always lived surrounded by love and beauty, how could she believe such a
cruel statement?
¡°I¡¯ve known all along.¡±
Isabe jerked her hands free from Xanthea¡¯s grip.
¡°Back in high school, did you think everyone was as blinded by love as you? So naive that they couldn¡¯t
see what was tantly obvious to everyone else.¡±
So that was it.
Matthew and Miranda¡¯s first affair wasn¡¯t just in the backyard of their home, but earlier, way back in
high school, so obvious that even ssmates could see it, everyone except her, kept in the dark!
Xanthea¡¯s eyes narrowed, a hint of malice flickering through. ¡°Those cheating dogs!¡±
When Xanthea cursed, Isabe¡¯s eyes widened in shock.
In her memory, Xanthea, the rich heiress, had only ever used sweet, cloying tones to call ¡®Matt, treating
Miranda even better than her own sister. But now, to hear such words flow so easily from her!
Had Xanthea begun to see the truth as well?
Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.
It was astonishing indeed! Isabe had thought someone so deeply infatuated would never realize, or
even if Xanthea did, she would find endless excuses for Matthew.
But Isabe had discovered a rather intriguing phenomenon.
Chapter 70
Chapter 70
Xanthea, typically so aloof and arrogant, now wore a look of defeat and hatred. Perhaps Matthew and
Miranda were her Achilles heel. If that was the case¡
¡°Not only did I know about it, but I saw them myself, Matthew and Miranda, getting intimate behind the
old oak tree at school. I still have those photos in my Dropbox!¡±
¡°What?¡± Xanthea¡¯s eyes widened with pleasant surprise.
She couldn¡¯t believe it. Photos of Matthew and Miranda in such apromising position, and in the
sacred yet thrilling backdrop of the school woods. If those got out, it would create a bigger scandal than
any hotel rendezvous!
She could never expect to find it so easily.
¡°Can I have a copy?¡±
Isabe couldn¡¯t help but inwardlyugh at how easily she¡¯d taken the bait.
¡°Why should I give you?¡±
Xanthea knew full well it wouldn¡¯t be so easy, ¡°Name your price. Money or connections? Just say it.¡±
There she went again with her condescending attitude, which Isabe loathed the most, as if she was
doing charity for a beggar.
Isabe was infuriated, ¡°Xanthea, cut the sanctimonious act. I¡¯m currently the most sought¨Cafter
actress in the industry, with blockbuster roles and endorsementsing my way. Do I look like I need
your charity?¡±
Xanthea had only asked out of reflex and was taken aback by Isabe¡¯s sensitivity.
¡°So, what do you want?¡±
¡°I want to beat you!¡± Isabe clenched her fist, her eyes burning with determination.
Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
¡°I want you to start from scratch, and be more famous than me in six months! Beat me in fan
count, critical acim, and market value, every aspects. If you do, III hand over the photos. If not, you¡¯ll
admit defeat publicly, on a giant screen for the whole world to see that you, Xanthea, are no match for
me!¡±
Xanthea was momentarily stunned by her fierce words, and then nonchntly pulled out her phone.
¡°No need for all that trouble. I just register an ount and admit it right now.¡±
¡°Xanthea, are you mocking me?¡± Isabe¡¯s voice pierced the air, causing Xanthea physical difort.
She massaged her ears, gazing at her in utter confusion.
Had she lost her marbles gradually through mimicking her day by day? It seemed in Isabe¡¯s life,
surpassing Xanthea was her biggest obsession; that was why she¡¯d make such a ludicrous demand.
Although Xanthea wasn¡¯t typically engrossed in showbiz, she knew from the constant media buzz that
Isabe was on fire. Having started her career in TV and ads from a young age and graduated from a
top theatre academy, she had built a significant reputation. To think she could surpass that in just six
months was indeed a tall order.
¡°Well, do you ept?¡± Isabe pressed, ¡°If not, I¡¯m destroying those photos right now!¡±
¡°I-I ept!¡± Xanthea blurted out hastily.
Now that Matthew and Miranda were wary of her, capturing such photos again would be near
impossible. Even if there was a one¨Cin¨Ca¨Cthousand chance to get those pictures from Isabe, she
couldn¡¯t let it slide..
¡°Ha.¡±
Isabe sneered upon hearing her quick agreement. Xanthea really hadn¡¯t taken her seriously,
agreeing even to such an impossible task. ¡°Just you wait¡± Isabe thought, ¡°I will not lose in the field I
excel at and take pride in. This time, I will beat you and crush youpletely
Chapter 71
Chapter 71
¡°I have one more condition.¡±
Xanthea asked, ¡°What¡¯s that?¡±
¡°You¡¯re not allowed to sign with Starlight Media!¡±
¡°Starlight Media? What about thispany? What¡¯s so special about
¡°That¡¯s mypany!¡±
Isabe¡¯s face turned livid with imitation. Even though she didn¡¯t really care about her, with all the
gossip online about her, how could Xanthea not even know whichpany she belonged to?
¡°Xanthea, don¡¯t think I can¡¯t see you trying to cozy up to our CEO! Forget about signing with Starlight
Media and riding on the CEO¡¯s coattails to fame!¡±
What was she on about?
Xanthea was still trying to grasp what she was using her of when Isabe stormed off, bag slung
over her shoulder.
Driven by curiosity, Xanthea googled ¡°Starlight Media¡± and a flood of information came up, ending with,
¡°Starlight Media, a subsidiary of the Lockwood Group, represents artists like Isabe, Shirley, and
others, with the group¡¯s CEO ¨C Orion Lockwood.¡±
Seeing Orion¡¯s name made Xanthea¡¯s eyebrows twitch. She then mockingly gestured a thumbs¨Cup
towards Isabe¡¯s retreating figure, ¡°What¡¯s that about? Which part of me exactly seems like I¡¯m after
your CEO?¡±
Isabe vaguely heard her mockery but chose not to respond.
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She really hadn¡¯t seen any signs of Xanthea aiming for the CEO, but Orion¡¯s peculiar attention towards
her gave Isabe an ominous feeling. If one day Xanthea became the CEO¡¯s wife.
She wouldn¡¯t need half a year, overnight, the title of ¡°Nation¡¯s Top Tycoon¡¯s Wife¡± could make her a
global sensation. And bing the boss¡¯s wife would mean Isabe could never surpass her. So, she
was adamant about not letting Xanthea sign with Starlight Media Proximity could lead to opportunity.
Oliver had just boarded his ne when his phone rang with a call from Xanthea.
*Xan, I was just about to call you. Director Hawthorne was telling me how much he enjoyed working
with you on the music video. He praised your acting and looks!
He said you¡¯re a natural talent, quick on the uptake, a real gem for acting, and that your stunning
appearance is exactly what¡¯s rare in the showbiz today. It¡¯s a pity you¡¯re not interested in this path.¡±
¡°Uncle Oliver, I¡¯ve decided I want to start my career.¡±
¡°What?¡±
As soon as Xanthea finished speaking, Oliver almost doubled his ears, ¡°Xan, did you just say you want
to start your career? Really? Did I hear wrong, or are you joking? Weren¡¯t you disinterested in the
showbiz? What made you change your mind?¡±
Covering her forehead, Xanthea smiled helplessly. She hadn¡¯t anticipated things would turn this way.
¡°It¡¯s because, well, I actually enjoyed the music video shoot today and after hearing some advice from
Director Hawthome, I thought! might as well give it a try¡±
¡°That¡¯s fantastic!¡±
Oliver was beyond thrilled. His Oli hea Media, which had waited for many years, finally had its star!
He had founded Oli hea Media, a y on his and Xanthea¡¯s names, hoping that one day Xan would
join thepany. Now, his dream wasing true!
¡°Xan, rest assured, once you join thepany, you¡¯ll be our top star. I¡¯ll do everything I can to propel
you to the pinnacle of the
showbiz!¡±
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Chapter 72
¡°Thank you, Uncle Oliver, I¡¯ll head over to thepany tomorrow to start
¡°Tomorrow?¡± Oliver eximed, somewhat surprised, ¡°Isn¡¯t that a bit rushed? I was thinking of picking a
perfect day for a signing. ceremony, make a big announcement online about your official debut!¡±
Xanthea replied, ¡°No need for such a big fuss. Rather than an overwhelming personal marketing
campaign, I believe good work is the best introduction to the audience.¡±
¡°Alright, we¡¯ll do it your way! But it¡¯s unfortunate that I just boarded a flight to Mystoria for a business
trip and will be away for a week. I won¡¯t be able to manage the signing process personally. I¡¯ve already
sent your details over to Ryan and instructed him to take care of everything. Whatever resources you¡¯re
interested in or events you want to participate inter, just let him know. I¡¯ll make sure you get them!¡±
¡°There¡¯s actually something now!¡±
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¡°Oh? knew you weren¡¯t just suddenly deciding to debut without having something in mind. What caught
your eye?¡±
Xanthea said, ¡°The film and television rights for a novel, Realm of Illusions. I wanna y the lead role ¨C
Phoenix!¡±
Realm of illusions?
Oliver thought Xanthea¡¯s decision to debut was influenced by some major IP or a famous director.
Instead, she mentioned a novel he had never even heard of.
He quickly searched it up; it was a low-budget urban romance recently concluded on a small niche
website, written by a neer. Due to financial needs, the author had sold the rights at a low price,
but no filmpany had been interested in adapting it, and it ended up in a novel auction.
¡°Xan, you sure you want your debut project to be this? It seems to have little to no fame, far behind
those popr online IPs!¡±
¡°Uncle Oliver, that¡¯s where your visionys.¡±
Xanthea curled her lips up; as someone who had another choice to live again, her biggest advantage
was her foresight!
In the past two years, following the explosive sess of the web series adaptation of A World Apart,
there had been a frenzy for novel IP adaptations in the film industry.
Many investors threw huge surns of money to acquire the rights to popr novels. However, due to
over¨Cmarketing and high audience expectations, many of these adaptations flopped. Even the ¡°top ten
eagerly awaited novel adaptations currently discussed online were predicted to have dismal
viewership.
But there was one series, Xanthea remembered clearly, that had emerged like a dark horsest
summer, reviving the frosty film industry with ratings breaking 5, bing a sensation both
domestically and internationally. This series was adapted from the then¨Cobscure novel Realm of
Illusions.
Realm of Illusions featured a strong urban female lead, Phoenix, who, different from those with meek
and innocent image, was an international mercenary with multiple identities and responsibilities.
Mysterious and powerful, beautiful yet formidable, she dominated everywhere she went.
Its fresh plot and appealing strong female lead resonated with contemporary audiences, making the
series an instant hit across a dozen of countries, breaking the highest viewership records in domestic
drama for the past 20 years and winning numerous awards both at home and abroad. Even her
colleagues of the institute, usually preupied with their experiments, eagerly discussed the plot
during lunch with her.
If she could y Phoenix, she was confident she could challenge Isabe for the top spot in the
entertainment industry!
¡°I bet it¡¯s a dark horse that¡¯ll shine brightlyter. Do you believe in me, Uncle Oliver?¡±
¡°Of course, if you¡¯re that confident, I support you!¡±
Oliver turned on hisptop, ¡°Except, the rights to the novel aren¡¯t with the author anymore. They¡¯ve
been moved to an auction. I just had someone check; this Wednesday, at the Nexus Museum, there¡¯ll
be the annual grand online literature rights auction. Realm of Illusions is on the auction list. I¡¯ve already
asked Ryan to handle the necessary procedures for participation, so you can go with him then.¡±
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Chapter 73
¡°Awesome, thanks, Uncle Oliver!¡±
¡°The highlight of the auction this time is the annual top ten most anticipated novel IPs. A lot of film
productionpanies will be there vying for them. It¡¯s gonna be pretty intense. You sure you don¡¯t
wanna think it over?¡±
¡°No.¡±
Hopefully, everyone else would be too busy fighting over those top ten IPs, and no one would bother
competing with her for Realm of Illusions!
When Xanthea got home, she found her family already seated around the long dining table, and there
were Matthew and Miranda.
They were back from their trip already? They came back two whole days early. It seemed they really
wanted to avoid any fuss.
Seeing her, Matthew immediately ran over.
¡°Xan, you¡¯re back? Mrs. Nightshade told me you left early this moming. Where did you go? By the way,
how¡¯s your thesis revision going? Did you pass? Also, did you like the photos from the exhibit I sent
you?¡±
He bombarded her with questions right off the bat, giving Xanthea no chance to answer, and she
wasn¡¯t nning to.
¡°Matt, I¡¯m kind of hungry after a long day, let¡¯s talk over dinner, okay?¡±
¡°Of course, my bad!¡±
Matthew eagerly pulled out her chair andid a napkin on herp, then took a pink gift box from his
pocket and ced it in front of her, ¡°Xan, I brought this souvenir especially for you from Willowdale.
Hope you like it.¡±
Xanthea nced at it briefly without opening it, I love it, anything from you, Matt¡±
¡°Aren¡¯t you gonna open it?¡±
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The unusual interaction between the two didn¡¯t go unnoticed by the Nightshade family.
Usually, Xan was the one doting on Matthew, going out of her way to please him. Lately, it seemed the
roles had reversed, with Matthew bing increasingly attentive. Meanwhile, Xan¡¯s responses were
lukewarm and perfunctory as if she didn¡¯t really care.
Ethan and Samuel observed Xanthea¡¯s expression closely. After not seeing Matthew for a few days,
there wasn¡¯t even a hint of longing or surprise in her eyes. Even receiving a gift from Matthew didn¡¯t
seem to spark her interest in opening it.
Knowing Xan for years, they concluded she must have lost interest. Could it be that Xan no longer liked
Matthew?
Though hard to believe, considering how fervently Xan had chased after Matthew for years, if she was
indeed over him, they had to persuade her to break up soon. Hesitating couldplicate things,
especially with the engagement party looming.
Under his hopeful gaze, Xanthea finally opened the gift box, revealing a pink butterfly hair clip.
As expected, she barely smiled.
Ever since she had rescued a butterfly in the garden as a child and told him about her fondness for
them, every gift from him had been butterfly¨Cthemed: butterfly dresses, butterfly jewelry, and butterfly
specimens, etc.
In the past life, she would have been blinded by his affection, and felt overwhelmingly touched, thinking
he cherished her words. Now, it seemed like a convenient gesture, hardly effortful, especially
considering that even Orion, whom she barely knew, remembered her favorite iris flowers and brought
them when visiting graves.
¡°Wait, why is she thinking about Orion?¡± She thought to herself, ¡°Is it because they had bumped into
each other more often recently?¡± He did seem to know her quite well though, aware of her love for
irises and sparkly diamonds, and her dislike for onions in meals. ¡°So, what do you think? Xan, do you
like it?¡± Noticing her distracted look and mistaking it for approval, Matthew couldn¡¯t help but smile, ¡°I
spent quite a sum and had it custom¨Cmade by a local designer. A lot of thought went into it.¡±
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Chapter 74
¡°Yeah, it¡¯s beautiful.¡±
Her thoughts shattered, Xanthea snapped the lid shut. Was it just a coincidence? They barely met in
their previous lives. How could he know her so well?
¡°By the way. Dad, Mom, Ethan, Samuel and Miny, I have something to announce.¡±
Christopher asked. ¡°What is it?¡±
Tve decided to enter the showbiz¡±
Thath¡±
As she spoke the room fell into shocked silence, especially Miranda, who dropped her fork with a
tter.
She slowly lifted her head, disbelief etched on her face.
What was she up to now? Hadn¡¯t she always talked about pursuing a career in scientific research?
Why the sudden switch to the showbiz? if she entered the showbiz, what would happen to her?
For years, she¡¯d been leveraging her connections with the Nightshade family and Oliver to pull some
strings at Oli¨Chea Media. If Xanthea made her debut
Oliver who treated her like his own daughter, would surely put thepany¡¯s best teams and
resources at Xanthea¡¯s disposal, leaving nothing for her. Even if there were ¡°leftovers¡°, they¡¯d only be
the scraps that Xanthea didn¡¯t want!
Ethan looked at her sterly, ¡°Xan, haven¡¯t you always wanted to be a chemist? The Scientific Research
Institute of Crestwood Hall Academy has already sent you an invitation. Why switch to the showbiz all
of a sudden?¡±
Susanna chimed in, ¡°Yeah, Xan, has Oliver been filling your head with ideas again? Don¡¯t listen to him.
You¡¯ve got to stick to your goals and not be fade.¡±
¡°Ethan Mom, I havent given up on my dreams. I just don¡¯t want to enter the institute as a specially
invited student. At the end of the year they¡¯re recruiting for a top¨Cnotch research team and it¡¯s gonna
be a tough selection process. I n to apply then. In the meantime,
wanna try my hand at the showbiz for six months.¡±
wholeheartedly support this!¡± Samuel grinned, serving her a slice of steak.
¡°Why buy yourself in a research institute? You¡¯d disappear for months on end, and I¡¯d miss you like
crazy! But if you¡¯re in the showbiz, not only can I see you at home, but I can also catch you on the
news and TV. Remember your stint on The Masked Singer¡°? It was a hit! Loads of my colleagues are
your fans. They even asked my secretary for your autograph!¡±
¡°see¡± Christopher looked at her, noticing the serious expression in her eyes, ¡°You¡¯ve always been
decisive. Since you¡¯ve thought this through, I won¡¯t say much. With your uncle and Oli hea Media on
your side, I¡¯m not worried.¡±
¡°But¡± Miranda picked up her utensils, looking worriedly at Xanthea, ¡°You said the research team would
have strict evaluations. Won¡¯t taking a six¨Cmonth break jeopardize your studies?¡±
¡°Huh?¡± Xanthea blinked, ¡°Well, even when I¡¯m not ¡®on break, I¡¯m not exactly studying, am I?¡±
Laughter erupted around the room, even as Miranda, who had failed the threshold to Kingswood
Academy three times, clenched her utensils, her face turning a shade paler.
Was she mocking her? Not only had she stolen her championship on ¡°The Masked Singer¡°, but now
she was also after her resources in the showbiz. It was too much!
She must not let her enter the industry. She just couldn¡¯t!
¡°Xan,¡± before Matthew could speak, Xanthea cut him off, ¡°Matt, you don¡¯t have objections, right?
Because you said you¡¯d support whatever I love¡±
Matthew was instantly silenced by her words, swallowing back his concerns.
N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.
Truth be told, he didn¡¯t want Xan to enter the industry. She was outstanding, and gorgeous. Once she
stood before the cameras, her brilliance would be magnified, attracting all sorts of unwanted attention.
Chapter 75
Chapter 75
If in the past, he could guarantee that Xan wouldn¡¯t be swayed, buttely, her fickle behavior had him
on edge, scared and nervous.
Why had he felt annoyed when Xon clung to him desperately in the past, even considering to cheat? if
he could turn back time, he swore he wouldn¡¯t make the same mistake. Perhaps his casual
dismissiveness had hurt her. From now on, he resolved to cherish and protect her, to make up for his
past indifference a thousandfold.
Xanthea looked at him, his words faltering, and remembered things he had said to her in the past life.
¡°Xan, I don¡¯t like it when girls show their faces in public. Look at your sister, hanging out at bars and
clubs all the time, what kind of impression does that give? Once we¡¯re married, youll just stay at home
and be my perfect housewife, okay?¡±
Typical. Once a jerk, always a jerk, ying the double standards game better than anyone.
¡°Sure, as long as it¡¯s what you like, I¡¯m all for it!¡±
He paused for a moment, and then nodded, which somewhat surprised Xanthea.
¡°Dad, I might bete to Aunt¡¯s wedding anniversary the day after tomorrow. Uncle asked me to attend a
cultural copyright auction. I need to pick out a script for an uing performance.¡±
*Ile too!¡±
¡°Ille too!¡±
After she finished, a couple of voices chimed in together.
Xanthea¡¯s gaze swept over Matthew, her mother, and Samuel, finally settling on Ethan, ¡°Ethan, you
have the best taste; can youe with me?¡±
¡°Xan, don¡¯t you want me to stay with you?¡±
Matthew grabbed her arm, and she felt the strength of his grip, frowning as she tried to pull away but
then saw the eamest look on his face. ¡°You¡¯re swamped with work.¡±
That stuff¡¯s not important. I can cancel i!!¡±
His gaze held a plea she hadn¡¯t seen before, eerily reminiscent of her past life. Was it because she had
been rejecting him too oftentely that he¡¯d started to notice something was off?
¡°Alright, if you aren¡¯t too busy,e with me then¡±
¡°Sis, can Ie too?¡±
Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
Miranda bit her lip, looking at her nervously, Xanthea saw her putting on a damsel¨Cin¨Cdistress act and
narrowed her eyes.
What was up with these two? In her past life, they went out of their way to avoid her while cheating, but
this life they clung to her like needy puppies.
In the bustling business district of Crestwood CBD, at the Twin Towers penthouse, Cedric walked into
the CEO¡¯s office with a document
in hand
¡°Boss, the head just sent an invitation for you to attend a web literature copyright auction at the Nexus
Museum this Wednesday. This event will feature bids on the rights to ten popr online novels, which
have significant influence in the showbiz. Numerouspanies and their representatives will be
attending¡±
¡°Decline it.¡± Orion didn¡¯t even look up, continuing to sign documents at his desk, ¡°Have someone from
Starlight Media attend on my behalf.¡±
Cedric wasn¡¯t surprised by this typical response,
Although Starlight Media was a subsidiary of the Lockwood Group, the CEO didn¡¯t pay much personal
attention to the entertainment sector, leaving it to professionals. But this time.
¡°I just checked the guest list for the auction, and Ms. Nightshade from Oli hea Media is gonna be
there.¡±
At that, the pen in the man¡¯s hand stopped abruptly, a drop of ink blooming on the white paper.
¡°Ms. Nightshade?¡±
¡°Yes, it seems she¡¯s signed with Oli hea Media.¡±
Cedric nodded, meeting his boss¡¯s unfathomable gaze, hesitantly asking, ¡°So, do we still decline the
invitation?¡±
Chapter 76
Chapter 76
It was a bustling Wednesday at the Nexus Museum, a gxy of talented people as renowned directors,
investors, and entertainment moguls arrived with their celebrities in tow for the auction. The riverside
was packed with hundreds of luxury cars.
Guided by Ryan, Xanthea entered the auction hall and took a seat in the third row alongside Matthew
and Miranda.
¡°Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, wee to the annual online literary rights auction
hosted by the Cultural Bureau. The auction will officially start at eleven o¡¯clock. Before we begin, please
feel free to browse through the catalogues provided.¡±
Xanthea attentively flipped through the auction booklet. As she did, a butterfly hair clip loosely fixed by
her ear quietly slipped from her long hair to the floor.
¡°Xan.¡± Matthew picked it up, gently lifting a curl of her hair, ¡°Your clip fell. Let me put it back for you.¡±
¡°Thanks.¡±
Xanthea tugged her lips softly, tuming her face slightly when suddenly amotion arose from the
entrance of the pavilion.
¡°Mr. Lockwood is here!¡±
¡°What? Mr. Lockwood graced us with his presence today? I wonder which script caught his eye?¡±
¡°It¡¯s got to be one of the top ten IPs. Everyone in the film industry knows they are hotmodities.
There are countless extraordinary actors and actresses, and with Starlight Media owning half of them
and their roster of big stars, they wouldn¡¯t miss out on such a
resource!¡±
¡°Looks like thepetition will be fierce today.¡±
As Xanthea looked up, she saw a group of staff escorting a figure of regal and elegant demeanor.
Orion? What was he doing here? Following him were Isabe, Shirley, and other key artists from
Starlight Media.
Was he also here to bid for IPs for his artists?
As Orion stepped into the auction hall, his gaze immediately cut through the crowd to a striking young
woman sitting by the aisle. Her eyes sparkled, dimples lightly showing, as she yfully smiled at the
man beside her twirling her hair.
Her dazzling smile was like a piercing light, shooting straight into the depths of his eyes, forming an icy
grip in the darkesters. As Cedric, who followed Orion, stepped into the hall, he felt as if he had
walked from a sunny day into an ice cave.
Following Orion¡¯s gaze, he too caught the moment.
Had he known Ms. Nightshade would be here with Matthew to bid, he would have kept it to himself.
Now, he really had messed things
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1. up.
As Isabe entered the hall, she waved cheerfully at the shing cameras and photographers,
effortlessly posing. Turning her head. casually, she spotted Xanthea in the third row
What was she doing here? Was she also bidding on the top ten IPs? Seemed she got the memo
quickly and was ready to act
Unfortunately, she wasn¡¯t going to let Xanthea have her way!
Today, those top IPs were a must¨Cwin for Starlight Media. Whatever Xanthea set her eyes on, she was
prepared topete fiercely. As Orion passed by the aisle, Xanthea stood up excitedly to greet him,
but he seemed not to notice her, his expression cold, even his broad¨Cshouldered suit radiating a frosty
air of ¡°stay away from me¡°, making her outstretched hand freeze mid¨Cair.
There she was, in her bright lc dress, and yet so easily overlooked?
As she awkwardly began to retract her hand, a perfectly manicured hand suddenly reached out and
grabbed hers. Isabe held on tightly, her smile cold, ¡°Xanthea, so you say you weren¡¯t trying to charm
our chairman? Caught you
Chapter 77
Chapter 77
Xanthea remained silent.
¡°Here for the top ten IPs today? You might as well prepare to leave empty handed. See our
chairman over there? No one canpete with Starlight Media, not with the Lockwood Group
backing them!
¡°We won¡¯t know the result unless I give it a try.¡±
Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.
Isabe let out a loud, mockingugh, quickly covering her mouth to avoid being caught on
camera, ¡°Go ahead then; watch yourself crash and bum!¡±
She dropped her hand and nced at Matthew and Miranda standing next to her
¡°Didn¡¯t expect you¡¯re so careless, letting everyone know.uhmm!¡±
Before Isabe could finish, Xanthea mped a hand over her mouth, her narrowed eyes
issuing a clear warning.
¡°Let go!¡±
Isabe stepped back, shooting Xanthea an annoyed re before strutting off to join the other Starlight
Media artists in the front row VIP seats
This Xanthea, a pampered princess who wouldn¡¯t deign to dirty her hands, had skin even softer than
her frequently pampered face. How could she survive the cutthroat entertainment industry against
someone like her? She¡¯d be begging for mercy soon enough!
She almost dropped a nger.
Xanthea exhaled in relief as Matthew looked on in surprise at Isabe¡¯s retreating figure, ¡°Isabe? The
girl from next door in high school who always tried to copy you?¡±
¡°You remember?¡±
¡°Of course! Everyone loved you back then, except for her. Always turning against you, trying to imitate
you, but it just came off as awkward. Xan, you¡¯re one of a kind!¡±
Xanthea couldn¡¯t help but cringe a little at his cheesypliment.
Miranda chimed in, ¡°But she¡¯s a different person now, top of the industry, backed by Starlight Media and
tens of millions of loyal fans. Even you, Sis, it¡¯s tough to surpass her now.¡±
Xanthea smiled faintly, ¡°Yeah, you¡¯ve done well for yourself. After all these years, you¡¯re still trailing
behind her. How can I possiblypare?¡±
Miranda¡¯s face changed subtly as she noticed Xanthea¡¯s biting sarcasm, a new sharpness to her tone
that hadn¡¯t been there before.
¡°Ladies and gentlemen, it is now 11 AM, and I dere this year¡¯s online literary rights auction officially
begins!
First up, we have the first item, Echoes of Eternity from the top fiction sitest year¡¯s highest¨Cselling
novel and one of the ten most coveted IPs for adaptation. Bidding starts at 500 thousand, with
increments of no less than 10 thousand. Let the bidding begin!¡±
510 thousand!¡±
¡°600 thousand!¡±
¡°700 thousand!¡±
750 thousand
As the bidding war for Echoes of Eternity intensified, Matthew picked up his bidding paddle,
¡°Xan, you interested in this one?¡±
Xanthea shook her head, which surprised Matthew a bit, ¡°This novel¡¯s one of the most valuable
IPs for adaptation.¡±
¡°The protagonist isn¡¯t quite right for me.¡±
¡°Alright, just let me know if there¡¯s anything else you like. I¡¯ll snag it for you as a debut gift¡±
Thanks, Matt.¡±
Chapter 78
Chapter 78
As prices soared, manypanies withdrew from the bidding, leaving only a handful of powerful media
giants in the fray Among them, Starlight Media was the most aggressive, frequently raising their bid
paddlen.
Xanthen nced over and locked eyes with Isabe
From the moment ¡°Echoes of Eternity¡± was put up for auction, Isabe had been watching her like a
hawk, always on guard. Yet, surprisingly, Xanthea hadn¡¯t raised her paddle once, but had managed to
throw a disdainful look her way
Isabe wondered if Xanthea¡¯s real target was the much talked about ¡°Comer with Love¡°. As a
neer, modern dramas were indeed more popr than historical ones, and the female lead¡¯s chic
appearance seemed a better fit for her.
Isabe edged closer to the CEO who was bidding
¡°I¡¯ve suddenly lost interest in this script. Let¡¯s focus on Comer with Love¡® instead¡±
¡°Alnght your call¡±
As Starlight Media¡¯s top star and a leading figure in the showbiz, Isabe¡¯s words camed weight.
Manny put down his paddle, and ¡°Echoes of Eternity¡± went to Orange Media for a whopping 1.1 million.
The next manuscript, a popr
men¡¯s fiction
Xanthea flipped through the auction catalog. ¡°Realm of Illusions¡± would feature at the end of the auction
at a special price. The main event was bidding on the top ten IPs. Bored, she closed the catalog, her
gaze inadvertently falling on Orion, who sat in the VIP row, exuding an air of detached elegance.
He seemed in a foul mood today. His profile was stem, his mood visibly dark, a stark contrast to the
lively and noisy ambiance around him. It reminded her of that night in Willowdale.
His sudden anger had been baffling, unpredictable, and moody. She wondered who could possibly get
close to such a person.
¡°Xan, Xan¡±
Lost in thought, Xanthea was jolted back to reality by Matthew calling her a few times.
¡°What¡¯s up?¡±
¡°This¡¯s thest of the top ten IPs. Aren¡¯t you going to bid?¡±
¡°Thest one already?¡±
She looked up again, catching Isabe¡¯s sneaky gaze. This time, instead of guarded wariness, there
was tant mockery, as ifughing. at her ignorance for not bidding on any of the top IPs, suggesting
she was here to pick up ¡°leftovers¡°.
Miranda, seeing that she hadn¡¯t made a move and hearing that the top IPs were almost gone, looked
expectant and somewhat ful. The top IPs would dominate the film and television market for the
next couple of years, and Xanthea hadn¡¯t secured any.
She really didn¡¯t understand the entertainment industry, yet stubbornly wanted to be involved. Thinking
academic excellence could trante to industry sess was naive. If she ended up wasting Oli hea
Media¡¯s resources without gaining any fame, the heiress would be a joke.
¡°No rush. Lets wait and see.¡±
Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
¡°But
Matthew looked at her in puzzlement. Even he, an outsider, could see the poprity of the top IPs.
Why was Xanthea so indifferent? Wasn¡¯t she known for her keen eye?
¡°Next, we present thest item of this auction, from the special discount section, Realm of Illusions.
The starting bid is 20 thousand, with a minimum increment of 1 thousand. Please begin bidding!¡±
It was a plot from an obscure online site by an unknown author, with an exaggerated and unique style
that had no prior market precedent. The evaluators from various film and televisionpanies shook
their heads, and after the auctioneer¡¯s call, a few seconds passed with no one raising their paddle.
Chapter 79
Chapter 79
Xanthea thought prices in the discount aiste would be low, but she hadn¡¯t expected them to be this low
Imagining the potential fame it could gamerter, it seemed like a hidden gem in the rough.
¡°Matt I want this one.
¡°What?¡±
Matthew paused for a moment, and Miranda was equally stunned. This? A novel by apletely
unknown author, and she wanted to bid on it? Had she lost her mind?
¡°Xan, you don¡¯t need to save money for me
¡°Raise the paddle¡±
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¡°Alright.¡± Although Matthew didn¡¯t understand her reasoning, he lifted the paddle, ¡°50 thousand
¡°50 thousand from bidder number 0121
Quality varied greatly in the discount section, and items often went unsold. Matthew¡¯s bid, doubling the
starting price, clearly surprised the auctioneer, who promptly grabbed his gavel.
Matthew thought 50 thousand would clinch it and started to stand to finalize the deal, but suddenly, a
deep, maic voice filled the
room
¡°51 thousand¡±
When bidder number 001 slowly raised his paddle from the first row of VIP seats, everyone turned their
surprised gazes towards the elegant figure.
This was Mr. Lockwood¡¯s first bid of the day, and it was for a deeply discounted novel? Unbelievable!
Xanthea was also taken aback. Why would Orion bid on this novel?
Could it be that he too saw the huge potential and bright future of the work? No wonder he was the
youngest head of the Lockwood Group, a once¨Cin¨Ca¨Ccentury business titan. His keen insight and
foresight were truly unmatched
If she hadn¡¯t known about the future sess of ¡°Realm of Illusions¡°, she wouldn¡¯t have bothered either.
Luckily, his bid was only slightly higher, so he probably wasn¡¯t toomitted.
¡°Rase¡±
Xanthea nudged Matthew, whose body had stiffened. Matthew, holding the paddle awkwardly, slowly
sat back down.
A mere online novel, and Orion Lockwood himself was bidding on it!
What he wanted probably wasn¡¯t the novel¡¯s rights but to make a point in front of Xan. That look on the
ne wasn¡¯t just his imagination after all.
*100 thousand!¡±
The auctioneer announced, ¡°Now, 100 thousand from bidder 012!¡±
*101 thousand.¡±
Again, just like before, Orion added just a hundred more to Matthew¡¯s bid.
Xanthea frowned; this wasn¡¯t going as smoothly as she had hoped. But doubling the bid again should
deter him since to everyone else, it seemed like an unworthy investment.
She signaled Matthew, who lifted the paddle again, ¡°200 thousand
Orion bid, ¡°201 thousand.¡±
After three rounds of bidding, the room was abuzz with chatter and restlessness,
¡°A 20 grand novel skyrocketing to 2001 it¡¯s simply unbelievable!¡±
¡°Mr. Lockwood didn¡¯t react to the top ten tp bids earlier, but now he¡¯s personally bidding on this one.
What¡¯s so special about it?¡±
¡°If it were anyone else, maybe not, but Mr. Lockwood¡ could it be we¡¯re missing something?¡±
¡°It¡¯s strange that Oli hea Media¡¯s representative is so determined to get this novel, Competing with Mr.
Lockwood for it seems like a wild goose chase, doesn¡¯t it?¡±
Chapter 80
Chapter 80
When Matthew raised his bidding paddle, Isabe couldn¡¯t help but mock Xanthea¡¯s choice of scripts,
likening it to her equally terrible taste in men. She hadn¡¯t expected the CEO himself to join the bidding,
driving the price up tenfold. Why, though?
The script wasn¡¯t worth it, to say the least, it was the only item Xanthen wanted in the entire auction.
Was Orion reallypeting with her?
That day at the Elevation Building, she saw Orion treat Xanthea with special attention and thought
there might be something more between them. It seemed she was mistaken.
The only one who knew the truth, Cedric, watched the man looking grim beside him and scratched his
chin. From the moment they entered the hall, he¡¯d been keeping an eye on Ms. Nightshade. She¡¯d
been showing interest in merely this one item; sadly, it looked like she wouldn¡¯t get her hands on it.
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Was he still raising the bid?
Xanthea was stunned. Before she could gather her thoughts, she saw Matthew angrily raise his paddle,
¡°500 thousand!¡±
This Onon, determined topete till the end. For Xan, he couldn¡¯t back down!
¡°501 thousand.¡±
Xanthea couldn¡¯t believe her ears when she heard Orion¡¯s calm voice again. It was already 500
thousand dors, and he was still raising. Miranda watched the drama unfold with wide eyes, feeling a
secret thrill after shock.
Initially on the ne, Mr. Lockwood was so polite to Xanthea, she wondered if the temptress had
seduced him.
Now, it seemed Mr. Lockwood was just giving face to the heiress of the Nightshade family. That¡¯s right,
how could such a celebrated figure be interested in a naive girl?
*600 thousand!¡±
*601 thousand.¡±
¡°800 thousand
¡°801 thousand.¡±
As the price soared higher and more absurd, the gallery buzzed with excitement.
¡°My Godr
¡°Such a surprise, I never thought the fiercest bidding wouldn¡¯t be for one of the top ten IPs, but for an
obscure script!¡±
*Oli hea Media is unlucky, finally setting their sights on a script only to have a big shot snatch it away.
Their representative looks about ready to sweat!¡±
¡°Well, the auction is all about the highest bidder. But Oli hea Media should give up anyway, what Mr.
Lockwood wants, Mr. Lockwood gets!
Soon, the bid reached a million dors.
Xanthea incredulously watched the man in the VIP section, his expression unreadable, he raised the
bid by just 1 thousand dors each time, mysteriously inscrutable
Initially, she thought he saw potential in ¡°Realm of Illusions¡± but didn¡¯t think it was worth much, hence
the small increments. Now it seemed every bid was a deliberate attempt to outdo her.
*1.5 million.¡±
Matthew stuttered, his hand gripping the paddle sweaty.
A million was
is his limit, the Martinez Group couldn¡¯t spare more liquidity! But Orion kept raising, forcing him into
submission.
Miranda chimed in, ¡°Sis, Chairman Lockwood really dotes on Isabe, raising the price of a 20
thousand dor script b for her. I¡¯m so jealous,¡±
by 50 times just
Xanthea¡¯s gaze flicked over Isabe, who was covering her mouth, giggling uncontrobly. She
paused, and then grabbed the paddle from Matthew¡¯s hand, ¡°Bidder number 012 withdraws¡±
Her clear voice echoed in the gallery, followed by the auctioneer¡¯s final hammer, ¡°Let¡¯s congratte Mr.
Lockwood on winning thest
item of the auction!¡°:
¡°Xan?¡± Matthew looked at her, surprised and guilty. ¡°I could have continued.¡±
Xanthea replied, ¡°No need, I wasn¡¯t that fond of the script anyway. Let¡¯s go.¡±
The Lockwood Group, with its immense wealth, was unmatched. If Orion wanted something, no one
couldpete.
Chapter 80
Isabe always targeted her snatching away anything she wanted. If Orion truly bid for ¡°Realm of
illusions¡± for her, then they were destined to win today Continuing to bid would only waste time,
¡°Next, please wee the representative from the Lockwood Group ¨C Mr. Orion Lockwood to the stage
to sign the contract.¡±
As Orion approached the stage, he watched the young woman depart gracefully. His deep eyes
seemed to consume something bit by
bit
Chapter 81
Chapter 81
He thought Xanthea woulde to him.
After hearing Xanthea failed bid to secure the lead role in ¡°Realm of Illusions¡°, tofort her, Oliver
sent her an extensive list of uing fashion and film projects from Oli¨Chea Media directly to her
phone.
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Xanthea scrolled through the options but nothing really caught her interest. Even though there were
some popr shows and potential blockbusters in the mix, none of them couldpare to the buzz
around ¡°Realm of Illusions¡°. Surpassing Isabe by starring in any of these seemed like a pipe dream.
It seemed to her that the only way to eclipse Isabe was bynding the role of Phoenix in ¡°Realm of
Illusions¡°.
Oliver broke into her thoughts, ¡°Xan, how¡¯s the hunt going? Found anything you like?¡±
¡°Yes, but I still want to y Phoenix.¡±
¡°You really like that character, huh?¡± Oliver was in a tight spot, ¡°Even though the script for Realm of
Illusions¡® was snatched up by Starlight Media, I could pull some strings through my connections in the
industry to get you a role. But the lead, Phoenix? That¡¯s out of the question. Starlight Media has too
many top¨Ctier actors vying for that spot. They¡¯d never hand it to an outsider.¡±
¡°I know¡± Xanthea unwrapped a candy bar in frustration; especially with Isabe in the picture, her
chances were slim.
Oliver continued, ¡°I can¡¯t believe Orion himself stepped in and outbid a young girl for the script. When I
read about how you helped him score a rare gem that day, I thought you two were on good terms.¡±
That was it! A lightbulb went off in Xanthea¡¯s head, and she sprang up from her bed excitedly.
She hadpletely forgotten that Orion owed her a favor for helping him at the event. He had
promised on the ne to fulfill any request she had. That meant she could legitimately im her role in
¡°Realm of Illusions¡°!
¡°Thanks for reminding me, Uncle Oliver. Love you!¡±
After hanging up, Oliver looked puzzled. What had he reminded her of?
Buzzing with excitement, Xanthea flipped throughther contacts only to realize she didn¡¯t have Orion¡¯s
number.
How could this be? They were supposed to be close allies, yet she didn¡¯t even have a way to contact
him. Surely Samuel would have it!
¡°Well, instead of finding a way to break in business in showbiz, you¡¯re calling your dear brother?¡±
Samuel was inspecting a factory when his phone rang, and he was thrilled to hear from her, ¡°I¡¯m on a
business trip. Miss me already after just one day?¡±
¡°Samuel, you¡¯re away?¡±
¡°Xan!¡±
¡°Just kidding. Of course, I know you¡¯re on a business trip, I¡¯m missing you terribly. Can you give me
Orion¡¯s number?¡±
Hearing her real intention, Samuel asked curiously. ¡°What do you need Orion¡¯s number for? You¡¯re not
plotting something, are you?¡±
¡°What plot? Samuel, why are your thoughts as dirty as Isabe¡¯s!¡±
¡°Isabe?¡± Samuel paused at the name, a frown creasing his forehead as if recalling something. ¡°Why
bring her up all of a sudden?¡±
trying to debut, it¡¯s normal to run into big names like her.¡± ¡°You know her?¡± Xanthea was surprised,
¡°Well, as I¡¯m
After a brief pause, Samuel replied, ¡°Don¡¯t know her. But keep your distance, the industry is
complicated, and I don¡¯t want you getting mixed up in it.¡±
Surprised by Samuel¡¯s usual open¨Cmindedness now showing a hint of prejudice against celebrities,
Xanthea nodded, ¡°Got it. Can I have Orion¡¯s number now? Theed to discuss some business regarding
The Masked Singer
Samuel replied, ¡°I don¡¯t have his number¡±
gstar in the business world, and you don¡¯t have Orion¡¯s contact? ¡°What? Samuel, you¡¯re the president
of the Nightshade Group, a rising Have you beenworking all these years without even securing his
business card?¡±
Samuel¨Cchuckled, ¡°Who needs business cards at that level? Everyone knows who they are.¡±
Xanthea sighed, ¡°Right.¡±
¡°Besides, you seemed quite chummy with him. Don¡¯t you have his number?
Chapter 82
Chapter 82
¡°He asked me for it, but I yed it cool and didn¡¯t give in Xanthea boasted, ¡°Alright, if you don¡¯t have it,
I ask someone else. Gotta go
now
¡°Wat I don¡¯t have his business card, but I do have his assistant¡¯s. I think his name is Cedric.¡±
Cedric?
Xanthea¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°That¡¯ll work!
N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.
Just as Xanthea got hold of Cedric¡¯s business card and was about to make the call, an entertainment
news alert popped up ¨C #Starlight Media officially announced the adaptation of the hit urban fantasy
¡°Realm of illusions¡°, rated as the top project of the quarter, S+, with a first¨Css team in charge, now
recruiting actors and actresses on the#
Recruiting actresses?!
She was stunned, clicking through to see that the newly registered ¡°Realm of Illusions¡± official ount
was indeed calling for auditions!
Orion had invested a fortune to secure the novel nights, and the production team included top¨Ctier
directors, screenwriters, and producers. The project was rated S+, and shockingly, they weren¡¯t
assigning roles directly to Starlight Media¡¯s artists but were open to auditions on the!
Could she have been wrong about Orion? Maybe he wasn¡¯t doing this for Isabe after all but was
genuinely interested in turning ¡°Realm of Illusions¡± into a high¨Cquality production!
This was fantastic! It felt like finding a light at the end of a dark tunnel!
No need to beg anymore, nor give Isabe a chance to im she was mingling unclearly with Orion
again. Even if she had secured the rights herself, it would have been tough to assemble such a ster
production team.
Xanthea tossed Cedric¡¯s business card aside, thrilled, and clicked on the casting link where the lead
role ¨C Phoenix ¨C was listed.
*Actor requirements: Age 18, Height 5¡¯6¡°, Weight 99 lbs, Long curly hair, Laugh lines and dimples when
smiling. Slender waist.¡±
Reading through, Xanthea felt the role was tailor¨Cmade for her.
Every detailed characteristic matched her perfectly, it was as though she and Phoenix were destined to
meet, an unbreakable bond!
¡°What? Thepany rated Realm of Illusions¡± as 5+ and set up a top¨Cnotch production team, and
they¡¯re recruiting openly?¡± Isabe eximed, her makeup half¨Cdone as she rushed out of her room.
Wendy nodded. ¡°Yes, and your ¡®Corner with Love¡® got downgraded. Thepany said to ensure
quality, only one project can be S+ during the same period, and they¡¯ve chosen Realm of Illusions.¡±
¡°Comer with Love¡± was among the top anticipated IPs,
s, and it was odd fo
for thepany to downgrade it in favor of ¡°Realm of Illusions¡°. This decision must havee directly
from Chairman Lockwood, especially since he personally bid for the rights.
That day at the auction, Xanthea had desperately wanted this IP even bidding up to a million dors to
compete with the chairman. Now, with ¡°Realm of Illusions open for auditions on the, she wouldn¡¯t
miss this chancel
¡°Tell Michelle, I¡¯m not doing ¡°Comer with Love¡®. I¡¯m going for Realm of Illusions?¡±
¡°What? You¡¯re auditioning for Realm of Illusions?¡± Wendy was shocked, ¡°But didn¡¯t you say ¡®Comer with
Love¡® was the hit of the summer, and nothing else couldpare? Especially not Realm of illusions¡°.¡±
¡°But it was personally acquired by the chairman. Are you questioning his judgment?¡±
¡°Absolutely not! Wendy hastily said, ¡°But, ¡®Realm of Illusions just announced open auditions. Even if
you want to participate, you¡¯ll have
to audition.¡±
¡°So? I¡¯ll audition¡± Isabe picked up her mirror, ¡°Everyone starts somewhere, right? Are you afraid I
can¡¯tpete?¡±
Wendy uttered, ¡°Of course not, Isabe, you¡¯re a fantastic actress! But I just checked the casting
details, and you don¡¯t exactly fit the profile for Phoenix.¡±
¡°Not fit the profile? Are you kidding? I¡¯m basically
lly the living embodiment of a novel¡¯s lead!¡±
Isabe stretched her hand, ¡°Hand me the phone. Let me see which traits don¡¯t match!¡±
Wendy passed the phone, mumbling. ¡°Well, you¡¯re 5¡¯5¡°, weigh about 104 lbs, have medium¨Clength
hair. Mainly, you don¡¯t have dimples. when you smile.¡±
Hearing that, Isabe nearly threw her mirror ¡°I have eyes; you just keep quiet!¡±
Wendy covered her mouth, but before silencing herself added, ¡°But since you¡¯re the top actress of
Starlight Media, maybe they¡¯ll make an exception for you¡±
Chapter 83
Chapter 83
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¡°Isn¡¯t it obvious?¡±
Isabe scrutinized the requirements carefully, her brow furrowing in thought. These descriptions, why
did they sound like they were describing a specific person?
At the Lockwood Group¡¯s headquarters, on the top floor.
Cedric entered the CEO¡¯s office, cing the iPad with the audition form in front of the man.
¡°Boss, the ¡°Realm of Illusions project is all set ording to your instructions. We currently have a
dozen actresses signed up to audition for the lead role, including Ms. Nightshade. Auditions are
scheduled for tomorrow at 2 PM, north side of the Glory Building?
Onon skimmed the document quickly, his eyesnding on thest few words, ¡°Clear my schedule for
tomorrow afternoon.
many were eager to be mere
Cedric, looking over the ¡°Realm of Illusions¡± main character recruitment info, couldn¡¯t understand why
so many cannon fodder since the detailed requirements for the lead role matched practically Xanthea¡¯s
At Lakeside Manor, the Nightshade family estate
Zora, I¡¯ve got to head for an audition, won¡¯t make it for dinner, no need to prepare anything.¡±
Xanthea came downstairs, bag in hand, and Miranda, surprised, eximed, ¡°Audition? Are you
auditioning for ¡®Realm of Illusions¡® too?¡±
Too? Xanthea squinted at her
Miranda continued, I¡¯m auditioning too. Can you take me with you. Sis?¡±
¡°You¡¯re auditioning for Phoenix too?¡±
¡°Of course not! Starlight Media¡¯s blockbuster production, they¡¯ll want a top¨Ctier celebrity for the lead.
I¡¯m going for the supporting role of
Vivian.¡±
Vivian?
In ¡°Realm of Illusions¡°, she was the male lead¡¯s childhood friend who always acted like ¡°one of the
buddies¡°, but behind his back, she bad¨Cmouthed Phoenix and yed dirty tricks, nothing but trouble ¨C
a perfect fit for her.
Tm auditioning for Phoenix.¡±
¡°Huh?¡± Miranda faltered, and then quickly added, ¡°But you¡¯re different, Sis. Even as a neer, your
talent and beauty stand out among those top actresses. And these days, films love fresh faces!¡±
Christopher, hearing both his daughters were auditioning for the same film, was delighted. ¡°That¡¯s
wonderfull if you both get parts, it¡¯ll be great to have each other on set.¡±
Hmph. Xanthea smirked subtly. This angelic bitch sure knew how to y it up for the parents.
¡°I might notnd Phoenix, but you¡¯re a natural fit for Vivian, right? After all, your acting has always been
top¨Cnotch.¡±
at have
Miranda couldn¡¯t tell if she was beingplimented or mocked, but seeing her sisters usual radiant
smile, she decided it must been her imagination
¡°You¡¯ll do great too, Sis.¡±
On their way to the Glory Building, Miranda noticed Xanthea¡¯s backpack by her side, stuffed as if she
was carrying
Why would she take those to the audition? Could they be props?
m of stuff.
¡°What scene are you auditioning with for Phoenix, Sis?¡±
¡°You¡¯ll see when we get there.¡±
Xanthea leaned back, closing her eyes, and Miranda, sensing her sister¡¯s reluctance to chat, nervously
clutched at her dress. Her visit to the Glory Building wasn¡¯t just about auditioning for Vivian; it was more
about her sister.
She absolutely couldn¡¯t let Xan seed in the audition! She refused to be a sidekick in life and still y
second fiddle on screen!
At the north side of Glory Building, on the open¨Cair stage.
The ¡°Realm of Illusions¡± production team¨Cdirectors, scriptwriters, producers sat in front of the stage,
seriously discussing the performances of the auditioning actors and actresses.
¡°Chairman Lockwood has arrived!¡±
¡°Good day, Chairman Lockwood, Nathan.¡±
A buzz spread through the crowd as the project team members stood up, and Director Kevin
approached with a broad smile, ¡°Chairman
18:59
Chapter 83
Lockwood, Nathan, please, take a seat!¡±
¡°Who¡¯s auditioning now?¡±
¡°We¡¯re at number eight for Phoenix, five more to gol¡±
Kevin handed the audition list to Orion, who immediately looked at thest name, number thirteen.
Nathan nced at the stage where one of the Industry¡¯s current top actresses was auditioning.
¡°Director Smith, all these st auditioning today are quite the sensation. What do you think? Got anyone
in mind for Phoenix?¡±
Kevin shook his head with a sigh, ¡°Although they¡¯re all stunning and popr, none of them is Phoenix.¡±
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Chapter 84
Nathan asked, ¡°What do you mean?¡±
¡°Today, the project team decided on an open¨Cair stage as the venue, and we¡¯ve set no limits on the
audition content or scene. The actors are simply asked to perform a segment from a novel about
Phoenix, allowing maximum freedom for them to express themselves. We hoped for some surprises.
But everyone ended up choosing traditional scenes like singing, dancing, or ying the no, which is
all too standard. While it fits the typical image of a well¨Cread, and gentle female lead in movies and TV
shows, it¡¯s definitely not Phoenix!
Phoenix is a product of the international mercenaries, growing up without the concept of family or
friends, only knowing the duty of following orders as a soldier, and the cold, remorseless demeanor of
an assassin,
In my mind, she should be spirited andmanding, a beauty that¡¯s fierce and refreshing. Not the
delicate and gentle beauty of a high¨Csociety debutante, but a raw, unpolished wildness and strength!*
Standing aside, Cedric twitched his eyelid when he heard ¡°high¨Csociety debutante¡± and ¡°delicate and
gentle¡°, his gazending on the man Ripping through the casting book, who paused slightly.
Was Director Smith indirectly hitting at Ms. Nightshade with his example? Who else could embody the
traits of a high¨Csociety debutante and delicate gentleness better than Ms. Nightshade?
Still, the pride in Ms. Nightshade was unmistakable, otherwise, she wouldn¡¯t have disregarded Orion for
so many years.
¡°Hahaha.¡±
Nathanughed, ¡°It¡¯s widely known in the industry that Director Smith, you are extremely picky and
meticulous, and it¡¯s certainly true! Your description just now, it¡¯s hard to find such a person not just in
the entertainment industry, but in the whole world. After all, novels and reality are different. Could there
really be someone who steps right out of fiction?¡±
Kevin nodded, ¡°Exactly. But thanks to Starlight Media¡¯s trust in letting me direct this year¡¯s S+ level
project, I¡¯mmitted to selecting actors who truly fit the characters.¡±
Backstage at the Glory Building.
Isabe had just finished her audition when she saw Xanthea walk into the makeup room with a
backpack, followed by Miranda. ¡°Well, well,¡± she strutted over with her arms crossed and her chin up,
¡°just as I expected, you came to audition.¡± Xanthea didn¡¯t even bother to look at her, sitting directly in
front of the makeup mirror, ¡°Aren¡¯t you here because of me?¡±
Caught off¨Cguard, Isabe choked, and then signaled to her assistant, ¡°So what? I just wanted you to
know that in front of me, you are nothing!¡±
¡°Exactly!¡± Wendy chimed in, ¡°Isabe just performed a ballet, a Swan Dance, and received a
thunderous apuse. The director, assistant director, producer, everyone was praising her, saying the
role of Phoenix is tailor¨Cmade for Isabe!¡±
N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.
Auditioning for Phoenix with a Swan Dance? Xanthea almost burst outughing. Had she
misunderstood the novel, or had she walked into the wrong set?
¡°Isabe, what¡¯s your obsession with the Swan Dance? Ever since that school performance in middle
school, you¡¯ve been holding onto it, wanting topete with me again. Too bad, it was just a spur¨Cof¨C
the¨Cmoment thing for me back then, and I¡¯ve forgotten how to dance it now.¡±
Isabe retorted, ¡°What are you babbling about? Who wants topete with you?¡±
The makeup artist approached, looking at Xanthea¡¯s natural beauty reflected in the mirror, momentarily
unsure of where to begin.
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hapter 85
¡°Ms. Nightshade, what kind of makeup look are you going for?¡±
Xanthea slightly arched an eyebrow, peering into the mirror at Isabe¡¯s furious reflection, ¡°I want a
look that could kill her with a nce!¡±
¡°Xantheal You¡¯re asking for death.¡±
¡°Isabe!¡±
Wendy lunged forward and grabbed Isabe who was charging at Xanthea, terrified that a fight would
break out any second.
She had seen Xanthea¡¯s fight skills firsthand at the Elevation Building, and Isabe¡¯s face couldn¡¯t
afford even a scratch!
¡°Isabe, our audition is done. Let¡¯s head to our next appointment!¡±
¡°No!¡±
Isabe shoved her aside furiously, teeth clenched. After a moment, she calmed down and
straightened her skirt, ¡°I¡¯m going to see her get eliminated with my own eyes!¡±
Watching Isabe storm off in a mage, Xanthea sneered, ¡°You might be disappointed then.¡±
Miranda, sensing the tense atmosphere, cautiously asked, ¡°Sis, with Isabe targeting you like this,
won¡¯t it affect your audition?
Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
¡°Nope, I¡¯ve got a secret weapon.¡±
A secret weapon? What could it be?
Since she had walked into the makeup room, there hadn¡¯t been any unusual moves. Even her
backpack, stuffed with items, remained unopened.
¡°All done, Ms. Nightshade. What do you think?¡±
The makeup artist put down the eyebrow pencil, Xanthea examined her reflection, now transformed
with a fierce and sharp look, and nodded in approval, ¡°Perfect, I love it.¡±
¡°This was the most unique makeup I did today. I hope it helps you ace your audition, Ms. Nightshade!¡±
¡°Thank you!¡±
Her phone rang, and Xanthea stepped out of the makeup room to answer it
Miranda eyed the packed backpack left aside.
At the north side of Glory Building, at the track.
? ? ? ? ? ?
¡°Ms. Nightshade, over here!¡± Ryan was standing next to a tron light cycle, waving at Xanthea.
She ran over, her eyes lighting up at the sight of the bike, ¡°This is cooll Where did you get it
¡°This tron light cycle is a limited global edition. It¡¯s not something I could just get; it¡¯s from the boss¡¯s
private collection. Heard you needed it, so I brought it over¡±
¡°Figures, it¡¯s Uncle Oliver¡¯s
¡°Yeah, the boss used to be famous for his love of bikes. But Ms. Nightshade, why do you need a
motorcycle for your audition?¡±
Xanthea replied, ¡°You¡¯ll see soon enough. Go ahead to the front desk and wait for me; I¡¯m going to
change.¡±
¡°Sure thing!¡±
As they left, Miranda slipped out from behind the corridor, eyeing the bike curiously. No wonder
Xanthea brought an extra outfit.
¡°Xan,¡± she thought, ¡°you stole my spotlight in The Masked Singer and are now taking over my
resources at Oli¨Chea Media. In the Nightshade family, it¡¯s either you or me! Don¡¯t me me.¡±
At the audition stage, an assistant handed Kevin a score sheet, ¡°Director, Grace is the twelfth
auditionee. ording to your standards, she scored a 4.5. There¡¯s only one left.¡±
¡°What? Just one more? Kevin took the score sheet, visibly disappointed.
Since the auditions began, even the highest score among the actors, which Isabe achieved, was only
5.5, not even passing. It felt like a waste of time, especially since today Nathan and Chairman
Lockwood hade to inspect.
Chapter 86
Chapter 86
Cedric felt a bit embarrassed ncing towards Orion, but noticed that the man closed the audition list
with a sense of finality, as if the real show was just about to start.
Chaiman Lockwood seemed particrly eager for thisst auditionee
¡°Who¡¯s thest one?¡±
Assistant said, ¡°Xanthea.¡±
Xanthea?
He vaguely remembered her as the surprise winner on ¡°The Masked Singer, stunning in appearance,
but her affluent air didn¡¯t quite match the character of Phoenix, and her performance was likely to be
just another predictable singing act.
¡°This¡¯s the piece she¡¯s chosen for her audition. It¡¯s about to start.¡±
Kevin flipped through her profile, and when he saw the ¡°Audition Piece Chosen by Actor¡± section,
perform¡
Before he could finish, a deep, resonant roar of a heavy motorcycle echoed from a distance.
Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
he was stunned, ¡°She¡¯s chosen to
Everyone looked up to see a futuristic blue halo motorcycle speeding down the track, ridden by a
striking young woman in a ck tank top and cargo shorts, her arms wrapped in bandages and her
ponytail swinging high.
Her tall figure, long legs, and the contrast between her pale, delicate skin and the dark cargo were
visually striking!
A circr metal pendant hung at her distinct corbone, blending perfectly with the otherwise
incongruous heavy bike.
Locks of light brown curls fluttered in the wind, brushing over her vivid and well¨Cdefined features,
adding a bewitching charm to her already intense gaze.
For a moment, everyone on the ¡°Realm of Illusions¡± project team was spellbound.
In the misty overcast weather, she burst into the world like a bright, shining light, as if a perfect female
protagonist from a racing video game had torn through her digital bounds, much like the vivid
introduction of Phoenix in a novel truly a sight of ¡°Realm of Illusions¡°! At first, the roaring sound startled
Cedric, but upon closer inspection, he recognized, was that Ms. Nightshade?!
The fierce attire, the untamed aura, the defiant gaze- how was this the sweet Ms. Nightshade known
for her gentle charms? She seemed like apletely different person!
He nced at Orion, and sure enough, the man was also stunned, his eyes fixed unblinkingly on the
girl on the motorcycle, either captivated or shocked, even dropping the audition list inadvertently.
Was even the CEO, who knew Ms. Nightshade better than she knew herself, shocked by this
transformation?
Ms. Nightshade had changed so drastically that if it weren¡¯t for her uniquely stunning face, Cedric
would never have recognized her! Was he seeing things? Could this truly be Phoenix, stepping right
out of the pages? Kevin rose from his seat in astonishment, his eyes. glued to Xanthea on the track.
She swept onto the course like a fierce wind, mastering the heavy bike with ease and beginning a
series of high difficulty stunts in the obstacle area.
Each breathtaking 360¨Cdegree aerial spin, each riskyer drift was performed with a dashing, heroic
poise, far more thrilling than any description in the book, earning apuse and cheers from the crew
and spectators alike.
Was that Xanthea? It was actually Xantheal
Chapter 87
Chapter 87
Isabe, who hade expecting to see Xanthen make a fool of herself, was now gaping to almost
drool at thetter¡¯s stunning performance and dashing movements; why was she like him that much?
The track was alive with cheers and the asional appreciative whistle from professional riders,
Caught up in the excitement, Xanthea unwrapped the ck bandage tied around her arm and threw it
towards the stunned judges.
The soft fabrded perfectly on one of the judge¡¯s chest, carrying a hint of her light, girlish fragrance.
Onion gently picked it up, held it to his nose, and inhaled deeply. His gaze, filled with deep,
unmistakable adoration, seemed to pull her in, as if to engulf her entirely.
Miranda stood at the back of the crowd, her eyes fixed on Xanthen, who shone brightly on the track,
almost radiant. A sinister smile slowly appeared on her face.
¡°Shine while you can, dear sister¡± She murmured, ¡°For this is thest time you¡¯ll be the center of
attention!¡±
After threeps, Xanthea sped up the final incline, wrapping up her audition performance
The scene she had chosen was when Phoenix¡¯s reckless younger brother was kidnapped by a biker
gang leader threatening to maim him. Phoenix herself stormed in, showed off her motorcycle skills, and
rescued her brother.
Having been captivated by this scene in the novel and having learned motorcycling from her uncle,
Xanthea was confident she couldnd the role of Phoenix with her skills.
The roar of the Tron light cycle echoed as it plummeted from the peak, reaching unprecedented
speeds, shooting out like a meteor
As she cleared the obstacle course, Xanthea reached to engage the clutch to slow down, but to her
surprise, it was unresponsive after a few attempts!
She was stunned, she tapped the brake, but it was equally unresponsive. What was going on? Both the
clutch and the brakes were out!
This was unimaginable for a Tron light cycle, a globally limited edition motorcycle known for its
exceptional quality.
No matter how she tried, the
e bike wouldn¡¯t stop, its speed blurring the trees and spectators into indistinct shadows.
Her only option to stop the bike now was to pull out the key, but at such high speeds, doing that would
make her flung away intmediately, which would be suicidal.
As the bike¡¯s speed approached its limit, Xanthea detected an unusual, strong odor.
The exhaust smelled wrong! Not only were the clutch and brakes malfunctioning, but there was also
something wrong with the oil! Continuing like this could be fatal. Realizing the gravity of the situation,
she looked around desperately for a way to stop, but everything was a blur at such high speeds.
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¡°What¡¯s going on? The performance is over; why hasn¡¯t she stopped? Why is she speeding up?¡±
¡°She¡¯s veering off the track! It¡¯s dangerous at that speed!¡±
¡°Something seems off with her.¡±
From the sidelines, the crowd and the staff of the ¡°Realm of Illusions¡± project sensed that something
was amiss.
The girl who had been performing effortlessly, as fluid as flowing water now seemed to have lost
control, heading straight for theke beside the track!
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Chapter 88
At the racetrack, suddenly someone shouted in horror, ¡°Oh no! She¡¯s lost control of her motorcycle, and
it¡¯s smashed through the barrier
At the judges¡® booth for the ¡°Realm of Illusions¡± project, Orion abruptly stood up, his grip tightening
around the ck bandage in his hand before he mmed it down to the ground.
Before anyone could react, a loud explosion echoed across the field!
The high¨Cspeed motorcycle, having shattered the barrier, left behind vicious skid marks on the track
before erupting into a massive ze, engulfing the sleek blue bike and scattering fiery debris
everywhere.
The vibrant image of a young girl vanished in the fierce mes, the scene turning surreal as if it were all
an illusion, causing Orion¡¯s pupils to shrink to pinpoints, losing focus.
¡°Ah!¡±
¡°The bike exploded! It exploded!¡±
¡°Ms. Nightshade is still on it!¡±
¡°Someone, help, quick, call 911! Call 911!¡±
Panic, chaos, and cries for help erupted from the crowd, everyone immersed in the sudden, horrific
ident. Only a tall, imposing figure rushed into the fire like a whirlwind.
¡°Mr. Lockwood!
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¡°Chairman Lockwood, the explosion is still ongoing: you can¡¯t get near!¡±
¡°Stop him; the fire¡¯s too i
intense.¡±
Cedric, terrified, immediately chased after him, while Isabe, watching the monstrous mes as if they
were special effects from a horror movie, felt her legs give way beneath her, ¡°That big fire, can Xanthea
still be alive¡± Could she still be alive?
Finally, it was alling to an end! She would soon be the rightful heiress of the Nightshade family, the
leading actress of Oli¨Chea Media, the center of everyone¡¯s attention.
No one wouldpete with her anymore! From the back of the crowd, Miranda watched the scene
unfold with a gleam of thrill in her
eyes.
The Tron light cycle¡¯s zested only a few seconds. When Orion reached the site of the explosion,
all that was left were scattered remnants and not a trace of the girl.
The sight of the ckened destruction made the man¡¯s eyes seem bottomless,
His mind went nk, a buzzing sound filled his ears, and a wave of nausea surged through him,
choking any words he might have tried to say, reminiscent of a massive fire years ago.
Then, he saw a ck hair tie lying quietly beside the still¨Cburning engine cover. His whole being
emptied, as if his soul had been instantly extracted, leaving him unable to react.
Suddenly, the sound of water came from ake beside the track.
Xanthea emerged from the water, gasping for air like a fish out of water, brushing her wet hair back
from her face.
What a stroke of luck! If it weren¡¯t for theke beside the track, she might have had to say goodbye to
this beautiful world with her second miraculous lease on life!
She barely opened her eyes, about to climb ashore, when she saw a tall, striking figure near the center
of the explosion. Orion?
Why was he here?
It was strange, every time danger struck, he was the first to rush to her side. Memories of school and
Lakeside Manor shed through Xanthea¡¯s mind, and she couldn¡¯t help but call out, ¡°Orion?¡±
Chapter 89
Chapter 89
The melodious call struck the man like a celestial sound, halting his towering near six¨Cfoot¨Cthree frame
in its tracks.
The chaotic, noisy world seemed to hush around him, descending into a profound silence. He slowly
turned around.
When he caught sight of the girl half¨Csubmerged in theke, her eyebrows knitted in confusion, her wet
hair disheveled, and her captivating form blended with the shimmering reflections on the water, she
looked like a mermaid from a dream. At that moment, his eyes froze, and a strange smile crept across
his lips.
For some reason, Xanthea felt a shiver of fear at his reaction.
His eyes were vacant, as if he was looking at something unreal, and that eerle smile reminded her of
the way he had grinned at her tombstone back in the cemetery, hardly the expression of a sane human,
utterly chilling.
Could it be he thought she was dead? That this was all an illusion?
Indeed, any normal person who witnessed a massive motorcycle explosion would surely believe the
rider had perished, given the intense energy and heat released in that instant ¨C far beyond what any
ordinary organic being could withstand.
But she had nned her escape route well before the explosion, steering the bike towards theke and
diving into the water at the moment of impact with the bamer, thus avoiding the st. It was a stroke of
luck that she hadn¡¯t been thrown onto the road instead.
¡°Ah!¡±
Lost in her thoughts, she was suddenly embraced forcefully by the man who had, unbeknownst to her,
jumped into theke.
¡°Xan! Xan, Xan, Xan!¡±
He held her so tightly it felt as if he was trying to merge her into his body, making it hard for Xanthea to
breathe. She coughed and pummeled his back with her fists, ¡°Orion, I can¡¯t breathe.¡±
Her weak struggle soon ceased amid the sound of his pounding heart and the raw, ragged tone of his
voice.
Why was his heartbeat so frantic and fast?
And again, he called her ¡°Xan¡°, just like he had in front of the gravestone in her past life, with a voice
full of near¨Cdesperate agony, his body shaking as if he had lost the most vital thing in life, which made
her want to soothe andfort him.
Unexpectedly, Xanthea felt a maternal instinct kick in.
¡°Orion, what¡¯s wrong? I¡¯m okay.¡±
As she gently patted his broad back and moved her hands up through his short hair, it seemed to
trigger something in him, and suddenly, his voice and movements halted.
Her fingers paused briefly, and then he suddenly let go of her, staring into her eyes as if trying to
confirm if she was real or an illusion.
Just as Xanthea was about to speak, a thunderous roar of anger shook her.
¡°Why did you choose such a dangerous way? Why did you choose such a dangerous way! Why, why?¡±
? ? ? ? 1 ? ??
His eyes were tinged with red, his face deathly pale without a trace of color; he gripped her shoulders
with hands that seemed to loathe her, repeatedly questioning her in a crazed fury, devoid of any of his
usual gracefulposure.
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At that moment, he was more like a madman.
Stunned by his outburst, Xanthea gazed at him, his fearsome and formidable presence making her fear
that one wrong move might provoke him to tear her apart.
Chapter 90
Chapter 90
Orion suddenly let out a low chuckle, sounding like the copse of a sob or the relief of having survived
a cmity.
He thought she was dead; he thought she was gone.
Xanthea felt a tight grip on her heart as hisughter echoed, and as she tried to say something, a
sneeze escaped her uncontrobly
Theke water was too cold.
¡°Ah!¡± Suddenly, she was lifted into his arms and carried towards the shore.
Xanthea instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck, her gaze fixed on his sharp jawline, reminding
her of the day she nearly drowned at Lakeside Manor. He had camied her up in a simr hold, his chest
radiating the same burning warmth, yet he had disappeared by the time she woke up.
Many questions magnified endlessly in her mind at this very moment.
Why was he always there when she was in danger? Why did he seem so heartbroken thinking she was
gone? Did her life mean that much to him? Was there something special they shared that she had
forgotten?
¡°Oh my God, she¡¯s alright!¡±
¡°Is this a miracle? The motorbike burned to ashes, and she¡¯s unscathed?¡±
¡°Thank heavens, if something had happened to Ms. Nightshade.¡±
Spectators and staff from the ¡°Realm of Illusions¡± team rushed over and sighed in relief when they saw
Xanthea and Orion safe and sound on the shore.
Xanthea was set down, her arms slightly hugging her body, feeling a bit cold and worried about
revealing too much in front of everyone. Without hesitation, Orion took off his suit jacket and draped it
over her.
The oversized jacket covered her down to her thighs, both warming her shivering body and perfectly
hiding the curves outlined by the wet fabric
¡°Thank you, Xanthea looked up at him gratefully, clutching the jacket tightly.
Ogon, however, was focused on her fingers, which were oozing fresh blood, his brow furrowed in
concem.
Following his gaze, Xanthea noticed the cuts on her fingers, quickly releasing the jacket, ¡°I got these
when I was thrown from the bike, brushed against a willow by theke. Don¡¯t worry; I won¡¯t stain your
suit.¡±
Before she could finish, he grasped her index finger, seemingly about to bring it to his mouth
Xanthea reflexively pulled back; he paused, and then pulled out a small bottle from his jacket.
Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
A scar treatment cream? How did he always carry it with him? And it was such a small jar, not even 20
grams ¨C had he still not finished
¡°Orion, you still haven¡¯t finished this cream? Haven¡¯t you been applying it morning and night like I told
you?¡±
Xanthea tiptoed trying to see the crescent¨Cshaped scar on his neck, when a sharp roar suddenly
erupted from the crowd, vibrating her
ears
¡°Isabe, Isabe, calm down.¡±
¡°Mover
Isabe stormed through the crowd, her presence fierce as she approached, ¡°Xanthea, have you lost
your mind? You¡¯re risking your life just to beat me?!
Xanthea, seeing her furious and thunderous expression, felt an unexpected surge ofpetitiveness,
¡°Yes.¡±
¡°You think by risking your life, you can beat me, take the leading role in ¡°Realm of Illusions?¡±
¡°That¡¯s what I thought, but the final decision still depends on the director and¡
¡°No.¡±
Her words were cut short by Orion¡¯s cold Interjection.
¡°What?¡±
She looked confusedly at
the
man who was now applying the cream to her wounds, as Orion slowly lifted his gaze, his eyes devoid
of warmth. ¡°You can¡¯t be in Realm of Ulusions¡°.¡±
Chapter 91
Chapter 91
¡°Why?¡±
Xanthea¡¯s brow furrowed, and before he could reply, Isobelin¡¯s mockingughter rang out, her
expression one of ridiculous amusement It seemed she found the notion of Xanthen¡¯s aspirations
ludicrous
Standing haughtily behind Orion, just as she had at the nuction, the scene was a bitter parody. Why,
indeed?
Because the role in ¡°Realm of Illusions¡± was tailor¨Cmade for Isabe from the start. Why then stage this
whole open audition char
mock her?
Watching her exhaust every resource, striving desperately for a script that was never truly within her
reach, did they find it amusing.ughable even?
Xanthea¡¯s gaze tumed icy in an instant. She jerked her hand away from Orion, who was applying
ointment to her wounds, and stormed off, ¡°Hypocrite.¡±
With a sharp snap, the white bottle in the man¡¯s hand crashed to the floor, chattering into pieces, some
of which sprayed onto Isabe, causing her to yelp and hop back, lifting her skirt, ¡°Xanthea, are you
insane?¡±
¡°Get lost!¡± Orion¡¯s deep, resonant voice boomed, startling Isabe into silence.
¡°Ms. Nightshade, Mr. Lockwood didn¡¯t mean it like that.¡±
Cedric tried to follow her to exin, but Xanthea was already speeding away, not even ncing back.
How could this happen? Her motorcycle waspletely destroyed in the explosion. How did she
escape unscathed?
Miranda rushed to the roadside, incredulous as she watched the Bentley speed away, her long nails
digging into her palms in fury. What a charmed life she led!
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¡°Why did Ms. Nightshade leave?¡±
¡°Nathan, is the chairman dissatisfied with Ms. Nightshade? I thought her performance was ster today,
in terms of appearance, demeanor, and skill. She seemed like the perfect embodiment of Phoenix, the
novel¡¯s heroine. The project team even scored her a 9.9, unanimously agreeing she¡¯s like Phoenix
come to life.¡±
¡°Ehough, let¡¯s discuss thister.¡±
The crowd by the riverside was noisy, and soon dispersed. Cedric, failing to catch up with the car,
returned helplessly.
Back by the riverside, he saw Orion bending down, picking up fragments of the shattered bottle, some
of which had embedded into his fingers, drawing blood.
¡°Boss, please stop. You¡¯re hurt!¡±
But this minor pain was nothingpared to the agony of Xanthea¡¯s usations of being hypocritical.
Even if Ms. Nightshade couldn¡¯t see the depth of his feelings, how could she call him ¡°hypocrite¡± after
he had dashed into the exploding wreckage to save her?
¡°Why didn¡¯t you let Ms. Nightshade be a part of Realm of Illusions¡°?¡± Cedric couldn¡¯t help but ask,
understanding everything when he saw Orion tightly clutching the shards.
Ms. Nightshade had chosen such a dangerous way to audition for the role of Phoenix, nearly dying in
the process. Orion must have been terrified, unwilling to put her in danger again.
feel
¡°But from Ms. Nightshade¡¯s perspective, having invested so much only to have it dismissed in a
moment, she must feel wronged, and might even hate you.¡±
Hated him? Throughout her life, she had always despised him the most. Otherwise, why would she
take such a huge risk instead of seeking his help?
Chapter 92
Chapter 92
¡°Xan, are you alright?!¡±
As soon as Oliver heard about the motorcycle explosion on the audition set involving Xanthea, he
immediately called her in a panic.
¡°Tm fine, Uncle Oliver, it¡¯s just your beloved Tron light cycle got destroyed.¡±
¡°Never mind about the bike, as long as you¡¯re safe. I was nearly scared to death when Ryan called!¡±
Oliver rambled on, still shaken, and then his tone tumed serious, ¡°Xan, don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll get to the bottom
of what caused the explosion and make sure we sort this out!¡±
¡°Okay¡±
¡°So, how did the audition go today?¡±
At his question, Xanthea fell into a long silence, ¡°Not so good.¡±
¡°Not so good? Howe?¡± Oliver was puzzled, ¡°Ryan told me you were brilliant today. Your
performance stood out among a dozen actresses, and the staff from the ¡®Realm of Illusions¡® project
seemed really impressed. You should have the role in the bag!¡±
What did that matter? No amount of effort or high scores could trump the whims of the high and mighty
chairman.
¡°Uncle Oliver, I¡¯m a bit tired. I don¡¯t want to talk about this anymore.¡±
¡°Tired? Well, you better rest up, and if you feel off, make sure you go to the hospital for a check¨Cup!¡±
¡°Okay, and let¡¯s not tell Mom, Dad, and my brothers about the ident at the set. I don¡¯t want them to
worry.¡±
After hanging up, Xanthea nced down at the oversized men¡¯s suit she was wearing and peeled it off
in annoyance.
How foolish she had been! To think, because of Orion¡¯s inexplicable actions at the cemetery and his
past deeds, she had considered him an ally.
Even though she couldn¡¯t fathom why he¡¯d do that, she had thought, perhaps in his heart, she was at
least someone he didn¡¯t despise.
But what was the truth? He was just toying with her!
Perhaps the brawl years ago was long forgotten by him, and he didn¡¯t even remember he had saved
her that day. Rescuing her from the bottom of theke at hering¨Cof¨Cage ceremony might have just
been him acting on impulse, so he didn¡¯t bother to speak to her directly.
Seeing how grateful she was afterwards, bending over backward to help him win the chairman position
at the gemstone auction, even obtaining medicine for his wounds and applying it herself, he must have
found her cheap andughable.
Like today at the ¡°Realm of Illusions¡± audition, she foolishly thought she couldpete against
Starlight Media¡¯s top star, Isabe! She shouldn¡¯t have been so presumptuous, so full of wishful
thinking. She should have stayed as far away from him as before.
At the Lockwood Group¡¯s headquarters, in the top floor office.
??? ?? ? ? ?? ?? ? ??
Jacob walked into the CEO¡¯s office, approaching the rnan standing in front of therge window, who
was gazing intensely a piece of ck bandage clutched in his hand, lost in thought. He asked
cautiously, ¡°Chairman, did you need something?¡±
¡°Investigate the cause of today¡¯s audition explosion. Leave no stone unturned, check everyone who
entered the Glory Building and any suspicious traces at the scene, especially anyone who had contact
with her.¡±
Her? Ms. Nightshade?
Jacob replied, ¡°Right away!¡±
¡°Hold on.¡±
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Jacob paused, ¡°Anything else, Chairman?¡±
Orion slowly rubbed the soft ck bandage in his hand, ¡°Send the head of the ¡®Realm of Illusions¡®
project to me.¡±
Back at Lakeside Manor,
As soon as Xanthea got home, she headed straight for the bathroom, letting the warm shower wash
away theke weeds and the faint scent of pine from the man¡¯s suit that liggered on her skin.
Chapter 93
Chapter 93
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Exhausted and seething from a day¡¯s audition, Xanthea flopped onto her bed and fell asleep almost
instantly. When she woke, her first Instinct was to call Isabe
She was done with their six¨Cmonth bet
If the ying field were level, Xanthea might have a shot at outshining her, but with Orion backing
Isabe, she didn¡¯t stand a chance. Instead of wasting time hoping on others, she decided it was better
to find another way to gather evidence of the deceitful pair.
Just as she was about to make a call, her phone rang first; it was Isabe.
Why would Isabe call her? To gloat as the victor?
¡°Hello¡±
¡°Xanthea, I really misjudged you! I thought you were just a bit haughty, but it turns out your character is
just as rotten!
All those years of dating really taught you something, huh? Be harsh one moment and offer constion
the next; ying the victim, using every trick in the book to bewitch Chairman Lockwood into losing his
senses over you. You¡¯re quite the yer!
Flirting with Matthew while seducing Chairman Lockwood? How dare you call Matthew a jerk when
you¡¯re double¨Cdealing? You two are a perfect match; neither of you has any right to talk!
Congrats on snagging the lead in Realm of Illusions with your sly tricks, but don¡¯t celebrate too soon.
I¡¯m about to start filming ¡®Comer with Love¡°, which is one of the year¡¯s most anticipated projects. With
me in it, it¡¯s going to soar. When our showspete, don¡¯t cry yourself to sleep in the CEO¡¯s arms
when my ratings crush you!
I¡¯m calling to tell you, no matter what dirty tricks you use, you¡¯ll never beat mel¡±
Xanthea hadn¡¯t even spoken a word before Isabe unleashed her tirade and hung up, not giving her
any chance to retort
Was she out of her mind?
Staring at her phone, Xanthea tried to call back, only to be declined. She tried a few more times, and
then it went straight to voicemail. [I have no clue what you¡¯re on about, or why you¡¯re freaking out, but
get some help if you need it. Don¡¯t dy your treatment.]
Sfie texted back, dropping her phone as Isabe¡¯s usations echoed in her mind. The ims of her
ying games with Orion, making him dizzy with desire.
Was Isabe projecting? Even if she wanted to nder someone, why target her? it was clear as day
that Orion openly favored and secretly protected Isabe. It really was like ming on others while
herself was to be med.
Fuming, Isabe ended the call and then received the message; as she read it, she almost had a
meltdown.
¡°That Xanthea! Not only does she take advantage without gratitude, but now she dares to insult me!¡±
That day, she had indeed seen Xanthea drenched, clinging to Orion, her arms locked around his neck.
That curvaceous form, the intimate pose, her dewy eyes as long as the pitiful expression, she looked
just like a little fox seekingfort from its owner, her allure undeniable. Any man would find her
irresistible.
Yet the moment she heard she wouldn¡¯t get the part as ¡°Phoenix¡°, Xanthea flipped, shattering the bottle
that led to her being publicly shamed and kicked out of the ¡°Realm of Illusions¡± project!
Chapter 94
Chapter 94
This Xanthea had imed confidently that she didn¡¯t seduce the chairman; turned out she was adept at
ying hard to get secretly, which enthralled the chairman and made him unconditionally give her the
lead role. So despicable!
Wendy!¡±
¡°H¡¯m here. What¡¯s wrong?¡±
Isabe questioned, ¡°Tell me, did Xanthea seduce the chairman that day?¡±
¡°Y¨CYes, she did!¡± Wendy replied firmly.
That day she ran pretty fast, and by the time she arrived at thekeside, she saw the chairman carry
Ms. Nightshade, his coat wrapped around her tightly, their gazes intertwined with an undeniable
attraction, their attractive figures matching, which made her unwittingly ship them
Moreover as the top actress in Starlight Media, Isabe had never got wronged by anyone; that day,
just because she and Ms. Nightshade had a bicker, the boss snarled at her. Now she couldn¡¯t even
dare to think back that horrible scene.
¡°Did she use connections to get the role in ¡°Realm of Illusions?
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¡°Well, about this.¡±
Wendy paused, grappling with her conscience, her voice practically a murmur, ¡°Actually, even if the
chairman hadn¡¯t given the role to Ms. Nightshade, the director team had already scored her the
highest.¡±
¡°Zip it! Why don¡¯t you just go and be her assistant!¡±
[By the way, about the bet I took with you a few days ago, let¡¯s just..]
While Xanthea was texting, she received Oliver¡¯s call.
¡°Unde Oliver
¡°Xan, there¡¯s a good news I need tell your
¡°What good news?¡±
You can y Phoenix!¡±
Xanthea¡¯s moving hands paused in an instant, ¡°I can y Phoenix? Why?¡±
¡°Didn¡¯t I say, that your performance¡¯s extraordinary in the audition. You not just got the highest point,
but the entire crew spoke highly of you; they all think you¡¯re actually Phoenix.¡±
¡°Is that so? But Orion doesn¡¯t think so.¡±
Before she finished, Oliver cut her off, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ve heard what happened at the audition, which is
just a misunderstanding. Mc Lockwood recognized your performance, and suggested you y
Phoenix¡±
What? Xanthea¡¯s brows furrowed abruptly at the words.
Orion also recognized her performance, and was now backing her for the role? What was he up to this
time?
He was the one who publicly eliminated her at the audition, and now he was sending this resource to
her?
Did he think acting so fickle to fool her around would amuse him? Or did he think he found her pitiful
and was doing some kind of chanty? No wonder when Isabe called, she seemed furious.
¡°I don¡¯t need it! Uncle Oliver, tell him for me that I don¡¯t need this resource, nor do I want his pity!¡±
It was the first time Oliver¡¯d ever seen her speaking in such an exasperated tone.
Mr. Lockwood had surmised that she¡¯d get angry and no longer ept it, let alone forgive him.
¡°But I¡¯ve already bought the rights to ¡®Realm of Illusions, including the production team.¡±
¡°What?!¡± Xanthea was stunned. ¡°Uncle Oliver, why didn¡¯t you tell me before doing that?¡±
¡°Don¡¯t you like this novel? So I bought it without talking with you¡±
¡°How much did you spend?¡±
¡°Well,¡± while Oliver was signing the free transfer agreement, he replied ording to what Orion had
said, ¡°2 mil.¡±
Chapter 95
Chapter 95
Upon hearing this, Xanthea shot up from her bed and eximed, ¡°That swindler doubled the price on
you, Uncle! You fell right into his trap. You¡¯ve got to cancel the deal!*
Oliver smiled, ¡°It¡¯s toote for that the contract is already signed. Xan, your role obediently, I¡¯ll earn
back the money.
s long as you pl
night?¡±
The money could be earned back, but the indignation remained!
Xanthea¡¯s perfectly manicured nails left deep marks on the edge of the bed. Orion, having targeted and
toyed with her for so long was one thing, but to actually swindle money from her uncle was utterly
despicable and abhorrent!
She was seriously considering adding him to her cklist, right after Matthew and Miranda!
¡°By the way, Xan, the police have already started Investigating the explosion of the audition, but the
motorcycle was so badly damaged that no traces were left. ording to Ryan, he had it thoroughly
checked at the shop before he even suggested using the Tran light cycle. The detailed proof and the
test ride videos by the shop staff are still on file at thepany. There was not a single problem.¡±
¡°Not a single problem? How is that possible? The clutch, brakes, and the smell of the oll were all
problematic.¡±
¡°What? Even the clutch and brakes were problematic? Those are basic checks, the shop staff couldn¡¯t
possibly overlook them.¡± Oliver frowned, ¡°The motorcycle must have been tampered with after it arrived
at the Glory Building. Xan, among the actorspeting for the Phoenix role with you, has anyone ever
had a conflict with you or hold a grudge?¡±
Having weathered many storms in the entertainment industry, Oliver was ustomed to seeing
underhanded tactics for grabbing resources and opportunities. But someone attempting to endanger
Xan¡¯s life was a new low. He wouldn¡¯t let them get away with it once he found out who it was!
The first person that popped into Xanthea¡¯s mind was Isabe, but it couldn¡¯t be her. Isabe might be
petty, but she was upfront about her feelings and never resorted to sneaky tactics. Plus, from the
moment she arrived at the Glory Building, she hadn¡¯t taken her eyes off Xanthea.
But other than her, Xanthea didn¡¯t really know the other actors. Who else could want to harm her?
¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±
Xanthea shook her head. Oliver solemnly replied, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll investigate one by one and get to the
bottom of this!¡±
Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
Knock, knock, knock!
¡°Xan, Xan, open up quickly!¡±
¡°Xan, are you alright?¡±
Suddenly, a series of urgent shouts came from outside the door.
Upon opening it, Xanthea was immediately swamped by a crowd, barely managing to step back before
Ethan and Samuel lunged forward, engulfing her in a tight hug, ¡°Xan, are you okay? We heard about
the motorcycle explosion at the audition, it almost scared us to death!¡±
¡°Uh~¡±
Sandwiched so tightly between them like a burger patty, Xanthea nearly suffocated, ¡°I was fine; but
now you¡¯re about to squeeze the life out of me!¡±
Ethan and Samuel quickly let her go..
Xanthea gasped for air, wondering how all these grown men¡¯s first reaction to everything was to
pounce¨Cwhether it was Ethan, Samuel, or even Orion.
Wait, why did she even think of that despicable wretch!
Shaking her head, Xanthea looked at them in confusion, ¡°Ethan, weren¡¯t you suppose
Chapter 96
Chapter 96
¡°We heard about the explosion at your audition, and it scared us half to death! How could we even
think of doing anything else? Let me see if you got hurt anywhere.¡±
Susanna chimed in, ¡°Yeah, Xan, are you feeling alright?¡±
¡°Oh, I¡¯m fine!¡± Xanthea spread her arms and spun around a few times. ¡°Look, my arms, legs, head¨Call
ounted for, not a single
scratch!¡±
¡°Don¡¯t joke about this!¡±
Ethan tapped her on the head lightly, and Xanthea pretended to yelp in pain. Just then, they heard a
gasp from the door.
Curious, Xanthea looked over to see Matthew bending over, clutching his shaky left leg, a pained
expression on his face.
¡°Matt, what happened to you?¡±
¡°Miss, Mr. Martinez heard about the danger you faced on set and rushed over here in a panic. While
running upstairs, he identally bumped into the banister and broke a solid oak spindle, Must¡¯ve hurt a
lot!¡±
The housekeeper supported Matthew, who was ashen as he managed to force a smile. ¡°I¡¯m fine,
seeing you safe is all that matters to
Xanthea met his worried gaze, and for a moment she couldn¡¯t tell if his emotions were genuine or
feigned.
His acting had certainly improved since his past life.
Tm okay, but maybe Matt should get that leg looked at in the hospital?¡±
Matthew shook his head, ¡°No need, I be fine in some time.¡±
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¡°Thank goodness it was just a scare.¡± Christopher sighed in relief. ¡°Dinner¡¯s ready, let¡¯s not gather here
any longer. Let¡¯s go downstairs
As they were going downstairs, they happened to meet Mirandaing back.
THE
Miranda dropped her bag, ready to excitedly share her sessful audition, only to notice everyone
focused on Xanthea, surrounding her with words of warmth and concem,pletely oblivious to her
presence.
How could she forget? In the Nightshade family, there¡¯s only one beloved daughter. Even if she hadn¡¯t
scraped even a bit, that was a million times more important than her affairs.
Why was she so lucky? Why hadn¡¯t she perished in that explosion!
¡°Sist
Just as Xanthea came down stairs, she saw Miranda standing at the entrance with a very poor
complexion
Hearing Xanthea¡¯s voice, Miranda quickly adjusted her expression. ¡°Sis, you¡¯re alright?¡±
¡°I¡¯m fine. How about you? How did the audition go?¡±
¡°I passed the first round, the callback is in two days.¡±
¡°You did? Congrattions!¡± Xanthea smiled, ¡°From your expression just now, I thought you hadn¡¯t
made it.¡±
She must have wished for her failure, right?
Unfortunately for her, Miranda had earned the supporting role on merit alone, while she would never
get the chance to y Phoenix!
¡°My upset look was out of concern for you, Sis. After all, your audition performance was so brilliant,
you¡¯d have definitely secured the role of Phoenix if not for the ident.¡±
¡°Mhm¡± Xanthea nodded. ¡°No need for concern, Inded it anyway
¡°What?¡±
Miranda¡¯s expression froze upon hearing this.
Xanthea saw the naked jealousy momentarily unshielded in her eyes and smiled lightly. ¡°Oliver knew
how much I loved that script, so he bought the rights directly from Orion.¡±
¡°is that so? Uncle really dotes on you¡±
Miranda clenched her fists, struggling to maintain her smile. After all the twists and turns, she was still
just a supporting actress?
Christopher bearned, ¡°Then it¡¯s a double celebration tonight! Let¡¯s celebrate you two joining the cast
tonight!¡±
¡°Why celebrate? I¡¯m still all jittery here!¡± Susanna looked wornedly at Xanthea. ¡°Xan, do you really want
to enter the entertainment industry?¡±
Chapter 97
Chapter 97
Xanthea was poking at the cupcake in front of her. Just half an hour ago, she was ready to give up, but
now, with the ¡°Realm of Illusions¡± nights securely in her uncle¡¯s hands, she felt a renewed sense of
purpose.
The indecent photos of Matthew with Miranda, Isabe¡¯s provocations, Orion¡¯s mockery, and her
uncle¡¯s high copyright fee of $20 million¨Call of these, she must reim with her own hands!
¡°Uh¨Chuh.¡±
¡°We haven¡¯t even started filming, and just the auditions nearly caused a disaster. Mom¡¯s really worried.
By the way, has the cause of the explosion at the site been figured out?¡±
¡°Not yet¡± Xanthea shook her head. ¡°Uncle said the motorcycle was thoroughly inspected before it was
delivered. There shouldn¡¯t have been any issues. It must have been tampered with after arriving at the
Glory Building. Uncle¡¯s already started a detailed investigation. He will definitely find some clues.¡±
tter!
As Xanthea spoke of finding clues, Miranda trembled and dropped her cutleries to the ground.
¡°Oh, I¡¯m so sorry!¡±
She quickly bent down
pick them up, her fingers trembling as they touched the cold floor.
She had been so careful. To keep the audition secret, the Glory Building hadn¡¯t installed any cameras,
and Xanthea¡¯s motorcycle was burnt to ashes in the fire. There couldn¡¯t possibly be any trace left, could
there?
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Xanthea nced at her inadvertently, and when she saw her pale face, the action of poking the
cupcake with her fork suddenly stopped. Was it her?!
She had been wondering which actress from the Phoenix auditions might harm her, but she had
forgotten that the person who most wanted her dead, and who had actually seeded, was none other
than Matthew and Miranda.
Matthew had an alibi today, but Miranda had been with her all along!
¡°What? It was sabotage?!¡±
Who w
would dare to harm my sister with such audacity? Once we find out, I¡¯ll y him alive
Xanthea tuned out the rest of the conversation at the table. After dinner, she asked Oliver for the phone
number of the makeup artist at the audition and made a call.
¡°Is that Ms. Nightshade? How can I help you?¡±
¡°Nothing much. I lost a valuable item in the makeup room today and was wondering if you saw anyone
suspicious hanging around after I left, or if anyone left shortly after I did?¡±
¡°Suspicious person?¡±
The makeup artist thought for a moment and then shook her head.
¡°I didn¡¯t see anyone suspicious, but your sister did rummage through your bag and then left. Oh yes, it
seemed like she took something from the makeup table before she left.
It was an eyebrow trimmer! She had a bottle of water and a bunch of des in her hand, which I found
odd, so I paid extra attention.¡± Rummaging through her bag and taking the water and the eyebrow
trimmer?
Knowing she had brought her motorcycle gear for a motor cross performance today, she must have
used the trimmer to cut through the clutch and brake lines, then diluted the engine oil with water. When
the motorcycle reached its maximum speed, the watered¨Cdown oil pressure in the engine would reach
its limit, causing the safety valve to burst open and cause an explosion!
It was Miranda¡¯s doing!
Before the engagement, she had tried to kill her more than once, using extremely cruel methods. Her
malice was appalling!
Was thistest attempt because Xanthea had signed with Oli hea Media, stealing her opportunities?
Since it meant so much to Xanthea, Miranda decided to ruin it all!
Chapter 98
Chapter 98
¡°Xan, why are you here?¡±
Ethan¡¯s voice came from behind, and Xanthea pocketed her phone, her eyes lighting up when she saw
him in hisb coat. ¡°Just getting some fresh air. By the way, Ethan, how did your experiment go today?
Can you show me around?¡±
¡°Are you interested?¡±
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¡°A bit!¡±
¡°Alright.¡± Ethan affectionately ruffled her hair. ¡°Let¡¯s go, I¡¯ll take you there now.¡±
In the evening, Xanthea was curled up on the living room couch watching TV when Matthew walked in
with an exquisite gift box ¡°Xan, the apple turnovers are here! I heard you were craving them, so mom
went straight to the market to get the ingredients and made them as soon as she could.¡±
¡°She¡¯s so kind!¡± Xanthea chuckled, picking up a piece and biting into it, ¡°Mmm, just as delicious as
always!¡±
Matthew watched her nibble on the apple tumovers, her cheeks puffing up like a greedy little squirrel in
the forest¨Cutterly adorable.
filh
¡°When you marry me, I¡¯ll have mom make them for you every day.¡±
Xanthea paused mid¨Cbite, the sweetness in her mouth somehow diminishing
She picked up another piece, tapping it lightly with her fingernail.
Matthew stared, mesmerized by her graceful movements, and his body instinctively drawing closer.
¡°Xan.¡±
Just as he was about to grab her hand, Xanthea picked up two pastries. ¡°I just remembered my sister
loves these too. Matt, why don¡¯t you take these to her?¡±
¡°Oh, okay, sure.
Matthew camed the apple turnovers away
Endurance, just a few more months of enduranc
and Xan wouldpletely be his, then he can do whatever he wanted.
Xanthea watched his retreating figure, a slight smile curling at the corners of her mouth.
Sister, is making your dearest person personally dash your dreams considered a form of retribution?
¡°It
itches! Why is it so itchy?!¡±
¡°Blood, there¡¯s blood on my face, help.¡±
In the dead of night, a piercing scream echoed through the Nightshade family¡¯s detached vi. The
lights quickly came on, and Christopher, Susanna, and several servants rushed to Miranda¡¯s room, only
to be startled by her disheveled appearance, her face smeared with traces of blood.
¡°Miranda, what happened to you?¡±
¡°Why have you suddenly be like this?¡±
Miranda scratched her face uncontrobly while speaking incoherently, ¡°I don¡¯t know, my face and body
suddenly started itching and hurting, and now even talking hurts my throat. Mom, Dad, please help
me.¡±
Ethan rushed into the room and upon seeing Miranda¡¯s swollen body and dted pupils with faint traces
of foarn at her mouth, he quickly pulled Susanna back from trying to help her up.
¡°Don¡¯t touch her, she might be having a severe allergic reaction or poisoning. Call 911!¡±
At Lonson Hospital.
¡°The patient is still in critical condition. There¡¯s widespread sudden edema and rashes all over her
body, and some organ functions have been damaged to varying extents. It¡¯s likely chemical poisoning,
this is the toxic substance extracted from her blood. We¡¯ll need to wait for theb results to know the
specifics. Prepare for her to be in the hospital for at least three months.¡±
The doctor handed the medical report to Christopher, who took it, murmuring in confusion, ¡°Miranda¡¯s
diet and daily routine have always been with us, she hasn¡¯t been sick or taken any medicationtely.
How could she suddenly be poisoned?¡±
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Chemical poisoning?
Ethan looked at the prominent chemical form on the diagnosis report, as if remembering something,
his eyes gradually narrowing. When Xanthea walked into the hospital room holding a box of apple
turnovers. She saw Miranda, wrapped in bandages from head to toe, her face swollen like a roasted
pig with scratched skin, and almost burst outughing.
¡°Mirry,¡± she knocked and entered, ¡°How are you feeling? Are you feeling any better?¡±
Miranda lying on the bed, struggled to tum towards the sound. When she saw Xanthea, she tried to
speak, but her swollen tonsils made it impossible for her to even open her mouth
¡°What¡¯s wrong? Can¡¯t you even speak?¡±
Xanthea¡¯s eyes welled up with sadness as she looked at Miranda. ¡°No wonder when I passed by the
doctor¡¯s office just now, I heard him say something about systemic breakdown and organ failure, asking
the family to be prepared. So, sis, your condition has be so serious already? What are we going
to do?¡±
What?!
Hearing ¡°organ failure, asking the family to be prepared,¡± Miranda¡¯s pupils dted in fear, and she
trembled violently.
Seeing her face covered with rashes from fear, Xanthea raised an eyebrow slightly, ¡°Oh, by the way.
I¡¯ve reported your condition to thepany. Uncle¡¯s been understanding and has canceled all your
work for the next year to let you recover properly¡±
What?!
Who authorized her to speak? Who asked her to report that? it was just a minor allergy, she would
recover soon, no need to halt her work! She was a star, who would remember her if she disappeared
for a year?
Miranda¡¯s eyes widened with extreme anger. Unable to speak, she slowly raised her hand.
But just as soon as she raised it, Xanthea pressed it back down sharply
Ouch!!!
The excruciating pain was like oil sshed on a scalding iron, yet she couldn¡¯t scream, only tremble in
agony.
Xanthea spoke soothingly. ¡°Sis, you¡¯re sick now. Don¡¯t move around. Be a good girl and cover yourself
with the nket.¡±
¡°Also, since you missed the audition for Realm of Illusions as Vivian, the role has fallen into the hands
of your old rival, April. She¡¯s been taunting you on Twitter, but don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ve already fired back for
you.
¡°But your fan club disbanded, lots of fans have switched sides. They say without looks, talent, or
dedication, they might as well support April.¡±
¡°Ah.¡±
Before Xanthea could finish, Miranda used all her strength to open her mouth and let out a hoarse cry.
Xanthea stepped back and covered her nose with some disgust, ¡°Sis, didn¡¯t you brush your teeth this
morning? I¡¯ll go call the nurse for
you.¡±
Xantheal Xanthea!
You witch!
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Taking advantage of my illness to deliberately provoke me!
Always pretending to be the kind, gentle sister, but now your true colors show, huh?
Miranda red daggers at Xanthea¡¯s retreating figure, her eyes burning with hatred, as if she wished
she could scorch holes in her.
She raised her hand to brush off the things Xanthea had brought, but then she noticed the box of apple
turnovers on the table.
Apple turnovers?
Apple turnovers?!
Just yesterday, her amodations and provisions were exactly like everyone else¡¯s at home, except
for these apple turnovers, it was brought to her by Xanthes through Maty!
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Chapter 100
It¡¯s her! it is her doing!
She must have poisoned her inside, trying to harm hert
The thoughts raced through Miranda¡¯s mind as she recalled all the recent actions of Xanthea¨Cstealing
her championship, stealing Matt from her, monopolizing herpany¡¯s resources, and always ying
the innocent while subtly tamishing Miranda¡¯s reputation in front of the family. It turns out all of this was
not an illusion but a premeditated nt
Brought back from the orphanage to the Nightshade family in her childhood, she was meant to
compliment and showcase her, being her sister in name but in reality, a servant. Now grown up, seeing
her progressing and thriving in the entertainment industry became intolerable, wanting to get rid of her!
This hypocritical, two¨Cfaced angel of deceit¨Cshe was out to get her!
Struggling to sit up in her hospital bed, Miranda saw Ethan enter the room.
¡°E¨CEthan
She opened her mouth excitedly, trying hard to lift her hand.
¡°What¡¯s wrong, Miranda?¡± Ethan looked puzzled as he followed her gaze to a box of apple turnovers on
the table, his express freezing for a moment.
¡°Si¨Csis, she poi-¡±
Her voice tore with pain as she tried to expose Xanthea¡¯s malice.
Ethan approached the nightstand and picked up the box of apple turnovers, sniffing them cautiously
¡°Ethan, you, you must-
She looked at Ethan full of tears and hope.
However, after sniffing the turnovers, Ethan gently ced them back down, his gaze sharpening
rmingly as he turned back to her ¡°Miranda, you can take your medicine indiscriminately, but you
must be careful with your words. Otherwise, your condition may be more severe than it is now¡±
Miranda¡¯s heart raced with fear as her fingers trembled and tears rolled down her cheeks. Was Ethan
threatening her?
She hadn¡¯t even said anything yet, and he already seemed to know everything. So, he knew everything
in advance, right? He knew
was out to harm herl Xanthea was out to harm her! He knew Xanthea
¡°Alright, you should rest now.¡±
Ethan picked up the box of apple turnovers and left the room, leaving Miranda to break down in
hysterical tears.
She had thought her father and Ethan were the fairest in the family, at least they would treat her as a
family member. Yet, she malized that her life was worth less than an ant in the face of Xanthea¡¯s
schemes. They might even be conspiring against her
Exiting the room with the apple turnovers, Ethan saw a doctor eagerly following Xanthea down the
hallway, asking for her phone number. She seemed annoyed by his persistence, then turned around
and cheerily gave him Samuel¡¯s number instead.
Ethan chuckled, ncing at the apple tumovers spiked with a minor dose of poison in his hand and
shook his head. ¡°Little troublemaker¡±
The weekend came, upon returning from a business trip, Oliver called Xanthea ¡°Xan, are you free
today?¡±
¡°I¡¯m reviewing a script; what¡¯s up, uncle?¡±
¡°Stop that for now, I¡¯ve got a surprise for you. Come to the office.¡±
A surprise?
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At the President¡¯s office.
Xanthea came out from the executive elevator, saw Oliver¡¯s office door wide open, and was about to
call out to her uncle when she heard a rising and falling cadence of Russian from inside.
She paused, peering in to see a vaguely familiar man lounging on the guest sofa.
He was dressed in casual light wear, with neatly styled ck hair, a pair of t, long, and straight
eyebrows, clear and handsome facial features. At that moment, he was reading a Russian script
marked with colored pens. His gentle and literate demeanor was very much like that of a news anchor,
unfortunately his Russian was not very good.
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After a while of listening, Xanthea knocked on the office door during a brief pause.
¡°Hello, is Mr. Lopez here?¡±
Benjamin Jones was deeply immersed in practicing his Russian when a knock at the door interrupted
him, his eyebrows lifted in slight Imitation. However, his expression softened as he caught sight of the
young woman at the door.
The girl stood in the entrance of the hallway, her soft, honey¨Cblonde curls gently lifted by the breeze,
draping a few strands over her excessively long and curled eyshes.
She brushed them aside with her hand, her skin as delicate and pale as the finest ivory, her brows
finely arched and her eyes, bright and star-like, shimmered like a radiant gxy, so captivating it was
hard to look away.
Was this Xanthea?
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She was even more stunning in person than on TV.
He stared a bit too long before hurriedly setting down his script and standing up to greet her with a
smile, ¡°Hello, Ms. Nightshade, nice to meet you.¡±
He knew her?
Xanthea looked at him with a hint of surprise, ¡°Hello, and you are?¡±
¡°You don¡¯t know me?¡±
Benjamin paused, then found it somewhat amusing.
s the fi
first time someone had said they didn¡¯t recognize him. This mare and fresh feeling was both
Since his debut at the age of ten, it was
novel and amusing.
Uh, should she know him?
Bemused by his incredulous tone, Xanthea racked her brains. His face did seem familiar, but she
couldn¡¯t quite recall where she had seen him before
¡°Are you a friend of my uncle?¡°uvr r¡¯s
Benjaminughed, ¡°Didn¡¯t Mr. Lopez tell you why you¡¯re here?¡±
¡°No, he just mentioned he had a surprise for me.¡±
¡°Then let¡¯s wait for Mr. Lopez then,¡± Benjamin offered, gentlemanly pulling out a chair for her. Xanthea
thanked him and sat down, noticing the notebook in his hands filled with circled words, ¡°Were you
practicing Russian?¡±
¡°You understand it?¡±
Benjamin was surprised. Xanthea nodded, ¡°A little. I heard you reading from outside. Your tone, pitch,
cohesion between sentences, and grammar usage were quite good. It¡¯s just that some of your
pronunciations were off. You struggle with R¡¯s, don¡¯t you?¡±
Her pinpoint uracy in identifying his weaknesses stunned Benjamin. She had only heard him from
outside for a short while but could keenly identify the issue. She definitely understood more than just a
little.
¡°Indeed, I¡¯ve been learning Russian for a while but still can¡¯t roll my Rs properly. It¡¯s quite
embarrassing. If Ms. Nightshade doesn¡¯t mind, I¡¯d appreciate any advice.¡±
¡°It¡¯s not about giving advice; I can share some tips with you.¡±
As she read in Russian, the delivery was good, and the pace and emotion were just right ¨C even a level
that would impress professional interpreters. Yet she had modestly imed to only understand a little.
Surprisingly, she seemed no older than 16 or 17, yet possessed such high linguistic talent and
knowledge, remaining humble and unassuming. This set her apart from all the high¨Csociety debutantes
he had met, who seemed to unt even the most trivial achievements as though they were of great
importance
Benjamin¡¯s gaze on her shifted from initial superficial appreciation to something
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¡°Your ¡®R¡® sound was slightly off just now. Try curling your tongue lightly, creating a sound simr to the
English letter ¡°L¡± Xanthes looked up and exined to him. Benjamin was momentarily startled, then
quickly regained hisposure and started to follow her Instructions, but to little avall.
After several failed attempts, Xanthea put down her notebook, ¡°Why don¡¯t youe sit closer?¡±
¡°Okay.¡±
Benjamin obediently moved across the table, sitting directly opposite her. Xanthea slightly opened her
mouth and began demonstrating.
¡°When you¡¯re trying to make the ¡®R¡® sound, lightly curl the tip of your tongue like this, let your tongue
gently touching your upper pte without too much force; otherwise, the sound won¡¯t be urate.¡±
She was like a dedicated teacher, but all Benjamin could focus on were her captivating eyes, the
graceful arch of her nose, her rosy lips, and the glimpse of her delicate tongue¡ He was mesmerized
once again.
Oliver walked into the office with some documents Just in time to witness this scene.
Xanthea was sitting across from Benjamin, gesticting as if trying to exin somethingplex,
while Benjamin stared at her, as if he were enchanted.
¡°I haven¡¯t arrived yet, and you¡¯ve already started discussing the script, haven¡¯t you?¡± Oliver remarked.
¡°Uncle!¡± Xanthea eximed, standing up. Benjamin quickly averted his gaze, only realizing after a
moment that his heartbeat was thundering.
¡°I was just teaching this gentleman how to pronounce the trilled R sound.¡±
¡°This gentleman?¡± Oliver chuckled, ¡°Xan, don¡¯t tell me you don¡¯t recognize him?¡±
¡°Isn¡¯t he your friend?¡± she replied, puzzled.
¡°Ha!¡± Oliver pped Benjamin on the shoulder, introducing him grandly. ¡°This, my dear, is the young
master from the northern parts of Crestwood, a national movie star who has shattered box office
records multiple times¨CBenjamin Jones!¡±
Benjamin? National movie star?
Suddenly, Xanthea remembered where she had seen him before.
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¡°I¡¯m sorry, Benjamin. My niece has always been so focused on her studies that she hardly pays
attention to anything else, so she didn¡¯t recognize you.¡±
¡°No worries. It¡¯s precisely for that reason that Ms. Nightshade is so outstanding,¡± Benjamin responded,
looking forward to seeing her excited reaction to his name.
¡°I remember now! The poster in my mom¡¯s room, that¡¯s you! You¡¯re my mom¡¯s favorite actor!¡±
¡°What?¡± Benjamin was stunned, never expecting this answer, ¡°I just started early. I¡¯m not that old.¡±
¡°Ha, Benjamin became famous at a young age, he¡¯s only 26 this year, and has already made
unparalleled achievements in the film industry. If you could star in ¡®Realm of Illusions, I¡¯d rest easy
knowing Xan is in good hands!¡± Oliver added.
¡°What? Uncle, are you saying today¡¯s surprise is inviting the Movie King to y the lead male in Realm
of Illusions?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right, Ms. Nightshade. That Russian you were teaching me earlier is actually a line
from the script,¡±
¡°Ah.¡±
Xanthea scratched her head, and seeing her look troubled, Benjamin was a bit puzzled, ¡°Do you feel
there¡¯s something not quite right, Ms. Nightshade?¡±
¡°Not at all! It¡¯s an honor to have such an experienced colleague join ¡°Realm of Illusions. I¡¯m just worried
that it being my first time acting, my many shorings might cause you trouble.¡±
¡°That¡¯s Okay, I don¡¯t mind,¡± Benjamin shook his head without a second thought, ¡°Just like how you
instructed me in Russian, I can assist you in acting.¡±
Oliver was secretly astonished at Benjamin¡¯s words. It was well¨Cknown that Benjamin was very
demanding of his co¨Cstars. If someone¡¯s acting skills were unsatisfactory or theycked
professionalism, he wouldn¡¯t even consider them. Having invited him personally to discuss staring as
the male lead in ¡°Realm of illusions,¡± Oliver had assumed that Benjamin would outright refuse upon
learning that Xan was a novice, and had been prepared to negotiate heavily.
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Unexpectedly, Xan had barely been there a few minutes to win Benjamin over.
Indeed, there¡¯s no one in this world who can resist the charm of his darling niece!
¡°That¡¯s fantastic!¡± Oliver pped his hands andughed, pulling them both to sit down, ¡°Let¡¯s get down
to business and talk about the contract!¡±
The discussion moved from the contract to the script, and it wasn¡¯t until the afternoon that they
wrapped up.
Benjamin stood up, still enthusiastic, and looked at Xanthea with admiration, ¡°Ms. Nightshade, you truly
have a brilliant mind. Your insights into the script even put me to shame.¡±
¡°You tter me, Movie King¡±
¡°There¡¯s no need for formalities, Ms. Nightshade. You can call me Benjamin, just like Mr. Lopez does.¡±
Calling him by his first name? Isn¡¯t that a bit too impolite?
Although Xanthea didn¡¯t know much about the intricacies of entertainment industry, she knew that this
industry valued etiquette, especially the respect shown to seniors. But recalling his earlier mention of
age, it seemed he was quite sensitive about being considered old
¡°Alright, then you can call me Xan.¡±
Xan, Xan.
Benjamin murmured the name in his heart and nodded with a smile.
¡°Uncle, I need to discuss something with you.¡±
Before leaving, Xanthea pulled Oliver aside, ¡°I talked to the project team carlier and found out that the
filming location is quite far from home. I was thinking of renting a ce in the western areas of
Crestwood for convenience.
¡°No problem, I¡¯ll take care of it!
At the top floor of the Lockwood Group headquarters.
Jacob rushed into the president¡¯s office with a stack of documents, ¡°Chairman, the investigation into
Ms. Nightshade¡¯s motorcycle explosion has beenpleted. Due to the severe destruction at the
scene, all traces have been obliterated
To prevent the leakage of audition materials, there were no cameras installed in the makeup room or
rehearsal area that day. After screening all who entered the Glory Building, only two had the
opportunity tomit the crime¨CMiranda and Isabe
But one is Ms. Nightshade¡¯s stepsister, and the other imed she had stepped out to smoke,
intentionally hiding to avoid paparazzi, with her agent and assistant as alibis.¡±
¡°Miranda?¡±
¡°Yes! We initially wanted to investigate her, but it turns out she suffered a severe drug overdose
recently and is currently hospitalized. It¡¯s likely she won¡¯t be able to speak for months.¡±
Orion pondered for a moment, ¡°Continue the investigation.¡±
¡°Will do!¡± Jacob closed the file, slightly surprised by how much the chairman cared for Ms. Nightshade,
even suspecting her own sister. ¡°Also, chairman, while investigating the ident, I noticed that Ms.
Nightshade moved into a new house for filming ¡®Realm of Illusions right next to your temporary
residence in the westem areas of Crestwood.¡±
Hearing this, Orion slowly looked up.
¡°Ah, moving is exhausting!¡±
After settling all her belongings in her new home, Xanthea took a rxing bath and flopped onto the
bed in her bunny pajamas.
As the evening breeze picked up, she remembered her undies still hanging outside, and she nned to
retrieve them. However, to her surprise, when she went outside and searched around, she couldn¡¯t find
them anywhere. Just as she was puzzled, she unexpectedly spotted her pink Hello Kitty panties lying
on the neighboring balcony¡¯s nter!
She was startled and immediately tiptoed to look across. She only saw a pair of men¡¯s gray slippers on
the balcony.
Did a man live next door?
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This was so embarrassing. She needed to retrieve her undies quickly!
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Chapter 104
The penthouse of Sunset Hills Estatesprised only two expansive apartments, 3001 and 3002, with
their balconies separated by a charming Russian¨Cstyle cantilevered flower bed.
Xanthea, attempting a rather precarious maneuver, stretched a clothes pole across the garden to snag
her underwear from the neighboring balcony. However, due to the pole¡¯s insufficient length, her efforts
proved fruitless. Looking down suddenly, she was frightened into a cold sweat by the dizzying height of
the building.
She decided it might be less hassle to just knock on the neighbor¡¯s door, rather than risk drawing too
much attention and creating an awkward scene.
Standing in front of apartment 3001, she rang the doorbell.
*Ding¨Cdong.*
*Ding¨Cdong.
After the doorbell rang twice without any response, Xanthea thought no one was home and was about
to give up, the door finally clicked
open.
¡°Hello, sorry to bother you, I¡¯m¡¡±
She began, but the words caught in her throat as the door slowly revealed the man behind it.
The man was dressed in a light ash¨Cgrey lounge outfit. His attire, though loose and soft, couldn¡¯t hide
his well¨Csculpted figure, from his slim waist to his long legs. The slightly open neckline revealed an
enticing corbone, and his features, framed by in spectacles, were impably handsome. But
under those sses, Xanthea recognized ¨¤familiar gaze and her astonishment quickly turned to shock.
Wasn¡¯t this Orion?!
Normally, when she saw him, he was in a suit and leather shoes, exuding an air of unapproachable
nobility. Seeing him now in such an elegant and seemingly benign manner¨Cpah! More like a
hypocritically genteel scoundrel ¨C she almost didn¡¯t recognize him at first!
As realization dawned, her shock swiftly morphed into anger.
Onion, opening the door, was unexpectedly greeted by what appeared to be a fluffy ¡°little bunny¡± in
white, with droopyrge ears. hanging by the shoulders, and a cute stubby tail at the back, which
brought a faint smile to his thin lips.
¡°Ms. Nightshade?¡±
He was smiling?
After all the teasing and even extorting copyright fees from her uncle, he could still smile upon seeing
her again. Was he mocking her? Irritated, Xanthea clenched the hood of her pajamas, causing the two
ears on her shoulders to immediately stand up.
When the fluffy white rabbit ears unexpectedly popped up on the girl¡¯s head, Orion¡¯s dark eyes slightly
tightened as if he were charmed, yet also as if it reminded him of some special and secretive adult
costume.
Realizing what he might be thinking, Xanthea quickly let go of her grip.
He wasughing at her pajamas!
What rotten luck to have him as a neighbor.
She had imagined their next encounter would be on a glittering stage, where she¡¯d be epting a
prestigious award, using her ster results from ¡°Realm of Illusions¡± to metaphorically p him in the
face.
Instead, here she was in a bunny pajama, knocking on his door.
¡°I dropped something on your balcony,¡± Xanthea said coldly without any expression. Tll just take it and
go.¡±
Orion raised an eyebrow and nced towards the balcony.
Seeing him silent, Xanthea¡¯s brow furrowed, perhaps doubting the sincerity of her im. She hastily
added, ¡°I just moved into the next door, 30021¡±
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What was that look for? Was he thinking she was some social climber, deliberately dressing up to
knock on his door in the middle of the night? Ha, he thinks too highly of himself!
Orion responded, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll get it for Ms. Nightshade
Seeing him turn to head for the balcony, Xanthea¡¯s eyes widened in fear, and she abruptly grabbed his
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Chapter 105
Orion¡¯s gaze fell on her hand tightly gripping his wrist.
¡°No need, I can handle it myself!¡±
She darted into the house like a sprightly rabbit, heading straight for the balcony. If he saw her Hello
Kitty underwear she would never be able to face him again!
Watching her short, trembling bunny¨Clike tail, Orion¡¯s amusement deepened as he slowly turned the
complex lock.
On the balcony, Xanthea made a beeline for her goal, nning to grab the underwear and make a run
for it. But to her dismay, in the very spot where her Kitty underwear should have been lying innocently,
there was nothing!
She paused, scanning the area thoroughly. She looked everywhere, top to bottom, inspecting every
visible spot on the balcony. Still, she found nothing!
Refusing to give up, she crouched down and began searching inch by inch.
It was bizarre, they were right here a moment ago, clearly visible from next door! How could they have
vanished so suddenly? Had the wind blown them off course, or had they been swept off the balcony
entirely? Yet, the breeze didn¡¯t seem strong enough for that.
As Xanthea continued her search, she suddenly noticed a pair of gray slippers in front of her.
Slowly lifting her eyes along the man¡¯s excessively straight legs, she inadvertently caught sight of the
substantial bulge beneath his loose pajama pants!
Her heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively pulled her hands back, steadying herself.
That was quite eyesore!
How could such casual home wear fail to conceal his¡ In a restful state? No wonder they say men
wearing gray pants aremitting a
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crime
¡°Ms. Nightshade, have you found it yet?¡±
Orion leaned down, his gaze intensifying as he looked at her. Flustered from her recent awkwardness,
Xanthea averted her eyes, her hands involuntarily fiddling with the potted nt in front of her, ¡°No, not
yet, just a moment longer.¡±
Observing her relentless mistreatment of the potted nt, Orion remarked, ¡°Is Ms. Nightshade¡¯s item
small? Should I tum on the light?¡± With his reminder, Xanthea realized what she was doing and quickly
withdrew her hands.
¡°No need! I can see just fine!¡±
Continuing her search, she crawled under the storage tform, contorting herself into a difficult
position. But she still couldn¡¯t find her Kitty underwear.
Meanwhile, Orion, standing at the balcony door, watched her intently, his gaze almost piercing through
her.
Xanthea paused, realizing thepromising position she was in.
Remembering the look he gave her at the door, filled with suspicion, and now, after searching the
exposed balcony for so long without finding anything
He couldn¡¯t possibly suspect that she was the kind of woman who shows up uninvited at midnight, like
Seb mentioned about a teacher who tried to seduce him when he was drunk!
¡°Maybe the wind blew it away. It¡¯s not something important anyway, so I¡¯ll stop looking!¡±
She slowly crawled out from under the storage bench, Orion¡¯s gaze reluctantly shifting away from her
shapely form, deep and imprable, as he stepped aside to let her pass.
Crap! How embarrassing!
What she¡¯d intended as a small act of revenge had backfired, and now she was mistaken for that kind
of woman! She¡¯d never felt more humiliated in her eighteen years. She wished she could just vanish
into thin air!
Blushing and frustrated, Xanthea rushed to the door, grabbing the handle. But, as fate would have it,
what she feared most¡
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Chapter 106
The smart door unexpectedly started shouting and, after three calls, it locked itselfpletely.
Xanthea was baffled. Twisting the knob again, the screen disyed¨CTrigger child lock protection
mechanism, please try again one
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Child lock protection mechanism? What the heck? Is that even such an operation?
Instinctively, she started to call out for Orion but stopped midway.
The man behind her heard her call and quickly approached, ¡°What¡¯s the matter, Ms. Nightshade?¡±
¡°Your door seems to have a bit of a problem¡±
Onon nced at the message on the screen, ¡°It looks like you turned the knob the wrong way and
triggered the child lock.¡±
¡°Child lock?¡±
A safety feature specifically designed to prevent children from operating devices out of curiosity and
potentially causing harm. Once activated, all other functions are temporarily disabled until the set time
is reached.
¡°Why have such a feature when there are no kids around?¡±
¡°All houses in Sunset Hills Estates have it, yours included.¡±
¡°So what do we do now?¡±
here for an hour¡±
Onion replied, ¡°We¡¯ll just have to ask you to wait h
Xanthe thought: 1 must have overlooked my horoscope today. The more I try to avoid him, the more
tangled up I get, and now I¡¯m literally trapped in his house!
Owon nced at the clock. ¡°I was about to make somete¨Cnight snacks, how about you stay and join
me, Ms. Nightshade?¡±
¡°No, thanks. I¡¯m not hungry!¡±
Xanthes promptly refused
¡°Maybe watch some TV?¡±
¡°No, thanks, I don¡¯t feel like it
Xanthea refused again.
Would Me Nightshade like something to drink?
¡°No, thanks, I don¡¯t want anything!¡±
With her third consecutive refusal, Orion looked at her deliberately distant and frosty demeanor, ¡°Then
please make yourself at home, Ms. Nightshade. Call me if you need anything¡±
As Xanthea watched him head to the kitchen, she scoffed internally. All pretense and ostentation. If she
hadn¡¯t seen through his despicable nature, she might actually have been charmed by his gentlemanly
demeanor
Xanthea sat on a bench in the hallway, prepared to quietly wait an hour away.
Unexpectedly, a rich and enticing savory aroma slowly drifted from the kitchen, directly appealing to her
taste buds and causing Xanthea¡¯s stomach to immediately start rumbling in celebration. This smell was
just too much!
it seemed like sweet and sour pork ribs, pan/fried bass, and pineapple pork, all dishes she loved from
back home!
Having just moved, she was both physically and emotionally exhausted, and hadn¡¯t had a chance to
eat before getting trapped here. Now, the smell of the food was like a bone to a hungry wolf, her
appetite was roused.
This Onion, absolutely detestable! Why make such avishte¨Cnight meal!
No, she must resist, she must hold back, absolutely must not embarrass herself in front of him again!
Xanthea forced herself to close her eyes, steadying her mind, repeating inwardly, ¡°I don¡¯t want to eat, I
don¡¯t want to eat, I don¡¯t want to eat, I don¡¯t want to eat, I want to eat, I want to eat, I want to eat, eat,
eat, eat.¡±
The kitchen door swung open and the mere strands of scent that had escaped before now engulfed her
in waves, almost causing Xanthea to lose control of her drool.
She cracked open one eye and saw Orion cing all the dishes on the table, exactly as she had
imagined. The enticing look and smell
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of the food immediately brought back memories of her days in Willowdale.
Chapter 107
Chapter 107
To be honest, Onon wasn¡¯t exactly Mr. Nice Guy, but his cooking is top tierf
After eating just once in Willowdale, she found the vor unforgettable, and her taste threshold was
suddenly elevated. Meals cooked by her aunt and mother at home no longer satisfied her.
Onon caught the fleeting nce she threw at the sweet and sour pork ribs and with a slight tilt of his
elongated, deep eyes, he teased. ¡°Ms Nightshade, won¡¯t you join me?¡±
¡°No, no thanks!¡±
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Xanthea swallowed hard, rejecting the offer with great difficulty.
She nced at the digital clock. Why was time moving so slowly? Every second felt like an eternity!
¡°Ms. Nightshade.¡±
His voice, dripping with temptation, reached her again. Unable to resist, Xanthea cut him off, ¡°Mr.
Lockwood, I think our rtionship hardly qualifies for sharing a dinner, right? Even if we had some past
interactions, after your behind¨Cthe¨Cscenes maniption during the ¡®Realm of Illusions¡® audition, that
should have ended.¡±
After her words hung in the air for a few brief seconds, just when she thought she might finally get
some peace, Orion suddenly said, ¡°7 was just wondering, Ms, Nightshade, if you heard any strange
noises?¡±
Instantly, her cheeks red up in embarrassment as she reflexively covered her stomach, ¡°What
strange noise? No, not at all, maybe it¡¯s just your kitchen¡¯s exhaust fan still running!¡±
Orion¡¯s lips curved in a smirk, watching her feign innocence, sweeter than the pineapple on his te,
¡°Hmm.¡±
She couldn¡¯t sit still any
any longer, the hunger r was so intense she felt she could eat her own hand. She needed a distraction,
and fast! Xanthea looked around, and her gaze ultimately fell back on Orion by the dining table
because, whether it was the dishes or him, they were the most eye¨Ccatching presence in the room.
¡°Onion.¡±
She suddenly called out to him, causing a puzzled look to cross his face as he hadn¡¯t expected her to
initiate a conversation given their earlier standoff.
¡°Ms. Nightshade.¡±
¡°I have a question for you. At the novel rights auction, you fought tooth and nail against me over
¡°Realm of Illusions, and then publicly eliminated me during the auditions. So why did you end up selling
the rights to my uncle? Was it just to make a $10 million in profit?¡± When she first heard this from her
uncle, she was furious. But after calming down and thinking it over¨Cwho was he? The chairman of the
prestigious Lockwood Group, a fixture on the Forbes list, casually gifting diamonds and jewels worth
millions. What did a mere 10 million dors mean to him? Why would he hand over something he
worked so hard for, just for that amount?
And more so, he dotes on Isabe, right? Why wouldn¡¯t he give ¡®Realm of illusions¡® to her when she
loves it so much?
After asking, she looked at him with a puzzled expression, but he looked down at the dish in front of
him, seemingly not prepared to answer her question.
¡°Orion.¡±
¡°If Ms. Nightshade would dine with me, I could answer your question,¡± Orion replied, lifting his gaze
slightly. Thebined allure of his look and the food was too much for Xanthea. Before she could
verbally respond, her body honestly stood up, ¡°Alright.¡±
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Chapter 108
Xanthea had no idea how she found herself at the dining table, not how the ended up with the utensils
in her hand. All she knew was that the sweet and sour pork nhs were incredibly tender and juicy, the
oysters tofu was delightfully fresh and smooth, and the pineapple¨Czed ham was refreshingly tangy!
With each delicious bite. Xanthea, who had been bustling all day and was famished, nearly shed tears
of joy
As the girl ate, a satisfied curve appeared on her beautiful face, her cheeks pulled out adorably, and
her fluffy ears on her head twitched with each bite, making her look like a bunny munching on a
fragrant camot¨Cwhich was so endearing that it was hard not to want to touch and caress her
Orion¡¯s grip on his cutlery tightened slightly, suppressing the urge as he piled more meat onto her te.
Looking at her te, which was almost overflowing. Xanthea hurriedly waved her hands, ¡°That¡¯s
enough, no more. I won¡¯t have that piece of fish, I¡¯m afraid it¡¯ll get stuck again.¡±
¡°Sea bass, it¡¯s boneless¡±
¡°Really?¡±
Not even a tiny bone? She remembered getting choked on onest time.
Xanthea bit into it skeptically and then savored the bite. True enough, there wasn¡¯t a single bone, only
the exquisite softness and crispy delight.
¡°Mmm, this is the first time I¡¯ve had such crispy, pan¨Cseared bass. How did you do it?¡±
¡°Want to leam?¡±N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.
¡°Yes, please!¡±
Xanthea nodded vigorously
¡°You don¡¯t need to leam.¡±
Xanthes: ¡°Fair enough¡±
She had never been gifted in cooking. After failing numerous cooking sses and even causing a star
chef to advise her to quit wasting ingredients, she knew it wasn¡¯t her forte.
Onon watched her face fall in disappointment, biting back the words that almost escaped him: I like
you¨Ci can always cook for you, no matter when, in any role.
The next moment, she perked up again, her smile radiant as she looked at him, ¡°But really, your
culinary skills are extraordinary. If you weren¡¯t a CEO, you could definitely be a renowned chefl¡±
¡°I don¡¯t need worldwide fame, satisfying one person is enough.¡±
Without realizing it, he spoke his true feelings.
¡°One person?¡± Xanthea curiously asked, ¡°Who¡¯s that lucky person?¡±
Orion looked at her intently, his deep gaze burning with an intensity she couldn¡¯t quit¨¦ decipher, ¡°My
future girlfriend.¡±
Girlfriend?
She hadn¡¯t expected him to be so romantic. Going by past experiences, wasn¡¯t his future girlfriend
Miranda?
The moment the name ¡®Miranda¡® popped into her head, she seemed to realize something, her
enthusiastic chewing and the smile on her face freezing momentarily
What the heck?
Was she really sitting here, chatting andughing with Orion, this deceitful man? Had she forgotten that
she had already cklisted him?
The allure of good food was too misleading. This time, she had to be more cautious, not to be deceived
by his pretentious kindness
again!
With that thought, she put down her silverware and straightened her face, ¡°Mr. Lockwood, I¡¯ve already
dined with you, me why you decided to sell the rights to Realm of Illusions¡® to my uncle?¡±
now
can you tell
Orion, watching the little bunny who turned hostile after being fed, couldn¡¯t help but smile.
Xanthea, feeling somewhat guilty as his gaze seemingly brushed over the leftover food, awkwardly
licked her lips. Although it seemed like she had been the only one feasting, he was the one who invited
he
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Chapter 109
¡°The proposal and risk assessment for ¡®Rerim of
of illusions were not approved by the board.¡±
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¡°What?¡± Xanthea could hardly believe her ears, ¡°Just because of that?¡±
Orion replied, ¡°Yeah¡±
¡°And you being the chairman doesn¡¯t make a difference?¡±
¡°I tend to respect the opinions of my team.¡±
¡°Ha¨Cha Xanthea burst intoughter, her eyes twinkling with amusement as she looked at him, ¡°Respect
for the team, huh? But I must say, their vision really is not that great.¡±
Onon nodded in agreement, ¡°I think so too.¡±
Xanthea raised her hand, ¡°Don¡¯t get me wrong, I¡¯m not saying your vision is any good!¡±
¡°But my vision, indeed, is very good,¡± he asserted confidently.
She rolled her eyes at him. Such a narcissist!
¡°If it were really good, you would¡¯ve gone against everyone¡¯s advice to keep the project, not sold it off
so easily! Just wait, Orion. Once I make ¡°Realm of Illusions¡® into a film. You¡¯ll regret it!¡±
Regret eliminating me at the audition; regret favoring Isabe!
¡°Alright, I¡¯ll wait to regret it,¡± he said with a slight smirk, his eyes betraying no sign of actual regret
¡°By the way, what about Isabe? She seemed quite upset about notnding the role of Phoenix. Aren¡¯t
you Xanthea ventured cautiously, only to see him passing a fleeting look of confusion, ¡°Who?¡±
¡°Ah, never mind!¡±
concemed?
She felt a secret thrill and quickly gestured towards the door. ¡°The child lock seems to be off. I should
be going!¡±
At the auction and during the auditions for ¡°Realm of Illusions,¡± she had seen Isabe standing proudly
behind him, presuming some unspeakable intimacy existed between them.
After all, such rtionships are quitemon in the entertainment industry¨Ca business tycoon and a
popr actress seemed well matched
But when she mentioned Isabe just now, not only did he show no emotional reaction, he seemed
genuinely puzzled. Perhaps she had misunderstood their rtionship.
This meant she didn¡¯t have to worry about him backing Isabe, making it impossible for Isabe to
surpass her anyway! Orion looked towards the smart door which now showed it was unlocked. That
was so quick
¡°Alright, I¡¯m leaving!¡± Xanthea stood up, patting her satisfied belly, ¡°Even though you insisted on inviting
me to this dinner, I still want to thank you for your hospitality. But let¡¯s keep it strictly professional, it¡¯s
probably best if we don¡¯t have any interaction in the future.¡± ¡°There are desserts in the kitchen, would
you like to try some?¡± Orion offered.
¡°Desserts? What
kind?
No sooner had Xanthea spoken than she regretted it. She had just made a firm statement, and here
she was, tempted by desserts. This was so embarrassing!
Orion chuckled, ¡°Hang on¡±
¡°Ah, maybe not, Xanthea awkwardly waved her hand, Tm too full already. I can¡¯t eat any mor
¡°Ms. Nightshade could take some forter, in case you¡¯re hungry again.¡±
¡°Ah?¡±
Xanthea blinked in surprise. Before she could respond further, Orion was already heading into the
kitchen. ¡°Well, let¡¯s see, but if it¡¯s not delicious, I¡¯m not taking it.¡±
A few minutester, Xanthea walked out of the suite 3001 with an elegant gift box, sighing deeply.
19:02
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Chapter 110
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Hadn¡¯t she promised herself that the next time she saw Orion, she would definitely give him a piece of
her mind? But when the time came, not only did Xanthea not give him any grief at all, she ended up
shamelessly epting a meal from him. Worse yet, she had even taken leftovers home! It was utterly
spineless!
How could she face him next time and righteously criticize him the next time they met?
One thing was clear as a leader, Orion knew exactly how to win people over.
Staring at the gift box in her hand¨Cwhich girl could resist a sweet cherry topped mousse cake?
Orica: ¡°Ms. Nightshade, good night.¡±
Although Xanthea didn¡¯t want to engage, there was an old saying that one should not bite the hand that
feeds. Thus, before closing the door, she still managed to say, ¡°Good night, sweet dreams!¡±
But that didn¡¯t mean she had forgiven him! Or that she had, well, best to try the cake first!
Had she just greeted him?
Onion paused, his hand on the doorknob, savoring her ¡°sweet dreams¡± over and over before finally
closing the door.
Therge room felt empty and silent, devoid of any of the joy or liveliness when the girl was present
He slowly pulled his hand from his pocket, revealing a piece of delicate, sexyce underwear
embroidered with a cute Hello Kitty¨Cher favorite cartoon character from childhood.
For the first time, he was this close to her¨Cseparated only by a wall, so close her most intimate piece of
her clothing in his palm, yet he felt it wasn¡¯t enough, nowhere near enough.
He desired to have her, to embrace her, to kiss her, to possess herpletely and perhaps even to
confine her to a ce where she could only ever see him.
Despite knowing he shouldn¡¯t get close, he repeatedly lost control, Indulged himself again and again,
until he was too deep in the mire to let go.
In the misty night, the glow of a cigarette lit up the pink Hello Kitty and the man¡¯s face, which was
slightly contorted by strong desire, as if the gentleman shedding his disguise to reveal his true, sinister
self.
Cedric was awakened in the middle of the night by a phone call, ¡°Hello, boss, it¡¯ste, do you have any
instructions?¡± ¡°When is theunch event for ¡°Realm of Illusions?¡±
¡°The day after tomorrow, at the Glory Building.¡± Cedric perked up at the mention of ¡°Realm of Illusions,¡±
¡°Boss, you¡¯re not nning to attend Ms. Nightshade¡¯sunch, are you? The trip to Highcliff for the
Everhart family has already been scheduled for the day after tomorrow, and you have a very important
contract to discuss!¡±
¡°I¡¯m just passing by.¡±
Hearing the phone click off, Cedric put down his phone in resignation
He knew his boss wouldn¡¯t miss any chance to see Ms. Nightshade, even if she was still mad at him.
Before Ms. Nightshade had even noticed the President, he had gone out of his way to create
coincidental meetings and gather information about her, not to mention now that Ms. Nightshade
asionally flirted with him, the President definitely couldn¡¯t resist! Upon arriving at Oli hea Media,
Xanthea immediately noticed Oliver and Benjamin, who had been waiting for her in the office for a long
time.
¡°Uncle, here I am¡ Movie King, what are you doing
hero?
Oliver exined, ¡°Benjamin thought it would be better to go with you to theunch event today, to avoid
any nonsense from the gossip
media¡±
¡°Nonsense?¡±
¡°You¡¯re new to the industry. Benjamin¡¯s status and poprity far exceed yours, and it¡¯s his first time in a
TV series. If he arriveste, those marketing ounts will im he took the role only due to financial
pressures and is not interested in working with you. If he arrives early, they¡¯d spin it as you are ying
a diva.¡±
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Xanthea looked at him with gratitude. ¡°Then I should thank you, Movie King, for thinking so thoroughly¡±
¡°It¡¯s fine, we¡¯re partners after all, Benjamin said, standing up with a smile. ¡°But Xan, you¡¯re still so
formal¡±
He deliberately emphasized the nickname ¡°Xan,¡± making Xanthea suddenly remember the age he had
reiterated thest time. She quickly apologized. ¡°Oh, sorry! I forgot!¡±
¡°By the way, it¡¯s my first time participating in aunch event. Should I change into something more
formal?¡±
She had assumed the event was just about going through a simple procedure and had casually worn a
set of leisure clothes over, not expecting there to be so much etiquette involved. Seeing Benjamin in a
tailored white suit made her feel underdressed byparison
¡°No need, you look pretty good like that.¡±
Benjamin scanned her from head to toe.
Thest time he saw her, she was wearing a dark long dress, paired with her radiant and captivating
face, stunning everyone. Today, in simple casual wear, she looked like a vibrant girl straight out of a
comic book, pure and lively, a sight for sore eyes.
¡°Uncle thinks you look great too. It¡¯s all because our Xan is naturally beautiful, even a bup sack
would look good on you!¡± Oliver affectionately ruffled her hair. ¡°We should head to theunch event
now, it¡¯s gettingte.¡±
¡°Okay!¡±
On the drive there, with Ryan behind the wheel and Oliver in the passenger seat, Benjamin pulled a
coffee¨Cbrown gift box from his bag and handed it to Xanthea. ¡°Xan, this is a little something for the
event. Open it up and see.¡±
¡°Uh?¡±
Xanthea hesitated, somewhat slow in epting the gift.
Did the male and female leads need to exchange gifts for the start of a new film? Why hadn¡¯t her uncle
mentioned this? unprepared.
Hearing this, Oliver also looked surprised at Benjamin through the rearview mirror.
She
e was utterly
From theirst meeting, he sensed Benjamin took a special interest in Xan. Not only did he eagerly
ept the role in ¡°Realm of Illusions,¡± but he also offered to coach Xan in acting. Now, he was giving
her a gift.
Rumors had it that Benjamin was a rarity in the industry, maintaining a professional distance from all
his female co¨Cstars and avoiding. personal affairs, which was the reason he had zero scandals
throughout his career. Yet, his behavior with Xan was unusually warm, could it be
Xanthea opened the gift box. Inside was a round crystal globe containing seaweed, an octopus, a tiger
shark, shells, pearls, and a glowing orb, resembling a miniature ocean ecosystem
¡°It¡¯s beautiful!¡±
Crystal globes weremon, and she had collected several as a young girl. However, the colorful
pearls and the central glowing orb in this one looked incredibly real!
If they were real, this gift was extraordinarily valuable.
¡°I¡¯m d as long as you don¡¯t find it tacky. I DIYed this myself while resting at home recently. It turned
out too fantastical for my room, so I thought you might like it.¡±
¡°You made this yourself?¡± Xanthea was surprised. ¡°Then these materials inside couldn¡¯t real, could
they?¡±
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¡°Yeah, had I known I was going to give it to you, I would have picked something more special¡±
¡°I can¡¯t ept this,¡± Xanthen pushed the crystal globe back, leaving Benjamin puzzled. ¡°Why not?
Don¡¯t you like it?¡±
¡°No, it¡¯s too precious, and you made it yourself, right? It must have taken a lot of effort¡±
Benjamin replied. ¡°That¡¯s what makes it meaningful. It¡¯s not like those generic gifts from corporations or
brands. Every time you see it, you¡¯ll think of me¡±
¡°But I wasn¡¯t aware of this tradition and haven¡¯t prepare anything for you.¡±
Tradition?
Benjamin paused for a moment, thenughed, ¡°Xan, you¡¯ve got it all wrong. This isn¡¯t some unspoken
rule about colleagues exchanging gifts. It was just me wanting to give you a gift to make you a friend¡±
¡°Xan, just ept Benjamin¡¯s gift,¡± Oliver chimed in. ¡°If there¡¯s the need, your uncle can help you return
the favor!¡±
¡°Alright then.¡±
Xanthea finally epted the gift he persisted in offering, considering their long¨Cterm coboration
ahead, which would provide ample opportunities to reciprocate.
Inside the
crystal globe¡¯s box was a square mirror. As Xanthea closed the lid, she unintentionally saw a reflection
of a white van parked behind them, adomed with colorful letters
She had noticed this van when they first got into the cat and now, after walking a bit, it was still
following them. Was it a coincidence?
¡°Ryan, is someone following us?¡±
¡°Following us?¡±
Ryan nced in the rearview mirror just as the white van switchednes.
¡°Nope.¡±
Oliver tumed around, confused, ¡°What¡¯s up, Xan?¡±
¡°Nothing, must¡¯ve been my mistake.¡±
A few minutester, the four of them arrived at the Glory Building, the site for theunch event of
¡°Realm of Illusions.¡±
As soon as Xanthea stepped out of the car, a deafening scream pierced the air, She hadn¡¯t even
registered what was happening when massive crowd surged forward, engulfing her and making it
impossible for the others to get out of the vehicle.
¡°Benjamin! I love you! I love your
¡°AAAAHHHH Benjamin! I finally get to see you in person, cah I have your autograph?¡±
¡°Oh my god, he¡¯s so handsome!¡±
A horde of fans holding flowers and banners, started screaming at the sight of Benjamin in the car,
screamed excitedly and beat against the car windows. The chaotic frenzy knocked Xanthea away from
the car, her footing wobbled, and the crystal globe dropped and rolled away.
As she bent down to pick it up, her arm was fiercely pricked by the thorns of roses that had been thrust
at her
¡°Ah.¡±
She cried out in pain, her face turning pale.
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¡°Xan, Xan!¡±
Oliver, seeing her disappear into the crowd, panicked and attempted to open the car door, but it was
jammed shut by the fans.
¡°Please, make way! Make way!¡±
¡°Ms. Nightshade? Is she alright?¡±
¡°Xant
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Chapter 113
Benjamin looked at her, her long hair slightly disheveled, her face turning pale, and her once pristine
white shoes now dirty from being trampled on. A wave of guilt washed over him.
¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±
He murmured softly, then turned to face the crowd of fans with a stern voice, ¡°All you do every day is
follow my car, track my fights, and buy my personal info from scalpers. Don¡¯t you have homes to go
back to, or schools to attend?!¡±
¡°Can you please keep away from my private life and those close to me?!¡±
¡°If this happens again, I¡¯ll call the police!¡±
He tossed
away the gifts forcibly stuffed into the car, grabbed Xanthea¡¯s wrist, and walked away from the crowd,
leaving Oliver astonished and the fans incredulous.
Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.
Movie King was known for his gentle demeanor, he was always gracious, even to the most critical of
reporters. Yet, he had just exploded in anger just now, not only discarding the gifts from his fans, but
also threatening to call the police¨Cwas it all to protect the beautiful girl by his side?!
Xanthea was startled by Benjamin¡¯s reaction. ¡°Is it okay to talk to your fans like that?¡±
She might not understand the entertainment industry, but she understood that as a celebrity, one
should be cautious, especially when dealing with fans.
¡°It¡¯s fine, those aren¡¯t fans, they¡¯re overzealous stalkers. There¡¯s no need to be polite to them.¡±
¡°Oh
Indeed, which fans would swarm a celebrity so badly that he couldn¡¯t even get out of his car?
¡°It¡¯s actually my fault you got dragged into this,¡± Benjamin said with a hint of regret ¡°It¡¯s all my fault for
inadvertently revealing our whereabouts and not paying attention to what you were saying in the car¡±
¡°It¡¯s okay, just a minor hup.¡± Xanthea shrugged¡± ¡°Let¡¯s head to theunch event.¡±
¡°Xan, after the event, can i take you out for dinner?¡±
¡°Huh?¡±
Xanthea scratched her head, still feeling a bit jittery from the earlier mobbing.
¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll be careful this time; there won¡¯t be any stalkers following us.¡±
¡°Let¡¯s make it another day
¡°Please, give me a chance to make it up to you. I really feel awful about the incident today.¡±
Benjamin¡¯s eyes were filled with remorse and sincerity. She found it hard to refuse him. ¡°Alright.¡±
¡°Let¡¯s give the warmest apuse to celebrate the official start of ¡°Realm of Illusions!¡±
Though there had been a slight disruption, theunch event went smoothly. When it was Benjamin¡¯s
turn to speak, Xanthea stepped off the stage and wanted to deal with her dirty shoes in the dressing
room.
group of frenzied stalkers.
But before she reached the dressing room, she encountered the same group
Despite being scolded by Benjamin earlier, they hadn¡¯t left. Were they nning another ambush? She
took out her phone, about to call the staff for assistance, but the group surrounded her again.
They looked menacing and aggressive.
¡°7¡å Xanthea blinked. ¡°Did you mistake me for someone else?¡±
¡°We didn¡¯t. What¡¯s your rtionship with Benjamin? Why is he protecting you?¡±
¡°Yeah! Benjamin is a film legend, never does TV dramas. This time he¡¯s agreed to act in this small web
series¨Cis it because of you?¡±
¡°With that flirtatious looks, did you seduce Benjamin?¡±
¡°Did you sleep with him? How could he fall for a cheap girl like you!¡±
Chapter 114
Chapter 114.
Xanthea listened as the group sshed insults on her, her eyebrows gradually knitting together. She
wanted to hit them but was outnumbered, and she didn¡¯t want to cause a scene that might disrupt the
uing film¡¯s opening ceremony. So, she pretended to be cheerful and yelled outward, ¡°Movie King,
you have arrived?¡±
At her words, the group of overzealous fans quickly turned around. There was nothing but emply. When
they turned back around, Xanthea had already gone.
¡°She¡¯s getting away, chase her!¡±
The crowd, furious and aggressive like zombies hungry for flesh, chased after her, Xanthea was scared
and ran in the opposite direction of theunch event. A few minutester, she found herself at a busy
street with no crosswalk in sight.
Oh no! A dead end!
As she turned to see the pack of fans almost catching up to her, her mind raced for a solution when a
discreetly luxurious ck Maybach came to a halt in front of her.
Could this be her miraculous escape?
This was surely a divine car descending from the heaven! And the owner of this car was nothing short
of a superhero!
Without a second thought, she yanked open the door and dove in, panting. ¡°Sorry to bother you, but I
need a ride¨Csomeone is chasing.
me¡±
She gasped for breath and looked up at the man sitting there, only to see Orion?!
Was it a coincidence or fate that whenever she faced danger, she would run into him?
¡°Ms. Nightshade?¡± Orion noted her frazzled appearance, her hair messy and a bead of sweat on her
forehead, his eyes narrowing slightly. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±
¡°Nothing, it¡¯s nothing¡± Xanthea stuttered, awkwardly brushing her hair behind her ear, trying to appear
calm. ¡°I just need a quick lift. if it¡¯s not too much trouble¡¡±
Her words were cut short as a series of loud knocks and banging on the car window erupted from
outside.
¡°Open up! Come out, you vixen, stop hiding!¡±
¡°We¡¯ll smash the car if you don¡¯te out!¡±
Orion rolled down the window, and Xanthea, in panic, pressed her hands against his. ¡°Don¡¯t open it!¡±
window of the
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But it was toote. The dark, obsidian¨Clike window of the Maybach had been slid down. But the mobs,
ready to scold Xanthea, was unexpectedly met with an impably handsome face.
They were all speechless, stunned like statues.
Who was this man? So strikingly handsome it¡¯s unbelievable, more god¨Clike than their idol Benjamin.
The man¡¯s sharp features and deep, dark eyes emitted a chilling, intimidating aura, as if he could see
right through them, leaving the sweaty fans who¡¯d chased fervently trembling in fear.
Suddenly, someone shouted, ¡°That¡¯s a Maybach Landaulet, a limited edition worldwide!¡±
What?
The fans, who had been pounding on the windows, instantly stopped, looking around in panic. When
they noticed a camera pointed at them from the roadside, they scattered in terror.
Damaging such a high¨Cend luxury car could bankrupt them all!
Moreover, the man inside, looking like a formidable figure from the underworld; he was not someone to
be trifled with!
Chapter 115
WhatsApp
Chapter 115
Xanthea looked at the fanatic fans who had been bold and brash, now scattering and fleeing faster
than startled rabbits, a touch of amusement in her tone as she poked her head out of the car window,
¡°Orion, it¡¯s so like you to scare them off just with your presence
¡°Who are they?¡±
A deep, chilling voice came from behind her. Xanthea tumed to see Drion, his face still holding a trace
of frost ¡°Just a bunch of overzealous fans who somehow found out about theunch event of ¡®Realm of
Illusions ande to cause trouble¡±
¡°Didn¡¯t Oli hea Media provide you with bodyguards?¡±
¡°Bodyguards?¡± Xantheaughed a bit as she looked at him. ¡°My uncle mentioned it, but I didn¡¯t think it
was necessary. I¡¯m not some widely known superstar, making such a big deal just for stepping outside,
plus, those fans weren¡¯t even mine.¡±
¡°Right¡± Onion cut her off before she could finish. ¡°Not everyone is as brave as Ms. Nightshade.
Remember the audition here? Even when that st urred, Ms. Nightshade was not scared in the
slightest.¡±
His lips curved in a slight smirk, his gaze icy, dripping with sarcasm. Xanthea¡¯s face fell at his reminder.
What did he mean by bringing up that day¡¯s audition?
Did he think she deserved the motorcycle explosion and the fan chase?
Ha, she really was forgetful, having forgotten how cold yet outwardly charming he could be, all saintly
on the surface!
If she had known this car was his, she would rather face the wrath of the fans than get in!
¡°So, I¡¯m pleased, is that a problem?¡± Xanthea¡¯s eyebrows arched, her tone frosty ¡°Or is it that by getting
into Mr. Lockwood¡¯s car I¡¯ve inconvenienced you and spoiled your day?¡±
Pleased?
Pleased to have gotten herself into this current state?
Onion¡¯s eyes traveled from her disheveled hair to her footprint stained shoes, struggling to keep his
emotions in check
¡°My apologies, I just get out now.¡±
She said this and started to push the door open, only to find it locked from the inside by Orion.
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She looked at him, infuriated and incredulous, ¡°What are you doing?¡±
¡°They haven¡¯t gone far¡±
They?
He meant those fanatic fans?
Xanthea¡¯s lips curled in disdain. ¡°What does that have to do with you? Don¡¯t y the good guy here!
Cedric, stop the car!¡±
¡°Ah¡± Cedric, frightened by the argument inside the car, hardly dared to breathe. ¡°Ms. Nightshade, we¡¯re
about to hit the freeway. We can¡¯t stop here.¡±
Then why had he started the car when Orion locked the doors?
Xanthea now thought there was something off about both of them.
¡°Stop the car!¡± her voice raised, ¡°T¡¯ll cover the fine!¡±
¡°That might work, but Ms. Nightshade, you just turned 18 and don¡¯t have a driver¡¯s license yet, right?¡±
¡°Xanthea was furing. She identally touched the car¡¯s mini fridge on the side, causing her so much
pain that she involuntarily gasped, ¡°Ah!¡±
¡°What happened?¡±
Orion grabbed her wrist gently, rolling up her sleeve to reveal skin swollen and punctured by what
looked like a thom bush, his dark eyes narrowing sharply.
¡°Did they do this too?¡±
His tone was icy, as if ready to shatter something to pieces.
¡°Mind your own business!¡±
Xanthea tried to pull her hand away, but the pain made her struggle feeble and unable to break free
against the man¡¯s firm grip
Chapter 116
Chapter 116
Chapter 116
¡°Don¡¯t move!¡±
Orion grabbed her wrist and pulled out a first aid kit from the storagepartment.
¡°I told you, I don¡¯t need your help!¡±
Xanthea¡¯s injured arm was firmly in his grasp, leaving her no choice but to use her other hand to push
him away. However, as their car passed through the toll booth, it suddenly braked, causing her to lurch
forward into him.
¡°Oof¡±
The girl¡¯s slender, soft body suddenly crashed into his arms, stirring a surge of excitement in the man¡¯s
heart.
Orion couldn¡¯t help but wrap his arms around her.
A familiar scent of pine filled his nostrils, mingling with the powerful, chaotic beating of his heart and a
warmth so intense it felt as if it could melt him, shes of him rescuing her from dark graves and icy
waters flickered through Xanthea¡¯s mind.
But in an instant, those scenes shifted to him ruthlessly eliminating her at an audition, and just
moments ago, sarcastically mocking her for being deserving of stalkers¡® chase.
These fluctuating, unpredictable faces¨Cwhich one was the real him?
Deceiving her feelings, making her trust him as the most special friend in her life besides her family,
only to douse her with cold reality. Then, as if nothing had happened, showering her with sweet words,
feigning concern as if his treatment depended solely on his mood, not right or wrong. Did he really see
her as just a pet to y with?
With these thoughts in mind, she opened her mouth and fiercely into his well¨Cdefined corbone.
Her soft, moist lips touched his skin. Orion¡¯s body jolted as if electrified, his dark pupils momentarily
scattered in sensation. He felt no pain from the bite, only tightening his arms around het, wanting to
press her deeper into his embrace, deeper until he could embed her into his body
Xan¡
With a retaliatory bite, Xanthea thought he would be furious, push her away, and reveal his true cruel
nature.
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But unexpectedly, he held her down tighter and tighter, so much that she couldn¡¯t breathe. While
holding her tightly, he gently stroked her back, as ifforting an aggrieved child.
¡°Cough, cough!¡±
This despicable man, was he trying to suffocate her?
She pushed him away with force, only to see the man beneath her with slightly closed eyes and a slight
smile on his lips. His handsome face showed no sign of pain or anger, but rather a deep sense of
comfort and pleasure.
Was she seeing things?
Or had he be so enraged that he lost control of his expression?
Orion slowly opened his eyes, his gaze tinged with a mischievous warmth. ¡°Feel better now?¡±
His tone sounded indulgent and pleased, devoid of any trace of anger.
Xanthea turned her face away, unwilling to pay him any attention.
Was this man made of iron and steel?
He didn¡¯t react at all to being bitten. No wonder he had taken that heavy stone for her back then and
hadn¡¯t mentioned it since.
¡°If Ms. Nightshade isn¡¯t angry anymore, I¡¯ll remove the thorn. It might get infected and fester if left too
long.¡±
Fester?!
Upon hearing this, Xanthea panicked.
Seeing her ce her arm on the back of the chair and obediently remain still, Orion¡¯s lips curved
slightly. He opened the first aid kit and pulled out small tweezers, iodine, cotton balls, and medical
gauze.
¡°Are you sure yo
you can do this?¡±
Xanthea eyed his orderly actions nervously. Orion looked up, locking eyes with her deeply. ¡°You¡¯ll know
soon enough if I can, Ms. Nightshade.¡±
Orion grabbed her wrist and pulled out a first aid kit from the storagepartment.
¡°I told you, I don¡¯t need your help!¡±
Xanthea¡¯s injured arm was firmly in his grasp, leaving her no choice but to use her other hand to push
him away. However, as their car passed through the toll booth, it suddenly braked, causing her to lurch
forward into him.
¡°on¡±
The girl¡¯s slender, soft body suddenly crashed into his arms, stirring a surge of excitement in the man¡¯s
heart.
Onion couldn¡¯t help but wrap his arms around her.
A familiar scent of pine filled his nostrils, mingling with the powerful, chaotic beating of his heart and a
warmth so intense it felt as if it could melt him. shes of him rescuing her from dark graves and icy
waters Bickered through Xanthea¡¯s mind.
But in an instant, those scenes shifted to him ruthlessly eliminating her at an audition, and just
moments ago, sarcastically mocking her for being deserving of stalkers¡® chase.
These fluctuating, unpredictable faces¨Cwhich one was the real him?
Deceiving her feelings, making her trust him as the most special friend in her life besides her family,
only to douse her with cold reality. Then, as if nothing had happened, showering her with sweet words,
feigning concem as if his treatment depended solely on his mood, not right or wrong. Did he really see
her as just a pet to y with?
With these thoughts in mind, she opened her mouth and fiercely into his well¨Cdefined corbone.
Her soft, moist lips touched his skin. Orion¡¯s body jolted as if electrified, his dark pupils momentarily
scattered in sensation. He felt no pain from the bite, only tightening his arms around her, wanting to
press her deeper into his embrace, deeper, until he could embed her into his body.
With a retaliatory bite, Xanthea thought he would be furious, push her away, and reveal his true cruel
nature.
But unexpectedly, he held her down tighter and tighter, so much that she couldn¡¯t breathe. While
holding her tightly, he gently stroked her back, as ifforting an aggrieved child.
¡°Cough, cough!¡±
This despicable man, was he trying to suffocate her?
She pushed him away with force, only to see the man beneath her with slightly closed eyes and a slight
smile on his lips. His handsome face showed no sign of pain or anger, but rather deep sense offort
and pleasure.
Was she seeing things?
Or had he be so enraged that he lost control of his expression?
Orion slowly opened his eyes, his gaze tinged with a mischievous warmth. ¡°Feel better now?¡±
His tone sounded indulgent and pleased, devoid of any
trace of anger.
Xanthea turned her face away, unwilling to pay him any attention.
Was this man made of iron and steel?
He didn¡¯t react at all to being bitten. No wonder he had taken that heavy stone for her back then and
hadn¡¯t mentioned it since.
¡°If Ms. Nightshade isn¡¯t angry anymore, I¡¯ll remove the thorn. It might get infected and fester if left too
long.¡±
Fester?
Upon hearing this, Xanthea panicked.
Seeing her ce her arm on the back of the chair and obediently remain still, Orion¡¯s lips curved
slightly. He opened the first aid kit and pulled out small tweezers, lodine, cotton balls, and medical
gauze.
¡°Are you sure you can do this?¡±
Xanthea eyed his orderly actions nervously. Orion looked up, locking eyes with her deeply, ¡°You¡¯ll know
soon enough if I can, Ms. Nightshade.¡±
Chapter 117
Chapter 117
In the driver¡¯s seat Cedric was intently steering the wheel when suddenly it felt as if a roller coaster had
whooshed past him. Was it an
If you can¡¯t handle it, don¡¯t use me as your test subject Just drop me off at the hospital up ahead. I still
have to shootter, and I can¡¯t afford any Gosh¡±
The cold touch of the iodine soaked cotton ball gently brushed against her wound, making Xanthea
wince in pain. ¡°Ouch, go easy, please¡±
¡°Okay¡±
Onon, looking at her face tuming slightly pale from the pain, made his movements even lighter, yet his
gaze towards the wound was even sharper than the thorns inside
¡°How did you get these injuries?¡±
Xanthea didn¡¯t really want to talk to him nor tell him about her situation.
But talking to someone during the painful process of removing the thorns could be a good distraction.
1 got pierced by some roses from overzealous fans by ident¡±
¡°At theunch event? Were there cameras around?¡±
Yes.
Xanthea nodded, puzzled by his line of questioning. Why was he asking these questions?
Was he suggesting she should hold those fans ountable? Even if it was possible to identify them,
and even if they were adults ountable byw, their fanatic behavior would likely get nothing more
than a scolding by the police, hardly worth the hassle of gathering evidence
Onion spoke up. ¡°Bear with it, I¡¯m going to start pulling out the thorns.¡±
Upon hearing about
ut pulling out the thors, Xanthea immediately clenched her lips, her pitiful demeanor nearly melting
hearts
¡°Don¡¯t be afraid, I¡¯ll be gentle.¡±
¡°Mmm, ah-¡±
Despite his gentlest efforts, the sharp pain of the rose thoms being pulled from her tender skin was
agonizing.
¡°It hurts, Orion, ah!¡±
¡°There, there
Orion blew gently on her wound, his tone as soothing as one might use with a child, ¡°Just bear with it a
little longer, I¡¯ll be done soon.¡±
¡°Be gentler, please!¡±
She bit her lips tightly, her pretty little face slightly tilted upward from the pain, a fine sheen of sweat
breaking out on her forehead. Orion watched, his deep eyes shing with a fierce, almost ruthless light,
as if he wanted to crush something utterly.
He reached into the car¡¯s cooler, took out a lollipop, unwrapped it, and held it to her lips, ¡°Bite on this if
it hurts.¡±
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Xanthea bit into the lollipop, her cheeks puffing out, turning her cries of pain into muffled murmurs,
¡°Mmm¨Chmm,¡±
¡°Slow down, it¡¯s too fast¡±
As each thorn was extracted from her arm, Xanthea¡¯s pain caused her to crunch the lollipop into
pieces. The sweet taste of peach filled her mouth, seemingly alleviating some of the pain. She looked
down to see Orion cing down the tweezers and carefully wrapping her arm with a light gauze
bandage.
It was finally over
¡°Did you get everything out? Is there nothing left inside?¡± She had just started to ask when her phone
rang. It was from Oliver,
¡°Hello, Uncle?*
¡°Xan, where have you gone? I¡¯ve been looking for you for ages and couldn¡¯t find you anywhere.¡±
Xanthea nced at Orion, who was diligently bandaging her and intermittently seemed almost kind, a
mischievous idea suddenly popping into her head, ¡°I¡¯ve been kidnapped.¡±
Chapter 118
Chapter 118
¡°What You gotta be kidding mal
Upon hearing this, Oliver stopped dead in his tracks, especially after bearing her faintly pained
breathing, he became even more convinced that she was not joking
¡°Who¡¯s kidnapped you? Where are you now? Xan, don¡¯t you scare your uncle like this!¡±
Xanthea¡¯s ears almost rang with the barrage of anxious questions from Oliver, Just as she was about to
move the phone away from her ear, it was suddenly snatched by Orion
¡°Hey! Orion, why are you taking my ph
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Onion. ¡°Mr. Lopez it¡¯s me¡±
¡°Mr. Lockwood?¡±
Heaning Onion¡¯s voice, Oliver¡¯s anxiety immediately subsided, ¡°If it¡¯s you, then I¡¯m relieved.¡±
Xanthes overheard and was baffled. Why on earth would her uncle feel reassured knowing the
kidnapper was Orion? If anything, that should make him even more nervous! He is the most
dangerous, even more dangerous than ordinary kidnappers!
1s Xan being mischievous again? Has she been causing any trouble?¡±
Onion nced at Xanthea, who was making faces at him, and couldn¡¯t help but smile, ¡°Not at all, she¡¯s
been good¡±
Xanthea rolled her eyes. She was always good; she didn¡¯t need him vouching for her goodness!
¡°That¡¯s good. When can Xane back? I need to talk to her about something.¡±
¡°This attemoon¡±
¡°Give me the phone!¡±
She snatched the phone back, sounding utterly wronged, ¡°Mr. Lopez, whose uncle are you really, mine
or Orion¡¯s? How can you trust him so much, aren¡¯t you afraid he might actually kidnap me?¡±
Oliver burst intoughter, ¡°Why would Mr. Lockwood be as mischievous as a child like you?¡±
Hmph, he just doesn¡¯t know him well enough!
¡°By the way, I heard Benjamin invited you for dinner?¡±
¡°Yeah¡±
¡°He was also asking when you¡¯ll be back, which restaurant and type of cuisine you prefer. Want to
discuss it with him?¡±
¡°No need, it¡¯s too much hassle.¡± Xanthea nced at her bandaged arm, ¡°Just not too spicy, let the
Movie King decide the rest.¡±
When the words ¡°Movie King¡± fell, the hand Orion was using to wrap the bandage slightly paused.
Oliver said, ¡°Alight then, see you when you get back. And remember, no more mischief, don¡¯t cause
any trouble for Mr. Lockwood!¡±
¡°Got it-¡±
Xanthea unhappily hung up the phone. What did Uncle mean by that?
It sounded as though only Orion was the one being serious, and she was just a mischievous little kid!
¡°Movie King?¡±
Onion raised his eyes, looking at her.
When Xanthea met his unfathomable gaze,
ze, she momentarily paused, then thought he was surprised that a low¨Cbudget web series like ¡°Realm
of Illusions¡± could secure a legendary figure like Benjamin, and immediately felt proud.
¡°Yeah, you heard right. The one and only Benjamin¨CMovie King himself, with 50 million followers on
Twitter, winner of countless best actor awards, and a box office phenomenon exceeding five billion
dors! He¡¯s decided to star in ¡°Realm of Illusions as the lead. Ah!¡±
Mid¨Csentence, Xanthea winced from pain in her arm and then red at him, ¡°Can you be a bit gentler,
please?¡±
¡°It seems Ms. Nightshade got too excited, pulling at your wound.¡±
¡°Of course, I¡¯m excited! ¡®Realm of Illusions¡® was promising to start with, and now with Benjamin, a titan
of talent and looks, joining the cast, it¡¯s just icing on the cake. Ah!¡±
She grabbed Orion¡¯s hand, which was bandaging her wound, ¡°You¡¯re doing this on purpose, aren¡¯t
you?¡±
His earlier efforts to remove a thorn had been so delicate, yet now he was being careless with the
bandage¨Cit was obvious he was miffed¨Cmiffed that he¡¯d undersold a small¨Ctime show that was now
showing signs of a majoreback, even a hint of going viral!
Chapter 119
Chapter 119
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Onion narrowed his eyes, staring unwaveringly at her, ¡°Ms. Nightshade, you are happy about having
dinner with him, right?¡±
Xanthea frowned, bewildered by his train of thought. She was no fan of his; why would dinner excite
her? Perhaps.. was he jealous that their film crew not only had big stars but also got along well?
¡°Yes, the Movie King is not only a gentleman but also charming and exceptionally handsome. Most
importantly, he¡¯s responsible. He cares a lot about ¡°Realm of Illusions.¡¯ I bet he invited me to dinner
tonight to discuss the script.¡±
¡°Oh?¡±
Onion released his bandaged arm and leaned in close, his lips curling into a mocking smile,
¡°Handsome? How handsome?¡±
As the man¡¯s tall and striking figure loomed closer, with his unparalleled handsome face, Xanthea was
startled, finding herself unable to
move.
Her first impulse wasn¡¯t to push him away but rather to acknowledge his unparalleled handsome
visage. Indeed, Benjamin¡¯s looks seemed rather ordinary inparison.
This face, stunning from afar and breathtaking up close, was so perfect that it left no room for dispute
over anyone¡¯s looks.
¡°What are you doing?¡±
As he closed in, leaving only inches between them, Xanthea could feel their mingled breaths.
Xanthea couldn¡¯t help but ce her hand on his chest, turning her head slightly, ¡°Alright, I admit you¡¯re
more¡¡±
Click. The sound of a seatbelt fastening echoed.
¡°?!¡± Xanthea was startled, only to realize that Orion had fastened her seatbelt. So, his leaning in was
just to buckle her up.
¡°What am I more than him?¡±
Orion looked down, his eyes showing a flicker of interest. Xanthea pushed him away, ¡°You¡¯re more
pretentious and self¨Crighteous than he is!
¡°Is that so?¡±
The anticipation in Orion¡¯s eyes faded, leaving a semnce of cold indifference, ¡°Unfortunately, Ms.
Nightshade, you can¡¯t have dinner tonight with the considerate and charming Movie King.¡±
¡°Why is that?¡±
Xanthea looked at him curiously.
Orion closed the medical kit, ¡°This highway leads directly to Everde. It¡¯ll take five hours, and by the
time we arrive, it¡¯ll be night. Plus, there¡¯s no transportation back.¡±
¡°I don¡¯t need to go there. Just have Cedric drop me at a gas station or rest stop
ahead!
Orion nced at his watch, ¡°Tm afraid that won¡¯t work, Ms. Nightshade. I¡¯m on a tight schedule.¡±
¡°?!¡± Xanthea stared at him in disbelief. ¡°Your schedule is so tight you can¡¯t spare a few seconds to drop
me off?¡±
Orion looked at her, ¡°Are you that interested in my affairs?¡±
¡°Of course not¡± Xanthea waved her hands dismissively, ¡°I just care about when I can go back.¡±
¡°Since I promised Mr. Lopez, I will ensure Ms. Nightshade¡¯s safe return, but we need to stay overnight
in Everde first.¡± ¡°Who wants to stay overnight with you?!¡±
Xanthea blurted out in frustration, then realizing she had spoken incorrectly as she caught Orion¡¯s
subtle change in expression. ¡°Who wants to stay overnight in Everde with you? I have things to do.
Hurry up and drop me off!¡±
Turning turned to unbuckle her seatbelt, but then, with a ¡°click,¡± the seatbelt was locked, just like the
car door had been locked earlier.
Chapter 120
Chapter 120
¡°What are you doing?¡±
Xanthea lifted her head, her eyes wide with rm, as if she were staring at a nuthless kidnapper:
Ever since she got into the car, he had locked her in without exnation, and now he had her strapped
to the seat, nning to take her to some remote area in the Everdes to spend the night. If this
wasn¡¯t the behavior of a kidnapper, what was?
She thought crazed fans were scary enough, but he was proving to be even worse!
¡°It¡¯s dangerous to behave like this on the highway, Ms. Nightshade.¡±
¡°I think you¡¯re the dangerous one here! Let me go, drop me off at a rest stop, or else fim calling my
uncle to tell him you¡¯ve actually kidnapped me!¡±
Onon looked at her, a faint smirk appearing in his deep eyes. ¡°Go ahead, but do you really think Mr.
Lopez will believe you, Ms Nightshade?¡±
Xanthea¡¯s heart skipped a beat, recalling the story of the boy who cried wolf. Especially since her uncle
trusted Orion so much, he would surely think she was just ying pranks again. It infuriated her!
She wished she could record his sinister smirk right now and show her uncle what kind of person he
really was!
¡°Orion, are you doing this on purpose? To get back at me for biting you earlier?¡±
¡°You¡¯re overthinking it, Ms. Nightshade.¡±
Orion opened hisptop and began to review some contract documents seriously, seemingly no longer
interested in engaging with her Seeing him disregard her like she was nothing. Xanthea felt a surge of
anger and wanted to bite him again, but trapped in his car, she had no choice but to bow her head.
