Only now do I realize Ethan Xavier has really changed—he’s clearly set his sights on the Xavier Group and is ready to go to war with Timothy Xavier.
His gaze burns into , still waiting for my response.
I look at him seriously, deliberately: "Even though I don’t like Timothy Xavier, I actually loathe him, I won’t be your pawn. Whatever grudges you have with him, solve them yourself—don’t drag into it. Stealing corporate secrets is illegal, I won’t do it, and you’d better watch yourself too."
I’d barely finished speaking when a waiter rushed over, stopping beside Ethan Xavier: "Young Master Xavier, Mr. Sinclair wants you inside."
Ethan’s brow furrowed even tighter, his tone irritable: "Didn’t I tell him I have sothing to handle? I’ll be back in a bit."
"Mr. Sinclair wants you to go now. Right now." The waiter stood firm, refusing to back down.
I froze at once—Julian Sinclair’s here too?
So Ethan Xavier, Julian Sinclair, and Mason Hawthorne who just left... They were all here to talk business?
Ethan noticed my expression shift, eyeing with hidden aning: "Want to co inside and join ?"
"No need."
I replied simply, turned, and hurried out.
...
When Ethan followed the waiter into the VIP suite, Julian Sinclair sat on the sofa, cigarette pulsing between his fingers.
Smoke swirled around his face, his expression too deep to read.
Mason Hawthorne sat nearby playing with his phone; seeing Ethan Xavier enter, he glanced up with an amused smirk tugging at his lips.
Ethan took a seat and asked suspiciously, "Julian, what’s up? Suddenly calling back?"
Julian Sinclair said, "From now on, don’t provoke Zoe Ellison. n’s business shouldn’t drag won into the ss."
Ethan tensed up, guiltily rubbing his nose, admitting, "Julian, it’s not really what I want. But Timothy Xavier’s got suppressed at the Xavier Group—I can’t even get involved in any projects. I tried to get your help before, but you said because of Auntie’s situation you couldn’t move against the Xavier Group... That’s why I—"
He hadn’t finished before Julian cut him off: "Now, I agree."
Ethan jerked his head up, face full of shock: "Didn’t you say... because of Auntie, it wasn’t convenient to interfere with Xavier business? Last ti she even threatened to give up treatnt?"
Mason put down his phone, let out a sneer and leaned forward: "You punk kid, unmarried and green—what the hell do you know? Stealing soone’s wife? Julian’s not going to just swallow that!"
At this, a glint of amusent flickered in his eyes, his tone turned flippant: "If you ask , Zoe Ellison doesn’t know what’s good for her. No need to save her face. When we crush Timothy Xavier enough, he’ll have no choice but to co begging. Then you can demand he tie his wife up in a bow and send her to your bed. Those two... It’s ti they got what’s coming."
The words made Ethan frown.
He might be a player, but even he found that too much, and he had to retort: "Timothy deserves it, sure, but did Zoe ever cross you? Anyone can see right now she’s just putting on an act with Timothy, helping Julian clean up his reputation!"
"Helping?" Mason snorted, slouching into the sofa with open disdain, "Julian needs that woman to save him? Without her, Julian couldn’t bounce back? The Sinclair Group’s partnership with the governnt is all for good press—barely any profit. This ti, let them ask on their own to end cooperation. You think Julian cares about her ddling?"
"She doesn’t know the tangled ss behind this! Really, Zoe Ellison’s lucky she’s with Julian and not you!"
Ethan argued back, trying to defend Zoe Ellison.
Mason raised a brow: "What’s got you so riled? People might think you’re into Zoe too! Now that I think about it, didn’t you say before you were interested in her?"
Ethan quickly shot Julian a glance, pointed at Mason: "Cut the crap! Stirring up drama now, aren’t you?"
The two sparred, but seeing Julian’s cold face, their voices gradually faded.
Mason, catching Julian’s silence, nudged his arm and grinned slyly: "How about my suggestion? You were on the wrong track from the beginning. Take —Raina Ainsworth is so obedient now. She knows her place, doesn’t cause trouble, and gives plenty of emotional value. You, on the other hand, never trained Zoe Ellison right."
Finally, Julian stubbed out his cigarette and tossed it into the ashtray.
His tone went cold, distinctly annoyed: "She’s not Raina, and I’m not just playing around with her. And don’t use language like that about her again—I won’t tolerate it."
Mason’s smile froze, and he dropped the subject.
Ethan shot Mason a mocking look from the side, as if to say, "Big mouth—got any more guts to keep talking?"
Just then, Julian finally spoke: "The Xavier Group’s been pushing a cultural tourism project on the west side of the city. The cash flow’s tight, and they’re just scraping by on bank loans. Ethan, tomorrow you go to the project’s supervision team and get evidence that they’re using subpar construction materials. Don’t release it yet—hold onto it for now."
