In the Lap of Luxury

Chapter 560 I Like You

Grace finally caught her breath. She placed a hand on her chest and eventually pushed Xander away.

"I'm going back to my room. You should leave."

As Xander's arms suddenly became empty, his expression darkened. He instinctively reached out and grabbed her.

"I like you."

Grace stood still. She had imagined this day and how she would respond with, "I like you too."

But now she couldn't say it.

"Why did you come back to Pamore?" She was sharp and got straight to the point.

"I was afraid you would rekindle things with Benjamin."

"I didn't—"

Xander interrupted her, saying, "I know it's unlikely, but I'm afraid of the past repeating itself. It was just like this back then. I left for a while, and you went to him."

His voice was low. Grace felt her heart ache as well.

She pulled her hand away. "You're not thinking straight right now."

She broke free and hurried upstairs. Her footsteps disappeared at the end of the hallway.

…ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

Hazel was waiting outside Grace's place. Through the car window, she saw Xander coming out.

Surprised, she asked, "Ms. Lewis didn't ask you to stay for dinner?"

Xander's expression was grim as he tossed her bag at her.

She caught it. "This ... I left it behind. I'm sorry."

Xander stood still and lit a cigarette. "I don't hit women. Explain yourself."

Hazel nearly went weak at the knees as she explained, "I really forgot. It wasn't on purpose."

Xander didn't say anything in response. He took a deep drag of the cigarette and looked at her through the smoke.

"How long have you been working with me?"

"Since I graduated. It's been five years now."

"I remember your family wasn't well off."

"Yes. Without your support, I wouldn't have had the chance to study abroad and join Fulton Group."

Xander seemed distracted. "You should be very loyal to me."

"Absolutely!"

"You left the photos at Grace's on purpose. What were you trying to tell her?"

Sweat beaded on Hazel's forehead as she lowered her head. "It really wasn't on purpose. I'm not familiar with Pamore. I was overwhelmed and forgot."

Xander stared at her for a few seconds. He didn't reveal whether he believed her or not. After he finished his cigarette, he said, "There won't be a next time."

"Definitely."

Hazel watched Xander's back as he walked away. Then, she breathed a sigh of relief.

They drove back to the manor. Hazel drove nervously, glancing in the rear-view mirror to see Xander massaging his brow. He was clearly in a bad mood.

"Mr. Fulton, I've always wanted to ask something. What do you like about Ms. Lewis?"

This was the second time Hazel had interacted with Grace. She had never heard of Grace before. But as soon as she had seen Grace, she had known that the latter was no ordinary person.

"Is it that obvious?"

Xander looked at the scenery outside.

"You've never left everything for a woman. But you cancelled everything at work and came back to Pamore just because you saw her with another man …"

Xander closed his eyes, frowning. It had been difficult for him to carve out time to come back to Pamore, but he had only ended up upsetting Grace.

He opened his eyes and ordered, "Turn around."

…

Grace hadn't slept all night and had been awake the entire day as well. Her body was utterly exhausted, but her mind and heart were painfully alert.

"I'm done. I'm crazier about him than I ever was about Benjamin."

Grace collapsed on her bed, her mind filled with Xander's fierce and wild demeanor.

She paused for a moment, wondering if she had been too harsh earlier. Xander had good intentions and had traveled a thousand miles for her. But she …