¡°Onion, if you let me go now, we can call it even. From here on out, we keep to our own paths, okay?¡±
¡°Hey, are you even listening to me?¡±
¡°I mean, if it helps, I¡¯ll let you bite me back!¡±
Infrustration, she rolled up her sleeve and thrust her arm in front of him.
Her fair, smooth skin glimmered in the light of theptop, catching Orion¡¯s eye. He traced her arm up to
her elegant curved neck, over her well¨Cdefined corbone, and finally rested on the enticing fullness
above, his gaze darkening as his Adam¡¯s apple bobbed slightly. ¡°The ce Ms. Nightshade just bit, it
wasn¡¯t here.¡±
Huh?
Xanthea froze for a moment, looking at the fresh bite mark she¡¯d left on his corbone. He wouldn¡¯t
want to bite her in the same spot, would he?
The scoundrell
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She had fallen on him by ident, biting reflexively without thinking much of it. Now, such an intimate
and ambiguous spot, if left with a bite mark or scar, could easily be misinterpreted as a love bite. She
had filmingter on, absolutely not
It seemed he was rejecting her offer.
Hypocrite, kidnapper, jerk!
Xanthea silently seethed, cursing him in her mind while forcing herself to close her eyes.
It¡¯s just one night, right? Just wait, once she got through this, she would find a way to get her revenge!
The car finally fell into a long silence Cedric curiously nced in the rearview mirror and saw that Ms.
Nightshade had fallen asleep ¨C no wonder,
Arguing herself to sleep amidst a quarrel, Ms. Nightshade was truly a unique character. And joking
about letting him bite her back had ironicallye true.
Actually, his boss hadn¡¯t initially
ily nned to take her to the Everdes, he made the decision just because he wanted to keep her
away from those obsessive fans.
But unbeknownst to Ms. Nightshade, amidst praising and genuinely admiring the Movie King, she
inadvertently stepped right into Inion¡¯s no¨Cgo zone, which really led to her being ¡°kidnapped¡± by the
President, truly an unfortunate turn!
Chapter 121
. Chapter 121
Back then, Cedric didn¡¯t understand why Orion was so enamored with Xanthea, utterly captivated by
her.
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Today, having witnessed their intimate, flirtatious exchanges, seemingly oblivious to the world around
them, Cedric finally got it.
Although Cedric had been by Orion¡¯s side for years, he¡¯d never seen Orion like this.
With Xanthea, Orion seemed alive, vibrant and splendid, joking, feeling jealous, getting angry, and
even doing some domineering yet childish things. He truly behaved like a twenty¨Cyear¨Cold young man
hopelessly in love.
It was not like the usual decisive, fearsome chairman of Twin Towers, nor the cold, workaholic head of
the Lockwood Group, who usually exuded a maturity and chill beyond his peers.
Xanthea brought out a side of Orion that seemed so unlike him, yet perhaps it was his most genuine
and joyful self. So often, it seemed Orion couldn¡¯t control himself, falling deeper willingly, right?
If only Xanthea didn¡¯t have someone she loved, if only there wasn¡¯t a Matthew.
Xanthea initially closed her eyes simply because she didn¡¯t want to see Orion.
But whether it was thefort of the seat, or the pain in her arm slowly fading, as soon as her eyelids
shut, a wave of exhaustion from being chased by fans and arguing with Orion overwhelmed her, swiftly
carrying her into slumber.
Her even, soft breathing filled the car, and Orion, whose gaze had been fixed on a dense contract,
finally shifted, resting openly on her.
Chapter 121
Stripped of the fierce demeanor she had earlier, Xanthea curled up in the seat with her small figure.
The sleeping girl seemed incredibly sweet and docile, like a sleeping beauty from the fairytale,
unrealistically perfect, irresistibly inviting one to touch, to disrupt.
Thinking so, he did exactly that.
Orion leaned in slowly, inch by inch towards the sleeping girl, unbucklin
He was like an addict, starved for days, who had finally found his poison, greedilypping it up.
He thought, ¡°Xan, Xan, I could have endured the darkness, had I never seen the light. But from the
moment you smiled at me from across the Nightshade family event, there was no clearing between us,
only an endless entanglement, until death do us part.¡±
¡°Hmm.¡°¡®
In her sleep, anthea felt as if she were outdoors, stalked by a ravenous wolf, its eyes locked on her,
ready to pounce and¨Ctear her apart any second, which made her let out a small yelp.
That sound, like a sudden rm, jolted Orion who was so close to her.
Orion was about to pull away, but just then, Xanthea slipped directly into his arms. As if fearing she
would fall, she tightly clutched around his waist, her nose rubbing against his firm abs. She murmured
discontentedly in her sleep, ¡°Kitty, you¡¯re so hard today.¡±
Chapter 122
Chapter 122
The soft, sweet scent of Xanthea nestled into Orion¡¯s arms, like a seductive, charming cat, twisting and
turning while murmuring yfully in a childlike voice. It almost instantly stirred something within him, a
wild, fierce desire shadowing his still infatuated, handsome face.
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He looked down at the unknowingly enticing girl asleep in his arms, his warm palm subconsciously
cradling her lovely face, inching closer with every breath.
Even in her sleep, she was a little temptress.
The partition between the front and back seats of the Maybach Landaulet slowly descended. Cedric,
puzzled, nced in the rearview mirror and saw Orion leaned in, his eyes intensely focused on
Xanthea¡¯s ¡°lips, their proximity almost negligible.
Cedric thought, ¡°What on earth was Mr. Lockwood thinking? Ms. Nightshade was just asleep, not
unconscious! What if she woke up to this scene ¨C wouldn¡¯t that turn into a massive uproar? And
besides, Ms. Nightshade already had a boyfriend, with whom she was deeply in love. Mr. Lockwood
needed to control himself, be careful not to fall too deep and end up unable to extricate himself.¡±
Everde, nightfall.
¡°Hmm.¡±
Xanthea woke up, stretching her hands and rubbing her sleepy eyes, slightly disoriented as she gazed
up at the glittering, beautiful starry car roof.
¨C
What a wonderfullyfortable nap that was not only was the air conditioning just right, the quiet.
undisturbed, but there was also a sensation of being held, reminiscent of sleeping curled up in her
mother¡¯s arms. She felt utterly safe.
And beneath her was something soft and warm, though next to that was something hard and hot like
an iron pressing against her face. She needed to see what it was!
Xanthea slightly turned her body, her eyes meeting a white dress shirt and a faint scent of pine filling
her nostrils. She froze, her gaze fixed for a long moment before she suddenly sat up.
Damn!
How did she end up sleeping on Orion¡¯sp?
Beside her, Orion¡¯s eyes were barely open, his expression calm, his pristine suit without a wrinkle.
Was he asleep?
He must not have noticed her lying on hisp then, right?
Just as she was silently rejoicing, Orion slowly opened his eyes, his deep gaze tinged with red veins as
if tormented by something, his voice slightly hoarse, ¡°Ms. Nightshade, you¡¯re awake.¡± Seeing him like
this, Xanthea knew she was the cause of his torment.
?
She opened her mouth, awkwardly pointing at his legs, ¡°The space in the car is a bit cramped, I didn¡¯t
realize I rolled over¡ did you know?¡±
¡°Of course, Orion smiled, ¡°Ms. Nightshade, your body gives out an intense feeling.¡±
There was a hint of amusement in his eyes as he emphasized the words ¡®body¡® and ¡®intense
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Xanthea thought he was hinting at her weight, which made her grind her teeth a bit.
Wasn¡¯t it because he had locked her in the car? Otherwise, how could she have rolled onto hisp?
¡°Why didn¡¯t you push me away?¡±
¡°I tried, but you were holding on too tightly.¡±
Xanthea¡¯s mouth twitched. That was undeniable. Ever since she was little, she had a habit of clinging
tightly in her sleep, much like an octopus wrapping around her mom or arge Hello Kitty plush,
impossible for anyone to peel away.
Geeze, did she do something stupid in front of him again?
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¡°Well, that¡¯s only because you locked me in the car! Otherwise, I could have-¡±
Before Xanthea could finish her sentence, Orion interrupted her, ¡°No worries, I don¡¯t mind, and Ms.
Nightshade, you shouldn¡¯t either.¡±
He was not the least bit ufortable; on the contrary, he seemed quite at ease.
Xanthea paused, ¡°I wasn¡¯t minding!¡±
¡°Mr. Lockwood, Ms. Nightshade, we¡¯re here.¡±
Cedric stopped the car and swung open the door.
After being cooped up in the car for five or six hours, arguing relentlessly with him, Xanthea couldn¡¯t
stand another second inside and was eager to get out. She stepped out and was greeted by the sight
of the sprawling, majestic Estate.
Inside the estate, there were towering pavilions, vast, ripplingkes, chirping birds and rare wildlife, and
even a dense, man¨Cmade forest that blocked out the sky¨Cit was indeed a top¨Ctier private vi.
On the grand golden gate at the front of the vi, the name ¡®Marlowe¡® was prominently disyed.
Marlowe Manor?
Xanthea murmured, ¡°Could this be the famous Marlowe conglomerate that Dad often mentions? The
wealthiest family in Everde? No wonder they own such a luxurious estate.¡±
Orion noticed the admiration in her eyes and said, ¡°I have one in the northern areas of Crestwood too,
ten timesrger than this.
Hearing this Xanthea turned to look at him and thought, ¡°And? Are you trying to show off?¡±
¡°Chairman Lockwood!¡±
¡°Long time no see! Please,e in. Mr. Anthony has been waiting for you in the study for quite some
time
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now!¡±
From the estate, a group of servants dressed in formal suits came out, all smiling warmly as they
approached to take things from Cedric,
Just as Xanthea was about to speak, Orion said, ¡°Please, Ms. Nightshade.¡±
Xanthea thought, ¡°I¡¯m not staying here tonight, am 17¡±
She had assumed his earlier mention of a destination inessible by public transport was just to tease
her, but seeing how remote this ce was, it seemed he was telling the truth.
¡°Orion!¡±
As they entered the main hall of the vi, a particrly clear voice called out from the winding
staircase.
Looking up, Xanthea saw a tall man with a lively demeanor descending the stairs. He was dressed
casually in a shirt and trousers, his hair a light, sandy color. He appeared about the same age as Orion
but with an entirely different energy..
If she wasnt mistaken, this had to be Leonard Marlowe, the heir of the Marlowe family.
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¡°I¡¯ve been waiting for you all day.¡±
His eyes, filled withughter, suddenly froze when theynded on the girl next to Orion, overtaken by
sheer astonishment.
¡°Xanthea?¡±
Startled by being unexpectedly named, Xanthea looked at him curiously. How did he know her? Could
it be that she had be famous overnight after her appearance on ¡°The Masked Singer, famous
enough that even this elite heir noticed her?
¡°Orion, why did you bring her here? Don¡¯t tell me you guys¡
His incredulous gaze shifted back and forth between Orion and Xanthea, seeking confirmation.
However, Orion merely pursed his lips, a reminder of his calm demeanor.
Realizing how his shocked gaze lingered between her and Orion, Xanthea quickly caught on, ¡°Oh,
don¡¯t get the wrong idea. I¡¯m not close to him. We just happened to meet on the road, and I hitched a
ride.¡±
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Leonard chuckled when he heard her words, his face breaking into a ¡®you must think I¡¯m a fool¡®
expression. How incredibly convenient it must have been for Orion to bump into the woman he¡¯d been
dreaming about for years right on the street?
Even if it were a coincidence, it surely was a nned one.
But observing their interactions, Leonard thought that their rtionship wasn¡¯t as he had spected.
After all these years, Orion hadn¡¯t even dared to step closer to Xanthea, let alone date her.
¡°Hello, I¡¯m Leonard,¡±
He strode towards her with a beaming smile and introduced himself.
¡°Hello, I¡¯m Xanthea.¡±
traveled up
¡°I¡¯ve heard so much about you, Ms. Nightshade, but seeing is truly believing.¡± Leonard¡¯s eyes and
down her figure as if admiring a fine piece of art, unable to stop himself from eximing, ¡°Ms.
Nightshade, your beauty is simply otherworldly, far more stunning in person than on any screen. No
wonder you¡¯re the muse of so many.¡±
As he delivered thest line, he nced meaningfully at Orion, catching a warning narrowing of the
man¡¯s eyes.
Really?
Just a look and Orion¡¯s jealous?
Seeing the normally stoic Orion showing signs of thawing, treating a woman like his prized treasure,
Leonard couldn¡¯t miss this.
¡°Thank you, Mr. Marlowe, you tter me, Xanthea responded, puzzled by his effusive praise on their
first meeting but replied politely nheless, ¡°You yourself are quite the aplished young man,
well¨Crenowned.¡±
¡°Ms. Nightshade, please, let¡¯s keep it casual. We¡¯re all friends here. No need for formalities. Call me
Leo, ¡®Mr. Marlowe¡® just ages me.¡±
Leo?
Xanthea raised an eyebrow and thought it was interesting.
After hisment, Leonard sneaked a peek at Orion and indeed saw his expression darken visibly,
then he opened his arms wide, moving to embrace Xanthea, ¡°I grew up abroad and I¡¯m quite fond of
the greeting customs there, may I have the honor of a hug, ah!¡±
Before he could finish, his voice morphed as the slipper on his foot was crushed under Orion¡¯s polished
ck shoe.
Orion said, ¡°Leonardoodle, long time no see.
Leonard¡¯s lips turned white with pain as he wrestled his slipper free from under Orion¡¯s foot. Xanthea
couldn¡¯t help butugh when she heard ¡®Leonardoodle¡®, his nickname? Quite simple and unpretentious.
¡°You said you wouldn¡¯t use my nickname anymore.¡±.
Orion¡¯s expression was tndifferent, ¡°I forgot.¡±
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Forgot? He clearly wanted to embarrass him in front of Xanthea!
¡°Ori.¡±
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Suddenly, a sickly sweet, high¨Cpitched female voice descended from the upstairs, hitting everyone¡¯s
ears sharply.
Xanthea shivered unexpectedly and looked up to see a girl in avish yellow Lolita dress running down
the stairs, her face bright with a joyful smile, like a fluttering butterfly.
¡°You¡¯re here!¡±
¡°Leo didn¡¯t tell me, and I¡¯ve been waiting upstairs all this time!¡±
She made a beeline for Orion, and upon reaching him, looked up with big, bashful eyes, sparkling
brightly.
Xanthea watched her expressions, enjoying the drama unfold.
That wide smile, those fervent, glowing eyes ¨C she must be Orion¡¯s little fan.
With her round face, big eyes, small cherry lips, and a cute nose, she looked like a pristine doll from a
shop window. Orion indeed was a lucky man!
¡°Hmm.¡±
Orion responded indifferently, then turned to Xanthea, ¡°I¡¯need to discuss some business with
Chairman. Marlowe shortly. It¡¯ll take about two hours.¡±
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Xanthea raised an eyebrow indifferently, ¡°Oh, and then what?¡±
Why was Orion telling her all this? She wasn¡¯t his assistant.
¡°If you¡¯re hungry, you could¡¡± He nced at Leonard, then turned to Cedric, ¡°ask Cedric to prepare
dinner early. Let him know if you need anything.¡±
Leonard, caught by the swift shift of gaze, widened his eyes in astonishment. No way, was Orion
actually starting to guard against him?
Well, years of brotherhood lost to a single embrace with his darling!
¡°I¡¯m not very hungry, I can wait a couple of hours.¡±
Xanthea thought, ¡°Did I eat too messily thest couple of times we dined together? Did he think I was
always ready to chow down? Please, I just had a particr fondness for his cooking skills!¡±
Her casual reply hit Orion¡¯s ears but painted an entirely different picture.
Orion¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of a smile emerging, ¡°You want to wait to eat with me?¡±
Xanthea was shocked.
How did he derive that meaning? She just wanted to say she wasn¡¯t always thinking about food!
Meanwhile, Queenie Marlowe looked expectantly at Orion, only to see his gaze not linger on her but
burn intensely towards the woman next to him.
That was when Queenie noticed the stunningly beautiful woman beside him, enchanting like a siren,
her every smile and gesture seemingly flirtatious.
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Why else would Orion talk so tenderly to this woman, his eyes so focused, even smiling?
Queenie had known Orion for so long and had never seen him smile, especially not at a woman!
¡°Ori, who is she?¡± Queenie pouted, her eyes full of hostility towards Xanthea.
Sensing Queenie¡¯s mood, Xanthea reiterated to her what she had just told Leonard.
Queenie¡¯s eyes, burning with jealousy, shifted to outright scorn, ¡°Oh, a stray you picked up from the
streets? No wonder she looks all scruffy! Ori, you better be careful not to be fooled by such women
who jump into men¡¯s cars so easily. Who knows if it¡¯s just her clothes that are dirty, or her body too.¡±
Before she could finish, Leonard covered her mouth with his hand, his voice harsh, ¡°Queenie, shut up!
Who taught you to talk to guests like that? It¡¯s so rude!¡±
¡°Leonard, what are you doing?¡±
Queenie angrily pushed him away, about to continue her rant, when she met Orion¡¯s re, venomous
and terrifying as if he wanted to tear her apart, causing her to step back in fright.
D-
¡°What did you say?¡±
¡°Orion, don¡¯t be mad! Queenie¡¯s young and spoiled by her family, she speaks without thinking!¡±
Leonard, recognizing the severity in Orion¡¯s stormy demeanor, quickly pulled Queenie in front of
Xanthea.
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¡°Apologize to Ms. Nightshade right now, and ask for her forgiveness!¡±
Queenie, coddled and praised all her life, had never been reprimanded so harshly by her cousin
before, nor had she been looked at with such frightening eyes by Orion.
It seemed he detested her to the core, all because of this scruffy, sly temptress who had bewitched
everyone¡¯s hearts!
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¡°Boo hoo hoo.¡±
Thinking about it, Queenie didn¡¯t know if she was too scared or just felt too wronged, but her tears
suddenly fell, causing the clueless servants around to gather, soothing her with kind words and almost
alerting her parents.
¡°And you have the cheek to cry? Apologize to Ms. Nightshade right now!¡±
Leonard furrowed his brow, his patience wearing thin.
He had given her an out, and if she didn¡¯t take this chance to gracefully apologize to Xanthea and seek
her forgiveness, continuing to create a fuss, he feared she might not even be able to get away with it!
After all, he knew Orion¡¯s temper well; crossing his boundaries was a disaster.
Xanthea watched Queenie who had first hurled insults and then yed the victim burst into tears, and
couldn¡¯t help but chuckle.
Every year brought its share of oddities, but this year seemed particrly rife.
There were those who yed innocentmbs to the public but were snakes behind the scenes, those
who bullied others by unting their powerful backers, and now here was one who spoke madness and
yed the victim first. Seeing so many, she had inevitably umted some experience.
Each type of oddity required a different approach.
For instance, engaging in a war of words with Queenle would only spoil her own mood, and physical
confrontation was out of the question¨Cespecially not in Marlowe Manor. Even if she detested Orion, she
wouldn¡¯t ruin his business. So, the best approach was.
¡°It¡¯s alright, Ms. Marlowe, you don¡¯t need to apologize.¡±
Xanthea offered a gracious smile that surprised everyone present.
They thought, ¡°Despite Ms. Marlowe¡¯s rude remarks, Ms. Nightshade wasn¡¯t upset but dismissed it with
a smile. That was the poise and grace befitting ady of her standing!¡±
Queenie looked at Xanthea, puzzled, only to see her suddenly wrap her arms affectionately around
Orion¡¯s neck, her lips curling into a bright smile, ¡°It¡¯s my fault, actually. Due to some special reasons, I
intentionally hid my romantic rtionship with Orion, which led Ms. Marlowe to misunderstand.¡±
What?
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Queenie¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief.
She was Ori¡¯s girlfriend?
Impossible! Absolutely impossible!
Leonard was Qrian¡¯s close friend and knew him best. Orion was known for his ascetic lifestyle and
disinterest in romance, which was why Leonard always advised her not to waste her affections on him.
And now suddenly, there was a girlfriend in the picture?
This must be some sly fox telling lies!
Xanthea suddenly pulled Orion closer, hershes fluttering and dimples showing, her radiant smile
making
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her seem like a temptress capable of unsettling the world. Orion was momentarily stunned, his usually
cold eyes gleaming with an intense light, trembling rapidly as her gentleughter filled his ears¨C¡®Orion,
¡®romantic rtionship¡®.
¡°It¡¯s not true!¡± Queenie shouted in despair, ¡°You¡¯re lying! Ori would never fall for someone like you. Let
him go¨Cdon¡¯t tarnish him!¡±
Xanthea¡¯s brow lifted as she observed the emotionless, seemingly soulless man before her, narrowing
her eyes in displeasure.
What was he thinking? Not ying along?
He shouldn¡¯t forget that it was he who insisted on bringing her here, causing her to be humiliated for no
reason, and now he wouldn¡¯t even partake in this little act?
Chapter 12/
¡°Such a shame, I¡¯ve already tarnished him.¡±
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Xanthea shed a mischievous smile at Queenie, her pale fingers tracing a path down from Orion¡¯s
neck, slowly sliding under his crisp suit jacket to his white shirt. With a gentle flick, she undid the top
button, revealing a bright red bite mark beneath.
N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.
Queenie¡¯s face turned ashen when she saw the mark, the color matching Xanthea¡¯s lipstick perfectly. It
hit. her like a thunderbolt, leaving her rooted to the spot in shock,
Was Xanthea really Ori¡¯s girlfriend? Had they already slept together?
¡°Wow-¡±
Even Leonard couldn¡¯t help but whistle at the sight.
The intensity of that bite mark spoke volumes.
¡°Is that right, Ori?¡±
As Xanthea¡¯s fingertips grazed another bite mark along his corbone, her voice carried a hint of
yful coquetry, her allure nearly palpable. Anyone would be ensnared by her charm.
Yet, Orion remained unmoved.
Seeing Queenie so devastated, Xanthea almost pushed away the dull man in front of her.
Unexpectedly, a strong hand gripped her slender waist and pulled her into a fiery embrace. ¡°Hmm.¡±
¡°Yes.¡±
Orion¡¯s features were taut, his eyes tinged with a fierce red. Even his monosybic reply was gruff and
hoarse, his body trembling with a tingling sensation, as if about to explode from her teasing.
Devilish woman.
He clenched his teeth, his brows furrowed as if struggling to maintain his crumbling sanity. How dare
she provoke him so openly, wasn¡¯t she afraid he¡¯d lose control and take her right there?
¡°Ori.¡±
If Queenie had held any sliver of hope before, it was now shattered at the sight before ber.
¡°How could this be, how could this be!¡±
Xanthea was nearly suffocated by his overwhelming embrace, frantically pushing against his chest but
to no avail.
Hey! Was he trying to y along or was he trying to kill her? Failing to break free, she stepped hard on
his shoes several times and twisted around until he finally released her.
She was catching her breath, about to speak, when Orion suddenly grabbed her hand and nted a
kiss on it.
Xanthea froze, her eyes wide in shock-
Unable to withstand the onught of emotions, Queenie covered her mouth and ran out the door
sobbing, ¡°Wahhhhh.¡±
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How could this be? How could this be! Ori had truly fallen under the spell of this temptress! As a man
so famously indifferent in matters of the heart, he kissed a woman so passionately in public!
¡°Click.¡±
The sound of Leonard snapping a photo with his phone brought the stunned Xanthea back to reality.
She swiftly pulled her hand back, staring at Orion as if he were crazy, ¡°What are you doing?¡±
Orion slowly lifted his gaze, a trace of amusement still lingering in his desire¨Cfilled eyes, ¡°Ms.
Nightshade, didn¡¯t you want me to y along with your little drama?¡±
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¡°I asked you to y along, not to get carried away! Who gave you permission to actually kiss me?¡±
Xanthea frantically wiped her hand while glowering at him.
She had never been kissed by a man before. Wait a minute!
She almost forgot, that night at the n Hotel, not only did he kiss and hold her, but he also touched
her, stealing many of her firsts!
Back then he was drunk, but now sober, he still dared to take advantage!
He was nothing but a thorough scoundrel!
¡°It makes it look real,¡±
Orion nced towards the direction Queenie had run off to and offered Xanthea a handkerchief. ¡°Ms.
Nightshade, are you not pleased with the oue?¡±
Xanthea caught his suggestive gaze and thought, ¡°So it¡¯s all my fault, is that it? If he hadn¡¯t been flirting
around and leading on every girl in sight, would I have needed to resort to such drastic measures to
fend off his little admirer?¡±
Really? After all this, he still imed it was all an act?
Leonard stared at the photo on his phone of Orion tenderly kissing Xanthea¡¯s hand, already calcting
the hefty price Orion would have to pay to secure it.
¡°Pleased, very pleased!¡±
Xanthea gritted her teeth and snatched the handkerchief, rubbing the neatly folded, expensive fabric
into a crumpled mess on her hand.
¡°Mr. Lockwood, your acting is so convincing, you could win an Oscar!¡±
¡°Not as good as yours, Xan.¡±
Orion spoke and headed upstairs.
Xanthea stood frozen for a few seconds before realizing what he had said.
Xan?
Ugh! How revolting!
She shuddered, her skin crawling with goosebumps.
He was not only despicable and shameful but also petty and vindictive.All she did was tease his little
admirer by calling him ¡®Ori, and this was his response.
But true, ¡®Ori did sound quite sickening!
¡°Tsk tsk,¡± Leonard watched his retreating figure and shook his head. ¡°You two really know how to y.¡±
¡°Don¡¯t start with that nonsense!¡± Xanthea protested innocently. ¡°There¡¯s nothing babyish about it, we¡¯re
just¡ Just acting¡±
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Just acting Leopard finished for her, ¡°No need to exin, I get it. But what about that hickey on his
neck?
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Looks fresh, must have been left recently, right? Orion drove here today, don¡¯t tell me you guys were
ying around in the car.¡±
¡°Enough!¡±
Xanthea cut off his increasingly wild and inappropriate spections. ¡°Believe it or not, it wasn¡¯t a
hickey, it was a mark of my victory!¡±
A mark of victory?
It was the first time Leonard had heard such a description and couldn¡¯t help butugh, picturing the
scene in his mind.
No wonder Xanthea looked so reluctant earlier; she had been forcefully brought into the fray.
Impressive, after all this time, the secret admirer Orion had started to enforce his love.
¡°I¡¯ve always heard that you are a woman of great intelligence, the top schr of Crestwood Hall
Academy. Seeing you today, I can say your reputation is well¨Cdeserved! Your reaction and acting
earlier, even almost believed it was real,¡±
If it were anyone else insulted by Queenie, they would either have a public outburst or just walk away.
But Xanthea responded with a smile, using the simplest yet most devastating method to hit back at
Queenie, extinguishing her hopes as well. Truly, a silent killer in action.
?.
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Chapter 129
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Chapter 129
Leonard thought Xanthea and Orion were cut from the same cloth, full of tricks and mischief.
Xanthea arched an eyebrow. ¡°ttery will get you nowhere, Mr. Leonardoodle. Shouldn¡¯t you be
comforting your cousin right now?¡±
¡°Her? No need forfort. If she¡¯s really over her crush on Orion, I might actually thank you on behalf
of her parents.¡± Leonard started, then paused as if something just urred to him. ¡°Wait, what did you
just call me?¡±
With a sly smile, Xanthea tucked her handkerchief into her pocket and turned to leave.
¡°Xanthea, you¡¯re picking up Orion¡¯s bad habits!¡± Leonard called after her, catching up. ¡°Don¡¯t use my
nickname, got it?¡±
¡°Why not? I think it¡¯s quite catchy, easy to pronounce.¡±
¡°Easy to pronounce?¡± Leonard looked at her in amazement. ¡°Are you sure you don¡¯t know Orion well?¡±
How could her thoughts about his name sound exactly like Orion¡¯s?
¡°Of course, but I¡¯m curious, why do you know so much about me?¡±
Leonard shrugged. ¡°Because of something rted to you, I guess.¡±
¡°You mean like enjoying The Masked Singer¡®?¡±
Leonardughed; he didn¡¯t know what ¡®The Masked Singer was, but he knew that the only song on
Orion¡¯s music ylist was ¡°Butterfly,¡± sung by none other than Xanthea.
¡°Yeah, I¡¯m a fan of yours!¡±
Indeed, Xanthea nodded.
¡°By the way, there¡¯s a ¡®Zoo¡® party happening on the back hill. Interested in going?¡±
¡°A ¡®Zoo¡® party?
Xanthea nced towards the brightly lit back hill. No wonder music had been drifting over from that
direction; they were throwing a party.
¡°Is it full of animals?¡±
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¡°Not exactly, it¡¯s a costume party with an animal theme.¡±
¡°A costume party? Sounds fun, let¡¯s check it out.¡±
¡°Sure, but¡± Leonard eyed her attire, ¡°you can¡¯t go dressed like that. Come upstairs with me and change
into an evening gown.¡±
Xanthea looked down at herself.
Her neat casual outfit from the morning had be crumpled and dirty after encounters with
overzealous fans. No wonder Queenie had been so judgmental earlier.
In the Whimsy Haven Estate, fourth floor.
-Leonard pressed a remote, and a vast, luxurious wardrobe slowly opened to reveal dozens of
intricately
Chapter 129
designed evening gowns themed around various animals¨Cbunnies, peacocks, ragdoll cats, deer, foxes.
Although Xanthea was prepared, she was still stunned by the sight.
These themed gowns weren¡¯t the garish, over¨Cthe¨Ctop costumes you¡¯d see at a typicalic con.
Each was uniquely designed, meticulously tailored to blend the characteristics and habits of the
animals with the model¡¯s body proportions, achieving a harmonious and beautiful synergy between
humans and nature. It was her first time appreciating the beauty of animal¨Cthemed gowns. Previously,
such costumes had been tagged as ¡®sexual¡® or ¡®vulgar,¡® but these were different. And looking at the
design ideas and sewing patterns, Xanthea found something familiar.
¡°This can¡¯t be Matilda¡¯s work, can it?¡± she asked, recognizing the signature style of the internationally
renowned designer.
Leonard straightened up against the wall, a look of admiration shing in his eyes. ¡°You really are the
Nightshade family¡¯s heiress, your eye for detail is impable!¡±
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Chapter 130
Since the collection of haute couture gowns was acquired, Leonard had invited numerous guests to
admire them, including aristocrats and celebrities. Theirments were invariably the same=¡°lovely,¡±
¡°beautiful¡°-but none had ever recognized the designer behind them at first nce.
Matilda¡¯s unique style was the essence of these gowns.
Xantheamented, ¡°For mying¨Cof¨Cage party, Samuel had invited her to design a gown for me.
Even then, it wasn¡¯t part of a collection, yet it was worth over a million. This animal¨Cthemed collection
of yours must be over a hundred million, right? No surprise there, Marlowe Enterprises is really top¨C
tier.¡±
Leonardughed modestly, ¡°Oh, hardly that. Even thebined wealth of the entire Marlowe family
¡°wouldn¡¯te close to one ten¨Cthousandth of Orion¡¯s personal assets, let alone this animal¨Cthemed
collection of gowns. If you liked it, he wouldn¡¯t blink an eye even if you asked for an ¡®ind¨Cthemed¡®
gown.¡±
Xanthea looked puzzled, ¡°Why would he buy me an ind¨Cthemed gown?¡±
¡°Well, I¡¯m just saying¨Cif you were his girlfriend.¡±
Xanthea rolled her eyes, ¡°In his dreams!¡±
Watching her reaction, Leonard smirked, sensing that Orion had a long way to go in winning her over,
ahead, pick any that you like.¡±
Was Matilda¡¯s exclusive gown collection really just there for the taking?
¡°GO
Surprised, Xanthea looked at him and mentally tagged him as ¡®generous¡® among the wealthy. ¡°Since
you¡¯re so inviting, I won¡¯t hold back! Out of all these gowns, the little white bunny one must suit my
personality the best!¡±
Just as she was about to grab the cute bunny gown from the wardrobe, a sexy and enticing red fox
dress caught her dye.
¡°Are you sure you¡¯re not mistaken about yourself? From top to bottom, inside and out, where do you
resemble a timid little bunny? You¡¯re obviously more of a fox, and not just any fox¨Ca thousand¨Cyear¨C
old nine¨Ctailed fox!¡±
Xanthea was speechless. Although she knew he meant it as apliment, almost everyone who
disliked her had used that term, leaving her with no fondness for foxes.
Still, these were his gowns, and it was generous of him to lend them to her. Being picky wouldn¡¯t be
appropriate.
¡°Alright, I¡¯ll try it.¡±
Minutester, Xanthea emerged from the fitting room in the exquisite ¡®Sylvan Fox¡® evening gown.
Leonard, who had been sipping tea, looked up at the sound. When he saw her in front of the mirror, he
was momentarily frozen, his eyes glued to her.
She was stunning.
She looked like a celestial fox from a dream, enchantingly beautiful, hardly seeming real.
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Xanthea fwirled in front of the mirror, pleased with her reflection.
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She had thought her bold featuresbined with the seductive fox gown might look vulgar.
But the gown was sexy yet adorable, with a skirt adorned with ¡®nine tails¡® made of light, airy tulle. A
deep. V¨Cneck was perfectly covered by a fox mask encrusted with diamonds, and plush fox tails
surrounded the off¨Cthe¨Cshoulder neckline. The entire ensemble was romantically beautiful and
dreamlike. She loved it.
¡°I must say, you¡¯ve got a good eye!¡± sheplimented.
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Chapter 131
Xanthea turned her face towards Leonard, and for a moment, the sheer beauty of her presence left him
utterly stunned. He coughed awkwardly, his tea almost spilling in a most ungainly manner.
He finally understood why Orion had fallen so deeply for her!
Growing up among the elite, Leonard had encountered all sorts of celebrities and heiresses of
prestigious families. He thought he was immune to beauty, but he had never seen true allure until now.
He had to look away!
If he kept staring, he might start coveting his friend¡¯s woman!
Had it been anyone else, he might have pursued her without any moral consideration, but not with
Orion. Orion would kill him.
¡°You¡¯re strikingly beautiful. So much so, I¡¯m afraid to take you to the party.¡±
¡°Why? Is your girlfriend going to be there? Should we go separately?¡±
¡°That¡¯s not it!¡±
Leonard shook his head, mainly worried about attracting unwanted attention from wolves in sheep¡¯s
clothing that mightpel Orion to confront him..
At the back hill, an animal¨Cthemed party was in full swing.
As Xanthea made her entrance, her radiant and graceful figure immediately captured the attention of
every guest.
Almost every man was mesmerized,vishing praises upon her, while the women, envious yet curious,
spected about her identity.
Leonard had just entered the party when the butler informed him Anthony wanted him in the study.
He nodded and before leaving, cautioned a group of eager¨Clooking men, ¡°Thisdy here is Miss
Xanthea Nightshade from the Crestwood family¨Ca distinguished guest brought by Mr. Lockwood today.¡±
He emphasized ¡°distinguished guest¡± to clue in his friends immediately.
What a pity! Such a beauty, yet already spoken for!
Considering Orion¡¯s reputation, some men shook their heads reluctantly and walked away, although a
few couldn¡¯t resist approaching her with a ss in hand after Leonard left.
¡°Please, Ms. Marlowe, don¡¯t cry. Your eyes will swell.¡±
¡°Get lost! Leave me alone!¡±
an away t
Queenie sat by the riverbank, sobbing loudly and servants trying to console her.
¡°Irritating, all of you! Just stay away from me!¡±
She ran towards the bad hill, seeking a quiet ce to continue her crying, but unexpectedly, she saw
Xanthea at Leonard¡¯s animal¨Cthemed party.
There Xanthea was, a real fox in a striking red dress, surrounded by a group of men,ughing
flirtatiously.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.
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The whole party seemed to be under her spell, with even high¨Cprofile celebrities and business moguls
vying for her attention..
In a fit of rage, Queenie screamed.
She thought, ¡°That cunning vixen, not satisfied with having Orion, was tantly flirting with others! How
could she be worthy of someone as good as Ori!¡±
Determined, Queenie snapped several photos of Xanthea mingling with the men, then triumphantly
walked towards the center of the party.
¡°Vixen!¡±
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Chapter 132
A familiar voice rang out, and Xanthea looked up to see Queenie storming towards them, clutching her
smartphone like a weapon.
Oh, wasn¡¯t she just a sobbing mess, gasping for breath, and now she¡¯s bounced back so quickly?¡±
¡°Ms. Marlowe?¡±
Several men looked at her quizzically as she made her way directly to Xanthea, mming her phone
down in front of Xanthea, ¡°Everyone back off, I need a word with her alone!¡±
¡°Alright then.¡±
As the crowd dispersed, Xanthea gracefully lifted her wine ss, gently swirling its contents, ¡°Ms.
Marlowe, it seems that you have taken quite a blow, crying yourself hoarse like that.¡±
¡°You vixen, don¡¯t get too smug just yet. Look at what I have here!¡±
She lit up her phone, and Xanthea, rather than showing any hint of fear or panic, simply smiled at the
Images disyed. ¨C
¡°I don¡¯t know whether topliment you on your photography skills or to praise my photogenic face.
Even these blurry shots look unbelievably gorgeous.¡±
¡°unting yourself around other men like that behind Ori¡¯s back, and you still have the audacity to say.
such shameless things? Just wait until I send these photos to Ori and see how you argue.¡±
¡°Make sure to send me a copy too; I quite like this set.¡±
Xanthea took a sip of her wine, cutting her off.
¡°What did you say?¡±
Queenie looked at her incredulously, her face showing evidence of Xanthea¡¯s flirtatious encounters, yet
Xanthea seemed utterly fearless. Was it all an act?
¡°Aren¡¯t you afraid that Ori will see this and dump you?¡±
Xantheaughed heartily, herughter shaking like the leaves of a seductive enchantress.
¡°Ms. Marlowe, perhaps I wasn¡¯t clear enough earlier in the hall. Orion and I are hardly the couple madly
in love.¡±
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What?
Queenie paused, a hopeful gleam returning to her eyes.
She had thought as much. How could Ori possibly choose someone like Xanthea as a girlfriend?
Xanthea must be making it all up!
However,
Xailthea¡¯s next words crushed any flicker of hope Queenie might have had.
¡°He¡¯s the one hopelessly smitten, daydreaming and chasing me relentlessly. If it weren¡¯t for his deep
adoration and wealth, I would have kicked him to the curb long ago. You have no idea how annoying he
can be, always wanting hugs and kisses.¡±
Shut up you wretch!¡±
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Queenie, red¨Ceyed and tearful, raised her hand to p her.
She thought, ¡°Ori was a gem, brilliant and unparalleled, his virtues too numerous to count, and she was
with him only for his money?¡±
Xanthea caught Queenie¡¯s hand swiftly, sshing the contents of her wine ss across her face,
¡°Wake up, Ms. Marlowe. If you¡¯re going to be this aggressive, don¡¯t me me for being rude.¡±
¡°Aah!¡±
Wine drenched Queenie¡¯s face, ruining her delicate Lolita dress, leaving her trembling with rage and
screaming in frustration.
¡°You wretch, just you wait! Do you really think I¡¯d believe a word you say? I¡¯ve recorded our whole -
conversation and I¡¯ll hand it over to Ori along with the photos!¡±
Xanthea¡¯s lips curled into a slight smirk, ¡°Whatever.¡±
After Queenie stormed off furiously, Xanthea became the talk of the entire party.
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¡°Xanthea sure has guts to ssh wine on Ms. Marlowe. No wonder she¡¯s Mr. Lockwood¡¯s woman!¡±
¡°Ms. Marlowe might be the gem of the Marlowe family, but Xanthea is the heiress of the Nightshade
Group. They¡¯re both high and mighty, so neither is going to let the other get the upper hand!¡±
¡°You¡¯re thinking too much. With Mr. Lockwood backing Xanthea, it¡¯s not just about sshing wine on
Ms. Marlowe. Even if Xanthea pped her, the Marlowe family wouldn¡¯t dare start a feud with the
Lockwood Group over it. Let¡¯s just enjoy the show.¡±
After being cooped up in the car all day, Xanthea had hoped to unwind at the party but ended up
bing the center of gossip thanks to Queenie¡¯s drama. Just sitting there, she could feel the eyes
and hear the whispers all around.
Feeling fed up, Xanthea stood and walked towards the serene woods behind the mansion.
¡°Ms. Marlowe, what happened to you?¡±
At the mansion¡¯s fourth floor, by the elevator, the butler was shocked to see a disheveled Queenie
rushing toward the study.
Queenie, tears streaming down her face, eximed, ¡°Louis, I need to find Ori. I have something
important to tell him!¡±
¡°Mr. Lockwood and Mr. Marlowe are discussing important matters in the study with Mr. Anthony. You
can¡¯t go in now. Wait until they are done.¡±
¡°No, I need to see Ori now! He can¡¯t be deceived by that wench any longer.¡±
Louis frowned, seeing that Queenie wasn¡¯t listening and signaled to nearby servants. They quickly
approached and gently but firmly pulled her away from the fourth floor.
¡°When will she ever learn?¡±
¡°Let me go! Let me go!¡±
¡°Can¡¯t you see that wench drenched me in wine? Am I not the youngdy of the Marlowe family, or is
she?¡± ¡°Why are you all siding with her against me!¡±
Queenie screamed hysterically, on the verge of a breakdown. A servant, who was usually friendly with
her, hurried over, ¡°Miss Queenie, please stop crying. You¡¯re only punishing yourself for someone else¡¯s
mistakes.¡±
¡°Yes, exact
Queenie thought, ¡°It was all that floozy¡¯s fault, deceiving Ori, ndering him. Once I handed all the
evidence to Ori, that girl would regret her actions. But having just been insulted and sshed wine,
Queenie felt she couldn¡¯t let it go; she had her pride as a Marlowe.
Biting her lip, Queenie looked at the servant beside her, a n forming in her mind. ¡°Linda, I need you
to do something for me
Xanthea strolled deeper into the forest, enjoying the fresh air and beautiful scenery, which lightened her
mood.
Chapter 133
The woods were alive with colorful flowers and chirping birds, and yful little animals scampered
about. She had pocketed some snacks from the party and now sprinkled them on the ground, attracting
a group of fluffy¨Ctailed squirrels.
¡°How adorable,¡± she murmured, squatting down to touch a squirrel¡¯s tail when she heard someone
calling, ¡°Ms. Nightshade, Ms. Nightshade?¡±
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Turning around, she saw an unfamiliar woman, dressed in the Marlowe family¡¯s uniform.
¡°I¡¯m here.¡±
Linda caught up, smiling broadly when she saw Xanthea, ¡°Oh, Ms. Nightshade, I¡¯m so d I found
you!¡±
¡°Is there something I
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Chapter 134
¡°It¡¯s nothing serious, just that the butler saw you heading into the woods after leaving the party and was
a bit worried, so he sent me to check on you. The backwoods are vast and it¡¯s getting dark. Even
though there are streetmps, it¡¯s easy to get lost since you¡¯re not familiar with the area, Ms.
Nightshade.¡±
¡°No worries.¡± Xanthea brushed off her hands and stood up. ¡°I¡¯ll just take a quick look at the flowers and
head back.¡±
¡°Alright!¡± Linda smiled, her eyes twinkling mischievously. ¡°Do you have a favorite type of flower, Ms.
Nightshade? I can help you look for it here in the woods.¡±
¡°Yes, but it¡¯s quite rare. I love irises.¡±
¡°What a coincidence!¡± Linda pped her hands excitedly. ¡°Just a few hundred yards ahead, there¡¯s a
cliff, and right at the base, there¡¯s a patch of wild ck irises!¡±
¡°Really?¡±
Xanthea looked at her, surprised and delighted to find wild irises in the woods, especially rare ck
ones.
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¡°Let¡¯s go take a look then.¡±
¡°Sure, I¡¯lle with you, Ms. Nightshade!¡±
Linda followed her for a while but then suddenly stopped, turned around, and dashed off.
In the vi¡¯s four¨Cstory library.
Anthony Marlowe finished signing a contract and stood up, shaking hands with Orion, smiling. ¡°Mr.
Lockwood, it¡¯s a pleasure to work with you. Here¡¯s to a sessful project!¡±
¡°Likewise.¡±
Orion, with his typically cool demeanor, seemed unusually congenial today.
¡°You seem in good spirits today, Mr. Lockwood. Any particr reason?¡±
¡°Is thepany of a beautifuldy reason enough?¡±
Leonard chimed in from the side, causing Anthony to look at Orion in surprise, ¡®Really? Mr. Lockwood,
do you have a girlfriend?¡±
Orion nced at Leonard, ¡°Not exactly.¡±
Leonardughed, sensing that it might just be a matter of time, especially with his own meddling.
¡°How about a game of golf, Orion? It¡¯s been a while since we yed together!
¡°I¡¯m busy.¡±
¡°Expected, but you¡¯re too blunt! Ditching your friends for ady, huh? Well, I always believe in returning
a favor. Xanthea at the party in the backwoods. Don¡¯t thank me too much when you see herter!¡±
In the backwoods.
Xantfiea walked about four or five hundred yards and came upon a steep cliff, but there were no ck
irises at its base.
Chapter 134
Perhaps the nts were too sparse or hidden among the bushes?
She moved closer, parting the bushes, searching thoroughly but found nothing.
¡°I can¡¯t see them.¡±
She turned, curious to ask Linda, but found that the servant had vanished without a trace.
A rustling sound came from the bushes, and a strong sense of foreboding suddenly overwhelmed
Xanthea.
She was about to leave when she saw a cluster of snakes with menacing patterns slithering out, their
heads peeking out and tongues flicking red.
In an instant, her eyes widened in utter terror, and she screamed at the top of her lungs..
Orion had just arrived at the party when he heard a familiar scream from the backwoods. His
expression turned grave, and he ran swiftly towards the sound.
Terrified, Xanthea screamed and ran, zigzagging along the path. Snakes, with their poor vision and
patience, struggle with sharp turns due to their linear bodies. She should have been able to lose them
with a few twists and turns, but she still felt them closing in, about to wrap around her ankles.
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Chapter 135
Orion dashed to the backwoods, scanning the surroundings, but Xanthea was nowhere to be seen.
His expression was sharp, his eyes filled with intense panic and anxiety, as if he could devour the
entire eerie, silent forest.
However, the next moment, a breathtakingly beautiful figure sliced through the darkness, rushing
straight toward him from the cliff like a sprite of the night.
Xanthea, terrified and disoriented, was running so fast the scenery around her blurred. Suddenly, she
saw the tall, striking figure of a man¨COrion!
At that moment, she felt as if she had seen her savior, and without a second thought, she dashed
toward him.
¡°Ah
¡°Orion, save me!!!¡±
She crashed into his arms like a disheveled, enchanting fox, knocking him back a few steps, his heart
skipping a beat.
¡°Xan,¡± Orion held her tightly, his heart finally settling, ¡°Don¡¯t be scared, I¡¯m here.¡±
¡°Snakes! There are snakes! Ahhh!¡±
Xanthea screamed, climbing up his body, clinging to him as if he were a lifeline.
Snakes?
Orion focused his gaze and saw a patterned snake swiftly approaching. As Xanthea moved, the snake
leaped up.
Fortunately, before it could wrap around her ankle, it found itself in the firm grasp of Orion.
He crushed its life out, its body bursting open, blood sttering, and the two pieces of its writhing body
on the ground sent a clear signal to its mates, who quickly entwined and ceased their pursuit.
Orion continued approaching, his murderous eyes and the blood dripping from his fingertips spreading
a thick scent of blood through the forest, sending the snakes scattering in a desperate escape.
¡°Ah ah ah, did you see them? So many, everywhere!¡±
Xanthea clung to him, her face buried in his chest too frightened to look.
Orion felt the girl in his arms shivering, the murderous intent in his eyes fading away, leaving only a
deep. tranquil tenderness, ¡°It¡¯s okay, they¡¯re gone now.¡±
He gently parted her back,forting her as if she was a scared child, his voice soft as he coaxed,
¡°Don¡¯t be scared. With me here, nothing can hurt you.¡±
¡°Really? You¡¯re not lying to me?¡±
Xanthea¡¯s voice trembled as she slowly lifted her head, still afraid to open her eyes.
¡°When have I ever lied to you?¡±
That¡¯s right, he hadn¡¯t!
Chapter 135
Reassured by his promise, Xanthea dared to slowly open her eyes.
Just as he said, the fearsome, patterned snakes that had littered the ground were gone. She almost
cried with relief, ¡°Ohhh, I was so scared, you can put me down now.¡±
Hearing her request to be put down, Orion paused.
In his arms, the girl¡¯s dress was disheveled from running and the scare, her shoulder bare, her slender
form fitting perfectly against him, every tremble of her soft skin bringing him an iparable sense of
pleasure.
Like a poppy flower, irresistibly addictive, impossible to let go.
¡°I think
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¡°Ah!¡±
I just saw another one.¡±
Before he had even finished speaking, Xanthea clung to him tighter, as if to merge into him, eliciting a
low moan from him, ¡°Mmm.¡±
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Chapter 136
Orion¡¯s eyes darkened with a hint of desire as he tightened his grip around the slender waist of the girl
in his arms. His prominent nose gently brushed against her pale, soft neck. His long eyes half¨Cclosed,
savoring this intimate moment.
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¡°Ms. Nightshade, you¡¯re holding on a bit too tight.¡±
So tight that he was almost losing control.
However, Xanthea, caught in a state of sheer panic, was on high alert and couldn¡¯t hear his unusual
tone, nor feel any of his reactions.
¡°Oh no, this ce is just too spooky, Orion, stop talking, let¡¯s get out of here fast. The snakes might
come. biting soon!¡±
Orion smirked, a hint of amusement shing across his brows, ¡°But the scenery in this forest is quite
lovely, think I¡¯ll stay and enjoy it a bit longer.¡±
What?
Xanthea couldn¡¯t believe her ears.
With the ground crawling with sinister, twisting snakes, he actually wanted to stay and admire the
scenery?
¡°Are you insane?¡±
Orion said, ¡°I¡¯m not afraid.¡±
¡°But I am afraid!¡±
Xanthea was trembling with fear, her voice quivering, and her eyes tightly shut, not daring to open them
even for a second.
She thought, ¡°Oh my god, this guy must be crazy, not even afraid of snakes!¡±
¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll protect you.¡±
¡°Geeze! I¡¯m trembling at the sight of them. Maybe you could escort me out first, thene back and
enjoy the scenery with the snakes if you like.¡±
¡°Hmm,¡± Orion pondered, ¡°that¡¯s a good idea.¡±
¡°Right? So let¡¯s hurry up!¡±
Xanthea was relieved, but then his tone changed, bing cold and distant, ¡°But why should I do
that? Ms. Nightshade, we neither rtives nor friends, and frankly, you even dislike me.¡±
Xanthea was stunned.
What did he thean by that?
-3
He wasn¡¯t nning to leave her here, was he?
When she thought about this, the strong arms that were once constricting her waist began to loosen.
¡°No¨Cdon¡¯t
Chapter 136
Xanthea screamed in terror, her arms tightly wrapping around his neck, clinging to him like an octopus,
her soft chest pressed against him, forcing his eyes to shift.
¡°Who¨Cwho said that! I don¡¯t dislike you, not at all!¡±
¡°Oh? You don¡¯t dislike me?¡± Orion¡¯s eyebrows lifted in curiosity, ¡°Is that so?¡±
¡°Yes, yes.¡± In her desperation to survive, Xanthea bit her lip, closed her eyes, and blurted out a lie, ¡°Of
course, I like you! I really like you, a lot!¡±
When she said ¡®like, Orion¡¯s heart skipped a beat, knowing it was a lie, yet he couldn¡¯t help but feel
overjoyed.
¡°You like who?¡±
¡°You! Didn¡¯t I just say?¡±
¡°And who am I?¡±
Orion pressed further. Xanthea wondered if he was being foolish.
¡°You¡¯re Orion!¡±
¡°Am I?¡± His voice deepened, ¡°Earlier today in the Marlowe family¡¯s hall, you didn¡¯t seem to call me
that.¡± Xanthea paused, then remembered that earlier today, in the Marlowe family hall, to annoy
Queenie, she had yfully wrapped her arms around his neck and called him ¡®Ori¡®.
Damn! This despicable, petty man was actually doing this on purpose, punishing her for teasing him
publicly in the hall!
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Chapter 137
Chapter 137
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¡°Ms. Nightshade, have you forgotten?¡±
Orion noticed her silence and loosened his grip around her waist by an inch.
¡°Do you need me to put you down so you can recall properly?¡±
¡°No, no, no!¡± Xanthea squeaked immediately, wishing she could bite his neck off, yet obediently cooed,
¡°I haven¡¯t forgotten, O¨COri, Orl!¡±
Listening to her melodious voice, tinged with a hint of coquetry, Orion tightened his hold on her waist.
¡°What¡¯s this ¡°Ori¡®?¡±
That despicable man, that freak, she had to endure it all!
Xanthea¡¯s hands, sped behind his neck, silently balled into fists. ¡°I like Ori. I like Ori!¡±
¡°Who likes Ori?¡±
Unable to bear it any longer, Xanthea opened her mouth to bite his neck. ¡°Orion, this is too much!¡±
Just as her sharp teeth neared Orion¡¯s neck, Orion moved his hand slightly, and Xanthea immediately
withdrew her teeth. ¡°Me, me, it¡¯s me!¡±
Orionmanded, ¡°Put it all together, say it again.¡±
Hearing his upromising tone, Xanthea trembled with anger, biting him was no longer enough to
ease her resentment.
Once she got out, she vowed to tear him apart!
¡°I like Ori, I like Ori, I like Ori, okay? Is that enough? Mr. Lockwood, are you satisfied now? Happy now?
Got all your anger out?¡±
She eximed thrice, her voice echoing through the vast, deste valley, rebounding in the dark night
into Orion¡¯s ears.
Orion¡¯s eyes and brows tinged with a serene smile. ¡°Hmm, Xan, I¡¯m quite pleased, indeed quite
comfortable.¡±
¡°Then you can take me out of here now, right?¡±
Xanthea spoke through gritted teeth, her anger nearly grinding her teeth to dust,
¡°Of course.¡±
As Orion turned, and Xanthea sighed a heavy sigh of relief, she suddenly felt him halt, her heart
skipping a beat. ¡°What now?¡±
What new trick was he ying?
Orion stared into the distance at a patch of swaying grass on a cliff, his gaze sharpening. ¡°Ahead, there
seems to be an iris.¡±
Xanthea was puzzled.
Again? The same excuse? She had been lured by that unscrupulous servant of the Marlowe family to
see irises and had stumbled into a snake pit, chased by serpents!
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Chapter 137
And now he was repeating the same trick, could it be he was in cahoots with that servant?
¡°I thought you loved irises.¡±
Orion looked down at her, tightening his grip, and without further ado, started walking towards the cliff
with her in his arms.
¡°No, no, no, you remembered wrong, I don¡¯t like them! Not at all!¡±
¡°Don¡¯t go there! There¡¯s a snake pit! It¡¯s full of snakes, so many snakes.¡±
¡°Orion, you bastard, you big liar! You promised if I called you ¡®Ori¡®, you¡¯d take me out, liar, liar!¡±
Xanthea shrieked in fear, her hands pounding his sturdy chest, but no matter how much she resisted,
she couldn¡¯t stop his steps or break free from his embrace.
¡°Waaa.¡±
She lifted her desperate, beautiful face to the sky and cried out in sorrow, lika by a hunter, unable to
escape.
¡°Help, someone save me, this freak Orion is going to feed me to the snakes!¡±
a helpless little fox caught
Chapter 138
Chapter 138
¡°A ck one.¡±
Orion ced the iris in front of her.
A faint, familiar scent wafted into her nostrils, cutting off Xanthea¡¯s miserable screams abruptly as she
slowly opened her eyes to indeed see a ck iris before her.
The flower had six petals, shaped like an orchid, and its green leaves were narrow yet sharp, swaying
passionately in the thick night breeze. It added an endless allure to its already captivating presence,
drawing Xanthea¡¯s mind into a whirl of fascination.
Xanthea stared at the iris, lost in its beauty, ¡°It¡¯s so beautiful.¡±
Orion, too, was mesmerized, ¡°Yeah.¡±
¡°I can¡¯t believe they actually have irises here!¡±
¡°Ms. Nightshade, do you know thenguage of ck irises?¡±
¡°Of course!¡±
Proudly sniffing the iris, Xanthea boasted, ¡°I¡¯m a fervent iris aficionado! Among all varieties, ck is not
only rare but its symbolism is most unique.
As she spoke, she suddenly noticed a milky white snake coiled around an apple blossom branch,
raising its head and peeking at them. Its green eyes emitted a terrifying glow in the dark night, instantly
turning her face pale.
¡°Ahhh! A snake, there¡¯s a snake!¡±
¡°Orion, let¡¯s get out of here! Please, I¡¯m really scared, can we go, please?¡±
¡°Let¡¯s go.
Xanthea, frightened, threw the iris aside and burrowed into his arms like a startled cub, her voice
trembling. She started to whimper, clearly her mental defenses copsing.
Orion, hearing her pitiful sobs, frowned with deep guilt.
¡°Okay.¡±
¡°Don¡¯t be afraid, it¡¯s alright now.¡±
¡°We¡¯ll be out of here soon.¡±
He gently patted her back, soothing her, unable to resist kissing her t
He thought, ¡°¡®m sorry, sweetheart.¡±
trembling curls.
Even though he knew he shouldn¡¯t scare her, he couldn¡¯t resist the temptation to just hold her and keep
walking, foreverand ever, to the end of time.
But this forest was like mirage; once they left, it all shattered.
From the cosy party to the depths of the forest, it was just a fifteen¨Cminute walk.
For Orion, those fifteen minutes passed in a blink, but for Xanthea, it was an ordeal!
Chapter 138
She clung tightly to Orion¡¯s chest, drawing warmth and strength from his heat and the robust thumping
of his heart, until she heard a heavenly voice, ¡°Ms. Nightshade, we¡¯re here.¡±
They had arrived?
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Slowly, Xanthea opened her eyes and saw the lively party not far away, with music and dancing, and
the clean ground beneath her feet without a trace of the snake. Joy burst forth in her eyes.
Thank goodness!
She was finally safe again!
¡°Put, me, down.¡±
Her eyes narrowed slightly, her voice calm but deliberate.
But as soon as Orion set her down, she pushed him away, wiping away a tear that hung pitifully at the
corner of her eye, her brows furrowing fiercely, transforming from a pitiful little fox into a fierce tigress.
¡°Orion, you deceitful, shameless, opportunistic, petty trickster! How dare you trick me like that.¡±
She was so angry she couldn¡¯t speak clearly, but Orion, visibly delighted, casually praised, ¡°Ms:
Nightshade, what eloquence.¡±
His teasing demeanor seemed to say: Even so, what can you do about it? Aren¡¯t you still at my mercy?
Chapter 139
Chapter 139
Chapter 139
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Xanthea¡¯s rage hit a new peak.
¡°Argh!¡±
In her fury, she began stomping on his shoes relentlessly, ¡°For tricking me, lying to me, scaring me,
ying me, I¡¯ll stomp you to death! You fraud, you freak.¡±
As she stomped with gusto, Orion suddenly raised his hand, causing her to stagger in fright..
However, he was merely pulling up the slipping sleeve of her dress.
Xanthea was puzzled.
¡°It¡¯s chilly tonight, don¡¯t catch a cold.¡±
Saying this, he took off his suit jacket.
Xanthea looked at him as if he were a madman, noticin deliberately avoided right thumb and index
finger.
a patch of dried crimson blood on the tips of his
Why was there blood on his hand? Could it be a snake bite?
But there were no visible wounds on his fingertips, and even if it were a snake bite, it wouldn¡¯t heal that
quickly. ¡ú
A terrifying thought suddenly sprung into her mind. Xanthea looked up at him with eyes more fearful
than when she had encountered a den of snakes.
Could he have killed a snake with his bare hands?
She thought, ¡°Oh no! Orion is scarier than a snake!¡±
Just as Orion tried to drape the jacket over her shoulders, Xanthea, pale as a ghost, turned and fled in
panic, her beautiful form shimmering as if she were running for her life.
However, a few secondster, she came racing back.
Orion was puzzled.
Without even ncing at him, Xanthea snatched the ck iris he was holding and ran off again. ¡°Huh.¡±
Orion couldn¡¯t help but chuckle, looking at the neat shoe prints on his shiny leather shoes, his eyes soft
and tender.
How adorable.
Back at the vi, in the grand living room.
Leonard opened a bottle of aged red wine, slowly pouring it into a wine ss, cing it at the dining
spot intended for Orich and Xanthea.
Cedric nced at thebel and alcohol content of the wine, surprised, ¡®Mr. Marlowe, isn¡¯t this wine a bit
strong? Mr Lockwood might handle it, but if Ms. Nightshade drinks this, she¡¯ll definitely get drunk!¡±
¡°What do you know? That¡¯s exactly the point.¡± Leonard grinned mischievously, ¡°How else are we
supposed
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to get things moving? With the way Orion¡¯s going about it, who knows how long it¡¯ll take for him to win
Xan¡¯s heart. I¡¯m getting anxious just watching. If he¡¯s too shy to make a move, then it¡¯s my duty as his
friend to give them a little push!¡±
¡°What? Mr. Marlowe, you want to use alcohol to expedite their¡ No, no!¡±
Cedric hurriedly intervened.
Things weren¡¯t that simple!
Orion wasn¡¯t too shy to approach Xanthea; she just didn¡¯t like him and had once spoken harsh words to
him.
Moreover, Xanthea already had a lover and was nning to get engaged by the end of the year!
If Leonard forced them together this way, Xanthea would surely despise Orion. Given her fiery temper,
who knows what she might do? Leonard was only adding to the chaos!
¡°Why
are you stopping me? I¡¯m just adding a little catalyst, I¡¯m not forcing them to be together.¡±
As Leonard spoke, pulling back the wine ss Cedric tried to snatch, a vibrant figure dashed into the
hall. Before he could react, she snatched the wine from his hand and downed it in one gulp.
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Chapter 140
The rich, intense aroma and the refreshing sweetness of the high¨Cconcentration wine smoothed down
Xanthea¡¯s throat, quenching the fiery blend of fear and anger boiling inside her. It made her feel
significantly better.
? ? ? ?
She had been running, and now, utterly exhausted, she gripped her sides, panting as she looked
towards Leonard and Cedric. ¡°I need to go home. It¡¯s too dangerous here, especially the backwoods!
And Orion, that jerk, always picking on me, ying his games. I don¡¯t want to see him anymore!¡±
Cedric, at that moment, was too stunned to pay attention to her words, just watching her every move in
disbelief.
¡°Ms. Nightshade, you just downed a ss of strong red wine. Are you sure you¡¯re okay?¡±
Leonard was shocked. She had left looking so dignified and neat, but now she returned disheveled, her
dress in disarray and her hair tousled, as if she had been through a rough ordeal. The words she
muttered¨C¡®Orion, ¡®backwoods, ¡®ying games,¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want to¡®¨Csparked a wild scene in his mind.
No, it couldn¡¯t be.
Had Orion really behaved like a beast?
Leonard had expected Orion to be captivated by Xanthea¡¯s beauty, but he hadn¡¯t anticipated such an
immediate and forceful advance in the secluded forest.
It was outrageous!
¡°Xan, are you alright?¡± he asked with concern.
Xanthea, visibly upset, pointed at herself. ¡°Do I look alright to you?¡±
She had nearly been scared to death by a snake and by Orion!
¡°No, not really¡±
It was clear she and Orion had a crazy night.
Leonard felt a pang of guilt, realizing he might have inadvertently yed a role in this mess. ¡°Xan, you
don¡¯t me me, do you?¡±
Why would she me him?
Just as Xanthea was about to speak, a sudden burning sensation erupted in her stomach, making her
dizzy and nauseous as if she had drunk hard liquor instead of juice.
She nced at the goblet she had set down next to a bottle of ¡¯82 vintage wine; realizing what had
happened.
Had she really consumed such a strong wine?
Having had several sses of grape juice at the costume party, she had assumed that Leonard was
offering her the same. She thought wrong.
¡°Leonardoodle, you¡¯ve done me in!¡±
¡°No, no, no Leonard quickly waved his hands, stuttering guiltily, ¡°I really just thought that dress suited
you I never intended to harm you!¡±
Chapter 140
¡°Xan, actually, Orion has been harboring feelings for you for years.¡±
However, Xanthea had already clutched her stomach and rushed out.
¡°Ms. Nightshade!¡±
¡°Xan!¡± Leonard looked worriedly at her retreating figure. ¡°She¡¯ll be okay, right?¡±
¡°Ms. Nightshade downed that wine so quickly, she¡¯s bound to feel it now. I¡¯ll go check on her.¡±
Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.
Just as Cedric was about to leave, Orion walked in.
¡°Mr. Lockwood!¡±
¡°Orion, you¡¯re back!¡±
Leonard approached him, seeing his impable appearance, and was momentarily taken aback.
He thought, ¡°Here was Orion, looking sharp and pristine, while Xan was left in a mess. He truly was a
beast!
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Chapter 141
Orion strode into the hall, the first thing on his mind was to wash off the dried snake blood on his
hands.
¡°Leonardoodle, there¡¯s a snake¡¯s nest in the backwoods, about half a mile from the first trail marker, at
the base of the cliff. Get someone to clear it out.¡±
¡°Oh, alright!¡±
¡°Cedric, sprinkle some sulfur around the perimeter of the room where Ms. Nightshade will be staying
tonight.¡±
Cedric nodded, ¡°Right away, sir!¡±
Leonard, watching Orion issuing orders as if nothing had happened, couldn¡¯t help but approach him.
¡°Orion, sometimes I really don¡¯t get you. If you care about Xanthea so much that you even think of
laying sulfur around her room, why would you do ¡®that thing¡® to her in the woods? It got me wronged.¡±
He hadn¡¯t finished his sentence when Orion¡¯s icy gaze silenced him, ¡°What did you say?¡±
Leonard, intimidated by that look, muttered, ¡°Maybe I¡¯m reading too much into it? But Xanthea implied
it, and if nothing had happened, why would she down that ss of wine to drown her sorrows?¡±
Orion¡¯s eyes narrowed as he nced at the bottle of strong red wine on the dining table.
She hadn¡¯t eaten for over eight hours and had just been frightened.
¡°Where is she now?¡±
¡°She just, just ran out.¡±
¡°Cedric, prepare some sobering soup.¡±
¡°Got it!¡±
Leonard, startled by Orion¡¯s suddenly grim demeanor, watched as he hurried away, murmuring to
himself, ¡°What on earth is going on?¡±
In the restroom.
Xanthea clutched the sink, retching, but nothing came out.
The strong alcohol swirled in her stomach, burning ever more fiercely, as if it wanted to set her entire.
being on fire. It was so hot she felt like stripping, her head spinning dizzily. In her haze, a writhing,
sinister snake suddenly appeared before her eyes, causing her to scream, the hallucination then
disappearingpletely.
She shook her head, trying to stay alert.
All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.
No, she couldn¡¯t stay here any longer!
The mere thought of a snake slithering into her room while she slept sent chills down her spine.
Frantically, she pulled of her phone, scrolled through her contacts, her fingers bing uncontroble,
her vision blurring despite her efforts to stay clear¨Cheaded.
¡°Hey Siri, find, find Samuel¡¯s number, have him, have hime pick me up.¡±
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Before she could finish, a call came through.
¡°Huh? That was fast, I didn¡¯t even finish!¡±
¡°That¡¯s not Samuel¡¯s name, who¡¯s Matthew?¡±
Xanthea tilted her head, visibly confused and thoroughly intoxicated.
Oh!
It took her a moment, then it clicked, it was Matt, her honey!
She immediately answered the call, joyously shouting. ¡°Matt.¡±
On the other end, Matthew, overwhelmed by the sweet, long¨Cmissed greeting, stood up excitedly.
¡°Xan?¡±
How long had it been since Xanthea had called him like that? With such dependence and affection, as
if he was her entire world!
Chapter 142
Chapter 142
Chapter 142
Ever since Xanthea¡¯sing-of-age celebration, it seemed like she had transformed into someone entirely different.
Gone were the days when she clung to Matthew, made a fuss over him, always thought of him, and constantly wanted to be by
his side.
Her world had expanded to include academics, career pursuits, various hobbies, and friends.
uneasy
In contrast, Matthew felt like he was losing importance, with their one-on-one time dwindling to a pitiful amount. It seemed like
he was gradually being phased out of her life, leaving him anxious and every day, fearing she might change her heart and leave
him.
Hearing that familiar call now felt like a throwback to the past when nothing had changed!
This time, he resolved to cherish and protect her more than ever, never again taking her for granted!
¡°Matt, calling sote, are you missing me?¡±
¡°Yes! Yes, I¡¯ve been thinking about you all day!¡±
¡°Huh.¡±Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.
Xanthea grinned, revealing a sweet smile.
¡°| missed you too!¡±
¡°By the way, Kan, where are you right now?¡±
¡°Me?¡± Xanthea looked around, noting the pavilion, walkways, streetmps, small trees, and a sign emzoned with ¡®Marlowe¡¯ in
golden letters, ¡°I¡¯m in the bathroom.¡±
¡°The bathroom? Which bathroom?¡±
¡°One in a really huge mansion! It¡¯s as big as a castle!¡±
Xanthea described with no exaggeration, and Matthew began to sense something was off.
This wasn¡¯t Xanthea¡¯s usual way of talking. Could it be she was drunk?
Xanthea wasn¡¯t known for her drinking, always moderate, only indulging in a bit of wine on special asions. How could she be
drunk?
He had earlier phoned the Nightshade family, her mom mentioned she was at thepany. Then he asked Oliver, who was at a
social event and didn¡¯t borate much, only mentioning she was safe with Mr. Lockwood and not to worry. But still, he couldn''t
resist calling her.
He had assumed ¡®Mr. Lockwood¡¯ was a senior executive at Oli-hea Media, but now, who would dare get Xanthea drunk and take
her to a grand mansion? Could it be this Mr. Lockwood was Orion?
Orion got he drunk and took her to a mansion, what was he nning?
Matthew¡¯s nerves tightened, and he anxiously asked, ¡°Xan, are you with Orion right now?¡± Orion?
When Matthew said that name, Xanthea¡¯s heart skipped, and she frowned, muttering, ¡°Orion, Orion.¡±
Chapter 142
overvi
Why did that name sound so familiar? It seemed like to her.
A figure suddenly appeared, blocking
a menacing thug; strong arms and a
warm chest pulled ¡®een of theriey
lake water grunkenly pinned her
toad bed, his lips and tongue wildly
iming her as his own; he pried
open her tomb, kissing earnestly, a
single hot tear dropping on her cold
corpse. The content is on
NovelDrama.Org! Read thetest
chapter there!
Countless fragments of memory
flooded her mind. nthea briefly |
spoppetteti en lost herself in
another vision. The content is on
NovelDrama.Org! Read thetest
chapter there!
On the rooftop, the cheating couple spotted her, their faces twisted in ugliness and scorn.
She stood there, disbelieving her eyes.
Laughing, they pushed her off the skyscraper, those terrifying faces etched forever in her memory.
Xanthea turned pale, her body
ice-cold, even her hand holding the
phone trembling. ursohioltaby, as
she list ¨¦d to the incessant voice in
her ear, her emotions suddenly
spiraling out of control. The content
is on NovelDrama.Org! Read thetest
chapter there!
¡°Why? Why would you do this to me? Why?¡±
*Chapter 143
Her sudden shrill scream startled Matthew.
Chapter 143
Chapter 143
¡°Xan? Xan, what¡¯s wrong? Are you in danger? Is Orion trying to hurt you?¡±
¡°Huh.¡±
She smirked coldly.
¡°Orion hurt me? No way, I¡¯m perfectly safe with him. Sure, he can be a bit of a bad boy, but,¡±
But what?
Xanthea furrowed her brow, feeling like she was forgetting something.
She tried hard to remember, but couldn¡¯t. The noise on the other end of the phone was too much, and
she abruptly hung up. As soon as she did, it came back to her, ¡°Oh right! He won¡¯t hurt me, but he
might hurt you guys. Be careful.¡±
¡°You¡¯ve been so naughty, Ori will help me get my revenge!¡±
She lifted her head proudly, hands on her hips.
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Secondster, she looked around confusedly, ¡°Where am I? How did I get here? I¡¯m so tired and
sleepy, I just want to go home.¡±
She walked a few steps forward to a trash can, bent down, ¡°Ah, home atst!¡±
She threw away her phone and was about to dive into the trash can, but suddenly a warmrge hand
grabbed her arm from behind.
¡°Ms. Nightshade.¡±
¡°Huh?¡±
Xanthea turned around to face a man of breathtaking beauty. His features were so perfect it seemed
like each had been meticulously crafted by the divine¨Carching brows like polished onyx, deep¨Cset eyes,
a sharp nose, and striking facial contours.
Who was he? How could someone be so handsome, so tall? His face, his build, made her want to gulp.
Orion pulled her close, his breath heavy with the scent of liquor, ¡°Are you alright? I¡¯ll take you to¡¡±
¡°Hello, handsome.¡±
§Ñ
Before he could finish, Xanthea cheekily grabbed his tie, her sparkling eyes curving into a mischievous
arc
at his face.
as she stared intently
¡°Which elite family¡¯s son are you? So good¨Clooking¨CI¡¯ve seen all the high¨Cprofile young masters in
Havenbrook howe I¡¯ve never seen you?¡±
Her delicate fingers yed with his tie, her lips curling into a teasing smile, clearly flirting with him.
Orion paused, then his es narrowed slightly.
Was she drunk?
Really? Ms Nightshade, you¡¯ve seen so many men?¡±
Chapter 143
¡°Of course!¡± Xanthea tossed her head proudly, boasting, ¡°I am, after all, the precious heiress of the
Nightshade family, gentle and smart, beautiful inside and out. Men line up from Crestwood to Seraphia
to woo me, um.¡±
Before she could finish, Orion suddenly gripped her waist and lifted her up.
¡°What are you doing?¡±
Xanthea looked at him curiously. Orion¡¯s eyes twinkled with a hint of mockery, ¡°You seem drunk. Allow
me to sober you up.¡±
Drunk?
¡°I am not! I¡¯m perfectly clear¨Cheaded, put me down now!¡±
¡°Oh?¡± Orion looked down at her as she pushed against his chest, ¡°Can you telll what this is?¡±
Xanthea looked at her hand and scoffed, ¡°Huh? Do you think I¡¯m a fool? Of course it¡¯s three.¡±
Her mind was clear, her pronunciation perfect, which made Orion reconsider her state of intoxication¡
¡°I got it right, didn¡¯t I?¡± Xanthea raised an eyebrow and smirked at him yfully, ¡°Turnabout is fair y,
now it¡¯s my turn to ask you a question.¡±
With that, she suddenly yanked down on his tie, her lips brushing close to his immacte face, her
breath teasingly warm, ¡°Babe, you¡¯re so handsome, how much would it cost for me to spend the night
with you?¡±
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The sweet intoxication of the wine breath gently wafted from the young woman''s lips, lightly cascading over the man''s sharply defined, cool marble-like face, igniting a burning heat. Apanied by azy, sultry tone in her voice, Orion nearly stopped in his tracks, his eyes instantly deepened.
He looked down at the girl in his arms, her long, curledshes fluttering slightly, shading eyes filled with the seductive glimmering lights. Her petite, dazzling face was flushed with the warmth of the drink, casting an enchanting glow on her cheeks. She gently bit her lush red lips with her teeth, a look of yful reproach as if struggling to bear some burden.
At that moment, she seemed to transform into a mesmerizing, soul-enticing fox, her clothes half-draped as shey in his arms, gently pulling at his tie, beckoning him with a tender allure.
A spark of fiery desire ignited in Orion''s pupils, rapidly consuming hisposure and restraint, as he felt the soft, fragrant embrace of the woman he had longed for in his arms. He wanted nothing more than to...
Yet, Xanthea seemed unaware of the danger, one hand hooked around his neck, while the other teasingly caressed his face.
From his sculpted eyebrows to the deep hollows of his eyes, sliding down his prominent nose, ending at his thin lips.
Every spot her delicate fingers touched sparked tingling sensations, sending electric currents through his skin, radiating to every limb.
Orion''s gaze was intense, his Adam''s apple bobbing, every inch of his flesh and blood thrilled and boiling for her.
"Hmm?" Xanthea let out a single, intoxicating syble, "Hey, boy, name your price?"
"How much are you willing to offer?"
Orion''s voice, already husky and ominously deep, barely concealed his growing desire.
"That depends on how much you''re worth."
Xanthea withdrew her hand, her expression yfully mischievous as she eyed him.
"If you want to serve me, good looks alone won''t cut it, a nice body can''t becking either! Let me check out what you''ve got!"Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.
With that, she swiftly flipped open his suit jacket, and through the thinyer of his silk shirt, she could clearly feel the burning heat and well-defined muscles of his torso.
Xanthea gasped, her hand withdrawing as if burned, her voice coquettishlyining, "So tough."
This wasn''t at all what she expected!
She thought she was just flirting with a pretty boy, not realizing that his physique was so robust. If she angered him, it could end badly for her!
"No more, no more, I''m going home!"
She pushed him away and turned to run, but it was already toote.
Orion''s face twisted with desire at her coquettishint, his pupils flooding with a deep, crimson lust that seemed ready to devour her whole.
"Ah¡ª"
Just as Xanthea tried to flee, Orion''s strong hand grasped her delicate waist firmly.
"What are you doing?"
"No, mmm."
Before she could struggle, she was forcefully pressed against the cool marble wall, one hand cushioning her head while the other firmly restrained her arms. His hot lips descended like a storm onto her soft, rose-colored lips.
"Mmm."
In an instant, Xanthea''s eyes widened in shock, unable to believe that this audacious man dared to kiss her so boldly!
The strong alcohol mingled between their lips, catalyzing the intense and ambiguous atmosphere of the night. Outside, the wind and rain beat against the swaying trees, their leaves trembling as if in sympathy with Xanthea being wildly imed by Orion.
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Chapter 145
¡°Xan, oh, Xan.¡±
Orion¡¯s kiss was forceful, almost frenzied, like a man crazed by an addiction, utterly consumed.
¡°Let go, let me go! Mmm!
Xanthea felt his bites and kisses fierce as if he were a wild animal at feeding time, her lips numb and
painful, as if her skin was about to peel off.
Worst of all, she was running out of air; her mouth and lungs felt vacuumed clean, blinding shes of
light darting across her vision.
This rogue, this viin, not only dared to assault her but now seemed intent on suffocating her too!
Her feeble attempts to punch his solid chest became weaker, her breaths shallow and faint.
Just as she felt on the verge of passing out, Orion released her.
Like a reprieved prisoner, Xanthea pushed him away, gasping for fresh air. After a few moments, she
regained some strength and red at him furiously, ¡°How dare you! An audacious rogue, assaulting a
lady of my standing!¡±
He chuckled, a low, gruff sound from deep within his throat. He wanted more than just to dare; he
wanted her.
Hearing his chuckle, Xanthea looked up, puzzled, only to meet his eyes, burning with an unsatisfied,
feverish madness.
What did that look mean?
¡°Mmm!¡±
In a sh, he was upon her again, as if her moment to breathe was a mere timeout.
¡°How dare you, how dare you again! Mmm.¡±
Her punches, rhythmic against his chest, seemed futile and even carried a hint of unwilling attraction.
She thought she might pass out again fromck of air, but this time, the sensation of his lips and
tongue sparked something unfamiliar.
It felt almost light, her resistance ceased, and she nearly wanted to close her eyes in involuntary
surrender.
Terrified by this new sensation, she began to cry.
Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.
Her vulnerable sobs reached him, and, lost in a haze of lust, he reluctantly let her go, noticing her
swollen, tender lips and her eyes, glossy with tears,
¡°Please, no More, okay? Please, I was wrong.¡±
Unknowingly, her plea made her even more irresistible, more vulnerable.
Orion pulled her close again, easing his own aching desire. Her curves fit perfectly against him, his
gaze Intensified by the emotions swirling through him.
He thought, ¡°Xan, Xari, are you trying to kill me?¡±
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¡°Let go, you¡¯re holding me too tight, you¡¯re so strong.¡±
Xantheained softly, thumping his back lightly. As she kept hitting, a wave of fatigue overtook
her, and she fell asleep right there in his arms.
Feeling the stillness in his arms, it took Orion a long time to gently rx his hold, gazing down at her
excessively charming face, her breaths even and soft. He couldn¡¯t help but lower his head and ce a
gentle kiss on her forehead.
¡°Xan, my darling.¡±
Chapter 146
Chapter 146
In the grand hall of the mansion.
¡°Leo!¡±
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Queenie rushed in from outside, breathless. Spotting Leonard emerging from the study but without
Orion in sight, she urgently asked, ¡°Where¡¯s Ori? Where is he?¡±
¡°What do you need him for?¡±
Leonard sipped his red wine leisurely, a hiss escaping his lips in appreciation.
It was a vintage treasure indeed, rich and full¨Cbodied from just a sip, intoxicatingly so. Earlier, Xanthea
had downed a whole ss and was likely to be fast asleep shortly.
Leonard had hoped to use the wine to create an opportunity for Orion tonight, but it seemed his n
had backfired.
¡°I need to talk to him urgently, stop asking and just tell me!¡±
¡°He just stepped out, went down the west corridor to find Xan.¡±
Before he could finish, Queenie turned and dashed outside.
¡°Hey, he went to see Xan, why are you in such a rush to find trouble?¡±
Queenie sprinted down the corridor, looking around desperately until she finally spotted a tall, striking
figure at the end.
¡°Ori.¡±
Her voice was filled with joy as she called out, but it abruptly stopped.
It wasn¡¯t just him.
Beneath him was another figure, desperately struggling but unable to escape his overpowering grasp.
He was kissing the girl wildly, with such ferocity it seemed he might consume her alive, losing all his
usual aloofness and polished demeanor.
At this moment, he seemed like apletely different person, crazed and captivated, utterly lost.
Queenie recognized the fiery red hem of the fox dress and covered her mouth in disbelief.
So the rumors were true!
Xanthea really was Orion¡¯s girlfriend. Yet, what broke Queenie¡¯s heart wasn¡¯t this realization but the
scene before her.
She had imagined that even if Orion had a girlfriend, it would just be a cold, arranged marriage, or a
decorative vase set aside to appease the elders and silence the gossip.
After all, someone as naturally cold and distant as him wouldn¡¯t really fall in love, let alone be
passionate
about someone.
But now, Queenie saw him passionately kissing the girl in his arms, even if forcefully, he was drowning
in it, indistinguishable from any man lost in love.
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Queenie thought, ¡°Orion had really lost his soul to that seductress! That flirtatious vixen, only after his
money!¡±
She had to expose Xanthea! She had to show Orion how truly vile and repulsive that woman was!
Orion gently kissed the girl¡¯s serene sleeping face, from her forehead to her nose, then to her delicate
cheeks, barely resisting the urge to kiss her moist, tender lips again.
¡°Buzz¨CBuzz-¡±
The vibrating phone at his feet snapped him out of his reverie. He looked down and saw ¡®Matthew¡®
shing on the screen, the red haze of desire in his eyes fading, reced momentarily by a sh of
rage.
He picked up the phone and slid to answer.
On the other end, Matthew¡¯s voice came through, frantic, ¡°Xan, you finally picked up! I was so scared,
what happened just now? What¡¯s going on?¡±
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¡°Come on, talk to me! I¡¯m really worried about you, seriously worried. Just tell me where you are, I¡¯ll
come pick you up!¡±
¡°Xan! Xan? Xan?¡±
Though the call connected, no one spoke.
Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.
After a deathly long silence, Matthew seemed to sense something and paused for a few seconds, ¡°Mr.
Lockwood, is that you?¡±
The sound of fabric rustling and a girl¡¯s faint whisper suddenly carried over.
Orion, in front of the glowing phone screen, madly kissed Xanthea¡¯s pale, slender neck amidst his
anxious
words of concern.
Matthew faintly heard a moan too hard to bear, and his mind exploded.
He didn¡¯t care that the person on the other end might be the powerful Crestwood tycoon, nor did he
care about any potential retaliation; all he knew was that Xanthea was his girlfriend and off¨Climits to
anyone else!
Clutching the phone tightly, he burst out, ¡°Orion! Is that you, Orion? What are you doing to Xan? Let her
go! Right now! Taking advantage of a girl, what kind of gentleman does that make you?¡±
¡°Have you lost your mind? She¡¯s my love, my fianc¨¦e, what you¡¯re doing is criminal, I could sue you!¡±
His threats were unheeded, his anxious pacing suddenly stopped, ¡°Or, do you just like the challenge?
Knowing full well Xan despises you, finds you repulsive.¡±
A thunderous crash came through, making Matthew¡¯s ears ring.
He froze, then his phone ttered to the ground. It was Orion, it really was Orion!
Matthew was holding onto ast shred of hope, which now shattered with the sound of the explosion.
Why would Orion smash the phone if not provoked?
Had Orion gone mad? With any woman at his disposal, why insist on stealing Xanthea? Matthew had
to find her immediately!
Orion¡¯s eyes gleamed cruelly as he crushed the phone in his hand. After a long while, he carried the
girl in his arms towards the mansion.
Hiding behind a pir in the corridor, Queenie saw him leaving and quickly ran out, arms spread to
block his path.
¡°Orl.¡±
She barely spoke when she met his warning gaze.
Was he warning her not to wake Xanthea?
Orion was so indulging towards this temptress!
Without time to feel heartbroken, she bit her lip, sobbing softly, ¡°Ori, I know you don¡¯t like me, but I
didn¡¯te to bother you today. I came to tell you the truth, the woman in your arms.
Fearing his anger, she dared not speak ill of her, merely pulled out her phone.
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Chapter 147
¡°Here¡¯s a recording I made in the backwoods today, just listen, and you¡¯ll understand everything!¡±
She yed the recording, and immediately Xanthea¡¯s disdainful, yful voice filled the air.
¡°Ms. Marlowe, perhaps I wasn¡¯t clear enough earlier in the hall. Orion and I are hardly the couple madly
in love. He¡¯s the one hopelessly smitten, daydreaming and chasing me relentlessly. If it weren¡¯t for his
deep adoration and wealth, I would have kicked him to the curb long ago. You have no idea how
annoying he can be, always wanting hugs and kisses.¡±
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Chapter 148
The recording was dripping with the girl¡¯s arrogance and mockery, and as Queenie heard it, she
couldn¡¯t. help but smirk.
That little vixen, so naive to have no guard up against her! Once Ori heard this, he¡¯d definitely going to
dump her ruthlessly. Then, all her lies and pretenses would be useless!
¡°Orl, you heard that, right?¡±
When the recording ended, Queenie exaggerated, ¡°Xanthea said it was you who fell head over heels
for her, pestering her relentlessly, using every dirty trick in the book to keep her by your side!¡±
She was eager to see disappointment and anger on his face, but Orion remained as calm as a stillke
after hearing the recording, replying simply, ¡°Yes.¡±
¡°What?¡± Queenie was stunned, hardly believing her ears.
Orion continued, ¡°Everything she said is true.¡±
No, no, that couldn¡¯t be! How could that be possible? Ori, with his impable background, status,
character, and skills ¨C superior in every way ¨C how could he stoop so low to chase after a maniptive
temptress?
Reeling from shock, she staggered back as Orion carried Xanthea and walked towards the mansion.
Watching their retreating figures, Queenie shook her head in disbelief, and then suddenly yelled, ¡°Even
if she doesn¡¯t love you, even if she¡¯s only with you for the money, you still don¡¯t care?!¡±
Her shrill voice pierced the night, slightly awakening the drowsy girl.
Xanthea, groggily opening her eyes, wondered about the source of the noise, thinking it sounded like a
dog barking, before a warm hand gently covered her eyes, sending her back to sleep.
Orion¡¯s gaze, sharp and colder than a valley breeze at night, turned to Queenie, ¡°I don¡¯t. As long as
she¡¯s willing to be with me, no matter the reason, I couldn¡¯t ask for more.¡±
After thosest words, Queenie felt as if struck by lightning, copsing to the ground in despair.
¡°Ms. Marlowe, you seem out of sorts today, spouting nonsense and disturbing Xan¡¯s peace. Come
apologize before you leave tomorrow, or else Chairman Marlowe will have to do it for you.¡±
He would involve her grandfather over such a trivial matter? Queenie watched his back, tears
streaming down her face, feeling utterly defeated.
Why? Why did he love her so much, willing to forsake his dignity, everything, just to be at her mercy?
With all the wonderful women in the world, why her?
¡°Boss, you¡¯re back.¡±
Cedric had been waiting in the lobby and was startled to see Orion carry Xanthea while he entered,
especially hoticing her disheveled long hair, slightly swollen red lips, the faint marks on her fair neck,
and her disheveled red dresa beneath the suit jacket.
What on earth had the boss done to Ms. Nightshade?
He¨Cthought the car ride earlier, where the boss had crossed lines while Ms. Nightshade was asleep,
was already too much, but this was on another level entirely.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.
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Seriously, the boss didn¡¯t exploit Ms. Nightshade¡¯s tendency to ck out after a drink and take
advantage of her, did he?
¡°Whoa!¡±
Leonard stood at the dining table, catching a glimpse of the girl in the man¡¯s arms, and nearly spit out
his drink.
Calling Orion a beast before was actually an understatement!
Out there in broad daylight, forcing himself on Xan was bad enough, but now with Xanpletely
knocked out, he was still not holding back!
and that suit jacket thrown over her to cover up; he
He looked at the poor state of her mouth, her neck, and that suit jacket thrown assumed her skirt must
have been all torn up.
Such a pity, his one¨Cof¨Ca¨Ckind vintage dress worth millions had been ruined!
¡°Ms. Nightshade¡¯s drunk. I¡¯ll take her up.¡±
¡°Alright!¡± Cedric nodded, ¡°Room 203, on the second floor. I¡¯ve already sprinkled sulfur around. Boss, do
you need dinner brought up?¡±
¡°No, I¡¯ll stay with her.¡±
Stay with her? What else did he intend to do?!
Leonard watched him carry the girl upstairs and couldn¡¯t help but lean in and whisper, ¡°Ahem, just, you
know, take it easy, man. She¡¯s out of it; don¡¯t do anything rash.¡±
All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.
Orion gave him a cold nce, and Leonard mimed zipping his lips..
¡°Forget it.¡± He thought, ¡°He¡¯s not gonna listen.¡±
A twenty¨Cyear¨Cold man was indeed a frightful creature, full of vigor and impossible desires, never
satisfied. Poor Xan might have to suffer with that slim figure.
Room 203 on the second floor of the mansion
Orion pushed open the room door and gently ced the girl on therge bed, pulling over a thin
nket. As he saw her sprawled out in a seductive red dress, her pale limbs exposed and unguarded,
her expression Innocent yet utterly tempting, like a fascinating enchantress beyondparison, he
was momentarily transfixed.
A surge of intense desire unexpectedly sprang forth, heading straight for his loins, making him
involuntarily bend down closer until his nose almost touched hers, his eyes fixated oh her stunning
face; he looked like a hungry predator eyeing its prey.
She was his utterly andpletely his.
Beads of sweat formed on his forehead, and his Adam¡¯s apple bobbed dryly from the intense
swallowing. every inch of his tense body burning with pain. He wanted her so badly.
¡°Liar, a liar!
¡°No, please ho!¡± /
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The girl, deep in sleep, suddenly seemed to be having a nightmare, shaking her head in terror, her
hands. iling as if frightened, her voice trembling with a cry that snapped him back to reality.
He stood up quickly, recalling Loonard¡¯s words.
He knew he shouldn¡¯t, couldn¡¯t, but every time he found an opportunity, he lost control like a madman,
especially after tooting such tender sweetness.
He knew how intoxicating and irresistible she was, and he dared not think about what might happen if
he went too far, If she¡¯d lose her life.
Just looking at her now, he was overwhelmed, unable to contain himself.
In the dark, vast bedroom, heavy, intense breathing began to fill the air, the scent of hormones thick in
the atmosphere.
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Orion stared at the girl intensely, his eyes shimmering with a fiery ze as if he was hell¨Cbent on
devouring her whole in the fire. Until a flush of red crept up his cheeks, his heavy growl dissolved into
the long night. After a while, he tenderly and meticulously wiped the hem of her fairy¨Clike dress and
nced at his hand ndly before heading toward the bathroom.
¡°No! Please no, don¡¯te any closer! There are snakes, so many snakes! Help me, Mom, Dad, help
me!¡±
When Orion returned to the room, he found the girl thrashing in the throes of a nightmare, her hands
iling as if to ward off something.
¡°Xan?¡±
He approached her, and saw the sweat and terror on her face; brows furrowed slightly, he turned to
grab a towel.
Unexpectedly, she grabbed his wrist immediately.
¡°Don¡¯t go; don¡¯t leave!¡±
¡°I¡¯m not leaving, just grabbing something: I¡¯ll be right bac
¡°Don¡¯t go.¡±
She kept muttering in fear, as if afraid he¡¯d never return, her voice filled with frightened whimpers,
¡°Dad.¡± The girl¡¯s trembling, sultry call of ¡°dad¡± jolted Orion as if he¡¯d been electrocuted, freezing him in
ce. He narrowed his eyes, looking at the girl whose lips slightly parted, face wearing an expression
as if she was begging for reassurance, ¡°What did you just call me?¡±
¡°Dad.¡±
Little temptress, was she really trying to torment him to death? Orion closed his eyes, and gently kissed
her forehead tofort her, ¡°It¡¯s okay, everything¡¯s okay now. There, there, no need to be scared
anymore. I¡¯m right here with you; you¡¯re my beloved treasure.¡±
As the face of the girl on the bed rxed and her breathing evened out into deep sleep, Orion gently
held her hand and sat on the carpet beside the bed, cing a dark iris beside her pillow.
¡°Xan,¡± he murmured, ¡°do you know the meaning of the ck iris?¡±
In the darkness, his gaze upon her was as deep and intense as the night itself, filled with tenderness
that could drown one in its deep affection.
¨C
Secret admiration, desperate love.
-My rare find, not to be kept, not to be had,
If only time could stop at this moment, forever paused here. Eyes closed, he sighed deeply, kissing her
hand.
¡°Ugh, it hurts.¡±
As morning light filtered through the sheer curtains, casting patterns across the curvaceous form of the
girl in therge bed, X¨¢nthea grimaced slightly, and then slowly sat up with a painful expression,
clutching
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her head. It hurt so much, and her body, too, seemed as if as if it had been trampled.
Was this the aftermath of a hangover? She slowly opened her eyes, and upon seeing the unfamiliar
brand new nightgown on her, her mind went nk
Beside the bed, a fresh ck iris stood in a vase, and on the dressery a phone. She delicately
picked up the battered, broken device, examining it for a long moment before her expression twisted in
realization. This was her phone?!
¡°Who the hell smashed my phone?!¡±
Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.
Angry, she jumped out of bed, clutching the phone, ready to storm out, but stopped abruptly at the sight
in the dressing mirror.
Reflected clearly, she saw the slightly open cor of her nightgown revealing a couple of suspicious red
marks along her neck and corbone, which looked like hickeys?!
Nightgown, hickeys, a sore body, a smashed phone, and a faint scent of musk lingering in the air. In an
instant, Xanthea¡¯s face turned pale, and her mind uncontrobly conjured a horrifying scenario.
Had she been taken advantage ofst night after getting drunk? The broken phone could be a result of
a failed struggle!
Although her body felt terrible, apart from the headache and the weakness in her limbs, there was no
other sensation, especially no pain down there. ording to her knowledge of physiology, was it
possible?
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What on earth happenedst night? Why couldn¡¯t she remember a thing? Why?
As Xanthea was about to cry from anxiety, a sudden knock came at the door.
¡°Who is it?!¡± She cautiously hugged a nearby vase and asked.
Could it be the rapist at this hour?
¡°Ms. Nightshade, it¡¯s me! Breakfast¡¯s ready, and the boss sent me to wake you up and bring you some
fresh clothes.¡±
Cedric¡¯s voice came from outside, and Xanthea breathed a sigh of relief. She opened the door and
quickly yanked him inside.
¡°Whoa!¡± Cedric was startled, staring at her anxious face in surprise, ¡°Ms. Nightshade, what¡¯s going
on?¡±
Xanthea looked at him seriously, ¡°Cedric, I need to ask you some questions, and you must answer me
truthfully, every single word!¡±
¡°Alright, alright,¡± Cedric nodded.
All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.
¡°What happened after I got drunkst night?¡±
¡°You don¡¯t remember anything?¡±
Even though he knew the answer, Cedric still pretended to be surprised.
¡°Uh¨Chuh, I always ckout when I drink; it¡¯s not the first time.¡±
¡°I see.¡± Cedric¡¯s eyes darted around, ¡°Well, I don¡¯t know everything, Ms. Nightshade. What exactly do
you want to know?¡±
¡°I¡um¡¡±
Xanthea was too embarrassed to voice her suspicions directly; fiddling with her pajamas, she asked,
¡°Who changed my clothes?¡±
¡°Wilma, a housemaid from the Marlowe family.¡±
A housemaid?
¡°Really?¡±
¡°Yes, I saw her carrying that fairy¨Clike dress out of the room myself. You can ask her if you don¡¯t
believe
me.¡±
Xanthea continued, ¡°And these weird marks on my neck? They weren¡¯t there yesterday!¡±
¡°Those marks, well¡¡±
abit
Cedric looked a bit diforted, which made her even more anxious, ¡°Just tell me! Did someone¡
¡°You got into a scuffle with Ms. Marlowe while drunk,¡± Cedric interrupted her, and Xanthea was stunned
on spot.
What? Marks from fighting with Queenie?
So that was it! Her first reaction wasn¡¯t anger at being hit, but sheer relief that nothing worse had
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happened.
¡°And my phone, did she smash it too?¡±
¡°Yes, exactly!¡±
¡°Thank goodness, I was so scared.¡±
She held her forehead and exhaled deeply, her high¨Cstrung nerves finally calming down.
Cedric also secretly let out a sigh of relief. After years in the working world, he hadn¡¯t learned much, but
he¡¯d mastered the art of telling white lies, although this was the first time he covered for his boss like
this. ¡°It¡¯s okay. I¡¯m done asking.¡± Xanthea started, but then she sensed something different, her nerves
tensing again, ¡°You¡¯re not lying to me, are you?¡±
¡°Of course not!¡± Cedric looked earnest, ¡°Why would I lie to you, Ms. Nightshade? What would I gain
from
that?¡±
Obviously, he might get a promotion, a raise, or even a year¨Cend bonus for being the boss¡® most
trusted assistant!
He added that thought silently to himself.
Xanthea asked, ¡°Then why is there a musky scent in this room?¡±
¡°Musky?¡±
Although she was being subtle, Cedric, being a sharp man, immediately understood. Ms. Nightshade
was referring to the scent of a man¡¯s semen.
¥«¥ó
¡°How could that be? I don¡¯t smell anything. The air is clearly filled with the scent of irises. Ms.
Nightshade, could your sense of smell be off?¡±
¡°Impossible¡± Xanthea denied tly, ¡°I¡¯ve had a keen sense of smell since I was young, capable of
distinguishing even the mostplex and subtle scents. Do you think I just guessed that jadest
time?¡± At her insistence, Cedric panicked immediately.
The boss had spent the night in Ms. Nightshade¡¯s room and only left at dawn. If the air truly had a
musky, scent as Ms. Nightshade imed, could the boss have really done something to her?
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Was it possible?
Ms. Nightshade was so wastedst night; she must be feeling terrible. The boss loved her dearly; he
wouldn¡¯t really make a move even if he wanted it that much.
And with the boss¡® formidable capabilities, how could Ms. Nightshade possibly get out of bed after it, let
alone be acting energetically like she was now!
As for the musky scent, it was not like a man had to really get inside, well, it wouldn¡¯t be wrong to say
he released it without touching Ms. Nightshade, but strictly speaking, nothing really happened,
Thinking this, Cedric felt like he had found solid evidence and defended Orion righteously, ¡°Ms.
Nightshade, you drank so much strong liquorst night; it might have affected your sense of smell.¡±
¡°Is that so?¡±
Xanthea scratched her head, half¨Cdoubting, trying to recall if she had ever lost her sense of smell after
getting drunk.
Cedric nodded, nced out the window guiltily, and identally spotted a dense cluster of blooming
heather, an idea suddenly forming. ¡°I¡¯ve got it!¡±
Xanthea jumped, ¡°Got what?¡±
¡°I know why you smelled that scent! Look! There¡¯s a cluster of heather right outside the window.¡±
¡°Heather?¡± Xanthea looked out at the dense, oval¨Cshaped cluster of tiny white flowers, ¡°What does that
have to do with anything?¡±All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.
¡°Ms. Nightshade, did you know? Heather is the city flower of Everde, also known as ¡®scented flower¡®.
Its fragrance and a man¡¯s se¡¡±
He was cut off mid¨Csentence as Xanthea¡¯s face turned sour, she snatched the gift box from his hands
and shut him out the door with a m.
The cold sound of the door closing and her disdainful words hit him at once.
¡°Frivolous! Just like your boss!¡±
He wanted to say, ¡°Ms. Nightshade, that¡¯s not fair. The boss¡® way more frivolous than I am!! Everything
had a reasonable exnation. Xanthea, feeling reassured, opened the gift box to find a neatly folded
set of new clothes, she thought there would be merely one piece of clothing, but turned out it was from
a bra to underwear, all very considerate!
She put on the white, heavily detailed floral dress and appreciated herself by twirling in front of the
mirror; she looked ethereal and enticing. Not only was the dress beautiful, but it also fit her perfectly,
even thece choker perfectly covering those marks on her neck. She wondered who had such great
taste.
Just then, Cedric¡¯s words echoed in her mind. ¡°The boss asked me to wake you up and bring these
clothes for you.¡±
Could Orion have picked them out for her? She suddenly c measurements, especially her bra size?
her chest. How did he know her
The exact size couldn¡¯t be a coincidence! It must be the Marlowe family¡¯s servants who prepared it, and
he
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just took the credit, right? But how would the Marlowe family¡¯s servants know her size?
In the open¨Cn kitchen downstairs.
Leonard strolled into the kitchen, yawningzily, only to stop short at the sight of a man¡¯s tall figure
focused on cooking and the beautifully arranged, fancy breakfast on the kitchen ind.
¡°Wow! Orion, I didn¡¯t know you could cook. And it looks so good; howe you¡¯ve never shown this
skill before? Making a special effort in the kitchen today must be for Xanthea, huh? Man, the CEO of
the
Lockwood Group, controlling the fate of hundreds of thousands employees, and here you are, cooking
for a girl. Who would believe it?¡±
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¡°Can¡¯t believe you¡¯ve got sea urchin!¡±
Leonard stared in astonishment at the tray, neatly adorned with freshly made sea urchin dish. Just as
he reached to pick one up, the man stopped him, ¡°Don¡¯t touch.¡±
Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.
Leonard knew the sea urchin was likely prepared for Xanthea, but couldn¡¯t he try just one? That
seemed a bit stingy!
Sea urchin dish was a delicacy from the Everdes, rare and prized for their tender flesh,manding
a steep market price. What made them unique was their smooth, round body covered in spines that
embed deeply, requiring careful skills toplete this special dish.
A nce at the tray revealed about twenty to thirty pieces, each requiring significant time and effort to
prepare. The kitchen ind was littered with various other breakfast items, making Leonard wonder
what ungodly hour the cook had started at to prepare all this.
¡°Orion.¡± Leonard looked at him, expressing admiration, ¡°You really love her, huh? I can¡¯t even imagine
how happy she¡¯d be as your wife.¡±
His words caused Orion, who was turning off the stove, to pause abruptly, drifting into a brief reverie,
while the pancakes on the griddle started to burn.
¡°Hey, hey! They¡¯re burning! Just when I was praising you!¡±
Leonard pointed at the griddle, catching a fleeting look of distraction in Orion¡¯s eyes, and couldn¡¯t help
but tease.
Although he wasn¡¯t sure how Orion and Xan¡¯s rtionship would evolve, the fact that Xan was
engaged with a wedding nned for the end of the year was undeniable. Wasn¡¯t he just stirring the pot
by saying
this?
¡°Hey, things that haven¡¯t happened yet still have room to maneuver! Unlike me, destined to be a
dashing bachelor this lifetime. If I were reborn as a woman next life, bro, I¡¯d totally chase after you!¡±
He tried to lighten the mood with a joke, but was met with a cold nce from the man. Just as Leonard
was about to receive a ¡°scram¡± from Orion, he wisely made his exit, ¡°Alright, you keep at it. I¡¯m gonna
go hang with Xan!¡±
Exiting the kitchen, Leonard was about to head upstairs when he heard amotion at the entrance.
¡°Sir, sir!¡±
¡°Please stop, you are now trespassing. If you proceed further, we will call the police!¡±
¡°Go ahead! My fianc¨¦e is here, can¡¯t reach her by phone, can¡¯t see her imperson, the policeing
would actually help me find her! See where you¡¯ve hidden her!¡±
¡°Ms. Nightshade is indeed here, but without any proof of your acquaintance with her, we cannot let you
in!¡± Leonard turned around, watching from a distance as the butler, a servant, and a man in a suit who
was clearly agitated, were arguing. He shouted, ¡°Louis, what¡¯s going on?¡±
¡°Mr. Marlowe!¡±
Louis hurried over to report, ¡°This Mr. Martinez at the door ims to be a friend of Ms. Nightshade¡¯s,
but
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Capter 103
can¡¯t specify when she arrived here or who she came with. I asked him to call her but the calls weren¡¯t
going through, so I stopped him.
Then, angered by being stopped, he tried to force his way in, even fabricating close ties with Ms.
Nightshade. Considering her celebrity status, I suspect he might be an obsessed fan, hence I thought
to expel him from the estate!¡±
Mr. Martinez? As Leonard heard this, his brows furrowed slightly.
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Matthew stormed away from the clinging servant, his gaze lifting to the man standing regally at the
staircase in the lobby.
The heir to the Marlowe fortune, the young master of the Marlowe family, Leonard? Matthew had seen.
him more than once in financial news segments and at high¨Csociety gatherings.
¡°Mr. Marlowe, good to see you!¡±
Adjusting his cufflinks, Matthew raised his voice, ¡°I¡¯m Matthew, CEO of Forest Fashion, and Xanthea¡¯s
fianc¨¦. I apologize for intruding today. It wasn¡¯t my intention to disturb. I¡¯m just trying to find Xan.
She hasn¡¯t been in touch since she got drunkst night. She didn¡¯t answer the phone, and no one¡¯s
been able to reach her. Knowing she¡¯s alone in the city worries me. I wonder if Mr. Marlowe could let
me see her?¡±
co this
Matthew? So this was Xan¡¯s fianc¨¦!
Leonard narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze inadvertently wandering to the kitchen before signaling to
Louis with a nce.
The butler, understanding his cue, waved at a group of servants to escort Matthew out.
¡°What¡¯re you doing? Let go of me now!¡±
Seeing the servants swarm towards him again, Matthew grew panicked.
He had introduced himself. If others didn¡¯t know of his rtionship with Xan, that was understandable,
but the engagement between the Nightshade family and the Martinez family was well known in
Crestwood. How could Leonard, a prominent figure in Havenbrook, not be aware?
His being pulled away now, was it a sign of guilt? Could it be something had really happened to Xan
within the Marlowe Manor?
Leonard descended the stairs with a look of impatience.
¡°Mr. Martinez, my family are still sleeping. Please keep your voice down. Whatever it is, we can discuss
it outside.¡±
¡°Why? Why discuss it outside? Just let me see Xan, and there¡¯s no need for all this talk, Or have you
done something to her? Where is she now?¡±
Upstairs, Xanthea was blissfully admiring a well¨Cnurtured ck iris on her bedside table when she
suddenly heard themotion outside. Among the voices, one faintly familiar sound reached her ears;
¡°Matthew?¡±
She opened the door, and at the sight of Matthew surrounded by a group of servants at the lobby
entrance, surprise flickered across her face.
It really was him? Why was he here?
¡°Xan? Xan!¡±
While struggling. Matthew suddenly looked up and saw Xanthea. His eyes lit up, and he forcefully
pushed through the servants to run upstairs.
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¡°Xan, it¡¯s really you! Are you alright? Are you hurt? Has mistreated you?¡±
anyone
As he reached her, he gripped her shoulders tightly, causing Xanthea to wince slightly. Confused, she
said, ¡°I¡¯m fine, Matt, but how did you end up here?¡±
¡°Last night I called you, but it seemed like you were drunk. The call ended abruptly, and no matter how
many times I tried, no one answered until the veryst call.¡±
As he spoke, he recalled the eerie silence and ambiguous moans from the phone call the previous
night. His hands tightened, his eyes scrutinizing her as if searching for any suspicious sign.
But there was nothing.
Xan looked well, along with her body, and since his arrival at the Marlowe Manor, there had been no
sign of Orion.
Could it be that he had misunderstood the situationst night?
There was no one speaking over the phone, the only voice being just drunken slur, but what about the
explosion?
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¡°Your phone blew up or something! I was so worried about you; I had people track your phone¡¯s IP all
night. It ended up showing you were at the Marlowe Manor in Everde!
I drove seven hours straight to get here, and on the way, I¡¯ve imagined all the terrible things that
might¡¯ve happened to you. Seeing you safe and sound now, I¡¯m just so relieved, Xan. From now on,
please let me know where you¡¯re going, okay? Don¡¯t make me worry again.¡±
Matthew¡¯s voice cracked with emotion, and he reached out to hug her, but Xanthea stopped him with a
hand, ¡°Uh, Matt, there are people around.¡±
¡°Oh,
Fight, I got a bit carried away! So, Xan, let¡¯s head back to Crestwood. Your folks are waiting for you at
home; they¡¯re worried sick!¡±
¡°What? You told my parents?¡±
¡°Yeah, I was freaking outst night; I called everyone I could think of.¡±
Xanthea rolled her eyes secretly. Great, now everyone must know about her embarrassing ordeal of
being kidnapped by Orion.
In the lobby, Orion emerged from the open kitchen, his eyes unblinkingly fixed on Matthew¡¯s hands as
they gripped Xanthea¡¯s shoulders, his gaze deep and inscrutable.
Leonard, noticing him, shot an annoyed nce at the servants who had failed to stop Matthew, and
then turned to Xanthea with a smile.
¡°Xan, why don¡¯t you stay for breakfast? Today¡¯s dishes are plenty, and they¡¯re cooked by Orion himself.
I¡¯ve been his friend for years and never had the pleasure of trying his homemade dishes. You¡¯re in for a
treat!¡±
At the mention of Orion¡¯s name, Matthew swiftly turned around, his face paling at the sight.
Orion! It really was him! He was actually here!
As Oliver had said, Xan really dide with him,
No matter what had happened between them, after his heated usations against Orion over the
phonest night and his impulsive intrusion into the Marlowe Manor today, Xan definitely shouldn¡¯t stay
for breakfast!
¡°Xan, I picked up some food on the way here, all your favorites. Let¡¯s head back before they get cold in
the
car.¡±
Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.
Just as Xanthea was about to speak, Leonard interjected, ¡°Xan, you wouldn¡¯t deny me this small
courtesy, would you? Even if you won¡¯t do it for me, do it for the Sylvan Fox. Your vomit.spilled all over
itst night when you were drunk, and on the way back, the silk got snagged. That dress is a total
write¨Coff now.¡±
¡°What?!¡± Xanthea was shocked, ¡°The Sylvan Fox¡¯s ruined?¡±
That was qne of Matilda¡¯s creations, part of the Forest Twelve Spirits Collection. Losing one piece
didn¡¯t just mean the loss of millions of dors; it diminished the value of the entire collection.
¡°Yeah.¡±
Leonard saw the guilt in her eyes and sighed, ¡°That was a rare piece designed by Matilda, a real
treasure.. Such a pity. Now, there¡¯s no recing it in the entire globe!¡±
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Matthew sensed an ulterior motive in his persistence, feeling consternated. He was obviously trying to
guilt¨Ctrip Xan into staying, clearly harboring other purposes!
He was Orion¡¯s best buddy; the way he acted suggested something sinister about Orion¡¯s intentions!
* Chapter 156
Chapter 156
hapter 156
¡°Sorry.¡±
Xanthea felt a deep pang of guilt upon hearing his words, ¡°I know I can¡¯t get you an identical one, but I
canpensate you triple the original price, or if you like another designer¡¯s work, I could arrange a
custom order.¡±
Leonardughed, ¡°Xan, do you think I care about the money, or do you think it was really about the
dress? I was just looking for an excuse to be friends with you. Stay for breakfast and consider it
your way of making it up to me, okay?¡±
Cedric chimed in, encouraging her, ¡°Ms. Nightshade, please stay. There¡¯s quite a distance from the
freeway, and with the morning rush hour, it¡¯s gonna be packed. Why not have breakfast before you
leave?¡±
¡°Xan!¡±
While they were talking, Matthew sent out a message, and soon, his phone rang, ¡°It¡¯s your mom
calling.¡±
¡°Mom?¡±
Xanthea took the phone, but before she could speak, she was met with a torrent of rebuke.
¡°Xan, you¡¯re just too headstrong, running off without telling anyone and your phone off the whole time.
Your dad and I couldn¡¯t sleep; we were worried sick all night!
Thankfully, Matthew told us where you were. He¡¯s driven all night to pick you up from Everde. What
were you doing there alone?¡±
¡°Alone?¡±
She raised her eyebrows slightly, her gaze inadvertently sweeping over Orion downstairs, ¡°Didn¡¯t Uncle
Oliver tell you why I was in Everde?¡±
¡°He was out socializingst night, just as drunk as you. You two are just like kids, irresponsible as ever!
Honestly, I regret leaving you in his care.¡±
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Xanthea went silent, not expecting to be scolded along with her uncle.
¡°Mom, my phone was broken; otherwise I would have called,¡±
¡°Don¡¯t think you can sweet¨Ctalk your way out of this. Come home now. Hearing you spend a night
alone in a strange city, drunk, your dad¡¯s furious. You need toe home and exin it to him
yourself.¡±
¡°Okay, I understand.¡±
Xanthea hung up the phone, feeling dejected. She was about to decline the breakfast invitation when
she noticed the eager eyes below; they genuinely seemed to hope she would join them.
Her visit to the Marlowe family was unexpected, but everyone at the estate had been so warm and
weing, eating her like an honored guest and taking care of her, even in her drunken state:
It seemed rude to refuse their kind invitation now.
¡°Ms. Marlowe?¡± At the doorway, a servant¡¯s voice called out.
Xanthea looked up to see Queenie, in her pajamas and slippers, hair disheveled, charging towards her
like a madwoman.
Chapter 156
What was she up to? Noting to pick a fight, surely? Xanthea frowned slightly, her expression
guarded.
Lifting the hem of her night skirt, Queenie ran to the second floor. She stopped abruptly in front of her
and then slowly raised her head.
Xanthea was startled by the sight of her swollen eyes, dark circles, pale face, and scabbed lips, a
groggy state as if ghosts had sucked dry all her energy ¨C not a trace of the dolled¨Cup Lolita from the
day before.
What had she gone through in just one night? Did she do that to her?
Cedric had mentioned this morning that the marks on her neck were from fighting with Queenie.
Xanthea had thought she¡¯d been too drunk to defend herself properly, but seeing Queenie now, she
was just relieved thetter hadn¡¯t called the police then!
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It seemed she had really gone all out, no wonder Queenie was storming over with fire in her eyes,
clearly out for revenge.
She swallowed, about to speak, when suddenly Queenie lowered her head, her voice quivering with
tears, stuttering, ¡°I¨CI¡¯m sorry, Ms. Nightshade. I was rude and presumptuous yesterday, not knowing
who you really were and making all those nasty remarks. I hope you can forgive my foolishness and
not hold it against me.¡±
??? Xanthea was utterly baffled by this sudden apology.
Had she heard right? This die¨Chard Orion fan, after being told that Xanthea was Orion¡¯s goddess and
having been physically subdued by her after a night of heavy drinking, was now apologizing?
Had she been knocked silly or had she been knocked into submission?
¡°Xan, Queenie¡¯s such a proud person and she¡¯s never lowered her head to anyone before. She came
all the way here today just to apologize to you. Aren¡¯t you gonna forgive her and sit down for a meal
together?¡± Catching the hint in her cousin¡¯s words, Queenie choked up and added, ¡°Ms. Nightshade, if
you could find it in your heart to forgive me, please stay for a meal.¡±
Xanthea: ¡°O¨COkay.¡±
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¡°Xan!¡± Matthew looked at her anxiously.
He couldn¡¯t believe that Orion, just to keep Xan for a meal, had gone to such lengths, even getting the
entire Marlowe family involved!
Under this circumstance, he couldn¡¯t begin to imagine what it would cost him to pursue Xan in the
future. Could he evenpete against him? Would she really remain unswayed in such a relentless
pursuit?
After all, she was already reconsidering.
¡°Matt, it¡¯s a six or seven hour drive home anyway; we¡¯re not in a rush this moment. Since the Marlowe
family has extended such a warm invitation, why not stay for breakfast?¡±
Leonard crossed his arms, a triumphant smile on his face, ¡°Mr. Martinez, if you don¡¯t mind, why not stay
and join us?¡±
Matthew clenched his fists secretly, his face grim.
He had said those things to Orion and Leonard, and staying now would just be embarrassing himself
further. Who knew how they would tease him at the breakfast table.
¡°Xan, I tracked your IP and rushed to Everde overnight not just because I was worried about your
safety, but because you said so many strange things on the phonest night. I was afraid something
was wrong between us; I was restless all night.¡±
After he finished, Xanthea¡¯s expression suddenly changed.
Strange things? Something wrong? What on earth had she told himst night that made him so
suspicious?!
Samuel had mentioned that every time she got drunk, she would
Spill her secrets, answering any question
and revealing even the pranks she yed as a child. If she didn¡¯t want her secrets discovered, she
should
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never drink!
In her new life, her biggest secret was gathering evidence to ruin both Matthew and Miranda on the day
of the engagement.
She hadn¡¯t spilled that too, had she?
¡°Matt.¡± Xanthea frowned, tentatively looking at him, ¡°What did I sayst night that has you so worried
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*Nothing much, it was off and on so I didn¡¯t catch it all. Just bits and pieces, so I wanted to hear your
side of the story.¡±
As Matthew spoke, he swept a nce downstairs; with a pleading look, he asked, ¡°Is that okay, Xan?¡±
¡°Alright.¡±
Xanthea¡¯s eyes flickered as she searched her mind for the right words. No matter what, she had to
smooth overst night¡¯s conversation perfectly ¨C no suspicions from his side, no ws in her n for
revenge!
¡°Really?¡± Matthew¡¯s face lit up with excitement, ¡°That¡¯s great; let¡¯s go!¡±
I
¡°Ms. Marlowe, I appreciate your apology, but I have an urgent matter today and can¡¯t stay for lunch,
sorry.¡±
As Xanthea and Matthew descended the stairs, they brushed past Orion.
¡°Xanthea!¡± Leonard called out to her, puzzled by her sudden change of heart, ¡°You¡¯re not staying? This
breakfast is¡¡±
¡°Sorry, Leo, I¡¯ll pay you for the dress, and about the m you a proper apology.¡±
¡°Ms. Nightshade.¡±
I¡¯ll treat you to dinner next time, I promise. I owe
Cedric stepped forward, and Xanthea nodded at him, ¡°Goodbye!¡±
¡°Ms. Nightshade.¡±
How could she just leave like that? Cedric watched the man beside him, who couldn¡¯t take his eyes off
her departing figure. His gaze was darkened, his face pale without a trace of color.
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Last night, the boss had stayed by Ms. Nightshade¡¯s bedside, caring for her through the night without a
wink of sleep. At dawn, he ordered someone to prepare a hangover cure and clothes, and had
personally cooked an borate breakfast, even going as far as to procure the seafood sea urchin from
Everde, spending two hours meticulously cooking this special dish, his hands even injured in the
process.
Cedric looked down at the slowly forming droplet of blood on his fingertip. Yet, Ms. Nightshade not only
didn¡¯t stay for breakfast but also didn¡¯t even nce at him as she walked away with Matthew.
She had said goodbye to everyone else, so why couldn¡¯t she even speak a word to the boss? Even a
simple farewell would have been something.
Ms. Nightshade clearly didn¡¯t care about him at all. Perhaps he was now in more pain than being
physically. stabbed.
¡°Xan, I got you breakfast ¨C crab cakes, sticky rice, and a cappino, all your favorites.
Matthew opened the coffee lid and handed her the breakfast, ¡°Have some coffee first; it¡¯ll help with the
hangover.¡±
N
¡°No need, I¡¯m not hungry.¡±
Xanthea set down the food, eager to ask him, ¡°What did I actually say to youst night? That made you
come looking for me in the middle of the night?¡±
¡°It wasn¡¯t much, really. I just sensed something was off on your end and rushed over. At first, when you
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picked up my call, you seemed happy, said you missed me, but then suddenly, your mood crashed.
You were loudly asking why, why doing this to you?¡±
Xanthea¡¯s heart skipped a beat, ¡°And then?¡±
¡°I thought someone was trying to hurt you, so I asked worriedly what was wrong, if someone was,¡± He
didn¡¯t finish his thought about Orion, ¡°trying to do something to you, but then you hung up.¡±
That was it?
¡°That¡¯s all?¡±
¡°That¡¯s all,¡± Matthew nodded.
Xanthea exhaled deeply, relieved. She¡¯d been so uneasy she¡¯d said something damning. Turned out, it
was just a false rm.
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¡°You guessed right, someone did try to hurt me, and it was that girl who just apologized to me.
Yesterday, I had some unpleasant misunderstanding with her at the Marlowe Manor, and after a few
drinksst night, things escted into a fight. She was the one questioning me, and she also smashed
my phone.
But for some reason, she suddenly came over to apologize today, which is totally out of character for
her. Perhaps she got a lecture from her family elders.¡±
¡°Oh, I see!¡± Matthew¡¯s face lit up with understanding at her words.
That exined everything. He had been overthinking, but, ¡°Xan, why did youe to Everde with
Orion?¡±
¡°Because¡± Xanthea pulled out a ck iris from her bag, ¡°of this!¡±
¡°An iris?¡±
¡°Yeah, I heard that the Everde mountains have these rare ck irises, and I¡¯ve been wanting to
check them out. Just so happened that Orion was heading to the Marlowe¡¯s, so I hitched a ride.¡±
¡°Just to see the flowers?¡±
¡°What else did you think, Matt?¡±
¡°Nothing, it¡¯s just¡¡±
He parked the car by the roadside, looking at her intently.
¡°Xan, from now on, if there¡¯s anywhere you want to go or anything you like, just tell me. I¡¯ll take you
there, no matter how busy I am. Could you maybe not get too close to other men? I¡¯m not doubting
you, but I get
W, and jealous too. You¡¯re so beautiful and amazing; I¡¯m afraid someone better mighte along
and steal you away from me.¡±
Xanthea saw the pleading and humility in his eyes, a stark contrast to the indifference and impatience
of his past self.
Since ¡°The Masked Singer¡± event, she had sensed something was off.
He had betrayed her before, openly bonking Miranda in the backyard. But after the show aired, he
changed drastically, showering her with attention, suggesting trips, giving little gifts and treats.
And now, he had rushed over from Crestwood to Everde overnight just because something she said.
Especially this morning, she heard him argue with Leonard; given his tendency to tter those in power,
how would he have the guts?
Was i
it because her act was lousy enough to have her resentment revealed, one she couldn¡¯t hide no matter
how hard she tried, and he saw it through, fearing he was losing his grip on her, which was why he
started pursuing her determinedly, or¡had he fallen for her?
Ha.
A mocking smile flickered in Xanthea¡¯s eyes. Fine then, she could repay him for all the suffering she
endured in her past life!
¡°Matt, you¡¯re overthinking it. No matter how many wonderful people might like me, you¡¯re the only one
int my heart.
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¡°Chapter 159
She spoke emotionlessly, the words so fake she almost gagged, but Matthew looked utterly delighted,
his eyes, which were fixed on her, brimming with joy, ¡°Me too, Xan. You¡¯re the only one for me.¡±
Xanthea smirked. It turned out that when someone was in love, they really couldn¡¯t see the disgust
hidden in their partner¡¯s eyes, just as she had been foolish in her past life.
Three dayster.
On the set of Realm of Illusions of the Glory Building.
All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.
¡°Movie King¡¯s here! Movie King¡¯s here!¡±
A buzz of excitement spread. April, who yed Vivian, was checking the script, and then immediately
stood up, her gaze drifting eagerly towards the crowd.
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¡°Benjamin, you made it.¡±
Kevin rose from behind the camera, ¡°Everything¡¯s set up for the shoot. Just waiting for everyone to get
here and we¡¯ll be rolling. I¡¯m thrilled to be working with you on this one!¡±
¡°Director Smith, you¡¯re too kind.¡± Benjamin smiled, ¡°To be able to work with you, such an illustrious
director in the industry, I feel honored. By the way, where¡¯s Xan? She¡¯s got the big opening scene
today.¡±
¡°She just called; said she¡¯ll be here in ten minutes. She should be here soon.¡±
¡°Great, I¡¯ll wait for her in the lounge.¡±
As Benjamin made his way to the temporary actors¡® lounge, April approached him, extending her hand.
shyly, ¡°Hello, Benjamin, I¡¯m April from Starlight Media. I¡¯m ying Vivian in this movie, and I¡¯ve been a
huge fan of yours for years!¡±
¡°Hello.¡±
Benjamin gave her a slight nod but didn¡¯t take her hand, leaving April to awkwardly retract her own.
She pressed on, ¡°I have a scene with youter, my first time acting with my idol. I¡¯m a bit nervous.
Could we possibly run lines together?¡±
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¡°Don¡¯t be nervous. Just treat it with calm.¡±
Benjamin¡¯s eyes scanned the lounge for a ce to sit. April quickly pulled out a chair, next to her, but
he headed straight for another spot, where a namete read ¡°Xanthea¡°.
True to his reputation, he kept his distance from fellow cast members, particrly actresses. His
professionalism was probably why he¡¯d managed a scandal¨Cfree career over the decades.
Still, April wasn¡¯t easily dissuaded. Catching up to him, she ventured cautiously, ¡°Benjamin, I¡¯m ying
Vivian this time, and we¡¯ll have many scenes together, and I know you expect a lot from your co¨Cstars.
I¡¯m worried I haven¡¯t grasped the script thoroughly and might not meet your standards. Could I buy you
lunch and get some pointers?¡±
She used the script as a pretext, yet Benjamin still declined, ¡°If the director cast you, he believes you¡¯re
the right fit. If you¡¯re unsure about something, the scriptwriter might be the better person to ask.¡±
Rejected thrice, April stood awkwardly, unsure whether to stay or go.
Assistant Jason, used to seeing actresses trying to make an impression, was about tointervene when
Xanthea arrived.
*Ben!¡±
¡°Xan!¡± Benjamin¡¯s face lit up as he saw her; he stood, pulling out a chair, ¡°You¡¯re here: Come, have a
seat.¡±
¡°Thanks. Amte again?¡±
¡°Not at all, just got here too.¡±
Xanthea had barely sat down when she noticed April standing off to the side. She got up to greet her,
¡°Hi, I¡¯m Xanthea from Oli¨Chea Media.¡±
Hi I¡¯m April, ying Vivian.
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April was still reeling from the cold shoulder when she was taken aback by Benjamin¡¯s evident warmth
towards Xanthea. Was it because she was the lead actress?
¡°Xan, you¡¯ve got a big scene today- the mall shootout. It¡¯s Phoenix¡¯s first appearance and it¡¯s a doozy
with all the action. Are you ready?¡±
¡°Yeah.¡± Xanthea nodded, ¡°I¡¯ve done a lot of research and even took some lessons. Should be good.¡±
¡°Actual filming is different from rehearsal and watching films, especially fight scenes. It¡¯s easy to get
hurt. if you¡¯re not careful.¡± He opened the script on the table,ying it out in front of her, ¡°Let¡¯s go over
some safety points before we start shooting.¡±
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¡°Of course not!¡± Xanthea extended her invitation, ¡°How about I treat you to lunch today? I¡¯ve already
made a reservation.¡±
¡°Sounds good,¡± he agreed with a smile, stunning April, who stood nearby.
Just moments before, she had eagerly introduced herself to him and asked for his assistance in
rehearsal and to join her for lunch, only to be refused. Now, he was going out of his way to help
Xanthea, pulling out the chair, exining the nuances of action scenes, and even epting her lunch
invitation. This tant favoritism made her feel like a fool!
Why though? Just because Xanthea was the lead actress?
anyone.
Benjamin had worked with numerous top¨Ctier celebrities and never showed special treatment to There
were even rumors he had snubbed a Best Actress. So why was he now showing such favoritism
towards Xanthea, a neer?
April¡¯s gaze slowly shifted to Xanthea¡¯s striking beauty.
¡°Actually, I have a gift for you!¡±
As if suddenly remembering, Xanthea pulled a light coffee¨Ccolored gift box from her bag and pushed it
towards him.
¡°A gift?¡± Benjamin looked surprised.
¡°Yes, I really liked the crystal ball you gave mest time, so I picked out something you might like as
well; consider it as a bted wee gift. Go ahead, open it.¡±
A gift? Movie King had given her a gift!
Those familiar with Benjamin knew he never had personal dealings with co¨Cstars, let alone any
intimate Interactions, like exchanging gifts.
It seemed like Xanthea was exactly as Isabe had described, someone wild! Clutching her hands,
April turned and walked away to a secluded spot and quietly called Isabe.
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From the other end, amidst noise, Isabe¡¯s impatient voice came through, ¡°Hello? Is there anything
you want to say? Make it quick; I¡¯m busy!¡±
¡°Isabe, you asked me to keep an eye on Xanthea in the crew, and I¡¯ve definitely noticed something
off about her!¡±
¡°Oh?¡±
Upon hearing Xanthea¡¯s name, Isabe, losing interest in the photo shoot for the magazine, stepped
aside to inquire more curiously, ¡°Off? What do you mean?¡±
¡°She and Benjamin just met, and he¡¯s already treating her really well, helping her with acting, inviting
her to lunch, and I heard he even gave her a gift.
You¡¯ve worked with Benjamin before and know he never gets this close to colleagues. There¡¯s got to be
something fishy going on!¡±
¡°Ugh.¡± Isabe rolled her eyes dismissively, ¡°I thought you¡¯d discovered something big, acting so
agitated. It¡¯s no big deal; Xanthea just has a way of making men fall at her feet, willingly doing thingsContent ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.
for her.¡±
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Chapter 162
She had seen it all before, and she had no choice but to acknowledge the truth.
After all, just that face alone could attract thousands of followers; even thepany¡¯s CEO had fallen
for her, not to mention Benjamin.
April tried to subtly convey her thoughts, but they were bluntly exposed by her friend, leaving her
speechless.
But she didn¡¯t believe it was the Movie King who initiated things. Having been in the entertainment
industry for years, he had seen all types of women. Could he really fall for Xanthea just because she
was beautiful? Surely, Xanthea must have used some tricks to seduce him!
¡°Enough!¡± Isabe said; she was clearly annoyed as she ended the call. ¡°I asked you to keep an eye on
Xanthea to see if she¡¯s cking or acting like a diva and to gather dirt on her, not to report on how
popr she is with the boys!¡±
April looked over, only to see Benjamin opening a gift box; his eyes revealed a captivating smile, one
she hadn¡¯t seen even through a screen, and it made her eyes burn with jealousy
They hadn¡¯t even started working together, and things were already heating up. At this rate, their,
rtionship would surely progress quickly!
With so many celebrities and big names admiring the Movie King, who usually ignored them, why
should Xanthea, a mere neer, get him?
If their rtionship were exposed now, wouldn¡¯t millions of fans andizens tear Xanthea apart?
Perhaps, this could nip the budding threat in the cradle.
Thinking of this, she took out her camera and captured a moment of them exchanging meaningful
nces.
¡°Scene thred, take one¨Cmall shootout, action!¡±
The pperboard sounded, and Xanthea, dressed in a sleek and ck outfit, descended smoothly
from * the top of the building, like a ray of dawn slicing through the long night.
Gangsters, who were filled the various floors of the mall, fired at her as soon as they spotted her. Amid
the hail of bullets and the smoke of gunfire, she moved like a graceful butterfly, dodging and weaving
as she pulled out a shbang and a row of chillingly sharp silver needles from her utility belt.
With a fierce burst of white light that temporarily blinded and deafened everyone, Phoenix took the
opportunity to scatter the silver needles.
Her movements were agile and precise, and her fallen cap revealed a cascade of beautiful hair and an
astonishingly gorgeous face.
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The camera loomed in for a close¨Cup of her eyes¨Cmischievous yet seductive, an intricate mix of
emotions; yet upon closer inspection, they were utterly devoid of warmth.
She released thest two needles, knocking down her adversaries.
¡°Cut¡±
Kevin¡¯s voice rang out, and everyone on set came back to reality; they were all amazed and
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Xanthea was both stunning and fierce!
Her perfect proportions, her breathtaking beauty visible from every angle, and her sharp movements
combined with that yful yet seductive gaze, were a visual and emotional spectacle that captivated
everyone present.
¡°Fantastic, just fantastic!¡±
Kevin excitedly stood up from behind the camera to apud her. ¡°Xan, I thought your first action scene
might be challenging, but you nailed it in one take, wlessly. Absolutely incredible!¡±
¡°Thank you for thepliment, Director!¡±
Kanthea unhooked her harness, transitioning from the fierce and enigmatic Phoenix back to her lively
and sunny self; such transformation caused Benjamin, who was still lost in the scene, to momentarily
daze before he too broke into a smile; his eyes were brimming with deep affection as he watched her.
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¡°She¡¯s just stunning.¡±
¡°Xan!¡±
¡°Benjamin?¡±
Xanthea heard his call and nced at the time. It was almost lunchtime.
¡°Are you done shooting? Let¡¯s grab some lunch.¡±
¡°Sure, I¡¯ve been waiting for you.¡±
Benjamin noticed the slight sweat on her forehead and offered her a handkerchief, ¡°Tired? Wipe your
sweat.¡±
¡°No,
I¡¯ve got
my own.¡±
Xanthea pulled out her handkerchief, and carelessly wiped her face. Benjamin caught a glimpse of the
logo on it was that a men¡¯s handkerchief?
¡°Xan, I saw your performance just now, unexpectedly brilliant. I didn¡¯t realize you were such a natural
talent. I¡¯ve been in the industry for ages and haven¡¯t seen many like you. I bet this show will be a hit
once it airs!¡±
If it were anything else, Xanthea might have been modest, but Realm of Illusions was not just going to
be a hit¨Cit was going to be a sensation, a household name!
¡°You have a good eye!¡±
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She smiled and gave him a thumbs¨Cup. Benjaminughed.
They were about to get into the car when Xanthea¡¯s phone rang.
She looked at the screen at an unfamiliar number that somehow seemed vaguely ¡®familiar. ¡°Excuse me,
I need to take this call.
¡°Go ahead.¡±
¡°Hello?¡±
Xanthea stepped aside, and as soon as the call connected, she heard Cedric¡¯s voice, ¡°Ms. Nightshade,
this is Cedric.¡±
So it was him!
She remembered his business card, so that¡¯s why the number looked familiar
¡°Cedric? How did you get my cell number?¡±
¡°Ms. Nightshade, let¡¯s not focus on that. I have something to discuss with you.¡± Cedric hesitated, then
resolved, ¡°Are you free for lunch today? Can we meet?¡±
Xanthea nced at Beramin and shook her head, ¡°I¡¯m booked for lunch, and I have scenes to shoot in
the afternoon. Whatever it is, you can tell me over the phone.¡±
¡°It¡¯s not something I can exin quickly over the phone.¡±
Chapter 163
¡°Then text me, or maybe we can meet another day?¡±
¡°No!¡± Cedric immediately refused, sounding quite anxious, ¡°Ms. Nightshade, can¡¯t you spare even a
little time today? It¡¯s about the President.¡±
¡°Orion?¡±
Raising her eyebrows, Xanthea paused for a moment.
Cedric thought she would refuse outright or hang up when she heard ¡®President. Just as he was about
to add that it was important, he heard her say, ¡°Alright, send me the address. I¡¯lle now.¡±
Now?
He paused, looking surprised. Hadn¡¯t Ms. Nightshade said she was already booked?
Xanthea ended the call and, looking slightly embarrassed, walked back to Benjamin. ¡°Something came
up. and need to step out for a bit. Looks like I can¡¯t join you for lunch, sorry for bailing on you again.¡± ¡°Is
it something important?¡±
¡°Mhm,¡± Xanthea nodded, ¡°very impor of disappointment, Benjamin smiled generously, ¡°If it¡¯s important,
you should go take care of it. Don¡¯t
take care of it. Don¡¯t worry about me.¡±
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Chapter 164
Xanthea apologized profusely, ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, how about I send you the diner¡¯s address and you can go
with Jason?¡±
¡°No need.¡±
Ben shook his head, ¡°If it¡¯s not with you, it¡¯s not the same. I¡¯ll just grab something quick at the studio.
But remember, you owe me one now. Don¡¯t forget to make it up to me next time.¡±
¡°Absolutely!¡± Xantheaughed, ¡°I¡¯ve got to run now.¡±
¡°Goodbye.¡±
Ben watched her retreating figure; his smile slowly faded as she walked away.
She had been on the phone just now, and it seemed like she said Orion?
Orion Lockwood, chairman of the Twin Towers and the elusive power behind Starlight Media, owned an
extensive business empire that spread across the country and he was also the youngest tycoon listed
in the international Forbes rankings.
Thest time they nned to have lunch, Xanthea left midway, supposedly to meet him, and that fancy
LANDSCAPE handkerchief she carried matched his style too,
Jason watched Xanthea¡¯s hurried departure and wondered aloud, ¡°Ben, Ms. Nightshade has stood you
up twice now. What or who could possibly be more important than you?¡±
In the industry, countless celebrities lined up to dine with Ben, only to be declined. Yet, he had warmly
Invited her twice and both times she had declined the invitations!
If it weren¡¯t for Ben¡¯s feelings for her, Jason would think she was incredibly ungrateful!
Ben turned away, ¡°A formidablepetitor.¡±
A formidablepetitor?
Ben was the heir to the Jones family fortune, the sole sessor of the Jones Group, a celebrated actor
who had swept all major awards in the entertainment industry, and had millions of followers on Twitter.
Who could possibly rival him?
At the Twin Towers caf¨¦.
¡°Ms. Nightshade, over here!¡±
Cedric, sitting by the window, saw Xanthea and quickly stood to wave her over.
Xanthea scanned the caf¨¦, making sure he was alone, then asked, ¡°If we¡¯re meeting at yourpany¡¯s
building, why isn¡¯t Orion here?¡±
¡°Ms. Nightshade, please, have some coffee first.¡±
Cedric pushed a cappino towards her and sighed after a few seconds.
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¡°The boss is sick.¡±
¡°What?¡± Xanthea paused while setting down her purse, ¡°Sick?¡±
¡°Yes, he¡¯s been running a fever for three days now, a severe one, and he hasn¡¯t told anyone or taken
any
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medication. He¡¯s been busier than ever at work, acting like a tireless robot. Sometimes, he might go an
entire day without eating, and he never sleeps regrly.¡±
¡°Last night, around three in the morning, he suddenly called me to bring some documents over. When I
arrived, I discovered he had been working all night. Out of curiosity, I wanted to see when he would
leave for home. I saw his office light stay on until dawn. I don¡¯t even know if he slept at all.¡±
¡°Why would he do that?¡± Xanthea was stunned, ¡°Is the Lockwood Group in trouble?¡±
¡°No, the operations are running smoothly.¡±
¡°Then he must be out of his mind!¡± she raised her voice unconsciously, ¡°He had such a high fever, yet
he did not take medication, nor take rest, and still worked like crazy; does he not want to live?!¡±
Looking at her intensely concerned expression, Cedric was somewhat puzzled, ¡°Ms. Nightshade, do
you. care about the boss too?¡±
Cedric shook his head as if he had asked a foolish question.
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Chapter 165
Since returning from Everde, the CEO had be like this. What else could be the reason?
He had done everything possible to make Ms. Nightshade happy, and to keep her by his side for even
a second longer. He perfected every detail concerning her.
But what about Ms. Nightshade? A mere word from Matthew had whisked her away, and when she left,
she didn¡¯t even give the CEO a nce or a goodbye.
The CEO must have been heartbroken, and it was taking a toll on his health. He buried himself in
relentless work to numb the pain,
At first, he thought if the CEO got hit hard by this, letting go of Ms. Nightshade might actually be a good
thing.
hing was off.
But as days passed, he realized something
The CEO¡¯s relentless work, despite his illness, wasn¡¯t about forgetting Ms. Nightshade, it seemed more
like he was driving himself to an early grave.
He had severely underestimated Ms. Nightshade¡¯s ce in the CEO¡¯s heart.
At some point, Ms. Nightshade had moved from being the CEO¡¯s long¨Ctime secret crush to his lifeline.
Now that the CEO was ¡®sick¡®, he might truly be in danger without her, which is why he had decided to
seek
her out today.
¡°Does it matter if I care about him? What matters is why he¡¯s destroying his health like this. As his
assistant, why aren¡¯t you encouraging him to rest and take his medication? If your words don¡¯t work,
you could at least inform his family or friends!¡±
¡°It¡¯s no use.¡±
Cedric shook his head, and Xanthea looked puzzled, ¡°No use?¡±
¡°Ms. Nightshade.¡±
Cedric looked up at her, and grabbed the briefcase beside him, ¡°Are you still upset about that day at
the Realm of Illusions audition when the CEO rejected you on the spot?¡±
Xanthea frowned, unsure why he suddenly brought this up.
Cedric continued, ¡°Do you know why the Realm of Illusions script ended up with Oli¨Chee M¨¦dia?¡±
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¡°Yes, Orion told me. The board didn¡¯t approve the project¡¯s proposal and risk assessment, so he sold it
to my uncle for double the price. My uncle knew how much I loved the script, so he bought it.¡±
¡°Is that what the CEO told you?¡± Cedric chuckled, ¡°Ms. Nightshade, you didn¡¯t believe that, did you?¡±
Xanthea¡¯s frown deepened, ¡°What do you mean?¡±
¡°The CEO holds 90% of the shares in the Lockwood Group and has absolute authority in the
boardroom. It¡¯s not just about a scrig; even the multi¨Cbillion¨Cdor acquisition case that stirred upst
year was under his directmand. No one dares to speak against him, nor question his decisions.¡±
As he spoke, he pulled out a document from his briefcase and ced it in front of her.
¡°The Realm of Illusions script was transferred to Oli hea Media for free by the CEO, and I handled it
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Chapter 165
myself, so I kept a copy of the contract.¡±
¡°What?¡±
Xanthea looked at him in disbelief; then she picked up the contract from the table and slowly flipped
through it. The deeper she read, the more her doubts grew.
The script was transferred for free to Oli¨Chea Media by Orion? How could that be? And why? But it was
there in ck and white,plete with the seals of Starlight Media and Oli¨Chea Media.
¡°My uncle clearly said he bought it from Orion for two million dors, and Orion confirmed it. How can
this be?¡±
Cedric watched the disbelief in her eyes, ¡°Ms. Nightshade, if you still don¡¯t believe it, you can call Mr. -
Lopez.¡±
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Chapter 166
Xanthea immediately pulled out her phone and dialed Oliver¡¯s number.
¡°Hello? Xan, about the shoot today with Director Smith, he-¡±
¡°Uncle!¡± Xanthea cut him off with an urgent voice. ¡°Was the rights to ¡®Realm of Illusions¡® transferred to
you by Orion for free?¡±
Oliver paused for a few seconds before slowly responding. ¡°You found it out?¡±
Xanthea¡¯s pupils constricted momentarily.
It was true, then. The contract was real.
¡°Why, Uncle?¡±
¡°Xan, I told you the other day; Mr. Lockwood really appreciated your performance. The mishap during
the audition was just a misunderstanding, but you were too upset to listen or forgive him. So Mr.
Lockwood proposed using the guise of a ¡®high¨Cvalue transfer to give ¡®Realm of Illusions¡® back to you,
and I agreed.
Don¡¯t be mad at me for deceiving you, sweetie. I knew that deep down you still wanted that script. And
honestly, if Mr. Lockwood had just handed ¡®Realm of Illusions¡® over to you right then, would you have
epted it?
No, she wouldn¡¯t have.
She had been too blinded by anger. If one second he had told her she was out, and the next he tried to
hand her ¡®Realm of Illusions¡®, she would have thought it was another trick.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.
¡°So, you see Mr. Lockwood actually understands you quite well, even better than I do, and I think he¡¯s
been good to you, especially since that time on The Masked Singer. Maybe it¡¯s because you helped
him out during the Gemstone G.
Anyway, now that the misunderstanding is cleared up, I feel a weight has been lifted off my shoulders
otherwise I¡¯d always feel indebted to him.¡±
Oliver rambled on, but Xanthea couldn¡¯t focus on his words; she fixed her gaze on Cedric with
confusion, ¡°If he intended to give me the script from the beginning, why did he eliminate me at the
audition?¡±
¡°Ms. Nightshade, did you forget what happened that day?¡±
¡°During the final part of your obstacle course performance, your motorcycle suddenly malfunctioned
and veered off the track, crashing into a barrier and causing an explosion. It was such amotion
that everyone thought you were gone, that you had died.¡± His voice grew intense, ¡°Only Mr. Lockwood
didn¡¯t think twice before running into the mes, but when he got there, all he saw was ashes, not even
a trace of you, Ms. Nightshade.¡±
At that moment.
¡°His world copsed.¡±
¡°I¡¯ve never seen such an expression on his face.¡±
After he finished, Xanthea¡¯s mind quickly shed back to the day she surfaced from the water, and saw
Orion at the shore.
He stood by thekeside, staring at the burnt¨Cout motorcycle at the end of the track; his eyes remained
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Chapter 166
vold and lifeless, until he heard the sound of water and turned to see her.
When he saw her, he smiled the way he did beside her gravestone in the cemetery, which was so
unreal and desperate. He plunged into theke and held her so tightly that she almost couldn¡¯t breathe;
he cried out ¡°Xan¡± instead of the usual distant ¡°Ms. Nightshade.¡±
¡°The president was terrified, Xan. ¡®Realm of Illusions¡® contains many dangerous scenes and stunts. He
feared that you¡¯d encounter another ident like during the audition, which is why he had to eliminate
you. But seeing you upset afterwards, he still went out of his way to ensure the script reached you, and
he even arranged for the top stunt and safety coordinators in the industry for your production.¡±
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Chapter 167
It wasn¡¯t that he had chosen Isabe over her, but that he was concerned about her safety.
No wonder, no wonder he immediately applied ointment to her wounds as soon as they left the beach,
no wonder he had paid such a high price to obtain the ¡°Realm of Illusions¡± but sold it to her uncle for
just $2 million.
All this time, she had misunderstood him.
Cedric handed her a tablet and yed a video for her.
¡°And that day when he ¡®kidnapped¡® you to Everde, it wasn¡¯t because he didn¡¯t want to let you out of
the car, but rather he was afraid that if you got out abruptly, you might run into those crazy obsessed
fans again.
This is the surveince footage from Glory Avenue that he had someone pull up. It recorded the whole
ordeal with the fans causing trouble. The police have already identified them and dealt with them
ordingly. Originally, they were supposed to apologize publicly to you and the wholemunity
online, but since they are minors, we just recorded this video instead.¡±
Watching one fan after another bowing sincerely in apology on the video, Xanthea feft, a wave of regret
and remorse flood her heart.
All this time, without her knowing, Orion had done so much for her, just like in a past life.
But what about her?
Because of the audition, she had misunderstood him, disliked him, smashed his medication bottle,
called him hypocritical and a pretender, and in every meeting afterwards, she hadn¡¯t shown him anyAll text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.
kindness.
Cedric asked, ¡°Ms. Nightshade, after seeing all this, do you still resent Mr. Lockwood?¡±
Xanthea shook her head; her amber eyes misted with warm tears.
No, not at all.
She had never truly resented him; she was just angry.
He had avenged her enemies, shielded her from thugs, and pulled her from the depths of theke; how
could she possibly resent him?
It was just that she had been betrayed by someone she dearly loved in a past life, which left a shadow
over her heart; It made her like a startled bird, always afraid that the friends she valued and trusted
most might suddenly turn against her, afraid that she was once again engaging in a one¨Csided
affection.
But Orion was nothing like them..
With so many discrepancies and contradictions in front of her, why did she still doubt, still not believe,
and still do so many things that hurt him!
How could she be so foolish that she was unable to see clearly in a past life and still not seeing clearly
in this life, and treated her benefactor like an enemy!
Xanthea elenched her fists in regret, so much so that her nails dug into her skin.
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¡°There¡¯s one more thing I haven¡¯t told you,¡± Cedric said, watching her.
¡°That night at Marlowe Manor when you passed out outside, it was Mr. Lockwood who carried you
back.¡±
¡°He stayed by your side all night. At dawn, he even went to make breakfast for you, knowing you like
sweet things. He managed to get some Everde blueberries, and while preparing, he injured his
hands. But,
Nightshade, you didn¡¯t even nce at it before leaving with Matthew. On the way back to the city, Mr.
Lockwood fell ill.¡±
¡°What?!¡±
Xanthea stared at him in shock.
So, he was sick because of her?
She knew how terrible she could be when drunk; taking care of her all night without a wink of sleep,
and still making breakfast at dawn, was he crazy?
Chapter 168
Chapter 168
Chapter 168
Xanthea thought back to that morning at Marlowe Manor, when everyone was trying their best to
convince her to stay, but she didn¡¯t really pay attention to their pleas, because her mind was consumed
with her n for revenge; Why hadn¡¯t she stayed?
Perhaps if she had, she might have noticed something was off with him, might have been able to
prevent this illness from taking hold.
¡°Ms. Nightshade, the reason I¡¯m bringing this up today is because I believe you hold a very important
ce. in the CEO¡¯s heart. Could you perhaps try to talk some sense into him? Tomorrow, he¡¯s
scheduled to travel to Veridian for three months. It¡¯s a long and grueling trip, and I¡¯m really worried his
health won¡¯t hold
up.¡±
¡°What!¡±
Xanthea stood up abruptly, ¡°He¡¯s going abroad?!¡±
With his current health, was this a suicide mission?
¡°Where is he now? I need to find him!¡±
¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±
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Cedric shook his head, ¡°The boss has been drowning in work these past few days, barely stopping for
a break. He just drove off alone not long ago, didn¡¯t even let me apany him, so I had a moment to
meet with you, Ms. Nightshade.¡±
¡°Can¡¯t you reach his phone?¡±
¡°It¡¯s turned off. Maybe he wanted some time alone, or perhaps he was just too exhausted and needed
to
rest.¡±
But that didn¡¯t seem likely.
Cedric remembered the look on Orion¡¯s face as he left; he was like an addict who has been
desperately trying to control and numb himself, finally breaking down and recklessly seeking out his
addiction.
It was that look that had frightened him into reaching out to Ms. Nightshade.
¡°Rest?¡± Xanthea pressed, ¡°Where does he usually stay at night then?¡±
¡°He¡¯s been at Sunset Hills Estates thest couple of nights, and he stayed in his officest night; today
it¡¯s anyone¡¯s guess. He might go back to the old family home, to his private vi, or to an apartment
near the office. The boss has too many properties really, but there¡¯s a good chance he might return to
Sunset Hills Estates.
Ever since Oli hea Media announced that you would be ying Phoenix, he¡¯s pretty much been living
at Sunset Hills Estates.¡±
Sunset Hills Estates? At 3001?
Wasn¡¯t that right next door to the ce she rented in the western areas of Crestwood?
Since thest time she moved, she hadn¡¯t stayed there, but when her underwear ended up on his
balcony, she had indeed seen him there.
¡°Ms. Nightshade, you needn¡¯t worry too much. The boss should be back soon, and once he is, I¡¯ll make
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sure to get the full story and let you know.¡±
¡°Alright!¡±
¡°Oh, and,¡± Cedric started, packing up his briefcase with a pleading look, ¡°the boss has been doing all
these things quietly because he doesn¡¯t want to burden you, Ms. Nightshade. Could you please keep
our meeting today, including all that we¡¯ve discussed, just between us?¡±
¡°Sure.¡± Xanthea nodded, ¡°Cedric, I really appreciate this.¡±
In her past life, she didn¡¯t discover all that Orion had done for her until her dying day. Before that, he
was just a stranger to her. This time, if it weren¡¯t for Cedric sharing this, they might still be less than
strangers.
¡°Then, I¡¯ll leave the matter of stopping the boss from his trip in your hands, Ms. Nightshade. It¡¯s getting
late, and I should head back now!¡±
Cedric started to gather his things and as he stood up, he was stopped by Xanthea¡¯s call, ¡°Wait!¡±
¡°Ms. Nightshade, is there anything else?¡±
¡°I want to know, does Orion have any particr hobbies or things he really likes?¡±
¡°You.¡±
¡°What?¡±
Cedric almost blurted it reflexively, then stuttered after realizing what he said, ¡°You, uh, figure it out
yourself.¡±
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Chapter 169
Xanthea looked perplexed. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you just tell me directly?¡±
¡°Although I¡¯ve known him for a while, we haven¡¯t spent much time together. He always seems so aloof
and indifferent, like he¡¯s not really interested in anything. I can¡¯t figure out what he likes. Since you¡¯re
his
assistant, you must know everything about him!¡±
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The CEO indeed didn¡¯t seem to have any particr interests, except for one person, whom he
treasured obsessively.
Perhaps, loving her had exhausted all his energy.
The CEO always keeps his personal feelings separate from work, so I don¡¯t know much. But rather
than what he likes, I think what he needs is more important. Given his current condition, what he really
needs is probably sleep. Only proper rest can help him recover faster.¡±
¡°Sleep?¡± Xanthea was puzzled. ¡°Is there anything I can do? I mean, I can¡¯t just join him in bed, can I?¡±
¡°Actually, you can!¡±
Cedric suddenly had his eyes light up at the suggestion, which confused Xanthea.
¡°No, Ms. Nightshade, don¡¯t get me wrong. I just remembered thest time on the ne, you fell asleep
next to him, and soon after, he fell asleep too.¡±
¡°It¡¯s really amazing. The CEO has had severe insomnia, and he can¡¯t sleep well in unfamiliar
environments or if there are strangers around. But somehow, he falls asleep when he sees you. It¡¯s like
magic.¡±
Xanthea was stunned. Was her presence really that soothing?
At the Glory Building, the set of ¡°Realm of Illusions.¡±
In the editing room, Kevin was swiftly reviewing the footage from the morning¡¯s shoot. When it was the
turn of Phoenix¨CXanthea¡¯s character¨Che slowed down the yback, admiring every expression and
movement she made. Suddenly, a tall shadow fell across therge monitor, apanied by barely
audible, steady footsteps.
Feeling curious, Kevin turned around and immediately smiled upon seeing the man. ¡°Ah, Mr.
Lockwood? What brings you here today?¡±
The man stood at the doorway, having his gaze intensely fixed on the girl on the screen, he was
seemingly lost in thought.
Kevin noticed his interest and proudly said, ¡°Mr. Lockwood, you really have an eye for talent! Xanthea
is a natural at ying Phoenix. I was worried that her vibrant personality and delicate appearance
might not suit the role. But in front of the camera, she transformspletely, bringing the character to
life impressively, For her first role, her performance is extraordinary. She¡¯s destined for great things.¡±
Orion watched the girl on the screen, who looked both alluring andmanding, so different from her
usual self. His¨Chand clenched slightly, as if trying to grasp something just out of reach,
Though she was right there, just a screen away, she seemed more distant than ever¨Cso far that not
even her shadow seemed willing to stay in his world.
¡°Where¡¯s Xanthea?¡±
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His voice was low and husky. Kevin looked disappointed. ¡°Oh, Mr. Lockwood, you came to see Xan?
Unlucky timing. She just took the afternoon off, didn¡¯t say where she was going, just mentioned it was
something important. She probably won¡¯t be back today.¡±
Orion had his eyes narrowed, hiding a bitter smirk.
¡°Send me that video segment.¡±
¡°Sure, right away!¡±
Chapter 170
Chapter 170
Sunset Hills Estates, 3002
In the kitchen, Xanthea gently lifted the lid off the slow cooker, and a rich, tantalizing aroma
immediately filled the air. Scooping up a spoonful of soup, she tasted it and smiled contentedly, ¡°Mmm,
delicious!¡±
Her cooking mentor was right¨Cthere are no bad dishes, only inattentive cooks.
This was definitely the best soup she had ever made!
*Ding-*
A text message alert sounded. She checked her phone and saw a message from Cedric.
[Ms. Nightshade, Mr. Lockwood ising back to Sunset Hills Estates tonight.]
Orion wasing here?
Perfect, she guessed right!
A few minutester, Xanthea, carrying a pot of soup, stood in front of 3001 and gathered her courage
ring the doorbell.
to
She had been misunderstanding him, resenting him, and had done many things that hurt him, even
causing him to fall ill. He must despise her now. No matter what he said, even if it was harsh or hurtful,
as long as he forgave her, she didn¡¯t mind.
*Ding Dong-
*Ding Dong-*
*Ding Dong+*
The doorbell rang three times. Just as Xanthea thought he might not have returned yet, the door
clicked open.
¡°Orion, you¡¯re back!¡±
As soon as Xanthea saw him, a radiant smile bloomed on her beautiful face, and her eyes sparkled
with light.
Orion opened the door, only to be unexpectedly greeted by the beaming girl outside. A spark ignited in
his somber eyes, lighting up the gloom that had shadowed them for days.
¡°I made you a pot of¡¡±
Xanthea started, holding up the soup enticingly, but before she could finish, the door mmed¡® shut.
The mming door harshly swept away her bright smile, and made her hair flutter with the force. She
stood frozen, then panic and confusion shed through her eyes.
It was over!!
Orion was really angry, didn¡¯t even want to see her!
¡°Orion? Orion!¡±
She freed her hands and was about to knock on his door.
Chapter 170
The next second, the door opened again, but this time only a narrow crack, barely revealing half of his
tall, imposing figure and his face covered with a white mask.
¡°Ms. Nightshade, is there something you need?¡±
Xanthea was lost for words. He closed the door just to put on a mask?
¡°Yes!¡±
She nodded solemnly, not yet disclosing her concern, but her nimble body swiftly squeezed through the
narrow door gap, slipping under his arm.
It was better to get inside first, so as to avoid being shut out again!
She entered like a lively ray of sunshine, radiant and overwhelming, dispelling the chill and dazzlingly
brightening the room.
Once inside, Xanthea set down the slow cooker, lifted the lid, and the rich, hearty aroma of the soup
filled the room. Shedled a full bowl of soup, ced it on the table, and looked up at him with great
anticipation.
¡°Orion, this is the soup I painstakingly researched all afternoon. I tried several methods and spent
nearly four hours perfecting it. Come taste it and see if it suits your pte!¡±
Orion looked at her, who had her lips curved, and had dimples shallow; her eyes and brows were all
adorned with bright smiles, just like that day at Lakeside Manor when she yfully tugged at his
clothes asking to be picked up. Confusion swirled in his dim eyes¨Cwas the fever making him
hallucinate?
He tightened his grip on the metal door handle until his veins stood out and his knuckles turned pale;
his eyes narrowed as he focused intently on her.All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.
Chapter 171
Chapter 171
It wasn¡¯t a hallucination.
It was really her.
He slowly closed the door, as his knuckles identally brushed against the button, the smart screen lit
up with the message: ¡°Received the master instruction. Child lock is on.¡±
Seeing him approaching, Xanthea immediately pulled out a chair, acting like a devoted personal
assistant, with a weing gesture. Orion looked down to see a bowl of creamy soup with a golden
layer of all shimmering on top.
Had she taken the day off just to make soup?
¡°Try it, I promise it¡¯s delicious!
Xanthes fluttered her bright, sparkling eyes at him, she noticed that he still had his face mask on with
no intention of removing it. Feeling puzzled, she asked, ¡°Why are you wearing a mask inside the
house?¡±
Ive been coughing a bittely, and I don¡¯t want to risk getting you sick
Coughing?
Wasn¡¯t it a fever?
Had he dyed treatment too long, causing a series ofplications?
¡°Really?¡±
Xanthea pretended not to know but couldn¡¯t hide her concern as she reached out to touch his forehead,
¡°Just a cough? You look a bit off. Do you have a fever too?¡±
Her soft hand unexpectedly touched his forehead, causing his pupils to dte. He was just about to
stand up when she pressed down on his shoulder
¡°Stay put, let me check properly.¡±
She moved her palm from his forehead to his temples, removing the bothersome white mask. She
paused at his cheeks, then traced the strong lines of his jawline down to his neck. Feeling the sudden,
intense throbbing of his Adam¡¯s apple under her fingers, she released her grip as if shocked by
electricity.
Something wasn¡¯t right.
It was definitely hot, no mistake about the fever, but why did it seem to get hotter and more intense the
more she touched?
Could someone¡¯s temperature fluctuate so drastically in such a short time? He wasn¡¯t developing some
serious condition, was he?
¡°You¡¯re burning up!¡±
Xanthea stared at him in shock. His lips were tightly sealed, his facial features tensed, and a faint
sweat appeared on his brow. His skin from the corners of his eyes down to his neck flushed red, and
his dark eyes seemed to ze with an inner fire
She didn¡¯t realize how her words could be so easily misunderstood, and her actions were so
tantalizing.
¡°Wait here, I¡¯ll grab something!¡±
Worried, Xanthea ran towards the door, then suddenly turned back with a tone that was half waming,
half pleading. ¡°And hey, don¡¯t lock me out again!¡±
A slight smile curled on Orion¡¯s lips. Just as Xanthea was about to step out and gripped the doorknob,
she wasn¡¯t locked out, but once again, the door closed on her, keeping her inside.
Staring at the smart screen which showed the same child lock warning as before, Xanthea had her
eyes widened, ¡°Not the childck again? I didn¡¯t close the door this time, Orion, is your door broken?¡±
¡°Ms. Nightshade, what did you want to go get?¡±
¡°A thermometer, to check your temperatur?
¡°There¡¯s one in the storeroom.¡±
¡°Really?¡± Xanthea nced towards the storeroom at the back of the t and hurried inside. ¡°You could
have told me earlier!¡±
Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.
Watching her disappear, Orion slowly raised a hand to his forehead.
Was it really that hot?
He had only just started to notice his own body temperature. T
Chapter 172
Chapter 172
Xanthea dashed into the storage room, rifling through each shelf in search of a thermometer. As she
reached the bottom shelf, she caught a glimpse of a safe, adomed with a delicate blue iris flower, dried
to perfection.
She couldn¡¯t help but touch it, and immediately, the digital disy lit up with a prompt¨CPlease enter her
birthday; it startled her enough to quickly withdraw her hand,
Please enter her birthday? Her? A woman?
It struck her as childish that Orion, the illustrious Crestwood tycoon, would use a woman¡¯s birthday as
the safe¡¯s password. Wasn¡¯t he afraid of thieves? Or perhaps this woman was exceptionally important
to him?
He didn¡¯t have a girlfriend. Could it be his mother¡¯s birthday? Or maybe it was the birthday of some
muse he dreamed about?
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Pondering this, she opened anotherpartment marked with a cross. Inside, there was not only a
thermometer but also a first aid kit, filled with unopened medications for colds, fevers, burns, and more.
Drion, despite having all sorts of medicine at home, stubbomly refused to take any, deliberately
neglecting his health. If she were a family member, she would definitely scold him!
¡°Orion, I found it.¡±
Carrying the medicine kit, Xanthea came out to see Orion thoughtfully sipping the soup she had made
She smiled as she approached, resting her arms on the dining table, and yfully watching him with
her sparkling eyes, ¡°How is it? This is my first time making soup. Does it taste okay?¡±
¡°Mmm, it¡¯s delicious.¡±
Orion¡¯s clear, appreciative tone didn¡¯t try to hide his praise, ¡°Ms. Nightshade, you excel at everything
you do.¡±
If anyone else had said that, she might have taken it as ttery, buting from him, it felt incredibly
sincere, making her heart swell with joy.
¡°Really? Getting apliment from a ¡®six¨Cstar¡® chef like you isn¡¯t easy.¡±
Catching the tease in her words, Orion had his lips curved slightly, ¡°Ms. Nightshade, you tter me.¡±
sales call
¡°Ohe on, drop the formalities. We¡¯ve known each other for years. Just call me by my nickname.
My friends and my families me Xan, if you don¡¯t mind,¡± Xanthea looked at him, arching her brow
yfully, ¡°You could call me ¡®Xan¡± too?¡±
At that, he froze.
As their eyes met, his gaze locked onto her twinkling eyes as if sucked into a profound vortex, almost
as if her reflection was clearly mirrored in his pupils.
E F
The air filled with a subtle yet intense tension, vibrating and sparking as if the atmosphere itself heated
up.
Noticing his unusual expression, Xanthea felt inwardly panicked.
She had identally blurted out the nickname he used for her in a past life. Except for that time at
Glory Building when he saved her from drowning, he had never called her Xan. Now, by suggesting it
herself, he must be puzzled, perhaps even overthinking.
¡°Right!¡±
She suddenly straightened, cleverly changing the subject, ¡°I found the thermometer. Let¡¯s check your
temperature.¡±
Considering that he had just drunk the soup, it might not be urate to measure his oral temperature.
So, she opted for his armpit instead.
She pulled out the thermometer and, as she was about to tuck it under his arm, he swiftly grasped her
wrist, the excessive warmth of his palm sent a chill through her
Chapter 173
Chapter 173
Tll handle it myself.¡±
Orion nced down a fleeting shadow passed under his eyes as he took the thermometer from her
hand and ced it under his left
Xanthea had been puzzled by his intense reaction just moments ago, but now, seeing his actions and
expression, she suddenly understood
He didn¡¯t want her to see the iris tattoo on his right chest, or the gnarly, terrifying burn scars beneath it.
But she was just trying to check his temperature, not strip him bare. His guardedness made it seem like
he thought she was some kind of hooligan!
¡°Then take it out in 10 minutes and read it.¡±
¡°Sure, thanks, Xan¡±
When he casually called her Xan, it sent a shiver through Xanthea¡¯s body as if an electric current had
passed through her.
His voice was already deep and maic, like tuning a cello to a D note, and now slightly hoarse from
the fever, it added an irresistibly rich, sexy timbre. Hearing her nickname in such a tone was dizzyingly
intimate, which fluttered her heart
If he ever became ate¨Cnight radio host, that voice could revive the dead. But why did he use Xan,
just like her family did?
¡°No need to thank me!¡± Xanthea pulled out a box of fever reducing pills from the medicine kit. ¡°Because
you¡¯re going to hate me soon. If you¡¯ve got a fever, you¡¯ll need to take these pills. If you refuse, I¡¯ll just
have to force them down!¡±
She pinched a few pills, her brow furrowed menacingly as she threatened him. She expected him to
resist vehemently, but instead, he smiled slightly and softly agreed. ¡°Okay.¡±
Xanthea was full of confusion.
She stared at him in shock. Just like that? Cedric had said that no matter who tried, Orion would never
take his medicine. Was he tricking her?
¡°Really?
¡°Really.¡±
Orion looked at the girl who had rushed in to check his temperature, fetch medicine, and even took
time off from her film set to cook soup for him for hours. With his Adam¡¯s apple bobbing, he couldn¡¯t
help asking, ¡°Xan, you¡¯re not mad at me anymore?¡±
Another shiver passed through Xanthea, and a wave of guilt surged within her. ¡°I stopped being mad at
you a long time ago, and about the Realm of Illusions copyrights, my uncle already told me everything.
You transferred them to me for free. Orion, why didn¡¯t you tell me?¡±
She gazed at him with burning eyes, full of confusion.
She wanted him to tell her that he had eliminated her from the set because he was concerned about
her safety. That he had given Realm of Illusions¡® to Oli hea Media because he recognized her talent,
not because he was trying to sell it for a high price. It would have cleared all her misunderstandings
about him.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.
Orion had hisshes lowered, and a soft shadow cast by the crystal chandelier was reflected in his
eyes, as if he was lost in a deep, old
memory.
¡°Get lost! I hate you, I hate you, I hate you the most! I don¡¯t need your help, leave me alone, no matter
what you do, I¡¯ll never like you. I want Matt, I only want Matt¡±
¡°It¡¯s not necessary.
After a long pause, he spoke gravely.
¡°How can it not be necessary? It¡¯s very necessary! If you had told me everything, I wouldn¡¯t have
misunderstood you, and I wouldn¡¯t have done those excessive things¡±
She bit her lip in self¨Creproach, while Orion raised an eyebrow in confusion,
Chapter 174
Chapter 174
¡°Yes, I did break your medicine bottle¡±
¡°That was a gift from you.¡±
¡°And I even yelled at you, calling you a hypocrite, a pretender¡±
Orion chuckled lightly. ¡°So it¡¯s you who was chastising me? I thought it was just child¡¯s y.¡±
¡°Child¡¯s y?¡±
Xanthea was startled by his peculiar interpretation, ¡°So, you¡¯ve always seen me as a child?¡±
Like Sebastian, who always grinned and bounded around, thought he¡¯s tougher than he is, but actually
was not intimidating at all?
She had thought she held the upper hand in every encounter, but it tumed out he was just indulging her
like a child.
Orion stared at her, bemused, ¡°Yeah¡±
A baby, not much different from a child.
¡°But she pointed somewhat sheepishly at his chest, ¡°I even bit you.
That bite was filled with spite.
It¡¯s healed now.¡±
¡°Healed or not, it still hurt!¡±
¡°What should we do about it?¡± Orion¡¯s gaze casually swept across her chest, ¡°How about you let me
take a bite?¡±
Following his gaze, Xanthea quickly crossed her arms defensively. Jerk!
Hisughter filled the air, and only then did Xanthea realize she had been yed. Despite being sick,
he still had the mood to joke around, which meant he wasn¡¯t very ill.
¡°Orion, remember, you still owe me a favor?¡±
¡°I remember.¡±
¡°I want to ask for it today, and you must agree!¡±
She looked at him earnestly, ¡°I want you to forget everything that happened before, and forgive me for
all the bad things I said and did, okay?¡±
¡°I never med you¡±
Orion¡¯s eyes, filled with tendemess, melted like the ice in spring, which warmed Xanthea¡¯s heart so
much that her nose felt tingling
In the past, she¡¯d taken for granted everyone¡¯s kindness around her, as though she deserved it from
birth, until she saw the true faces of Matthew and Miranda. She realized that apart from family,
¡®everyone else¡¯s love¡® came with strings attached.
Matthew wanted to use her to gain power and status, and Miranda wanted to rece her as the sole
daughter of the Nightshade family. Only he had always silently supported her unconditionally.
¡°Orion, why are you being so good to me?¡±
She couldn¡¯t help asking. Orion put down his spoon and avoided her gaze. ¡°Because you had helped
me once.¡±
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Lies!
Xanthea pouted, feeling dissatisfied.
And about the past life? She hadn¡¯t attended any gemstone conventions nor had any interactions with
him, yet he still
¡°I don¡¯t believe it. There must be another reason!¡±
Xanthea pushed away the soup, eyeing him with suspicion.
¡°You¡¯re so good to me, you must be secretly harboring some unspeakable emotions, right?¡±
yet he still helped her.
When she mentioned ¡®unspeakable emotions, Orion¡¯s gaze froze, and his expression stiffened along
with the strong and rhythmic beating of his heart, as if the entire world had gone silent for a second,
two seconds, three seconds.
Until she spoke again, her voice charged with excitement, ¡°See, your nervous expression has given
you away! Do I look like yourte sister or perhaps a cousin? Because of the brutal family feuds, you
lost them forever, but you can¡¯t control the longing in your heart. So, when you saw me, who looks a lot
like you sisters, you ced all your emotions on me, trying to find somefort?¡±
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Chapter 175
¡°Am I right? You know, the kind of feuds among top¨Ctier families like yours always appear on TV
dramas, and I¡¯ve learned how to deduce from them!¡± Xanthea said with a self¨Csatisfied smirk, only to
notice a look on his face that screamed bemusement mixed with a desire to ignore her
Uh¨Coh, did she get it wrong?
That couldn¡¯t be right. The news had reported multiple times about the early days of infighting and
constant battles within the Lockwood Group. It was like something straight out of those historical drama
series, always involving sacrificing children. And that scar on his chest must be linked to those
struggles, right?
Plus, her theory also fit with how, in a past life she had no connection with him, and he always lurked in
the shadows to help her, even avenging her.
