Chapter 4
After they got out of the car, the two of them headed straight to the private dining room that had been reserved for them.”
But the moment they pushed open the door, they were both struck by the heavy, stifling atmosphere inside.-
This was supposed to be a welcome dinner, but almost everyone present was a man–most of them Xavier’s friends. They sat there, glancing at him with uneasy expressions, as if they wanted to say something but couldn’t bring themselves to do it.}
Before anyone could speak, Fidelia swept over with a bright smile. “You’re here!” she called out.
Her gaze landed on Loretta, and she paused for a split second before her smile widened. “And this must be your girlfriend? She looks so young. Thank you for donating blood to me last time–honestly, you saved my life. If you ever need anything, just say the word. I owe you.”
Loretta forced a polite smile. “You’re too kind.”}
Fidelia chuckled, told them to sit wherever they liked, and then drifted off to greet other guests.}
Even though she wasn’t right beside him, Xavier’s eyes never left her. He watched, stone–faced, as she laughed and joked with other men. When he saw her help herself to a few extra macarons, he quietly signaled a server to bring over every macaron the club had and set them in front of her.
When the champagne tower was accidentally knocked and threatened to topple onto her, he sprang to his feet and pulled her protectively into his arms.
“Careful!” he shouted.
Shards of glass sliced into his left hand, leaving several bloody cuts. Everyone urged him to go to the hospital, but Xavier just wrapped a silk scarf around his hand and waved them off.
“It’s nothing, just a scratch. Don’t worry about it.”
Loretta, watching him nonchalantly tie off the blood–soaked scarf, silently slipped her car keys back into her purse.
After a few minutes of tense quiet, the room gradually returned to its lively buzz.
At eight o’clock, when everyone seemed to be in high spirits, Fidelia grabbed the microphone and announced, “Now that everyone’s here, I can finally share the big news!“}
She flashed a mischievous grin. “I’m sure most of you already know I broke up with my boyfriend before coming back. Tonight, I’ve gathered you all here for one simple reason: I’m looking for a new boyfriend!“}
The room fell dead silent. All eyes darted nervously to Xavier.
He didn’t say a word–just stared at her, his grip tightening until the glass in his hand shattered.
Blood streamed down his hand, but Fidelia ignored it. Instead, she raised her glass in his direction with a teasing smile.
“Xavier, I didn’t invite you here for nothing. I need your help–look at your friends, tell me which of them would make the best match for me?“%
The private room was instantly engulfed in a suffocating silence.
Seeing the men’s evasive glances and Xavier’s thunderous expression, Loretta finally understood why the atmosphere had been so strange when they first arrived.
Just as everyone sat frozen, one of the guys in the middle suddenly stood up.
1-2
He only managed to get out, “I just need to use the bathroom,” before Xavier flipped the table in front of him and fixed him with a cold, murderous glare.
“Go ahead, just try and say yes to her. I dare you!”
Put on the spot, the poor guy turned pale, unsure whether to sit or stand.
Xavier, hand dripping blood, stormed over to Fidelia, his voice trembling with anger and hurt.
*Fidelia, sometimes I really wonder if you even have a heart.”
With that, he turned and left the room, slamming the door behind him–forgetting entirely that he’d left his own girlfriend behind. The party was ruined. Loretta gave a self–deprecating smile, stood up, and headed to the restroom.!
As she walked down the hall, she overheard Xavier’s friends arguing with Fidelia.!!
Fidelia, what the hell are you thinking? Why go out of your way to provoke Xavier like this? You know better than anyone how. – wants to get back together with you. He’s never cared about anyone else–who would dare get involu
“Oh, so I’m just supposed to take him back? When he hasn’t
Chapter 4
“Sincerity? Are you kidding me? Do you have any idea what he’s been through these past few years? In our circle, guys like him don’t even exist–he was the golden boy, and he’s practically gone crazy for you! After you dumped him and left the country, he started drinking himself half to death. Every time you posted about something you liked, he’d track it down no matter the cost, and then fly overseas just to leave it on your doorstep. Remember when you told your friend you hadn’t seen fireworks in ages? He had a whole show put on in Paris just for you. Don’t tell me you didn’t know about any of this…”
Listening to his friend’s angry tirade, Loretta’s hands trembled.
All those times Xavier had mysteriously disappeared while they were together–so this was why. It had always been for Fidelia.§
The argument in the hallway escalated, but Fidelia sounded completely unfazed. “He chose to do all that for me. I didn’t force him. Besides, those are just little things–what’s the big deal? If he really wants to prove something, let him try risking his life for me one day.” “Fidelia, you’re really pushing your luck with Xavier’s love for you. If he ever gets tired of waiting, you’ll regret it.“}
She laughed coldly. “Him? Stop loving me? Please. Even his new girlfriend is just a stand–in for me. There’s no way he’ll ever stop loving me. Our business is none of yours.“}
Her voice was full of certainty. Spinning on her heel, she found herself face–to–face with Loretta, standing just a few feet away. Their eyes met, and the truth hung between them, raw and inescapable.
