Chapter 10

At Weatherspoons, the dazzling lights illuminated the entire room with a luxurious glow. Xavier sat across from Sarah at a square table. The waiter uncorked a bottle of Bardilot red wine and poured it into a decanter. The deep red liquid caught the light, a soft gleam shining as it touched Xavier's sharp, angular profile. He looked effortlessly at ease, his half-closed eyes drifting toward the piano at the far corner. "How strange. Why isn't anyone playing tonight?" In a soft yellow dress with her waves of long hair cascading down, Sarah seemed more feminine and delicate than her usual professional demeanor. Xavier raised an eyebrow. "I'm not too sure." The idea of sitting there playing the piano and being stared at like a monkey by everyone would no doubt make Lily uncomfortable. He even wondered if she had already gone home by now. Lily was always considerate—she never disturbed him when he was busy. So, knowing he was caught up this morning, she had left quietly. "Here's something special for both of you," a bold, familiar voice called out. Maryanne placed a steaming plate of food on the table, sizing up Sarah as she did so. "Is this a spicy beef salad?" Sarah was surprised to see such a dish on the menu at a fine dining restaurant. "A spicy beef salad is meant for normal people to eat," Maryanne said with a bright smile, her gaze turning cold. "This dish has a name! It's called the 'Two-Faced Traitor Salad.'" The temperature around the table dropped as her words sank in. Maryanne considered herself bold and fearless, but something about challenging Xavier always gave her the chills. Perhaps it was because she didn't have the concrete evidence to truly hold him accountable. Maybe that was why she felt uneasy. After a few tense seconds, she felt a sudden pressure at the back of her neck, like an invisible hand squeezing it. Without a second thought, she turned and walked away quickly. Sarah, feigning innocence, looked at Xavier. "Do you know her?" "Not really," Xavier replied, his gaze still on the plate as if lost in thought. Moments later, his phone rang on the corner of the table. He hadn't saved Lily's number, but for the past two years, she'd always texted him around lunchtime, reminding him to eat. Every evening, she'd call to ask if he was coming home. A quick glance at the screen revealed it was Lily calling. Xavier's lips curled into a small, mocking smile, and without hesitation, he declined the call. "Why don't you answer it?" Sarah, noticing the screen, stood and poured more wine into his glass. She noticed a strange number on the display and smiled, "It's just dinner, not a business meeting. I'm not stopping you from taking a call." "I don't answer calls from people I don't know." Xavier took the glass from her, leaning in to pour some for her as well. "You've been working hard lately." Sarah smiled sweetly, "Do you think a single drink is enough to send me on my way?" Xavier reached into his pocket, pulled out a black card, placed it on the table, and slid it toward her. "Consider this a gift." The deep burgundy tablecloth highlighted the sculpted lines of his wrist. As Sarah reached out to take the card, her finger brushed against his hand. The touch was light but enough to make her pinky finger graze his. She looked at him through her soft, alluring eyes, studying every subtle shift in his expression. Xavier's lips tightened, but he gave no outward sign of discomfort. He pulled his hand back and reclined in his chair, appearing nonchalant. Sarah, undeterred, slipped the card into her purse and glanced back at the piano. Lily hadn't come tonight. Something was clearly going on in Sarah's mind. Soon, the waiter brought their food, and Xavier leisurely began eating. Seizing the opportunity while Xavier wasn't paying attention, Sarah took out her phone and snapped a picture of the two of them dining through the glass window. The camera flash blinked unexpectedly. Xavier's eyes flicked up, a piercing gaze landing on her. Sarah quickly looked embarrassed and handed the phone over under his intense scrutiny. "Xyla has me report my whereabouts and meals every day. See for yourself." She opened her WhatsApp chat window. The most recent message was the photo she had just sent, but before that, there were several other photos—some of her alone in the office and others of her with Xavier. Xavier's gaze hardened, his demeanor softening just a little as he continued cutting his steak. "I'm here to look after you, so tell her not to worry about anything." Sarah shook her head fondly. "I already told her before that you'll look after me. She—" Before she could finish, the sharp buzz of Xavier's phone interrupted them. It was a call from Timothy. Xavier answered, his face immediately hardening as Timothy's voice rushed through. "Mr. Fulton, your wife just called. She said the Fulton Manor is on fire, and Mrs. Fulton Senior has been injured. She asked you to head over immediately!" Xavier's chair screeched as he abruptly stood. "Alright, I'm going back now." He hung up and told Sarah he needed to leave as he grabbed his coat and strode for the door. His Maybach roared to life, weaving through traffic as he sped toward the Fulton Manor. ... The Fulton Manor sat halfway up the mountain, with neon lights beginning to glow along the winding mountain road. Lily had taken an Uber, and when she arrived, the mansion was brightly lit, and there was no sign of the fire she had feared. She exhaled in relief. But as she stepped out of the car, the air carried the acrid stench of smoke, and she hastened her pace toward the house. She rushed straight to the living room. Sitting on the couch, Edith was as lively as ever, eating popcorn and watching TV with her reading glasses perched on her nose. "Lily, you're back!" Mrs. Fulton looked up and waved her over. "Come here, my dear!" Lily was out of breath, a thin layer of sweat forming on her forehead. Lily was out of breath, a thin layer of sweat forming on her forehead. She hurried over to Edith's side. "Edith, didn't you say there was a fire?" "Yes, there was a fire," Edith said, pointing toward the backyard where the remnants of the fire had been extinguished. "But it's been extinguished." Lily blinked, confused. She replayed the words of the servant who had called her earlier. They had never mentioned Edith being injured—just the urgency in their tone had made it seem like she was in danger. "Where's Xavier?" Edith asked, glancing around. "Where's my grandson?" Lily pressed her lips together, trying her best to hide any signs of unease. "Xavier's busy with work. He's probably in a meeting. I called him but he didn't answer." Edith's eyes glinted. "He didn't answer your calls? Are you mad at him?" "No," Lily quickly denied, her heart sinking. As soon as the call had been disconnected, she had been more anxious than angry. She feared something might have happened to Edith while Xavier wasn't around. So, she'd called Timothy immediately, and she felt a sense of relief when Timothy relayed back to her that Xavier had been informed of the incident. But now, looking back, it seemed Xavier had intentionally avoided her calls. The realization made her chest tighten, the air growing colder around her. Seeing her discomfort, Edith assumed Lily was upset with Xavier. Without hesitation, she said, "Don't worry. I'll make sure he comes back today." Lily was confused, her thoughts a jumbled mess. What did Edith mean by that? Was she planning to summon Xavier back for Lily? Before she could voice her confusion, a familiar, piercing gaze landed on her. She looked up, and there he was—Xavier, walking in swiftly, his dark eyes filled with concern and cold determination.