Adding to that, she had just asked him to call her Xan, and he hadn¡¯t done that, sticking with Xanthea
instead. Clearly, Xan and Xanthea were two different people in his mind!
As Xanthea¡¯s expressions grew more animated, clearly lost in her vivid imaginations, Orion shattered
her fantasy with a simple statement, ¡°The Lockwood family only ever had me as a child.¡±
Xanthea was lost for words. She froze, raising an eyebrow awkwardly, ¡°Oh? Did I save your life then?¡±
You remember that?¡±
Orion smiled, feeling somewhat relieved, and Xanthea scoffed.
¡°I think you¡¯re making bigger jokes than I am. You must be fine then. Let¡¯s see what your temperature
really is.¡±
As she said this, she swiftly moved her hand towards his chest, but he caught it effortlessly.
¡°It¡¯s annoying; you¡¯re sick, and yet you¡¯re still so quick?¡±
¡°Enough to handle you.¡±
Pfft! She hadn¡¯t even tried her hardest!
¡°Wait a second.¡±
Xanthea gripped his hand, noticing the dense array of prick marks, which were more severe than the
ones she got from those thorny roses from obsessed fans.
¡°Are these injuries from when you worked on the hedge at Marlowe Manor for me?¡±
¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡±
Orion casually withdrew his hand, ¡°Just got pricked by the cactus on my desk.¡±
Cactus on his desk?
He really knew how to lie. Why didn¡¯t he just tell her it was from making breakfast for her?
Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.
Getting the truth about his past life¡¯s revenge from him seemed as hard as climbing to heaven.
¡°Get the thermometer.
Orion fetched the thermometer; his expression was faltering as he saw the reading. Xanthea snatched
it; her face turned pale when she saw the ring 104¡ãF.
¡°You have such a high fever?!¡±
She turned to him incredulously. Even he was sick so much, he still joked around with her as if nothing
was wrong. Was he out of his mind?
*Take your
¡®reducer now, and then go to bed!¡±
Orion looked at the table where the water and medicine were already set, his gaze slightly dimming.
Was she leaving?
Seeing his hesitant look, Xanthea thought he was backtracking, so she angrily grabbed the water and
medicine, shoving them towards him,manding, ¡°Take it now! You promised me, no backing out!¡±
Chapter 176
Chapter 176
¡°And after you eat it, you¡¯d better stay at home and rest, not going anywhere, especially on any long
trips.¡±
All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.
Xanthea emphasized the words ¡°long trips to gauge his reaction. ¡°Got it? I¡¯ll be keeping an eye on you
these days, so don¡¯t even think about skipping town!¡±
Orion¡¯s eyes, which had just dimmed, suddenly sparkled again at her words. ¡°You¡¯ll being over
these days?¡±
¡°Yes, your illness is because of me, uh, no, that¡¯s not right. I misunderstood you before, and I feel guilty
about it, so I want to make it up to you if that¡¯s okay?¡±
¡°That¡¯s fine, I¡¯ll wait for you.¡±
A ripple of a smile crossed Orion¡¯s lips as he took his medicine with water.
Xanthea was stunned to see him so readily give up his international trip. She had thought him, a CEO
known for his decisive and unyielding nature, would never entertain her unreasonable request. Yet,
here he was, agreeing so easily
Such a good boy-
Watching him obediently take his medicine, Xanthea had her eyes narrowed slightly with affection. She
was tempted to stroke his hair and see if it was as soft and gentle as his demeanor now suggested.
¡°This medication might make you sleepy, you should head to your room and get some sleep early.¡±
¡°Okay¡±
Orion stood up, about to fetch the remote to unlock the parental controls for her, when he saw her
heading straight for the bedroom, grasping the doorknob.
¡°What are you waiting for? Come on in-
She stood at the door, warmly inviting him into the bedroom.
¡°You.¡±
¡°I¡¯m going to keep youpany while you sleep.¡±
¡°What?¡±
Orion¡¯s eyes nearly snapped shut, with a flicker of intense emotion visible in his pupils.
¡°What¡¯s the matter, oh no!¡±
Realizing how her words might have been misconstrued, Xanthea flushed red on her face,
¡°I mean 111 stay with you, so you can fall asleep looking at me. Not that kind ofpany¨Cwhat were
you thinking?!¡±
What had he done to give her the impression that just seeing her would make him want to sleep?
Seeing her, he only wanted to¡
¡°Come on ins
How could he still be mocking her, was her tomboy image so deeply ingrained in his mind?
In the minimalist¨Cdecorated bedroom, Xanthea pulled the curtains closed, then tumed to look at the
man lying on the bed, and quietly pulled a nket over him.
As the thin cashmere nket slowly covered his tall, well¨Cproportioned figure, her tomboy instincts
were somewhat stirred. She licked her lips and murmured appreciatively, ¡°Nice physique-
¡°Do you l like it, Xan?¡±
A deep, husky voice startled her, and she looked up to find him still awake!
Not only was he awake, but his eyes, with the deep and enticing shade of obsidian in the dim light,
were also fixed on her
¡°Why aren¡¯t you asleep yet?¡±
¡°I can¡¯t sleep.¡±
¡°If you can¡¯t sleep, just close your eyes and you¡¯ll fall asleep soon!¡±
¡°Alright¡±
Orion slowly closed his eyes, but evgh with his fiery gaze hidden, the thunderous beat of his heart
echoed through his chest.
His Xan was in his room.
Like every silent, endless night, those were just fleeting illusions, but now, she was real, standing in
front of his bed, moving, talking. her soft breathing entwined around his ears, making him want to stay
awake every second, even as his body temperature seemed to
rise.
Chapter 177
Chapter 177
¡°Shh, don¡¯t talk. Talking will keep you from sleeping.¡±
After she finished speaking, Xanthea felt like she was echoing her mother, who used to soothe her to
sleep with fairy tales and lubies whenever she was ill or restless.
¡°Orion, how about I sing you a song?¡±
¡°Butterfly¡±
¡°No, something different, one you¡¯ve never heard!¡± Xanthea said as she sat on the futon, recalling the
lyrics from a distant memory.
The clear, pure melody of the girl¡¯s voice stimed as she sang, and the man lying on the bed
involuntarily clenched his fists so tight the sheets twisted,
She still remembered that song.
As Xanthea sang, her thoughts drifted far back in time.
that
She remembered ¡°Chasing Dreams,¡± the first song she ever wrote, crafted for the ¡®Elementary School
Song Contest. But just before she was to perform, her music teacher worried her original song might
not win approval from the judges, and switched it for a popr children¡¯s song of the time.
Back then, she was already a little star in her school, with many fans who cheered for her under the
stage, and she didn¡¯t disappoint, taking home the first prize.
After her performance, a crowd of fans excitedly surrounded her for photos. Amid the hustle, a little boy
was pushed down, and his hand was trampled several times.
She rushed to help him up, only to see he was covered up with a mask, sunsses, and a cap, which
made his facepletely hidden. As she asked if he was okay, he turned and ran
It was strange, considering he was a fan. Why would he be afraid to talk to her?
Later, she learned from ssmates that his left cheek had been disfigured in a fire, leaving a hideous
scar, as the scar was still healing. hd made it always wrapped up, rendering him look like a ¡°¡®freak¡®. But
she just thought he seemed terribly unfortunate.
One rainy day, when her ride
looking like a forsaken puas dyed and all other students had been picked up, she saw him again,
alone at the end of a hallway
looking like a forsaken puppy with his pant legs soaked through.
She approached cautiously and was spotted:
He tried to flee, but she called out loudly, ¡°Don¡¯t run! I won¡¯te over, and I won¡¯t pull your hat like the
others!¡±
¡°Til just stand here. We can talk and keep each otherpany. How does that sound?¡±
He didn¡¯t respond or seemed eager to chat, but remembering he was a fan, she offered, ¡°How about I
sing you a song?¡±
¡°You¡¯re
e not saving
saying no, so I¡¯ll take that as a
as a yes!¡±
Back then, she sang ¡°Chasing Dreams, and he was her first listener. Orion was the second.
The strong sedative effects of the medication,bined with the girl¡¯s gentle, melodious voice,
gradually lulled the man into a deep sleep.
Listening to his steady, prolonged breaths and observing his serene, handsome sleeping face, Xanthea
slowly ceased her singing.
Having worked continuously despite being sick for several days, he must be exhausted.
She muttered, rest well, and hopefully, you¡¯ll feel refreshed when you awaken!Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.
Chapter 178
Chapter 178
On the bustling set of ¡°Realm of Illusions¡± at the Glory Building, the director¡¯s voice cut through the air,
signaling the end of the scene.
¡°Cut! That¡¯s a wrap for Group A. Actors, take five!¡±
¡°Phoenix,e over here a sec.¡±
After shooting a challenging scene, Kevin waved Xanthea over. Shaking off her hamess, she jogged
toward him, ¡°What¡¯s up, Kevin? Any issues with the scene?¡±
¡°Not at all, it was fantastic!¡±
K¨¦vin¡¯s eyes shone with admiration. ¡°For a first-timer, you¡¯re doing incredibly well, especially with these
back¨Cto¨Cback action scenes. Holding up okay?¡±
¡°I¡¯m good, really. Just excited to be here,¡± Xanthea reassured him.
¡°Great, go grab some lunch. Oh, and by the way,¡± Kevin nced at his camera, then a thought stroke
him, ¡°did Mr. Lockwood get in touch with you yesterday?¡±
¡°Mr. Lockwood?¡± Xanthea appeared confused.
¡°Yeah, he was here looking for you yesterday afternoon. Even took some footage of you. Looks like he
sees potential in you. Really give it your best, Phoenix. Having the backing of someone like the CEO of
Starlight Media could rocket your career!¡±
It dawned on Xanthea that Orion¡¯s mysterious absence yesterday was because he hade looking
for her. Despite being unwell, he made the effort. She felt a pang of guilt remembering her simple soup
apology the day before; it seemed rather inadequate now.
She was so lost in her thoughts that she nearly tripped over some camera gear, but a pair of steady
hands caught her.
¡°Watch your step!¡±
Looking up, she saw Benjamin stepping out from the set, ¡°Benjamin? Thanks.¡±
¡°What¡¯s on your mind? You seem distracted:
¡°Just some personal stuff¡±
¡°Did you sort out yesterday¡¯s issue?¡±
¡°Sort of,¡± Xanthea nodded, then hesitated. ¡°Notpletely. Might take a few more days.¡±
¡°Would I be too forward if I invited you out for dinner tonight?¡± Benjamin asked with a light tone.
¡°Of course, you can. And no jokes this time, Xanthea chuckled awkwardly, while scratching her head. ¡°I
promise, no bailing on you today!¡±
¡°Let¡¯s go then, Benjamin opened the car door for her, while lightly guarding her head with his hand as
she got in.
Behind them, April swiftly captured the moment on her camera, her eyes gleaming with mischief. This
was the scoop she had been waiting for. The story of their budding romance could make headlines!
Later at the Coconut Ind Restaurant, the waiter began serving an array of dishes. The table was
filled with dishes like stewed beef brisket with tomato, crab, and coconut milk, which reminded Xanthea
of the dinner Orion prepared back in Willowdale, including his special cooling tonic.
¡°Do you have any cooling tonic?¡± Xanthea asked the walter.
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¡°Yes, Miss!¡±
¡°Could you bring a serving? Benjamin, would you like some
Chapter 179
Chapter 179
¡°Since you¡¯re so into it, I might as well give it a try,¡± Benjamin sald, with a voice tinged with relief that he
had chosen the right restaurant. ¡°I heard from Mr. Lopez that you¡¯re a fan of Southern fare, so I picked
the most renowned Southern cuisine restaurant in Crestwood, They say their signature dish is top¨C
notch, even more authentic than in the South itself. Want to give it a try?¡±
With high hopes, Xanthea tasted every dish on the table, but none of them matched the vors in her
memory. In fact, they weren¡¯t even close to Orion¡¯s cooking skills.
She worned whether her taste buds had been spoiled by Orion,
¡°How is it?¡±
¡°It¡¯s okay, but it¡¯s not outstanding. I have a friend whose cooking beats this ce hands down!¡±
¡°Really? I didn¡¯t know you had such a talented friend. The chef¡¯s here are certified culinary experts,
Benjamin eximed, looking surprised.
¡°When can 1
love to try his cooking tool¡±
I meet him? Id love to try his
¡°Introduce you to him?¡± Xanthea chuckled at the thought,
If she dared to introduce her friend to Orion, and let him cook for them, Orion might kill her with his
re alone.
¡°Maybe someday, he¡¯s usually pretty busy.¡±
Absolutely no chance. She couldn¡¯t afford the chairman of the Lockwood Group cooking a meal for
them.
¡°By the way, I¡¯ve been thinking of buying a gift for a friend but I¡¯m n
not sure what to get. Any suggestions?¡±
¡°Of course, what¡¯s it for?¡±
¡°An apology¡±
¡°What kind of friend is this?¡±
¡°Hmm.¡± Xanthea pondered for a moment, ¡°A quy, tall, rich, and handsome, incredibly good¨Clooking,
seems like hecks nothing¡±
Benjamin paused, while having his grip on his utensils tightened slightly.
Orion?
¡°Is this friend important to you?:
¡°Very important¡± Xanthea nodded without hesitation.
¡°I see.¡± Benjamin slowly put down his fork. ¡°Since he¡¯s an important friend who seems to have
everything, there¡¯s no need for overly extravagant gifts. Maybe choose some small, everyday
decorative items based on his likes.¡±
Likes?
A lightbulb went t off in Xanthea¡¯s head. Got it!
¡°Thanks a lot!¡±
¡°No problem.¡±
Watching her smile, Benjamin barely maintained the cheerfulness of his own expression.
The atmosphere at the table slowly turned quieter; one was savoring the meal, while the other found no
taste in the food.
Toward the end of the meal, Benjamin couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Xan, are you dating anyely?¡±
Xanthea, with a meatball stuffed in her cheek, shook her head, ¡°No, why do you ask?¡±
¡°Just wondering.¡±
Benjamin¡¯s expression instantly brightened, and even the food seemed to taste better to him. ¡°Just
thinking about the uing romantic scenes we have to shoot.¡±
All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.
Sunset Hills Estates, 3001
As the midnight was approaching, the man in the vast, dark bedroom slowly woke up, shaking off a
slight dizziness and the remnants of a fever. The passionate smiles and nces of the girl from the
night before seemed like an illusion until he saw a note.
Remember to have breakfast and take your medication after you wake up! I left breakfast in the thermal
box at the door, and I¡¯ve prepared your pills too. Be sure to take them! Also, remember not to go far, I¡¯ll
be back tonight to check on you! (smiley face)
The bright noon sun streamed through the gaps in the curtains, which cast a faint golden hue around
the man¡¯s defined features, making the slight smile in his eyes even more captivating.
Chapter 180
Chapter 180
The penthouse suite of the Lockwood Group headquarters was buzzing with the usual business frenzy,
but today, an air of concern hung heavy. It was almost noon, and the CEO had yet to show up at the
office. Everyone was on edge, wondering if Ms. Nightshade had managed to coax him into taking
better care of his health.
Cedric, the executive assistant, checked his watch for what felt like the hundredth time that moming.
Just as he was about to call Xanthea to check in, a chime signaled the arrival of the elevator
He turned, and his eyes lit up with excitement when he saw the figure stepping out. The CEO, Orion,
looked revitalized, his presence was asmanding as ever. ¡°Sit you made it! Feeling any better?¡±
¡°Mhm.¡±
It had been ages since Cedric had seen Orion look so vibrant and energetic. Ms. Nightshade truly was
a miracle worker!
co, about today¡¯s flight to Veridian?¡±
¡°Postponed.¡±
Relief washed over Cedric as he mentally cheered, ¡®Ms. Nightshade for the win!¡±
¡°Just to be safe, sir maybe you should check your temperature?¡±
He handed over the thermometer with delicate care, a tool Orion typically ignored. Today, however, he
took it without hesitation
Ten minutester, Cedric nced at the thermometer, which read a perfect 98.6¡ãF. He nearly shouted
with joy. ¡°The fever¡¯s gone!¡±
After days of high fever, it had miraculously broken overnight Cedric had always known that Orion, with
his robust constitution, shouldn¡¯t have been ill for so long without a physical cause. Clearly, it was all in
his head!
¡°Sir, you¡¯re all better!¡±
touch of sadness.
Proudly, he presented the thermometer to Orion, who stared at the numbers; his eyes were
clouding over with a b
Was he upset because he thought Ms. Nightshade wouldn¡¯te around now that he was no longer
sick?
Cedric followed Orion¡¯s gaze towards the private bathroom, looking puzzled. After a moment of silence,
he realized what might be going through his boss¡¯s mind. Orion couldn¡¯t possibly be thinking about
taking a cold shower to bring the fever back, could he?
Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.
¡°That¡¯s not necessary, sir. If you want people to think you¡¯re still sick, we could just adjust the
thermometer reading. There are ways to do that without actually having to be ill,¡±
Orion looked at him, and Cedric quickly pulled up something on his phone and handed it over
Celestial Jewels Emporium
¡°Wee!¡®
As soon as Xanthea entered, she was surrounded by eager salespeople. The senior manager quickly
came over and dismissed the crowd, so he could assist her personally,
¡°What can I help you with today, miss?¡±
Im looking for some men¡¯s essories¡±
¡°Perfect timing. Our Celestial Jewels Emporium just received a new collection of high¨Cend men¡¯s
essories designed by renowned jewelers; every piece was unique and finely crafted, I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll
find something to your liking.¡±
The manager gestured, and an array of men¡¯s luxury essories was disyed before Xanthea¨C
nes, rings, earrings, brooches, tie clips, cufflinks.
Nes and earnings were too mboyant for Orion¡¯s reserved elegance.
Rings carried a special meaning¨Cdefinitely a pass.
While the broaches were quite unique, they could only be paired with specific outfits; it was impractical
for someone like Orion, who never wore the same outfit twice
Chapter 181
Chapter 181
Xanthea scanned the disy, and her gaze finally rested on a pair of crystal cufflinks. The brilliance
and rity of the crystals were striking, and she loved both the material and the Intricate design around
the edges.
Noticing her interest, the managerplimented, ¡°Miss, you have an excellent eye. These cufflinks are
crafted by the renowned designer Alessio and are exclusive to our Celestial Jewels Emporium here.
They¡¯re truly one of a kind
¡°They are beautiful, but
As Xanthea picked up the cufflinks, she examined them closely. The side pattem looked like two hands
tightly intertwined.
¡°They seemed like they¡¯re designed for couples.¡±
Taken aback, the senior manager pondered.
Indeed, the cufflinks were a couple¡¯s set. Was it possible that thisdy, who came to such a high¨Cend
luxury shop, wasn¡¯t nning to gift them to a boyfriend or husband?
¡°May I ask, miss, who are you nning to gift these men¡¯s essories to?¡±
¡°A friend, Xanthea replied, then added, ¡°A very special and important friend.¡±
Understanding dawned on the manager.
Ah, the potential love interest in the ambiguous early stages! Gifting a couple¡¯s item could indeed
advance their rtionship.
¡°Maybe 11 look somewhere else.¡±
¡°Please wait, miss!¡±
The manager stopped her as she turned to leave.
Although she was masked and hatted, her stature and demeanor hinted at someone from a wealthy or
distinguished background. He couldn¡¯t just watch a potential sale walk away.
He picked up the cufflinks again, and started to bend the truth a bit, ¡°You must have misunderstood
earlier, these are just regr cufflinks, not meant for couples.¡±
¡°Really?¡± Xanthea raised an eyebrow. ¡°And the hands?¡±
¡°Oh, those interlocked hands symbolize mutual support and progress¨Cperfect for a friend!¡±
Sunset Hills Estates, 3001
Holding a beautifully wrapped gift box, Xanthea rang the doorbell. The door swung open almost
immediately, as if Orion had been waiting all along
¡°What a coincidence: were you heading out?¡±
She eyed the man behind the door curiously. Onion shook his head, ¡°No, waiting for you.¡±
your voice so hoarse?¡±
¡°Why
y is y
Frowning, Xanthea examined him closely. Not only was his voice raspy, but his lips were pale, and
there was ack of vitality in his eyes. He looked even more wom out than he had the day before.
¡°Have you taken any medicine, and d didn¡¯t it help?¡± she hurried inside and expertly grabbed a
thermometer. ¡°Or did you have another bad ¨C night?¡±
¡®I slept well¡±
It seemed that he had never slept so deeply, soundly, as well as dreamlessly.
¡°And how do you feel now?¡±
¡°Good¡±
A few minutester, Xanthea red at the thermometer, which read 103.5¡ãF. ¡°This is your good? Didn¡¯t
you follow my instructions to take your medicina?¡±
¡°I did¡®
¡°You swear!¡±
¡°I swear¡±
Orion watched her worried and slightly angry expression, a hint of pleasure flickering in his eyes.
All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.
¡°That¡¯s it, we can¡¯t dy any longer. Come on, we¡¯re going to the hospital.¡±
Chapter 182
Chapter 182
In a state of utter panic, she grabbed his hand, trying to pull him towards the door. But Orion just looked
down at her hand calmly, while his feet were firmly nted on the ground.
¡°What¡¯s wrong?
¡°No need for the hospital. The fever¡¯se down. Ill be fine in a couple of days.¡±
¡°But if we dy, it might not heal as quickly.¡±
Onion had his fingers tightened slightly, brushing against the soft skin of her palm and sending a
tingling sensation up her arm. Surprised by her own impulsive action, Xanthea quickly let go of his
hand
All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.
an
Ice p
pack.¡±
¡°Alright then, since the hospital would just try to reduce the fever anyway. Here, sit on the couch, and nl
get you
Xanthea soaked a clean towel in icy water, wrung it out, and carefully ced it on his forehead as she
approached the couch.
She rushed here straight from a movie set at Studio 3001, still in her costume, having shed her
Phoenix trench coat to reveal a snug. curve¨Chugging sweater underneath. As she folded the towel, the
movement caused her sweater to sway enticingly in front of him.
Orion had his eyelids drooped slightly, and fixated his gaze on her, his voice was hoarse with a barely
suppressed hunger as his Adam¡¯s apple bobbed with difficulty
That night at Marlowe Manor, he had felt how soft, how elusive she could be. Even though it was just a
tease, it had left him deeply affected
After she applied the ice pack, Xanthea noticed the strained expression that briefly crossed his
handsome features, as if he were enduring some great pain.
¡°Does it hurt a lot?¡±
¡°No,¡±
Orion struggled
10
look away, yet his voice was rougher than usual.
Stubborn as a mule!
That expression clearly showed that he was in a lot of difort.
Xanthea raised an eyebrow, ¡°I thought you looked pretty sturdy, like someone who works out regrly,
but turns out you¡¯re just a pretty face. With a little fever you¡¯re down.¡±
Orion¡¯s lips pressed tightly together as he stared at her, ¡°Tm fine.¡±
¡°Ha!¡±
Seeing his serious face which imed that he was fine, she was reminded ofst time in Willowdale,
where she had provoked him only to have him prove himself through action.
¡°If you¡¯re really fine, then get well soon and show me.¡±
¡°I can prove it now¡±
Now? How? Doing a hundred push¨Cups with one hand? With his current state, he¡¯d struggle to do ten.
Men and their strange obsessions with proving strength.
¡°Alright, alright, you¡¯re very strong, but let¡¯s not rush to prove anything right now. You¡¯re too weak¨Ceat
something to get your strength back
Xanthes pulled out her phone, and opened a food delivery app. The shooting schedule was so tight
today, and I didn¡¯t have time to cook, but I found this great little diner¡±
Before she could finish, Orion took the phone from her hand.
¡°Are you ordering?¡±
¡°Is filming tiring?¡±
¡°It¡¯s okay. We¡¯ve been doing a lot of action scenestely. It¡¯s hard, but I find it really cool and exciting!¡±
¡°I think so too.¡±
¡°You?¡±
As Xanthea heard him agree, she remembered he had taken a video clip from the director. She was
about to ask which scene it was when he said, ¡°Dinner¡¯s in the kitchen.¡±
¡°What? You already ordered?¡±
With a puzzled look, Xanthea walked into the kitchen, only to find a full meal of four dishes and a soup
stored in a warning cab.
62-60
Orion¡¯s eyes crinkled with a slight smile, ¡°Don¡¯t you like it?¡±
¡°I do, but you could have done itter. Why push yourself now?¡±
Chapter 182
She exploded, ¡°Orion, you¡¯re sick like this, who let you cook?!¡±
Orion¡¯s eyes crinkled with a slight smile, ¡°Don¡¯t you like it?¡±
¡°I do, but you could have done itter. Why push yourself now?¡±
Chapter 183
Chapter 183
His eyes narrowed suddenly, ¡°Will youe again?¡±
¡°Maybe, if I get a chance, but definitely not these next few days!¡±
¡°Alright.¡±
There was still a chance.
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Annoyed as he was, he couldn¡¯t let the food go to waste.
Xanthoa brought out the food from the warming drawer, amonging aplete meal of four dishes and
a soup on the table in the living room. ¡°Let¡¯s not eat at the dining table today. How about we watch TV
while we ent?¡±
¡°Sounds good to me.¡±
Xanthea looked at the spread on the table, all looking so enticing and aromatic that she nearly drooled.
She had just picked up her utensils when a piece of the braised pork found its way into her bowl
Orion said, ¡°Try this.¡±
She took a bite and immediately had her eyes smile in bliss.
¡°Mmm, delicious! Orion, your cooking is amazing, not even a cold can dampen your skills! This is
Southern style cuisine, nght?¡±
¡°Yeah.¡±
Xanthea raised her hand, ¡°I know!¡±
¡°What?¡±
¡°It¡¯s not the cuisine I love¨Cit¡¯s your cooking¡±
She leaned in topliment him; her radiant face was magnified in his view. All he heard was, ¡°I love
you,¡± and his heartbeat stalled.
¡°You don¡¯t know, I went to a restaurant at noon, which imed to be the best in Crestwood, even more
authentic than the local vors. but it wasn¡¯t even a tenth as good as yours, especially that soup, I
couldn¡¯t even take a second sip. I wonder if I¡¯ll have another chance to enjoy your cooking?¡±
She asked with her eyes filled with hope, but she saw him staring nkly, as if lost in thought.
¡°Orion, Orion?¡±
She waved her hand in front of him, which made him snap back to reality, he picked up the remote with
a flustered look, saying, ¡°Let¡¯s
watch TV.
Really? Changing the topic: does he not want to cook for her anymore?
¡°Alright¡±
Orion tumed on the TV and flipped through channels rapidly, so fast that Xanthea doubted whether he
was even looking.
After about a minute, he stopped, and the screen settled on a romantic urban drama titled ¡°When it
comes to Love.¡±
Xanthea thought she had seen it wrong and checked several times before turning to him in
astonishment.
He flipped through the channels so quickly just to specifically find a drama starring Isabe Taylor?
¡°Orion, do you like Isabe¡¯s shows?¡±
She frowned at him, forgetting to chew the meat in her mouth, while he looked puzzled, ¡°What?¡±
¡°You didn¡¯t know Isabe stars in this show?¡±
¡°No¡±
¡°Then why did you skip all those channels and settle on hers?¡±
¡°It¡¯s coincidence.¡±
Orion put down the remote.
He had just managed to get his heartbeat back to normal.
Seeing him put down the remote, Xanthea had her eyes widened even more.
He was denying it, yet deciding to keep watching!
¡°You, you¡¯re not¡
¡°No, that can¡¯t be right¡¡±
She murmured in confusion and shock.
Orion looked at her, puzzled, just as she suddenly said sternly, ¡°If you don¡¯t like it, change the channel!¡±
¡°Okay.¡±
Orion picked up the remote, ready to change the channel.
Seeing this, Xanthea let out a relieved sigh, and felt the taste returning to the meat in her mouth.
Whoever she didn¡¯t like, her best friend couldn¡¯t either!
Chapter 184
Chapter 184
¡°What do you want to watch, Xan
¡°Anything¡¯s fine¡°.
As if granting a favor, Xanthea spared a piece of trout and ced it in his bowl. ¡°Just nothing with
Isabe in it. I can¡¯t stand her
Cant stand her?
Orion nced at the woman on the TV screen. Noticing his gaze lingering. Xanthea quickly snatched
the remote and switched the channel ¡°You don¡¯t know, the used to mimic me all the time when we were
little. She wanted to do everything just like me, it was like having a shadow, which drove me absolutely
nuts
¡°Really?¡±
¡°Yep!¡± Xanthea nodded vigorously, eager to assure him since Isabe was one of his talents. She even
held up two fingers as a vow ¡°Cross my heart if you had been my ssmate back at Crestwood
Elementary, you would¡¯ve known! Everyone there knew¡±
He knew.
Orion¡¯s gaze dropped slightly, he never felt anyone could match her, not even one in ten thousand. A
firefly¡¯s glow could neverpete
with the sun and the moon
¡°Hey, this looks good, it¡¯s a movie. Let¡¯s watch this one!¡±
Xanthea stopped at a film with a ssic Hollywood vibe and set down the remote.
In the movie, the main characters were having dinner at a restaurant. Midway, the actress pulled out a
gift box and slid it across the table to her co¨Cstar
Such a coincidence? She was also nning to give a gift¨Cit was perfect timing!
Slyly, Xanthea pulled a small box from her pocket and, with a magician¡¯s ir, circled it around Orion¡¯s
face before revealing it with a flourish ¡°Ta¨Cdal Onion, this is for you. Open it up and see!¡±
¡°A gift?
Opon eyed the elegant light brown box resting in her palm, feeling a surge of undefined emotions
welling within him. ¡°Why are you giving me a gift?
¡°No reason, just felt like it. Come on, open it up, see if you like it.¡±
¡°Alright¡±
He lifted the lid and inside a pair of sparkling blue and pink crystal cufflinks caught the light, drawing his
gaze w
with anticipation
Seeing him freeze, Xanthea quickly waved her hands, ¡°Don¡¯t get the wrong idea, these aren¡¯t meant to
be couple¡¯s cufflinks, they¡¯re just regr cufflinks¡±
¡°This pair of hands?¡±
¡°It symbolizes fnendship, you know, hand in hand!¡±
¡°Friendship?¡±
Orion paused, then slowly looked up; his deep eyes flickered with uncertainty.
He knew he shouldn¡¯t ask about it and shouldn¡¯t even bring it up, but he couldn¡¯t control the racing of
his heart, hoping against hope for the answer he desired.
¡°Xan, do you consider me a good friend?¡±
¡°Of course!¡±
e as a friend?¡±
Xanthea saw a flicker of doubt in his eyes and frowned slightly. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? After all this time, don¡¯t
you think of me
¡°No, it¡¯s not that.¡± He lowered his gaze; his thickshes cast shadows on his cheeks. ¡°Didn¡¯t you used
to hate me, Xan? if it weren¡¯t for Realm of Elusions¡±
¡°What? I never hated you! Sure, there were some misunderstandings, and I got mad, but I never hated
you. You don¡¯t think I started looking after you just because you handed over Realm of illusions to me,
do you?¡±
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n they were kids? Xanthea cut him off, eager to clear the air. Mid¨Ccentence, she suddenly
remembered, was he talking about when She remembered back when they were kids, one time he had
approached her carefully with a doll, trying to make peace, but she had. thrown it to the ground and
stamped on it, proiming she hated him and would never be friends with such a crazy kid!
Chapter 185
Chapter 185
She couldn¡¯t remember why she had said those things back then, nor could she recall why she had
disliked him. All she vaguely remembered was that Matthew had said something to her, but what he
said exactly had slipped her mindpletely.
¡°The silly things I said as kid? You¡¯re not still holding a grudge, are you?¡±
Orion had his lips tightly pursed; seeing his reaction, Xanthea realized it¨Cof course!
He was a Scorpio, wasn¡¯t he? After all these years, he was still holding a grudge?!
¡°Can¡¯t you just forget those words?¡±
Xanthea grabbed his wrist, pulling out a pair of blue crystal cufflinks from the gift box and bending down
to put them on him, ¡°I really don¡¯t dislike you, not one bit, on the contrary¡±
Due to past life memories, she considered him the most special and important person in her life, aside
from her family.
Orion watched her carefully rolling up his sleeves and fastening the cufflinks, and the years of icy
shadows in his eyes melted away under her attentive gaze.
So, his Xan had long stopped disliking him.
¡°Alright.¡±
¡°Really?¡± Xanthea finished with the cufflinks; her eyes sparkled as she looked up at him, ¡°Then let¡¯s
make a pinky promise!¡±
Without waiting for his consent, she hooked her little finger around his slender one, and gently shook it.
The blue crystal cufflinks shimmered like cat¡¯s eyes, and the intertwined pattern of their fingers seemed
to mirror their actions.
Orion, observing their linked fingers, felt a deepening in his gaze, ¡°Xan, do you know the meaning
behind giving a man cufflinks?¡±
¡°Yeah, the salesperson told me that it means¨Chaving mutual encouragement and making progress
together!¡±
Orion¡¯s lips curved slightly.
Yes, to hold your hand, and grow old with you
¡°How about it? Do you like these cufflinks? I think they really suit your wrists and skin tone.¡±
It was mainly because he was just too striking; how could anyone have such sensually sculpted wrists
that even the veins weaving across them looked attractive?
¡°I like them, like them a lot.¡±
His voice was husky, and the tail end of his words were tinged with a seductive drawl, which tickled her
ears.
Xanthea looked up, unexpectedly falling into his deep, tender eyes that seemed almost soft enough to
squeeze water from
What¡¯s happening? Was it because he was sick?
Why did it feel like there was not a trace of his usual cold aura for these past few days, but instead, he
was as gentle and adorable as a big obedient dog, making her want to ravage him wildly!
She was going crazy, thinking about ravaging a top¨Ctier boss!
Xanthea shook her head, and suddenly withdrew her hand, ¡°Let¡¯s, let¡¯s eat, and you need to take your
medicine after..
¡°Honey, you¡¯re amazing!¡±
Suddenly, from the TV, came a wave of ambiguous and intense panting.
Xanthea looked up in horror, only to find the male and female leads, who had been enjoying a cozy
dinner, were now embracing each other, kissing passionately as they moved toward the bedroom, their
clothes in disarray, bodies entwined.
The explicit scene was shockingly bold!
2 28 6 5 5
Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.
She nced nervously at the TV, then at the man beside her, and frantically searched for the remote
control.
What was with this movie? It seemed so artsy and innocent at first, but the content was so risqu¨¦!
She had picked the film herself, even copying the dinner scene where gifts were exchanged.
Il Orion saw it, surely he wouldn¡¯t misunderstand? Thinking she wanted to seduce him into bed after
giving him a gift, just like in t
movie!
Chapter 186
Chapter 186
Where¡¯s the remote?¡±
It was right here a second ago, how could it vanish?¡±
The more flustered Xanthea became, the harder it seemed to find the remote.
As the movie on screen grew increasingly risqu¨¦, with scenes spiraling into the absurd, Xanthea
suddenly. stood up in a panic and dashed in front of the TV, spreading her arms wide to shield the not¨C
so¨Cki scenes. She stuttered towards Orion on the couch, ¡°Orion, don¡¯t¨Cdon¡¯t look!¡±
Orion hadn¡¯t been paying attention to the TV until her antics caught his eye.
There she stood, arms wide, swaying side to side as if desperately trying to block the view. Yet, her
slim figure, wrapped tightly in a sweater and jeans, showed off her curves in a way that drew Orion¡¯s
gaze like a moth to a me.
Especially her flushed cheeks and slightly parted lips,bined with the faint moans from the TV,
seemed as though she was the one making the sounds.
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¡°I told you not to look, and you¡¯re still looking!¡±
¡°Don¡¯t your gadgets work with voicemands? Just change the channel already!¡±
Seeing Orior¡¯s eyes intensely fixated on her, with a look so fiery it seemed to burn through her clothes,
Xanthea felt her heart skipped a beat.
He was young and full of vigor. Could he be getting carried away? Was there still time for her to
escape?
Just as Xanthea nced towards the door, Orion picked up the remote, and said in a husky voice.
¡°You¡¯re blocking the view.¡±
¡°Oh, right.¡±
She hastily moved aside, revealing a screen filled with scenes that definitely needed censoring.
Xanthea almost immediately covered her eyes. How on earth did a movie like this get past regtions?
Orion paused¨Cupon seeing the TV; she finally came to understand what she had been trying to block.
Thescivious sounds continued from the TV, and as Xanthea incredulously lowered her hands, she
stared at Orion, who was now quietly watching with the remote in hand, her eyes wide in disbelief, ¡°?¡±
¡°Orion, what are you doing? Change the channel already!¡±
Was he actually getting into it? So her moving aside was just so he could get a better look?
¡°Okay.¡±
Orion smirked slightly and switched the channel.
Xanthea though his smile looked mischievously odd, but the dangerous desire in his eyes had
vanished..
Who was going on? Head watched for quite a while without reaction. What about before?
¡°Do you want to watch something simr, Xan?¡±
¡°Shnr my foot!¡± Xanthea¡¯s tongue tangled in her mouth, startled by his teasing. ¡°Put on a cartoon!¡±
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12:15
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As Orion observed her flushed face, the amusement in his eyes deepened, and Xanthea had an odd
feeling, he was ying with her.
¡°Stop fussing, just finish dinner, take your medicine, and go to bed.¡±
¡°Alright.¡± Orion put down the remote, looking at her, ¡°Will you stay with me tonight, Xan?¡±
Xanthea almost choked. Under normal circumstances, it was an innocent question utterly bizarre.
it sounded
It was probably because the sequence sounded too much like the movie they had just escaped: dinner,
a gift, then bed.
Butst night had been the same, and if she refused now, would it seem like she had something to
hide? *Sure, but I want to watch a couple of cartoons first. I¡¯ll stay out here with you, and you go to your
room and sleep. When you¡¯re asleep, I¡¯ll leave.¡±
Chapter 187
Orion nodded, not doubting for a second.
Chapter 187
Chapter 187
Xanthea let out a ndent sigh of relief. She must have been overthinking it. With his cool, aloof
demeanor, and gentlemanly nature, how could he possibly make such a risqu¨¦ joke with her, a young
girl?
After taking his medicine, Orion stood up and took a step, then curiously turned to look at her. ¡°Xan, are
you staying out here to continuatching that movie from earlier?¡±
¡°What are you talking abou
At his words, Xanthea jumped up from the couch with the energy of a startled fish,
Who, who said I wanted to watch that movie? Don¡¯t project your sleazy thoughts onto others. I said I
just wanted to watch a cartoon!¡±
¡°Then I¡¯ll stay here with you.¡±
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Saying so, he grabbed a few bags of snacks from the fridge and sat back down.
Xanthea was puzzled. Did he really suspect her of sneaking a watch alone? Was he staying
deliberately to keep an eye on her?
¡°No way! You¡¯re sick, you need to rest.¡±
¡°I can sleep on the couch.¡± Orion handed her the snacks. ¡°These are for you, Xan.¡±
¡°I don¡¯t want them. Oh, they¡¯re my favorite cucumber¨Cvored chips!¡±
Xanthea happily took the chips, and felt that the air conditioning in the room was strong enough that it
wouldn¡¯t matter if he slept on the couch. To prove her innocence and for the sake of cucumber chips,
she
let him be.
¡°Just make sure you sleep, no peeking at the TV!¡±
¡°Okay¡±
Xanthea opened the chips and watched the cartoon.
He propped up his arm, watching her.
After one episode, the sounds of steady breathing came from beside her.
Turning her head, Xanthea saw Orion¡¯s eyes slightly closed, his face peaceful in sleep.
He was asleep?
She moved closer to him, intending to cover him with a nket, but was momentarily captivated by his
stunningly handsome features.
Even though she had seen his face hundreds of times, each nce made her wonder how someone
could be so incredibly frandsome.
His perfect eyebrows, the high bridge of his nose, his deep facial contours.
Her gaze drifted from his wless face to his well¨Cdefined chest, and then down to a rather impressive
bulge that she quickly looked away from.
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12:15
Chapter 187
She hurriedly grabbed the nket to cover him, but identally dropped a chip right onto hisp,
which perfectlynded on his sensitive area!
Xanthea panicked, ¡°What?!¡±
Damn! How could this happen? Such beauty leads to error!
Terrified, she looked at Orion; thankfully he hadn¡¯t awakened. If he had woken up to see this scene,
she wouldn¡¯t be able to face him!
She nervously swallowed and reached for the chip, trembling. Just as she touched it, a deep, hoarse
voice came from above, ¡°Xan, what are you touching?¡±
¡°Ah!¡±
Xanthea jumped in shock, and in her panic, she pressed down hard, causing his brows to furrow in
difort.
¡°I¡¯m not, I didn¡¯t mean to!¡±
She withdrew her hand as if it had been burned; her face turned beet red and her words were
stumbling out incoherently. Finally, overwhelmed with embarrassment and unable to face him, she
turned and ran.
As she dashed out the door, one of her slippers flew off her foot.
Orion watched her fleeing figure, a deep, affectionate smile spreading across his face. After a while, he
shook his head and headed to the bathroom.
That little imp, trying to let him sleep, yet she woke ¡®him up.
Chapter 188
Chapter 188
¡°Boomi
Xanthea scrambled into the house and mmed the door shut with a thud.
Her face was flushed; she was panting, leaning against the wall with trembling hands, and clutching a
bag of potato chips as if she had been electrocuted.
What a disaster!
How could she face him now, especially after she had panicked and ran away without a word!
Should she go back and exin?
But wouldn¡¯t that be even more awkward now? And what would she say? That her chips identally
fell on his pants, and she was just picking them up? Would he believe that?
Oh no! This is a disaster!
Xanthea buried her face in herrge bed, and bit the corner of the nket in misery. She felt her hand
unclean, her reputation tarnished, and that she would forever be branded as a ruffian by Orion!
At the Realm of Illusions filming location
¡°Phoenix, after all this time, you still won¡¯t admit you betrayed the organization? Do I need to brand you
with this iron before you¡¯ll speak the truth?¡± taunted the actor holding the red¨Chot branding iron with
tongs.
1..¡±
Just as Xanthea was about to reply, the sight of the glowing hot iron brought back a nightmare she had
the previous night.
In her dream, she was inexplicably tied up in a cksmith¡¯s shop; the kidnapper pointed to a scorching
iron bar in the furnace, demanding she work it with her bare hands!
The thought of touching that red¨Chot iron terrified her. The kidnapper kept urging her on maliciously,
mocking her, ¡°You like it, don¡¯t you? Let¡¯s see how well you handle it.¡±
Suddenly, she looked up and saw the kidnapper was¨COrion!
¡°¡
¡°Cut!¡± Kevin, the director, interrupted, pointing to a crew member who was too close to the set, and
using him of causing a continuity error.
¡°Sorry, sorry, Director.¡±
¡°That¡¯s it for today, everyone. Wrap up!¡±
Xanthea breathed a sigh of relief but then faced another dilemma: Should she visit Orion?
If she didn¡¯t go, she worried about whether his fever had subsided or if he had taken his medicine on
time. She had promised to look after him until he recovered, and running away now might seem
suspicious, as
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if she was guilty of the previous night¡¯s indiscretion.
-But how could she face him after what happened?
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Chapter 188
As she was grappling with her decision, a voice called out from outside the set, ¡°Xan!¡±
She looked up, ¡°Uncle Oliver, what are you doing here?¡±
¡°What do you think?¡±
Oliver approached, and flicked her forehead yfully. ¡°You get so caught up in things, you even forgot
today is Samuel¡¯s birthday?¡±
¡°Oh, right!¡±
Xanthea¡¯s face fell, ¡°I¡¯m doomed! I didn¡¯t get him a present; he¡¯s going to kill me!¡±
¡°Don¡¯t worry, you scatterbrain. I have already taken care of it.¡± Oliver lifted a gift box, ¡°It¡¯s thetest
Dreamcast gaming console. Samuel¡¯s been wanting it for a while, and it¡¯s not even out in the stores
yet.¡± ¡°Thank God, thank you, Uncle Oliver! You¡¯re the best!¡±
¡°Alright, no more chit¨Cchat, get in the car. The birthday party is about to start.¡±
As Xanthea climbed into the car, she felt her mind already racing with thoughts.
Chapter 189
Chapter 189
She had a perfectly good excuse not to return to Sunset Hills Estates now, and Orion presumably
wouldn¡¯t think too much about it. She needed to give him a call to exin, lest he thought she was
fleeing from some misdeed!
After pulling out her phone, she remembered she only had Cedric¡¯s number. At this hour, he was
probably already home.
¡°Uncle Oliver, do you have Orion¡¯s number?¡±
¡°Yeah, what¡¯s up?¡±
¡°I need to talk to him about something.¡±
¡°You don¡¯t have his number?¡± Oliver was surprised, ¡°I thought you two were close enough to have
exchanged contacts by now. By the way, did you guys clear up that misunderstanding at the audition
last
time?¡±
¡°Yeah, he¡¯s forgiven me!¡±
¡°I told you, Mr. Lockwood is a mature and generous man. He wouldn¡¯t hold a grudge against a kid like
you.¡± He sent the number to her phone, ¡°What¡¯s so urgent that you need to call him now?¡±
¡°Nothing much, just that he¡¯s been sick these days and I wanted to check on him.¡±
Sick?
Oliver was puzzled. She didn¡¯t even have his contact details; how did she know he was sick? And with
her busy shooting schedule, she even forgot Samuel¡¯s birthday but still remembered Mr. Lockwood¡¯s
illness?
3001, Sunset Hills Estates
In the vast room, Orion sat alone at a dining tableden with exquisite dishes, watching the clock on
the wall tick by. It had been thirty minutes. Was she noting today?
His phone suddenly rang, disying a long¨Cpreserved but never used number in the caller ID. Orion¡¯s
expression stiffened. Xan?
¡°Hello?¡± The phone connected, and Xanthea swallowed nervously, ¡°Orion, it¡¯s Xanthea.¡±
¡°I know.¡±
His deep, maic voice came through, causing Xanthea to pause briefly. She¡¯d never called him
before: how did he know it was her?
¡°Has your f
¡°It¡¯s b ¡°It¡¯s better.¡±
gone down?¡±
Better, so that meant it only decreased a little? Yesterday it¡¯d only dropped by 0.4 degrees, and he said
it was better,
¡°Thea keep taking your medicine tonight, rest well, and don¡¯t run around!¡±
Orion detected the caring tone in her voice. His thickshes drooped slightly, ¡°Aren¡¯t youing over
tonight, Xab?¡±All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.
Xanthea had intended just to exchange pleasantries and hang up, but his subdued tone, tinged with
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12:16
Chapter 189
disappoint, he sounded like a sad, water¨Csoaked puppy, which made her want tofort him.
She quickly nced at Oliver, who was watching her closely, and said with a stern face, ¡°I¡¯ve got
something to do tonight.¡±
There was a pause on the other end..
¡°Xan, I don¡¯t mind that you touched mest night; you don¡¯t have to be shy.¡±
Who touched¡¡±
Xanthea¡¯s face flushed at his words, almost jumping up, startling Oliver.
Seeing Oliver¡¯s surprised look, she bit her lip, holding back her emotions, and lowered her voice, ¡°Last
night was a misunderstanding: I can exin! And it¡¯s not that I¡¯m shy, I really do have ns. Today¡¯s
Samuel¡¯s birthday; I¡¯m going back to the mansion to celebrate.¡±
So that was it. Orion¡¯s gaze lowered, his somber mood dissipating, ¡°Will youe tomorrow, Xan?¡±
¡°Let¡¯s¡let¡¯s talk about it until then.¡±
Xanthea, seeing Oliver¡¯s increasingly curious gaze, hurriedly finished her sentence and hung up the
phone, ¡°Remember to take your medicine; that¡¯s it for now, bye!¡±
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After disconnecting the call, Xanthea blinked at Oliver, ¡°Uncle Oliver, why are you looking at me like
that?¡±
¡°Yesterday?¡±
¡°Oh, Orion was sick. I felt guilty for misunderstanding him before, so I went over to apologize in
person!¡±
¡°Just like that?¡±
Oliver eyed her skeptically, and Xanthea nodded, ¡°Just like that.¡±
But the way she had just been on the phone resembled a teenager in a secret young romance, hiding it
from her parents.
Despite her best efforts to mask her emotions in front of him, her ups and downs were easily swayed
by the person on the other end of the line. He¡¯d never seen such a fresh yet unfamiliar flutter of
emotions. from her when she was with Matthew.
The more Oliver thought about it, the more he felt something seemed off.
He had always felt that Mr. Lockwood had a special fondness for Xan, attributing it to the major favor
she had done for him at the gem betting event. But upon reflection, if he wanted to repay her, he could
simply transfer some money or offer resources. It didn¡¯t need to be so personal, especially concerning
the ¡°Realm of Illusions¡± project.
Could it be that Mr. Lockwood had taken a liking to Xan?
And Xan, without any initial intentions, through their audition mishap felt guilty towards him. After
spending a night at Everde with him, being young and vulnerable, had she fallen for his charms?
But she was about to get engaged to Matthew!
¡°Xan, you¡¯re young and talented, and the world offers many temptations and choices. But as for either
dealing with people or business, you gotta do it wholeheartedly. Especially when ites to
rtionships, you must remain dedicated. Never lead an unfaithful life; it can easily lead to disaster.¡±
Especially when one of those involved was Mr. Lockwood. She was young and might not realize the
danger. Provoking him could have unimaginable consequences!¡±
Xanthea was like, ¡°?¡±
Xanthea looked baffled at his words, not understanding why he jumped to the conclusion of her leading
an unfaithful life.
¡°Uncle Oliver, what¡¯re you talking about?¡±
¡°I¡¯m asking if you still like Matthew?¡±
Xanthea froze. Was her aversion to Matthew so obvious that even her uncle had noticed?
As expected, Oliver saw her reaction and confirmed his suspicion, ¡°So, what¡¯re you nning to do?
The worst thing in matters of the heart is to drag things out, unclear and entangled.¡±
¡°Uncle Oliver!¡± Xanthea interrupted him, ¡°I¡¯ve already figured it out; you don¡¯t have to worry.¡±
¡°If you say so, I feel relieved.¡±
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Oliver nodded. Although she was young, she¡¯d always been sensible and never made anyone worry.
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Moreover, from Matthew to Orion.
Oliver looked at her, as if she were his own daughter, smiling with gratification, ¡°You¡¯ve really grown up,
and your choices are getting sharper!¡±
Xanthea was like, ¡°?¡±
On the other end, Orion stared unblinkingly at the familiar number, his gaze deep and unreadable.
His desires seemed to be growing greedier.
From mere fleeting thoughts to unreachable touches, and now to close concerns, the closer he got to
her, the more he wanted to im her all of her,pletely, to the extent that no one else could even
see her. He was nearly driven mad with the thought.
At Lakeside Manor, the Nightshade family.
The grand hall was dazzlingly lit for the party, filled with fragrant perfumes and elegant figures,
gathering many of the Nightshade family¡¯s business associates and Samuel¡¯s close friends.
As soon as Xanthea entered the party, Samuel spotted her and made his way through the crowd,
irritatedly grabbing her ear.
¡°Xanthea, you¡¯re always busy filming. Do you even remember me anymore? You didn¡¯t call me all¨Cday;
did you forget today is my birthday?¡±
¡°Ouch! Samuel, if you weren¡¯t in my heart, why would Ie back? Hey, Ethan, pull him off now; he¡¯s
really
strong!¡±
Chapter 191
iting to see if you¡¯d show up
or not.¡±
¡°Of course I¨CI¡¯ll be there!¡± Xanthea felt a bit guilty as she nced at Oliver, lifting the gift box in her
hand, ¡°Not just show up, but I also got you the gift you¡¯ve been thinking about!¡±
Samuel¡¯s gaze shifted to the game console she was holding, and his gloomy expression instantly
brightened.
¡°A brand¨Cnew Dreamcast console? I heard it just came out and it¡¯s not even in stores yet. Xan, how did
you ¡°manage to get it?¡±
Finally, he let go of her, and Xanthea massaged her ears, ¡°I got someone to help me get it.¡±
¡°I knew you still care about me, always remembering what I wanted,¡± Samuel happily ruffled her hair
and nted a couple of kisses on her face.
¡°Alright, Samuel, I just came off set and haven¡¯t even washed my face yet.¡±
¡°Even without washing, you¡¯re still my favorite darling!¡±
*Xan!¡±
Outside the banquet hall, Matthew approached her quickly upon seeing her, his face radiating joy.
For the past few days, he¡¯d wanted to see her but was turned away because she was busy filming and
visitors were not allowed on set.
Today, finally seeing her at Samuel¡¯s birthday party, he realized just how much he missed her!
They used to spend every day together, which he took for granted. Now, just a few days apart, he
found himself restless, sleepless, and distracted, constantly thinking of her no matter what he was
doing. He knew he couldn¡¯t live without her anymore.
¡°Have you been alrighttely?¡±
¡°I¡¯m fine.¡±
Before he could continue, Xanthea brushed him off with a brief response, barely even ncing his way.
¡°Ethan, Samuel, Xan, Oliver, Matthew, don¡¯t just stand there,e on over and eat!¡±
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Christopher and Susanna, seated at the main table in the banquet hall, waved them over.
Everyone moved to their ces in order, greeting the distinguished guests and family friends around
them.
After a round ofpliments for the three siblings, the guests began to present their gifts. When it was
Matthew¡¯s turn, he opened the gift box he was holding.
¡°Whoa, an 18K gold watah, that¡¯s not cheap, is it?¡±
Susanna eximed, while an elder from the Nightshade family chimed in, ¡°Looks like it¡¯s worth close to
100 thousand, at least 70 or 80 thousand. Matthew, you¡¯re quite the generous future son¨Cinw,
splurging like this even for Samuel¡¯s birthday!¡±
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Ethan and Samuel also looked puzzled. Although Matthew was known for his diplomacy and gifting
wasmon, they¡¯d never seen him give something sovish.
¡°I¡¯m ttered. Xen and I will soon be part of the same family; this is nothing¡±
He emphasized the words ¡°part of the same family, causing a ripple of knowingughter among the
guests. Zerthes remained unbothered, knowing just how well he was ying the role of the devoted
partner. When their engagement copsed, it¡¯d be quite the spectacle.
¡°Hey, isn¡¯t that the CEO of Horizon Ventures Ltd? What¡¯s he doing here?¡±
¡°Since when did the Nightshade family start doing business with Horizon Ventures Ltd.?¡±
Suddenly, amotion stirred in the banquet, drawing the main table¡¯s attention. Everyone turned to
see a man in a desk suit, carrying a rectangr case, approaching.
Christopher immediately recognized him as the new CEO of Horizon Ventures Ltd. and quickly stood
up, ¡°Well, Mr. Abbott, what brings you to our gathering today?¡±
¡°Mr. Christopher Nightshade Lee approached with a warm smile, ¡°I was instructed by Chairman
Lockwood to personally bring a gift and celebrate Mr. Samuel Nightshade¡¯s birthday!¡±
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¡°Chairman Lockwood?¡±
¡°Horizon Ventures Ltd. is a subsidiary of Twin Towers, so it must be Orion, the chairman of the
Lockwood Group, who let you personallye to deliver a gift?¡±
As his words fell, the whole room gasped in surprise. At the mention of the name ¡°Orion¡°,
people from all around the banquet hall began to gather, buzzing with curiosity.
Since when did the Nightshade family business get so big that even the Lockwood Group got
involved, making none other than Chairman Lockwood himself to prepare a gift for the
Nightshade family¡¯s second son¡¯s birthday?
Christopher, seeing the situation, exchanged a surprised look with Susanna.
Although theirpany was gradually getting involved in the emerce industry, they¡¯d
never worked with the Lockwood Group, let alone cultivated a close rtionship with Mr.
Lockwood. So why would he send someone to deliver a gift?
Their eyes turned towards Samuel, who shook his head in confusion, ¡°I don¡¯t even know Mr.
Lockwood.¡±
The people around table was wrapped in confusion, all eyes eventually turning to Xanthea.
¡°Ahem.¡±
Xanthea, who was sipping her soup, choked when she heard the name ¡°Orion¡°, and looked up to see
her entire family staring at her, as if expecting some exnation.
¡°Why are you all looking at me?¡±
The Nightshade family had only briefly interacted with Mr. Lockwood twice. Once when Mr. Lockwood
attended Xan¡¯sing¨Cof¨Cage party, and another time when Xan helped him acquire a rare purple
jade at the gem betting event.
Now that Mr. Lockwood had sent a gift, they naturally thought it had something to do with her.
¡°Xan, do you know why Mr. Lockwood would send a gift?¡±
Xanthea shook her head; she had no idea. She¡¯d just spoken to Orion on the phone, and he hadn¡¯t
mentioned anything.
¡°Could it be because you helped him at the gem betting
event?¡±
Xanthea remained silent; it was possible.
Since Samuel didn¡¯t even know him, there was no reason for him to send a gift. Maybe since he¡¯d been
wanting to thank her for a while and she¡¯d been refusing, he decided to use Samuel¡¯s birthday as an
opportunity to express his gratitude?
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¡°Not necessarily
Oliver, with a knowing smile, turned to Lee, ¡°Mr. Abbott, could you open it and let us see what it is?¡±
a
¡°Yes, let¡¯s see what it is!¡±
The banquet hall was abuzz with excitement, everyone curious about the gift Orion had sent. Lee
opened the case he was holding, revealing a golf club.
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¡°What a beautiful golf club!¡±
¡°The material and design look exquisite; it must be quite valuable.¡±
¡°What does the engraving say?¡±
¡°A genuine work from Simon West?¡±
Samuel, seeing the golf club, stood up immediately, his eyes shining with incredulous joy.
¡°Mr. Samuel Nightshade has good taste. This one was indeed crafted by Seraphia¡¯s famed
golfer Simon West himself, and it even bears his signature. It¡¯s the only one of its kind in the
world, and has been part of the Horizon Ventures Ltd. collection. Hearing that you¡¯ve always
been fond of golf, Chairman Lockwood instructed me to bring it over.¡±
As soon as Simon¡¯s name was mentioned, the room erupted in murmurs of amazement.
¡°In the early 19th century, a golf club made by the sports legend Simon was auctioned in
Seraphia, and it was acquired by a mysterious buyer for 300 grand. Who would have thought it
would appear here today?¡±
¡°The 300 grand back then is not the same as 300 grand now; its price must¡¯ve multiplied a few
times over.¡± ¡°That was like 2 million dors!¡±
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¡°Good Lord, a golf club worth over 2 million? I¡¯ve never even heard of such a thing! Chairman
Lockwood really is the wealthiest man in Crestwood!¡±
¡°Chairman Lockwood giving such a prized possession to Mr. Samuel Nightshade must mean more than
just congrattions, right? Could it be that the Lockwood Group and the Nightshade Group are
nning al
coboration?¡±
¡°Samuel, can I take a picture with this club?¡±
Christopher looked at Susanna, clearly overwhelmed, ¡°Even if Chairman Lockwood wanted to thank
Xan, isn¡¯t this gift a bit too extravagant?¡±
JOVA
Oliver chuckled. Indeed, it was quitevish just to give it to Samuel, but if it was a move to court Xan,
then it was perfectly justified.
¡°Xan, Samuel really owes you one today!¡± Samuel clutched the golf club lovingly, ¡°A genuine work from
Simon! I never even dared to dream of this.¡±
Xanthea watched the priceless golf club, remembering the exorbitantly priced jewelry Orion had shown
her on the ne. As always, he didn¡¯t hold back when it came to spending.
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The chatter and nces of everyone in the banquet hall were fixated on the golf club, including
Xanthea. Matthew awkwardly closed the watch box he held, which was unnoticed by anyone, his face
souring. Today was Samuel¡¯s birthday, and he had splurged on this watch hoping to show the
Nightshade family his sincerity toward Xan, only to have Orion steal the spotlight with a golf club!
He and Samuel weren¡¯t close, and there were no business dealings between the Lockwood Group and
the Nightshade family. Clearly, sending such a valuable golf club, he was aimed at Xan!
Orion was making moves. Just in case, Matthew needed to secure his engagement to Xan soon. The
Nightshade family was known for their integrity; once a promise was made, it was definitely
unbreakable. There was still some time until the engagement, but he hadn¡¯t proposed to Xan yet.
The party continued until 11:30 PM. After seeing off the guests, Xanthea returned to the hall and saw
Susanna sitting in a corner, secretly wiping tears.
¡°Mom, what¡¯s wrong?¡±
¡°Xan.¡± Susanna took her hand, choking up. ¡°It¡¯s nothing, dear. I just felt a bit sad seeing the family
together at dinner, all but missing Miranda.
As Xanthea heard the name ¡°Miranda¡°, her expression shifted subtly. Her mother could never imagine
that the daughter she had lovingly raised for over a decade was living on them while nurturing vile
thoughts, greedy and scheming to seize the family fortune and harm her own sister.
She had disguised herself too well. Driving her out was impossible; even if she died, it¡¯d only leave her
parents with a lingering pain. The only way was to expose her with those filthy photos and reveal her
true cos to everyone.
¡°I¡¯m here. Am I less important to you than my sister?¡±
Nonsense Susanna scolded gently. ¡°You¡¯re my own flesh and blood; of course you matter the most.¡±
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¡°That¡¯s it. And soon, you won¡¯t be sad.¡±
¡°Why?¡± Susanna looked puzzled at her daughter¡¯s confident demeanor. Xanthea smiled, ¡°Because the
hospital called. They said Miranda¡¯s recovering well and should be discharged soon.
¡°That¡¯s good.¡±
Afterforting her mother, Xanthea ran to the back garden, intending to call Orion about today¡¯s gift
he sent. But noticing the time was nearly midnight and not wanting to disturb him, she decided against
it.
Putting away her phone, she was about to head back inside when she bumped into a stumbling, drunk
Matthew reeking of alcohol.
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¡°Xan.¡±
Matthew reached out to grab her arm, but she dodged, frowning. ¡°Matt, why did you drink so much? I¡¯m
calling Keith to pick you up.¡±
¡°No need, my c¨Ccar is just outside.¡±
As Matthew saw her instinctively avoid him, a hint of hurt shed across his eyes.
Sometimes, he wondered if Xanthea really loved him, or if it was just dependence formed from years of
being together.
¡°When people truly loved someone, their body and mind naturally want to be close to their partner. How
could she resist him so much? Not to mention being intimate, she hadn¡¯t even let him hold her hand
over all these years.
¡°I¡¯ve just missed youtely, really, wanted to talk to you alone for a bit.¡±
¡°Let¡¯s talk when you¡¯re sober.¡±
¡°Xan!¡±
Xanthea tried to walk past him, but he called out loudly, stopping her, ¡°Our 15th anniversary ising
up soon. How about we go on a date? I have a surprise for you.¡±
Xanthea inhaled impatiently and turned back with a forced smile, ¡°Sure, that sounds great. But I¡¯ve
been really busy shooting ¡®Realm of Illusions¡®. The schedule is tight, I might not have the time.¡±
¡°Can¡¯t you spare just one day? Xan, you don¡¯t have to work this hard, I can support you financially¡±
¡°Didn¡¯t you say you¡¯d support my choices and career?¡± Xanthea cut him off, a coldughter in her eyes,
¡°What, having second thoughts already?¡±
¡°No, I just wanna spend more time with you.¡±
¡°Don¡¯t worry; once we¡¯re engaged, I¡¯ll stop working and be with you every day.¡±
*Really?¡±
Matthew looked at her excitedly, and Xanthea nodded with a smile, ¡°Of course.¡±
But that day would nevere.
¡°Xan!¡±
As soon as Xanthea entered the hall, she was engulfed in a suffocating hug from her brother.
¡°Ugh, I can barely breathe, Samuel!¡±
Samuel let her go, his face beaming with joy, ¡°I knew you loved me the most! Can you believe I got
Simon¡¯s genuine work I¡¯ve dreamed about for my 22nd birthday?¡±
Xanthea was puzzled, gazing at him, ¡°The golf club was a gift from Orion; what does that have to do
with
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me?¡±
*If you
hadn¡¯t helped him, he wouldn¡¯t have reciprocated. Did he ask you what you wanted in return? You
musie asked for the golf club for me, right? How else would he know my favorite sport is golf and that
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Simon is my idol?¡±
Right, how did he know?
¡°It must be a coincidence.¡±
¡°Stop pretending, I know you told him. Don¡¯t worry; I just asked Ethan, and he said he¡¯s not jealous. He
just expects an even more expensive gift next time.¡±
¡°What?!¡±
¡°Haha.¡± Samuel wrapped his arm around her neck, ¡°Xan, I¡¯ve been so busy with worktely, I¡¯ve been
neglecting you. But seeing how much you care about me, I¡¯ve decided to move into your ce in the
western areas of Crestwood to take care of you for a while.¡±
Xanthea¡¯s eyes widened in rm at those words; she immediately raised her hand in refusal, ¡°No
need, Samuel, you do your thing. I manage just fine on my own.¡±
¡®Wouldn¡¯t it be better with me around?¡±
¡°No, it wouldn¡¯t! Especially since I spend all day on set, and only go back to Sunset Hills Estates to
sleep. You¡¯d just disturb my rest.¡±
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Chapter 195
¡°Know you¡¯re busy with the shoot; I¡¯ll keep it down.¡±
¡°That still doesn¡¯t cut it!¡±
Samuel felt strange by her repeated refusals, ¡°Xan, why do you seem so tense? It¡¯s like you¡¯re scared
of something. Got a secret lover hidden in the house?¡±
Xanthea stumbled for a moment, and thenughed off hisment, ¡°Samuel, are you joking? That¡¯s
not funny at all. By the way, what sort of fun gifts did you get today?¡±
She deliberately changed the subject, sessfully diverting Samuel¡¯s attention, ¡°Apart from Simon¡¯s
golf club, everything else was pretty mundane. Oh, but there was this weird gift, a music box with a little
girl. dancing ballet inside. It even had a note attached to it, don¡¯t know who sent that. I mean,e on,
I¡¯m
not a woman; what do I want with that?¡±
¡°A ballet¨Cdancing girl? Maybe it¡¯s from some high¨Csocietydy secretly in love with you. You¡¯re totally
missing the romantic gesture. Was there no name on the note?¡±
Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g
¡°Nope.¡±
Samuel pulled out the note as he spoke, ¡°Here it is, just says ¡®Happy Birthday. I was wondering who it
could be from.¡±
Xanthea took the note and inspected it. Nothing unusual caught her eye, except¡
¡°Samuel, don¡¯t you think the handwriting looks a bit like mine?¡±
Now that she mentioned it, Samuel could see the resemnce. It wasn¡¯t a natural simrity, but more
of a
deliberate imitation.
¡°Who would go to such lengths?¡±
Xanthea shook her head, ¡°No idea. If it¡¯s not a coincidence, then someone doesn¡¯t want you to know
who
she is.¡±
The next day, Samuel drove Xanthea to the on the northern outskirts. As soon as they arrived, they
were met with amotion.
¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±
She walked in just as Benjamin, dressed for his scene, came out of the dressing room, ¡°Xan, it¡¯s
chaotic here; how aboute sit in my dressing room for a bit?¡±
¡°What happened?¡±
¡°Your next scene was supposed to be shot at Equestrian Meadows Stables, and the crew had
coordinated. with them in advance. But due to some oversight by the stable staff, two crews got
double¨Cbooked. The other crew got there first, and when the staff came to negotiate, Director Smith
wouldn¡¯t back down, and it turned into a big argument. Doesn¡¯t look like it¡¯ll be resolved anytime soon.¡±
As he finished, they heard Kevin shouting angrily at his assistant, ¡°Kick them out!¡±
Xanthea said, ¡°Looks like it really blew up.¡±
Kevin was dussing out furiously, and as he saw Xanthea, he approached her, helpless, ¡°Xan, your
scene might not happen today. Equestrian Meadows Stables broke the agreementst minute, and
Crestwood
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doesn¡¯t have another venue thatrge. We might need to switch to a different scene, but you probably
weren¡¯t prepped for that, were you? It¡¯s my fault; I stressed how important this scene was and told
focus solely on these lines.¡±
you to
¡°I do know of a private ranch in Crestwood that¡¯s evenrger than Equestrian Meadows Stables, but I¡¯m
not sure if the owner would lend it to us.¡±
Samuel interrupted, and upon hearing it, Kevin eagerly inquired, ¡°Really? There¡¯s a private ranchrger
than Equestrian Meadows Stables?¡±
¡°Gallop de Ranch ¨C a high¨Cend racecourse near Horizon Ventures Ltd., it¡¯s Crestwood¡¯srgest
private ranch, spanning a hundred thousand square feet,plete with entertainment and racing
facilities. The owner is Orion.¡±
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At that, Kevin, Benjamin, and Samuel all turned to stare at Xanthea,
Xanthea looked utterly baffled by their gazes. Why was everyone looking at her when the name ¡°Orion¡±
came up? Were they that close?
¡°Xan.¡±
The fire in Kevin¡¯s eyes had vanished, reced by a gleam of hope,
set to pick up some tapes, you two seemed pretty cozy. Any chance St time Chairman Lockwood was
on
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use his horse ranch for shooting? Don¡¯t worry; we¡¯ll pay rent!¡±
you could charm him into letting ust
Samuel chimed in, ¡°A ce of that caliber, even if it¡¯s not open for business, the maintenance alone
must be costing hundreds of thousands a day.¡±
Kevin¡¯s face fell, ¡°That¡¯s not gonna work. Our budget is capped around 50 grand.¡±
Xanthea nodded in agreement. It seemed impossible.
Just the maintenance cost hundreds of thousands; how could they possibly rent it with a budget of
mere tens of thousands? And film sets were always chaotic, Besides those ranches specifically for
renting, no other ranch would agree to it, let alone such high¨Cend private one.
¡°So,¡± Kevin looked sheepishly at Xanthea, ¡°Xan, we really need to ask you for this favor.¡±
??
Xanthea frowned unwittingly as she looked at his almost pleading face. How could she negotiate a deal
for tens of thousands when the ce cost hundreds of thousands just to maintain? Besides, Orion had
already repaid any personal favors at the gem betting event. Asking for such an outrageous favor now
seemed too¡
Benjamin, noticing her difort, suggested, ¡°Director, why don¡¯t we shoot other scenes for today?
Let the staff negotiate with people from Equestrian Meadows Stables, and we can film thereter. Or I
can also try to reach out to some ces I¡¯ve worked with before.¡±
¡°Benjamin, thanks for the suggestion, but there¡¯s something I haven¡¯t told you guys yet. There¡¯s a
crackdown on various unqualified themes in the entertainment industry, lots of uing big projects
have been pulled from the schedule.
All the major TV and online tforms have gaps in their programming, and they want our ¡®Realm of
Illusions¡® to air first, to hit the summer slot. They¡¯ve even offered lots of free promotional resources.
which is why agreed. So, we might have to air the show before we¡¯re done filming, and we need to
shoot in sequence.¡±
What?
¡°Realm of Illusions going to be aired? Across all majorworks and tforms, and the schedule being
set during summer?
This could skyrocket her fame! She could finally get those photos from Isabe! It must be fate
¡°I¡¯ll ask him¡±
Chapter 196
Xanthea suddenly raised her hand, her attitudepletely changed, so vigorously it surprised the
three men, ¡°Nothing will stand in the way of filming ¡®Realm of Illusions¡°!¡±
Kevin was thrilled, ¡°That¡¯s the spirit!¡± First time he¡¯d ever seen such a sensitive actress; she truly was
his Phoenix!
Xanthea stepped aside and called Orion, rehearsing her pitch in her mind. The phone connected
instantly.
¡°Xan?¡±
¡°Uh.¡±
Picking up so fast? What was going on? Was Chairman Lockwood always this avable?
At the Twin Towers, in the boardroom where a quarterly meeting was in full swing, the LED screen was
shing data as Orion answered his phone; nearly a hundred executives present were exchanging
astonished gazes with each other.
No phone calls during meetings was a rule Chairman Lockwood himself had set. Why would he¡Could
it be that something happened to thepany?
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Chapter 197
¡°Orion, are your fever brought down?¡±
Orion stood up, his clear eyes sparkling with a hint of mirth, ¡°Xan, did you call just to check on me?¡±
On the high¨Cdefinition screen, Orion¡¯s poised figure and slightly curled lips were clearly reflected. The
executives were taken aback, staring at him in amazement.
That breezy demeanor, that tender, indulgent voice was this the same chairman who was usually so
cold and decisive?
¡°Uh, what¡¯re you doing right now?¡± Xanthea dodged his question, trying to change the subject.
¡°Nothing much,¡± Orion stepped out of the boardroom.
¡°Nothing much?¡±
¡°Who¡¯s Chairman Lockwood talking to? He seems totally different from his usual self!¡±
¡°Who¡¯s this Xan, anyway? Managed to pull the Chairman out of such an important meeting?
As soon as he left, the room buzzed with spection.
Only Cedric, who knew the truth, raised an eyebrow. Besides Ms. Nightshade, no one else could pull
the CEO out of such an important meeting with just a few words.
¡°Oh, good to hear you¡¯re fine. Actually, there¡¯s another thing. The film crew needs a horse ranchst
minute, and our usual spot is booked. The director asked me to ask you if we could possibly use your
private ranch in the northern areas of Crestwood?¡±
Xanthea revealed her true intention, and there was a brief silence on the line.
Xanthea thought to herself, ¡°Oh no, did I upset him after all that fake small talk?¡±
¡°Don¡¯t worry we can pay rent. It¡¯s just that the budget is a bit tight.¡±
¡°How much?¡±
*50 thousand,¡± after that, Xanthea quickly added, ¡°and if you think that¡¯s not enough, we can negotiate!¡±
She was prepared to pay out of her own pocket if necessary. After all, this movie wasn¡¯t about making.
money.
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Orion responded, ¡°It¡¯s not about the money. Gallop de Ranch has never been rented out before.¡±
Hearing the refusal in his calm voice, Xanthea still pushed for her film¡¯s schedule, Then what¡¯s the
issue? If you lend the ranch, we can meet any condition you set!¡±
¡°Any condition?¡±
Orion¡¯s voice lifted slightly, though his tone remained emotionless.
Xanthea replied, Yes, anything you want!¡±
¡°I want you¡±
¡°What?¡±
Xanthea was taken aback, not quite catching his words until he repeated slowly, ¡°I want you to spend a
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night with me.¡±
Her eyes widened in shock, her pupils visibly trembling, ¡°Orion! You jerk, despicable, shameless.
pervert! How can you even say something like that?¡±
Like a cat with its fur standing on end, she started hurling abuse. But halfway through, she heard his
voiceced with puzzlement, ¡°Just like those previous nights, what¡¯s the matter?¡±
Xanthea¡¯s rant stopped abruptly, and she felt mortified.
¡°W¨CWhy didn¡¯t you just finish your words in one time?¡±
¡°Did
you
think I meant something else?¡± Orion¡¯s eyes twinkled mischievously, ¡°You got so angry; did you think I
wanted to have sex?¡±
¡°To have sex, my foot!¡± She cursed secretly, ¡°Try me if you dare continue the sentence!¡±
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Chapter 198
¡°No, nothing! I wasn¡¯t thinking anything!¡±
Xanthea quickly cut him off, recalling the foul words she had just hurled and wishing she could just
hang
up
the phone and crawl into a hole. But she had embarrassed herself enough already, and borrowing the
ranch was now more essential than ever.
¡°Okay, not just for one night, I could do ten, a hundred nights, as long as you let me borrow the ranch!¡±
¡°Really?¡± Orion¡¯s pupils tightened, taking her exmation seriously.
¡°Why would I lie? So, will you lend it to me or not?¡±
Alright.¡±
¡°What time does your ranch open then? What time does it close? You know, the crew might need to
work
overtime.¡±
Orion responded, ¡°It¡¯s always open
for you,
Xan.¡±
¡°Fantastic!¡± Xanthea jumped up with joy at his words, ¡°Orion, thank you. You¡¯re the best.¡±
In the hallway, a female employee clutching a stack of documents passed by the railings where Orion
was on the phone. The smile spreading across his face was almost enough to drown someone in its
warmth, causing her to nearly drop her papers.
My goodness! The CEO actually smiling? And he looked so handsome when he smiled; it was
absolutely breathtaking!
He seemed so absorbed; could he be in love?
That was terrifying! She managed to link the icy workaholic with something as dreamy and wonderful
as romance!
¡°Orion agreed!
Xanthea hung up the phone and ran over excitedly. Upon hearing her words, Kevin couldn¡¯t stop
grinning, ¡°Really? That¡¯s great. Xan, thank you so much for it! By the way, how much are we talking
about for the rent?¡±
*50 thousand?¡±
¡°That¡¯s amazing; you definitely pulled some strings there! Xan, I owe you one.¡±
In just a few moments¡® talking, she¡¯d secured the location at a price that seemed impossible.
Benjamin looked down. He had thought Xan was just close to Orion, but this was closer than he
expected. *Xan?¡±
Samuel wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her aside, ¡°I brought up Orion¡¯s private ranch
on purpose just to test the waters, and sure enough, I uncovered something fishy!¡±
Back at Eden Heights Etates, he had suspected Orion harbored feelings for Xan. Yesterday¡¯s gift of a
golf club deepened his suspicions, and today, after the ranch borrowing incident, it was confirmed!
¡°What fishy thing?¡±
Chapter 198
Xanthea looked at him confused. Samuel squinted, ¡°Gallop de Ranch has been Orion¡¯s private
ranch since he built it and never been rented out. How could it possibly be rented to you for just 50
thousand?¡±
Xanthea nced behind her and whispered, ¡°Samuel, don¡¯t tell Director Smith, but I secretly added
some extra money.¡±
¡°What? You added money?¡± Samuel was stunned. Maybe he was overthinking it?
¡°Then why did you talk with Orion coquettishly just now?¡±
¡°I did not!¡±
¡°You did! From afar, you were smiling at the phone so charmingly. Lucky that Orion isn¡¯t here, or you
might¡¯ve gone up and kissed him!¡±
Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g
¡°Ew, Samuel, that¡¯s gross!¡±
Xanthea chased after him, hitting him yfully as Samuel got into the car, ¡°Haha, let¡¯s get going. I¡¯ll
take you to the ranch. I brought my golf club today; thought I¡¯d swing by Horizon Ventures Ltd. for a
round.¡±
Gallop de Ranch.
An hourter, the ¡°Realm of Illusions¡± shooting crew A arrived at the Lockwood Group¡¯s upscale private
ranch. Kevin gazed at the expansive green pastures and the staff training few hundred majestic,
purebred horses, smiling excitedly.
The environment, facilities, and the quality of the horses here were beyondparison with Equestrian
Meadows Stables. The scenes they would shoot today were sure to be even more spectacr than in
the novel.
Chapter 199
Chapter 199
Today¡¯s shoot was titled ¡°Phoenix at the Races¡°, focusing on the nail¨Cbiting rivalry between two teams
of jockeys and capturing Phoenix¡¯s masterful strategies from an elevated tform. However, as Kevin
admired the stunning scenery, he felt it was a shame not to showcase Phoenix¡¯s grace. He turned to
Xanthea with a proposal.
¡°Xan, I just got an idea. How about we add a scene where you ride out to greet the winning team? It¡¯d
highlight both Phoenix¡¯smanding presence and your leadership style, adding depth to your
character.¡±
¡°Uh,¡± Xanthea hesitated, meeting his expectant gaze, but eventually nodded, ¡°Okay.¡±
She had learned horseback riding as a child but had fallen off once, nearly breaking a bone, which had
since kept her away from horses.
But that was years ago, it should be fine; besides, the horses at the stables seemed gentle enough.
Kevin had a stunning white Orlov Trotter brought over. Xanthea stepped into the stirrups and settled
into the saddle, the horse calmly epting her without a fuss.
¡°Alright, three, two, one, action!¡±
Xanthea took the reins, gently urging the horse with her legs. Just as the Orlov Trotter began to move,
a balloon tied to a nearby fence burst with a loud bang, startling the horse. It reared up, neighing loudly,
and then took off like a shot.
¡°Ah!!!¡±This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
The sudden gallop terrified Xanthea, shing her back to the time when she was thrown off by a crazy
horse as she was young. She gripped the reins tightly, her face drained of color.
Behind her, the film crew was in shock, shouting, ¡°The horse is spooked! Clear the way! Everyone,
move!¡± ¡°Phoenix is still on the horse! What do we do now? How do we handle this?¡±
As everyone was in panic, unaware of what to do, a tall figure swiftly mounted the Alpha Stallion, held
the rein and chased after the frightened Orlov Trotter.
¡°Ah!!¡±
In the vast prairie, the Orlov Trotter swooshed by, riderless and erratic, tossing Xanthea about, her
clothes in disarray, trees whirling past her vision, the wind whooshing by her ears
Just as she seemed about to be thrown off, strong arms suddenly wrapped around her from behind,
pressing her shaky frame against a firm chest. A deep, soothing voice calmed her, ¡°Xan, don¡¯t be
afraid.¡±
However, her panicked grip on the rein caused the Orlov Trotter to rear up dramatically, throwing both
riders off.
Xanthea screamed, instinctively clinging to the man, flung from the galloping horse. Instead of the
expected pain, she felt as though she had fallen into a forest beneath a snow¨Ccapped mountain, the
snow tough yet soft, with a fat scent of pine.
Slowly lifting her head, she realized she had fallen on Orion?! She hadnded on him, exining the
lack of pain,
Chapter 199
¡°Orion, Orion, are you okay?!¡±
Panicked, she frantically checked him over.
Orion opened his eyes to see her blouse undone from the ride, revealing a deep cleavage, the
baster breasts dazzling his eyes. Her frantic hands unintentionally caused him difort.
¡°I was fine, but if you keep touching like that, there might be an issue.¡±
Chapter 200
WhatsApp
Chapter 200
Xanthea froze, her gaze dropping down as she realized her hand was inside his dark shirt, boldly
caressing the firm muscles beneath, while her other hand had wandered to his lower abdomen, inching
toward the
noticeable bulge.
She quickly withdrew her hand, her face flushing with panic and a tinge of embarrassment, ¡°Now you¡¯re
still in the mood for jokes? I¡¯m just worried about you, that¡¯s all! It¡¯s not like I was trying to take
advantage. of you or anything!¡±
Worried about him? She cared about him.
Even though he knew it was just concern for a friend, the realization still made his heart skip a beat.
¡°And what about the other night?¡±
His sudden mention of the previous night caught Xanthea off guard, and she bit her lip in
awkwardness, ¡°T¨CThe other night, you¡¯d fallen asleep, and I was just trying to pull up your covers.
Then, identally, a chip fell there, and I was just trying to pick it up before you got the wrong idea, but
then you woke up just as I touched it!
¡°Oh?¡±
Orion¡¯s thin ups curled slightly, his elongated tone clearly skeptical, ¡°And did you eat that potato chip?¡±
¡°What?¡±
It took Xanthea a moment to catch the implication of his words. Realizing what he meant, her fists
pounded on his chest like raindrops, ¡°Orion, you jerk, how dare you tease me! After it fell there, how
could I possibly eat it?¡±
To have eaten that chip would have been like indirectly kissing his¡.
Orion coughed lightly, causing Xanthea to stop instantly, her eyes filled with concern, ¡°Are you alright?
Are you still sick? Did I hurt you?¡±
She¡¯d nearly forgotten; he was still unwell, having just rescued her from a fall from a horse and getting
used as a human cushion. And now she¡¯d been hitting him; she hoped she hadn¡¯t caused any harm.
Orion looked at her with a hint of tease in his eyes, ¡°You didn¡¯t hurt me, but it¡¯s getting quite painful if
you keep sitting on me.¡±
She didn¡¯t realize, in her disheveled clothes and hair tousled by the wind_how stunningly beautiful she
looked perched atop him, her face a mix of embarrassment and annoyance. She was so stunning it
made him desire to do something cruel; he wanted to pin her down on the endless prairie.
If this continued, he feared he might lose control.
Sitting on him? It dawned on Xanthea that since falling off the horse, she had been straddling his waist.
¡°If you don¡¯t get up soon, I might have to ¡®get up¡® myself.¡±
That made Xanthea¡¯s fage turn scarlet, and she awkwardly tried to stand up. But just as she got up, her
calf muscle gave way, and she fell down again, this timending right on Orion¡¯s lips.
The shock of her soft lips, the pressure from the girl¡¯s plump breasts against his chest, the beauty of
her started face up close ¨C it caused the man¡¯s eyes contract in an instant, a fierce desire unleashed.
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The moment Xanthea¡¯s lips touched his, her eyes widened, her face turned beet red, and the world
around her went silent, so quiet she could only hear her heartbeat racing, so empty she could see only
his stunningly handsome face up close.
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S¨CS¨CShe had kissed Orion?!
His lips were so warm, soft, a stark contrast to his cool demeanor and rigid body. Wait, what was she
doing now? Tasting him?
Overwhelmed with embarrassment, Xanthea pushed him away and tried to run, only to be firmly
gripped
n her waist by the man as he flipped her beneath him.
Chapter 201
Chapter 201
¡°Ah.¡±
Xanthea was taken aback. Just as she was about to push him away, her hands were firmly pinned
above her head, leaving her no room to move.
¡°W¨Cwhat are you doing?¡±
The scene, the posture, it was all too reminiscent of that night at the n Hotel, where he forcibly
pinned her down when he was drunk, only now they were on the grassy field instead of a hotel bed.
Orion¡¯s gaze fixed on her, his eyes swirling with a shadowy intensity as if harboring a storm, ¡°Lately,
Xan, you¡¯ve been sneaking touches and boldly kissing me. Do you have some special feelings for me?¡±
¡°No, no! Of course not!¡±
Xanthea shook her head desperately, her amber eyes wide with innocence as she exined. ¡°The
touching thing, haven¡¯t I exined that already? The kiss just now was because my legs gave out, I
identally bumped into you, it wasn¡¯t intentional at all!¡±
¡°Oh? Such a coincidence?¡±
¡°Yes, it¡¯s just a coincidence!¡±
Xanthea felt like crying.
She didn¡¯t understand why these past few days he seemed determined not to let herself off the hook
for beingbeled as a female hooligan.
¡°Do you think I believe that?¡±
¡°You have to believe me!¡±
Xanthea fluttered her dewy,rge eyes sincerely at him, ¡°Can¡¯t you see how utterly vulnerable,
innocent, and pure I am?¡±
He could see, she was trying to seduce him.
Orion narrowed his long eyes slightly, his gaze shifting from her delicate face down to her snowy,
plump chest, ¡°Vulnerable, yes, but not at all innocent.¡±
Xanthea: ¡°7¡± She had juste of age, wasn¡¯t she innocent? Wait, where was he looking?
She quickly lowered her head, only to realize the buttons on her chest had somehowe undone,
revealing a scenery underneath, all of which was under his watchful eyes.
¡°Ah!!!¡±
¡°Orion, let me go! Let go now!¡±
Her face flushed a deep red in embarrassment in an instant, as she struggled desperately to free
herself from himself. But the more she struggled, the darker the man¡¯s gaze became.
Orion¡¯s gaze was fixed on that swaying white before him, with a hint of uncontroble desire.
¡°Stop moving!¡±
If
It she kept moving, he couldn¡¯t guarantee what he might do next.
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Chapter 201
¡°Are you threatening me?¡±
Xanthea stopped, looking at him incredulously, and Orion¡¯s expression softened gradually. ¡°After taking
advantage of me so many times, Xan, don¡¯t you think it¡¯s time to give something back?¡±
Give something back? How?
Xanthea looked at his eyes, flickering with mes, and the slight movement of his Adam¡¯s apple,
suddenly feeling a chill breeze blowing through her chest, sending shivers down her spine.
In the blink of an eye, a ridiculous and frightening thought crossed her mind, could he be wanting to
touch her.
Impossible!
He must be mad!
This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
But why was Orion¡¯s body pressing down inch by inch, his hand gripping her waist tighter and tighter?
¡°Orion, let me go!¡±
¡°You jerk, you rascal, what do you want to do?¡±
¡°Peach blossom.¡±
Just as his imposing form pressed tightly against her petite frame, and Xanthea despairingly shut her
eyes, suddenly she heard his hoarse voice.
¡°21¡±
She opened her eyes to see him gently removing a bright red peach blossom petal from her hair.
He hade close just to take a peach blossom?
Had she misunderstood him yet again?!
¡°Did you just call me a rascal?¡± Orion raised an eyebrow, could he be wanting to touch her, ¡°And you
event closed your eyes. Were you expecting something?¡±
¡°I was expecting nothing!¡±
¡°You, you did that on purpose!¡±
Xanthea¡¯s face was red as a ripe peach, could he be wanting to touch her.
It seemed clear now; he was just toying with her, leading her thoughts astray, and he was getting
worse!
¡°Let go of me, huh? You?¡±
Xanthea wriggled her body and suddenly felt something strange. She looked at him with a puzzled
expression.
Orion¡¯s body suddenly stiffened.
Seeing his ¡®stunned expression and a moment of nervousness in his dark eyes, Xanthea quickly took
the opportunity to free her hands and reached out to him.
¡°Xan, no.¡±
The man¡¯s voice was low and hoarse. Before he could stop her, Xanthea¡¯s hand quickly reached into
his suit jacket and tore off a piece of the already solidified hand warmer?
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Chapter 201
¡°??¡± Xanthea stared in shock at the hand warmer in her hand, then at him, ¡°Orion, why are you using
hand warmer in the middle of summer? Didn¡¯t you have a fever?¡±
Orion¡¯s eyes half¨Cclosed, seemingly relieved.
So that was what she was referring to.
¡°You¡¯re better now?¡±
Wait, even if his fever had subsided, why would he use a hand warmer unless he had been lying to her
all along!
Quickly, Xanthea reached to feel his forehead but was swiftly caught by him.
¡°The fever¡¯s gone, but I still have a bit of a cold, the warmer helps keep the chill away.
He said, taking off his suit jacket and wrapping it firmly around her.
¡°Oh, I see.¡± Watching his gentlemanly actions, Xanthea felt ashamed of her earlier suspicions, ¡°But
your shouldn¡¯t give your jacket to me. You have a cold, the chill must be ufortable.¡±
Orion chuckled.
Looking at her there, he felt far more ufortable.
¡°Are you nning to walk back like this?¡±
His gaze lightly swept over her chest once more, and Xanthea immediately wrapped the jacket tighter,
¡°Well, thank you!¡±
¡°Get up.
Orion stood and offered her his hand.
Chapter 202
Chapter 202
On the endless ins under a clear sky, with the sun high and clouds faint, Xanthea slightly lifted her
head to gaze at the man standing against the light. His tall physique seemed to be bathed in a faint
golden glow by the sun, dazzling enough to cause a light dizziness.
Strangely enough, even though she couldn¡¯t see his face clearly, she found him incredibly handsome.
¡°Xan?¡±
¡°Huh?¡±
Lost in thought, Xanthea didn¡¯t grasp his offered hand but stood up on her own instead.
Yet, before she could take a step, a sharp pain suddenly shot through her ankle.
¡°Ouch!¡±
She let out a low cry, furrowing her brow, and her faltering body fell into the man¡¯s arms the next
second. ¡°What happened?¡±
¡°My ankle hurts. It must be twisted.¡±
Orion bent down to scoop her up in a princess carry and headed towards a nearby park bench.
¡°Orion.¡±
¡°Shh,¡± he said as he gently ced her on the bench, knelt on one knee, removed the shoe and sock
from her right foot, rubbed his hands to warm them, and then ced his warm palms on her slightly
protruding bone of her ankle, gently kneading.
¡°Ah, that feels so good.¡±
As he varied his touch¨Csometimes light, sometimes firm, sometimes quick, sometimes slow¨Csighs of
comfort spilled from Xanthea¡¯s throat. However, she noted his eyshes slightly lowered and his facial
contours rigid, his lips pressed into a thin line.
Could it be he wasn¡¯t too pleased?
Was it because she had not taken his hand, leading to her twisting her foot again?
¡°I¡¯m sorry, Orion, for making trouble for you again.¡±
She bit her lip, feeling somewhat embarrassed. ¡°Don¡¯t you find it odd? Every time I¡¯m in danger or get
hurt, you¡¯re there.¡±
¡°Do you realize how often you get hurt?¡±
Orion looked up, his gaze dark and piercing.
¡°Is it often? Let¡¯s see, since mying¨Cof¨Cage party, there¡¯s the time I fell into the pool at the birthday
party, choke on a fishbone on the ne, and then slipped during an audition, Ah!¡±
¡°Ha, ticklish.¡±
While she was recounting her misadventures, he yfully tickled her foot.
¡°Stop, Orion, that tickles!¡±
Chapter 202
Chapter 202
¡°If you get hurt again.¡±
Orion paused, his gaze lingering on her.
He could just lock her up, so she wouldn¡¯t go anywhere.
If she couldn¡¯t take care of herself, he¡¯d do it.
¡°What will you do then? You¡¯re not going to take care of me?¡±
orion didn¡¯t respond, continuing to gently knead her ankle.
Xanthea observed the Orlov Trotter not far from them, now peacefully grazing alongside a majestic
Alha Stallion.
Had he been riding that prized steed to chase after her just now?
¡°Orion, howe you were here today?¡±
Orion stopped his ministrations, pausing for a couple of seconds, ¡°I had a business deal to discuss at
Horizon Ventures Ltd.¡±
Hearing Horizon Ventures Ltd., Xanthea immediately remembered the Simon West vintage golf club
she sawst night.
¡°Speaking of which, why did you give Samuel such an expensive pole for his birthday? He was thrilled,
so much so that he skipped going to the office today, all eager to try the new pole.¡±
¡°As long as he likes it, that¡¯s good.¡±
¡°So why did you give it to him? I heard it was made by a renowned general and fetched a high price at
an auction, it must be a collectible of your family.¡±
¡°Maybe because¡¡±
Love her, love her dog.
¡°Thanks for taking care of me these past few days.¡±
¡°What?¡±
Xanthea thought he was referring to the help she provided, but it was for the care in recent days?
All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.
¡°Then you¡¯re too polite. I hardly did much, did I? Just checked your temperature, sang some lubies,
that sort of thing. You did the cooking yourself.¡±
Orion smiled as he looked at her, ¡°But I enjoyed it. Could you continue?¡±
As he said ¡°enjoy,¡± Xanthea felt her foot go numb. She looked down to find his hand enveloping her
foot, unconsciously caressing and ying with it in hisrge hand.
¡°You¡¯re better now, right? Do you still need care?¡±
His eyes narrowed slightly, a yful threat in his gaze, ¡°Just now, when borrowing the ce, you said
you¡¯d stay with me for ten nights, a hundred nights. Are you backing out now?¡±
¡°I was exaggerating! Who would take it seriously?¡±
¡°I¡¯ll have the crew leave right now.¡±
He pretended to stand up, but was immediately pulled back by Xanthea, ¡°Hey, no, I¡¯m not backing out,
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12-10
okay?¡±
¡°Really?¡±
¡°Really. It¡¯s just that the filming schedule has been very tight. I might not often return to the Sunset Hills
Estates. But when I do, I promise to be with you!¡±
¡°Deal,¡± Orion readily agreed.
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Chapter 203
Indeed, he was such a businessman, not only highly valuing promises but also not willing to
suffer the slightest loss. It seemed that she must think twice before dealing with him again, lest
she inadvertently fell into one of his traps.
Xanthea pouted, clearly annoyed as she pointed at the hand holding her foot with for a while,
¡°My ankle doesn¡¯t hurt anymore, you can let go now.¡±
Orion looked down at her foot, with toenails faintly tinted pink.
How can someone¡¯s feet be so attractive that even they could captivate him.
This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
His gaze darkened slightly as he picked up her socks and shoes, meticulously helping her put
them on. Then, bending down, he intended to lift her from the bench, which started Xanthea,
¡°What are you doing?¡± ¡°Your ankle just recovered; you shouldn¡¯t walk on if you want to
continue filmingter.¡±
¡°But, but you can¡¯t just carry me.¡± She gently pushed against his chest, ¡°If the crew sees us,
they¡¯ll misunderstand.¡±
¡°Misunderstand?¡± Orion raised an eyebrow. ¡°Misunderstand what?¡±
¡°You know what I mean!¡±
A man and a woman wrapped in each other¡¯s arms.
What else could they misunderstand?
¡°That they might think we¡¯re in an inappropriate rtionship.¡±
An Inappropriate rtionship?
So, she would think that way too?
Orion smirked, pleased that she harbored such thoughts, even if just for a moment.
¡°Do you think we seem to have an inappropriate rtionship, Xan?¡±
His chuckle seemed to Xanthea almost like a scoff, scoffing at something that could never be possible.
What did he mean? Both unmarried and of simr age, how could they not seem like that? Did he think
she was not worthy of him?
Well, she might indeed not be a match for him, considering how he had too many advantages on his
side!
Thinking this, she felt slightly inferior and inexplicably grew angry, ¡°No, not one bit!¡±
¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Orion looked at her furrowed brows in displeasure. ¡°Why are you suddenly angry?¡±
¡°Huh?¡±
Was she angry? What did she have to be angry about? She wasn¡¯t angry at all!!
¡°I¡¯m not.¡±
¡°If if really bothers you that much, you can ride a horse back.¡±
Xanthea lopked at the two horses grazing not far away, and in panic, she grabbed his hand, ¡°No, no,
I¡¯m
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Chapter 203
scared.¡±
Orion¡¯s body stiffened slightly as he watched her clutching tightly at his fingers, slowly lifting
his gaze.
Sitting on the bench, her lips slightly biting her rose¨Ctinted lips, pulling at his fingers gently
shaking them, her amber eyes glistening with an innocent charm that could melt hearts.
¡°When I was younger, I fell off a horse during a riding lesson and had bruises that took months
to recover. I thought I was over it after all these years, but today the horse got spooked again.
Maybe our stars just don¡¯t align, I¡¯m never riding again!¡±
¡°Alright, whatever you wish, Xan.¡±
¡°Really?¡±
Xanthea saw the unlimited indulgence in his eyes, and had a spark of thought, ¡°Then could you
carry me. back?¡±
She expected him to refuse, but he turned around without hesitation.
He agreed just like that?
Xanthea blinked in surprise, then immediately wrapped her arms around his neck.
Gently holding her slender, straight legs, he lifted her from the bench.
¡°Yay! Orion, you¡¯re the best!¡±
Dangling her feet, relishing the long¨Cmissed sensation of being carried, Xanthea¡¯s eyes
squinted happily, ¡°I remember thest time. It was when I was sick, and my dad carried me to
the hospital. It¡¯s been so many years.¡±
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Chapter 204
¡°Do you like being carried by Dad?¡±
¡°Yeah!¡±
Xanthea nodded, especially when she was sick, being carried would make her feel safe and reassured.
As she finished speaking, she heard a man¡¯s deep and maic voice, making her realize she had
been tricked. Blushing with embarrassment, she punched his shoulder, ¡°Orion, you¡¯re taking advantage
of such a small thing? Aren¡¯t you being childish?¡±
¡°I admit to being childish, you can call me.¡±
¡°No, no way!¡±
Xanthea moved her hand from punching his shoulder to cover his mouth, but his suddenly loosened
grip
startled her.
¡°Careful!¡±
¡°Ah!¡±
She immediately clung to him tightly, the plush softness pressed against his back and the silky¨Csmooth
make any
touch in her palms darkened Orion¡¯s expression, his Adam¡¯s apple bobbing as he dared not
further moves.
¡°Seriously, Orion! You dare to trick me? Put me down, I won¡¯t let you carry me anymore!¡±
She angrily kicked her legs, but this time the man tightened his grip, making her utterly unable to move.
¡°Did you hear me?¡±
¡°I heard you I won¡¯t do it again.¡±
What?
Xanthea had asked if he heard her request to be put down, but his apology for teasing her caught her
off. guard, secretly making her heart swell with joy.
¡°Orion, am I heavy?¡±
¡°No.¡±
She was so light, as light as an unrealistic dream¨Conly in dreams could he dare to hope for such close
contact with her.
¡°You¡¯re sensible!¡±
Xanthea¡¯s eyes curved into a smile, leaning slightly on his back.
His sturdy back muscles conveyed a strong and warm sense of power through the silk shirt,
apanied by a crisp pine stent, making her face resting on it rub against his back again and again,
much like a cat fondling mint leaves.
This feeling was nothing like being carried by her dad. Her father¡¯s back gave a sense of stability and
steadiness, as if she could fall asleep at any moment, while his embrace was wrapped tightly with a
vibrapt hormonal scent, making her heartbeat faster and faster.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g
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¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±
Orion felt her subtle movements.
Startled by his voice, Xanthea stiffened, then her face
suddenly snapped out of a trance.
Right, what was she doing?
suddenly pulled away from his back as if she
¡°Nothing, I just thought your shirt felt a bit like my bed sheets, so I just¡¡±
Couldn¡¯t help but get closer, right!
Bed sheets?
Orion smiled, ¡°Xan, are you thinking about sleeping with me?¡±
¡°Who? Who wants to sleep with you!¡±
¡°Stop being so full of yourself, you pervert, or I¡¯ll bite you if you keep talking nonsense!¡±
Xanthea red up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, only realizing after her outburst that he
was probably just joking, and her overreaction caused her cheeks heating up embarrassingly.
It was just too embarrassing.
¡°Put me down up ahead, I think my foot is fine now, I can walk on my own.¡±
¡°There¡¯s a peach blossom forest up ahead, want to check it out?¡±
¡°Really?¡±
Xanthea looked up and indeed, saw a lush, blooming crimson peach blossom forest not far away,
dazzling and diverse, as beautiful as the morning glow.
¡°Let¡¯s go see!¡±
¡°Alright.¡±
Chapter 205
Chapter 205
As they approached the peach blossom forest, a gentle breeze whisked thousands of pink petals off
the branches, showering over people, each carrying a whisper of fragrance. It was as if they had
wandered into a heavenly scene, which was breathtakingly beautiful.
Xanthea reached out to catch a falling petal, ¡°Orion, why are there so many peach trees here? Did you
have them nted?¡±
¡°No,¡± replied Orion, ¡°This area used to be a natural scenic reserve full of all sorts of flora. Butter, for
land auction purposes, the environmental authority had most of them cut down, leaving only this fringe
of peach woods.¡±
This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
¡°Did it happen?¡±
His voice was low, almost a whisper. Xanthea didn¡¯t hear clearly at first. It took her a while to
understand, and then sheughed, ¡°How could it? That was such an extravagant, childish fantasy. Not
even TV dramas would film it. It was just a kid¡¯s silly dream.¡±
At Horizon Ventures Ltd., in the Cherry Zone.
¡°Could the golf club in Mr. Nightshade¡¯s hands be the legendary Simon West wooden metal head
putter?¡± one asked.
¡°That¡¯s the treasure of Horizon Ventures Ltd. I heard it¡¯s now worth around 30 to 40 million dors!¡±
¡°It¡¯s truly a sight to behold. To witness a guest y with such an expensive club in our lifetime, we are
grateful to the young master for this opportunity.¡±
Several caddies surrounded Samuel, all singing his praises.
Samuel looked at several balls go into the holes in session, ying with the club in his hand with
pleasure. Crafted personally by Simon, it was unique and almost divinely helpful in y.
It was too good an opportunity not to show off.
He snapped a photo, posted it on Facebook, and tagged Xanthea in his regr manner, and for once
set the viewing permissions to allow sharing by everyone.
¡°Ding-
eup room.
At the seventh floor of Starlight Media, in the makeup
Isabe was sitting with her eyes closed, quietly cooperating with her makeup artist when her ¡°specific
friends¡± notification suddenly rang.
She picked up her phone in confusion, and upon clicking into Facebook and seeing that special
noteication, she jumped up excitedly, her eyes filled with disbelief.
¡°It¡¯s him!¡±
¡°It really is him!!¡±
The makeup artist, startled by her sudden movement, identally smudged her lipstick. ¡°Isabe,
what¡¯s wrong? What happened?¡±
¡°His Facebook is open to me, does that mean something? It must mean something, right?¡±
Clutching her phone, Isabe paced back and forth in the makeup room, too excited to speak
coherently.
A year ago, she had added him through a work acquaintance, sent him many polite greetings, but
never got a response. All her messages went unanswered, and on Facebook, she was blocked the
moment she was added as a friend.
This was the first post she had seen from him in over three hundred days. Was it deliberately posted
for her to see?
After all her hard work, standing on ever greater stages, she had finally caught his attention!
¡°Wendy, tell Jason to cancel today¡¯s cosmetics ad event. I have some personal matters to attend to.¡±
Chapter 206
Chapter 206
Before he had finished speaking. Benjamin leapt onto a horse and galloped off in the direction pointed
out, shouting. ¡°Go!¡±
The Lockwood Group¡¯s private equestrian estates stretched far and wide. Benjamin rode for a good
while, taking several turns, yet there was no sign of Xanthea.
Just as he was bing frantic, a dazzling figure suddenly emerged from the peach blossom grove.
The young woman, holding a peach blossom wreath, yfully ced it on the man¡¯s head before
turning to run. Her swift pace almost caused her to stumble and fall, but the man quickly pulled her into
his arms. She struggled slightly but was effortlessly lifted by him. He whispered something that made
her burst into ¡°a happyugh.
The two frolicked and chatted as they walked out of the each blossom grove, sweetly like a couple in
love.
Xanthea had said she wasn¡¯t in a rtionship, that she wouldn¡¯t lie to him nor would she get so close to
another man. Even with him, she always kept her distance.
Why was Orion the exception?
Clutching the reins tighter, Benjamin¡¯s face turned pale under the bright daylight.
At Horizon Ventures Ltd., in the Cherry Zone.
¡°Could the golf club in Mr. Nightshade¡¯s hands be the legendary Simon West wooden metal head
putter?¡± one asked.
¡°That¡¯s the treasure of Horizon Ventures Ltd. I heard it¡¯s now worth around 30 to 40 million dors!¡±
¡°It¡¯s truly a sight to behold. To witness a guest y with such an expensive club in our lifetime, we are
grateful to the young master for this opportunity.¡±
Several caddies surrounded Samuel, all singing his praises.
Samuel looked at several balls go into the holes in session, ying with the club in his hand with
pleasure. Crafted personally by Simon, it was unique and almost divinely helpful in y.
It was too good an opportunity not to show off.
He snapped a photo, posted it on Facebook, and tagged Xanthea in his regr manner, and for once
set the viewing permissions to allow sharing by everyone.
¡°Ding-
eup room.
At the seventh floor of Starlight Media, in the makeup
Isabe was sitting with her eyes closed, quietly cooperating with her makeup artist when her ¡°specific
friends¡± notification suddenly rang.
She picked up her phone in confusion, and upon clicking into Facebook and seeing that special
noteication, she jumped up excitedly, her eyes filled with disbelief.
¡°Is it him?¡±
Chapter 206
¡°It¡¯s him!¡±
¡°It really is him!!¡±
The makeup artist, startled by her sudden movement, identally smudged her lipstick. ¡°Isabe,
what¡¯s wrong? What happened?¡±
¡°His Facebook is open to me, does that mean something? It must mean something, right?¡±
Clutching her phone, Isabe paced back and forth in the makeup room, too excited to speak
coherently.
A year ago, she had added him through a work acquaintance, sent him many polite greetings, but
never got a response. All her messages went unanswered, and on Facebook, she was blocked the
moment she was added as a friend.
All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.
This was the first post she had seen from him in over three hundred days. Was it deliberately posted
for her to see?
After all her hard work, standing on ever greater stages, she had finally caught his attention!
¡°Wendy, tell Jason to cancel today¡¯s cosmetics ad event. I have some personal matters to attend to.¡±
¡°Cancel¡±
Chapter 207
Chapter 207
¡°Isabe, the NovaLux advertisement was something you fought for six monthsonths to secure. Now it
has been just one month into the endorsement and promotional activities, you¡¯re thinking about bailing
on the event? The advertisers will be furious!¡±
Wendy rushed over to persuade her, but Isabe nonchntly set down her phone, ¡°Let them be angry.
I¡¯ve got more important things to do.¡±
More important matters? What could that be?
Wasn¡¯t her most important task now to maintain her poprity and to prevent Xanthea¡¯s from
surpassing hers once it airs?
Seeing the sudden change in ns, the makeup artist paused with lipstick in hand and asked,
¡°Isabe, do you still want your makeup done then?¡±
¡°Of course! And not just any makeup I want to look stunning!¡±
¡°What kind of look do you want? Bold, fresh, or something casual?¡±
¡°Let¡¯s do a¡¡±
Isabe remembered the Facebook post Samuel had just shared.
@Xanthea, sis, who¡¯s hotter? The golf club or Samuel?
¡°A Xanthea¨Cinspired look.¡±
All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.
Wendy: ¡°???¡±
At Horizon Ventures Ltd., Cherry Zone.
12
¡°Mr. Nightshade, Mr. Thompson, and Mr. Abbott have booked a session to y in area D an hour from
now. They were wondering if you¡¯d join them; they wish to see your genuine Simon golf club.¡±
¡°No time,¡± Samuel shook his head, ¡°It¡¯s almost noon. After this round, I¡¯m off to check on Xan¡¯s filming
progress and have lunch with her.¡±
¡°Alright!¡±
The lush green of the golf course stretched infinitely under the mild breeze that flirted with Samuel¡¯s
neatly trimmed hair and tugged at his casual jacket, outlining his athletic build.
Golf club in hand, Samuel leaned forward with a precise and graceful swing. The golf ball arced
beautifully through the air andnded squarely in the hole!
¡°Wow!¡±
¡°Nicely done. Mr. Nightshade!¡±
The caddies around him burst into apuse.
Below the green, an uncontroble female voice rang out, louder than all their ps and cheers
combined.
¡°An eagle!¡±
Chapter 207
¡°Typical of our chairman!¡±
Hearing the voice, Samuel nced below. He was about to look away when his gaze inadvertently fell
back on her.
She wore a dress identical to Xan¡¯s, a ne just like Xan¡¯s, even her makeup bore a resemnce.
¡°Isn¡¯t that Isabe?¡±
¡°What¡¯s she doing here? We didn¡¯t get a booking from her!¡±
¡°Oh my gosh, she¡¯s my idol! Can I go get an autograph?¡±
¡°She really does look better in person than on TV!¡±
¡°Mr. Nightshade.¡±
As Samuel¡¯s eyes met hers, the usually poised and bold Isabe felt her confidence wane, reced by
ant unparalleled nervousness.
With a tug of insecurity, she tugged at her dress hem and smiled, ¡°What a coincidence seeing you
here!¡±
Samuel looked at her for a few seconds, frowning. No matter how deliberately she tried to imitate, the
difference was clear the moment she spoke.
Noticing he wasn¡¯t engaging, and his gaze merely flicked over her dress and ne before
withdrawing. what Isabe originally intended to say as ¡°Do you remember me?¡± turned into ¡°Do you
know
know me?¡±
¡°Who doesn¡¯t know the big star? On my way here, I just saw Ms. Taylor¡¯s ad.¡±
¡°I meant from before, from our middle school days.¡±
Gathering her courage, Isabe walked up to the green toward him, ¡°Back in middle school, at a dance
competition, Xan and I performed a Swan Lake ballet together. Do you remember that?¡±
She mentioned such a distant memory from their middle school days, something Samuel had long
forgotten. They weren¡¯t even in the same year. But when she mentioned Xanthea, it sparked a memory.
Chapter 208
Chapter 208
That day was the middle school dancepetition, and he had signed Xan up for it. As the president
of the entire student council, he was there on the judges¡® panel to cheer her on
On stage, Xan wore a flowing white ballet dress, her movements graceful and lively, truly resembling
an adorable little swan.
Isabe saw the smile on his face and thought he remembered. She continued, ¡°Back then, I barely
knew the basics of dance and my performance was far from Xan¡¯s. I only got second ce. But after
that, I practiced dance relentlessly and found my own style. If it were now¡.
¡°If it were now, you¡¯d still lose.
Samuel interrupted her bluntly, his dismissive tone dousing her like a cold shower, visibly changing her
expression.
At that middle school dancepetition, she had indeed lost to Xanthea. However, she had dedicated
the next ten years to rigorous practice and had be a highly acimed dancer in the industry. Even
her detractors couldn¡¯t find fault with her dancing.
She had also appeared on numerous dance reality shows, showcasing her skills in hopes that he
would notice her someday.
But why?
¡°I heard that Ms. Taylor has recently beenpeting with Xan for the lead role in ¡®Realm of Illusions¡®
and ended up losing just like before?¡±
¡°If you keepparing yourself to her andpeting like you did in school, I¡¯d advise you to give up
early. Xan has gained millions of fans with just one song. Once the drama she¡¯s filming airs, her
poprity will be unimaginable.¡±
¡®She didn¡¯t debut back then, it¡¯s not that she had lost to you. If she had started her career alongside
you, there likely wouldn¡¯t be any ce for an imitation like you.¡±
Samuel finished, picking up his golf clubs and leaving without looking back.
Isabe was still reeling from his brutal ¡°imitation¡± taunt, tears welling up as she gripped her dress so
tightly she nearly tore the fabric.
On her first day at Crestwood Middle School, she had fallen for him¨Cthe handsome and charismatic
senior student council president from the affluent Starlyn family. Surrounded by countless beautiful
girls. even though she was a child star, she dared not harbor any fantasies and could only secretly
admire him.
One day, during a morning run, her period started unexpectedly, and she panicked at the thought of
staining her pants and ruining her chances of stardom. She crouched on the ground, crying and
hugging herself, ignoring the pointing and malicious spection of her ssmates until he showed up.
He dispersed the crowd and, without asking why she was upset, took off his jacket and covered her
with
1. it.
¡°Don¡¯t be afraid, no one will see now. Hurry back to the dorm,¡± he said gently.
Gratefully, she looked up at him and whispered thanks in a barely audible voice.
¡°It¡¯s okay, I have a cute little sister about your age at home.¡±
Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g
12:22
Chapter 208
His voice was so gentle, and his smile was so deeply etched in her heart that she fell hopelessly in love
with him from then on, just like the other girls who followed him around. Collecting every piece of
information about him, just seeing him from a distance or hearing a few words from him would make e
her so happy that she couldn¡¯t sleep for days.
Chapter 209
Chapter 209
Later, the junior high section was to host a dancepetition. When Isabe heard that one of the
judges. was Samuel, she, with no dance background, convinced her mom to hire several dance
instructors. For months on end, she trained tirelessly from dusk till dawn, eventually mastering a Swan
Dance.
On the day of thepetition, she took to the stage both nervous and excited, putting her all into the
performance, hoping to showcase her best to him and earning apuse from the entire audience.
After her dance, Isabe bashfully made her way to him, hoping to get his feedback, only for another
girl performing the same Swan Dance to suddenly appear on stage.
That girl was a hundred times more beautiful than she was, with elegant moves and a charming smile
that instantly captivated everyone, including Samuel, prompting him to excitedly apud. His gaze
remained fixed on her throughout the performance, his smiles ceaseless, as if she was the only one in
his eyes, a stark contrast to his calm demeanor during her performance.
Isabe learned that the girl was Xanthea, a popr student idol, but she had no idea she was also
Samuel¡¯s sister.
This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
As Xanthea finished her performance, it was clear she would win. Overheard by Isabe, a fellow
judge. asked Samuel, ¡°How do you think Xanthea¡¯s dancepared to Isabe¡¯s?¡±
His reply was brief: ¡°Worlds apart.
Hearing this, she ran out of the contest crying, her carefully prepared efforts all in vain. She became
insanely jealous of Xanthea until one day, seeing them holding hands getting into the same car, did she
realize she was actually his sister!
Rumors had it that Samuel was overly protective of his sister, ignoring his many admirers. Determined
to catch his eye, Isabe decided to emte Xanthea.
She copied everything from her style to her hobbies, enduring whispers and disapproving stares from
schoolmates and Xanthea¡¯s scorn for years.
But it was all in vain. No matter how closely she imitated, no matter how hard she tried, he never gave
her a second look. She failed to capture his attention, and worse, her actions drove Xanthea to skip
grades and advance in her studies, and he transferred as well.
Later, Isabe gradually came to her senses and returned to being herself, but everything had changed
except for her love for him, which remained unchanged. She saw him on financial news and her
longing grew.
Over the years, to catch his attention, she acted in movies, took on advertisements, practiced dancing.
enduring hardships unimaginable to most, and became a top actress in the entertainment industry.
She had thought that appearing before him again in her now glitzy and morous persona would earn
his favor, but unexpectedly¡.
After so many years, when they met again, Samuel still saw her as inferior to Xanthea!
Watching him walk away tears marred Isabe¡¯s carefully made¨Cup face. If he thought so little of her,
she was determined to surpass Xanthea and prove her worth!
A few dayster.
On the set of ¡°Realm of Illusions¡± in the western outskirts of Crestwood.
Xanthea, now as Phoenix in the film, woke up in a dimly lit dungeon. The air was thick with the scent of
damp and blood. Sshed with cold water, she grimaced and slowly opened her eyes.
Her hands and feet were bound to a cross, her mouth sealed with tape, her body weakly slumped.
Through the flickering candlelight, she saw a familiar figure, her mouth curling into a self¨Cmocking
smile¨Cit was Maximus.
Chapter 210
Chapter 210
Wrapped in a midnight trench coat, Maximus blended into the dim surroundings, a sharp military knife
marked with a codename tucked at his waist.
He approached Phoenix slowly, taking a moment to admire her stunningly beautiful face, then abruptly
tore off the tape on her mouth and gripped her chin tightly. ¡°Phee, we meet again.¡±
¡°Just get on with it¨Ckill or mutte. No need for all this nonsense,¡±
¡°Cut!¡±
In front of the camera, Kevin suddenly yelled ¡°cut,¡± leaving the actor ying Maximus to turn around in
confusion. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Director? I was just getting into the character. Is there an issue?¡±
¡°It¡¯s not you, it¡¯s Phoenix,¡± Kevin looked at Xanthea. ¡°Your expression and tone are too stiff. This is a
reunion between Phoenix and Maximus after a long separation. Despite being mortal enemies now,
there¡¯s a bond from their years at Ignite Camp. She should be more affected.¡±
¡°Okay.¡±
Xanthea nodded, adjusted her state, and a few minutester, Kevin called for action again.
¡°Phee, from the day you stepped into Ignite Camp, I told you, you could only belong to me¨CMaximus,
and me alone. No matter if you run to the ends of the earth or to the deepest depths, I¡¯ll always find
you!¡±
Phoenix scoffed, a defiant sparkle in her eyes. ¡°I¡¯ve said it before, I will always be independent and
free. I belong to no one.¡±
¡°So¡¡±
¡°Cut!¡±
Kevin called out again.
Xanthea stepped out of character, puzzled. ¡°Director, am I too stiff again?¡±
¡°This time there was some emotional stir, but it still feels overacted. It appears fake. Once it seems
fake,¡± the audience¡¯s immersion suffers.¡±
¡°Then shall I adjust again?¡±
¡°Yes.¡±
Kevin frowned, sensing something off with Xanthea¡¯s performance today but unable to pinpoint exactly
what. He continued to observe and after watching aplete take, he finally realized it.
¡®Cut!¡±
¡°Phew, finally done!¡±
The actor ying Maximus sighed in relief, about to celebrate, when he heard Kevin say, ¡°This whole
segment is cut!¡±
¡°Wirat?!¡±
¡°Phoenix,e here e moment.¡±
Hearing Kevin cali ¡°cut¡± three times in a row, Benjamin looked worriedly at Xanthea from sidelines.
From
1/2
122
Chapter 210
the start, he had noticed her struggle with the emotional scenes, especially those involving romantic
elements.
Xanthea, removing her props and walked behind the camera, asking in confusion. ¡°What¡¯s wrong.
Director?¡±
¡°Xan, have you never been in love before?¡±
His sudden question baffled Xanthea.
¡°No.¡±
All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.
She thought she had once, only toter discover it was all just a meticulously crafted deception.
¡°That exins it!¡±
Kevin nodded. ¡°You hadn¡¯t learned professional acting techniques and rely on natural talent. You¡¯ve
been excellent in other parts because you¡¯re knowledgeable and have enough resilience and
confidence, which align closely with Phoenix. But when ites to romantic scenes, your inexperience
shows.¡±
Chapter 211
¡°What should I do then?¡±
Xanthea looked at him with a puzzled expression, while Kevin shook his head, ¡°If it were about your performance technique, I could guide you. But when ites to romantic scenes, they''re more about feeling than talking. You have to grasp that on your own. How about this? I¡¯ll give you the day off today. You should take a good rest and dive into the script, trying to find the right feeling and state as soon as possible.¡±
¡°Okay.¡±
"Xan, I know it''s tough for someone with little romantic experience, but the reunion scene between Maximus and Phoenix is one of the few emotional high points in the y, and also a highlight that enriches the character of Phoenix. Whether this drama bes a hit could very well depend on this!
Also, I submitted the pilot proposal for ''Realm of Illusions'' yesterday, just waiting for the initial episodes to get approved before it airs. Once it airs, we can''t afford any slip-ups in the. subsequent shootings, or it''ll all be for nothing. We¡¯re pressed for time and burdened with heavy tasks; you must put your best effort!¡±
¡°I understand, Director. I¡¯ll do my best to break through in the shortest time.¡±
Holding her script, Xanthea returned to her rest room to study it. She thought that reading through the script thoroughly would inspire her,but instead, the more she read, the more confused and agitated she became, losing even the initial state she had.
Love and hatred intertwined, what kind of emotion was that exactly?
¡°Xan.¡±
There was a knock on the door. Xanthea looked up to see Benjamin in his costume, ¡°Ben, are you done with your scenes?¡±
¡°Yeah.¡± Benjamin walked closer, noticing her furrowed brows and the crumpled script in her hands. ¡°How¡¯s it going? Haven''t found the state yet?¡±N?velDrama.Org owns this.
¡°No, and it seems to be getting worse. The shooting schedule is so tight right now, and I¡¯m stuck at a crucial moment.¡±
¡°Don¡¯t me yourself. For someone who¡¯s never formally studied acting, you¡¯ve done incredibly well. Romantic scenes are different; they require actors to fully immerse and empathize, any slight w can be easily spotted by the audience.
It¡¯s normal that you struggle withplex emotional changes since you¡¯re not familiar with your co-star and haven¡¯t been in love.¡±
¡°What should I do then?¡±
As Xanthea looked at him, she suddenly remembered he started as a child star and his reputation as the leading actor in the industry, a true "veteran" with extensive experience in romantic scenes.
¡°Ben, you¡¯re a senior in the industry, do you have any quick tips for romantic scenes that you could teach me?¡±
¡°Quick tips?¡± Benjamin chuckled, ¡°There are some, like if you could develop real feelings for your co-star like Phoenix does for Maximus, the performance would naturally blend with the character. You''ll be Phoenix, and Phoenix will be you. Naturally, it will spark, achieving the perfect state.¡±
¡°Haha,¡± Benjaminughed, ¡°I was just joking. But seriously, if you really can¡¯t find the right state, I do have some emergency acting techniques I can teach you.¡±
¡°Of course, what do you think I¡¯ve been doing all these years? I¡¯ve faced simr challenges and gradually figured out some techniques. They might not fool a professional insiders, but they can deceive the audience well enough.¡±
Benjamin saw her eager expression and smiled warmly, ¡°Don¡¯t get too excited yet. It¡¯s not that simple. There are many concepts and details involved, and it can¡¯t be exined in just a few words. Plus, it requires practice, and we don¡¯t have time right now, I have more scenes this afternoon.¡±
¡°How about this evening?¡± He suggested. Then as if struck by a thought, he raised an eyebrow, ¡°Xan, I heard from Mr. Lopez that you rented a ce near the western areas of Crestwood for the shoot. How about Ie over this evening and coach you?¡±
¡°No need to thank me.¡±
Benjamin genuinely smiled. He had thought she might hesitate, but unexpectedly, she didn¡¯t seem guarded against him at all. Could it be that in her heart, he was also a very close friend?
In the evening, Benjamin finished his scenes and joined Xanthea in the car, heading to Sunset Hills Estates.
"Click."
April captured the two''s silhouettes, flipping through the photos she had collected over the days. "Realm of Illusions" had been submitted for review and would soon be aired. It was time to leak these images before Xanthea became a sensation!
At themercial center of Crestwood CBD, Twin Towers.
¡°President, Hans¡ªthe General Manager of Public Rtions for Starlight Media, is at the front desk. He says he has something important to report. May I let hime up?¡±
¡°Yes, yes, I understand!¡±
The receptionist put down the phone and smiled politely at Hans, ¡°You may go up now, our president is in his office.¡±
¡°Thank you!¡±
Chapter 212
"Ding¡ª"
Reaching the 66th floor, Hans stepped out of the elevator and knocked on the door to the CEO''s office. A cold, deep voice called from inside, "Come in."
Holding a folder, Hans entered the office. "Mr. President, you instructed us to intercept any negative media exposure concerning Miss Xanthea. Today, thepany intercepted a set of photos, but I''m not sure if they qualify as negative news?"
At the mention of "Xanthea," the man signing contracts behind the desk suddenly paused.
Orion slowly lifted his head, "What?"
Hans took out the photos from the folder, cing them neatly before him.
In the photos, Xanthea was seen giving Benjamin a gift, the two of them looking at each other and smiling; Benjamin courteously shielding Xanthea from a car door, careful not to let her bump her head; at a cast dinner, Benjamin making his way through the crowd, his gaze towards Xanthea filled with ambiguous affection, and more.
Orion picked up thest photo of the two sweetly embracing. His dark eyes brewed a storm, almost piercing a hole through the man''s silhouette in the photo.
"Have they been verified?"
His voice made the entire office seem encased in ice, chilling Hans to the bone.
"Yes, they have been authenticated by our tech department. The photos are unaltered originals, and the whistleblower is April, who ys Vivian in the ''Realm of Illusions'' series."
The man''s low chuckle was hoarse and terrifying, his fingers white-knuckled around the photo.
That night, at Sunset Hills Estates, apartment 3002
"Rule 47, when looking into each other¡¯s eyes."
"Isn''t this too much?"
Xanthea looked at the notebook full of "key points" she had written, tossed the pen away in despair, and slumped over the desk.
Acting was indeed harder than scientific research!
Why did she ever enter the entertainment industry? Why did she agree to act in a romance drama? She despised Isabe for this!
Seeing her despondently muttering with her face down on the desk, Benjamin couldn¡¯t help but smile, "Rome wasn''t built in a day."
"The acting profession may seem morous and receives a lot of attention, but it''s not easy to excel¡ªit requires continuous learning and practice."
But she didn¡¯t need to excel; she just needed to get through this romance scene.
Yet now, not just a scene, but even understanding the key points of one scene seemed overwhelming.
Xanthea suddenly regretted not having a few more romances in the past; experience would have made this so much easier!
"Ring, ring, ring."
Benjamin replied, "It''s Okay. Being with you, time seems to fly."
Xanthea frowned, probably because she was forcing herself to study¡ªit felt like an eternity.
"No need, my driver is downstairs. You should review what we discussed a few more times. Remember to apply it tomorrow during the shoot and see if it works."
"Sure." As Benjamin stepped out, he suddenly paused, "Can Ie over tomorrow to continue helping you?"
Xanthea, feeling like a student kept after ss, was inwardly miserable but showed gratitude, "Of course, as long as you don''t mind that I don''t know much."
Mid-sentence, Benjamin''s gaze suddenly fixed directly behind her.
"Right."
Benjamin slowly entered the elevator. As the doors were closing, and she was waving goodbye with a smile, he suddenly put his hand out, stopping the elevator doors.
Xanthea quickly hit the open button, "What¡¯s wrong? Did you forget something?"
"Nothing." Benjamin smiled, "I just noticed something on your head."
"Something? What is it?"
Xanthea brushed her hair, and Benjamin approached, gently removing a pink feather from her head, "It''s a feather."
"Oh, I must have brushed against the feathermp in the room."
"Be more careful next time." Benjamin patted her head affectionately and stepped back into the elevator, "Goodnight Xan, see you tomorrow."
Xanthea stared as the elevator doors slowly closed, stunned.
Why did he pat her head?
And why was there a creepy creaking sound in her ears? Was the elevator malfunctioning?
Turning around in confusion, she was taken aback by the sudden sight of a tall, imposing figure at the opposite elevator entrance.All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.
Chapter 213
Chapter 213
¡°You scared me to death. Orion, is that you?¡±
¡°When did you get back? Howe I didn¡¯t hear a thing?¡±
Xanthea patted her startled chest, exhaling a relieved breath, ¡°What a coincidence, I finally managed to
get a break from the film set, and here you are!¡±
¡°It¡¯s only ten o¡¯clock, still early. Can Ie over to your ce for somete¨Cnight snacks?¡±
¡°What are you holding? Do you have work tonight?¡±
It had been days since shest saw him, and upon seeing him, Xanthea chattered joyfully, only to
notice after a while that the man in front of her had a dark, ominous look on his face, his presence
chilling like eternal ice, sending a shiver down her spine.
¡°Orion, what¡¯s wrong? Did something upset you?¡±
¡°So everyone can, but not me, is that it?¡±
Orion looked at her; his gaze was piercing and cold, reminiscent of the chilling sharpness when he first
saw her body in that old crypt.
Xanthea was both puzzled and frightened by his stare, ¡°What do you mean by ¡®can¡® or ¡®cannot¡®? Orion,
what are you talking about?¡±
However, he didn¡¯t answer her, brushing past her with a chill that felt like a de slicing through her
cheek. As he was about to enter Room 3001, Xanthea grabbed his arm, ¡°Hey, what do you mean by
that?¡±
¡°Ms. Nightshade, as a fianc¨¦e, do you think it¡¯s appropriate to have a secret rendezvous with another
man In the middle of the night?¡± Orion turned around, his dark eyes suddenly bursting with a chilling
intensity that seemed to devour her alive.
Xanthea was stunned by his shout, with a look of total bewilderment on her face.
Why was he calling her Ms. Nightshade again?
Wait, the main issue seems to be ¡°secret rendezvous with a man in the middle of the night¡°?
The loud m of the door startled Xanthea, and. She quickly realized what he meant¨Ccould it be
Benjamin?
Did he think she brought Benjamin to Sunset Hills Estates for a secret rendezvous, and he caught them
red¨Chanded?
His thoughts are so vilel
¡°Bang, bang, bang!¡±
¡°Bang, bang, bany!¡±
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Xarhea, frustrated, kept banging on the door of 3001, shouting, ¡°Hey, Orion,e out and exin
yourself! Who¡¯s having a secret rendezvous in the middle of the night?¡±
Chapter 213
¡°It was only ten o¡¯clock, how is that considered the middle of the night?¡±
¡°And, Benjamin was just here to discuss the script with me, and you twisted it into an affair? Don¡¯t you
think you¡¯re being a bit paranoid?¡±
Although, the way Benjamin touched her head before leaving was weird. Orion couldn¡¯t have
misunderstood just because of that, could he?
¡°Orion, sometimes what you see isn¡¯t always the truth. As a leader of a corporation, don¡¯t you know
that?¡± ¡°Open the door, open the door right now!¡±
Behind the door, a man engulfed in jealousy and despair, his gaze distorted with madness, listened to
her urgent cries. His knuckles turned white and creaked ominously on the door handle, yet he didn¡¯t
open the .door.
His jealousy was driving him insane, fearing that a moment of lost sanity might lead him to irreparably
harm her.
¡°Fine, you won¡¯t open the door, huh?¡±
Xanthea looked down, entering a series of numbers, ¡°Luckily, I was prepared¨Chaving secretly
memorized your password, otherwise I might have been wronged tonight.¡±
¡°Password is correct-¡±
Chapter 214
Chapter 214
As soon as Xanthea opened the door, she was met with the grim face of the man inside. Fearing he
might kick her out, she quickly raised the voice recorder in her hand.
¡°He¡¯s just here to coach me on my acting, it¡¯s not what you think¨CI have proof!¡°¡±
Proof?
Orion¡¯s gaze lingered on the voice recorder in her hand. Without hesitation, Xanthea pressed ¡°y¡°¨C
¡°Are you ready? Once you are, we¡¯ll start.¡±
¡°Sure, go ahead.¡±
¡°The first point is to use the emotional fluctuations in your lines to act out the character¡¯s feelings
Slow,
deep tones often move the audience more than quicker, louder ones.¡±
Thank goodness she had not only taken notes, but also recorded everything with the voice recorder.
Otherwise, she would never have been able to clear her name!
¡°Did you hear that? He was kindly giving me a tutorial, and you twisted it into something else. That¡¯s
just too-¡±
¡°So, you¡¯re defending him?¡±
¡°Am 1?¡± Xanthea puffed out her chest, her tone defiant as she saw no change in the ominous look in
Orion¡¯s eyes. ¡°I¡¯m just stating the facts here, you¡¯re the one who¡¯s wronging me!¡±
¡°Wronging you?¡± Orion¡¯s lips twisted into a mocking sneer, his gaze dripping with irony. ¡°And what
about ¡®Ben¡®? You do call him quite affectionately.¡±
¡°What¡¯s wrong with ¡®Ben¡®? How is that affectionate? Isn¡¯t it normal for colleagues and friends to call
each other by their first names? We can¡¯t exactly be calling each other Mr. Jones or Ms. Nightshade
while working together every day, can we? If it bothers you that much, I could start calling you Ori, Ori-¡±
Halfway through her sentence, Xanthea stumbled over her words, her face inexplicably heating up.
Why was it that saying someone else¡¯s name came so easily, but uttering his felt so awkward, even
shameful?
Orion caught the fleeting signs of guilt and panic on her face, his grip tightening on the folder in his
hand until it buckled, causing dozens of photos to spill out.
¡°What¡¯s the matter? Ms. Nightshade can¡¯t continue her story?¡±
Following the sound, Xanthea¡¯s eyes widened in shock as she saw the photos scattered on the floor,
depicting her and Ben in various poses together.
She bent down, picking up one of the photos.
Even though Benjamin¡¯s image in the photo was punched through with a big hole, it was clear they
were hugging!
Her eyes widened.
Where did these photose from? When had she ever hugged Benjamin? Not even for a scene¨C
could This have been photoshopped?
Chapter 214
Suddenly it clicked. Orion¡¯s usations stemmed not only from seeing Benjamin leave her apartment,
but because of these fabricated photos!
¡°Orion, where did you get these photos?¡±
Xanthea looked up at him, realizing his high and distant gaze was filled with bleak darkness, evidently
not wanting to listen to her justifications anymore.
¡°You don¡¯t believe me?¡±
Her brows knitted together in frustration. ¡°There¡¯s nothing beyond professionalism between me and
him, and certainly not what you¡¯re imagining. This hugging in the photo¨Cit¡¯s fake!¡±
¡°They¡¯ve already undergone technical authentication.¡±
¡°Great, such great ¡®authenticated¡°! So in the end, you just won¡¯t believe me.¡±
Xanthea, biting her lip, grabbed the photo and pushed the door, intending to leave.
As he watched her resolute departure, every shred of anger and suspicion in Orion evaporated,
reced by a deep sense of panic.
He feared she might cut him off for good this time, that the distance they had managed to close would
be reset to square one, that he would be the person she despised the most¡
He no longer wanted her to exin, nor was he greedy; having her treat him as she did was enough.
He couldn¡¯t bear the days without her; it would be the death of him.
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He reached out to stop her, but in the next moment, Xanthea turned and enveloped him in a tight
embrace.
The warmth of her soft body and the gentle scent of irises collided with his icy exterior, melting the frost
around his heart and clearing the panic from his dark eyes, leaving his mind blissfully nk.
As Xanthea hugged him, she tilted her head up slightly, her forehead barely reaching his chin, rubbing
gently.
¡°I thought about having it authenticated again, but it seems unnecessary now.¡±
¡°Orion, did you see?¡±
¡°I¡¯m 5¡¯7¡°, you¡¯re about 6¡¯2¡°, right? Me hugging you like this, I can hardly reach your chin. But in this
photo, I¡¯m nearly as tall as Benjamin. You saw him earlier; he¡¯s just a couple of inches shorter than you.
Does that seem right to you?¡±
She lifted the incriminating photo for him to see.
¡°Clearly, this photo is a fake. Even if it hasn¡¯t been photoshopped, it was intentionally shot to mislead.
There was a distance between me and him when it was taken.¡±
Orion¡¯s gaze slowly dropped to the photo, his unfocused eyes sharpening as they fixed on the image,
gradually lighting up.
Chapter 215
Chapter 215
Was the photo meant to misguide?
So it was actually like this.
He should have seen it, but when those photos wereid out in front of him, raging jealousypletely
burned away his reasoning. Seeing the man walk out of her room, tenderly stroking her hair, he was
seized with the desire to tear him apart alive!
¡°Xan.¡±
¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Xan.¡±
¡°Orion frowned, holding her tightly with waves of remorse flooded over him, drowning his entire heart.
Hearing him call her by ¡°Xan,¡± Xanthea knew he believed her now.
She had intended to let bygones be bygones, but recalling his frightening demeanor just moments ago,
she couldn¡¯t help but pout, feigning tears.
¡°I had such a tough day at the drama set, struggling with the emotional scenes, getting scolded by the
director, and then listening to lectures all night long. My head¡¯s spinning, my body¡¯s exhausted, and
now I have to endure your baseless usations. Why is this happening to me¡.
¡°Xan, I¡¯m sorry, so sorry.¡±
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Orion cupped her distressed little face, mechanically repeating his apologies.
¡°I was wrond.¡±
¡°I must have been crazy to say those things. Can you forgive me? I¡¯ll do whatever you ask. Could you?
Xan¡±
His deep, dark eyes shimmered with unmatched regret, as if he¡¯d rip his heart out for her forgiveness.
Xanthea lowered her hands, captivated by the earnestness in his gaze, ¡°Really?¡±
¡°Really.¡±
¡°Will you ever misunderstand me again?¡±
¡°Never again. From now on, I¡¯ll only listen to Xan, only believe Xan.¡±
Is he really being so good?
A smile broke across Xanthea¡¯s face, ¡°Well, I might just find it within me to forgive
you.
¡°Xan.¡±
Orion closed his eyes, hugging her deeply, longing to merge her into his essence.
His Xan, how she could be so wonderful.
¡°By the way, where did these photose from?¡±
¡°Someone from your crew named April took them. I¡¯ll make her regret it.¡±
His chilling sinister voice made Xanthea¡¯s skin crawl.
Chapter 215
If it were anyone else, she might have dismissed it as an empty threat, but having murder, she knew he
was capable of making it a reality.
witnessed himmit
¡°Don¡¯t do that, she¡¯s ying Vivian in ¡®Realm of Illusions, and the shoot isn¡¯t even finished yet. We can¡¯t
afford any mishaps.¡±
¡°Fine, we¡¯ll wait until the shooting wraps up, all ording to Xan¡¯s wishes.¡±
¡°I didn¡¯t ask you to do anything bad! Just follow the legal procedure after a thorough investigation. I¡¯m
just puzzled, I have no quarrel with her.¡±
As Xanthea was about to examine the photos again, she noticed she was still in Orion¡¯s tight embrace,
close their chests almost blended.
¡°?!?¡±
Why was she still hugging him?
She
recoiled and tried to push him away, but he was too strong.
¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±
Orion sensed her movement and looked down with a slight confusion.
Taking advantage of his loosened grip, she moved back, keeping a safe distance, ¡°No¨Cnothing, just a
bit hot, no, I mean, hungry.¡±
Strange, why was her face so hot, and her tongue tied in knots, utterly uncontroble?
¡°I¡¯ll whip up some snacks.¡±
¡°Oh, you don¡¯t have to, I¡¯ve got snacks at home. I¡¯ll just go back.¡±
Before Xanthea could object, he was already setting instructions on the smart screen-¡°Master
instruction received: Child lock enabled.¡±
Her eyes widened as he finished setting it up and headed to the kitchen.
¡°Watch TV for a bit, I¡¯ll be quick.¡±
Wait, what does that mean?
Did he think she was blind? So this so¨Ccalled smart door lock feature was deliberately set by him?
And here he was, setting it right in front of her, outright ignoring her presence!
Although she hadn¡¯t nned on leaving anyway.
Xanthea grimaced towards the kitchen, then picking up the photos scattered on the floor.
From her first day on set giving Benjamin a gift, to today¡¯s ride with him to Sunset Hills Estates, every
Interaction had been captured. This April sure put a lot of effort into it.
They had no grievances, why did she do it?
Was she trying to sabotage her? nning to release these photos to ruin her reputation once the show
aired, then overshadow her with the role of the second female lead?
Weil, that¡¯s pretty low. Fortunately, Orion had intercepted them.
Chapter 216
Chapter 216
But why did Orion intercept these photos?
Starlight Media was a titan in the industry, renowned for its eagle¨Ceyed PR department that missed
nothing within the circle. Any whisper of news or exclusive scoops had to pass through its review
before being released.
Could it be that Orion had specifically instructed someone to intercept all her ¡°scandalous leaks¡°?
Otherwise, how could the photos April took with so much effort not be published immediately, and
instead fall into someone else¡¯s hands, bing leverage?
As she pondered, a sweet thrill fluttered in her heart, and she began to yfully roll around with the
photos in hand.
¡°Xan,e have somete¨Cnight snacks.¡°¡±
Orion stepped out of the kitchen, seeing the girl rolling on the carpet like a kitten, corners of his eyes
crinkling slightly, ¡°Don¡¯t lie on the floor, you¡¯ll catch a cold.¡±
Xanthea scurried over, ¡°It¡¯s fine, there¡¯s a carpet. But your carpet is short¨Cpiled; it¡¯s a bit rough on the
skin!¡±
N?velDrama.Org owns this.
¡°Alright, we¡¯ll get a plush one tomorrow.¡±
Xanthea bit her lip. She had only made a casual remark. This was his room; why would he consider
changing his carpet for her?
¡°Oh, I like the pure wool ones.¡±
Orion seemed to notice something and slowly lifted his head, and Xanthea quickly added, ¡°Orion, thank
you.¡±
¡°Thank you?¡±
¡°For intercepting these photos. If they¡¯d leaked online, all my recent efforts would have been for
nothing. I could have been sted out of the industry, not just failed to trend.¡±
¡°That won¡¯t happen.¡±
¡°What do you mean ¡®it won¡¯t¡®? Nowadays, people only believe what they see online, they don¡¯t care
about exnations.¡±
As she spoke, she noticed his slight pause and waved her hand, ¡°Don¡¯t get me wrong, I¡¯m not talking
about you. But what did you mean by saying anyone can but you can¡¯t at the elevator door?¡±
Normally, wouldn¡¯t someone confront her directly after seeing those photos? Why did he say something
so add?
Orion¡¯s eyes darkened, a shadow cast by his thickshes.
Why had he spoken so carelessly?
¡°Everyone can disbelieve you, but I cannot.¡±
Xanthea: ¡°Do you think I believe that?¡±
His gaze had been so intense, it felt like he could tear her apart¨Cwhere was there even a hint of belief
in her?
Chapter 216
¡°If you really believed me, you wouldn¡¯t have mentioned the ¡°secret rendezvous with another man in
the middle of the night,¡± or questioned whether I was being appropriate.¡±
Xanthea recalled his earlier words and was still a bit angry, especially about Matthew, ¡°Matthew and I
aren¡¯t even engaged yet. He¡¯s not necessarily my fianc¨¦. Even if I did meet other men secretly, it
wouldn¡¯t be betraying him, right?¡±
She looked up, startled by his fierce, fiery gaze, ¡°What did you say?¡±
¡°I, I said if you really believed me.¡±
¡°Matthew is not necessarily your fianc¨¦?¡±
He spoke deliberately, his deep, resonant voice chiseling into her, eagerly awaiting her answer with
great tension.
¡°Yeah, we haven¡¯t had the engagement ceremony yet.¡±
¡°You don¡¯t like him that much?¡±
Xanthea met his gaze and nodded, ¡°Mhm.¡±
With her affirmative answer, Orion¡¯s dark eyes seemed as if a vast chasm had been torn open within,
abruptly revealing a whirlwind ofplex and intense emotions that Xanthea couldn¡¯t decipher.
Chapter 217
Chapter 217
It took him a moment before he finally smiled and stood up, heading towards the bathroom.
Xanthea was startled by his indescribable, eerie smile.
As she watched his retreating figure, she couldn¡¯t help but recall his reaction when she invited him to
her engagement ceremony in Willowdale. Back then, he seemed to have suffered a devastating blow,
but now he radiated an unbelievable joy.
¡°Orion, what¡¯s going on?¡±
She hurried after him, only to see a closed door and the sound of running water inside.
The cold water drenched his hair, streaming down his well¨Cdefined face and onto his broad chest,
soaking through his suit and tingling every nerve and cell in his body.
It was true.
Everything was real, not an illusion.
He had always thought Xan loved Matthew with all her life, which is why from their childhood days, she
was always glued to him, sharing every sorrow and joy of her life with him, all the thoughtfully nned
surprises and gifts were prepared for him alone, and she would shield him from any danger without a
second thought.
So he never dared get close to her, never dared hope she would even nce his way.
But now she was telling him, she didn¡¯t care for Matthew as much as he thought!
¡°Bang-¡±
He struck the wall with a heavy punch, stirring up a spray of water droplets.
Extreme regret and joy intertwined, leaving him overwhelmed by his emotions. If only he had known
earlier.
Hearing the loud noise, Xanthea grew anxious. She pressed her ear against the bathroom door, ¡°Orion,
are you alright? Did you fall?¡±
On the misty mirror, he wiped away the water droplets, revealing a face that hadpletely for off its
disguise and restraint.
From now on, Xan would be his and his alone.
¡°Orion, if you don¡¯te out soon, I¡¯ll just go in.¡±
Xanthea, bing anxious, was about to open the door when Orion came out.
He had changed into a brand¨Cnew white suit, looking fresh and refined, with no hint of anything amiss,
except for his slightly damp hair.
¡°Did you take a shower?¡±
Why would he suddenly take a shower while eating? And why the impable dress¨Cup at home?
It was the first time she saw him in a white suit, and it was somewhat captivating, like a noble prince
from an ancient castle, stunningly handsome.
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Unconsciously, Xanthea swallowed,
¡°Yeah, got a bit of kitchen grease on me.¡±
So his need for cleanliness had kicked in, no wonder his expression looked so weird. Just like Cedric
said. he was a perfectionist for cleanliness.
Orion looked at her hand on the bathroom doorknob, ¡°Xannie, were you trying toe in and join me?¡±
?????
Xanthea jolted, instantly releasing her grip, ¡°Who wants to shower with you? I was just worried you
might have an ident in there. Quickly dry your hair ande to eat!¡±
¡°It¡¯s okay.¡±
He shook his head and walked towards the dining table, with no intention of drying his hair. Seeing this,
Xanthea grabbed his arm, ¡°What do you mean ¡®It¡¯s okay¡®? Wet hair can easily lead to a cold. Have you
forgotten how sick you were just a few days ago?¡±
¡°Then will Xannie dry it for me?¡±
He turned, a faint smile ying at the corners of his eyes.
Seeing his triumphant smile, she couldn¡¯t help feeling like she had fallen into a trap.
¡°Why are you suddenly calling me ¡°Xannie¡°?¡±
Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g
1 like ¡°Xannie¡±
¡°Ah?¡±
Orion: ¡°I like calling you Xannie. Do you not like it?¡±
¡°I, I don¡¯t mind.¡±
Xanthea was a bit puzzled by him, furrowing her brows slightly. Then, he suddenly stepped closer, his
tall,manding figure casting a shadow over her, his gaze intensifying. ¡°From now on, ¡°Xannie¡® can
only be called by me. Don¡¯t let anyone else call you that, okay?¡±
¡°Oh.¡±
Few did anyway.
Xanthea noticed something seemed different about him since he came out of the bathroom.
He seemed different, somehow more aggressive?
¡°Sit down, I¡¯ll dry your hair.¡±
¡°Okay.¡±
Orion sat in front of the mirror, and Xanthea grabbed a dry towel and a hairdryer, first using the towel to
dab his hair dry and then switching on the warm setting.
The warm air blew through the man¡¯s dark, thick short hair, and as Xanthea ran her fingers through it,
she felt the hard texture of his hair strands. She remembered her mother once saying that people with
hard hair have hard hearts, but she found Orion to be gentle, his nature very gentle, even the way he
looked at
her.
Especially now as he sat quietly, allowing her to fuss over him: his tousled hair partly obscured his
sharp
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Chapter 217
features, softening his usually cold demeanor and making him seem somewhat childlike and adorably
compliant.
She wished she could have such a handsome a
Chapter 218
Chapter 218
Xanthea carefully dried his hair, with a tenderness, that was almost maternal, but the man seated
before. the mirror, his cheeks warmed under her touch.
Her delicate, soft hands continuously caressed and teased his hair, stimting a sensitive area that
had never been touched before, causing thrilling jolts to surge through his nerve endings, with electric.
currents racing down to his lower abdomen.
He yearned for more than her touch in his hair.
¡°Orion, is the heat okay? Do you want me to turn it up?¡±
¡°No need,¡± he tightly closed his eyes to hide the burgeoning desire beneath, ¡°Xan, it feels really good.
Hearing his suddenly husky voice, Xanthea frowned.
Just a moment ago he didn¡¯t want his hair dried, and now he already showed signs of catching a cold!
¡°You usually live alone, don¡¯t you know how to take care of yourself?¡±
¡°Yeah.¡±
Yeah? Was there a hint of pride in his voice?
¡°Why don¡¯t you¡.¡±
Xanthea had just wanted to ask why he didn¡¯t go back and live at home, but then she remembered the
early scandals surrounding the Lockwood family and the dark childhood when he was smeared and
ndered by journalists.
He probably didn¡¯t have any family left a long time ago, right?
Otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t be living alone all this time, and his uncle wouldn¡¯t have beenpeting with
him. for the chairman position of the Lockwood Group.
Compassion halted her words. But in the end, she couldn¡¯t help but ask softly, ¡°Orion, are those
childhood stories about you in the news true?¡±
At that, Orion abruptly opened his eyes.
¨C¡°You¡¯re a monster! No one raised you! Stay here until your father returns, then I might let you out!¡±
¨C¡°If I could bear my own son, I would have killed you long ago!¡±
¨C¡°Oh, so you fancy the Nightshade family¡¯s little princess, huh? And you even hid her photo. You¡¯re
such a pervert at your age. Look at all these scars, do you think you deserve her?¡±
¡°How dare you push me!¡±
¡°Murderer, murderer! Teacher, Orion is a murderer, I don¡¯t want to sit with him!¡±
¨C¡°He¡¯s a monster, with terrifying scars on his chest.¡±
¡°It¡¯s intrue.¡±
Orion¡¯s voice was calm, and Xanthea nodded, ¡°Exactly. These days, unscrupulous gossip media just
make things up. Why don¡¯t you sue them?¡±
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Chapter 218
¡°No need. Xannie, do you believe those stories?¡±
¡°Of course not! They¡¯re obviously fabrications at first nce.
¡°What if they aren¡¯t?¡±
This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
He cut her off, his dark eyes swirling with deep shadows.
Xanthea¡¯s hand, holding the hairdryer, froze.
If they weren¡¯t fabrications, then the scars on his chest were indeed from abuse, and he truly had a
cruel and dark childhood as the news suggested, which would exin why he was so cold and distant
now.
She would rather they were all fabrications.
Would she be scared if they were true? Would she want to run away from him? After all, no one wants
to be close to a murderer.
Orion broke the heavy silence. ¡°I¡¯m kidding.¡±
¡°Orion, do you believe me? If I could go back to your childhood, I would definitely protect you!¡±
She gently ced her hand on his shoulder. Orion¡¯s gloomy eyes suddenly lit up, nearly burning her
reflection in the mirror.
Xannie, you have already protected me.
You¡¯ve always been protecting, always been the purest angel, the most radiant deity.
¡°All done, it¡¯s dry now!¡±
Xanthea turned off the hairdryer and tiptoed to put it away in the cab.
Orion watched her slender and tantalizing waist, barely a handful, and it took all his strength not to pull
her fiercely into his arms.
He wanted to hold her, kiss her, be with her.
As Xanthea turned around, she inadvertently caught his fierce expression and was startled. She
reached out to touch his head, but he dodged.
¡°Orion, you¡¯re not getting sick again, are you?¡±
¡°No, just a bit ¡®hungry.¡±
¡°Then let¡¯s go eat, wait a second!¡±
Xanthea paused, looking up at the wall clock. The clock struck midnight, it was already a new day!
¡°Oh no, it¡¯s already midnight, and I haven¡¯t yet reviewed those acting techniques for romantic scenes
Benjamin showed me!¡±
At the mention of ¡°Benjamin,¡± Orion¡¯s expression darkened.
1 don¡¯t have time for a midnight snack now, I need to go back and practice right away. Orion, you eat
slowly!¡±
As she turned to leave, she was unexpectedly pulled back by the man, his firm grip pulling her into his
¡°What are you doing?¡±
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Chapter 218
She looked up at him, puzzled.
Orion gently held her waist, his eyes softening, ¡°Romantic scenes?¡±
¡°Yeah, didn¡¯t I tell you? I was criticized by the director today for not performing well in the romantic
scenes, so Benjamin is helping me with some techniques. I took lots of notes but haven¡¯t practiced
them yet. If I don¡¯t practice, I might perform poorly tomorrow!¡±
¡°If you don¡¯t perform well, will he keep teaching you?¡±
¡°Uh, probably.¡±
Xanthea saw his lips tighten and felt inexplicably guilty.
Chapter 219
Chapter 219
¡°Which part?¡±
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¡°Huh?¡± Xanthea looked confused. ¡°What do you mean ¡®which part¡°?¡±
¡°The part you¡¯re struggling with?¡±
¡°It¡¯s the scene between Phoenix and Maximus.¡±
Orion said, ¡°Give me the script.¡±
¡°What do you need the script for?¡±
Although Xanthea didn¡¯t understand, she still pulled out her phone and handed him the script, ¡°Here,
this
romantic scene.¡±
As an urban drama, ¡°Realm of Illusions¡± primarily centers on the female lead, revolving around
Phoenix¡¯s business adventures and family vengeance, with only a hint of romance. Even her
rtionship with the male lead, Prescott, felt more like a brotherly affection than a romantic one,
starting with friendship and evolving into respect.
The most intense, emotionally charged romantic scenes in the entire story were during the period when
she was trapped in a basement by the supporting male character, Maximus.
Originally from an affluent family in Skyville, Phoenix was the legitimate heiress. But tragedy struck at
the age of three when her family was massacred. Kidnapped by the enemy, she was sent to the Ignite
Camp and molded into a deadly assassin.
From her earliest memories, her world was filled with harsh training, dangerous missions, cold
commands, and the lives she took, along with Maximus.
She knew nothing about Maximus¡® background or his real name; all she knew was that like her, he had
been taken to Ignite Camp at a young age and trained to be a lethal weapon.
The camp leader chose them, the two finest assassins, pairing them as partners and naming them
Phoenix and Maximus after the mythical birds fated to unite. Over decades of bloodshed and darkness
at Ignite Camp, Phoenix and Maximus became each other¡¯s only shield and slowly developed feelings
for one another.
But before they could address their feelings, Phoenix learned that the camp leader was the very man
who had murdered her family. Out of anger, she escaped from the Ignite Camp and began to contact
trusted allies of her family, continuously honing her abilities, with the sole purpose of one day being
able to kill the head of the camp and avenge her family.
During one attempt to assassinate the camp leader, she walked right into a trap set by Maximus and
was captured, then locked in a secret room.
By that time, Maximus had be Ignite Camp¡¯s sharpest de and the likely sessor as camp
leader. Their roles had shifted from closest partners to mortal enemies.
The scene Xanthea kept failing in was the long¨Cawaited reunion between Phoenix and Maximus in the
secret room after five years.
Orion quickly scanned the script and put the phone down, ¡°Don¡¯t let Benjamine over anymore; I¡¯ll
help you practice.¡±
1/2
12:24
¡°Uba
Xanthea blinked in surprise. ¡°You¡¯ll help me practice?¡±
¡°What, you think I¡¯m not as good as Benjamin?¡±
Orion¡¯s gaze tightened. Xanthea quickly shook her head, ¡°Of course not, you¡¯re exceptional, surpassing
him in every way, but everyone excels in different areas. When ites to acting, he¡¯s better, right?¡±
Her words ¡°he¡¯s better¡± felt like needles to Orion, his expression turning icy.
Xanthea could clearly see that he was angry. She was about to speak in attempt to appease him, but
before she could, she found herself swept off her feet and carried her toward the bedroom.
¡°Ah!¡±
¡°Orion, what are you doing?!¡±
¡°Why not give it a try? How will you know if I¡¯m not good?¡±
Chapter 220
Chapter 220
Try? To test his ability? But how?
¡°Ahl¡±
Xanthea¡¯s imagination ran wild with rming scenarios. She started iling about in his arms,
eximing, ¡°Orion, I misspoke, I misspoke! You¡¯re the best, absolutely the best!¡±
¡°Can you put me down, please? I¡¯m scared.¡±
¡°No, let¡¯s not ¡®try¡°!¡±
¡°What? Why are you closing the door? You beast!¡±
Despite her struggles and pleas, Orion showed no mercy. He shut the door firmly, tossed her onto the
plush bed, and began to undo his tie.
Xanthea watched as Orion started stripping, his presence felt overwhelmingly dominant, like a predator
ready to pounce at any moment. She was so frightened that she propped herself up on the bed, her
legs shuffling backward as she begged, ¡°No, please no, Orion, I haven¡¯t.¡±
As the man¡¯s tall and imposing figure suddenly loomed over her, Xanthea turned her head away in
despair and shut her eyes. Then, she felt her hands being tied?
Opening her eyes, she saw her hands bound to the bedpost with his tie, cushioned with a silk
handkerchief as if to prevent the ropes from cutting into her skin.
¡°What are you doing?¡±
Xanthea looked up at him, her eyes filled with indescribable emotions.
¡°Ready? Let¡¯s start the rehearsal.¡±
Rehearsal?
His words left Xanthea utterly confused.
Wait, the ¡°try¡± and ¡°know if he¡¯s good¡± and binding her hands all part of helping her practice acting, not
what she had imagined.
Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and she felt herself utterly foolish.
¡°What else did you expect?¡±
¡°I¨CI didn¡¯t expect anything but a rehearsal.¡±
A mischievous smile yed at the corner of Orion¡¯s mouth as he walked over to the door and turned off
the lights, plunging the room into darkness.
Then, a soft sound of the door closing.
Xanthea spent a second, then two, then three, unable to move in her bound state, consumed by fear of
the unknown darkness..
Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g
¡°Orion, why turn off the lights for a rehearsal? Are you trying to set the scene that realistically?¡±
¡°Where did you go? Come back quickly, I¡¯m scared of the dark!¡±
1/2
12:24 m
With
With a ¡°click,¡± the lights were back on.
Squinting against the bright light, Xanthea saw Orion standing by the door, now dressed in a sharp
ck suit, looking more daunting and distant than before, his features hard and cold, resembling that of
Maximus
¡°Phee, it¡¯s been five years. I hope you¡¯ve been well.¡±
He approached her slowly, suddenly grabbed her chin, forcing her to look into his eyes¨Cdark pools
swirling with longing and joy, ¡°Do you know how much I¡¯ve missed you these past five years? Every
year, every day, every minute.¡±
Xanthea was stunned by his almost frantic expression, and she was instantly drawn into the role.
He truly resembled Maximus¨Cjust a few words perfectly conveyed his dark solitude and deep longing
Phoenix.
for
His gaze made her feel as though he wasn¡¯t just reciting lines but expressing his own feelings,
prompting her to respond with Phoenix¡¯s lines, ¡°Now that I¡¯m at your mercy, life or death, do as you
will.¡±
¡°Death?¡±
Suddenly, the man burst intoughter, a sound filled with wicked delight that sent shivers down
Xanthea¡¯s spine.
No wonder he got so mad when she doubted he wasn¡¯t good.
His acting was so lifelike; he truly embodied Maximus. He was so capable that Xanthea could hardly
distinguish between reality and the y.
¡°I couldn¡¯t bear to kill you, my precious, my heart. I want to keep you by my side forever.¡±
The man suddenly approached her, the increased pressure in his hands and the intense
possessiveness in his eyes causing Xanthea to an involuntarily moan.
Hearing her own delicate, tender voi
Chapter 221
Chapter 221
He smirked devilishly. ¡°Phee, from the day you stepped into Ignite Camp, I told you, you¡¯d belong to
me, Maximus. You¡¯re mine alone, no matter where you flee to the ends of the earth of the depths of
hell, I will chase you down.¡±
¡°Look, aren¡¯t you right here in my grasp? So quiet, so obedient, I like it.¡±
He loosened his grip on her chin, his slender fingers gently tracing the elegant lines of her face, teasing
and toying with her features.
Each touch sparked a tiny electric thrill across her face, stopping at her soft, rosy lips. His fingertips
caressed them lightly, his eyes filled with obsession and fervor fixed on them, as if he was about to bite
down fiercely.
No, it¡¯s wrong. I can¡¯t, I shouldn¡¯t.
Xanthea restrained her pounding heart and flushed cheeks, turning her head shyly, ¡°Because I am
independent, free, and I will never belong to anyone.¡±
¡°Is that so?*
He sneered, his eyes suddenly zing with jealous fury that startled Xanthea, ¡°What about Matthew?!¡±
¡°Why are you with him? For thirty days, I set up traps to catch you, and I watched you move in and out
with him, sharing meals and living spaces. I was driven mad with jealousy. I wanted to kill him!¡±
Huh?
Xanthea, who had already beenpletely drawn into his performance, was suddenly snapped back
to reality by his out¨Cof¨Cce mention of ¡°Matthew.¡±
He¡¯s just reciting lines, why is he adding his own twist?
Did he think blending reality with the role will make it easier for her to get into character?
She wasn¡¯t sure if she was into the character or not, but he clearly was, almost snarling as he spoke,
his hand that had stopped moving at her chest now resuming its advance, positioning to tear her
clothes apart.
Xanthea nced down, ¡°?!¡± Hey, this isn¡¯t part of the script, this crossing of lines was supposed to be
glossed over!
¡°Maximus!¡±
She shouted, and it indeed halted his movements, ¡°You can¡¯t kill him!¡±
¡°Why?¡±
Her firm defense and opposition infuriated him further, his tall silhouette looming over her, his halted
movements resuming.
¡°Phee? He¡¯s just reciting lines, why is he adding his own twist? That weak, good¨Cfor¨Cnothing pretty
boy? What¡¯s so good about him? How is he better than me? Is he richer, from a better family, or is he
more ¡®capable¡® than me?¡±
¡°Have you tried it? Why don¡¯t youpare and see, taste what I offer? I guarantee that once you¡¯ve
tried it, you won¡¯t think of him again.¡±All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.
¡°Hey, hey, hey, Orion! Stop, stop. What I just showed you was an unedited line from ¡®Realm of Illusions.
This part was removed from the actual y, and there are no action scenes.¡±
Xanthea, her face crimson and heart pounding, listened as his words grew more outrageous,
repeatedly trying to stop him, but he seemed lost in his role,pletely deaf to her protests.
The sound of tearing fabric broke her thoughts, Xanthea looked down to see him actually ripping her
neckline, exposing whaty
beneath.
In ¡°Realm of Illusions,¡± a jealous and enraged Maximus begins to roughly grope Phoenix, but the
Phoenix in the novel, skilled in top assassin techniques, ps him hard having secretly untied her
bonds.
But the Phoenix in the novel was a top¨Cnotch assassin, while the real¨Clife Xanthea didn¡¯t know
anything. There was no director to call ¡°cut,¡± so wasn¡¯t she going to let him do whatever he wanted?!
¡°Orion, Orion.¡±
Repeating his name was futile. Remembering that he had stopped when she spoke the script lines
directly, she quickly said, ¡°Maximus, instead of humiliating me, you might as well kill me! If you don¡¯t kill
me, one day I will¡¡±
¡°You will what?¡°.
He suddenly looked up, his eyes burning intensely, making Xanthea shiver.
¡°Kill me?¡±
1/2
14:44
The infinitely magnified beauty before her and the inexplicable wounded look in his eyes made Xanthea
momentarily unable to distinguish whether he was Orion or Maximus.
Regardless of who he was, the Phoenix in the original script, who said, ¡°Yes, I will kill you myself,¡±
couldn¡¯t bring herself to say those words.
She understood then, perhaps for the first time.
Previously, she understood Phoenix as a cold¨Chearted, heroic figure, single¨Cmindedly seeking revenge
and not being bound by anyone or anything.
But throughout her dark, blood¨Cstained childhood, it was Maximus who had always been there,
protecting her, helping her through the toughest times, rescuing her from the most perilous situations,
and giving her the taste of love. He was the most important person in her life. Even if theyter became
enemies due to differing allegiances, Phoenix could never bring herself to kill him.
Just like in her past life when she was killed by scoundrels and abandoned by friends and family, her
reputation tarnished, only he was willing to visit her grave, seeking vengeance for her. He was also the
most important person in her life.
So, the sentence-¡°I will kill you myself¡°-that Phoenix was supposed to say, should be a lie.
Chapter 222
Chapter 222
It¡¯s not just this one sentence.
All her previous conversations with Maximus should be lies.
N?velDrama.Org owns this.
Phoenix¡¯s heart should have been in great struggle and pain when she turned against Maximus and
fought against him, yet she misinterpreted it as hatred and finality.
No wonder Director Smith pointed out her emotions were off. Without personal experience or acting
skills, it was indeed hard for her to grasp and portray suchplex emotions.
¡°I get it! I finally get it, Orion!¡± Xanthea eximed with a sudden spark of joy in her eyes. ¡°I know how to
y this romantic scene now! Thank you, Orion!¡±
But Orion seemed lost in his role, his fiery gaze still fixed intently on her, ¡°Would you kill me for
Matthew?¡±
¡°Of course not!¡± Xanthea chuckled, ¡°Cut! That¡¯s enough, Orion, I¡¯ve grasped the psychology aspect of
this scene. You don¡¯t need to
continue.¡±
His acting was impressive, but perhaps his empathy and immersion were too intense? Even shouting
¡°cut¡± couldn¡¯t snap him out of character. If he became an actor, might he not lose himself in his roles?
¡°What if Matthew and I both fell into the river? Who would you save?¡±
¡°Huh?¡±
Xanthea hesitated, her lips twitching.
That line wasn¡¯t part of the script, was it? An improv? Shouldn¡¯t he listen to what he said himself?
This was like the absurd ¡°if your mom and I fell into the river¡± ssic dilemma. Could a world¨Css
assassin really ask such a question? It sounded more like a jealous and irrational boyfriend, totally out
of character!
¡°Speak!¡±
Orion¡¯s demanding tone made Xanthea¡¯s cheeks puff out as he gripped her face tightly, ¡°You both can
swim, right?¡±
It was her who wasn¡¯t a strong swimmer; if she went into the water, she¡¯d likely be the first to drown.
¡°You¡¯d save him?¡±
Orion¡¯s eyes narrowed menacingly, his hand moving threateningly close to her chest, which made
Xanthea¡¯s eyes widen in fear.
When did she say she¡¯d save Matthew?
¡°I¡¯d save you! Of course, I¡¯ll save you!¡±
Forget saving Matthew; she¡¯d be merciful not to kick him!
As she spoke, the intense fire in Orion¡¯s eyes slowly faded, reced by a clear, pleased look, as if he
was quite satisfied with her
answer.
Xanthea noticed his expression change, had he switched from Maximus to Orion?
¡°Orion, are you out of character now?¡±
¡°Yeah.¡±
¡°Phew. You scared me! You get so deep into character!¡±
Orion lifted his hand, loosening the tie that was tightly bound to the bed post, and gently rubbed her
wrists. ¡°Did I hurt you?¡±
¡°It¡¯s okay with the handkerchief there, but did you study acting? Howe your acting skills are so
good? You got me into the scene all of a sudden and even helped me understand how to y this
scene!¡±
¡°No.¡±
Orion looked down slightly.
He just happened to have the same mindset that perfectly matched the character.
¡°So, it¡¯s just natural talent, huh?¡±
How could someone be so perfect? Handsome, capable, knowledgeable in everything, and still have
such a gentle personality.
Xanthea stared at him, not even realizing how bright her own eyes were at that moment.
¡°Do you like that, Xannie?¡±
Orion raised an eyebrow, and Xanthea stuttered, ¡°Li¨Clike it.¡±
Chapter 22Z
It¡¯s strange. She was just trying topliment his acting. Why did the words so difficult to say?
¡°Then you can¡¯t let Benjamine over anymore.¡±
Orion held her delicate wrist, his grip tightening as if he was craving something, his voice low and
seductive, ¡°Xannie, it can only be me teaching you.¡±
¡°O¨Cokay.¡±
¡°Good.¡±
He gently stroked her hair, his gaze lingering on her, burning yet tender, making Xanthea instinctively
want to retreat. She looked down only to realize, at that moment, she waspletely pinned under him
on therge bed, one hand tightly holding her wrist, the other stroking her hair, his gaze freely roaming
over her slightly exposed neckline due to the torn dress.
In the dead of night, alone with a man in such a position.
Xanthea¡¯s head buzzed, and she pushed him away with one hand on her chest, ¡°It¡¯s gettingte. I have
to go back!¡±
¡°Xannie.¡±
Seeing her about to leave, the man, immersed in infatuation and passion, reached out his long arm and
pulled her slender waist, holding her tightly in his arms, ¡°One more time?¡±
¡°No, no need. I¡¯ve already got it now. Thank you!¡±
Xanthea shook her head frantically, struggling to break free from his grasp and ran out without looking
back.
C
Chapter 223
Chapter 223
Oran watched her ded in panic is fierce glist flickering in his fiery eyes.
Someday he would pin her down just like he had moments ago, and
¡°Bang
At Room 3002. Xanthen burst into the room and mmed the door shut
Her eyes were wide, legs shaking, her heated body slid down the cold door until she sat on the floor,
her hands slowly reaching up to touch her burning cheeks. Why was she so hot? It felt like she was
about to evaporate. Her heart was racing, and her breaths were erratic, the intense throbbing causing
her chest to rise and fall with each breath.
What was happening to her? She had never felt this way before. Her mind and vision were filled with
Orion¡¯s image, impossible to shake off. Could she be falling for Orion?
¡°Ahhhh!¡±
¡°No, no, nor
¡°It¡¯s just too deep into the role, too deep into the role, it must be!¡±
¡°That¡¯s Phoenix, not me, Phoenix, not me!¡±
¡°A cold shower, yes! A cold shower will cool me down!¡±
Xanthea dashed to the bathroom and turned on the cold shower.
At the Northern suburbs, Realm of Illusions film set.
¡°Phoenix and Maximus reunited, a single take, action!¡±
In the dimly lit dungeon, Xanthea¡¯s hands and feet were tied to a crucifix. She heard heavy footsteps
approaching.
She slowly raised her gaze, and upon seeing the actor opposite her, her mind automatically reced
his face with Orion¡¯s.
In front of the camera, Kevin observed Xanthea¡¯s reactions meticulously, his expression shifting from
initial concern to surprise and
appreciation. He even pped his thigh in excitement but restrained himself to not disrupt her
performance.
What felt stiff and fake yesterday had turned incredibly emotional and delicate today, especially the
struggle to remain cold, the pain of being merciless, and a hint of desperately suppressed affection¨Cit
was exactly what he wanted!
He had thought that Xanthea, with no emotional experience and limited acting skills, given such short
notice, would struggle to perform. Yet, overnight, her performance had improved exponentially!
A scene that had countless NGS yesterday was nowpleted smoothly in one take.
¡°Cut!¡±
Kevin stood up excitedly.
¡°Phoenix, what happened to you?¡± her co¨Cstar asked in amazement, ¡°Your performance today was
incredible! I nearly couldn¡¯t keep up!¡±
¡°Really?¡±
¡°Phoenix,e here!¡±
Kevin waved her over, and Xanthea immediately ran to him, ¡°Director, was there anything wrong with
my performance today?¡±
¡°Yes, there¡¯s a big problem!¡±
¡°What? What¡¯s the problem?¡±
¡°The problem is it was too perfect!¡±
Kevin gave her a thumbs up, his highest praise.
¡°Xanthea, what did you go throughst night? It¡¯s like you suddenly mastered the romantic scenes,
from clueless to utterly captivating! Did you experience love overnight?¡±
He joked, but the word ¡°love¡± made Xanthea¡¯s heart skip a beat.
