She turned to leave, but Donovan Xavier grabbed her arm and pulled her into his embrace. Chloe Preston was startled and struggled against him. "Stay away from me," she said in a low voice. "Don’t keep touching me." People were coming and going around them; making a scene was completely inappropriate. Without giving him another look, Chloe Preston broke free from his embrace and walked toward the dining table. Donovan Xavier watched her retreat. His dark eyes were deep, and a smile played on his lips; he was in an excellent mood. He turned, his gaze landing lightly on the other man. "President Sutton, care to join us for a meal?" Connor Sutton rolled his eyes. Chloe Preston sat down at the dining table, her whole body aching. Connor Sutton sat directly beside her, his head wrapped in bandages and his lips slightly pale. He unceremoniously handed her his bowl. "Get me some soup," he said with a grin. Donovan Xavier, sitting nearby, narrowed his eyes. Who the hell does he think he is, daring to order my woman around? Donovan Xavier took the bowl and stood up. His expression turned cold as he gave a chilling smile. "I can handle a small task . President Sutton, do you need me to feed you?" Connor Sutton met his sinister gaze and shivered, recalling how Donovan had "fed" him porridge the day before. He forced a smile and changed his tune. "Forget it, I’ll get it myself." Donovan Xavier then ladled a bowl of soup and handed it to Chloe, his gaze softening. "It’s hot, be careful." Chloe Preston took it, a faint smile on her face. "Mm." Donovan Xavier sat back down, lounging lazily in his chair. He raised a hand to rub the bridge of his nose, looking slightly drowsy. Seeing this, Connor Sutton blurted out, "You didn’t sleep well last night either?" Donovan Xavier paused for a second. He lifted his gaze to meet Connor’s, raised an eyebrow, and said teasingly, "That’s right. I was busy all night, so I’m a bit tired. I wonder what kept President Sutton from sleeping well?" At this moment, he wanted nothing more than to slap himself for running his mouth. Chloe Preston choked on her soup when she heard that. Donovan Xavier patted her on the back. "Are you alright?" Still coughing, Chloe glared at him and fiercely pinched his thigh. The pinch was surprisingly painful. Donovan Xavier frowned, his face darkening. "Why did you pinch me?" Chloe’s face puffed up in indignation, her cheeks flushed red. She was practically bristling with anger. Without a word, she shot up from her seat and ran upstairs. In her room, Chloe Preston was curled up against Donovan Xavier on the sofa, a book in her hand. "Are we really going to stay here for a whole month?" she asked softly. Donovan lounged against the sofa and reached out to stroke her hair. "Want to go back already?" Chloe Preston nodded. "Mm. I don’t feel comfortable here. Home is much better. Especially with you saying the most improper things without any regard for the situation. Even the servants are secretly laughing at us." Google seaʀᴄh novel·fire.net "Don’t worry," Donovan replied. "In three days, at most, that Sutton fellow will be crying and begging us to leave." Chloe Preston’s eyes narrowed slightly. "How are you planning to torment him this time?" Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Donovan held her tight, a low, husky laugh in his voice. "Still so easily startled?" Chloe ignored him, fixed her hair, and called out, "Come in." The door opened, and a servant entered. Donovan reclined on the sofa, handsome and aloof in his crisp suit. He gave off an air of languid nobility and strict self-control, with an intimidating, unapproachable aura. One arm was wrapped around Chloe’s impossibly slender waist. He lifted his gaze to the servant. "What is it?" Not daring to let her eyes wander, the servant replied, "Mr. Xavier, our Young Master says he has a headache and would like Miss Quinn to take a look." Donovan raised an eyebrow. "He was full of life this morning. How could he have a headache all of a sudden?" "The Young Master just says it hurts," the servant said. "He thinks there might be lingering effects from the blow to the back of his head. He heard Miss Quinn is a doctor and wanted her to check on him." Donovan’s dark eyes narrowed slightly. Chloe looked up at him. "Maybe I should go take a look?" As she spoke, she started to get up. Donovan yanked her back down. 「Meanwhile, in another room.」 Connor Sutton was lying on his bed, removing his clothes one piece at a time. I figured it out long ago. That woman blushes easily and gets flustered by a bit of teasing. If she comes in and sees me , she’ll definitely become shy and flustered. Suddenly, a light knock sounded at the door. Connor Sutton smiled. He lay down, closed his eyes, and pulled the blanket over himself. "Come in!" The door clicked open, and someone entered. Buried under the blanket, Connor Sutton listened as the footsteps grew closer. A smug smile spread across his face. I’m confident that once she gets a look at my body, she’ll be completely smitten. All of a sudden, a hand slipped under the blanket. With his eyes squeezed shut, Connor’s lips curled into a smile. He reached out, grabbed ’her’ hand, and tried to pull it into his embrace. Huh? Why can’t I pull it? Connor Sutton frowned and pulled harder. It still didn’t move an inch. Is this woman really that strong? The next moment, he threw back the blanket and opened his eyes. He was dumbfounded. Donovan Xavier was standing by the bed. He was tall and powerfully built, with chiseled, handsome features and a sharp, icy aura that radiated pure aggression. Connor Sutton was furious. "Why is it you? Where is she?" Donovan smirked, eyeing him with a bone-chilling coldness. "In the bathroom, taking a shower. And waiting for me to come back and sleep with her." "Get the hell out!" Connor Sutton roared. With an unreadable expression, Donovan reached out and flicked away the blanket covering Connor. A muscular chest and abs were revealed. Donovan narrowed his eyes and sneered, "President Sutton, just who were you planning to seduce?" Connor snatched the blanket back to cover himself and said nothing. Seeing this, Donovan stepped forward and leaned over him, looking down from a superior position. He let out a short, cold laugh. "Connor Sutton, don’t think for a second I don’t know what you’re up to. My woman is not someone you can covet." Connor remained fearless, his lips curling into a provocative smirk. "So what if I am coveting her? What are you going to do about it? Kill me?" An icy glint appeared in Donovan’s eyes. "You think I wouldn’t dare?" he asked, his voice sinister. He raised his hand—his fingers long and bony—and suddenly seized Connor by the neck. He applied lethal pressure, as if intending to snap his throat. Choked, Connor’s face turned red as he struggled to breathe. "Let... go!" He reached up, grabbing Donovan’s wrist with all his might, as if trying to break it. For a long moment, the two were locked in a stalemate. A vicious, predatory aura emanated from Donovan as he tightened his grip on Connor’s neck.