Ethan’s eyes lit up, but then he hesitated: "Julian, even though Timothy’s in charge and this could ruin him, if my dad finds out my infighting with him hurt the Xavier Group, won’t he kill ?"
Julian shot him a sideways look: "Relax, you won’t be stuck in a corner. Mason and I happen to have a project to patch that gap. When Timothy’s project blows up, you step in and strike a deal with us for the new one."
Ethan’s eyes cleared: "That way, Timothy’s authority in the company just keeps eroding, and I get a chance to stand out in front of the board."
Mason gave him a curious tone: "Thought you were always screwing around—never imagined you could get serious!"
Ethan’s eyes grew cold as he spoke, word by word: "I made a promise—the humiliation my mother suffered, I’ll make them pay for! The Xavier Family doesn’t trust , looks down on , and I’ll make them regret it!"
Julian didn’t comnt on Ethan’s plan, just told him: "I’ve laid the groundwork for you, so don’t go looking for Zoe Ellison again. I don’t want her mixed up in this ss."
Ethan sneaked a glance at Mason.
Looks like Julian’s feelings for Zoe Ellison run deeper than they thought.
Mason nodded, making up his mind: "I’m not a fan of Zoe Ellison, but brother, since she’s who you want, I’ll back you all the way! Just say what you need."
Julian said mildly: "I hear Timothy Xavier’s negotiating with overseas investors. Get the Hawthorne Group’s overseas network to ’remind’ them—say the Xavier Group’s finances aren’t stable. Don’t go too far, just make them hesitate."
Mason raised his brows: "No problem—a phone call and that’s settled. But Julian, you’re sealing off all Timothy’s exits now. Weren’t you saying before your mother objected to you interfering with Xavier business?"
Julian’s gaze darkened: "I heard she went to the office to find Zoe Ellison the day the scandal broke. Since she insists on ddling in my affairs, I can ddle in the Xavier Family too. Nothing left to hold back."
Ethan muttered to himself in awe: "So you two tigers fight, and I get to reap the rewards?"
Mason shot him a look: "Go celebrate in secret, kid!"
...
I left the club and headed straight to the office, not going ho.
I figured Timothy Xavier was probably still at my place—I had no desire to see his face.
I’d barely sat down at my desk when my phone screen lit up with a notification.
Doris was waving a freshly made cake, cream sared on her lip, winking cutely and flashing a peace sign.
I sent her a smiley face back, but ignored the ssages that followed.
I know—these were probably from Timothy Xavier, using her.
He’s good at using kids now, and at using my soft spot for Doris.
By afternoon, my interview with Chester Hawthorne was nearly done when an entertainnt news pop-up appeared on my computer.
Timothy Xavier trending again.
Just monts ago, he’d posted on X—a photo of him making cake with Doris today.
Caption: Quality ti with my precious daughter.
The comnts were already flooding in:
"Bad boy turned good—how charming is that!"
"Whatever happened before, he’s the most enviable man in the Xavier Family now!"
Then a questioning comnt popped up: "Where’s your wife?"
Followed by Timothy’s reply: "She’s at work. She’s always supported —been the woman behind ; now, it’s my turn to be the man behind her."
I almost laughed in anger and closed the web page—I felt like one more look and I’d puke up lunch.
Just then, my phone buzzed with a voice ssage from Doris: When are you coming ho?
I took a deep breath and pressed ’record’: "Be good, Doris. Mommy will be ho after work. Have dinner first tonight, don’t wait for ."
I hung up, breathing deeply and finished up Chester Hawthorne’s interview draft.
Then I heard footsteps outside—familiar, steady and strong.
My hand froze on the mouse. Before I could react, the office door opened, and Julian Sinclair and Jack Sullivan appeared in the common workspace.
My heart dropped, fist tightening on the mouse.
Didn’t he spend the day at the club talking business with Mason and the others?
On a weekend, why’s he here at my office?
Julian Sinclair’s eyes swept the room before landing on —cold as ice, not a hint of warmth.
Just a second, then he turned away just as coldly.
Jack Sullivan sensed the awkwardness and quickly stepped forward, plastering on a smile as he explained, "Miss Ellison, sorry for the disturbance. Attorney Sinclair just had an urgent docunt that needed his signature—just sign and we’ll be out of your hair."
He’d just finished when Julian snapped, icy and curt: "Enough with the talking!"
Jack’s smile froze, faltering, and he bowed his head, silent.
Then he quickly disappeared into Julian’s office.
Soon, he erged with the docunt, respectfully handed it to Julian Sinclair.
Julian took it, picked up a pen, his long fingers moving swiftly and decisively to sign his na.
After signing, he handed it back to Jack Sullivan, a clear look in his eyes.
Jack grabbed the file like he’d been pardoned, nodded hastily at both of us and raced off as fast as he could.