This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
¡°Tomorrow, we have another crucial scene for Phoenix and Maximus, the peak of their emotional
connection. It needs to be as brilliant as today, no dropping the ball!¡±
¡°Got it.¡±
¡°Also, I have some great news. Our show has passed the review and is set to premiere on Tomato TV
the day after tomorrow, with simultaneous updates across all tforms. Contracts with over a dozen
advertisers are signed. It¡¯s prime time slot, and the viewership is expected to be huge! Are you nervous
leaping from a third¨Ctier singer to a trending starlet?¡±
Chapter 224
Chapter 224
Xanthea was surprised, ¡°It¡¯s the premiering day after tomorrow? Are we on track with the shooting?¡±
¡°No worries, as long as this romantic scene goes smoothly, everything else should fall into ce. Plus,
the series is going to air weekly, so there¡¯s plenty of time before the finale. But we might ask you to sing
a soundtrack midway through. That¡¯s your forte, isn¡¯t it?¡±
¡°Yes, absolutely!¡±
Xanthea assured with a smile.
She hadn¡¯t expected the TV series to air so soon. Could her n really work out that quickly? After
dealing with those two scoundrels, she would do¡ what then? What on earth was she expecting!
¡°Alright, go take a break. We¡¯ll call you when you¡¯re needed on set.¡±
¡°Okay.¡±
As Xanthea returned to her dressing room and was about to review her script, she heard a knock on
the door.
She looked up, ¡°Ben?¡±
¡°Hey, Xan.
Benjamin stepped in with a beaming smile, ¡°I just wrapped up shooting with Group B and heard you
were fantasic today. You¡¯ve been praised by the director everywhere for your rapid progress.¡±
¡°Haha, you¡¯re too kind.¡±
¡°I knew I was right about you. You¡¯re born to be an actor, a real prodigy. I just showed you those
techniquesst night, and today you¡¯ve already mastered them, using them so adeptly.¡±
¡°Yeah.¡± Xanthea¡¯s smile faltered slightly as she awkwardly scratched her head, ¡°Thanks!¡±
She hadn¡¯t even gotten around to looking at the fifty¨Codd pointers he had given her.
¡°Don¡¯t mention it. How about we continue tonight at Sunset Hills Estates? I can teach you the rest.¡±
¡°Uh?¡±
Xanthea hesitated, recalling a deep, authoritative male voice in her head, a warning not to let Benjamin
come over anymore¨CXan, you¡¯re supposed to learn only from me.
¡°There¡¯s no need for that. You¡¯re already busy with the exhausting schedule; I shouldn¡¯t always bother
you.¡±
¡°It¡¯s no bother at all,¡± Benjamin said, but then noticed her reluctant expression. ¡°Is there anything else
youre worried about?¡±
Xanthea didn¡¯t want to admit she hadn¡¯t even looked at the techniques he showed her. She didn¡¯t want
to hurt his feelings, but the thought of Orion getting angry seemed scared her more..
¡°Ben, about those techniques you taught me yesterday. I actually haven¡¯t had a chance to look at them
yet.¡±
¡°You haven¡¯t? But today you¡¡±
Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g
*I asked Orion to help me rehearse, and from the director¡¯s reaction, it seems to work out well.¡±
Orion?
Benjamin¡¯s expression shifted subtly, his grip tightening on the mug he held.
In the realm of acting, romantic scenes are among the hardest to perform. To deliver the right feelings
and to excel at these scenes, an actor needs either a wealth of experience and skills, or to genuinely
and naturally express their own emotions.
Yesterday, Xanthea struggled during her scenes with her co¨Cactor, but after Orion helped her rehearse,
she nailed her performance in one take today. Could it be that they¡.
Last night at Sunset Hills Estates, he had noticed something off from Orion¡¯s expressions; that was
also why he acted like that yesterday.
And Xanthea said she wasn¡¯t dating anyone.
So, I won¡¯t bother you anymore. But I really appreciate the techniques you¡¯ve shared, and I¡¯ll make
sure to go over them thoroughly! Outside the filming set of Realm of Illusions, a sleek, understated
ck Rolls Royce slowly pulled up to the curb, followed by severalrge food trucks.
Chapter 225
Chapter 225
¡°Mr. Lockwood came to the set and brought afternoon tea for everyone!¡±
¡°Wow, this is sovish! There¡¯s Earl Grey tea, truffle pat¨¦, and cakes from the Grand Bakery. I¡¯ve never
had such an afternoon tea this upscale before!¡±
¡°Who is Mr. Lockwood here to visit today? We¡¯re really lucky!¡±
¡°Who else could it be? It¡¯s definitely our lead actress, Phoenix. I heard that she managed to secure the
Gallop de Ranch from Mr. Lockwood for shootingst time. Such a luxurious ce, and all she
needed was to say one word and it¡¯s done!¡±
¡°Mr. Lockwood?¡±
N?velDrama.Org owns this.
In front of the camera, Kevin saw Orion and quickly ran over with a big smile, ¡°Are you here to visit
Xan? She¡¯s in the dressing room, let me take you there!¡±
¡°How¡¯s the filming going today?¡±
¡°Are you asking about Xan? You wouldn¡¯t believe it, she had some difficulties with her romantic scene
yesterday; it had me worried sick. But then after giving her an afternoon off, she returned and nailed it,
as if she was touched by magic. I even joked that she must have been in love overnight!¡±
¡°Really?¡±
A slight smile appeared on Orion¡¯s lips, his eyes sparkling up with pleasure.
¡°Absolutely.¡±
As Kevin spoke, he looked up and saw Orion¡¯s smile, wondering if he was seeing things.
Was Mr. Lockwood smiling? After knowing him for years, it was a first. Could he possibly be in love
too?
¡°Alright.¡±
Benjamin nodded, managing a small smile and handed her the mug he¡¯was holding, ¡°My assistant told
me you broke your mug. You¡¯ve been so busy, probably haven¡¯t had the time to buy another one yet,
right?¡±
Xanthea looked at the limited summer edition of the TASTE mug in his hands, recalling how he used
¡°brushing away a feather¡± as an excuse to touch her headst night. For a moment, she was hesitatant
to ept it.
¡°What¡¯s wrong? You don¡¯t want to bother me, and you¡¯re not even willing to take a mug from me? In
that case, I should return that expensive gift you gave mest time.¡±
¡°No, no.¡±
Xanthea shook her head and took the mug.
There was still a chance for him before Xanthea and Orion made their rtionship public, right?
Benjamin watched her and couldn¡¯t help asking, ¡°Xan, I¡¯ve always wanted to ask you, what do you feel
for?¡±
¡°Xan!¡±
Before he could finish, Director Smith¡¯s voice rang out from outside the door.
Xanthea turned to look and saw Kevin excitedly heading towards her dressing room, followed.by
Orion?!
She panicked for a moment, nced at Benjamin, and then at the mug in her hand, hastily setting it
down as if to clear any misunderstanding.
Orion entered the dressing room and upon seeing Benjamin, the smile in his eyes momentarily paused.
Kevin said: ¡°What a coincidence? Ben¡¯s here too?¡±
¡°Ah.¡± Xanthea quickly exined, ¡°He came over to discuss the script with me!¡±
¡°Let¡¯s hold the discussion for now, Xan. Mr. Lockwood came especially to visit you today and even
treated the whole crew to afternoon tea!¡±
He came especially for her?
Xanthea looked at him puzzled.
He was holding a designer gift bag and a clear, exquisite box, likely filled with food, possibly made by
himself?
¡°Orion, what brings you here?¡±
Orion only paused for one second, and then swapped his frozen expression for a warm smile, ¡°Xan, I
was concerned that after keeping you up sotest night, you might be low on energy, so I decided to
cook something and bring it over.¡±
Chapter 226
Chapter 226
At first, Kevin thought Mr. Lockwood and Xan were just close friends, at most in romantic ambiguity or
courtship. But it turned out they¡¯re way more intimate than that.
Visiting the set, using affectionate nicknames, and making homemade food? -Xan is definitely Mr.
Lockwood¡¯s girl!
Xanthea was just puzzled when she heard Orion¡¯s words.
Keeping her up sote, they were rehearsingst night; what he said was misleading!
¡°It¡¯s okay.¡±
¡°Is your wrist alright?¡±
Before she could finish, Orion set down the gift box and naturally took her wrist to check it carefully.
His warm palm felt like it had current, making Xanthea instinctively jerk her hand back, ¡°N¨Cno, it¡¯s fine.¡±
¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±
Orion looked at her smooth, unblemished wrist, his eyes filled with deep remorse, ¡°I won¡¯t be so rough
next time.¡±
All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.
Xanthea: ¡°???¡±
Kevin: ¡°!!!¡± Mr. Lockwood, are you sure you can openly say that? Or should he leave you two to it?!
¡°This is some clothing I bought for you.¡±
Orion picked up a nearby gift bag and handed it to her.
¡°Why did you buy me clothes?¡±
Xanthea took it, puzzled. Before she could open it, she heard him say, tore up the one you worest
night. This one¡¯s topensate
it.¡±
Xanthea¡¯s hand shook, and the bag was nearly dropped onto the floor.
She slowly looked up at his serene and innocent look. If not for his overly casual tone, she might have
suspected he did it on purpose. The man was a master of puns and metaphors.
Suddenly, Kevin coughed awkwardly and pointed outside, ¡°Um, I still have scenes to shoot, so I¡¯ll leave
first!¡±
¡°Oh, director.¡±
Xanthea saw his expression; it was clearly that Kevin misunderstood them, and it was no use for her to
exin.
Kevin quickly left the dressing room.
Tore up the one you worest night!
Mr. Lockwood was really virile and potent! And Xan still managed to film after those intense ¡®activities¡°-
One¡¯s got to admire the professionalism of the youth these days.
¡°You can go over the scriptter, let¡¯s first eat.¡± Orion turned to Benjamin; there was a light smile in his
eyes, ¡°Mr. Jones, you¡¯re wee to join us if you don¡¯t mind.¡±
By that moment, Benjamin¡¯s face had turned extremely grim..
The two men¡¯s gazes met in the air. There was a silent, intense sh that felt as taut as a string about
to snap.
Xanthea opened the food box and found an array of delights. She warmly invited Benjamin, ¡°Ben, join
us.¡±
Before she could finish, she caught Orion¡¯s sharp gaze and choked midway.
Orion didn¡¯t want Ben to eat these?
¡°Ben!¡±
Outside, an assistant rushed in calling for Benjamin, ¡°The assistant director asked me to fetch you.
There¡¯s a scene from this morning
that needs a reshoot.¡±
¡°Got it.¡± Benjamin rxed his clenched fists, and his expression returned to normal, ¡°No need, thanks
for your kind offer, Mr. Lockwood.¡±
He walked out of the dressing room, paused at the door to turn back and tenderly advised Xanthea,
¡°It¡¯s hot these days, remember to drink more water.¡±
Xanthea replied: ¡°Mhm.¡±
Orion¡¯s gaze slowly shifted back,nding on the TASTE couple¡¯s mugs beside Xanthea.
Chapter 227
Chapter 227
¡°Orion, why didn¡¯t you give me a call before dropping by?¡±
¡°Why?¡± Orion red at her with a shadow of displeasure in his eyes. ¡°Did I interrupt something
important bying unannounced?¡±
¡°No.¡±
Having encountered him unexpectedlyst night at the elevator while saying goodbye to Benjamin,
Xanthea immediately sensed the odd tone in his voice. Remembering how she and Benjamin were
holding a coffee mug just as Orion walked in, she hastily waved her hands to exin.
¡°Benjamin and I were just discussing the script. Don¡¯t get us wrong. It¡¯s just your words could easily be
misunderstood, don¡¯t you know that?¡±
¡°Isn¡¯t what I said true?¡±
Orion stepped closer, his tall frame imposing, which forced Xanthea to instinctively step back.
¡°It is true, but to those unaware.¡±
¡°Or is it that Xan wants to hide something?¡±
His eyes narrowed slightly, catching the guilty spark in Xanthea¡¯s eyes. She immediately widened her
eyes, trying to defend herself, ¡°Who? Me? How can I want to hide anything?¡±
Why was he getting so close to her? His proximity disrupted her thoughts, filling her mind with a
buzzing noise that made it impossible for her to think clearly.
¡°So, what are you afraid of then?¡±
Orion cornered her against the table and suddenly leaned in close, startling Xanthea so much that she
knocked over the mug standing on the table.
With a ¡°crash,¡± the mug tumbled to the floor, shattering into pieces.
Xanthea looked down at the broken mug. Her mind was still in a haze, as she saw Orion bending down
to pick up the fragments.
¡°Hey!¡±
Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g
Her expression paled with worry, and she quickly bent down, grabbing his hand, ¡°What are you doing?
There¡¯s broken ss everywhere. What if you hurt yourself?¡±
As she spoke, the man paused abruptly.
He slowly looked up at her, his dark eyes sparkling with extreme joy.
She didn¡¯t care about the broken mug, only that he might get hurt.
¡°The mug is broken.¡±
¡°If it¡¯s broken, we¡¯ll just buy a new one. But if you¡¯re hurt, I¡¯d¡¡±
Xanthea caught herself before almost saying ¡°I¡¯d be worried,¡± and stumbled over her words, ¡°I¡¯d feel
guilty.¡±
¡°Alright.¡±
Orion smiled and grasped her hand back. His eyes were full of tender affections. ¡°I¡¯ll buy Xan another
one.¡±
He held her hand tightly, the warmth of his hand seeping through her skin, making Xanthea think of
what happenedst night. How he had tied her to the bed post, his body pressing down on hers, as he
whispered sweet nothings with unabashed affection.
Her heart pounded and her mouth went dry.
What was going on?
What was she even thinking? Those were just acting!
Xanthea felt not quite like herself sincest night. She shook her head vigorously and pulled her hand
away, forcing herself to keep a clear head, ¡°I¡¯m kind of hungry. Let¡¯s have the afternoon tea!¡±
¡°Sure.¡±
Orionid out the box of coffee, pastries, and snacks on the table.
Xanthea spotted a pink sakura mousse cake among them, her eyes lighting up as she grabbed a fork,
¡°This is my favorite!¡±
Her eyshes fluttered with delight, her eyes twinkling with joy as she held up her fork, looking every
bit the adorable food enthusiast, which made Orion¡¯s throat tighten a little.
¡°Give it a try.¡±
09:28
Chapter 22.
¡°Will do!¡±
Xanthea eagerly forked a piece and popped it into her mouth, her eyes blissfully narrowing, and
mumbled through her mouthful, ¡°Oh, this is so good, Orion, you really outdid yourself!¡±
Chapter 228
Chapter 228
¡°The cherry mousse cake you madest time was also delicious¨Cit tastes smooth and creamy, sweet
but not overpowering! Huh? You¡¯re not having any yourself?¡±
¡°No.¡±
Orion shook his head, his gaze fixed on her intently.
He wanted to have her.
Cedric had mentioned that Orion wasn¡¯t much for sweet food. Then was this all specially made for her?
Xanthea bit her fork, suddenly feeling the cake in her mouth taste even sweeter. She raised an
eyebrow slightly and asked him, ¡°Orion, did you make all of these yourself?¡±
All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.
¡°Yep.¡±
¡°Ah, the CEO of Lockwood Group seems to have loads of spare time? You even had the time to bake
during office hours.¡±
¡°I¡¯m not really spare.* Orion chuckled lightly, ¡°I¡¯ve been working on something significanttely.¡±
¡°Something significant? What¡¯s that?¡±
Xanthea¡¯s interest piqued.
A significant lifelongmitment.
Orion teased, ¡°Ms. Nightshade, are you inquiring about the corporate secrets?¡±
¡°Psh.
Displeased with his secretive demeanor, Xanthea pouted, ¡°What if I was inquiring? I wouldn¡¯t
understand those things anyway. Are you worried I might spill the beans?¡±
¡°No, not at all.¡±
¡°Then what is it? With our rtionship, don¡¯t you trust me?¡±
¡°It¡¯s a matter of principle.¡±
¡°What principle?¡±
Orion looked at her slowly, stating, ¡°It involves business confidentiality, so I can only share it with the
CEO¡¯s wife.¡±
At the mention of ¡°CEO¡¯s wife,¡± Xanthea¡¯s expression froze, her eyes stopped moving.
She shouldn¡¯t have asked, why did she do that?
Orion¡¯s lips curved slightly, ¡°Xan still wants to know?¡±
Driven by his words, Xanthea¡¯s hand trembling as she brought the cake to her lips, smearing a bit of
the white cream on her red lips.
He said he would only tell his wife, so why did he ask her?
Orion watched the trembling dollop of cream on her soft lips, his pupils dted slightly. He reached out
gently to wipe it off and then ced it into his mouth.
¡°21¡±
Xanthea, shocked, almost fell off her chair.
He, he just put the cream off her lips into his mouth?! That was almost like an indirect kiss¡
¡°It¡¯s sweet.¡±
Having tasted the cream, Orion looked at her, his eyes captivating and seductive. For a moment, a bold
thought shed through Xanthea¡¯s mind¨Cshe wanted to kiss him!
In a second, her face blushed, and she stood up in a panic, ¡°I have to go shooting now! Bye!¡±
She turned to run, but was forcefully caught by the man from behind.
¡°The director mentioned you did well today.¡±
Orion stood up, leaning down close to her ear. His voice was low and maic, utterly bewitching, ¡°I¡¯ll
be waiting in the room tonight, we can continue.¡±
Ahhhhhh!
Xanthea¡¯s mind exploded, a blush spreading from her cheeks to her ears and neck, her entire being felt
ame.
Stop tempting her, she was barely holding on!
09:29
Chapter 228
She broke free and ran without looking back.
¡°Ms. Nightshade?¡±
Outside, Cedric, having just distributed afternoon snacks to the crew, was about to enter the dressing
room when he saw Xanthea running out like a shot.
Curiously, he peered inside, only to see the CEO with a smitten, irresistibly handsome smile.
Chapter 229
Chapter 229
Crestwood CBD Business Center, Starlight Media.
At artists¡® lounge, on the seventh floor.
¡°Isabe, Isabe, something, something big happened!¡±
Wendy barged in from outside, breathless and flustered. Isabe frowned; she was clearly annoyed,
and put down her script.
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¡°What¡¯s got you all panicked? You made me forget the lines I¡¯ve just memorized. Is it that bitch Olivia
stirring up trouble with another press release to trash me?¡±
¡°No, no, it¡¯s not that.¡±
Wendy gasped for air, shaking her head as she bent over, speaking in bursts, ¡°Xanthea¡¯s starring in
Realm of Illusions, and it¡¯s set to premiere this Saturday on Tomato TV, at 8 PM, day after tomorrow!¡±
¡°What!¡±
Isabe put down her script in shock, ¡°How can it be so soon? They haven¡¯t even finished shooting!
Was it be that the production team rushed the project, afraid that no one would pick it up if they dy?
They must be leveraging Xanthea¡¯s poprity to air it early!¡±
She muttered to herself, but hardly believed her own spection.
Realm of Illusions was the only S+ grade blockbuster from theirpany this year, and it was directed
by Kevin. From production, screeny, to art and costumes, top professionals in the industry were
involved. Even after the project was transferred to Oli¨Chea Media, the personnel remained unchanged.
Moreover, the president of Oli hea Media was Xanthea¡¯s uncle, which secured Realm of Illusions
received extra attention. Otherwise, the series would not be in the prime time slot on Tomato TV.
Last year, only one of her two dramas barely made it onto Tomato TV, yet Xanthea¡¯s debut drama
made it. It seemed she was truly determined to surpass her.
When Isabe had epted the wager, she had ridiculed Xanthea for being overconfident. Now, she
felt uneasy.
Her current project, Corner with Love, was only halfway done, and it was recently overshadowed by the
infamous Olivia, who relentlessly spread negative publicity. And with Xanthea always exceeding
expectations, there was a real risk she might be a sensation after her series aired!
¡°It shouldn¡¯t be.¡±
Wendy shook her head, whispering, ¡°Isabe, from reliable sources, Xanthea is on the guest list for the
next episode of Adventure Blitz: Two Days, One Night.¡±
¡°Adventure Blitz: Two Days, One Night?!¡°.
3 X 25 E
Now, Isabepletely panicked, ¡°Where did you hear that? Isn¡¯t that show only inviting the top
celebrities of the industry? Why would they invite a rookie like her?¡±
Since the live broadcast of Adventure Blitz: Two Days, One Night, it had consistently topped the charts,
with viewership surpassing most hit dramas. The guests invited were usually the most popr actors
and actresses of the moment.
¡°It¡¯s not just a rumor; it¡¯s been an open news inside thepany. Apparently, a staff member from the
broadcasting authority who reviewed Realm of Illusions leaked that it is a once¨Cin¨Ca¨Cdecade hit series.
They believe Xanthea will be the next phenomenal actress in the industry. Upon receiving the
news, the production team wanted to have Xanthea on their next episode, so that the show would
coincide with the broadcast of Realm of Illusions, killing birds with one stone!¡±
¡°No, they can¡¯t do that!¡±
two E
Isabe threw her script aside, pacing around the lounge in distress. Realm of Illusions was already
enough to worry about. If Xanthea appeared on Adventure Blitz: Two Days, One Night as well, with her
charm and ability to attract attention, she could potentially gain a massive following. That would mean
losing the bet for sure!
¡°Wendy, contact Jason. I must be on the next episode of Adventure Blitz: Two Days, One Night,
whatever
Chapter 230
Chapter 230
Wendy was bbergasted. ¡°You¡¯ve got your schedule packed for the next few days, and besides, the
guest list for the next episode of Adventure Blitz: Two Days, One Night is already released. You¡¯re not
on it, but Olivia, your arch¨Cnemesis, is on the list.¡±
¡°With Xanthea¡¯s being invited, how can I even bother about her?¡± Isabe replied coldly. ¡°Just do as I
say. I¡¯d appear on Adventure Blitz: Two Days, One Night for free, if that¡¯s what it takes!¡±
¡°Well then.¡±
Wendy shook her head helplessly, realizing there was a brewing storm between Isabe and Xanthea.
She couldn¡¯t understand it. Xanthea never really acknowledged Isabe, so why was Isabe
constantly picking fights with her? Despite her years in the industry and her fierce reputation, Isabe
never usually sought out conflicts¨Cexcept when it came to Xanthea.
Wendy was worried. If Isabe the top¨Ctier star, were to be overshadowed by Xanthea, a neer, it
would be a double loss. But her premonitions were only growing stronger.
¡®Cut!¡±
¡°Xan, that¡¯s a wrap for today!¡±
¡°Thanks, Director, see you!¡±
As Xanthea shed her costume, getting ready to head to her dressing room, Kevin approached her with
a grin.
All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.
¡°Xan, how are you finding the shoot so far?¡±
¡°Great¡±
¡°And how¡¯s Director Smith treating you?¡±
¡°Really well.¡±
¡°That¡¯s good to hear!¡± Kevin¡¯s smile widened. Just make sure you put in a good word for me with Mr.
Lockwood when you can.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Xanthea paused, recalling what happened in the dressing room
earlier Director, please don¡¯t get us wrong, Orion and I are not¡¡±
¡°I get it, I get it,¡± Kevin interjected before she could finish ¡°you¡¯re just starting out, and going public with
a rtionship might affect your poprity. Don¡¯t worry, your secret¡¯s safe with me
¡°It¡¯s not that.¡±
¡°But remember, love shouldn¡¯t distract you from work. You¡¯ve got some intense action scenesing
up, so better stay fit.¡±
Xanthea massaged her forehead, feeling like she couldn¡¯t clear her name even if she jumped into the
Mississippi River.
At Room 3001 of the Sunset Hills Estates
Standing at the doorstep with her script, Xanthea took several deep breaths, muttering to herself, ¡°Stay
calm, it¡¯s just acting. Don¡¯t let his charm sway you again¡.¡±
Bracing herself, she was about to ring the doorbell when the door swung open.
¡°Xan, you¡¯re back?¡±
Qrion appeared freshly showered, his body emitting a faint pine scent Droplets trickled from his wet,
ck hair down his chiseled face, pooling into his slightly open athletic shirt that barely concealed his
impable physique. Even in a simple ck robe, his perfect V¨Cshaped torso was unmistakably
striking.
Those deep, obsidian eyes fixed on her his voice soft and warm, and his words ¡°Xan, you¡¯re back?¡±
sounded much like¡ Honey, you¡¯re home?
¡°Gulp
Xanthea swallowed hard, fighting the thoughts in her mind.
It was strange. He¡¯s always been handsome, but now he seemed irresistible.
That was bad¡® Despite her reluctance to admit it, she had to admit that her thoughts about Orion had
be improper, and she was starting to feel those lustful desires.
youing in?¡±
reality, Xanthea stammered ¡°Yes, yes, of course.¡±
Chapter 231
Chapter 231
Xanthea stepped into the front door and saw her sneakers. She headed straight to 3001 after her work
and hadpletely forgotten to change into slippers. Just as she was about to turn around, Orion
pulled out a pair of fluffy pink Hello Kitty slippers from the shoe cab.
¡°Xan, try these on and see if they fit.¡±
Were these specifically bought for her? How did he know she liked Hello Kitty?
As an adult, wearing something with Hello Kitty might seem childish, so she only bought such designs
for her more private clothing, like her underwear, which no one except family would know about. How
could he have known..
Xanthea froze, suddenly remembering the Hello Kitty underwear that had mysteriously ended up on his
balcony a few days ago. Orion looked up, interrupting her thoughts. ¡°Don¡¯t you like them?¡±
She shook her head quickly, then nodded. ¡°I, I like them.¡± What was she thinking? That was a creepy!
Orion was not that kind of person. ¡°Good to hear.¡±
He then knelt on one knee, reaching for her shoces.
Huh?!
Xanthea shivered in surprise, pulling her foot back.
¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡±
Orion looked up at her, puzzled. Xanthea¡¯s eyes widened, her eyes glittering with confusion. He¨Chow
come he was asking her what was the matter?
It was one thing to keep a pair of slippers for her in his shoe cab, but to personally help her change
into them? Was he always this hospitable, or was there something else?
¡°No, I¡¯ll do it myself!¡±
She dropped the script she was holding, bending over so abruptly she almost bumped into him.
Stepping back several steps, flustered, she hastily untied herces. Seeing that he didn¡¯t get up but
instead kept his gaze fixed on her feet, as if peeping at something, her toes couldn¡¯t help but wiggle
awkwardly.
¡°Emm¡ Orion, I brought over the script we need to rehearse today, you can take a look first.¡±
Orion took the script, flipped through it briefly, then closed it. ¡°No need, I¡¯ve already read this part.¡±
¡°The original?¡±
¡°Yeah.¡±
She couldn¡¯t help but ask one more question, even though it felt redundant. ¡°The edited copy?¡±
¡°No, the online version, the one includes excerpts the author posted on their blog.¡±
Xanthea was puzzled. The online version on the blog? The one including the intimate plots between
Maximus and Phoenix!
¡°That won¡¯t work, the script is different from the online version. We should stick to the script.¡±
¡°But I¡¯ve already memorized the lines, I don¡¯t want to read it again.¡±
Xanthea was baffled. Why not read it again? He had memorized the lines perfectly yesterday, it didn¡¯t
seem that hard!
¡°You should still¡¡±
She tried to persuade him, but he cut her off. ¡°Plus, Xan, you¡¯re looking for the essence of Maximus,
not a parrot of lines, right?¡±
¡°Right.¡±
¡°In that case, using the original would be better for getting into character.¡±
¡°Well, that makes sense.¡±
Xanthea nodded, unwittingly falling into his reasoning.
¡°But the original has some¡¡±
Orion noticed the hesitation and conflict in her eyes. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll keep it appropriate.¡±
Phew.
That was a relief!
This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
¡°There won¡¯t what Xan is expecting.¡±
Chapter 231
He chuckled softly. Xanthea blinked, then jumped up, protesting. ¡°Who, who¡¯s expecting anything? D
Chapter 232
Chapter 232
Orionid out the midnight snack on the dining table, its rich aroma immediately filling the air, making
Xanthea involuntarily swallow in anticipation.
¡°Xan, let¡¯s have somete¨Cnight treats first.¡±
¡°There¡¯s no need for that!¡±
Xanthea mustered all her strength just to lift her hand in refusal.
In the past, she would have sat down happily and without hesitation to eat, but now, not only did she
have thoughts about the food he cooked, but also about him.
¡°How about a drink then.¡±
No need! Let¡¯s just get straight to rehearsal, I only came here to practice today, and I have other things
to deal withter.¡±
have?¡±
Orion was puzzled by her series of refusals, ¡°What other things do you
¡°There¡¯s¡¡± Xanthea thought for a moment, suddenly recalling his ¡°corporate secrets¡± from earlier in the
day. Her eyebrows slightly raised, ¡°Are you interested in my personal affairs?¡±
N?velDrama.Org owns this.
She raised an eyebrow, her eyes carrying a hint of ¡°none of your business¡± confusion and a very subtle,
extremely secretive anticipation. She thought that with this kind of provocative gaze, he wouldn¡¯t
pursue it any further.
However, he looked straight at her, ¡°Yes, I¡¯m very interested.¡±
With that single statement, Xanthea was thrown off bnce. She stumbled over her words, her heart
racing, ¡°Then I¡¯ll tell you after we¡¯re done rehearsing.¡±
¡°Alright, I¡¯ll just go dry my hair.¡±
As soon as he turned around, Xanthea couldn¡¯t hide her smile.
She bit her lip hard and pinched her thigh, forcing herself to calm down-
Don¡¯t overthink it, it might just be any casual interest, but then he bought her favorite Hello Kitty
slippers and even offered to help her put them on¡
Ten minutester, Orion returned with his hair dried, dressed in a sleek, dark suit, holding a silk tie, and
with gold¨Crimmed sses perched on his sharp nose.
Seeing him all dressed up, Xanthea¡¯s heart skipped a beat.
He must be doing this on purpose, right?
It¡¯s just ate¨Cnight rehearsal, why did he put on such dashing looks?
His usual business attire was already quite charming, but now with those gold¨Crimmed sses, he
looked even more like a sophisticated rogue, cold and ruthless, very much like the character Maximus
from the novels, though Maximus was never this
handsome.
Seeing his handsome face flitting.before her, especially when she had ¡°certain thoughts¡± about him,
she knew she¡¯d be distracted!
¡°Xan, are you ready?¡±
¡°Yeah.¡±
Xanthea clenched her teeth and nodded.
¡°Then let¡¯s begin.¡±
Orion took her hand and tightly tied her slender wrists together with the silky tie, using a surgeon¡¯s knot
just likest time. Xanthea suggested, ¡°There¡¯s no need to tie it so tightly, a symbolic tie would suffice.¡±
However, he coldly rejected her, ¡°No.¡±
Why so merciless?
As if shecked professionalism and would try to escape halfway through the performance.
After securing the knot, Orion stood up/and turned off the lights.
The room plunged into darkness, and Xanthea began to recall the scene and dialogue of the second
emotional confrontation between Phoenix and Maximus in their story.
Maximus had finally captured Phoenix, trapping her in a secret room at Ignite Camp, a ce unknown
to others.
Chapter 233
Chapter 233
Maximus poured out his feelings of longing for the past five years to Phoenix, urging her to abandon
her quest for revenge, leave Prescott, and return to Ignite Camp and back to his side. However,
Phoenix would rather die thanply, even threatening that if he let her go, she would kill him herself.
The two had a fierce argument and parted on bad terms.
Phoenix remained locked in a dark, sunless cell until two dayster, when Maximus once again pushed
open the door-
With a sharp ¡°click,¡± the hallway lights flickered back on, and Xanthea squinted against the harsh light
to see the tall, handsome man standing in the doorway.
His expression was calm, his gaze dark, holding a food box in his hand.
¡°Phee, I heard from the servants that you haven¡¯t eaten in two days.¡±
¡°It seems you¡¯re still not getting it.¡±
Xanthea had thought that her current feelings toward him would make her easily lose focus. But,
unexpectedly, with just a few words, he instantly drew her back into Realm of Illusions.
His demeanor, his tone, the oppressive air of superiority¨Cwas this not the cold¨Chearted, ruthless
Maximums from Ignite Camp? Seeing him, Phoenix¡¯s lips curled into a slight, mocking smile, and
turned her head away, ¡°If you¡¯re here to persuade me again, I¡¯d advise you not to waste your energy.
¡°No matter what, I will never rejoin Ignite Camp or continue to stand by you, unless you kill me.¡±
Though a top assassin by training, she had gone two days without food, her voice tinged with frailty, yet
her stance remained unyielding.
Orion walked over slowly, eyeing her figure wrapped tightly in a tattered nightgown, like a beautiful but
tormented siren, subjected to torture and humiliation yet still refusing to bow. A dark desire flickered
through his eyes.
He slowly crouched down, lifting her chin.
But Phoenix jerked away, turning her face coldly, as if she couldn¡¯t bear even to look at him.
¡°Heh-¡±
The man chuckled lowly, switching to stroke her hair.
¡°Phee, you know I could never kill you.
N?velDrama.Org owns this.
¡°You know I care for you, and you take advantage of that.
¡°What I love most is this defiant spirit in you, a crazed rebellion that seeps from your bones, stubbornly
making one want to break your wings and see you kneel and beg.¡±
As he spoke, a nearly pleasurable sigh escaped his throat,
Xanthea turned slightly to look at him.
His eyes were half¨Cclosed, holding a strand of her curly hair, he leaned down to deeply inhale, his face
showing a rabid, obsessed longing that sent shivers down her spine.
Gosh! He¡¯s ying a creep so well!
¡°Phee, do you know when I started liking you?
¡°I liked you from the first day at Ignite Camp, ha¡
¡°You must think I¡¯m sick, right? We were so young at that time. But you don¡¯t know, you shone so
brightly in the crowd.
¡°Your smile would light up the world, your tears made me want to kill anyone who upsets you, and
those annoying pests always hovering around you were such an eyesore!
¡°Wretched pests daring to dream of the brilliant sun, did they deserve it? Make a guess, how do you
think they died?¡°.
¡°Was it you?¡±
Phoenix caught the hint in his words, her brows furrowed, ring at him with anger, ¡°You killed them?!¡±
After so many years of closepanionship, she had no idea he was capable of such malice, even
capable of killing those brothers who had fought side by side with them!
¡°Why did you do that?¡±
¡°Because they deserved to die!¡±
09:29
Chapter 233
Orion suddenly opened his eyes wide, a sinister, jealous gleam that was chilling to behold.
For a moment, Xanthea was pulled out of the scene.
The jealousy in his eyes was too real, it felt less like acting and more like reality, he acted as if he was
Maximus himself, who had been jealous of someone for decades, to the point of wanting them dead.
Chapter 234
Chapter 234
Chapter 234
¡°They¡¯re weak and foolish, and they dare covet you? And why, why are you so kind to them? Why isn¡¯t
all this kindness meant just for me? I want you all to myself, to be good only to me!¡±
¡°You¡¯re insane.¡±
Phoenix shook his head. Yet Maximus smiled, ¡°Yes, and that¡¯s why Prescott must die.¡±
The mention of Prescott stirred something in Phoenix, but she stifled the emotion, fearing it would draw
his attention and truly lead him to carry out his threat.
Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.
But no matter how much she tried to hide it, she couldn¡¯t fool Maximus, who knew her too well.
¡°So you care about him that much? Enough to betray Ignite Camp, betray me, and even risk your life to
protect him?!¡±
He growled lowly, but Phoenix pretended not to hear.
For reasons she couldn¡¯t yet reveal, her betrayal of Ignite Camp wasn¡¯t for anyone else but a personal
vendetta.
¡°I won¡¯t let you die.¡±
Orion opened a lunchbox, bringing a bowl of soup to her lips.
She turned her head away, clearly refusing, even as he pinched her chin, forcing her to face the bowl,
she remained unresponsive, resigned to her fate..
¡°Not drinking, huh?¡± Orion scoffed, taking a sip of the soup himself, ¡°Then I¡¯ll just have to feed it to you
one mouthful at a time.¡±
¡°I¡¯ll drink!¡±
Phoenix quickly changed her tune, even moving her hands, ¡°Just untie me, and I¡¯ll eat by myself.¡±
Her suddenpliance caught Orion off guard.
In the original book, Maximus had to feed Phoenix a few mouthfuls before she submitted and agreed to
eat on her own, but now, she had surrendered without him having to do anything.
He untied the knot, and Xanthea picked up the bowl, taking a sip. This soup was actually delicious¨Cif
she was Phoenix, she would have given in sooner.
¡°Xan, you¡¯ve broke character.¡±
Xanthea paused, her utensil in mid¨Cair. Was he out of character? That was rare.
¡°No, I didn¡¯t. The ¡®forced kiss¡® part was cut from the script, so I skipped it.¡±
Though there was a bit of an arment, she feared that if it dragged on, he might actually kiss her,
knowing how deeply he could
immerse himself in the role, as she had experienced just the night before.
¡°I have my own way of handling this, let¡¯s not waste any more emotions.¡±
¡°Alright then.¡±
Xanthea looked at him. He seemed slightly upset about her skipping that part of the scene.
Even though he was just helping her rehe
¡°Got it, let¡¯s start.¡±
he was surprisingly professional.
Phoenix struggled to swallow the soup under his coercion, and Maximus, seeing her finally agree to
eat, couldn¡¯t help but smile. ¡°Phee, do you remember the days we spent together at Ignite Camp?
¡°Remember that time I messed up and got punished by the camp leader, locked in the water cell
overnight? When I came up I was nearly suffocating, and you gave me mouth¨Cto¨Cmouth. When I woke
up, you asked how I felt; but all I could remember was how sweet and soft your lips were.
And another time, we were on a mission pretending to be a couple, and I got ¡®drunk and clung to you
saying I felt awful, which was both true and false. False because I wasn¡¯t really drunk, true because the
way you were twisting made me feel uneasy. I pretended to be drunk Just to hold you, it was incredibly
uneasy, and I even almost¡
He trailed off, leaning close to Xanther and whispering thest few words in her ear.
Xanther¡¯s eyes widened in shock, her hand trembling with the utensil at his words.
This must be what he referred to in the Realm of Illusions blog post. How could he say such a
Chapter 235
Chapter 235
The young girl¡¯s petite face turned visibly red, much like a tempting peach ripe for picking, her blush
spreading from white to a rosy pink; her clear, amber¨Ccolored eyes widened with panic and disbelief.
Orion stared intensely at her, his heart racing as he beheld the shy, captivating beauty. He knew his
words must have shocked her, given her pure and innocent nature. Yet, he found himself unable to
restrain the tumult of thoughts and desires, and vented them through the character.
His thoughts were bolder than those of Maximus.
F2 2 2 3 23 22 5
¡°Phee, I miss the days when we were together. Just observing you from a distance, seeing youugh
and frolic was enough for me. During these past five years, I¡¯ve spent every day in search for you,
dreaming of your smile every night. But then I would wake up to the realization it was all a dream.
Thinking of you tormented me; I was haunted by illusions. Do you know how much pain I was
experiencing?¡±
As he spoke, a twisted light flickered in his dark eyes, which Xanthea didn¡¯t notice. She was still caught
up in the shock of what he had just revealed.
Even if it was part of the original script, he shouldn¡¯t have said those things, right? That was creepy!
Indecent! Shameless! And he said he would keep it appropriate!
¡°Phee!¡±
Caught up in his emotions, Orion suddenly pulled her into a tight embrace.
Xanthea, taken aback by his sudden action, dropped the silverware she was holding. Feeling the
warmth from his muscr chest, she tried to push him away and got back into character.
¡°I don¡¯t need to suffer anymore, nor continue this unrequited love. I want to have you,pletely!¡±
As he spoke, hisrge hand moved to tear at her clothes. Xanthea, rmed, recalled the script where
Phoenix pped Maximus hard..
But faced with Orion¡¯s infuriatingly handsome face, she couldn¡¯t bring herself to hit him and instead bit
down on his arm.
Her bite was gentle, her pearly white teeth barely pressing into his skin; her soft, moist lips felt more
like to a caress than a bite.
Orion¡¯s dark eyebrows twitched violently, driven to the brink by her unintentional provocation. His eyes
darkened further, about to escte the scene.
Until she spoke her line, quelling the demon within him.
¡°Maximus, you dare!¡±
¡°Why wouldn¡¯t I? You were the one who betrayed me first!¡±
Orion, seeing her clutch her chest, wary and defensive, felt a wave of anger, ¡°What are you afraid of?
Afraid that I might vite you, and you couldn¡¯t remain pure for Matthew?¡±
Wait, what?
Xanthea blinked; she was thrown out of her character once again.
Why did he rece Prescott with Matthew? She was fully immersed in her role; the recement was
unnecessary.
¡°It¡¯s toote now.¡±
¡°What?¡±
Orion suddenly scooped her up, pinning her against therge window, ¡°See who¡¯s down below?¡±
Below the skyscraper, a line of familiar ck sedans was parked along the curb. Exiting one of them
were two figures with the distinctive insignia of the Ignite Camp killers, apanying someone¨Cit was
Prescott?!
¡°Prescott!¡±
¡°Ah!¡±
Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g
As she called out his name, a hand mped around her neck.
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Chapter 236
Although Onion¡¯s touch was gentle, almost like a caress, having someone firmly grasp the most
delicate and fragile part of her body still sent shivers down her spine, and she felt like her wrist could be
broken at any moment.
1 don¡¯t want to hear his name
¡°Maximus, what on earth are you doing!¡±
All the calm, indifferentposure Phoenix had maintained shattered the moment she saw Prescott.
Panic started to set in
¡°Tve said it before, all the lowlifes coveting you must die, especially him.¡±
His chilling voice echoed in Xanthea¡¯s ears, making her skin crawl. ¡°Since you like him, III make his
death a special one. How about! slowly slice off his flesh?¡±
mitially, Xanthea thought he was just ying the part of a creep, but after hearing his words, she began
to fear that he might actually have a touch of madness hidden deep within him. Could them still be a
remnant from his dark childhood?
Hearing his cruel words, a genuine fear arose in Phoenix¡¯s heart that he might actually kill Prescott in
his rage.
¡°Please, don¡¯t kill him, Maximus. I¡¯ll do anything if you spare him,¡±
She didn¡¯t realize that the more she pleaded for Prescott, the more infuriated and violent Maximus
became.
¡°Alright then.¡±
Onon¡¯s thin lips twisted into a cold smirk as he leaned into her alluring figure.
His hot, intense breath was just inches away from her sensitive ear, carrying a strong scent of
masculinity that quickly caused Xanthea¡¯s cheeks to flush, spreading down to her neck. Her mouth
went dry, and her heartbeat sped up, especially with her hands bound by him, hinting at an unspoken
force
Xanthes couldn¡¯t quite figure out what was happening to her.
In that moment, he wasn¡¯t Maximus; he was Orion, the man she had unwittingly fallen for.
¡°Beg me
His low, husky whisper in her ear was irresistibly seductive.
¡°I beg you¡±
For Prescott, Phoenix lowered her head for the first time, breaking her noble resolve.
Maximusughed with a mix of delight and fury.
N?velDrama.Org owns this.
He was delighted that she was finally submitting to him, but furious that she was doing it all for
Prescott!
¡°Say you¡¯re my woman, you¡¯re Orion¡¯s, and that you¡¯ll only be with me for the rest of your life.¡±
¡°Ah
He was too close, his breath too intoxicating. Xanthea¡¯s mind was a blur, scarcely noting the swap from
Maximus¡¯s name to his own, nor feeling the bite on her neck. She simply echoed, ¡°I¡¯m your woman, I¡¯m
Orion¡¯s, and I¡¯ll only be with you for the rest of my life.¡±
Her tender voice, lost and moan¨Clike, which stirred Onion¡¯s desires even more. His restrained breaths
grew more intense, and the bite on her neck deepened.
Before Xanthea could even feel the pain on her neck, something felt off.
¡°Orion.¡±
In the next second, Orion swiftly let her go and walked towards the bedroom, as if fearing that dying
even a second would expose his fervent desire to devour her.
¡°That¡¯s enough for today, you should go back¡±
His voice was hoarse as if his vocal cords were strained, increasing Xanthea¡¯s suspicions about what
lay beneath his surface. Could he
Chapter 237
Chapter 237
There lingered a tension¨Cfilled aura of ambiguity in the air. A hidden truth was about to burst out.
Xanthea¡¯s cheeks were flushed, her heart pounding like thunder. She should have followed his
suggestion, grabbed the script, and left.
2 2 1
But whether it was a suddenpse in judgment or a desire to confirm something, she impulsively
stepped forward and grabbed his
hand.
¡°Orion, there¡¯s just onest scene left. Shall we finish it today?¡±
Her delicate hand unexpectedly caught his fingers, as if clinging to something, making Orion frozen in
ce
He slowly turned his face towards her, his dark desires and intense possessiveness naked in his gaze
Xanthea shivered as she saw something in his eyes as if something had already been confirmed.
But that wasn¡¯t enough.
Suppressing her racing heart, she looked at him with flickering eyes and said calmly, ¡°Let¡¯s start¡±
In the final romantic scene between Phoenix and Maximus, Phoenix seduced Maximus in a desperate
attempt to save Prescott. Xanthea was clueless about how to seduce a man, so she just followed the
sparse instructions in the script and slowly walked towards Orion.
She lowered her head slightly, her lushshes fluttering as she bit her rosy lips, and her cheeks flushed
embarrassingly red. She raised her trembling, delicate fingers to his suit jacket, hesitantly unbuttoning
the first button, and just as she was about to explore his broad, tense muscles, a strong force pulled
her fiercely into his embrace.
¡°Oh Onion¡±
No need to even seduce him.
She didn¡¯t realize how provocative she looked¡
Onion¡¯s expression was fierce, his eyes bloodshot, his gaze intensely affectionate, which startled
Xanthea.
Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g
You brought this on yourself, little temptress.
Completely overtaken by desire, Orion bent down to capture her soft lips, his intense kissesnding on
her tender and sensitive neck. ¡°Xan, Xan, oh, my Xan.¡±
Caught up in his passion, he called out her name, not Phoenix¡¯s, and that confirmed Xanthea¡¯s
suspicions. Her eyes sparkled immdiately.
He held her tightly, making it hard for her to breathe, his seductive whispers in her ear and the fierce
kisses on her neck made her moan uncontrobly, her eyes bing increasingly hazy, her body
responding to him.
¡°Orion.¡±
¡°Ding dong, ding¨Cdong-
Just as she moaned, a jarring doorbell and a familiar voice echoed, ¡°Xan, are you home? Open up, it¡¯s
Uncle!¡±
Uncle?
Uncle!
It took Xanthea a moment to react. She then snapped out of her trance and started forcefully pping
the man on top of her. ¡°Orion, Onion, stop, stop, my uncle is here!¡±
She pped him several times and finally bit his shoulder to bring him back to his senses.
¡°He¡¯s at Room 3002¡±
Orion¡¯s eyes, still clouded with lust, leaned in to kiss her again, but Xanthea firmly covered his mouth.
¡°Even so..¡±
¡°Ding, ding-
Her phone on the table suddenly rang. Xanthea¡¯s eyes widened and nced towards the door, afraid
that Oliver Lopez could hear through the door that her phone was ringing in Room 3001
¡°Let go of me!¡±
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Chapter 238
Xanthea pushed him away forcefully and dashed to grab her phone.
But, no sooner had she moved than Orion cought her from behind, pulling her back into a tight
embrace again.
Onon clung to her waist, closing his eyes as he fought the overwhelming desire, his hot lips kissing her
hair incessantly.
¡°Baby, my baby¡±
The word ¡°baby¡± made Xanthea¡¯s face bum red as if it was heated
Even though she knew he was¡¡..
Could he not hold it back? Uncle was night at the door.
It seemed he had sensed her thoughts: Onion¡¯s voice was deep and husky, with a plea in his tone,
¡°Give me a moment.¡±
Xanthea blinked her innocent eyes, aware of what he needed a moment for
¡°It¡¯s odd¡±
At the door of Room 3002. Oliver tried calling Xanthea again but couldn¡¯t get through. He muttered in
confusion, ¡°Didn¡¯t Ryan say Xan was at Sunset Hills Estates? Maybe she went back home on a
a whim?¡±
wm 3001 opened.
He hung up the phone Just as he was about to call Samuel, ¡°Ding- the door of Room
Oliver saw a well¨Cdresseding from inside. The man had a suspicious flush on his face, as if he
had been interrupted in the midst of something pleasant, and looked quite displeased. Oliver was taken
aback ¡°Chairman Lockwood? You live here too?¡±
N?velDrama.Org owns this.
¡°Mr. Lopez, are you looking for Ms. Nightshade?¡±
¡°Yes, yes!¡±
His voice was calm, but it barely masked the roughness underneath. It was clear that he had been
immersed in something before being abruptly disturbed
¡°Did I interrupt your sleep. Chairman Lockwood?¡±
¡°No, I just got back I saw Ms. Nightshade dining downstairs earlier, shall I take you here?¡±
Oliver replied. ¡°That¡¯s too kind of you, just tell me the name of the restaurant!¡±
1 forgot it¡¯ste now, I better take you there.¡±
Checking the time and seeing it was nearly eleven, with Xan not answering her phone, Oliver grew
anxious and nodded, ¡°Okay!¡± As he stepped into the elevator with a man with the undefinable air of
tension and emotion, his mind raced with thoughts. Chairman Lockwood liked Xan, that was clear from
their interaction at the Realm of Musions event, and Xan seemed to have feelings for him as well. He
had noticed itst time, but he couldn¡¯t figure out when they became neighbors, whether it was
coincidental or intentional, and how far their rtionship had progressed.
He had to asked Xan when he saw her
Five minutester, with no more sounds from outside, Xanthea slipped into Room 3002 and dove into
her bed.
She covered her burning cheeks, embarrassed by the scenes that they had just rehearsed.
When she was getting flustered about her feelings for Onion, it turned out he liked her too!
And it seemed he really, really liked her, otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t have called her name with such
passion, and just from a hug he was.
She used her Hello Kitty plush to cover her face, and couldn¡¯t help but smiled.
When had he started liking her? During the Realm of illusions rehearsals? At the time when she took
care of him while he was sick? Or before that¡.
In her past life, he was clearly infatuated with Miranda Moure, even spending a fortune to support her
career in the entertainment industry
This time around, was it because she had meddled with Miranda and altered her course, leaving no
time for them to get together, and with her constantly around, that fie couldn¡¯t resist her charm. Haha!
Xanthea giggled like a fool, when she suddenly realized something serious and sat up abruptly.
Chapter 239
Chap
Chapter 239
She almost forgot!
Orion still thought she was engaged to Matthew, didn¡¯t he? Could it be that he had been holding back
because of that? She needed to clear things up with him as soon as possible¡.
? ?? ??
¡°Knock, knock knock¡±
¡°Xan, are you back?¡±
¡°Unclel¡±
She bolted off the bed and swung the door open. Oliver was finally relieved as he saw her, ¡°Xan, you¡¯re
home! You scared the heck out of me!¡±
¡°Why didn¡¯t you answer when I was knocking?¡±
Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.
7 just got back from dinner.¡±
As Xanthea finished, her eyes caught the man standing behind her uncle.
His dark, obsidian¨Clike eyes were intensely fixed on her, as if, were it not for her uncle¡¯s presence, he
could devour her whole. His gaze made her avert her eyes and her heartbeat raced.
The wind downstairs must not have blown him sober yet.
¡°Alright.¡± Oliver stepped inside and turned to give Orion a grateful smile, ¡°Chairman Lockwood, sorry to
bother you for tonight.¡±
¡°It¡¯s Okay.¡±
Orion responded, his gaze unwaveringly fixed on Xanthea, and there was no attempt in hiding it.
Oliver paused. Seeing this situation, Xanthea quickly tried to close the door, only for it to be stopped
abruptly by the man¡¯s firm hand. ¡°What what was he doing?
¡°Ms. Nightshade, goodnight.¡±
Onion fixed his gaze urgently on her, saying ¡°goodnight¡± with an extremely slow pace. His eyes
seemed to say¨CI love you.
Xanthea¡¯s heart skipped a beat as she met his eyes, which were almost overwhelmed with emotions;
and she nodded, I, no, you too, goodnight.¡±
With a ¡°thud,¡± she abruptly closed the door, her cheeks burning red.
She almost said ¡°I
¡°I love you too!
front of her uncle!
This Orion, he even dared to flirt with her right in front of
Distracted for a moment, Xanthea met Oliver¡¯s knowing gaze, ¡°Xan.¡±
¡°Uncle! What brings you here sote?¡±
¡°There¡¯s something important we need to talk about.¡±
¡°What is it?¡±
Oliver opened the folder he was carrying, ¡°I never imagined a top¨Crated national hit show like
Adventure Blitz: Two Days, One Night would invite you to participate in their next episode. They¡¯ve only
invited the hottest rising actors or seasoned stars before. You¡¯re the youngest and least experienced
artist they¡¯ve invited so far, which shows how much they recognize your potential¡±
¡°This show is a live broadcast reality show featuring celebrities, and since it aired, it has maintained a
top spot in the ratings. Every episode bes a hot topic, drawing massive viewership that even
saved the nearly bankrupt LAKUwork, and turned it into the top streaming tform like this today¡±
¡°I know you¡¯ve been eager to make a name for yourself, so I came to you as soon as we got the
invitation. But whether you go or not is up to you.¡±
¡°The production of this show can be extremely demanding. Each episode, the crew flies the guests to a
designated location, confiscates their food and phones, and istes them within the world of Adventure
Blitz: Two Days, One Night
Without providing any food or water, guests mustplete various challenging tasks. Even if you
regret it, there¡¯s no escaping because the camp ispletely closed off.
This requires you to have some survival skills akin to those needed in the wilderness. There have been
guests in the past who, due to ack of life experience, exhausted a lot of energy and fainted from
hunger during the show. Some even suffered psychological trauma from the program team¡¯s prank
games, and dared not participate in variety shows again.
Chapter 240
Chapter 240
Chapter 240
¡°You¡¯ve never faced hardship or left home, I¡¯m worried about you.¡±
¡°I ept the invitation!¡±
Xanthea raised her hand before he could finish.
¨C
Oliver had said so much, but all she could hear was top¨Crated national hit show, with insane viewer
ratings!
She wouldn¡¯t miss any chance to shine.
¡°Are you sure?¡±
¡°Absolutely¡±
¡°But Uncle is worried about you.¡±
Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.
Xanthea tugged at his sleeve, her face full of defiance, ¡°Uncle, do you really think I¡¯m that fragile?¡±
¡°It¡¯s not about being fragile, you¡¯re a little princess. You grew up coddled and pampered. That ce is
in the middle of nowhere, and the crew can be merciless¨Cit¡¯s not like here where everyone indulges
you.¡±
This is exactly the opportunity I need to grow!¡±
¡°Alright,¡± Oliver said, indulgently ruffling her hair. ¡°Since you¡¯ve made up your mind, I¡¯ll support you.
Let¡¯s pack up and head home. Your mom heard you¡¯re being invited to Adventure Blitz: Two Days, One
Night and she wants to tell you something.¡±
¡°Now?¡±
¡°Yeah, the recording for Adventure Blitz: Two Days, One Night starts the day after tomorrow. You¡¯ll
head straight there after wrapping up filming tomorrow aftemoon. The show¡¯s private jet will pick you up
nearby the film set.¡±
Xanthea was surprised, ¡°Tomorrow afternoon? Was that so soon!¡±
¡°Is there a problem?¡±
now the schedule was too packed for her to
She was nning to clear things up with Orion at Room 3001, after filming tomorrow, but now spare
any time.
¡°Don¡¯t worry about the filming schedule. I¡¯ve already spoken to Director Smith. He said that once
tomorrow¡¯s scenes are done, there would be only some minor shots left. He can spare you for a couple
of days. With the premiere of Realm of Illusions, appearing on the reality show will also serve as a
promotion.¡±
¡°Okay!¡±
Xanthea nodded.
She would just have to talk to Orion after filming Adventure Blitz: Two Days, One Night. If both the
reality show and Realm of Illusions hit big, she could surpass Isabe in poprity. Then, she could
retrieve the photo, exin everything to Orion, and even deal with Matthew once and for all!
¡°By the way, Xan, how are things going with Orion? Have you established a romantic rtionship yet?¡±
At his words, Xanthea jolted and saw him with surprised looks, ¡°Uncle, how did you¡
¡°You wanted to hide it from me?¡± Oliverughed, ¡°With the way you two were looking at each other, did
you think I was invisible? Xan, I thought it was strange: you¡¯ve never been one to y games, if you¡¯re
already with Matthew,¡±
¡°Uncle, if you trust me, I¡¯ll exin everything after the show. But until then, please don¡¯t tell anyone,
okay?¡±
¡°Sure, III always have your back.¡±
At the Lakeside Manor, the Nightshade family.
Approaching midnight, the Nightshade family of five and Oliver gathered around the dining table for
somete¨Cnight snacks.
Samuel flipped through channels with the remote. ¡°There¡¯s nothing good. After Xan¡¯s TV series aired
the day after tomorrow, I¡¯m definitely going to watch it five times, ten times, and a hundred times!¡±
Ethan Nightshade chimed in. ¡°Then enjoy the series yourself. I¡¯ll catch her live reality show in theb.
it¡¯ll be a good break from my usual boredom.¡±
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Chapter 241
¡°I want to check out the Intest Xan too. But Xan, you¡¯ve always had everything handed to you on a
silver tter. How are you going to handle Adventure Blitz: Two Days, One Night with no ready¨Cmade
food or drinks? Maybe Samuel should apany you here? He cant y chef?¡±
Xanthea rolled her eyes at him, remembering the time he tried cooking beans for her when they were
kids. They were undercooked andnded her in the hospital.
¡°If I bring you along, I¡¯d kick the bucket even faster.¡±
¡°What are you talking about, child?¡± Susanna Lopez Nightshade pulled her daughter¡¯s hand worriedly.
¡°Xan, I¡¯ve heard that show has had quite a few mishaps¨Cpeople may get injured, faint from hunger,
even encounter with wild animals. Maybe we should just skip it?¡±
¡°Mom, it¡¯s not that dramatic. The crew has security, and I won¡¯t stray.¡±
¡°But you can¡¯t cook! They don¡¯t provide food. What if you get hungry? Your father will worry.¡±
Xanthea shrugged. ¡°I could just forage some wild berries or greens to tide me over. It¡¯s only two days,
and I¡¯m in great shape!¡±
¡°Eating just greens might lead to malnutrition. Why don¡¯t we bring Milo along? It¡¯s great at catching
fish!¡±
Samuel scooped up the teddy bear cat by the scruff of its neck; the cat meowed confidently, as if
pledging loyalty, making everyone in the roomugh.
¡°Thud, Thud, Thud.¡±Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g
The phone suddenly buzzed. Xanthea pulled it out to see a call from Orion and quickly tucked it away.
A few secondster, it buzzed again.
Samuel asked, ¡°Xan, who¡¯s that calling you in the middle of the night?¡±
¡°Uh, it¡¯s..it¡¯s ¡°Xanthea stammered, just a telemarketer.¡±
¡°Really?¡± Samuel raised an eyebrow, sensing her unease. ¡°Who dares to bother my sister at this hour?¡±
¡°I don¡¯t know, it¡¯s an unknown number. I need to use the restroom: you guys carry on.¡±
Xanthea smiled and walked toward the bathroom, but Samuel¡¯s long arm snatched her phone away.
¡®Samuel!¡±
¡°Give it back to me!¡±
siblings quickly wrestled into a tangle, ending with Xanthea
Xanthea widened her beautiful eyes, and struggled fiercely with him. The overpowered and firmly
pinned by Samuel on the couch, watching him mischievously unlock her phone.
¡°Wahhh!¡±
¡°Dad, Mom, Big bro, Uncle, Samuel¡¯s bullying me. He invades my privacy!¡±
Xanthes yed herst card: fake crying
Samuel scoffed, ¡°Xan, cut the act. When have we ever had secrets from each other?¡±
*Samuel, you voyeur! If you dare look at my phone, I¡¯ll never speak to you again!¡±
It was an old line from their childhood fights, one that had disappeared as they grew up but now
resurfaced, making Samuel even more curious about the contents of her phone. What was she so
afraid of him seeing?
sister?¡± Just as he was about to open her contacts, the phone was snatched by Oliver ¡°Samuel, how
old are you? Still bullying your Xanthea wriggled free from beneath Samuel and stuck her tongue out at
him triumphantly. ¡°Ha, serves you right for bullying me!
¡°Uncle, you¡¯re the best!¡±
¡°Uncle, look how defiant she is! She¡¯s protecting that phone so fiercely¨Cthere¡¯s definitely something
fishy!¡±
¡°You¡¯re the one who¡¯s fishy!¡±
Xanthea swallowed hard. She had to admit inwardly that Samuel really knew her too well.
Ethan interjected, ¡°Xan, stop bickering with Samuel. I found some wilderness survival tips for you.
Come and take a look.¡±
Chapter 242
Chapter 242
¡°Okay!¡±
The whole evening, under Samuel¡¯s vignt watch, Xanthea didn¡¯t even get a chance to return a call.
By the time everyone had left and she was free, it was already past one in the morning.
Lying in bed, she stared desperately at her phone. At this hour, he must be asleep.
He had called eight times.
And she hadn¡¯t picked up a single one. Would Orion think she was who just flirts and nuns? Would he
be upset?
Keeping their rtionship under wraps was such a challenge!
In the northern suburbs, at the Realm of Illusions filming site.
That aftemoon, after wrapping up the day¡¯s shoot, Kevin caught up with Xanthea as she hurried toward
the dressing room. ¡°Xan, aren¡¯t you heading off to Adventure Blitz: Two Days, One Night soon?¡±
¡°Yeah, I need to be at the airport in half an hour¡±
¡°Make sure you¡¯re careful out there, and I¡¯ll definitely try to catch the live stream to support you. Oh,
and don¡¯t forget to plug our show on camera!
¡°Will do, of course!¡±
After Kevin left, Xanthea finally managed to check her phone, and the first thing she did was call Orion
The phone rang for what seemed like an etemity, just as Xanthea was about to give up, he answered..
¡°Drion
Her voice was filled
ed with joy and a sweet longing, but the man who responded after a few seconds was quite cold.
¡°What¡¯s up?¡±
Stunned by his chilly detachment, Xanthea faltered. ¡°Are you upset?¡±
¡°No¡±
It was clearly not a ¡°no.¡± -he used to speak to her affectionately!
¡°Is it because I didn¡¯t answer your callsst night? There was a reason I couldn¡¯t!¡±
Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.
Onion remained silent, apparently waiting for her exnation.
But just then, Ryan walked in. ¡°Ms. Nightshade, we need to hurry to the airport. The production team
has called to hurry us, and the other guests have already arrived.¡±
¡°Oh, right, I¡¯ll be quick¡± Xanthea had no time to soothe him further and hurriedly exined her situation.
¡°Orion, I have to go film the
back? I have reality show Adventure Blitz: Two Days, One Night, and I won¡¯t be able to use my phone.
Let¡¯s have dinner when I get something important to discuss.¡±
¡°Ms. Nightshade, if it¡¯s urgent, you can contact my assistant.¡±
With that, he hung up.
Xanthea was left listening to the disconnect tone, dumbfounded,
Ms. Nightshade¡°? ¡°Contact his assistant¡°? Why had he suddenly be so distant? He was definitely
upset with her!
[Orion, I¡¯m sorry, please don¡¯t be mad. Let¡¯s sort it out when I get back, however you¡¯ll punish me.]
[Onion? On? On?
At the Twin Towers, on the sixty¨Csixth floor in the CEO¡¯s office.
Cedric walked into the office holding a stack of folders, only to be struck by the dazzling smile of the
man behind the desk¡even a man couldn¡¯t resist such charm!
Seeing that smitten expression, it must have something to do with Ms. Nightshade. What could he have
seen about her that made him so happy!
He couldn¡¯t help but sneak a peek and saw the word ¡°babe¡°?!
Ms. Nightshade was calling the boss/babe¡± now?! When had their rtionship progressed so rapidly?!
This could mean the boss¡¯s long¨Cheld affection was finally being reciprocated, his dreaming true!
Xanthea sent several apologetic messages, none of which got a response. Just as she was about to
call him again, her phone rang
Chapter 243
Chapter 243
Matthew?
Why on earth is he calling?
Xanthea frowned slightly, swiping to decline the call, but it rang again, persistent as if refusing to give
up without a response.
¡°Hello?¡±
¡°Xan.¡±
Matthew¡¯s voice was erratic and floaty, as if he were drunk, with loud club music in the background.
¡°Are you at a bar?¡±
This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
¡°Do you even remember what today is? It¡¯s our 15th anniversary of meeting each other. You used to
n little surprises for me way in advance, even for the smallest asions. This year, you haven¡¯t
even made a call. Xan, are you too busy, or did I disappoint you
somehow
¡°Bartender, an another drink!¡±
He was clearly drunk, slumring his words and stumbling around. Xanthea couldn¡¯t be bothered to listen
to theints of a drunkard, so she directly ended the call.
¡°Xan, Xan don¡¯t hang up, please¡±
¡°I miss you, I miss you so much. It¡¯s only been a few days but I can¡¯t focus on anything. I must be in
love with you, truly in love¡±
¡°I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m sorry for always trying to use you, and for my rtionship with Miranda. It¡¯s all my fault,
can we start over again please?¡±
¡°Please.
Matthew was in a drunken haze, tears of remorse streaming down his face. He nced up and saw a
floral sundress, the one he had given Xanthea as a gift onst Valentine¡¯s Day, Looking further up, he
noticed the butterfly hair clip on the right side of her hair¨Cit was customized for her from Willowdale.
¡°Xan? Xen, is that you? Did youe to find me?¡±
¡°I knew it, you wouldn¡¯t be mad at me. You love me the most, you wouldn¡¯t forget our big day.¡±
In his excitement, Matthew grabbed her by the sleeves. The girl smoothly sat on hisp, wrapping her
arms around his neck, and kissed. his cheek flirtatiously, ¡°Of course, Matt, Xan loves you the most
Xanthea, being affectionate and even kissing him!
All his life, she wouldn¡¯t even let him touch her hand!
Overjoyed, Matthew kissed her back passionately, and amidst the noisy bar she whispered in his ear,
¡°Matt, let¡¯s go to the hotel?¡±
¡°Yes, yes, yes.¡±
Hearing his reply, Miranda seethed with venomous hatred.
Xanthea, you hariot!
For years, she was treated like apdog of the Nightshade family; and now, when getting tired of me,
they wanted to poison her to death!
She had thought she had her father and brother¡¯s genuine affection in this household.
Until she heard her brother¡¯s words¡
Even if Xanthea stabbed her repeatedly, would he probably ask if Xanthea was tired or not?
It was all an illusion; everyone in the Nightshade family deserved to perish!
During her time in the hospital, she endured agony and vowed revenge. If she couldn¡¯t ruin Xanthea¡¯s
career, then she¡¯d dismantle her love life. She would seduce her beloved Matthew. More so, she would
use him and the Martinez Group to gradually take over the Nightshade Group. And they would all
regret what they had done to her today!
As Xanthea hung up the phone, preparing to text Orion, her phone was abruptly snatched away by
Ryan.
Chapter 244
Chapter 244
¡°Ms. Nightshade, we¡¯ve arrived,¡±
¡°Alright¡±
She reluctantly nced at her phorie, deciding to finish filming the reality show beforeing back to
soothe her Ori.
¡°Sorry, the number you dialed is currently busy¡±
Behind his desk, Orion¡¯s joyful smile faded as the cold, automated voice echoed through the room.
Cedric watched as his boss¡¯s expression shifted from happy to upset.¡® Ms. Nightshade was really
skilled¨Csending flirty messages to CEO and calling him ¡°babe¡± while chatting with someone else on the
phone. She had the CEO wrapped around her finger!
¡°Sir, here¡¯s what you requested.¡±
¡°Get out!¡±
¡°Alright.¡±
Worried about getting caught in the crossfire, Cedric quickly made his exit, only to hear a deep voice
call, ¡°Come back in,¡±
Cedric thought to himself, Love really did make Orion even more unpredictable.
At the international airport in the northern areas of Crestwood, Xanthea stepped into the cabin and
immediately noticed Isabe, who dressed mboyantly and leisurely applying her nail polish.
She paused and asked Ryan, who was next to her, ¡°Are we on the wrong ne? What¡¯s Isabe doing
here?¡±
Before leaving, she had checked with her uncle about the guest list for this episode of Adventure Blitz:
Two Days, One Night, and Isabe wasn¡¯t invited.
¡°No, I heard Ms. Taylor was ast¨Cminute addition. The production team probably hasn¡¯t announced it
yet
Realizing this, Xanthea figured Isabe must have put a GPS tracker on her to monitor her every move
so closely.
If they weren¡¯t the same gender, Xanthea would seriously suspect her of having a crush on her¨C
isabes imitation and stalking has reached the level of being creepy.
¡°Oh, who do I see here?¡±
1 29 6 25 7 2 2 0 0 2 2 2 2 1 7 22:
This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
In the first row, Isabe, admiring her bright red nails, snidely remarked, ¡°Wendy, don¡¯t you think
Adventure Blitz Two Days, One Night is going downhill? They invite nobodies!¡±
Wendy sighed, ¡°Isabe.¡±
Xanthea walked past her without a nce, only smiling at Ryan, ¡°This ne is so advanced, it¡¯s even
carrying dogs.¡±
Ryan looked puzzled.
Isabe was incensed by Xanthea¡¯s words, ¡°Xanthea, who are you calling a dog?¡±
¡°Whoever barks.¡±
Xanthea continued to the back, where she saw Martin,st year¡¯s Olympic swimming champion, and
Nelson, the rising star from a recent hit drama, sitting in thest two FOWS.
Both of them looked up at the sound and were stunned by her beauty when they saw Xanthea.
¡°Hi, I¡¯m Martin,¡±
Martin stood up eagerly to greet her, ¡°Nice to meet you.¡±
¡°Hello, my name is Xanthea,¡±
¡°Are you the Xanthea who won The Masked Singer?¡±
Xanthea¡¯s self¨Cintroduction was interrupted by Nelson, who was wearing a bunny ear hat and holding a
game console. His eyes lit up
when he saw her.
¡°I¡¯ve saved so many of your pictures on my phone, 1 never thought I¡¯d meet you in person.
¡°You look even better than your edited photos, and your features are so refined. How do you do it?
Could you share some tips with me?¡±
Xanthea was taken aback, ¡°Uh?¡±
¡°Don¡¯t get me wrong, though I act in those dramas, I¡¯m not into guys. My agent made me wear these
bunny ears!¡±
Chapter 245
Chapter 244 ¡°Ms. Nightshade, we¡¯ve arrived,¡± ¡°Alright¡± She reluctantly nced at her phorie, deciding
to finish filming the reality show beforeing back to soothe her Ori. ¡°Sorry, the number you dialed is
currently busy¡± Behind his desk, Orion¡¯s joyful smile faded as the cold, automated voice echoed
through the room. Cedric watched as his boss¡¯s expression shifted from happy to upset.¡® Ms.
Nightshade was really skilled¨Csending flirty messages to CEO and calling him ¡°babe¡± while chatting
with someone else on the phone. She had the CEO wrapped around her finger! ¡°Sir, here¡¯s what you
requested.¡± ¡°Get out!¡± ¡°Alright.¡± Worried about getting caught in the crossfire, Cedric quickly made his
exit, only to hear a deep voice call, ¡°Come back in,¡± Cedric thought to himself, Love really did make
Orion even more unpredictable. At the international airport in the northern areas of Crestwood, Xanthea
stepped into the cabin and immediately noticed Isabe, who dressed mboyantly and leisurely
applying her nail polish. She paused and asked Ryan, who was next to her, ¡°Are we on the wrong
ne? What¡¯s Isabe doing here?¡± Before leaving, she had checked with her uncle about the guest
list for this episode of Adventure Blitz: Two Days, One Night, and Isabe wasn¡¯t invited. ¡°No, I heard
Ms. Taylor was ast¨Cminute addition. The production team probably hasn¡¯t announced it yet Realizing
this, Xanthea figured Isabe must have put a GPS tracker on her to monitor her every move so
closely. If they weren¡¯t the same gender, Xanthea would seriously suspect her of having a crush on
her¨Cisabes imitation and stalking has reached the level of being creepy. ¡°Oh, who do I see here?¡± 1
29 6 25 7 2 2 0 0 2 2 2 2 1 7 22: In the first row, Isabe, admiring her bright red nails, snidely
remarked, ¡°Wendy, don¡¯t you think Adventure Blitz Two Days, One Night is going downhill? They invite
nobodies!¡± Wendy sighed, ¡°Isabe.¡± Xanthea walked past her without a nce, only smiling at Ryan,
¡°This ne is so advanced, it¡¯s even carrying dogs.¡± Ryan looked puzzled. Isabe was incensed by
Xanthea¡¯s words, ¡°Xanthea, who are you calling a dog?¡± ¡°Whoever barks.¡± Xanthea continued to the
back, where she saw Martin,st year¡¯s Olympic swimming champion, and Nelson, the rising star from
a recent hit drama, sitting in thest two FOWS. Both of them looked up at the sound and were
stunned by her beauty when they saw Xanthea. ¡°Hi, I¡¯m Martin,¡± Martin stood up eagerly to greet her,
¡°Nice to meet you.¡± ¡°Hello, my name is Xanthea,¡± ¡°Are you the Xanthea who won The Masked Singer?¡±Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g
Xanthea¡¯s self¨Cintroduction was interrupted by Nelson, who was wearing a bunny ear hat and holding a
game console. His eyes lit up when he saw her. ¡°I¡¯ve saved so many of your pictures on my phone, 1
never thought I¡¯d meet you in person. ¡°You look even better than your edited photos, and your features
are so refined. How do you do it? Could you share some tips with me?¡± Xanthea was taken aback,
¡°Uh?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t get me wrong, though I act in those dramas, I¡¯m not into guys. My agent made me wear
these bunny ears!¡±
Chapter 246
Chapter 246
It might be a coincidence!
¡°Wow, Xan, you¡¯re an heiress, huh? Then why join Adventure Blitz: Two Days, One Night? I hear this
show is brutal, especially for this episode¡¡± Nelson whispered in a low voice, ¡°My agent told me
secretly that the producers have some ¡®surprises in store to torment us. It¡¯s gonna be wild!¡±
¡°Really?¡±
¡°Yeah, you better believe it. My agent is a legend in the industry, there¡¯s nothing he doesn¡¯t know.¡±
As the group chatted, the ne took off. Isabe looked back with a touch of annoyance. If it weren¡¯t
for Olivia annoying her earlier, she would have moved seats.
Two hourster, theynded on a deserted ind in Serenwood.
As dusk fell, the crew led the women¡¯s team¨Cthat was Isabe, Rachel, Olivia, and Xanthea¨Cand the
men¡¯s team of Nelson and Martin,
to their dorms.
While walking, the crew member briefed them, ¡°The show starts filming tomorrow. Since it¡¯s a 24¨Chour
live broadcast, please make sure to sleep in your pajamas tonight. Since it¡¯s quite Spartan here, I
guess you won¡¯t sleep in the nude anyway.¡±
¡°Spartan? How Spartan?¡±
Olivia, pampered by assistants everywhere she went, started to struggle the moment she stepped off
the ne.
¡°Like that of a typical high school dorm.¡±
Rachel gasped, ¡°Ah? I was hoping we¡¯d get single rooms.¡±
Isabe frowned too. Xanthea thought Isabe mightin as well, but to her surprise, Isabe
suddenly raised her hand, ¡°I want to sleep on the top bunk above Xanthea!¡±
Xanthea blinked in confusion. Was this really something topete over?
The crew member simply said: ¡°There are no bunk beds. All are single beds on the floor.¡±
¡°Well, across from her is fine, then.¡±
Xanthea felt she was somewhat out of her mind.
own food.¡±
¡°Andter, someone will bring you dinner. Enjoy thisst meal becausee sunrise, you¡¯ll need to
forage for your
Upon arriving at the dorm, Xanthea, who had mentally prepared herself, didn¡¯t find the conditions too
bad. But dinner was tasteless.
Her pte, spoiled by Orion¡¯s cooking, found even five¨Cstar dishes mediocre, let alone this makeshift
boxed meal. The thought of foraging for the next two days didn¡¯t help.
She missed Orion. And she missed his cooking even more!
After a few bites, she went to shower. Isabe, looking at Xanthea¡¯s barely touched meal, chuckled,
¡°Such a princess! Can¡¯t even handle the boxed meal. How will she survive Adventure Blitz: Two Days,
One Night?¡±
Isabe was near the bathroom when she caught a glimpse of Xanthea undressing in the reflection on
the ss. And she was stunned. Her¡ her figure was so perfect?
That bust, that waist, those legs, that demere¨Cit was like something out of those absurdly proportioned
anime goddesses.
Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.
She had always thought those anime characters were just fantastical creations to satisfy men. She
didn¡¯t realize such figures could exist in reality!
How long would she have to work out to catch up to her?
As Xanthea finished undressing, she remembered she had forgotten something and opened the door
to ask Rachel for help. That¡¯s when she saw Isabe staring intently at her figure, and Xanthea let out a
scream, ¡°Ah¨CPervert!¡±
Chapter 247
Chapter 247
Xanthea quickly showered and, clutching her clothes, ste
pped out as if guarding against a thief, keeping a wary eye on Isabe, Isabe, grinding her teeth in
imitation, ¡°Xanthea, I¡¯m warning you¨Cstop looking at me like that. I¡¯m not a lesbian, nor am I a pervert!¡±
¡°You better not be.¡±
*Please, get over yourself. You think you¡¯re a goddess to everyone? As if every man and woman is
falling at your feet!¡±
Xanthea observed Isabe¡¯s flustered attempts to clear her name; her behavior didn¡¯t seem typical of
her usations, but the way Isabe had eyed her at the bathroom door was unmistakably lecherous.
Thest person who looked at her like that was Orion, and he definitely had less than proper intentions!
¡°Peeking at me while I shower, and you¡¯re unapologetic?¡±
¡°H just happened to be passing by.¡±
¡°She got some beef with you or what?¡±
Olivia watched the bickering with the amusement. Xanthea didn¡¯t want to divulge more, merely
responding with a grunt.
¡°Don¡¯t mind her, she¡¯s always been the bossy type, looking down on everyone.¡±
Xanthea felt Olivia was merely provoking her, and chose not to engage.
Isabe chipped in, ¡°What are you two whispering about over there? Are you talking behind my back?¡±
¡°Rather than wasting energy on these baseless suspicions, you should just go to sleep.¡±
¡°Yeah, I¡¯m heading to bed now. But really, for ady of the Nightshade Group, who is used to luxury,
can you handle this rickety old bed? Don¡¯t spend all night tossing and tuming!¡±
Xanthea rolled her eyes and climbed into bed, only to realize immediately that the conditions were
indeed tough
Was this even a bed? It felt more like a b of rough¨Ccut lumber. Even through severalyers of
sheets, the coarse texture was undeniable.
Isabe burst intoughter upon seeing her reaction, thinking Xanthea was all talk but crumbled at the
slightest difort.
¡°Sleep tight, Princess!¡±
With a smirk, Isabe tumed in for the night. At 10 PM, lights out, and Olivia and Rachel also drifted to
sleep. Meanwhile, Xantheay miserably on the ufortable bed. The odd, sharp smell of the
nkets filled her nostrils as she tossed and turned, finding sleep elusive.
Isabe¡¯s jinx had actually worked
This was torture! Her body was probably bruised all over by now.
After nearly two hours of trying to fall asleep, just as Xanthea was about to drift off¡ who was
snoring?!
N?velDrama.Org owns this.
At midnight, Realm of Illusions aired on major streaming tforms, upying headlines and pop¨Cup
banners, attracting all¨Cnighters and drama enthusiasts alike.
[When did a new series drop? And there¡¯s so much marketing, but what¡¯s with the cheesy title?]
[Wow, the girl on the cover is stunning! She¡¯s not Al¨Cgenerated, right?]
Is that Benjamin? Am I seeing things? Isn¡¯t he usually just in films?
Isn¡¯t she the star from The Masked Singer? These days singers don¡¯t stick to singing; they have to act
too? She¡¯s not being dedicated, but I¡¯m curious to see if it¡¯s any good.]
[Perfect timing, I was just in a show drought. With all this hype, let¡¯s see if it¡¯s worth it]
Across the major tforms, millions flooded into Realm of Illusions.
Hourster, the views andments surged like a tidal wave, overwhelmingly positive.
[OMG, guys, I take it back¨Cthis isn¡¯t some Mary Sue nonsense. It¡¯s an absolute power fest with a strong
female lead, a badass assassin that I absolutely adore]
apter 248
Chapter 248
Chapter 248
[I was blown away by the special effects, the settings, the costumes, and that lead actress¡¯s beauty! Is
this really the level we can expect from local productions now? Absolutely fantastic, I hereby dere
this the best¨Ccrafted series I¡¯ve seen in years!]
[Isn¡¯t it just mesmerizing? And the plot is so thrilling! I binged six episodes straight and just when I
realized there was no more, I have to wait six more days, no, it feels like six years!]
I
[I haven¡¯t watched TV series in years, but somehow I ended up watching all thetest episodes in one
go. I don¡¯t want to say much, just please release more episodes, don¡¯t make me beg on my knees!]
[I¡¯d trade 10 years of my best friend being single just to get one more episode of Realm of Illusions!]
[So, so delightful! Every frame with the lead actress is a heart¨Cstopper. I¡¯d be heartbroken if anyone
missed out on watching Realm of Illusions, seriously!]
[Radiant Xanthea! Exceptionally talented Xantheat A celestial beauty, Xanthea! My woman, Xanthea.]
In just one hour postunch, Realm of illusions stormed into the top three of the seasonal hotlist like a
dark horse.
In two hours, thements exploded with tens of millions of messages, skyrocketing to the top of
every major streaming app.
In three hours, it scored an unprecedented 9.9 rating with over 50 million views, shattering annual
records for TV series streams!N?velDrama.Org owns this.
Kevin and the whole Realm of Illusions team, including investors and crew members, stayed up all
night monitoring the broadcast. They were astounded and overwhelmed by the explosive, unbelievable
viewership figures.
They had thought the novel wasn¡¯t very popr and the theme was a bit too unconventional, so that
they feared the audience might not like it. Instead, the premiere received a celestial reception,
suggesting this could be the blockbuster of the decade!
Confident in his skills and foresight, Kevin never anticipated such staggering figures. He thought
Xanthea might rise as a new star from this series, but now, she was effortlessly bing a sensational
viral sensation!
By dawn, hashtags like #RealmOfillusions, #FierceFemaleLead, #GroundbreakingWomenCentricShow,
#Begging ForMoreEpisodes, #IsXantheaAl, #Benjamin¡¯s FirstTVRole flooded social media tforms.
Prominently, the hashtag #Xanthea hung at the top, and Oli hea Media¡¯s official ount for Xanthea
saw unprecedented fu growth, making her the fastest¨Crising star of the year.
At 6 AM, a sleep¨Cdeprived Xanthea threw off her nkets, deciding to take another shower to wash off
the lingering smell that clung to her.
She got out of bed, casting envious nces at her three soundly sleeping roommates. Sometimes,
having a sensitive nose was at
curse.
As water cascaded in the shower, crew members from Adventure Blitz: Two Days, One Night sneaked
into the dorm with their cameras.
[It¡¯s finally starting, my essential variety show fix! Wonder which celebrities are on this episode?]
[Olivia, here Ie!]
[Here for sweet Rachel, go Rachel, you¡¯re the best!]
[True to the world, loyal to Nelson!]
[Adventure Blitz: Two Days, One Night is the wildest ride in reality TV. No holds barred, they really go
all out on the celebs; but it¡¯s just too slow on updates. Once this show is over I never know what to
watch!]
[Check out the neighboring Realm of Illusions, I heard it¡¯s a smash hit. If it weren¡¯t live, I¡¯d be watching
that too!]
[Just by looking at the crew¡¯s hustle, you know they¡¯re up to something exciting, I can¡¯t wait!]
Chapter 249
Chapter 249
¡°Three, two, one.¡±
The show¡¯s director counted down with his fingers in front of the camera. Suddenly, as if triggered by
some mechanism, buckets of cold water cascaded down, shocking the celebrities out of their sweet
dreams with piercing screams.
¡°Ahhhh-
The cameraman quickly zoomed in on their faces, capturing their grotesque expressions to create the
first highlight of the show. Isabe and other guests panicked, their unttering reactions providing
plenty ofughs for the viewers. However, one bed was
empty.
¡°Where¡¯s Xanthea?¡± the director questioned.
¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±
Fresh from the shower, Xanthea heard the screams and rushed out. She immediately became the
focus of the camera: both she and the camera appeared bewildered.
[LOL, we got a stray one here, I¡¯m dying!]
[Oh my God, isn¡¯t that Phoenix? I just binge¨Cwatched her seriesst night, and now I see her on this
show. I¡¯m officially a fan!]
[Wow! Who is this girl? She¡¯s so pretty!]
[Her confused face is so cute, I love it!
The director. They had allowed her to slip through their prank!
Seeing her three colleagues drenched and miserable, Xanthea suddenly didn¡¯t envy their deep sleep
anymore.
¡°Alright, I dere the filming of Adventure Blitz: Two Days, One Night officially underway. I hope this
thrilling start has made an impression. You¡¯ve got 20 minutes to get up!¡±
¡°Meet downstairs in the yground in 20 minutes. We¡¯re pranking the guys¡® dorm next!¡±
As the crew left the dorm, Xanthea thought the other three, having been the victims of the prank, would
be furious. Instead, they got up, dressed, and did their makeup with military precision.
Olivia slipped into a deep V¨Cneck split dress, even more revealing than the one from the day before,
and adomed herself with var pieces of jewelry.
akeup pots in front of her, applying her makeup at warp speed.
Rachel had an array of brushes and makeup
Isabe finished curling her hair and pulled out a pair of¡ silicone bra inserts?
Xanthea¡¯s eyes widened. Noticing her gaze, Isabe snapped, ¡°What are you staring at? Haven¡¯t you
seen these before?¡±
Xanthea shook her head honestly.
Isabe, slightly embarrassed, would have used anyone else of pretending, but Xanthea really
didn¡¯t need them.
N?velDrama.Org owns this.
Rachel chimed in, ¡°Miss, we¡¯re short on time, why aren¡¯t you getting ready?¡±
¡°I am ready, Xanthea replied, looking down at her sportswear, specifically chosen for Adventure Blitz:
Two Days, One Night. Rachel wanted to say something else, but it seemed like Xanthea didn¡¯t really
need any enhancements. Beauty is truly a gift. Xanthea wondered if their borate attire would hinder
them during the tasks, but seeing them transform in just 20 minutes into the morous figures they
were the day before left her in awe.
Is this what professional celebrity life is all about?
¡°Brom-¡±
The whistle blew after 20 minutes, and the six of them hurried downstairs to line up.
It¡¯s starting! The show is on!]
This episode¡¯s guests are all top¨Cnotch, each a powerhouse in the entertainment industry. Who¡¯s that
neer on the end? She¡¯s gorgeous!]
Chapter 250
Chapter 250
[Ah! I also spotted her at once! Even dressed in the simplest sports gear, she topped with the brightest,
most charming face, She was ridiculously stunning!]
[Phoenix! She is THE Phoenix! You can¡¯t tell me you haven¡¯t seen Realm of Illusions! It¡¯s incredible!]
[Are Isabe and Olivia here for a fashion show? Dressed in formal clothes.. how are they supposed to
tackle the challenges? Clearly. they haven¡¯t seen the disasters that befell past guests on Adventure
Blitz: Two Days, One Night.]
ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .
Isabe, dressed up to the nines, stood next to Xanthea in her casual sports attire, and felt like a clown
who had worked too hard. She couldn¡¯t hide her imitation. ¡°Xanthea, did you deliberately dress down to
make us look bad?¡±
Xanthea was puzzled. Where did that idea evene from?
¡°Don¡¯t think I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re up to! ying all these tricks!¡±
¡°If you think I¡¯m ying tricks, why don¡¯t you just take off your makeup?¡±
¡°You¡¡±
¡°Xan, you smell so nice!¡± Nelson stood next to her and couldn¡¯t resist sniffing the air around her again.
¡°It¡¯s weird. We all got doused in that stinky skunk cabbage water, howe you smell nothing like it?¡±
¡°I¡¯ve just dodged that.¡±
¡°Well, I want to stick with you then. You won¡¯t mind me smelling a bit, right?¡±
Xanthea hesitated. He was a heartthrob, and partnering with him in tasks may attract harsh criticism.
She was here to gain fans, not fuel
haters.
¡°Well see how it goes.¡±
¡°Aw, the pretty girl dislikes me. I don¡¯t mind though, I¡¯ll make sure we¡¯re teamed upter!¡±
¡°Beep-¡±
The show director announced, ¡°Wee everyone to Adventure Blitz: Two Days, One Night. This time,
we¡¯re spending our adventure on this beautiful ind. You¡¯ll need to fend for yourselves, find food and
water, whilepleting tasks set by the crew. Each task yourplete eams you points, and the
person with the most points after two days will be crowned King or Queen!¡±
¡°Alongside you, we have three special guests, known ominously as the ¡®devil instructors.¡± They¡¯ll
organize teams, set tasks, and hand out punishments. However, if you impress them, you can also use
your points to seek their assistance.¡±
¡°Let¡¯s wee our devil instructors with a warm round of apuse!¡±
As the apuse thundered, Nelson whispered to Xanthea, ¡°This must be the ¡®surprise¡® my agent talked
about. ¡®Devil instructors, just the name sounds menacing.¡±
Xanthea turned towards the direction of the camera to see two individuals in camouge outfits step
out, her expression unchanging. She had done her homework; Adventure Blitz: Two Days, One Night
had pulled simr stunts before. These devil instructors were probably nothing new¨CWait!
Her eyes widened as she saw thest person to step out. The sky was clear, a gentle breeze flowed,
and slivers of golden sunlight peeked through the clouds, casting a heroic glow on the man¡¯s crisp
military uniform, which highlighted his sharp, aristocratic features under his cap.
His eyebrows were perfectly sculpted, and his deep, obsidian¨Clike eyes were piercingly cold. As soon
as he appeared on camera, both the live audience and the online viewers went silent.
He was devastatingly handsome, almost
Chapter 251
Chapter 251
[Oh my God, is that Adonis? How can the Instructor be this gorgeous? He¡¯s so handsome that he
makes me walk into walle!)
[Whoa, is he even real? How is this level of perfection possible?]
[Is he really the devil instructor? He looks more like an angelic brother to me!]
[Lance, I need the 411 on this guy, ASAPI]
[Truth be told, my drool fills the entire Pacific Ocean. With him around, who cares about those
celebrities?1
[All the handsome studs seem to end up in uniform!]
[The show producers really hit the jackpot with this one. Where did they find this gem of an instructor?
I¡¯d rewatch this episode a million times just for his looks!]
In an instant, the live chat was exploded withments, and the six guests on the scene were utterly
dumbfounded, especially
Xanthea.
Orion?
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Why was he here? And he even became the show¡¯s devil instructor? The military uniform made him
look irresistibly dashing!!
He was so imesistible that she went weak at the knees.
Was he here¡ because of her?
¡°Mr. Lockwood!¡±
Isabe, spotting Orion, rubbed her eyes in disbelief. Once sure, she immediately turned to Xanthea.
Mr. Lockwood, the top¨Ctier billionaire CEO of a vast empire, is always busy. How could he find the time
toe to a small entertainment show?
It had to be because of Xanthea. She couldn¡¯t think of any other reason.
¡°Mr. Lockwood.¡±
Olivia¡¯s eyes sparkled as she saw Orion, her voice as sultry as a cat in heat.
Rachel covered her mouth, shocked, her heart pounding with excitement
She had glimpsed him once at a g; it was a memorable sight. And now, unexpectedly, she saw him
again on this reality show. She felt lucky that her agency had secured this opportunity
¡°Adventure Blitz: Two Days, One Night is so impressive now? They even got Mr. Lockwood?¡±
Nelson was stunned, exchanging looks with Martin,
Martin, equally baffled, shook his head. Though he was from the sports world, he knew of Orion
Lockwood, Many Olympic brands he wore were sponsored by the Lockwood Group.
Xanthea looked confusedly at Orion, as if hoping to glean something from his expression, but he
merely nced her up, his gaze sweeping over her just as it did with the other guests.
Xanthea sensed from his gaze¡ that they weren¡¯t familiar with each other?
He wasn¡¯t here for her?
Then for whom?
She quickly turned to Isabe, who was mboyantly dressed; Olivia, the radiant one; and Rachel, who
was gentle and lovely.
Of these three women, one was his employee, one was a rising starlet, and another¡
¡°Xanl
Her thoughts were interrupted by Nelson¡¯s excited voice as he tugged at her sleeve, ¡°I thought it was
surprising enough that you, a high¨Csociety debutante, to join a reality show, but now even the CEO of
the Lockwood Group shows up! What¡¯s going on with you guys?, ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±
Xanthea started to respond but felt a pl¨¦rcing, cold gaze from above.
Chapter 252
Chapter 252
Xanthea nced up and sure enough, saw Orion intently staring at her sleeve. His dark, menacing
gaze seemed as if he wanted to cripple Nelson¡¯s hand.
She quickly pulled back her sleeve, her movement as swift as a spring. Her lips twitched, but she
forcibly held back her smile.
Just a moment ago he had pretended not to know her and now he was showing his true colors -he was
clearly here for her!
No wonder he hadn¡¯t answered her calls before hering to the show; it turns out that he wasn¡¯t
upset, he just wanted to surprise her!
The show director announced, ¡°Our three devil instructors are Jonathan, William, and Mr. Lockwood!¡±
¡°Next, we will reveal the first task¨Cchoose your instructor!¡±
¡°There are six guests, and you may choose the instructor you prefer in pairs. But the choicees
conditions.¡±
¡°Condition one: Strictly follow the instructor¡¯s rules and obey theirmands. Only by gaining the
instructor¡¯s approval will you eam the qualification to be a trainee! Condition two: Complete three
rounds of assessments set by the production team. Trainees will choose their instructor based on their
scores from highest to lowest. If scores are tied, instructors will have the final say!¡±
¡°Choose our own instructor?¡±
¡°I pick Mr. Lockwood!¡±
¡°Me too, Mr. Lockwood!¡±
The crowd of girls suddenly became excited.
Xanthea turned her head just in time to see Rachel flipping her hair coyly, her eyes shy yet hopeful as
she nced at Orion.
Olivia wore a slinky gown. She casually hooked a finger at the high slit reaching her mid¨Cthigh, pulled
the deep V¨Cneck lower¨Cthe cleavage tantly visible even on camera, and her expression was sultry
with her lips half¨Cbitten.
Isabe was determined, ying it straight, ¡°Mr. Lockwood, since I¡¯m a talent under Starlight Media,
could I possibly have the priority to choose you?¡±
8% 26 6 X 2
They all of them_
¨C
Xanthea watched as each tried to outdo the others, almost writing their adoration on their faces, and
she was dumbfounded.
No! No! No!
Orion absolutely couldn¡¯t choose them! If he did, it would be like amb walking into a den of wolves;
he¡¯d be devoured without a tr
Yet, as if they had a premonition, they were all dolled up and dressed to the nines, while she had
merely rushed in wearing a tracksuit after a quick shower.
Xanthea felt both upset
et and a
anxious. She turned to re at Orion; her beautiful, twinkling eyes seemed to speak-¡°You better not
choose them!¡±
Orion, catching her furrowed brow, pouted face, and the widened amber pupils, couldn¡¯t help but smile,
the gloom in his eyes chased
away.
He smiled?
N?velDrama.Org owns this.
He actually smiled?
Was he happy that so many beautiful girls werepeting for his attention?
¡°Let¡¯s see how everyone performs.¡±
Rachel: ¡°So we all have a chance?
Olivia: ¡°Great, I¡¯ll definitely try to get first ce!¡±
Isabe: ¡°I absolutely will not disgrace Starlight Media!¡±
See how they perform?
So, he was still picking, huh?
A re of rage sparked in Xanthea¡¯s eyes, but before she could explode, Orion suddenly called out her
name.
¡°Xanthea¡±
¡°Huh?¡±
Don¡¯t you have anything to say?
¡°Yes. Though she was furious Inside, her body honestly raised a hand slowly, ¡°Pick me, I¡¯m super
sweet?
Chapter 252
As she spoke, Orion¡¯s smile reached the depths of his eyes, spreading to the tips of his elegant brows,
causing a wave of screams from
the online viewers.
Chapter 253
Chapter 253
¡°Do you have any special talents?¡±
¡°Well¡¡± Xanthes paused thoughtfully before stretching out one leg, ¡°I¡¯ve got super long legs, does that
count?¡±
The chat erupted withughter.
[Lol. super long legs, Xanthea¡¯s so funny!]
[Hahaha, Xanthea¡¯s real personality seems so different from Phoenix, and the contrast is surprisingly
endearing!]
[Oh, Mr. Lockwood should definitely pick her, she¡¯s so sweet and cute!!
While everyone was chuckling, Orion alone was seriously admiring her long, slender legs that even
baggy sweatpants couldn¡¯t hide. His gaze grew intense.
Her legs were long indeed.
Good for years and years of fun.
Jonathan, with a stem face, took a task card from a crew member and solemnly said. ¡°Today¡¯s theme is
¡°boot camp!¡±
¡°Since you¡¯re going to do boot camp, you need to do it like a real one, Ladies, no makeup or jewelry,
and gentlemen, no long hair or fancy clothes.
¡°Now, everyone head to your dorms and change into your boot camp gear. Nelson, you¡¯re up for a
haircut!¡±
¡°No way!¡±
Nelson clutched his head protectively, ready to fight anyone who dared approach his hair. Still, he was
dragged off, howling, by a crew member to get his hair cut while the girls reluctantly collected their gear
and headed to their rooms to change.
Rachel groaned, ¡°This outfit is so drab¡
¡°Ah!¡± Olivia screamed, pulling at the fabric of her boot camp uniform, infuriated. ¡°What is this trash? I
look shapeless in this, it¡¯s so ugly. what if Mr. Lockwood sees me in this?¡±
Isabe knew the rules of Adventure Blitz: Two Days, One Night, so she reluctantly removed her
jewelry and changed into her uniform.
However, once they were dressed, the shapeless uniforms made them all look in, except for
Xanthea, who looked just as stunning as before, if not more radiant and graceful with the addition of the
military green.
The three of them dejectedly walked downstairs, not even wanting to lift their heads. But the production
crew wasn¡¯t finished yet, the surprisingly brought out four basins of makeup remover.
William announced, ¡°Ladies, please begin removing your makeup!¡±
¡°What?!¡±
The girls looked homfied, disbelieving.
Only Xanthea quietly raised an eyebrow, realizing that it was too soon to be envious. In the end,
everyone faced the same fate
¡°Can I not remove it? My makeup is waterproof, it won¡¯t affect the boot camp¡¡±
¡°No way! If you don¡¯t want to remove your makeup, you¡¯re out of the selection for today¡¯s instructor
Rachel touched her perfectly made¨Cup face, nearly in tears, Tve never taken off my makeup on
camera before, I lose all my fans if they see me bare¨Cfaced.¡±
Hearing about the makeup removal, Olivia¡¯s face went pale, and she ran to plead with the director for
an exception.
And Isabe panickedpletely. Even with makeup, she could hardlypare to Xanthea if she was
without it¡
¡°It¡¯s all your fault, jinx, now we really have to remove our makeup!¡±
She red bitterly at Xanthes. Xanthea saw her near tears and couldn¡¯t bring herself to criticize her
any further. But she was just a bit puzzled, ¡°Didn¡¯t you all go bare¨Cfaced on camera this moming when
you got sshed with water?¡±
¡°You were the only the newbie who went bare¨Cfaced. The rest of us had all applied natural¨Clooking
makeup before going to bedst night
Kanthea was leaming something new
¡°Hurry up, or well help you remove it, and it won¡¯t be gentle then.¡±
N?velDrama.Org owns this.
The online audience was buzzing.
[Wow Adventure Blitz Two Days, One Night is no ying around¨Ccutting the hair of a top actor and
making female stars live stream
Chapter 253
their makeup removal!]
[Don¡¯t touch my Nelson, if anyone¡¯s getting a haircut, take minell
Chapter 254
Chapter 254
[Exciting times! I can¡¯t wait to see what these celebrities look like without their makeup!]
[Damn! Was that Olivia removing makeup or transforming her face? Her eyebrows are gone, her eyes
shrank, and she¡¯s got e. Beauty level: -60.1
[Rachel looks okay, but her features aren¡¯t as refined. She went from sweet idol to average girl¨Cnext¨C
door real quick]
[You can still recognize Isabe, but those dark circles, crow¡¯s feet, and tired look really take away from
her cham. She¡¯s a 6 out of 10 at best ]
[Come on, some of you in the chat are way too harsh. Have you seen yourselves without makeup? Our
girl Isabe is top tier, and looking tired sometimes is normal, Nobody knew they¡¯d be removing
makeup today.]
[What¡¯s wrong with being the girl next door? Rachel never hyped up a beauty persona. She¡¯s always
been sweet and quiet. No need for the snide remarks!]
[Exactly. Even without makeup, Olivia looks way better than any of you haters!]
[Fans can be so overbearing, aren¡¯t they? Just admit she looks worse without makeup. We¡¯re not
saying she looks worse than us, why can¡¯t we even talk about it?]
As the makeup came off, the live chat was buzzing withments, creating quite a frenzy.
Off camera, Orion, who had been watching intently as Xanthea, whose fair skin and extraordinary
beauty were entuated by her camouge uniform, suddenly spoke up, ¡°Xanthea.¡±
¡°Huh?¡±
On camera, Xanthea was startled, looking up in confusion at Orion.
¡°What¡¯s up, Or¡ Mr. Lockwood?¡±
¡°Why haven¡¯t you taken off your makeup?¡±
Xanthea: ¡°7¡±
[Yeah, why hasn¡¯t Xanthea removed her makeup yet? Was she scared off by the others shocking
reveals?)
[Probably, she had it tough, just gained a ton of followers at Realm of Illusions, and now she has to
reveal her bare face on a live show. Surely, some fans will bail!]
[Lol, as if we¡¯re only fans of her looks! We adore Xanthea for her acting and personality, not just her
beauty. Don¡¯t be afraid, Xan! St your true self, well support you!]
[I think Xanthea¡¯s natural beauty is undeniable. Even without makeup, she won¡¯t have such a drastic
change like those three!]
¡°I¡¯m not wearing any makeup.¡±
Couldn¡¯t he tell that?
¡°Really?
Orion raised an eyebrow slightly. Xanthea could sense the skepticism in his voice, and widened her
eyes in surprise.
What did he mean?
Hadn¡¯t he really not noticed it?
She often went makeup¨Cfree around him, especially back in Room 3001, after so many Orion said: ¡°Tll
have to check that myself.¡±
Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.
close encounters.. but he was still doubting her
¡°How do you check?¡±
Before she could finish her sentence, he stepped closer, hisrge hand gently cupping her face.
The camera quickly panned to catch their interaction.
His long, graceful fingers delicately pinched her chin, sliding from her arching dark brows to her lush,
longshes, down her straight, slightly upturned nose, across her wless cheeks, and finally resting
on her soft, rose¨Ccolored lips. He caressed and rubbed repeatedly.
It felt less like an inspection and more like on infatuated touch, the kind that bes more addictive
the longer it goes on, and he was unwilling to let go.
As his slightly calloused fingertips moved across Xanthea¡¯s features, a tingling sensation washed over
her, causing her cheeks to flush with color.
Chapter 254
Was he really just checking, or was this a tant act of affection? The thought of millions watching him
touch her made her blush even deeper
Chapter 255
Chapter 255
Mr. Lockwood, you¡¡±
Xanthea¡¯s cheeks burned with embarassment as she attempted to avert her gaze. At that moment,
Orion slightly lifted his hand, and the camera zoomed in for a close¨Cup on his fingertips¨Cspotlessly
clean, without a trace of makeup or lipstick.
¡°No makeup indeed.¡±
There was a leasing glint in Orion¡¯s eyes as he looked at her, his fingers absently caressing the air as if
savoring a memory.
Xanthea caught a fleeting, yful look in his eyes and suddenly realized:
He knew all along she wasn¡¯t wearing makeup¨Che was just seizing the chance to flirt!
In front of a live stream with millions watching, it was outrageously bold!
Meanwhile, the chat exploded with reactions.
[What?! Xanthea¡¯s not wearing makeup? So, she¡¯s this stunning naturally? Creator, how is that even
fair?]
[Blown away, how does she look better without makeup than others do with it? Is this the privilege of
being a fairy?]
[Beauty doesn¡¯t need adomments. Xanthea¡¯s gentle elegance and natural beauty make makeup
unnecessary.]
[Officially a fan! For that heavenly face, I¡¯m never unfollowing!]
[Am I the only one who noticed Mr. Lockwood called Xanthea¡¯s name twice? Seems like he¡¯s got a
special thing for her, and I¡¯m getting major ship vibes!]
[Count me in! I¡¯m shipping them too, especially that part where Mr. Lockwood touched her face! It was
so In my mind, he¡¯s doing way more than just touching her face. Aaaah!]
N?velDrama.Org owns this.
swoon¨Cworthy and sensual.
Soon, Isabe, Olivia, and Rachel had removed their makeup, and the group of four was back together.
The high¨Cdefinition camera slowly panned over them, highlighting the stark contrast.
The three, without their makeup, not only looked less stunning but also appeared tired from their
frequent on¨Cscreen makeup routines. It was difficult to associate their current appearance with the
vibrant beauty they usually presented on screen
In stark contrast, Xanthea stood beside them,pletely makeup¨Cfree yet stunning¨Clips naturally rosy,
brows perfectly shaped, bright eyes and white teeth stood out against her wless, snow white skin
and dark hair. While she stood out among them before, now she looked like an ethereal being.
Rachel looked down, feeling somewhat inferior and quietly moved away from her, while Olivia couldn¡¯t
hide the jealousy that red in her eyes.
She, a pampered heiress, naturally had better skin than the busy celebrities. Did shee on the
show just to highlight their in looks?
Isabe didn¡¯t even nce at Xanthea, her head bowed, hands clenched as if she feared being seen.
Then, amotion arose
¡°Oh no- My hair, my y cool! And my fans, they¡¯re all going to desert me!¡±
¡°Nobody said anything about shaving heads before I came here. This is an injury at work, you owe me
o
The walling of Nelson carried from afar, drawing everyone¡¯s attention to a freshly buzzed head
appearing on the screen, elicitingughter onsite and online¨Ceven the instructors couldn¡¯t help but
chuckle.
¡°Haha!
The shaved Nelson looked drastically different from his former self; he waspletely unrecognizable.
With a dejected face, Nelson approached. He found some sce in seeing the makeup¨Cfree and
equally distressed¨Clooking female stars. But upon seeing Xanthea, his eyes widened in shock.
¡°Xan, howe you look exactly the same, and still look so gorgeous?! It¡¯s not even fair! I get a haircut
and look like a total disaster!¡±
Chapter 256
Chapter 256
¡°Ten¡¯t that a bit of an exaggeration?¡± Xanthea held back augh, giving him a thorough once¨Cover,
trying to offer somefort, ¡°But you do seem a bit different, like you¡¯ve gone from a puppy to a wolf
cub¡±
¡°Really?
Nelson, surprised, rubbed his buzz cut. Did it actually work? After ying the vulnerable character in a
drama series, he had been constantly criticized for being too effeminate. He never imagined that one
day he¡¯d be praised for looking tough, and by such a stunning woman!
Before he could revel in his newfound appreciation, a stem, Icymand came from off¨Ccamera,
¡°Nelson, move to the back of the
line.¡±
Nelson tumed, his eyes wide with shock as he looked at Orion.
Why? Had he really turned uglier, so ugly that he didn¡¯t even deserve a spot at the front anymore?
Xanthea was surprised too, gazing toward Orion to meet his icy stare and his clearly shaped lips¨CThe
wolf cub?
N?velDrama.Org owns this.
She immediately shook her head. She wasn¡¯t into wolf cubs, nor was she into ¡®puppies.¡¯ She liked¡
him.
But Orion obviously didn¡¯t believe her shake of the head, he quietly took note.
William barked, ¡°Attention! At ease¡ Everyone lift your heads, stand tall, and be spirited. That¡¯s how
trainees should appear!¡±
¡°Exactly, you all look great like this! Even without makeup, even with your hair cut, you still look
stunning!¡±
¡°Now, let¡¯s start with the first task¨Cevery participant will stand at attention on the parade ground for 40
minutes. Those who pass this will eam one point. Any fidgeting, incorrect posture, orints of
fatigue will result in a failure, and no points will be awarded!¡±
¡°What?!¡±
At this, a collective groan echoed among the group.
The female stars andously covered their faces.
Though they knew Adventure Blitz: Two Days, One Night was tough and had braced themselves for it,
they hadn¡¯t expected it to be this. Intense! It started off with a ssh of water, followed by mandatory
makeup removal, and now they¡¯re being asked to stand under the harsh sun with bare faces!
With the scorching summer sun and such strong UV rays, their skin would surely suffer without
protection!
¡°Director, Im allergic to UV rays!¡±
Olivia had barely raised her hand when the director, as if anticipating this, nodded to William, ¡°Then
deduct a point from Olivia right
away
¡°No, no, no¡¡± Olivia quickly withdrew, ¡°It¡¯s not that severe, I can handle it.¡±
She lowered her hand, internally cursing the crew for theirck of sympathy, but this was her only
chance to get close to Mr. Lockwood, and she wasn¡¯t going to miss it.
¡°Anyone else allergic?¡± the director asked.
Isabe initially wanted to raise her hand too, but seeing Xanthea¡¯s calm demeanor, she stopped
herself.
No matter what, she couldn¡¯t lose to Xanthea!
Although Xanthea appeared calm, the thought of standing under direct sunlight for 40 minutes made
her nervous.
Her skin had always been more delicate than most, often bruising before she even felt pain. The idea
of sunburn or blistering from prolonged exposure was daunting.
¡°No allergies? Good. Remember, this is Adventure Blitz: Two Days, One Night, not some holiday
luxury!¡±
Jonathanmanded, ¡°Company, left turn! Forward fifty paces to the center of the parade ground.
Prepare to stand at attention!¡±
Out of the group of six, only Martin, who exercised regrly, seemed unfazed. The rest bore
expressions of noble sacrifice, as if marching to their doom.
Chapter 257
Chapter 257
The sun was scorching, its relentless rays shining directly onto the unprotected faces of the female
celebrities, grilling them like a Summer barbecue. It was unbearable.
Xanthea squinted painfully against the re and was about to shield her eyes with her hand, when a
sudden bellow from Jonathan, scolding Olivia and Rachel for fidgeting, froze her in ce.
As the camera crew moved away, the director, with a sycophantic smile, hurried over to Orion. ¡°Mr.
Lockwood, it¡¯s blistering hot today. and the sun is brutal. Perhaps Ms. Nightshade could take a break,
maybe have some iced watermelon¡.
¡°No need.¡±
Orion¡¯s gaze lingered on the visibly ufortable girl, his brows furrowing slightly.
She was always so delicate, and yet she had agreed to take part in Adventure Blitz: Two Days, One
Night, ready to follow all directions¡
¡°Xanthea.¡±
A deep voice suddenly came from behind her, which startled her. She had just sneaked a small
movement, thinking she might get a scolding, but it turned out to be Orion.
¡°Stand at attention properly, chin up¡¡±
He paused mid¨Csentence and leaned closer, his voice soft and velvety, audible only to her,¡± chest out.¡±
¡°I am.¡±
¡°Push it out a bit more. I know you can do better¡±
Her face turned crimson at his words.
Rascall
He wasn¡¯t here to reprimand her, he was flirting!
And how did he know she wasn¡¯t giving her all? They hadn¡¯t¡ well, even a hug from him was telling,
obviously!
Embarassed and lips bitten, her eyes sparkled with fury, yet she couldn¡¯t make a scene in front of the
cameras, only hoping he would
leave soon.
Instead, he didn¡¯t move away but paused beside her
Xanthea raised an eyebrow, ¡°?¡±
¡°Mr. Lockwood, my posture is fine now. Can you leave?¡±
¡°No.¡±
Orion refused tly.
Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.
¡°Why not?¡±
¡°I¡¯m here to supervise.¡±
Xanthea clenched her teeth angrily. He must be some kind of devil, right?
The crew was already ruthless, making them stand bare faced under the scorching sun, and he was
here strictly supervising her posture, it was just too much. wait.
Under the scorching sun?
She only then realized the sunlight was blocked.
He was standing beside her, his tall, distinguished figure perfectly blocking all the light, casting a cool
shadow over her.
He¡ couldn¡¯t possibly be doing this on purpose to shade her, could he?
Xanthes looked up in surprise, only to meet his gaze, which was more intense than the midday sun.
Suddenly, he loosened his tie and reached out his hand. Under his intense gaze, Xanthea almost felt
like he was about to embrace her and she instinctively stepped back.
But Instead, he gently gathered her long hair.
Under the harsh sun and rolling heat, even without direct sunlight, fine sweat beaded on her face, more
so beneath the thick curls
Mr. Lockwood, what are you doing75
Tyind your hair.
Chapter 257
¡°Why? Can¡¯t I Just stand at attention with my hair down?¡±
¡°You can,¡± Orion chuckled, his voice barely audible, but loose hair might tempt the instructor.¡±
¡°You.¡±
Xanthea red at him. Just when she was about to whisper a threat, she found herself lost in his
strikingly handsome features.
He stood before her, his hands weaving through her thick, long curls, clumsily but earnestly tying it
back.
Chapter 258
Chapter 258
As she nced up, she could see him wrapped tightly in his crisp military uniform, his broad chest
prominent, his neck long and his Adam¡¯s apple striking. There was a forbidden allure about him, as if
his very presence oozed a restrained desire that beckoned to be unleashed.
[Here it is, the third time calling Xantheal Has Mr. Lockwood ever called anyone else but Xanthea since
he appeared? No way he¡¯s not into her!)
[Oh my gosh¨CI¡¯m screamping, did you guys see that? The way Mr. Lockwood looks at Xanthea is so
tender, a million times more tender than my boyfriend looks at me!]
[Tying her hair? What is this, a sweet soap opera scene? Mr. Lockwood, are you sure you¡¯re just
correcting her appearance and not trying to get touchy¨Cfeely?)
[Am I the only one who thinks Mr. Lockwood isn¡¯t just supervising Xanthea, but actually trying to shade
her from the sun? This guy with his prickly exterior but caring actions, I¡¯m totally in love!!]
[Oh, you two, stop standing together! Yourbined beauty feels like witnessing angels descending
from heaven!]
ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .
[Help! I¡¯m shipping them so hard! Didn¡¯t think I¡¯d find a ship in a reality show, and it¡¯s so sweet¨Ccold and
domineering instructor x gorgeous and delicate starlet. I hereby name this ship¨COranthea!]
In the group, Olivia watched with a fiery jealousy as Orion tied Xanthea¡¯s hair.
If only Xanthea wasn¡¯t here, she would be the one getting her hair tied!
Unfortunately, Xanthea¡¯s natural beauty had captivated Mr. Lockwood¡¯s attentionpletely, making
Olivia practically invisible. She¡¯d have to think of something else¡
her hair?
Why was he taking so long to tie he
Facing the temptation of his uniform up close was too much,
she wanted to.
Hug him, kiss him, touch his Adam¡¯s apple, and then slowly unbutton his uniform¡
While Xanthea was lost in these inappropriate daydreams, someone else made a move first.
¡°Ooh, I feel dizzy¡±
Suddenly, Olivia clutched her temple as if the sun had overwhelmed her, her body tilting straight
towards Orion.
Xanthea¡¯s eyes widened in rm.
She was afraid that Olivia would crash into Orion¡¯s arms, and equally afraid that if she missed, the fall
would be disastrous.
But in that split second, there was no time to ponder and inevitably, Orion caught¡ her?
With a loud ¡°thud.¡± Olivia hit the ground, which startled Jonathan and William, who rushed over to
check on her.
¡°Olivia? Olivia? Are you alright? Can you stand?¡±
¡°277¡±
Nearby, Xanthea, who had been abruptly caught by Orion, sprang out of his arms like a coiled spring,
her face full of confusion. ¡°Did you grab the wrong person? Why are you holding me?¡±
¡°I was afraid she¡¯d bump into you¡±
Xanthea hadn¡¯t expected this exnation¡.
In such a critical moment, anyone¡¯s first reaction would be to catch Olivia, right? But he instinctively
protected her instead.
She didn¡¯t know whether tough or feel touched, just relieved that the live camera had moved to Olivia
at that moment, missing the scene of him holding her.
Otherwise, her purpose in joining Adventure Blitz: Two Days, One Night to tough it out and gain
followers could turn into a love scandal and she would lose her fans!
Chapter 259
Chapter 259
Xanthea pressed her palm against his chest, setting a boundary with a serious tone. ¡°Keep your
distance. If someone sees us, it could get messy!¡±
Someone?
Who was she worried about?
Is that Matthew whom she was worried about?
Orion¡¯s dark eyes narrowed instantly, tightening his grip on her hand.
Xanthea jolted, sensing a dangerous undercurrent in his touch, and quickly shook her head,
¡°Don¡¯t get me wrong, I meant the fans. If they find out¡¡±
Before she could finish, the livestream camera swiveled toward them.
Xanthea swiftly withdrew her hand, putting on a worried expression for Olivia, feeling as though
someone could see right through her.
¡°Olivia? Olivia?¡±
There Oliviay on the ground, feigning unconsciousness, but her twitching eyelids betrayed her
intense inner turmoil.
In that moment she fell, she saw with her own eyes that Mr. Lockwood hadn¡¯t cared about her at all;
instead, he grabbed Xanthea, as if¡ afraid she might get hurt.
That shameless temptress had already ensnared Mr. Lockwood!
Despite all of her schemes, she had failed; while Xanthea had seeded so effortlessly. Why?
¡°Tsk.¡±
Isabe, standing on the sidelines with arms crossed, scoffed disdainfully at Olivia.
An idol who didn¡¯t even go to school and has suffered through countless hardships during her previous
years, now couldn¡¯t even stand under the sun for a few minutes without onto a man¨Cdid she think the
audience were fools?
The only fool here was Xanthea, who couldn¡¯t even see that ¡°someone¡± is trying to steal her boyfriend
right under her nose, yet still standing there showing concern.
Wait. If Olivia was targeting Xanthea, she should be happy about it. Why feel sorry
N?velDrama.Org owns this.
Olivia?¡± William called out. ¡°Get the medic over here!¡±
for Xanthea?
¡°No need¡¡± Olivia opened her eyes weakly for the camera, ying the martyr. ¡°I¡¯m fine, just a bit dizzy.
I can keep going.¡±
¡°Are you sure?¡±
¡°Yes.¡±
She couldn¡¯t afford to step down now; that would be admitting defeat.
She was not ready to give up, nor would she let Xanthea have an easy time!
¡°Just hold on a little longer; we¡¯re almost done.¡±
Okay.
The 40 minutes soon passed, and Jonathan, checking his watch, announced, ¡°Time¡¯s up! All
contestants pass this round, earning one point each.¡±
Take a break, everyone. Ten minutes in the shade, then we ready for the next
Finally, someone sighed, ¡°I thought I¡¯d melt/in that sun!¡±
Tell me about it. My clothes are soaked!¡±
¡°My face is so red; I must have sunburned. No amount of skincare will fix this!¡±
Nelson, cradling his face, saw the other three female stars whose sunburn seemed worse than
his, except for Xanthea, whoseplexion remained immactely pale and delicate, her skin
almost translucent with a touch of dewy freshness.
Gosh, that¡¯s almost unreal, Xan! Howe you don¡¯t have a single sunburn?¡±
Before she could respond, Olivia sneered, ¡°Some people had shade, how could they get
sunburned?¡±
Watching the woman who had once been polite and ttering now throwing veiled insults, it
was clear she had truly fallen for Orion.
09:51
Chapter 259
It couldn¡¯t have just started today, or her jealousy wouldn¡¯t be ring so intensely. That fall just
now¡
I¡¯m sorry, I don¡¯t know why Mr. Lockwood chose to shade me rather than help you up, sister¡¡±
Chapter 260
Chapter 260
Xanthea bit her lip, her wet eyes blinking innocently, making her look pure and pitiable. ¡°Maybe I should
talk to him, ask him to look after my sister a bit more.¡±
¡°Who needs your charity!¡±
Olivia was fuming at Xanthea¡¯s fake innocent act, but she held back her anger as the live stream
camera swung towards her.
She wanted to tear her mouth out!
¡°It must be because Xan is just too adorable!¡±
Olivia was livid, but Nelson was captivated by her vulnerable fa?ade. He always had a thing for the
sweet, frail girls who seemed like they needed protection. Just as he was about to lean in and continue
their conversation, a familiar voice halted him.
Nelson.*
Nelson stiffened and turned slowly to see Orion not far off, murmuring to himself, ¡°Why does Mr.
Lockwood always single me out? Could he be into me? No way, right?¡±
5282 28 28 2 2 2 8 2
There were always rumors in the entertainment industry about top executives having a thing for
supporting male stars, and now it seemed to be his turn. Though he had acted in a romance drama, he
was straight!
Nelson quickly approached Orion, and upon seeing Orion¡¯s stern, handsome face, his resolve wavered.
If it were anyone else, maybe not, but Mr. Lockwood¡
¡°Mr. Lockwood, did you need something?¡±
Thirsty?¡±
Orion pulled a bottle of mineral water from an ice bucket.
After 40 minutes in the sun, Nelson was parched and overheated. Seeing the ice¨Ccold water, his eyes
lit up. ¡°Yeah, yeah, yeah, I am!¡±
Orion twisted off the cap.
In his excitement, Nelson nearly lost all hisposure.
With Mr. Lockwood being so handsome and considerate, if he wanted to bend the rules for him, he was
willing!
Xanthea, puzzled, looked over, wondering what they were talking about when Isabe nudged her arm.
ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .
¡°?¡± she looked quizzically at her, and Isabe coughed, ¡°Learned the tips from sister?¡±
your
¡°What?¡±
¡°That whole fake innocent act.¡±
¡°You seem to know her well. What are you getting at?¡±
Xanthea thought Isabe was just setting her up for some sarcastic remark but was taken aback by her
next question, ¡°Does it work¡ on all your family?¡±
¡°Uh?¡±
¡°Like, your brother.¡±
¡°My brother?¡± Xanthea thought for a moment, ¡°Maybe it will work out on Samuel, but not on Big Bro.¡±
¡°Why? What does he fall for?¡±
Isabe asked eagerly, and Xanthea was surprised, ¡°Why do you want to know?¡±
It¡¯s nothing¡ I¡¯m just curious.¡±
Realizing she might have exposed something, Isabe quickly mmed up.
Xanthea frowned, sensing something off about her, as if she was trying to dig up some information.
Minutester, Nelson returned, looking drenched and disheveled.
Xanthea had only zoned out for a moment to see him transformed into a soaked mess, and she was
utterly confused. ¡°Nelson, what happened to you?¡±
Martin burst outughing nearby, ¡°Hahaha, I saw it! He must have been too hot, asked Mr. Lockwood to
give him a wash.
In front of the camera, Nelson was at a loss for words, almost on the verge of tears.
He had thought Mr. Lockwood¡¯s attention meant something more personal, only to find out he just
wanted to cool him down!
09:51
As he watched Orion unscrew the bottle, his world bloomed with possibilities; but only for the cold
water to pour over his head, snapping him back to reality.
Chapter 261
Chapter 261
Thirsty? I see you still have the energy to flirt with a female
celebrity?¡±
That was a taunt. Orion wasn¡¯t interested in him, but he was into Xanthea.
His water was gone, and the spark of romance that had barely started with Xanthea was snuffed out.
Oh, the tragedy!
Xanthea: ¡ Really?¡±
Nelson, against his better judgment, nodded.
A loud buzzer sounded.
¡°Time¡¯s up, folks! Everyone, gather up and jog to the west side of the field for the second round of
assessments!¡±
As you can see, we¡¯re at the outdoor shooting range. Our next assessment? Shooting!¡±
¡°Here are the rules: each trainee gets three shots. We¡¯ll add up the scores from each round, and the
person with the highest total gets two points, the lowest gets none, and everyone else gets one point.¡±
As soon as the rules were announced, Martin couldn¡¯t contain his excitement. ¡°Shooting¡¯s my thing!
When I¡¯m not swimming, I¡¯m probably at the shooting range.¡±
¡°Shooting?¡± Rachel frowned, ¡°I¡¯ve never even held a gun. What if I misspletely?¡±
Martin smirked, ¡°It¡¯s rare for girls to be into shooting, but don¡¯t worry, there¡¯s not muchpetition.¡±
Olivia tilted her chin up slightly, ¡°I might have you beat. I starred in a shooting¨Cthemed TV show and got
trained by a pro.¡±
Isabe wanted topete but was hardly familiar with guns, having only shot a few times at corporate
team¨Cbuilding events.
¡°If you¡¯re not sure about shooting, ask one of the instructors. We can show you how,¡± William
suggested.
¡°Really?¡±
Soon, Isabe Rachel, and even the previously boastful Olivia crowded around Mr. Lockwood, eager
for help.
¡°Mr. Lockwood, could you give us a demo?¡±
¡°Mr. Lockwood, it¡¯s been a while, I don¡¯t quite remember how to aim. Could you demonstrate first?¡±
Xanthea watched the crowd assemble, knowing she¡¯d be toote to get a good spot.
Orion caught her eye. She turned her head away with a barely audible ¡°hmpf,¡± thinking about how flirty
and shy he was!
Orion picked up a handgun with a mischievous glint in his eye. ¡°Stand facing the target, feet shoulder¨C
width apart. Keep your bnce on
the balls of your feet and lock your ankles. Look naturally forward, pull your shoulder des slightly
towards your torso, and fire.¡±
He actually demonstrated, even giving personal instructions. It was like a peacock showing off its
feathers!
He knew the girls were all there for him, not really for the shooting!
Bang-! As he exined, the simtion bullet hit the center of the target.
¡°Wow! Mr. Lockwood is so cool!¡±
¡°Bullseye!¡±
Cheers erupted both at the scene and on the live chat, but Xanthea couldn¡¯t muster a smile.
¡°Xanthea.¡±
She was suddenly called out but didn¡¯t want to respond.
ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .
¡°Need me to demonstrate again? I can give you a one¨Con¨Cone lesson.¡±
Thements started flying:
[Here he goes again, this guy with his ssic catchphrase ¡°Xanthea¡°!]
[A one¨Con¨Cone lesson? I bet he just wants an excuse to get handsy with our Xan!
[I bet he just wanted to show off in front of Xanthea. Oranthea is just too shippable!]
Teach her?
Xanthea scoffed:
She picked up the handgun in front of her loaded the magazine, pulled the trigger, aimed at the target,
and fired three consecutive shots
with her right hand-¡°Bang, bang, bang!¡± Her movements were crisp and elegant, a perfect disy of
skill.
Chapter 262
Chapter 262
What was most remarkable was that all three of her shots hit the bullseye, with only one bullet hole.
This meant that all three bullets had traveled through the exact same path.
0
The on¨Csite audience and live¨Cstream viewers were all stunned. After a long silence, Jonathan and
William finally burst out in
amazement.
¡°Three bullets through one hole? Is that even possible?¡±
¡°Our team¡¯s snipers aren¡¯t even that urate¡¡±
¡°Sharpshooter indeed!¡± Martin, a former Olympic champion, looked at her with disbelief and admiration.
¡°Xan, you¡¯ve really kept this
hidden!¡±
1
Wow! Xan is so cool! That moment she fired was like she was possessed by Phoenix, it was deadly
charming!
¡¾She didn¡¯t just hit the target, she hit my heart!]
¡¾Amazing! She must have been trained from a young age in all the ssic arts, no ordinary person
canpare. I¡¯m so envious!]
I thought Mr. Lockwood was already cool, but Xan is even cooler! The ship I¡¯m on is truly the perfect,
top¨Ctier pair, made in heaven!]
Orion watched her with intense eyes as she held the gun. The elegant arc of her back, straightened
with poise,bined with her swift, heroic movements, exuded an unparalleled contrast of charm,
causing his pupils to contract.
Xanthea returned the gun, raising an eyebrow slightly in a subtle but cool gesture. Instantly, she gained
arge number of adoring fans.
Her uncle had taught her to shoot when she was just six years old, and nobody had surpassed her yet..
Olivia, Isabe, and Rachel werepletely dumbfounded, their jaws dropped in amazement.
Although they guessed that Xanthea was born into a noble family and she must have learned these
skills, they never imagined she would be this incredible¨Cthree perfect shots, an unbeatable
performance!
¡°Alright, Xanthea has finished her shooting, the next five participants, please step up to the target.¡±
William announced.
As Xanthea stepped away from the line, Orion caught her just out of the camera¡¯s view.
N?velDrama.Org owns this.
¡°Hmm!¡±
Xanthea remembered how he had been surrounded by admirers earlier, strutting like a peacock, and
was still annoyed. She tried to walk away, but suddenly, he spun her around and pinned her against the
shooting bench, his strength immobilizing her.
¡°You¡¡±
Caught off guard and blushing, Xanthea tried to push him away, but then she heard his pleased
chuckle, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, the cameras can¡¯t
see us.¡±
¡°But what about everyone here¡?¡±
She nced towards the production crew, who seemed suspiciously uninterested in their direction,
almost as if they were in on it.
¡°Orion, let go, I told you to keep your distance!¡±
¡°You want me to keep my distance, yet you¡¯re still seducing me?¡± Orion whispered huskily, embracing
her tightly from behind, his head buried in her neck as he closed his eyes, breathing in her scent, ¡°You
looked so sexy shooting¡
The ring sun overhead made the scene even more intense.
Xanthea was flustered by his brazen behavior. ¡°Let go of me now!¡±
She struggled, but stopped when she heard a low groan from him.
¡°You, you¡¡±
¡°I¡¯ll let you go after the shooting is over.¡±
They were hidden just behind the camera, shielded from view. If the camera were to pan slightly,
millions could witness their intimate embrace. Xanthea felt a thrilling rush at the thought of their secret
disy under the public eye, her heart pounding wildly.
Chapter 263
Chapter 263
¡°Bang!¡±
¡°Bang-!¡±
The sound of gunfire intermittently echoed across the shooting range, as deafening as Xanthea¡¯s own
pounding heart.
She watched as the other five members of her team holstered their ¡°Orion, Orion, you can let go now!¡±
guns,
Car palpable as she repeatedly pped Orion¡¯s hand.
¡°No way.¡± The man who had been so sure of himself moments ago Xanthea, seethed, stepped on his
foot hard. ¡°I don¡¯t! Don¡¯t even think abou
Orion chuckled helplessly, releasing her as the other five trainees turned
Xanthea shook her head, her face flushed. ¡°I¡¯m not. Not one bit. It¡¯s only you
¡°Alright.¡±
ved. ¡°Xan, don¡¯t you want to¡¡±
it,
s just going to ask if you¡¯re thirsty?¡±
always thirsty.¡±
Orion turned and walked towards the edge of the range.
Xanthea frowned in confusion. Was he heading towards the instructors¡® lounge? They were in the
middle of filming¨Cwait a minute!
Did he just imply the shooting was over?!
Her face, already flushed, seemed to boil with embarrassment.
This man full of nonsense was simply too much; he actually did that to her in front of so many people¡
and then told Nelson to calm down. She thinks he is the one who needs to calm down!
¡°Boss!¡±
In the lounge, Cedric stood up as Orion entered. ¡°Louise called from overseas, urging a meeting at
Rose Manor noter than the day after tomorrow to sign the contract in person.¡±
¡°Got it.¡±
¡°And another thing, Jacob mentioned that there¡¯s a new lead in Realm of Illusions explosion case
involving Ms. Nightshade. He¡¯s close to wrapping up the investigation and handing it over to the police.
Also, he stumbled upon something unexpected while tracking a
suspect.¡±
Orion looked up. ¡°What did he find?¡±
¡°He didn¡¯t tell,¡± said Cedric, ¡°He¡¯s being all mysterious, said it¡¯s significant and that he wants topile
all the evidence before reporting to you personally tomorrow. Sounds like he doesn¡¯t want me stealing
his credit.¡±
¡°Have hime over after the show ends tomorrow.¡±
¡°Will do!¡±
¡°Shootingplete, await results!¡±
Isabe, Olivia, Rachel, and Nelson looked disheartened as they walked off the shooting tform,
while Martin approached Xanthea with a grin. ¡°Xan, I scored 27 points! Not as good as you, but I¡¯m
pretty proud of myself!¡±
Olivia scoffed, ¡°Close only counts in horseshoes and stuff. Even though you were just three points
behind, you¡¯re only second best. What¡¯s there to brag about?¡±
Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.
Martin looked down, embarrassed. Xanthea rolled her eyes at Olivia. ¡°It should be ¡®Close only counts in
horseshoes and hand grenades? You should read more books.¡±
Her jab hit Olivia hard, making her fume, ¡°You.,.¡±
Jonathan began announcing the scores: ¡°Martin¨C9, 9, 9, totaling 27 points. Nelson¨C3, 3, totaling 8
points. Isabe¨C2.5, 4, 3.5, totaling 10 points. Olivia¨C3, 6, 3, totaling 12 points. Rachel¨C2, 2, 3, totaling
7 points. Xanthea¨C10¡¡±
2,
He paused when he reached Xanthea¡¯s score, then confirmed, ¡°A total of 10 points!¡±
Everyone was puzzled.
Jonathan exined, ¡°ording to the jules, since there¡¯s only one bullet hole on Xanthea¡¯s target, we
can only count it as one round.¡±
A second of silence was followed by roaringughter, led by Olivia.
¡°This might be the case of counting your chickens before they hatch?¡±
¡°That¡¯s what happens when you get too cocky!¡±
¡°Looks like Martin¡¯s the champ, and Xan, you¡¯re down to 1 point like the rest of us.¡±
22
Chapter 263
¡°Xan, no hard feelings. Even though I took first ce, you¡¯re always number one in my heart.¡±
Xanthea was bbergasted¨Cwas this the price of showing off?
¡°The rules are rigid, but can¡¯t we be a bit flexible?¡±
The director shook his head. In reality TV, it¡¯s not about fairness but entertainment. Judging by the
uproariousughter in thements, it seemed this episode was a sess.
Chapter 264
Chapter 264
Xanthea blinked back tears as she stood outside the coach¡¯s lounge, feeling utterly alone without Orion
around.
Alright, everyone, listen up! We¡¯re kicking off the third round of assessments¨C100¨Cmeter dash!¡±
¡°Tracks are divided by gender, with the fastest male and female getting 2 points, the slowest scoring
none, and 1 point!¡±
You¡¯ve
¡°This final round will determine your chances of picking your instructor teams, so give it all you¡¯ve got!¡±
¡°Boys, get ready!¡±
yone else receiving
a a nap.¡±
Nelson grumbled, ¡°Competing in a sprint against a former Olympic champion? I might as well lie down
and take
Previously, he had been all in, trying to secure a spot with Xanthea; but now, with his romantic hopes
dashed by Mr. Lockwood, he didn¡¯t care who he teamed up with.
Secondster, Martin predictably clinched the race, and it was time for the girls to take the stage.
Xanthea, Isabe, and Olivia were neck and neck in points.
For them, this sprint was crucial. Winning could mean securing a spot on Team Orion.
Rachel, although trailing by a point from the shooting round, could stille out on top if she won this
race.
As the four girls lined up, the tension was palpable, even through the screen.
¡¾Bets are open! Who¡¯s your pick?]
¡¾I¡¯m betting on Xanthea; those long legs give her a natural edge!]
[I¡¯m on Olivia. Sure, Xanthea¡¯s got the height, but she¡¯s been more of a pampered princess. Olivia¡¯s got
real track experience from the junior sports festival!)
[No takers for Isabe? Something tells me she¡¯s got her eye on Xanthea; it could be the established
top stars¡® apprehension towards the rising new ones.]
¡°Ladies, to your marks!¡±
¡°Ready-¡±
Jonathan blew the whistle, and the girls got into position, the race ready to explode into action.
Isabe clenched her fists, determined to outrun Xanthea.
Olivia nced at Xanthea¡¯s dominant stride and felt a surge of malice.
This was the final assessment; she couldn¡¯t let Xanthea win!,
N?velDrama.Org owns this.
Especially after she seemed to have charmed Mr. Lockwood. If she also made his team, who knew
what would happen next?
As they prepared to start, Xanthea looked up and saw Orion stepping out of the lounge, watching the
race from the sidelines.
Victory was in sight!
Ori, wait for me!
¡°Go!¡±
The start signal red, and the four dashed off like arrows from a bow.¡±
Olivia sprinted ahead with all her might, her speed waning after 40 meters, but it didn¡¯t matter. Her real
goal was to block Xanthea¡
The track was narrow, and with the high speed and their shy athletic gear, it was a blur of motion.
Amid the intensepetition, no one noticed Olivia suddenly stick out her leg, sending Xanthea
tumbling.
¡°Aah!!!¡±
Mid¨Csprint, Xanthea tripped and fell to her knees, sliding forward due to the momentum, clearly off the
track and heading towards the sidelines until she grabbed onto something to stop herself.
The incident happened so fast that the crowd was still processing what they saw.
the
Xanthea, did she just crash into Mr. Lockwood¡¯s legs?
She exhaled a sigh of relief.
Thankfully, she hadn¡¯t hit the hard track, and the soft grass had cushioned her fall. If not for something
to grab onto, she could have been seriously injured.
*apter 26
She wondered who had tripped her. She would definitely confront herter!
But for now, realizing what¨Cor rather, whose legs¨Cshe was holding, she looked up and found herself
face¨Cto¨Cface with Orion.
Chapter 265
Chapter 265
¡°Ah-¡±
Realizing where she was, Xanthea¡¯s eyes widened in shock, her pupils trembling. She let out a scream
more terrifying than the one when she had tripped earlier.
The live chat for Adventure Blitz: Two Days, One Night instantly filled with the most real¨Ctime
comments ever.
[LOL, I can¡¯t stopughing, this is hrious!]
[Is this for real? How could it be such a coincidence? This is too much!]
[I dere this the most epic social fail of 2202!]
[OMG, this is beyond embarrassing, so embarrassing! I¡¯m cringing so hard for Xanthea just watching
this!]
[Did anyone see Xanthea open her mouth when she looked up? If so, did she just eat, eat¡]
[Ship them! Ship them! Ship fans are freaking out, this is divine irond fate pulling them together with
steel cords!]
[Help, how can it be this funny? LOL, Xanthea is both tragic and hrious, love it!]
[Oh my, this scene is too intense, I kinda want to see them just start making out right there!]
[I didn¡¯t want to ship anyone in a reality show, but it¡¯s like Cupid is forcing me!]
Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.
25. F 2 2 2 2 2 2 = F ¨ I * * 8 * ¡Á OF * F
The next second, Xanthea scrambled up and ran off, faster than a sprinter.
Orion watched her flee, his handsome face twisted with difort, his dark eyes unfathomably deep.
Her mouth was hot.
¡°Isabe and Olivia, both finish at the same time, clocking 16.77 seconds!¡±
¡°Rachel, second ce, 17.01 seconds!¡±
Jonathan announced the final trial results, but clearly, no one cared anymore; everyone wanted to see
Xanthea¡¯s aftermath, even the live cameras followed her as she ran to arge tree.
¡°Stop filming, please! Leave me with some decency!¡±
Xanthea, like an ostrich, buried her face in the tree hollow.
Oh no, she couldn¡¯t take it anymore!
That scene, kneeling in front of Orion with her mouth open¡ it was too much, she might as well die of
embarrassment!
¡°Xan, the fans on the live chat are asking if you, uh, touched it?¡±
The director was still cueing her, and Xanthea was both angry and embarrassed, ¡°I touched¡¡± nothing!
She choked on her own words and took a few seconds to spit them out.
[OMG, is it that thrilling? The size of Mr. Lockwood must be impressive!]
[Spread the word, Xanthea harassed Mr. Lockwood!]
[Spread the word, Xanthea needs to take responsibility for Mr. Lockwood!]
[Spread the word, Xanthea and Mr. Lockwood are getting married next month!]
¡°Hey? Where are Xanthea and Mr. Lockwood?¡±
The girls¡® team finished their race, oblivious to the drama.
Immersed in the shock, Nelson and Martin exchanged a knowing nce. As men, they naturally knew
where Mr. Lockwood was right
now.
About ten minutester, after being painstakingly reassured by the production team that this part would
be edited out, Xanthea finally managed to regain someposure. But as soon as she returned to the
group, she saw Orion approaching from a distance, his presence brooding and his desires apparently
unmet.
His piercing eyes seemed to want to force her kneel again, to help him.¡±
She shivered all over, awkwardly avoiding his gaze.
I¡¯m sorry, it wasn¡¯t intentional, it really wasn¡¯t!
Now, I announce each contestant¡¯s final scores, and those with priority in choosing their Instructor!¡±
Martin first, Isabe and Olivia tied for second, Xanthea third, Considering that Olivia, Isabe, and
Xanthea had mishaps in the first, second, and third assessments respectively, their scores are tied for
second ce. You four have the right to choose your instructors
09:53
Chapter 265
first, the rest will be assigned.¡±
¡°What?¡±
Isabe and Olivia were surprised; despite their hard work, they ended up tied.
Now three of them scored the same, all wanting Mr. Lockwood, who would undoubtedly choose
Xanthea. But who would he choose for the remaining spot?
Martin: ¡°I choose Jonathan!¡±
¡°Alright, and thedies?¡±
¡°Mr. Lockwood!¡±
Isabe and Olivia chorused.
Jonathan turned to Xanthea, who now stuttered, ¡°I also want to pick you..r.¡±
She was meant to pick Orion without a second thought, but after such an awkward incident, she
couldn¡¯t even bear to look at him!
¡°What did you say?¡±
Before she could finish, a chilling voice from across made her immediately switch, ¡°¡ your colleague,
Mr. Lockwood.¡±
¡°Then three contestants want Mr. Lockwood!¡±
¡°Now, please, Mr. Lockwood, it¡¯s time for you to choose!¡±
Orion¡¯s gaze burned into Xanthea, making her scalp tingle as she looked down.
¡°Isabe and Olivia.¡±
After he spoke, Isabe and Olivia froze, hardly believing their ears, then burst into celebrations. But
before their smiles couldst a second, he continued, ¡°are great, but the one I really want is Xanthea.¡±
Xanthea: No!
The director replied: ¡°But ording to the show rules, each instructor must choose two contestants.¡±
Chapter 266
Chapter 266
¡°Do you mind?¡± Orion asked, turning to Xanthea. Xanthea was taken aback. ¡°Mind? Of course not, why
would I mind anything?¡±
He posed the question in front of the cameras, as if he were a boyfriend checking with his girl before
meeting another woman, trying to avoid any jealousy. It was all too tant!
Onion continued, ¡°Then you choose.¡±
It was even more tant!
Isabe and Olivia, upon hearing this, instantly changed their expressions, especially Olivia.
It took her great effort and careful nning, risking being caught on camera and the audience¡¯s scorn,
to finally eliminate Xanthea in
this assessment.
But in the end, not only had her effortse to naught, but she also found herself in the humiliating
position of being chosen by her!
[Ahh I¡¯m totally shipping this! ¡°The one I really want is Xanthea¡± Mr. Lockwood is so dominant!
Oranthea is just too sweet!]
Its Mr. Lockwood going for a direct hit? Totally love it!)
I just want to lock them up and shoot a thousand episodes of a sweet romance show!]
I¡¯ve never shipped a couple this much before, they are so genuine! I¡¯m starting to worry if they¡¯ll face
real¨Clife obstacles, considering Xanthea is a nobledy!]
[Am I the only one who thinks Mr. Lockwood is more than what he appears? I have no proof, but he
really exudes an aura of nobility!]
[+1 +1 Absolute agreement]
Xanthea looked at Isabe and Olivia.
She disliked both one was an annoying copycat she¡¯d disliked for years, and the other was a scheming
jealous type. Most importantly, they both had designs on Onion. Could she just not choose either of
them?
¡°Well, Mr. Lockwood, she turned to Orion, ¡°who was ahead of me in the first 50 meters of our run?¡±
Olivia panicked at her question. Why would she ask that? Did she notice something?
¡°I didn¡¯t see.¡±
Xanthea was puzzled. How could he not have seen? He was right there!
¡°I only had eyes for you.
Xanthea rolled her eyes. Stop talking!
Jonathan chimed in, ¡°Before the 50¨Cmeter mark, Olivia was the fastest.¡±
On?
Xanthea¡¯s lips curved into a sly smile as she looked at Olivia.
So, it was she who had tripped her. No wonder she looked so upset, having gone through all that
trouble without getting to pick Orion.
Olivia, feeling exposed, avoided Xanthea¡¯s gaze.
Isabe stood there, feeling like an object being scrutinized and selected, an unbearable ordeal. Just
as she was about to raise her hand to withdraw, she heard Xanthea say, ¡°I choose Isabe!¡±
Xanthea chose her?
Wasn¡¯t she the one Xanthea always despised and looked down upon? Howe¡¡.
Xanthes walked up to her with a sweet smile. ¡°Isabe, from now on, we¡¯re teammates. Let¡¯s look out
for each other, okay?¡±
¡°Sure, okay?
Isabe was stunned. She called her by her first name? She was still processing this when she heard
Xanthea whisper aside, ¡°Don¡¯t overthank it in thend of the bind, the one eyed man is king
So, it was all an act for the cameras!
ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .
Isabe¡¯s momentary feeling of grastude instantly vanished.
How could she have expected Xanthes to Uuly respect her to not despise hert
Xanthea would always be that arrogant untouchable nobledy, who wouldn¡¯t spare ber even a ncet
Jonathan redirected his focus. Olivia, Rachel Helson which instructor do you choose
Chapter 266
Not getting her preferred instructor and being publicly humiliated, Olivia was both furious and
embarrassed. Clenching her fists tightly, she couldn¡¯t even lift her head, ¡°Whatever,¡± she muttered.
Chapter 267
Chapter 267
Chapter 267
Five minutester, the six contestants split into teams, and the director of the show grabbed a
megaphone and announced, ¡°Congrattions to all the trainees for eaming the approval of our three
devil instructors. In the uing filming, if you face any challenges or have any requests, feel free to
seek help from your instructors!¡±
As soon as he finished speaking, the guests, who had been roasting under the scorching sun for 40
minutes and gone through three rounds of rigorous assessments, were visibly parched and starving.
¡°Instructor, could we get some water, please?¡±
The show¡¯s director then added, ¡°But that doesn¡¯t include asking instructors for food or water, or to help
with your tasks!¡±
¡°Ah.¡±
Groans filled the air; that was as good as saying nothing at all! No wonder it is Adventure Blitz: Two
Days, One Night¨Calways pushing the guests through absolute hell!
The director then dered, ¡°Now, we¡¯re going to y a game called Tag of War¡°!¡±
¡°There are six tags on this table, each bearing a secret number from 1 to 6. If you draw the tag with
number 1, your tag is worth 1 point. If someone tears it off, you¡¯re out, and the person who eliminates
you earns that point. The higher the number, the bigger the target on your back. Let¡¯s see who
emerges victorious!¡±
¡°Doesn¡¯t that make the person who draws 6 points an easy target?¡± Martin spotted the key issue. ¡°Like
a sitting duck, right? Everyone¡¯s going to gang up on them!¡±
¡°Exactly, the higher numbers carry higher risks. Sometimes, luck is part of your strength. Now, please
start drawing your tags!¡±
¡°Can I ask my instructor to draw for me?¡± Rachel raised her hand. ¡°I¡¯m notoriously unlucky.¡±
The director nodded, ¡°You may seek help from your instructor.¡±
¡°William, could you help me out here?¡±
¡°No problem.¡± William approached the table, hesitated for a moment, then picked the second tag which
revealed, ¡°3 points!¡±
¡°Not bad, thanks, Instructor!¡±
Rachel was quite pleased with the result. Seeing this, Nelson also asked his instructor to draw for him,
ending up with 2 points and a broad grin.
The director observed, ¡°It seems our devil instructors are quite lucky today. Four tags left, anyone else
wants their instructor¡¯s help?¡± Xanthea nced at Orion, which Isabe quickly noticed and
immediately raised her hand, ¡°Sir, I¡¯d like Mr. Lockwood to draw for me!¡± Xanthea gritted her teeth¨C
didn¡¯t she have hands of her own?
? ? ?? ?? ??
Orion slowly stood, walked to the table, and revealed the tag¨C5 points.
Isabe¡¯s face darkened. Xanthea struggled to hold back herughter, her shoulders shaking. Served
her right for eyeing someone else¡¯s fortune!
After turning one tag, Orion didn¡¯t step back but moved towards another, ¡°Xanthea.¡±
¡°Huh?¡±
¡°Need my help?¡±
She hadn¡¯t even asked him, and here he was, appearing way too eager. If this keeps happening, the
audience will definitely catch on!
Xanthea, anxious to distance herself from him, shook her head without a second thought.
¡°No, thank you! I respect you a lot, Mr. Lockwood, but it seems your luck isn¡¯t the best today.¡±
She used a formal address and even included the word ¡°respect,¡± instantly setting a clear boundary
between them.
Orion looked at her, his eyes narrowing dangerously.
Xanthea pretended not to notice and went straight to draw her own tag.N?velDrama.Org owns this.
Chapter 268
Chapter 268
¡°Il take this one.¡±
Orion handed the tag to her, but Xanthea swiftly moved past to grab another one, ¡°No need, I¡¯ll do it
myself, 6, 6, 6 points?!¡±
Her eyes widened in disbelief at the score she had drawn.
Laughter erupted from the crowd, led by Isabe and Olivia.
¡°Xanthea, didn¡¯t you just say Mr. Lockwood was out of luck? Looks like yours is even worse!¡±
Xanthea frowned, thinking that drawing 6 points was bad enough, but then she saw Orion slowly reveal
his tag, 1 point?!
She looked up, shocked, meeting his deep, dark eyes and understood the message they held.
¨C¡°I just wanted to save the best for you.¡±
¡°Ahhhhhhh.¡±
Instant regret washed over Xanthea; she was almost burst to tears.
[LOL Xan, that¡¯s what you get for breaking up the ship! Breaking the ship brings bad luck, see your
karma in action!]
[Am I the only one who thinks Xan was jealous because Mr. Lockwood drew for Isabe, so she
insisted on drawing herself?]
[Ahhhh, Mr. Lockwood draws 5 points for another woman, and a 1 for Xanthea. Man, your luck is really
saying you¡¯re head over heels for her!]
[Xanthea¡¯s about to be ganged up on, Mr. Lockwood¡¯s gonna be heartbroken, gonna be frantic! Can¡¯t
wait to see it!]
¡°Xanthea 6 points, Isabe 5 points, Olivia 4 points, Rachel 3 points, Nelson 2 points, Martin 1 point!¡±
¡°Let the games begin!¡±
As soon as the director called the start, Xanthea, with 6 points tagged on her back, was immediately
surrounded by everyone, like a rabbit caught in the midst of hungry wolves.
¡°Mr. Lockwood.¡±
William, unaware of Orion¡¯s real identity, noticed his special concern for Xanthea and joked, ¡°Looks like
Xanthea might be the first one out. Aren¡¯t you going to help her?¡±
Orion nced at the fray, ¡°She won¡¯t.¡±
*?¡±
William looked puzzled. How could she not be the first to be eliminated? She was the main target now,
yet Mr. Lockwood sounded so confident?
¡°Everyone, calm down, it¡¯s just a game. We need strategy, not brute force.¡±
Xanthea clutched her tag tight and edged backward, vigntly.
¡°Xan, sorry, but I don¡¯t want to do this either, yet that¡¯s the game!¡±
¡°Miss, maybe you should just hand over your tag, save us the trouble. You can¡¯t fight us all.¡±
¡°Just do it, why waste words?¡±
Olivia had been waiting for a chance to get back at Xanthea and seized the opportunity without
hesitation, rushing forward to knock her down and grab her tag!
However, before she could reach her, Xanthea shouted, ¡°Wait, you¡¯re targeting the wrong person. The
first one you should be going after is Martin!¡±
¡°What? You must be joking!¡±
¡°Why would anyone bother with Martin? He¡¯s only got 1 point!¡±
Martin chimed in, ¡°Yeah Xan, are you kidding me?¡±
¡°Of course not, have you forgotten? There¡¯s only one winner in this game. Who do you think it will be?
Definitely Martin. He¡¯s an Olympic swimming champion, his stamina and persistence are beyond any of
us. Even if you take me down, and then turn on each other, you¡¯ll still lose to him in the end. All the
points you fought for will just end up making him the victor!¡±
Chapter 269N?velDrama.Org owns this.
Chapter 269
Chapter 269
As she finished speaking, everyone was stunned for a moment, then slowly turned to look at Martin. It
seemed she was right! Martin, seeing everyone¡¯s gaze, started to panic, ¡°Don¡¯t listen to her! She¡¯s just
trying to avoid elimination!¡±
Seizing the moment, Xanthea stirred them up, ¡°So, we need to team up while the group is stillrge to
take him down. That¡¯s the only way we¡¯ll have a fair chance; otherwise, the result is predetermined.¡±
¡°Yeah, thedy¡¯s right!¡±
¡°I agree with Xan. This is a physical game, and Martin is way stronger than us. If he stays till the end,
the result is a foregone conclusion!¡±
Isabe and Olivia, although disliked Xanthea, had to admit she had a point. Besides, they both wanted
to win.
In the game, the group that was attacking Xanthea just a moment ago, instantly turned on Martin. Both
the audience and live chat erupted with cries of surprise.
Orion watched the scene with a slight smile..
William was shocked. This Xanthea really has some skills. She was young, yet experienced in using
tactics and strategy!
In less than a minute, Martin¡¯s name tag was torn off. Nelson didn¡¯t even have time to celebrate before
the four girls¡® eyes turned to him. *A strength contest between girls and boys doesn¡¯t seem very fair,
does it?¡±
Nelson: ¡°?! How did I forget to apply that logic? Martin and him were in the same boat!
Soon, only the four girls were left in the name tag ripping battle.
Isabe, Olivia, and Rachel started to circle around Xanthea again.
Isabe: ¡°Xanthea, thank you for the strategy to tear off the boys¡® tags first. We might have lost this
game without it, but this doesn¡¯t change your fate of being targeted. Drawing such a high card was your
own doing, after all.¡±
Who allowed you to be bom with the best of everything?
¡°Wait!¡±
Xanthea raised her hand, but Olivia sharply interrupted her, ¡°Xanthea, what tricks are you trying to pull
now? It¡¯s just the four of us left. Stop with the tactics and faimess talk, no one will believe it!¡±
¡°I wasn¡¯t going to say that. I just have always wanted to have a one¨Con¨Cone battle with Isabe to
show her she¡¯s not as good as me, so that she¡¯d stop bothering me. Too bad we don¡¯t have that chance
now.¡±
¡°Who did you say isn¡¯t as good as you?¡±
ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .
Isabe red up at her words, and Xanthea shrugged, ¡°You.¡°,
¡°You just wait! I¡¯ll battle you and show you who¡¯s really better!¡±
Olivia said: ¡°Isabe, she¡¯s doing this on purpose, don¡¯t fall for her.¡±
¡°Enough! Today, I¡¯m personally going to rip her tag off! Anyone who touches her will have to deal with
me first!¡±
Isabe, seething with rage, interrupted Olivia. Rachel was frightened by her fury and stepped back.
And Olivia, furious but afraid to confront her on live camera, held her tongue.
Xanthea raised her eyebrow.
She knew it. Isabe¡¯s biggest weakness was her obsession withparing herself to Xanthea; a
direct hit every time!
Isabe, bristling with anger, charged at Xanthea. As soon as she grabbed Xanthea¡¯s shirt, Xanthea
said, ¡°Wait, let¡¯s team up to take down Olivia and Rachel first, then we can duel.¡±
¡°Why should I?¡± Isabe stared at her in disbelief. ¡°Why should I listen to you?¡±
Chapter 270
Chapter 270
Xanthea leaned in closer to her, a mischievous glint in her eyes. ¡°Because if you don¡¯t listen to me, I
might tell everyone about your snoring during sleep!¡±
As she finished her words, Isabe froze, then red furiously. ¡°What are you talking about? Who
snores in their sleep?¡±
¡°You know very well whether I¡¯m making this up. Choose wisely¨Ccooperate, or let your perfect image
be shattered.¡±
¡°Xanthea, stop threatening me. Do you really think anyone would believe your nonsense?!¡±
Isabe gritted her teeth in anger, while Xanthea remained cool. ¡°Whether they believe it is up to them,
but whether I say it is up to me. And I will say it when we get back!¡±
Say it when they get back?
A sudden realization hit Isabe, causing her to panic. ¡°No! You better not spread rumors when we
return, especially not before O¡¡±
She cut herself off, and Xanthea looked at her puzzled, ¡°O what?¡±
¡°Never mind. Fine, we¡¯ll cooperate. But how do we make sure to eliminate them first?¡±
¡°Just follow my lead.¡±
Xanthea whispered a few strategies in her ear. While Olivia and Rachel were wondering what they
were discussing, Isabe suddenly held Xanthea tightly, taunting her, ¡°Xanthea, begging me for mercy?
No chance! Olivia, Rachel,e help me! I can¡¯t tear her off by myself!¡±
¡°I knew it woulde to this,¡± said Olivia.
Olivia and Rachel immediately ran over. Just as they reached to tear off Xanthea¡¯s name tag, there was
a ¡°rip!¡± sound¨Csuddenly, Xanthea and Isabe turned around and reached behind behind their backs,
taking Olivia and Rachelpletely by surprise. The broadcast announced, ¡°Olivia OUT, Rachel OUT.¡±
¡°What?¡±
The two stood there, as if unable to react, staring at Xanthea and Isabe in shock. After a moment,
Olivia finally said in disbelief, ¡°You two teamed up to trick me?¡±
Her voice quivered, and her eyes were filled with extreme anger.
¡°All¡¯s fair in love and war, especially when it¡¯s within the rules,¡± Xanthea smirked, casually spinning her
tag. ¡°Unlike some people, pulling dirty tricks in front of millions of viewers, right?¡±
¡°Don¡¯t you nder me, who yed dirty?¡±
¡°Pfff. You treat the audience like fools, let¡¯s see if they¡¯ll let you get away with it.¡±
Olivia red at her, wishing she could tear her apart like a tag.
¡°Xanthea, enough talk. Let¡¯s start our duel!¡±
C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org
Isabe said, tossing her tag aside and walking towards Xanthea with a murderous look. Xanthea
stepped back, rubbed her wrists, ready for the inevitable showdown.
But she wouldn¡¯t lose.
At the sound of the whistle, the two immediately tangled and wrestled with each other. With both
burning with a fierce desire to win, this name tag duel became exceptionally intense and exciting,
eliciting cheers from the crowd and live chat alike.
After half an hour, an exhausted Isabe was finally eliminated with a rip by an equally worn¨Cout
Xanthea, who took advantage of her longer reach.
¡°Isabe OUT. The final victor of the tag¨Ctearing battle is Xanthea. Congrattions on defending your
tag and earning a reward of 60 dors!¡±
¡°Isabe OUT, the final winner of Tag of War is Xanthea. Congrattions to Xanthea, on defending
your name tag and earning 6 points!¡±
[Ahhh congrattions to my Xan. She¡¯s turning the tide!]
[I didn¡¯t be a fan just for Xanthea¡¯s natural beauty, nor for the sweet moments with her and
Oranthea, but now I can¡¯t resist! I always fall for smart and determined beauties!]
[Xanthea is so clever, taking out the strongest first and then eliminating them one by one. Totally love
it!]
Chapter 271
Chapter 271
Chapter 271
Isabe stomped her foot on the ground in frustration, utterly infuriated by the result.
Why? Why despite giving it her all, she still couldn¡¯t win over Xanthea? It had always been this
way, and it seemed like it would always be. Or had she made a mistake in even trying to
compete with her in the first ce?
¡°Ah.¡±
Exhausted, Xantheay sprawled on the artificial turf, squinting under the ring sun, and
sighed in relief.
That was exhausting. Winning had never been so tough!
How much must Isabe resent her to be so relentless? Thankfully, a firm belief had always
sustained her.
As she pondered, that ¡°belief¡± approached¨Ca tall, imposing figure casting a shadow over her,
blocking the sun.
He was truly more radiant than the sun itself. Was he a reincarnation of Apollo perhaps?
Orion bent down, gently wiping the sweat from her forehead with a handkerchief.
Xanthea meant to protest about showing such affections in front of the cameras, but she couldn¡¯t resist
his focused, intense gaze, and found herself drowning in his tenderness.
Orion gently dabbed the sparkling sweat from her flushed cheeks, his deep eyes brimming with
compassion and a fervent desire to pull her into his arms and kiss her until they were both breathless.
¡°Mr. Lockwood, I won!¡±
¡°Yes, you¡¯re the best,¡±
¡°I¡¯m sorry I didn¡¯t trust you at first, I was wrong.¡± Guilt welled up in Xanthea¡¯s eyes, ¡°If I get another
chance, I¡¯ll definitely choose you!¡±
Orion paused.
Against the sunlight, Xanthea couldn¡¯t see his expression clearly, but she sensed a passionate,
profound emotion she couldn¡¯t fullyprehend.
He removed his microphone and said, ¡°Xan, no matter how many times you choose wrongly, I¡¯ll
patiently wait for you to correct your
answer.¡±
Xanthea was stunned.
Why did he sound so serious, as if they weren¡¯t talking about the same thing?
After a full day of training, assessments, and games, the guests were utterly exhausted, parched, and
famished as the sun set.
N?velDrama.Org owns this.
¡°I¡¯m dead beat. No more games, I can¡¯t bear it.¡± Nelsony motionless on the ground while
Rachel rubbed her empty stomach and sighed, ¡°Me too, I¡¯m so tired, hungry, and thirsty. I feel
like I could faint any moment.¡±
¡°Please, if I don¡¯t eat or drink something soon, I¡¯m going to die!¡±
Martin pleaded with the production team, and both Isabe and Olivia felt too hungry and thirsty
to even argue with Xanthea anymore. Xanthea hadn¡¯t felt much before, but the intense physical
exertion from the tag¨Ctearing battle with Isabe left her desperately thirsty as well.
The show director announced, ¡°Everyone has worked hard today. The game part is now over,
and you¡¯re free to look for food, water, and rest. Of course, the cameras will continue to follow
you!¡±
¡°Finally, it¡¯s over!¡± Nelson sat up abruptly, ¡°But this is the middle of nowhere, where are we
supposed to find food and water?¡±
¡°You can use any resources you find on the ind.¡±
Rachel chimed in, ¡°I¡¯ve seen past episodes where guests collected dew, spring water, or hunted
wild chickens and rabbits for food, but this looks like a deserted ind with nothing in sight!¡±
Xanthea pointed towards the distance, ¡°There seems to be a river ahead, that¡¯s our best shot.¡±
Chapter 272
Chapter 272
¡°A river?¡± Everyone walked over, but upon seeing the river before them, they fell silent. They had
assumed the rivers on the ind would be crystal clear and pristine; however, this river was teeming
with reeds, duckweed, minnows, leeches, and various unknown aquatic creatures. The sight was
unappetizing, to say¡¯the least.
Olivia scrunched her nose in disgust, her eyes radiating disapproval. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t drink this filthy water if
you paid me!¡±
Back home, she only ever drank water imported by her agent, air¨Cfreighted from abroad. The thought
of drinking from this dingy river was unthinkable, but her thirst was bing unbearable. Reluctantly,
she turned to the show¡¯s director for help.
?? ? ?? ? ?
¡°Director, could I have just a sip of water from your supply? Just one sip, I promise that¡¯s all I¡¯ll ask for!¡±
¡°It¡¯s been such a tough day, and there¡¯s no clean water around. Can¡¯t you make an exception just this
once?¡±
¡°Instructor, could you please talk to the production team for me? They¡¯re being so heartless
The viewers at home were quick toment online:
Why does she keep whining to the producers? It¡¯s not cute at all; it¡¯s just annoying!]
Adventure Blitz: Two Days, One Night has always had these rules. Why should they break them for
her? I can¡¯t believe she even asked for that.]
[I¡¯m officially a hater now. After watching her all day, she¡¯s the most pretentious and problematic one.
She¡¯s nothing like the strong woman she used to pretend to be. Reality TV really shows people¡¯s true
colors.]
[Totally agree. She was so rude during the instructor selection, and now she¡¯s begging for help? Such a
two¨Cfaced person.]
[I¡¯ve been holding back, but fans don¡¯te at me¨CI think she might have a crush on Mr. Lockwood.
She¡¯s always trying to get in between Oranthea and subtly targeting Xanthea.]
[Olivia isn¡¯t like that! When did she ever target Xanthea? Just because you like Xanthea doesn¡¯t mean
you should drag others down!] [Fans, stop defending her. Go check the trending topics. Someone
slowed down the video and showed that Olivia was the one who tripped Xanthea during the 100¨Cmeter
sprint. Most of her fans have already left!]
Orion looked at Xanthea who was standing by the small river, staring intently at the water as if she
were a parched little animal about to gulp down water from the riverbank. A sly smile yed at the
corner of his mouth.
He picked up a bottle of thawed mineral water and walked toward her.
¡°Miss, that water is so dirty, doesn¡¯t it?¡±
¡°Exactly, Xan. Just looking at it makes me want to gag, let alone drink it!¡±
¡°Just a sip might send someone to the hospital, right?¡±
Xanthea looked at their expressions, filled with disgust and fear, and felt a bit puzzled., ¡°Why can¡¯t we
drink it? The water is very clean.¡±
¡°Clean?¡± the group eximed in shock. ¡°You must be joking, right?¡±
¡°This river has a diverse range of species, which indicates a very healthy and bnced ecosystem.
The reeds and duckweed are well¨Cknown for purifying the water. This water quality is far better than
most rivers. In ancient times, this would have been drinkable as
1. is. However¡
There are still many unseen microorganisms, parasites, and floating particles that are invisible to the
naked eye. I¡¯ll need to purify it first.¡±
N?velDrama.Org owns this.
¡°Purify? You know how to do that?¡± Martin looked at her incredulously, but her earlier exnation
seemed quite convincing.
¡°How would you even do that in the middle of nowhere?¡±
¡°It¡¯s simple, Xanthea exined. ¡°Just poke some holes in a c bottle, thenyer clean fine sand and
charcoal powder in it, about 5 to 7yers, and you¡¯ve got a makeshift water purifier.¡±
Chapter 273
Chapter 273
¡®Wow.¡±
Martin was utterly stunned, his eyes wide with admiration. ¡°Then Xan, you take the lead, and we¡¯ll
gather the materials!¡±
¡°No need to search, just ask the instructor for a lighter and an empty bottle.¡±
¡°Got it!¡± Nelson raised his hand excitedly, ¡°I¡¯ll go ask for them!¡±
¡°Miss, is all this for real?¡±
Rachel looked at her skeptically, while Isabe just pursed her lips, remaining silent.
Though she often disagreed with Xanthea on other matters, she had to admit that Xanthea was
unbeatable academically. If she ever decided to leave the spotlight, bing a renowned scientist
wouldn¡¯t be a surprise at all.
¡°Of course, Xanthea said, turning to Isabe and Rachel. ¡°And you two, don¡¯t just stand there. Go
gather some dried cattail leaves.¡±
¡°???¡± Isabe red at her. ¡°Why should I listen to you?¡±
¡°Don¡¯t you want water?¡±
Isabe and Rachel reluctantly went off to gather the cattail leaves.
¡°Xan, what should I do?¡±
Seeing everyone busy, Martin was eager to help. Xanthea nced at the lively fish swimming in the
water, ¡°You¡¯re a good swimmer, dive in and catch some fish for dinner.¡±
¡°Sure thing!¡±
[Wow, Xanthea is amazing, isn¡¯t she? I can barely keep up!]
[A less¨Cknown fact: Xanthea just graduated top of her ss from Crestwood National University¡¯s
Physics Department! She was a genius!]
[She seems to have taken over as team leader. They¡¯d be lost without her.]
[She¡¯s not only beautiful and tough but also so intellectual. Does someone this perfect really exist?]
Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.
[I thought she¡¯d be all high and mighty, being from such a wealthy family, but she¡¯s performing so well.
She¡¯s a real role model!]
[It¡¯s strange, despite the presence of other major celebrities, they all seem dull inparison to her.]
[My heart explodes with love for this hidden gem. Why did she only debut now? I¡¯m totally hooked on
Xanthea.]
[Her fanbase exploded overnight. I came out of curiosity and now I can¡¯t leave. I¡¯m too invested in
Xanthea.]
Something still seemed missing.
Xanthea touched her chin thoughtfully, then suddenly turned, bumping into a warm, solid embrace.
¡°Ori¡ Mr. Lockwood?¡±
She looked up at him confusedly, meeting his intense obsidian eyes that seemed almost scorching.
¡°What are you standing here for?¡°.
¡°You.¡±
Before she could finish, he blurted out his response.
¡°Huh?¡±
Xanthea froze, then connected her question with his answer, resulting in ¡°I¡¯m standing here for¡¡±
You.
¡°You.¡±
Her face turned bright red, thankful that the live cameras were not on her.
¡°You pervert! A creep!¡±
But Orion couldn¡¯t hold back his emotions any longer, pulling her close into his arms.
Whenever he saw her shining out in the crowd, surrounded by admirers, a fierce jealousy and
possessiveness welled up inside him. He wanted to keep her all to himself, not letting anyone else
even dream of her.
¡°Orion, what are you doing? Let go of me, we¡¯re live on air!¡±
Xanthea¡¯s hands frantically pushed against his chest, but his gaze only grew more intense.
09:53
Chapter 273
He always thought he had could wait patiently, letting love blossom in its own time, but now it seemed
he couldn¡¯t wait any longer.
Chapter 274
Chapter 274
¡°Xan.¡±
Orion gripped her slender waist firmly, his jaw scraping against her curly hair. Xanthea mustered all her
strength to push him away. When she caught a glimpse of his face, obsessed and intense, her heart
skipped a beat.,
Why did he look a bit off today?
Or was he really that smitten with her?
A blush crept over her porcin skin, making her look even more delicate. Before she could speak, he
offered her a bottle of water.
¡°Thirsty?¡±
C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org
¡°Yeah!¡±
She was parched, and his thoughtfulness was just overwhelming!
Xanthea nodded vigorously, about to take the bottle from him when the cameraman, busy shooting
Martin by the shore, seemed to hear something and slowly turned the camera towards her.
The air filled with awkwardness. She hesitated, her hand frozen mid¨Cair, not sure whether to take the
bottle or retract it.
Taking it would mean breaking the show¡¯s rules and facing online bacsh. Retracting it would seem
like she was guilty of something¨Cstill a reason for online bacsh.
As she scrambled for a way out, Orion suddenly twisted off the cap and poured the water over her
hands.
¡°Xanthea, what are you waiting for? Weren¡¯t you going to wash your hands?¡±
¡°Ah, right, right.¡±
Xanthea quickly rubbed her hands together. The rules only stated they couldn¡¯t ask the instructor for
drinking water, not that they couldn¡¯t get help washing their hands!
Her actions, perfectly timed, made it look like she was just washing her hands¨Ca wless solution. He
was so clever!
¡°Thanks, Instructor!¡±
After she finished, her smile was radiant, though a hint of disappointment flickered in her eyes.
Orion looked up, his gaze sharp and piercing as he looked toward the cameraman, who nearly jumped
into the water from fright. What was with Mr. Lockwood¡¯s intense look? It was almost as if he was ready
to pounce.
¡°Miss, the reeds are collected!¡±
¡°Xan, got the empty bottle and the lighter!¡±
¡°The sand¡¯s ready too, found it clean by the shore!¡±
Soon, everyone had gathered the materials Xanthea needed. They watched curiously as she set to
work on the water purification device. Xanthea lit the reeds, gathered some charcoal powder, and
layered it with sand in the bottle, repeating the process several times. She then poured the murky river
water filled with debris into it. Shortly, water began to drip slowly from the small hole in the bottle,
collecting on arge lotus leaf. The once impure water was visibly clearer, and after two or three
filtrations, it looked just like tap water! ¡°It really purified!¡±
Nelson watched in awe, his eyes wide with excitement. ¡°Xan, can I have a sip?¡±
¡°Of course.¡±
Without hesitation, he scooped up water with the lotus leaf and drank it down. Rachel was skeptical at
first, but seeing Nelson refreshed as if rejuvenated, she couldn¡¯t resist and scooped some water for
herself.
¡°Wow! The river water isn¡¯t foul at all, there¡¯s even a slight sweetness. Is it because of the lotuses?¡±
Xanthea replied, ¡°No, it¡¯s because good quality river water contains sweet¨Ctasting minerals and trace
elements.¡±
¡®Miss, you know so much, no wonder my dad always tells me to learn from you!¡± Rachel shared some
water with Isabe. ¡°Isabe, try this, It¡¯s really good!¡±
Cool and refreshingly sweet! Water truly is the source of life. I feel like I¡¯ve been
Chapter 275
Chapter 275
Nelson felt a surge of vitality and was about to embrace Xanthea in his excitement, but then he saw Mr.
