"What did you say!" Chloe Preston’s pupils constricted. Ivy Lane said, "This has blown up. It’s spreading like wildfire all over Kryton. Everyone’s saying Mr. Xavier flew into a rage for a woman’s sake, making an example of them so no one will dare bully his woman again!" Especially the young ladies from high society—they were all green with envy when they heard about it. Overnight, Chloe Preston became public enemy number one for all the women in Kryton. They had seen men who doted on and protected women, but never anyone who did it to the extent Mr. Xavier did. His woman was only slapped once. He could have just sent people to retaliate in kind, but instead, he silently went and destroyed their entire company! The Chadwick Group was a major corporation, thriving and highly sought-after, yet it collapsed overnight. It’s truly astonishing. Ivy Lane continued, "Chloe, I think Donovan Xavier definitely likes you now!" Chloe Preston held her phone, not speaking. After a while, she pursed her lips and said, "Ivy, let me tell you something." "Donovan Xavier asked me to get back together with him." Ivy Lane was both surprised and delighted. "Really? Did you agree?" Chloe Preston replied, "What do you think?" That man is so domineering; he would never give me a chance to say no. 「Twenty minutes later.」 After freshening up, Chloe Preston steadied herself against the wall as she left her room. In the corridor, she looked up and her gaze met a pair of deep eyes. "What a coincidence, Miss Quinn." Donovan Xavier raised an eyebrow slightly. He was tall and imposing, a nonchalant smile playing in his eyes. He walked over, his suit giving him a cold and ascetic air. He looked every bit the self-restrained, proper gentleman. He leaned in, his voice low and husky. "Did you enjoy last night?" Chloe Preston said, "It was mediocre." Donovan Xavier lightly clenched his jaw, then let out a laugh of exasperation. Chloe didn’t spare him another glance. She smoothed her hair and turned to leave. Noticing her unsteady gait, Donovan Xavier walked beside her, reaching out to support her by the waist. Chloe tried to put some distance between them, lowering her voice. "Don’t get so close to me." Donovan said, "What’s wrong with being close? There’s no one around." Chloe Preston replied, "It’s still not right." Who knows if someone might suddenly pop out? Donovan Xavier’s eyes narrowed. His large, well-defined hand settled on her waist, pulling her into his embrace. Startled, Chloe glared at him again. "What do you think you’re doing? Being a hooligan?" Donovan Xavier laughed. "Miss Quinn, don’t forget, we are officially boyfriend and girlfriend now. This is perfectly normal." Hearing the words ’boyfriend and girlfriend,’ a flicker of emotion passed through Chloe’s shimmering eyes. He wasn’t just saying it out of anger before. He really considers me his girlfriend now. Chloe gently pursed her lips and reached out, poking him in the chest with a cool fingertip. "Alright, let me go. What would it look like if someone saw us grappling ?" To her surprise, Donovan actually did as she asked and let her go. He tilted his head, glancing at her. "You really are a proper one." Chloe Preston didn’t respond. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ novel※fire.net As they walked, Donovan leaned in closer, a brow raised and a barely-there smile playing on his lips. "Miss Quinn, men prefer it when a woman is a little more uninhibited, a little more willing to play along." "That said," he clicked his tongue, "with your distinguished, ladylike demeanor... you’re truly perfect to marry and make into a wealthy man’s cherished wife." Upon hearing the last sentence, Chloe Preston’s thick lashes fluttered. Has he... actually thought about marrying me? 「In the dining room.」 Chloe followed Donovan into the room. Seeing them, Claire Chandler teased, "What a rare sight. How did you two end up walking in together?" With one hand in his pocket and exuding an air of nobility, Donovan smiled. "A coincidence. We were both on our way to eat, so we came together." Claire Chandler nodded and looked at Chloe with a gentle smile. "Chloe, hurry and come eat. Sit next to Evan!" Donovan’s steps faltered. The ever-perceptive Butler Chandler stepped forward and helped Chloe to the seat next to Evan York. Donovan Xavier’s dark eyes narrowed as he watched them, his expression unreadable. He walked over to the other side and sat down. Isla Xavier, who was right beside him, smiled at him. "Brother!" Once everyone was seated, Claire Chandler turned and shot a glare at Evan York. "Idiot, don’t you know to serve Chloe some food?!" Evan York smiled and nodded, first serving the woman beside him a bowl of soup. "Here, be careful, it’s hot." Chloe Preston said, "Thank you." Evan York smiled warmly. "No need to be so polite with me." Seeing this, Butler Chandler, standing nearby with a smile, once again spoke up with his usual perceptiveness. "Oh, Madam, look at them! Our young master and Miss Quinn make such a perfect pair!" "What’s that saying again? Ah, yes! They’re a golden couple, a true match made in heaven!" At these words, Donovan’s movements stilled. He looked up and shot the butler a cold glare. Butler Chandler failed to notice the icy stare and remained in place, still smiling. "My, the more I look, the more perfect our young master and Miss Quinn seem together!" Claire Chandler listened, gently turning a string of beeswax beads in her hand. She raised an eyebrow, unable to suppress the smile spreading across her face. "Hmm, Butler Chandler, are your lips coated in honey today?" How is it that every word you say is exactly what I want to hear? Butler Chandler answered honestly, "Madam, I’m just speaking the truth!" Claire Chandler pointed at him, her face beaming with delight. "Butler Chandler, you’re good at this! Please, say more!" Butler Chandler smiled. "Yes, Madam!" "Our young master and Miss Quinn sitting here... they look like a couple straight out of a painting. A brilliant talent and a beautiful belle—a truly heaven-sent match!" Hearing this, Donovan, who was sitting on the other side, clenched the glass in his hand and ground his teeth, struggling to suppress the dark fury radiating from him. Even Isla Xavier was frightened by this chilling aura and quietly scooted her chair further away from him. But the butler, seemingly oblivious to the danger, looked up at Donovan with a smile. "Young Master Xavier, what do you think? Aren’t our young master and Miss Quinn an especially good match?" Sitting to the side, Isla brought a hand to her forehead and shot Butler Chandler a look that screamed, ’You’re on your own now.’ She had a feeling his days were numbered. Donovan Xavier lifted his eyelids, shooting the butler a glance as sharp as a blade. With a high and mighty air, a cold sneer formed on his lips. "A perfect match? My ass." Upon hearing this, Evan York glanced up at him, his expression inscrutable. The temperature in the room instantly plummeted. Claire Chandler turned her head and gave him a light glare. "Shut your mouth. Every time you open it, you say something I don’t like to hear." Then, she turned back to Butler Chandler. "Please, continue!" Butler Chandler nodded, cleared his throat, and smiled. "Madam, I even had someone read their birth charts. The compatibility between our young master and Miss Quinn is perfect. They’re destined to be husband and wife!" "Really!" Claire was overjoyed. Butler Chandler said, "Madam, it’s as true as gold!" The next second, the glass in Donovan Xavier’s hand smashed onto the floor with a loud, crisp CRASH.