Seeing this, Chloe Preston placed her hands against his chest, feeling flustered. "Don’t mess around in broad daylight." Donovan Xavier’s eyes glinted with a smile. "Mess around? So what?" "Chloe Preston, from now on, you are legitimately my woman! As your boyfriend, I have the right to control everything about you! From now on, whatever you do and whomever you interact with must first have my approval. You better behave. Otherwise, you know my temper. I’m capable of anything!" When the time comes, he really would lock her up. He’d imprison her and never let her out for the rest of her life! Then, his kiss descended. In the bathroom, Chloe Preston was soaking in a bathtub filled with hot water, her eyes closed. The soothing current eased the pain in her body. She couldn’t help but recall the words the man had said not long ago. He said he wanted to get back together with her. He also said that she was now legitimately his woman. Was he serious? Or was it just something he said in the heat of the moment? The bathroom door was suddenly thrown open. Donovan Xavier walked in, tall and sturdy, carrying a tote bag. "Get out!" Chloe Preston glared at him and shrank back into the hot water. Donovan Xavier walked over and stood beside the bathtub. "I’m taking a bath! What are you doing?" Chloe Preston avoided his gaze, her pretty face set in a clear expression of displeasure. "I’m here to help you wash," Donovan Xavier said. "No, thank you," Chloe refused outright. "I’m not a child. I can do it myself." "Then pretend you’re a child right now, and let me serve you," Donovan insisted. Chloe Preston’s eyes flickered slightly. For the rest of the time, he actually did just wash her without making any improper moves. He’s acting just like a true gentleman. After the bath, Donovan Xavier lifted her out of the water, set her on the counter, and began drying her with a towel. He picked up the nearby tote bag and took out a new dress, as the one she had been wearing was torn and unwearable. Chloe Preston glanced at it. "Where did this come from?" "I had Isla Xavier bring it," Donovan replied. "She’s your sister! Don’t always boss her around!" Donovan Xavier chuckled. "She was happy to. The moment she heard it was for you, her sister-in-law, she rushed right over." A while later, Chloe had put on the dress and fixed her hair. The man carried her out of the bathroom. She was wearing a mint-green, mermaid-style spaghetti strap gown. It was lightweight and ethereal, swaying gracefully as she moved, giving her a look that was at once classical, elegant, noble, and aloof. Leaning into his warm embrace, Chloe Preston reached out to push him slightly. "I can walk on my own. You... you can put me down." "Are you sure you can really walk by yourself?" Donovan asked. 「In the banquet hall.」 Leaning back on the sofa with his legs crossed, Adrian Rhodes let out a light yawn. He exuded an air of lazy nobility. "Mr. Sterling, how long has it been? Why isn’t Mr. Xavier out yet?" Leo Sterling, who was leaning nearby, simply sipped his drink with a knowing smile, saying nothing. The next moment, a figure approached from a short distance away. He was tall and strikingly handsome, with a faint, unreadable smile playing on his lips and an aloof coldness in his expression that warned others to keep their distance. Seeing him approach, Leo Sterling casually handed him a drink. He squinted, teasing, "Look who decided to show up." Donovan Xavier took the glass and leaned back lazily on the sofa, stretching his long legs. A grin touched his lips. "Yeah, well, I was afraid you guys would get lonely. I also worried you might miss me, so I came back specifically to keep you company." "No need to thank me. I’m just that selfless!" Leo Sterling was speechless. Adrian Rhodes was left speechless as well. Adrian Rhodes turned his head and casually clinked glasses with him. "What took you so long? What were you up to?" Donovan Xavier raised an eyebrow. "Playing with a cat." Leo Sterling glanced at him, then paused for a few seconds before clearing his throat. "Don’t say a brother didn’t warn you, but you’d better take precautions." "Hmm?" Donovan responded. "If Chloe gets pregnant, how will you explain it to the entire Xavier Family?" Hearing this, Adrian Rhodes sat up straight, suddenly more alert. "Yeah, if Chloe really ends up pregnant, your dad will be furious!" Donovan Xavier let out a soft chuckle. Then, with another lazy, casual smile, he said, "It’s not that easy to get pregnant. So many people want to and can’t. The odds are very small." Leo Sterling furrowed his brow and advised in a low voice, "Man, don’t take this so lightly. To be frank, Chloe’s background is too poor. The Xavier Family..." Before he could finish, Donovan turned his head slightly, casting a cold glance in his direction. Then, Donovan drained his drink in one go and leaned back against the sofa. His dark eyes were deep and sharp, and he exuded the powerful aura of a man in charge. "If it really happens, she’s the only one I have to answer to." "The Xavier Family?" he scoffed. "Hah." At his words, Adrian Rhodes’s eyes lit up. He leaned in closer. "In that case, if you and Chloe really have a little baby, can I apply to be the godfather?" Leo Sterling also leaned in, his voice lazy and amused. "Then I’ll be the third dad!" Donovan glanced at one, then the other, and a smirk pulled at his lips. "Both of you, get lost!" After leaving the room, Chloe Preston wandered around on her own. She had used up too much energy with the man earlier and was feeling a bit hungry. She walked to a table and picked up a piece of cake to tide herself over. She glanced up and happened to see Connor Sutton standing not far away, schmoozing and exchanging drinks with people. Panicking, she immediately turned to walk away. But when she looked up again, Evan York was standing in the distance, laughing and chatting with someone else. Chloe panicked again. Donovan Xavier hated her having any connection with them. If he caught her near them again, he would definitely lose his temper. Afraid they would spot her, Chloe executed a smooth turn, intending to flee. Unfortunately, she bumped right into someone. The cake in her hand smeared all over the other person’s exquisite gown. Chloe Preston looked up and hurriedly apologized, "I’m... I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to!" Get full chapters from ⓝovelFire.net The woman stumbled back a step from the impact. She looked down at her stained dress, and her face filled with rage. "Hey, who the hell are you? How dare you ruin my gown? Are you trying to die?!" Knowing it was her fault, Chloe pressed her lips together and apologized again, sincerely. "I’m truly sorry. It wasn’t on purpose. How much does the dress cost? I can pay you for it, okay?" But the woman wasn’t listening. She viciously slapped Chloe across the face, fuming, "Pay? As if you can afford it!" A red mark instantly appeared on Chloe’s left cheek. Her lip was split and bleeding, the area stinging with a fiery pain. The surrounding crowd gathered, eager to watch the drama unfold, whispering among themselves. "Look, the eldest daughter of the Chadwick Family is throwing a fit again. That woman is doomed!" "She’s so unlucky. Of all the people to offend, she had to run into Zoe Chadwick. She’s in for a world of hurt today!" "That’s right. Anyone who provokes the eldest Miss Chadwick will be skinned alive, if they’re lucky enough to survive. Her life is over!" But Zoe Chadwick wasn’t satisfied. She raised a hand, forcefully shoved Chloe to the ground, and then nonchalantly tucked a stray strand of hair back into place, her expression dripping with arrogance. "I’m in a good mood today. Kneel and kowtow to me three times, and I’ll spare your pathetic life." "Who dares make her kneel!" Suddenly, a low, icy voice cut through the air from a short distance away.