Lockwood approaching.
Better safe than sorry.
After finally filtering the water, Xanthea was extremely thirsty. She grabbed a fresh lotus leaf, scooped
up some water, and was about to drink when someone held down the stem of the leaf.
¡°Mr. Lockwood?¡±
She looked up at Orion with confusion. In the next moment, brion poured the water from the leaf into an
empty water bottle.
¡°I want to try your filtered water too.¡±
What?
Before Xanthea could react, Orion tilted his head back, his Adam¡¯s apple bobbing as he swallowed. It
wasn¡¯t a joke; he was actually drinking it.
He was really drinking river water?
Although she had done some basic treatment and filtering, the facilities were rudimentary, and the
water surely still contained some impurities and bacteria.
The trainees had no other options; some water was better than none. But he had bottled water
avable, so why on earth would he drink the river water she had? Plus, wasn¡¯t he known for being a
germaphobe?
The camera zoomed in on Xanthea¡¯s surprised face as Orion took a sip and then handed the water
back to her..
Xanthea saw how he had performed a sleight of hand under the camera, her eyes widening in
astonishment.
He returned not the bottle filled with river water, but a bottle of real bottled water. The two bottles looked
identical, with nearly the same amount of water and no distinguishing marks on the caps it was
impossible to tell them apart.
¨C
He had deliberately poured the river water into the bottled water container and drank from it just to
switch it with real bottled water for
her!
How could he be so good to her?
Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.
Despite his germophobia¡
Xanthea looked at him incredulously, her eyes glistening with emotion.
Orion remarked, ¡°Not bad at all.¡±
¡°Really?¡±
Orion, why are you always so good to me? So good I don¡¯t even know what to do.
¡°Heree the ingredients!¡±
¡°Guess what I caught?¡±
¡°We¡¯ve got some minnows, catfish, crayfish, and a few spiny eels, plenty for our dinner for six!¡±
Martin came ashore with his shirt full of fish and shellfish. The trainees gathered around him, sorting
through the catch with joy, ¡°This little crayfish is so cute, it¡¯s still crawling!¡±
¡°This catfish is huge, Martin, how did you catch it?¡±
¡°Big fish are easy to catch; it¡¯s the small ones are not!¡±
¡°Now that we¡¯ve got the ingredients, how should we cook them?¡±
There¡¯s nothing much on this ind; we have to grill them, right?¡±
You guys figure it out, I¡¯m going to get some water!¡±
Martin put down the fish and went to Xanthea for a drink. Nelson, Isabe, and Rachel huddled
together to discuss how to grill the fish, while Olivia stood alone on the side, her eyes reddening as she
watched their joyful camaraderie.
Nearby, a junior assistant noticed Olivia¡¯looking pale and trembling, as if she might faint at any
moment.
Olivia, why don¡¯t you try some of Xanthea¡¯s purified water too? Everyone else has, including her, and
they¡¯re all fine.¡±
Shut up!¡±
Olivia snapped at her. She¡¯d rather die of thirst than drink Xanthea¡¯s water!
Especially after she had made a statement in front of the cameras. If she went to drink now, wouldn¡¯t it
be like pping her own face?
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Chapter 276
¡°But¡¡±
But she had not eaten a single bite or sipped any water all day. The physical exertion from earlier tasks
in Adventure Blitz: Two Days, One Night had drained her, and she needed to refuel soon or her body
would give out.
N?velDrama.Org owns this.
¡°Olivia, if you really can¡¯t stand the idea of drinking river water, then maybe we should just quit the
show? We can say you¡¯re not feeling.
well,¡±
¡°What are you talking about? If we quit now, which other TV show would dare to invite me? How would
millions of viewers see me? And next time I run into Isabe and Xanthea, how could I even look them
in the eye?¡±
¡°But you can¡¯t just run yourself ragged just for a show.¡±
¡°Enough! I know my own conditions!¡±
Olivia wiped the cold sweat from her face, forcing herself to appear normal.
It¡¯s just Adventure Blitz: Two Days, One Night¨Cshe could handle it. And she had to.
But why did everything suddenly seem so dark and shaky?
¡°Xan, this filtered water is so clear and fresh!¡± Martin eximed after gulping down several handfuls of
water purified using lotus leaves, giving a thumbs up towards her. ¡°You¡¯re really amazing, have the
others drink some?¡±
¡°There¡¯s one left.¡±
Xanthea nced over at Olivia standing a short distance away.
What once had been a fierypetitor had now wilted into a drooping flower, her trembling figure
appearing ready to copse at any
moment.
Under the zing sun and a day without water, she was likely on the verge of heatstroke.
¡°It¡¯s her?¡±
Martin just nced over and removed his mic, his voice dripping with disdain, ¡°She¡¯s too pretentious
and rude. Don¡¯t bother with her!¡±
Olivia had tried to sabotage Xanthea to get into Orion¡¯s team, nearly causing her to be assigned to
another group. By all ounts, Xanthea really shouldn¡¯t care about her, but she wasn¡¯t on this show to
fight; she was here to gain fans.
If she could respond with kindness now, offering Olivia water, it would surely endear her to the
audience. Conversely, if Olivia fainted from heatstroke, it might draw attention to the show but diminish
her own presence.
Thinking this, Xanthea picked up a handful of water in a lotus leaf and walked over to Olivia.
Olivia, already dizzy and unstable, suddenly felt a bit clearer as she saw Xanthea approaching.
Xanthea stopped in front of her, with a lotus leaf of water.
¡°Xanthea, are youing over to show off how great you are for making such clean water and how
grateful everyone should be to you?¡± ¡°You better give up on that idea! River water is still river water. No
matter how it¡¯s treated, it¡¯s filthy!¡±
As she finished speaking, the live broadcast camera turned toward her. Facing such verbal attacks,
Xanthea was not annoyed; she simply smiled gently and said, ¡°Olivia, even though river water is dirty, it
can quench your thirst. Besides, I¡¯ve purified it, and everyone else who drank it is fine. Why don¡¯t you
give it a try?¡±
She was here to offer her water?
Olivia froze as she stared at the water Xanthea offered her. She had already shown her true colors
during the tag¨Ctearing game, and now she was pretending to be gentle, kind, and considerate,
obviously putting on a show for the camera!
I¡¯m not drinking it!¡±
¡°I said I¡¯d rather die than drink river water!¡±
She gritted her teeth, finishing her sentence just before her body wobbled and she almost copsed.
Xanthea reacted swiftly to catch her, her face full of concem. ¡°Olivia, you¡¯re burning up! Are you getting
a heatstroke?
Tina, hold your sister quickly! I need to give her some water, or she¡¯s going to faint!¡±
Okay okay!
The assistant humedly supported Olivia Olivia opened her mouth to refuse again, but Xanthea poured
the water directly into her mouth
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Chapter 277
It looked like she was gently pouring the water in, but in reality, she was forcing her to drink it. Olivia,
having not seen a drop of water all day, was so parched that her body felt like it was on fire. The
moment she tasted the water, she couldn¡¯t control her natural reaction and gulped it down eagerly.
Watching her drink like there was no tomorrow, Xanthea suddenly thought of a saying: ¡°A stubborn
mule doesn¡¯t budge, even in death.¡±
[Xanthea must be an angel, right? If it were me, I wouldn¡¯t give someone as fussy and rude as Olivia
the time of day, yet she still worries about her wellbeing.]
[How can there be such a gap between people? Olivia, as a senior, is an embarrassment in front of
Xanthea. She might as well die of thirst!]
[Xanthea is truly beautiful inside and out. I¡¯m totally a fan now.]
[What goes aroundes around. Did you guys check Twitter? Tons of Olivia¡¯s big fans are quitting
and switching to Xanthea. It¡¯s hrious!]
[Having Xanthea around is really Olivia¡¯s luck; otherwise, she might have actually passed out!]
Xanthea is truly a remarkable young woman,¡± William remarked, nodding approvingly as he watched
the scene.
Despite Olivia¡¯s constant antagonism, Xanthea generously brought her water.
¡°Not everyone deserves her kindness.¡±ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .
William muttered, slightly surprised as he turned to see Orion¡¯s brooding gaze, a possessive gleam
flickering in his eyes in the dim. night.
After forcefully making Olivia drink the water, Xanthea pped her hands as ifpleting a great task
and stood up. ¡°Alright, Tina, take good care of her. She should recover soon.¡±
?? ?? F:
Thank you, thank you so much!¡± The assistant kept expressing her gratitude. Olivia wanted to tell her to
shut up, but having just drunk the water, she couldn¡¯t bring herself to speak and just pressed her lips
tightly, staying silent.
Xanthea didn¡¯t mind and walked away.
As night fell, the crew of Adventure Blitz: Two Days, One Night had decorated the trees with colorful
lights. Martin, Nelson, Isabe, and Rachel gathered around a campfire, roasting fish and shrimp on
willow branches.
When Xanthea approached, Rachel quickly handed her a freshly grilled fish. ¡°Miss, you came just at
the right time. Try this one.¡±
Xanthea eyed the charcoal¨Ccharred fish skewered on the branch.
This piece of charcoal, oh no, this fish, can I actually eat it?
The cameraman¡¯s lens was almost in her face, eagerly anticipating her reaction.
With a forced smile, Xanthea carefully picked at a piece of the fish and tentatively tasted it. ¡°Ugh-¡°.
But in the next moment, she couldn¡¯t suppress her body¡¯s reaction and spat it out.
Rachel stood there awkwardly. ¡°I mean, I can handle a bit of bitterness and fishiness, but why are there
still scales on it?¡±
Nelson, who was also struggling with his piece,ughed, ¡°We asked everyone on the crew, and no one
brought a knife. We had to grill it with the scales on.¡±
Forget it then, you guys eat. I¡¯m not that hungry,¡± Xanthea said while holding her stomach and shaking
her head.
A cool night breeze swept over from the river as Xanthea thought of sitting by the fire. Suddenly, a
warm jacket enveloped her.
She looked up to see Orion.
Hearing her stomach rumble, Orion¡¯s eyes crinkled with a teasing smile, ¡°Little glutton, are you sure
you¡¯re not hungry?¡±
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Chapter 278
Hungry. She was so hungry, but there¡¯s nothing to eat.
Xanthea reluctantly shook her head, her conscience betraying her true feelings, while her starry eyes
shimmered with a pleading look, which made the man¡¯s heart almost melt.
¡°Just wait.¡±
¡°Huh?¡±
By the campfire, in arge lotus leaf filled with river water, a few fish and shrimp were happily wriggling.
Orion picked out a trout, while Martin noticed Orion¡¯s intent to grill and quickly grabbed the biggest pike.
¡°Mr. Lockwood, you should grill this one. It¡¯s bigger and tastier.¡±
No thanks, pike has too many bones.¡±
¡°It does have more bones than trout, but¡¡±
ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .
He¡¯s not eating it, so why does it matter?
Martin was puzzled until he spotted Xanthea across the fire and suddenly understood¨Ccould it be he
didn¡¯t want Xanthea to get hurt by the bones?
¡°Mr. Lockwood, are you grilling fish too?¡±
¡°Here, take this branch!¡±
¡°Mr. Lockwood, I¡¯d advise against it. Its taste is awful.¡±
The group of trainees gathered around, intrigued by his intent to grill. Xanthea was equally surprised.
Although he was an excellent chef, there were no tools or ingredients here. Even the best chef can¡¯t
work miracles without basics, right?
Just as she was about to speak, Orion pulled a pure metal¨Cforged knife from his waist.
¡°Mr. Lockwood, you have a knife!¡±
¡°Mr. Lockwood, that¡¯s so cold! We searched everywhere on set for a knife and you didn¡¯t bring it out.
We¡¯ve eaten all those fish scales!¡±
¡°You don¡¯t understand. Mr. Lockwood¡¯s knife looks sharp and valuable; it must be a cherished item.¡±
Even if it¡¯s a cherished item, he took it out to clean fish just so Xanthea could eat, didn¡¯t he?
Isabe looked at Xanthea with a mix of envy and jealousy. Why does she effortlessly win everyone¡¯s
heart, while her painstaking efforts don¡¯t earn her even a nce from her crush?
Wait. Wasn¡¯t that her knife?
When Xanthea was four, her uncle gave her a birthday gift, iming it was crafted by top Swiss
artisans, incredibly robust and sharp enough to cut through iron like butter. Her mother, worried she
might hurt herself, had hidden it away. But she secretly took it out to y
and lost it.
In her past life, she had seen him use this very knife to pry open her coffin. She was shocked, thinking
it was a the coincidence, just that he had a knife identical to hers.
But now, she clearly saw the family initials engraved on the handle¨Ca finely crafted ¡°N,¡± that had
smoothed over from years of handling, as if caressed thousands of times.
As Orion used that knife to scale the fish, Xanthea nervously interjected, ¡°Be careful, that knife is very
sharp!¡±
Orion paused and slowly looked up at her. His eyes were filled with a gleam that seemed a mix of
incredulity and eager anticipation.
Caught by the surprise in everyone¡¯s eyes and the camera zooming in, Xanthea stammered.
She had spoken out of concern without thinking.
Everyone must be wondering how she knew Orion¡¯s knife was so sharp. They might even specte
about a possible connection between them, Wasn¡¯t she just fueling rumors about herself?
And the look in Onion¡¯s eyes it was clear he knew the knife was originally hers and hoped she would
remember something. What if be Sasked about the knife? How would she respond?
Chapter 279
Chapter 279
She had long forgotten how she lost the knife back then or how it ended up in his hands. It couldn¡¯t be
due to a previous life, could it?
¡°Uh, this knife looks like it¡¯s made of high¨Ccarbon steel, solid and sharp enough to cut through iron. You
guys didn¡¯t know that?¡±
ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .
¡°No.¡±
Nelson shook his head, his admiration for her growing once again, ¡°Xan, you¡¯re amazing! How can you
tell the material of a knife with. just one nce?¡±
¡°Heh, it¡¯s nothing really.¡±
Xanthea waved it off dismissively. The gleam in Orion¡¯s dark eyes gradually faded, sinking into the
night.
(OMG, Xan actually cares! Just admit you have feelings for Mr. Lockwood!]
[Look at Mr. Lockwood fillet a fish so swiftly and cleanly. Xan is lucky to have someone who can cook
so well!]
[Tall, handsome, and can cook? Xan, you better not let this one go! If you don¡¯t want him, I¡¯ll take him!]
* 2 E SE 3 3
[I¡¯m shipping this so hard! The other five guests couldn¡¯t even borrow a knife, but the moment Xan
couldn¡¯t eat, Mr. Lockwood immediately took his out. Isn¡¯t this favoritism? Isn¡¯t this love?]
[I¡¯ve heard say high¨Ccarbon steel is tough, but it rusts easily. Mr. Lockwood¡¯s knife looks old but well¨C
kept, definitely cherished. Now he¡¯s using it to clean fish for Xanthea¨Che¡¯s so in love with her!!]
Watching Orion meticulously prepare the fish, Xanthea couldn¡¯t resist sitting closer and asked
tentatively, ¡°Mr. Lockwood, your knife is really sharp. What brand is it?¡±
¡°Custom¨Cmade.¡±
Sheesh, he seemed quite familiar with his knife.
¡°It looks like it was made in Switzend. Did you get it there?¡±
¡°No, it was a gift.¡±
Nonsense!
She had loved that knife so much that she wouldn¡¯t even let Samuel touch it, how could she have given
it to him?
¡°Who gave it to you? I noticed there¡¯s a ¡®N¡® on the handle, what does that stand for?¡±
She asked too many questions, and as Orion nced up, Xanthea pretended to be cluelessly curious.
Orion¡¯s gaze deepened, intense enough to make her uneasy.
¡°Sunshine, she was my sunshine.¡±
Xanthea was stunned, for a moment feeling like he wasn¡¯t talking about sunshine, but her.
Because right now, his eyes were filled with nothing but her.
In Crestwood, at the Jonson Hotel.
Matthew woke up with a splitting headache, rubbing his temples groggily as memories began to flood
back.
Yesterday was his 15th¨Canniversary meeting with Xan. He had gone to a bar to drink alone and, in his
longing, called Xan. Unexpectedly. Xan immediatelye over, hugged his neck, saying she missed
and loved him, and wanted to go to a hotel with him.
As he looked at the scattered clothes and a woman¡¯s bra on the floor, a surge of extreme joy
overwhelmed him.
Xan had finally close to him, finally bing his woman!
ted, he got out of bed and opened the door, only to see Miranda in a bathrobe.
¡°Matt, you¡¯re awake?¡±
When the woman¡¯s familiar voice and bare face magnified before him, it struck him like a bolt from the
blue, leaving him utterly stunned,
¡°What? Why is it you? Where¡¯s Xan? Where is she?¡±
Chapter 280
Chapter 280
Chapter 280
Chapter 280
Miranda burst intoughter when she heard Xanthea¡¯s name, ¡°Didn¡¯t you call out for her all night
already? Isn¡¯t that enough?¡±
Her? One night?
C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org
Those few words shattered thest bit of hope Matthew had been clinging to. His heavehly tion
plummeted into hellish despair.
The person he had slept withst night was Miranda, not Xan?!
Impossible! This couldn¡¯t be happening!
¡°Matt, have you not sobered up yet?¡±
¡°Or did you really think, with her personality, she¡¯d take the initiative to sleep with you?¡±
¡°Shut up!¡±
Matthew barked furiously, unable to ept the scene unfolding before him.
He remembered everything now¨Cthe drunken blur of the previous night. When Xanthea had arrived, he
did suspect whether it was really her, but she was so enthusiastic, he just couldn¡¯t resist.
¡°It was you! You wore Xan¡¯s dress, mimicked her voice, came to the bar to find me, and that¡¯s why I
mistook you for her!¡±
¡°Matt, stop making excuses for yourself. You¡¯ve never been a one¨Cwoman man. Why pretend to be the
devoted lover now? Isn¡¯t this what you¡¯ve always wanted?¡±
¡°Get out!¡±
Matthew shoved away her clinging arms, his eyes nearly bulging out of his skull, ¡°It was all a setup by
you, wasn¡¯t it?¡±
Miranda sneered.
Back in Willowdale, they had already shown their true colors to each other. Now, it was all just a game
of maniption; no need for
pretenses.
¡°I¡¯m the bad one, but what does that make you, the future brother¨Cinw who slept with me?¡±
¡°Shut up!¡±
¡°Miranda, today was an ident. I¡¯ll act like it never happened and won¡¯t hold you responsible.¡±
Matthew hurriedly picked up his clothes to leave, but Miranda tapped open her phone to show him a
video, ¡°You might not hold me responsible, but what if my sister sees this video?¡±
Matthew nced at her phone and went pale.
The video disyed their intimate moments.
She had seduced him and even recorded it!
¡°Miranda, what are you trying to do? Have you gone mad?!¡±
¡°Yes, I am mad! I¡¯ve been crazy ever since Xanthea tried to poison me by adding something to those
apple turnovers you brought me, aiming to put me six feet under!¡±
¡°What are you talking about?¡±
Matthew stared at her in disbelief.
Her poisoning was because of the apple turnovers Xanthea had him deliver?
Impossible. Those turnovers were made by his own mother. He had eaten them, and so had Xanthea,
and they were fine. How could just Miranda have been poisoned?
See, even you don¡¯t believe it, right?¡±
Of course, he wouldn¡¯t believe it Xanthea was pure and kind, not like her¡ªshe was cruel and utterly
devious
¡°Everyone Lelieves her loves her, so I just have to destroy her! Destroy her lover, her family, her career
Youre insane
Matthew grabbed hel ng arms and deleted the video from her phone.
Miranda shrugged andughed mockingly. ¡°Matt, you didnt think i¡¯d be foolish enough not to keep a
backup, did you?
¡°Mirandar Matthew red furiously wishing he could strangle for ¡°Have you truly lost your ind? If this
video gets but not caly pre
Kan and I finished but you wont be able to stay with the Nightshade fanniy enther
hare wow. I don¡¯t n to expose the video (just want you to cooperate with me Uists all.
Chapter 281
Chapter 281
Matthew tightened his fists, making a creaking sound, ¡°What do you want me to do?¡±
¡°Don¡¯t be scared, Matt. You can continue to be with Xan, the one you love, even get married and have
kids with her. But I need you to keep a rtionship with me, to gradually take over the Nightshade
Group.¡±
Heprehended her intentions now.
She wanted to use him to destroy the Nightshade family.
No, that wasn¡¯t all. She would eventually leak the video and ruin Xan too!
He wanted to tell her she was dreaming, but he feared the video sh
He and Xan were about to get engaged. If that video came out, never let him off the hook!
held over him.
Only would Xan never forgive him, but the Nightshade family would
He absolutely couldn¡¯t let it be exposed, but he wouldn¡¯t let her seed either!
For now, the only way was to appease her, then he¡¯d find a way to get rid of this madwoman!
¡°Fine, I agree.
¡°Matt, you really are wise,¡± Mirandaughed, wrapping herself around him again. ¡°Here¡¯s to a fruitful
coboration.¡±
¡°Last night, you kept calling out my sister¡¯s name. Now that you¡¯re sober, how about calling mine?¡±
At Serenwood, the filming location for Adventure Blitz: Two Days, One Night.¨COrion ced a cleanly
prepared trout on a t rock. The mes licked the stone, quickly heating it until the fish sizzled
enticingly.
Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.
Everyone gathered around the rock, inhaling the delicious aroma, unable to hold back their admiration..
¡°Wow, that smells amazing!¡±
¡°Is this the legendary rock¨Cgrilled trout?¡±
¡°Mr. Lockwood, you actually thought to use a rock to grill the fish, unlike us, who just stuck it on a stick
and ended up burning it!¡±
¡°But with no spices, it must still be fishy, right?¡±
As Martin finished speaking, Orion pulled out a string of fresh rosemary from his pocket and stuffed it
into the fish¡¯s belly.
Xanthea looked
at his pocket in surprise, as if seeing something magical.
I pick
it
up by the
river just now.¡±
¡°Heh, you¡¯re really something!¡±
A high¨Cflying CEO, not only adept in the boardroom but als¨® a master in the kitchen and with survival
skills maxed out¨Csuch a perfect man had actually ended up in her hands, making her feel incredibly
lucky!
¡°It¡¯s done.¡±
Right on time, Orion extinguished the fire and wrapped the fish in a fresh lotus leaf, handing it to her.
Xanthea happily epted, ¡°Thanks!¡±
¡°Mmm.¡±
She had always known he was a great cook, but eating rock¨Cgrilled trout while being so famished was
beyond simply ¡°good.¡±
She felt like he had taken her to heaven, every pore in her body opening in delight.
This taste was simply too¨Cmarvelous!
It¡¯s delicious, so good!¡±
The girl¡¯s delicate eyebrows rxed, her longshes curved, and her eyes, shimmering with a watery
light, seemed to sparkle against the backdrop of stars, breathtakingly beautiful.
Onon was mesmerized, unconsciously reaching out to gently wipe the ash on her face, ¡°Take it slow,
don¡¯t get a bone stuck
¡°Mhm!
Xanthea nodded, ready to continue eating but noticing that his hand was still on her cheek:
With the live cameras trained on them, he gently caressed her cheek as if lured by its softness,
reluctant to let go. His gaze gradually, shifted from her eyes down to her tender lips, as if he might grab
he
Chapter 282
Chapter 282
ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .
The twilight haze enveloped the forest as the crackling bonfire illuminated the figures of a man and a
woman gazing into each other¡¯s eyes. The cool river breeze gently teased the girl¡¯s hair, entwining
around the man¡¯s fingers. Stars sprinkled their light across the sky, casting a romantic glow over the
pair, creating a scene straight out of a fairy tale.
[Ahhhh, he¡¯s totally smitten! Is Mr. Lockwoodpletely captivated by our Xan¡¯s beauty?]
[Man, this scene is so beautiful, I¡¯m drooling all over my screen!]
[He¡¯s still touching her? Can¡¯t get enough, huh? Mr. Lockwood, you can¡¯t even hold back in front of the
live cameras?]
[Help! Mr. Lockwood¡¯s gaze is so intense and full of desire! Watching them fall in love is more exciting
than my own love life!]
[The chemistry between these two is insane! If it weren¡¯t for the audience, they might just go at it right
here!]
[I just want to see Oranthea¡¯s moments. So many pink bubbles, so much flirting and shyness, it¡¯s a
feast for the eyes!]
[Oranthea, get together, get married, and have eight kids!]
[I¡¯ve shipped so many fake couples, if this one isn¡¯t real, I¡¯m jumping off the Brooklyn Bridge! Their eye
contact is basically forey ¨C this has to be real!]
¡°Mr. Lockwood?¡±
Xanthea watched as Orion gradually lost himself, his gaze growing more intense and almost glued to
her lips. Startled, she quickly withdrew her hand.
Whew.
Did it just feel like he was about to kiss her right in front of the cameras?
The scariest part was that she almost fell for it, involuntarily wanting to close her eyes. Luckily, she
snapped back to reality just in time, or everything would have been ruined!
Meanwhile, the teammates who had hoped for some fish but ended up getting a mouthful of romance.
Orion looked stunned, taking a long moment to snap out of his daze.
Facing her, his famed self¨Ccontrol always seemed to crumble without him even realizing it.
¡°Mr. Lockwood.¡±
Nelson was the first to break the awkward silence.
¡°Aren¡¯t you a bit biased? Only cooking for Xan, not for us? We want some food too! I want some grilled
shrimp!¡±
¡°Yeah! I want some grilled pike.¡±
Orion picked up some shrimp, cleaned them, and skewered them on
sticks.
Xanthea obediently nibbled on her fish, careful not to catch his gaze again and trigger another intense
moment. However, a few minutester, a delicious skewer of grilled shrimp was ced in front of her.
¡°Let them have it.¡±
¡°They have their pike.¡±
¡°Oh, but¡¡± Xanthea wanted to refuse, but unable to resist the tempting aroma, reluctantly held out her
te, ¡°I haven¡¯t finished my fish yet.¡±
To her surprise, Orion ced the skewer of shrimp right on her lotus leaf, ¡°Have both together.¡±
Xanthea, feeling both touched and amused, out to take the skewer. Just then, a breeze swept by, lifting
her lightweight sleeve and exposing the delicate, fair skin of her arm, marred by a scattering of
conspicuous bruises.
Orion suddenly grabbed her wrist.
Xanthea startled, thinking he was about to do something again. Before she could pull away, he asked
in a serious tone, ¡°What happened?¡±
¡°What do you mean?¡±
Xanthea followed his gaze in confusion and noticed the faint bruises on her arm.
¡°The beds in the show¡¯s dormitory are way too hard and lumpy. I slept one night and woke up like this.¡±
Isabe: Those were just regr¡¯high school dorm beds. Was she a reincarnation of the Princess and
the Pea or what?
Chapter 283
Chapter 283
Orion¡¯s eyes lingered on the bruises, and without a word, he released the grip.
C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org
As the night deepened, the production team called it a day, and the six trainees finally ended their
torturous day and headed back to the dormitory for rest.
After taking a shower, Xanthea frowned as she looked at the never have to wait, what?
As soon as shey down, she discovered the rough, bumpy bed
2 2 2 5 F
She discreetly lifted the army¨Cgreen sheet and saw a thick
This nket.
Rachel!¡± she called out.
¡°What¡¯s up, Miss?¡± Rachel responded.
¡°Does your bed feel any different tonight?¡±
straight bed board. Just one more night to bear, and then she would
oard that had been so
nket underneath.
¡°Nope,¡± Rachel shook her head. ¡°Just as hard as it wasst night. I¡¯ve never slept on a bed this hard,
not even when I was an idol trainee.¡±
So, it was just her bed that had the nket. Was this Orion¡¯s doing?
No wonder he made a phone call right after seeing her bruises.
How could he be so incredibly kind and thoughtful?
Hugging her quilt, Xanthea joyfully rolled around on the soft bed, feeling like she was nestled in a fluffy
cloud. Thefort nearly lifted her spirits into the air.
Ever since she acknowledged her feelings, she found herself adoring Orion more and more, to the
point where her heart feltpletely filled with him, ready to burst at the thought of him.
¡°Do you expect the production team to give you a new bed?¡±
Hearing Xanthea¡¯s words from the bathroom, Isabe came out with a sarcastic tone, but got no
response. She asked again, but still no response. She walked closer and realized Xanthea was actually
asleep?!
In such a noisy dorm, with the lights still on, she managed to fall asleep?
Unbelievable! Last night sheined about the snoring; how could she be such a big liar?!
At Crestwood, in the Jonson Hotel.
hebes with a p
Matthew stared at the woman sleeping beside him, wishing he could smother her with a pillow.
B**ch. How dare she threaten him, to evenpare herself to Xan?
What was he thinking when he didn¡¯t reject her.
Quietly, he reached for his phone, intending to text Xan.
However, as soon as he powered on the device, a flood of entertainment news alerts popped up.
#Oranthea (Trending) #, #Did Mr. Lockwood confess to Xanthea today?#, #Indirect kiss between Mr.
Lockwood and Xanthea#, #Xanthea¡¯s seductive posture in front of Mr. Lockwood #¡.
What was all this? He anxiously clicked on the trending searches, and his eyes widenied at the sight of
Orion in the videos.
Orion?!
To chase after Xan, he had disregarded his dignity as a corporate CEO and joined a small reality show
as an instructor, and found every way to get close to her
This despicable man, using every trick to achieve his ends!
Hadat Xan¡¯s attitude at Marlowe Manor been enough to discourage him?
His fists clenched tightly, creaking with tension as he read thements below, his teeth nearly
grinding to dust
I dere Oranthea the mostpauple couple of 22021 A match made in heaven, perfectly patredi]
JAI first it seemed like Mr. Lockwood was pushing hard, and Xanthea was avoiding him. But during that
face touching moment you¡. could definitely feel Xanthea was moved too, the restraint was perfectly
handied!]
Chapter 284
Chapter 284
Chapter 284
[Am I the only one who thinks Xanthea also has a thing for Mr. Lockwood at first sight? She¡¯s probably
just afraid it might affect her career since she¡¯s on the rise right now.]
[Honestly, it wouldn¡¯t, okay? The moment Oranthea hit the scene, Xan¡¯s poprity soared to the top of
every social media searches. Her influence is unmatched. Girl, just go bold and make it public!]
Impossible! That was impossible!
What are these people fantasizing about? Xan would never fall for Orion; she had told him herself that
her heart was reserved just for
him.
It was all because Orion kept clinging on, making everyone misunderstood their rtionship. And now,
there was also Miranda. Both of them dreamt of meddling in his rtionship with Xan! That was
impossible!
No, to avoid any more unforeseenplications, he had to find Xan and establish their rtionship as
soon as possible!
Matthew shut off his phone. He quickly got dressed and drove off to Serenwood.
Hearing him leave, Miranda slowly opened her eyes.
Heh, her sister was getting more cunning by the day, even managing to steal a scoundrel¡¯s heart. But
sadly, it was she who had him first. -How heartbroken will her sister be when she finds out?
With a loud whistle echoing in the early morning, the six trainees of Adventure Blitz: Two Days, One
Night quickly assembled downstairs. On the field, the production crew along with Jonathan and William
had been waiting for a while.
Hearing the whistle, Xanthea was the first one to dash downstairs. She was eager to see Orion, but
looking around, he was nowhere to
be seen.
Fans rooting for Oranthea flooded the chat with messages, ¡°Where¡¯s Mr. Lockwood?¡± ¡°Where¡¯s Mr.
Lockwood?¡± ¡°Mr. Lockwood,e see your new darling wife!¡±
The director greeted, ¡°Good morning, everyone!¡±
¡°Originally, today¡¯s filming had a lot of scheduled activities, but due to weather predictions of a storm
this afternoon, we¡¯ve cut them.
short.¡±
¡°Today, you only have one ultimate task. Whoeverpletes it first gets 10 points and bes the
champion of this adventure!¡±
¡°Really? That¡¯s great!¡±
¡°I thought we were in for another tough day!¡°.
ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .
¡°When I arrived, I only wanted to win, now I just hope someone wins quickly so I can get out of this
ce!¡±
¡°Everyone, give it your all! Whoever wins is saving us all!¡±
The contestants were overjoyed, relieved, Nelson, Martin, and Rachel all looked towards Xanthea,
¡°Xan, it¡¯s all on you!¡±
Isabe snorted in defiance, ¡°Who wins and who loses is still up in the air!¡±
After suffering her deceit and humiliation yesterday, she was determined to beat Xanthea in today¡¯s
final task!
¡°Now, for the ultimate task¨Csix trainees will be paired ording to the instructors they chose yesterday.
Each pair sends a representative to the table here to draw their task. The first team toplete their
task wins!¡±
¡°Grouped by chosen instructors?¡± Isabe was confused, ¡°Does that mean I have to team up with
Xanthea?¡±
The director confirmed, ¡°Yes.¡±
Martin, hearing her reluctance, quickly raised his hand, ¡°If you don¡¯t want to, I¡¯ll team up with Xan!¡±
A duo of brains and brawn, invincible!
The director stated, ¡°The rules do not allow changes.¡±
Isabe gritted her teeth, ¡°Fine, we¡¯ll be a team!¡±
Even teamed with her, she was determined to win!
The director added, ¡°Also, your instructor Mr. Lockwood got something urgent and might not make it to
the filming. A crew member will lead you to the task location.¡±
Chapter 285
Chapter 285
Got something urgent?
Right, he¡¯s the CEO of Lockwood Group, constantly busy. It¡¯s already rare for him to spare a whole day
for a reality show.
Still, she felt a bit down.
25 ¡Á 2 2
Xanthea bit her lip quietly. He had just left, and she was already starting to miss him. What should she
do?
[Waaaaah I¡¯m gonna throw a fit, I¡¯m gonna cry! How can Mr. Lockwood leave after just one day of
filming?]
[Look at Xan¡¯s expression, she feels so upset! The girl is starting to realize her feelings!]
[Huh? Why do I feel like Mr. Lockwood is using a ¡°retreat to advance¡± strategy here? Look at Xanthea¡¯s
expression, she¡¯s totally hooked!]
[He left? No way. Adventure Blitz: Two Days, One Night doesn¡¯t allow guests to bring phones. Will they
ever meet again? My ship can¡¯t sink, right?]
Director: ¡°Now, can each team send one representative to draw a task from the mystery box at the
front!¡±
Nelson was the first to walk over, rummaging through the box for a while before pulling out a slip of
paper, nearly fainting when he unfolded it.
Clean up years of wild chicken and duck droppings on the riverbank!¡±
¡°Requirement 1: Clean up at least 80% before the storm hits. Requirement 2: No tools allowed, only
hands!¡±
*Cleaning up droppings with our hands?!¡±
25 F 2 2 5 3 8
¡°The producers have lost it!!¡±
N?velDrama.Org owns this.
¡°Do we still want our dignity? Even if we ditch our dignity, we want our hands! If fans see me scooping
up poop, they¡¯ll abandon me!¡± Nelson and Martin werementing loudly, while the others looked on,
torn between wanting tough and wanting to cry. Theyughed
any easier. at their ¡°good fortune¡± and cried because, given the difficulty of Nelson and Martin¡¯s task,
theirs wouldn¡¯t be
Olivia was the second to draw. As she unfolded her paper, Rachel let out a predictable sigh, ¡°Pick
2,000 pounds of corn from the cornfield before the storm hits.¡±
¡°Do
you think that¡¯s even possible?¡±
¡°Even if we break both our hands to pick, we can¡¯t manage that much!¡±
¡°It seems like these tasks are just impossible toplete.¡±
Everyone groaned in despair, pinning their hopes on Isabe and Xanthea.
Remembering how she drew the number 6 for the name tags yesterday, Xanthea knew her luck wasn¡¯t
great, so she let Isabe draw. Isabe confidently approached the mystery box and drew a slip of
paper. But upon reading it, her face instantly went pale. Seeing her lips turn pale and her hands
tremble, Xanthea was startled.
Even the fearless Isabe was scared; it couldn¡¯t be some crazy task like finding a tiger in the
mountains or catching snakes in the water, could it?
She walked over to look at the slip.
Haunted House Adventure!
-Requirement: Enter the haunted house and pass all the challenges before the storm hits. Find the
King or Queen¡¯s crown ording to the clues to win! Otherwise, stay with the ghosts until the end of
the recording (TIPS: Scary ghosts will make strange demands, and if you fail, they might eat you!)
Xanthea furrowed her brow.
Isabe looked at her anxiously, thinking Xanthea was scared too.
But unexpectedly. Xantheaughed and said, ¡°It¡¯s pretty easy, isn¡¯t it? Compared to what William and
Jonathan have to do, it¡¯s a blessing
Easy?
sabe looked at her incredulously. Xanthea nodded, ¡°Yes.¡±
Chapter 286
Chapter 286
¡°Nelson and Martin are shoveling manure with their bare hands, and Olivia and Rachel are picking real
corn. All we have to do is answer questions and go through the haunted house. At worst, if we get an
answer wrong, we might get scared by the actors ying NPCs. There are no real ghosts.¡±
Who said that?
When Isabe heard ¡°real ghosts,¡± her hands trembled even more. In this remote ce, who knows if a
real one might sneak in?
¡°Yeah, Isabe, you¡¯ve got the best luck! Even though I¡¯m easily scared, I¡¯d rather face a haunted
house than spend a day picking corn!¡±
Rachel looked at her enviously while Isabe just pushed the paper towards her, ¡°If you want it so
much, you go. Let¡¯s switch!¡±
¡°Really?¡±
Director: ¡°That¡¯s against the rules.¡±
She¡¯d actually prefer picking over entering the haunted house?
Xanthea raised an eyebrow, ¡°You are scared, huh?¡±
Isabe: ¡°Who, me scared? Not a chance!¡±
One sentence was all it took to ignite herpetitive spirit, and she temporarily quelling her fears.
Xanthea nodded, hoping this wouldn¡¯t interfere with her winning.
Director: ¡°Now, everyone please follow your instructors to the designated areas toplete your
tasks!¡±
To the west side of the deserted ind was a massive cave entrance, with a tattered, human¨Cshaped
skin and a skeleton floating nearby. The sign above, written in red ink, read-¡°Ind of Horrors!¡±
Isabe started trembling just looking at the entrance, and even Xanthea felt a bit uneasy.
Normally, she afraid of haunted houses she had visited plenty with Samuel. Those ces were usually
crowded, and Samuel was always there to protect her.
Today, aside from Isabe, there was only a cameraman, and the gloomy weather added a sinister
ovey to the deste ind.
C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org
Substitute Instructor: ¡°Here we are, go on in.¡±
1-1-1-1
¡°It¡¯s all fake, all fake.¡±
Xanthea repeated to herself silently for encouragement, ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go in.¡±
With tense expressions and anxious hearts, they walked into the cave.
Initially, there was a dim light illuminating the entrance. As soon as they walked in, it suddenly blew out
with a ¡°pop,¡± plunging the entire cave into darkness.
Panicked, Isabe turned to run back but, with a ¡°crash,¡± the entrance was suddenly blocked from the
outside.
¡°Hey? Open up, open up!¡±
Xanthea: ¡°Don¡¯t waste your energy, it must be the crew¡¯s doing.¡±
¡°Adventure Blitz: Two Days, One Night, this production crew is just cruel! I¡¯m nevering back!¡±
Isabe returned and clung tightly to Xanthea¡¯s arm.
Xanthea: ¡°?¡±
¡°Don¡¯t get the wrong idea, it¡¯s just really dark in here. I¡¯m worried you might get lost, and that would
affect our progress on the task!¡±
If her voice hadn¡¯t been trembling, Xanthea might have believed her.
The night vision camera emitted a faint glow, and they supported each other, cautiously moving forward
in the dim light.
There are no ghosts, absolutely no ghosts. We have to believe in sciencel¡±
Isabe¡¯s teeth chattered as she reassured herself, reciting the lyrics ¡°That don¡¯t kill me can only make
me ghost.¡±
Xanthea: ¡®Ghost?¡±
Ahhhhhhhhhhh! Where¡¯s the ghost? Where¡¯s the ghost?¡±
Chapter 287
Chapter 287
Isabe jumped with a shriek, her voice echoing off the walls.
Xanthea rolled her eyes, ¡°I was just correcting you, it¡¯s ¡®stronger, not ¡®ghost¡°.¡°¡±
¡°You scared the daylights out of me! Correct me, sure, but why keep patting my back?¡±
Isabe spat out the words in annoyance. Xanthea froze, puzzled, ¡°I didn¡¯t pat your back.¡±
At that, Isabe also froze
The air turned thick for a moment as they slowly turned around to see a ghoul with disheveled hair, a
lolling tongue, and a body covered in blood. The ghastly figure grinned at them, revealing a terrifying
smile, ¡°Time for a bite.¡±
¡°Ahhhhhhhh!¡±
Both screamed in horror.
Just as the ghoul lunged at them, it seemed to freeze in ce.
Suddenly, two glowing screens appeared on the cave wall, disying a message:
Warning! You have 5 minutes to answer the following questions. Fail to answer in time or answer
incorrectly, you will face the attack from the ghoul! PS: Each of you has three attempts!
Xanthea quickly regained herposure and tapped Isabe, ¡°Stop screaming, it won¡¯t bite you yet.
But if we don¡¯t solve these questions, it would.¡±
¡°What should we do?¡±
¡°We¡¯ve got two questions. And we need to answer them within 5 minutes. Which one do you choose?¡±
2 3 3 2 2 2 3 3 3 2 1 3 2 2 8 3 5 5
Isabe randomly pointed to the one on the right, and Xanthea moved to the left.
-Riddle: Why doesn¡¯t the cobra in the forest bite any human?
Was that it?
As she read the question, she was confused.
At the control panel, the director saw the flood ofments, all from viewers worried about Xanthea,
and a cunning smile spread across his face.
After this episode aired, Xanthea would undoubtedlymand 90% of the conversation topics. That
was why he assigned her the most thrilling and perilous haunted house, packed with nearly impossible
challenges and puzzles, to ensure they could capture more of her and rake in higher ratings!
However, before he could gloat over his clever setup, Xanthea wrote down her answer: Because there
are no humans in the forest.
That was quick!
Was she always this sharp?
C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org
On the other side, Isabe was panicking over a math problem, nearly in tears, with the ghoul hanging
nearby, watching her intently as if ready to pounce and devour her.
¡°How on earth does eight 8s add up to 1000? No, this isn¡¯t right either. Only one more chance left, this
is impossible.¡±
The five¨Cminute countdown on the screen kept ticking down, second by second, as if her very life was
ticking away with it.
Isabe wanted to ask Xanthea for help but couldn¡¯t swallow her pride.
Suddenly, Xanthea¡¯s voice came from the other side, ¡°Isabe, are you done?¡±
¡°N¨Cno,¡± she stammered.
¡°Let me help you
Her offer sounded like a symphony from the heavens to Isabe¡¯s ears.
Xanthea approached and focused on the problem.
Isabe watched in disbelief as Xanthea¡¯s face, serious and lit by the glow of the screen, showed
determination. Why would she help her?
*8*8+8+88+888.
Xanthea wrote down the solution, and immediately, a chime sounded from the system¨CCorrect answer!
Chapter 288
Chapter 288
¡°Ahhh, yes, finally got it right!¡±
¡°It¡¯s gone, it¡¯s gonel Xanthea, you¡¯re just too¡
Isabe jumped up excitedly, ready to shower her with praise, but then she quickly mped her mouth
shut.
Xanthea cautioned, ¡°Don¡¯t celebrate too early, there might be more challenges ahead.¡±
Sure enough, just as she predicted, they had only taken a few steps when they encountered another
figure, bloated and swollen all over, its face resembling a drowned ghost.
your question.¡±
Isabe¡¯s legs gave way in fright, nearly copsing before it. Xanthen steadied her, ¡°Choose your
This time, Isabe unluckily picked a math problem. She hoped to swap with Xanthea, only to find that
Xanthea¡¯s question was even more difficult. She couldn¡¯t even understand the question
Back in high school, she always followed in Xanthea¡¯s footsteps. If Xanthea was ranked first in school,
she was the inevitable second She used to think the gap between them was minimal, if it existent at all.
Now, she realized the true chasm between first and second¨Ca divide between genius and ordinary.
Just as Xanthea was about to start on her problem, she noticed Isabe¡¯s distressed look, struggling to
even start. Thinking back on how Isabe had almost squandered all three chances, Xanthea offered
helpfully, ¡°If you can¡¯t do it, just leave it there. I help you with it §´§Ñ§Ý§Ö§ã¡±
Isabe paused.
Her words. it was something a caring boyfriend would say
Ever since joining the entertainment circle, everyone from the agency, her manager to her family and
fans, had pushed her to strive harder, to be strong enough to face any adversity.
No one had told her that she could just leave a problem and wait for someone else to solve it.
Thest person who did was Samuel.
Now, after finishing her task, Xanthea walked over to help Isabe.
Tedes
Can you create a number greater than 3 and less than 4, using three pieces of cutlery? Please
demonstrate.
¡°It¡¯s quite simple.¡±
2 325 3 1 0 2 2 6 ? | ¡Á 2 7 6 2 3 2 3/288
Xanthea rearranged the three pieces of cutlery on the screen into the shape of a ¡°n¡± and the system
immediately epted the answer.
¡°You can¡¯t even¡¡±
She was about to turn and tease her when she noticed Isabe¡¯s unusual expression, a mix of
admiration, emotion, skepticism, and a hint of regret
¡°What¡¯s wrong? Did the ghost scare you silly?¡±
¡°No, nothing¡± Isabe shook her head, ¡°Let¡¯s keep moving.¡±
¡°Alright.¡±
¡°She¡¯s too sharp!¡±
The show¡¯s director, watching the scenes unfold in the cave, was scratching his head in frustration.
He had thought they wouldn¡¯t be able to answer these questions, had set up many penalty rounds
thinking they¡¯d film for half the day.
But now, seeing Xanthea breezing through them like they were child¡¯s y, he feared they might reach
the Queen¡¯s crown and Enish filming too soon!
He grabbed the microphone, sending instructions to the NPCs in the cave.
¡°Boom¨CSuddenly, as they walked, they triggered something, and a loud rm echoed throughout the
cave.
ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .
¡°What¡¯s happening? What¡¯s happening?¡±
¡°I don¡¯t know
Suddenly, a beam of light shone down, illuminating two old, abandoned TV sets ahead. From them
crawled two long¨Chaired figures, their faces covered, crawling on their hands like the character Sadaka
from horror movies.
Xanther, terified of Sadako, turned to run.
Unexpectedly, the two Sadakos didn¡¯t chase after her but instead dragged a paralyzed, terrified
Isabelle away.
Chapter 288
¡°Xanthea, save me! Xanthen, please save mel
Isabe¡¯s scream, filled with utmost fear, brought Xanthea to an abrupt halt.
Chapter 289
Chapter 289
It was weird¨Cwhy did the ghosts only target Isabe but not her?
Even the hanged ghoul and the drowned ghost earlier were glued to Isabe, barely giving her a
nce. Did she seem more fearless?
Suddenly, an ominous rm red from the cave¡¯s sound system¨CTo save your teammate, you must
complete the following tasks¡ª within 10 minutes, or you will face punishment together.
N?velDrama.Org owns this.
Task 1: Solve three Rubik¡¯s Cubes blindfolded
Task 2: Answer three questions
Completing these tasks in just 10 minutes seemed nearly impossible. Was the show¡¯s crew upping the
ante?
But she relished impossible challenges.
Isabe was dragged into a cage by two Sadakos, nearly fainting with fear, her eyes rolling back in her
head.
In the nick of time, she saw Xanthea step out from the shadows, approaching the answer board and
choosing-¡°Save Your Teammate¡±
She came back?
To save her?
In that instant, a spark lit in her eyes, looking at her as if she were a savior.
She had never seemed so wam, so charming, and so radiant.
Xanthea stood in front of the fluorescent screen, her eyes covered with a ck blindfold, her slender
fingers swiftly solving three Rubik¡¯s Cubes, then quickly moving on to the three questions.
On the live chat, millions of viewers cheered for Xanthea¡¯s brilliant intellect and bravery.
[Wow! Solved three R Rubik¡¯s Cubes in 5 minutes blindfolded, is she a genius or what?]
I haven¡¯t even Googled the answers yet, and she¡¯s already written them down, total boss movel]
Fans thank Xanthea for saving our girl! No one knows better than us how scared she is of ghosts!
People calling her pretentious in the chat are just too mean!]
[Seeing her breeze through these challenges is so satisfying, it¡¯s like she¡¯s stomping the production
team¡¯s IQ into the ground.].
[So, the haunted house can actually be won? In previous episodes, it was all punishments¡]
*Congrattions, you¡¯ve passed all tasks, with a total time of 8 minutes and 11 seconds!¡±
After Xanthea answered thest question and hit the submit button, she didn¡¯t realize that all of this
was being closely watched by a pair of eyes in the darkness.
As the system notification sounded, a ¡°click¡± echoed as the cage imprisoning Isabe unlocked, who
flew towards Xanthea Eke a freed bird, ¡°Xanthea, thank you, thank you, really, thank you¡±
It was unclear if she was crying from fear due to the Sadakos or from being moved by Xanthea¡¯s
actions. Her face was blurred with
tears
Xanthea, stunned by the crying, felt she should say somethingforting, but before she could speak,
she noticed a Queen crown lighting up behind her.
¡°The Queen crown is out, did we beat the game?!¡±
¡°Isabe, we did it!¡±
Xanthea pushed her aside, joyfully rushing to grab the Queen crown.
But just as she started to run, she was abruptly pulled back by a strong force into a secret room.
¡°Xanthes, Xanthear
isabe, terrified, pounded on the door of the secret room.
The cameraman was also confused, the door to the room was closed, and he couldn¡¯t film anymore.
¡°Ah! What the hell, let me go!¡±
As soon as Xanthea entered the secret room, a massive ¡°ghost¡± gmbbed her from behind, awkwardly
with his arm across her chest, ufortably squishing her. Was this NPC taking advantage of her?!.
5 am the guardian of the Queen brown.¡±
Chapter 290
Chapter 290
A hoarse, mechanically altered valce echoed in Xanthea¡¯s ears, sending chills down her spine as she
stood in a dimly lit room filled with a pervasive, musty stench.
-The guardian of the Queen crown?
So, the reason no NPC had approached her before was because they had left her to face the ultimate
big boss!
He must look terrifying, right? Maybe a gaping maw, a green face with sharp fangs?
Trembling, her eyshes fluttering, Xanthea tried to calm her nerves. ¡°If you¡¯re guarding the Queen¡¯s
crown, then quard it. Why are you holding on to me?¡±
¡°You were about to take the Queen¡¯s crown.¡±
Well, that seemed logical,
¡°Okay, I won¡¯t take it, just let me go!¡± she demanded, struggling to break free.
But the more she struggled, the tighter his grip became. It seemed he relished in the shivers of fear
running through her body, as he nuzzled into her hair and hisrge hand greedily squeezed her slender
waist. His breath was hot and heavy on her sensitive neck¨Capletely possessive and lewd gesture.
Xanthen froze
What was he doing?
A normal NPC should have let go at her request, but he didn¡¯t. Instead, he intensified his hold!
¡°Let go of me. now!¡±
¡°I can¡¯t bear to, what do I do? Ms. Nightshade, you¡¯re so clever and enticing, lurking in the shadows
has made me crave you. I¡¯ve been wanting to ¡±
He whispered three words into her ear that made Xanthea¡¯s eyes widen in rm
He was definitely not normal!
Either he was programmed as a perverted NPC, or he was a creep from the Adventure Blitz: Two
Days, One Night crew who had been eyeing her for a long time!
Now, with no lights and no cameras around, and him saying such vile things, it had to be thetter!
What should she do? The room was pitch ck, no one else was around, and if he did something to
her
Completely panicked, Xanthea¡¯s hair stood on end, and the only name that shed through her
bewildered mind was that of a protector
Feeling the girl in his arms trembling involuntarily as if truly frightened, the ghost guarding the Queen¡¯s
crown was about to let go when she threatened loudly, ¡°Let me go, or Orion won¡¯t let you off!¡±
¡°Who?¡±
The ghost paused briefly.
¡°Orion!¡±
That¡¯s Mr. Lockwood from the crew, you must have seen him, right? Let me tell you, he¡¯s really tough. If
you touch a single hair on my head, you can¡¯t imagine the consequences!¡±
Hearing this, the ghost behind her went silent. Just as Xanthea thought he was intimidated and was
preparing to make her escape, he suddenly leaned close to her ear, almost touching, his voice tinged
with amusement, ¡°Oh? How tough is he?¡±
¡°Tough enough to beat ten of you!¡±
¡°Really?¡±
Hisughter seemed to grow more joyful, his arms around her not loosening in the slightest, ¡°He¡¯s that
impressive in your eyes? And what is he to you?¡±
¡°He¡¯s_*
Xonthea started to reply but then caught herself, sensing a trap What if this creepy NPC wasn¡¯t just
nning something sinister but also used this secret to ckmail or extort her? That could be a big
problem.
N?velDrama.Org owns this.
Chapter 201
Chapter 291
Chapter 291
¡°What does it have to do with you? Let go of mel
¡°It seems he¡¯s nothing to you¡±
Behind her, the ghost¡¯sughter turned suddenly sharp and sinister, as if it angered, ¡°Then just wait for
him to save you.¡±
With that, he began to unbutton her shirt, which terrified Xanthea so much that her pupils dted in fear
as she shrieked and struggled with all her might against him.
¡°Y¨Cyou, please don¡¯t be rash!¡±
¡°How much money do you want? Name your price, I can give you anything, just let me go!¡±
¡°I don¡¯t want money, I only want Ms. Nightshade, forever and ever.¡±
¡°You sick freak!¡±
Xanthea lowered her head, ready to bite his arm, when she caught a familiar faint scent of pine wood
mixed with the crisp smell of melting snow. Could it be?
Before she could process it, the man forcefully spun her around and pushed her against the wall, his
lips fiercely iming hers.
Her tender lips, soft as rose petals, were deeply kissed. When the mask of the ghoulish guardian of the
Queen¡¯s crown fell away, it revealed a sinkingly handsome face beneath.
Orion?!
Was it really him?!
In an instant, her beautiful amber eyes widened with shock, anger, grievance, and the shyness of his
fierce and stormy kiss.
The man¡¯s kiss was intense and possessive, like he had been holding back for ages and finally
unleashed his desire. Xanthea, inexperienced, blushed heavily, almost breathless from the onught.
¡°Mmm, Ori
¡°Onion, let go.¡±
Her small fists pounded against his solid chest, and just as she was about to faint fromck of breath,
Orion released her.
Xanthea¡¯s lips glistened. She gasped for air, her eyes moist with tears, looking like a beautiful little fox
that had been tormented.
Seeing this, Orion couldn¡¯t help but kiss her again.
¡°Orion!¡±
She pushed him away, both embarrassed and annoyed. Before she could even start to reprimand him,
she was captivated by the intense longing and fiery glow in his eyes.
¡°Xan, I can¡¯t stand it anymore.¡±
¡°C-cant stand what?¡±
¡°I can¡¯t keep being like this with you. I like you; I want you; I need to¡
Before he could finish, Xanthea covered his mouth with her hand.
Although she already knew his feelings, hearing him voice them so passionately and openly made her
heart race, her blood race, and every nerve in her body tingle with anticipation.
All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.
Orion took her hand from his mouth, his dark, deep eyes, like swirling vortices, locked onto hers as if
they were pulling her in, ¡°Xan, don¡¯t you have anything to say to me? That night, I heard you call my
name.¡±
She willingly took his hand and called him ¡°Orion¡± in a sweet and alluring tone. Her expression was that
of mesmerized affection, making him nearly ecstatic with happiness.
His Xan and her world, was finally beginning to wee him, finally starting to hold a ce for him.
He couldn¡¯t hold back any longer, he wanted to ride the wave of sess and make herpletely his,
forever and always.
Xanthea looked into his eyes, which burned with such intensity they seemed almost to consume her.
Her red lips parted slightly. ¡°Orion, Talso¡¡±
Chapter 292
Chapter 292
A massive crash resounded, apanied by the dramatic copse of the secret room door. Amidst
the swirling dust stood Isabe. holding arge rack and a night vision camera emitting a ring red
light.
Xanthea¡¯s words were abruptly cut off, and almost reflexively, she pushed Orion away, afraid the
camera might catch him. She quickly put his mask back on his face.
¡°Xanthea? Are you okay, Xanthea?¡±
Seeing her, Isabe dropped the rock and rushed over, bursting into tears hysterically, ¡°You scared me
to death.¡±
¡°I thought something terrible had happened to you!¡±
Xanthea: Tm fine, what could possibly happen to me?¡±
¡°Are you sure you¡¯re okay?¡±
Isabe checked Xanthea over from head to toe, then pointed in confusion at the tall, imposing figure in
the darkness.
¡°Who is he? When I came in, he was on top of you. Did he hurt you?¡±
¡°No, no.
Xanthea stuttered, her voice faltering as she nced at Orion¡¯s silhouette, ¡°He¡¯s the ghost guarding the
Queen¡¯s crown. He was just trying to stop me from taking the crown, as per the challenge.¡±
¡°A ghost?
Isabe gasped, just as the figure slowly turned his face towards them.
The terrifying mask with its ferocious face and fangs made her scream, But even more horrifying than
the mask was his gaze¨Ccold and sinister as if she had interrupted something important, and it looked
like he wanted to bore a hole right through her with his eyes.
¡°Ahhhh¡±
¡°Xanthea, Xanthea, we need to run, now!¡±
Terrified, Isabe clung to Xanthea as the shadow¡¯s gaze turned even more menacing.
¡°Okay, okay, let¡¯s get out of here.¡±
Xanthea felt his gaze too.
But with the live camera rolling, she dared not meet his gaze, and quickly lowered her head.
Now was definitely not the time for confessions.
¡°Let¡¯s go, hurry!¡±
Isabe pulled her, and they ran towards the exit. Unexpectedly, the ghost guarding the crown didn¡¯t
follow.
The two managed to escape the haunted house and sessfully took the Queen¡¯s crown.
Back at the control panel, the director watched in disbelief. ¡°Mr. Lockwood, aren¡¯t you going to stop
them? I had set up so many intriguing challenges and secret props for a full day of adventure, all
wasted now!¡±
¡°Xanthea and isabe have sessfully taken the Queen¡¯s crown, bing the ultimate winners of
this episode! All guests, please gather at the field immediately-¡±
All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.
¡°Xanthea and Isabe have sessfully taken the Queen¡¯s crown, bing the ultimate winners of
this episode! All guests, please gather at the field immediately-¡±
The show¡¯s announcement system kept repeating the result
On the sandy beach, Nelson, with hands full of smelly duck droppings, knelt on the ground, looking
upwards in tears, ¡°Xanthea, you¡¯re
my hero-
Martin also removed the cloth from his hose, ¡°It¡¯s finally over, I thought I was going to lose my sense of
smell forever!¡±
In afield, Rachel joyfully twirled Olivia around, who couldn¡¯t quite share her enthusiasm, ¡°It¡¯s over
no more picking! I knew they would be the first to finish, but I didn¡¯t expect it to be so quickl
Outside the haunted house, as they finally stepped into daylight, Isabe cried tears of joy,
overwhelmed as she looked at Xanthea. Yet Xanthea seemed fixated on the haunted house, as if she
was longing for something left behind. Or was it just her imagination?
Chapter 293
Chapter 293
¡°Xanthea, what happened to your lips? They look swollen!¡±
¡°Uh?¡± Xanthea blinked, then touched her lips in surprise, ¡°Do they?¡±
¡°Yeah, they¡¯re pretty puffed up, like you were bitten!¡±
At the mention of ¡°being bitten, Xanthea reacted like a cat that had its tail stepped on. ¡°I was just really
nervous and scared in the haunted house, and t kept biting my lip, so it swelled up. Isn¡¯t your throat
hoarse too?¡±
¡°I see¡±
Upon hearing her words, Isabe felt a deep surge of emotion and guilt.
She had watched Xanthea calmly solving puzzles inside, doing everything she could to rescue her, and
had assumed she wasn¡¯t afraid of ghosts at all.
It turned out, she was scared too. Terrified, even.
ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .
In the past, Isabe had always seen her as a rival, even an imagined enemy, envying her for being
Samuel¡¯s sister and jealous of the love and attention she received, yet she had never truly understood
Xanthea as a person.
It wasn¡¯t until just now that she fully realized Xanthea had always been a bright, warm¨Chearted girl,
which was why so many people adored her
And it was precisely this radiant light that exposed the darkness within Isabe¡¯s heart, breeding
endless inferiority and jealousy, leading her to emte, to surpass, and topete with her, going
further down the wrong path and hurting her deeply.
Yet, despite all this, when Isabe was in danger, Xanthea chose to save her. She truly was a good
person.
But now Isabe realized her mistakes. If she apologized, would Xanthea ept it? There was
something else.
¡°Xanthea¡±
Let¡¯s head to the gathering spot!¡±
Xanthea stared at the haunted house¡¯s entrance for a long while. When there was no sign of
movement, she grabbed Isabe and ran towards the yground.
All she wanted now was to finish the show and clear everything up with Orion!
Ten minutester, the six guests gathered on the sports field, and the production team officially
presented Xanthea and Isabe with Queen crowns, bringing the show to its final segment.
¡°It¡¯s been a pleasure having everyone here for this episode of Adventure Blitz: Two Days, One Night.
With everyone¡¯s efforts, this episode has achieved record¨Cbreaking ratings.¡±
[Was it really everyone¡¯s efforts? It was all Xanthea single¨Chandedly holding it together!]
[Petition for Xanthea to be on the next episode! Love her and Mr. Lockwood!]
[Im crying! Ive been shipping Oranthea like crazy these past two days, and now it¡¯s over? No way, I
need more! I want to see them fall in love, get married, and have kids!).
[This episode was epic, especially Oranthea¡¯s haunted house adventure. I¡¯m totally smitten by
Xanthea¡¯s charm, why isn¡¯t she a regr guest?]
Is it over already? Nooo, I don¡¯t want it to end, I haven¡¯t seen enough of Orantheal]
[rm waving the banner for Oranthea, let¡¯s see who dares to challenge them! Xanthea and Mr.
Lockwood, please start dating after the show and send us some sweet updates!]
¡°All right, that wraps up this episode. To our viewers at home, see you next time!¡±
As the Adventure Blitz: Two Days, One Night crew and all six guests waved goodbye to the camera,
the camera shut off, and everyone copsed in exhaustion.
Director said. ¡°Great job, everyone! The return flight is arranged, and there¡¯s a variety of snacks on
board, hope you all can enjoy them without holding any grudges.¡±
Chapter 294
Chapter 294
¡°Don¡¯t think these sweet little bribes can make up for the immense truma ve endured these past two
days, I swear I¡¯ll nevere
back!¡±
¡°Same here, I¡¯ve washed my hands eight times, and they still stink
¡°Haha, the storm ising, everyone better gets in the van.¡±
¡°Director¡± Xanthe suddenly spoke up, ¡°I think I left something back at the haunted house. I need to go
back and look for it. You may go ahead, don¡¯t wait for me¡±
¡°But you.¡± The director wanted to ask how she would retum, then seemed to realize something and,
smiling, waved his hand, ¡°Alright, we¡¯ve cleared that area. Go ahead.¡±
¡°Xan, you¡¯re noting back with us?¡±
Nelson walked over his face a picture of dismay as he clung to her. 1 was hoping to y games with
you on the ne.¡±
¡°Xan, should we add each other on WhatsApp?
¡°Miss, the storm¡¯s about to hit are you sure you want to go alone?¡±
¡°It¡¯s fine, thepany¡¯s van will pick me up soon.
Xanthea smiled as she exchanged WhatsApp contacts with them, Isabe was about to speak to her,
when she saw Xanthea rushing impatiently towards the haunted house.
Xanthea, I still haven¡¯t
Never mind, I find a proper time and ce to apologize when we get back.
As noon approached the sky began to change. Dark clouds rolled in, shrouding the bright sky and
signaling the impending storm. Xanthea ran towards the haunted house, fighting against the wind. As
she got closer, a smoky, acrid smell unexpectedly hit her nose. What¡¯s going on? Why is it so smoky?
She rounded a grove of trees and saw the haunted house, where they had just been filming¨Cit was on
fire!
Massive plumes of smoke, like a monstrous w, hovered over the haunted house, the fire spreading
wildly with the help of the fierce wind, turning the entre artificial cave into a zing infero. The fiery
mes reflected in Xanthea¡¯s wide eyes.
¡°It¡¯s on fire! It¡¯s on fire
A crew member from the Adventure Blitz: Two Days, One Night show sprinted out, yelling, ¡°Someone,
help! Help! Mr. Lockwood is still inside!
What?
Xanthea, hearing Mr. Lockwood¡¯s name, all sounds around her vanished with a loud buzz, and her face
turned ghostly pale.
Without a second thought, she dashed into the infemo, the crew members unable to hold her back,
¡°Hey, are you crazy? It¡¯s on fire, you can¡¯t go in there¡±
¡°Orion?¡±
¡°Onon
¡°Onon, can you hear me?¡±
Surrounded by thick smoke, Xanthea searched frantically and called out.
She was like a disoriented butterfly, running so fast she stumbled and fell, then scrambled up and
staggered further forward, her pupils shrinking in absolute terror.
C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org
¡°Orion, where are you?¡±
¡°Orion, don¡¯t scare me, I¡¯m frightened.¡±
Just as she was about to step further into the ze, a strong force suddenly pulled at her arm, pulling
her tightly into an embrace.
Xanthea smelled a familiar scent and heard a familiar voice, and as if not believing her ears, she slowly
lifted her head until she saw that distinctively handsome face, het previously scattered gaze slowly
focusing
¡°Orion?¡±
In that instant, joy, excitement, fear, and immense relief burst across her face.
She couldn¡¯t bear to think what would have happened if he had really been trapped in the fire.
BED
1/2
Chapter 294
And she finally understood the look he gave her that day at Realm of illusions explosion site. It was
filled with a pain so deep, it felt like. his heart was being tom apart.
Chapter 295
Chapter 295
¡°Xan, are you womed about me?¡±
Orion cradled her delicate face, his intense eyes filled with a mixture of both heartache and joy,
creating an indescribable emotion that filled his heart to the brim.
His Xan, who would always rush into the mes without hesitation for him, was forever his angel.
¡°You scared me to death! You really did!¡±
She had been so terified that she couldn¡¯t even show it. Now, seeing him safe and sound in front of her,
holding her tightly, feeling hist breath and body warmth so real, she was overwhelmed by fear and
relief.
Her tears fell inrge drops from her amber eyes, beautiful yet shattered.
¡°Xan, I¡¯m sorry, so sorry.¡±
Onion bowed his head, kissing her forehead, her tears incessantly, his heart nearly breaking with each
of her sobs.
He shouldn¡¯t have scared her like this, but if he hadn¡¯t, how would he have known how much she cared
for him?
¡°I just thought,¡± Xanthea sobbed, her small fists pounding on his chest in reproach, ¡°I thought you
were¡
¡°Thought I was dead?¡±
¡°Shut up, don¡¯t talk nonsense!¡±
Orion¡¯s lips curled into a joyful smile, his eyes gleaming with pleasure as he gazed deeply into hers,
¡°Xan, I¡¯d only die for you, but! couldn¡¯t bear you doing the same for me.¡±
At the words ¡°die for you¡± vivid memories of her past life shed through Xanthea¡¯s mind¨Chow he had
killed Matthew and Miranda and then taken his own life. She quickly covered his mouth, ¡°Don¡¯t say
such things, no talk of dying for love.¡±
This life, we both must live well.
¡°Alright¡±
Orion¡¯s eyes crinkled with a smile, holding her hand and brushing a kiss across her fingertips. ¡°Xan,
you care about me, don¡¯t you?¡±
Xanthea bit her lip shyly, meeting his sincere and expectant gaze, her face flushed.
All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.
Had she not shown it obvious enough? That he kept asking, so eager for an assurance.
¡°Xan? Xan!¡±
¡°Xan, where are you? Where are you?¡±
She was about to answer when a frantic calling came from beyond the smoke.
Matthew?
What was he doing here?!
A sh of panic crossed Xanthea¡¯s face; she doubted her own ears.
Orion heard it too, seeing the stark panic in her eyes, his usually gentle expression turned instantly
cold.
¡°Xan, Xan, where are you?¡±
Matthew¡¯s voice grew closer, so close it seemed right next to her ear.
Once Xanthea confirmed it was him, she looked at Orion with panic, ¡°Orion, let me go for now. There
are things I need to exin to you.. It will be very soon, but not right now.¡±
As she spoke, she tried to push him away.¡±
But instead of letting go, he pulled her even fighter.
Orion¡¯s sharp brows furrowed, a brief twist of uncontrolled emotion shing in her dark eyes, ¡°Why not
now? Is it because Matthew is here?¡±
¡°No, it¡¯s not because of him. Please believe me, just let go, okay?¡±
Xanthea was both anxious and nervous, but her gentle coaxing only made Orion¡¯s expression grow
colder.
Chapter 296
Chapter 296
Was she thin nervous and flustered all because of Matthew?
Was abe scared? Scared that Matthew would be heartbroken seeing this? Or was she regretting
getting close to him?
Was she going to choose Matthew over him again?
No, she couldn¡¯t she absolutely mustn¡¯t!
Xan was his, solely his. No one else shoulde near, and no one should dare try to take her away!
Not only did he ignore her plea, but he tightened his grip around her even more, almost as if trying to
merge her into his very being. The dark shadows of his eyes reflected a morbid, fierce possessiveness.
¡°Xan, you¡¯re mine, all mine.¡±
¡°Orion, let go, please just let go
Xanthea frantically pped at his arms, pushing him away
She had meticulously nned this for so long, put in so much effort. She was so close to sess, just
a little bit more. She couldn¡¯t let everything go to wastel
Through the dense smoke, Matthew seemed to hear themotion and followed the sounds, only to
find Orion tightly embracing a struggling Xanthea.
¡°Onon
In a burst of fury, he swung his fist at him, striking Orion so hard that his head was forced to the side.
¡°Ah!¡±
Xanthea screamed, looking at Matthew in disbelief. As he raised his fist again, she grabbed his arm,
her eyes zing with astonishing anger. ¡°Matthew, what are you doing? Are you crazy?¡±
Matthew had never seen her this angry before and was momentarily stunned by her shout. Just as he
was about to exin, he saw her anxiously turn to Orion.
¡°Orion, are you okay? Does it hurt?¡±
Xanthea saw the bruising on his left cheek, his lips cracked, oozing traces of bright red blood, and her
eyes welled up with tears.
Orion took her hand gently touching his face, while blood continued to seep from the corner of his
mouth like a disturbingly blooming flower, his intense gaze growing red with emotion. ¡°Xan, tell him, you
don¡¯t love him. You love me. You want to be with me¡±
Orion, Orion¡
Xanthea looked at him, tears swirling in her eyes.
Stop, just go back, please, can you just go back?
Each second of her hesitation was like a sharp de torturing him, slowly shredding his hopes and
brightness into a cold, bleak nothingness.
¡°Orion, in your dreams!¡±
¡°Xan is my fianc¨¦e, my love, she has only ever loved me, stop deluding yourself!¡±
Matthew stepped forward, pulling Xanthea away, but Orion didn¡¯t let go.
He clung to her so tightly that his knuckles were about to crack. In his dark eyes, a mix of
unprecedented emotions appeared¨Cfeat, pleading, desperation, and utter humility, like a fierce beast
exposing its most vulnerable side to the hunter¡¯s gun, yet the hunter pulled the trigger anyway.
With tears blurring her vision, Xanthea slowly withdrew her hand. ¡°Mr. Lockwood, I¡¯m sorry, but I think
you¡¯ve misunderstood something¡±
Hearing her words, Matthew finally breathed a sigh of relief. ¡°Xan, let¡¯s go.¡±
C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org
He pulled her away, but suddenly a hoarse, eerieughter echoed from behind.
¡°Hahaha.¡±
In the murky smoke, Matthew turned back to see Orion¡¯s battered face twisted into a terrifying, ominous
grin. He seemed almost fused with the raging mes behind him, his hollow eyes fixed on Xanthea¡¯s
retreating figure, as if determined to destroy everything.
Mt Lockwood?
Chapter 297
Chapter 297
Ah Mr. Lockwood, so I am Mr. Lockwood to you..
Fake, all so tenibly fake
Her getting close to him was take, her smiles were take, her concern was fake, anying she would
choose him was faked.
N?velDrama.Org owns this.
She never truly stepped into his world, never truly seen him. It was all his delusional fantasy, and the
fragile illusion of his own making shattered with a single blow.
Hahahal
But Xan, why must you treat me this way? Why?
If you never cared, why did you provoke me?
Matthew was terrified by his crazedughter, feeling as if the man before him was more a demon than
a human, sending chills down his spine. ¡°Madman¡±
Hearing hisughter, Xanthea had an instant urge to throw caution to the wind and rush toward him.
¡°Boss!¡±
Outside the zing fire, Cedric rushed in with a look of panic, only to see Xanthea running out.
Matthew quickly followed het, watching her trembling figure in the cold wind, light and fragile like a leaf,
as if she could be blown away at any moment.
¡°Xan, what¡¯s wrong?¡±
Only when he got closer did he see her crying, tears streaming down like rain, blurring her delicate
features.
¡°Why are you crying? Did Orion bully you?¡±
He went to hug her, but she pushed him away, shaking her head, ¡°No, it¡¯s nothing. I just got smoke in
my eyes.¡±
That aftemoon, clouds that had been building all day were tom open by a sh of lightning, and a
torrential downpour followed. The storm brought howling winds and roaring thunder, making the dark
sky feel like it was about to copse.
Outside, the storm raged, but inside the car, it was so quiet that only one person¡¯s voice could be
heard.
¡°Xan, you must be tired from filming for two days. How about resting at my ce?¡±
¡°I¡¯ve been watching your show on TV these past two days, It¡¯s so inspiring and entertaining, especially
your performance: you were standout
¡°Day before yesterday was our fifteen¨Cyear meetiversary, and since you were busy, we didn¡¯t get to
celebrate. How about we make it up?
¡°Xan.¡±
Matthew kept talking, but the girl just leaned against the window, staring out at the curtain¨Clike rain,
silent as a soulless doll. Dan, how about I proposed to you?¡±
¡°If you don¡¯t say anything. I¡¯ll take that as a yes!¡±
¡°You love the countryside and open¨Cair weddings, so I¡¯ll arrange it at..¡±
¡°I need to go to Sunset Hills Estates.¡±
He kept talking, and finally, she responded.
¡°Sunset Hills Estates? You¡¯re noting to my ce? Or how about Lakeside Manor? You¡¯ve been
away for two days; your parents must miss you¡±
She reverted to her previous silence, as if she didn¡¯t hear him at all, as if everything he said didn¡¯t
concem her, and Matthew had no choice but to drive her to Sunset Hills Estates.
¡°You must be tired. Rest well and call me when you¡¯re ready. I¡¯m here for you anytime.¡±
¡°No need, you go back.¡±
¡°Be carefull
Matthew got out of the car, holding an umbre for her. She took is from him but declined his offer to
walk her further.
Chapter 297
Xan
Watching her walk away, Matthew mmed his fist against the car.
Xan would never have been so polite and distant with him before!
Chapter 298
Chapter 298
With Orion¡¯s relentless pursuit and constant entanglement, she must have felt something, right? But
her upbringing and principles didn¡¯t allow her to show it
Why did he neglect and brush her off before, leading her step by step towards Orion, while trapping
himself in a quagmire? None of this was supposed to happen. He needed to set things right, to return
to how they were!
He was confident that once he married Xen, everything would go back to normal, just like when they
were childhood sweethearts.
Ding-
The elevator reached the 13th floor, and Xanthea lifted her head to see Room 3001 across the hall,
Through the closed door, she could almost see Onon stepping out of the kitchen, calling her over for a
midnight snack with his tender voice. The emotions she had been. suppressing finally broke free.
She couldn¡¯t wait any longer, not even a second¡.
She needed to find Isabe, get those photos, expose all of Matthew and Miranda¡¯s dirty, shameful
secrets, then find Orion and tell him. It wasn¡¯t intentional. She hadn¡¯t meant it.
At Starlight Media, in the artists¡® lounge.
Wendy was packing up clothes into a suitcase and pulled out a cream¨Ccolored jacket. ¡°Isabe, this
one isn¡¯t yours, is it?¡±
¡°This is..¡±
Before she could finish, the sound of the door mming open interrupted her.
Both tumed to see Xanthea standing at the doorway.
She was holding an umbre, but it seemed she hadn¡¯t used it. Her body was covered with raindrops,
her hair was in disarray, and it looked like she had run through a storm. Her eyes were desperate and
anxious.
¡°Xanthea?¡± Isabe stood up from the couch in surprise.
N?velDrama.Org owns this.
¡°Isabe!¡±
Xanthea held up her smartphone. ¡°This quarter, I¡¯ve passed you in celebrity heat ranking. Twitter fan
growth, and feedback on shows and series. Can you give me the photos now?¡±
She had rushed over so frantically, forgetting even to open her umbre, all for the photos?
¡°I know I haven¡¯t surpassed you in terms of fan base, public acim, ormercial value as agreed,
but you see the data. Just give me some time, and I surely will. Can you give me the photos now?¡±
Xanthea¡¯s eyes were pleading.
¡°Please, Isabe, I¡¯m begging you. I really need them now. If you hand over the photos, I¡¯ll publicly
apologize to you online, admit that I¡¯m not as good as you, I¡¯ll do anything, just please.¡±
The proud heiress of the Nightshade family, always one step ahead, the beloved Xanthea, was finally
bowing down to her.
This was the moment Isabe had never dared to dream of, yet had always hoped for. But now that it
hade, her heart was flooded with endless regret and guilt
¡°Xanthea, I
¡°Isabe, please, I¡¯m begging you, OK?¡±
Xanthea moved closer, her bright eyes wild with desperation, Isabe avoided her gaze, her lips
trembling. She gathered her courage and confessed the truth, ¡°Xanthea, H made up the story about the
photos to surpass you, to defeat you. The truth is I never had them.¡±
What?
Hearing her confession, Xanthea¡¯s belief, the one that had sustained her for so long, crumbled
thunderously. The umbre in her hand dropped to the ground along with her shattered hope.
¡°How can that be?¡±
You don¡¯t have the photos? Then how did you know about Matthew and Miranda¡¯s affair? You must be
lying; you have to be.¡±
Chapter 299
Chapter 299
Xanthea stared at Isabe in disbelief, thinking she must be lying. Yet Isabe gave a perfectly
reasonable exnation, ¡°I did see Matthew and Miranda being intimate in the woods at school, but I
didn¡¯t take any photos.¡±
¡°Impossible, that¡¯s impossible.¡±
¡°You lied to me? You lied to me?!¡±
Xanthea waspletely stunned. In an instant, her teeth clenched, and her eyes turned red in anger.
She urged forward like a provoked little creature, gripping Isabe¡¯s cor and yelling furiously,
¡°Isabe, you lied to me!¡±
¡°Ms. Nightshade, Ms. Nightshade, please calm down.¡±
Wendy, who was standing nearby, was stunned and hurried over to calm things down.
Isabe stopped her, resignedly closing her eyes, ¡°Xanthea, these years I¡¯ve been blinded by jealousy,
constantly trying to oppose and deceive you. You can hit me, curse me, punish me however you want; I
won¡¯t resist.¡±
Hit her, curse her? Would it help?
Because of one careless remark, all of her meticulous ns and efforts felt like a joke, like a court
jester.
Especially since it had hurt Orion so deeply.
She couldn¡¯t bear to think how much pain he must be feeling; thatughter almost tore her heart to
shreds.
¡°Isabe, I hate you; I hate you! I hate you so much!¡±
She roared with all her might, while Isabe, overwhelmed with guilt, didn¡¯t know how much those
photos meant to her, nor how tofort or make amends to her now.
¡°Xanthea, L¡
¡°Get out.¡±
Xanthea pushed her away and walked outside.
Isabe was frightened by her pale face and dazed expression. Unsettled, she followed her out only to
see her walk directly into a downpour.
She quickly grabbed an umbre and ran after her, ¡°Xanthea, Xanthea what are you doing? Even
without those photos, you shouldn¡¯t¡¡±
¡°Leave! Just go! I told you to leave!¡±
?????????
anthea pushed her away, knocking her down into a puddle, her eyes burning with hatred.
She would never forgive her, would she?
Dark clouds loomed over the city as the rain poured down like waterfalls. The thick raindrops hitting the
girl¡¯s delicate face made it impossible to tell if it was rain or tears.
Photos, revenge¨Cnone of it mattered anymore¡
She only wanted Orion, only Orion.
At the Crestwood CBD Business Center, Twin Towers.
On the top floor, the president¡¯s office was pitch ck. asionally, shes of lightning pierced
through the clouds and illuminated therge transparent floor¨Cto¨Cceiling windows, briefly lighting up the
man sitting in the dark with a sinister expression.
He held a cold, hard, long metal chain, which made a pleasant clinking sound with each movement. As
if thinking something, he showed a chilling smile.
*This chain is pink; Xan would probably like it,¡±
He could already imagine it tied around her, making her look so pitifully, so alluring and irresistible.
¡°What to do? What should I do?¡±
Outside the office, Cedric paced back and forth in the lounge area like a headless fly.
Suddenly, Jacob burst out of the elevator with a folder in hand, ¡°Cedric, is the boss in his office? I have
something very important to
report!¡±
¡°Never mind that now, there¡¯s something even more urgent!¡±
Cedric grabbed him, and Jacob, curious, asked, ¡°More important? What is it?¡±All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.
Chapter 300
Chapter 300
¡°Why the heck?¡±
Jacob was shocked. ¡°Haven¡¯t the boss and Ms. Nightshade been getting on so well recently?¡±
¡°I have no idea.¡±
Cedric frowned. Ever since they returned from Everde, after he had seen the boss talk to Ms.
Nightshade, their rtionship had been incredibly close, almost inseparable.
Boss had been in high spirits, shaking off his previous gloom, making Cedric suspect they might
already be together.
But today, in Serenwood, the boss¡¯s wild, manic expression was even more terrifying than thest time
in Everde. He loved Ms. Nightshade to the bone; regardless of how she treated him, he would only
torment himself. Now, he was even considering making Ms. Nightshade ¡®disappear¡® from this world
forever, which showed how dire things were.
¡°It seems to have something to do with Matthew again, but I feel there¡¯s a misunderstanding between
them that hasn¡¯t been cleared up. If Bos¡¯s really takes such extreme actions, I¡¯m afraid there would be
no chance for him and Ms. Nightshade. We must stop him!¡±
¡°Have something to do with Matthew?¡±
Hearing this, Jacob smiled, lifting the folder in his hand. ¡°Perfect timing then, this document is a
godsend!¡±
Cedric: ¡°?¡±
Jacob knocked on the boss¡¯s office door. After a long silence, the two exchanged looks and gently
pushed open the door.
The vast office was dark as night, without a trace of light. Using the faint glow from the lightning, Jacob
and Cedric saw a man behind the desk, clutching a piece of chain, his smile chilling to the bone, hardly
resembling a normal human..
Jacob: ¡°Boss, I have something very important to report to you.¡±
The man lifted his gaze, his dark and murky eyes were like falling into hell, sending chills down Jacob¡¯s
spine. Before he could be told to get out, he quickly added, ¡°It¡¯s about Ms. Nightshade!¡±
Orion¡¯s grip on the chain paused slightly.
took out a USB drive from the folder, which Cedric took and plugged into the multimedia system. The
LED screen immediately
ed a video.
¡°After the explosion at Realm of Illusions audition, we identified potential motives for Isabe and Ms.
Nightshade¡¯s stepsister¨CMiranda. You asked me to keep investigating, so I had them followed. Nothing
new came up, but just the other day, we found this video.¡±
Therge LED screen showed a clip of Matthew and Miranda in a ndestine embrace. Cedric
watched, almost dropping his sses in
shock.
Matthew and Miranda? One was Ms. Nightshade¡¯s fianc¨¦, the man she loved most, and the other a
foster daughter of the Nightshade family, who had been under their care for over a decade and treated
like a real sister by Ms. Nightshade. And here they were, betraying Ms. Nightshade right under her
nose, an utterly despicable act, lower than low!
C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org
Jacob had expected his boss to be pleased upon seeing this video. After all, once the video was
exposed, Ms. Nightshade would definitely not stay with Matthew. But instead, he saw a lethal fury and
deep self¨Cmockery in the man¡¯s eyes.
Xan loved Matthew so much, yet he was unfaithful. But even so, what could he do?
She wouldn¡¯t choose him anyway.
She didn¡¯t love him, and it had nothing to do with anyone else.
¡°Heh.¡±
Orion chuckled lowly, hisughter hoarse and ominously dark.
He put away the sharp military knife and the long
Feeling the ominous aura emanating from bes
cold chain, and walked out of the dim office.
tinged with a hint of madness, Cedric hurried after him. ¡°Boss, where are you going?¡±
He couldn¡¯t really be going to abduct Ms/Nightshade, could he?
Chapter 301
Chapter 301
Chapter 301
As soon as he voiced his concern, the very person he was worried about appeared before him!
With a crisp ¡°ding¡± sound, the elevator doors slowly opened to reveal the slender silhouette of a young
girl.
She was drenched from the storm outside, her long, curly hair clinging to her body, outlining a figure
that was shivering slightly from the cold, as seductive as it was vulnerable.
She slowly lifted her head, her delicate face extremely pale, her thick, curledshes trembling.
Raindrops or tears rolled down her clear amber eyes, creating a misty sheen as she looked up at the
man, ¡°Orion.¡±
Her eyes sparkled with tears and her voice was soft, like a fragile little fox lost in the forest, drenched
by the rain, looking pitifully at the man. Meeting his gaze felt like a lightning strike, hitting him hard.
Orion, against the light, his deep, dark eyes rapidly trembled and narrowed in the darkness.
¡°Ms. Nightshade, what happened to you?¡±
Cedric snapped out of it, quickly grabbing a coat from nearby to drape over her.
Xanthea Nightshade stepped out of the elevator, walking into the dark shadow cast by the man¡¯s tall
figure, gingerly reaching out to grab his pinky, ¡°Orion, I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m so sorry¡¡±
Her cold, soft hand touching his finger made his palm tingle and tremble.
He looked down, his gaze warping as if he couldn¡¯t belie
she was real, but seeing the deep guilt in her eyes, he was convinced.
Sorry?
Sorry for what? Sorry for making him misunderstand? Sorry for not being able to return his feelings?
Was she here to apologize, asking for his forgiveness, and to let her go? Did she also want him to
bless her and Matthew Martinez?
Ha.
Ha ha.
daydreaming!
¡°1.
As Xanthea began to speak, the man coldly withdrew his hand and walked away.
ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .
¡°Orion?¡±
¡°Boss?¡±
Cedric and Jacob exchanged puzzled looks before following him.
why was he walking away?
Wasn¡¯t the boss supposed to be looking for Ms. Nightshade? Now that Ms. Nightshade herself had
come, why
¡°Orion.¡±
¡°Orion!¡±
cold, sinister face from view. Xanthea ran after him but was just a moment toote. The elevator doors
slowly closed, hiding the She saw hisst look at her, cold and piercing, filled with intense disdain as if
he couldn¡¯t bear to see her for another second. Her emotional defenses finally crumbled. Facing the
closed elevator doors, she slowly sank to the door and burst into tears.
¡°I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m so sorry, I didn¡¯t mean to hurt you, it was never intentional.¡±
¡°On mying¨Cof¨Cage day, I found out about Matthew and Miranda Moore¡¯s affair. I hated them. I
wanted to ruin them, to kick them out of the Nightshade family, but I had no proof.¡±
¡°Isabe Taylor said she had photos of their affair, and if I could surpass her in the entertainment
industry, she would give them to me.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve been working so hard on acting and appearing on variety
shows just to get those photos¨Cto expose their rtionship in front of everyone on the day of my
engagement.
¡°I thought my heart was filled with hatred, I thought everything I was doing was justified, but without
realizing it, I fell in love with you.¡±
Chapter 302
Chapter 302
¡°I don¡¯t even know when it started. Maybe it was during those days you helped me rehearse my
scenes, maybe it was that night at the Marlowe family¡¯s house, or perhaps it was when you made me
the first meal, or maybe it was on mying¨Cof¨Cage day when I looked at you for the first time and felt
drawn to you.
The point is, I love you, I really love you so much. It¡¯s all my fault for being too slow to recognize my
feelings, for not telling you sooner, which led to me hurting you over and over again. I¡¯m sorry, truly
sorry¡¡±
¡°Orion, please don¡¯t go, okay?¡±
¡°I was wrong, I truly was. It won¡¯t happen again, I promise.¡±
Xanthea hugged her knees, burying her face in sorrow and crying, unaware that the elevator numbers
remained unchanged after the doors closed.
¡°Ding-¡±
As herst word fell, the elevator doors slowly opened again.
Inside, a man looked down at her with eyes full of unrealistic doubts and an almost frenzied intensity.
Was all of this true?
Not a delusion born from his excessive longing and desperate desire?
His Xan, did she like him too?
¡°Thank goodness, thank goodness!¡±
Behind him, Cedric and Jacob, hearing the exchange, were thrilled.
So, Ms. Nightshade did have feelings for the boss. It had all been a misunderstanding!
Hearing the sound, Xanthea slowly lifted her tear¨Cstained face, and upon seeing Orion, her eyes lit up
with hope again.
All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.
She reached out, her eyes brimming with tears, looking at him so pitifully she seemed like a drenched
kitten begging to be taken home. ¡°Orion, you won¡¯t leave me, will you?¡±
In the next moment, she was pulled into a fierce embrace by the man who rushed out of the elevator,
as if he needed
his
to
merge her into
being to find peace.
loved him, his Xan loved him, his Xan love him.
He had waited for decades, countless days and nights, and now, this moment was more surreal than
any dream.
¡°Xan, is this real?¡±
He whispered into her damp hair, his face twisting with pure joy.
¡°Mm¨Chmm.¡±
¡°You¡¯re not lying to me this time?¡±
¡°No, never again.¡±
Xanthea shook her head, tears falling like rain.
She wouldn¡¯t deceive him again, not ever.
¡°Orion, do you still want me?¡±
Orion¡¯s dark brows furrowed, his forehead pressing against her soft one, his piercing gaze burning with
intensity. ¡°Silly girl, how could I ever not want you?¡±
¡°You are the love of my life, a treasure I ache for day and night,¡± he said, his voice thick with longing, ¡°I
want to keep you all to myself, so only I can see you every day.¡±
The more he spoke, the deeper Xanthea¡¯s guilt became. Large, clear tears streamed down her face,
only to be kissed away by him.
¡°You don¡¯t me me? I said so many hurtful things.¡±
No me
Not even a little.
Orion kissed away her tears, trailing kisses along her delicate skin, from her darkshes to her smooth
forehead and her perky nose. finally capturing her luscious, rosy lips deeply and tenderly.
Each kiss was apanied by a deep, satisfied hum, like he was utterly fulfilled.
Chapter 303
Chapter 303
She loved him, and that was the greatest gift the heavens could have bestowed upon him. He was too
busy being grateful to even dream of ming her.
Look away!
Cedric and Jacob simultaneously turned their heads away, hitting the elevator button to go down in
perfect unison.
¡°Wonderful, fantastic, the boss and Ms. Nightshade are finally together.¡±
After reaching the ground floor, Cedric was still a bit dazed, almost walking straight into a pir in his
excitement. Luckily, Jacob was there to catch him.
¡°Cedric, it¡¯s great that the CEO and Ms. Nightshade are together, but do you have to be this happy?¡±
¡°You don¡¯t understand,¡± Cedric waved dismissively.
Ever since he became the CEO¡¯s assistant and discovered his secret, he had been looking forward to
this moment. Seeing the two lovers finallye together was a joy beyondpare, even more so
than getting a raise or a promotion.
Especially since Ms. Nightshade once again saved the boss from the brink of despair today.
The sky was dark, with torrential rain ravaged the city, and asional shes of lightning illuminated
the office through therge windows, casting light on the tightly embraced couple inside.
Orion held Xanthea on the desk, his hand buried in her drenched hair, pressing the back of her head
gently, forcing her to endure his intense and passionate kisses.
C
His kiss this time was different from the usual fierce and domineering ones. It carried a hint of
tenderness, as if he was slowly savoring her presence, gradually tasting her sweetness and breath,
making Xanthea involuntarily close her eyes and try to respond.
The girl¡¯s cautious and clumsy attempt was like a poisoned hook, igniting a desire within the man,
tearing through his gentle facade to reveal a strong and savage side.
Just as he was about to lift her shirt, she turned her head away, coughing slightly.
¡°Come rough, cough.¡±
ound, her cheeks blushed a beautiful shade of red, not sure if it was from theck of air due to his
lengthy and intense kisses, or perhaps a cold.
Orion, noticing herplexion, came back to his senses, a trace of annoyance in his eyes.
She had run through the rain, soaking wet and cold, and he had been so lost in his desire that he
hadn¡¯t considered her condition.
¡°Are you cold?¡±
Orion turned up the thermostat, took off his coat to wrap her in it, his warm hands constantly rubbing,
trying to warm her small hands.
Xanthea hadn¡¯t felt cold when she arrived, only heartbroken. Now that her emotions were settling, she
felt a bit of a chill, though she suspected it was from his kiss.
¡°A little.¡±
She noticed at his chest, his shirt clinging to his skin from hugging her too tightly and getting wet, and
shyly pointed, ¡°Orion, I think I got you wet.¡±
The girl said this with innocent confusion, like a spark in oil, reigniting his just¨Cdoused desire.
Orion¡¯s deep eyes narrowed slightly, looking at her with an unspoken depth, ¡°So, should I get you wet
too?¡±
Huh?
N?velDrama.Org owns this.
Xanthea looked at him puzzled. What did he mean? Wasn¡¯t she already wet from the rain?
Chapter 304
Chapter 304
Orion scooped her up into his arms and headed to the bathroom, his actions clearly stating, ¡°Xannie
needs a hot shower, or shell catch a cold,¡±
ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .
¡°Okay¡±
Xanthea nodded obediently. It wasn¡¯t until he walked into the bathroom shut the door with a heavy
¡°click,¡± that she heard the door click shut behind them. That¡¯s when she realized something seemed off.
Wait, why did he close the door?
He hadn¡¯t left yet!
Was he nning to shower with her? A shared shower? That was way too much! So, this is what he
meant by he mentioned getting her
wet
Xanthea¡¯s face flushed instantly with embarrassment, her heart racing wildly as she felt incredibly shy.
¡°Orion, isn¡¯t this a bit too fast for
She had just sorted out her feelings for him, and now¡
Orion was adjusting the water temperature, frowning in confusion as he looked at her, ¡°What¡¯s too
fast?¡±
¡°Well, just,¡± she stammered, too embarrassed to even lift her head, her voice barely a whisper,
¡®showering together¡±
The man chuckled, a charming smile ying on his lips. He leaned in close to her ear, ¡°So, you want to
shower with me?¡±
Huh?
He didnt mean that?
¡°I didn¡¯t mean that at all!¡±
Xanthea quickly lifted her head, her eyes wide and cheeks burning red. As she spoke, she pushed him
out of the bathroom, ¡°You can go out. I can adjust the water temperature myself!¡±
¡°Xannie¡±
At the doorway, hisrge hand suddenly gripped the handle, his eyes filled with intense longing, which
startled Xanthea
She didn¡¯t mean that?
¡°Don¡¯t shower for too long. You might feel dizzy
¡°Okay¡±
The bathroom door slowly closed, hiding the sight of the girl with her wet hair clinging to delicate
curves, like a mboyant flower ravaged by a storm Orion¡¯s hand tightened around the cold metal
doorknob.
He wanted, wanted so badly to join her in that ¡°shower,¡± but he feared it might be too much for her,
especially since she was still recovering from her cold.
¡°Hey, boss? Cedric suddenly received a call from Orion, ¡°Do you need something?¡±
¡°Prepare a set of clothes for Xannie,¡±
¡°Got it, right away!¡±
¡°And,¡± Orion nced outside at the darkening sky, ¡°bring a hot caramel mhiato with sea salt foam,
extra cream
Cedric paused, then nodded, ¡°Understood!¡±
The boss had to be one of the few men who knew so much about coffee orders, night? No, more like
he knew Ms. Nightshade so well, even her coffee preferences were clear to him. It was almost
terrifying!
The storm continued unabated, with clouds like a covering the sky, blocking out the sun entirely.
But inside, the man¡¯s heart was clear and sunny.
Listening to the rain hitting the window, harmonizing with the sound of water in the bathroom. He
savored the sweetness and pleasure of kissing the girl just moments ago, his heart pounding in his
chest.
Xannie was his now.
From now on, every moming, every lunch, every night, he could see her, hold her, kiss her, and even..
The star he had wished upon for years was finally within his reach
It felt like a dream, so wonderfully urineal.
He turned on all the lights in the office, as if making it brighter and brighter would make it more real,
more tangible.
Chapter 305
Chapter 305
-Should she call Onion?
-Forget it. Once he walks in and sees her like this, there¡¯s no telling if he might lose control. After all,
he¡¯s someone who even reacts to Just a hug.
wear firet
-Better check if there¡¯s anything she can wear first.
Xanthea opened the simple wardrobe attached to the bathroom. Inside were a few temporary men¡¯s
suits.
A shirt might work. It was a standard 2XL size, and the hem would just reach her thighs. But there was
one thing that was a bit awkward. Cedric brought over some clothes. Orion approached the bathroom
and knocked gently, ¡°Xannie, you done?¡±
¡°Uh, yeah!¡±
Orion opened the door and was about to hand over the clothes when he saw the slender figure slowly
emerging from behind the wardrobe door. His gaze suddenly froze.
Fresh out of the shower the girl¡¯s exquisite face was flushed with the warmth of the steam, her skin
smooth and soft. Her thick ck curls dripped water, which trickled down her long elegant neck, over
her well¨Cdefined corbone, and finally disappeared into the white
shirt.
The shirt she was wearing was his.
The oversized men¡¯s shirt barely concealed her slender, graceful figure. The thin fabric, illuminated by
the bright lights in the room, faintly revealed her captivating curves.
A spark ignited in Orion¡¯s dark eyes, burning intensely. He forced himself to look away when he saw
the girl shyly wrapping her arms around her chest.
But then, his gaze inadvertently fell to her bare, slender, baster legs, peeking out from beneath the
shirt¡¯s hem. He made a throaty swallow, his eyes burning even more intensely
Xanthea noticed his reaction and, fearing he might think she was deliberately trying to seduce him by
wearing his shirt, quickly waved her hands to exin, ¡°Don¡¯t misunderstand me!¡±
¡°I had no clothes to change into, so I just grabbed one of yours from the wardrobe. Can you help me
wait, what are you holding?¡± ¡°Nothing.¡±
Orion¡¯s voice had, be hoarse at some point. He dropped the bag of clothes he was holding and
started walking towards her. Xanthea, seeing his fervent look and intense gaze, panicked, ¡°W¨CWhat
are you doing?¡±
¡°I want¡±
Want? Want what?
¡°You don¡¯te any closer!¡±
In her panic, Xanthea tried to cover herself, but her attempts to evade and refuse had no effect to deter
him.
Orion grabbed her wrists, pinning them above her head, and pressing her firmly against the steamy
bathroom wall.
He leaned in to kiss her. But just then, she let out a sneeze, ¡°Achool¡±
ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .
The air tensed. Xanthea blinked and said awkwardly, ¡°I think I might have a cold¡±
Orion looked at her wet hair dripping water, and fought his unbearable desire, closing his fiery eyes.
¡°Don¡¯t move, let me hold you for a bit¡±
This little temptress, why was every move she made so adorable, and every smile so enticing? Why
was every part of her body so beautiful? Beautiful enough that it set him on fire with desire, making him
unable to control himself, always wanting her.
Oh, okay!
Xanthea felt his intense yet restrained desire and nodded, asking softly, ¡°Orion, can you¡?¡±
Dont tease me.
xanther: ¡°777¡± When did she even tease him?
Chapter 306
Chapter 306
Chapter 306
After a few minutes, Orion finally let go of her.
Xanthea nced down and unintentionally saw arge umbre propped up high, and she froze. Her
eyes slowly moved, and just as she was about to ask if he needed the bathroom, she heard him say
hoarsely, ¡°Come here and dry your hair¡±
¡°Okay.¡±
She let out a long sigh of relief, stepped out of the bathroom, and saw a cup of salted caramel
mhiato on his desk. Her eyes lit up
instantly.
C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org
¡°Salted caramel mhiato?
my favorite!¡°s
With extra cream, my
She happily dashed over, her wide sleeves fluttering like a butterfly in search of nectar. She picked up
the steaming cup and smiled at the man, ¡°Orion, did you have someone get this for me?¡±
Seeing her open the lid, Orion¡¯s voice deepened, ¡°Put it down.¡±
¡°Huh?¡± Xanthea blinked, ¡°Why?¡±
¡°You have a cold. You shouldn¡¯t drink something so sweet¡±
¡°Then why did you have someone buy it? To tempt me?¡±
¡°I thought a shower might make you feel better.¡±
Xanthea. Did he think everyone had the same freaky superhuman recovery abilities as hirm?
The cup of hot mhiato warmed her hands, the lid half¨Copen, releasing the sweet and refreshing
scent of sea salt caramel, making her mouth water.
Xanthea couldn¡¯t bear to put it down. She bit her tender lip and tried to negotiate, ¡°How about I drink
just half a cup? Just half!¡±
Seeing he was about to refuse, she walked over, gently tugging at the hem of his shirt, ¡°Please? Just
half
She raised her face slightly to look at him, her rosy lips pouting, her smiling eyes sparkling like stars,
her innate charm making it impossible for Orion to resist.
He tilted his long eyes slightly, taking the mhiato from her hand, ¡°One sip.¡±
¡°One sip? That¡¯s too little! No, no, three sips!¡±
¡°Just three sips, please. Ori¨COri-¡±
Her coquettish calling him ¡°On¡± over and over made his suppressed desires surge once again. His dark
eyes narrowed, ¡°If you keep calling this way, and it won¡¯t just be the mhiato I¡¯ll make you have.¡±
Xanthea choked, as if understanding his insinuation, shaking her head in panic.
¡°Sit down.
He took the hairdryer, turning on the warm air, and Xantheapliantly sat on the sofa, curling her legs
up and sipping her mhiato with delight
Queenie Marlowe¡¯s tactic seemed pretty effective, but she was careful not to overdo it. She only liked
sweet drinks, not salty ones, ¡°Orion, how did you know I like salted caramel?¡±
¡°I saw you drink it before.¡±
¡°Back when we were on set?¡±
When they were little.
¡°Yeah¡±
The man hummed softly, his long fingers threading through her thick, wavy hair, carefully drying every
strand as if handling a ram treasure
¡°Three sips already
Xanther Was he a freak? He was really counting each sip!
just. Achool
Just as she was about to retort the sneezed. Feeling his hand pause, she quickly put down the coffee, I
won¡¯t drink it anymore There¡¯s medicine in the cab. Take er
Chapter 306
¡°No mhiato and now I have to take medicine? How miserable can I be?¡±
¡°Who asked you toe in the rain?¡± Orion¡¯s tone became serious. Xanthea looked a bit wronged,
murmuring, ¡°I wasn¡¯t paying
attention.¡±
She truly hadn¡¯t noticed. She had been so heartbroken that she didn¡¯t even realize it was raining.
¡°Where did you run from?¡±
¡°Starlight Media.
¡°Don¡¯t ever do that again.¡±
Orion gently kissed the top of her head, recalling how had appeared soaking wet and crying, breaking
his heart.
Mhm.¡±
Why were you at Starlight Media?¡±
He noted the problem, and Xanthea lowered her head slightly, recalling everything that had just
happened. Even the taste of the mhiato in her mouth faded.
Chapter 307
Chapter 307
Orion noticed her downcast mood, ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±
¡°Orion, I¡¯ve tried so hard and waited so long, but it was all for nothing¡±
¡°Isabe didn¡¯t have the photos at all. She lied to me.¡±
Photos of Matthew and Miranda?¡±
¡°Yes,¡±
After she spoke, there was a prolonged silence.
??? ??
Xanthea turned around, puzzled, only to see the unreadable expression beneath his long, darkshes,
¡°You went out in the rain because of this? Are these photos really that important to you?¡±
She did care about those photos, but she felt he was misunderstanding her!
¡°No, na! I went out in the rain because I was heartbroken, and I was worried you¡¯d be even more
heartbroken. I wanted those photos to expose their rtionship, not because I cared about Matthew¡¯s
betrayal. You are the only one I care about!¡±
Herst words seemed to please him. Orion stopped drying her hair and looked at Xanthea intensely,
¡°Really?¡±
¡°Really, I swear!¡±
C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org
¡°Good.¡± He slightly smirked, picking up a remote control, ¡°Watch this video,¡±
A video?
Xanthes looked towards therge screen across the room,pletely unprepared for what she saw
next¨Ca scandalous clip of Matthew and Miranda entangled in bed. She jumped up from the sofa in
shock
¡°What is this?¡±
After the initial shock came an unbelievable joy
¡°Where did you get this video?¡±
¡°After the explosion during the Realm of Illusions audition, I had someone investigate the truth behind
the incident. I suspected your sister was involved, so I had a PI keep an eye on her. This video was
taken the day before you joined that variety show.¡±
¡°The explosion during the audition¡±
He had been secretly investigating all along?
And he even managed to get such crucial evidence for her.
Tears welled up in Xanthea¡¯s eyes, a mix of gratitude and guilt overwhelming her.
¡°Orion, thank you, thank you so much¡±
She threw herself into his arms, hugging his solid waist tightly, overwhelmed with emotion.
Orion was momentarily taken aback by her sudden, intimate embrace. He frowned slightly and softly
rubbed her hair, ¡°Xannie, if you keep this up, I might lose control.¡±
Xanthea nced down, ncing down at his perfectly pressed suit pants, then bit her lip and
whispered in his eat ¡°Ori, it must have been hard for you to hold back, right?¡±
At her words, a spark ignited in Orion¡¯s dark eyes, tearing open his tightly controlled desire within him.
Did this little minx know what she was saying?
Orion gripped her chin, but before he could speak, Xanthea tiptoed up, wrapping her arms around his
neck to kiss him, ¡°I don¡¯t want you to puffer so much¡±
His dark eyes zed with a wild fire, which was boiling over, but as he pulled her close against him, he
still managed to restrain himself.
¡°You¡¯ve got a cold.¡±
Xanthea¡¯sshes fluttered, her misty eyes shimmering with a seductive glow, ¡°I may have a cold, but
there are things we can do that aren¡¯t too Ah
She was cut off as he pressed her firmly onto the sofa.
His reason had been teetering op the edge of copse, and now it was gone.
His hands roamed over her smooth, fair skin, trailing up her breathtaking legs. Then he stopped
suddenly and said with a hunky barely recognizable voice, ¡°You¡¯re hot wearing anything?¡±
Chapter 307
Xanthea¡¯s cheeks burned with embarrassment, ¡°Yeah, it got wet in the rain.¡±
Orion¡¯s eyes, dark as pitch, shed dangerously, nearly ready to devour her whole.
The little vixen, she was just asking for it,
Chapter 308
Chapter 308
Underneath the Twin Towers, Isabe was having a tough conversation with the receptionist for the
umpteenth time without sess. She stomped her foot in frustration, ¡°I¡¯m an artist with Starlight Medial
Why can¡¯t I go upstairs?
Sorry, Ms. Taylor, only individuals with a Twin Towers employee pass are allowed to enter the building.¡±
¡°Then why did Xanthea get to go in just now?¡±
The receptionist remained silent, offering no response to her query.
The CEO¡¯s assistant had instructed that if Ms. Nightshade came looking for the CEO, she could take
the express elevator straight to the 66th floor.
¡°Is Mr. Lockwood avable?¡±
can¡¯t disclose that information.
ion. If you need to see the CEO
I to see the CEO, you should contact Cedric for an appointment.¡±
Pleage, can¡¯t you make an exception? I really have an urgent matter.¡±
Isabe had secretly followed Xanthea to the Twin Towers, her heart heavy as she watched Xanthea
looking utterly devastated in tears, as if pushed to the brink of despair. She feared Xanthea might do
something drastic.
Now, being blocked in the lobby, her phone drenched and unusable from the rain, she couldn¡¯t reach
anyone. What should she do?
As she anxiously wondered what to do, she noticed a phone on the reception desk,
¡°May I use the phone, please?¡±
¡°Sure.¡±
Her fingers trembled as she dialed the number she hadmitted to heart years ago.
¡°Hello?¡±
A few secondster, a crisp and clear voice came from the other end of the line Isabe heard it and
her voice trembled with nervousness, ¡°Hello, Mr. Nightshade, it¡¯s Isabe¡..¡±
¡°Boom!¡±
A p of thunder apanied by a fierce sh of lightning, suddenly illuminated the spacious office
through the floor-to¨Cceiling windows, revealing the man¡¯s contorted yet handsome face on the sofa.
His jet¨Cck brows were damp with sweat, beads of which trickled down from the
oers traces¨Cand slid slowly down his chiseled face, vanishing into his pure ck silk shirt.
of his eyes¨Cmarked with deep red
Outside, the storm raged on and the deafening sound of thunder seemed tost forever so long that
night had fallen and dark clouds covered the entire city.
¡°Knock, knock, knock.¡±
N?velDrama.Org owns this.
A series of urgent knocks sounded at the door, followed by Cedric¡¯s voice, ¡°Sit Mr. Samuel Nightshade
is here. Ms. Nightshade.¡±
Mr. Samuel Nightshade?
That was Samuel?!
Xanthea snapped out of her dazed and confused state, frantically patting the man.
¡°Orion, Ori, don¡¯t. Samuel¡¯s here!¡±
¡°Samuel¡¯s here.¡±
Her attempts to break free were futile against his firm grip.
He says he¡¯s looking for
Orion opened his blood¨Cred eyes and bit down on her soft, smooth neck, holding her like a wolf with a
whimpering fax in its jaws. His gaze was fierce and predatory, ¡°Samuel?¡±
¡°Yes, Cedric¡¯s knocking outside. He mighte in any moment now. Let me go, or we¡¯ll be caught!¡±
Her fear of being discovered made him even more relentless; his dark pupils became ominously
intense, ¡°Are you afraid your family will find out about us? How about I just hold you like this when we
meet Samuel?¡±
Xanthea was shocked, her jaw nearly dropped,
What nonsense was he spouting? Had he lost his mind?
Or was he Jealous?
Chapter 308
After all, Matthew had always visited the Nightshade family home as he pleased, while she kept Orion
hidden away. He must be thinking along those lines, this ridiculously jealous man!
Chapter 309
Chapter 309
¡°Wait, no. Orion, don¡¯t get me wrong. It¡¯s not that I don¡¯t want to introduce you to my family. But if
Samuel sees us like this, he¡¯ll kill you!¡± Her words made him pause
Xanthea continued to exin, ¡°Our family has always been super strict. Even though Matthew and I
have been dating for years, my parents and my brother never allowed us to hold hands or spend time
alone outside. Especially Samuel; he¡¯s super strict with me. If he sees me like this with you, he¡¯d go
berserk.¡±
As if womed he wouldn¡¯t believe her, she added, ¡°If you don¡¯t believe me, you can ask my best friend.
She works at a research institute now. And she saw how badly Samuel beat up this guy who tried to
sneakily hold my hand once! I know he probably wouldn¡¯t stand a chance against you, but I don¡¯t want
to see you guys sh. Don¡¯t worry, once this situation is over, I¡¯ll find the right time to formally introduce
you to my family.¡±
Before she could finish, she heard the man¡¯s deep, maicughter close to her ear.
Xanthea: ¡°?¡±
¡°Okay.¡±
Okay? Did that mean he agreed?
¡°Samuel is good.¡±
Huh? ¡°Samuel is good¡°? Shouldn¡¯t he be saying that she was ¡°good¡°?
Orion stood up and began buttoning his shirt. The sound of the zipper caught her attention, and
Xanthea quickly turned her eyes away. ashamed. She nced down at her own disheveled state, her
clothes in disarray, with love bites across her chest, and several buttons missing. It was just too¡
C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org
She hastily tidied her clothes and scampered off the sofa, looking around the office in confusion.
¡°Can I hide in your bathroom?¡±
¡°The bathroom lights are motion¨Cactivated. They¡¯ll turn on automatically if someone¡¯s inside.¡±
The wardrobe?¡±
¡°The built¨Cin wardrobe is too small to fit you¡±
¡°Then, what should we do?¡±
¡°Knock, knock, knock.¡±
The knocking outside grew even more insistent. Cedric repeated his announcement again, this time
with an edge to his voice that suggested they were barely holding Samuel back and he might burst in
any moment now.
Xanthea¡¯s heart was racing, her cheeks flushed, and she was as frantic as a cat on a hot tin roof.
Meanwhile, the man next to her had a gentle, amused smile on his lips, clearly enjoying her
predicament.
Noticing his amusement, Xanthea punched him lightly with her fist, ¡°Howe you¡¯re stillughing!
What should we do? Maybe you should go out and meet him?¡±
¡°If he¡¯s here, he already knows you¡¯re with me. Going out will only make it more suspicious¨Clike I¡¯m
hiding you,¡±
¡°Under the desk.¡±
Brilliant!
Xanthea¡¯s eyes lit up, and without a second thought, she dived under the desk.
She was too tall to fully crouch under the desk; neither squatting nor lying down worked. After adjusting
several times, she finally settled in a cramped kneeling position.
From under the desk, her red, rose¨Clike lips were positioned right where his office chair usually was. It
looked as if¡ Orion¡¯s brows furrowed, his veins pulsing as his suppressed desire surged, his dark eyes
zing as if he wanted to strangle her.
Oblivious to the danger, Xanthea cheerfully said, ¡°Ori, you¡¯ve got this! Make sure Samuel doesn¡¯t find
me!¡±
Chapter 310
Chapter 310
¡°Bang
No sooner had Xanthea finished speaking than the office door being kicked open with a loud crash.
Startled, Xanthea quickly retracted her head and hid herself properly.
¡°Mr. Nightshadel Mr. Nightshade, you can¡¯t just go in there.¡±
¡°Get out of my way!
Samuel shoved Cedric side and stormed into the office, yelling at the tall, Imposing figure standing by
the floor¨Cto¨Cceiling window, ¡°Orion, where¡¯s my sister?!¡±
Orion¡¯s gaze Lifted from the trembling girl hiding under the desk. He slowly turned around with an
unruffled expression, ¡°Mr. Nightshade, good to see you¡¯re well.¡±
T the crap. Where¡¯s Xan? What have you done to her?¡±
Xan was at the Twin Towers and might be in danger. The news
He had been in a meeting when he got a call from Isabe, saying that X
had him dropping everything and rushing over.
On his way, his mind conjured up all sorts of dreadful scenarios.
Ever since the premiere of Adventure Blitz: Two Days. One Night, Samuel had been following the
show. Seeing Orion on the show was a huge red g. Why would the CEO of a top¨Ctier conglomerate,
usually so elusive, participate in a small reality show for the whole online public to see?
Connecting the dots with Orion¡¯s attentions to Xanthea bothtely and on the show, it had to be that he
was there for Xan!
And why would Isabe say Xan was in danger? Could it be that Matthew went to Serenwood to pick
up Xan this saw them, became jealous and resented, and kidnapped her out of spite?
morning.
and Orion
He couldn¡¯t bear to imagine it. How could his frail and delicate Xan resist someone as powerful as
Orion? Especially given his reputation as a ¡®demon¡± with a history of matricide.
Under the desk, Xanthea¡¯s heart skipped a beat at Samuel¡¯s furious voice.
27 5 5 5 32 9
She had juste to see Orion alone, and Samuel was already angry. What if he found out what they
had been up to the entire aftemoon, wouldn¡¯t he really kill someone?
you s Samuel, seething with rage, demanded answers. Orion merely raised an eyebrow, seemingly
confused, ¡°Why are you asking like that, Mr. Nightshade?¡±
¡°Stop ying dumb, don¡¯t tell me Xan isn¡¯t here.
N?velDrama.Org owns this.
Ms. Nightshade was indeed here earlier, but she left after picking something up.¡±
Onion¡¯s casual remark suddenly silenced Samuel.
¡°If you don¡¯t believe me, Mr. Nightshade, there¡¯s surveince footage on the ground floor that¡¯ll show all
theings and goings in the building. I can personally take you there,¡± He looked at his watch with a
slight frown, ¡°Ms. Nightshade left about half an hour ago. Would you like to check the surveince with
me, or perhaps go home and check first?¡±
Samuel stared at Orion¡¯s calm and confident demeanor, which was without a hint of deceit.
Was he telling the truth?
His overheated brain gradually cooled and his lost rationality began to return. And Samuel
reconsidered,
Orion, well aware of the Nightshade and Martinez families¡® alliance. Even if he were jealous, he
wouldn¡¯t act impulsively. Moreover, if he intended to harm Xan, he were jealous, he wouldn¡¯t act
impulsively, not so tantly as to let Isabe find out.
After all, he was the business genius who silently acquired the renowned HM Group.
But Isabe, who had opposed Xan since they were kids, probably made the whole phone call up. Why
else would she use a public phone and fail to provide a clear exnation when asked?
Realizing he¡¯d been yed. Samuel felt a surge of anger and a wave of embarrassment.
In his overwhelming concern for his sister, he¡¯d kicked in Orion¡¯s door and been rude to him.
After all, this was the man who had ogce granted him ess to the coveted Simon West¡¯s club and
had helped his sister on numerous
Chapter 311
Chapter 311
¡°Sorry, I was being reckless¡±
¡°It¡¯s alright.¡±
Under the desk, Xanthes heard their conversation, her eyes widening in disbelief.
No wonder he¡¯s a top¨Ctier CEO¨Chis lies are so convincing, calm and collected, that even Samuel looks
a bit dumbfounded. If she wasn¡¯t here to see it for herself, she might have believed him tool
The space under the desk was cramped, and trying to keep still for so long was ufortable.
Xanthea felt the need to move, but as soon as she shifted slightly, a sharp pain made her almost hiss in
agony, so she quickly covered her mouth.
Orion caught the faint sound and quietly nced towards the desk.
Her leg must be scraped
Biting back the pain, Xanthea recalled the tumultuous afternoon she¡¯d just endured.
Though Orion had been mindful of her condition and didn¡¯t go all the way, his tempestuous fervor alone
was enough to leave her ¡°battered¡±
During those moments, he was insanely rough, ignoring her pleas and cries, like a wild beast out of
control.
And that was without going all the way. If it were to go further in the future¡
She didn¡¯t dare to imagine, just thinking about it made her feel her days might be numbered.
After all the words had been said, it was time for Samuel to leave. He caught sight of a ring shoe
print on the office door, a flush of embarrassment crossed his face. ¡°The door. I¡¯ll have someone send
over a new one.¡±
Orion just replied, ¡°No need. It was my dy that kept you waiting. The fault is mine. Mr. Nightshade.¡±
Not only did he show no anger, but he took the me himself, which surprised Samuel.
From their encounters, starting from the gem stone conference to now, Samuel had found Orion far
from the ruthless tyrant the media portrayed Instead, he was humble and gentle, embodying the
essence of a true gentleman.
¡°By the way, the Simon West¡¯s club you gave me for my birthday was exquisite. Thank you.¡±
¡°As long as Mr. Nightshade likes it.¡±
¡°Why did you.¡±
Before Samuel could continue, Orion seemed to anticipate his question and answered directly, ¡°Love
me, love my dog: -I have a fondness for Ms. Nightshade.
His blunt confession left Samuel stunned for a moment.
Under the desk, Xanthea was equally stunned. How could he just blurt that out?
¡°You¡¯re quite the straightforward one,¡± Samuel chuckled, ¡°though I¡¯ve had my suspicions.¡±
Xanthea: ¡°???¡± Since when did Samuel know?
¡°Your taste is impable. But a fair warning for you: Xan has someone she¡¯s very fond of, so much
that she¡¯s willing to do anything for him, and they¡¯re nning to get married.¡±C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org
Samuel walked over to the sofa and sat down, casually crossing his legs
¡°That person is Matthew, someone you¡¯ve met.¡±
¡°Is that so?¡±
The mention of Matthew¡¯s name made Orion¡¯s expression darken.
Peeking through the tiny gap under the desk, Xanthea could see the change in Orion¡¯s expression, the
light in his amber eyes flickering.
Was he really getting jealous just hearing Matthew¡¯s name? Boss, keep your cool and don¡¯t lose
controll
¡°Yeah, Matthew even called me before I came here, saying he¡¯s nning to propose to Xan in the next
few days.¡±
Samuel dropped another bombshell.
Xanther: ¡°When did this happen, and why didn¡¯t she know about it?
Just as she worried Orion might explode in rage, Samuel suddenly sniffed the air and frowned, ¡°What¡¯s
that smell?¡±
Xanthea tried to gauge his position by the sound of his voice, realizing it wasing from the couch
where she and Orion had been Intimate.
Chapter 312
Chapter 312
Orion had made such a mess just a moment ago, would Samuel notice?
¡°Aura Scent
Orion walked leisurely toward the disy cab and picked up a gold¨Ctinted ss bottle. He gave it a
gentle twirl, and in an instant, a cool, subtle, and uniquely smoky fragrance filled the room.
Xanthes closed her eyes, breathing in the scent in the alt
The top notes were fresh and elegant bergamot and orange blossom, the middle note was amberwood,
and the base note, a lingering musk?
He was really something.
¡°A perfume?¡±
The scent noticeably rxed Sam, making him raise an eyebrow. ¡°Nice fragrance. You¡¯ve got quite the
taste.¡±
To choose the most delicate and elegant scents, and to select the most refined and rarepanion.
If you like it, Mr. Nightshade, it¡¯s yours.¡±
¡°You want to give it to me? I can¡¯t ept it for no reason
¡°Consider it an apology for earlier.¡±
¡°Well then, thank you.¡±
Under the desk, listening to Samuel being once again tricked by Orion, and this time bribed as well,
Xanthea was totally speechless.
¡°What¡¯s that?¡±
As Sam took the perfume, his gaze identally fell on a pinkish metallic chain on Orion¡¯s desk, and he
got up to take a closer look.
????
Hearing his approaching footsteps, Xanthea panicked, thinking she¡¯d been discovered. Her heart
raced.
Just as she was frantically thinking of what to do if she was caught, Onion walked over and calmly sat
down in the office chair.
Under the desk, the girl in a kneeling position felt her cheeks flush instantly, what the hell? Why did he
sit down all of a sudden? This position is so embarrassing, so humiliating. She was positioned right in
front of his¡
Get up!
Xanthea extended her index finger and lightly poked his ankle
¡°A pink chain?¡±
Samuel picked up the metallic chain, examining it with interest. ¡°This is quite unique. Why would Mr.
Lockwood have this in your office?¡± Orion, who had initially intended to shield the girl from view was
caught off guard. She began teasing him covertly, softly rubbing his leg¨Cpractically asking for trouble.
The man¡¯s eyes squinted, his voice bing huskier, ¡°Mr. Nightshade likes it?¡±
¡°Not for me, but I think Xan would like it!
Xanthea: ¡°?¡± Samuel, what is the logic here? Why would I like a rough chain?!
Orion lowered his eyelids slightly, a glint of hidden excitement in his eyes.
ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .
So, Xannie likes this.
Xanthea quickly shook her head. No! No, I don¡¯t!
Samuel: ¡°Xan has a little picket fence gardes, a chain like this might actually look pretty as a
decoration.¡±
¡°Sorry,¡± Onion said. ¡°I¡¯m afraid I can¡¯t give this to Mr. Nightshade. I need it to tie up a little fox at home.¡±
You have a pet fox, Mr. Lockwood?¡±
Sam was genuinely surprised when Orion nodded and described the fox based on the girl, ¡°Fair, curly¨C
haired, mischievous and delicate, absolutely beautiful
Meeting his unabashedly metaphorical gaze, and knowing he was clearly using something to describe
her, Xanthea thought. So that
It sounds adorable, but isn¡¯t that chain a bit too rough for a delicate little fox?¡±
Chapter 812
Samuel looked dubious. Had that poor little thing broken themandment?
Orion¡¯s lips curled up slightly. ¡°It used to be disobedient and tried to run away with someone else. Now
it¡¯s well¨Cbehaved, so we won¡¯t need it unless she likes it¡®
Chapter 313
Chapter 313
777
Previously disobedient, thinking of running away with someone else? Is he hinting at her and Matthew?
So, this chain, was he really nning to use it to tie her up?!
She thought he was joking.
She didn¡¯t dare imagine if she hadn¡¯te to see him today. Would they have ended up meeting in
some dark, windowless basement tonight, just like Maximus kidnapping Phoenix? What a creep!
But, what¡¯s even creepier is, she was pushing at his legs for a while, urging him to get up, but Orion
didn¡¯t move.
Xanthea: Regretting it now is it toote to dump this psycho boyfriend?
¡°Being raised by you and still thinking of running away, that¡¯s a bit ungrateful.¡±
Samuel chuckled, clearly picturing a confused little pet not realizing its owner is the wealthiest man in
Crestwood, wondering where it could find such a privileged life elsewhere.
Xantheac Samuel, stop insulting me!
¡°Hmm
Onon nced at the fuming girl, a subtle smile tugging at his lips, Tll make sure it learns its lesson.¡±
Xanthea bared her teeth and extended her sharp ws, scratching his pant leg.
¡°It¡¯s gettingte.¡± Samuel checked his watch, surprised at how long they¡¯d chatted, ¡°I need to get back
to see Xan; I¡¯ve missed her terribly these past few days.¡±
¡°Il walk you out, Mr. Nightshade.¡±
The sound of their steady footsteps faded away, and Xanthea finally rxed, crawling out from under
the desk.
¡°Phew.¡±
Having a legitimate boyfriend yet having to hide, felt like getting caught in an affair!
Thankfully, there was a rug on the floor, or her knees would definitely be bruised after kneeling for so
long!
She settled into the chair, just about to stretch, when she noticed a fancy gift bag beside her. Curiosity,
she opened it and found aplete set of women¡¯s clothing, perfectly her size!
When she came out from the bathroom earlier, she had seen Orion with something in his hand¨Cwas it
this gift bag?
He had sent someone buy clothes, but upon seeing her in his shirt, his desires red, so he
deliberately set aside the bag.
Such a beast!
After seeing Samuel off, Orion returned to the office to find the girl standing defiantly on the stairs, arms
crossed, chin up, ready to give him a piece of her mind.
She was wearing a fiery red dress that hugged shapely figure, her freshly dried ck curls falling past
her waist, reminiscent of a stunning mermaid, so breathtakingly beautiful that his gaze darkened and
he quickened his steps.
¡°Orion! mmph-¡±
Xanthea¡¯s attempt to scold was cut short as he pulled her into a fierce embrace, kissing her fiercely.
¡°What are you doing, let me go! I haven¡¯t even settled the scores with your
N?velDrama.Org owns this.
¡°It hurts, hurts.¡±
Her protests made Orion pause, his breath hitching as he stared at her tender, luscious lips, ¡°What¡¯s
wrong? Did I bite you?¡±
¡°No.¡±
Xanthea bit her lip slightly, clutching the hem of her silk dress
¡®Im chafed¡±
At her words, the man immediately understood, his dark eyes sparking with intensity, ¡°And you still try
to seduce me?¡± ¡°Whos seducing you!¡±
Chapter 314
Chapter 314
Who¡¯s the little minx touching my leg under the table just now?¡±
Xanthea¡¯s eyes widened, their amber gleam practically shouting innocence, ¡°Who touched you? That
was a poke to make you get up!¡±
Orion rxed his brows, his gaze softened with a hint of amusement, ¡°I got up now, babe. Are you
satisfied now?¡±
Following his gaze, Xanthes shivered, her cheeks flushing. She reached out to pinch his waist, but
found his muscles too hard to pinch. Was this man made of iron or what?
¡°You¡¯re always bullying mel
¡°So are you babe. And you know how to deceive people, like a sly little fox.¡±
Orion scooped her up and walked to the sofa, gently pressing his forehead against hers. His eyes,
which had held a trace of smile, gradually turned cold and dark, as if ready to settle scores.
Xanthea looked puzzled, ¡°Deceive you?¡± The guilty is using the innocent? Wasn¡¯t he the one
deceiving her? He had bought the clothes but lied about it
Matthew¡¯s nning to propose to you in the next few days?¡±
¡°Ah¡°, Xanthea waved her hands frantically at his words, distancing herself from the situation, ¡°I had no
idea, honestly! I just heard Samuel mention it, same as you.¡±
¡°He wanted to surprise you?¡±
¡°Surprise? It¡¯s more like a shock. I¡¯d definitely refuse him! No, I wouldn¡¯t even give him a chance to
propose. It¡¯s too disgusting!¡±
In her past life and this one, it all went out like this.
In her past life, he got Miranda pregnant and then married her.
Now, after just being with Miranda, he was nning to propose? That was utterly repulsive!
Her disgust and eager exnations pleased Onion deeply.
Orion¡¯s long fingers weaved through her thick, wavy hair, ying with it affectionately. ¡°If you¡¯ve disliked
Matthew for so long, why not break up with him? Why wait for the evidence?¡±
Indeed, why wait for the evidence?
For the sake of that evidence, she had entered the entertainment industry, acting and participating in
reality shows, hiding her true self to win over the audience. No one could understand why.
Because no one felt the pain of her past life. No one experienced the betrayal by Matthew and
Miranda, And no one had been pushed from the 26th floor to her death.
She didn¡¯t just want a simple breakup with Matthew or an ¡®estrangement from Miranda. She wanted
them to be utterly ruined, to live the rest of their lives in misery, or even not be able to live at all!
If she could expose their scandalous photos on her big day, causing outrage from the Nightshade
family, the Nightshade Group, and all her friends and family, her wish would be fulfilled,
But achieving this wish hade at a great cost, and she had hurt the one she loved most.
She didn¡¯t want to torment herself anymore, nor did she want to make Orion unhappy.
¡°Because of Miranda¡±
¡°I could break up with Matthew, but Miranda is the darling of my parents. using her without
evidence, they wouldn¡¯t believe me. I¡¯d still have to see her in the Nightshade family, and it would be
unbearable.¡±
I¡¯ve been thinking of finding evidence and exposing their affair at the engagement party, making them
notorious, and erasing them from my life.¡±
As she said this, a rare flicker of deep hatred shed in her eyes, but the next second she yfully
wrapped her arms around his neck, pretending ease, ¡°So, thank you so much. Thank you for helping
me find the evidence!
Ill show it to my parents tonight, and break up with Matthew!¡±
All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.
Orion¡¯s fingers gently stroked her furrowed brows, as if trying to soothe away that emotion which
shouldn¡¯t belong to her, ¡°Let¡¯s wait for the proposal
Chapter 315
Chapter 315
Chapter 315
Xanthea was surprised, thinking he was testing her. She was about to refuse when she saw the
earnest and intense look in his eyes, ¡°I don¡¯t want your long¨Cnned efforts to go to waste, but I can¡¯t
stand the thought of you getting engaged either. You¡¯re mine.¡±
His words tranted: I want Xannie to be happy, but I¡¯m a bit jealous. However, as long as you¡¯re
happy, I can bear it.
Xanthea stared at him, stunned for a good ten seconds, until her eyes brimming with tears that
threatened to spill over. She couldn¡¯t control her emotions any longer and threw herself into his arms,
¡°Orion¡±
¡°Orion, how can you be so good to me? How can you be so, so good?¡±
Even though she didn¡¯t like him, even ¡°disliked¡± him, he silently did everything for her. As long as she
was happy, he could endure anything
What had she done to deserve such a good boyfriend?
Orion gently patted her back,forting her like a child, ¡°Since I¡¯m this good, shouldn¡¯t you reward
me?¡±
¡°Mm¨Chmm!¡± Xanthea nodded, ¡°Anything you ask?¡±
¡°Eh?
She was momentarily confused, and before she could react, he had her pinned beneath him.
¡°Orion, what are you doing? I just changed, don¡¯t mess up my clothes!¡±
He suddenly transformed, no longer the gentle and caring man, but a wild beast with deep¨Cseated
primal desire in his eyes. Scared, Xanthea pushed against his chest.
It waste, and after being intimate for the entire afternoon, he still wasn¡¯t satisfied.
¡°Are you trying to back out Xannie?¡±
Orion gripped her slender waist, causing her to whimper softly, ¡°Mm. No, it¡¯s just
¡°I need to go home. If Samuel doesn¡¯t find me when he gets back, he¡¯ll definitelye to you, and then
it won¡¯t be so easy to fool him.¡±
Orion frowned, clearly displeased. His eyes were dark and cold, full of frustration. Why couldn¡¯t he keep
her by his side forever?
¡°Be good,¡± Xanthea wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a reward kiss, ¡°Listen to me,
okay?¡±
Orion responded coldly, ¡°One more kiss?¡±
¡°Sure, uhm.¡±
Before she knew it, she was enveloped in darkness. This wasn¡¯t just one more kiss; it felt like he
wanted to devour her whole! Lakeside Manor, the Nightshade family estate.
C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org
¡°Miss is back!¡°¡±
Zora opened the door, happily calling out when she saw Xanthea.
Several figures immediately rushed over.
¡°Xanl
¡°Why are you back sote? I¡¯ve been looking for you, nearly worried to death!¡±
Samuel gave her a big bear hug as soon as he saw her.
Ethan Nightshade examined her from head to toe, checking if she had been hurt during the two days of
filming. But seeing her unusually vibrant red dress, which made her skin look even more porcin¨Clike,
he felt for the first time that their little girl had grown
up
It was such a pity that she was about
He clenched his fist tight
¡°Samuel, you¡¯re squeezing me, I can barely breathe!¡±
¡®Serves you right. Who let you to run off as soon as you got back without even a word? Samuel hasn¡¯t
seen you in two days, not even a video call. Do you know how much he missed you?¡±
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Xanthea¡¯s lips twitched, ¡°People might think we haven¡¯t seen each other in two years.¡±
¡°Still sassy?¡±
¡°Samuel, Ethan, stop chatting ande put with Xan!¡± Susanna Lopez Nightshade called out to them
with a rare smile, ¡°Ah, today is such a good day. Xan¡¯s back, Miranda¡¯s been out of the hospital for
three days, and Matthew has some good news to share with us!¡±
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As Xonthea stepped into the hallway, she saw Matthew and Miranda seated on opposite sides of the
long dining table.
Miranda¡¯s face lit up with an innocent, sweet smile upon seeing her, ¡°You look even more radiant, sis!
It¡¯s amazing what a sess can
do for one¡¯s beauty!
¡°I heard that while I was sick, you¡¯ve been busy filming and even did a reality show. Your value¡¯s
soaring, almost rivaling that of top celebrities. Congrattions, sis!
¡°The next big superstar of the entertainment industry¨Cit has got to be you!¡±
Her words were filled with admiration, but the nails digging into her palms beneath the table told
another story.
Bitch, stealing my championship, taking my resources, endangering my life, stepping over my dead
body. I¡¯ll make you pay dearly!
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¡°Thanks, sis-¡°Xanthea¡¯s eyes narrowed into a smile. ¡°You haven¡¯t been idle either, just out of the
hospital and you even¡¡±
She paused, making Miranda and Matthew¡¯s hearts skip a beat at her words.
Xanthea nced at their guilty expressions, smiling even deeper as she gestured to the gift boxes on
the table, ¡°And you even brought gifts for everyone. How thoughtful.¡±
Miranda secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
That was close, she thought Xanthea found out.
But well, how could she? All she cares about is her ¡°Matt,¡± and she wouldn¡¯t notice anything anyway.
¡°It¡¯s the least I could do. Thanks to everyone¡¯s care, I recovered quickly, especially my dear sister¡±
Miranda stressed thest word, but under Ethan¡¯s waming nce, she lowered her head
¡°It¡¯s nothing, we¡¯re all family, after all, Xanthea graciously epted her thanks, ¡°And if you ever want
apple turnovers again, just let me know.¡±
At the mention of apple turnovers, Miranda clenched her teeth.
How dare she bring that up!
¡°Exactly, we¡¯re all familly. No need for the formality, it just makes us seem distant¡±
Susanna smiled as she filled a bowl of soup for Xanthea and ced it next to Miranda, ¡°Xan,e sit
with your sister. She has been missing you tembly these past days and has the biggest gift prepared
for you!¡±
¡°No way, I missed Xan too!¡± Samuel pulled Xanthea over, ¡°Xan has to sit with me!¡±
Susanna gave him a yful scold, ¡°You¡¯re grown up now, stop acting like a child andpeting for
attention. Miranda just got out of the hospital; you should be more¡
*Til sit with Samuel
Xanthea interrupted, leaning in to smell him, ¡°You smell nice, I like it!¡±
¡°Really?¡±
Samuel looked at her with delight.
He had just spritzed on the perfume Orion had given him and was pleased that Xan liked it. His taste
was spot on!
¡°Absolutely!¡±
Xanthea happily nodded, savoring Orion¡¯s scent.
Christopher cleared his throat, ¡°Alright, everyone settle down. Matthew has an announcement to
make!¡±
¡°Mr. and Mrs. Nightshade, Samuel, and Mirry¡±
Citement. ¡°Xan and I have known
Matthew stood up, addressing everyone before his gazended on Xanthea, his voice filled with e each
other since we were kids. We have shared affection and have supported each other for years. Our
rtionship has only grown stronger, and now, I want to be by her side in a new capacity.¡±
¡°Mr. Lopez, what brings you here?¡±
His speech was interrupted by the housekeeper. Everyone tumed towards the door to see Oliver Lopez
walking in, looking travel wom as If he hadn¡¯t even had time to change his shoes.
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¡°Oliver?¡±
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Susanna rose from her seat with a puzzled look, ¡°What brings you here? You didn¡¯t tell me in advance.¡±
Oliver nced at Xanthea, I just finished work and was passing by, so I came in to grab a meal.¡±
Christopher said, ¡°Zora, get another set of tableware!¡±
¡°Right away!¡±
ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .
Oliver took his seat. In fact, he had rushed over after hearing that Matthew w was nning to propose
to Xan.
Xan was already with Orion, so she was bound to tum Matthew down!
But she hadn¡¯t told her family anything. Her sister and brother inw were the type who valued
promises and reputations highly Refusing Matthew abruptly and changing her mind would surely lead
to them reprimanding Xan; he had toe and stand by his precious niece.
Xanthea noticed his womed nces from the moment he came in, and she had an ominous feeling.
¡°Uncle, you¡¯re just in time! Matthew continued, ¡°Tve nned a proposal ceremony tomorrow night. I
want to ask Xan to marry me.¡±
¡°Xan, is that okay?¡±
As soon as he finished speaking, all eyes turned toward Xanthea. With a sweet smile, Xanthea
responded, ¡°I¡¯ll go along with whatever Matt arranges.¡±
This answer was expected by everyone except Oliver!
Oliver was stunned.
She agreed?!
This was nonsense! She was already with Orion; how could she agree to Matthew¡¯s proposal!
Was she afraid of being scolded if she spoke up? Or was her heart still wavering between the two?
Matthew was one thing, but Orion wasn¡¯t someone she could waver with
If he found out about this, the consequences would be unimaginable. The entire efforts of the entire
Nightshade Group couldn¡¯t save
her.
She had assured him time and again that she would handle this matter, but now it seemed to be getting
moreplicated. If she didn¡¯t have the courage to sort it out, then he, as her uncle, would have to
step in.
¡°Really? Thats great!¡±
Matthew was overjoyed at her response.
He had been somewhat anxious, worried that Xan might reconsider their rtionship because of
Orion¡¯s influence. But she had agreed so readily
He shouldn¡¯t have doubted her, his Xan had always loved him the most!
¡°Ha ha-¡± Christopherughed. ¡°You kid, both families have already agreed on the wedding date, and
still, you insist on having a proposal ceremony beforehand. Isn¡¯t that a bit much?¡±
¡°Matthew is just showing how much he cares. It¡¯s all willingly done, no matter howplicated the
process. He¡¯s not like you, who doesn¡¯t understand what romance means.
Susanna was also pleased with Matthew¡¯s gesture, ¡°By the way, Matthew, a proposal doesn¡¯t need to
be as grand as an engagement. Keep it simple!¡±
¡°For Xan, nothing is too much¡± He handed aguest list to Christopher and Susanna, ¡°Here are the
guests I n to invite. If there¡¯s anyone missing, feel free to add them!¡±
¡°That¡¯s way too many, Matthew. It¡¯s just a proposal, no need for such a big fuss. Just invite close family
and friends, plus Samuel, Ethan, Miranda¨CXan, you can invite your close friends too. Tell them it¡¯s a
party, the proposal should be a surprise for everyone!¡±
¡°Got it.¡±
¡°Zora, bring two bottles of wine from the cor. Let¡¯s all celebrate!¡±
¡°Okay¡±
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¡°Sis, congrats! You finally got what you wanted
Everything was going ording to n, Miranda raised her ss to Xanthea with a triumphant smile
on her face. Xanthea returned her gesture with a smile; she was indeed about to get everything she
wished for.
Everyone was enthusiastically discussing the proposal, except for Oliver, who remained silent.
After waiting for a while and seeing that Xanthea had no intention of speaking up, Oliver suddenly
raised his voice and looked at her seriously, ¡°Xan, don¡¯t you have something to say to everyone?¡±
¡°What?¡±
Everyone stopped and looked him and Xanthea curiously.
Xanthea raised an eyebrow, ¡°?¡±
¡°Onion.¡±
As soon as the name Orion was mentioned, Xanthea¡¯s pupils instantly dted.
She had felt that her uncle¡¯s emotions were a bit today, and here he was, ready to ruin things!
¡°Ohon?¡±
Before he could finish, she quickly interrupted him, ¡°Do you want to invite him? Wouldn¡¯t that be
inappropriate? He¡¯s so busy.¡± What? Invite him?
Was she out of her mind? Did she want him toe and ruin the proposal scene?
His niece must have been spoiled by the family and didn¡¯t know the severity of the situation or what
kind of person Orion really was. Back then, when The Lockwood Group was in turmoil, he had only
been in power for a year, before he eliminated the old faction, stabilized the situation, and became the
youngest leader of the Twin Towers. He wouldn¡¯t hesitate to act against his closest rtives and
friends, let alone a woman who betrayed him.
Xan?¡±
¡°Uncle! There¡¯s something in your hair, it looks like a moth!¡±
¡°What?¡±
Oliver frowned, and saw her running over nervously. While p
pretending to flick something from his hair, st
she whispered in his ear,
After listening, Oliver looked shocked.
Orion knew? What exactly were they up to?
¡°Uncle¡± Matthew looked at him with aplex look, ¡°You¡¯re inviting Mr. Lockwood?¡±
Christopher chimed in, ¡°Oliver, when did you get so close with Mr. Lockwood?¡±
Oliver looked at Xanthea with aplicated expression and swallowed his words, ¡°Just some business
dealings.¡±
Susanna added, ¡°Then it¡¯s better not to invite him. The Lockwood Group is prestigious, and Mr.
Lockwood, being the CEO, is incredibly influential. Not only is his time precious, but if he doesn¡¯te,
people might mock us for trying to cling to someone out of our league. After all, a proposal is a private
matter.¡±
Oliver nodded, ¡°Understood.¡±
Hearing this, Xanthea felt relieved.
She knew that even if her uncle didn¡¯t believe in her, he wouldn¡¯t distrust Orion¨Cwho was his niece,
after all?
¡°I don¡¯t agree with inviting Orion, either!¡±
Samuel spoke up, and Xanthea looked at him in surprise, ¡°Why¡¯s that?¡±
It was one thing for others to disagree, byt Orion had been nothing but generous to him, gifting him
clubs and perfume, and he still objected!
Wouldn¡¯t that be just heartbreaking?
Samuel revealed a mischievous smile, ¡°He¡¯s too handsome, he¡¯ll steal all the attention!¡±
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Xanthea rolled her eyes at him, ¡°You¡¯re not the one proposing what are you afraid of?¡±
Samuel ruffled her hair, this little confused girl didn¡¯t even know Orion liked her
The atmosphere was warm and jovial, filled withughter and conversation, until it was almost over
when Xanthea suddenly stood up
Chapter 318
and raised her ss.
Everyone expected a toast to everyone present, but instead, Xanthea only looked at Matthew and
Miranda, ¡°Here¡¯s to a happy day, I toast to Matt and Mirry.¡±
Samuel was confused, ¡°Xan, what do you mean? You only toast to them? What about Mom, Dad,
Uncle, Ethan, and me?¡±
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¡°I toast to youter¡±
Later, when she actually got married.
Matthew stood up, a bit puzzled, holding his wine ss. Feeling guilty, he subconsciously avoided
Miranda¡¯s gaze, ¡°Xan, why are your only toasting us two?¡±
¡°Because you two are the only ones at this table who aren¡¯t rted to me by blood.¡±
At that, Miranda¡¯s expression changed dramatically, and the atmosphere in the hall became somewhat
awkward.
Christopher and Susanna looked at her in shock
Miranda was sensitive and delicate by nature, terrified of any mention that she was adopted. Xan had
always been considerate of her feelings, treating her publicly and privately as his own sister. Why
would he say something like this today?
Ethan and Samuel also looked up, sensing that there was more to her words.
But the next second, she returned to her usual self,
If, ¡°But you special toast.¡±
are more like family
to me than anyone else, so I wanted to give you a
Matthew and Miranda showed expressions of understanding.
Xanthea tilted her head back and downed her ss of red wine in one gulp.
She was toasting them for thest dinner they would have at the Nightshade family, and to the moment
she could finally seek vengeance for herself and her family!
After the evening gathering dispersed, as Xanthea was about to go upstairs to rest, Oliver dragged her
to the backyard to question her, ¡°What¡¯s going on with you and Orion? You¡¯ve been fooling me until
now, but today you owe me an exnation!¡±
Having had quite a few sses of wine, Xanthea was slightly tipsy, ¡°Uncle, you¡¯ve been fooled up till
now, one more day won¡¯t make a difference. You¡¯ll find out tomorrow night.¡±
¡°You!¡± Oliver tapped her on the head, ¡°Have you gotten so used to joking around with me that you¡¯re
not scared at all?¡±
¡°Indeed, I¡¯m not afraid, because you¡¯re so nice to me. But I¡¯m telling the truth,e over tomorrow
night and you¡¯ll see, cross my heart!¡±
Xanthea raised two fingers and made a swearing gesture like a good child. Oliver shook his head,
helpless against her coquettish behavior, ¡°Alright, Ill trust you one more time.¡±
¡°By the way, your participation in the Adventure Blitz: Two Days, One Night show was a huge sess!
Combined with the broadcast of Realm of Illusions, your poprity has soared and yourmercial
value has increased rapidly. Now, there are so many film and endorsement offers pouring in, practically
piling up like a mountain at the agency. You shoulde by when you have time and pick a
Picking among
all those resources?
She had initially entered the entertainment industry to outshine Isabe and gather the evidence..
Now that she had the evidence, was there any point in continuing?
¡°Xan? Xan? Are you drunk?¡±
Xanthea nodded, ¡°A little.¡±
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¡°Then I won¡¯t say more. Tomorrow, Ryan will take you to the film set. Remember to bring a gift,
Benjamin¡¯s filming is wrapping up.¡±
¡°Sure.¡±
Realm of Illusions held special significance in her heart and created many bonds between her and
Orion. She wouldplete the final scenes well.
¡°Go rest up, tipsy kitten¡±
¡°Goodnight, Uncle¡±
Xanthea staggered up the stairs, but as she approached her room, she quickened her pace. Finally, it
was her private time!
Her phone had been damaged by ring and she needed to use her backup phone to call Orion!
But as soon as she pushed open her door with anticipation, she saw her older brother and Samuel
sitting by her bed.
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By the bed, the two men were a bit surprised to see her burst into the room, looking so lively and eager.
¡°Xan, you¡¯re so excited, huh?¡±
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¡°Ah, yeah, I am.¡± Xanthea stumbled over her words, ¡°After all, I¡¯m being proposed to tomorrow, it¡¯s a big
life event.¡±
Ethan and Samuel exchanged a nce, their expressionsplicated.
Xan was their little girl, raised from the ground up. No one understood her better than they did. They
could tell she wanted to do from her actions and what she was thinking from her expressions. But this
time, they couldn¡¯t read her.
Ever since hering¨Cof¨Cage party, they had noticed Xan had be distant from Matthew. She no
longer clung to him, seemed indifferent to conversations with him, avoided going out with him, and was
even reluctant to mention his name in front of them. Her enthusiasm from before waspletely gone,
and she treated him like a stranger.
They had thought she had grown tired of Matthew and would gradually break up with him.
Unexpectedly, when Matthew proposed today, she agreed without hesitation and even seemed
genuinely happy!
They had noticed her odd behavior at the dinner and wanted to check if she was truly willing. But the
happiness on her face when she entered the room couldn¡¯t be faked.
¡°Xan, do you really like Matthew?¡± Samuel finally asked.
¡°Yeah, I do.¡±
Xanthea threw herself onto the big bed between them, hugging a Hello Kitty at the headboard, ¡°I¡¯ve
liked him for so many years, haven¡¯t 1? Why are you still asking, Samuel?¡±
She suddenly remembered how, when she first confessed to her family that she liked Matthew, Samuel
couldn¡¯t ept it. He kept questioning if she was joking or if she was blind.
To dissuade her, he argued with her, gave her the cold shoulder, and even tried to lock her up to stop
her from
from seeing Matthew.
If only she had listened to him back then, all the tragedies wouldn¡¯t have happened. Maybe she and
Orion would have grown up together. Just thinking about it made her feel blissful.
¡°Because you¡¯ve been quite cold towards himtely.¡±
¡°H was testing him.¡±
¡°Testing? Testing what?¡±
¡°Testing his patience, and also¡¡±
The aftereffects of the red wine kicked in, and Xanthea¡¯s head felt fuzzy. The bed beneath her felt so
soft and inviting, a stark contrast
to the stiff boards in Adventure Blitz: Two Days, One Night. She was toofortable to talk; she just
wanted to sleep
¡°And what else?¡±
Seeing her evasive attitude, Samuel, feeling jealous, pinched her ear, ¡°You were so happy when you
came in, but now you¡¯re impatient with your brothers? It is true that she who marries forgets her kin.¡±
¡°Remember how you used to love it when we¡¯d stay upte talking and y games?¡±
That was a childhood pastime. Now that she was grown up, things had changed. Like havingte¨Cnight
calls with her Ori, listening to his rich, maic voice, which was even better than a midnight radio
show, and falling asleep to it was just perfect!
Thinking about it, Xanthea smiled blissfully and kissed the Hello Kitty In her hand as if it were her
beloved.
¡°Why aren¡¯t you talking? Pretending to sleep? I heard youugh¡±
Samuel pulled her closer, only to find she had really fallen asleep.
On the big bed, the young girl¡¯s sleeping face was angelic, her cheeks flushed slightly from the wine,
looking utterly adorable and melting their hearts. Samuel couldn¡¯t help but tenderly stroke her nose,
¡°She really fell asleep, little ingrate.¡±
Dan.¡±
Ethan gently brushed away the hair from her forehead, his gaze soft as water, ¡°Don¡¯t worry about
anything, don¡¯t force yourself in any way. Do whatever you want, be however you want. Your brothers
are here for you. You should be the happiest girl in the whole world.¡±
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Under a hazy night sky, where the clear moonlight danced upon the tranquil embrace of sleep, Xanthea
felt a presence whispering by her ear for what seemed like an etemity. It lingered until the break of
dawn, nting a gentle kiss upon her forehead before tucking her In and vanishing into the night.
Realm of lusions, Group B filming.
¡°Bang
The staff opened a party popper, and glittering streamers flew,nding on Benjamin Jones. Kevin Smith
walked over to congratte him. ¡®Benjamin, congrats on wrapping up!¡±
Thank you, director. It was a pleasure working with you.¡±
¡°Movie King.¡± From outside the crowd, Ryan walked over holding a bouquet of flowers. ¡°These are from
Ms. Xanthea Nightshade. She wishes you all the best on wrapping up!¡±
Benjamin took the flowers from him, his gaze softening at the sight of the vibrant sunflowers and lilies-
symbolizing victory, honor, andsting friendship.
¡°Where is she now?¡±
¡°Me. Xanthea Nightshade is with Group A and couldn¡¯t leave, so she asked me to bring the flowers.¡±
¡°Knock, knock, knock.¡±
Group A resting room.
A knock came at the door. Xanthea was reading her script and didn¡¯t even look up. ¡°Come in.¡±
Before she saw anyone, a floral scent wafted in. Curious, she put down the script and saw Benjamin in
his costume.
¡°Benjamin? It¡¯s you?¡±
¡°Congrattions on wrapping up today! Sorry, the filming schedule here is too tight, I couldn¡¯te
over myself.¡±
¡°It¡¯s okay, the thought counts.¡± Benjamin nced at the bouquet he held, ¡°I hope I didn¡¯t disturb you?¡±
¡°No, no, it¡¯s lunchtime now. Have a seat.¡±
Xanthea poured him a ss of water. Benjamin noticed the mug next to her script wasn¡¯t the one he
had given herst time, but one. that matched her handkerchief¨Cboth were gifts from Orion.
Last time, when Orion visited the set, he had subtly asserted his im, hinting at an unusual
rtionship with Xan, and Xan hadn¡¯t exined. He should have kept his distance, but he was
unwilling
It was the first time he liked someone so much, he shouldn¡¯t end it before even trying, before even
confessing.
¡°Drink some water¡± Xanthea offered, ¡°Once this series wraps up, I¡¯ll treat you to a meal!¡±
¡°Can we still have meals together?¡±
¡°Of course! Even though the series is wrapping up, we¡¯re still friends.¡± Xanthea replied looking at him in
confusion. No, it¡¯s not that it¡¯s that I don¡¯t want to continue having meals with you just as a friend.¡±
Huh?ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .
Benjamin set down his ss and looked at her seriously. ¡°Xan, actually from the first time I saw you, I
liked you.
That day at Oll hea Media, you were standing at the office door, your hair gently blown by the wind,
your bright eyes and white teeth, pure and charming, like a heroine from aic book, so beautiful that
I couldn¡¯t take my eyes off you,¡±
But it¡¯s not just your looks. Getting to know you, I¡¯ve been drawn to your personality, your genuine soul.
In the entertainment industry, Ive seen all sorts of beautiful faces and met many excellent girls, but
rarely have I encountered a pure soul.
¡°Your eyesck the scheming and ttery unique to this industry, and you don¡¯t have the usual
admiration and pretense other girls show when they see me. Being with you is pressure¨Cfree; it
inspires me, and always makes me want to smile foolishly
I¡¯ve never felt this way about anyone else. I wanted to take things slow, but..
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Chapter 322
But someone else has appeared by your side.
Benjamin paused, his eyes brimming with hope as he looked at her, ¡°Xan, could you give me a
chance?¡±
Xanthea was stunned by his s
¡°Did I scare you?¡±
Xanthea nodded.
sudden confession, ¡°Benjamin, are you joking?¡±
She¡¯d never imagined he¡¯d have feelings for her, especially since he was the famous movie king in the
industry, undoubtedly surrounded by admirers. Why would he fall for someone he just met?
Although his behavior in the elevator, like touching her head, was odd, she merely thought of him as a
friend of her uncle¡¯s, treating her like a younger family member without reading too much into it.
¡°I¡¯m sorry, so sorry!¡±
Realizing what was happening, her first reaction was to apologize to him.
Hearing her apology, the light in Benjamin¡¯s eyes dimmed, just like the bright sunlight at the door of the
resting room, quietly swallowed by the shadow that hade over
¡°Is this a rejection? Because of Orion?¡±
Although Xanthea didn¡¯t know how he guessed it, she nodded, ¡°Yeah¡±
Receiving her response, Benjamin, as if anticipating this result, couldn¡¯t help but smile bitterly, ¡°Do I not
even have a fair chance topete?¡±
Xanthea initially wanted to say that she was already with Orion, but the words changed as upied by
him. It wouldn¡¯t be fair¡±
mportant Orion was to her.
Benjamin looked at her in shock; he hadn¡¯t realized how important
But she was nght, love is inherently unfair
¡°And if he wasn¡¯t here.¡±
¡°There are no ¡°¡®ifs.¡± Xanthea shook her head, ¡°I can¡¯t imagine my world without him.¡±
they
came out, ¡°No, my whole heart is
Seeing the determination in her eyes, Benjamin felt a sense of hopelessness, knowing he had no
chance.
understand.¡±
He stood up, identally stepping on his long costume, stumbling and hitting the table, causing two
sses of water on it to spill all over his clothes.
¡°Are you okay? Your clothes are all wet¡±
Xanthea immediately pulled out some tissues and handed them to him.
Therge patches of water quickly soaked through his entire garment. Looking down at himself,
Benjamin, despite his failed confession, didn¡¯t want to leave such a messy impression on her.
¡°It¡¯s fine, I¡¯ve brought a change of clothes. May I use your fitting room?¡±
¡°Go ahead!¡±
Xanthea gestured with her hand.
Benjamin, took his clothing bag and walked into the fitting room.
¡°Whew!¡±
Xanthea watched as the curtain slowly fell, sighing and scratching her head. How did such an awkward
situation happen.
¡°Knock, knock, knock.¡±
A sudden knock on the door startled her Thinking it was Ryan, she was about to speak when she heard
a deep, maic voice ¡°Xannie, are you there?¡±
Orion?l
She immediately became alert, ncing at the fitting room and then at the door.
What timing!
Benjamin had just gone in to change, and now Orion had arrived
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Chapter 322
He must be undressing now, right? The makeshift fitting room was only separated by a curtain, not
even a door. If Orion came in and found out she wouldn¡¯t be able to exin it away!
Benjamin¡¯s previous visit to her ce for tutoring had already set Orion off, his jealousy palpable. Now,
if he were to find Benjamin changing in her dressing room, who knew what wild scenarios he¡¯d imagine!
Chapter 323
Chapter 323
He would kill her. If not her then Benjamin!
What to do? What to do?
Xanthea was frantic, like a wife to be caught cheating by her husband.
She absolutely couldn¡¯t let hime in!
Just as she was about to man over, the door creaked open, and Orion walked in, immediately noticing
the panic in her eyes. ¡°What¡¯s Wrong?¡±
¡°Ah, nothing, nothing¡±
¡°Nothing? Then why are you so quiet?¡±
1, uh, I was just sleeping and didn¡¯t hear you!¡±
Xanthea regretted her words instantly. Sleeping? She was just digging herself deeper!
¡°Uh. Orion!¡±
Before he could respond, she suddenly raised her voice, as if signaling something. In the fitting room,
Benjamin froze..
Now that Orion was here, Benjamin absolutely couldn¡¯te out!
This jealous man wouldn¡¯t spare anyone. Evenst time, with a recording as proof, he had doubted her.
Let alone this scene, which anyone would misinterpret!
was just thinking about you, and here you are! We really are connected!¡±
She happily leapt into his arms. Onon caught her with one hand, hisrge hand on her firm, round
buttocks pressing her closer. His eyes narrowedfortably. ¡°Really? You missed me so much, then
why didn¡¯t you call mest night?¡±
¡°I got drunkst night and passed out as soon as I went upstairs.¡±
¡°Drunk? With whom??
¡°Family, don¡¯t worry, nothing had happened,¡± she said, smiled sweetly, nuzzling his forehead, ¡°Orian,
I¡¯m hungry, Can we go out to eat?¡±
¡°No need, I brought food.¡±
Orion held up the food box. Xanthea was stunned, ¡°7¡±
¡°But I wanted fish today!¡±
¡°I made some.¡±
¡°Bass!¡±
¡°Yep.¡±
Xanthea: Damn, how did he anticipate all her moves?
¡°I also want coffee!¡±
¡°Cappino.¡±
¡°I only drink
¡°Espresso¡±
Xanthea: Was he a mind reader?
C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org
¡°B. but¡¡±
She stammered. Onion raised an eyebrow, seemingly amused, waiting to see what other excuses she
coulde up with.
Unable to find another excuse, Xanthea decided to use her charm.
She lowered her head slightly, pecked his thin lips, then slowly tried to deepen the kiss. Her
inexperienced but eager actions were incredibly tempting, making his breath grow heavy.
But to her surprise, Orion set the food box, pressed her against the wall, and kissed her fiercely. It was
wild and overwhelming like a beast devouring its prey, growing more intense and passionate with no
intention of stopping.
Her goal was to have him take her out to eat, not to have him devour her here!
Orion
Xanthea kept pushing against his chest, using the brief moment when he let her breathe to make her
demand, You kissed me so you have to take me out to eat!¡±
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Xanther: ¡°777¡±
Gone were the days when a mere mention of a want would have Orion hopping to it. Now she was
using all her charms to beg him, and he was still ying hard to get!
This man, who changed his face after getting what he wanted, she couldn¡¯t believe it!
¡°Orion!¡±
On tiptoes, Xanthea reached out and grabbed his tie, forcing him to lower his head and look directly
into her eyes.
The girl¡¯s face was stunningly beautiful, and at this moment, she was lightly biting her tender lips, her
eyes filled with allure, and she called him ¡°On¡± in a soft, sweet voice¨Cit was enough to melt a man¡¯s
resolve.
Onion¡¯s dark, unlit pupils brewed a storm of fierce and ruthless anger, as if he wanted to tear her apart
and swallow her piece by piece to be satisfied.
Xanthea saw the uncontroble madness in his eyes as she wished, clearly losing his rationality. She
felt a bit smug and said. ¡°Ori, let¡¯s go out to eat.¡±
Her words were cut short as Orion abruptly grabbed her chin, his narrowed, deep eyes flickering with
unclear light. ¡°Xannie is so eager to take me out. You wouldn¡¯t be hiding a man here, would you?¡±
What?!
Xanthea instantly snapped out of her smugness as she stammered loudly in guilt. ¡°How could that be?
How did he know? Was he a mind reader?!
C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org
His piercing gaze scanned her face, as if scrutinizing the truth, before slowly releasing her. ¡°You
wouldn¡¯t dare¡±
Xanthea was left reeling from his implied threat.
¡°Come on,
let¡¯s eat.
Orion opened the food box, taking out the meticulously prepared dishes. The rich aroma walted to her
nose, but Xanthea had lost her usual appetite.
She anxiously nced at the fitting room, separated by a thin curtain, then looked at Orion, who
seemed in no hurry and appeared ready to apany her for a leisurely meal,
Was he going to make Benjamin stay in the fitting room for over an hour, unable to speak or make any
noise?
Sorry, sony, Movie King!
Please bear with it a little longer, it will be over soon, just don¡¯t get caught!
She ran over, picked up the utensils, and started eating quickly, almost like a whirlwind.
¡°Slow down¡±
Orion gently wiped the corner of her mouth with his thumb. Xanthea met his deep, affectionate, yet
smoldering gaze and let out a dissatisfied hum.
¡°Hmph!¡±
a saint. Now, just watching her eat made him
When she deliberately tried to seduce him earlier, he remained calm andposed like a saint. Now,
look fired up?
¡°Why are you staring? Eat with me¡±
Onion smiled with a meaningful gaze. ¡°After you¡¯re done, then I¡¯ll eat.¡±
Xanthea: ¡°?¡±
What did he mean? Was he going on eat her leftovers? Was he trying to show vulnerability? Hmph,
she wouldn¡¯t fall for it!
¡°I¡¯m donel¡±
She put down her bowl, picked up a napkin to wipe her mouth, and stood up cheerfully pulling him.
¡°Orion, I ate too fast just now. I¡¯m so full now. Let¡¯s go for a walk to digest, yeah?¡±
Orion, amused by her transparent attempts to get him outside, replied with a hint ofughter in his
voice, ¡°We just ate; it¡¯s not good to exercise right after¡±
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¡°But I¡¯m so full, I need to digest a bit!¡±
¡°We can do some other exercise,¡±
¡°Some other exercise?¡±
Before Xanthea could ask what he meant, Orion had pulled her into his arms, firmly seating her on his
lap, and leaned in to kiss her.
¡°Mmwhat are you doing? Let me go!¡±
Xanthea turned her head in fright, pushing him away desperately.
This man is a kissing maniac! They had just kissed so passionately, and now he wanted more, as if he
could never get enough.
¡°Xannie, Xannie.
¡°Sweetheart, darling, my darling¡±
Orion didn¡¯t manage to kiss her. Instead, he buried his handsome face in her hair, indulging in her
intoxicating scent that was like rose
water.
I missed you so much, so much,¡±
His sultry breaths and overly sweet words made Xanthea blush and squirm with embarrassment.
If they were alone, it would be fine. But Benjamin was right in the fitting room, only a few feet away,
separated only by a thin curtain. The slightest sound would be noticed, and it was so embarrassing!
¡°Orion, let me go. We¡¯ve only been apart for one night. What¡¯s there to miss?¡±
¡°You heartless little thing: Orion, gripping her delicate waist and pressed her tightly against hisp, as if
trying to calm his Overwhelming desires, ¡°You promised to call mest night. Do you know how long I
waited for you?¡±
The whole night, he had tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Even when he closed his eyes, he dreamt
of her tempting allure and her struggle to endure his seduction on the sofa, tormenting him to the
extreme.
He didn¡¯t want to be apart from her for even a second. He just wanted to be with her forever.
He held her, kissed her, and now he even What was he thinking?
¨C
Xanthea looked at Orion in disbelief. What else did he want to do? Did he want to in front of Benjamin.
Ah, that was too terrifying to imagine! The thought of that scenario made her want to bang her head
against the wall!
Just when Xanthea thought she was facing the most embarrassing and tricky situation of her life, a
knock at the door came from outside.
She looked up. Was it Ryan? Was Ryan calling her for the shoot? Thank goodness! He was her savior!
Just as she was about to speak, a familiar voice rang out, ¡°Xan, are you in there?¡±All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.
At the sound of Matthew¡¯s voice, Xanthea¡¯s mind went nk, and she felt like snowkes were falling
inside her head, drifting down in front of her wide eyes for several seconds.
This couldn¡¯t be happening.
How could it be him!
Her ex outside, the current one inside, and a colleague who had just confessed to her hiding in the
fitting room. What kind of drama was this? Was it the end of the world today?!
Orion heard the voice too. He paused his actions, suppressing the intense desire in his eyes, ¡°He¡¯s
here. I hide
¡°Huh?¡±
Xanthea was too shocked to hear what he said clearly
She saw him let go of her, straighten his wrinkled suit slightly, and walk toward the makeshift dressing
room
Wait
Noll
Xanthea watched, her amber eyes widened in shock, trembling with urgency. She tried to reach out
and stop him, but it was already top
Orion lifted the curtain of the fitting room and saw Benjamin.
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¡°Xan, you¡¯re in the resting room? I¡¯ve been knocking for a while and didn¡¯t hear any response. I thought
you had gone to film.
As soon as Matthew walked in, he saw Xanthea staring at the fitting room door with a look of despair
and hopelessness?
-Why was there still no sound from inside?
She was already prepared to face the consequences bravely¡
¡°Xan? Xan? What¡¯s happening? Is there something in the fitting room?¡±
Matthew was about to walk over when she suddenly pulled him back, ¡°No, nothing, I was just getting
into character for the scene. Why are you here?¡±
¡°Oh, I came to visit the set and bring you some.¡±
Matthew was about to mention the takeout in his hands when he noticed the array of exquisite dishes
laid out on the table.
¡°You¡¯ve already eaten?¡±
¡°Yeah, I ate quite a while ago! If you don¡¯t need anything else.¡±
Matthew: ¡°Aunt sent me to take you to the Iris Garden Venue to try on the dress for tonight¡¯s proposal
ceremony
¡°Try on the dress? No need for that it¡¯s just a proposal party, and I¡¯ve got scenes to shoot this
afternoon¡±
¡°I¡¯ve already taken care of your leave.¡±
¡°What?¡± Xanthea frowned. ¡°Who gave you the right to make decisions for her!
¡°Xan, it¡¯s our big day. Let¡¯s not overwork ourselves. Mom, Dad, Aunt, and Uncle have already arrived at
Iris Garden Venue. Our friends and family from both sides will be arriving. If we go earlier, we can
entertain them.¡±
Entertain them? What a joke!
But if she didn¡¯t leave with him now, and he started to make a fuss, with two people hiding in the fitting
room, the situation would be even messier!
However, going with him wasn¡¯t much better either
There was a man in the resting room whom he had already identified as a rival, and she was going to
leave with Matthew to attend a proposal ceremony.
Just thinking about it made her feel like Orion would want to kill her a million times over.
Lord, just put her out of her misery already!
¡°Xan, let¡¯s go.¡±
At Iris Garden Venue, in the dressing room.
Reflected in the mirror was a girl in a stunning pink dress, her beauty leaving onlookers in awe.
All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.
Gabriel and Penelope walked over excitedly, bolding her hand and smiling widely, ¡°Oh¨Cmy, our Xan
looks so gorgeous, like an angel descended to Earth!¡±
¡°Angels aren¡¯t as beautiful as Xan! Matthew, you¡¯re so lucky to marry such a beautiful wife, Our
Martinez family must have done something right in a past life. Remember, you must treat her well, or
you¡¯ll have to deal with me!¡±
¡°How could I not? I adore Xan.
Matthew couldn¡¯t take his eyes off Xanthea; he was utterly mesmerized.
Seeing his lustful gaze, Miranda¡¯s eyes shed with disgust, and she spoke up as a reminder ¡°Of
course, my sister is not only beautiful but also exceptionally talented. She has so many people who
care about her. If Matt dares to let her down, no one will forgive him.¡±
Ha, exactly! Even though I¡¯m his mother, I won¡¯t forgive him first¡±
¡°Xan, do you like this dress?¡±
Susanna walked over, carefully tying a bow around her waist, her eyes brimming with the joy of seeing
her daughter bloom.
Her little girl, now so redient and lovely became even more dazzling than she had been in her youth.
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¡°Mom thinks you look beautiful in any dress, honey, so choose whatever you like.¡±
¡°Whatever, this one will do.¡±
While the people around her were beaming with joy and showering her withpliments, Xanthea¡¯s
heart was filled with anxiety and: worry, making her uninterested in the conversation
She had no idea what was happening between Orion and Elenjamin in the resting room. Would they
end up fighting? If they did,
Her hands twisted and tumed the fabric of her dress nervously, her anxiety evident, which made
Susanna curious, ¡°Xan, is something on your mind?¡±
¡°No. I¡¯m probably just tired from Milming this morning¡± She seized the opportunity to hold her head,
pretending to be dizzy, ¡°I feel a bit Fight¨Cheaded and I want to go upstairs to rest for a bit¡±
¡°Dizzy? Then I go up with you.¡±
¡°Aunt, let me do it.¡±
¡°No need!¡± Xanthea quickly refused, just want to be alone for a bit. I¡¯lle down when the party
starts. You guys go ahead and continue with your makeup.¡±
¡°Then take care of yourself¡±
Xanthea ran upstairs, finally having time to call Orion
¡°Sorry, the number you¡¯ve dialed is currently busy.¡±
But after three attempts, there was still no answer
Oh no, oh no, he was not even answering his phone. This was a sign of an impending storm!
What to do? What to do?
She was on pins and needles, with countless terrifying scenarios shing through her mind. And as
luck would have it, the doorbell rang at that moment
¡°Who is 117¡±
All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.
¡°I said not to disturb me, I wanted to be alone to¡
She imitably opened the door, only to see a tall,
II,manding figure of a man
His darkshes slightly veiled his eyes, hiding the depth of his gaze. His whole aura exuded a chilling,
hellish intensity.
¡°To terrifying!¡±
Xanthea¡¯s voice changed with fright. She wanted to close the door, but the man forced his way in,
picked her up, and mmed the door shut
¡°Orion, Onion, listen to me, its all a misunderstanding, um
Downstairs at Iris Garden Venue, guests were arriving in droves, chatting andughing continuously,
sounding as if they were right next door, visible with just a pull of the curtain,
Xanthea¡¯s dress was torn apart, and she was pressed against therge floor¨Cto¨Cceiling window,
listening to the menacing questions from the man behind her, ¡°Xanthea, you¡¯re quite bold to actually
hide someone in the resting room, huh?¡±
As he spoke, he bit her corbone. His sharp teeth pressed against her smooth, fair skin. He didn¡¯t bite
through her skin, but Xanthea was nheless terrified, thinking he was going to bite her to death, her
whole body trembled.