All of a sudden, only and Julian Sinclair remained in the company.
I sat in my seat, heart pounding wildly.
He didn’t leave—just stood there watching .
I couldn’t stand it anymore, jumped up, grabbed my bag and just wanted to escape from this suffocating room.
But I’d barely taken two steps before Julian crossed the office with long strides, grabbing my wrist and pulling into his office.
His other hand reached behind him and shut the door.
The sound of the lock made my heart clench tight.
I tried to back away, voice trembling with anger, "Mr. Sinclair, didn’t I make myself clear last ti? What I feel for you is just..."
"Use?"
He interrupted abruptly, lips curling in a chilling smile that didn’t reach his eyes.
He pinned against the desk—the edge pressing painfully into my waist.
Julian braced his hands on either side of , leaning down slightly: "If you’re saying all this just to clean my na, put a distance between us, don’t bother. I’m not so naïve kid—I don’t believe everything you say!"
I opened my mouth, about to speak, but he cut off again.
His eyes burned with a madness and ruthlessness I’d never seen before, sharp gaze locking on : "Even if you really are just using , feel nothing for , then keep pretending! Act better—pretend for a lifeti!"
His breath surrounded , oppressive and suffocating.
Like if I dared say ’no’ he’d kill without hesitation.
I was stunned into silence, all struggle freezing up.
My heart pounded out of control in my chest.
Seeing stop struggling, the anger in his eyes finally faded a bit; he reached out, gently tracing my cheek: "Rember what I promised? I’ll make Timothy Xavier hand you over to , obediently."
I frowned instinctively: "Julian Sinclair, what do you take for? Just sothing you and Timothy Xavier bargain over, or fight for like an object?"
He realized his words had co off wrong, his tone softened: "That’s not what I ant. If leaving isn’t what you truly want, I won’t let go. But if you’ve really decided, if you truly don’t feel anything for , don’t want to be with , then I’ll never force you."
He paused, looking straight into my eyes: "But Zoe Ellison, I need the truth."
I couldn’t give the answer he wanted, and I didn’t want everything I’d worked for to be ruined, so I dropped my gaze, avoiding his eyes.
Just then, outside the office, the security guard’s voice sounded: "President Xavier, Miss Ellison should still be in the office. She arrived this afternoon, hasn’t left since. I’ve been on duty at the door—haven’t seen her go out."
Timothy Xavier’s voice, edged with accusation: "So where is she now? You’re sure she’s here? You didn’t get it wrong?"
"No mistake, President Xavier!"
The guard was adamant, "It’s the weekend—hardly anyone’s co in. I’ve checked each one! If you don’t believe , look—Miss Ellison’s bag is still at her desk. She hasn’t taken it."
Outside, silence for a few seconds; then Timothy’s tone turned icy: "Alright. You can go now."
The guard’s footsteps faded away, then Timothy’s polished shoes echoed sharply on marble, reverberating in the empty office.
Step by step, the sound approached Julian’s office—closer, closer.
I held my breath.
I know Timothy’s temper too well—last ti he caught with Julian, he nearly lost it.
If he catches us together now, he’ll probably explode—drag Julian down with him.
He’s already notorious, but Julian’s different. The Sinclair Family won’t stand for that kind of scandal.
"Please, let out, okay?"
I pleaded, voice barely above a whisper, desperate: "Going toe-to-toe with soone like him—it’s not worth it."
But Julian didn’t budge; if anything, he pressed even closer.
My back was up against the cold edge of the desk, his hot body just a shirt away from mine.
His sharp features drew nearer, warm breath tracing my ear.
My heart thundered, nearly bursting out of my chest.
Then—the office door was knocked on, all of a sudden.
Timothy Xavier’s voice, tentative, filtered in: "Zoe, are you in there?"
Next second, Julian’s lips landed on my earlobe, burning hot.
I froze, panic flooding .
After all these years, he’d always been restrained—between us, an invisible line had never been crossed.
But now, he seed to have lost control, ready to tear down every last barrier.
I clamped my hand over my mouth, determined not to make a sound.
Outside, Timothy Xavier was losing patience—his voice darkened: "Zoe Ellison, I know you’re in there! Julian Sinclair’s with you, isn’t he? If you don’t open the door now, I’ll kick it down!"
I looked helplessly at Julian, begging him not to speak, not to touch anymore.
But his eyes glinted with wicked amusent; his burning lips trailed from my ear to my lips, then down to my neck.
Each trembling kiss set goosebumps crawling over my skin, my body shivering uncontrollably.
The harsh knocking continued, but Julian seed not to hear at all.
I never would have believed a man so disciplined could lose himself like this.
He had so shaken I was going weak all over, trying to push him away but caught by the wrist.
His kisses moved across my skin, as he murmured in my ear: "Or maybe... just let him see? I’d love to watch him lose his mind."
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