Donovan Xavier waited a few seconds and then asked, "Why aren’t you saying anything?" "Chloe Preston, don’t you want to marry me?" "You should know, there aren’t many good men like me left out there." The woman still didn’t make a sound. Donovan Xavier shifted, lifted the blanket, and lowered his gaze. A smile touched his lips as he looked down. So she was asleep. She was sleeping so soundly. Her face was pretty and fair, her eyelashes long. She looked so sweet and angelic. Donovan Xavier watched her for a long time, his heart stirring faintly. He leaned closer and gently kissed her forehead. Chloe Preston stirred restlessly in her sleep, her brow furrowing as he roused her. "I can’t sleep," Donovan Xavier said. "Talk with me for a while." Chloe Preston could barely open her eyelids, overcome with drowsiness. "Forget it, I’m so tired." As she spoke, she yawned, nestled into the crook of his arm, and prepared to fall back into a deep sleep. Donovan Xavier turned her head to face him, a hint of childish pique in his voice as he pestered her, "No sleeping." "Chloe Preston, keep me company." He was usually decisive and ruthless; such words were utterly out of character for him. Normally, Chloe would have humored him. But she was just so tired right now. Fortunately, she had a good temper. If it had been anyone else, they would have slapped him for bothering them while they were sleeping. Chloe Preston buried her face in his chest and patted his arm, her eyes, bleary with exhaustion, welling with tears. "Let’s just sleep." "Sweetheart," Donovan Xavier coaxed. "It’s no use," Chloe Preston replied. "Whatever you call me, I need to sleep now." With that, she turned over, settling into a more comfortable position. "You still haven’t showered. Hurry up and go to the bathroom to wash and change." Chloe Preston closed her eyes, murmuring, "I’ve already showered. I smell great." Seeing this, Donovan Xavier let out a sigh. He leaned against the headboard with his arms crossed, thinking. After a moment, his dark eyes lit up. He leaned in again, pressing close to her slender, warm back, and whispered in her ear, "Wifey." The word struck Chloe Preston like a bolt of lightning. Her eyes shot open and she rolled over to face him, her hair a mess, her gaze wide with disbelief. What did he just call me? Wifey! Am I hearing things? He’s never called me that before, not even in my dreams. What’s gotten into him tonight? How could he say it so easily! And... it sounded surprisingly nice. His sudden move had chased all her sleepiness away. A blush crept up Chloe Preston’s face, her clear, watery eyes wide. "What did you just call me?" "Just... that word you said a moment ago." "What word?" Donovan Xavier frowned, playing dumb. "You just said it! You can’t take it back!" Chloe Preston said, growing anxious. Donovan Xavier laughed. "What did I say? I don’t remember a thing." Chloe Preston grabbed his tie. "Donovan Xavier, stop pretending!" "You... say it again." "You want to hear it?" Donovan Xavier asked. "Yes," Chloe Preston admitted. Donovan Xavier met her gaze and smiled. Then, he lifted the blanket and got out of bed. "Where are you going?" Chloe Preston asked, tugging on his forearm. Donovan Xavier didn’t answer. With a calm expression, he walked straight into the bathroom. 「The Xavier Residence.」 Chloe Preston had specially taken the day off to stay home, where she was poring over recipes. Today was Donovan Xavier’s birthday. He seemed to have forgotten, but she wanted to surprise him. At noon, Chloe Preston made his favorite soup, planning to take it to him at Xavier Group. Twenty-five minutes later, Chloe Preston pulled up to the entrance of Xavier Group. She got out of the car, looked up, and glanced around. Wow. As expected of Kryton’s largest leading enterprise. How impressive! Follow current novᴇls on Nov3lFɪre.ɴet She tidied her slightly messy hair as a gentle breeze blew past. Her expression was beautiful and gentle as she walked inside on her high heels, carrying a white insulated container. She went straight to the front desk to inquire. "Hello, I’m looking for Mr. Xavier." The receptionist sized up the woman before her. She was beautiful, with a stunning figure and a cool, refined aura—the type to appeal to both men and women. The receptionist stretched lazily and stifled a yawn. "Do you have an appointment?" Chloe Preston was taken aback. "No." "Then please leave," the receptionist said. "Mr. Xavier is very busy. He can’t see anyone without an appointment." Chloe Preston paused for a few seconds. "I’m his girlfriend. Can’t I see him without an appointment?" The receptionist muttered under her breath, "Another one." "If you don’t have one, you can’t see him. Please leave!" Chloe Preston furrowed her delicate brows. "Not even if I’m his girlfriend?" The receptionist chuckled. "A real one could, of course. A fake one can’t." Hmm? Is she implying that I’m a fake? The receptionist frowned, growing impatient. "Miss, have I not made myself clear? No appointment, no entry." "To be honest with you, this month alone, twenty-two women have already come here pretending to be with Mr. Xavier. You make twenty-three!" "I’ve seen plenty of your type. You just want to use your good looks to get close to Mr. Xavier, to hit on him and climb the social ladder!" "Save your energy. Our Mr. Xavier doesn’t entertain women. You don’t stand a chance!" Chloe Preston pressed her lips together. "But I really am his girlfriend." The receptionist didn’t believe her at all. Seeing Chloe refuse to leave, her expression soured, and she called for security. "Security! This woman is trying to hit on Mr. Xavier! Get her and throw her out!" What? Throw me out? That would be mortifying! Chloe Preston turned to see the security guards entering. They were all tall, well-built, and imposing, their faces incredibly fierce. A flicker of fear ran through her. Chloe Preston took two steps back and looked at the receptionist. "You have to believe me! I really am his girlfriend!" The receptionist crossed her arms and sneered, "If you’re Mr. Xavier’s girlfriend, then I must be Mrs. Xavier!" "Look at your no-name brand outfit. It isn’t even worth as much as my earrings. A cheap woman like you actually has the nerve to claim to be Mr. Xavier’s girlfriend!" Chloe Preston frowned, her gaze falling to her clothes. She had to admit, her outfit was rather simple and plain. It certainly couldn’t compare to the receptionist’s head-to-toe luxury brands. If I’d known, I would have worn my hundred-plus-carat emerald necklace! Chloe Preston clutched her insulated container, her lips tightening. "Alright, if there’s no other way, can I call him?" The receptionist watched her in silence. Chloe Preston took her phone out of her bag, found the man’s number, and dialed. *"The number you have dialed is currently switched off. Please..."* Chloe Preston hung up and dialed again. *"The number you have dialed..."* The call went straight to voicemail. She tried again, with the same result. Chloe Preston closed her eyes. That Donovan Xavier! So unreliable when it counts! I never should have come today! Donovan Xavier had just finished a meeting. He stepped out of the elevator, on his way to a client dinner.