¡°It¡¯s not like that! I didn¡¯t hide Benjamin. He identally spilled something on his shirt and went to the
fitting room to change. But just as he went in, you came in. I didn¡¯t let hime out because I was
afraid you¡¯d misunderstand. It¡¯s not what you think!¡±
¡°Oh?¡±
Onion raised an eyebrow, his tone skeptical, ¡°So, it was all a misunderstanding?¡±
¡°Yes, yes, yes!¡± Xanthea nodded vigorously, a picture of innocence and honesty, ¡°You misunderstood,
you really misunderstood!¡± ¡°Anything else?¡±
¡®No.¡®
Think carefully before you speak
The man¡¯s teeth inched closer threateningly, and Xanthea hurriedly confessed, ¡°Yes, yes, I remember
something more!
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Benjamin, he confessed to me
As Xanthea finished speaking, she could clearly feel the sharp teeth pressing against her corbone,
as if they were ready to pierce her skin and suck her blood at any moment.
¡°Really?¡± The man¡¯s voice was deep and eerie, filled with hidden anger, ¡°My darling is so popr. Are
you happy about it?¡±
¡°Not happy, not happy, I¡¯m not happy at all
How could that be? Xannie, didn¡¯t you like him? You remember everything about him and praise him
endlessly.¡±
Who? Who likes him? Xanthea was utterly confused, not knowing what he was talking about ¡°And
when did I remember everything about him and praise him endlessly?¡±
¡°Forgotten?¡±
Orion snorted coldly and helped her recall.
¡°Handsome and talented, with fifty million Twitter followers, a legend in the film industry who has won
Best Actor and achieved the miracle of surpassing five billion in box office revenue¨CMovie King,
Benjamin. Not only is he gentlemanly and considerate, but he is also particrly handsome and
responsible¡±
¡°All these were the very words you told me.¡±
He recited every word without missing a beat, and Xanthea had a faint recollection.
Wasn¡¯t this something she had casually said after getting into his car while being chased by fans? He
remembered all of it, word for word, until now. Was this guy really the reincarnation of jealousy?
¡°Those were just polite remarks. Besides, even if he¡¯s great, he¡¯s not better than you, not as handsome
as you. I like you, not him.¡±
Xanthea med to sweet¨Ctalk him, but upon hearing her words, he suddenly looked up, shooting a
piercingly sharp look, ¡°If I wasn¡¯t as good as him, not as handsome, you wouldn¡¯t like me?¡±
Xanthea But you are.
¡°Or if I weren¡¯t here, you¡¯d choose him?¡±
Xanthea What a ridiculous assumption. He sounded like a jealous, irrational woman!
1 spe
She didn¡¯t respond for a long time, and Orion¡¯s eyes darkened further. He bit her hard.
¡°AM¡±
The sharp pain on her fair, tender skin felt as if she was being eaten alive, scaring her to the point of
almost crying.
¡°No, no! Even if you were uglier than him, dumber than him, I¡¯d still only like you, only you!¡±
¡°If you weren¡¯t here, I would live alone forever! Forever alone, okay? Boo hoo hoo.¡±
She yelled desperately, but then a clear maic, joyfulugh filled the air,ced with amusement. It
was a pleasant sound.
Xanthea slowly stopped crying and looked at him curiously, ¡°7¡±All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.
THE
Onon lifted his head from her soft, fragrant embrace, gently caressing her bright and beautiful little face
as if admiring a rare treasure. His gaze was deep, and his tone impossibly soft, ¡°I heard everything
from outside.¡±
¡°Hun?¡±
Xanthe paused, then it clicked.
Outside? Hear what? In the resting room? Benjamin¡¯s confession, the spilt water, and asking to use her
fitting room¨Che heard it all?
Then why did he¡¡
A flush of anger spread across Xanthea¡¯s eyes, making her already luminous amber eyes even more
vivid and enticing
Just as she was about to explode, Onon couldn¡¯t resist and kissed her.
¡°Mmm. Orion, you hat, you scoundrell
¡°How dare you kiss me, let me go, let me go!¡±
¡°Baby, my sweet baby.¡±
Orion held her light ignoring her attempts to escape. His hot, fervent kissesnded on her hair
forehead, and cheeks, igniting a fire as intense as his own crazed infatuation.
heard all your answers. Are they true?
Gutside the resting room, he had heard Benjamin¡¯s question and her answer, and the answers had
filled him with extreme joy.
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Xanthea ¡°It¡¯s fake!¡±
¡°So am I. My whole heart is upied by you my world cannot be without you.
You¡¯re mine, my sweetheart my treasure, the love of my life forever and ever.¡±
Xanthea senously suspected that he was lost in his own fantasies, not even feeling the pain when she
stepped on his foot.
¡°Onion, you deliberately yed with me, tricked me, and made me anxious and fearful all aftemoon.
Don¡¯t think you can get away with
¡°What do you want then, Xannie?
Onion slightly loosened his grip on her, his face beaming with joy, looking incredibly handsome. His
deep, smiling eyes seemed willing to do anything for her, even plucking stars from the sky.
This wicked Sly Fox was getting more and more outrageous!
She couldn¡¯t let herself be fooled by his good looks and sweet words again. She had to punish him
severely!
¡°I¡¯m going to punish you!
Xanthea clenched her fists, her eyes zing with fury, looking like an adorable, puffed¨Cup little fox,
which made him want to ruffle her
Onon chuckled and patted her head, ¡°Alright, how do you want to punish me?¡±
He had power wealth, and youth, with seemingly endless energy. It seemed like no punishment would
be enough
Was there something he liked a lot was truly passionate about, but couldn¡¯t control. Got it!
Xanthea smirked, ¡°I¡¯ll punish you by not allowing you to hug or kiss me for a week! No, make it a month
At that the man¡¯s expression froze, as if she had hit his weak spot.
Just as Kanthea was feeling smug about catching him off guard, he nced at her with a meaningful
look, ¡°if we do it directly, wouldn¡¯t that be too painful?¡±
¡°Huh? Directly?¡±
Xanthea looked at him puzzled, seeing the lurking desire in his eyes. Her face turned beet red and she
angrily hit him, ¡°You pervert you scoundrell What are you thinking?¡±
Onion pulled her into his embrace, hisughter clear and pleasant, Tm not going against Xannie¡¯s
punishment.¡±
¡°As if I¡¯d know your thoughts are so lewd! I¡¯m changing it. For a month, you¡¯re not allowed to touch me!¡±
¡°Let¡¯s make it something practical¡±
¡°What? Xanthes frowned, infuriated, ¡°Excuse me, I¡¯m the one punishing you here, you don¡¯t get to
negotiate¡±
¡°You agree?
¡°I can agree, but Xannie should think it through.¡±
¡°Whats there to think about? I can¡¯t wait!¡±
Just as she finished speaking, he added seriously. ¡°Can Xannie handle it after a month?¡±
His senous and earnest reminder sent a chill down Xanthea¡¯s spine. She imagined a starved Sly Fox,
eyes glowing green, pourcing ferociously at her. It was downright terrifying
Wouldn¡¯t that leave nothing but bones?
¡°You bastard, scoundrel¡±
In a fit of helpless rage, she bit his shoulder only to hear him let out a satisfied him, *?¡±
Orion, do you even realize what you did wrong? Do you know how tense and embarrassed I was in the
resting room today? Especially when
All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.
Wait!
He knew Benjamin was in the fitting room and still kissed and hugged her, saying all those mushy
things.
Were you doing it on purpose in the resting room today?!¡±
Chapter 329
Stop ying dumb
¡°Kissing my girlfriend is only natural.¡±
¡°But Benjamin was there. He¡¯s an outsider. How awkward must it have been for him to hear that.¡±
Who asked him to covet my girlfriend?¡±
Orion¡¯s gaze suddenly tumed sharp, and Xanthea realized it was all intentional.
He did it on purpose a direct hit to the heart!
¡°He didn¡¯t know about us, and I already turned him down. You two didn¡¯t have any conflicts in the fitting
room, did you?¡±
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¡°No.¡±
¡°Phew¡± Xanthea let out a sigh of relief, ¡°Thank goodness.¡±
¡°He was heartbroken, and I evenforted him.
Xanthea ¡°What?¡± He must be kidding: not only did he break his heart, but he also tormented him!
¡°How did youfort him?!¡±
Orion spoke with a casual tone, ¡°I said that he would get used to it.¡±
Xanthea desperately covered her eyes. It was all over, not only would they not be friends, but they
wouldn¡¯t even be acquaintances anymore. How could she have such a heartless and malicious
boyfriend!
¡°Xan, you feeling better? The party¡¯s about to start?
Outside, Susanna¡¯s voice made startled Xanthea, and she quickly pulled away from Orion, ¡°Uh. I just
woke up. Give me a moment to pull myself together.¡±
Wright, Mom will wait for you outside¡±
¡°No need, you go ahead. Il be right down!¡±
¡°Can we have another kiss?¡±
Orion held her face gently, his deep, dark eyes slowly clouding over again. As he leaned in to capture
her soft lips, she pushed him away mercilessly. ¡°Kiss? Look at this.¡±
She pointed at a fresh and bright hickey on her corbone and used him, ¡°What should I do about
this? People will definitely see it when I go out!¡±
¡°And you tore my dress,¡± As she said this, she red at him, both embarrassed and puzzled, ¡°Why did
you tear my really jealous?
dress if you
you weren¡¯t
¡°Who told you I wasn¡¯t jealous?¡±
Onion looked up, and Xanthea caught a fleeting glimpse of jealousy, making her pause. ¡°Didn¡¯t you
hear everything?¡±
¡°I don¡¯t want you looking so stunning for Matthew.¡±
Xanthea: So it was jealous of Matthew
He had agreed to let her attend the proposal party, and now he was regretting it out of jealousy. What a
contradictory and awkward man, yet so adorable.
¡°So I have a few more dresses in the closet. I¡¯ll take them out for you to choose?¡±
¡°Okay¡±
Xanthea pulled out a soft and sweet yellow ball gown, ¡°How about this one?¡±
¡°The neckline is too low¡±
¡°How about this one, a rose¨Cdyed blue dress?¡±
Too tight¨Cfitting¡±
This onel A high¨Cnecked, elegant French dress, both dignified and elegant, and not tight¨Cfitting!¡±
¡°The sleeves are see¨Cthrough.¡±
¡°Are they?¡±
Xanthea looked confused. It did seem a bit see¨Cthrough, but only the sleeves. The rest was fully
covered
He was being overly cautious
She took out several more dresses, but all were rejected by him for various reasons, making her so
angry that she threw them all aside.
¡°Are you doing this on purpose?¡±
*This one isn¡¯t good, that one isn¡¯t good. I might as well go naked.¡±
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Orion¡¯s deep, dark eyes narrowed instantly, staring at her seductive pose on the bed, and he slowly
unbuttoned his suit
¡°What are you doing?¡°.
Xanthen seeing him about to shed his gentlemanly facade and reveal his true colors, jumped up from
the bed,
was joking, joking!¡±
Chapter 330
¡°The party is about to start, don¡¯t do anything crazy ah-¡±
A shadow loomed over her, and she thought he was about to pounce on her, but he simply draped his
suit jacket over her.
Orion lowered his eyes and carefully buttened the jacket.
to go out in this do you?
Seeing this, Xanthea asked in confusion, ¡°You don¡¯t expect me to go out in this, do you?
¡°Don¡¯t
I do.¡±
you like it?¡±
It was just a bit too radical.
Wearing his suit jacket to a proposal party, with her tom dress and hickeys underneath. Just thought of
it
¡°But if I wear this, what will you Near, wait¡±
She suddenly realized a critical issue. How did he get up here?
The ins Garden Venue was filled with friends and family from both the Nightshade and Martinez
families. In the makeup room just a flight of stairs away were Matthew and Miranda, and the door
wasn¡¯t closed. How did he get into her room unnoticed, and how did he know she was here?
Orion straightened his suit, as if reading her mind, ¡°Matthew¡¯s assistant let me in.¡±
Matthew¡¯s assistant?
That sentence camed a lot of information.
Did he bribe Matthew¡¯s assistant? Surely, it wasn¡¯t just to lead him up here. Such an important position
had his influence already reached Into the Martinez Group? Was he already nning to
Xanthea¡¯s eyes widened in shock, but Orion¡¯s calm gaze already gave her the answer.
¡°Xannie, you weren¡¯t just nning an calling off the engagement, were you?¡±
No
The Martinez Group was built by Matthew using her, exploiting her and draining the Nightshade Group.
She had nned to break off the engagement and then join forces with Samuel to crush the Martinez
Group under both public and economic pressure.
But he had beaten her to it
He was always there, quietly nning and solving everything for her behind the scenes.
Before he could continue, Xanthea tiptoed and kissed his lips
Orion¡¯s pupils trembled slightly. Just as he was about to hold the back of her head to deepen the kiss,
Xanthea pushed him away and ran out the door.
Before leaving, she even licked his Adam¡¯s apple, as if trying to steal his soul.
Orion¡¯s Adam¡¯s apple bobbed, desire surging, and his eyes zed as he watched her retreating figure.
That little vixen, he should¡¯ve given her a proper lesson just now!
Xanthea, like a sneaky little fox, happily ran out and bumped into Susanna.
¡°Mom!¡±
¡°Xan, why are you wearing a suit?¡±
¡°Un it¡¯s thetest boyfriend style, you know, wearing a suit over a dress. It¡¯s perfect for a proposal
scene!¡±
¡°Is that so?¡± Susanna looked her up and down, ¡°The suit does look good, is it Samuel¡¯s?¡±
¡°Ah, yes.¡±
¡°I thought it smelled familiar, but it looks much bigger on you.¡±
Xanthea scratched her head quiltily. It wasn¡¯t just looking bigger, it was indeed much bigger than
Samuel¡¯s
¡°Alright, the party¡¯s started. Lets go together¡±
¡°Okay¡±
Chapter 331
Chapter 331
As night fell, Ins Garden Venue was bustling with people, filled with the fragrance of perfumes and the
glitter of elegant attire. Bright lights illuminated the hall filled with hundreds of rtives and friends from
the Nightshade and Martinez families, shareholders, andpanions
Laughter and lively conversations filled the air, as guests chatted, clinking their sses in toasts,
commenting on the romantic decorations of fresh flowers, colorful ribbons, and heart¨Cshaped candles
around them, ¡°I wonder what the big news is today that brought us all here today!¡±
¡°Everyone here is either a rtive or friend of the Nightshade and Martinez families. It must be
something rted to a marriage. Auntie said there would be a surprise, so let¡¯s just wait and seel¡±
¡°Matt has been standing on the stage for quite a while. Why isn¡¯t Xan here yet?¡®Suddenly, a song
yed in the hall, and a violin ensemble started to perform melodiously. Colorful balloons floated up,
and therge LED screen on stage disyed a series of romantic and beautiful scenes.
There were including blessings from strangers, group photos of the Nightshade and Martinez families
together, and heartfelt derations of love.
The nner handed Matthew a bouquet of bright roses, who took it excitedly and walked to the
microphone, ¡°Good evening,dies and gentlemen, family and friends! The reason we¡¯ve all gathered
here tonight is to share a moment very dear to me, and I¡¯d like you all to witness¡
With the music, flowers, and his words, everyone understood what was happening¨Ca proposal!
¡°I would like to formally propose to Xan!¡±
As Matthew finished speaking, Xanthea descended the spiral staircase.
She was draped in a suit jacket, wearing a pink floor¨Clength gown that perfectly entuated her figure.
Her stunning beauty elicited spontaneous apuse from everyone present.
¡°Xan looks gorgeous; Matt¡¯s a lucky guy!¡±
¡°Ms. Nightshade has be even more radiant and beautiful than before!¡±
?? ? ?? * ? ??? ???? ? ? ¡ª
In the front row Gabriel and Penelope were grinning ear to ear as they watched Xanthea. They had
been waiting for this moment for so long, and now Matthew was finally going to marry Xanthea!
The Martinez family not only had a beautiful daughter¨Cinw but also the Martinez Group and
Nightshade Group would officially unite. With the Nightshade Group¡¯s support, the Martinez Group
would no longer worry about financing, stock prices, or operations. And Matthew would also never be
mocked for his humble origins in high society.
Miranda pped with a bright smile, though her eyes betrayed mockery and disdain.
My dear sister, you must feel so happy and content right now, finally about to marry the man you¡¯ve
loved for all these years.
Too bad your man has already slept with me!
And your nightmare is just beginning. I will use any means necessary to destroy your marriage, your
family, and everything you hold dear. Just you wait and see!
¡°Xan has finally grown up and is getting married.
Susanna, despite being mentally prepared, couldn¡¯t help but tear up at this moment. Christopher smiled
and patted her back. ¡°This is a happy asion, why the tears? Xan has loved Matthew for so many
years. Marrying him is her heart¡¯s desire fulfilled.¡±
¡°Matthew and Xan are a perfect match, truly a beautiful couple!¡±
¡°Absolutely! After all these years of friendship and love, their rtionship is truly enviable!¡±
C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org
¡°Indeed, and now it¡¯s alling to fruition.¡±
Amidst the continuous blessings and apuse, only Oliver felt restless, unable to sit still.
Chapter 332
Chapter 332
What exactly is Xan going to do?
Saying ¡°yes¡± to Matthew¡¯s proposal at the engagement ceremony. It would be as good as an official
announcement. Backing out afterward would be impossible without irreparably damaging both her
personal reputation and that of the Nightshade Group.
In thevish banquet hall adorned with the beautiful roses and the floating balloons. The scene she had
fantasized about countless times in her previous life was now bing reality. However, the moment
her high heels touched the red carpet, it felt as though she were stepping into a pool of blood.
Just the day before their engagement, she had caught Matthew and Miranda in the act of betrayal.
They had joined forces to push her off a high¨Crise building, leading to her untimely death.
Her mother, upon hearing the tragic news, was heartbroken and fell gravely ill. Her elder brother,
Samuel, had to travel abroad seeking medical solutions, while her father remained in the dark, unaware
as their family assets wem slowly drained away.
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Since her death, Samuel hadn¡¯t slept a wink. On his way to thepany to salvage what he could, he
died in a car crash that seemed more like a suicide attempt
In a single night, the Nightshade Group was destroyed, and the family was left in ruins, with no hope of
recovery.
She hated Matthew and Miranda with every fiber of her being!
Tears of burning intensity welled up in Xanthea¡¯s eyes as she clenched theer of her suit.
As the gears of fate aligned them once more, this time, the oue would be entirely different
Now, with her dad, mom, and brother Samuel alive and herself well and having Onion by her side, she
would use all her strength to protect and stay with them.
From behind the crowd, Samuel, who was on the verge of tears, patted Ethan¡¯s shoulder, forcing a
smile. It was unclear whether he wasforting Ethan or himself.
¡°Alright, big bro, don¡¯t be sad
¡°Even though Matthew isn¡¯t much in every respect and isn¡¯t good enough for Xan, if that¡¯s who she
likes.¡±
¡°As long as she¡¯s happy, that¡¯s all that matters.¡±
¡°To put it another way, marrying Matthew might actually be good. At least she¡¯d stay close to home,
under our eyes.
If she were to marry someone powerful and influential, like Orion, she¡¯d definitely be taken away, and
we wouldn¡¯t see her as often.¡±
As Samuel spoke, he slightly lifted his head to hold back his tears. When he looked up to the top of the
hall, he noticed a shadowy figure stood in the darkened balcony.
The figure was tall and imposing, standing there with amanding presence, his gaze sweeping over
the room like a regal king overseeing his domain.
Orion?
Why was he here?
Had he actuallye to witness his sister¡¯s engagement ceremony?
That must be some form of self¨Ctorture
Xanthea lifted her long gown and walked step by step onto the stage.
Matthew, holding a bouquet of roses, knelt before her excitedly. ¡°Xan, known each other since we were
kids. We¡¯ve faced the storms of life together for over a decade, and in all these years.¡±
1 never would¡¯ve thought that the famous CEO of Lockwood Group would be so devoted to his love, so
much so that he had not only joined a reality show with her but alsoe to her engagement
ceremony to torture himself.¡±
Samuel¡¯s teasing voicee from behind, and Orion¡¯s darkshes lowered slightly, ¡°She¡¯s worth it.¡±
Hearing this, Samuel¡¯s body trembled as if struck by something. His eyes lit up.
Yes, Xan was worth it!
She deserved the best of everything, the most exceptional person!
From childhood to now, he had always believed this.
People around him always said he was overly protective to his sister, that he idolized her too much. No
one truly understood him.
But with just one sentence, Orion had spoken to his heart.
He was indeed a rare kindred spint, he understanding just how wonderful Xan was!.
Chapter 333
Chapter 333
For a moment, Samuel felt their distance had noticeably closed, and he couldn¡¯t help but empathize,
¡°You shouldn¡¯t be too upset either.¡± ¡°Although Xan is the best in the world, with your qualities, you could
easily find another outstanding girl to get by with.¡±
Orion looked at him, ¡°I don¡¯t like to get by.¡±
¡°Then you have a good vision and strong principlest
Samuel suddenly saw him in a new light, feeling a sense of regret for not meeting him sooner.
¡°Unfortunately, you met Xan toote. She¡¯s about to get married.¡±
Orion¡¯s expression faltered slightly, and Samuel seemed to realize something, his gaze sweeping over
him.
¡°Honestly, I don¡¯t like Matthew at all. He¡¯s foolish, cowardly, with all the wrong intentions. He¡¯s
unambitious, and from top to bottom.. inside and out, there¡¯s nothing about him that matches Xan. Well,
I shouldn¡¯t say that. In my eyes, no man on this Earth good enough
for Xan.
Did his words just now have negative implications?
Orion had already lost his love, and now he had to watch Xan agree to marry someone else. Hearing
such words must be incredibly heartbreaking
It¡¯s truly a scene that would make anyone cry.
Considering Onion had once gifted him an expensive golf club and perfume, Samuel decided to offer
somefort, albeit against his better conscience, If it were you, you might just be enough to match
her.¡±
¡°Really?¡± Orion¡¯s brows lifted slightly.
Samuel nodded. ¡°Really!¡±
After all, no matter what he said, Xan couldn¡¯t possibly marry him. Why not offer him some
constion?
¡°No takebacks¡±
Orion smiled and gently pressed his phone.
¡°What¡¯s there to take back? Xan couldn¡¯t possibly¡ wait a minute!¡±
Suddenly, he realized something was off. He nced at Orion, then at Xan on the stage below.
The suit jacket Xan was wearing¨Cwhy did it look like his?
¡°Xan, about ten years ago, I liked you. Ten yearster, I¡¯ve truly fallen in love with you. In the days to
come, you will be the only one in my eyes, in my heart¡±
Matthews long confession moved the quests in the banquet hall. Many friends and family members
were already discreetly wiping away tears
Then, with a ¡®zzzt, the LED screen on the stage flickered with static, distorting the warm and romantic
scene.
Just as the audience thought there was another surprise in store, and eagerly looked fowards the
screen, they saw a shocking video of a man and a woman embracing, naked and entangled on a hotel
bed!
And the protagonists of this video were none other than Matthew, who was proposing on stage, and the
adopted daughter of the Nightshade family, Xanthea¡¯s sister¨CMiranda!
Someone screamed in horror and soon the entire banquet hall was in an uproar, with everyone looking
shocked and appalled.
¡°What is this?
¡°My God! Matthew and Miranda?¡±
¡°Ane my eyes deceiving me? This is absolutely outrageous, to the extreme!¡±
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Gabriel, Penelope, Christopher, and Susanna stood up the moment they saw the video, their faces pale
and filled with disbelief.
This can¡¯t be real!¡±
Everyone could doubt the authenticity of the video, everyone except Susanna
Chapter 334
Chapter 334
On the first day she brought Miranda home after adopting her, while helping her bathe, she noticed an
oval¨Cshaped birthmark on Mirenda¡¯s chest. Now, it was unmistakably clear before her eyes, making her
feel dizzy and almost faint.
¡°Ah-
Miranda was caught off guard by the sudden video, her face losing color as she screamed in shock.
The ss of red wine in her hand spilled all over herself, making her tremble uncontrobly
The video, the video. Where did that ite from?
This wasn¡¯t the one she had recorded! It wasn¡¯t the one she had recorded!
Someone was framing her; sonteone was out to get her!!
¡°Matt, you and Miny¡ how could you?¡±
Following everyone¡¯s gaze, Xanthea looked curiously at the LED screen and saw the scandalous,
obscene video. She immediately covered her mouth, disbelief and heartbreak evident, and copsed
on the stage.
The microphone captured her heart¨Cwrenching sobs, resonating throughout the entire banquet hall,
¡°You slept with Mirry!¡±
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why? Why w
would you do this?! One is the love of my life, and the other is the sister I cherished the most. Why
would you betray me like this?
¡°Have you been deceiving me all these years, cheating behind my back?¡±
¡°You, you all, and the Martinez family, what am I to you? I don¡¯t want to live anymore, I just can¡¯t¡±
¡°Xan, what are you talking about?¡±
Matthew, who had been lost in his confession, finally turned to see the explicit scene on the screen.
Instantly, his pupils dted, and his face turned ghostly pale, as if he had just been struck by frost.
This video¡ How did it get yed?
Miranda! It had to be Miranda! She did this to con in him!
¡°No, no, no, this isn¡¯t real; this isn¡¯t real!¡±
His brain couldn¡¯t process anything, and he could only mechanically wave his hands at the everyone,
repeating. ¡°This video is fake, fake! Someone deliberately edited it to ruin my wedding with Xan!¡±
¡°Don¡¯t believe it, please don¡¯t believe it!¡±
¡°Bang!¡±
Unfortunately, Ethan had already rushed onto the stage and punched him hard in the face.
In the hall, all the rtives and friends swarmed up tofort and console Xanthea, while cursing at
Matthew.
¡°Matthew, you bastard! Do you know how good Xan is, how much she loves you? How dare you cheat
her with that shameless slut, you¡¯re despicable!¡±
Don¡¯t waste your breath on this scum! Let me handle him!¡±
¡°Matthew, the pain you¡¯ve caused Xan today, the humiliation you¡¯ve brought to the Nightshade Group,
I¡¯ll make sure you and the Martinez Group pay back a thousand times over!¡±
At the balcony, Samuel was just about to ask Orion if the suit Xanthea was wearing belonged to him
when he saw the screen downstairs
Instantly, his face turned livid, his eyes filled with fury, and his pupils seemed to turn blood¨Cred
¡°Beast, you¡¯re courting death!¡±
His fists clenched with a cracking sound, and he rushed down the stairs like the wind, his furious gaze
seeming as if he was truly going to kill someone.
Chapter 335
Chapter 335
¡°Listen to me, just let me exin!¡±
Matthew trembled under the of the crowd, even his swollen lips twitching uncontrobly. ¡°It¡¯s not
what you think.¡±
¡°Matthew, I¡¯m gonna kill you!*
Samuel charged through the crowd, grabbed Matthew by the cor, and swung his fist heavily.
His veins bulged with each punch, his furious demeanor resembling a madman. Matthew¡¯s face
became a bloody mess, his teeth flying out with stters of blood. The sight nearly made Miranda
copse in fear.
¡°Stop, please stop!¡±
¡°He can¡¯t take anymore, he¡¯ll die¡±
¡°Mr. Samuel Nightshade, please, show some mercy. Lot¡¯s talk this out¡±
Gabriel and Penelope cried and begged as they rushed to intervene, while the other rtives and
shareholders of the Martinez family. retreated in fear, trying to distance themselves. Matthew¡¯s betrayal
of Ms. Nightshade with his stepsister hadpletely enraged the Nightshade family!
The Nightshade family would never forgive him; they just hoped they wouldn¡¯t be caught in the fallout!
Samuel, who adored Xanthea beyond measure, and had once beaten up street thugs just for bothering
her. Now, having seen the video, he might actually kill Matthew, and possibly even her
Miranda¡¯s face tumed pale. Taking advantage of everyone¡¯s attention being focused on Matthew, she
tried to run toward the exit with shaky legs.
But just as she reached the door two men in ck suits and sunsses blocked her path.
¡°Ms. Moore, where am you going?¡±
¡°Who are you?
¡°Why are you grabbing me? Let go of me, let go of me!¡±
The bodyguards ignored her protests and dragged her back towards the stage. Her terrified screams
drew everyone¡¯s attention. ¡°Miranda, the Nightshade family has raised and protected you. The elders
treated you as one of their own, and Xan cherished you like a sister. How could you do something so
despicable and inhumane? Do you have no heart?¡±
¡°A lowlife will always be a lowlife, even if it was adopted by the phoenixes, it can¡¯t change its naturel¡±
¡°Sister, no, Miranda! When we went to the orphanage to find apanion, we didn¡¯t even notice you at
first. Do you remember how you knelt in front of Xan, battered and bruised, begging her to take you in?
You sobbed about how miserable you were, how you couldn¡¯t survive anymore. If she hadn¡¯t softened
and adopted you, could you have the status and sess you have today? Not only are you ungrateful,
but you also repay kindness with treachery. How heartless can you bel
¡°Miranda, why? Just why?¡±
Miranda was thrown onto the stage by the bodyguards like a piece of trash, her hair disheveled and
clothes askew. She looked around at the crowd, who seemed ready to drown her in their rage, and she
trembled like a falling leaf.
¡°No, no, it wasn¡¯t me.¡±
¡°I didn¡¯t¡±
She wanted to deny it, to argue back, but the high¨Cdefinition cameras had captured her face and
birthmarks clearly. Even if others didn¡¯t recognize it, her parents would.
Samuel saw her and slowly released Matthew. His bloodshot eyes resembled those of a predatory
beast ready to devour its prey.
After dealing with Matthew, it was her turn.
Ahher
She suddenly screamed loudly, as if dryen mad by fear, and threw herself at Christopher and Susanna,
walling and sobbing. ¡°Dad! Mom! I¡¯m sorry, I didn¡¯t mean it. It was all Matthew, he coerced me!¡±
As she spoke, her eyes filled with haired as she pointed at Matthew it was him; it was him! He always
had bad intentions towards me, he drugged me, and took me to the hotel when I was drunk. I wanted to
escape but I couldn¡¯t.¡±
You vile cresture, you deceitful and shameless whorel
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She climbed into his bed, recorded this video, ruined his proposal, destroyed his reputation, and
shattered his life.
Now, she had the nerve to tum on him!
He wanted to tear her apart!
Matthew, beaten to the point of dizziness by Samuel, struggled to his feet.
Chapter 336
Chapter 336
Matthew¡¯s face was twisted with rage and covered in blood, charging at Miranda like a wild beast. He
wrapped his hands around her neck and squeezed with all his strength ¡°Bitch! Die, you bitch!¡±
¡°Help, someone, please.¡±
Miranda¡¯s face turned a ghastly shade of blue, her eyes bulging as she struggled desperately, but the
onlookers merely watched with cold indifference, no one stepping forward to save her
Just as Miranda beneath Him was about to suffocate, Matthew released his grip. She
e tried to flee, only to be brutally shoved down the stairs by him
The steps of the Iris Garden Venue stretched over thirty feet, and Miranda tumbled down, crashing
heavily onto the floor in the middle of the hall, her clothes in tatters and lying motionless as if lifeless.
The crowd gasped in shock.
Xanthea gasped too, her amber eyes welling up with tears as if scared by the brutal scene
That¡¯s so scary.
¡°Xan, don¡¯t be scared!¡±
¡°They¡¯re just biting each other back. They got what they deserved!¡±
¡°Mhm¡±
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Xanthea snuggled into the embrace of her aunts, hiding the smile that she couldn¡¯t suppress.
It felt so good!
In her previous life, watching them push her down the stairs filled her with hatred. Now, seeing them
tum on each other and fight to the death was utterly satisfying!
From the balcony, Onion watched the cunning little fox in the crowd, her performance so vivid it was as
if a few fluffy tails were wagging proudly behind her. She was adorable. Amused, a soft smile touched
his dark eyes.
¡°Xan, Xan, believe me, it was Miranda who framed me!¡±
¡°1 don¡¯t love her, not at all. My heart belongs only to you, only you.¡±
After shoving Miranda down the stairs, Matthew, like a beaten dog, crawled to Xanthea¡¯s feet begging
for forgiveness.
Xanthea frowned in disgust as his bloodied, dirty hands reached for her skirt.
With a loud ¡°thump, he was kicked down the steps again, prompting another round of gasps from the
onlookers.
Xanthea had been pretending before, but now she was genuinely startled.
She turned her head and saw Orion?
When did he get here?
¡°Serves them night! Those deceitful, shameless dogs!¡±
¡°Someone gets these filthy creatures out of here. They¡¯re an eyesore
The crowd pointed and jeered at Matthew and Miranda at the foot of the steps.
Orion approached the frightened girl, his longshes casting shadows over his gentle expression, ¡°Are
you happy now?¡±
Yes, yes, yes!
Happier than ever! Second only to the day they made their rtionship official!
Xanthea nodded eagerly, her fingertips hidden in the long sleeves of her coat, lightly tapping his hand.
Before she knew it, he had grasped her hand firmly.
Started, she instinctively tried to pull away but couldn¡¯t
Xanthea widened her boght eyes at him, seeing the mischievous glint in his dark eyes.
He seemed to enjoy teasing her in public, taking pleasure in her evident nervousness.
This recall He was intentional, knowing she couldn¡¯t reveal their rtionship here!
Cousin, say something about this disgraceful pair.
Phylica Nightshade suddenly tuned around and noticed what was happening
Chapter336
Xanthea tensed, fearing she would shout it out loud. To her surprise, Phyllis did shout, but covered her
mouth in shock, eximing, ¡°Oh my god¨Cwhat a handsome man!¡±
Xanthea: Damn it, this family¡¯s cursed gic trait of being suckers for good looks!
¡°How could this happen?¡±
One was the adopted daughter she had raised, and the other, a son¨Cinw she had watched grow up.
They were as close as family; how could they betray Xan in such a vile manner!
Susanna looked at Matthew and Miranda lying on the ground, feeling both furious and heartbroken.
Ovee with anger and heartbreak, she felt the world spin and fainted.
¡°Mom! What¡¯s wrong with you?¡±
¡°Susanna, wake up!¡±
¡°Auntie Auntie!¡±
Mom-
Xanthea rushed over in a panic, and Ethan picked her up, ¡°Quick, get Dr Alex¡±
Chapter 337
Chapter 337
¡°Mom, wake up, please wake up!¡±
¡°Don¡¯t let anything happen to you, please.¡±
In the hospital room, Xanthea clutched Susanna¡¯s hand tightly, her eyes brimming with tears, sobbing
uncontrobly.
She remembered in her past life, her mother had fainted upon hearing the news of her death and never
woke up again.
Her elder brother had searched all over the country for renowned doctors, but no matter how famous
the doctor or advanced the technology, they couldn¡¯t diagnose her condition or wake her up. She
remained like a living dead.
She thought that by changing the oue in this life, everything would be different, but..
The guests at the Ins Garden Venue had all been sent away, leaving only the closest members of the
Nightshade family anxiously pacing the hallway
Shell
? be alright Susanna will be alright¡±
¡°it¡¯s all Matthew and Miranda¡¯s fault, those scoundrels. They made my sister¨Cinw faint from anger.
We can¡¯t let them off!¡±
¡°She has always attached great importance on rtionships. Seeing her adopted daughtermit
such a disgraceful thing must have
broken her heart¡±
Onion stood outside the hospital room, looking through the ss at the tearful girl inside, his dark
brows knitted with concern.
Afterpleting his check¨Cup, Alex put away his instruments and reassured Xanthea, ¡°Ms.
Nightshade, there¡¯s no need to worry too much. Madam has only fainted temporarily due to excessive
grief.¡±
¡°Temporary fainting? When will she wake up?¡±
¡°Soonest by tonight,test by tomorrow¡±
¡°Really?¡±
¡°That¡¯s good to hear
Xanthea pressed her small face against her mother¡¯s hand, all the chaotic thoughts in her mind
dissipating
The door to the hospital room opened, and the family and friends in the hallway immediately crowded
around.
¡°Alex, how¡¯s my sister?¡±
¡°Is Susanna feeling any better?¡±
¡°Everyone, please rest assured. Madam fainted due to acute emotional distress, which caused a
temporaryck of oxygen to her brain. She just needs some rest and she¡¯ll wake up very soon.¡±
¡°Really?¡±
¡°That¡¯s such a relief; I was afraid¡±
Just as everyone was about to go in and see her Alex stopped them.
¡°Madam is very fragile night now and needs to rest quietly. Please don¡¯t disturb her, or any noise might
upset her again. Ms. Nightshade can take care of her alone inside.¡±
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¡°Winght, alright!¡±
Everyone sighed in relief, finally feeling at ease.
Oliver noticed standing outside the hospital room, staring intently at the girl inside, his brows knit with
worry. He couldn¡¯t help but walk
Dver.
¡°Mr. Lockwood, there¡¯s no need to worry too much. As long as my sister is alright, Xan won¡¯t be sad.¡±
¡°Orion?¡±
After the initial shock, Samuel noticed him and wondered why he was still here.
Onion saw Samuel¡¯s bloodstained righthand, the skin torn and blood dripping down his fingers.
He took out a handkerchief, ¡°Here, wype it.¡±
Only then did Samuel realize how much he was bleeding. ¡°Thanks¡±
Tonight was supposed to be a joyous asion, but Matthew and Miranda had ruined it. He wished he
could deal with them himself!
Tonight, Mr. Lockwood must have found it amusing. Isaac, see our guest out¡°:
14.58
Chapter 337
Before Orion could respond, Oliver quickly said, ¡°I see Mr Lockwood out
In the circr corridor.
¡°I¡¯m sony, Mr. Lockwood. I know you and Xen are together now, but given today¡¯s situation, it¡¯s not
appropriate to discuss it,¡±
Orion: ¡°Hmm.¡±
He just wanted to hold Xannie.
Oliver thought of the video and the security around the banquet hall, and asked, ¡°Was today¡¯s incident
arranged by you?¡±
¡°Xannie.¡±
¡°Xan?¡±
Oliver was surprised. No wondel Xan had been acting strangelytely, and quickly shifted her
affections. She must have known about the affair between Matthew and Miranda for some time
¡°M/Lockwood, thank you, truly. Thank you!¡±
He suddenly expressed his gratitude solemnly, and Orion¡¯s brows furrowed in confusion, Oliver smiled,
¡°Xan has liked Matthew for so many years. Xan must have been heartbroken when she first found out.
Thank you for being there for her.¡±
¡°It¡¯s what I should do. Mr. Lopez, from now on, you can call me Orion.¡±
Oliver was slightly taken aback, then burst intoughter, ¡°Alright, alright!¡±
It seemed they were destined to be family!
Indeed, blessings oftene in disguise. Compared to Matthew, Orion was worlds apart. This was the
excellent son¨Cinw he had always envisioned for his niecel
Late at night, Xanthea kept vigil by Susanna¡¯s bedside, and unknowingly fell asleep. When she opened
her eyes again, she found hersell lying in bed
How did she get back to her room? How was her mother? Had she woken up?
She rushed out of bed and ran into Samuel at the door.
¡°Xan, you¡¯re awake? How are you feeling? Any difort?¡±
¡°Where¡¯s Mom? Has she woken up?¡±
¡°She¡¯s awake and eating now.¡±
¡°Really? That¡¯s wonderful!¡±
Xanthea jumped up in excitement
It¡¯s different, still different. Her mother wouldn¡¯t
Things were different indeed. Her mother wouldn¡¯t faint and never wake up for those scoundrels!
Chapter 338
Chapter 338
¡°I want to go see Mom!¡±
¡°Hold on a second.¡±
Just as Xanthea was about to run out, Samuel stopped her.
¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±
¡°Alex said Mom just woke up, her mood and mental state are still pretty unstable. She needs some
good rest. I¡¯m worried if you go now, seeing you might upset her again,¡±
¡°You¡¯re right. Let Dad take good care of her for now. Ill go see herter.¡±
Seeing her cheerful expression without a trace of sadness, thinking she was just holding back her
sorrow, he suddenly gave her a tight hug.
¡°Xan, I¡¯m so sorry, so sorry!¡±
¡°Samuel, what¡¯s
gotten into you?¡±
¡°It¡¯s all my fault for being so careless, for not fulfilling my duties as a brother, for not discovering the true
nature of those two cheaters earlier, that I caused you so much pain and suffering! Don¡¯t worry, I will
never let them off. Even if they don¡¯t die, they¡¯ll wish they had!¡± As he spoke, his voice was filled with
hatred, as if he truly wanted to devour them alive. Xantheaughed and patted his back in constion.
¡°It¡¯s okay, Samuel. You¡¯ve already stood up for me. You looked so cool beating them upst night!¡±
¡°Xan, if you want to cry, just cry. You don¡¯t have to hold it back in front of me.
¡°Why would I cry?¡±
Samuel looked at her in astonishment, ¡°Aren¡¯t you upset?¡±
¡°Why
hy would I be upset over those scoundrels? I¡¯m d I to have seen their true colors sooner thanter!¡±
¡°Really?¡±
¡°Of course.¡±
That¡¯s good! I¡¯m relieved!¡±
Samuel hugged her tightly again, overwhelmed with joy. ¡°My Xan is indeed a smart and bold
sweetheart, you truly hatel¡±
uly know how to love and
He had thought she would be heartbroken and unable to recover, given how long she had liked
Matthew. He never expected her to bounce back so quickly!
¡°Samuel, you¡¯re choking me!¡±
¡°Xan, don¡¯t ever fall in love again. Don¡¯t let those deceitful men trick you. Just stay with me, I¡¯ll take
care of you for life!¡±
Huh?
Xanthea, still coughing, suddenly heard something shocking, blinking in disbelief.
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But she had already..
¡°Samuel, we can¡¯t just stop eating because we choked once, right? There are many good men out
there besides those insincere jerks.¡±
Like Orion!
¡°What do you mean?¡±
Samuel frowned at her words, expecting her to be moved and agree. But instead, she seemed
undeterred by the incident and still had a romantic heart. Truly a hopeless romantic!
¡°What I mean is¡ Matthew is just an exception. You can¡¯t judge everyone based on him!¡±
¡°That wouldn¡¯t be fair to others.¡±
Her murmurs were sterly interrupted by Samuel, ¡°Remember how you once said you liked Matthew,
how you praised his character and how well he treated you?¡±
¡°I was too naive then.¡±
211
¡°So, from now on, you must listen to your brother in everything and never go against my decisions!¡±
Having once handed in the wrong test paper, Xantheapletely lost her right to speak
Great it backfired!
1/2
15:31
She had nned to announce her rtionship with Orion to her family once her mom woke up. Now, it
seemed If she said anything. Samuel alone would cause an uproar. What should she do?
¡°Alright, Xan, let¡¯s not dwell on these unpleasant things anymore: I take you out for some delicious
treats!¡±
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Chapter 339
¡°Alright.¡±
After finishing her meal, Xanthea sneaked into the bathroom and turned on her phone. Her call log was
flooded with missed calls from Orion, some even in the middle of the night, which made her heart skip
a beat.
She had been so worried about her mom yesterday that she hadn¡¯t even had a moment to text him
back. He must have been worried
sick
¡°Ring, ring, ring
The phone rang for a few seconds before it was answered, but the first thing she heard wasn¡¯t a man¡¯s
voice, but a standard, fluent foreign greeting.
¡°Orion, huh? Where are you?¡±
¡°At the office. Orion, holding his phone, quickly walked out of the meeting room. ¡°Xannie, how¡¯s
everything?¡±
¡°It¡¯s fine. Mom woke up!¡±
¡°That¡¯s a relief. And how about you?¡±
¡°Me? I¡¯m as lively and eating well, feeling great! Now that I don¡¯t have to see Matthew and Miranda
when I wake up, even the air feels fresher
¡°Is that so?¡± He chuckled lightly. ¡°My little crybaby, your voice sounds a bit hoarse.¡±
His voice, deep and slightly raspy as though tired yet relieved, made Xanthea remember how she had
cried her eyes out the day before, making her awkwardly scratch her head.
Because of the events from her past life, she had indeed overreacted when her mother faintedst
night.
¡°I was just too anxious. Hey? Orion, did you not sleepst night?¡±
¡°I did.¡±
¡°Liar! I saw the call log: you called me at night.¡±
Islept for half an hour¡±
¡°Slept for half an hour¡±
¡°Half an hour counts as sleep?!¡±
Xanthea was immediately worried, while Orion¡¯s eyes softened with a faint smile.
He too wanted to sleep, but every time he closed his eyes, all he could see was her tear¨Cstreaked face.
¡°You haven¡¯t slept a bit, why are you at the office?¡±
¡°I had some urgent matters¡±
¡°What could be so urgent? Nothing is more important than your health. Go back and get some rest!¡±
¡°I can¡¯t sleep alone. How about Xanniees over to keep mepany?¡±
His suddenly flirtatious tone made Xanthea¡¯s face flush. ¡°What do you mean by keeping you
company?¡±
He wouldn¡¯t dare suggest sleeping together, would he?
¡°To do some exercise with me. When I¡¯m tired, I¡¯ll naturally fall asleep.¡±
So, it was just exercisel
¡°Sure, what kind of exercise? Do I need to bring some gear?¡±
¡°Gear?¡± Orion¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, his voice suddenly bing incredibly sultry. ¡°Didn¡¯t know you
were into that, Xannie.¡±
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¡°7¡°Xanthea was puzzled, ¡°What do you mean by that?¡±
¡°You want to use some gear for forey Exercise.¡±
¡°Orion, you pervert!!!
¡°Xan, what are you shouting about?¡±
Outside the bathroom, Ethan stopped in his tracks upon hearing her shout.
Xanthea hurried to cover up, ¡°No, nothing, I was just practicing my ancal exercises!¡±
¡°Oh, Ryan has arrived to take you to the set.¡±
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Chapter 330
Got it, I¡¯ll be night out!¡±
As soon as Xanthea collected herself, she heard Orionughing on the other end, hisughter
bewitching.
¡°Orion! Orion Lockwood!¡±
¡°Is Xannie practicing how to call my name more sweetly? There is no need.¡±
Even without her calling, she could make him lose his mind. If she did call.
¡°Orion, if you keep being so improper, I¡¯m hanging up!¡±
He immediately quieted down, and Xanthea huffed proudly, d he listened.
¡°Before we got together you seemed so cold and noble, uninterested in women. Now you¡¯vepletely
changed! No, it¡¯s just your true ¡®nature showing!¡±
Orion smirked, ¡°Not really.¡±
He indeed wasn¡¯t interested in women, except for her.
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Chapter 340
¡°Stop arguing! Well, Orion, I was nning to tell my family about our rtionshipst night, but then
mom just
¡°I know. Once she feels better §±l visit personally.¡±
¡°Wait! Maybe we should discuss this thoroughly. Samuel is really concerned about me dating right now.
If you just show up..
Before she could finish, a foreign voice came through from the other end, Informing Orion that the other
party has considered it and is ready to sign the contract now.
Kannie, I have to hang up.¡±
¡°Huh?
Xanthea wanted to say more, but the call had already ended.
Was he really that busy with work? Or was he upset? Upset because she hadn¡¯t made their
rtionship public yet.
She wanted to, more than anyone, but just thinking about how Samuel punched Matthewst night
gave her chills.
Samuel was still fuming. If he got mad at Orion, it would be a disaster. She needed toe up with a
foolproof n.
Suburb of Crestwood, Realm of Illusions filming site.
¡°Phoenix, they¡¯ve beenpletely dealt with. Where are you headed next?¡±
¡°Ignite Camp,¡±
¡°Ignite Camp? Are you crazy?! That ce is a hellhole now, everyone is in danger, it¡¯spletely fallen
under the ICE Alliance¡¯s control. Any rebellious leaders have been tortured to death or left crippled.
Going there now is putting yourself in grave danger!
Plus, Maximus believes you orchestrated the downfall of Ignite Camp. After thest time you tricked
him, he¡¯ll kill you on sight!¡±
¡°It¡¯s okay.¡±
Phoenix looked off into the distance, her icy amber eyes showing rare tenderness, ¡°That ce was
once my home, with countless brothers who fought alongside me, and¡ Maximus, I have to save
them.¡±
Hawke looked at her worriedly, wondering if she¡¯d make it back this time.
¡°Cut¡±
p the microphone and said to Xanthea with satisfaction, ¡°Great job, Xantheal You nailed the eye acting
Kevin picked up
¡°Thank you Director. If there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯ll wrap up for the day!¡±
¡°Hold on!¡± Kevin called her back, ¡°Xan, there¡¯s onest scene, and then we¡¯ll wrap the shoot.¡±
C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org
¡°The series has been a hit on all the major TVs andworks, and the sponsors very pleased with our
production and have decided to hold a wrap party at the Grand KimTai. As the lead actress, you must
attend!¡±
¡°Sure, I¡¯ll definitely¡ Wait, is Benjamin going too?¡±
¡°Of course, he¡¯s the male lead. Il inform him right away
40. 40.
Xanthea scratched her head awkwardly. After what happenedst time, how was she supposed to face
him?
¡°And don¡¯t forget about the theme song I mentioned before. The lyrics and music have already been
sent to your email. Just record it and send it directly to Elijah¡±
¡°Got it!¡±
It was almost 8 p.m. when they wrapped up, and Xanthea couldn¡¯t wait to check her phone and her
WhatsApp, but there was not a single message from Orion,
Was he still busy?
Even if
he was, he could¡¯ve at least sent a text, right? Could he be angry? Should she call to exin?
Thinking this, she dialed his number. The phone rang for a good ten seconds, but no one answered. In
the end, it was even hung up!
She stared at her phone in disbelief.
He actually dared to hang up on her? That was too much!
She decided not to call again. If she did, she¡¯d be too clingy!
Chapter 341
Chapter 341
After getting home and muddling through dinner, Princess Xan marched upstairs and angrily took out
her phone, deciding she would rather be clingy.
Good for you, Orion. It¡¯s almost 11 PM and you still haven¡¯t called back? Another call, and if he dared
to ignore it again.
¡°Xannie, what¡¯s up?¡±
This time he didn¡¯t hang up, but his tone was cold, betraying a hint of being too busy to bother with her.
¡°Orion, didn¡¯t you see my calls?!¡±
¡°Too busy, I didn¡¯t notice them.¡±
¡°Still busy?¡± Xanthea frowned, her voice a bit aggrieved, ¡°You¡¯ve been busy all day. Are you still at the
office?¡±
¡°On a ne.¡±
¡°ne? Why are you on a ne?¡±
¡°To see someone important.¡±
Great!
Hearing this, Xanthea felt a surge of anger. He hadn¡¯t contacted her all day, didn¡¯t return her calls, and
now he was off to see ¡°someone very important¡± Fine, let him go see them. She wouldn¡¯t bother with
him anymore!
Orion: ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±
¡°Nothing!¡±
She replied angrily.
¡°Really?¡±
¡°Of course, really. Go see her! I¡¯ll hang-¡±
Before she could finish, she heard a low chuckle from the other end, his maic and captivating voice
sounding extremely pleasant.
He¡¯sughing?
She would not be bothering him, and he was happy about it?
¡°Why is Xannie tearing the curtains?¡±
Xanthea looked at thece curtain in her hand, which she had already torn a hole in, ¡°None of your
business. These are my curtains, not
yours.¡±
w did he know she was tearing the curtains?!
Wait, how
She turned to look outside and immediately saw a stunning sight view.
The night was calm, and the bright moonlight pierced through the clouds, casting cool, soft beams. The
light filtered through the dense foliage of a tree by theke, creating dappled circles on the ground,All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.
illuminating the tall, elegant figure of a man.
He wore a well¨Ctailored dark coat, the hem swaying gently in the breeze.
At that moment, he was holding his phone, slightly tilting his head to look at her. The intery of
shadows and moonlight made his already striking features even more chiseled, especially with the
profound smile in his eyes, as dark and intense as if an abyss threatening to drown anyone who gazed
into them.
Orion?!
How was he in the backyard?
Wasn¡¯t he on a ne, going to see someone/important.
¡°Xannie, I miss you¡±
Orion looked up at her, his buming gaze brighter than the moonlight.
¡°I miss you too!¡±
Without a second thought, Xanthea dropped her phone and bolted downstairs.
¡°Miss?¡±
At the staircase, Zora was bumped by her in her haste.
¡°Auntie, sorry!¡±
¡°Miss, where are you going to thiste?¡±
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Chapter 341
¡°I¡¯m going to the garden to admire the flowers!¡±
¡°Admire the flowers? It¡¯s pitch dark, what can you see? Do you want me to turn on the garden lights?¡±
¡°No, no,
definitely not!¡±
¡°Then at least put on a coat, it¡¯s cold outside.¡±
In the misty, dewy, vibrant garden, Xanthea arrived like a fluttering butterfly, darting straight for the most
beautiful ¡°flower¡± there.
¡°Orion!¡±
¡°Honey¡±
Orion caught her in a tight embrace, burying his head to inhale the faint, sweet scent of vani, finally
alleviating a day¡¯s worth of intense longing.
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Chapter 342
As soon as Xanthea crashed into Orion¡¯s embrace, she caught a whiff of a familiar, fresh, and elegant
fragrance.
Looking down, she saw a bouquet of vibrant purple irises beneath hisrge coat. She looked at him,
astonished and delighted. ¡°Its inses!¡±
Her amber eyes sparkled like the brightest stars in the sky, mesmerizingly beautiful.
Onion¡¯s dark eyes deepened, and he couldn¡¯t resist brushing his lips against her forehead. ¡°Do you like
them, sweetheart?¡±
1 love them, absolutely love them!¡±
Xanthea wrapped her arms around his neck, cuddling up to him like a fluffy little red fox nuzzling its
owner, cooing and snuggling affectionately. Her soft, sweet destures ignited a burning desire within
him, and he pulled her closer, ready to kiss her.
But just as he leaned in, she yfully lifted the bouquet between them, and his kissnded on the
petals instead. But his smitten gaze not fading in the slightest.
¡°Haha!¡± Xanthea giggled him mischievously, ¡°Orion, were you aiming to devour the flowers?¡±
Onion looked up at the radiant girl under the moonlight, her smile as bright as the flowers she held. He
replied in a long, meaningful tone, 1 indeed wanted to devour the flower¡±
¡°You cant!¡±
She clutched the flowers protectively, but his hand found her sensitive waist and began to tickle her
¡°Stop, stop, it tickles! Please¡±
Her delightfulughter rang out, crisp and carefree, floating through the garden. Realizing they were
sneaking around in the gardente at night and might wake her family, she quickly mped her mouth
shut, biting her lip to stifle herughter.
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¡°Stop¨Cstop tickling. Orion, I give up, I give up.¡±
Orion narrowed his eyes, a dangerous glint shing in his dark gaze. ¡°Will you let me devour it now?¡±
¡°Yes, yes!¡±
She surrendered, offering the flowers to him, but he suddenly leaned over them and kissed her
forehead, ¡°it¡¯s you, my flower, I want to devour you.
¡°You pervert!¡±
Xanthea lightly hit him, but he pulled both her and the flowers tightly into his embrace.
The strong, steady beat of his heart reverberated through his firm chest, slowly turning her cheeks pink.
A deep sigh escaped him, ¡°Whether you like it or not, you can¡¯t escape.
¡°You¡¯re mine. This lifetime, you can only be ¡®devoured¡® by me.¡±
Though his words were like those of a crazed fanatic, they made Xanthea blush and her heart race.
¡°Are you so confident about that? What if I fall for someone else someday?¡±
Before she could finish her sentence, Orion¡¯s grip tightened, his eyes burning with a fierce me,
¡°Then, I¡¯ll have to ¡®devour¡® you now.¡±
Seeing his cold, ruthless look, as if he might actually swallow her whole, she shook her head frantically,
¡°I was just kidding, just kidding!¡±
¡°It¡¯s toote¡±
¡°hahaha, Orion, no.¡±
A stray cat¡¯s call suddenly echoed, making Xanthea quickly cover Orion¡¯s mouth, frozen in ce. After
a moment, when there were no signs of anyoneing, she breathed a sigh of relief and let go. ¡°That
scared me. I thought someone wasing.¡±
¡°Shall we go to thekeside?¡± Orion¡¯s voice was hoarse, his dark eyes glittering with temptation. ¡°No
one will find us there.¡±
¡°Mr. Lockwood, what are you suggesting?¡± Xanthea teased, tugging at his earlobe, ¡°Sneaking into
houses in the middle of the night to kidnap an innocent girl, what are your intentions?¡±
Onion caught her wrist, kissing it tenderly, his voice thick with desire. ¡°What do you think?¡±
¡°Hahaha, stop kissing, my hand is ticklish too.¡±
¡°And the irises, why did you give me a bouquet of inses today? The purple irises symbolize¨Cgood
news, I miss you. Do you have good news? Or do you miss me?¡±
¡°Both¡±
¡°Both? What¡¯s the good news?¡±
15:31
¡°Come with me to thekeside, and I¡¯ll tell you¡±
¡°In your dreams, you Sly Fox.¡±
Xanthea teased, only to see him pull out a document from behind his back.
¡°What¡¯s this?¡±
¡°Good news!
¡°Really?¡±
Xanthea took it skeptically, thinking he was teasing her, but it turned out there really was good news.
Chapter 343
Chapter 343
She open the folder, and lines of ck text on white paper came into her view.
¡°Equity Transfer Agreemen17¡±
¡°The equity seller is a current shareholders of The Martinez Group, holding 15%, 12% 30% of¡..
Below the dense of numbers and signatures of the shamholders added up to exactly 100%, with
53 people in total. Xanthea was stunned, Did this mean he had acquired the entire Martinez
Group and be the sole proprietor?
She looked up at him in disbelief.
Orion¡¯s eyes twinkled with a smile. ¡°Is this good news, then?¡±
¡°Orion, why did you?¡±
¡°He used Xannie. He should be punished. Orion said, gently caressing her curly hair, his tone
tender and affectionate. ¡°You¡¯ve been business partners for years, withplex interests
intertwined. Matthew¡¯s scandal will inevitably impact the Nightshade Group. Acquisition is the
best move. Your parents will also be pleased with this gift
¡°You¡¯re giving it to my parents? No, that¡¯s too valuable!¡±
¡°No matter how valuable, it¡¯s not more valuable their daughter¡±
C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org
Xanthea looked at him, her amber eyes shimmering with tears, touched and pained at the same
time:
It turned out that he had been up all night and busy all day, with no time to even take a call, was
all for this acquisition.
All to help vent her anger and to make her parents pleased.
Xanthea¡¯s eyes welled up, on the verge of tears.
¡°What¡¯s wrong, honey?¡±
Orion frowned, cupping her face.
Xanthea¡¯s voice was choked with sobs, ¡°You, you didn¡¯t sleep at all and spent the whole day working
on this? If you wanted to acquire the Martinez Group, you could¡¯ve done it slowly, why such a haste?¡±
¡°In a hurry to win you over.¡±
¡°But I¡¯m already yours!¡±
Xanthea tiptoed to kiss him. Onion¡¯s eyes shed with surprise, and he held her head to deepen the
kiss.
But she pulled away
after a brief moment, tugging at his tie angrily. ¡°Orion, I¡¯m warning you, don¡¯t ever make decisions
without telling me again, and don¡¯t work day and night like this anymore!¡±
¡°I don¡¯t need such gifts, and I don¡¯t want to see e you exhausting yourself! You think you¡¯re young,
always wearing yourself out now. You¡¯ll regret it when you¡¯re old.¡±
¡°Even when I am older Orion cut her off with a wicked smile, ¡°I¡¯ll still be more than capable of taking
care of a little girl like you.¡±
For some reason, Xanthea felt he barely pronounced the word ¡°capable,¡± as if he hadn¡¯t said the word
at all.
¡°You¡¯re so impropert
Heh
Don¡¯tugh! D
Do you remember what I just said?¡±
Drion watched her, who was like a kitten with its fur standing on end, amusement filling his eyes.
He remembered every word Xannie had said
¡°Hmph!¡± Xanthea, recalling her wild thoughts throughout the day, feeling a mix of anger, annoyance,
and regret. ¡°You ignored me all day:
I thought you were upset because I hadn¡¯t introduced you to my family yet.¡±
¡°I was upset, indeed¡±
¡°Because, right now.¡±
She was about to exin when he interupted in a low voice, ¡°Xannie, are you going to make it
up to me?¡±
¡°How should I make it up?¡±
¡°With you.
Wh
15:31
The next moment, a blushing Xanthea was carried to thekeside,
The cool moonlight and gentle breeze rustled the soft willow branches by theke. The
scattered light
Xanthea was pressed against thekeside miling, and was forced to endure Orion¡¯s intense and
passionate kisses. Her delicate cheeks gradually took on a rosy hue, her breathing bing
frantic and erratic from theck of air
After a long while, her lips, swollen from his fervent kisses, seemed about to bleed. Yet, the man
didn¡¯t relent, his lips trailing down h slender, swan¨Clike neck.
¡°Orion, please.¡±
Xanthea¡¯s beautiful face tilted back in unbearable pleasure, her fingers gently threading through
the man¡¯s short hair of her chest
Under the clear moonlight, her red lips parted slightly, and her eyes were filled with seductive
allure, like a mesmerizing siren that stels souls of men,
Chapter 344
Chapter 344
The Nightshade Estate, study room
¡°Knock, knock, knock.¡±
¡°Come in.
Ethan pushed open the door and saw Samuel buried in a pile of messy documents. ¡°Samuel, it¡¯s so
late, and you¡¯re still working?¡±
¡°There seems to be trouble with thepany.¡±
¡°What kind of trouble?¡±
¡°It¡¯s not us, it¡¯s the Martinez Group. Rumors had it that over fifty of their shareholders have vanished
mysteriously today, and even their families can¡¯t reach them. It seems that they¡¯ve vanished to the
same ce.
¡°Moreover, James just found out that the 53% of the group¡¯s initially held by Matthew have been
siphoned off bit by bit by his uncle under the guise of financing. Now that Matthew is in trouble, those
shares are definitely not recoverable. I¡¯m worried.¡±
¡°Worried that the Martinez Group¡¯s stock will plummet and drag ourpany down with it?¡±
¡°We¡¯ve had a very close partnership with the Martinez Group, especially this year, with Xan¡¯s tying us
together in many uninitiated projects.
Samuel clenched his fists in frustration.
¡°Now Matthew¡¯s scandal and the internal turmoil in the Martinez Group will undoubtedly affect our
company. But what worries me more is that someone might take advantage of the situation, tuming the
Martinez Group into a hollowed out shellpany. Such a blow would be fatal to us!¡±
He could already sense this mysterious and powerful force behind this, but who was it? And what was
their goal?
¡°Alright, don¡¯t overthink it. I go o with you to the Martinez Group tomorrow, and well sort this out¡±
¡°Okay¡±
Samuel nodded. Ethan walked over and turned off the deskmp. ¡°There¡¯s been a lot going on at home
and at thepany these past few days. Have a good rest, and don¡¯t overwork.¡±
Tknow.
As they spoke of home matters, Samuel suddenly remembered Xan¡¯s unusual behavior at dinner
earlier. But his mind was preupied with the Martinez Group, so he hadn¡¯t given it much thought.
¡°Bro, did you notice Xan at dinner seemed a bit distracted?¡±
¡°More than just a bit. Considering what¡¯s happened, it¡¯s natural for her to be upset. I was actually
surprised that she¡¯s been surprisinglyposed Just give her some time to process.
*Upset?¡±
¡°Yeah¡± Ethan frowned slightly. ¡°Even though Matthew was a jerk, Xan genuinely loved him.¡±
¡°I thought I heard her crying in the bathroom this noon. When she came out, she pretended to be
indifferent and cheerful, I asked Ryan to keep an eye on her mood, but he didn¡¯t tell anything was
wrong.¡±
¡°What?¡±
Samuel stood up in shock.
Xan had told him she wasn¡¯t sad and even seemed happy in the morning, but then she turned around
and cried alone in the bathroom!
So, she had been lying about not being sad!
¡°No, I have to check on her!¡±
¡°She¡¯s asleep now. Don¡¯t disturb her.¡±
¡°But I need to see for myself.¡±
Samuel hurriedly closed his documents and rushed to the second floor, only to see the light in
Xanthea¡¯s room was off.
Was she really asleep?
He pressed his ear to the door and heard Zora¡¯s voice, ¡°Young master, what are you doing?¡±
¡°Shh!¡± Samuel was startled and quickly shushed her. ¡°Xan¡¯s asleep, don¡¯t wake her.¡±
Zora chuckled, ¡°Impossible. Miss is in the backyard right now¡±
¡°What?¡± Samuel straightened up slowly. ¡°The backyard? What is she doing there?¡±
15:32
¡°She said she was going to admire the flowers.
¡°Admire the flowers?¡±
It was nearly autumn, and the irises in the yard she loved had long withered. What flowers were there
to admire? Not to mention in thiste hour. Was she crying secretly again?
¡°Young master?¡±
Zora wanted to say more, but Samuel had already rushed downstairs.
All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.
At Lakeside Manor, under the cascading willow branches, a couple¡¯s embrace grew more fervent.
¡°Orion, please, no more.¡±
Despite Xanthea¡¯s protests, her voice, soft and enticing, only spurred Orion on until a ¡°crack¡± broke the
moment.
Xanthea tumed her face slightly, snapping out of her daze, realizing the railing behind her was about to
break!
Was she about to fall into theke?
¡°Orion, Orion, the railing is about to break!¡±
She desperately pounded on him, but he didn¡¯t wake up. She resigned herself to hearing the rotting
railing fall into the water with a ssh, and her body was about to fall as well.
¡°Ah-
At the critical moment, Orion lifted her, using his strength to press her against a nearby tree.
Having experienced falling into the water before, Xanthea was drenched in cold sweat. She hit his
chest with feigned irritation, but the man merely groanedfortably into her dense curls.
¡°Xannie, my Xannic, so sweet, so soft, so fragrant¡±
¡°And you¡¯re still going on about that? You almost made me fall into the water!¡±
¡°With your hubby here, Xannie wouldn¡¯t never fall into the water.¡±
¡°What did you just say?!¡±
Xanthea¡¯s eyes widened, her delicate face blushing deeply like the shy moon reflected in theke.
Chapter 345
Chapter 345
¡°I didn¡¯t say nothing.¡±
¡°Liar! You just said..
Xanthea¡¯s cheeks flushed with embarrassment, her voice trailing off midway.
Orion¡¯s lips curved into a mischievous smile, ¡°I said what? Hmm? Why won¡¯t you finish, Xannie?¡±
¡°You¡¯re so bad!¡±
Xanthea lightly punched his chest. He was trying to get her to call him ¡°hubby, truly a Sly Fox
Orionughed happily, leaning closer to her ear. His voice was deep and maic, carrying an
irresistible charm, ¡°Babe, I want to¡¡±
¡°Want?! Want in your dreams!¡±
Xanthea quickly buttoned up her shirt, afraid that if she took any longer, he¡¯d devour herpletely,
¡°You better zip up.¡±
Orion: ¡°I can¡¯t. Help me, Xannie.¡±
Xanthea bit her lip, her seductive and alluring face glowing like a rose blooming in the night,
mesmerizing the man.
¡°Onion, you¡¯re crossing the line!¡±
She had been lenient with him, considering his hard work for the whole day, but he was getting more
and more audacious!
¡°It¡¯s all because you¡¯re too beautiful.¡±
Onion leaned in to kiss her again, but Xanthea pushed him away and pretended to leave, ¡°It¡¯s getting
late. I should go back.¡±
¡°Don¡¯t go!¡±
She was suddenly pulled into a tight embrace, hearing his husky voice with a hint of pleading, as if he
turned from a fox to an adorable puppy. She was instantly touched
¡®T¡¯ll be good
¡°Really? Youll behave?¡±
Onion: ¡°Yes
Xanthea softened again, forgetting how badly he had teased her just moments ago.
¡°Then let¡¯s hug for a bit longer.¡±
Under the starlit sky, the sereneke sparkled as a night breeze stirred ripples, and willow branches
fluttered. In this picturesque scene, embracing the one she loved most, Xanthea felt blissfully at peace.
She couldn¡¯t help but nuzzle into his sturdy chest, inhaling his faint, refreshing pine scent.
¡°Orion, the day of mying¨Cof¨Cage ceremony, it was you who saved me, wasn¡¯t it?¡±
The man¡¯s tensed at her words, ¡°How did you know that?¡±
7 fell into the water, but I wasn¡¯t drowning. I was still conscious.¡±
Then you know I kissed you?¡±
777¡± Xanthea looked puzzled, ¡°You kissed me?!¡±
Orion chuckled, realizing she didn¡¯t know, 1 performed CPR.¡±
Stealing a taste of his darling was sweet as forbidden fruit.
¡°Oh, I recognized you by the iris tattoo on your chest.
Xanthea¡¯s small hand sneaked under his shift, gently touching the blooming iris tattoo on his right chest
and the faint bum scars beneath it
The scars, untouched for years, were exceedingly sensitive. The girl¡¯s tender and delicate fingers
brushed it gently, stirring a strong desire within him, darkening his eyes, and making his voice hoarse,
¡°Xannie, don¡¯t touch it.¡±
All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.
His refusal, though filled with barely restrained passion, hurt her. She quickly withdrew her hand.
Were they indeed his taboo?
She wanted to ask about his childhood, to know who left these scars on him, to understand him
completely, but she feared that she might reopen his old wounds.
Chapter 346
Chapter 346
The moment she withdra her hand, ?righ wanted to pull her close in, but he feared that if he continued,
he and not be able to stop himself from
¡°Xan, Kannie, my
His voice suddenly timed low and seductive. His high bridged nose gently muzzled her delicate face,
like a puppy craving its owner¡¯s affection, leaving Nanthespletely defenseless.
¡°¡°xanthen hesitated, ¡°Only one
Before the could finish her words wem engulfed by the man¡¯s kiss.
Downstairs, Samuel was searching everywhere for Xanthea, but after scouring the entire garden, he
still couldn¡¯t find her
¡°Didn¡¯t Zora say she was admining the flowers.¡±
He mumbled to himself, suddenly recalling that behind the garden was ake. Wouldn¡¯t Xan do
something rash
With a burst of speed, he raced towards theke. But upon arrival, the waters were calm, without any
disturbances. Only a willow tree by the shore was shaking wildly, as if covering something, which was
clearly abnormal.
Driven by curiosity, he approached and could barely saw¡ under the tree, a couple was tightly
embracing and kissing passionately utterly lost and oblivious even to his presence
In the dead of night these young lovers sure knew how to live it up
Just as he was about to tum away, his steps halted.
Wait a minute!
That fluffy short, round tail¨Cit look just like the one on Xan¡¯s bunny pajamas?
This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.
Impossible. There¡¯s no way Xan would be here in the middle of the night kissing a man!
But as if driven by some invisible force, he turned around and called out, ¡°Xan?¡±
Started by Samuel¡¯s voice, Xanthea shrieked, instinctively pushing
ishing the man away from her.
Seeing this, Samuel¡¯s mind went nk. He couldn¡¯t believe his eyes.
¡°S¨CSamuel, why¡¡±
¡°Orion
Samuel came to his senses, his anger surging as he clenched his fists, ready to punch Orion, ¡°How
dare you vite my sister! Ill kill
your
Xanthe quickly positioned herself between them.
what are you doing?¡±
Samuel¡¯s punch halted, looking at her incredibly. Xanthea¡¯s eyes darted away, her lips quivering. She
knew the strict family rules, getting caught by Samuel, she was doomed!
But being doomed was better than letting Orion get hurt!
¡°Orion didn¡¯t vite me, I was willing¡±
¡°What?!¡± Samuel yelled in shock, ¡°How could you be willing
Xanthea lowered her head, like a small animal caught misbehaving, her fingers nervously twisting her
pajamas.
In the past, whenever she did something wrong and acted this way, Samuel would always forgive her
without any reason. Perhaps, he would do the same this time?
Chapter 347
Chapter 347
¡°You were just betrayed by Matthew and haven¡¯t yet recovered from the breakup. How could you
possibly with him.¡± Samuel said, his finger trembling as he pointed at Orion, ¡°Did he take advantage of
you?¡±
¡°No.¡± Xanthes shook her head. ¡°Actually, I stopped liking Matthew a long time ago.¡±
¡°What?¡±
Samuel was
stunned.
Given the situation, Xanthea decided there was no point in hiding the truth anymore and confessed
everything
¡°Samuel, I actually discovered a while ago that Matthew were involved with each other. I just didn¡¯t
have any evidence and feared no one would believe me if I spoke out without proof.
¡°Recently, I went on a trip to Willowdale with Matthew and deliberately entered the entertainment
industry to find evidence to get revenge on them.
But Miranda seemed to have noticed and tampered with my motorcycle, almost causing me to have an
ident during an audition at Realm of Illusions. It was Orion who had been investigating this and
found the video from the proposal ceremony. During this time, I gradually fell for him, He¡¯s my boyfriend
now!¡±
As her exnation, Samuel was utterly shocked. As he processed this, various scenes shed through
his mind.
No wonder Xan insisted on attending that night and identified a priceless gem, and then gave it to
Orion for free.
No wonder Xan never visited Miranda in the hospital, despite previously being inseparable from her.
No wonder he felt Xan had been distant and cold towards Matthewtely, which was aplete
turnaround from before.
No wonder Orion showed up at the Iris Garden Venue, calmly watching the proposal without a trace of
sadness.
No wonder Xan wore Orion¡¯s clothes to Matthew¡¯s proposal ceremony!
It all made perfect sense now!
Samuel stared at her, her flushed face, her curly hair a mess, her delicate lips swollen from being
kissed. It felt like seeing a prized rose trampled by a careless foot, leaving him both heartbroken and
furious!
¡°You¡¯re being foolish, Xan!
¡°It¡¯s only been two days since you revealed Matthew¡¯s scandal, have you forgotten that already? Can¡¯t
you learn your lesson? Do not jump out of the frying pan into the fire!¡±
¡°Well, sometimes the fire is worth the risk. At least it keeps you warm.¡±
Xanthea muttered softly, but Samuel pulled her closer, ¡°What did you say? You¡¯re blinded by lovel
¡°Uh¨Chuh.¡±
Xanthea nodded, acknowledging it, but she thought Orion was blinded by love too.
A lovesick person meeting a clear¨Cheaded one would be a tragedy, but meeting another lovesick
person was pure bliss.
¡°What have I told you? These days, men are deceitful, none of them are worth liking, and none of them
was good enough for you.¡±
¡°Samuel.¡±
Samuel was lecturing Xanthea when he suddenly heard a deep voice.
He looked up at Orion, astonished and angry, wondering if he had heard corectly. ¡°What did you call
me?¡±
Xanthea pursed her lips in a smile. She hadn¡¯t realized before how adept Orion was at taking
advantage of the situation. Tonight he called himself her hubby and now addressed Samuel directly¨Cit
seemed he was really eager.
¡°He called you ¡®Samuel.¡±
¡°Shut up!¡± Samuel red at Orion. ¡°Who do you think you are calling Samuel? I have nothing to do with
you!¡±
Onon, still recovering from their passionate moment, replied in a voice that was slightly hoarse, ¡°I can.¡±
¡°You can what?¡±
¡°I can be good enough for Xannie.¡±
Xannie? He had a special nickname for her? The way he said it, with such affection, clearly showed he
was a pro at have charmed Xan so much that she secretly got together with him without informing the
family!C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org
t romance. He must
Samuelughed sarcastically, ¡°You think you can be enough beca
you¡¯ve said so? Matthew said no less than you did.¡±
Chapter 348
Chapter 348
Samuel was halfway through his sentence when he got interrupted. He looked bewildered, ¡°What?¡±
Xanthea also looked puzzled at Orion.
Onon pulled out his phone and yed a recording.
1. g. It was their conversation.
Honestly, I don¡¯t like Matthew at all. He¡¯s foolish, cowardly, with all the wrong intentions. He¡¯s
unambitious, and from top to bottom, inside and out, there¡¯s nothing about him that matches Xan. Well,
I shouldn¡¯t say that. In my eyes, no man on this Earth good enough for Xan. If it were you, you might
just be enough to match her.¡±
Really?
Really!
No take backs
What¡¯s there to take back?¡±
As Xanthea listened to the recording, her eyes filled with surprise and joy.
¡°When did this happen? So, Samuel, you¡¯ve approved of me and Orion?¡±
Samuel was caught off guard by the recording. His face went through a series of colors¨Cpale, then
dark, and finally a sickly green; quite a spectacr sight to behold.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.
This was something he had casually said tofort Orion, and he never expected it to be recorded
and used against him. This man was truly cunning!
¡°Orion, you¡¯re quite the strategist, recording our conversation like that!¡±
Orion humbly replied, ¡°I was just recording Xan, and it just so happened that you showed up, Samuel.¡±
¡°I told you not to call me Samuel. Who do you think you are!¡±
Watching Samuel so flustered and angry, Xanthea ran over and clung to Orion¡¯s arm, ¡°Samuel, a
gentleman¡¯s word is his bond, you taught me that since I was little. You can¡¯t go back on your word
now. Otherwise, your image in my heart will be ruined!¡±
Samuel was left speechless, his face tuming red with frustration. Confronted with his own words, he
couldn¡¯t argue and had to shift his focus.
¡°So, does that mean you two can be all lovey dovey here?!¡± He red at Xanthea holding onto Orion¡¯s
arm, fuming with rage. ¡°And dare to do it right in front of me.¡±
Xanthea quickly let go of her arms on Orion.
¡°Xan, recite the rules of Nightshade family, Article 23!¡±
¡°Article 23, specifically for Xan: As a youngdy of the family, before marriage, she must not have
intimate contact with any man, including hugging, holding hands, kissing, etc., even if he is her
boyfriend. If caught, she must face thirtyshes and be confined to a small dark room, for a duration
depending on the severity
Xanthea lowered her head and recited the rule, looking aggrieved.
Listening to the harsh rule, Orion¡¯s brows furrowed.
Given what he had done with Xan, she¡¯d be locked up for a long time.
¡°Would marriage solve it?¡±
He suddenly asked, leaving Samuel stunned. His eyes nearly popped out, ¡°What did you say?¡±
He had just found out about their rtionship, and now Orion wanted to marry her? He was even
bolder than Matthew!
#717¡±
Xanthea was also shocked.
But in her heart, she was touched. Ori was willing to suggest marriage to protect her from punishment!
¡°Samuel¡±
Xanthea pouted and used her ultimate weapon against Samuel, acting all cutesy, ¡°You can¡¯t tell Mom
and Dad or Big Brother about tonight. They will definitely punish me! Do you really want to see me get
whipped? The whip is so thick, and my skin so delicate, it will tear and bleed.¡±
¡°Snap-¡±
15:32
Before she could finish, the lights by theke suddenly lit up, revealing Christopher, Susanna, and
Ethan not far away, staring at them in
shock.
¡°Ah
Xanthea gasped, her entire body copsing into Orion¡¯s arms.
When had they arrived?
Meeting Onion in the middle of the night and getting caught by her whole family¨Cthis was the ultimate
embarrassment. She wanted to
die!
Let her go; she wanted to jump into theke!
Chapter 349
Chapter 349
¡°Let me out! Let me out!¡±
¡°Samuell Samuel, you bad brother, can you hear me?1¡å
¡°Hello? Hello!¡±
In her bedroom, Xanthea was furious as an enraged little fox whose fur practically standing on end,
pounding on the door with all her
might,
Sam had locked the door from the outside, smugly pocketing the key, ¡°Xon, I¡¯d save my energy if I were
you. You¡¯re lucky to be confined to your room. If you anger Mom, Dad, and Big Brother further you
might just end up in the basement!¡±
The mention of ¡°basement¡± sent a shiver down Xanthea¡¯s spine,
If her parents were willing to lock her up there, how would they treat Orion?
Would they force him to break up with her and never see her again?
In just a few seconds, she had imagined an entire saga of family feuds, business battles, and tragic
love story!
¡°Samuel, dear Samuel¡±
¡°Please let me out, I promise I won¡¯t cause any trouble. I just want to hear what Mom and Dad are
saying!¡±
¡°You just want to speak up for Onion, don¡¯t you?¡± Sam scoffed. ¡°Last time, I believed you and softened
my stance, and almost didn¡¯t see what a scumbag Matthew was. I¡¯m not making the same mistake
again!¡±
¡°But what do you n to do? Take it out on me but let Orion go!¡±
¡°What do we n to do?¡±
Samuel cracked his knuckles with a menacing smile.
Orion, with his audacity and brazenness, had dared to lure Xan to akeside in the dead of night, a
grant vition of the family¡¯s values!
Even as the head of the Lockwood Group, he¡¯d have to face the judgment of the Nightshade family!
¡°Of course, well use the harshest methods to deal with him!¡±
¡°The harshest?¡±
Xanthea¡¯s eyes widened, her mind racing with images of brutal punishments. She was as frantic as an
ant on a hot pan.
If only she had her ph
phone, she could call her uncle for help, but Samuel had confiscated it, leaving herpletely
helpless!
All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.
Samuel, full of malicious intent, was about to join the family¡¯s severe judgment of Orion when he saw in
the living room, Dad pouring a cup of coffee for Orion, and it was the best coffee in the house.
?
This was not what he had imagined!
Orion: ¡°Thank you, sir.¡±
¡°Don¡¯t mention it. This coffee was specially acquired from Stonehaven by my brother¨Cinw, it¡¯s a top¨C
notch. Please, Mr. Lockwood, have
a faste.¡±
Orion took a light sip, ¡°it¡¯s smooth on the pte, with a lingering sweetness and a refreshing finish. This
is the finest coffee.¡± Hearing his appraisal, Christopher¡¯s eyes lit up. 1 didn¡¯t expect you to know about
coffee so much.¡±
Nowadays, most young people drink fast beverages like c, rarely appreciating the nuances of
coffee, let alone understanding it deeply.
Despite Orion¡¯s noble background, he was only two years older than Xan. Yet, he understands coffee,
which shows his calm and quality¨Cfocused nature, unlike the typically anxious and fickle young people.
Orion: ¡°I just know a little
¡°That¡¯s not.¡±
Christopher was about to continue but was stopped by Susanna, she prompted him to adjust his
expression
The couple woreplex expressions, still reeling from the new revtions they had just witnessed.
They couldn¡¯t believe Matthew and Miranda had been together all along, that Miranda had nned the
audition explosion to harm Xan, and most shockingly, that Xan was with Mr. Lockwood, someone Po
seemedpletely unrted to their world.
Chapter 350
Chapter 350
Xan, despite her smarts and striking beauty, which made her incredibly endearing, was still very much
a child at heart¨Cinnocent, straightforward, and prone to bouts of pouting and whimsy. On the flip side,
when things didn¡¯t go her way, she could throw a fit like no
other.
2
Mr. Lockwood, on the other hand, wasn¡¯t much older in years but had already established himself as a
towering figure in Crestwood¡¯s financial elite. As the renowned CEO of the Lockwood Group, his
resolve and temperament were subjects of much spection and Intrigue. He was a mystery, wrapped
in a riddle, shrouded in rumors,
By all ounts, one would think Mr. Lockwood¡¯s interest lean towards women of a more mature and
polished demeanor, not someone like Xan.
The two of them were unsure how to face him. It was Ethan who broke the silence first. ¡°Mr. Lockwood,
is everything Xan said by theke true?¡±
¡°Yes, it is true.¡±
So, it really was like that.
Ethan¡¯s gaze dropped slightly, hiding the furious gleam in his eyes.
The mastermind behind the explosion at Realm of Illusions audition site was Miranda. No wonder Xan
poisoned her as soon as she retumed.
Xan is inherently kind¨Chearted and would never resort to such measures unless it was a matter of life
and death. He should¡¯ve realized sooner and not let Miranda leave the hospital alive.
Hearing this, Susanna couldn¡¯t hold back her tears, and Christopher was right there,forting her,
¡°It¡¯s okay, it¡¯s okay¡±
C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org
¡°Except for one thing.¡±
¡°What¡¯s that?¡±
¡°Tve liked Xan for a very long time.¡±
Samuel came down the stairs just in time to hear this, seizing upon it, ¡°How long is a very long time?
Xan¡¯s only 18. Did you fall for her before she was still underage? Pervert!¡±
Orion responded, ¡°Since hering¨Cof¨Cage ceremony.¡±
¡°That¡¯s still lusting after her!¡±
After saying this, Samuel waited for Orion to retort, but he didn¡¯t. It seemed like he tacitly admitted it.
Was he really admitting to his base motives so tantly?
Christopher rebuked Samuel, ¡°Samuel, how can you speak like that?¡±
Orion brushed it off, ¡°It¡¯s fine, Mr. Nightshade is just being overly protective of his sister. It¡¯s
understandable.¡±
¡°Oh, why don¡¯t you call me ¡®Samuel now?¡±
Samuel provocatively looked at him from the sofa, ¡°Why don¡¯t
Chapter 351
Chapter 351
¡°On the day of the proposal party, I was so overwhelmed with anger. Not at others, but at myself for
failing Xan and feeling unworthy as a mother. But today, by theke, hearing her words and seeing her
smile, I felt a bit of sce. At least, when she was betrayed by Miranda and Matthew, you were there to
comfort and protect her, sparing her from utter despair¡±
As Susanna finished, everyone fell silent, including Samuel.
Though he didn¡¯t trust Onion, he had to admit his mother was right. If not for Orion, Xan would have
had a much harder time getting through it all.
Onon handed a handkerchief, ¡°Please don¡¯t be so saddened. They¡¯ve all received the punishment they
deserved¡±
¡°Thank you.¡±
¡°Miranda¡¯s in the ICU now. The doctors say even if she pulls through, shell likely be in a vegetative
state. With her malicious intentions, and betraying the kindness of our family and all the teachings we
gave her, she deserves this oue.¡±
Susanna sobbed
¡°But Matthew deceived Xan for so many years, relied on our Nightshade family to climb from a small
manager to the president of the group, and gained a lot of benefits. Now he is just in a hospital for
recovery, it feels insufficient.¡±
¡°He¡¯s no longer the president¡±
¡°What?¡±
Everyone looked at him in confusion.
Orionid a document on the coffee table.
Christopher, Susanna, and Ethan were stunned.
All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.
Samuel was so shocked he stood up from the sofa, incredulously picking up the document
¡°The Martinez Group¡¯s Equity Transfer Agreement?¡±
*100% of the shares, with the signatures from 53 shareholders. You¡¯ve acquired the Martinez Group?!¡±
No wonder there was the sudden disappearance of the Martinez Group¡¯s shareholders yesterday. No
wonder Matthew¡¯s scandal didn¡¯t affect at all to the projects and resources they had already signed. It
turned out that the mysterious and powerful hand behind all this was his!
He certainly had the means, but how could it happen so quickly? Bing the sole proprietor of the
Martinez Group within a day is unheard of in the business world
Christopher was dumbfounded, looking at him in disbelief, ¡°Mr. Lockwood, why acquire the Martinez
Group?¡±
¡°As a gift for you.¡±
¡°What?¡±
Everyone was shocked, even the usuallyposed Ethan showed a look of disbelief.
The Martinez Group might not a famous enterprise, but it had nearly a decade of history and was worth
at least a billion. And he just acquired it and wants to give it to them for free?
¡°No, we can¡¯t ept this; this is too much!¡±
Christopher waved his hands repeatedly, standing up in agitation.
This is an entire group, invaluable. It¡¯s not something to joke about!¡±
¡°If I were joking, I wouldn¡¯t have brought it here today.¡±
Samuel paused repeatedly checking the contract. After confirming it was valid, he couldn¡¯t help but feel
a surge of emotions.
Orion was seriously investing to win Xan over. Or was that for someone of his wealth, this amount was
trivial?
¡°Orion, how much did you spend?¡±
¡°$200 million¡±
¡°What?!¡±
Samuel almost leaped in shock, ¡°Only $200 million? You¡¯re picking up junk? The Martinez Group¡¯s
market value is at least over 1.5 billion.¡±
Chapter 352
Chapter 352
¡°That¡¯s the now,¡± Orion¡¯s darkshes lowered slightly as he added another line, ¡®before the proposal
ceremony¡±
To others, it might seem like the Martinez Group¡¯s stacks had plummeted due to Matthew¡¯s scandal,
allowing Orion Lockwood, with his immense power and cunning tactics, to seize it at a very low price.
But Samuel, seasoned in the world of business, knew that the transaction was far moreplex.
Considering that Orion acquired all the shares in just one day, he spected Orion had already
infiltrated the Martinez Group long ago, but had kept it hidden,
This man, standing before him, was for more enigmatic and unpredictable than he had imagined.
He was no match for him.
Christopher and Susanna exchanged nces, their eyes filled with aplex mix of emotions¨Cawe at
Orion¡¯s extraordinary abilities. gratitude for resolving the Nightshade Group¡¯s risks to win Xan¡¯s favor,
and disbelief that he did it all for them.
Matthew had pretended and schemed for years to exploit them for the Martinez Group, while Orion
gifted them the Martinez Group as a greeting. The stark contrast between the two was hard to ept,
making thetter seem almost fantastical.
¡°Mr. Lockwood, we appreciate your sentiment, but this gift is too valuable for us to ept.¡±
¡°If you¡¯re unwilling to ept it, then let us be the closest of partners henceforth.¡±
¡°Orion, is this your clever n?¡± Samuel put away the contract. ¡°Waiting for Dad to say that? Well, I¡¯ll
keep this contract then.¡±
Lockwood¡¯s eyes lifted slightly. ¡°Alright.¡±
Christopher. ¡°This is absurd, Samuel, return the contract to Mr. Lockwood!¡±
Samuel: He was only testing the waters, not expecting him to be serious.
Susanna: ¡°Mr. Lockwood, we understand your good intentions, but Xan has just been betrayed in love.
I¡¯m worried about rushing into something new¡±
Orion understood their concerns and didn¡¯t want to push too hard, fearing Susanna¡¯s emotions might
be stirred again.
¡°I understand, I will prove myself to you,¡± Orion stood up, ¡°It¡¯s gettingte, please rest. My apologies for
the disturbance tonight¡±
Christopher and Susanna felt a twinge of guilt seeing him rise to leave.
Had they been too harsh?
Although they had stumbled upon his rtionship with Xan by chance, through their conversation, he
had shown genuine sincerity. making their attitude seem overly aggressive.
Was he just leaving like that?
All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.
Samuel frowned, putting down the contract with a serious expression, ¡°Orion, you say you¡¯ll prove it.
But how?
¡°With a few sweet words to Xan, some grand promises? Or like Matthew, falsely iming that time will
prove everything?
¡°Til tell you, words and time prove nothing! Matthew professed his love for Xan for years, but what did
he end up doing?¡±
As he spoke, he seemed to recall the scene at the proposal ceremony, bing more and more
agitated.
Ethan: ¡°Samuel, you¡¯re overreacting.¡±
Despite Samuel¡¯s fervent words, Orion¡¯s expression remained calm, betraying no emotion, as he
simply said, ¡°See you tomorrow¡±
¡°Mr. Lockwood¡±
Before leaving, Orion cast a deep nce towards the second floor.
Sweet dreams, my baby.
Chapter 353
15:32
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¨Ccrossed 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¨C
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.
Chapter 354
Chapter 354
¡°Onion¡¯s here?¡±
¡°Where? Where is he?¡±
She ran to the railing of the hallway and saw a striking figure standing in the living room.
Today, he was wearing an Elegance Craft Tailored Suit with the crystal cufflinks she had given him. He
looked impably dressed. elegant, and noble, his grace and elegance making his already handsome
features even more captivating.
She called out happily, drawing the attention of three pairs of eyes downstairs.
¡°Xannie¡±
Unable to hold back her excitement, Xanthea ran downstairs in her slippers.
But because she was moving so fast, she slipped on thest few steps and fell forward, ¡°Wh
Onion, Ethan, and Samuel, rmed by her fall, rushed to catch her.
The next moment, Xanthea found herself in a broad chest that smelled faintly of pine, and she
contentedly hugged his waist tightly.
¡°Xannie, are you okay?¡±
Orion worriedly checked her up and down. Xanthea, nestled in his arms, whined pitifully like a wounded
kitten, ¡°It hurts.¡±
Where does it hurt?¡±
He frowned and was about to check her ankle, when Xanthea pointed at her chest. ¡°Here, it hurts
because I missed you so much!¡±
Onion paused. Following her hand, his dark eyes softened.
1 missed you too.¡±
¡°Really?¡±
Xanthea, wrapping her arms around his neck, was about to speak when a suppressed angry voice
interrupted, ¡°Am I invisible to you two
or what?¡±
¡°?!¡± Xanthea turned her head and looked at the person curiously, ¡°Samuel, when did you get here?¡±
Samuel gritted his teeth, his face twisted with jealousy.
Xan used to favor him the most, always cuddling and ying with him, but now her attention had been
completely stolen by Orion. This schemer! Not only were they being lovey¨Cdovey right in front of him,
but she also didn¡¯t even see him!
Initially, Samuel had decided to be nicer to Orion after being scolded by his older brother yesterday. But
now, seeing this, he felt the rivalry was inevitable!
Xanthea looked at him innocently and curiously, while in her heart, little devil wings pped gleefully
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it was intentional. After all, Samuel had bullied Orion yesterday. Today, with
head!
¡°Everyone¡¯s standing firm now, why are you still holding on?¡±
Xanthea clutched her head. ¡°Oh dear, I ran too fast and felt a bit dizzy¡±
around, nobody could touch Orion, not even a hair on his
Samuel saw right through her scheme, ¡°Xan, you¡¯ve been running around since early morning, with
your hair a mess and your face unwashed. Don¡¯t you stink?¡±
Xanthea was shocked and sniffed herself. Above her, a rich, maicugh sounded, ¡°You don¡¯t stink;
just a milky fragrance.¡±
¡°Ha, Orion¡¯s the best!¡±
Susanna: ¡°Xan, hurry upstairs, wash up and get ready. Mr. Lockwood is a quest; we should be polite¡±
¡°Okay!¡±
¡°Mr. Lockwood, please, have a seat
Orion¡¯s gaze lingered on the girl¡¯s figure before turning back, ¡°Please don¡¯t be so formal, you can just
call me Orion,¡±
Christopher. ¡°Well.¡±
Seeing the situation, Cedric quickly put down the gift box he was ding, ¡°Mr. Lockwood came to visit
today and brought a little something.¡±
15:321
¡°You shouldn¡¯t have brought anything¡±
While Susanna was speaking, Cedric opened the gift box, revealing a grand and dazzling emerald
ne, stunning her into silence.
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Chapter 355
¡°Is this the Royal Emerald Ne of Lady Victoria Harrington that caused a sensation in the jewelry
auction world some time ago?¡±
Cedric ¡°Exactly¡±
Susanna was shocked. This ne had caught the eyes of many wealthy collectors when it was
announced for public auction. Being an avid collector of gemstones herself, she had been quite
tempted, but before she could even secure a spot for the auction, she heard it had been bought
So, the buyer was him.
This royal ne was for more precious than all her collectionsbined.
¡°No, I can¡¯t ept this. It¡¯s too precious!¡±
Cedne: ¡°Madame, please ept it. Mr. Lockwood bought it specifically for you at a high price,¡±
Specifically? Was he preparing for it even then?
¡°And here¡¯s something for Mr. Nightshade.¡± Jacob opened two borately wrapped exquisite gift
boxes, ¡°A bottle of Scotch from the rare reserves of Glenlivet and a Chateau Lafite Rothschild from
1787-
¡°Scotch from Glenlivet¡¯s rate reserves? That¡¯s listed as a world heritage, and the wine from 1787, aside
from collectors, who else could even afford that?¡±
Christopher was so shocked he couldn¡¯t refuse. A lifetime lover of wine, he was now facing the ultimate
temptation, he waspletely gripped by it.
Cedric: ¡°Mr. Ethan Nightshade, we heard you¡¯re deeply into scientific research and don¡¯t have many
hobbies, so Nightshade has just sessfully purchased a piece ofnd in the northem areas of
Crestwood and built a state¨Cof¨Cthe¨Cart research facility on it All equipment was flown in from Mystonia,
thetest and most advanced. If there¡¯s any special material you need, feel free to list it.¡±
What?
Ethan looked at him, astonished.
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Since his home country, the research institute he worked at had outdated equipment and materials,
slowing down his progress. He had been trying to improve the situation, but now Orion was simply
given a newb.
Establishing a researchb not only costs a fortune but also requires multiple levels of approval.
Moreover obtaining those high¨Cend pieces of equipment without connections is impossible.
Samuel looked at the giftsid out in front of them, dumbfounded. As the CEO of the Nightshade
Group, this was the first time he felt what it was like to be overshadowed by greater wealth, a true
David meeting Goliath moment!
-ME
Samuel Nightshade.¡±
Jacob had just started to speak when Samuel interrupted, waving his hands, ¡°Don¡¯t open it!¡±
Seeing that his parents and elder brother were about to be swayed by material wealth, he felt he
needed to hold the fort for Xan!
¡°What are you all looking at?¡±
are all stunned.
sirs, they were
A clear and melodious voice rang out. Everyone turned around, and upon seeing the girl descending
the stairs, Xanthea had her hair styled in a vintage princess look, secured on both sides with fluttering
butterfly clips. Her lush, long seaweed¨Cgreen hair cascaded down a dress dyed in gradients of rose,
sketching out a slender and stunningly beautiful figure.
She looked like a goddess who had stepped out from a ssic painting, utterly captivating.
Samuel was dumbstruck.
It was the first time he saw Xant trying such a style of dress. She looked incredibly beautiful, truly
transforming into an even more stunning young woman.
Ethan turned slightly and noticed Orion¡¯s gaze, which was deep and burning as if fixated on Xan, It was
completely different from the detached politeness he had shown them and the indifference he
disyed towards the valuable gifts. It was as if he wanted to keep her all to himself, she was his
ultimate treasure.
Cedric smiled and said, ¡°Ms. Nightshade, the CEO is giving gifts to your parents and your brothers.¡±
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Chapter 356
¡°Gifts?¡± Xanthea looked at Orion in delight. ¡°Is there one for me?¡±
It took a moment for Orion to restrain himself and looked away from her
He picked up a gift box and pulled out a stuffed red fox plushie
The moment Xothea saw the fluffy little fox, her eyes lit up and she happily epted it ¡°Aww! It¡¯s so
cute and adorable! Wait, why does it kind of look like me?¡±
It wasn¡¯t just kind of, it was exactly like her!
Those unique features of her eyebrows and eyes, the charm of her smile, and the iris flower mark on its
forehead were clearly custom¨Cmade to resemble Xanthen.
Holding this every night wouldn¡¯t it be just like cuddling a mal Xan?
Thinking this, Samuel quickly snatched the fox plushie from her hands, ¡°Xan, I really like this little fox.
How about you take the gift on the table? It¡¯s definitely more expensivel
¡°Samuel, dream on!
¡°Give it back to me!¡±
Xanthea hadn¡¯t even had enough time with it and was instantly enraged. She chased after him, her
previous ethereal demeanorpletely gone.
Susanna shook her head with a helpless smile, ¡°These two little troublemakers, they are just like when
they were kids. Orion, don¡¯t mind
them.
¡°Not at all.¡± Orion¡¯s gaze softened, filled with a gentle amusement as he watched the girl, ¡°She¡¯s
adorable.¡±
He even found her adorable when she was like this?
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Then he must genuinely like Xan.
Christopher quickly called over Zora and the housekeepers, ¡°It¡¯s almost noon, Prepare the lunch, we
have a distinguished guest!¡±
¡°Orion, what kind of food do you like?
Out of breath from her chase, Xanthea ran over puzzled at her parents, ¡°Mom, Dad? Why are you
calling him ¡®Orion¡® now? Have you epted him?¡±
¡°Well¡±
Cedric and Jacob couldn¡¯t help but snicker. The ever¨Cvictorious CEO on the business battlefield knew
exactly how to win people over
Orion spoke up. ¡°Mr. and Mrs. Nightshade, allow me to prepare lunch.¡±
¡°What?¡±
Christopher and Susanna looked at each other in surprise
¡°How could we let you do that? You¡¯re our guest!¡±
¡°It¡¯s alright¡±
Christopher and Susanna thought he was just being polite, after all, how could a young master from a
prestigious family know how to cock?
Tu their surprise, Xan stood next to him and nodded eamestly, ¡°Mom, Dad, let him show off his skills.
His cooking is delicious!¡±
¡°How do you know?¡±
Everyone looked at her curiously. Xanthea was suddenly at a loss for words. If she said she often went
to his room in the middle of the night just to grab a midnight snack, would they believe her? They¡¯d
probably blow their top!
She looked at Orion for help, only to find him smiling back at her, as if waiting for her to reveal the truth.
This sly foxl Does he want her to get into trouble?
¡°Well, when I was filming, he often brought meals to the set.¡±
¡°Really?¡±
¡°Orion, you can cook?¡±
¡°Of course. Why would I lie? Not only can he cook, but his cooking is also exceptionally delicious!¡±
15:33
Fearing they¡¯d pry further and that Sly Fox might reveal more, Xanthen quickly pushed him towards the
kitchen. At the door, she shed a sly smile and pretended to follow him in. ¡°Or, let me help you!¡±
But she found herself mercilessly lifted out by him, just like he was carrying a little bunny, ¡°No need
¡°Why not?!¡±
¡°You¡¯d only distract me
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Chapter 357
An hour and a halfter, everyone was astonished at the sight of the tabl
e full of aromatic, delicious, and beautifully presented dishes: especially Cluistopher and Susanna,
whose opinions of Orlon began to shift dramatically.
From being wary of Onion stealing away their precious daughter, Can, to wondering how their Xan
managed to ¡°steal¡± such a treasure as
Orion71
Dom into a prestigious family, with exceptional looks, outstanding abilities, and a calm demeanor¨Cand
he could even cook!
Despite their decades of experience reading people, Christopher and Susanna could usually see
through someone¡¯s character at a nce, but they had yet to find a single w in him.
fering their dumbfounded expressions, Xanthea smugly sidled up to Orion. ¡°See, Mom and Dad, I told
you Orion can cook, but you didn¡¯t believe me¡±
Half the reason the fell for him was his amazing culinary skills; his cooking was no good she could
devour it¨Cand him¨Cevery day for the rest of her life!
Zora chimed in happily. ¡°Absolutely, Mr. Lockwood did all of this by himself. We were just his sous¨C
chefs!¡±
Having worked in elite circles for most of her life, it was the f
s the first time Zora had seen such a young nobleman who could cook, and so exceptionally well at
that. If the youngdy ended up with him, she would surely be happy.
¡°Really?¡±
Samuel, eyeing the mouthwatering dishes, skeptically picked up his utensils to try a bite.
As the CEO of the Lockwood Group, always busy and swamped with meetings and business dealings,
how could Orion possibly have the time to learn to cook? Wasn¡¯t this just for show?
¡°Xan, some things are just like some people¨Cthey may look good, but once you taste them.¡±
He fell silent as soon as the food hit his mouth. Tasting them, they were even better.
¡°Samuel?¡± Xanthea leaned in with a smug grin, ¡°How is it? Heavenly, isn¡¯t it?¡±
¡°Just, just average.¡±
Yeah, right!
Having shared nearly every meal with her since childhood, their tastes were identical; if she thought it
was amazing, he couldn¡¯t possibly think it was just average!
¡°Thank you, Orion, for preparing such a wonderful lunch for us!¡±
¡°It¡¯s really not proper to have you cook on your first visit¡±
¡°Mr. and Mrs. Nightshade, please don¡¯t mention it. If you like it. I¡¯d be happy to cook for you anytime.¡±
¡°Hahaha, how could we let you do that? Everyone, sit down! Zora, open the wine that Orion brought!¡±
As everyone took their seats, Christopher and Susanna eagerly took their first bites. Their expressions
immediately froze, even the usually picky Ethan was impressed.
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It was even better than what Zora, a certified master chef, could make!
Christopher was praised, ¡°The creamy potato soup is velvety smooth, leaving a fragrant aftertaste, and
the golden¨Cbrown meatloaf is tender and rich Orion, it¡¯s incredible that someone as young as you
possesses such culinary skills!¡±
Orion humbly responded, ¡°You tter me, sir. I¡¯ve just been interested in cooking since I was young,
and with practice over the years, I¡¯ve gotten better¡±
¡°Since you were young?¡±
As Christopher Started chatting with him, Xanthea reached for a piece of the grilled sardines but had
the te taken away by the man beside her.
Orion meticulously removed the bones while continuing the conversation with Christopher.
Susanna was momentarily taken aback,deeply moved by his skilled deboning gesture.
Xan had always had a sensitive throat, and she often got fish bones stuck, so Susanna had always
done it for her, and now seeing Orion do it so naturally, as if it was a habitual part of his life, touched
her deeply.
Christopher noticed it too.
Not just that, he observed that there was notro in the cold dips and no green onions in the soup¨C
both things Xan disliked. Eveni Matthew, who had been by Xan¡¯s side for years, didn¡¯t know these
details, yet Orion remembered and took care of them. It truly showed his genuine affection through the
smallest actions.
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Chapter 358
¡°Thanks, Orl
Xanthea happily took the deboned sardine and started eating.
¡°Oh, did Ie at just the right time? Just in time for luncht¡±
A clear and cheerful voice suddenlye from outside, making everyone turn their heads.
¡°Oliver?¡±
¡°Uncle¡±
Xanthea stood up happily and gave him a subtle wink. Oliver signaled back, indicating he got the
message and was on the mission!
Susanna: ¡°Oliver, why didn¡¯t you let us know you wereing?¡±
¡°What, am I not weed when there are guests?¡±
¡°Of course not, Zora, set another ce!¡±
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¡°Mr. Lopez¡±
Orion was about to stand up, but Oliver gently pushed him back into his seat, ¡°No formalities. We¡¯re
practically family here, after all!¡±
??
Everyone looked at him in confusion. They hadn¡¯t exined the rtionship between Orion and Xan to
him yet, how did he
¡°Why are you all staring at me? My precious niece told me everything long ago. Or do you really think
my visit today was just a coincidence?¡± Oliver said, taking a sip of the 1787 Chateau Lafite Rothschild.
¡°What a fine wine! And Zora, your cooking skills have improved leaps and bounds!¡±
Zora: ¡°Oh, it¡¯s not me. All these were cooked by Mr. Lockwood.¡±
¡°Really?¡± Oliver, already quite satisfied with Orion, looked even more impressed, ¡°Orion is truly
exceptional. Xan will be very happy with him.¡±
Orion: ¡°Thank you, Uncle.¡±
Hearing Orion call him uncle filled Oliver with a deep sense of joy andfort. From the first day he
met this talented young man, he could hardly imagine that one day he would be his niece¡¯s
fianc¨¦. What a twist of fate!
¡°Hahaha, fantastic! Sister, I¡¯m the first he¡¯s called intimately, right?¡±
I was the first!¡±
Samuel blurted out without thinking. Xanthea couldn¡¯t help butugh, ¡°Samuel, does this mean you¡¯ve
epted him?¡±
Too many words lead to mistakes!
¡°It doesn¡¯t matter who¡¯s first. What matters is that I¡¯m here today to vouch for Orion.¡± Oliver put down
his wine ss, looking earnestly at them, ¡°Sister, brother¨Cinw, I know you¡¯re wary of anyone
pursuing Xan because of what happened with Matthew.¡±
¡°But I¡¯ve known Orion for many years. I know his character and integrity well. He¡¯spletely
trustworthy, and most importantly, he genuinely loves Xan.¡±
¡°From the time Xan entered the entertainment industry¨Cauditions, business offers, being chased by
obsessive fans, struggles with acting¨COrion has been there supporting and taking care of her behind
the scenes. Hearing she was going to be on Adventure Blitz Two Days, One Night, he even put aside
his work to join the show. You¡¯ve seen that, haven¡¯t you?¡±
Christopher and Susanna nodded. They were indeed surprised to see Orion on the show, thinking
back, it was clear he was taking extra care of Xan.
¡°As for Matthew, he approached Xan to use the Nightshade Group for his own gain. But what could
Orion possibly want from Xan, other
than her love?¡±
¡°Exactly!¡± Xanthea nodded eagerly, seeing her parents wavering, she quickly added, ¡°Mom, Dad,
there¡¯s something I¡¯ve never told you. The person who saved me at theke on mying¨Cof¨Cage day
was Orion!¡±
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Chapter 359
¡°Xan, are you serious?
¡°But Matthew said it was him
¡°How can you believe that higher? We were all duped at that time, including me I also thought I had
been saved by Matthew until teamed the truthter on¡± Xanthes said. T Matthew had saved me, why
were his clothes dry?¡±
remember now! Zom suddenly recalled, ¡°That day, while everyone was gathered around the
unconscious youngdy I indeed saw Mr. Lockwood quietly leaving thekeside alone, and the
footprints he left were wet
Christopher and Susanna¡¯s expressions changed drastically upon hearing this. They stood up and
toasted to Orion
¡°Orion, we had no idea you were Xan¡¯s savior¡±
¡°We¡¯ve been so rude, please forgive what we saidst night. Don¡¯t take it to heart
Onon stood up. Th¡¯s alright. Mr. and Mrs. Nightshade, no worries¡±
¡°But we must express our gratitude for such a great favor!¡±
¡°We really don¡¯t know how to thank you enough this toast is a must!¡±
Xanthea saw the gratitude in her parents¡® eyes and the silently raised ss of Samuel beside them.
She knew her n was nearly seed
Christopher downed his ss in one gulp, ¡°Onion, I¡¯ve been wondering, what exactly do you like about
Xan?¡±
As Oliver had said he was talented and powerful, wanting nothing but Xan¡¯s love
But with the power of the Lockwood Group, he could have any woman he wanted¨Cfrom nobledies to
famous actresses. Why go through all this trouble for Xan?
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Xanthea had a strange feeling that her father, after a drink, had suddenly epted Orion as his son,
and she had be his daughter¨Cinw
But she was also curious about what Onion liked about her.
Onon looked down at her with a tender smile, ¡°I don¡¯t know either.¡±
Xanthea¡¯s eyes widened in shock. With so many virtues she had, howe he couldn¡¯t name a single
one?!
¡°It¡¯s just that thinking of her makes my heart race and seeing her makes my life worth living?
Christopher and Susanna didn¡¯t fully understand his words, but seeing their daughter¡¯s sweet smile,
they felt relieved.
Smooth talker
Xanthea sneakily poked the inside of his thigh under the table, intending to withdraw immediately, but
he tightly held her hand.
In front of everyone,
what was he trying to do? Why did he move even closer¡.
¡°Xan, here¡¯s to you! Oliver raised his ss, rescuing Xanthea without his knowing it, ¡°Here¡¯s to finding
such a good boyfriend¡±
Xanthea quickly picked up her ss, shooting Orion a re, who looked innocent as if to say. You
started it.
A good boyfriend indeed, if only he wasn¡¯t so flirtatious
The lunch was lively and filled with joy, and just as it was ending, Ethan, who had been quiet, suddenly
looked at Orion.
¡°Mr. Lockwood, I hope you don¡¯t mind me asking you something?¡±
¡°Please, go ahead.¡± Orion replied.
Xanthea, curious at her brother¡¯s rare serious tone, asked, ¡°What do you want to ask, big bro?¡±
¡°I was wondering about the media reports that Mr. Lockwood, during his childhood, pushed his
stepmother down the stairs due to family disputes and inheritance issues, resulting in her death. Is that
true?¡±
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Chapter 360
As soon as he finished speaking, Xanthen stood up abruptly, her tone displeased, ¡°Big bro, what are
you saying? Those rumors are definitely not true! You know how the media nowadays is best at making
things up and stirring trouble. You should know that!¡±
Ethan replied calmly, ¡°Xan, I was just asking¡±
¡°You can tell it¡¯s fake just by hearing it. There¡¯s no need to ask!¡±
The others were also shocked by Ethan¡¯s question, but deep down, they were curious to know the
answer
Because Orion was too perfect, wless in every aspect, which made him seem unmal.
If there was a hidden dark side beneath his perfect facade, they would truly throw Xan into a pit of
endless fire.
Xanthea had expected others to speak up for her, but to her surprise, they all remained silent, looking
at Orion as if demanding an exnation, which infunated her.
The trauma from his childhood had always been a scar in his heart, one she didn¡¯t dare to tread lightly.
Yet now, they were openly exposing it!
¡°Orion, let¡¯s get out of here.¡±
¡°Xan.¡±
Onon held her hand, as ifforting her, or perhaps just wanting to hold on to something.
His thick, darkshes cast lowered, covering the turmoil within. After a moment, he simply said, ¡°It¡¯s not
true.¡±
Ethan asked, ¡°Rumors?¡±
¡°The family dispute is real, but she slipped and fell on her own. The news was spun by my uncle.¡±
¡°I see,¡± Oliver, seeing that Xan¡¯s face had changed and she seemed ready to argue with the family,
quickly stepped in to smooth things over. ¡°That was what I expected. How could a kid do such a thing?
Timothy has coveted the position of CEO of the Lockwood Group for years, using all sorts of means to
win people over and manipte the media. Everyone in the business circle knows this. Is that right,
Samuel?¡±
Samuel nodded, and the matter was considered settled. Christopher and Susanna breathed a sigh of
relief. The atmosphere at the dining table quickly returned to its former pleasant vibe.
However, Xanthea had lost her appetite. She put down her utensils, ¡°My shoes are a bit ufortable,
I¡¯ll go them.¡±
Orion watched her leave.
¡°This child, how can her shoes suddenly be ufortable while eating?¡±
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¡°Leave her be, she¡¯s just in a mood.¡±
¡°Onion, don¡¯t mind her. Let¡¯s continue eating.¡±
o upstairs and change
After lunch, everyone sat in the living room chatting. Orion kept ncing upstairs, but half an hour
passed, and the girl still hadn¡¯t appeared.
¡°Orion, thank you for the gift you brought today. It¡¯s really too generous!¡±
Cedric took out a document from his briefcase, ¡°Mr. and Mrs. Nightshade, the plushie was just a small
gift from the CEO to Ms. Nightshade. This is her real present¡±
¡°What¡¯s it?¡±
* Dearieid down the document, and the Nightshade family, along with Oliver, were all shocked when
they saw the text on it. They stood up, looking at Orion in astonishment.
¡°Orion!¡±
He had included Xan in his will as the sole beneficiary!
Everyone was stunned, but Onon remained calm, as if it was a something long decided.
¡°Please don¡¯t mention this to Xan, I don¡¯t want to put any pressure on her.¡±
Chapter
Chapter 361
Chapter 361
¡°Hmph you big meanie, always bullying me
In her room, Xanthes was packing a Hello Kitty toy into her sulicose when she heard Zora¡¯s voice from
outside, ¡°Miss, Mr. Lockwood leaving: Master and Madam asked you to go and say goodbye. They
are in the back garden.¡±
¡°What?¡±
¡°What?¡±
He¡¯s leaving so soon? He must be angry!
In the back garden, a man of striking posture stood before a mutated Iris, gently caressing Its withered
stems and leaves.
¡°Orion!¡±
He tumed around and saw the girl running over, breathless, pulling a red suitcase. His expression
momentarily froze, ¡°Xannie?¡±
¡°Ethan and Samuel are too much, Let¡¯s ignore them and go back to Sunset Hills Estates together!¡±
No sooner had she spoken than the man¡¯s puzzled look turned into one of deep, fervent intensity. He
stepped forward quickly and pulled her into a tight embrace.
¡°AM¡±
Xanthea was caught off guard, her heart skipping a beat.
He must have been sad and hurt after having his scars revealed by her brother, so that he¡¯s seeking
comfort from her.
¡°Ori, don¡¯t be sad, don¡¯t be sad, Xonnie will protect you!¡±
She reached out and gently patted his back, as ifforting a wounded child.
Orion, with his face buried in her dark, silky hair, felt the cold gloom in his heart dissipate the moment
he saw her, heard her voice, and breathed in her scent.
His Xannie, was she really not an angel in disguise?
How could she be so good.
Xanthea: ¡°Orion, if you¡¯re really upset, you can cry. I won¡¯t make fun of you.¡±
¡°Heh.¡±
Before she could finish, he let out a soft chuckle
Xanthea: ¡°?¡± Did he lose his mind?
¡°I¡¯m too happy to be upset.¡±
¡°Huh? Big brother revealed your wounds, you¡¯re not angry?¡±
Those wounds had long been healed by you.
¡°But Xan defended me and argued for me.¡±
Little did she know, it took all his restraint not to kiss her in front of everyone.
¡°Then¡¡± Xanthea looked at him with slight confusion, ¡°Ethan bullied you like that, and you¡¯re not
angry?¡±
¡°Not angry¡± Orion gently brushed her bangs aside, his eyes deep. ¡°If they bully me, I¡¯ll just take it out on
you.¡±
Xanthea: ¡°777¡± What kind of logic was that? Brother¡¯s debt paid by sister?
Just as she was about to argue, she felt his ¡°bullying,¡± her cheeks instantly flushing.
Orion¡¯s eyes twinkled with a deep meaning, but I can make it rain.¡±
Xanthea quickly caught on and pounded his chest in embarrassment and annoyance, ¡°You jerk, you
rogue!¡±
¡°Weren¡¯t you just about to elope with this Jogue?¡±
¡°Who, who said that! I was just¡
¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll definitely marry you with all the proper ceremonies.¡±
Xanthea saw him getting carried away and raised her head proudly yet shyly. ¡°Keep dreaming, I might
not marry you!¡±
Orion¡¯s eyes narrowed, revealing a dangerous glint, ¡°If you don¡¯t marry me, who will you marry then?¡±
¡°I¡¯ll have to think about it
¡°Let me know when you make the decision, so I can deal with him.¡±
15:33
Hahaha, I¡¯ll marry you?
You agreed?
Sly Fox, you tricked me again!¡±
In the back garden, the sweet and happyughter of the couple echoed.
Ethan and Samuel stood behind a carved window, watching the scene from afar
¡°Who would¡¯ve thought Orion, the business genius, is even more lovesick than Xan
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To win Xan, he was willing to offer his entire fortune as a betrothal gift. That was crazy
¡°Let¡¯s hope Xan didn¡¯t choose the wrong person this time and can stay this happy.¡±
¡°Onion,¡± Xanthea, hooking her arms around his neck, beamed with happiness, ¡°I haven¡¯t even praised
you yet. You¡¯ve made my parents so happy, they¡¯ll definitely agree to our rtionship soon!¡±
¡°They¡¯ve already agreed, your brothers too.¡±
¡°Really? That¡¯s great!¡±
Xanthea jumped up with joy, and Orion embraced her, murmuring deeply, ¡°Yes, from now on, Xannie
will be mine.¡±
¡°Tomorrow the crew wraps up filming, let¡¯s celebrate together, okay?¡±
Chapter 362
Chapter 362
On the outskirts of Crestwood, the set of Realm of Illusions.
Shadows danced as bullets flew, a hemic figure d in ck wielding dual pistols, moved through the
boundless night. Wherever she went ICE Alliance warriors fell.
In the end, she too fell into a pool of bright red blood.
¡°Dead, she¡¯s dead!¡±
¡°Phoenix, you¡¯ve finally met your end at my hands, ck Mambal
All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.
¡°Hahaha.¡±
The leader of the ICE Alliance, ck Mamba, let out a maniacugh his iron boots nking as he
approached the fallen shadow ready to lift her ¡°corpse.¡±
Unexpectedly, the girl suddenly rose, drew her guns, loaded it, aimed, and fired. Her movements were
as swift as a shadow in the night. leaving him no time to react before his head exploded. He died with a
smile still on his face.
¡°Phoenix¡±
He dropped under her icy, emotionless eyes.
¡°Boom-¡±
olding the severe offenders from
ck Mamba had rigged his heart as a bomb trigger. Once his heart stopped beating, the prison
holding Ignite Camp would explode.
A massive explosion sounded, mes shooting up
p into the sky
Without a second thought. Phoenix rushed into the mes.
Below the dungeon, Maximus struggled for breath amidst the thick smoke, on the brink of death. His
limbs were shackled with heavy chains, his body covered in wounds, his clothes soaked in blood, and
his breath faint. It was a miracle he was still alive, a miracle sustained by a single, desperate hope.
But now, with the explosion and the rising mes, that hope was extinguished. It was time for him to go.
Just as he was about to ept his fate, a loud ¡°ng¡± of the prison door being kicked open echoed
From the thick smoke emerged a figure asmanding as a bloodthirsty goddess in the night,
mysterious and captivating
Maximus saw her and could hardly believe his eyes. After a moment, he burst into a satisfied and eerie
laugh, ¡°Hahaha.¡±
¡°Phee, Phee, you finally came¡±
¡°Do you know how long I¡¯ve waited? Sixty¨Csix days, a full sixty¨Csix days. Every day, I thought about
you.¡±
Otherwise, he would have died long ago.
¡°Are you here to send me off for thest time?¡±
¡°Go ahead, to die at your hands would be an honor
He closed his eyes calmly, content with the thought of his ending at her hands.
¡°Bang-
The sound of a gunshot echoed, but Maximus did not die
Phoenix had broken the chains that tightly bound him. As Maximus knelt on one knee, blood dripping
from his mouth, he looked up in disbelief
crucial: in Maximus¡¯s eyes, this is the Realm
of
¡°Alright Group 3, pay attention, we need to light Phoenix¡¯s profile here. This scene is crucial: Illusions¡±
Kevin picked up the microphone and had just finished speaking when he saw the tall, imposing man
beside him.
¡°Mr. Lockwood
He humedly stood up to greet him, but the man seemed not to hear him.
On the green screen, mes roared, and the girl with dual pistols fearlessly rushed into the dark room
without a trace of light, to save the dying boy.
Her figure slowly retreated back to over a decade ago, when there was a scene identical to the present.
She had also rushed into the mes back then, like an angel descending.
Kevin noticed the deep emotions swirling in Mc. Lockwood¡¯s eyes, tin
tinted red by the fiery glow. He seemed to be deeply moved by the
15:33
acene, which took Kevin by surprise,
Phoenix holstered her guns and extended her hand to Maximus, ¡°Tm here to save you¡±
¡°Why? Why?¡±
Maximus¡¯s pale lips trembled, staring at her in bewilderment.
Chapter 363
Chapter 363
He captured her, imprisoned her, forced her to do things she didn''t want to do, and why was she still willing to
"Because Phoenix and Maximus will always be the best partners"
save him?
Amidst the zing mes, their silhouettes walking away together were just like when they first entered Ignite Camp
"Perfect, that''s a wrap! Congrattions to Phoenix for wrapping up!
Congrattions to Maximus for wrapping up! Congrattions to the entire crew of Realm of Illusions for wrapping up!"
As the "cut" was called the whole set erupted in celebration. Confetti flew, apuse resounded, and a cake cart was pushed in.
"Great work, everyonel"
Xanthea greeted each crew member, and was about to take off her night costume when she spotted Onion behind the camera.
"Xan, it was really great working with you this time"
The actor ying Maximus opened his arms, intending to give her a big hug, only to see her push past him and run, ¡°?¡±
"Oril"
Xanthea''s face lit up with a smile, running into Onion''s arms like a joyful fluttering bird.
Orion caught her effortlessly, lowering his head to inhale her sweet fragrance, as if to calm the intense emotions within him.
The actor ying Maximus I thought I was your dear partner.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Their feelings have heated up way so fast. Xan used to be so coy, and now she''s not even avoiding anyone!
"Happy wrap, my Max!"
Xanthea whispered happily into his ear, Orion was slightly stunned at first, then his eyes crinkled with a smile, "Happy wrap, my goddess."
"Hahaha, have you turned into my fan?"
"Talways was."
The most possessive, obsessive fan he was After saying that he scooped her up, intending to get her into the car.
"Ah." Kevin saw this and, felt too embarrassed to interrupt, only stuttering a loud reminder from behind, "Xan, don''t forget to go to the wrap party!"
"Mm, okay."
Kevin''s voice was blocked by the car door, and Xanthea''s response was swallowed up in Orion''s kisses As soon as they got into the car, Orion couldn''t wait to "devour" his "goddess." The seround them was heated and extremely intimate: Cedric didn''t dare to nce at the rearview mirror and silently raised the partition.
Before the partition had fully up, he heard Xanthea''s muffled, confused voice, "Huh? Orion, it''s my wrap today, didn''t you bring flowers?" "Flowers?" The man, lost in the pleasure of kissing, continued to nibble on her tender rose lips, hardly able to think of anything else, forgot"
"What?
Xanthes was stunned by his words, then pushed him away in dissatisfaction.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.
"Wow! I even reminded you, and howe you still forgot!
"Typical man! Always longing for what you don''t have, but once you have it, you take it for granted!"
The man, lost in desire, was pushed away by her. His expression was dazed as he held her hand tightly, e
trying to pull her back into his embrace for another kiss, only to be met with an angry bite from his little fox
"Ouch!"
The man was amused by her cuteney''s, but the more heughed, the angrier Xanthea became.
It was her first wrap, and it was even a film they starred in together, m
marking a significant moment in their rtionship. Yet, he didn''t even bother to buy her flowers, and he stillughed after he forgot that!
Hearing the boss being "mistreated," Ceddo couldn''t help but exin, Ms.
Nightshade, Boss didn''t bring flowers because he spent the whole day picking..
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Chapter 364
Chapter 364
"I brought something else."
Orion interrupted him.
"Something else? Like what?"
0 0000 00
Please, not something like a lollipop. She wasn''t that easy to please!
Orion reached over to open the mini fridge in the car. Xanthea leaned in curiously and saw adorable animal-shaped cakes with a zodiac theme.
"Aw! They''re so cute!"
Her eyes sparkled with delight as she almost dove into the fridge, but the man lifted her out by the back of her neck.
"Do you like them?"All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.
"Yes, yes, yes!"
"Pick one.
"Til pick.."
That''s when Xanthea noticed there wasn''t a Scorpio among the cupcakes. He knew she was terrified of scorpions and had deliberately left it out. How thoughtful he was!
She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him on the right cheek, with an enchanting smile, "Or, pick for me."
The man''s gaze darkened slightly, then he tilted his left cheek toward her to hint, "This side too."
Xanthea: "Mua!"
Orion picked one for her-a Gemini-themed cupcake with two adorable twin figures holding hands. Xanthea happily took it and, holding the fork, hesitated for a moment. It was just too cute to eat!
on, you didn''t make these yourself, did you?"
"There are molds."
"You''re amazing! How are you good at everything? What if I be totally useless being taken care of by you in the future?"
"Useless?" Orion''s eyes narrowed, as if he hadn''t considered such a delightful possibility. "Then I''ll just lock you up and make sure you''re only taken care of and yed with by me every day."
"Stop it, you''re such a weirdo!"
Xanthea threatened him with her fork, then gentlynded it on one of the Gemini twins'' heads. A mouthful of smooth, tangy yogurt exploded on her taste buds, so delicious that her eyes nearly closed in pleasure.
"Tasty, that''s tasty! Orion, you should try."
Before she could finish, the man had already tasted it-right off her lips.
"What are you doing?"
Orion gently licked his lips, his Adam''s apple bobbing. "The cake on Xannie''s lips is sweeter."
"Ew, gross!"
"Not gross." Orion hugged her tightly, yfully wrapping around her, "Xannie eats the cupcake, and fil eat Xannie"
"Let go, ha-ha, it tickles."
The two were affectionate all the way, teasing each other until about an hourter Xanthea suddenly m realized something was off. With ve messy halt she looked at the man covered in cream and strawberry marks on his face and neck.
"Orion, where are you taking me?"
"I have a surprise for you"
"A surprise?" She nced out the window, "What kind of surprise m Rus to drive this far? We''re almost reaching the northern areas of Crestwood."
Welt. A sudden realization hit her and she looked at him suspiciously "You''re not taking me to meet your family, are you?!"
"Do you want to meet them?"
"No, no!" She immediately shook her head, fearing he would misu stand, and exined, "It''s not that Emm, I''m just not dressed for IL I''m in costume, no makeup, and there are bite marks on my neck from you. No, I can''t go like this, I need to prepare property before I can go meet them!"
"No need" Orion kissed her hair gently. "You look best no matter what"
"That''s just you are being in love it doesn''t mean others will think the same. No!
We''re not going, stop the cart" Xanthea pretended to threaten him by pinching his neck. Suddenly, Cedric''s voice c
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Chapter 365
Chapter365
¡°Huh?!¡±
Sheturnedherfaceinhorror,¡°Sosoon?¡±
¡°Xannie,timetogetout.
¡°No,no,Iwon¡¯tgetout.¡±
Xantheaclungtotheseatbelt,refusingtoletgountilOrionleanedinandwhisperedinherearwithachuckle,¡°I¡¯mjustkidding.¡±
¡°Really?¡±
¡°Really.¡±
¡°You¡¯llbeamonkey¡¯suncleifyou¡¯relying!¡±
¡°Comeoutandseeforyourself.¡±
Skepticalyetcurious,Xantheapokedherheadout,andherjawdroppedatthesightofthesprawling,magnificentestatebeforeher.
CouldthisbetheestateOrionmentionedbefore,theentimergerthantheMarlowefamily¡¯sinthenorthernareasofCrestwood?Thiswasn¡¯tjusttentimerger,itwasanendless,sprawling,luxuriousprivateind!
¡°Orion,thisceis¡¡±
¡°XantheaHavenEstate.¡±
¡°Xanthea?¡±Shelookedathimindisbelief.¡°That¡¯smyname.You¡¯rejoking,right?¡±
Beforeshecouldfinish,twolinesofservantsintheestatesimultaneouslyopenedthetall,gildedgates,revealingaluxuriousmainviwithfourstrikinggoldencharactersontheentrance¨CXantheaHavenEstate.
Theservantsbowedandsaidinunison,¡°Wee,Madam!Goodafternoon,Madam!¡±
Theopulentestate,thegleamingentrance,theandthe uniformvoices¨CeverythingleftXantheainshock.Shecoveredhermouthindisbelief,takingalongmomentbeforeslowlylookingathim,¡°Why?¡±
Onionlookeddownather,hisdarkeyesfilledwithtenderaffection,¡°Becausethiswillbeourhome.¡±
¡°Ourhome?¡±Shepaused,thenbitherlip,touchedandamused,¡°Ihaven¡¯tevenagreedtomarryyouyet,andyou¡¯vealreadypreparedourmarital home?¡±
¡°Yep,soyoucan¡¯tbackoutnow¡±
Oriontookherhand,gentlykissingitasiftosealthedeal,¡°Yourname¡¯salreadyonit.Ifyoudon¡¯tmanyme,you¡¯llowemetentimesthpensation.¡±
¡°Thisnamingdoesn¡¯tcount!Wait,Ihaven¡¯tagreedtoanything,sohowcanIbackout?Andtentimesthpensation?Youwantmeto
gobankrupt,youwickedcapitalist!¡±
¡°Madamissoadorable!¡±
¡°Yes,yes,andsobeautiful.I¡¯veneverseensuchaprettygirlinmylife!¡±
¡°Howcananyonebesocharminglypetnt?¡±
Look,YoungMasterlooksatherwithsuchadoration,it¡¯salmostdripping outofhiseyes.It¡¯senoughtomakeanyone jealous.¡±
Thegroupofservantsgiggledandwhispered,theirvoicesclearlyreachingXanthea¡¯sears,makinghershylyhidebehindOrion,¡°Let¡¯sgoinside,shallwe?¡±All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.
Orionchuckled,holdingherhandtighter,¡°Alright¡±
Spanningnearlyahundredacres,XantheaHavenEstatewassovastthattouringitrequiredarideinaEuropean¨Cstyleelectricgardentrolley.XantheasatinanelectricEuropean¨Cstyleflowercarriage,justabouttotakeinthescenerywhenhereyesweregentlycoveredby theman¡¯stie
¡°Orion,whatareyoudoing?¡±
Thsttimehepulledhistie,itwastobindherhandsandattemptsomethinginappropriateundertheguiseofbeingMaximus.Thistime,withhereyescoveredintheopencouldhebenningsomethingevenmoreimproper,
Chapter 366
Chapter 366
There''s a gift for you?
"A gift?" Xanthea was curious, "What is it? It''s so formal, you even have to cover my eyes?"
"You''ll find out soon.
The trolley came to a halt, the gentle breeze caressed the wind chimes on the flower basket, producing a clear and pleasant sound. Onon led her by the hand, carefully guiding her down from the trolley, "Take it slow"
Xanthea tilted her head up, asking him in bewilderment, "Are we there yet?"
"Wimost."
"Still ahead, huh?"
He guided her, step by step. But the further they went, the more she felt something was off, the crunching beneath her feet sounded like dry twigs being stepped on, The woods?
Orion had indeed led her into the woods. What was he up to?!
She abruptly halted Onon: "What''s wrong?"
"Orion, you''re a pervert!"
She hadn''t even tried the basics, and he was already seeking thrills!
Heaning "pervert" Orion paused for a moment, then slowly smiled, "Xannie, what are you expecting?"
"I wasn''t expecting anything!"
"I will satisfy you"
"What nonsense are you talking about? I''m a proper youngdy from a prestigious family, I would never."
Before she could finish, Orion removed the tie on her eyes, restoring her sight. An expanse of blooming irises flooded her view A gentle breeze wafted through, brushing across the myriad of vibrant, beautiful petals of the irises. Red, orange, white, blue, purple, ck, blue-violet, the hues dazzled her, creating a scene of unparalleled beauty, like a resplendent painting. Standing there felt like stepping into a fairnd.
Xanthea was stunned.
She hesitantly reached out, doubting her eyes, and touched the delicate petals, Dewdrops rolled off, cool against her hand, making her retract it as if electrified.
It''s real, it''s really real!
She ran towards the mountain, inhaling the faintly sweet fragrance at the base, kissing the pure white irises at the mountainside, and embracing the colorful petals at the summit. Her face blossomed with joy as she cheered and leaped.
"Inses, it''s inses, a whole mountain of them!"
"Fragrant, beautiful, it feels like a dream."
The girl''s long hair fluttered as she danced among the flowers, herughter mingling with her radiant beauty, making her the most dazzling bloom in the field. Orion watched, mesmerized.N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.
Xannie, the inses were blooming, and you were here.
I''ve waited for over ten years, and, you''ve arrived.
Xanthea, exhausted and shouted out, stood amidst the sea of flowers, watching the man approach her tears welling in her eyes.
She had once wished that if a man nted a mountain of irises for her, she would marry him when they bloomed.
This wish, so fantastical it seemed like plucking stars from the sky, had been actually fulfilled by him.
Orion picked a red iris and slowly walked to her, "Xannie, this symbolizes ''eternal love!
For the rest of my life, I''ll protect you Xanthea tears brimming, looked up. "Orion, it''s not the season for Irises. How did you manage to nt a whole mountain of them?"
"There''s a hot spring behind the mountain."
A hot spring?
300
No wonder she didn''t feel cold even at the summit
"Did you choose this spot on purpose?"
"Yes."
"And the wind? Won''t it blow the flowers away?"
Orion fell silent, and Xanth¨¦a suddenly remembered what Cedric had said earlier in the car.
CEO didn''t bring flowers because he had spent the entire day picking them.
She quickly took his hand and saw numerous fresh, tiny cuts, and tears fell instantly, "Orion."
"Did you put protective covers on each flower and spend the whole day picking them? How could you be so silly?"
"I said I wanted a mountain of inses just as a joke.
Her tears fell onto her palm, and Orion pulled her into an embrace, "It''s worth it for your it''s worth it."
"You fool."
She lightly pounded on his chest, her eyes blurry with tears as she tiptoed to kiss him.
He said he forgot to bring her flowers, yet he gave her a whole mountain of them.
This man always silently did everything for her.
Orion cupped her face, kissing her back passionately as if to absorb her ifto. very soul
It took a while for Xanthea to gently push him away, her whole body m tingling, Of her cheeks Xlushed. She leaned close to his ear and whispered shyly, "Orion, we can''t kiss anymore, Hello Kitty is already."
Hello Kitty?
Onion''s mind suddenly shed back to that wet pair of underwear that had flown onto his balcony.
"My little temptress, you asked for this."
His dark eyes red with intense heat as long-suppressed desires brake free. He picked her up and headed En towards the vi.
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Chapter 367
Chapter 367
Under the ink ck night, the vast, silent oceany under the dark sky. A fiery red fox approached the shore, raising its fluffy tail and drinking water contentedly Before long, the wind picked up, clouds gathered, and thunder rumbled as fierce lightning bolts struck down. This seemed to awaken a monstrous beast from the depths, causing terrifying waves to rise. The little fox, startled, bristled its fur and tried to flee, but it was too The fierce wind and waves drenched its beautiful tail and dragged it into the deep ocean. The currents tossed its frail body, pulling it into a swirling, dark vortex, crashing and tumbling relentlessly The fox, struggling and crying out for help, tried desperately to crawl back to the beach, seeking a sliver of hope. But despite its efforts and hoarse cries, a massive wawe would easily drag it back into the depths. This repeated over and over until the sky began to lighten Exhausted by the relentless onught of the wild waters, the little fox finally closed its eyes, barely alive, letting the ferocious sea consume itpletely. Even the iris mark on its forhead faded away.
On the beach, only the endless white waves remained, as if nothing had ever happened At the Kim Tai Bay, the Realm of Illusions wrap party was in full swing. Investors and crew members were all there, waiting only for the two leading stars to pop the champagne. Kevin checked the time and dialed Xanthea''s number
"Beep beep beep-
"Sorry, the number you have dialed is temporarily unavable,"
Kevin called three times, but no one answered. He frowned in confusion.
It wasn''t usual for her. He had reminded Xan several times that even if she had decided to celebrate privately with Mr. Lockwood, she would''ve at least called to inform him. Could there be some incident?
"Hello? Benjamin?"
Xanthea''s phone didn''t go through, but Benjamin called instead
"Director sorry I''ve got an unexpectedmitment and can''t make it to the partyN?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.
"What? You''re noting either? This was supposed to be a grand celebration, and now both you and Xan can''t make it. What are we supposed to do?"
"Xan isn''ting either?
Benjamin sounded genuinely surprised.
He had assumed she would attend, which was partly why he had decided not to go.
"Yeah, Mr. Lockwood took her away this afternoon, and now her phone is unreachable."
Hearing "Mr. Lockwood," Benjamin paused for a long moment before hanging up Kevin shook his head and turned to the others, "Phoenix and Prescott can''t make it tonight due to somest-minute issues. Let''s just enjoy ourselves and celebrate!"
Aste autumn approached, the annual Celestial Cinema Awards were about to be held at Tomato TV Traditionally, the jury would select five actresses who embodied beauty, poprity, talent, andmercial value from the year''s top TV series. These nominees would thenpete for the title of Celestial Goddess, decided by an online vote.
This year''s nominees were Xanthea, Isabe, Sophia, Simona, and Urs. As soon as the list was released, fans from each camp started registering ounts, sharing links, and urging everyone they knew to vote. The fiercest battle was between the dark horse of the year, Xanthea, and the reigning top star, Isabe.
Tve been a fan of Xan for so long, finally I get a chance to do something for her, Celestial Goddess, here wee!"
"Whhh! If San wins the Celestial Cinema Awards, can you imagine Xan in a gown again That golden dress she wore on
"To all the looks obsessed fans, charge! One vote from you and me, and she''ll get the trophy."
"Shoutout to all the CP fans. Hoping Xan bes this year''s Celestial Goddess, so Mr. Lockwood can see her shining on stage! +1: Miss Granthea so much. I live off old clips without new ones. Three million CP fans, If Xan doesn''t win the Celestial Onema Awards, we all share the mer
"Pushing hard for this, guys. Realm of illusions is the best urban drama in the past decade, hands down. Xanthea has to win!"
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Chapter 368
Chapter 368
Wow, are Xanthea''s votes real? Her votes are higher than any previous Celestial Goddess!
[The others are giving up resistance; we even want to vote for her
(Yeah. If you can''t beat ''em, join ''em. My favorite isn''t going to win anyway.]
[Fans of Isabe, charge! We''re known for our voting abilities, how can we let a newbie take the lead?
[No way. Xanthea''s too popr. I''ve been clicking non-stop, and still can''t bridge the gap!]
Team fans of Isabe, who usually y led the voting charts with ease, found themselves struggling to keep up with Xanthea no matter what. As they brainstormed for ways to pull in more votes, even preparing to team up with other fan groups, they suddenly saw Isabe''s twitter ount go one
[OMG! Isabe''s online, she must be taking this Celestial Cinema Awards seriously and is here to rally votes] [Did everyone see? If Isabe wants the Celestial Goddess title this badly, how can we really afford to ck off? We''ve got to help Isabe win the Celestial Goddess title.]
The fans were all excited and motivated, but then, they saw a tweet from Isabe: You''ve voted for contestant No. 1-Xanthea in this year''s "Celestial Cinema Awards. Thanks for your support!
Isabe''s fans were dumbfounded.
Did Isabe hit the wrong button?
They had been working so hard to vote for her, and she herself went to vote for her own idol?
So, who exactly should they vote for?!
At noon, a ray of brilliant sunshine sneaked through the curtains and yfully fell on the girl on the big bed, who was swoon by exhaustion.
Her thick, dark eyshes fluttered lightly, and before her sleepy eyelids could open, a wave of aching pain hit her.
It hurt, hurt so much!
Her mouth hurt, her neck hurt, her chest hurt, her legs hurt, her whole body hurt. It felt like she''d been run over by a freight train that had chugged across her all night.
That bastard, Orion, rogue!
Last night, he''d been like a beast possessedst night, relentless, causing her to lose consciousness till the middle of the night,pletely disregarding her first time.
The faint aroma from the kitchen wafted over, and Xanthea''s tortured stomach growled. She sniffed and knew whose cooking it was, but was determined not to forgive him no matter what!
"Squeak-
The door creaked open, and there stood Orion in his casual home wear, with messy short hair looking disarmingly handsome and harmless. Thinking of his beastly behaviorst night, Xanthea wanted to curse, but her hoarse voice that came out sounded so pitifully weak, that it was almost like flirting "Orion, you beast.".
be that she screamed her throat hoarsest night!
? It must b Her voice?
Recalling her tears and pleas for mercy, which only seemed to provoke him further and led to more brutal treatment, she hated him even more!
The girl on the bed, with her curly hair scattered and her skin dotted with tiny, delicate bruises, a thin nket couldn''t hide her perfectly graceful curves. Her eyebrows were shy and annoyed, adding more vivid charm between them, like a beautiful mermaid who had been assaulted.
Orion was captivated for a moment before realizing that she was awake. His ck pupils contracted slightly, and he took a step forward and hugged her tightly, "Xannie, Xannie, my treasure, my little darling"
What did he mean? She was almost dead, and he still wanted....!
Xanthea, traumatized by his advance, recoiled. Then, she raised her sharp ws and kept hitting his chest in annoyance, "Orion, let go of me, you jerk, you beast, you brute!"/
The more she cursed, the tighter the man held her, his eyes filled with the satisfaction and enjoyment ofst night. It was as if he had entered paradise, almost dying on her body.
His treasure, his darling, how could she be so lethal?
Xanthea bit down on his arm, in the exact same spot as yesterday, as if awakening some deep memory. Orion''s eyes darkened, his
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Chapter 363
voice husky, "Xannie, does it still hurt?"
What did he mean? She was almost dead, and he still had desires?!
Xanthea raised her face, crying pitifully and helplessly, like a helpless little white trapped by a big bad wolf.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.
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Chapter 369
Chapter 369
"Orion, you''re inhuman. All you know is to bully mel
"Honey, baby, don''t cry, Orion cooed, peppering her forehead with delicate kisses. "When you cry, you know I can''t resist."
Xanthea''s sobs stopped abruptly. This insatiable pervert!
"Be good, are you hungry? Shall we go eat?"
"No way. I don''t want to eat your meal!"
epting his invitation meant paying a hefty price to be a meal herself!This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.
Just as Xanthea staunchly refused, her stomach betrayed her with a loud rumble; hearing this, the man chuckled in a low voice and without hesitation, lifted her into his arms.
"Hey, hey, I''m not ready! I haven''t even dressed or bathed."
"You''ve been bathed, all fresh and cozy"
Lowering her head, Xanthea noticed she had indeed been bathed and changed into pajamas The faint fragrance of iris permeated the air, and the pajamas were thetest Hello Kitty edition. Did he help her change?
She had passed outst night, yet he e still had the energy to carry her to bath. Truly a vigorous beast!
Hold on, he had even prepared her usual shower gel and pajamas. It was a premeditated move, no doubt!
Falling into his trap after just a few days of dating, she felt ashamed of the Nightshade family''s over a hundred rules and ancestors!
Being suddenly lifted, even though Orion''s action was extremely gentle, Xanthea felt like her body was falling apart, especially with the throbbing pain below.
"Orion," she hooked her arms around his neck, furrowing her brows earnestly, worriedly asking. "do you think I''m damaged?"
Given his wildness, it was a valid Tear!
"No." Orion reassured her, nuzzling her nose with a hint of mischief. "I''ve checked, you''re intact, absolutely beautiful,"
Xanthea blushed and clenched her fists. He, he actually checked?!
"Wait here. I''ll get the breakfast ready."
Orion gently ced her on the plush sofa, and handed her a bunny plushie.
Xanthea stared nkly at the ridiculously childish bunny in her hand, feeling inexplicably like she had regressed to being one or two years old, being cared for by her parents in a stroller. Even during meals, she had to hold a plushie to y with lusion, illusion! This must be her illusion!
Orion wouldn''t treat her as a little baby, he would only make her carry his little baby!
She looked at the man in the kitchen, who was focused and refined,pletely different from the ferocious and demanding beast ofst night. How did he manage to be a devil in bed and a saint out of it?
Soon, a tantalizing vegetable and seafood soup was ced in front of her, along with delicate and tuna sd, crispy mustard-seed toast, and sulent avocado-baked egg- The spread was so enticing. Originally, she wanted to scold him for another two hours, but now she just wanted to focus on eating!
Picking up a piece of avocado baked egg shaped like a heart, "It''s heart- shaped!"
"Do you like it, Xannie?"
"I love it!"
The girl opened her mouth to bite into the heart-shaped egg, her tongue gently brushing over her rosy fullips, revealing a shallow smile The motiled sunlight outside fell on her thick, fluffy curls, emitting a radiant glow, and the loose pajamas couldn''t hide her exquisite figure
Even in ordinary moments like this, she was enchanting, captivating soul He was Orion''s heart and and m
upable to help but think ofst night, when she provocatively drove high to madness, not even noticing her fainting, almost really hurting her.
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Chapter 370
Chapter 370
Xannie was his now. She was his woman.
Before, he had only dared to dream of seeing her, of having her in his most wild fantasies, never daring to hope for more. He thought that having her would make his lifeplete, that it would for what was broken inside him. But now he realized it wasn''t enough, not nearly enough A stunning beauty like her should be locked in a secret room, surrendering in his arms night after night.
"This is so delicious! Oriori, you have to taste it."
Xanthea was about to feed him with a fork when she saw the eerie glow in his eyes. He seemed be gradually transforming into a beast, ready to devour her.
Orion''s eyes bore into her, his voice low and hoarse, "Xannie, do you like pink chains?"
He pulled her into a tight embrace, as if afraid she might disappear. "Xannie, stay here. Don''t go anywhere, don''t see anyone!"
She was for his eyes only, no one else was allowed even a glimpse of her beauty!
Xanthea looked at his crazed expression, listening to his raspy voice, and couldn''t help but scream inside-Freak!
"Id love to leave, but can I even walk right now?"
"Just eat your food!"
She shoved a piece of egg into his mouth, making him chuckle. His madness faded and expression gradually returned to normal, "Then I''ll make sure Xannie can''t walk every single day."
"You wouldn''t dare"
"I would"
"If you dare. I''ll call Samuel toe get me right now!"
"Oh?" Orion''s lips quirked, seemingly unfazed, "Would you dare, Xannie?"
Xanthea burst into tears. She wouldn''t. If her brother saw her like this, he would break her legs!
"Onon, I''m warning you: don''t tell my family, or we''re both done for!"
She grabbed his cor, threatening him fiercely. Orion, however, remained calm and unbothered. "Im not afraid."
"I am! If my brothers find out I''ve been with you, they''ll kill me. You absolutely can''t tell them, please!"
Onion watched her, captivated by her beguiling plea, his Adam''s apple moving as he squinted, "As long as you satisfy me, I won''t say anything"
His implication was too obvious, making Xanthea grit her teeth in anger, "In your dreams!"
Onion took out his phone, and Xanthea hurriedly stopped him, "Have you mad?!"
"Yeah."
Not being with her was even worse than madness.
He had already dialed Samuel''s number, which scared Xanthea into hanging up immediately.
"Have you changed your mind, Xannie?"
Xanthea nodded while crying. This despicable beast was actually m threatening her with this. She really was in a wolf''s den and couldn''t
escape!This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.
"Fine, I agree, but you have to wait better. If until I''m get you try now! I might actually die!"
Onion, satisfied, held her close. Like an addict, he couldn''t resist lowering his head to find her delicate lips, ¡°You won''t, Xannie Xannie. I want to be with you forever"
A shrimp blocked his mouth.
"Hurry up and eat!"
"IT feed you"
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Chapter 371
Chapter 371
Xanthea, now in the clutches of the "wolf," ate the seafood soup he had cooled and fed to her, feeling that he was bing increasingly clingy
"Orion, I''ve got a question for you"
"What is it?"
"When did you start liking me?"
Onion paused for a moment, gently s stirring the chowder with the spoon. "What do you think, Xannie?"
If she was without the knowledge of their past lives, she would''ve guessed it was during the rehearsals, perhaps falling for her through acting as Maximus But in their past life, where he went to the extremes of grave digging, killed Matthew and Miranda, and evenmitted suicide, she had always assumed there was another reason, as they were not that familiar with each other Yet now, pondering over it, she couldn''t help but wonder if he liked her all along.N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.
Recalling everything in detail, there were signs everywhere: He bought Realm of Illusions for her, silently investigated the real culprit behind the explosion incident, jumped into ake to save her, and even nted a mountain of irises just for her.
Cultivating a mountain full of irises seemed far-fetched to her because, although irises thrive in sunlight, they shy away from the heat, requiring soil moisture levels to be maintained at 70% to survive. nting them on an arid, hot mountain would demand an immense amount of manpower, resources, and effort, not to mention the care for such rare and delicate varieties. If someone could aplish that what couldn''t they do?
"At mying-of-age party?"
Was it love at first sight, coupled with her heroism, that sparked his affection?
Orion shook his head, leaving Xanthea surprised. "Then it couldn''t have been three years ago, right? When I was surrounded by those thugs?"
That seemed unlikely.
She was only 15 at the time. But then again, it was the prime time for a teenage crush, especially considering his maturitypared to his peers.
"No, it wasn''t
"Huh?" Xanthea was even more surprised. "Then, when was it?"
Orion''s gaze softened, his eyshes flickering with a serious light. "If I said it was when I was five, would you believe me?"
Not a chance!
Xanthea rolled her eyes. "I''m asking you seriously, and you''re joking with me? If that''s true, then you''re a real weirdo!"
Oh well Orion chuckled silently to himself. He was, by all ounts, a bit of a weirdo.
Otherwise, he wouldn''t have thought about "disappearing" with her.
A call suddenly came through. It was an international call. Orion nced at the caller ID and set down his spoon. "Babe, I need to take this call,"
"Sure."
He switched to fluent French for a business conversation, and Xanthea listened for a bit but soon lost interest. Scooping up a spoonful of chowder, she suddenly realized. Where was her phone?!
Last night, in the heat of passion, her phone had rung. She remembered she had promised Director Smith to attend the wrap-up celebration but hadn''t shown up. Just as she was about to answer the call, Onion snatched the phone away and threw it out the door.
The crash it made was louder than any of her screams.
Looking around, she finally spotted her poor, flipped-over phone stuck at the bottom of the stairs.
It was definitely smashed!
This was the second phone she had lost since being with him!
Orion, still on the call, noticed her reaction. He walked to the bottom of the stairs and picked up the phone.
ked in oneer, but it was still barely usable. Her first instinct
As Xanthea took it from him, she saw that the screen was indeed was to check her messages nervously. M Thankfully her family hadn''t questioned her whereabouts from the night before, probably assuring she was staying at Sunset Hills Estates.
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But why were there so many notifications on her Twitter?
She had only been gone for just one night. What had happened?
"Congrattions, you''re currently leading the fan vote in the Gelestial Cinema Awards. Why don''t you tweet Why Con something to get your fans moving?"
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Chapter 372
Chapter 372
Her fans were voting for her in the Celestial Cinema Awards? And the vote votes were so high. And her-Wait, Isabe tweeted to Support her? What was she up to this time?
Onon hung up his phone, "What''s wrong?"
*Realm of fusions is in the running for the Celestial Cinema Awards this year, and my fans are going all out with their votes. Isabe is also voting. I don''t know what she''s nning-if she''s scheming again, or feeling guilty and wants to make amends. Hmph! She tricked me so badly, no matter what I can never forgive her!"
Orion looked at her, her face all scrunched up in anger, "Do you want Starlight Media to terminate her contract?"
"Terminate the contract? Even if she gets terminated, with her popnty and influence, a lot of agencies would scramble to sign her." "Nopany would dare sign an artist terminated by Starlight Media."
That would be like cklisting her, she''d never appear in the entertainment industry again.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.
Isabe, having started young and persevered all this time, the only thing she hadn''t imitated her was acting. If she got cklisted... Xanthea paused, blinking. "There''s no need. I bother not to deal with her!"
Orion smiled indulgently, gently nudging her nose, "A tough-talking softie. Sometimes, being kind to others is being cruel to yourself." "I am not! I just think ignoring her is the best way to get back at her!"
Although she always imitated her and had deceived her, which made her quite annoying, it wasn''t to the point of ruining her career "Really? I think it''s not enough"
Orion unlocked his phone, and Xanthea hastily grabbed it, only to find he was signing up for a Celestial Cinema Awards voting ount? "Why are you registering for that?"
"Fans should vote for their goddess, why?"
"Ha, Mr. Lockwood, you''re so good at this."
Today the group had an important contract negotiation with Seraphia''s DMSU Group. Cedric and other senior executives were waiting for the chairman''s instructions when suddenly, their phones chimed, and they saw the chaimman had sent a link to vote for the Celestial Goddess?
Cedric "Number 1 is thedy, make sure not to vote for the wrong one."
"Are you sure don''t want to terminate Isabe''s contract?"
"No need, really."
"And if she bullies with you again?"
"She wouldn''t dare!"
She had been desperate for those scandalous photos of that despicable couple, so she was momentarily blinded by Isabe''s lies. Never again would she fall for her tricks!
Xanthea looped her arms around Orion''s neck, smiling seductively. "Maybe I be the wife of her boss soon; let''s see if she dares to cross me?"
Hearing "the wife of the boss, Orion''s eyes narrowed, and he grabbed her chin to kiss her "Not ''maybe, that should be ''definitely"
"Mmmph"
"Ring, ring, ring The phone rang suddenly; Xanthea pushing him away, answered, "Orion, stop, I need to take this."
"Go ahead, I''m not distracting you."
As if he wasn''t a distraction, with him kissing and touching.
"Hello?"
The call went through, and Oliver''s clear voice came through, startling Xanthes into controlling her breaths and speaking solemnly. Uncle!"
"Xan, where are you right now?"
"Im, uh, at Sunset Hills Estates, why?"
"Are you?"
1/2
At that moment, Oliver, standing at the door of apartment 3002, hadn been knocking for a while with no response. Hearing her guilty tone, he immediately knew where she was
Meanwhile, Oliver, standing at the door of Room 3002, had been m knocking for a while with no response. Hearing her guilty tone, he knew exactly where she was.
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Chapter 373
Chapter 373
Oliver: "Just so happens I''m at your door. Come and open it for me."
"What?!" Xanthea panicked. "You''re at the door right now?"
"Yeah, am I not wee?"
"Of course, you''re wee! It''s just terribly unfortunate timing, I left half an hour ago, so it might be..."
*Inconvenient, huh?" Oliver understood, "Well, let Orion take the phone then."
"Sure!"
Xanthea instinctively agreed, then realized what did she just agree to?!
Orion, who had been yfully nipping at her neck, paused slightly, his eyes dazed, and called out, "Uncle."
Xanthea red at him furiously. "T" Who allowed him to call out?
And that deep, husky voice, like someone talking the morning after a night out. This scheming fox did it on purpose!
"Orion, I had a hunch it was you."
"Uncle, listen, 1-''This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.
"Alright, Xan, stop lying" Oliverughed, "Tve watched you grow up. Do you really think I can''t tell when you''re telling the truth or not?"
This was it. She was done forl He knew she and Orion had spent the night together, breaking over a hundred rules of the Nightshade family. He was definitely going to scold her!
Xanthea felt like a withered flower, hanging her head low waiting for the scolding, but to her surprise, Oliver offered herfort.
"Don''t worry, I''ve got a tight lip. But when you''re with the Lockwoods, you''ve got to be on your best behavior. Listen to Orion, especially in front of the elders. Don''t act spoiled and lose the demeanor of ady from a respectable family."
Xanthea: "?"
Not only was Uncle not scolding her, but he was also advising her to be obedient? What kind of sweet talk had Orion given him to eam such trust?
"Yeah, yeah, I''m very well-behaved. I''ll listen to whatever Orion says!"
Hearing this, Orian squinted his eyes and lightly tickled the little liar''s waist as punishment. Xanthea nearly burst intoughter, but held his hand and mouthed, "Don''t move, or I''ll bite you!"
Bite him?
0000 0000000 0 00 00 0
He''d wee it.
"Good. By the way, I called to discuss work." Oliver continued, "Director Smith mentioned that you and Benjamin didn''t show up at the celebration partyst night?"
"Benjamin didn''t go either?"
As soon as Xanthea spoke, she felt a sharp nip on her neck. Orion''s teeth pressed against her skin, as if a wolf was holding a little bunny by the neck, ready to tear at any mention of "Benjamin."
This jealous man, flipping out at the slightest provocation!
"Yes, you both stood Director Smith up, and he was quite upset. So, I''ve arranged for you to do a live stream tomorrow to make it up to him.¡±
"Live stream?"
"At the Glory Building. It''s mostly Q&A with fans and some interaction with the host, promoting Realm of Illusions. Nothing too stressful. I''ll send you the details on the location and timeter.
Xanthea lowered her eyes, looking at the sly fox staring intently at her, "is the Movie King going? If he''s going. I won''L"
The moment she said that, the sly fox biting her neck instantly let go, instantly turning into a meekmb, tenderly nuding her
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Chapter 374
Chapter 374
Xanthea silently rolled her eyes.
"He''s off shooting a movie abroad and probably won''t have the time, Oh, and Xan, Realm of Illusions has wrapped up filmning. I''ve got a stack of scripts here, all of them specifically requesting you. There are also some advertising endorsements and magazine covers actively inviting you. Il send them all to youter, and you can choose whichever you like. I won''t interfere!"
"But"
"Listen, I know you''ve been busy with your love life Yeah ely, but you can''t neglect your career. Orion will understand that, right?"
It took Orion a moment to respond, his reluctance clear.
Xanthea bit her lip to suppress augh He didn''t understand at all, he hadn''t been going to thepany himselfi
"Okay, I got it."
"Then I hang up. Have fun with Orion!"
As soon as the call ended, Orion scooped her up in his arms.
Xanthea was startled. "What are you doing?"
"Aren''t you the obedient one, Xannie, always listening to what I say?" Orion''s tongue lightly pressed against his pte, and his dark eyes gleamed with mischief, "Right now, I''m want to..."
"What the hell do you want!" Xanthea clung to the sofa tightly. The first sentence about being obedient was a lie, the second sentence biting you is what I meant"
"Is that so? Orion''s lips curved up, and his tone sounded full of eager anticipation. Then go ahead and bite."
Someone actually wanted to be bitten. Did he have a hidden masochistic side? Wait.
She looked down at him in shock. "What are you doing?!"
you wanted to bite me?"
"Didn''t you say you
"Ah" Xanthea''s beautiful eyes widened as she pointed at him, "What are you doing?"
Orion chuckled, a mischievous glint in his eyes as he whispered, "Xannie, biting is a phrase"
How could bite be a phrase? It was clearly a word.
Suddenly, it clicked for Xanthea, and her face flushed with embarrassment and anger. "Orion, you''re shameless pervert!"
Orion''sughter was bright and clear. "Do you want more?"
"Let go of me, you pervert! Someone helps me!"
"No way" Orion tightened his embrace, kissing her deeply as if relieving a craving, "Now that you''re in my arms, don''t even think about going anywhere"
Xanthea couldn''t shake off the feeling that screaming would be futile.
A servants voice came from outside, "Sir, ma''am, I''ve brought some fresh fruit from the orchard."
"Quick, let go of me!"
Xanthea struggled, and Orion finally set her down.
"Ding"
Her phone buzzed with an email. It and was from the research institute, e Xanthea froze as she read it.
''StarTech Explorers invites y you to participate in the annual team selection exam. The time. Is.."
StarTech Explorers was a top chemistry research team at om Crestwood Hall Academy and nationwide, her dream workce.
But now, she was torn between the enthusiastic support of her fans, her uncle''s expectations, and her own long-held aspirations All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.
"What''s wrong?"
Orion, who had just brought in the basket of fruit from, noticed her unusual expression.
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Chapter 375
08.56
Chapter 375
"It''s nothing." Xanthea nced at a basket of fresh produce, "Are these picked from the orchard behind the mountain?"
"Yeah, do you want to go there?"
1 do, but you know, circumstances won''t allow It was all his fault, her legs were still sore!
If you wanna go, I would Orion leaned in, his hands bracing against the couch on either side of her his voice smooth and enticing. "If carry you"
Xanthea blushed at his sudden gentle yetmanding gesture, feeling like he was up to no good.
"No need. It would be embarrassing if someone saw us. Let''s just stay in and watch a movie"
"How about the home theater then?"
Why the home theater? It''s all dark in there, and what if, in the middle of the movie, he suddenly changed the movie and got all beastly Xanthea shook her head defensively, "No, no, let''s stay here."
"Alright."
Orion went to pick a movie for her while she continued to look at her phone.
"Orion, I initially entered the entertainment industry to win a bet with isabe over getting those scandalous photos of Matthew and Miranda, Now that it''s over should I continue?"
"Do you like it?"
"Well, I didn''t feel much about it before, but now I find it quite interesting. Especially acting, living out someone else''s life lets me gain a lot"
For example, the character Phoenix. Her resilience, her bravery, and her relentless pursuit had deeply resonated with Xanthea, making her reflect on family, love, friendship, and revenge.
Orion said, "Then continue. Whatever Xannie likes, I''ll be there to support"
Oh?
So gentle and understanding, amodating to her every whim?
Xanthea raised an eyebrow, "Alright then, my uncle just sent me a bunch of scripts, and there''s this one that seems interesting, called Summer Romance!"
At the mention of "romance," Orion''s hand holding the remote paused.
Xanthea nced at him slyly and continued, "It''s adapted from a novel. The tone is light and sweet, though the plot is a bit melodramatic"
"In the first chapter, the male and female leads identally kiss. In the second chapter, due to a family arranged marriage, they sign a contract to be a couple and live together. In the third chapter, the female lead is taking a bath when the power suddenly goes out, and then the male lead walks in."
As Xanthea spoke, she sneaked another nce at him, seeing his expression change from calm to stormy, a dark cloud hanging over his face. She bit her lip to hold back herughter.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.
"Sounds a bit too melodramatic, huh? I wonder if the audience would like it. Maybe I should think it over-
She pretended to be in a dilemma, flipping through the pages. Her eyes lit up. "Hey? Orion, guess who they''re considering for the male lead? It''s our old friend, Nelson!"
"I never thought my second drama would be with a heartthrob, but now that the co-star is ''so handsome. Ah!"
Just as Xanthea was speaking, a shadow pounced on her like lightning, pinning her down on the sofa, making her close her eyes in fear.
"What did you say?"
She slowly opened her eyes to see a man with grim face and dark clouds and looming over her. She quickly shook her head, "I was joking, just joking"
Terrifying!
His pounce was indeed wolf-like
"Who''s handsome?".
"You, of course! Who else could be more handsome than my dear boyfriend?"
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Chapter 375
Xanthea cooed, wrapping her arms around his neck, trying to appease him. But the pinned her man wasn''t buying it, he her hands above her head.
Really? That''s not what you said just now."
As he spoke, he began to tear at her clothes.
Xanthea quickly grabbed the script, "I told you; it was a joke! Nelson''s hame isn''t even on here, see for yourself!"
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Chapter 376
Chapter 376
Orion red, the fire in his dark eyes not diminishing in the slightest but instead growing more interise. "You can''t take it!"
"""Huh?"
"You''re not to ept any romantic scripts!"
His voice was almost amand, dripping with jealousy, which made Xanthea both amused and annoyed. "What? But you just said you''d support whatever I liked. You''ve changed your mind so quickly?"
Onion''s eyes narrowed dangerously, "Do you like it?"
"Of course" Xanthea was about to answer but was abruptly silenced by his threatening demeanor. She stiffened and shook her head quickly, "No, no, I don''t like it at all!"
Despicable, shameless, getting angry just like that.
"So, what does Xannie like?"
"It''s you, obviously!"
"And I like Xannie too, 1 like e you so much Onion lowered his head, biting her neck with obsessive affection and his hands moved to undress her, clearly up to no good.
"Orion, what are you doing?! You promised you wouldn''t touch me today!"
"But you made me angry just now, Xannie."
"I was just joking with you!" Xanthea protested weakly, panicking, "I took a suspense script, not a romance!"
Orion wasn''t listening, focused entirely on her Xanthea felt tears welling up, "Orion, you jerk! You don''t care about me at all! You wore me outst night, and now you won''t stop, only caring about venting your desires."
It proved that teasing a dog was fine, a bit of coaxing would do, but teasing a wolf was a mistake, as it demanded meat once provoked. Her crying worked, even if it was fake, it sessfully made him halt.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.
"Do you still want to take romance scripts?"
His low, intimidating voice frightened Xanthea, "No, I don''t!"
She had no intention of acting in it anyway; she was just teasing him.
"If you dare to take it, and ill cripple you in bed."
Such a ruthless man.
"Did you hear me?"
"I heard you." She peeled a grape and fed it to him, "So sour, Mr. Lockwood"
The grape was sweet and juicy, just like her, it made Onion''s eyes crinkle, "No, it''s sweet"
"Really? Then have some more
"I don''t want anymore." Orion pushed the grapes away, his eyes full of deep desire, "I want you,"
Xanthea frowned, "You promised not to, no!"
No to devour her, but he could.
He leaned in slightly, and Xanthea, following his gaze, grabbed her cor in fright, "You pervert!"
"Who aroused me? You have to take responsibility."
Who aroused him?! It was obviously because he was too easily stirred, just a hug and you know.
The phone suddenly rang, and Xanthea tumed and shushed him.
Eloise?
Why her? Wasn''t she supposed to be locked at the research institute m conducting experiments? Did the experiment end?
"My best friend''s calling, keep quiet?
"Hey, Ellie?"
"Xan!" Eloise''s voice came through,
"Why aren''t you home? I''ve beating here for ages.
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Chapter 376
"Huh?" Xanthea was taken aback, "Why did you go to my ce? Are you at Lakeside Manor?"
"Yeah, I took half a day off from the institute. If you don''te back soon, you won''t see me. Hurry back, I have something important to tell you"
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Chapter 377
Chapter 377
"It''s a bit difficult to exin it over the phone, Eloise said, "Are e you busy right now? Can''t youe back?"
"Not really." Xanthea nced at the man wrapped around her, who was lost in his infatuation, "Wait a little longer, I''ll be there soon."
"Okay"
After she hung up, she bit her lip gently, speaking to him in a negotiating tone, "Orion, I need to go back now."
Orion abruptly lifted his head, and firmly refused, "No!"
"My bestie''s looking for me. She works at a research institute and is currently participating in an experiment, speaking to him in a negotiating tone"
"Still a "no" Orion frowned, holding her tight as if afraid she''d escape, "Who''s more important, me or her?"
Xanthea couldn''t help butugh at this all-too-familiar question, "Mr. Lockwood, are you being childish?
Ever since they started dating, he had be like a child, clingy and capricious.
"Childish, yes. So, Xannie, stay with me"
"But she really has something important."
Wrapped tightly in his embrace, feeling his strong heartbeat through his warm chest, she couldn''t resist closing her eyes and nuzzling his ear.
Actually, she also wanted to stay with her dear Ori forever,
"How about you take me back now, and Ie to you tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow?" Orion paused for a second, his tone softening as he cupped her chin, his gaze intense, "The whole night"
Xanthea caught the implication in his words, her heart skipping a beat, "No"
"If not, then you can''t leave."
Damn! The demon of lust, a man after tasting the forbidden fruit was terrifying indeed!
"Keep hesitating."
"Alright, alright, I agree!"
Xanthea nodded rapidly, knowing him well enough that agreeing meant only one night, while refusal could mean two-and that would surely be too much for her
"Good"
Orion, like a triumphant puppy, kept happily nuzzling her Xanthea gritted her teeth, "So, can you take me back now?!"
"No"N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.
7
"You still owe me before."
Orion''s gaze dropped to her loosened cor.
Xanthea, "77" What did she owe her?
He didn''t give her a chance to argue, suddenly lowering his head.
"Mmm"
"Orion, stop"
Xanthes held his head, her beautiful face lost in a daze, biting her tender rosy lips to suppress her moans.
Lakeside Manor, the Nightshade family!
"Eloise, try the offer i made for you.",
Susanna made a cup of coffee, and Eloise thanked her, taking a sip. It om was smooth, refreshing, with a g fragrance. "This is lingering wonderful, what kind of coffee is this?"
"It was made from Panama Geisha coffee beans."
"What?!" Eloise almost spilled her tea in surprise. "That''s a premium! It''s a one of the most expensive in the En world! Did I just drink the
Chapter 877
equivalent of a designer handbag?"
"Ha, not that exaggerated," Susanna m said, her face beaming with pride.
"This was a gift from Orion, Xan''s dad treasures it a lot. He only. put a little bit in the living room, I have no clue where he keeps the rest"
"I''ve heard so much about Xan''s boyfriend."
"Madam, the youngdy is back!"
Zora came in to announce, and Eloise immediately stood up. "Ill go meet Xan. It''s been almost six months; I''ve missed her so much!"
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Chapter 379
Chapter 379
"Xan, even though I''ve been in theb for the past six months, your mom''s been filling me in on your situation. Entering the entertainment industry, starring in hit dramas, appearing on variety shows, surpassing top stars, kicking scumbags to the curb, and finding a billionaire boyfriend-you''re living life of a winner straight out of a feel-good novell"
"And let''s not even start on your boyfriend. Handsome, wealthy, and with a voice that could melt hearts! Not to mention how he dotes on you. You''re living such a happy life!"
As Eloise spoke, she nced over at Orion and was immediately struck again, "Look! He hasn''t left yet. That look he''s giving you is giving me goosebumps!"
Xanthea turned to see Orion standing by the car, his reluctant and affectionate gaze filling her heart with warmth. Indeed, she was felt very happy.
"Come on, tell me. What''s it like dating a guy like that?"
"It feels," Xanthea blushed, scratching her head. But before she could borate, Eloise noticed her limping. "Xan, why do I get the feeling that you''re walking a bit funny?"
Xanthea''s heart skipped a beat, "Uh, I had a little ident on set.
"Oh no, are you okay?"
Tm fine, really. I''m almost recovered!"
Xanthea winced with pain, trying her best to walk normally. Eloise might not notice, but her mom definitely would!
"That''s a relief. I was wondering why your boyfriend was carrying you out of the car earlier. I thought you were into some kinky stuff but tums out you were hurt. You gotta be more careful."
Xanthea internally cried. It was that bastard''s doing!
"Ellie, looks can be deceiving. You shouldn''t be so superficial."
"As if you''re not. Have you forgotten the days we used to spy on handsome guys with binocrs? Hey Xan, does your boyfriend have any brothers, cousins, anything?"
Eloise rubbed her hands together eagerly. "Introduce me! I don''t need someone as handsome as him, even enough!"
n ten p percent would be
"Well." Xanthea pondered, "He doesn''t have brothers, but he has a rtive who looks quite simr to him. At least a solid 50-60% resemnce."
"Really?" Eloise''s eyes lit up with excitement. "That would still make him super handsome. Who is it? Tell mel
"His nephew." Xanthea kept a straight face, "He''s five years old now. Give it another thirteen years, and you can make your move. I''ll help you then." "Xan, ,how dare you tease me!"
"Haha."
The two chased and yed all the
way home, while Susanna indulgently shook her head and called them to ead dinner.
"Xan, actually, I came over with a mission in mind."
Xanthea: "A mission?"
"Yep." Eloise nodded, her expression bing serious, "Professor Fred is starting a major experiment after the New Year. It''s something you were very interested in during university. He highly values you and hopes you can pass the exarn to join the research institute as a researcher and participate in the experiment."
"A researcher?"
"Exactly. Sylvia and I have been in the institute for nearly a year and we''re still assistants in Professor Fred''s Fred''s team. But now, he''s willing to entrust
[
the new project entirely to you. It shows how much he respects and trusts you. I also hope you can participate in the experiment, as it will greatly increase our chances of sess, but of course,"
She paused, setting down her utensils.
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Chapter 380
Chapter 380
know you''re doing great in the entertainment industry right now, and it''s hard to leave, but bing a world-renowned chemist has always been your dream. You''ve got the talent and the brains for it. I don''t want to see that go to waste, nor do I want to see you give upt want to continue fighting alongside you. Would you please consider it?"
anthea frowned slightly and, after a moment, replied, "Okay, I think about it seriously."
At the Glory Building, in Realm of illusions promotional livestream room.
The quests and crew had all arrived. The host walked into the frame with a microphone, "Wee to the live broadcast of Realm of Elusions, viewers and fans of the main cast. Today, I will be interviewing the cast based on vanous scenes and questions from the drama that fans are curious about!"
Tve got a stack of question cards here, carefully selected from the millions ofments our show has received. Of course, we''ll also randomly pick ament from the live broadcast to ask-its a special surprise for everyone!"
"First, let''s give a warm wee to the actress ying the lead role of Phoenix in Realm of illusions-Xanthea To match today''s interview theme, Xanthea changed her outfit style.
She wore a biker sweatshirt with slits on the sides, subtly revealing her slender, delicate waist. Her straight-leg jeans entuated her already perfect legs, making them look like they stepped out of aic book. She also wore a ck knit hat making her look radiant and stunning As soon as she appeared, the livements exploded Ahhh she''s so cool and hot today, just like Phoenix herself. I''m drooling over here]
How can this woman switch so effortlessly between pure sweetheart and cool badass chick
[rm bent, totally bent by Xar''s coolness, please, please give me a chance, sister"
Are those legs even real? They''re longer than my lifespan i herd That seductive and sexy figure, that stunningly beautiful face if I had her Id keep her at home every day'']N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.
Dan is mine! Xan is mine! I''m screaming! Twisting Lurking in the shadows! And creeping i in the dark ]
Back off, all of you! Xan belongs to Mr. Lockwood, and only M. Lockwood The deep love CP just appears out of nowhere Xan''s too cool and hot today I want to pounce on her. If instructor Lockwood saw her like this, he definitely wouldn''t be able to resist I bet Instructor Lockwood is watching Xan''s livestream night now
"Hi everyone, I''m Xanthea, the actress ying Phoenix."
Xanthea sat down and waved at the live camera.
Lockwood?
Adventure Blitz Two Days, One Night had already started a new episode, and yet people were still shipping her with Orion as if their rtionship was public.
"Hi Xan, I''m from Starlight Media. You can just call me Orange Orange was practically starstruck upon seeing her
"Actually, I''ve been following Realm of lusions too, and I absolutely adore your role as Phoenix-the character that perfectlybines beauty, intelligence, and strength You''ve won over countless fans, and seeing you in person today, you''re even more stunning than on TV I''m just thrilled, and so are the fans in thements"
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Chapter 381
Chapter 381
"Thank you."
"Today, I''m here on behalf of all the fans to ask you a few questions!N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.
The host flipped through the question cards in her hand.
"First, as we all know, the original novel of Realm of Illusions was rtively unknown. When it started filming, manyizens and industry insiders were not optimistic about it and preferred to follow the more popr IPs. So, how did you discover it and decide to choose it as your debut in the entertainment industry?"
Of course, it was foresight I knew it from my past life!
Xanthea smiled politely, "I stumbled upon Realm of Illusions by chance. I read a few chapters out of curiosity and then couldn''t stop falling in love with it."
"Especially the character Phoenix. Unlike the typical sweet and pampered female leads, she has more than just love in her heart. Her unwavering determination for revenge, relentless pursuit of her ideals, the repeated choices between love and interest, and the brotherhood with herrades in the Ignite Camp all deeply attracted me. She''s like a hidden pearl in the vast ocean, shining brightly. It is my honor to have the opportunity to y her
"Ha, you''re too modest!" Orange chuckled. "Now everyone says you''re the irreceable Phoenix herself. So, what simrities and differences do you find between you and Phoenix in real life?"
guess, would be our determination to stick to what we we believe in and not give up easily"
"Simrities, I gue
"There are quite a few differences, particrly in terms of family. Phoenix was taken in by enemies and raised in Ignite Camp under harsh training. Her upbringing was tough, while Ive been blessed with a loving family, parents, and two brothers who''ve cherished me. I''ve hardly faced any significant hardships.
Also, she''s not as focused on love as I have a bit of a romantic mindset."
[Ah! Male fans going crazy, pretty please, date with me!]
[What does "romantic mindset mean? Does it mean falling in love with someone regardless of status, societal views, and being together against all odds? Does that mean there''s hope for our Instructor Lockwood?!]
[Haha, I think Xanthea''s fans, including myself, are obsessed. Every day I imagine the cold, abstinent, hormone-overloaded Instructor Lockwood with Miss Nightshade, making her cry, ahhh!]
"Romantic mindset?"
Orange''s eyes lit up at that.
Today''s interview task is a big deal; Xanthea is currently the hottest star i gossip, there might be a bonus!
-in in the entertainment industry. If I can dig out ut some romance
"Our next question is actually about love!
"In the series, Phoenix has two love lines. One is the official CP with with Prescott, and the othek is with Maximus. Both Both ships have fans m
passionately rooting for them, some even investing in their oues.
e
"Prescott''s love for Phoenix is like a friend''s, supportive, advancing side by side, and always trusting her unconditionally. Maximus''s love, on the other hand, is more obsessive and wild, starting as an extreme, humble secret crush. When he sees Phoenix getting close to other men, he can''t control his jealousy, leading to a series of actions that hurt Phoenix.
The show has already aired scenes of him setting a trap, kidnapping, and imprisoning Phoenix We don''t know if he will do anything more extremeter. If it were you, how would you choose?"
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Chapter 382
Chapter 382
"Me?"
Xanthea raised an eyebrow Prescott''s view on love was pretty healthy, but she would choose Maximus.
Mainly because Maximus was yed by Orion.
But she couldn''t just blurt that out on live broadcast. Saying the wrong word could hurt the fans who shipped official couple.
She smiled slightly. "My choice is the same as Phoenix''s. If you want to know more, tune in to Tomato TV at 8 PM every night!"
Orange couldn''t help butugh, though internally crying. That was expected of a Crestwood Hall Academy student-she was so sharp! It seemed tricking her to reveal some information today would be hard.
"All right, after chatting with Phoenix, let''s move on to Xanthea. Xan, what are your hobbies?"
"Well, food hunting, gardening, singing, ying ball games, dancing, shooting."
"Wow, truly ady from a prestigious family and skilled in all the arts! We can''t wait to see more of you on stage!" Orange flipped through the question cards, her curiosity getting the better of her, "Here''s something everyone''s dying to know. For a stunning and talented actress like yourself, what are your criteria for choosing a partner?"
"Hmm." Xanthea paused for a few seconds, as if thinking of someone, "Tall, handsome, can cook, and has eyes only for me."
n the
[Oh my god, isn''t that Instructor Lockwood? That''s totally Mr. Lockwood! Over six feet tall, a vision straight from heaven, a wizard in kitchen, and only cared about Xan on the show!]
[Geez, have I gone mad from shipping? It really feels like she''s describing Mr. Lockwood! It''s exactly the same!]
[Sob, Xan and Mr. Lockwood are just perfect for each other If they don''t end up together, I''ll ship them for life!]
[Please, Xan, don''t mind Mr. Lockwood''s background. Just be with him!]
If Instructor Lockwood weren''t a neer but a star, he and Xan would be the ultimate couple, a match made in heaven!]
"Could you say something to your ideal boyfriend in our live stream?"
"Sure."
§ÛE 0223372 PE Xanthea''s eyes sparkled as she gazed into the camera, as if looking at someone through it, eamest and gentle.
"Darling, hold my hand, and I promise to make you the happiest guy in the world."All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.
"Wow, how romantic!" Orange was visibly moved, "I''m sure your future boyfriend would be incredibly touched by these words!"
"Alright, that''s all for our interview questions today!"
"Next up, we will y a little live interaction game. Xan, you''ll count down from three, and take a screenshot. You have to answer the first question or fulfill the first request from a fan in the screenshot!"
Xanthea nodded, "Okay."
"Everyone in the live broadcast room, m maskor get ready. If there''s anything you want to ask or wantxan to do, type it in the live chat now. Don''t miss out, we''re starting the screenshot countdown!"
Three, two, one."
As soon as Xanthea finished counting, Orange immediately took the screenshot. She grabbed a crew member''s phone to check the first reenshote request that popped up on the screen. and gasped.
"Oh my lord!"
"What am I seeing?"
"You guys are way so bold!"
Xanthea looked puzzled, "?" What is it? She hoped it wasn''t something too outrageous
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Chapter 383
Chapter 383
"Xan, I''m going to read the fan''s request now, get ready!"
Orange warned with a toneced with secretive excitement and a mischievous smile that sent an uneasy shiver down Xanthea''s spine
"The request is from a fan named ''Did Oranthea Tie the Knot Today! This fan wants Xan to call Mr. Lockwood and say a cheesy pickup line without revealing that you''re on a live broadcast!
Here''s the script-
Xan: Mr. Lockwood, I think left something at your ce.
Then lead Mr. Lockwood to ask: What is it?
Xan: My heart.
And that''s game over!"
Complete the conversation, and the game will be over!"
[OMG, this is so exciting! Whoever came up with this, Come and let me worship you!]
fLOL, this request is golden! I skipped my online ss for this live stream, and it was so worth it. Call Mr. Lockwood, do it!]
[Xan truly loves her CP fans, pulling our request out of millions!)
[I just wanted to watch amercial live stream, but this is such an unexpected treat. I''m more nervous than if it were my own rtionship!]
[Is this really happening? Can''t believe my ears. Are we CP fans saving the universe or what?]
[it''s been ages since I heard Mr. Lockwood''s voice. Wonder how he''ll react, he''s gonna be thrilled!]
After the host finished reading, Xanthea''s brow twitched noticeably, though she managed to maintain a facade of calm.
She had expected a question rted to Realm of Illusions, but she ended up drawing a request from her CP fans with Orion-out of millions ofments, her luck was really something.
Calling Orion was no big deal, considering the script was quite simple, and their rtionship was bound to go public sooner orter However, this was a promo live stream for a TV series, and she didn''t want rumors about her love life to overshadow the event. Plus, if Orion identally gave anything away and confirmed their rtionship, it could unsettle the stock prices and the market presence of both Lockwood and Nightshade Groups Even though it might be positive attention, Orion and Samuel were not prepared for this. It was crucial to keep their rtionship under wraps until an official announcement!All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.
"Um." Xanthea hesitated, "How about we pick another request? I don''t have Mr. Lockwood''s number"
However, the host was quick to offer a solution, "You can get it from Director Elijah. We have a crew member who knows him. Just wait a sec, Xan."
6677
Xanthea''s eyes widened at Orange''s enthusiasm.
Wasn''t she a reporter for Starlight Media? Didn''t she know that Mr. Lockwood, aka Orion, was the CEO behind Starlight Media?
"Ah, no need. I just remembered all the guests exchanged numbers after filming. Let me check"
Orange: "Great!"
Xanthea took out her phone, pretending to scroll through herm contacts eventually tapping on the name at the top-Mr. Fox
Orion, please don''t give us away.
"Got it"
"Awesome!" Orange waved the script card excitedly. "Let''s start, Xan!"
"Okay"
Taking a deep breath, Xanthea dialed the number.
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Chapter 384
Chapter 384
A conversation could be heard from the other side.
Cedric: "Boss, the head of IM has scheduled a meeting with you for Saturday. I''ve set it up at Horizon Ventures Ltd."
"Mhm."
[Wait did I just hear that correctly? Boss? Was that Mr. Lockwood''s voice just now?]
[Yes, yes, yes! That deep, maic, and oh-so-sexy voice, it''s definitely Mr. Lockwood!!
(Oh my, boss? Could it be Mr. Lockwood is a president? You''ve got to be kidding!]
10MG,dies, check out what I''ve just found! Orion, twenty years bld, the youngest billionaire in the history of Crestwood, CEO and chairman of the Lockwood Group, with ventures including Horizon Ventures Ltd. He rarely makes public appearances. Could it really be Mr. Lockwood?)
[No way! For real? Mr. Lockwood is Orion? The top hidden billionaire Crestwood? This has got to be some kind of fantasy drama, right?) [Absolutely! I just Googled a photo of the Lockwood Group''s old chairman. Even though he''s over 70, you can totally see the resemnce in his eyes and eyebrows. He must be Instructor Lockwood''s grandfather!]
[I''m losing it, Mr. Lockwood is actually a super-rich third-generation heir. With a flick of his wrist, he could buy out Adventure Blitz: Two Days, One Night. Going on there must have been specifically to chase Xan, right?]
[Mystery solved! The domineering and cunning big boss turns into a warm- hearted instructor, madly pursuing the top-tier heiress. I am so here for this!]
[Help! This dramatic plot twist has totally blown me away. And we were worried amoner couldn''t match up to Xan, but it turns out we were the fools. Mr. Lockwood is so cunning, chasing his love under a disguise!]
[Top-tier business tycoon VS top-stream gorgeous star, I''m so invested. I''m losing my mind over this couple!]
"Hello?"
After the brief tall, the sound of the man approached came through the microphone.
To prevent him from immediately calling out "Xannie," Xanthea quickly raised her voice, "Mr. Lockwood, hope I''m not disturbing you?"
As expected, there was a one-second pause, then his tone turned distant and polite, "Ms. Nightshade, hello."
Bingo!
Xanthea mentally gave herself a high-five, credit to the top tycoon for being smart and perceptive, catching on with just a single address!
She cheerfully nced at the task card Orange was holding up high, and read out, "I think I left something at your ce."
Next, he just needed to say What is it? Then she would finish the cheesy line, and she''d hang up immediately, not giving gossip columnists or ship fans a chance to catch any rumors!
Huh?
Say it!
Why wasn''t he saying anything?
Hearing nothing from the other end, Xanthea thought her phone might have malfunctioned. She moved closer and turned the volume up to maximum.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.
Meanwhile, in the Twin Towers, in the CEO''s office bathed in the resplendent sunset glow, them happiest person in the world was watching the live stream, unblinkingly staring at the curious, beautiful girl who moved closer to her phone.
"I know."
Xanthea: "Huh?"
"Last night''s underwear. I''ve already washed it for you."
In an instant, the whole Inte heard it!
"Ahhh-
"Ahhh-
Orange''s eyes widened in disbelief as she covered her
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Chapter 385
Chapter 385
At the ry Building, everyone-staff and guests alike-froze in surprise, their heads swiveling in unison towards Xanthea Xanthea lost herposure, her phone dropping with a "tter" It took several seconds before she blushed and fled the live scene as if escoping
"Xan
"Xan, don''t hat The media and reporters at the scene finally reacted, picking up their equipment and swiftly chasing after her.
Socialite and beloved female influencer Xanthen''s live broadcast had gone sideways, her romantic affair exposed. Her partner? It was suspected to be Orion Lockwood, the billionaire CEO of Lockwood Group. With millions of CP fans, they are firmly seated on the throne of the entertainment industry!
This was an explosive piece of news. Anyone who could get detailed information would have their annual KPIpleted!
Meanwhile, hashtags like #OrantheaReveal, Unmasking MrLockwood, #Billionaire Bossin Disguise, #Oranthea''sSweetReality,
#MrLockwoodWashes His Wifes Underwear, #ShipFansCrying, etc, climbed to the Twitter trending charts. Their massive surge in traffic was so overwhelming it crashed servers In the live chat rooms and on various social media tforms, audiences and fans went crazy.
[Underwear? Mr. Lockwood washed Xanthea''s underwear? Did I hear that right?!]
[OMG, Mr. Lockwood and Xan are together? For real? Somebody pinch me and tell me I''m not dreaming. I''m about to cry from excitement!]
is I
[Is this some sort of prank? Early April Fool''s? Am I hallucinating from too much fan-girling?]
[I can''t believe my ship has sailed! Mom, it''s real!]
Party time,dies! I''m gonna streak through the streets shouting Oranthea is real! Not only real but they''re living together and all loved up. I''m dying from the sweetness!]
[These two kept us fans in the dark, we''ve been shipping the old CP while they''ve been happily living together. They better share their daily lives or it''s unforgivable!]
I knew it! I always said my ship was the realest, the sweetest. Mr. Lockwood, Xan, you guys owe us a million on-camera kisses, or Im spreading rumors about you cohabiting and having twins already!]
[OMG, the domineering CEO in disguise disguised as a small instructor going on variety shows to pursue her goddess. It''s like a romance noveling to life, even bystanders are getting hooked immediately!]
I''ll wave the Oranthea g high. Who dares to oppose them? They''re my OTP and my battle standard!]
"Xan, Xan, don''t run away!"
"Xan, is it true that Mr. Lockwood is the current CEO of Lockwood Enterprises?"
m
"Xan, when did you and Mr.
How long Lockwood get together? How living together? When are you getting married? When are you having kids?"
"Hey, isn''t that Xanthea?"
"It is! It''s really her!"All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.
Outside the building, a horde of media and onlookers swarmed m
towards Xanthea like predators to prey, startling her into covering her face and hastening her steps, her long curly hair disheveled in the wind.
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Chapter 386
Chapter 386This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.
Orion, that cunning SlyFox! She''s going to kill him!
On the roadside, a sleek ck Rolls-Royce slowly parked under dense tall trees. As Xanthea walked by, she was suddenly grabbed and pulled in.
"Ah! Let me go!"
Tm not Xanthes, not Xantheal"
She thought she''d been kidnapped by some sasaeng fan, screaming in panic and struggling desperately until she heard a clear and pleasant maicughter above her head. She slowly lifted her head.
"Orion!"
"You jerk, you did that on purpose over the phone!"
Her beautiful eyes widened in anger, pummeling his chest with her fists in frustration.
"Uh-huh."
Orion didn''t even try to refute, epting the usation outright.
"me it on Xannie for being so beautiful, attracting a whole army of rivals"
"Rivals?" Xanthea frowned, looking at him suspiciously. "You''re not talking about the fans in the livestream, are you? You''re even jealous of the fans?"
Orion''s expression turned serious. "Xannies mine, and no one else should even covet her."
"You, you''re insane! If you want to announce it officially, you can pick any time. Why did you have to say all that stuff on the phone, it''s embarrassing!"
Xanthea felt embarrassed just thinking about therge-scale social death scene in the live broadcast room a moment ago!
Seeing her bury her head into his chest like an ostrich, Orion''s lips curled up slightly. He whispered into her ear, "Embarrassed? Imagine how much more embarrassed you''d be if you were spotted with a baby bump, wouldn''t that be even more embarrassing"
"What are you talking about?!"
Hearing "baby bump, having your kids!"
thea''s face instantly flushed red, her hand viciously twisting his abs, "Who, who''s having a baby bump, who''s Orion''s gaze softened considerably as he looked at her He truly didn''t want her to have kids.
She was his and his alone, from head to toe, inside and out, not meant to be shared with anyone, not even his child.
"Well, no kids," he gent gently brushed a loose strand of hair from her forehead. "I want to have fun with Xannie for a lifetime"
"You''re such a jerk, getting more and more outrageous!"
As Xanthea wriggled her hands, preparing to give him a big punishment when her phone suddenly rang
"Samuel?!"
Oh no, how did Samuel get news so quickly while on a business trip abroad? He was definitelying to question herl
Not only did she forget his repeated reminders, she also seriously vited the family rules and with Orion, now even the ck room and the little whip wouldn''t be enough to deal with her!
"Give it to me."
Orion reached out to take the phone, but Xanthea clutched it firmly m shaking herhead vehemently, "No, no, Samuel will scold you to death!"
"It''s okay"
Orion remained calm andposed, as if he had already prepared himself e mentally for the worst.
Xanthea, however, refused to let go. "No, no!"
When Samuel g? angry, it was truly frightening he doesn''t mince his words!
"Are you worried about me?"
"Not at all!"
"If you''re worried." His dark eyes swept over her suggestively, "just make it up to me
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Chapter 387
Chapter 387
"How can you still be so unserious at a time like this?"
Xanthea shed her ws at him threateningly, but Orion, with his longer reach, easily snatched the phone from her hands.
"No!"
"Xan, what was that live stream all about? I need an exnation now!"
Samuel''s voice erupted like a firecracker, and Xanthen pounced on him like a wild animal, like a small beast, hanging up the phone, and the world fell silent.
But soon, Orion''s phone rang again. He nced at the caller to and raised an eyebrow slightly, "Sooner orter, we''ll have to talk about
"But you heard how mad Samuel is! Can''t we choose a gentler approach?"
"Uncle?"
"Yeah, you''re so smart!"
She quickly dialed Oliver and, a second ago, raised her eyebrows happily at him, but the next second, tearfullyined, "Uncle, you have to save me."
Orion looked down with a soft smile.
He pulled her onto hisp, hisrge hand greedily caressing her slender waist beneath the hoodie. The slender waist that was just a handful, the touch was incredible, and he unconsciously increased his force. His gaze slowly drifted down her perfectly straight, long legs, as if admiring a piece of art, his eyes gradually darkening.
She had chosen a different style today, highlighting her stunning figure, full of allure like a fairy Just a nce made people feel captivated and restless.
Remembering how she sat in the live stream room just like that, being watched by thousands, a fierce jealousy ignited within him, brewing a strong possessiveness.N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.
"Mmm"
Xanthea was still on the phone when she saw him transform into a wolf again, ferociously wanting to devour her.
"You!" She red at him, putting her hand over his mouth and catching his lust filled, hazy gaze.
"Okay, thanks, Undel"
As soon as the call ended, Orion restrained her hands, pressing her firmly into the seat. The rising desire was evident between his handsome brows, "Why are you dressed like this today?"
"What''s wrong? Don''t I look good? I''m cosying as Phoenix"
Phoenix?
Orion''s eyes narrowed, and he
*Orion, stop, we''re still in the car''
ther earlobe.
"Phee, are you trying to seduce me?"
He''s acting Maximus now?
What kind of weird fetish is this? Was all that acting with her originally just a way to vent his desires?!
"You''re overthinking it. She raised her hand, calmly stating, "I dressed up like this to meet Prescott, ah."
As soon as the name Prescott left her lips, a deadly glint shed in the man''s eyes, and he bit down hard on her lip. Then let him see how I''m going to deal with you"
2 22 2 28 5
"You perven!"
The phone suddenly rang. Xanthea shivered, thinking it was Samuem again, "Don''t answer it, Uncle just agreed to help me handle Samuell
Orion nced at the screen, his expression freezing for a moment, He loosened her slightly, calming his rapid breathing, and answered the phone.
Xanthea was surprised at whose call could have such an effect that itm made him stop, then she heard him say in a low voice, "Grandpa..
Grandpa?
1/2
Chapter 387
Is it Theodore, the chainman of The Lockwood Group for over two decades?
She immediately held her breath.
"Yeah, we''ll be right there."
Xanthea was puzzled, "2 Right there? Where are they going?
Shortly after, Orion hung up the call, his fingers on her chin prompting another kiss, "Phee, let''s continue."
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Chapter 388
Chapter 388
Xanthea pulled his hand away forcefully. "You just sald we would be right here. What does that mean?"
Orion nced ahead, "Serene Retreat House."
Wasn''t that the famous Lockwood Estate?
She felt a panic in her heart. "You-you''re not taking me to meet your grandfather, are you?"
"Mm-hmm."
"What? Why didn''t you tell me earlier? I''m not prepared at all!"
"Don''t worry."
Orion took over a gift box prepared on the side. Xanthea opened it to find a set of exquisite porcin tea set, clearly worth a fortune.
too in
"But this is what you prepared, not me. Isn''t it insincere?"
"What''s mine is yours, Xannie."
"That''s not the point. Even if the gift is ready, I''m not ready!"
She had it all nned out in her head. Meeting his family deserved a carefully chosen gift and a soft, elegant dress to leave the best impression. Now, Phoenix''s dressing style was a disaster!
Orion chuckled and kissed her forehead. "Even an ugly duckling has to meet the inws."N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.
"Who''s the ugly one here?"
"Alright, let''s show Grandpa what a beautiful swan I''ve brought him."
"Smooth talker! You didn''t even give me time to dress up. How can I look pretty in this? The first impression is going to be terrible." First impression? Orion mised an eyebrow slightly, as if recalling some The first impression was good, adorable even."
"What?"
"Boss, we''ve arrived."
Xanthea took a deep breath, not prepared for anything, and was forced to rush into it with the porcin tea set in hand, In front of the gate of the Serene Retreat House, a group of servants and the housekeeper from the Lockwood Estate greeted them with warm smiles.
"Young master, young mistress, the old master has been eagerly awaiting your arrival"
Hearing the title "young mistress" made Xanthea''s heart skip a beat. How had Orion introduced her to his family? They were already addressing her as the mistress of the house. What was she supposed to call Chairman Theodoreter? Chairman Lockwood, or Grandpa?
The housekeeper led them inside. The vi was quiet, their footsteps echoing as they headed towards the study.
"Master, the young master and young mistress have arrived."
"Let them in quickly."
A deep, resonant voice beckoned from within. The housekeeper opened the door, and Xanthea saw an elegant, spirited-old man. O m Although he was already in his e
twilight years, his short hair was still lustrous, and he wielded the brush with ease. His eyes and demeanor bore a striking resemnce to Orion, like a fine wine that had aged to perfection.
Wow, he was still so dashing at such an old age?
When Orion grows old in the future, will he also be a handsome old man?
She stole a nce at him as Orion took her hand. ¡°Grandpa."
Theodore looked up. When he saw Xanthea, he stunned for a moment, as if seeing through her to a memory from decades past.
The little girl with a ponytail, holding ima an ice cream cone and singing in a one sweet, childlike voice-she seemed to sweet, coll have grown up right before his eyesp
Xanthea felt a little overwhelmed by his long and thoughtful gaze. When om she was hesitating Whether to call N him Chairman Lockwood or Grandpa, she blurted out, "Hi, Grandpa Lockwood!"
Orion''s eyebrows lightly moved, and Theodore set down his pen, ging warmly.
"Xan, you''re here."
"Ori, leave us. I have some things to talk to Xan
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Chapter 389
Chapter 389
Upon hearing this, Xanthea immediately tightened her grip on his hand.
She was nervously and didn''t know what to do, waiting for Orion to say something to break the awkward silence, and now he was leaving?
No way!
Feeling her hand tightening, Orion caressed her hand and reassured her softly, "Don''t worry, I just be outside."
"Okay"
The door to the study closed, and Xanthea immediately picked up the fine porcin tea set she had brought with her, cing it on the desk, "Grandpa Theodore, this is a gift for you, Orion picked it out."
She still felt a bit guilty, so she added thest sentence.
Theodore chuckled. "Such an honest and adomble child."All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.
"I''m sorry" Xanthea bowed her head, embarrassed, "I had nned to choose a gift myself."
"It''s not your fault. I asked Orion to bring you over on short notice"
Huh?
So that was it. No wonder Orion had brought her here without informing her. She had misunderstood him.
Theodore continued, "I hurt my leg a while back and need to go abroad for some rehab, thought I''d see you before I leave."
"You hurt your leg?" Xanthea looked at him with concem, "How is the injury?"
"It''s fine, just that I can''t stand up to entertain you now."
Theodore put away his calligraphy papers and paintings away, reaching for the teapot nearby. Xanthea immediately walked over and took it from him, "No worries at all, I can do it myself!"
1. n. I''ve always appreciated you!
Watching her carefully pour the tea, Theodore''s smile widened, "Xan, I''ve
"Born into a prestigious family, doted on by two aplished brothers, most people would choose to live an easy life as a wealthy socialite But not you. You pursued your dreams, worked hard in chemistry for years, earned a spot at the Crestwood Research Institute out of the ordinary, and even caught the eye of the famous Professor Fred. You like singing and acting, and quickly rose to the top of the entertainment industry in just half a year Whether it''s your intelligence, character, or personal charm, you stand out in every aspect, and your personality is bright and lovely too, no wonder Orion is so fond of you."
"Grandpa Theodore, you tter me!"
Xanthea handed him a cup of tea, which Theodore epted, "No, you truly are exceptional. There is no need to be modest. And don''t worry, I haven''t been investigating you, just keeping an eye out."
Keeping an eye out?
Why would he keep an eye on her?
Xanthea was puzzled, but Theodore changed the subject, "During this time, how have things been going between you and Orion?"
"Pretty good, we''re very happy together."
Happy?
Theodore took a sip of tea, his gaze turning feflective as if lost in distant memories.
He couldn''t remember how long it had been since hest saw Orion smile.
"On, despite his young age, has always been more mature than his peers, which is rted to theplex dynamics within our family at that time, and in part, to me."
"After Juliette''s death, in order to stabilize the Lockwood Group, I arranged for Orion to have a om stepmother through marriage. I didn''t expect this decision would leave him with indelible scars and shadows from his childhood. By the time I realized, it was toote. It was
hirry all my fault!
Juliette? That was Orion''s birth mother.
The indelible scars and childhood shadows? Were they referring to his bum scars and the horrific En
"matricide" rumors in the news?
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Chapter 389
Xanthea thought Theodore was going to tell her all about Orion''s hidden childhood traumas, halfway through, he suddenly turned the he''s conversation back to her, "Has Onon told you about these things?"
Xanthea replied, "No."
Theodore nodded, just as he had guessed.
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Chapter 390
Chapter 390
"He''s been holding back the darker parts of his past, afraid they might scare you off. But I believe it''s important for you to know some basic facts. Orion''s parents both passed away when he was five years old."
"What?"
Xanthea was stunned, "The news indeed said his mother died in an ident when he was five, but it said that his father..." had been just withdrew from the business world due to excessive grief, and had never been seen in high society again.
Theodore shook his head sadly, "Hamison followed Juliette in death not long after she died. The Lockwood Group never made it public." Hearing this, Xanthea''s heart trembled.
So, Onion has been without parents since he was five?
"Hamison was my most beloved son, brilliant and exceptionally talented. He was always a pride from a young age, but unfortunately, he had one fatal flow-he loved too deeply. Ori inherited this from him."
As Theodore spoke, he put down the teacup and looked at her with a deep gaze, shimmering with a hint of almost a plea.
"Xan, you must stay by his side and never leave him."
Overwhelmed by the intensity in his gaze, Xanthea responded, "Okay, I will,"
"Good."
Theodore nodded in relief and opened the drawer in his desk, pulling out an antique mahogany carved flower box from the bottomyer. Opening it inside was a pristine, round jade bracelet.
"My dear, this bracelet was the token of love Harrison gave to Juliette back then. After they passed away. I followed their will and burned everything except for this."
"Now, I want to give it to you."
The token of love from Orion''s parents?
Xanthea hastily declined, "No, no, Grandpa Theodore, this is too precious!"
"Nothing is more precious than you. In Ori''s eyes, you are his everything. It''s you who healed his childhood wounds and brought back his zest for life.
But Theodore swallowed the words that were on tip of his tongue.
"By giving you this bracelet, first, I hope you''ll continue Harrison and Juliette''s love, and second, I hope Ori can let go of the past and build a happy and perfect family with you, to make up the emotional void of these years."
"Grandpa Theodore."
*Sull calling me Grandpa Theodore?"
Xanthea: "Grand-Grandpa."
Theodore took out the bracelet and put it on her wrist.
The warm delicate jade bracelet gently swayed on the girl''s slender wrist, as if it were a destined fate.
Theodore couldn''t help but sigh On, you''ve finally found her.
"Xan, Orion grew up in an environment severelycking in love, so sometimes, he might be overly controlling or possessive with those people he treasures. I hope you can understand him, and if he ever bullies you,e tell me. III discipline him."
"And, the day after tomorrow is his birthday!"
"
"That''s the official record, fabricated"
Theodore said, "His real birthday is October 27th, but he never celebrates it, nor does he let anyone mention it it, nor does he let because it''s also the day his mother passed away."
Hearing "passed away" Xanthea paused.
Her heart felt as if it was being tightly gripped. Onion lost his parents at the age of five, and the most celebratory day in his life was also the saddest day.
How did he get through all these years?
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Chapter 390N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.
"Ori didn''t want me to tell you any of this. Forget it once you leave."
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Chapter 391
Chapter 391
Over an hourter, Xanthea stepped out of the study and saw the silhouette of the genteel man standing at the balcony railing. She almost couldn''t control herself from rushing over to hug him.
"Orion!"
"Xannie?
Orion came to his senses, holding her waist and gently lifting her chin, "What''s wrong?"
"Nothing"
Xanthea shook her head, burrowing into his embrace like an ostrich, afraid that he would see her expressions.
"Why are your eyes red then?"
"It''s the sandalwood in the room, it made my eyes sore."
Before he could probe further, she quickly continued, "Orion, Grandpa is not in his good conditions, let''s not bother him anymore. Shall we go home?"
The word "home" struck a chord in him.
"Home?"
"Xanthea Haven Estate."
"Okay."
Orion''s lips curled up, his eyes sparkling with joy.
Xanthea held his hand tightly. When their fingers interlocked, the cool and translucent jade bracelet touched the man''s palm.
Orion looked down, his gaze lingering on the bracelet The journey back to Xanthea Haven Estate was unusually quiet Xanther''s brows knitted in thought. Since he never celebrated his birthday, she would pretend not to know and secretly prepare a surprise for him.
But what kind of surprise should she prepare?
Orion''s gaze wondered between her wrists and her thoughtful expression. His eyes became even darker and more enigmatic Cedric "We''re here, Boss."
"Thanks, Cedric. Come by tomorrow then."
"Of course, Madam!"
Mimicking the way servants at the Lockwood family mansion would address her, Cedric eamed a yful re from Xanthea before she called out to the man in the car, "Orion, Orion?"
"Hmm."
"What are you thinking about? You seem so absorbed."
"Nothing."
Orion stepped out of the car, his expression calm and unreadable.
"Okay then."
A idea shed through Xanthea''s mind. "Orion, my uncle mentioned that there''s a script reading session tomorrow at Oli hea Media, and I need to go there in advance to prepare."
Before she could finish, her hand was suddenly tightly gripped by the man, so tightly that it hurt a little, as if he was afraid she would run
"What''s wrong with you?"
She raised her head, looking at him with confusion as his calm gaze suddenly revealed a hint of panic and anxiety.
"Xannie, did Grandpa say something to you?"
"N-no, he didn''t."
"Then why?"
"What''s wrong with me?"
"Nothing
He slightly lowered has thick, dark eyshes, as if to hide the impending turmoil beneath, holding her hand tightly. "Let''s go."
"Wait, I haven''t finished talking yet!"
"So should we make the most of our time? After all, the night is short."
With those words, she tiptoed, wrapped her arms around his neck, closed her eyes, and kissed him.
Orion was taken aback at first, as if he hadn''t reacted at first, then m
suddenly a fiery re surged from the depths of his pitch-ck eyes. He fiercely kissed her, as if he wanted to consume her entirely.
On both sides of the mainvi, the gardeners who were trimming the nts suddenly saw the young master holding the young
mistress as they walked up the steps, passionately kissing each othermAll text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.
their surroundings. The intensity of their affection made the onlookers shyly avert their gaze
"The young master and the young mistress have such a good rtionship"
"Haha, they''re young, it''s normal-with endless energy!"
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Chapter 392
Chapter 392
"I never would''ve guessed the young master, who usually looks so aloof, would change so much when he''s with the young mistress" "With a beauty like the young mistress, isn''t it only natural for the young master to lose his control?"
"Bang="
The door mmed shut, followed by the sound of clothes being tom in a heated frenzy.N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.
When Xanthea was thrown onto therge bed, her gaze was already hazy, devoid of any soberness, as beautiful as an enchanting and captivating world- ss enchantress Onon''s eyes zed with desire as he ripped off his tie, his hands showing veins of passion. His gaze at her was slightly distorted due to extreme possessiveness, and when he pounced on her it was as if he no longer recognized her, only a fierce and cruel predator Night fell, the moonlight hazy, and the evening breeze rustled the leaves outside the window, casting shadows over the intense entanglement and the broken pleas for mercy By moming, radiant sunlight pierced the clouds, bathing the splendid Xanthea Haven Estate in a soft glow.
The servants picked inses from the hills, filling every vase within the vi, while the fountain burst into life at the heart of the vast estate. Pearl birds with speckled wings sang from the branches, their songs mingling with the scent of flowers and the sound of water, drifting into the captivating bedroom.
Orion, propped on his arm, gazed tenderly at the beautiful girl sleeping beside him, unable to resist showering her cheeks with delicate kisses Yesterday, he thought Grandpa had said something to scare her, but he didn''t expect.
His Xannie, always the angel in the world, precious enough to die for.
"Mmm"
"Stop it. Fluffy, stop licking."
Half-awake, Xanthea felt as if her uncle''s fluffy pet had sneaked into her room, enthusiastically licking her face.
She furrowed her brows, unhappily opened her eyes, and then suddenly woke up when she saw a stunning and breathtakingly beautiful face Orionl He was no soft and cute Fluffy, he was clearly a big bad wolf in sheep''s clothing!
Obviously, they had satisfied each other the night before, butst night, he was like a ravenous wolf who hadn''t eaten for days, making her unable to live or die all night long. In the end, she was even knocked unconscious. It was downright barbarici
''Fluffy? Who''s that?"
Orion kissed her fluttering eyshes and, with a deep, maic voice full of mischief, asked.
Seeing his satisfied and contented look, while she felt like she could fall apart with a mere touch, Xanthea couldn''t contain her anger. She bit down on his pec. "You jerk!"
She had been so sorry for her and concerned yesterday because of what her grandfather said, actively preparing a surprise for him, and what did he do? He simply took her without any reservations, almost costing her half her life!
"Heh." Orion chuckled, caressing her soft curls. "Xannie''s so energetic, tempting her hubby the moment she wakes up. Then let''s go another round.
When Xanthea heard "do it again," her eyes widened in shock, her voice hoarse as she yelled, "Orion, are you human?"
"Another round, after all thatst night. Are you not afraid of exhausting yourself to death?"
"Don''t be afraid" Onion cupped her chin, his gaze fixated on her tender, tender, rosy lips. "To die under the beauty of alpeony, even as a ghost, would be blissful. Besides fve always been holding back."
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Chapter 393
Chapter 393
"Hold-holding back?"
Xanthea was utterly bbergasted, her words tripping over each other. "I fainted when you held back yourself. If you don''t hold back, won''t I die?!"
"No."
Orion''s brow lifted, his maic voice mixed with a scorching breath sprayed gently against her delicate ear, "Till only make you buzzing."
Memories ofst night''s whirlwind passion shed through her mind.
Her checks flushed as she shyly pinched his solid abdomen, a gesture so featherlight it felt more like a seduction. Unable to help himself, Orion leaned in closer and pressed down, his voice husky, "Xannie, darling."
"Oh my God, Orion, what are you doing?".
"Don''te over, or 11 really die!"
"Let me go, let me go now!"
Grumble Amidst Xanthea''s frantic struggle, the sound of her empty stomach made its protest known.
Hearing this, Orion halted and his heated mind gradually cooled down.
hadn''t eaten anything since yesterday afternoon.
"Ill go cook."
He paused for a moment, then lifted the covers and got up. Xanthea, caught off guard, glimpsed his unshielded form and quickly turned away.
Outside, a chofus of sparrows sang from the branches of a lush oak. It was really a huge tree!
"No need, we''re runningte."
"Il head straight to the office for the script reading. I can eat something there."
As she spoke, Orion''s back stiffened, and he turned around slowly to look at her Seeing the look in his eyes, Xanthea clutched the sheets tighter, fearing another advance, "What''s with that look?"
Clearly, he had suppressed his desires just now and calmed down, but now it seemed like he was ring up again and regretting not taking her again.
Orion observed her disheveled state for a while. It didn''t seem like she was faking it. His dark eyes gradually narrowed, "Xannie still has the energy for work?"
"Ugh, not really, but I need to be professional. Plus, I just need to sit there during the script reading: there is no need to move.
"Hmm."
Orion silently nodded. It seemed that next time, he need not hold back at all Xannie could handle it even if she fainted.
Seeing him nod, Xanthea felt an ominous chill, feeling like he was plotting something dreadful.
"I drive you"
"No need, I''ve already told Ryan to pick me up soon."
"In that case," He opened the wand rode and began to pick out clothes for her, only to be stopped by Xanthea again, "Don''t bother, you should head to work. I can handle it myself,
After being rejected repeatedly.
Orion''s brows furrowed, seeming to sense that something was off, "Is En Xannie trying to get rid of me?"
"Not at all, Xanthea felt guilty.
Was he too sensitive?N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.
She didn''t just get a boyfriend; it was as if she found a caretaker, She could handle everything herself, but he insisted on doing. everything himself and wouldn''t take no for an answer.
If he kept lingering here, how could she ever prepare a surprise for him?.
10.08.
"I just thought that you worked so hardst night, so you shouldn''t overwork yourself during the day, ha-ha."
She thought she hade up with a very thoughtful reason, but she didn''t expect it to sound like @provocation to the man''s ears, causing him to rise up with a dominant and swift force as he loomed over her again.
"Hey! Orion, what are you doing now?!"
Onion''s gaze was dark, enunciating each word, "Not hard at all. If it weren''t for Xannie fainting, I could have kept,"
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Chapter 394
Chapter 394
The ringtone of the phone cut through his heated advances, sending Xanthea into a shiver. This insatiable wolf, it seemed impossible to satisfy him no matter how much she fed him.
"Your phone''s ringing!"
She quickly took out his phone and handed it over to him.
Orion nced at the caller ID and let go of her to answer.
As he answered, Xanthea caught a glimpse of the name "Octavia" shing on the S
screen.
A woman?
He picked up the phone and walked to the window What kind of call was this that he had to take it away from her?
"Alright Orion said midway through the call, then turned to look at her, "Got it"
"?" Xanthea inquired, "What''s wrong?"
**There''s something at thepany. I need to head out"
"Well then, hurry up and go, don''t worry about me!"
"Xannie," Orion bent down and lightly kissed her forehead, "I''ll pick you up after the script reading."
"Okay!"
Phew.
Finally managed to get him out the door. Xanthea immediately dove into her phone, searching for "cosy" on a local shopping app. The screen flooded with options like "Leather Queen''s Temptation, "Sexy Wildcat Lace Dress," "Naughty Bunny Girl".
Each design was bolder and more revealing than thest, making her heart race with fear.
She was usually covered herself up tightly, but Onion was like a starving wolf, ready to pounce at any moment. If she wore these, wouldn''t she be devouredpletely, not even leaving behind a trace? Should she forget about getting off the bed in that case?
No way, that was too dangerous!
But a birthdayes around just once a year, or in this case, for the first time in fifteen years. Maybe she could indulge his fantasy of cosying just this once.
After much deliberation, she opted for a rtively modest Sexy Wildcat Lace Dress.
Creak The door opened, and a housekeeper came in with a bouquet of fresh irises, startling upon seeing Xanthea and quickly apologizing. "Sorry, ma''am, I didn''t realize you were here! The master had instructed to rece all the buds in the mansion before noon, ensuring you''d see them bloom upon your return, so I just
"It''s okay, I told him I''d be leaving soon." Xanthea put down her phone, "Bring the flowers here."
"Of course!"
After receiving the flowers, Xanthea took in their scent. So delightfull-
Orion was so thoughtful, even picking buds that would bloomter. It made her all the more resolved to surprise him with the cosy.
"ce them here."
"Will do. Madam, are you leavingter?"
"No, I''m expecting a delivery this afternoon. Can you bring it in for me?"
"Absolutely. I go instruct the staff to prepare lunch!"
"Wait" Xanthea stopped her, "Don''t mention any of this to Orion. I want it to be a surprise."
"Understood
As dusk fell, the housekeeper brought the delivery, and Xanthea couldn''t wait to bring it to the bedroom to change. N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.
In the grand mirror, a slender, perfect figure was adorned in a corset top, with ck seductiveces wrapped and a beautifulce around her waist, skirt that barely covered her thighs, the rest bound by ck fis stockings. Handcuffs with checkered pattema matched the small leather whip, and a long chain hung loosely around her neck
around
When she put on thest fluffy cat ear headband. Xanthea looked at herself in the mirror her entire face flushed with embarrassment
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Chapter 394
This was utterly embarrassing.
It was as if her intention to seduce him was written all over her face.
No, no, this won''t do. If Onion saw her like this, he''d surely tear her to pieces!
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Chapter 395
oman. She''s simply a peerless beauty. Is such allure and a sexy figure even real?N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.
No wonder Orion is so smitten despite endless sufferings.
If it were him, he''d willingly suffer too.
Orion stood nkly in ce, shocked by the stunning scene. His dark pupils trembled uncontrobly, and it took him a while to react He hurriedly ran into the room like the wind.
Buried in the bed, Xanthea''s face was hidden in the pillow as she cried uncontrobly.
"I don''t want to live anymore! I don''t want to live anymore! I''m so embarrassed!"
"Let me live on another. I have no face to face this world anymore."
"My little temptress!
Suddenly, strong arms wrapped around her, pulling her tightly against a chest. His clear and handsome face was fi and obsession, his voice hoarse as he murmured, "My little temptress, did you dress up like this to tempt me?"
filled with bendemess He was spellbound by her beauty. With just one nce, his heart was shaken, his desire burning.
Hearing his voice, Xanthea felt embarrassed, angry, wronged, and wanted to die all at once. Her little fists unreasonablynded on his chest, "Orion, it''s all your fault! Why didn''t you tell me you were bringing so many people back!"
"It''s my fault. It''s all my fault."
Orion, nowpletely ensnared by her, had lost his senses. He could see nothing but her iparable beauty and alluring charm, and he just wanted to hold her, kiss her, and never stop touching her.
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Chapter 396
Chapter 396
"Hey, what are you doing?!"
Xanthea looked at him, his desire evident as he lowered his head to kiss her exposed neck. She pushed him away, feeling extremely embarrassed. How could he still be thinking about this with so many people outside the door!
*People are right outside the door, are you crazy?!"
He was indeed crazy driven mad by her beauty.
*Ill make them leave."
"Huh?"
Wasn''t that even more embarrassing? Everyone would know what he wanted to do once he made them leave!
"What do you mean, make them leave? I just saw Sebastian, and Leonard. Why are they all here? And who''s that stunning woman next to them?"
Orion indulged in kissing and caressing her, taking a brief pause to answer, "My sister."
Xanthea was shocked.
What? His sister, Sebastian''s mother?
Could it be that the "Octavia disyed on the moming call was this Octavia Lockwood?!
This was a disaster. How could she face his sister after leaving such an improper first impression? She wished she could die!
jump off a a building!"
"Let me go, I''m going to jump
"If you''re jumping, then I''ming with you. I''ll haunt you as a ghost"
Hearing his husky voice, clearly intoxicated by lust, Xanthea pleaded, "Orion, stop joking. This is so embarrassing. Think of a way to handle this, quick"
She was on the verge of tears; she had never felt so embarrassed before.
Orion chuckled softly, soothing her like a fluffed-up kitten, "Don''t worry, my sister grew up abroad. She''s very open-minded:"
Do you think my outfit is ridiculous?"
"Not at all," his face, somewhat distorted from desire, buried in her long hair, and he muffled, "it''s beautiful, very beautiful. So beautiful that I want to devour you one bite, Xannie."
Xanthea: He really had a fetish for this kind of thing-cosying!
"Can I have you, please?"
"NO"
Outside, Sebastian, with his chubby little arms, knocked persistently, "Why did you turn into a kitty? You look so cute!"
"Please, open the door!"
"It''s me, Seb!"
Xanthea covered her eyes, feeling as if she had been mortified even in front of a four-year-old.
"Seb,e here. Don''t be so rude
Octavia came over to pull him away, but Sebastian clung to the door, not wanting to leave. "But want to y with the pretty sister. She turned into a kitty, and I haven''t seen enough
"Orion, Orion, your sister is here. Hurry up and go out. I''ll change my clothes!"
Xanthea''s cheeks blushed; and under her insistent urging, he tightly hugged her for relief, "No."
"No way, hurry up. I''ll wear it for you againter."
"Really?" Onion''s eyes lit up suddenly, and Xanthea, for the sake of expediency, could only nod, "Really."All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.
"Okay."
Taking a deep breath, he reluctantly released her after a few minutes, slowly got up and didn''t dare to look back at her fearing he wouldn''t be able to leave if he did.
Outside, Sebastian was still trying to knock when he saw his uncle emerge with a dark, brooding expression, as if enduring something difficult. He wanted to take the opportunity to slip in, but the man mercilessly grabbed him by the back of his neck and lifted him up
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Chapter 397
Chapter 397
"Uncle, let go of me, let go! I wanna go y with the pretty sister"
Sebastian squirmed and kicked his little legs in protest, struggling to break free. Orion''s brows knitted together, his voice cold and firm. "You''re not allowed to call her pretty sister anymore"
"Then what should I call her??
"Auntie
"Ah? Sebastian''s mouth gaped open in shock, his little face crumpling as he burst into tears. "No, Uncle''s the big bad guy, stealing my pretty sister away!"
"Pretty sister promised to be mpwife when I grow up!"
"Smack"
"Waaah! Mommy, Uncle spanked me His uncle had stolen his future wife and now spanked him, just like a viin out of aic book!
Octavia covered her mouth andughed, while Leonard walked over to pinch Sebastian''s chubby little face, "Indeed, nephew follows his uncle, huh? Even your tastes are exactly the same."
Sebastian pouted, "I liked the pretty sister first. Uncle''s stealing my love!"
"Are you sure?" Leonard raised an eyebrow "As far as I know, your uncle fell for Xan when you weren''t even as old as you are now."
Octavia chimed in, "Orion, didn''t you tell Xan we wereing?"
"No"
He had wanted to surprise her, but ended up being surprised himself, If he had known it would turn out like this, he wouldn''t have invited them over
"You should have told Xan in advance, now she''s so embarrassed.
"It''s fine. You guys may go to the living room first."
"Alright"
Octavia carried the unwilling Sebastian away. In a moment, Xanthea bit her lip, wearing a charming sunflower-yellow dress. transforming from a sexy hot wildcat to a sweet, innocent kitten in an instant.
Leonard was stunned as she walked around her, "Xan, did you go in there and cast a spell or something? You lookpletely different!" "Orion, you lucky dog. You''re so fortunate to have a girlfriend who can offer multiple delights,"
His insinuations made Xanthea, already flushed with embarrassment, lower her head even more Orion looked at herplete transformation, with a myriad of emotions in his eyes, his Adam''s apple bobbing.
Every version of her could kill him.
If she liked it, he''d buy her all sorts of "dresses" in the future and let her wear for him every night.
''But seriously, Xan"
d scores Leonard snapped out of Xanthea''s bewitching beauty, ready to settle old
"When you were at my ce before, weren''t you totally repulsed by Orion in every possible way? How did you fall for him so quickly?"
"Even acting so seductive."
Xanthea coughed awkwardly, cutting off thetter half of his catwomanment.
"Tsk, tok, you''ve had this day, huh?"
Back when she left Marlowe Manor with Matthew, no matter how he tried to persuade her, she wouldn''t even spare Onion all nce Leonard remembered it all too well that miserable scene was even more heartbreaking than his own breakup. This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.
"On"
Xanthea, already embarrassed, was repeatedly ridiculed by him, and she walked over in a huff, pulling lightly of Orion''s sleeve. Orion''s sharp and cold gaze immediately swept toward him, "Shut up."
Leonard: "777",
10:09
Chapter 397
"What? Orion, don''t you have a conscience? Who was it that stood by you, huh? Km now standing up for your
Xanthea bit her lip and cooed, "Orl, let''s go find your sister, please."
10
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Chapter 398
Chapter 398
"Absolutely."
Orion''s eyes crinkled with a smile, holding her hand as they walked away. Xonthea took a couple of steps, quietly leaned to the side, squinting one eye at Leonard, making a face. "Nyah nyah nyah!"
Orion had no conscience at all, he only had a heart full of love for her.
"Finel Good, that''s good."
"You heartless scoundrel with no sense of brotherhood!"
Leonard was fuming He thought after today''s scene, Orion would finally turn the tables and stand up for himself, but no-he was still utterly whipped.
Men, no matter how tough they are, can''t escape being apdog in front of their goddesses!
"Ori, why did Sister, Seb, and the Leo suddenlye here?"
"She came to help with the house, and so did Leo, and there are also some business matters to discuss."
""Oh." She pouted, "I thought he came just to tease me, holding a grudge much"
"If you don''t like him, we can make him stay at a hotel tonight."
Xanthea couldn''t help butugh, holding onto his arm, her eyes shimmering, "Orion, I''ve decided you definitely concern only women. with no sense of brotherhood."
"I have no other women, only you."N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.
As they were about to reach the hall, Xanthea suddenly stopped and her face disappeared.
No, no, this is too embarrassing!
Just thinking about the earlier scene made her wish she could disappear into a hole, totally ashamed to face Octavia.
Would she think her future sister-inw was a promiscuous and unrestrained woman?
Onon, as if reading her mind, reassuringly ruffled her hair, "Don''t worry, my sister really likes you."
"How do you know? You''re just trying tofort me."
"Ta-da!"
00
Before she could reply. Sebastian came running over joyfully, his short legs skipping, and he firmly hugged her leg tightly, his big shiny eyes blinking like he had seen his idol, "Pretty sister, I missed you so much!"
"Seb, I missed you too!"
Xanthea happily lifted him into her arms as Octavia stood up from the couch, walking over with a warm smile, "Hey Xan, good to see you."
"O-Octavia Xanthea stuttered upon seeing her.
How unlucky was she? She hadn''t prepared a gift for Orion''s grandfather when she first met him, and now, when she met his sister for the first time, she was dressed as a provocative little wildcat.
Octavia looked her up and down, nodded with a smile "ust as cute and beautiful as on TV"
On TV? She had been following her on TV?
"Mommy, pretty sister is a million times more beautiful than on TV!" Seb raised the lollipop in his mouth andvished his praise. "Adventure Blitz Two Days, One Night is my favorite because pretty sister is the best and most beautiful. Everyone else is so annoying!"
He nced at Orion as if fearing retribution, then added, "Uncle is kinda cool too!"
"You little clever boy!"
Xanthea yfully pinched his nose, and Octavia shook her head at her son''s fanboy antics.
"By
the way, Xan, I haven''t had the chance to thank you properly. I heard that Seb got lost at the beach and you brought him back home. This naughty boy often sneaks out alone, making everyone worried. But since that day, he''s obediently listened, bing your fon, spending days in front of the TV to watch your show."
"Really?"
Xanthea looked at Sebastian in surprise.
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Chapter 399
10:09
Chapter 399
"Of course! The housekeeper said that a man must keep an eye on his own wife, or she might just run off with someone else Xanthea: "77" So, he''s her fanboy after all. Unfortunately, he still couldn''t keep her, and she''s already run off with someone else After Sebastian finished speaking, he suddenly felt a chilling gaze behind his head that made his hair stand on end. Fearfully, he hugged Xanthea''s neck.
"Hey, pretty sister, my uncle says you''re my aunt now is that trun?"
"No."
Xanthes blushed under Octavia''s hopeful gaze, "Don''t listen to his nonsense"
Onion, what on earth did you tell your family?
"Yay!"
Heaning this, Sebastian excitedly made a V sign towards Orion, "Uncle is a big liar, Seb still has a chance?
"You have a better chance of taking your cousin out to y"
Waash-
Octavia: "Alright Seb, enough messing around. Are you hungry?"
Noticing it was nearing dusk outside, Xanthea suggested to Orion, "Should we have dinner prepared?"
"Isn''t it a bit early for dinner now? It''s only just past 4 PM, Leonard descended the stairs, "When I arrived, I heard the staff say this estate spans nearly 250 acres, one of thergest in the country. You can''t even explore it in a day. With such beautiful scenery, why don''t you take us around first?"
Sebastian, hearing this, got excited, "Seb''s not hungry, Seb wants to go out and y!"
"Octavia, you''ve been on a ne all day, you must be tired, right?"
"It''s okay, Xan, Seb and I already slept on the ne."
Xanthes: "Alright then, let''s go out!"
It was perfect timing. Since she arrived here, aside from once going out to see the irises, she hadn''t been anywhere. Orion, this big pervert, kept her in bed all the time, and she hadn''t gone anywhere!
Orion looked at his watch He had onginally nned to spend some time alone with Xan.
"Wait here for me, twenty minutes."
"Huh? Where are you going? Why so mysterious? Xanthea looked at his retreating figure in confusion. Leonard walked over leisurely. "From what I knew about him, I bet it''s going to be a surprise!"
Sebastian eximed, "A surprise? What is it?"
"Well, that, I don''t know. But a surprise from your legendary uncle is bound to be extraordinary!"
Soon after, a loud, bustling noise of machinery echoed from the vi''s roof, resembling the sound of helicopter rotors spinning, startling the four of them out of the vi in the sky, a small white helicopter was slowly descending. In the pilot seat sat Orion, looking dashing in aviator sses and a crisp flight suit Wow!!
Sebastian was the first to shout in amazement, his mouth agap¨¦, "Uncle is flying a helicopter!"
Xanthea was also stunned.
Orion could actually fly a helicopter?!N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.
Moreover he looked so handsome in his night suit, with a kind of noble and m cool aura, reminding her of the ira, reminding feeling she had when she saw him in Adventure Blitz. Two Days, Ohe Night. This man was just perfect in a uniform!
No way, she had to buy him a uniformyonline too.
The thought of a hot little wildcat taming a cool, abstinent officer was just too thrilling!
"Wow-I knew it would be something special, but this is beyond!"
Leonard eximed, once again astounded by this man''s capabilities. Leonard had once considered getting a pilot''s license himself but had to abandon the idea due to strict requirements. Little did he know, Orion had quietly achieved it-there were indeed huge gaps
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Chapter 400
Chapter 400
The moment the helicopternded, Sebastian dashed over excitedly, hugging the man''s legs tightly. With a look of pride and admiration, he rubbed his cheek against it, "Uncle, you''re so cool! Can you teach me how to fly a helicopter, please?"
Xanthea also fluttered over cheerfully and leaped into the man''s arms like a graceful butterfly, "Orion, you''re awesome!"
A smile yed on Orion''s lips as he hugged the girl''s waist tightly. "You like it?"
"Mhmm! Love
"Not only does she like it, even I''m smitten!" Leonard walked over, looked at the helicopter''s precise parking spot which was just like a professional pilot''s, giving a thumbs up, "Orion, if I were a woman, I''d definitely chase after you, clinging to you no matter what!"
Xanthea: 7sn''t that your cousin?4
"How could that be Queenie? That''s just a wishful thinking. If it were me, it would definitely be a mutual attraction."
"Is that so?" Xanthea nced at Orion, who was about to respond when Leonard cut him off, "Don''t bother, I''m not a woman, so your feelings are off base right now; no need to express them!"
"Ooh. Xanthea rested her chin on the man''s shoulder, yfully tilting her head, "Orion, if I were a guy, would you still like me?"
Orion looked down into her eyes, without a second''s hesitation, "Yes."
"Ha ha ha."
Leonard, "Wow, you two are really something else. That''s too twisted for me! Let''s hurry up and get on the helicopter" Everyone put on their goggles and boarded the helicopter.
As the rotor des spun rapidly as it descended into the sky, they peered through the anti-aircraft ss to behold the entire expanse of Xanthea Haven Estate. Only then did they grasp its breathtaking beauty, majestic and dreamlike, a ventable enchanted ind that dazzled their eyes.
"Wow! Mommy, look, there''s a heart-shapedke in the middlet
"Orion, why did you a design giant Hello Kitty figure in your garden? Isn''t that a bit childish?"
My gosh, are those flowers on a mountain?"
? * X3 F Xanthea, seated in the co-pilot''s seat, was moved to tears by the scenes unfolding below, each designed meticulously ording to her preferences. Sitting in the back, Octavia watched as Xanthea''s head gently leaned towards Orion, her long hair fluttering in the wind and Orion''s tender and affectionate expression, sincerely feeling happy for him.
Though she and Orion were siblings, they had lived apart in different countries since childhood due to family reasons.
She couldn''t go back to her homnd, but she enjoyed the most wass most generous treatment. That was different from Orion, who had suffered so much as a child and still had psychological shadows.
Deing there to protect and care for him. AsN?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.
As his elder sister, knowing all this filled her with guilt and helplessness. She regretted they grew up, not only did their rtionship be distant, but he also no longer needed her.
Over the years, she had secretly filmed snippets of his distant, like an emotionless work machine.
life, but every time she saw her brother in the photos, he appeared cold and
The images were nothing like the brother she saw today-full of m warmth love, and happiness, as if all his pain and shadows had been thoroughly dispelled.
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Chapter 401
Chapter 401
All of this thanks to Xan
"Mommy, why do you keep staring at Pretty Sister?" Sebastian Thompson nestled in Octavia Lockwood''s arms, blinking up at her with hisrge eyes. Octavia snapped out of her momentary daze, "Because Pretty Sister is beautiful."
"I think so too. Pretty Sister is just like mommy, the most beautiful woman in the world! When I grow up, I''ll snatch her away from Uncle and make her my mommy''s daughter-inw!"
Octavia couldn''t help butugh, pinching his chubby cheeks, "Aren''t you afraid your uncle might just throw you off the ne right now?"
Sebastian shuddered and immediately mmed up.
The helicopter hovered over Xanthea Haven Estate for a good two hours before finallynding.
Everyone was still immersed in the breathtaking view, reluctantly disembarking the helicopter. Sebastian, rubbing his t belly, said, "Mommy, I''m hungry"
"Then, how about we head back and get something to eat?" Octavia suggested.
"But I still want to y"
"Come on, you''ve yed enough for today."
"No!" Sebastian wriggled out of her grasp and ran over to Xanthea Nightshade, "Pretty Sister I want to y more!"
But it was getting dark, and it was dinner time.
Leonard Marlowe. "Seb, how about we eat first, and then Uncle can y some video games with you?"
"No! Seb wants to y with Pretty Sister"
Orion Lockwood''s hand was already inching towards his ear when Xanthea suddenly suggested, "Why don''t we have a BBQ outside tonight?"
"Yes, yes, yes!" Sebastian''s eyes lit up at the mention of a barbecue, pping his little hands excitedly. Leonard looked around at the serenekes and greenwns, "Great idea. On this breezy and moonlit night, outdoor barbecue has a special vor."
Octavia shook her head helpless at Sebastian''s antics, "Xan, you spall him too much. This kid can never get enough ytime,"
"Pretty Sister is the best!" Sebastian hugged Xanthea''s leg, content. Leonard teased, "Xan, if you''re already spolling your little nephew this much, what will happen when you have your own kids?"
After saying this, he inadvertently noticed that Orion''s eyes had darkened slightly, as if he would never allow such a situation to ur Everyone usually gets excited at the mention of kids. Why does he seem so cold and dismissive?
Could it be he''s afraid a daughter or son would steal Xan''s love from him? Wow, he really underestimated his good friend''s possessiveness!
Xanthea took Orion''s hand, "Shall we get started?"All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.
"Sure."
As night fell and the bonfire zed, the estate''s staff gradually brought out fresh BBQ ingredients and freshly picked fruits from the Orchard
Orion stood in front of the grill, carefully turning the sizzling meats on the grate. Sebastian, standing beside him and pping his hands, O looked like a hungry little kitten, affectionately calling him "uncle'' with every bite. The bright mes cast a warm glow on their faces, which bore a striking resemnce to each other, looking both elegant and adorable.
Xanthea was mesmerized. The Lockwood family genes were indeed strong; the three generations all shared a resemnce. If she and Orion had a son in the future, he''d probably look even more like them
But a daughter? No way. A cold and indifferent daughter wouldn''t be as cute. She definitely had to look like her!
Even though she had juste of age, and Orion always took om precautions no matter how indulgent he was in bed, she still allowed herself to dream of a beautiful future.
"Orion, this Xanthea Haven Estate of yours is truly a piece of paradise. Even the grapes here are sweeter than the ones back home!"
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Chapter 402
110.09
Chapter 402
Leonard passed the washed grapes to Xanthen and Octavia Xanthea peeled one and fed it to the man who was barbecuing. "Is it sweet?"
"Sweet."
"Hey, could you two stop unting your love using my hard work?"
Sebastian: "Pretty Sister, I want some too!"
Xanthen peeled another translucent grape and offered it to him, "Open wide."
"No, I want one from your mouth, it''s sweeter!"
He leaned in to kiss Xanthea, but was lifted up by Orion, his face darkening and his tone cold, "Julian, help me take his clothes off."
The housekeeper was puzzled, "Why are we taking off Seb''s clothes?"
"To grill"
"Ah! Uncle''s the big demon!"
"Sebastian struggled and ran away, screaming.
Xanthea couldn''t help butugh Leonard remarked, "Seb''s got game, he''s even better at firting than me, it''s going to be incredible when he grows up!"
Octavia: "Lucky for him, he looks like his uncle-attracting girls."
"?" Xanthea turned to look at Orion, who shook his head in confusion, Tm not"
"Even if he did, he wouldn''t notice, just like Seb. At his age, he only had eyes for "Leonard''s words were abruptly cut off by a sizzling hot burger stuffed into his mouth, making it hard for him to continue. "Orion, got a new me and you want to kill off the old ones!"
"You guys keep gnlling: I''ll go prep some side dishes Octavia stood up Hearing this, Xanthea raised her hand. "Tlle too!"
"You?"
Orion''s eyebrows lifted slightly. Xanthea could sense a clear disbelief in his tone, defiantly responding, "What? Do you look down on me or what?"
"Tell me what you want, and I''ll make it for y Apparently, he did look down on her!
"No need, Ill do it myself!"
Her finger pressed against his chest, halting him, "You just sit tight here. Octavia chimed in, "Sure, let Xane with me."
It was a perfect moment for some girl talk.
As the two were about to leave, Orion called out, "Sis, make sure she stays away from knives and fire."
Octavia, noticing the concern etched between his brows, nodded with a smile.
"Will do."
Xanthea How incapable did she seem in his eyes? Sure, her cooking skills weren''t top-notch, but it wasn''t like she was about to slice off her fingers or set the kitchen aze!
"Xan, Orion is even more indulgent with you than I am with Seb."
"Sister, he''s just being overly cautious."
"He''s never worried this much about anyone before"
Let alone treated someone with such care and tenderness.
Feeling a bit shy, Xanthe brushed her hair aside, and Octavia noticed the jade bracelet on her wrist, her E expression turning to one of
surprise It was the token of love their father gave their mother.
"Xan, has Onion taken you to see Grandpa?"
"Mhm, we went yesterday."
As Xanthea finished, she saw Octavia staring intently at the bracelet on her wrist. Worried she might st? up some ve uppleasant memories, she was about to exin when Octavia smiled warmly, a smile of gentle eptance, "That bracelet suits you well." N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.
10:09
"Thank you Octavia,"
When the two reached the kitchen, the servants asked them what m I them what m ingredients they needed, and Xanthea ordered a few items from the
list.
Octavia asked, "nning to make pasta?"
"Yeah, my cooking skills are pretty basic, so I stick to simple dishes."
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Chapter 403
Chapter 403
The ingredients she asked for and the recipe she found were clearly for a birthday spaghetti.
She knew tomorrow was Orion''s birthday, and also the anniversary of their mother''s death, which was inconvenient to mention. So, she took this opportunity to quietly make Orion a special birthday spaghetti Those two really are a pair of loving couple.
Grandpa used to say, they''ve had a deep connection since they were little. It was a case of strong affection but unfortunate timing. never quite managing to get together.
Later on, Orion went through a lot of hardships to win her over She had thought Xan''s feelings for Orion wouldn''t measure up to his for her, but it seemed now that they were clearly made for each other.
"Mmm, crispy texture, tender meat. Orion, your cooking skills have really improved: truly worthy of being called a family chef!"
"Uncle, your grilled meat beats any Michelin-star chef''s!"
Leonard and Sebastian sat on thewn, savoring the barbecue. Soon enough, the tes were empty,
"Uncle, we''re out of squid. Can we get five more skewers?"
At the barbecue, Onion kept looking at the semi-open kitchen, the crab he was roasting had burnt, "I''ll go check on Xannie."
"Seb, your uncle''s soul has been lured away by the kitchen; he''s not seeing us. Let''s help ourselves. There''s plenty to go around."
No sooner had he finished speaking than Octavia and Xanthea came out, followed by a few servants with trays of exquisite dishes.
"Food''s ready!"
Holding a food container, Xanthea hurriedly ran up to Orion with her hands behind her back.
Orion put down his grilling fork, "What did you make?"
"Guess!"
"Dessert?"
"You think too highly of me. That''s too hard for me."
He chuckled, "But time''s up."
"Are you making fun of me?"
She had only experimented a few more times while waiting for her sister to arrive, but she couldn''t admit defeat!
"Shall we go to the pavilion to eat?"
"Sure."
At the pavilion, Xanthea had him sit on the bench, teasingly took out the food container from behind her, "Ta-da! Open it up!"
Orion opened it, and upon seeing the te filled with spaghetti under a sprinkle of greens and chopped onions, his expectant look suddenly froze.
"Haha."
"How is it? Smells good, doesn''t it?"
"This spaghetti, I timed it perfectly, not a minute more, not a minute less, and I lifted them out of the pot. And I even added more Bolognese sauce for you."
Xanthea started praising her own work, but then noticed he wasn'' reacting just slowly shifting his gaze to his wristwatch.
On the ss surface, the hands pointed sharply at twelve.
"What''s wrong? Doesn''t it smell good? Or do you not like spaghetti?"
Xanthea moved closer out of curiosity, just as he lifted his head, meating her gaze with with his deep,m obsidian-like eyes, shimmering withplex mix of emotions, almost as craving something profound much like the look he had before every time he was about to devour her.
Xanthea jerked back in shock.
What was he thinking?
She brought him to this secluded pavilion, hoping for a quiet moment to enjoy this birthday spaghetti, not for boys m Chapter 403
Under the dark, windy night, in the small pavilion, perhaps it was time to continue what was left unfinished upstairs.
"O-Orion, I''m waming you I worked hard on this spaghetti. You better eat up, not a bite to waste!"
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Chapter 404
Chapter 404
It took Onion a moment, but finally, he withdrew his gaze, suppressing his uncontroble emotions, all buried in the steaming spaghetti in front of him Seeing him earnestly eating, Xanthea finally relieved. "How is it? Does it taste good?"
"Delicious"
This was, by far the most delicious and satisfying spaghetti he had ever had in twenty years.
"So this is the first meal Ive prepared for you as your girlfriend, do you want to make a wish?"
Orion paused Xanthea thought he''d caught onto something, but he responded. "Did you made a wish?"
7did.
As she gazed into his bright eyes, she didn''t know what wish he made, but she silently wished him a happy birthday, my dear.
Under the hazy moonlight, the willow branches swayed gently, casting reflections of the couple''s silhouette within the pavilion.
Xanthea watched him finish the entire te, even drinking the soup, feeling touched and proud.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.
Finally, someone acknowledged her cooking skills!
"Onion, is it really that deli-"
Before she could finish her sentence, she was abruptly pulled into his embrace, firmly seated on hisp.
"What are you doing?"
Chion''s face, filled with emotion, burled slightly into her thick, curly hair, his voice as rich and soothing as a cello, "After eating spaghetti, I find myself craving something else, you, Xannie."
Xanthea "Satiated hunger awakens other cravings, huh?"
Onion chuckled lowly, "I crave you, Xannie, always, not just when I''m full."
that something you should be proud of?" Xanthes pinched his chiseled jaw, her tone fierce like a little fox, "Well, you better not bet
"We''re so close to theke, what if Seb suddenly shows up!"
"Does that mean if Seb isnt here, it''s okay?" His gaze teased her, "Thenter, we could out here in the open-
He didn''t finish his sentence before Xanthea bit him in annoyance, attempting to get up, only to be tightly embraced by him again.
"Xannie, dont go"
"Did you do something wrong?"
"Will you do it again?"
"What?!"
"I won''t do it again, I mean."
Xanthea narrowed her eyes, sensing his floating promises. While his words said one thing, his hands seemed to have their own agenda. But, considering it was his birthday, she decided to stay a bit longer for his sake.
Orion, holding her close, seemed like an addict unable to resist his fix, his lips tracing delicately down her neck to capture the sweet warmth of her lips, his hand slowly wandering up beneath her dress.
Xannie, thank you for spending my first birthday in fifteen years with me.
From now on, I want to spend every birthday with you.
"Orion, mmm."
"Uncle'' Pretty Sister There you are. I found you!"
Just as the two were getting intimate, a child''s innocent voice suddenly echoed from below the pavilion, starting Xanthea into halting her moans and shaking her head to regainposure
Orion, this big pervert, still managed to tempt her. Fortunately, they had e only just begun, or else
"Seb, what are you doing here?"
08:57
Chapter 404
"Julian sent me with a bottle of wine, and Uncle Leonard asked me to bring it to you!"
Not for off, Leonard approached the pavilion with a smile, while Orion''s gaze darkened, like a cruel beast lurking in the shadows, ready
to pounce
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Chapter 405
Chapter 405
"Orion, Xan, are you moved?"
Leonard strolled up the steps with a smug look on his face, arms crossed as if he had just pulled off the greatest prank.
"Your little nephew here isn''t pampered for nothing. If there''s something good to share, you two are the first ones he thinks of!"
Xanthea caught the mischievous glint in his eyes and realized what was going on.
So, it was it was him who instigated Sebastian toe. Whether she was moved by the gesture was another matter, but for now, Orion was definitely wouldn''t dared to react.
She quickly grabbed the jacket she had just taken off from the stone table and threw it over the man''s legs in a feeble attempt to cover Sebastian, following her lead, curiously asked. "Hey? Uncle, what''s hiding under your jacket
"Seb"" Xanthea suddenly scooped him up, pretending to smile, "Where''s the wine? I want a drink!"
"Right here!"
Sebastian held it up like a prized possession, while Leonard couldn''t help but revel at the sight of Orion under the dim tree shadows, whose face was a mix of anger and desire.
Who let him be so heartless to his brothers? This is karmal
"Seb, you should first offer the wine to your uncle. Hes in dire need of cooling down, though wine doesn''t cool down, it only intensifies the heat!!
"Right On, ow, ow, ow!
His teasing was cut short by a scream that made both Xanthea and Sebastian shudder
"Uncle Leonard""
Just as Sebastian was about to look, Xanthea covered ed his eyes. Some scenes are better left unseen.
Tm sorry. I''m sorry, I was wrong. Orion, Orion, bro, can I call you bro? Is that okay? Let go, please, you''re dislocating my arm!"
"Onion, what are you doing? Leonardoodle is a guest, and he''s older than you. Look how you''re bullying him!"
Octavia intervened, and only then did Onion slowly let go.
Leonard "hissed" as he pulled his arm back, incredulous. "You beast, how can you still have so much strength even in this state?"
How could he be so strong without even standing up? It''s a blow to his male pride!
Xanthea tearfully agreed Onion had always been a force of nature, overpowering even a tall, gym-frequenting man without breaking a sweat, let alone her, a delicate and daintydy.
Octavia: "Let''s try some of my cooking and open a couple of bottles of wine"This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.
As they settled down under the beautiful moonlitkeside, they enjoyed their wine and conversation.
Xanthea,caught up in the moment, had taken several sips of wine and was about to down the rest when her ss was taken away.
more drinking for you."
"No
"Why not?"
Xanthea pouted unhappily, and Orion, looking at the shiny wine stains on her lips, narrowed his long eyes and said in a voice only the two of them could hear.
"You''re getting too drunk, it''s easy to get dizzy"
"You!" She sensed the hidden meaning in his words, pinched him in embarrassment and snatched back the Wine ss, "Sis, Orion won''t let me drink!"
"Onion, let Xan have a little fun the wine is not that strong"
With someone backing her up, Xanthea smugly licked the rim of her ss Onion looked at her delicate and rosy tongue, as if imagining how tender and soft it would be.
"Her alcohol tolerance is not good"
This little temptress, he knew all too well how much trouble she could be when drunk
As the night grew deeper, the mischievous Sebastian dozed ravias arms and wax cared back to the vi!
Leaming from earlier, Leonard also decided it was time to leave
Chapter 406
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Chapter 406
Chapter 406
Leonard rubbed his arm, giving Orion a flirtatious look as if forgetting all past hurt, "Hey Orion, take it easy, yeah? It''s getting chilly out here. You might catch a cold outside."
"Get lost"
"Get lost? Where am I supposed to go?"
Xanthea leaned on the table, her eyes misty.
, the tip of her nose reddening, and let out a hup like a tipsy kitten, curiously looking up at the mention of "get lost."
Orion took off his jacket and wrapped her up tightly, scooping her up in his arms, "Babe, we''re heading home."
"Home? No way, I don''t want to go back!"
"It''s toote, and it''s cold outside."
"But I don''t want to." She hooked her arms around his neck, her lips pouting slightly, her amber eyes shimmering with pitiful pleas and seductive charm, "Ori, can''t we just hang out a bit longer, please?"
"What do you wanna do?"
His voice unintentionally grew husky.
Once drunk, she turned into a melting candy, a bewitching demon, making himpletely defenseless.
"I wanna," Xanthea''s gaze was captivating as she traced her delicate fingers along the contours of his handsome face, drifting down, over the pronounced Adam''s apple, to the firm chest, until he grasped her hand tightly.
the stone table, disregarding everything.
The wild beast of desire was unleashed from its cage. Just as he was about to press her onto th Xanthea suddenly shouted, "Look at the stars!"
"What?"
"I wanna see the stars!"
After saying that, she pushed him away and happily ran towards theke, "There are so many stars fallen into the water!"
"Xannie!"
Orion''s eyes narrowed as he caught up and pulled her into his embrace.
Xanthea, suddenly enveloped by his chest, was confused, "Ori, I wanna see the stars-"
"No!" Orion said sharply, each word as if squeezed out through clenched teeth, "Tomorrow, I''ll have theke filled in."
000
Xanthea paused, realizing he was scolding her, and started to cry like a child, "Ori is mean, scolding me and not letting me see the stars!
Onion was angry. Angry that she liked ying in the water, and every time she was near theke, she encountered danger. Yet, hearing her cry, his heart softened.
"Alright, it won''t be filled.
"Be good, don''t cry anymore. The stars are in the sky. I will take you to see them, okay?"
"Okay!"
Xanthea immediately stopped crying and hugged him tightly prion then e
realized, she hadn''t shed a single tear
"Little fox, you were pretending just now?"
That doesn''t matter. You''ve promised to show me the stars!"
"Okay" He affectionately rubbed her nose, "I show Xannie the stars."
They sat under the pavilion, looking up at the twinkling stars, which m Seemed to be speaking volumes in the breezy, peaceful night casting a romantic glow on the two figures,
Aa Xanthes looked at them, her memories of being slightly paym staged to blur jumping out in a ja
*On, I just remembered. Long, long ago I also watched the stars with a little boy?All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.
Onon slowly turned his face, suffering counted the stars with his showed him where the Pegasus was, are the Cessional
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Chapter 407
Chapter 407
"Because I looked just like a fluffy little fox!"
"He was such a good boy, always following me."
As she spoke, she cupped her face, seemingly lost in a blend of longing and reminiscence.
"Do you still remember him?"
The man''s voice, rough with a gritty texture, echoed in her ear. Xanthea nodded, "Of course, but I never really saw his face. He just left, without even saying a goodbye."
"But I remember his eyes!!
"Like stars in the night sky, twinkling, they are so clear and bright, they could suck you right in."
"Or, would you get jealous if I say this."
She suddenly tumed, only to fall into a pair of deep, dark eyes that seemed bottomless, with only the pupils shimmering brightly, just like the stars in the sky For a moment, they seemed to ovep with the eyes from her memory
"Huh? On, you kinda look like him!"
Xanthea shook her head, feeling like she must have been drunk.
"Xannie."
Orion''s heart throbbed, gripping her hand tighter
"But you''re definitely not him. He''s long gone,"
The next second, she copsed into his arms, her breathing even and steady.
Orion looked down, his gaze hiding all the turmoil and affection, and gently kissed her forehead. "Xannile, I never left. I''ve always been by your side."
"Pretty Sister! Pretty Sister wakeimi up! The sun''s out and shining!"
In the moming. Xanthea was roused by a child''s noisy yet innocent voice.
She rubbed her sleepy eyes and, upon seeing a small bun holding onto her feet, she was stunned.
Who was she? Where was she? And where did this little bune from?!
Sebastian, seeing her eyes open, happily climbed onto the bed, "Pretty Sister, you finally woke up, you sleep more than my pet!"
"Uncle said to drink this once you''re awake, and you won''t feel bad anymore."All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.
He handed her a mug of honey water on the bedside table, Xanthea drank it, feeling refreshed and much better, her memories gradually returning.
She had ignored Orion''s advicest night and ended up ckout drunk again.
But aside from feeling a bit wom out, she didn''t have any other unusual sensations. It seemed that Orion, despite his beastly nature, had retained some humanity and hadn''t taken advantage of her while she was drunk.
"Seb, what pet do you have?"
"Peppal Xanthea almost spit her water outughing.
She realized this kid, just like Orion, had a harmless facade but was m secretly very sly.
"Where''s your uncle? Is he cooking breakfast?"
"No." He shook his head, "Uncle left early for the office with unde m is with Leonard the said he left you a voice mi
Xanthe called up the smart home assistant and immediately heard Onion''s volon
Xannie, remember to drink the tee Breakfast''s in the thermoset me know about after your meeting.
Tak. He''s such a model husband!!
Llebanting to his dano, soi
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Chapter 408
Chapter 408
"Please. Seb begged Mom for ages before she agreed."
Sebastian nuzzled her hand like a little puppy, making her giggle. How could such a cute kid be anything but a delight?
"Alright, we''ll grab some lunch and then I take you out to have fun."
"Hooray for Pretty Sister!"
"Pretty Sister, what fun stuff are we doing today?" Sebastian asked, munching on his toast with eager anticipation. Xanthea nced at her phone, checking the packed schedule her uncle had sent her, none of which seemed kid-friendly.
"What would you like to do?",
"Cosy! Seb wants to see Pretty Sister turn into a kitty cat!"
"Cough, cough!" Xanthea choked on her milk, waving her hands dismissively, "No, no, that''s not suitable for kids. Let''s choose something else."
"How about something simr? Like a dress-up game for a magazine cover shoot? Would you like to try that?"
"A magazine shoot?"
Sebastian''s eyes sparkled at the thought. Wouldn''t that mean he could be in a picture with Pretty Sister?
"Yes, yes, let''s do it!"
Nodding eagerly, Xanthea messaged Oliver Lopez back. After finishing their meal, the two, dressed in matching punk jackets that made them look like the coolest aunt-nephew team ever, set off for the studio.
But as soon as they stepped out of the car at the studio, a swarm of reporters and paparazzi swarmed them like bees to honey, shoving microphones and shing lights in Xanthea''s face.
"Xan, is the rumored rtionship true between you and Orion Lockwood, the chairman of the Lockwood Group?"
"Xan, how do you respond to the widespread rumors of you two living together?"
Xanthea was aware her rtionship had been a hot topic online, but she hadn''t expected a mob of reporters at the studio door, especially with Sebastian in tow. She was about to retreat to the car when Sebastian suddenly stepped forward.
"Hey Seb!"
"Ms. Nightshade, how far has your rtionship with Mr. Lockwood progressed? Are you in love? Living together? Or?"
The reporters crowded closer, microphones poised, but then they saw a child? They have a child together?!
The crowd was momentarily stunned, their expressions a mix of surprise and confusion.
The reporters'' keen instincts made them quickly realize the situation and immediately aimed the cameras at Sebastian,
''Little boy, are Xanthea and Orion your parents?"
"Hey buddy, are you out having fun with Mom today?"This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.
"Kid, how old are you? What''s your rtion to Xanthea?"
"Stop, stop filming!"
Xanthea felt that these reporters were going crazy for news. They actually thought Sebastian was Her and Orion''s child. How old did they think she was when she had him? She tried to hide Sebastian, but it only made things more suspicious.
Confronted with his first encounter with the press, Sebastian adjusted his sunsses with all the poise of a young aristocrat and dered in his sweet, childlike voice, "I''m four and a half years old!"
"Four and a half?"
The reporters were dumbfounded.
So, what''s your rtionship with Xanthea and Orion?"
"One''s my future wife, and the other''s my val in lovel The reporters: This was dening too far fetched-downdght ludiato Chapter 409
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Chapter 409
Chapter 409
Xanthea covered her eyes, unable to bear any more.
Sebastian took off his sunsses, dangling them from his shirt, striking a pose like a celebrity ready for an interview "Alright, now you can interview me and my future wife about our sweet everyday life!"
The group of reporters, faced with the child''s bright and intelligent eyes, exchanged
"Make way, make way, make way!"
ged looks. Did d they appear foolish to him?
From behind the crowd, Oliver led a group of bodyguards, clearing a path. "Xan, are you okay? Where did this little munchkine from 71"
He stopped in his tracks upon seeing Sebastion.
This kid looked a lot like Orion, didn''t he?
"I am not a little munchkin,"
Before Sebastian could proudly announce his identity, Xanthea swiftly covered his mouth, dragging him into the building.
"My future wife. If you drag me like this, I lose face!"
"Heh." Once inside thepany, Sebastian''s demeanor changed, wearing an innocent and guilt-free smile. "Pretty Sister, I did well out there, didn''t 17"
"Oh, superbly well. Xanthea gritted her teeth. "Your uncle is definitely going to reward you handsomely tonight."
Indeed, the fleeting impression from the morning wasn''t mistaken. This wasn''t some adorable, obedient cutie, but a little devil with homs hidden in his eyes!
"Xan, what''s going on? I just cleared up a romance rumor for you, and now there''s a little munchkin." Oliver followed, pointing at Sebastian in confusion. "Who is he?"
"Uncle!"
Sebastian sweetly called out to him, but Xanthea twisted his ear, prompting a softer, "Grand-uncle-"
"So, he''s Orion''s nephew?"
Oliver crouched down in surprise, pinching the boy''s chubby cheek. "No wonder you look so much like your uncle."
"Thank you, but I''m cuter than him~"
"Hahaha, indeed you are!"
"Uncle, let''s get the shoot started."
Xanthea regretted bringing him along, fearing the little devil might stir up more trouble. She just wanted to finish the task at hand and take him home.
"Alright, you''ve got another little friend joining you for the shoot today."
Xanthea: "?"
As she wondered, she saw a Samoyed with fluffy ears and a smile bounding towards her.
Eluffy?
"Big doggy!"
Sebastian saw the Samoyed and his eyes lit up with excitement. He waved his little hands and happily pounced over.
Xanthea swallowed hard, feeling an ominous premonition.
This was a disaster. A mischievous pet and a little devil together, she was doomed to be tormented!
As expected, over the next while, Sebastian and Fluffy seemed liken long-lost friends, frolicking and ying together, causing chaos in
the studio. They almost knocked over several pieces of equipment and giving Xanthea o headache.
But Oliver, fond of children, managed to coax the tro into taking dozens of harmonious and adorably captivating photos
Wow, these are fantastic''
"Both cute and heartwarming!
Looking through the photos with delight Oliver chimed. Thissus of SMILE), going to break records. Xay be careful not t pleasured into marone and
Chapter 410All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.
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Chapter 410
Chapter 410
If they get snapped by the paparazzi again, there''s no way to exin this "family of three scenario.
"Uncle, I''m going to take Seb back home. If we stay any longer, I''m afraid he''ll tear your studio apart."
"Alight"
Oliver nodded, but Sebastion and Fluffy weren''t having it. The boy and his dog clung to each other, one whining and the other howling.
refusing to part
"Pretty Sister, can''t we stay a bit longer? I wanna y with Fluffy!"
Xanthea looked at the dog hair scattered all over the studio, "If Fluffy keeps ying with you, we might have to rename him Baldy."
"It''s okay, he''s just shedding for the season." Oliver walked over and ruffled Sebastian''s hair, "Seb, if you really like him, how about I lend Fluffy to you for a day? But you have to take good care of him."
"Yes, yes, yes! I treat Fluffy really well!" Sebastian said, then kissed Oliver, "You''re the coolest!"
"Aw, Seb, how can you be so adorable!
Seeing him swayed by Sebastian''s sweet talk to the point of even lending his beloved dog. Xanthea couldn''t help but scratch her head.
"Uncle, aren''t you spoiling him too much?"
"And you have the nerve to talk? You were even naughtier when you were his age!"
Xanthoa: Was 17
After causing all the ruckus outside for half the day, Xanthea thought Sebastian would rest once they got back. But no, he was still full of energy.
The boy and the dog ran around the house, having a st, tuming the huge vi into a mess. The servants tried to clean up behind them, but Xanthea stopped her and sent her away.
This little devil, making such a mess, of course, he''d want his mom and uncle to see what he had done!N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.
"Pretty Sister, Pretty Sister!"
"I found a mysterious box in the storage room!"
Sebastian ran over, holding a box, "Can you open it for me, please?"
Xanthea looked down to see the safe she once found in the Sunset Hills Estates storage room, still adorned with a delicate blue iris dried flower.
"This belongs to your uncle."
"What''s inside?"
"I don''t know." Xanthea shook her head. Sebastian whispered, "Aren''t you curious, Pretty Sister?".
"Well, L His words indeed sparked her curiosity.
From Sunset Hills Estates to Xanthea Haven Estate, wherever Orion lived, he took this box with him, showing its importance. Especially with a blue iris attached to it, could it have special meaning?
The blue iris symbolizes secret admiration, which means a crush.
Sebastian looked around, afraid his uncle would suddenlye back, whispering, "
"I don''t"
"But it must be rted to you. Uncle likes you so much!"
"Let me try."
Just as Xanthea was about to touch the keypad, she stopped herself, then metalbox, her gently tapped the NO.
expression. impolite to mess with other people''s belongings, even if it''s your uncle''s. Put it back, got 17"
Sebastian carried the box back, visibly disappointed. What could possibly be inal Xanthes raised an eyebrow. She was almost tricked by the int''a d
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Chapter 411
Chapter 411
"Hey, Pretty Sister, let''s go out and y. Fluffy doesn''t want to stay indoors!"
After getting enough of the dog-chasing game, Sebastian was already brainstorming his next adventure. Xanthea gently squeezed his chubby little cheeks, morphing his mouth into a funny duck shape, "I think it''s you who doesn''t want to stay indoors, right?"
"Little devil, you''re only four and a half. Howe you have so much energy? When will you ever stop ying?"
"Just one more game, thest one, then then I stop!"
Sebastian held up a finger, and Xanthea raised an eyebrow in semi-belief, "Really? That''s great"
"Uh-huh, on the flight yesterday. I saw a strawberry field, can we go pick strawberries, please?"
Xanthea sighed, "Can''t you pick a less exhausting activity?"
"Come on, please You''re the best, Pretty Sister"
Xanthea couldn''t resist his pestering and agreed, "This is thest onel When we get back, you have to eat and rest obediently, got it?"
"Got it!"
The duo with baskets, along with their dog, headed to the strawberry field, Xanthea gently pinched a berry, checking its stems and leaves, and found they were all ripe. She was about to call the servants and gardeners to help with the picking, but th the old man trimming the branches said they were all installing the guardrail of the Raxing Lake.
She tiptoed to get a better view and indeed saw a group of workers around theke, constructing a tall and sturdy guardrails.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.
"Why are they putting a guardrail around theke?"
Raxing Lake was a highlight of the Xanthea Haven Estate, with its crystal clear water and colorful rocks, and a heart-shaped ind in the middle. It looked like a wless mirror during the day and reflected beautiful stays at night. Now, with those tall and dense guardrails, it ruins the aesthetic!
I''m not sure, it was Mr. Lockwood''s o order. And when it''s finished, there will only be one entrance, and hell have the key."
Xanthea: "777" Was he hiding treasure in theke?
"Look, Pretty Sister! This strawberry I picked is huge!"
Sebastian ran over, boasting a strawberry almost the size of his palm. Xanthea weighed it, a good quarter pound at least.
"Wow, Seb, you''re awesome! How about wepete to see who can fill their basket first?"
"Let''s do it!"
An hourter, Xanthea, with arge basket on her back and two smaller ones in her hands, regretted thepetition.
Had she known, she wouldn''t havepeted with him. With his small frame, some strawberries were enough to slow him down, and now she ended up carrying both the kid''s and the dog''s loads.
I can''t wait to eat the strawberries!"
"Hurry up, Pretty Sister, Fluffy
Drenched in sweat and panting. Xanthea red at his urging figure and gritted her teeth She decided, once Orion returned, she''d definitely going to make him discipline this little devill
Back at the vi, Xanthea was exhausted.
"You feed Fluffy the berries. I''m going to take a shower"
"Come here, Fluffy!"
Half an hourter, Xanthea came out of the bathroom to a silence unlike Sebastian''s usual ruckus.
Well, so quiet, how mre it was!
She walked to the hall, she saw a total mess red strawberry juice everywhere, a child and a dog M sprawled out in the middle, with white Fluffy stained red, looking like a fluffy crime scene. She was so furious she almost roared.
She rolled up her sleeves, mady to give him a good scolding. But seeing Sebastian''s Innocent sleeping face, which looked a bath Orion''s, she finally held back.
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Chapter 412
Chapter 412
She bent down to pick him up and walked towards the bedroom.
"Listen here, kiddo, remember it''s your face that looks like your uncle''s that saved you!"
Even in his sleep, he was muttering oway, and Xanthea couldn''t help butugh, both annoyed and fond. It took talent to tire both himself and a dog.
After settling both the child and the dog, she thought about calling back the dismissed servants to clean up the floor, only to find her phone dead. She identally stepped on a strawberry and slipped onto the carpet.
"Duch."
Lying where she fell, Xanthea stared hopelessly at the crystal chandelier overhead. Taking care of kids was truly no easy feat. She vowed she''d never have such a mischievous child!
In the Crestwood CBD, within the Twin Towers'' 22th floor conferences room.
"Mr. Lockwood, this is the contract we finalized after multiple discussions between our two groups. Please, take a look!"
The legal representative from MR Group handed over the contract.
Ohon nced down, meticulously reviewing each use.
Leonard noticed the young vice president of MR Group, Ms. Thomas, who couldn''t take her eyes off Orion, filled with admiration and infatuation. He chuckled, "Ms. Thomas, you''re truly impressive. Bing the VP of MR Group in just three years and representing the group in such a major coboration is truly admirable."
"Oh, it''s nothing. Mr. Marlowe, you''re the real young talent here."N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.
"Ms. Thomas, with your intelligence and beauty at such a young age, I have to ask-do you have a boyfriend?" Leonard suddenly ventured, a bit of gossip in his tone. Roxanne smiled, shaking her head, "Not yet, but," she said, shyly ncing at the man across from her, who was engrossed in the contract, his features strikingly handsome.
"I already have someone I like."
"Well, you better hurry up. Don''t let your career dy your personal life. Our Mr. Lockwood, who''s five or six years younger than you, already has a girlfriend, or rather, is about to start a family!"
His words, with their hidden meaning, changed Roxanne''s expression
"Family?"
"Yeah, haven''t you heard? It''s all over the Inte recently. The heiress of the Nightshade family from the southem areas of Crestwood, the famous star Xanthea. Haven''t you heard it, Ms. Thomas?"
She had heard, but had assumed it was either a business alliance between families or just celebrity gossip. It never crossed her mind that it could be rted to marriage, especially since the Nightshade family''s young heiress had juste of age.
Leonard''s mention of Xanthea distracted the contract-focused man for a rare moment, causing him to nce frequently at his phone An hour ago, Xannie had finished a magazine shoot and hadn''t messaged him back. Was she asleep? What was she doing? Did she have lunch on time? Was she being bothered by Seb.
As he skimmed through the contract, nning to sign at the end, the meeting room door suddenly burst open.
Cedric, looking panicked and out of breath, rushed in.
Leonard jumped, "Cedric, what''s the matter?"
"It''s a bad news, really bad, sir!"
Cedric, adjusting his sses and trembling, held his phone.
"What happened?"
"Just now, the hospital called. Matthew bypassed the police guards and escaped from thedu. He had a knife on him.
As he spoke, Orion''s eyes instantly narrowed.
"I''ve been trying to call Ms.
Nightshade, but she''s not picking up, and nobody''s answering the house phone either. We''ve already called the police."
he could finish, the man had already NO bolted out, knocking him aside.
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Chapter 413
Chapte de.
Chapter 413
"Orion, don''t worry! Xan, she''s at the vi, and Matthew won''t find her there."
Before Leonard could finish his sentence, the man had already disappeared from the conference room.
"Sorry, Ms. Thomas, let''s reschedule the contract signing."
He hurried out, chasing after him.
Roxanne watched all these in shock.
Ever since she met Mr. Lockwood, he''d always been cool, distant, as if nothing could stir his emotions. But the sudden sh of cold fury in his eyes just now had truly frightened her.
Down KIN Avenue, a ck Rolls-Royce thundered past, turning pedestrians and trees into mere blurs. The gas pedal was floored, and the man''s slender, distinct fingers gripped the steering wheel, trembling with each disconnected call tone.
"Beep Beep beep beep, Sorry, the number you have dialed is busy."
"Beep Beep beep beep, Sorry, the number you have dialed is busy."
Xannie, Xannie, pick up, please pick up.
Nothing would happen, she''s gotta be fine!
"Getting mad over trivial matters, then looking back, why bother? Others may rage, but i stay cool; anger brings nothing but a fool. If I get mad, who''s pleased by that?"
"Others may not know, but Seb must be quite pleased!"
Xantheay on the carpet, speaking to herself a few times. As she was about to get up, she suddenly heard a distant, urgent call.
"Xannie, Xannie, Xannie!"
Orion?
Oh no, he was finally back!
"Bang? The door swung open with force.
There on the carpet in the hall, the girly with her hair in disarray, eyes tightly shut, lying still as if breathless, in a pool of what looked like blood-an image that pierced the man''s heart like a poisoned dagger.
For a moment, his pupils shrank to the extreme, his face drained of color, voice choked as if strangled, and he couldn''t even feel his heartbeats.
He didn''t realize how he got to her side. When faced with sudden, fatal shock, one often can''t react, just shaking their head as if to shake away the noise and hallucination.
"Wow!"
Xanthea suddenly opened her eyes, sparkling with a yful smile, her fingers wing like a cute yet fierce little beast, pouncing on him
"Orion, you''re finally back!"
"You have no idea how much your little nephew formented me today, oh my god."
She had initially wanted to scare him for fun, but she couldn''t hold it when he touched her, and immediatelyunched into herints.
Why wasn''t he reacting?
Xanthea released her grip in confusion, only to see his face was as pale as a sheet, his eyes dark and unfathomable, making her shiver.
"Orion, what''s wrong?"
She didn''t actually scare him, did she?
The girl in front of him smiled brightly, lively, her warmth enveloping him, her heartbeat against his chast steady and orderly, it was real so very real
Orion''s vacant gaze slowly refocused, pie spirit gradually returning, feeling her heartbeat and the warmth fi
"You didn''t get scared by me did you?".
Xanthea stumbled over her words, following fee geza to see the picked them from the hill at the back: What do you think, done
Before she could finish the manThis content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.
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Chapter 414
Chapter 414
From his grip, Xanthea could feel, oh no, he was really scared, and worse, angry!
She quickly got to her feet and grabbed his hand with a look of guilty. "Orion, I''m so sorry, I had no idea it would scare you."
The floor was not just sttered with strawberry juice but also scattered with fresh green leaves. She had thought he was clever enough to see right through her prank and just be momentarily stunned.
Her hand was brushed off, but she quickly grabbed it again. "I was wrong, I really was. Please, don''t be mad, okay?"
She looked up, unexpectedly meeting his icy, bone-chilling gaze and the thunderous anger barely contained in his furrowed brows. His expression scared her into silence.
"Ma''am, ma''am, are you t there?"
Suddenly, the housekeeper''s anxious voice echoed from the doorway.
He had been directing workers by theke when he received a call from the young master, alerting him to a potential danger to the madam. He rushed over in a panic, and seeing the two of them safe, he was slightly relieved. But the atmosphere between them seemed off.
"Secure the estate, lock all the gates. No one is allowed in out The housekeeper. "Right away!"Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.
Xanthea was stunned by his hoarse, harshmand.
His voice?
And why suddenly secure the estate?
As she stood puzzled, her hand was forcefully released, and the sound of the door mming shut isted herpletely.
Xanthea stood there for a moment, then started banging on his door. "Orion, Orion, what''s wrong? Did something happen?"
"I know I was wrong, I really do, and I promise it won''t happen again!"
"If you''re really that mad, just yell at me, ore out and hit me, but please, don''t ignore me, okay?"
She kept knocking, but silence was the only response from within.
"Orion, Xan"
Leonard stumbled in just as the butler was closing the door. The sight of what looked like "blood" everywhere nearly made his soul leap out of his body, until he noticed the vibrant fruit skin, the green leaves, and Xanthes pitifully knocking on the study door.
"Xan, what''s going on here?"
Xanthea turned, eyes full of guilt. "When he came back, Iy in a pool of strawberry juice to scare him,"
"To scare him? Leonard eximed, incredulously raising an eyebrow "Were you trying to give him a heart attack?
"I didn''t think that way."
"You dido''t think he''d believe such an obvious setup, did you? Don''t you know that when people are overly worried, they lose a sense of logic? He heard about you in the conference room and rushed out without a second thought. Anything concerning your safety, no matter how trivial, makes him lose his mind-let aloneing back to this scene!"
"In the boardroom, he heard about in the conference room?"
Xanthea didn''t understand what he was talking about
Leonard took a deep breath.
"What?"
"At first, I thought it was ridiculous, Not to mention how far he could get with a knife, he doesn''t even know you''re at Xanthea Haven Estate. And even if he did, with the estate''s tight security, he couldn''t get in. Orion knows this, but when ites to your safety, he just can''t stay calm...
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Chapter 415
Chapter 415
How did this happen? How could it be such a coincidence.
A wave of regret and guilt surged up in Xanthea''s heart.
Leonard patted her shoulder, "Alright, don''t me yourself too much. After all, you didn''t know. But seriously, don''t joke about stuff like that with Orion again. If something actually happened to you, he..."
He wouldn''t survive either.
"Orion,"
"Stop knocking, let him cool down. He''ll be fine in a while."
"Alright."
"Housekeeper, could someone clean up the hall?"
Xanthea had thought Orion would be fine after a little while, but half an hour, an hour, two hours passed and there was still no sound from his study.
In the past, no matter how angry he was, he would just scold her a bit. This time he waspletely ignoring her, which showed just how serious it was.
She wanted to knock on the door, but hesitated, thinking that seeing her might only make him angrier. Maybe it was best to wait until he calmed down.
Bored and anxious, Xanthea wandered between the living room, the gym, the home theater, and the balcony, eventually finding herself in the storage room.
She had only seen this knife twice since losing it at age four: once when he used open her grave and slit his throat on the Twin Towers rooftop, and another time in Adventure Blitz: Two Days, One Night, when he used it to scale a fish for her.
In the storage room, the safe that Seb had left was lying askew. She went over to straighten it and identally found another box behind it. Opening it, she saw her knife.
it to pry Now, it was cleaned and polished, resting in an expensive mahogany box, cushioned by high-quality silk, treasured like a precious gem Because of their past lives and the history he was reluctant to discuss, she had never asked why he had the knife or why he cherished it so much. Now, seeing it again made her even more curious.
She picked up the knife and unsheathed it. Distracted, she identally nicked her fingertip.
She didn''t mind much, simply sucking on it and gently turning the de over. To her surprise, she found a fresh engraving on the back of the de-0.L. (Orion Lockwood).
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perfectly matching the "X.N." Her grip on the handle tightened.
He even wanted his name to be right next to hers.
She sat on the floor, staring at the knife, staring at the knife in a daze. She didn''t know how long she sat there, but exhaustion from the day''s events suddenly overwhelmed her. After sheathing the knife, she fell into a deep sleep.
The ancient military knife, with a trace of a young girl''s crimson blood on its shiny de, gleaned like the blood the man had used to slit his throat in her past life.
Fifteen years ago.
In the western areas of Crestwood, at the Serene Retreat House, the Lockwood family mansion.
"Happy Birthday to you Happy Birthday to you~"
''Happy Birthday to you- Happy Birthday to you~"N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.
In the living room, a dozen servants and bodyguards surrounded around a cute basketball cake and a little bby, singing the birthday song cheerfully.
Under the splendid crystal chandelier, the boy''s delicate face was illuminated. His soft, dark hair was topped with a sparkling crown, and his ckshes fluttered, casting beautiful shadows on his fair cheeks, making him look like a truly noble and beautiful little prince.
"Young master, just be patient for a little bit longer. Once Sir and Madam return, you c blow out the candles and make a wish!"
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Chapter 416
Chapter 416
"Sir just you!"
"Okay."
Chapter 416
called and said he''ll be here in twenty minutes. He''s bringing a surprise gift for Orion held the small cake, nodding obediently.
When Mom and Dad get back, he''ll make a wish to y ball with them at the beach all-
weekend.
"Something bad happened!" A servant rushed in, stumbling, causing the housekeeper to frown, "Why are you so flustered? you''ll scare the young master!"
"Sir and Madam, they''ve had a car ident!"
"What?!"
"Breaking news, on the evening of October 27th at 5 PM, city''s esteemed Lockwood Group''s chairman, Theodore Lockwood''s eldest son, Harrison Lockwood, and his wife, Juliette, were involved in a severe car ident on West Avenue resulting in one death and one injury!"
"Financial news reports, prior to the ident, Harrison and his wife were set to take over as the new CEOs of the Lockwood Group with a 33% shareholding. The incident raises questions whether the three major financial consortia that worked with them will continue their support, if the board will stick to its decision, and whether the three sidelined candidates might take action. Will the Lockwood family be plunged into turmoil once again? Stay tuned!"
The overwhelming news coverage, the flood of online discussions, and wave after wave of reporters gathered at the hospital filled with tears and cries.
When Orion was brought to the hospital, he only saw a gurney slowly wheeled out of the operation room, covered with a white sheet. His father, covered in blood, lifted the sheet; and the man who never frowned knelt on the ground, crying in grief..
"Ori,e take onest look at your mom."
His grandmother held him close to the gurney, and beneath the white sheet, he saw his mother''s beautiful face, pale and cold. Tears rolled down his cheeks uncontrobly, he wanted to call out to her like his dad did, but he couldn''t make a sound.
At five, an age still enchanted by fairy tales, he told himself it was all fake, that his mom would wake up like in the stories.
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But from that day on, everything changed. No more gentle morning meals from mom, no more fun bedtime stories from dad, no more family weekends exploring together.
What remained was the vast, silent vi, his dad''s drunken figurem copsed everywhere, and his own muffled cries under the covers when nightmares woke him at midnight. N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.
"Since Juliette died, Harrison has be useless, doing nothing but drinking all day... When has he ever been to thepany? How can someone like that still be fit to lead the. Lockwood Group as CEO? Dad, why are you still insisting on this, aren''t you being too
biased?"
"Theodore, Harrison''s business acumen and managerial talents are indeed remarkable. It was these qualities that earned out consortia'' approva in the first ce. But now, his, mind ispletely off business. Who knows when he''ll pull himself together? If we don''t choose another president soon, it could harm thepany and our stakeholders''
confidence!"
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Chapter 417
Chapter 417
"Theodore, Timothy and Lyndon are your sons too, why can''t you choose one of them as the sessor to take over the family business? Why are you so fixated on Harrison?"
"Sir, ever since thedy passed away, young master has been traumatized. He hasn''t spoken for a long time and has be increasingly silent and withdrawn. And recently, he doesn''t even want to go to school. The psychologist warned us that if this keeps up, he might end up with autism and might never speak again. What should we do? He''s only five"
A tragic car ident shattered their once happy family. The broken family, fiercepetition in the workce, and the whirlwind of public opinion, all ced all the pressure on Theodore Lockwood''s shoulders.
It wasn''t that he didn''t love his other children, but their business acumen and strategic visions were far inferior to Harrison''s, Handing thepany to them would eventually lead to it being devoured by the lurking financial predators. Harrison was not only his son but also his proident achievement and the only one he saw fit to carry on his legacy. He was just temporarily heartbroken from losing his beloved, that''s all. Theodore was sure that Harrison would recover eventually To secure Harrison''s position and topensate for Orion''sck of maternal love, Theodore came up with a n.
"At a time when the internal dynamics of Lockwood Group were an unpredictable as ever, and everyone was expecting Theodore to anr his sessor at today''s press conference, he surprised the media by announcing an uing merger with Miller family.
The wedding between Harrison and Katherine Miller was set for three months from now. With Miller Group being one of thergest backers of Lockwood Group, they also pledged their continued support for Harrison as the new CEO."
"Notably, on the day of the press conference, only Katherine, the eldest Miller daughter, was present. Harrison, who had been away from the public eye for so long, was still nowhere to be seen. This move sparked widespread spection about whether this marriage was purely for business reasons."
The Lockwood and Miller families had been close business partners for years. Katherine had liked Harrison since she was a child, relentlessly pursuing him with all means, but Harrison had never paid her any attention. In college, he fell deeply in love with Juliette, at woman from a schrly family, and they quickly got married.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.
After Juliette''s sudden and tragic ident, and with Harrison''s diminished standing within the family, Katherine saw her chance. Before Theodore could approach her; she proactively proposed the marriage alliance herself. Chapter 417
Even though Harrison already had a five-year-old son, and despite his current state of despair and grief, she was confident she could make him forget Juliette and fall in love with her.
The first time Theodore brought Katherine to the Serene Retreat House, they found Harrison disheveled and drunk, lying on the steps and calling out Juliette''s name.
When she tried to help him up, he shoved her away and red at her viciously before stumbling off.
"Katherine, don''t mind him."
"It''s okay."
Katherine then turned to greet Orion with a beaming smile, but the young Ker boy looked back at her with a chilling indifference, his dark eyes seemingly looking through her,
Theodore pulled him aside and crouched down "Ori, granddad found you a new mom she''s going to take good care of you and love you. You''ll need to give her a chance, okay?"
Asking a five-year-old who had just lost his mother to ept a om stepmother was undoubtedly cruel, but
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Chapter 418
Chapter 418
In private, Theodore gently patted Ori''s head with a mix of affection and guilt, said earnestly, ''Ori, you''ve lost your mother, and Grandpa is very sad. But your father not only lost his wife but also almost lost his career. I''m afraid he will lose all hope and will to live. So, I''ve brought someone in to help him out. You understand, don''t you?"
Ori perfectly inherited all the advantages of both Harrison and Juliette: intelligent, talented, and the most outstanding among his peers. Theodore knew, even without speaking, that Orion understood the situation perfectly.
At first, Katherine wasn''t bothered by the cold shoulder she received from both the father and the son. She was determined to prove herself as a devoted wife and mother, believing that they would eventually be moved and ept her.
But within a few months, she couldn''t bear it anymore!
Harrison was hardly ever home, wandering between Juliette''s grave and all the ces they used to visit. Whenever he dide home, he would drown his sorrows in alcohol, paying Katherine no mind.
The meals she prepared were left untouched, attempts to console him were met with rejection. In a fit of jealousy, she deliberately shattered a vase Juliette had adored, which led to Harrison publicly berating and pping her in front of the staff, without any mercy!
Their son, too, treated her as if she were invisible. Since her arrival, he hadn''t spoken a word to her, let alone call her "mom."
Being the heiress to the Miller Group, a woman of high status with countless suitors, Katherine wasn''t used to such indignities.
Jealousy and resentment built up in her heart, growing stronger over time. She didn''t da show it to Harrison, so she took it all out on Orion.
That day, she made dinner as usual and called Orion to eat. When he ignored her, she grabbed his cor.
"Who taught you to be so rude? Was it your dearly departed mother?"
Orion''s face went pale, his dark eyes staring at her.
"What are you staring at? Am I wrong? Not only was your mother short-lived, but she was also a slut. Even after death, she still doesn''t let go of Harrison. Ah-"
Before she could finish, Orion bit her arm hard, causing her to scream in pain. After shaking him off forcefully, she grabbed his neck.
A five-year-old child no strength to fight back, only able to struggle weakly as his throat hurt and his limbs iled.
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''Dare to bite me? I''ll choke the life out of you!"Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.
"That bitch Juliette was lucky to marry Harrison and give birth to you, her little bastard!
"Once I give birth to a child for Harrison, you''ll be nothing in this household and will be kicked out! If you know
''s good for you, call me ''mom'' now, call me!"
Her voice was shrill, her face twisted, like a terrifying devil in Orion''s eyes. His face was. turning red, his vision blurring fromck of oxygen, but his lips remained tightly shut, refusing to utter a single word.
"So stubborn at such a young age, indeed a little bastard! It''s all because you, because you refuse to call me ''mom. That''s why Harrison ignores me."
"Madam! Madam!"
The group of servants rushed over to stop her, and only then- then release Orion, just as he was about to suffocate.
She, as thedy of the house, dismissed some of the loyal servants of the Lockwood family, bribed the remaining ones, and threw Orion into the small dark room.
The next day, Orion fell ill, coincidentally just as Harrison happened to return home.
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Chapter 419
Chapter 419
Katherine immediately transformed into the role of a virtuous wife and loving mother, bribing the doctor into covering up the bruises on Orion''s neck, taking care of him with extreme gentleness. Harrison, concerned about his son, for the first time asked her about the illness, without ignoring or showing a cold shoulder.
It seemed to Katherine as if she had stumbled upon the perfect way to win Harrison''s favor. Leveraging the fact that Orion couldn''t speak, she began to abuse him even more severely.
Starvation, cold showers, locking him in a dark closet, and even burning his skin with cigarette butts. Her cruelty knew no bounds, and her madness only grew. She employed every tactic to make him fall ill, knowing that would bring Harrison back to her side.
Thest straw was that, Orion had a severe allergic reaction to food, breaking out in hives all over his body, and fell into aa.
Harrison knelt by the bed, cradling Orion''s frail body, weeping uncontrobly.
"Juliette, I''m sorry, I couldn''t do what you asked of me."
He couldn''t live well, take care of himself, or take care of Ori.
Every day he lived was a struggle, and it had taken a toll on Orion, whose body was growing weaker and whose temperament grew more gloomy and cold; he wouldn''t even call him dad anymore.
It was all his fault.
A few dayster, as Orion began to slowly recover, Harrison decided to leave.
On the day he left, he was uncharacteristically well-groomed, having shaved and changed into new clothes. His well-fitted white suit made him look tall and handsome. Katherine was spellbound by the transformation.
She thought he had finally decided to move on from Juliette and start a normal life with her, but he simply kissed Orion goodbye and walked out the door.
"Ori, I''m sorry. If there''s a next life, don''t be my child."
The man''s low and guilt-ridden voice lingered in Orion''s ears for a long time. The boy tried to open his mouth to call out to his father, but no sound came out. He chased the car, running until he fell, and was then carried back by a servant.
Katherine couldn''t understand Harrison''s sudden change and decided to call the private investigator, only to receive devastating news.
"Mrs. Lockwood, Mr. Lockwood passed away at Juliette''s grave early this morning. The chairman has already gone to retrieve his body."
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"Ah!!!"
This, Katherine screamed hysterically and wentpletely mad.N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.
"Harrison, Harrison, how could I not measure up to that woman?!"
"I''ve loved you for so many years, waited for you for so many years, willing to marry you. at the cost of the entire group, but you saw none of it. You even chose to die for that bitch!"
"You loved her, didn''t you? Since you loved her so much, I''ll let your family of three reunite!" With rage in her eyes, she tied up Orion, knocking him unconscious, and drove towards the outskirts of town.
When Orion regained consciousness, he saw nothing but ruins around him, with the suffocating smell of gasoline in the air.
He was forced to kneel in front of a concrete pir, his hands boundm tightly with chains) and his mouth sealed with duct tape, rendering himpletely immobile.
Katherine, like a deranged demon, wildly sshed gasoline everywhere and screamed, "Die! Die! Die!"
"Harrison, your wife''s dead, you''re dead, and now your son has to die too! Hahaha!"
"All three of you are short-lived, go reunite in hell!"
She set the abandoned building on fire, her grotesque and twistedughter echoing through the empty rooms as she left in a frenzy.
The towering mes roared like demons, quickly engulfing everything.
He was in unbearable pain, tears blurred his vision, his strugglingm hands and feet rubl raw by the cold iron chains, and any faint sound he could make was stuck in his throat
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Chapter 420
Chapter 420
After an unknown amount of time, as the fire grew closer and the smoke thicker, he stopped struggling and slowly, despairingly lowered his head.
It hurt, it hurt so much, it hurt to the point of death, just a bit more pain and he might seel his gentle mother telling him stories and his father ying ball with him again, right?
"Little kitty, don''t run away!"
"Come on, don''t be scared. Let''s y together!!
By the riverside on the outskirts of town, Xanthea held a Swiss Army knife, gleefully chasing a little ck cat.
Oliver, following behind, was panting and supporting his legs.
"Xan, Xan, stop running!"
"That knife in your hand is too sharp. You might hurt yourself. Give it to e now!
"Uncle, you''re not as fast as Samuel. You can''t even catch me," Xanthea taunted, sticking her tongue out at him. "Nyah nyah nyah! Catch me, then the knife is yours!"
"You little rascal. You are only four, how can you run so fast?" Oliver muttered, catching his breath. But she was already dozens of meters ahead.
"Meow!"
"Meow-"
The sleek little ck cat, frightened by her chase, darted into an abandoned buildin Xanthea followed, just as the second floor burst into mes.
"Little kitty,e o out!"N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.
"Kitty, it''s dangerous!"
She called out several times from outside but didn''t see the ck cat, so she anxiously ran inside.
But as she reached the second floor, she saw a horrifying sight: a young boy was trapped in the roaring mes. His hands and feet were bound to a concrete pir, his body covered in wounds, and his left cheek burned by falling sparks, showing a horrifying red.
"Ab-"
Her scream in fright.
Hearing the soft, sweet voice, the semi-conscious Orion slowly lifted his head.
Beyond the reckless mes stood a little girl as delicate as a porcin doll. She wore a
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sweetce princess dress with puffed sleeves, her hair in lively heart-shaped pigtails. Her fair, delicate skin was wless, and she looked just like an angel from a storybook.
Was she an angel?
Had he died and met an angel?.
Xanthea, startled by his dark, lifeless eyes, stopped her scream in shock.
He wasn''t dead?
The next moment, she charged into the inferno with her knife drawn.
Outside the building, the sight of Xanthea rushing in and the sudden ze sent Oliver''s heart into his throat. He dashed inside after her.
"Xan! Xan!"
"Xan,e out! It''s dangerous-"
Xanthea sprinted through the thick smoke and fierce mes, drawing her Swiss Army knife to cut through the chains binding his limbs.
"Don''t be afraid, I''m here to save you."
"Just hang on a little longer, you''ll be okay!"
The Swiss Army knife in her hand was made of pure carbon steel, extremely hard and sharp, but her strength was too slight.
Her small hands gripped the knife tightly, using all her might, yet barely making against the rapidly spreading mes that threatened to engulf them at any mon
"Why won''t it cut? What''s wrong?"
I
"Don''t worry, I can do this, I definitely can!"
little face flush She was almost in tears from anxiety but stillforted him, her fair li red from the scorching mes.
Orion, listening to her voice so close by, looked into her angelic face. He realized she wasn''t an illusion; she was real.
Why was she trying to save him?
After his mom had passed away, his dad didn''t like him, his grandfather and the housekeeper had left.
Everyone had abandoned him, everyone hated him.
Why then, was she trying so hard to save him?
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Chapter 421
Chapter 421
"Xan!"
Oliver dashed upstairs and saw Xanthea gripped a knife, struggling to cut through the thick iron chains binding the little boy to a concrete pir amid the zing fire..
Above her, a beam was being consumed by the mes, creaking ominously as it threatened to copse.
"Xan, run!"
He rushed in, grabbed her hand, and tried to pull her away, but she clung to the chain and refused to leave.
"Uncle, save him! Please save him!"
"Please, he''s going to die!"
"We''ve got to run, there''s no time!"
He barked sharply, forcibly pulling her hand away and picking her up.
Xanthea burst into tears, wailing loudly and desperately, kicking and struggling, "No, please-"
"Uncle, I beg you, save him, please!"
"Please, I''m begging you!"
"Xan, stop it, we''ve got to get out now or it''ll be toote!"
The fire spread rapidly, the smoke thickening to the point of obscuring their faces.
C unable to hold on any longer, slowly closed his eyes.
He couldn''t see the angel''s tearful face, only hear her desperate pleas and the man''s al shouts.
Go, go, please go, an angel shouldn''t die with someone as unwanted as me.
"Uncle, please, I''m begging you!"
Oliver''s heart nearly broke at her cries. He nced at the severely injured boy kneeling by the pir, clearly on the brink of death. Taking advantage of the moment, Xanthea broke free and rushed to the boy.
"Come on, wake up, please!"
"Don''t sleep, please don''t fall asleep."
As hisst shred of consciousness threatened to slip away, Orion felt an angelic embrace envelop him, calling out to him as if guarding the whole world.
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Oliver, gritting his teeth, snatched the Swiss Army knife from her hand and hacked at the chains fiercely.
Secondster, the chains broke. He grabbed both children and ran out of the burning building just as the beam copsed.
"Inhtion of smoke has caused cerebral edema, and there''s a slight decline in muscle strength, so he''s currently in aa. Additionally, his left cheek was burned and will take a long time to heal. But the young master is lucky; a kind- hearted person sent him to the hospital just in time. Anyter and the consequences could have been dire."
The doctor reported to Theodore, who, having Just lost his beloved eldest son and almost his grandson, seemed to have aged overnight. Clutching the boy''s small hand, he wept quietly.
"Ori, Ori."
"Your dad''s gone, please don''t scare me too."
"Who was the kind person? I must thank them personally for saving my grandson!"
"They didn''t show their face, nor left any contact. Probably afraid of being held responsible if anything happened to the young master."
"Responsible?"
The doctor hesitated but spoke up.
"When the young master was brought in, his hands and feet were chained, it seems be wasn''t identally caught in the fire but was deliberately harmed."
"What?!"
Theodore''s eyes widened, disbelief flickering in his usually steady gaze.
"Moreover, during the examination, we found many old and new scars on Scars his body, oldest ones are several months old. We suspect he might have been abused, likely b someone close."
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Chapter 422
Chapter 422
The doctor enth lifted Orion''s shirt. When Theodore saw the body covered in cigarette burns and scars, he nearly fainted from the shock.
"Master! Master!"
"How did this happen? How could this happen?"
Theodore''s expression was one of profound sorrow.
He was the famed chairman of the Lockwood Group, controlling thergest corporation in Crestwood, yet he couldn''t protect his daughter-inw, his son, and now his grandson was nearly destroyed!
"Find out who did this! I want names! I swear they''ll pay dearly for this!"
It didn''t take long for the servants, bribed with money, to reveal everything.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.
§ß§Ö
"Sir, it''s not our fault, it was all Mrs. Lockwood She constantly insulted and abused the young master, and she used the influence of the Miller family to intimidate us. We were too scared to speak out!"
''After she heard about her husband''s death, she went mad and took the young master out. We thought she just wanted to punish him, but we never expected..."
Theodore was filled with regret and rage, grinding his teeth in fury.
alliance between Lockwood and Miller was perfect, b He had thought the and his or had led to his son''s death and his grandson''s suffering.
This was all his fault!
"Katherine, that wicked woman!"
"Sir, after taking the young master to the fire in the suburbs, Katherine booked a flight Harborview. Should we bring her back?"
"No, no need!" He shook his head, his eyes shing with deadly intent. "I want more than her life; I want the Miller family to pay for my son''s death, for Orion''s suffering!"
The faint scent of disinfectant filled the air, mingling with the soft, unfamiliar whispers surrounding Orion as he slowly opened his eyes.
He moved his fingers, seeing a white ceiling and hearing the excited calls of the doctors and nurses by his bedside, and his grandfather''s sobs outside.
He was alive?
Angels must have pulled him back from the depths of hell.
"Don''t be afraid, I''m here to save you."
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"Save him! Please save him!"
"Come on, wake up, please!"
"Don''t sleep, please don''t fall asleep."
The soft, angelic face of a little girl kept appearing before him, her expressions- surprise, anxiety, tears-all incredibly endearing, and her voice was heavenly.
Was she an angel sent from heaven to save him?
Just like in the storybooks, where a beautiful angel descends to kiss one''s forehead at the brink of death.
"Child, you''re awake, you''re finally awake!"
Theodore rushed in, tears streaming down his face, grasping his hand, sobbing in remorse.
"I''m so sorry, so sorry, it''s all Grandpa''s fault, I''ve caused you so much pain!"
"Grandpa shouldn''t have found you a stepmother, shouldn''t have focused only on work and neglected you. Hit Grandpa, okay? Hit Grandpa!"
Tears flowed freely down his face thinking Orion, after such a traumatic experience, would wake up wake u screaming, terrified, perhaps even with! with deep psychological scars. But his expression was surprisingly calm, and under his thick eyshes, his dark eyes seemed to hold a faint smile?
Since Juliette''s departure, Theodore hadn''t seen Orion smile.
"Child, are you alright?"
"Don''t scare me, you''re all I have left!"
Thinking Orion might have suffered a severe mental blow,
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Chapter 423
ChaChapter 423
burundermandstenathan Grandpa is saying?"
and Thebdore hongbeditinitightly with a medure of heartache and relief. It''s. It''s ng as yourecko ahaysthats what matters."
ure ng at
1. Grandpa witdefinitefnatalyavenge you. Those who have harmed you, I will make bis back a hundrediotofiold!"
you stay with Grandpantipaino now one give you the best of everything and and pow. e you.
entire life to makent ke tour to you.
yoke up, you must be thiren/ and/hind nyungry, rige? Tell me what you want to eat, est. The e someone precarenior our you."
ha for a while and getting no responspolise, dinashore nanded him a pen and papers dont want to talk you can write indow down on paper would that be okay?"
the pen and paper but instead of wzbirave/unyad he drew a cute, delicate little e stepped straight right out of aicookboo hern areas of Crestwood; at Serenity Catys Eats estates.
er appeared at the Nightshade residence folding ding the hand of Xanthea, who had a and was covered in dust, everyone wee taken a perabock pened to you twn? Oliver, Xan, you look likely you sabot pscaped from a coal a
id have you changed your skin color?lor?"
did this to you?!
Samuel rusived over, asking her with concern.ce be ash day ath her innocent amber eyes rolling around, ndadup denunciams with some Juad been holding back his anger all the way home ready to gokkoltate, felt anditugging at his palm: Xanthou proudly told their familyDad, MarMinnidiacle is nu tort and admire Uncle the ger was vastly dissipated by her ahectionate gestures and kind word words.
beplessness and fondness, Oliver wiped hor soot stained face ''My naughtghty goutyoull something like this agamor Uncle will have to spank you your Chapter 423
"Okay!"
"Remembe always ensure your own safety first before trying to save others. Make sure you have the strength to do it."
"Okay!"
At night, Xantheay in her princess canopy bed, clutching her Kitty cat plushie, blinking at the glittering stars outside, wondering about the boy from the fire. Was he awake? Did bis wounds still hurt?
Under the same starry sky, Orion clutched a Swiss Army knife, imagining the soft and adorable face of his little angel, and drifted off to sleep
In his dream, his parents held hands and walked away from him. Nom matter how hard he chased, he couldn''t catch up, and eventually copsed on the ground.
hup.
"Ha ha, keep running, see if you can escape."
Katherine approached him with a torch in hand,ughing like a hideous demon, threatening to burn him alive.
-He cried out in fear, but no one heard him. Just as the torch was about to be thrown, a little angel suddenly descended from the heavens, stabbed the demon with a knife, and smiled as she extended her hand to him.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.
"Don''t be afraid, I''m here to save you."
Thank you, thank you.
For the first time, he tried so hard to make a sound, afraid that the little angel r she didn''t hear him. But she didn''t care, holding his hand and joyfully ying an under the sunlight.
Theodore, worried about his grandson having nightmares, quietly entered his roo middle of the night. He saw his grandson''s slight smile and peaceful sleeping face, he was having a sweet dream, looking just like when he was drawing during the day.
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Chapter 424
Chapter 424
He wasn''t as gloomy as he had been before. Even when Katherine dragged him through the mes, he wasn''t frightened. Could it all be because of this little girl?
this little
"Tom, who do you think this little girl in Ori''s drawing is?"
Theodore held the drawing closely, examining it repeatedly and carefully. He couldn''t recall anyone among his family, friends, or business associates who had a daughter as beautiful as the girl in Ori''s drawing.
"Chairman, this should be a character from aic book, right?"
"Look at her face, her features, she looks like a doll. There is no such delicate child in real life!"
"But look, she''s holding a knife, just like the one Ori brought to the hospital."
Tom was puzzled as well.
Reading the words written below the drawing-"I want her"-Theodore felt a pang of guilt. He owed Harrison and Orion so much. Whatever the request was, he would do his best to fulfill it.
"Take this picture and see if you can find this little girl."
A dayter, Tom excitedly brought a stack of photos.
"Chairman, you were right, there really is such a little girl!"
"In the southern areas of Crestwood, Serenity Oaks Estates, the Nightshade family''s darling daughter, named Xanthea. She''s barely four years old this year, bright and lively, and absolutely adorable. She''s a real charmer that everyone loves!"N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.
"Oh?"
Theodore was initially skeptical, but upon seeing the photos that looked exactly like Ori''s drawing, he was stunned.
"When did Ori meet her?"
The Lockwood family and the Nightshade family operated in entirely different business. fields and had never crossed paths. They shouldn''t have met.
Moreover, Xanthea was the Nightshade family''s treasure. If it were someone else, he might have used connections or money to bring her to the Lockwood family to y with Orl.
When Theodore ced Xanthea''s photo in front of Orion, the usually cold and indifferent boy''s eyes suddenly sparked with vitality, just like when he used to y with his parents.
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Theodore patted his headfortingly, feeling as if he had found the key to unlock his heart.
"Ori, her name is Xanthea, she''s in second grade at Crestwood Primary School. Would you like to go there?"
Orion nodded, and Theodore arranged for the school transfer.
But on the eve of the school opening, when Orion stood in front of the
?m mirror in his new uniform, he saw for the first time the horrifying scar on his left cheek and was so scared that he dropped his clothes.
"Ori, don''t be scared. The doctor said that as long as you take good care of it, the scar on your face will heal quickly."
He hung his head, and no amount offort could erase the deep self-
consciousness and the spark of hope in his eyes was extinguished.
He thought himself too ugly. He would scare the little angel sister away, she would be afraid and run away from him.
Feeling heartbroken, Theodore hugged him. He had no choice but to change Orign''s grade to the third and bought him children''s sunsses and hats to cover the scar.
"Just drop him off at the school gates: Keep Ori''s identity secret, and don''t let the teachers or students treat him differently. I want him to grow up healthily like any normal kid."
"Understood."
On his first day at school, Orion saw Xanthea.
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Chapter 425
Chapter 425
She was an exceptional recruit from the local preschool, recognized as one of the "Top 50. Outstanding Elementary Students" in the city, and she stood out even when lined up for morning exercise routine with her squad.
Even though everyone was wearing the same school uniform, she outshined them all.
Her petite frame stood among older boys and girls, like a delicate, well-crafted doll. Her hair was tied into two heart-shaped ponytails that bobbed with her movements. Underneath thick, darkshes were a pair of amber eyes, sparkling like gems. Her fair skin blushed under the midday sun-she was exceptionally beautiful.
Her exquisite appearance and adorable dance moves won over the hearts of students and teachers alike.
"Wow! That little girl in the exercise squad is so cute, just like a doll!"Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.
"I heard she was specially recruited from the preschool next door, and she''s only four this year!"
"You''re out of the loop! Her name''s Xanthea, and she''s the younger sister of the sixth-grade star, Samuel Nightshade!"
"What?"
The mention of "Samuel Nightshade" hushed the crowd. Only Orion stared at the stage, mesmerized, forgetting the exercise routine and everything around him. In his workbere was only her-her every smile, every movement was captivating.
She was like a radiant beam of light, illuminating his dark, gloomy world with wal brightness, making it impossible not to be drawn to her.
Even after the exercise was over, and the yground had emptied, he remained, sta the now vacant stage, lost in thought.
WWith a scar on his face still not healed, he dared not approach her, let alone speak to h He could only secretly followed her from a distance, watching her.
ThThe whole school adored her, like she was a beloved star. During breaks, many students, even those from higher grades, would seek her out. She had skipped two grades, so she was smaller than her ssmates and never yed physical games, preferring intellectual ones.
SI She could easily outsmart older students and thene up with various "cruel" pranks,ughing happily as they begged for mercy, her eyes narrowing like a cunning little fox.
her away Her brother in sixth grade was a basketball enthusiast. He would often call ocbefore a game, pretending to teach her but actually making her pick up the balls. This mmade her so angry that she would stomp her little feet and sulk for two or three days 1/21/2
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before he could coax her back.
After school, she''d feed the stray cats in the small woods by the school, petting their heads or time, the cats would recognize her footsteps, meowing and running over. The heartwarming scene of a group of cats surrounding her was captured in his camera.
She also seemed to write songs. Once, a draft paper blew out of the window, and he... happened to pick it up. The childish h handwriting was as cute as she was, and the song) title was "Chasing Dreams," which he really liked.
She often spent her lunch breaks writing, eventually dozing off at her desk. Her angelic, innocentface and the slight drool at the corner of her mouth often left him entranced. Once, he was almost caught by her sudden awakening.
"Samuel, I suspect someone''s been following me!"
After school, Xanthea furrowed her eyebrows and told Samuel in seriousness.
Hearing this, Samuel immediately tossed aside his basketball rolledup his sleeves ready for a fight, "Who? Who dares to stalk my sister?
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Chapter 426
Chapter 426 Chapter 426
"I don''t know."
"Buttely, I feel like wherever I go, there''s this pair of eyes secretly watching me. Sometimes, I even hear the sound of a camera shutter."
As soon as Samuel heard "camera," his mind raced to recent terrifying news stories about child trafficking. Those traffickers would often follow children and take their photos before starting their abduction ns. He became tense, "Xan, could it be that a trafficker has targeted you?"
"Nope." She shook her head. "I kinda saw him once. It''s a small figure, not even as tall as you!"
"A little kid, huh?"
Xanthea: "I''ve got a n to lure him out!"
"What''s the n?"
Xanthea leaned close and whispered her n into his ear.
One day after school, as usual, she carried a bag of cat food into the small woods to feed. the cats. While feeding them, she once again felt the familiar sensation of being watched. So, after the cats dispersed, she pped her hands and started lifting her skirt.
Since it wasn''t a trafficker but a peer about her age, it had to be some kind of creep!
Seeing her lift her skirt, he wouldn''t be able to resist taking lots of photos. The moment his camera clicked, her brother would rush out and catch him!
Unexpectedly, the gaze that had been secretly watching her seemed to recoil like a shock when she lifted her skirt, and then quickly ran out of the woods.
Huh? Why wasn''t there any sound?
Xanthea lifted her skirt left and right, but heard nothing. She looked around in confusion. That''s odd!
Outside the woods, some students wanted to go in to cool off or y games, but at the entrance, they were stopped by a boy wearing a mask and hat, covering himselfpletely. No matter what they said, or even if they tried to force their way wouldn''t budge. His firm and stubborn attitude scared away many people.
in, he
"Move aside! The woods aren''t your property!"Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.
A older boy roughly knocked him down, but just as he was about to enter, he saw the boy quietly picking up a stone, scaring him into pulling his friends and running away.
"Run, he''s crazy!"
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Chapter 426
Under a dense tree, Samuel was holding tworge leaves pretending he was a banana tree. Seeing Xanthea twisting left and right, continually lifting her skirt like a hooligan, heughed so hard that his stomach hurt, and he could barely straighten up.
"Xan, what are you doing? Where did you learn such improper behavior?"
"Samuel, shut it! I''m trying to attract a creep!"
"I think you''re the little creep here! Put your skirt down, it''s not good M someone really sees you!"
Xanthea didn''t believe him, thinking. her appeal wasn''t enough. Just as she was about to take off her skirt, Samuel grabbed her by the ear and led her away, "Let''s see how I tell Mom about what you''re learning at such a young age!"
"Hey, hey, hey, Samuel, let go of me! We haven''t caught the creep yet!"
"There''s no creep. It''s just your imagination. Even if there is, I bet it''s just your overzealous little fan!"
In ss 3-1, the math teacher had an emergency, so Hyman from the neighboring ss took over. Hesdidn''t know the students in this ss, nor that Orion had special instructions. When calling on students to answer questions, he happened to call on him.
But he just stood up without saying a word.
"Orion Lockwood, why aren''t you speaking? Do you not know how to solve this problem?"
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Chapter 427
Chapter 427
"No!"
At the back, a chubby boy raised his hand.
"He''s a mute. He can''t speak!".
"Hahahaha!!!"
"Mutel Mute The air immediately filled with riotousughter, the bam mockery making Orion''s small hands clutch the hern of his shirt tightly Hyman was a bit surprised How could there be a mute kid?
He walked over to check on him, a girl, emboldened by the jeeing crowd and Hyman''s approach, maliciously yanked off his mask, "Do mutes not have mouths or what ANI When the boy''s left cheek, disfigured with a hideous scar, was revealed, it startled everyone. Hyman''s steps halted.
"That''s homlying!"
"Freak!"
"Monster"
"No wonder he always wears a mask. Without it, he''d scare everyone to death!"
Endless attacks and mockery came from all directions like a tidal wave, drowning him.
Orion''s face turned pale, his eyes deep and deep like a bottomless pool. He picked up his mask and put it back on.
Hyman put an end to themation, forbidding anyone from causing a ruckus again, but soon, this gossip spread everywhere.
"Did you hear about the kid next door who always wears a mask? He''s a monster!"
"One side of his face is all scars, like a devil. Its terrifying"
"heard he was bom a freak and even caused his parents'' deaths. That''s why no one ever picks him up!"
The rumors grew increasingly exaggerated, filled with mockery and disdain, gradually turning into discrimination.
A group of bored boys heard about this and gathered to discuss teaching the ''scary ugly freak" a lesson. After the exercise, they waited at the stairwell, surrounding Orion as he passed by
"Stop!"
"You freak, did you hear us?"
Orion didn''t stop, his expression calm, as if he had grown indifferent and numb to such insults.
Seeing him ignore them, the group charged at him, attempting to pull off his sunsses and mask, While Orion could handle one or two, faced with a swarm, he could only clutch his head tightly to avoid showing his face, enduring the rain of punches.
"Is there a fight going on over there?"
"They''re beating up a freak. Why bother?"
"What are you doing?!"
Having just returned from the yground, Xanthea heard themotion, curiously pushed through the crowd, and saw four or five boys beating up a little boy.
That little boy looked somewhat familiar,
"Mind your own business, get lost!"
The boys yelled while people around were pulling Xanthea away, "Xan, maybe we should not intervene? It''s scary"
Xanthea frowned, furious, "They''re bullying the weak, I''m definitely intervene. Stop it"
The girl''s clear, tender voice rang out, and the boy who had been cold and emotionless even while being beaten, suddenly showed a hint of panic in his eyes.
Is it her?
The deepest sense of shame and inferiority surged up inside him. He tightened his grip.
He wasn''t afraid to expose himself in front of anyone, nor did he pare about was anyone''s gaze, but. Xone was terrified of the angel seeing him in his pathetic, ugly state.
"A bold one, huh?"
The boys stopped. The leader of the at group took a gateand eat was struck by her beauty. ¡°Well, what do we have hem
little girl? For your sake, we''ll forgive what you just said. But don''t medde in our business?
Chapter 428
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Chapter 428
Chapter 428
Xanthea pointed at him, "If you leave now and I can still forgive you!"
"What arrogance!"N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.
Being humiliated by a little girl in front of a crowd, the boy got angry and mised his fist, "Walk away now, or believe me, I beat you too Just then, one of his "subordinates" whispered in his ear, trembling, "Her, her brother is Samuel Lockwood, the bass from upstairs!"
What?
Samuel Lockwood?!
The boy''s face changed immediately, and the next second, the group scattered like birds!
"Hmph!"
Xanthea scoffed at their cowardice and moved to help the little boy who had been hit.
But the boy got up and ran away immediately.
She stood there, somewhat puzzled, scratching her head as she watched the fleeting figure.
Why did he run? And so fast?
Did shee off too fierce and scare him?
With August around theer, the city was buzzing with the annual singingpetition. As a multi-talented "little star'' Xanthea was naturally the first to be nominated. Eager to test out her very first original song "Chasing Dreams", she handed in the lyrics she had written.
However, after reading them, the judges just smiled and encouraged her but didn''t approve of her singing this song. Instead, they chose a conservative and famous song, "Whispering Wings."
"Is it because my song is not good?"
Xanthea looked down at "Chasing Dreams" in dismay, and her friendsforted her.
"Not, it''s just that nobody knows this song. You might not win if you sing it!"
"Yeah, yeah, your voice is so beautiful, you''re sure to take first ce with "Whispering Wings!"
Whispering Wings'' is so famous, it''s definitely a safer choice than your own song!"
But she didn''t care about winning or singing a famous song; she just wanted to perform her own music on stage.
On the day of thepetition, she wore ace dress adomed with rose flowers, standing at the center stage like a little fairy. Her clear, melodious voice captivated all the audience.
Amid a sea of people and thunderous apuse, a pair of deep, obsidian eyes quietly and attentively watched her, shining with a bright light He held a blooming rose in his arms.
After the singingpetition, Xanthea unsurprisingly won them championship.
Orion also wanted to give her the rose but was pushed away by the bustling crowd before he could reach her. The rose the clutched was En trampled and shattered under chaotic footsteps; he tried to protect it, but his hand was stepped on as well.
Amid the surging crowd, Xanthea, standing high on the stageC witnessed the scene.
Was that him?
"Make way, please!"
She pushed through the crowd and ran to him, "Are you alright?"
She extended her small, delicate hand towards him. O
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Chapter 429
Chapter 429
Xanthea wetched his retreating figure, her heart filled with increasing confusion.
Why did he always run away whenever he saw her? Was she really that scary?
She looked down and saw a crushed rose on the ground, picking it up.
Was this his?
The grand hall was still bustling, filled not just with judges and her ssmates, but also her fans. Him holding a flower could it mean he was one of her fans too?.
Then why did he run away?
"Xan, what are you staring at?"
"That little weirdo? What''s so interesting about him? Come on, let''s take a photo
"Little, weirdo?"
Xanthea frowned, a ssmate nodded, "Yeah, don''t you know?"
"There''s a lot of gossip going around. They say he was bom under a bad sign, causing his parents'' deaths, and he''s mute. He wears a mask and sunsses to hide his ugliness. His face is covered with hideous scars. Once, someone pulled his mask off, and it scared everyone!"
Scared everyone?
Xanthea remembered the time he was bullied by a group of boys and remained silent, a pang ofpassion shing in her eyes.
To have lost his parents so early and unable to speak, bullied without a way to fight back, wasn''t he just too pitiful? "Why does he have scars on his face?"
"I heard he was bumed in a big fire, but who knows if it''s true."
Burned?
Xanthea paused, suddenly remembering the little boy she and her uncle had saved from a fire in an abandoned building on the outskirts half a year ago. His left face was burnt too, could it be him?!!
"Which side of his face was bumt?"
"Who knows? Let''s stop talking about him and take a photo!"
As dusk fell, the gloomy sky began to drizzle, and Xanthea stood at the school gate when her wristwatch phone suddenly rang.
The housekeeper called, saying the car had broken down on the way and would bete to pick her up, asking her to wait in the ssroom.
She wandered idly in the corridor, thinking about how Samuel was away at a math camp and couldn''t apany her to and from school anymore. She wondered if the boy she saw at noon was the same one she and her uncle had saved from the fire.
Lost in thought, she looked up and saw that boy at the end of the corridor?!
Dark clouds loomed, and the rain drizzled. He sat alone on the steps, watching the misty rain. His school uniform pants were soaked by the rain, and his back looked like a pitiful, abandoned puppy.
She excitedly dashed towards him, her footsteps startling him.
He tumed around, and upon seeing her, hesitated for a moment before standing up.
Xanthea, realizing he was about to run away like before, shouted, "Don''t run!"
He froze.
Xanthea was surprisedN?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.
Books said congenital mutes were often deaf too. Since he was born! mute, howodulehe e, howgould he understand her En and react so quickly?
Could it be those were all rumors?
He wasn''t mute, he just didn''t want to speak?
"Don''t run. I won''te over!"
"I''m just bored and want someone to talk to! Let''s talk it be fun, kr
"Are you also waiting for someone too? Are theyte too?"
00:57
He stood with his back to her head lowered, silent. But Xanthea didn''t mind.
If you don''t wanna talk, that''s okay" Remembering he was a fan, shem safan, offered "How about I sing you a E
song?
Without waiting for his response, she started sin
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Chapter 430
Chapter 430
Xanthea sang, her mischievous amber eyes twinkling as she stealthily moved her steps toward him.
Orion waspletely immersed in her angelic, sweet, and clear voice, not noticing that the sound was getting closer and closer
"Gotcha!"
She had unknowinglye to his side and grabbed his hand. Orion was startled and instinctively tried to break free.
"Ah!
Xanthea p a pretended to fall, and he quickly caught her, not realizing he had fallen into her trap.
The girl half-squatted on the ground, her small hands firmly gripping his wrist, refusing to let go. Her soft and sweet voice, like a child pouting, melted his heart, "Don''t run away, please?"
"I won''t pull off your mask or sunsses like the others, and I won''t hurt you!"
She assured him eamestly,pletely forgetting her earlier mischievous behavior.
Orion stopped in his tracks, his hand gentle on hers, not daring to move.
Seeing his quick change of attitude, Xanthea stood up happily. "Did you like the song I just sang?"
He nodded without hesitation.
Xanthea''s little braids almost stood up with pride.
She knew it; he was her fan!
"Which was better, the song I sang in the auditorium today or the one just now?"
His dark eyes behind the sunsses seemed to be seriously considering, finding it hard to decide.
Xanthea extended her hands, "Left hand for Whispering Wings,'' right for Chasing Dreams. You can''t say both; you have to choose one!"
Orion looked from one hand to the other, finally settling on the right. Seeing this, Xanthea was overjoyed. "Chasing Dreams"? Really, are you choosing Chasing Dreams"?"
He nodded.
Both songs were beautiful, the best he had ever heard, but if he had to choose one, it would be "Chasing Dreams."
00000 000 00 00 00 0 000 00 00 00 0
Because she wrote that song.
"Yay!"N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.
Hearing his choice, Xanthea jumped for joy, her eyes shining brightly, like a radiant little sun circling around him. Her light shone into the gloomy depths of his heart, stirring something long dormant
"You are the first person to like my song. You truly are my soulmate"
"Shall I sing more of my songs for you in the future?"
Orion''s expression slightly tensed: Could he?
Could he, in the future, still listen to her talk and sing like today?
Would she mind that he was a freak, with terrifying scars on his face.
"Oh!"
Suddenly, Xanthea remembered his fall in the auditorium. She grabbed his hand and saw the wounds on Kand several knuckles from the rose thors.
"Your hand is hurt. Let me bandage it for you!!
She pulled out some band-aids with butterfly prints from her pocket. As she tore one open, she seemed to remember something and gently blew on his wound, "Xan''s breath will take the pain away!"
The little girl carefully held his fingers. as if they were precious treasures Her pink lips blew warm air, sending warmth through his fingers, flowing into his heart, making his gradually warming heart beat and tremble.
His little angel, how could she be so good,
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Chapter 431
Chapter 431
"Young master? Young master? Where are you?"
The Lockwood family''s housekeeper stepped out of the car, searching for Orion. When he saw him standing on the steps, he was about to run over but was stopped by Theodore.
"Hold on."
He looked at the scene not far away-a little girl was holding Orion''s hand, putting a band-aid on him.
Orion had his head down, staring at her as if he were entranced. The usual cold and gloomy aura around him seemed to dissipate, as if he were bathed in sunlight And the girl was none other than Xanthea Nightshade, the precious daughter of the Nightshade family, the one Orion wanted.
"What a harmonious scene," the housekeeper couldn''t help but smile at the sight. "It''s been a long time since I''ve seen young master like this."
Orion hadn''t said a word, but he waspletely different from his usual cold and silent behavior. For a moment, it seemed like he was back in the days when Mr. and Mrs. Lockwood were still alive.
"All done!
Xanthea finished applying the band-aid, instructing him not to get it wet and to change it in a few hours.
Orion twitched his fingers. He looked at the beautiful butterfly on the band-aid and nodded.
Most kids their age were noisy and mischievous, always using childish tricks to get her attention, which she found utterly annoying. But he was quiet and exceptionally well-behaved.
She was tempted to pat his head but paused, then she thought: maybe he was like this because he didn''t have parents, or because of the scars on his face.
She wanted to ask if he was the boy they had rescued from the fire, but she was afraid of reopening his wounds, so she held back.
"If anyone ever bullies you again, just to tell me. I''ll stand up for you!"
She dered, fists clenched with determination.
Onion looked up, seemingly surprised that she would say that He wasn''t afraid of being bullied, not at all. In fact, if being bullied meant he could see her, he even looked forward to it.
Xanthea mistook his silence for doubt. After all, she was small, and a level-three wind could blow her over. Her clenched fist was the size of lollipops.
guy around, and everyone is afraid of him!"
"You don''t believe me? I might not be strong, but my brother is! He''s the toughest guy
"As long as he''s around, no one will dare to hurt us!"
Orion''s thick eyshes lowered, concealing the resolve in his eyes.
He wanted to grow up quickly to protect her.
"Did youe to the hall today to hear me sing? Is that rose for me? Are you my fan?"
He nodded.
Xanthea''s eyes lit up with joy as she epted her new little admirer.
"Actually, I don''t like roses much. I prefer irises!"Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.
Inses?
"There are over twenty thousand types of inses in the world, each unique, each with its own special meaning. And they look like butterflies!"
"I often dream of a mountain full of irises, with every type imaginablen When they bloom, it''s like the mountain is covered in butterflies dancing in the wind. It''ll be beautiful."
"Young master, it''s gettingte. We should go."
The housekeeper and Theodore walked up the steps, reluctant to interrupt their conversation When Orion saw them, the light in his dark eyes bright with imagination dimmed at their approach. He was clearly reluctant.
Theodore sensed his unwee attitude but knew it was indeedte, and it was raining. If they yed any longer; the two little ones might catch a cold.
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Chapter 432
Chapter 432
Xanthea''s words were abruptly interrupted, and she turned around puriously, "Who are you?"
Theodore looked at her with her two pigtails, her vivacity endearing him Instantly, Tm his grandfather, here to take him home."
Upon hearing "grandfather Xanthea''s expression immediately changed. She put her hands on her hips and furrowed her brows in a scolding manner.
"Why did youe sote?"
"Don''t you know it''s very unsafe for children to be out after dark?"
Tom couldn''t help but chuckle. This was the first time he saw someone dare to scold the CEO, especially it was a little girl Theodore looked at her serious demeanor both surprised and amused, "I got caught up in a meeting"
"Excuses!"
"Alright, alright, 111 apologize to him. Grandpa''s sorry for beingte. It won''t happen again."
Xanthea gently tugged on Orion''s sleeve, "Given his sincere apology, let''s forgive him, okay?"
Orion pressed his lips togethet remaining silent.
Xanthea was surprised. Did he not talk to his family either? Was he really mute? She fell into deep thought again.
Theodore realized she was trying to coax Orion into speaking. This Ms. Nightshade was as clever and lively as hearsay suggested.
"Why haven''t you gone home yet?"
"Miss, miss!*
Not far off, a housekeeper was running over with an umbre. Xanthea ran towards him with a smile, "Here I am!"
Orion watched as she let go of his hand, and his eyes instantly filled with disappointment.
Theodore noticed his sensitive reaction and squatted down, "Or, it''s alright. We''ll see her again tomorrow."
Mhm.
Orion nodded.
He could see her every day.
"Goodbye!"
Before getting into the car, Xanthea turned to wave, adding, "Grandpa, don''t bete next time!"
"Okay!
Theodore squinted in acknowledgment, while Tom shook his head with a smile, "That littledy sure is something. She even managed to fool you.
Chairman."
"Indeed."
If she can fool me now, she''ll be able to fool Onion in the future.
Theodore took Orion''s hand, who was silently waving, and they got into the car.
The fine drizzle was like mist. Orion pressed his face against the carm window watching the blurry rain and the silhouette of Xanthea''s car gradually disappear from his sight.
"On, how have things been at schooltely? Are you getting along well with your teachers and ssmates?"
"Grandpa noticed you were happy today. Was it because you yed with Xan?"
Theodore had gotten used to not receiving replies when talking to him, m but kept at it, hoping to help him stowly return to normalcy. Today, however, he was surprised to receive a note from Orion: Grandpa, I want inses.
He looked at him, pleasantly surprised.
This was the first time in months that Orion was willing to initiatemunication.
n. Insest seemed Xan had just mentioned this flower to him. It looked like Xan was indeed the remedy for him toe out of his shadow,
"Alright, I''ll have them delivered tonight The next evening. Xanthea, bounced out of school with her Ettle backpack and saw Orion at the end of the corridor again.
Chapter 433
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Chapter 433
Chapter 433
She ran over like a gust of wind and patted his shoulder, "Hey! Why are you here again? Was your grandpate again?"
Orion nodded, his eyes darting around nervously, though thankfully hidden behind his sunsses.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.
He was deliberately waiting for her
"Hmph!"
"I know it!"
Xanthea stomped her foot in slight annoyance. That old liat he had just promised her yesterday!
"Where do you live? I can have our housekeeper drive you home."
Before she could finish, Orion pulled out a sapphire German Bearded Iris from his clothes. The petals, adorned with soft butter yellow speckles that bloomed from the inside out, were full of color and gracefully outlined. The flower was stunningly beautiful!
Xanthea''s eyes lit up instantly. "Wow, what a gorgeous iris!"
Orion handed it to her, and she looked at him in disbelief, is this for me? Thank you, thank you so much!"
"It''s so pretty!"
She took it, admiring it from every angle, and even gave it a little kiss.
The iris, in full bloom under the shining sun, was a sight to behold, but Orion thought it paled inparison to the brightness of her smile at that moment Xanthea felt she had received the highest praise and scratched her head shyly. His fanboy filter for her seemed pretty strong! Her parents and brothers had often joked she was as hard to catch as a mischievous monkey
"I don''t have anything to give you in return. Should I sing you another song?"
But she hadn''t written any new songs recently.
"I''ll stay here and y some games with you!"
Orion nodded.
Xanthea pulled out her unbeatable grade school trio from her backpack a Sudoku puzzle, a Rubik''s cube, and a book of brainteasers!
These were the games she often yed with her ssmates-they were also tools she used to outsmart them. But she could go easy on him.
"Let''s get the rules first. We''ll pick a game and see who can finish it first within a set time. The winner gets to make a request or choose a punishment for the loser, deal?"
Onion agreed, familiar with her game rules.
Seeing how quickly he agreed, Xanthea smirked mischievously, like a sly little fox watching an adorable, clueless prey jump into its trap. He was so naive, wasn''t he? Didn''t he know about her notorious reputation at Crestwood Primary School? He was bound to lose!
"You better watch out!"
Sheid out the Sudoku cards, two Rubik''s cubes, and the book of brainteasers in front of them, "Pick one!"
Orion grabbed a Sudoku card, and Xanthea, trying to be kind, wamed him, "Are you sure? I''m top of my ss in math! Maybe try a different one?"
He shook his head.
"Alright then!"
"One card for you, and one card for me."
After dividing the cards, Xanthea leisurely twirled her pen, not in a hurry to start. Based on pastom expected him to experience som struggle like her other ssmates, not able to fill in a single square. Yet, she hadn''t even started when he handed hispleted card to
her.
00
Xanthea stared at thepleted Sudaku card, which was without a single mistake, her mouth agape wide enough to swallow an egg
whole.
He had gotten them all right-how was he so good?
it seemed she had underestimated him!
"I hadn''t said ''start'' yet, so it doesn''t count!"
To avoid punishment, she resorted to ying dumb. She thought he would be upset but he just put down the hej card, indicating she could start again.
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Chapter 434
Chapter 434
Xanthenughed happily and grabbed a new set of cards.
This time, she picked out the hardest puzzle there was, a five-stor Sudoku that not even the sixth graders could solve, let alone him!
"Alright, let''s go!"
She couldn''t afford to ck off this time, starting to fill in the answers with focus.
But after just filling in two, Orion finished again. He handed her his card, which was just as precise andmct as before!
Xanthea was so shocked that she dropped her pencil, looking at him incredulously, "You''re so smart!"
She had never lost at Sudoku against her ssmates, not even to the older students. This was the first time she had been thoroughly bested by someone! Orion fidgeted with the card in his hand, worried she might not like him winning.
"You won, so you can punish me. But, but let''s count it at the end, okay? Let''s switch to Rubik''s cubes!"
To offset the punishment, Xanthea scrambled two Rubik''s cubes and thrust them into his hands without a second thought.
Rubik''s cubes were her forte, undoubtedly no one could. Yet, in mere seconds, Orion had solved them and ced them back on the ground.
Xanthea looked at it, and the Rubik''s Cube in her hand fell with a "thud." When she looked up again, her big eyes were filled with admiration, "Wow-"
"You''re amazing!!!"
She clung to his hands as if she had discovered an incredible treasure, her arms as delicate as porcin.
She had long realized she was much smarter than her peers, ying games with them was just a one-sided crush, with no fun at all. Yet, they kept at it eagerly, only Ethan asionally won against her, and Samuel could just barely tie with her Unexpectedly, be was even smarter than her brother!
He wasn''t just a little mute, he was a genius!
And she adored geniuses!
Orion, under her admiring gaze, a hint of shyness in his eyes.
Would she keep ying with him then?
"You''ve won again, so you can punish me twice"
Xanthea lightly shook his arm, saying she would obediently ept the punishment, but her slightly bitten pink lips and blinking, watery eyes seemed to say: With Xan being this cute, could you really dare to punish me?
Orion shook his head, unable to bear it.
Xanthea''s coquettish attack seeded, and she triumphantly made a V sign, picking up thest brainteaser book.
This was her secret weapon!
Orion saw a sly spark in her slightly upturned eyes, looking every bit the cunning little fox she was, utterly adorable.
Xanthea: "Quick question in three seconds: How far can a fox run into the woods?"
Halfway into the forest (Because in the other halfway, it will run out of it).Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.
Orion watched her, his lips pressed together.
The cunning little Xanthea, knowing he couldn''t speak,ughed gleefully, feeling like she had avenged herself, and closed the brainteaser book, "You lost!"
"You didn''t punish me just now, so I won''t punish you either, okay?"
Orion nodded.
Xanthea released his arm and said kindly, "But I didn''t say wouldn''t set I a condition.
1 want to see...
She suddenly leaned closer, making,Orion''s breath hitch. He instinctively stepped back, fearing.
she would want to see his face. As if ÉÏ
reading his mind, Xanthes shook her head, "Don''t worry, I''m not asking to see your face. I just want to see your eyes, okay?"
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Chapter 435
Chapter 435
Under his sunsses, Orion''s eyes flickered with uncertainty. He lowered his head slightly, looking extremely nervous and conflicted.
Xanthea bent down to pick up her little backpack, and Orion, thinking she was about to leave, quickly grabbed her Xanthea: "7"
He slowly nodded, and Xanthea was thrilled that she almost jumped up. "Really?!"
He wouldn''t show his eyes to anyone, but he was willing to show them to her!
She carefully approached him, slowly sliding his sunsses off. Orion held his breath, tense and worried that she might be frightened or repulsed by what she saw A pair of eyes, ck and lustrous like obsidian, emerged. They were like stars in the sky, shimmering brightly in the distant, dark night sky, that they could draw anyone in. They were stunning!
Xanthea was mesmerized.
Orion''s thick, ravenshes fluttered with uncertainty and confusion.
He attempted to put his sunsses back on, but Xanthea stopped him. "No! They''re beautiful, like little stars in the sky!"
Orion was taken aback. Little stars?
His stepmother used to curse his eyes as empty and terrifying, threatening to gouge them out. Yet, here was Xanthea, finding them beautiful, like stars in the night sky.
"Please, don''t put the sunsses back on. Let me look at them a little longer, okay?"
As Xanthea gazed into his eyes, she leaned in closer without realizing it.
Her cute, rosy face came nearer, and her amber eyes, filled with affection, made Orion shyly lower his head.
Truth be told, she was the prettiest of all.
Seeing him shyly lower his head, Xanthea reluctantly withdrew her gaze and smacked her lips.Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.
Back during the fire at the abandoned building in the suburbs, the thick smoke obscured his face, leaving only his red burned mark visible Thinking about it now, if his eyes were so beautiful, his face must be even more handsome. Who could have been so cruel to him? Xanthea, feeling a pang of empathy, tiptoed and gently patted his head. "Let me take you to see the stars!"
See the stars?
"Don''t worry, Ill call the housekeeper and ask him toeter. As for your grandfather, well, it''s his own fault for always beingte. Let him worry a bit!"
Meanwhile, Tom, sitting in the driver''s seat of the stretched Lincoln, joked with Theodore in the back. "The young master and Ms. Xanthea Nightshade''s ''date'' is quite long."
In the central garden, amidst a fragrant flower bed in full bloom with begonias, they were a spectacr sight, their vibrant colorspeting for attention.
Xanthea pulled Orion to sit on the grass, pointing at the stars above. "Aren''t they beautiful?"
As night fell, the dark blue sky spread out like a canvas, dotted with billions of twinkling stars.
It had been a long time since Orion had looked at anything without his sunsses, and he nodded emphatically.
Xanthea turned to ask him, "Do you know about constetions?"
Constetions?
"Not just the zodiac ones!"
She pointed towards a group of stars in the sky near the ecliptic. "
"Next to it, two stars form a line pointing towards the constetion Andromeda. That cross shaped m constetion is Cygnus constetion. South of Cygnus is the Yulpec constetion. Do you see those two pointy tips? Don''t they look like the fluffy ears of a fox?
Chapter 435
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Chapter 436
Chapter 436
The little girl was enthusiastically sharing her knowledge, but Orion''s gaze gradually shifted to her.
Her curved, smiling eyes shimmered like a crescent moon cradled by stars, bright and brilliant.
The night was serene, a gentle breeze in the air, as begonia petals gracefully fell upon her. He suddenly wanted to kiss his little angel and wished that time would stop at this moment, so he could be with her forever.
"Which constetion is your favorite?"
Xanthea''s question snapped him out of his reverie, making him tum his face away guiltily, pointing towards the constetion of Vulpec in the sky.
"Vulpec? Why''s that?"
Xanthea, puzzled, touched her chin. Vulpec was quite faint
-Because it resembled you.
"My favorite is....
As Xanthea was about to share her favorite constetion, she noticed the butterfly band-aid still stuck on his finger from yesterdayContent ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.
"Yikes!"
"Why didn''t you listen and take off the band-aid?!"
She grabbed his finger, and Orion slightly retracted it.
"Leaving it on for so long could lead to an infection!"
She gently removed the band-aid from his finger, revealing the skin beneath had turned a bit white, and blew on it.
"How can you be so smart yet so silly?"
He just couldn''t bear to remove it.
After blowing on it, Xanthea found herself unwilling to let go of his finger.
Initially, she thought he was just a lonely, pitiable mute, and couldn''t help but care for him. But gradually, she realized he wasn''t lonely at all. His heart was warm, generous, and intelligent. His eyes, hidden behind sunsses, were also incredibly beautiful. Maybe, he''d even start to speak slowly.
All these realizations were hers alone, and a sense of possessiveness grew in her heart as she held his hand tightly.
"Are we friends now?"
Orion blushed and nodded shyly.
"Friends should exchange names. I''m Xanthea, people around call me Xanthea, my family calls me Xan, you can pick whatever you like!" Orion''sshes fluttered, seemingly hesitant.
He stretched out his hand, slowly writing letters on the ground-Xannie.
He wanted something special, just for him.
"Xannie?" Xanthea looked at him in surprise, "That''s cute!"
No one had ever called her Xannie before, just like no one knew how good he was. This was a secret just between the two of them.
"What about you? What''s your name?"
Xanthea looked at him expectantly, only to see him write five intricate ve letters on the ground-Orion,
The name sounded lovely!
"Then I call you Ori, okay?"
She loved her elder brothers the most, and she liked him t?a, so he'' would be her Orl.
"Okay."
"From today on, we''re friends. Let me om mark you" Xanthea rummaged through her backpack, pulling out a market and drew an iris on the front of his white shirt, "This flower means On belongs to Xannie."
Orion looked down, staring at her in a daze, and responded in his heart Okay, I belong to Xannie.
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Chapter 437
Chapter 437
"Does it look good?"
Xanthea finished drawing andy on his chest, looking down at her work with a satisfied amille.
Orion looked at her adorable, enchanting smile and nodded.
-It looks good.
"If it looks good, you have to keep it there and not wipe it off, okay?"
Okay.
He would always keep the mark there.
A gust of evening breeze swept through, causing the pink and white begonia flowers to fall and flutter down onto the little girl''s dark eyebrows, making her look as beautiful as a flower fairy Orion was mesmerized and leaned in slightly closer.
Suddenly, Xanthea pointed excitedly towards the night sky, "Orl, look, a shooting star!"
He looked up to see the night sky filled with dazzling streaks of light, like fairies waving their magic wands, creating a scene straight out of a fairy tale.
*Make a wish! Quick, make a wish!"
"My mom says that when a shooting star passes by, any wish cane true!""
As if afraid of missing the moment, she quickly covered his eyes Under the vast night sky, two small figures made the same wish upon the shooting star I want to be with Ori forever.
I want to be with Xannie forever.
"Ring, ring, ring."
The smartwatch buzzed, signaling it was time to head back home as called by the housekeeper.
Packing up her little backpack, Xanthea was startled to find a fluffy caterpir on her dress, which made her freak out, "Ahhh-there''s a bug! A bug! A bug!"
Orion swiftly moved to catch the bug for her.
However, Xanthea, unable to control her panic, started jumping around in an attempt to shake it off, nearly slipping and almost falling down the small flower hill.
"Xannie, be careful!"
In a split second, Orion pounced on her.
Both of them were safe but stunned.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.
Huh?
Xanthea blinked her big eyes full of confusion. Did she just hear things? Did On speak?!
He could speak?
Orion himself was in disbelief.
"On, did you just talk?"
It had been so long since he had spoken, Orion felt awkward getting up, pretending as if nothing had happened, But Xanthea wouldn''t let it go, her eyes bearing with joy as she tugged at his sleeve and spun around, "You spoke! You finally spoke!"
She knew he wasn''t mute!
Orion shook his head.
"You''re lying: you clearly spoke
"I heard it, Ori. Your voice is so nice. Can you call me Xannie again, please? Pretty please?"
"Ori! Ori!"
Xanthes held his hand all the way,ughing and acting spoiled, leg the boy defenseless but toply with her wish.
"Yeah."
08:57
Chapter 437
Xannic
That evening, as they returned home, Theodore noticed a beautiful Iris pattern on his grandson''s cheand that he had taken off his sunsses. ??? His eyes asionally curved as if he was thinking of something happy, as if recalling something joyous.
us fun today??
"Ori, did you give that iris to Xan? Did she like it? Did you guys have fun
He didn''t expect an answer and continued asking as usual. E But to his surprise Orion nodded halfway through. "Yes."
The words fell, and Theodore was stunned as if struck by lightning, and then tears of deep emotion welled up En in his eyes.
After more than a year, Ori had finally spoke again.
From that day on, Orion and Xanthea became inseparable best friends.
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Chapter 438
Chapter 438
At school, Xanthea waved her chubby little fists around, her expression fierce yet adorable, warning everyone, "Orion is my best friend. If any of you dare to bully him, it''s like bullying me. When Samueles back, you''ll be in big trouble!"
After school, Xanthea dragged Onion to see the fireflies behind the hill, to the photo booth for the trendy new photo stickers, and to the famous food alley next door for some snacks.
"I can''t stand onions and parsley, the chef forgot, and put a ton of them in again!"
Xanthes pouted, looking ahnoyed at the bowl of snacks in front of her. Orion, however, patiently picked out all the parsley and onions, They''re gone now."Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.
"Hehe~" Xanthea squinted her eyes, smiling happily, "Orl, you''re the best!"
"I cook for you in the future, no onions or parsley."
"Really? Guys who cook are the coolest!" Xanthe held her cheeks, her eyes twinkling. "But why would you want to cook for me?"
Orion remained silent.
Standing outside an expensive shop window, Xanthea''s eyes sparkled with joy at the sight of the beautiful dolls inside.
"Do you want one, Xannie?" Orion noticed the longing in her eyes.
Xanthea nodded, "Yeah, I really do!"
"III buy it for you."
"No, you can''t!" Xanthea stopped him, "Mom said I''ve already got too many dolls, I need to learn to control my desires. I can only buy another one during Christmas!"
"Orion, let''s go."
She pulled him away, her longing gaze etched into Orion''s heart.
Little angels don''t need to restrain their desires like humans do.
Whatever Xannie likes, he would satisfy her Before they knew it, it was winter break, and an amusement park that had been under construction for years in the suburbs of the capital city finally opened. Xanthra badgered Oliver into buying two tickets and happily handed them to Orion.
"Orion, let''s go to the amusement park on Saturday. I heard it has the biggest Ferris wheel in the city. People who ride it together will never part ways in this lifetime!"
"Yeah,"
Drion nodded.
He wanted to ride the Ferris wheel with Xannie, to never be apart for life.
"Then it''s a date, 8 AM at the school gate this Saturday! No backing out!" "Pinky promise-"
Ever since Harrison''s tragic death, and Orion was thrown into a fire, Theodore had resumed his position as the chairman and CEO of the Lockwood Group, using every means to seek revenge on the Miller Group. In less than two years, he managed to bring down the huge Miller Group.
Katherine, entangled in her family''s debts, was restricted from high consumption abroad and was implicated in economic crime conspiracies, soon to be repatriated.
She knew Orion was not dead, the Miller family had been humiliated by Theodore, and she herself might face jail time, which drove even more insane.
"Harrison, you''ve ruined my life! And now, your dad won''t spare
"If that''s the case, your whole family must be buried with me!"
¦°¦¥
either!"
She secretly used her connections to escape back to the country. One drunken night, she sneaked into the Serene Retreat House and opened Orion''s room door.
"Creak-"When the door opened, Orion, who was looking at a photo of m ata Xanthea When he looked up and saw her, it was as if he had seen a ghost.
Before he could say a word, Katherine rushed over and viciously strangled his week, "You little bastard, you really didn''t die
Cheater 439
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Chapter 439
Chapter 439
"So, a fire that big didn''t kill you? You have a tough life. Let''s see if I can strangle you!"
"Your grandpa is a stubbom old coot your dad bit the dust too soon, and you will also... Ahh!!"
In the midst of his struggle, Onion grabbed a deskmp from the table and smashed it against her arm, causing photographs to scatter all over the floor.
Katherine screamed and let go. Just as she was about to continue finishing him off, she saw the photos scattered on the ground.
The photos were of a pure, innocent, and beautiful little girl. She had seen this girl with Mr. Lopez at a party before, the girl was the darling of the Nightshade family.
Orion coughed violently and crawled over to pick up the photos, but she grabbed them first,ughing maniacally.
"Look what I found!"
*So, you like the young miss of the Nightshade family, huh? You''ve been secretly taking photos of her and hiding them. Such a young pervert! Did y your short- lived dad know about this?"
"Look at your scarred face, you''re ugly enough to scare a ghost! Do you deserve her?"
"Aren''t you afraid you''ll scare her to tears? Hahaha.
"Give them back! Give them to me!"
Orion rushed over to grab the photos, but she kicked him away.
"So, you little bastard can talk, huh?"
"You''ve been pretending all along! Just like your father, deceiving me until the end!"
"You both deserve to die. I won''t just kill you; I''ll make you watch as everything you love gets destroyed!"
She pulled out a lighter and set the photos on fire.
The eerie mes slowly burned the smiling face of the little girl, illuminating the woman''s crazed, twisted expression.
Orion''s dark pupils tightened into narrow slits, a deep, shocking red of murderous intent flickering within.
He grabbed a Swiss Army knife from nearby, ran over, and shed the woman''s arm.
Katherine''s triumphantughter was cut short by a scream of pain. Clutching her wounded arm, she stumbled back. Before she could react, the boy pushed her down the stairs.
"Ah-"
The staircase at Serene Retreat House was twisted and tumed, spanning several meters The woman''s screams echoed throughout the vi, waking all the sleeping servants.
Theodore rushed out without even putting on his clothes, seeing Katherine lying in a pool of blood in the hall, lifeless.
And at the top of the stairs stood his grandson, holding a blood-dripping knife.
His eyes were deep and vacant, staring at the woman''s corpse below as if devoid of all humanity.
"Quick, call Fabian over!"
Theodore ran up and covered the boy''s eyes with his hands.
He feared that if a psychologist didn''t intervene immediately, Orion would be ruined.
"Ori, it''s okay now. You''re safe."
"Grandpa''s here."
On Saturday, Xanthea, dressed in a canary yellow down jacket and mN?velDrama.Org ? 2024.
carrying a petite bamboo basket bag, arrived half an hour early at their meeting spot, patiently waiting for Orion.
The winter morning breeze brushed her face with its unique coldness, making her huddle her neck, herm Ve small head buried in the fluffy hood, looking like a cute little yellow duck. Passersby couldn''t help but tum to look at her, "She''s so cute!"
Today, she nned to spend the entire day with Or at the amusement park. And if they still weren''t satisfied, N she''d take him back to her ce. Her parents and brothers hadn''t met him yet!
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CHAPTER 440
CHAPTER 440
Chapter 440
If they met him, they would surely like him just as much as she did!
nowhere to be seen
Half an hour had passed, and Xanthea¡¯s legs were numb from squatting, but Orion was now
¡°It¡¯s time. Why isn¡¯t on here yet?¡±
He waste. Once he arrived, she would definitely punish him!
Another half hour ticked by without any sign of him.
Xanthea started to look around anxiously.
Why hadn¡¯t One yet?
Did he forget about their appointment?
One hour, two hours, three hours.
From morning till dusk, the hopeful glimmer in Xanthea¡¯s eyes gradually dimmed. Her stomach was growling loudly, and the irises in her little bamboo basket wilted.
Or didn¡¯te. He must¡¯ve forgotten.
She was angry. She wouldn¡¯t speak to him ever again!
The next day, Xanthea bounced back to their meeting spot again to wait for Orion.
Ori must have gotten the date wrong. He must have thought it was the weekend. Today, he would surelye!
But he still didn¡¯t show up.
The third day.
The fourth day
The fifth day.
The sixth day.
Xanthea persistently waited at the meeting ce for Orion, each time waiting from moming until dusk, her hope slowly fading to disappointment.
Was Ori really noting?
They had promised to meet without fail. He had never lied to her. He must have been held up by something else¡
But when she asked her uncle to inquire, he said everything at the Lockwood family was normal, except they weren¡¯t receiving any visitors.
So, she waited, day after day, until one morning, half a monthter, when the sky turned dark with storm clouds and lightning. unleashing a torrential downpour.
Xanthea wanted to find shelter, but worried Orion might arrive and not find het so she stood resolutely in the rain.
Eventually, a teacher on duty from Crestwood Primary School noticed her, rushing over with an umbre to ask, ¡°Little girl, I¡¯ve seen you standing here for days. What are you waiting for?¡±
¡°I¡¯m waiting for my Ori,¡±
¡°On?¡±
¡°Orion Lockwood!
¡°Orion Lockwood? The teacher remembered the name after a moment. ¡°Is he your friend?¡±
¡°Don¡¯t wait any longer. His family came a few days ago to withdraw him from school. I heard he¡¯s gone abroad.¡±
What?
The news struck Xanthea like a bolt from the blue. She refused to believe it and burst into tears right there in the pouring rain.
¡°You¡¯re lying! That can¡¯t be true!!
¡°On said he¡¯del
Or wouldn¡¯t lie to Xannie, wouldn¡¯t leave Xannel¡±
¡°We had a promise,
She cried uncontrobly, her sobe wrecking her small freme, almost fainting remi
on her wrist, the teacher contacted her familly.
Back home, Xanthea fell into a fierce fever that raged for over two days. Her frail body weakened further, and she slipped in and out ofContent ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.
consciousness, unable toplete a sentence. Her family was terrified, taking turns at her bedside day and night.
CHAPTER 441
CHAPTER 441
Chapter 441
¡°It¡¯s been over two days now, and Xan still hasn¡¯t woken up. If anything happens to her, I can¡¯t even bear the thought!¡± Susanna sobbed Into Christopher Nightshade¡¯s arms, who tried his best tofort her amidst his own deep concem, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Xan is blessed with great fortune; shell pull through.¡±
¡°Xan has been lying to us, saying she was ying at a friend¡¯s house. She left early and came backte every day. Who would¡¯ve thought she was waiting for someone, and for more than half a month! The teacher said that person transferred schools long ago!¡±
¡°Susanna, do you think it¡¯s because Ethan moved on to higher grade and Samuel went off to that intense summer camp, leaving Xan feeling lonely without anyone to apany her?¡±
¡°I
swear, once she wakes up, I¡¯ll find her as many ymates as she wants. I¡¯d even consider adopting If that¡¯s what it takes!¡± Under her family¡¯s tender care, Xanthea finally woke up on the third day.
It felt like she had been in a chaotic, dreamless sleep. When she awoke, her mind was nk, with all the scenes and people from the dream faded away, leaving no trace.
¡°Xan, oh thank God, you¡¯re awake!¡±
¡°You scared the life out of me!¡±
Samuel cried, tears of joy streaming down his face as he hugged her.
Xanthea, however, furrowed her delicate brows in confusion and surprise, ¡°Mom, who¡¯s this crybaby?¡±
¡°?¡± Samuel froze, then his face changed as he touched her little head, ¡°Xan, you don¡¯t recognize your second brother? Did fever make you stupid?¡±
¡°Samuel, stop talking nonsense! Xan recognizes me, doesn¡¯t she?¡±
¡°Yeah, and she knows me too.¡±
After a brief check¨Cup, the doctor reassured them, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Her physical and cognitive functions are fine. It¡¯s just the prolonged fever might have caused some neural damage leading to partial memory loss. Or it could be psychological, But this isn¡¯t necessarily bad. It means her body is trying to heal itself.
¡°Memories are like a videotape; it¡¯s hard to lose thempletely. Often, the brain might hide or selectively forget certain memories for self¨Cpreservation. These memories could resurface over time with familiar faces and experiences. There¡¯s no need for too much
concem.¡±Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.
¡°That¡¯s a relief, Christopher and Susanna sighed, while Samuel grumbled, ¡°But why does she remember our parents and elder brother, even our uncle, but forgets only me?¡±
The doctor smiled, ¡°Look on the bright side. Maybe you¡¯re the most important to her upying arge part of her memory and influencing her emotions greatly. To recover quickly, her brain chose to delete you.¡±
Samuel became happy at that. Of course, he was his little sister¡¯s most important person!
While the Nightshade family discussed Xanthea¡¯s condition with the doctor, Matthew Martinez, who hade with the Martinez family to visit, quietly stepped into the room. His gaze fixed on the little girl, finding her absolutely beautiful.
¡°Who are you?¡± Xanthea looked at him curiously.
¡°I¡¯m Matthew, but you can call me.¡± He paused, remembering her mumbling about ¡°Ori¡± while she was unconscious and changed his words, ¡°You can call me Matt. That sounds nicer.¡±
The name ¡°Matt¡± brought a strong sense of familiarity and joy, as if they were connected to someone in her memory. However, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn¡¯t recall the person¡¯s face, even to the point of a headache.
But deep down, she felt it wasn¡¯t the boy standing before her.
Chapter 442
CHAPTER 442
CHAPTER 442
Chapter 442
At the Lockwood Family¡¯s private clinic, Dr. Fabian had spent three long days conducting psychological suggestions and counseling for Orion, but the boy remained silent.
Just when everyone was at their wit¡¯s end, fearing Orion might be mute again, he clutched the charred half of a photograph in his hand and murmured softly don¡¯t want scars.¡±
He was afraid that scars would frighten Xannie.
¡°Fabian, how¡¯s it On? Is he still not talking?¡±
¡°He spoke, and I think I¡¯ve found the crux of his psychological issue.¡±
¡°The crux?¡±
¡°Rather than the guilt of identally causing someone¡¯s death, he¡¯s terrified of having scars on his face and body. These scars not only constantly remind him of the painful memories of abuse but also instill a deep sense of inferiority and insecurity in him. Over time, this could lead to him developing antisocial behaviors or even bing reclusive. Healing his mind starts with removing those scars.¡± ¡°Chairman. When I was studying abroad in Mystoria, I learned about one of the world¡¯s most advancedser skin resurfacing surgeries. It usessers topletely remove bum scars from the face, and with the help of new medications, it promotes skin regeneration. It could take just a few months for aplete recovery.
Given Orion¡¯s young age and superior skin regeneration capabilitiespared to adults, this treatment couldn¡¯t be more suitable. It¡¯d be a significant improvement over the traditional therapies that take much longer.¡±
¡°That¡¯s great! I¡¯ll get in touch with the hospital in Mystoria right away. We¡¯ll spare no expense to get Ori the treatment he needs!¡± ¡°But,¡± Fabian hesitated for a moment, ¡°while the facial scars are treatable, the ones on his body have been there too long, especially since some are too close to vital organs. I suggest conventional treatment for those. As he grows, they¡¯ll fade.¡±
¡°Alright.¡±
Theodore and Orion took a private jet to Mystoria that very night.
He entrusted the running of the family business to his other children, including informing Ms. Nightshade that Orion would miss their appointment but would return in six months.
However, with thewsuit with the Miller Group, the group¡¯s operations, and the power struggles kept his children too busy to remember to inform Xanthea about Orion¡¯s whereabouts.
Despite the fall of the Miller Group, its remnants lingered, fueled by hatred after Katherine¡¯s tragic death was lightly dismissed as self¨Cdefense by Chairman Harold Miller. Spotting Theodore¡¯s affection for Orion, he maliciously pushed the child into the spotlight. #Orphan¡¯s Twisted Mind: Pushing Stepmother Down the Stairs!#
#Born Into Privilege, But Cannot Hide His Cruel Nature#
#Mr. Lockwood¨COrion¡¯s Murderous Intent Escapes Legal Repercussion, Living Freely Abroad. Where¡¯s the Justice?#
The viral news spread like wildfire, stirring public outrage and spreading rumors throughout high society.
The
kwood Group could have easily quelled the rumors by releasing court documents and trial videos, but Theodore¡¯s rtives. fearing his favoritism towards Orion might lead to the young boy being groomed as the heir, chose to ignore the escting public frenzy.
Six monthster, on the tranquil aftemoon at Sunvale Hospital, Orion picked up a mirror and saw his reflection¨Ca smooth, scar¨Cfree face. A small smile yed at theers of his eyes.
There were no sears on his face anymore.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.
Finally, he could stand in the sunlight and Xannie openly.
Seeing his grandson smile after such a long time, Theodore was overwhelmed with emotion.
¡°Ori, you¡¯re finally healed.¡±
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¡°Grandpa, I wanna go home.¡±
¡°Alright, alright, we¡¯ll go home tonight, and you won¡¯t have to stay in the hospital anymore!¡±
As the ne soared over the Pacific, Onion clutched the photo of the girl that had be blurry from being touched so often over the past six months. His heart pounded wildly in his chest from the intense longing and the rapidly closing distance.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.
He missed his Xannie, missed her so much.
Every moment of the past six months, he had thought of her. Finally, he could see her again, in apletely new way.
This time, he would never be separated from her again.
After Xanthea recovered from her illness, she quickly returned to her old self and remembered Samuel. However, it seemed that a part of her memory waspletely sealed away. No matter how her family asked her who she was waiting for that day and why she had cried so much, she would shake her head in confusion, not understanding what they were talking about.
To ensure she always had someone with her and to prevent another high fever and memory loss, the Nightshade family adopted a girl from the orphanage¨CMiranda Moore. Fearing that past traumas could resurface, they transferred her from Crestwood Primary School to Kingswood Academy.
¡°Xan, Xan
¡°Did you hear? There¡¯s a new transfer student at school, the famous heir of the Lockwood Group¨COrion Lockwood. He¡¯s super wealthy. most importantly he¡¯s super handsome!¡±
A friend ran over, out of breath with gossip. Xanthea wasn¡¯t too interested until she heard ¡°super handsome, and her eyes lit up instantly
¡°Really?¡±
¡°Totally! He¡¯s currently registering in the office. There¡¯s a crowd of students is already there to watch. Let¡¯s go see!¡±
¡°Okay, Mirry, let¡¯s go!¡±
Xanthea grabbed Miranda¡¯s hand, eager to see, but Matthew blocked their way.
¡°Xan, don¡¯t go!¡±
¡°Why not?¡±
He had just seen Orion at the office door too. His looks, demeanor, and even the way he spoke were all exceptional. Even a glimpse of his profile had attracted a group of admirers. If Xanthea saw him, she would definitely like him.
Matthew liked Xan, and his parents had told him over and over to stay close to her and win her over
It had taken him a long time and a lot of effort, and only through Miranda had he finally be her friend. He couldn¡¯t let anyone easily take his ce.
¡°Didn¡¯t you hear? He¡¯s a little kid who killed his stepmother.¡±
¡°What?¡± Xanthea¡¯s amber eyes widened at the mention of killing. ¡°Is that true?¡±
¡°Of course it¡¯s true! The rumor has been around for half a year, even your parents know about it. If you don¡¯t believe me, ask them!¡±
Afraid she wouldn¡¯t believe him, Matthew clenched his fists and began to fabricate lies.
¡°Plus, he¡¯s good friends with Jeffrey. He transferred to Kingswood because of him. I saw them ying with snakes behind the school Just now.¡±
Hearing about snakes, Xanthea¡¯s face turned pale.
She wasn¡¯t afraid of much, but snakes, with their slithery bodies and patterns, terrified her.
When she first transferred to Kingswood six months ago, a boy named Jeffrey kept following her around, insisting on being her friend She didn¡¯t like him and ignored him, which led him to start intimidating her in various ways. It began with sticking notes on her giving her nicknames, and escted to using garter snakes to frighten her, leaving her in tears.
Jeffrey was a lunatic, and anyone who yed with snakes alongside him must be a little lunatic too!
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¡°Xan, aren¡¯t you going to see?¡±
¡°No, not¡±
Xanthea shook her head vigorously.
Matthew smiled and relieved. Just as he was about to rx, a sudden burst ofmotion and cheers broke out.
¡°Wow! He¡¯s so handsome!¡±
¡°He¡¯s such eye candy. Why don¡¯t we have guys like that in our ss?¡±
¡°He¡¯s not from this ss. Why is he here?¡±
Under the bright sun and clear sky, the dazzling light shone on the boy¡¯s short, dark hair, highlighting his defined features. His features. were delicate, and he had an air of elegance about him, like a charming and graceful young prince.
He was holding a beautiful doll and walked straight towards Xenthea, his dark eyes lighting up with the brilliant shine of obsidian upon seeing her.
Unable to contain his excitement, he looked at her eagerly
Xannie, I¡¯m back.
He had imagined this moment thousands of times in his mind¨Cstanding in front of her without a mask, and now that it had be a reality, he only wanted to say the words he had thought of the first time he saw her in a fire.
¡°Hi, I¡¯m Orion Lockwood. You¡¯re really cute. Can we be friends?¡±
¡°Ah! He was here for Xanthea!¡±
¡°Xanthea is so lucky. I wish a handsome guy wanted to be friends with me!¡±Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.
For a moment, Xanthea was also captivated by his excessive handsomeness and instinctively wanted to agree.
But then she remembered Jeffrey and the little snakes, and her face immediately tumed pale.
At first, Jeffrey had also invited her to be friends in a friendly manner, but then.
Orion was Jeffrey¡¯s friend. Would he also y such a prank too?
? ? ?
Anger surged within her. She looked at the beautiful doll in his hands, one she had longed for a long time, but now had no interest in it at all
Xanthea took the doll from him. He thought she would, like before, jump up with joy and hug him, calling him ¡°Ori.¡±
Instead, she threw it heavily on the ground.
¡°I don¡¯t want it!¡±
¡°I don¡¯t want to be friends with a freak!¡±
The beautiful doll was thrown on the ground, itsce princess dress getting dirty and trampled on disdainfully by her, Orion looked down in disbelief, his dark, denseshes trembling slightly.
This was her favorite doll.
¡°Xannie.
He looked up, shocked to see the unfamiliarity and fear in her eyes.
¡°Stay away!¡±
¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±
¡°Don¡¯te any closer!¡±
Xanthea, terrified by the confusion, sadness, and fervor in his dark eyes, backed away frantically.
He was definitely abnormal. What ¡°Xangle¡°? What ¡°On¡°? She didn¡¯t know him at all!
¡°Xannie?¡±
As he approached again, Xanthea pcreamed and turned to run towards the neighboring school, yelling ¡°Ah! Samuel, help!
Samuel?
She only sought out Samuel When she was in danger or needed to dagl with bullie
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Was Xannie afraid of him? Or did she think he was a bad guy?
What was happening? Didn¡¯t she recognize him anymore?
Or was she mad because I didn¡¯t show up?
¡°Ori, Grandpa found out that Xan had a fever. She forgot some things. But don¡¯t worry, you¡¯re so outstanding and handsome. Youll definitely be good friends with her again!¡±
No, Xannie wouldn¡¯t forget him. They had promised to always be together and never part.
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She must¡¯ve been angry because he missed their appointment
He wanted to exin, to apologize, to beg for her forgiveness, but every time he tried to approach her, she¡¯d dart away like he was the gue, as if he still bore that ghastly, horrific bum scar on his face.
In the small grove, Xanthea was once again startled by Jeffrey¡¯s fake snake, crouching on the ground, hugging her knees, and crying in
fear
From a distance, Orion spotted her figure and rushed over, only to be stopped by Matthew who was outside the grove.
¡°Orion, stop bothering Xan!¡±
¡°Xan really dislikes you!¡±
The word ¡°dislike¡± hit him like a ton of bricks, and the cold, gloomy light that burst from the boy¡¯s dark pupils seemed deadly, making Matthew¡¯s legs go weak, forcing him to step back.
¡°Get lost!¡±
Orion pushed him aside, and as Matthew fell to the ground, he watched Orion¡¯s retreating back with resentment. He really was just like the news says, a little devil!
¡°Xannie!¡±
Getting closer, Orion heard her sobs and felt a wave of panic.
He wanted tofort her, to find out who had bullied her because he would never let them get away with it!
But before his hand could touch her he heard her cry from between her knees, ¡°Why won¡¯t you just leave?¡±
¡°Go away, just go!¡±
¡°I hate you the most, I really, really do!¡±
¡°Don¡¯te near me ever again, I will never like you, never want to see you again!*
Her words, each like a dagger dipped in poison, stabbed him deeply in the heart.
Orion¡¯s lips turned pale, drained of any color, and the words stuck in his throat were bitter and hoarse. His heart felt as if it was being tom apart, bleeding, and the pain was nearly suffocating.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.
He reached out to touch her but slowly retracted his hand.
The rain poured down in torrents, the sky a nket of grey, the entire city shrouded in a somber mist. The rain drenched the boy¡¯s clothes and drowned his subdued whimpers, like an abandoned little creature, lost and unable to find home.
He had killed someone, his hands stained with blood, and scared Xannie.
Xannie didn¡¯t remember him, Xannie hated him.
He had made his little angel cry.
From then on, he dared not approach her. He hid in the shadows, like a bug in a damp gutter, secretly watching her light form afar. He watched her move up in school, graduate, stand on various stages, develop different interests, and make more and more friends. As time passed, she grew up, and his feelings for her gradually transformed.
From worshipping the devout, supreme angel to something darker, a desire to defile, to possess, to do all sorts of reckless things to
her.
In the prime of his burgeoning desires, he held photo after photo of her, imagining her radiant beauty, her smile bright as light In countless lonely, sleepless nights, he was tormented by his overwhelming love and yearning, feeling a unique, intense pleasure.
He loved his Xannie so much, yeamed to possess her, to have her.
But the person standing by her side was no longer him. He wanted to kill Matthew, but Xannie would hate him for that.
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Orion had secretly adored Xanthea for fourteen long years. Even on Xanthea¡¯sing¨Cof¨Cage ceremony, Orion couldn¡¯t resist finding an excuse to attend. He didn¡¯t want to miss the most important moment of her life.
Amidst the crowd, the young woman radiated an enchanting beauty in her shimmering sequin gown, her thick, wavy hair cascading down her back like seaweed, her figure outlined by the dress¡¯s delicate straps. Her smile, bright and inviting under the sunlight, made her resemble a dazzling mermaid, captivating everyone¡¯s gaze.
His once pure angel had transformed into a mesmerizing nymph. Every smile, every movement was as captivating as poppies, making him dizzy with infatuation.
He stood in a dimer, quietly observing as she cut the cake, danced with friends, delivered a speech, and then, a bit tipsy from drinking, run alone to chased butterflies in the garden.
¡°Little butterfly, don¡¯t run! Don¡¯t run, little butterfly!¡±
¡°Little butterfly, I¡¯m Xan, what¡¯s your name?¡±
She stumbled over to an iris, tilting her head in a confused yet utterly adorable manner that brought a smile to his face, reminding him of her childhood innocence, so endearing he wanted to hold her tight.
But in the next moment, she fell into theke.
¡°Xannie, be careful!¡±
He leaped into the water and pulled her out.Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.
In the cold, clear waters, she clung to him, her eyes briefly meeting his with a familiar warmth that shook his soul
He carried her ashore, anxiously performing CPR until she coughed up water and her heartbeat gradually stabilized. But he couldn¡¯t stop himself. He kept kissing her, savoring her sweetness, lost in an unparalleled happiness, until she opened her eyes.
But when Xanthea awoke, she saw Matthew.
Over the years Matthew had been a constant presence, caring for her with dedication and pursuing her relentlessly.
Despite her efforts to respond to him, feeling a vague sense of affection and familiarity for her ¡°Matt¡± something always felt off. She realized she was drawn not to him but to the name ¡°Matt,¡± linked to a blurry, dissimr figure from her memory.
Recently, that figure had started to take shape in her mind, transforming into a little boy. He had secretly attended her concert, remembered his lonely figure sitting on the steps in the rain, remembered singing a song for him that he liked, remembered how happy she felt when she was with him, but she couldn¡¯t recall his face.
Conflicted and unsure if Matthew was indeed that boy, it wasn¡¯t until he rescued her from theke that a strong sense of familiarity confirmed her deepest feelings.
It was him, the one she had cherished in her memories.
¡°Xan, are you okay?¡±
¡°Mati!¡±
This time, when Matthew proposed again, she didn¡¯t refuse.
The news of the marriage alliance between the Nightshade and Martinez families reached the Lockwood Group while Orion was in a meeting. Cedric noticed the moment Orion heard it his expression nked,
The powerful magnate, who could turn the tides in the business world with ease, seemed utterly defeated in that instant, hisplexion pale and his eyes hollow with a bone¨Cchilling coldness, as if everything had lost its meaning, his steps faltering as he walked away.
¡°Boss, you alright?¡±
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His shock was palpable, yet no matter what was said, there was no response.
Three dayster, Orion still hadn¡¯te to thepany, and Cedric started to worry. Unable to hold back himself any longer he went to Xanthea Haven Estate to find him.
Pushing open the door, the dimly lit room was filled with a pungent smell of alcohol. Broken bottles and cans scattered all over the floor, nearly burying the deste man in theer.
Onon had lost all his usual rity and elegance, now lying in theer in utter despair. He seemed like apletely different person; his vacant eyes couldn¡¯t ever see Cedric. He kept mechanically murmuring a name, ¡°Xannie, Xannie, Xannie.¡±
Cedric¡¯s heart broke seeing him like this.
Servant: ¡°Cedric, please talk to the young master. He hasn¡¯t eaten anything for three days and has been drinking continuously. If this continues, even the strongest constitution will be ruined.¡±
Cedric wanted to persuade him, but he knew it was futile unless Ms. Nightshade herself.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.
But at theing¨Cof¨Cage ceremony, Ms. Nightshade seemed not to recognize the boss. How could she possibly believe that a stranger harbored such deep feelings for her?
Regardless, he decided to give it a try and went to find Xanthea, doing his utmost to get her toe and persuade the boss. Unexpectedly, his didn¡¯t see Ms. Nightshade but discovered that her fianc¨¦, Matthew in a ndestine embrace with her stepsister, Miranda
It was a stroke of luck!
He was overjoyed and recorded the video, bringing it to Orion.
¡°Boss, Matthew has betrayed Ms. Nightshade, and with her closest kin no less!¡±
¡°If Ms. Nightshade finds out, she¡¯s bound to break up with him!¡±
¡°And if she does, you¡¯ll have your chance!¡±
Was that so?
Would she not hate him anymore if she breaks up with him?
Seizing thisst straw, Onion drove to Crestwood Hall Academy, only to witness an unexpected scene.
¡°Copycat?¡±
Xanthea scrutinized Isabe Taylor, who stood before her, bundled up and a stranger to her after so long. Her eyebrows furrowed slightly in confusion.
¡°What are you doing here? Haven¡¯t you had enough of imitating me for over five years? You want to continue? Too bad you didn¡¯t make it into Crestwood Hall Academy, did you?¡±
Isabe clenched her teeth in anger at being called a ¡°copycat,¡± then gradually rxed.
She wasn¡¯t here to argue with her. Considering she was pitiful, being betrayed by both her boyfriend and her stepsister, she decided not to hold a grudge.
¡°Xanthea, I came here today because I have something very important to tell you. You¡¯ll thank me after hearing it.¡±
¡°Thank me?¡± She smirked. ¡°What is it?¡±
¡°I heard you¡¯re getting engaged to Matthew?¡±
¡°You¡¯re always so well¨Cinformed about me.¡±
¡°I¡¯m not here to argue. I just want to tell you that Matthew,¡±
Isabe paused, considering their ten¨Cyear rtionship with Matthew and Xanthea¡¯s deep trust in Miranda as a real sister. If she were to
find out the truth suddenly, she might not be able to handle it. So, she decided to probe a bit first.
¡°Xanthea, have you ever thought about what you¡¯d do if Matthew cheated on you? And with someone closest to you?
¡°What?¡± Xanthea frowned. ¡°Matt cheating on me? And with someone closest to me?¡±
¡°Yes, what if that person was Miranda?¡±
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When Xanthea heard the news, she couldn¡¯t help butugh at the absurdity of it all.
Even if the whole world tumed its back on her, her Matt and Mirry would never betray her!
What was she thinking?
It seemed Isabe couldn¡¯t just follow her to the same university and continue to mimic her actions; now she had to find other ways to bug her.
If she really wanted to see her unhappy, then Xanthea would put on a show just for her.
¡°What did you say? Impossible, this can¡¯t be happening.¡±
She stumbled backward, as if struck by an immense force, shaking her head in disbelief and sobbing with her face in her hands, ¡°Matt would never cheat on me with sister Mimy. If even they betray me then I wouldn¡¯t want to live anymore!¡±
Isabe was taken aback by her strong reaction, Xanthea¡¯s thought of suicide scaring her into silence about the truth.
Cedric couldn¡¯t believe it either.
It turned out, Ms. Nightshade and the CEO were alike, willing to give everything for love, even their own lives.
In the dim light of his Rolls¨CRoyce, the man¡¯s deep, hoarse, self¨Cdeprecatingughter echoed. It was sinister and terrifying, like he was falling into a bottomless, dark, cold abyss, his whole being exuding a sense of despair.
What was he hoping for?
For years, he was just a madman indulging in his dark fantasies, weaving a daydream only for himself.
Her world had long since excluded him.
¡°Miranda, great news, fantastic news!¡±
*Starlight Media just called. Mr. Lockwood wants to meet you at the Twin Towers!¡±
¡°When did you climb thedder to such a top¨Ctier mogul? Why didn¡¯t you tell me?¡±
Agent Ruby rushed into Miranda¡¯s dressing room with a smile stered on her face. Miranda was shocked and suspicious, ¡°Mr. Lockwood?¡±
The sole heir to the Lockwood Group, the man behind Starlight Media, Crestwood¡¯s youngest billionaire¨COrion?
She remembered seeing him only as a child and then again at Xanthea¡¯sing¨Cof¨Cage party. He was tall, handsome, and utterly captivating, sparking an immediate crush in her, but his gaze always seemed to linger on Xanthea, both as children and as adults. Why would he suddenly seek her out?
¡°Really, Miranda, you¡¯ve truly got some skills.¡±
The surprise in Miranda¡¯s eyes faded, reced by a secret thrill.
Orion was a business tycoon at the pinnacle of the Crestwood¡¯s elite. If she could get close to him, she couldpletely shed her identity as an adopted daughter of the Nightshade family and be someone even Xanthea, the precious heiress, couldn¡¯t reach. In the evening, she meticulously dressed up and was led by the staff to the 66th¨Cfloor CEO office of Twin Towers.
Gazing at the tall figure in front of the vast window, the dim light casting half of his handsome profile in shadow, her heart raced with nervous anticipation. But before she could speak, she was met with a cold, low voice, making her feel as if she had plunged into an icy abyss.
¡°Leave Matthew.¡±
Her face paled, and her legs went weak.
How did he know about her and Matthew? They had been so careful, it was impossible for anyone to find out.
Was this some investigation for Xanthea?
Then why not just tell Xanthea directly and expose them, instead of summoning her here to issue a non¨Cnegotiablemand?
Cedric stood outside, watching Miranda walk in, and sighed deeply.
The CEO was hopelessly in love with Ms. NightshadeContent ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.
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Cedric once saw countless photos of Ms. Nightshade in the president¡¯s safe, which Orion hugged after drinking, discovering the secret he had hidden for many years. It was then he uncovered the secret Mr. Lockwood had harbored for many, many years.
Mr. Lockwood¡¯s love for Ms. Nightshade wasn¡¯t new, it was a tale as old as time. He learned to cook for her, nted a mountain of irises for her, dealt with all potential hidden dangers for her, and now, he had to deal with her rival in love.
Despite his seething jealousy towards Matthew, wishing he could make him disappear from this world, but he was afraid that Ms. Nightshade would be devastated if she discovered the betrayal, so he personally tried to match them up.
How excruciating must the pain in his heart be? So Intense it could very well kill him, right?
Miranda couldn¡¯t understand it, the only reasonable exnation was that Orion didn¡¯t want her to ruin the rtionship between Matthew and Xanthea
But from what stance was he doing this?
Surely, he couldn¡¯t be in love w
with Xanthea? If that were the case, how terrifying must his love be?
She looked at the man in disbelief, only to be frightened by his suddenly cold and sharp gaze.
¡°Alright, okay.¡±
Given his standing, he had the entertainment industry at his beck and call; she had no choice but toply.
But leaving Matthew meant all her meticulous ns over the years would crumble to dust, she would gain nothing.
The moment she walked out of the office, she suddenly clenched her fist, taking a desperate gamble, ¡°Mr. Lockwood, Ill leave Matthew, but in return, I want to sign with Starlight Media and secure the NOSEW endorsement.¡±
She had thought she was bargaining with the devil, yet to her surprise, he agreed without hesitation, as if these demands were trivial to him.
¡°Cheers!¡±Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.
¡°Miranda, congrattions! You¡¯ve not onlynded the exclusive Asia¨CPacific endorsement for a leading luxury brand but also signed with Starlight Media!¡±
¡°How did you manage that, Miranda?¡±
¡°Yeah, weren¡¯t you just saying the other day how tough the film and TV Industry has been and that you¡¯d have to take a break?¡±
The Nightshade family threw avish banquet to celebrate Miranda¡¯s new contract and endorsement deal. Holding up her ss, Miranda¡¯s eyes met Xanthea¡¯s, and the realization of Orion¡¯s sacrifices out of jealousy made her eyes turn red.
¡°Mom, Dad, you don¡¯t need to congratte me, Honestly, this has little to do with my capabilities. It¡¯s all because Mr. Lockwood, he¡¯s pursuing me.¡±
¡°Mr. Lockwood?¡±
¡°You mean Orion Lockwood, the CEO of the Lockwood Group?¡±
Samuel was taken aback.
¡°Wow! Minry, you¡¯re incredible! I saw him in a business magazine once; he¡¯s super handsome and incredibly talented. I¡¯m so jealous!¡± Xanthea clinked her ss against Miranda¡¯s in a heartfelt toast, but to Miranda, her smile looked like tant mockery. Jealous? Then why did she push him away and dislike him back then? Why, despite how she treated him, was he still devoted for her?! Was Xanthea destined to be better than her in every way, whether it¡¯s background, knowledge, or a man¡¯s love?
On the eve of the Nightshade and Martinez¡¯s engagement, Miranda lured Matthew to the Nightshade Group¡¯s rooftop to discuss their breakup. Matthew refused, and they argued, finally agreeing to maintain a secret sexual rtionship, then absurdly indulged in each other.
Unexpectedly, at this moment, Xanthea, dressed in a white wedding gown, happily ran up with her skirt lifted and saw them.
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¡°Xan, it was you and your family, step by step, that pushed me to this edge. You never really respected me, to you, I was just apdog trying to climb up the ranks of the Nightshade family. I¡¯ve had enough of living like this. So now, don¡¯t me me!¡±
¡°My dear sister, why so shocked? Matt and I have been an item for quite some time now, haha!
Bom with a silver spoon in your mouth, you¡¯ve always been the darling of the family, getting whatever you wanted whenever you wanted it. And now, your own sister and the love of your life betray you, does it hurt so bad? Are you struggling to handle it? Well, now you know how it feels!
Let me tell you, Matt never loved you, and I never considered you my sister!Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.
All these years, I¡¯ve been nothing but a dignity¨Cless pet in the Nightshade family, only there to cheer you up and cater to your moods. What adopted daughter? What sister? Nobody ever truly saw me as Ms. Miranda Nightshade!
I was nning to endure it a bit longer, to wait until you and Matt got married before I made my move. But since you¡¯vee to me, well, just go to hell then! Once you¡¯re gone, I¡¯ll be the true and only heiress of the Nightshade family!¡±
Matthew and Miranda closed in on her, their wordsced with utter irony and venom, finally pushing her off the skyscraper.
¡°Ahl
Xanthea, in her flowing white gown, plummeted like a fallen butterfly, her gaze filled with hatred towards those two ghastly, grinning faces.
The news of the Nightshade family and Martinez family¡¯s alliance spread through the entire high society. Alone, Orion flew to the secluded Snake Ind, where he submitted himself to the most advanced and brutal electroshock therapy avable.
He suffered from a condition, a relentless obsession and longing for someone, causing him agony like a thousand ants gnawing at his heart, making life unbearable. Only the electric shocks could offer him brief respite.
Yet, even so, on the day of Xanthea¡¯s engagement ceremony inte October, he couldn¡¯t help but check his phone. Only this time, he didn¡¯t find wedding news, but an obituary.
Under the bright sun, in the silent cemetery, the solitary spirit of Xanthea floated above her grave, observing a tall figure walking through the lush pine forest.
He carried arge bouquet of vibrant, eye¨Ccatching irises, ones she fancied the most when she was alive. She tilted her head, puzzled as she watched him.
Orion? What was he doing here?
The dream suddenly shifted, like a flickering film reel, shing images of the manughing maniacally in front of her grave, his eyes bloodshot and feverish of him, in a frenzy, digging up her grave with his bare hands until they were bloodied; of him cradling her body, kissing it as if it were the most precious treasure; of him, like a vengeful demon, methodically torturing Matthew and Miranda, before pushing them off a skyscraper.
Finally, it settled on him, his eyes filled with tender warmth, he pressed a sharp de against his wrist, ¡°Xannie, I¡¯m here to join you.¡±
¡°No! Please, no! Orion, no! Orion!¡±
The bright red of his blood smeared the de, blurring her tearful eyes. Xanthea woke screaming, her body trembling in terror, the Swiss Army knife dropping from her hands with a ng.
The storage room was eerily silent, the only object in sight a safe adorned with a dried iris, its blue petals stark against the metal. Her fingers trembling, she entered her birthdate, and with a whoosh, countless photos spilled out.
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Chapter 451Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.
Throughout every chapter of her life, she was the protagonist
There she was, dazzling on stage, fooling around with friends, sleeping serenely by the window, feeding stray cats in the woods, and conducting experiments in theb. Each photo was inscribed with love for her.
At the bottom of the pile, there was a white summer uniform, with a beautifully painted iris near the right chest, its colors faded from the passage of time.
Xanthea sobbed uncontrobly, clutching the uniform, mindrops of tears streaming down her face, blurring the delicate flower.
¡°Xonnie, Xannie!¡±
Suddenly, a frantic voice echoed from outside.
Orion burst through the door, and at the sight of her, he rushed to embrace her tightly, as if trying to merge her into his very being.
¡°Xannie, please, don¡¯t leave me, okay?¡±
The man¡¯s sharp brows furrowed, his voice, rough with emotion, carried a soulful pleaced with fear of losing her.
He had a nightmare where she was engaged to Matthew, pushed off the rooftop of the Nightshade Group, lying lifeless in a coffin. The dream felt so real it nearly drove him mad. He couldn¡¯t bear the thought of a world without his Xannie, he just couldn¡¯t He tightened his embrace, as Xanthea shook with unceasing sobs, murmuring his name, ¡°Ori, Ori, Ori.¡±
After a long while, Orion, noticing her distress, gently lifted her tear¨Cstreaked face, his brows furrowed tight in concern, ¡°What¡¯s wrong. baby? Did I scare you? Or have I been neglecting you? I¡¯m so sorry. I¡¯ll never do it again. And you can¡¯t scare me like that, okay?¡±
He could seriously be scared to death.
¡°Ori, I remember everything.¡± Xanthea said through her tears, sobbing continuously like a kid, Tm so sorry for forgetting you, making you wait all these years.¡±
Seeing the strewed photos, Onion realized she remembered everything
His Xannie. Head bowed, he tenderly kissed away her tears, his voice warm and indulgent. ¡°It¡¯s okay; waiting for you is my pleasure.¡± ¡°On, I¡¯ve always, always loved you. My feelings never changed.¡±
But she had forgotten him, hurt him, leaving him to live with memories alone for years. How much must he have suffered during the time?
Orion kissed her trembling eyshes gently, sighing, ¡°I¡¯ve always, always loved you too, Xannie; my feelings never changed.¡± His love had only deepened, to the point of wanting her to be a part of him, overwhelming him.
Tears kept streaming down, feeling guilty, Xanthea unbuttoned his shirt and pressed a devoted kiss to the iris tattoo covering a faint scar on his chest
Orion¡¯s expression shifted instantly, his Adam¡¯s apple bobbing violently as he held her head, ¡°Xannie.¡±
¡°Ori, ¡®m sorry, so sorry.¡± She thought to herself, ¡°In the years toe, I swear not to make you wait any longer.
Holding back her tears, she looked up at him earnestly, ¡°Orion, let¡¯s get married.¡±
Orion paused, his turbulent heart slowly calming, a fervent glow igniting in his eyes, ¡°Okay¡±
CHAPTER 452
Chapter 452
On October 31st, the much¨Canticipated ¡°Celestial Cinema Awards¡± voting results finally hit the inte. Xanthea clinched the title of ¡°Celestial Goddess¡± with andslide victory, amassing over six million votes, leaving Isabe trailing in her stardust.
The following day, the grandest event in the industry, the Celestial Cinema Awards ceremony, was held at the prestigious Crestwood Museum by the sponsor.
It was a ceremony where stars collided, with A¨Clisters galore. Actors and pop icons graced the red carpet in a sequence that seemed orchestrated by the heavens, surrounded by a gxy of shing cameras and photographers. The live stream was buzzing with excitement, fans boiling over with anticipation like a pot of hot chili.
[OMG, been waiting forever for this live stream, finally!]
[SSSAM, we¡¯re here for you!
[Isabe, look over here, can you strike a pose? The fans are dying to see!]
[Nelson, my heart belongs to you!!
[Rising superstar Xanthea, sweet yet majestic, beauty beyondpare, Celestial Goddess Xantheal]
[Hey, you in the back, wrong set? Xanthea¡¯s not on the red carpet!]
[What??? You kidding me?? Been waiting all this time and now you tell me she¡¯s not here?!]
[Chill, folks, chill. Xanthea is the Celestial Goddess, she¡¯ll be making a grand entrance in a custom gownter tonight. Surely she won¡¯t show up here. Just wait for the award segment, you won¡¯t be disappointed..
[LOL, can¡¯t wait to see her in that Celestial Goddess gown, I¡¯m drooling already!]
[Been ages since Xan showed up, missing her like crazy!]
[Any chance Xan¡¯sying low because she¡¯s dating Mr. Lockwood?]
[Ah, my heart, that¡¯s gold! Lock that ship, tie them to the bed, and don¡¯t let them up for days!]
¡°Ethan, do I look sharp today?¡±
In front of the minor Samuel was a bundle of nerves and excitement, fussing over his bow tie.
Ethan gave him a once¨Cover, noting his ¡°peacock moment¡°, ¡°For sure. You¡¯re about to outshine all the starster.¡±
¡°That¡¯s the n!¡± He boasted, not missing a beat to return thepliment, ¡°But you¡¯re the real looker tonight. I¡¯m just the runner¨Cup.¡± ¡°Tonight¡¯s about Xan getting her award. Why the need to dress to the nines?¡±
¡°You just don¡¯t get it. As her brother, I gotta represent!¡±
The real reason was sitting with Orionter; he had to outdo him in the style stakes. That way, when Xan looked down from the stage with her award, he¡¯d be the first she saw!
Ethan saw right through him, chuckling as he shook his head, ¡°Let¡¯s head out.¡±
Swaggering into the venue, Samuel was immediately struck by the sight of Orion, surrounded by a throng at the entrance,N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.
Orion was decked out in a dark, bespoke suit, looking every bit the noble heartthrob, at a level of cool that seemed almost otherworldly Samuel gritted his teeth in silent concession; he lost again.
It had to be the height and age advantage!
¡°Ethan, Samuel.¡±
Orion walked over and greeted them, with Ethan nodding in response while Samuel squinted, begrudgingly saying, ¡°Orion, don¡¯t think booking us VIP seats makes up for it! To think you snuck my little sister back home while I was abroad, tantly ignoring the Nightshade family rules!¡±
His precious little sister, the treasure he¡¯d guarded so closely for decades, was seduced back home by this wolf in sha thoroughly won over. The thought alone made him want to throw & punch!
CHAPTER 453
Chapter 453
¡°I¡¯ll take the responsibility.¡±
Took the responsibility? What did he mean? He wasn¡¯t thinking about popping the question, was he?
¡°You better behave, no funny business.¡±
His little sis just got rid of a bad apple and came back into his arms, It¡¯d barely been a while, and Orion was already trying to snatch her away? Nice dream!
¡°By the way, I¡¯ve been trying to call Xantely, but she¡¯s always a bit slow to pick up. Takes ages to call back too. What¡¯s up with that?¡±
Orion looked down, a faint smile ying at theers of his eyes. Because she passed out.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.
¡°She¡¯s been swampedtely.¡±
¡°Swamped? With what?¡±
¡°Taking acting lessons. Lots of action scenes, they¡¯re pretty draining.¡±
*Really?¡± Samuel raised an eyebrow, impressed as always by his sister¡¯s dedication, ¡°Aren¡¯t you supposed to look after her a bit more?¡± He did. He¡¯d been looking out for her, holding back even. But she was so delicate, barelysted an hour before it was too much. Samuel gazed perplexedly at the subtle amusement in Orion¡¯s expression, as if he was lost deep in some fond memory or thought. ¡°Forget it, counting on you is like banking on a snowstorm in July.¡±
For someone like him with zero experience in the love department, he bet when he was with Xan, he was just enjoying the ride, not really looking out for her.
¡°After the awards ceremony, I¡¯m bringing Xan home.¡±
Bringing her home? Orion caught that key phrase, his longshes fluttering down to hide the light in his eyes, as if he was pondering something.
Ethan, listening from the side, felt like they were talking past each other.
¡°Ladies and gentlemen, our esteemed panel of judges, distinguished guests, and beloved fans watching at home, good afternoon!¡± ¡°First off, a warm wee to everyone attending the much¨Canticipated Celestial Cinema Awards, brought to you by Tomato TV, with generous support from TOYUM Group, Starlight Media, Wind Media, and more!¡±
As the venue¡¯s music kicked off, colorful lights brightened the stage, igniting a lively atmosphere, with the live chat exploding with
messages.
A male and a female host stepped forward with anchoring scripts in hands, warming up the crowd.
¡°And now, let¡¯s kick off the Celestial Cinema Awards!¡±
¡°Traditionally, the first award is always the most awaited and prestigious title of Celestial Goddess!¡±
¡°Celestial Goddess is chosen through an intense online vote among five actresses selected by the judges; they¡¯ve shown exceptional beauty, poprity, acting skill, andmercial value in this year¡¯s TV dramas.¡±
¡°This year¡¯s nominees are Isabe, Sophia, Simona, Urs, and Xanthea. Who will emerge victorious? Let¡¯s find out!¡±
As the hosts finished, the stage¡¯s giant LED screen started a countdown. At one, a photo of Phoenix from ¡°Realm of illusions in her fierce battle makeup shed on screen, triggering a wave of apuse.
¡°Let¡¯s give a warm round of apuse to Xanthea for her role as the vant and unparalleled beauty, Phoenix, in Realm of illusions: making her this year¡¯s most beloved Celestial Goddess!¡±
¡°Please wee our Celestial Goddess to the stage to ept her award
As the announcement ended, the venue lights dimmed, leaving only a spotlight shining at the stage entje
CHAPTER 454
Chapter 454
The crisp sound of high heels on marble echoed through the air, as the LED screen upfront shed with the silhouette of a gracefully swaying figure, capturing the breath of every onlooker as they craned their necks in anticipation towards the stage.
Brightser lights gradually moved at the edge and focused on the young woman, revealing a gown that seemed straight out of a fairy tale, adomed with an borate embroidery of multicolored flowers trailing along its hem.
The camera slowly panned up, showcasing the sprawling, vibrant hem of the dress, with countless flowers winding up her slender waist, climbing over her enthralling curves, and finally resting delicately on her porcin corbones, creating an image as enchanting as a fairy sealed in time.
Her light chestnut curls were tied up, with a few strands yfully resting on her swan¨Clike neck, adding a hint of allure to her demeanor. Adoming her wrist was a silver ribbon, and as she gently lifted her stunningly captivating face, the crowd couldn¡¯t help but gasp in awe.
Was this not a fairy descending upon them?
[OMG, Xan is so gorgeous! She¡¯s so beautiful I¡¯m tearing up, feels like a tidal wave of joy. She¡¯s so stunning I could dance on the balcony in ecstasy, marveling at the real¨Clife goddess among us. She¡¯s so charming I might faint and need some first aid here!] [Xan, tell me, are you an angel sent down from heaven?]
[Hello, this is the police. You¡¯re under arrest for being too beautiful. Please, extend your hands!]
[Is this even humanly possible to be this gorgeous? I couldn¡¯t even dream of this!]
[Xan looks so stunning, even her haters would cry at her beauty. I¡¯m dering she¡¯s the celestial goddess who would y it at the ceremony today!]
[Look at her, then look at me. Is this fair? Is this even fair?!]
[Not to exaggerate, but Xanthea might just be the most beautiful Celestial Goddess ever, and her dress today is absolutely stunning! [Xanthea, with so many seniors and big names around, isn¡¯t it a bit too much for a neer like you to dazzle this much? Where¡¯s the modesty? The humbleness? What¡¯s your number by the way? Your address?]
[Xan, what¡¯s your favorite color for a sack? I¡¯ming to kidnap you right away with it!]
As the camera captured her stunning beauty for everyone to see, the audience online went wild, and the venue was filled with murmurs and praises. Her divine beauty seemed poised to dominate the entertainment scene for the next decade!
The videographer then panned the camera to the audience, capturing various expressions but focusing on the VVIP row
Orion sat in the dim light, his gaze fixed on the girl onstage, his eyes shining with an intense, passionate fervor, as if his soul had been captivated.
The world seemed dull and chaotic, but her appearance dispersed all the gloom, leaving behind only radiant beauty that filled his entire world.
She was his treasure, his whole world.
¡°Gosh! Xan¡¯s so gorgeous, my true princess I¡¯ve nurtured wholeheartedly!¡± Samuel couldn¡¯t take his eyes off the stage; he kept patting the seat, bursting with pride.
Ethan was equally mesmerized, ¡°Xan is growing up to be more and more beautiful.¡±N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.
Chapter 455
CHAPTER 455
Chapter 455
¡°I know, right?¡±
Samuel turned, his excitement palpable, only to have his mood sour at the sight of Orion¡¯s expression.
What
at was with
with that look? It was predatory, as if he was plotting to whisk Xan away and any guy could tell what he was thinking!
This was just outrageous!
¡°Orion, tone it down, we¡¯re in public!¡±
Sorry.¡±
Samuel was puzzled. What was with his hoarse voice?
Grinding his teeth, Samuel was about to provoke further when he caught sight of a roving camera. He swallowed his anger, maintaining a forced smile.
His precious little gem that he¡¯d nurtured for eighteen years, flourishing under his care, now being snatched away. How could he stand by and watch?
[Such an unprecedented beauty, it would only¡Mr. Lockwood? Mr. Lockwood?? Guys, my eyes aren¡¯t deceiving me, right? Mr. Lockwood¡¯s at the Celestial Cinema Awards too?]
[Ah, Orion¡¯s here! And he¡¯s looking at Xan. His gaze is filled with so much passion and desire.]
[From dering his im over the phone to showing up at the awards, this has to be an official announcement, right?]Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.
[Mr. Lockwood is like a lovesick fool, wherever Xan is, he¡¯s sure to follow, and couldn¡¯t bear her leaving out of his sight. They must be inseparable in private. I¡¯m totally shipping them!]
[When will Oranthea make it official?]
(Did anyone else notice how eye¨Ccatching this shot is? Three heartthrobs in one frame, and while we¡¯re familiar with Mr. Lockwood¡¯s stunning good looks, who are the two handsome men beside him?]
[For those uninitiated, the one on the left is Ethan, and on the right is Samuel, a family with excellent genes. Pure eye candy!] [Ah, Xan, I might not be your fan anymore, I¡¯m aiming to be your sister¨Cinw now!]
[I want to be Ethan¡¯s other half. There¡¯s something ethereal about his calm and serene demeanor, he¡¯s like a celestial being!]
[I want to be Samuel¡¯s. Who could resist such a handsome and slightly roguish man?]
[Envious of Xan, having two such handsome brothers and an incredibly dashing husband!]
[If I were Xanthea, being surrounded by three handsome men every day, I¡¯d be over the moon!]
[I¡¯m at a loss as to who to choose. I wouldn¡¯t mind having all four of them wrapped up and taken home with me!]
¡°Wow!¡± The male host, upon seeing Xanthea, couldn¡¯t hide his amazement, Absolutely stunning, our Celestial Goddess is simply breathtaking tonight, the belle of the ball!¡±
¡°Congrattions to Xanthea for being crowned this year¡¯s Celestial Goddess, please, this way!¡±
Xanthea approached the designated microphone, offering a smile that sent the crowd into a frenzy, Thank you
As we can all feel from the atmosphere here, everyone¡¯s eager to hear more. Now, let¡¯s invite Mr. Dominic, the representative of the awardsmittee, to present the award to Xanthea!¡±
Mr. Dominic opened the box to reveal a crystal C¨¦lestial Goddess statuette, handing it to Kenthea, Congrattions.
Thank you, taking the award with both hands, Xanthes expressed her gratitude,
After the award presentation, the host teased, ¡°Xan, you might think its tire for your eptance speach doh??
Xanthea raised on eyebrow. Waanti17 Surely there wasn¡¯t going to be some strade segment next right?
CHAPTER 456
Chapter 456
¡°A tiara?¡±
?????
Beforeing, she had done her homework online. Every Celestial Goddess gown from previous years came with a tiara, but hers didn¡¯t
¡°Bingo!¡± The hostughed, ¡°That¡¯s why we have a special, high-profile guest joining us on stage to crown you as Celestial Goddess, as a token of our sincerest blessings!¡±
¡°Let¡¯s give
ive a warm wee to the special guest.¡±
A special guest? Xanthea tumed, puzzled.
The online chat was buzzing withments about how Xanthea was the center of attention among three heartthrobs, and then they saw the fourth.
Entering the stage was a man in a sharp suit, looking dapper and familiar ¨C none other than Benjamin Jones.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.
The host announced, ¡°Benjamin¡®¡±
Benjamin? Why was he here?
Xanthea was surprised and a bit uneasy. Didn¡¯t her uncle say he was overseas shooting a movie?
Since that major awkward moment in the dressing room, they hadn¡¯t seen each other, and she hadn¡¯t had the chance to exin the truth to him. Seeing him now felt a bit awkward.
Down in the audience, Orion tensed up the moment he saw Benjamin.
[OMG, why is Ben here without any warning? Is this the surprise segment?)
[He¡¯s holding a tiara. Is it for Xanthea?].
[Movie King was abroad yesterday, and now he¡¯s here at the ceremony. He must be here for Xanthea. I can smell the gossip brewing!] [Great, another one in my sack.]
Benjamin stopped in front of Xanthea, ¡°Xan, congrattions.¡±
His eyes glued to her stunning beauty, he was spellbound.
¡°You look gorgeous today.¡±
*Thank you.
Xanthea lowered her head slightly as he crowned her Celestial Goddess.
The host said, ¡°We heard you were busy filming abroad and weren¡¯t supposed to attend the ceremony. But to support the Celestial Goddess, you flew in overnight. This speaks volumes about their deep friendship!¡±
¡°It¡¯s not just friendship.¡±
The host was surprised, ¡°Huh?¡±
Benjamin rified, ¡°It¡¯s love.¡±
The audience was shocked by his words, and Xanthea was gobsmacked.
What? Did 1 hear that right? Benjamin just confessed his love f¨Cfor Xanthea?)
Wow, talk about a bombshell! Movie King, you¡¯re so bold. The official boyfriend is right there in the audiencell
This is tough, both guys are so perfect: If I were in Xanther¡¯s shoes, I¡¯d be flying high with happiness baha).
Benjamin stirring things up? Let the drama begin love a good showdown.
To be honest, Movie King has never shown interest in any female Br¨¹st like this baldhe
thought I was shipping the most unlikely couple but here we are allowed by the man chromate g
only Benjamin could all the off ander into se empate Win More Lade woda fer die
CHAPTER 457
Chapter 457
¡°I fell for Xan at first sight. Spending time with her on set only deepened my attraction to her genuine, straight¨Ctalking, sunny personality. Too bad I was a step toote. She¡¯s already taken. But it¡¯s okay.¡±
He said, turning to look at the man surrounded by a chilly aura in the VVIP seats, his smile slightly provocative, as if challenging him, ready to avenge the fatal blow in the dressing room that day.
*I can wait. Should there be a rift between them, or if Xan starts feeling bored¡ll make my move. Just don¡¯t give me the chance.¡±
No, no, no! There wouldn¡¯t be any problems, and she wouldn¡¯t get bored!
Xanthea looked at the man below, his face stem, his eyes sharp as knives, and shook her head vigorously. It wasn¡¯t clear if she was exining to him or to the audience.
¡°Benjamin¡¯s just joking, folks! Don¡¯t take it seriously!¡°.
Benjamin said, ¡°I¡¯m serious.¡±
[LOL, Benjamin openly challenging his rival, what a scene, so thrilling!]N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.
[Movie King, you¡¯re so bold, big respect for you, but seeing Mr. Lockwood jealous is just too funny LOL, that look could kill!)
[Xan¡¯s backing down, trying to exin to her hubby she¡¯s not been flirting around!]
[Toote, looks like Xan can¡¯t dodge the uing punishment at home]
[What punishment? Are we talking about the heavy¨Cduty kind?]
[Movie King¡¯s really great too, too bad Xan¡¯s with Mr. Lockwood, otherwise, I¡¯d matchmake her with him!
¡°Just a little interlude! As Benjamin left the stage, the hostughed, trying to smooth things over, ¡°Beauty attracts gantry, just shows how charming our Celestial Goddess is!¡±
Xanthea was like, ¡°?¡± Was he fanning the mes? Judging by Orion¡¯s look, she was already feeling pain.
Female Host went on, ¡°Next, let¡¯s invite Xanthea to give her eptance speech!¡±
The lights in the venue dimmed again, leaving only a bright spotlight on her, the center of everyone¡¯s attention.
Xanthea silently wiped imaginary sweat from her forehead, adjusted her emotions, and picked up the Celestial Goddess trophy.
¡°First off, I¡¯m incredibly grateful to the awardsmittee and my fans for this honor, especially seeing everyone online staying upte to vote, it truly touches me, and I feel so fortunate to have such a loving fanbase.
Secondly, I want to thank the Realm of Illusions team, Director Smith, Elijah, and all the crew for their patience, dedication, and selflessness. Without them, there would be no Phoenix, and no Celestial Goddess award for me today.
Lastly, my family, my parents, Ethan, Samuel and Uncle, for their constant, silent support and for always backing my decisions!¡±
Samuel, not hearing Orion¡¯s name yet, grinned, almost ready to show all his teeth. Clearly, he was the most important person in Xan¡¯s heart!
¡°ying Phoenix was special to me; she not only taught me a lot but also led me to the most important person in my life. Il always cherish that.¡±
As she spoke, her expression turned serious, ¡°Next, I have two announcements to make.
Chapter 458
CHAPTER 458
Chapter 458
¡°The first order of business, I¡¯m hanging up my hat.¡±
What?! As soon as the words left her mouth, it was like someone had dropped a bomb in the middle of the stadium. The crowd went absolutely wild.
¡°Hanging up her hat? Did I hear that right?¡±
¡°She¡¯s at the peak of her poprity, the future¡¯s bright with stardom. Quitting now? She¡¯s kidding, right?¡±
¡°Xan?!¡±
Oliver nearly choked on his own breath when he heard she was quitting. His niece had always been a little troublemaker, always giving him ¡°surprises¡°, but this was the ultimate shock. His dreams of managing a world¨Css superstar were shattering before they even fully took off!
¡°Xan¡¯s quitting? Why so sudden, didn¡¯t even give us a heads¨Cup?¡± Samuel was taken aback, his gaze finallynding on Orion with suspicion, asking, ¡°Orion, don¡¯t tell me you pushed her into quitting?¡±
Some old¨Cmoney families had this annoying trait of looking down on the entertainment industry. If he had anything to do with it¡.
¡°No.¡±
A storm seemed to pass through Orion¡¯s eyes, but it quickly settled. It seemed he understood her decision.
[????????????????]
[Folks, it must be my ears ying tricks on me, right? Xan¡¯s quitting? How¡¯s that even possible? I can¡¯t ept this, and I won¡¯t allow it!!! [This must be some sort of joke, right? She¡¯s the biggest name in showbiz right now, the dream peak of many. How could she possibly quit at a time like this?]
[But she¡¯s not just anyone; she¡¯s a Nightshade, an heiress. Maybe she really doesn¡¯t care about fame or poprity and is like those TV dramas where they just quit and go home to inherit their fortune! Though I wish it was a joke, sad face.]
[Ah Xan, don¡¯t scare me like this, I can¡¯t live without you, and showbiz can¡¯t either!]
[Please, this is my first time being a fan. How can I withstand such a blow? Everyone else¡¯s idol is falling apart, and mine just decided to walk away???]
[Xan, jokes are supposed to be funny, how am I supposed to go on without you!]
[Haha, this has got to be a joke. You guys are so gullible. Trust me, if this isn¡¯t a joke, I¡¯ll eat my hat!
Xanthea, looking down at the restless crowd, continued, ¡°During my time in the entertainment industry, I¡¯ve been incredibly lucky. I¡¯ve worked with great casts, yed amazing roles, had talented directors, and made wonderful friends and partners, And I¡¯ve gained a group of adorable fans, for which I¡¯m truly grateful.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.
But I¡¯ve always dreamed of being a scientist since little, and I¡¯ve worked hard towards that dream for many years. It¡¯s rooted deep within me, blossomed, and be an integral part of who I am, and I can¡¯t give it up. So, I¡¯m sorry to disappoint everyone. Maybe we¡¯ll meet again, in another ce, in another way.¡±
Her speech left the room filled with sighs and expressions of regret, except for Isabe, who looked on with admiration and longing Xanthea was always Xanthea, unchanged, always true to her heart, fearlessly pursuing her dreams, never lost in the superficial glitz and mour.
Over the years, Isabe had tried to emte her, perhaps drawn by her genuine sincerity and fearlessness. But s, she realized 11 mi Too went a joker? Noticking i botally the biopsat joke pohale
CHAPTER 459
Chapter 459
[Oh my gosh, guys, I did some digging, and Xan really got epted into Crestwood Research Institute. And she topped her field too!] [This is it, game over, Xan¡¯s leaving the scene. What are we, her millions of fans, gonna do now?]
[Help, I thought today was gonna be all smiles, and then boom! A thunderp out of nowhere. No more fangirling over pictures, no more binge¨Cwatching series, no more shipping. My whole joy just poofed!]
[I¡¯m so tom, I¡¯m moved she¡¯s chasing her dreams, leaving everything behind to start anew. That¡¯s our Xanthea. But it hurts even more now, liking her so much and knowing I won¡¯t see her anymore!]
[Stepping away from the spotlight, leaving behind the flowers and apuse, for a path filled with thorns and solitude in research? What kind of angel is she? Maybe we were the ones holding her back from a wider world she deserves!]
[I genuinely want to wish her the best, but I also wish I could see her every day. It¡¯s so hard to find a star I truly like, and now, can¡¯t she just pop up in the public eye from time to time?]
[Let¡¯s not be too sad, guys. Didn¡¯t Xan say we might meet in a different ce, in a different way? Who knows, she might be a major star in the science world!]Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.
[Ah?? Then I¡¯d be over the moon with pride!]
[What do we do when our idol¡¯s too perfect? Wanted by every field, Xan, you can¡¯t just lead us on and then ditch us!]
The live stream chat was a flood of fans¡±ments, the app nearly crashing from the surge of viewers, unitil the host managed to calm things down.
Xanthea¡¯s serious face slowly broke into a smile as she untied the shimmering silver ribbon from her wrist,
¡°How about I show you guys a little magic trick?¡±
¡°Magic?¡±
¡°What kind of magic?¡±
¡°Why magic all of a sudden?*
The camera focused on Xanthea¡¯s hands as she spread the ribbon, waving it lightly. Sparkles fell from the silver ribbon like a shower of beautiful shooting stars, and behind them suddenly appeared a stunning purple iris.
¡°Wow!¡±
¡°So beautifull¡±
¡°I had no idea she could do magic!¡±
The venue erupted in cheers and apuse.
¡°Xan¡¯s got this up her sleeve? I never knew.¡± Samuel was halfway through his excitement when something fell off.
Xan loved irises, but rarely touched purple ones. She said purple irises represented love and shouldn¡¯t be given lightly. Yet now a purple¨Ciris in her hand.
As he pondered, a song began to y softly over the venue speakers,
*Clouds chasing dreams across the sky, fish chasing dreams through the sed on that familiar little path, I¡¯m chesir
balloons, chasing dreams after light, chasing dreams after you?
¡°Why did the music start all of a sudden?
Te pretty good!
CHAPTER 460
Chapter 460
¡°When I was four years old, I met a boy who was smart, shy, and incredibly attentive. He wasn¡¯t much for ying with others, except forN?velDrama.Org ? 2024.
me
He could sense my every mood, remembered all the things I loved ¨C I adored him for it.
We grew up as childhood sweethearts, sharing a bond so special and joyful. I thought it would always be like this, but then, a sudden fever made me forget him.
Not just forget, but I wronged and mistook him, and that mistakested for over a decade.
I thought he had faded from my life, forgetting everything just as I had. Until a few days ago, I realized he¡¯s always been there, silently watching over me, present in every phase of my life.¡±
Tears welled up in Xanthea¡¯s eyes as she spoke, her voice choked with emotion.
¡°He¡¯s been my guardian for so many years. Now, it¡¯s my turn to protect and love him for the rest of our lives.
I once made a whimsical wish that if anyone could nt a mountain full of irises for me, I would marry him. And he did it.¡±
Xanthea held out an iris, ¡°Orion, the mountain is blooming with irises; will you marry me?¡±
Therge venue fell into a silence so profound you could hear a pin drop, the live chat went quiet.
Then, an uproar of cheers and apuse!.
[Xanthea is proposing to Mr. Lockwood?]
[Ah, it¡¯s so romantic! The proposal, the setting, the story, it¡¯s all so touching!
[Now I see why even my fans are shipping Oranthea, it¡¯s just too perfect!]
[Marry herl Marry her! Marry her!]
In the midst of the noise, under the dim lights, the distinguished man seemed stunned for a moment, his deep eyes shimmering with an indescribable emotion.
He couldn¡¯t take his eyes off the girl on stage holding the iris, her gaze full of passion and sincerity, as if his soul was being drawn to
her.
He stood up and walked towards the stage. But Xanthea couldn¡¯t wait; lifting her dress, she ran towards him.
At the edge of the stage, like a butterfly fluttering through a garden, she wrapped her arms around his neck, and he, tilting his head back, kissed his goddess with reverence and deep affection,
**Ahhh!¡±
A wave of excitement surged through the crowd, screams and shouts filling the air, as dozens of cameras quickly surrounded them. their shes like rain, capturing this romantic and picturesque proposal.
[Ahh, I¡¯m dead! This is too sweet!]
[Help! What kind of epic love story is this? It¡¯s like being hit by a giant candy!]
[They¡¯re engaged! I was waiting for an official announcement, but a proposal right away, and Xan proposing to Mc Lockwood, nol You really are my Celestial Goddess!]
So sweet, even the air is filled with pink bubbles, Xan, how can you be so romantic?
I¡¯m so moved, it¡¯s so beautiful, what kind of fairy tale love is Orenthou? I¡¯m rooting for them 100 per
(Sedously? I need to call the police because someone is killing me with
CHAPTER 461
Chapter 461
[My mom just asked me why I was grinning like I just won the lottery, haha!]
[Oranthea is just a match made in heaven, y¡¯all better believe it!]
[I¡¯m totally obsessed! Right before she quit the scene, she dropped this sweet bomb on us. Xanthea, you really know how to arouse the attention.]
[Please, just get a wedding party done already. I¡¯ve got my gift money ready and everything!]
[Oranthea is forever iconic!!!]
[My ship has sailed, folks! Can you understand my joy? I¡¯m over the moon, happier than if I were getting married myself.] [Good heavens, I dere them the sweetest, most romantic couple of the century. Ori and Xan, together forever!]
Oliver and Ethan stood up, pping with satisfaction. Isabe watched the overly perfect scene unfold, tears streaming down once
more.
The whole room burst into apuse and well¨Cwishes for the sweet couple, except for Samuel, who looked on in disbelief, as if he couldn¡¯t quite grasp the moment, and then dashed over, iling wildly.
¡°Xan, a girl should y hard to get! Now he¡¯s gonna be smug as hell, thinking he¡¯s got you wrapped around his finger! Orion, how dare you kiss my sister right in front of me! Let go of her, I say!¡±
#Xanthea proposes to Orion at Celestial Cinema Awards, sharing a romantic kiss. Her brother seems to be over the moon# the topic went viral, drawing millions upon millions of viewers who sent blessings.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.
Lakeside Manor, the Nightshade family.
¡°Uncle Oliver.¡±
Xanthea gave Oliver a shoulder massage with a pleading look in her eyes, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, okay? Can you forgive me, please?¡±
¡°Hmph!¡±
Oliver turned his head away, but Xanthea¡¯s gentle fists followed, ¡°I¡¯ll definitely consult with you before doing anything in the future!¡±
¡°Hmph!¡±
Again, Oliver turned his head, and again, Xanthea¡¯s fists followed, ¡°I promise I won¡¯t do it again, okay?¡±
¡°You think you can fool me again? How many times have you said these words since you were little? Was there ever a time you meant it? Every time was just to cate me.¡±
Xanthea pouted, knowing well her usual tactics had been always working.
Orion¡¯s lips curled up slightly, ¡°Indeed.¡±
Spotting his gloating face, Xantheained secretly. Not helping her but enjoying the scene an bystander, he was starting to irk her! Catching her silent ¡°you¡¯re sleeping on the couch for three days¡± re, Orion narrowed his eyes, ¡°Oliver, would you do us the honor of being our officiant?¡±
¡°Really?¡± Oliver¡¯s eyes lit up at the mention, his anger dissipating instantly.
Seeing this miraculous effect, Xanthea beamed, thinking to herself how amazing her husband was.
¡°Officiant? What officiant!¡± Samuel, hearing the word, immediately got all worked up again.
Christopher couldn¡¯t help butugh, ¡°Samuel, Xan has already proposed to Orion in front of the whole Inte. It¡¯s a bitte for regrets
now.¡±
¡°Indeed.¡± Susanna walked over with a te of snacks, casting a curious nce at Xanthea, ¡°But Xan, what was with that speech at the awards? Did you on your own, or?¡±
CHAPTER 462
Chapter 462
¡°Mom, do you remember the terrible fever I had when I was four?¡±
¡°Of course, I remember. You tricked the whole family, saying you were off to a friend¡¯s house, but you were actually waiting for a little boy. You waited for him day after day, and in the end, you never met him and even got caught in the rain.¡±
Susanna paused mid¨Csentence, suddenly realizing something, and looked at her in astonishment, ¡°Wait, that little boy, could it be Orion? Xan, did you regain your memory?¡±
Xanthea nodded, ¡°Yep!¡±
¡°That¡¯s great! I¡¯ve always been worried you might have lingering issues from that. And Orion, so you two were childhood sweethearts. thought Xan was making it up. What a wonderful fate!¡±
¡°What?¡± Samuel, hearing this, jumped up again, ¡°Orion, are you the reason Xan forgot all about me?¡±
¡°Haha!¡± The whole family burst intoughter. Xanthea leaned in and whispered to Oliver, ¡°Also, Uncle Oliver, that little boy we saved fr the fire that year was Orion.¡±
¡°Really?¡±
Oliver was taken aback. No wonder he always felt that Orion¡¯s affection for Xan seemed both inexplicable and overwhelmingly intens as if he had been in love for many, many years.
It wasn¡¯t an illusion. Their destiny had been intricately intertwined from the very beginning.
¡°I didn¡¯t realize I yed a part in this. Well, I¡¯ll be the officiant without any doubt!Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.
¡°Of course, I wouldn¡¯t have it any other way.¡±
¡°Alright, dinner¡¯s served. Let¡¯s eat and talk.¡±
The family gathered together, chatting andughing. Oliver took an international call. He needed to travel abroad next month and aske Orion in advance, ¡°Orion, have you thought about when you¡¯d like the engagement ceremony to be?¡±
¡°Next month, on the 9th.¡±
Everyone was stunned with his words, especially Samuel, who nearly choked on a quail egg, ¡°That¡¯s in 9 days?!¡±
¡°Yeah.¡± Orion added, ¡°No engagement, straight to marriage.¡±
¡°What?!¡±
The room was shocked again.
Xanthea was also stunned, her dewy eyes wide and shimmering, looking at him. Samuel joked, ¡°What¡¯s the rush? Trying to sweep Xan off her feet before she changes her mind?¡±
Orion didn¡¯t hide it, ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m afraid she might have second thoughts.¡±
Christopher and Susanna smiled as they gazed at Xanthea, who blushed; as if she would!
¡°Skipping the engagement is fine. It¡¯s all about letting friends and family know in advance, and now that the whole world knows about this wedding, it¡¯s not necessary¡±
¡°Isn¡¯t this top rushed?¡± Ethan asked, ¡°Marriage preparations areplex. Can you really get everything ready in time?
Orion replied. ¡°I¡¯ve got everything prepared.¡±
He had been preparing for over a decade.
Xanthea was puzzled. When did he manage all this without telling her?
Susanna asked, Xan, what do you think??
CHAPTER 463
Chapter 463
¡°Sure.¡± Orion¡¯s gaze lifted slightly, his voice deep in agreement.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.
¡°But, you¡¯ll
I still have to follow the rules, Christopher said. ¡°Xan, you and Orion can¡¯t see each other for a week before the wedding.¡±
¡°What?¡± Xanthea was puzzled. ¡°Dad, why?¡±
¡°It¡¯s
Is an old tradition. Both of you, being the bride and groom, carry joy with you. To prevent any sh of happiness and ensure everything goes smoothly on your wedding day, it¡¯s best not to see each other for a week.¡±
¡°That¡¯s just fantastic. We must honor our traditions!¡±
Samuel was the first to agree, and Xanthea squinted her eyes, silently pinching him under the table.
¡°Ow, sis, you¡¯re not even married yet, and you¡¯re alreadyying hands on your brother. What will be of uster?¡±
¡°Later, On and I will deal with it¡±
¡°He wouldn¡¯t dare!¡±
¡°Orion, don¡¯t worry. As long as there¡¯s no issue with the wedding venue, we¡¯ll handle everything else.¡±
Orion pondered for a moment, ¡°Alright.¡±
Huh? He agreed just like that?
Xanthea blinked her innocent, big eyes. She wouldn¡¯t see him for a whole week, and he wasn¡¯t going to protest? Orion put down his utensils and met her gaze, ¡°Mr. and Mrs. Nightshade, I¡¯d like to take Xan home tonight.¡± Samuel was shocked. To make such a request in front of the whole family, he was bing bolder by the minute!
¡°No way!¡± Before he could object, Ethan chimed in, ¡°Sam, if you don¡¯t let Xan go now, be careful she won¡¯t let youe over next time.¡±
Xanthea nodded. That was a given.
Samuel was speechless.
Christopher and Susanna exchanged a smile. The young couple was deeply in love, inseparable. It was hard to keep them apart for a week, so they decided to make an exception.
¡°Alright.¡±
¡°111 drop off my sis and pick her up tomorrow. Am I being helpful enough?¡±
Samuel feltered. A wise man adapted to circumstances, he still wanted to visit his sister¡¯s house frequently in the future! Xanthea gritted her teeth, ¡°Yeah, perfectly helpful!¡±
After dinner, Ethan and Samuel escorted Xanthea together. Along the way, the four of them chatted andughed harmoniously. Upon reaching the estate¡¯s gate, Orion and Xanthea got out of the car and waved at them
¡°Ethan, Samuel, bye!¡±
¡°Xan, I¡¯lle pick you up tomorrow!¡±
¡°It¡¯s fine if you don¡¯t.¡±
dreams!¡±
Hmph Xanthea happily took Orion¡¯s hand. Let¡¯s ga
Unexpectedly, the man who was all smiles until a moment ago.
gainst a weeping willow. Before she could react, he leaned in and k
Mapler
CHAPTER 464
Chapter 464
Xanthea took a few deep breaths before she could speak again. She was about to scold him when she saw the dark shadows lurking across his handsome face. Only his deep eyes were zing with an intense fire, as if he wanted to devour her whole. It was hard to guess what he was feeling at that moment.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.
Was he angry? Could it be because Benjamin publicly confessed his feelings for her today, challenging him?
¡°Don¡¯t get it twisted!¡± She quickly waved her hands, trying to clear the air, ¡°I had no idea Benjamin would show up at the award ceremony today, let alone confess his feelings. Ever since that day in the dressing room on set when you both walked into the same changing room, I haven¡¯t had any contact with him!¡±
After saying this, she even pulled out her phone as if to prove her innocence, ¡°Check my phone if you don¡¯t believe me!¡±
Orion nced at her phone, his expression growing even darker, ¡°You¡¯re still thinking about him?¡±
¡°No.
¡°No.¡±
not like that. I saw you seemed upset, so I just wanted to exin.¡±
Orion pulled her close, his hands roaming over her soft waist, his lips brushing against her hair.
He was just missing her, wanting her all day. From the moment the award ceremony began, he couldn¡¯t hold back any longer.
¡°Not upset? Then why were you so fierce¡® just now? You almost bit my lip offf¡±
¡°Can you me me when you¡¯re this beautiful? I¡¯m not mad at him; I¡¯m mad at you. Why did you propose to me?¡±
She was like, ¡°???¡± Xanthea was baffled by his triple usation, ¡°What¡¯s wrong? I propose to you, and you¡¯re not happy?¡±
Orion buried his face in her fragrant hair, his voice hoarse with emotion, ¡°I should have been the one to propose.¡±
Xanthea¡¯s lips curved up gently, ¡°I said, whoever nts a field of irises for me, I¡¯d marry him. So, the moment you first took me to Xanthea Haven Estate, you¡¯d already proposed. I was merely epting.¡±
¡°Alright then, Xannie, remember what you said.¡±
¡°What did I say?¡±
¡°Your speech on the stage.¡±
¡°That? Those were just formalities. Ah!¡±
Before she could finish, she felt his hands teasing her waist, forcing her to plead for mercy, ¡°I was wrong, I remember¡±
¡°Repeat it.¡±
¡°Do I have to? It¡¯s too cheesy!¡±
¡°Are you going to say it or not?¡±
Orion had discovered her ticklish spot, using it to tease her into submission. She couldn¡¯t stopughing and had no choice but to repeat her confession that time.
Listening to those words, Orion felt a warm pleasure, ¡°Xannie, don¡¯t you forget. If you do, everyone will know you¡¯re heartless. ¡°Heartless or not, depends on how you¡¯ll treat me.¡±
¡°Xannie, you can have whatever you want, even my heart,¡± he whispered in her ear, his voice warm and husky, making Xanthea blush and her heart race.
¡°Who wants your heart you¡¯re even cheesier
¡°By the way, Orion, why the rush to get married? Don¡¯t tell me it¡¯s just because I beat you to the proposal and you can¡¯t stand being second?
¡°Because, Orion gently lifted her face, nting a deep kiss on her forehead want to spend every Christones together with you!
Xanther had thought of many reasons, but she hadnx expected something to bimantic
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Chapter 465
Her ears turned red, her heart trembled, and she softly replied, ¡°Okay¡±
At the mention of holiday, Orion suddenly remembered something, something he had been longing for, craving for the longest time.
Now, he could finally have it.
¡°Xannie, your birthday present fromst time, I haven¡¯t received it from you yet.¡±
¡°Present?¡±
Xanthea paused for a moment, then remembered the sexy kitten cosy lingerie that was a gift once promised but never delivered.
¡°Why bring that up now?¡±
Orion stared at her like a predator eyeing its next meal, his gaze narrowing slightly, a dark gleam shining through, ¡°I want to get it now.¡±
Heart skipping a beat, Xanthea sensed danger. Recalling the way he looked at her the other day when she wore the dress, and his aggressive kisses, she feared if she wore it now, she wouldn¡¯t be able to spend a peaceful day.
¡°No way
She immediately shook her head, standing her ground, ¡°Your birthday¡¯s gone, so the gift¡¯s expired! If you still want it, wait for the next birthday!¡±
¡°You promised to wear it for me, no going back on your word.¡±
¡°Im not going back on my word.¡± Xanthea found a loophole, her expression sly like a little fox, ¡°Later is a broad term, it could mean next month, next year, or the year after just not now!
¡°Alright then.¡±
Orion¡¯s gaze fell, his voice filled with a hint of sadness, his bright eyes dimming gradually, looking like a little wolf abandoned by its pack, his ears drooping, stirring a feeling ofpassion in Xanthea.
¡°I thought I would get your birthday gift when I tumed twenty.¡±
That statement hit Xanthea hard. Feeling guilty for forgetting and hurting him over the years, she wanted to make amends, and hearing such words.
Wearing a cosy costume didn¡¯t seem like such a big deal after all.
¡°Fine!¡± She bit her lip, making up her mind.
¡°Really?¡± Orion looked up.
Xanthea saw a re of intense desire in his eyes an
eyes and internally cursed herself for being fooled by his excellent acting skills!
This guy wasn¡¯t a fluffy little wolf at all but a cunning SlyFox! And she had fallen for it again!
¡°I haven¡¯t finished. There¡¯s a condition! You¡¯re just allowed to look, don¡¯t touch!¡±
¡°Okay.¡±
He agreed instantly, surprising Xanthea. Was he actually being obedient?
¡°But today, at the award ceremony. I learned a way to express love from fans, Can I say it to you, Xannie?¡±
Xanthea asked, ¡°What is it?¡±
Orion¡¯s lips curved slightly, a mischievous and somewhat fierce light in his eyes, ¡°You are my main squeeze¡±
Before she could react she was swept off her feet and carried into the mansion by the man¡
¡°Orion, what are you doing? Put me down, people are watching!¡±
¡°You¡¯ll find out soon.¡±
Once home, Xanthea, determined to keep her word, donned the birthday gift but learned a hard lesson about what it truly meant to go back on one¡¯s word.
All through the night, the mansion echoed with moans like a cat¡¯s yowls, one after another, in everyerBelonging to N?velDrama.Org.
CHAPTER 466
Chapter 466Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.
Twilight descended, and the world fell into a hush, as the exquisite Xanthea Haven Estate basked under a pristine silver moonlight, resembling a serene and enchanting Sleeping Beauty.
Fireworks suddenly burst into the sky, painting the dark blue night with vibrant, scintiting mes. Magnificent and bright, they refused to fade, with fiery sparksnding on the delicate petals of irises swaying on the hillside. A breeze swept through, causing them to shiver uncontrobly.
The next day at noon, a sliver of radiant sunlight snuck through the curtains into the bedroom, casting its glow on a stunning girl lying in bed. Her long, thick eyshes fluttered,porcin¨Csmooth arms sprawled out on the dark silk sheets, and she was roused from sleep by snippets of a conversation.
¡°Is Xan still not bp? It¡¯s already noon.¡±
¡°Mrs. Lockwood tends to enjoy her ¡®beauty sleep¡®, usually waking up in the afternoon.¡±
¡°In the aftemoon?¡± Samuel was surprised.
Xan liked to sleep in, but at home, she¡¯d usually be up by ten at thetest. She had never slept thiste before!
*Could it be?¡±
He squinted suspiciously, causing the servant to tense up, only to hear him saying, ¡°Orion was up working till the wee hours, maybe hel kept Xan up too?¡±
The servant hesitated. Mrs. Lockwood did stay up, but there was no work.
¡®No, no, Mr. Nightshade, you¡¯re overthinking it.¡±
¡°Alright, let her sleep. Show me around instead.¡±
¡°Of course!¡±
Samuel? Why was he here so early?
Hearing Samuel¡¯s voice faintly, Xanthea opened her groggy eyes to see the clock showing it was already past one in the afternoon. It waste!
Rubbing her sore back, feeling as though every bone in her body was aching, she grumbled and grabbed her phone, her brows. furrowed in pain.
Orion, that insatiable wolf who didn¡¯t keep his word, she should¡¯ve never trusted him!
Last night, as soon as she slipped into her sultry little ckce dress, he turned into a beast, his eyes glowing with a dark desire, ignoring her protests and pleas, taking her from the living room to the balcony and then to the bedroom. He nearly wore her out, iming it was all with her consent!
When did she ever agree? Was it because of that one line he said, that so¨Ccalled ¡°main squeeze¡°?
The more she thought of it, the more exasperated she felt, and she yelled out, ¡°Orion!¡±
¡°Mrs. Lockwood!¡±
The servant rushed in at her shout, only to shyly lower her gaze upon seeing the love bites scattered across her neck and arms.
¡°Do you need anything?¡±
¡°Where¡¯s Orion?¡±
The young master left early in the morning. He asked me to tell you to call him when you wake up.¡±
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Chapter 467
¡°Huh!¡±
He had savored her body joyfully and then left, leaving her exhausted and awake till now!
¡°Forget it
He should feel grateful that they couldn¡¯t meet for the next week. If they could, she¡¯d definitely give him a piece of her mind!
Grinding her teeth, she clenched her fists in frustration
¡°The brunch is ready, all prepared by Mr. Lockwood himself. Would you like to have it now?¡±
¡°Mm¨Chmm, whese¡¯s my brother?
Mr. Nightshade is taking a walk around the estate.¡±
¡°Call him back in a bit will you?¡±
¡°Of course!¡±
Xanthea am
got up, quickly straightened herself, and barely touched her breakfast when Samuel walked in, all smiles and in high spirits.
¡°Not bad at all, Onon¡¯s choice for the house is quite impressive.¡±
Xanthea was like, ¡°?¡± Anyone would think he was the one getting married.
¡°Especially the name.¡±
¡°I was just about to change it to On¡¯s Manor
¡°No way, we¡¯re calling it Xanthea Haven Estate: Doesn¡¯t the name sound wonderful?¡±
Samuel reached out, gently pinching her cheek, his eyes crinkling with joy, reminiscent of the same sensation.
your name under? My wedding gift?¡±
¡°If you really want to change it, at least add my name too.¡±
Xanthen¡¯s lips twitched. ¡°And what role would you be adding y
¡°Wedding gift?¡± Samuel raised an eyebrow, ¡°That¡¯s a brilliant idea!¡±
Xanthea choked on her oatmeal, ¡°Forget it, that¡¯s not gonna happen.¡±
¡°In what tone are you talking with your brother now? I came all the way here first
the whole estate. And this is how you treat me?¡±This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .
*Are you sure you came to pick me up and not to keep an eye on me?¡±
Samuelughed, ¡°Sister knows best!¡±
in the morning, waited for hours, and even toured
He adoringly watched his little sister nibbling on her toast, her cheeks puffing out adorably like a little fox, his initial amusement fading. In a few days, Xan would leave home, away from his side. He would no longer be able to watch her eat across him at the table, listen to her whine, y pranks together, or mess around.
Life suddenly seemned tasteless.
¡°I¡¯m done!¡± Xanthea put down her utensils, ¡°Samuel, let¡¯s go!¡±
She suddenly looked up, catching a glimpse of deep sadness and a sparkle in Samuel¡¯s eyes.
He quickly looked away
*Samuel, are you crying?¡±
¡°Nonsense! The sand got in my eyes while I was outside. Let¡¯s head back now, Mom, Dad, and Ethan are waiting for you.¡±
Is there any sand?
Xanthea skeptically eyed the serene, windlessndscape outside before Samuel wrapped an arm around her neck, dragging her away like she was a waywardmb, ¡°Hurry up, have you gotten sofortable here you don¡¯t want to go home? You¡¯ve gone wild?¡±
¡°I haven¡¯t
¡°Good, then let¡¯s head back! I¡¯ve specially taken a whole week off just for your wedding preparation. You¡¯re not allowed anywhere but by my side for these seven days. Don¡¯t get too sentimental, alright!¡±
¡°Huh?!¡±
Xanthea let out a scream. Under his watchful eye for a week, she wouldn¡¯t even get to see Orion!
Chapter 468
CHAPTER 468
Chapter 468
Xanthea returned home, diving stmight into wedding prep with her family trying on wedding dresses, making reservations, and preparing invitations. Initially, she was buzzing with excitement, but soon, the thrill gave way to boredom, and she found herself missing Orion.
Unfortunately, her phone was under the strict control of Samuel, who didn¡¯t let her sneak even a peek.
¡°Samuel, did anyone call me today?¡±
¡°Yeah.¡±
¡°Really?!¡± Her eyes sparkled with excitement
¡°But it wasn¡¯t Orion.¡±
Samuel rolled his eyes for the umpteenth time, gently flicking her suddenly disappointed face, ¡°Get back to getting those invitations done, you lovesick puppy. It¡¯s only been a few days apart, and you¡¯re already this restless. You didn¡¯t miss Samuel this much when you were filming, did you?¡±
Hmph! When she was filming, he called her like eight times a day, practically annoying her to death, and she still missed him!
¡°He really didn¡¯t call? You swear?
Samuel casually raised two fingers, ¡°I swear on my dashing, handsome face. Happy now?¡±
Xanthea was shocked. Samuel always prided himself on his looks, and now he was swearing on them? It must be true!
Onion hadn¡¯t called her. That SlyFox, after gratifying his own desire, he just forgot her, didn¡¯t miss her at all
Susanna chuckled as she saw Xanthea¡¯s face fall, gently patting her head. ¡°Xan, we agreed no seeing each other for a week, respecting. tradition. It¡¯s another way Orion is showing his love for you.¡±
Xanthea pouted, not convinced, ¡°He¡¯s not the superstitious type.¡±
Samuel couldn¡¯t help but snicker. Although Orion hadn¡¯t called, he had sent countless cheesy texts. But, after Samuel replied with ¡°This is Samuel, Orion stopped texting, much to Samuel¡¯s delight.
¡°It¡¯s precisely because he¡¯s not superstitious, that he¡¯s doing this for you, which makes it all the more special¡±
Xanthea¡¯s mood lifted as she heard her mom say that. She was right!
Holding an invitation adomed with iris flowers and childhood photos, she smiled with satisfaction, ¡°This invitation looks so pretty¡±
¡°Onion had it delivered early this moming. He must have designed it himself.¡±
Even the details on the invitation were meticulously designed. It seemed Orion was really busy with the wedding. Maybe she was being
tooid back?
Perhaps she could prepare a surprise for him? An idea quickly sparked in her mind.
Try on!¡±
¡°Mom, Dad, I need to go to the back hill for a bit. You guys carry
¡°What for? I¡¯ming tool Samuel immediately got up.
Xanthea said, ¡°Samuel, are you my shadow or something?¡±
Christopherughed, ¡°Xan, let Samuel tag along. He only gets to follow you around for a few more days. Cherish it!¡±
Tm getting married, not running away from home.¡±Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.
¡°Exactly¡± Samuel echoed, ¡°Even after you¡¯re married, I can still look after you. I¡¯ve checked out that Xanthea Haven Estate, and it¡¯s pretty nice. I like it. I¡¯ll be dropping by often, staying over long¨Cterm works for me too.¡±
Xanthea was caught off guard, ¡°What?!¡±
¡°What do you mean, what? Not weing me, after all these years of looking after you?¡± Samuel teased, pinching her cheek, ¡°Off to the back hill, then. What¡¯s this new mischief you¡¯re plotting? Spill it to me.¡±
¡°I don¡¯t wanna tell you.¡±
Xanthen, dragged away by Samuel, made a face like a little beast, wishing she could bite him.
¡°Samuel, you¡¯re in your twenties. Can¡¯t you act a bit less childish, be more mature like Ethan?¡±
¡°Ethan¡¯s mature?¡± Samuel arched on eyebrow, ¡°In what way?¡±
us you!
¡°When he heard I was getting married, he was so calm, not throwing a fit like
¡°Hal¡± That was one thing Samuel couldn¡¯t stand. ¡°His calmnesses with reasons.¡±
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Chapter 469
¡°Huh?¡± Xanthea was confused, and Samuel, green with envy, didn¡¯t want to say a word, ¡°Youll find out soon enough. But first, what¡¯re you nning to do at the back hill?
¡°I was thinking.¡± Xanthen leaned in close, whispering her scheme into his ear
After hearing her out, Samuel thought it sounded fun
¡°Wearing a wedding dress for that? Isn¡¯t it a bit risky?¡±
you forgotten that I¡¯ve wonpetitions on slopes over three
*Not at all. The slope is just a few feet tall, practically child¡¯s y. Have y
thousand feet tall?¡±
Samuel admired her confident spirit. ¡°Actually, I¡¯m just worried that you¡¯ll be too stunning, Kan. I might not be able to stop myself from sweeping you away right there and then¡±
¡°Try it, and I¡¯ll have Orion station like eighty bodyguards at the wedding!¡±
¡°Wow, really throwing me to the wolves, huh? nning to have me ttened into a pancake?¡±
¡°ttened into a pancake? Perfect for the wedding feast, ha!¡±
After a hectic week, the wedding invitations were all sent out, the dress was ready, and many friends and family had already arrived to stay at the Lakeside Manor in advance, the ce was buzzing with joy.
With the wedding day just one sunrise away. Xanthea began to feel a flutter of nerves. The seven days of pre wedding celebrations had flown by. Maybe she should find Orion to ease her worries?
Just as she was about to ask Samuel for her phone back, Ethan called out, ¡°Xan, Professor Fred just called. He¡¯s flown in from abroad and is now at the Crestwood Research Institute. He wants to see you.¡±
¡°Really?
The renowned professor had made a special trip just to see her. Xanthea couldn¡¯t afford to keep him waiting. Let me just change my clothes!¡±
¡°Alright, I drive you there.¡±
Upon amving at Crestwood Research Institute, Xanthea was greeted by Professor Fred and his team at the entrance, leaving her pleasantly surprised
¡°Happy marriage, Ms. Nightshade.¡±
Thank you,
Professor Fred. That¡¯s very kind of you. The sun¡¯s strong, let¡¯s head in and talk.¡±
They spent the afternoon engaging in lively conversations about everything from Fred¡¯s invitation for her to join his team, to their research projects, and her uing wedding, until the evening crept in
¡°I wonder if my team and I would have the honor of attending your wedding?¡±
¡°Of course, it would be my honor.¡±
At right in the evening, Xanthea finally stepped out of the meeting room.
¡°So, how did it go? Professor Fred seems to really like you.¡±
¡°He mainly invited me to join his team for theirtest research project.¡±
¡°And your thoughts?¡±
¡°I epted¡±
She had thought it over for a long time and had already made up her mind.
¡°Good¡± Ethan¡¯s sses hid a pair of joyous eyes, ¡°Fred and his team¡¯stest research project is based here. Let me show you around.¡±Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.
¡°Sure!¡±
As Xanthea entered the research building, wondering why her brother seemed so familiar with the ce, she heard a staff member call him ¡°Boss¡°.
¡°Ethan, why do they all call you ¡®Boss¡®?¡±
¡°Because this is my researchb, a gift from Orion.¡±
¡°What?¡± Xanthea was stunned.
Orion had gifted Ethan such a grand¨Cscale researchb. When had this happened, and how had she not known?
¡°The first time he came over Ethan affectionately ruffled her hair, his eyes gleaming with joy, ¡°From now on, I can be with you every day.
CHAPTER 470
Chapter 470
Xanthea suddenly got it, about what Samuel said there was a reason behind Ethan¡¯s calm demeanor. But wait a minute!
The more she thought about it, the more it seemed like a trap.
Orion had gifted her brother a researchb, located so close to Xanthea Haven Estate, and it just so happened that Fred and his team were stationed there. It all seemed too well¨Cnned to be a coincidence.
That SlyFox must have known all along she would leave the spotlight to pursue scientific research, even going as far as to invite and sign Professor Fred¡¯s team in advance, all while pretending to be nonchnt about her choices. Such a cunning old fox.
¡°Xanl
As Fred and his team left the meeting room, Eloise rushed over, bubbling with excitement.
Ethan spoke, ¡°You two catch up. I¡¯ve got some stuff to sort out in theb. Ille backter to drive you home.¡±
¡°Okay¡±
¡°Wow!¡±Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.
Eloise trotted over clutching her arm in an electrifying way, practically swooning over Ethan as she gazed at his retreating figure, ¡°Xan, your brother is way too hot. I¡¯m dizzy and weak at the knees, about to pass out here. How do you even manage, seeing that face every day? You¡¯re living the dream!¡±
¡°It¡¯s alright, I guess.¡± Xanthea¡¯s eyes crinkling with a smile, she boasted, ¡°After seeing it for over a decade, I¡¯m pretty much used to it.¡±
¡°Hey, don¡¯t you think you¡¯re asking for a smack talking like that? But then again, with such a handsome husband, you certainly wouldn¡¯t even bother looking at other men. This morning I saw¡¡±
She cut herself off mid¨Csentence as if realizing something, quickly covering her mouth.
¡°This moming?¡± Xanthea raised an eyebrow, ¡°What did you see?¡±
¡°N¨CNothing. Xan Hey, I heard there¡¯s this huge amusement park nearby, wanna check it out?¡±
Xanthea thought her friend¡¯s brain might have mushed from too muchb work, patting her head sympathetically, ¡°You wanna go ghost hunting or what, in the middle of the night?¡±
Eloise met ber pitying gaze and knocked her hand away, ¡°Of course, I know the amusement park is closed now. But I heard there¡¯s a back door that leads straight to a patch of christmas cactus, surrounded by fireflies.¡±
¡°Fireflies?!¡± Hearing about fireflies suddenly piqued Xanthea¡¯s interest.
She used to love chasing after fireflies around the school¡¯s back hill as a kid. But with environmental changes and her getting older, it had been ages since shest saw them.
¡°Are you sure there¡¯ll be fireflies this season?¡±
¡°Yup, they¡¯re specially bred to attract visitors!¡±
Xanthea found it even more ridiculous, ¡°Are you kidding? Firefliese out at night, attract what exactly. Ah!¡±
Before she could finish, Eloise had already dragged her away. Convincing her was too hard; brute force was evidently more straightforward.
¡°Stop dawdling, let¡¯s just go see for ourselves!¡±
With a heart full of indulgence for her lovably naive friend, Xanthea sneaked into the amusement park through the back door with her. But upon seeing a bunch of wilted christmas cactus with barely any blooms, she scoffed.
¡°Where are the fireflies? Not a single one in sight, not even a shadow, I told you, it¡¯s not the season for,¡±
She turned around to find the area behind herpletely deserted. Where was Eloise?
¡°Ellie? Where did you go? Don¡¯t hide and scare me if you don¡¯te out now, I¡¯ll leave.¡±
Xanthea called out a few times but received no response, so she walked forward, puzzled. Maybe she went to the restroom?
Following the amusement park¡¯s signs for a while without finding any restroom, she ended up at the base of a giant Ferris wheel. The ss cabins slowly rotated, decorated with colorful fairy lights that looked like twinklingnterns against the night sky, utterly mesmerizing.
CHAPTER 471
Chapter 471
Chapter 471Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.
She couldn¡¯t help but stop in her tracks. For some reason, she was reminded of that distant, regrettable childhood promise.
Back then, she had heard someone say that if a couple rode a Ferris wheel together, they¡¯d never part in this lifetime. So, she and Ethan made a pact to ride the Ferris wheel together.
The appointment was to meet at the school gates at 8 PM on Saturday, no bailing. It was those words that led to a tragedy.
After regaining her memory, she often thought that if she hadn¡¯t suggested that promise, she wouldn¡¯t have lost her memory, wouldn¡¯t have forgotten her Ethan, and wouldn¡¯t have led to this series of events.
¡°Xannie¡±
A deep, maic male voice wafted through the night, making Xanthea freeze, doubting her own ears, as she slowly turned around.
Behind her stood Orion, in a dark coat lifted by the wind, revealing a white iris pinned on his shirt right over his chest.
He was holding a clear ss jar, inside which were hundreds of sparkling fireflies, gathered together like a small moon.
Orion?1
¡°I¡¯m here for our appointment.¡±
His voice was clear, his demeanor gentle, with a softness in his eyes that immediately brought tears to Xanthea¡¯s eyes.
¡°On!¡± She ran towards him, throwing herself into his arms.
Orion hugged her tightly, his face gently rubbing against her soft curls, ¡°Sorry, Xannie, I¡¯mte, more than a decadete.¡±
¡°No, it¡¯s not like that.¡± Xanthea, buried in his chest, her voice choked with emotion
He didn¡¯t me her, and even after she regained her memory, he hurried here for their appointment, even drawing the iris she had marked for him, just like when they were kids.
Her Ori, how could he be so wonderful? So wonderful she didn¡¯t know how to love him enough to make up for all those years of unendurable waiting.
¡°Orion, you¡¯re not mad at me?¡±
¡°Silly girl, I¡¯m too busy loving you to be mad.¡±
¡°You¡¯re so amazing, I don¡¯t know what to do.¡±
Drion chuckled lightly, his eyebrows lifting in a gentle curve, ¡°Just stay by my side, always.¡±
¡°I will, I¡¯ve missed you so much.¡±
¡°Me too.¡±
Orion tightened his embrace, inhaling the faint scent of her his handsome face dripping with deep affection and satisfaction.
He missed her so much, every day of their separation felt like an etemity, tossing and turning, sleepless, as if enduring a long century, nearly driven mad by longing.
He suddenly admired how he had survived these past decades; if every day was like thesest seven, he might have died from longing. From now on, he wouldn¡¯t allow her to be away from him for even a day.
¡°You¡¯re lying. If you missed me that much, why didn¡¯t you call or at least text me? Even if tradition forbids a call, a text would do.¡±
¡°Didn¡¯t Samuel tell you?¡±
His tone held confusion, and Xanthea caught on, ¡°Samuel? My phone was with him; don¡¯t tell me you texted, and he didn¡¯t say anything? That sneaky man, wait till I get back to deal with him!¡±
Orion looked down, a secret smile in his eyes, ¡°It¡¯s also possible, it got gged as spam.¡±
¡°Why would that happen?¡±
¡°Suspected of being Indecent¡±
Chapter 471
Chapter 471
She couldn¡¯t help but stop in her tracks. For some reason, she was reminded of that distant, regrettable childhood promise.
Back then, she had heard someone say that if a couple rode a Ferris wheel together, they¡¯d never part in this lifetime. So, she and Ethan made a pact to ride the Ferris wheel together.
The appointment was to meet at the school gates at 8 PM on Saturday, no bailing. It was those words that led to a tragedy.
After regaining her memory, she often thought that if she hadn¡¯t suggested that promise, she wouldn¡¯t have lost her memory, wouldn¡¯t have forgotten her Ethan, and wouldn¡¯t have led to this series of events.
¡°Xannie¡±
A deep, maic male voice wafted through the night, making Xanthea freeze, doubting her own ears, as she slowly turned around.
Behind her stood Orion, in a dark coat lifted by the wind, revealing a white iris pinned on his shirt right over his chest.
He was holding a clear ss jar, inside which were hundreds of sparkling fireflies, gathered together like a small moon.
Orion?1
¡°I¡¯m here for our appointment.¡±
His voice was clear, his demeanor gentle, with a softness in his eyes that immediately brought tears to Xanthea¡¯s eyes.
¡°On!¡± She ran towards him, throwing herself into his arms.
Orion hugged her tightly, his face gently rubbing against her soft curls, ¡°Sorry, Xannie, I¡¯mte, more than a decadete.¡±
¡°No, it¡¯s not like that.¡± Xanthea, buried in his chest, her voice choked with emotion
He didn¡¯t me her, and even after she regained her memory, he hurried here for their appointment, even drawing the iris she had marked for him, just like when they were kids.
Her Ori, how could he be so wonderful? So wonderful she didn¡¯t know how to love him enough to make up for all those years of unendurable waiting.
¡°Orion, you¡¯re not mad at me?¡±
¡°Silly girl, I¡¯m too busy loving you to be mad.¡±
¡°You¡¯re so amazing, I don¡¯t know what to do.¡±
Drion chuckled lightly, his eyebrows lifting in a gentle curve, ¡°Just stay by my side, always.¡±
¡°I will, I¡¯ve missed you so much.¡±
¡°Me too.¡±
Orion tightened his embrace, inhaling the faint scent of her his handsome face dripping with deep affection and satisfaction.
He missed her so much, every day of their separation felt like an etemity, tossing and turning, sleepless, as if enduring a long century, nearly driven mad by longing.
He suddenly admired how he had survived these past decades; if every day was like thesest seven, he might have died from longing. From now on, he wouldn¡¯t allow her to be away from him for even a day.
¡°You¡¯re lying. If you missed me that much, why didn¡¯t you call or at least text me? Even if tradition forbids a call, a text would do.¡±
¡°Didn¡¯t Samuel tell you?¡±
His tone held confusion, and Xanthea caught on, ¡°Samuel? My phone was with him; don¡¯t tell me you texted, and he didn¡¯t say anything? That sneaky man, wait till I get back to deal with him!¡±
Orion looked down, a secret smile in his eyes, ¡°It¡¯s also possible, it got gged as spam.¡±
¡°Why would that happen?¡±
¡°Suspected of being Indecent¡±
CHAPTER 472
Chapter 472Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.
She yfully pinched his abs, ¡°You¡¯re so naughty! Don¡¯t defend Samuel, he really needs a lesson!¡±
¡°I¡¯m just worried that if I step in, I might get on the wrong side of your parents.¡±
¡°Ha, don¡¯t worry about it.¡± Xanthen rested her chin on his firm chest, shing him a radiant smile, ¡°If he dares to bully me, my mom and dad will have your back!¡±
Orion looked at her beautiful, mdiant face, unable to contain the deep longing he had felt for the past week. His eyshes fluttered, and he leaned in about to steal a kiss,
F F 3 52. 2 2 t
But suddenly, Xanthea tumed her face away,
Nearby, a Femis wheel that had been slowly turning in the night came to a stop, and an operator with a key
y came over to
open the door
She pointed excitedly. ¡°Orion, someone¡¯s opening it! You didn¡¯t arrange this in the middle of the night, did you?¡±
Yep.
Onon lifted her in his arms and headed for the ss cabin.
¡°Hey, put me down, people will see¡±
She shyly burrowed into his embrace, fearful of being seen.
¡°It¡¯s okay. The door¡¯s closed now¡±
The Ferris wheel started moving again, the ss cabin slowly ascending. Orion sat down with her in hisp, and just as she attempted to hop off, he firmly held her in ce, securing her at his waist, immobilizing her.
¡°Onion, what are you doing?¡±
This mischievous position made her think of naughty things. And his slightly hoarse voice seemed to confirm her thoughts, ¡°Can¡¯t stand being apart from you, not even for a second.¡±
Xanthea couldn¡¯t help butugh, now convinced he really missed her, sticking to her like a little kid.
¡°Aren¡¯t we together now?¡±
¡°Not enough. I wish I could open up and tuck you inside me, or maybe, you could tuck me inside you right now, so we¡¯d always be connected¡±
Xanthea was like, ¡°? That sounded a bit weird at first, but now it was just in odd.
¡°Orion, behave yourself, okay? Remember how you wore me out that night in costume? I haven¡¯t even settled that score with you!¡±
¡°Will you wear it again for me?¡±
¡°In your dreams!¡±
Dream on then. In the future, he¡¯d find ways to make her wear all sorts of¡
Onon¡¯s gaze darkened, what started as a beautiful thought was making him more and more agitated.
¡°Orion, these fireflies are so beautiful.¡± Xanthea picked up a ss jar next to her, her eyes sparkling with joy. ¡°How did you find them this season?¡±
They¡¯re bred.¡±
¡°People actually breed them?¡±
¡°Yeah.¡±
Orion opened the jar, and a swarm of fireflies rushed out, filling the entire cabin, twinkling like little stars that blinked and moved, enveloping them in a close, magical glow
Xanthea was enchanted, feeling as if she was in a radiant, dreamy gxy, with a fireflynding on her fingertip. Through it, she could see the peaceful, breathtaking night view below, just like the Ferris wheel ride she had imagined with him when she was a kid.
Her Ori had made her dream true after all these years. Tears of joy filled her eyes again.
¡°Orion.¡± She wrapped her arms around his neck, ¡°You remembered all these things over the years, was it hard for you?¡±
¡°Yeah, especially at night.¡±
CHAPTER 473
Chapter 473
¡°Not at all, it¡¯s just that at night, I miss you the most, wont you the most
¡°Be serious for a moment.¡±
Xanthea gently grazed his cheek, igniting his desire like throwing gasoline on a fire, nearly pushing him to the edge.
¡°Over these years, what¡¯s something you¡¯ve really wanted to do? Tell me, and I¡¯ll make it happen for you!¡±
¡°Really?¡± Orion¡¯s deep, desire¨Cfilled eyes suddenly shed open, burning intensely as he looked at her, ¡°What I really want is to whisk you away to a deserted ind, where I can have you without restraint. No matter how much you scream, no one will hear; no matter how much you beg. I won¡¯t stop. You¡¯ll be forever with me¡±
He had thought about this more than a million times.
Seeing the slightly fierce look on his handsome face, and the twisted light shining in the depth of his eyes, Xanthea silently let go of his neck. ¡°This Ferris wheel is so slow, why aren¡¯t we down yet?¡±
She needed to run as soon as they got off, escape quickly! She couldn¡¯t let this madman catch her
No wonder there was an ind in the middle of theke at Xanthea Haven Estate, surrounded by a sturdy fence. Thinking about it now, it was a cage tailor-made for her!Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.
¡°Xannie, we¡¯re at
at the to
7
top.¡±
¡°The legend of the Ferris wheel isn¡¯t just about couples riding it together, it¡¯s also about sharing a kiss at the highest point to stay together forever¡±
¡°Ah?¡± Xanthea was stunned, ¡°After all these years, they¡¯ve added a new twist?¡±
¡°It¡¯s not new. It¡¯s always been this
way.¡±
¡°That¡¯s a lie. If it¡¯s always been like this, did you n to kiss me when we were kids too?
¡°Mm¨Chmm.¡±
Caught off guard by his response, before she could react, she found herself enveloped in his arms, in a fervent, passionate kiss.
¡°Mmm¡¡±
Atop the grand Ferris wheel, inside a glowing cabin, their entwined figures kissing were like something out of a painting, beautiful beyond words.
Eloise couldn¡¯t resist capturing the moment with her phone.
¡°Such a perfect couple on the Ferris wheel, it¡¯s just too romantic and pleasing to the eye¡±
¡°Mmm.¡±
After what felt like ages, as the Ferris wheel finally began its descent, Xanthea, running out of breath, weakly pushed him away.
¡°Orion, I just remembered something. Where¡¯s Eloise?!¡±
Orion, still lost in his desire, continued to kiss her, his hoarse voice filled with feverish obsession, ¡°You¡¯re only thinking of her now?¡±
¡°Wait, did you two o scheme this together? No wonder she was acting so strange today, insisting on taking me to the amusement park in the middle of the night to catch fireflies!¡±
¡°I met with Fred and his team this morning, and on the way.¡± He paused, nibbling at her neck as his Adam¡¯s apple bobbed violently, he pleaded, his voice raspy, ¡°Xannie, please don¡¯t go back tonight, okay?¡±
¡°But I¡¯ve already promised Ethan, and besides, were getting married the day after tomorrow. There¡¯s something really important we need to do tomorrow.¡±
¡°ill take care of it¡°.
¡°No, we need to do it together¡±
¡°What is it?¡±
As desire clouded his gaze, Xanthea lifted her face solemnly towards him, ¡°I want to visit your parents¡® graves with you, we¡¯re getting marned.¡±
to tell them
Orion was taken aback, the fiery passion in his eyes momentarily receding, reced by a deep, profound love so intense it felt like it could tear her apart.
¡°Baby, are you trying to kill me with your
CHAPTER 474
Chapter 474
In the quiet suburb of Crestwood, nestled among the dense pines and cypresses of a serene cemetery, stood a meticulously maintained, solemn tombstone bearing the names ¨C Husband: Harrison Lockwood, Wife: Juliette Lockwood, ¡°Forever faithful, together
for eternity.¡±
Orion gently ced a bouquet of pink forget-me¨Cnots in front of the grave.
Their slender stems and oval petals swayed in the wind, adorned with the dew of the early moming
He gazed at the photo on the tombstone, showing his parents together, smiling in bliss, as hisshes cast a shadow over his sorrowful
eyes.This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .
Forget¨Cme¨Cnots were his mother¡¯s favorite flower and the only thing his father held when he passed away.
As a child, he couldn¡¯t understand why his father seemed to be a different person after his mother¡¯s death, smoking, heavy drinking, wandering aimlessly, never sober, never once looking at him again.
He thought his father didn¡¯t love him, until he met Xannie.
Only then did he realize his father¡¯s heart had left with his mother, living each day like a soulless shell, enduring unbearable pain, trying to survive was his way of showing love, but eventually, he couldn¡¯t bear it any longer.
Xanthea, seeing the sadness in his eyes, as if he was reminiscent of a distant and painful memory, couldn¡¯t help but hold his hand tightly, intertwining their fingers.
¡°Mr. and Mrs. Lockwood, I¡¯m Xanthea, Orion¡¯s love. We¡¯re getting married tomorrow, and we hope for your blessing.
Even though you left Onion early, he grew up healthy and safe. Only from now on, he won¡¯t be alone. I¡¯ll be by his side forever, loving him, taking care of him, filling the void of love he¡¯s missed over the years, and turning him back into the cheerful little boy you remember, trust me!¡±
Her delicate hand was warm and strong, her energy seeping into him, strengthening him.
Orion looked at her radiant like a sun, her fist tightened as if she was making a vow, his lips curving into a smile.
He closed his eyes and kissed the back of her hand gently, his tall frame trembling slightly
¡°Mom and Dad,¡± he murmured, ¡°don¡¯t worry, an angel hase to love me in your stead now.¡±
December 9th. Lakeside Manor
The soft morning light filtered through the ornate windows, illuminating the girl in a breathtaking strapless wedding dress.
Her long, curly hair was elegantly pinned up, with a few yful strands framing her radiant, enchanting face.
Ace veil adomed with tiny diamonds lightly covered her slender, graceful neck,plementing the jade bracelet on her wrist.
The intricate and exquisite patterns of the dress outlined her beautiful back and slender waist, while the hern was embroidered with dazzling beads.
The voluminous skirt spread out on the floor like a cascade of moonlight, dreamy and splendid, incredibly beautiful.
¡°My goodness, Ms. Nightshade, you look absolutely stunning! I can say without exaggeration that you are the most beautiful bride I¡¯ve ever seen!¡± the stylist eximed, admiring her appearance.
Xanthea, lost in her reflection, had dreamed of this moment countless times, but nothingpared to the overwhelming joy of the actual day, especially knowing that soon, Orion would take her hand.
The thought was utterly romantic.
¡°Wow!¡±
¡°Ah, Xan, Xan, you look so beautiful!¡±
CHAPTER 475
Chapter 475
an you be this stunning?!¡±
¡°Xan, are you like some kind of runaway princess? How can
Outside the door, a gaggle of bridesmaids and friends, buzzing with excitement, burst in. Their chatter andughter filled the mom, surrounding her like a flock of meny birds.
¡°You¡¯re so gorgeous. It¡¯s almost criminal to let you get married!¡±
¡°Who wouldn¡¯t say our bride looks like a goddess descended from heaven?¡±
¡°I always thought Xan would be thest one of us to get hitched, considering no one seemned worthy enough. And yet, here she is, tying the knot so young!¡±
¡°Absolutely, let¡¯s grab a group plc before we head to the groom¡¯s ce. We might not get another chance with this crowd!¡±
Ethan and Samuel, dapper in their suits, walked in, their spirits high. Upon seeing Xanthea, encircled by her entourage, they were both momentarily spellbound, a mix of pride and bittersweet feelings washing over them.
Their world¡¯s most beautiful, adorable little fairy sister was getting married today.
¡°Mr. Ethan Nightshade, Mr. Samuel Nightshade, the groom¡¯s squad has arrived to fetch the bride!¡±
¡°The groom¡¯s already here?!¡±Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.
¡°He must be dying to see our lovely bride!¡±
¡°Girls!¡± Eloise eximed, raising her hand excitedly. ¡°The groom is super, ridiculously handsome. Are you sure you don¡¯t want to sneak a peek?¡±
¡®Let¡¯s go, let¡¯s go!¡±
As the bridesmaids and friends scampered off, lifting her dress hem, Xanthes made to follow but was held back by Ethan and Samuel.
*Sis, v
¡°Sis, where do you think you¡¯re heading?¡±
¡°Don¡¯t you know the bride is supposed to y it cool?¡±
Xanthea couldn¡¯t contain her excitement.
Orion must look absolutely dashing in his groom¡¯s attire today! She hadn¡¯t even caught a glimpse yet, and soon, he¡¯d be swarmed by all her anthomaniac friends!
¡°I just go make sure they don¡¯t mob
the
groom!*
¡°Ha!¡± The butler couldn¡¯t help but chuckle, ¡°Usually, it¡¯s the bride everyone worries about, but here we are, concerned about the groom
Given Orion¡¯s temperament, there was no worry about him causing a scene. However, Xanthea¡¯s friends were a different story entirely!
¡°Are you sure you want to head out like this?¡± Samuel asked a hint of brotherly concern in his voice, ¡°Don¡¯t forget what you still have to do.¡±
Reminded by Samuel, Xanthea suddenly remembered. Right! She had a surprise to prepare. She couldn¡¯t let herself be distracted by his
charm.
¡°Alright, stay put. Ethan and I will go and send him back.¡±
¡°Aw,e on!¡±
But by the time she tried to stop them, the two had already left without a trace.
¡°Orion, you¡¯re here.¡±
¡°You¡¯ve brought gifts before, why sending more?¡±
At the foot of the Lakeside Manor stairs, Christopher and Susanna were taken aback by the sight of the bustling crowd and thevish line¨Cup of wedding cars, speechless at the grandeur
They had heard Orion mention that the wedding arrangements were all set and felt a bit unconvinced, but seeing it today.
It was like something out of a royal wedding from ancient times- the borate preparations, the procession stretching down the street, a celebration for all to see.
¡°Christopher, Susanna, I¡¯m here for Xanbie.¡±
¡°Haha!¡± Theirughter filled the air, delighted by his informal address. The wedding hadn¡¯t even started yet, and he was already calling them this way.
¡°Ah, the groom is so hot!¡±
¡°Help, now I see why Xan agreed to
CHAPTER 476
Chapter 476
Orion stepped out in a crisp, pristine white suit today, the fabric seemed to whisper of luxury and elegance. His cuffs were adorned with matching crystal cufflinks, and a vibrant red iris pinned to his chest made him stand out, giving him the aura of a celestial being descending among mortals. His appearance alone was enough to send a wave of shrieks and gasps through the gathering of bridesmaids anddies in attendance. ¨C
¡°Come on in!¡± Christopher and Susanna called out warmly, beckoning Orion forward. He was just stepping up with a gift box in his hand. when two figures firmly blocked his path.
¡°Ethan, Samuel.¡±
¡°No matter how sweetly you call me, you¡¯re not seeing Xan today.¡±
ke the
¡°Looks like
brother¨Cinws are giving the groom a hard time.¡±Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.
The crowd around them chuckled and jeered, while Ethan and Samuel spoke seriously, ¡°We¡¯re not joking. It¡¯s a tradition passed down from our family. You can¡¯t have it until you¡¯re at the wedding venue. You¡¯re not thinking of barging in forcefully, are you?¡±
¡°Of course not.¡±
His humble and gentle demeanor pleased Samuel, who whispered something so low that even those straining their ears nearby couldn¡¯t catch it
Orion, taken aback, nced deeply into the vi, curiosity and anticipation in his gaze, before handing over his gift to them,
¡°Please, give this to Xannie for me.¡±
¡°Will do.¡±
Samuel nodded, ¡°in half an hour, the caravan will be ready to go. You guys head off first. Ethan, me, and Xan will follow in thest few pink sports cars.¡±
¡°Orion, are we just going back like this?¡±
¡°Boss, we haven¡¯t even seen the bride yet!¡±
The Lockwood family¡¯s friends, rtives, as well as shareholders and colleagues from the corporation were baffled, anxiously wondering what was going on. Orion, however, remained the picture of grace and politeness, ¡°Let¡¯s follow their customs.¡± ¡°Ahhh, not only is he handsome, but he¡¯s also so graceful and gentlemanly. What a catch!¡±
o the m moon and back!¡±
¡°Xan is so lucky to marry a man who adores and cherishes her to
¡°Tsk, only in a Crestwood billionaire¡¯s wedding would you see such avish procession of cars. It¡¯s unprecedented luxury!¡±
¡°Let¡¯s hope these thirty minutes fly by: I can¡¯t wait to see their wedding venue. It¡¯s going to be magnificent!¡±
Inside the room, Xanthea listened to the bustling noise outside, her heart itching with curiosity. Just as she was about to sneak a peek, her parents, Ethan and Samuel walked in.
¡°Huh? What are you doing here? Shouldn¡¯t you be greeting Orion?¡±
¡°He¡¯s already headed back.¡±
¡°What?¡± Xanthea¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief, ¡°Headed back? But wasn¡¯t he supposed toe for me?!¡±
¡°Come for you? Princesses don¡¯t need fetching, a knight¡¯s escort is enough. Wouldn¡¯t you like it if Ethan and I escort you instead?¡±
¡°Samuel, did you give him a hard time again?¡±
Xanthea¡¯s frown deepened as she pinched the back of his hand, her nails digging in until he yelped, ¡°Xan, you ungrateful kid, you haven¡¯t even left yet and are already treating your own brother this way?¡±
Christopherughed. ¡°Samuel, stop teasing your sister. We should be careful not to miss the auspicious time.¡±
¡°Xan, Samuel¡¯s just pulling your leg Orion is waiting in the hall. We¡¯ll be leaving in about half an hour¡±
¡°Really?¡±
CHAPTER 477
Chapter 477
¡°Really¡± Ethan set aside the gift box he was holding. ¡°He also bro
ught something else, specifically asking to be given to you Must be at gift. Why don¡¯t you open it and see?¡±
A gift?This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .
Xanthea couldn¡¯t wait to pull off the ribbon and lift the lid off the box. Inside, she found a set of iris jewelry made of the most delicate, shimmering, and translucent jade, wrapped in a subtle hint ofvender aura. She was utterly gobsmacked
Wasn¡¯t this the same priceless, one¨Cof¨Ca¨Ckind amethyst she had uncovered for Orionst time, valued at a hundred million? He had it meticulously crafted into iris¨Cshaped jewelry to give to her
The Nightshade family was equally stunned.
¡°This jewelry set is just too gorgeous!¡±
¡°Xan, isn¡¯t this the millennium amethyst that made the news before?¡±
¡°Not only did he turn such a precious stone into jewelry, but he also crafted it into Xan¡¯s favorite ins design. How thoughtful
¡°Seriously, looking around, this is the only piece that¡¯s worthy of our little sister today.¡±
Xanthea was overwhelmed with surprise and moved beyond words. She gently touched the exquisite amethyst jewelry and the inscription ¡°To my beloved wife¡± etched below it, her heart warming slightly
¡°Xan,e here. Let us put them on for you.¡±
Christopher and Susanna carefully picked up the ne and earrings from the box to adorn her with
¡°Today you¡¯re getting married. From now on, your dad, me and your brothers can¡¯t always be by your side. You and Orion must cherish and love each other, live harmoniously, and not throw little princess tantrums like before. Don¡¯t worry us.¡±
A heavy atmosphere of marriage and separation filled the air. At the sight of her earnest parents and her brothers kneeling to carefully put on her anklet, Xanthea¡¯s heart was suddenly flooded with a profound sense of reluctance to part
Over the years, her parents and brothers had truly treated her like a treasure, showering her with endless love and protection.
And now, she was about to get married.
¡°Xan, even though you¡¯re getting married, you¡¯ll always be my little princess. No matter what happens, I hope you¡¯ll always be sincere and innocent. If anyone or anything ever upsets you or treats you unfairly, over to someone else.¡±
¡°Samuel.¡±
¡°But, he has given me some peace of mind.¡± Samuel gently patted her back, ¡°There¡¯s something I haven¡¯t told you. Orion has included you in his will as the sole inheritor.¡±
¡°What?¡±
Xanthea lifted her face in shock, tears shimmering on hershes.
¡°We all believe that a man who loves you so deeply will always treat you right. That¡¯s why we¡¯re at peace giving you to him.¡±
CHAPTER 478
Chapter 478
Half an hourter, the grand bridal procession, nked by the Nightshade family¡¯s.friends and other guests, all boarded their vehicles, with a couple of pink Velocity Motors supercars encircled protectively in the middle.
Surrounded by a crowd, Xanthea, cradling her bouquet, gracefully descended the steps. A few red umbres were hoisted high, shielding her stunning beauty from view. Only the trailing edge of her pristine white wedding gown was visible, held firmly by Ethan and Samuel, who were like two gant knights safeguarding their princess on her journey to matrimony.
¡°The bride is in the car!¡±
A shout went up, and hundreds of luxury cars roared to life.
At the same time, a wedding that shook the nation was pinned to the top of every major social media tform!Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.
#Shocking! The most luxurious bridal car lineup in history, 520 supercars taking over the central streets of Crestwood, with a diamond¨Cencrusted pink sports car in the middle stunning onlookers!#
#Reportedly, at today¡¯s wedding. Orion, chairman of the Lockwood Group, and Xanthea, the precious daughter of the Nightshade family, officially announced at the Celestial Cinema Awards, are the envy of all!#
#Wealth rivalry, unlimited doting! Rumors are that the wedding will take ce at Crestwood¡¯s premier estate that haspleted its ten years construction, spanning nearly 250 acres, officially named ¨C Xanthea Haven Estate#
#Fan frenzy! News of the wedding caused Oranthea fan groups to gather for charity, creating such a buzz it crashed Twitter¡¯s servers!#
#The most luxurious wedding of the century fresh out of the oven #
Outside the bronze fences of Xanthea Haven Estate, 520 luxury wedding cars were parked, with servants slowly opening the gilded gates wrapped in bright red satin ribbons, revealing a breathtakingly beautiful scene inside, like something out of a fairytale.
¡°Wow!¡±
Everyone who got out of their cars was struck speechless by the sight
¡°Have we stepped into paradise?¡±
Elegant champagne canopies, romantic balloon ribbons, delicate dew kissed flowers, and fine vinece adomed the magnificent estate, making the pavilions,kes, lush forests, vast meadows, and sky¨Cgazing terraces seem like a mythical forest sanctuary, all gathered on a picturesque fairy isle.
The ind was covered with soft green foliage, with a path cleared in the middle. People lined both sides, with vine¨Cwrapped arches one after another, and the ground paved with ck and gold marble tiles was strewn with bright, beautiful rose petals. The pink Velocity Motors supercar leaped over them, stirring up a shower of petals.
Through the sunroof, a single crimson rose fell onto Xanthea¡¯s forehead.
She marveled at the beautiful shower of rose petals and the scenery outside, too beautiful for words.
In just nine days, how had Orion transformed this ce into a floral paradise, a wedding hall of dreams?!
¡°The bride is here!¡±
¡°The bride is here.¡±
¡°Oh my god, I only caught a glimpse of her silhouette, but she¡¯s super stunning!¡±
¡°Don¡¯t rush, everyone, head to the wedding venue and wait; the bride will make her appearance soon!¡±
¡°We¡¯re here.¡±
Ethan and Samuel, navigating through the throngs, folded the red umbres and escorted Xanthea into the bridal suite.
A few servants hurriedly took the bouquet and arranged her gown.
Chapter 479
¡°Mrs. Lockwood, are you thirsty? Want some water?¡±
I¡¯m fine, thank you. Ethan, Samuel, how about you guys?¡±
CHAPTER 479
Chapter 479
¡°No, thanks.¡± Ethan replied, ¡°I¡¯ve got to head over to the wedding venue to check on Uncle¡¯s speech, make sure everything¡¯s set.¡±
111 pass too.¡± Samuel snapped his fingers with a mysterious grin, ¡°Gotta go make some magic happen for your n!¡±
¡°Thanks, Samuel.¡±
After they left, Xanthea sighed and curiously picked up a bunch of gifts and cards scattered on the bed. As they slipped through her fingers, she noticed a beautiful decal among them. It depicted a scene of her and Orlon holding hands as children, so delicately and beautifully crafted, with her holding a doll.
How thoughtful and detailed! She picked up the decal and gently pushed open the ornate window, holding it up to the brilliant sun outside. Their tiny figures shimmered in the light.
¡°It¡¯s so pretty.¡±
The garden bloomed around her, like stepping into a fairy tale forest, and she, the princess in her castle, waiting for her prince charming.
Orion had fulfilled every girlish fantasy she ever had.
Remembering back to her debutante ball, waking up to grab his crisply pressed trouser leg, hearing his cool, distant voice, she never imagined she¡¯d be so utterly won over by his tenderness and love.
¡°Bang!¡±
She thought Orion had arranged for there to be no pranks on the bride, but suddenly, the door burst open, and a tiny, speedy pink blur charged towards her, followed by a high¨Cpitched wail.
¡°Hey!¡±Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.
Xanthea caught ¡°her¡± in surprise, eyes tracing from her tiny flower shoes and pink dress up to her familiar, rosy¨Ccheeked face, uncertainly uttering, ¡°Seb?!¡±
??? ? ?? ?? ??? ?? ? * 6?? ????? *
Sebastian clenched his little fists, rubbing his eyes while sobbing heartbreakingly.
¡°Miss Pretty, Uncle, that bad man, has stolen you away in the end! You didn¡¯t want to marry him, right? You love me the most!¡± His cries were heart¨Cwrenching, while Xanthea couldn¡¯t help but burst intoughter at his outfit.
¡°Seb, who turned you into a little flower girl? Hahaha.¡±
Changed as he was, even his gender seemed switched up for the asion, wearing flower shoes and a dress, and his hair done in tiny curls to match anyone not paying attention might mistake him for a lovely little girl!
¡°It was Uncle, that big viin, and he even had Leonard take lots of pictures of me. He said if I ever talk out of turn in front of the medial again, he¡¯d share my pictures with the whole school. Help me!¡±
Xanthea couldn¡¯t stopughing. Orion was just too much! But this trick, why did it sound so familiar? Imitating her?
¡°Miss Pretty, he always bullies me. You have to help me get back at him!¡±
Sebastian had been too caught up in his tears upon entering, but now, opening his big eyes slightly wider, he finally saw¡.
CHAPTER 480
Chapter 480
¡°Wow! You look so beautiful, like Cindere herself! Please don¡¯t marry my uncle, okay? Let¡¯s run away together!¡±
¡°Seb, looks like your uncle¡¯s punishment wasn¡¯t enough, huh?¡±
A crisp, cheerful voice echoed from the door as Leonard, Octavia, and Bowen walked in. The moment they eyes on Xanthea, holding Sebastian, they were utterly spellbound.
She was breathtakingly stunning, her wedding dress making her look like a falry descended from the heavens, radiantly elegant. The shimmering amethyst jewelry only highlighted her porcin¨Clike skin, making her glow even more.
¡°Whoa¡±
Leonard couldn¡¯t help but gasp, understanding for the first time why Orion had been willing to wait over a decade for a woman. Now, he felt a lifetime of waiting would be worth it.
Octavia eximed, ¡°Xan, you¡¯re the most beautiful bride¡¯I¡¯ve ever seen.
¡°Orion is a lucky man.¡±
¡°Thank you, Octavia, Leonard.¡±
¡°It was Leonard and Uncle Orion who bullied me!¡±
Seeing Leonard, Sebastian couldn¡¯t wait to tattle.
Leonard smirked, ¡°Just took a few photos of you, how¡¯s that bullying? The real fun is yet toe. Your grandpa said tonight you¡¯ll be sleeping on the bed in their house, praying for Orion and Xan to have a kid as adorable as you¡±
At those words, Sebastian¡¯s cries grew louder. He was her little boyfriend, not her son!
¡°OMG!!
¡°Everyone,e quick, the bride looks insanely beautifull¡±
¡°Man, did I just see an angel?¡±
A rowdymotion suddenly erupted from outside. Xanthea turned to see Nelson, Martin, and Rachel. Why were they here?
¡°Surprise!¡±
¡°Xan, happy wedding!¡±
¡°Did you expect us to show
up?
¡°Not really, you guys aren¡¯t busy?¡±
¡°Too busy to miss your big day here?¡± Rachel interjected, ¡°Besides, we¡¯re your oldest fans, witnessing your journey from reality show to wedding gown!¡±
¡°Exactly!¡± Nelson added, ¡°But I¡¯m not just here for the free drinks, brought a song to y at the wedding toor
Martin sighed, ¡°Xan, I¡¯m almost embarrassed to admit, I¡¯m still crushing on you, and here I am at your wedding
The room erupted inughter.
Then, the director and crew of Adventure Blitz: Two Days, One Night, along with Kevin Smith and the co¨Cstars of Realm of Illusions, walked in.
¡°Shouldn¡¯t be sad yet. Being her other half in the drama, I haven¡¯t even started¡±
¡°Phoenix is getting hitched, and as her underlings, we¡¯ve gotta be here to support!¡±
Xan, happy marriage. If I had known you¡¯d look this stunning in a wedding dress, I¡¯d have demanded a wedding scene reshoot!¡±
At the back, Benjamin approached slowly with a bouquet of lilies, ¡°Though I¡¯m not sure why Orion invited me, I still want to wish my good friend a joyful marriage and a lifetime of happiness!¡±Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.
¡°Thank you!¡±
Seeing them, Xanthea was overwhelmingly touched.
She thought their busy schedules as celebrities would keep them from attending her wedding. Yet, Orion had managed to invite them all.
¡°I¡¯m so grateful and moved that you all could make it to my wedding. I don¡¯t even know what to say How about having some candies?¡± She grabbed the candies from the bed and started handing them out, filling the room with joy andughter.
Outside, the open¨Cair wedding was a sight to behold, with guests milling about amid Buttering ribbons and balloons, enveloped in a picturesque setting that felt almost magical.
The string quartet¡¯s melodious tunes mingled with the fragrance in the air, while a gentle breeze stirred the vibrant irises blooming all around, their colors so vivid it was like a flock of beautiful butterflies
CHAPTER 481
Chapter 481
¡°Wow, just wow! Breathtaking, truly breathtaking!¡±
7 guess this must be what Xan mentioned at the Celestial Cinema Awards ceremony, the mountain of irises Mr. Lockwood nted for her?¡±
¡°How romantic is that? Which girl could possibly say no?¡±
Christopher and Susanna were invited to join Theodore and the rest of the Lockwood family on the raised tform to mingle and chat. Oliver stood off to the side of the stage, silently rehearsing his lines in his head. Ethan and Samuel looked up at the mountain. nketed with irises, utterly astounded.
¡°Who would have thought? Orion nted a whole mountain of irises. He really loves Xan.¡±
¡°That¡¯s because our Xan is inesistible!¡±
¡°Is it time?¡±
Getting the cue through his earpiece, Oliver picked up the microphone and cleared his throat, facing the audience.
¡°Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends and family, please take your seats in an orderly fashion; the wedding is about to begin!
I¡¯m deeply honored and thrilled to be here today as the bride¡¯s uncle, acting as the officiant for her and her groom¡¯s wedding.
Most of you might not know, but the bride and groom have met when they were just children, their bond forged by chance but deeply rooted in mutual affection.
This bond has weathered storms and basked in sunshine, growing stronger with each passing day, blossoming into the beautiful flower of love we celebrate today.
As an elder, I sincerely and wholeheartedly wish them a life filled with love, happiness, and unity! Now, let¡¯s wee our adorable flower boys to join the groom¡±
Down the rose petal¨Ccovered aisle, a pair of cute little flower boys walked hand in hand.
The guests immediately noticed Sebastian dressed up as a girl, his brown curls bouncing, wearing a lovely pink dress, his pout asical as Donald Duck¡¯s, making everyoneugh with his adorably disgruntled look towards the man on stage.
Oliver nced at his watch, all three hands pointing to twelve, and loudly announced. ¡°The auspicious moment has arrived
Let¡¯s wee, with the warmest round of apuse, the most beautiful bride in the world as she makes her grand entrance!¡±
As he finished,
I, cameras from dozens of angles turned towards the entrance of the aisle.
? ???? ? ? ? ?? ? ???
The sky was clear, the sun warm and shining, casting a radiant glow on the groom in his sharp, white suit, on his well¨Cshaped brows, deep eyes, and then his chiseled face, making him look almost divine, bathed in light.
His eyes, filled with eager anticipation, were fixed on the entrance,
Today, he was marrying the girl he had adored for so many years; a dream woulde true. But one second, two seconds, few seconds passed, and the bride had yet to appear
¡°Why hasn¡¯t shee out?¡±This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .
¡°I have no idea.¡±
lle
Just as the crowd began to murmur a sweet, melodious and resounding voice cut through the air.
¡°Ori, I¡¯m here to marry you.¡±
Orion turned around to see the girl descending on a round parachute, in a stunning white wedding dress holding arge bouquet of Irises, her smile as bright as the sun, like an angeling towards him, just like when he first saw her.
He was mesmerized.
Xannie¡±
Once upon a time, there was someone who loved you for a very, very long time.
CHAPTER 482
Chapter 482
Outside the quiet, towering wrought¨Ciron gates of Xanthea Haven Estate, Isabe watched from a distance as Orion and Xanthea embraced lovingly amidst a sea of irises, their sweet kisses painting a scene straight out of a fairy tale, reminiscent of a prince and princess in love. Silently, she put on her sunsses.
¡°Xanthea,¡± she thought, ¡°may your marriage be filled with joy and lifelongpanionship.¡±
¡°Who¡¯s that over there?¡±
¡°I don¡¯t know. Let¡¯s check it out!¡±
Two patrolling security guards spotted her and quickly approached.
¡°Hello, can I ask who this is?¡±
¡°Just passing by.¡±
Before they could say more, Isabe was ready to leave. The guards exchanged a look and both stepped in front of her.
Today was Mr. and Mrs. Lockwood¡¯s wedding day, and the estate was surrounded by top¨Ctier security. Not a single mistake could be afforded. The person in front of them was cloaked in a baseball cap, a face mask, and sunsses; aside from her incognito state, she also seemed to have been lurking around and peeking from a distance, which was just too suspicious!
¡°Sorry, Miss, but we¡¯re concerned about your identity. Could you please show us your ID?¡±
¡°You don¡¯t have the right.¡±
¡°Then we¡¯ll have to call police.¡±
One of the guards reached for the walkie¨Ctalkie to alert the estate¡¯s staff, but Isabe quickly pulled down her mask.
Seeing her face, the guards froze.
¡°You are Isabe Taylor?¡±
e the estate
estate? Why are you standing out here?¡±
¡°Ms. Taylor? Why aren¡¯t you inside
Isabe asked, ¡°Can I go now?¡±
¡°Of course, of course!¡±
Watching her retreat, the guards were left puzzled.
¡°Wasn¡¯t she here for the wedding? Why hide out here?¡±
¡°Could it be she didn¡¯t have an invitation?¡±
¡°How could that be? She¡¯s a famous star, even appeared on a show with Mrs. Lockwood. They seemed close. And there are many celebrities here today not nearly as famous as her!¡±
¡°What¡¯s going on then? Should we tell Mr. and Mrs. Lockwood?¡±
2 1 0 2 3 0 * 2 2 5 7 258 25
¡°Let¡¯s wait until the wedding¡¯s over, and tell Mrs. Lockwood then.¡±
After leaving Xanthea Haven Estate, Isabe headed straight for an international flight. She spent three months abroad working on a film before finally returning home.Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.
The film turned out great, and her agent arranged a celebration party for her at New Hotel.
¡°Isabe, take it easy on the drinks. Be careful not to get drunk.¡±
Wendy saw her sitting in aer, downing one drink after another and voiced her concer.
Since the end of ¡°Adventure Blitz: Two Days, One Night¡± and falling out with Xanthea, Isabe had been downeast, hardly ever smiling except when on set. Now, she seemed determined to drown her sorrows in alcohol.
As Wendy put together her previous actions- mimicking Xanthea, acting tough but showing a soft heart in defending Xanthes, silently crying when Xanthea proposed to someone else, and secretly attending Xanthea¡¯s wedding, a bold suspicion arose in her mind. Could Isabe have fallen for Xanthea?!
Coming out was one thing; after all, it wasn¡¯t unheard of in the entertainment industry. But the issue was that Xanthea was not only a
woman but also now a married one!
And most importantly, Chairman Lockwood was the powerhouse behind Starlight Media. Bing rivals in love with him, wasn¡¯t Isabe just setting herself up for disaster?
¡°Just leave me be. If I get drunk, 11 just head back to rest.¡±
Isabe pushed her away, snapping Wendy out of her wild spections.
Chapter 482
Shaking off the absurd thoughts, Wendy said, ¡°I¡¯ll book a room for you at the New Hotel then, okay? Just in case you¡¯re too drunk to make it back on your own
Isabe didn¡¯t respond, so Wendy took it as a ¡°yes¡± and headed downstairs.
CHAPTER 483
Chapter 483
As soon as Wendy stepped away, the balding middle¨Caged man who had been leering over at isabe seized his chance like a vulture spotting a meal. Clutching his beer, his potbelly leading the way, he sauntered over.
¡°Isabe, drowning your sorrows in booze all by your lonesome? Come on, lighten up. How about a chat? I¡¯m your biggest fan, you know.¡±
Isabe, slightly tipsy, turned around only to be greeted by a sleazy grin stered across a plump, porcine face. Having been around the block a few times, she could instantly tell what he was after. The alcohol in her system only amplified her disgust, and without a second thought, she doused him with her drink, ¡°Buzz offf¡±
With a ssh, the man¡¯s shirt was soaked half, anger shing in his eyes as he stood up, teeth clenched, about to p her, only to find her copsing onto the bar.
¡°Bitch! Don¡¯t y dead, get up!
He grabbed her by the cor noticing she didn¡¯t react, seemingly passed out drunk;scivious thoughts started creeping into his mind.
He had only intended to hit on her, to leave his number, considering how many stars would kill for a chance with a loaded boss like him. But now, not only had he been rejected, but he was also soaked in booze. She had struck first, and he wasn¡¯t about to y nice
anymore!This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .
Looking around and seeing no one paying them any mind, he sneakily propped her up and made his way to the hotel.
¡°Ugh!¡±
On the king¨Csize bed of a hotel room, with the harsh re of the crystal chandelier above and the alcohol churning in her stomach. Isabe woke up feeling nauseous. As she tried to get up to vomit, she saw a blurry figure across the room¨Ca rotund, balding middle¨Caged man stripping, while shey on a stark white bedsheet
¡°AN¡±
Her scream cut through the silence as she clutched the duvet tightly, sobering up considerably.
Hearing her scream, the man turned, a sleazy smile on his face as he rubbed his hands together, ¡°Hey there, beauty, you¡¯re awake?¡±
¡°Who are you?!¡±
¡°The one who¡¯s gonna make you feel good!¡±
He lunged at her, his quivering mass of flesh and lecherous gaze terrifying Isabe.
¡°Get off! Get away!¡±
As she struggled desperately, she managed to grab her phone, hitting the speed dial for her contacts, but before she could make a call, the bald snatched the phone away, tossing it under the bed.
¡°Stop fighting, darling. Stick with me, and I¡¯ll make sure you get whatever roles you
want!¡±
His bulky frame pinned her down like a mountain, leaving her powerless to resist. Isabe fought back with despair and tears, her face smeared with them.
As the phone rang, Xanthea was in the middle of ab demonstration for her team. She nced at the caller ID shing ¡°Isabe¡°, her actions momentarily pausing.
Her? Why
? Why would she call her out of the blue? They had long since drifted apart, with almost a year of silence between them,
She reached to disconnect the call but hesitated at the sound of the persistent ringing, eventually answering.
¡°Hello?¡±
As soon as the call connected, the sound of a heavy p echoed through.
¡°You slut, dared to bite me? You¡¯re asking forit! Me noticing you should have been an honor for you. Ungrateful bitch, you¡¯ll leam!¡±
¡°Get off, get off! Help, someone, help!¡±
The sounds of insults, a woman¡¯s pleas for help, and the tearing of fabric made Xanthea¡¯s eyes instantly narrow, realizing what was happening.
CHAPTER 484
Chapter 484
¡°Don¡¯t bother screaming, you¡¯re at the top floor of New Hotel, and even if you scream your lungs out, no one¡¯s gonnae to save your
New Hotel? Samuel was attending a g there.
Barely minutes after the sleazy bald finished speaking, a series of knocks sounded on the door.
He nced at the woman on the bed, her clothes nearly torn to shreds, and stuffed the bedsheet firmly into her mouth, cursing as he got out of bed. ¡°Who the heck is it? Interrupting me at this hour. Mr. Nightshade?¡±
His tone changed in fright, his face paling.
¡°Sorry, sorry, I didn¡¯t know it was you, I was out of line, mally out of line!¡±
Through the crack of the door, Samuel saw the woman lying on the bed and kicked the bald man flying with one swift move.
The bald mmed into the entryway, wailing in pain. Before he could recover, a cold, hard shoe pressed down on his face, nearly ttening out all his features.
¡°Nick, haven¡¯t settled the embezzling and peddling fake mess and you still dare to cause trouble?¡±
¡°No, no, Mr. Nightshade, please spare me. Ow! Stop, please stop!¡±
Isabe trembled all over, tears streaming down her face as she curled up in the corner of the bed. At the sight of the man at the door harshly disciplining the bald, she felt like seeing her guardian angel. Her mind raced back to that summer years ago when everyone was pointing fingers and specting maliciously about her, and he was the only one who came over gently and draped his jacket over her.
The bald couldn¡¯t withstand the beating and passed out.
Samuel entered the room; ncing at the disheveled Isabe, almost bare, he tossed a towel her way, and took out his phone, ¡°What¡¯s your assistant¡¯s number?¡±
The woman didn¡¯t respond, just stared at him.
Seeing the fear and gratitude in her eyes, Samuel frowned, ¡°It wasn¡¯t me who saved you, it was Xan¡±
W¨CWhat?
Samuel looked around, picked up a phone from theer, the call still ongoing
Isabe heard Xanthea¡¯s anxious voice.
¡°Samuel? Is that you?¡±
¡°It¡¯s me.¡± Samuel¡¯s voice was soothing. I¡¯m here. Don¡¯t woITY
¡°Is Isabe okay?¡±
¡°She seems fine.¡±Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.
¡°That¡¯s a relief.¡± Xanthea let out a sigh, ¡°Oh remember, make sure to preserve the evidence, don¡¯t call the cops yet. Have the assistant take Isabe home, let her deal with it once she¡¯s calmer. After all, being a celebrity, we have to consider the implications¡±
¡°Got it¡±
Samuel¡¯s tone dripped with resignation and pampering. Did she forget how much she used to dislike Isabe for thetter imitating her back in school? Forgot how Isabe had deliberately targeted her on that variety show?
Now that Isabe was in trouble, she was this concerned
But then again, who else but his sister would be the world¡¯s most innocent and kind¨Chearted angel?
It was Xanthea, indeed Xanthea. Not only did she save her, but she was also so considerate of her situation. Why, why had she done all those things to her before?
Isabe filled with utter regret, tears sparkled in Isabe¡¯s eyes as she buried her head in her knees and broke down crying.
Samuel called Wendy using her phone, and upon hearing the news, Wendy rushed over. He briefly exined the situation and was about to leave when Isabe stopped him.
¡°Mr. Nightshade Can I, can I ask you for a favor?
¡°I wont say anything about today¡±
¡°It¡¯s not about that. Could you arrange a meeting with Xanthea for me? I want to apologize to her face to face.¡±
At the weekend, Sweet Cafe.
23:32 3
Chapter 484
Xanthea arrived at the rooftop and spotted a figure sitting by the window from afar. The figure stood up immediately upon seeing her,
She approached, ncing at her watch
¡°I have a seminar to catch soon, so I¡¯m pressed for time. Speak your mind. If you¡¯re here to thank me for the New Hotel incident, you don¡¯t have to. Anyone who got that call would¡¯ve done the same.¡±
CHAPTER 485
Chapter 485
Isabe looked at her impersonal expression, the light in her eyes slowly dimming.
¡°Sorry, Xanthea, I owe you an apology, a real one.¡±
An apology? For wanting to surpass her in the entertainment industry, and for the lie about handing over those scandalous photos of Matthew and Miranda?Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.
Initially, she did resent her, for ying her and almost causing her to hurt and miss out on Orion. But, she soon realized that missing Orion was an impossibility, and the one who really hurt Orion was herself all along..
On the contrary, she had subtly hinted at the true nature of Matthew and Miranda¡¯s rtionship.
And with that, she let it go. At most, she was just a bit too fond of imitating others, which was annoying.
¡°No need, it¡¯s not about you.¡±
¡°Actually.¡± Isabe said, slightly lowering her head and clutching the hem of her shirt, ¡°back in middle school, I imitated you and 21
Xanthea¡¯s eyebrows twitched, doubting her own ears for a moment before she finally understood.
Back in middle school, Samuel was the president of the student council, always in the spotlight during school events, known for his charm and flirting around. Half the girls in school secretly had a crush on him, so it was normal for her to like him.
But, she struggled to understand the logic. If she liked Samuel, shouldn¡¯t she also like everything associated with him, including her? Whypete and imitate her instead?
¡°At first, I didn¡¯t know you were his sister. I just saw that he ignored everyone but was exceptionally nice to you. I was envious and jealous, so I started imitating you, trying to get his attention. Later, I found out the truth, but she couldn¡¯t stop.
Her beautiful appearance, bright and genuine personality, innate charm and elegance ¨C she admired it all, wanting to emte her, surpass her, to be recognized by her as more than just a copycat, almost like an obsession.
Tm sorry, truly sorry. My selfishness over the years has caused you so much trouble.¡±
¡°And the reason you tricked me into the entertainment industry,peted with me on the show, was because of this?¡±
She nodded. Xanthea was shocked. She had harbored a crush on Samuel for so many years.
¡°I remember, for Samuel¡¯s birthday, he received an anonymous music box with a dancing figurine and handwriting very simr to mine. Was that from you too?¡±
¡°Yes.¡±
¡°Holding onto this secret for so many years, why tell me all this now? Hoping for my forgiveness, nning to confess to Samuel?¡± ¡°No.¡± Isabe shook her head, Tm not nning to confess to Mr. Nightshade anymore.¡±
¡°Why not?¡±
¡°He doesn¡¯t like me.¡±
Past, present, he never did, and probably didn¡¯t even remember her.
From the beginning to the end, it was just her one¨Csided affection. Even, he disliked her for imitating Xanthea.
Xanthea said, ¡°You¡¯ve gone through all this effort to imitate me, carrying the feelings for him for so many years, and now you don¡¯t even have the courage to confess?¡±
¡°Yeah.¡± Isabe looked down, ¡°Not everyone can be like Orion, who, despite being disliked and rejected, can continue to love and wait unwaveringly for years.¡±
Tvee to terms with it, not losing myself over someone anymore or being an annoying copycat. As for the rest, I¡¯ll just let things take their course. Xanthea, will you ept my apology?¡±
CHAPTER 486
Chapter 486
¡°I hope you make peace with yourself and move forward to better days.¡±
Leaning against the hood of a Lamborghini by the side of the asphalt road, Samuel caught sight of Isabe crying as she clung to her little sister¡¯s hand, taking her sweet time before letting her go.
¡°What¡¯s the matter? After what happened at the hotel, did she have a change of heart and cry for your forgiveness?¡±
¡°wasn¡¯t that dramatic.¡±
Xanthea felt a pang of regret for Isabe. To harbor a crush on someone for so many years without even confessing before giving it all up. She had wanted to subtly inquire if he had any feelings for her, but all she saw was a cold sneer and scorn across his face.
¡°Samuel, you don¡¯t really like her?¡±
¡°Of course not. She spent her school days mimicking you, driving you nuts. And just a while back, she deliberately tried toer you on that show. I¡¯ve seen it all. If she weren¡¯t a woman, I would¡¯ve given her a piece of my mind a long time ago.¡±
Saying this, he reached out, pinching her tender check
¡°But you instead, you hold no grudges, even going out of your way to help her. You¡¯re truly an angel. Lucky for you, there¡¯s a savvy me always here to protect you. So, tell me, you love me right?¡±
¡°Not in the way you think,¡± mumbled Xanthea, pulling his hand away. ¡°But what if she hadn¡¯t mimicked me or targeted me? Would you have liked her then?¡±
¡°If none of that had happened, she wouldn¡¯t even be on my radar
It was probably for the best that Isabe never confessed. Hearing ¡°I would¡¯ve given her a piece of my mind¡± or ¡°she wouldn¡¯t even be on my radar¡± might have broken her heart.
¡°Alright, enough about her.¡±
Samuel fiddled with his car keys, ¡°Ive recently stumbled upon an amazing restaurant. How about we go check it out?¡±
?? ?? ? ? ???? ?? ??
¡°I can¡¯t, I have a meeting.¡±
¡°What meeting? I¡¯ve already canceled it for you.¡±Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.
¡°Hey!¡±
After the meal, Xanthea received a message from ¡°Unsatisfied¡± SlyFox.
[Xannie, did you meet with Isabe?]
[Orion, are you spying on me?]
[Ran into her agent by chance.]
Ha, what a fast talker. If she hadn¡¯t already figured out he had people watching her every move, she might have believed him!
[Yeah, she thanked me for helping her outst time. Oh, and she spoke highly of you too.]
After sending the message, Orion, who usually replied instantly, took a while before responding this time.
Busy with a meeting? Xanthea puzzled, about to put away her phone when his reply came through.
(I¡¯m not close with her]
It took Xanthea a few seconds to catch his drift, bursting intoughter afterward. This survival instinct in a married man.
Really? But you just happened¡® to run into her agent and asked about her schedule.]
(I was keeping tabs on you]
In the northern areas of Crestwood, at a scientific research Institute, in Lab 01, Xanthea was coborating with her team members on an experiment.
Outside the window, a tall silhouette quietly approached, casting a long shadow
At theb bench, the girl¡¯s hair was tied up high, safety goggles resting on her nose bridge. The transparent sses slightly reflected the light outside, casting a glow on her thick, curledshes, making her eyes even more captivating and alluring
CHAPTER 487
Chapter 487
Even in a standardb coat, she managed to stand out, capturing attention at first nce and making everything else around her seem like a mere backdrop.
Her serious and focused demeanor at work added ayer of mystery and allure to her presence. In the cold and formalb, she was both pure and tempting, making one desperate to tear away the loose white coat to discover the stunning figure hidden beneath. Orion watched her intently, her beautiful face focused on her work, her pale, slender fingers gently shaking a test tube. His deep gaze darkened, his Adam¡¯s apple bobbing dryly, as if parched with thirst, almost as though he wanted to devour something fiercely.
¡°Xanthea, this set of data has been tested repeatedly. There¡¯s no problem, We¡¯ll continue with the rest tomorrow, okay?¡±
¡°Yeah, you guys head home. I just finish up recording thisst set of numbers.¡±
As theb emptied out, Xanthea prepared to record thest set of data before leaving.
Suddenly, she was tightly embraced from behind. Startled, she grabbed the nearest instrument, ready to strike, only to hear his deep, hoarse voice, ¡°Babe, it¡¯s me.¡±
¡°Orion? You scared the life out of me!¡±
He had entered silently, wrapping around her like a sinister snake, giving her goosebumps, making her fear a freak had grabbed her!
¡°I called out to you, but you didn¡¯t respond.¡±
¡°When I¡¯m working, I¡¯m really focused, don¡¯t you know that?¡±
¡°I know. So focused I just want to rip your clothes off, bit by bit.¡±
Listening to his cruel words and the hoarse voice filled with obsessive desire, an indication of him being sexually aroused, Xanthea swallowed nervously.
This overly energetic and clingy SlyFox had just worn her out in the AV roomst night, and now what?
¡°Orion, what do you
now?¡±
¡°Want you so bad, so much so¡
She quickly covered his mouth, silencing the provocative words, ¡°This is a sacredb, watch yournguage.¡±
But that only made it more thrilling for him.
¡°Who asked you to seduce me and touch me at your
972
work?¡±
Xanthea looked utterly wronged and innocent, ¡°Orion, don¡¯t make false usations. When did I touch you?¡±
Orion usingly nced at the test tube on the table.
Xanthea was like: There was no saving this man¡¯s twisted mind!
¡°Xannie, Xannie, Xannie.¡±
Unable to resist any longer after touching her soft body, like a man driven by an intense craving. Orion tore herb coat apart. Poor Xanthea, with her petite frame, had no chance to fight back.
¡°Hey, hey, Orion, stop it! That¡¯s a new coat. I just got it!¡±
Just call me hubby, and I¡¯ll let you go.¡±
¡°Jerk, pervert, scum, hubby, hubby, please spare me.¡±
Liar, calling him ¡°hubby¡± only spurred him on even Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.
CHAPTER 488
Chapter 488
On theb bench, a beaker filled with liquid inside a set of sophisticated equipment was trembling wildly, and in a short while, it crashed to the ground with a snap, sending the clear solution sshing all around, drying uppletely after a few hours, while the equipment continued to shake incessantly.
In early August, a groundbreaking experiment spearheaded by Fred and his team started showing preliminary results, eaming them at nomination for the 13th ¡°National Science Award¡°. Upon hearing the news, Xanthea couldn¡¯t wait to share her excitement with Orion.
At the headquarters of the Lockwood Group, on the top floor.
¡°President Thomas, the marketing proposal yourpany submittedst quarter performed exceptionally well. We hope you¡¯ll maintain this high standard so our coboration in the second half of the year will run smoothly.¡±
Leonard closed the proposal, and Roxanne responded with a smile, ¡°It¡¯s an honor for MR Group to work with both the Lockwood Group and the Marlowe. We¡¯ll put our best foot forward in every aspect to ensure perfection.
¡°That¡¯s great to hear. Looking forward to a fruitful coboration!¡±
¡°Yes, to a fruitful coboration!¡±
¡°Shall I walk you out? My car¡¯s just downstairs.¡±
¡°Okay, thanks.¡±
Roxanne followed him to the door, then suddenly stopped.
¡°Mr. Marlowe, I just remembered some details about the n I need to report to Mr. Lockwood. Maybe you should go ahead?¡±
Leonard, noticing her sneaky nces filled with adoration towards Orion, raised his eyebrows slightly.
He had hinted at her numerous times that Orion was already married and deeply in love, showing no interest in anyone else, but she seemed determined to learn the hard way. If that was what she wanted, he would let her be.
¡°Alright¡±
Leonard stepped out of the office, thoughtfully closing the door behind him, and also pressed his ear against the door.
Roxanne gazed at the man behind the desk, thetter engrossed in the data reports, his striking features glowing in the bright morning light, exuding a maic charm she found irresistible.
She nervously clenched her fists and approached him.
¡°Mrs. Lockwood, you¡¯re here? Shall I inform the president?¡±
¡°No need, I want to surprise him!¡±
Xanthea scampered up the stairs, pondering how to boast about her achievements, only to find Leonard eavesdropping at the office door
Sneakily listening in, what gossip was he trying to get? She tiptoed closer, curiosity getting the better of her, and pressed her ear against the door.
Leonard was bracing for the sound of a heart breaking when he suddenly saw a face of stunning beauty, momentarily dumbfounded. Who was this enchantress? She was breathtakingly_Wait!
Just as Xanthea put her ear close to the door nk, she heard a strange female voice, ¡°Mr. Lockwood, I have feelings for you.¡±
Her eyes widened in an instant, along with Leonard who almost let out a yelp.
¡°Xan_¡±
Xanthea swiftly covered his mouth, her fierce/gaze waming him that any sound would seal his fate!
Just a few days away, and some siren was already making her move, daring to encroach on her territory!
Leonard went silent, thinking, ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll stay quiet. Or he¡¯d look like on lookout duty for Orion. She¡¯d understand everything once listening to the conversation inside
¡°I know you¡¯re married. The wedding was a global sensation, avish ceremony unlike any other, envied by many, including meThis content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .
Ms. Nightshade is indeed remarkable, born into a prestigious family, intelligent, stunningly beautiful, once a well¨Cknown actress in the entertainment industry, now a rising star in the scientificmunity. She¡¯s truly your match.¡±
CHAPTER 489
Chapter 489
¡°Tsk.¡± Xanthea¡¯s brows arched in amusement, murmuring, ¡°Knowing I¡¯m a catch, and yet here she is, daring to steal my husband?¡±
Leonard nced at her self¨Csatisfied smirk, quite perplexed.
Another woman was pouring her heart out to her man, and here she was, looking all proud. What was up with that?
She must have only caught the ¡°intelligent and stunningly beautiful¡± part, huh?
¡°I know I shouldn¡¯t disturb you, but I just can¡¯t control my feelings. I¡¯d be willing to be with you, even without any official title.¡±
Roxanne blurted it all out in one go, noticing he was still fully engrossed in the reports before him, seemingly oblivious to her confession, she couldn¡¯t help feeling a bit embarrassed.
In terms of age, family background, or looks, she really didn¡¯t hold a candle to Xanthea, but.
¡°Actually, we share the same kind of childhood trauma.
Even though I¡¯m the heiress to the MR Group, I¡¯ve been embroiled in family power struggles since I was little, enduring endless torment from stepmothers and rtives. Surviving till today was all due to my inner strength and a burning desire for revenge.
Such feelings, such lifelong scars and shadows, I bet someone who¡¯s been the apple of everyone¡¯s eye from childhood like Ms. Nightshade could never understand.
Not only do I understand you, but I can also support you in business.¡±
Before her voice tailed off, Orion set aside his reports and took off his headset.
Roxanne¡¯s heart pounded unceasingly at his actions, only to meet his slowly lifted gaze, icy and piercing, as if he something inanimate.
Was looking at
Meanwhile, outside the door, two eager eavesdroppers pressed their ears tightly against the wood, holding their breath, waiting for his reply.
After what seemed like an eternity, they only heard him say, ¡°You¡¯re blocking the sunlight.¡±
222 22 2 2 2 = * & Fo¡À€ ?
C
Xanthea was confused. What was that? Were they even talking about the same thing? Leonard was just as baffled. What sunlight? What was he talking about?
In the office, Roxanne was also taken aback, taking a few seconds to realize he was referring to a potted nt on the desk, quickly stepping back.
As she retreated, it dawned on her.
The nt on the desk was an iris. The flower Xanthea proposed with during the Celestial Cinema Awards ceremony, the one widely reported by major online media and newspapers at their wedding ¨C their love¡¯s emblem.
His words meant she wasn¡¯t even worthy of standing in front of a flower casually given by Xanthea.
This immense humiliation hit her like a ton of bricks, leaving her utterly mortified.
¡°Mr. Marlowe, Mrs. Lockwood, what are you doing leaning at the door?¡±
Suddenly, Cedric¡¯s loud voice rang out behind them, startling Xanthea and Leonard so much they identally pushed the office door open and stumbled in due to the momentum.This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .
By some twist of fate, Xanthea ended up right at Orion¡¯s feet.
¡°Xannie?¡±
Orion¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, his quick reflexes pulling her into his embrace.
Roxanne turned pale as she realized the situation. She had been confessing to Orion, and Xanthea had been listening all along?
As Xanthea steadied herself, before she could get a good look at Roxanne, thetter dashed out of the office like a bat out of hell.
CHAPTER 490
Chapter 490
The office fell into an awkward silence, the Instigator Leonard adjusted his clothes, cleared his throat, and then turned and ran
Xan, he thought to himself, ¡°that¡¯s your husband. I¡¯m outta here, cover for me!¡±
¡°Hey! Leonard.¡±
¡°Xannie, what are you doing here?¡±
¡°Boss, I just saw Mr. Marlowe and Mrs. Lockwood.¡±
Cedric was about to expose Xanthea and Leonard for eavesdropping outside, but Xanthea cut him off.
She pushed Onion away, her slender, beautiful fingers pressed against his chest, taking the offensive, ¡°You have the nerve to ask me why
I¡¯m here? If I hadn¡¯te, how would I have discovered you, a married man, flirting with some siren out here?!¡±
Orion¡¯s gaze faltered, confusion knitting between his pretty brows.
¡°Siren?¡±
¡°Mm¨Chmm.¡±
¡°Aren¡¯t you the siren?¡±
¡°Stop ying dumb. I¡¯m talking about that woman who ran off super fast! I heard her whole love confession to you!¡±
¡°Confession?¡±
The confusion in Orion¡¯s eyes deepened.
¡°Still pretending!¡±
¡°I have no idea. I was on a call.¡±
Orion picked up a tiny Bluetooth earpiece from the desk. Xanthea was stunned at that, ¡°On a call? But I didn¡¯t hear you talking?¡±
¡°I can vouch for that!¡± Beside them, Cedric quietly raised his phone.
¡°The boss was listening to me reportst quarto
sales figures for thepany. The call ended just a minute ago.¡±
¡ª
3
Xanthea saw on his call log, indeed, a call thatsted for quite a while and had just ended; she was speechless.
So, someone poured their heart out to him, and he didn¡¯t hear a word? No wonder hisst response was somethingpletely unrted like ¡°You¡¯re blocking the sunlight.¡±
Pfft.
Xanthea wanted tough but then remembered what Seb had told her. Many socialites had visited Willowdale hoping to catch his
? confession, he asked who they were. attention. Just when they thought the moment was ripe for
was just too obtuse!
It was hard to say whether they were pitiful or if he
Even though she knew he wouldn¡¯t care even if he heard the confession, how could she let go of such an opportunity so easily?
Usually, it was him, cunning and petty, catching her in traps and then punishing her severely. Now, it was finally her turn to have the upper hand!
¡°Hmph!¡± Xanthea snorted, tapping her finger on his chest, you didn¡¯t hear it, I did. If it weren¡¯t for you always attracting those butterflies. Ah!¡±
Before she could finish, he pulled her tightly into his arms.
Orion gently rubbed his cheek against hers, which carried a faint chill, hisughter clear and charming, ¡°Getting jealous, darling?¡±Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.
¡°Yeah, are you proud of yourself?¡±
Orion didn¡¯t respond, his chest trembling with silentughter, his brows lightly raised, enjoying her jealousy.
?! Xanthea eximed, ¡°You¡¯re really proud? Feeling great because someone so outstanding confessed to you, huh?¡±
Yes, but not because of the confession, but because his little siren was jealous
¡°Not at all.¡±
¡°Stop pretending, you¡¯re thrilled! I heard it all, she has advantages I don¡¯t have, something about being the heiress of MR Group, the current vice president? She can assist you in business, even help you solve problems you encounter and whatnot.¡±
¡°I don¡¯t need anyone else to solve business problems for me.¡± Orion chuckled softly, his warm breath caressing her sensitive ear, ¡°I just need you, my dear, to help me solve physical needs.¡±
Xanthea¡¯s face flushed with embarrassment, pinching his solid abs, calling him a dirty old man in her mind!
CHAPTER 491
Chapter 491
¡°She said she understands you because you¡¯ve both been through the same tough childhood, surviving on sheer will and a thirst for vengeance, and that 1, having faced nothing, couldn¡¯t possibly get it. Do you agree?¡±
¡°No, she didn¡¯t get it right.
Xanthea¡¯s eyes crinkled with a genuineugh, ¡°So, you think I¡¯m kind and understanding, right?¡±
¡°Not quite.¡±
¡°What?¡±
Orion lowered his head, nting a soft kiss on her hair, ¡°I didn¡¯t survive on will or vengeance. I survived because of you¡±
Her heart fluttered at his words, a warm buzz spreading through her. He was perfect, making it impossible for her to pick a fight anymore!
And there she was, losing to him again, wrapping her arms tightly around him. Hisughter echoed in her ears, sweet and joyous
¡°Not jealous anymore?¡±
She wasn¡¯t jealous to begin with.
¡°So, what¡¯s your n for dealing with her? She got you all riled up.¡±
¡°We got a bug in the office, so maybe we can break the contract, leak the recording, how about sending a copy to everyone at MR Group? Sounds good?¡±
Wouldn¡¯t that just let everyone at MR Group know she was not to be trifled with?
Xanthea stared at him in shock, ¡°Orion, you¡¯re really something, you know~¡±
Orion lowered his gaze, ¡°No one messes with your husband.¡±
Xanthea tiptoed to peck him on the lips.
¡°Deal!¡±
She didn¡¯t care much for that woman, but this n could indeed prevent any future problems. Once the recording was out, she¡¯d see who dared to mess with her honey!
¡°Orion, I actually came here today to tell you something important!¡±
¡°What¡¯s up?¡±
¡°Our team¡¯s project got nominated for the 13th National Science Award!¡±
¡°Really?¡±
Orion cupped her face, his eyes shining with pride.
¡°My brilliant scientist, that¡¯s incredible.¡±
Xanthea¡¯s pride and satisfaction were written all over her face, ¡°So, how about a reward for your dear scientist?¡±
¡°Sure.¡±
¡°And the reward?¡±
¡°A trip.¡±
The word ¡®trip¡® sent Xanthea¡¯s smile crashing down from the heavens.
She remembered their honeymoon, a series of events that could only be described as a nightmare.
Orion, that insatiable fox, imed it was a vacation, but it was just an excuse to torment her mercilessly in a different setting!
¡°No.¡±
¡°How about stargazing?¡±
¡°Stars?!¡± Xanthea¡¯s excitement returned instantly, her amber eyes shining like the stars above, ¡°Where to?¡±Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.
¡°Brightwood.¡±
¡°Really?! I heard it has the most dazzling stars and Milky Way views! Orion, you¡¯re the best!¡±
¡°So,¡± Orion¡¯s gaze, turned intense, ¡°do you have a reward for me too?¡±
¡°mua~¡±
22:32
Chapter
She kissed him, only to be lifted onto the desk, his presence overwhelming her.
¡°Not enough.¡±
¡°Hey, Orion, what are you doing?¡± Xanthea pped his back as he loomed closer, ¡°Can¡¯t you control yourself for once?¡±
¡°No.¡±
Orion inhaled her scent deeply, intoxicated.
His Xannie, more beautiful and tempting by the day.
He could never get enough, wishing to spend hisst breath with her.
CHAPTER 492
Chapter 492
Just a few days before heading to Brightwood, a little incident unfolded.
Xanthea was representing Fred and his team at a business event wh¨¨n, halfway through, her stomach started acting up, making her feel
nauseous.
Eloise, seeing her distress, gasped, ¡°Xan, you¡¯re not pregnant, are you?¡±
¡°What?¡±
¡°OMG, am I going to be a godmother at such a young age?¡±
¡°How could I?¡±
Before she could finish her sentence, Eloise had dragged her off to the hospital.
¡°Eloise, let go of me, it¡¯s impossible.¡±
Orion had always been meticulous with protection, almost obsessively so, as if he were terrified of her getting pregnant.
¡°But it¡¯s better to check, just in case, right?¡±
Adopting a better¨Csafe¨Cthan¨Csorry approach, the doctor confirmed it was just food poisoning.
Xanthea: ¡°Told you it wasn¡¯t possible. Must¡¯ve been the not¨Cso¨Cfresh fruit.¡±
¡°B¨Cbut,¡± Eloise stuttered guiltily, ¡°I thought you were pregnant and kind of spread the word.¡±
¡°What? You bbermouth, do you have any idea the trouble you¡¯ve caused.¡±
She was cut off by Orion, who arrived in a panic, gripping her arm with concern, scanning her up and down with a worried frown.
¡°Orion, don¡¯t worry. I¡¯m fine, not pregnant, just had something bad to eat. I¡¯m not nauseous anymore.¡±
After hearing her, he visibly rxed, pulling her into a tight hug as if to reassure himself.
¡°Xannie, don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll be even more careful from now on, I promise there won¡¯t be any surprises.¡±
Xanthea: Why does that sound so dodgy?
At first, she thought his jokes about not wanting kids and ying around with her forever were just that, jokes. But now, it seemed like he might actually not want kids at all!
That won¡¯t do; she actually liked the idea of having kids!
Late into the night, Orion wasforting a tearful Xanthea, her cheeks flushed as if she¡¯d been pulled from water.
¡°Honey~¡±
With a weak, seductive breath, Xanthea looped her arms around his neck, her eyes soft and inviting, ¡°Why don¡¯t you want kids?¡±
¡°Life¡¯s too short, not enough time to enjoy with you.¡±
¡°I don¡¯t want anyone else taking a bit of your energy or love; it has to be all for me.¡±
Xanthea, touching her t and smooth belly, teased, ¡°I want to bear a child that¡¯s uniquely ours, a blend of us both, a testament to our love. When people see them, they¡¯ll immediately think of us as their parents.¡±
The series of phrases along with her alluring posture struck a nerve in Orion.
His eyes sparked with a wild fervor as he pinned her down again, his voice hoarse, almost growling.
¡°You little siren!¡±
¡°Would that be okay?¡±
¡°Let¡¯s talk about it in ten years.¡±
¡°Ten years?! That¡¯s too long, let me go now,
In Brightwood, at the observatory.
Xanthea was in Orion¡¯s arms, listening to the rolling waves, admiring the brilliant stars as if she could reach out and touch them, immersed in the beauty and mystery of the gxy.
¡°It¡¯s so beautiful~¡±
¡°Ori, do you remember which constetion that is?¡±
She pointed near the zodiac, and Orion knew them all by heart.
¡°The Great Square of Pegasus.¡±Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org.
22:32)
Chapter 492
¡°And next to it?¡±
¡°Andromeda.¡±
¡°The one that looks like a cross?¡±
¡°Cygnus.¡±
¡°With two pointy tips, like fox ears?¡±
¡°Xannie¡¯s constetion.¡±
¡°You¡¯re the little fox~¡±
Xanthea crinkled her nose, hershes fluttering, a smile spreading in her dimples, looking even more like a cunning fox.
The most adorable fox in the world.
Orion watched her, utterly mesmerized.
Xanthea found herself lost in his gaze, ¡°Ori, your eyes are even prettier than the stars!¡±
¡°Because they¡¯re filled with Xannie.¡±
¡°HAHA, when did you be such a smooth talker. Look, a meteor shower!¡±
¡°Quick, make a wish!¡±
Under the streaking lights and the caress of the sea breeze, the moon cast a silver glow over the couple, elongating their shadows on the beach, stretching them out like in their childhood dreams.
Together, they wished upon the shooting stars.
¨C Ori, Xan, year after year, forever together.
(The End)
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