Chapter 298 Into Her Good Books
+5 Pearls
Xavier observed Milly’s countenance carefully, detecting a trace of unease. Promptly, he addressed her. “Milly, did I startle you? If my presence unsettles you, I could don a mask upon every encounter. Should even that prove ineffective, I shall resort to a helmet.”
Milly remained taciturn, her lips pursed.
There is no need for such measures.
A sudden idea seized Xavier’s thoughts, prompting him to rise eagerly. “Milly, are you in need of refreshment? Might I fetch you some water, or perhaps a selection of fruits? A banana, or perchance an apple?”
Milly raised a hand to halt him. “No, thank you. I am neither thirsty nor hungry.”
“In that case, allow me
Milly drew a deep breath. “There is no need for that, Mr. Xavier. We must have a serious conversation.”
“Woof woof woof…
Milly arched an eyebrow in confusion.
Concerned she had not heard, Xavier leaned closer and emitted two more barks in a higher pitch. “Woof woof woofl
Milly furrowed her brow, slightly repelled by his behaviour.
Is this man deranged? Has he been bitten by a rabid creature and left untreated? Does he fancy himself a canine?
Xavier blinked, wounded by her reaction. “I even barked like a dog, and yet-”
Before he could finish, the nurse from the adjoining room, who had been dozing, evidently heard the disturbance and swiftly swung the door open. “Ms. Burnett I heard a dog barking. Has a stray dog entered this room?”
As she stepped inside, her gaze met Xavier’s. “Mr. Xavier, how did you gain entry here?”
Access to the VIP ward was tightly controlled, requiring a swipe card. Without someone on the inside to swipe it, entry was impossible at certain times.
Mr. Burnett had entrusted only Ms. Burnett with the card to prevent disruptions. If she hadn’t swiped it, how had Mr. Xavier managed to enter?
Xavier scratched his nose awkwardly. “Well, I was concerned that calling out to you might cause a disturbance, so I… entered through the window.”
The nurse’s eyes widened. “Through the window? This is the seventh floor!”
This was the seventh floor. Coming up without any safety measures in place meant any misstep could spell
disaster.
Milly stared at him incredulously. “Are you quite mad?*
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Chapter 298 Into Her Good Books
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Upon seeing Milly’s disbelief. Xavier straightened himself, hastening to explain, “It’s nothing to worry about, Milly. During our training, scaling up to the tenth floor was a mere exercise.
Milly continued to frown, her disbelief lingering.
Xavier swallowed nervously, tentatively proposing. “What if I were to don a helmet and ascend tomorrow, would that be acceptable?”
Does his fixation on helmets know no bounds?
Milly rubbed her temples, feeling dubious about the man standing before her. Why was he behaving so foolishly after only a few days?
“The door serves its purpose; the window, however, is for ventilation alone, not for ingress or
egress!” Feeling somewhat aggrieved, Xavier toyed with his fingers. “But it’s late, and I wished not to disturb your rest by entering. It seemed simpler to use the window, slipping in quietly without causing any disturbance.
Milly was left utterly speechless.
An uncomfortable silence hung in the air.
The attendant sensed the tension and attempted to lighten the mood with a smile. “Mr. Xavier simply has a keen eye for Ms. Burnett’s well–being, that’s all.”
Milly released a gentle sigh. “Lady, could you step outside for a moment? I need to speak with him.”
The caregiver gladly complied, nodding. “Of course, feel free to converse. If you require anything, just let me know.”
“Thank you, lady.”
As the caregiver softly closed the door behind her, a sudden realisation struck her. There had been no dog in the room earlier, so where had that barking originated?
The scene shifts back to the ward.
Just as Milly prepared to address him, “Mr. Xavier…
“Woof woof woof.
Milly furrowed her brow. Was he truly persisting in this pretence of barking like a dog?
Xavier gazed at Milly with a pleading expression, seeking reconciliation. “Milly, I have come to recognise my errors. I acknowledge my folly. Can you find it in your heart to forgive me and henceforth address me as Xavier?”
Milly pursed her lips, neither consenting nor denying.
When their eyes met once more, hers betrayed no emotion. The chill in her gaze sent a shiver down. Xavier’s spine.
He sensed no reproach, no resentment, and not even a hint of anger in her eves. It was as though she
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Chapter 298 Into Her Good Books.
regarded him as a stranger….
A stranger…
Those wordsed Xavier’s heart into a thousand pieces.
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“Mr. Xavier, I am uncertain of your intentions now. Should you seek to reconcile or seek redemption, it is unnecessary. The choice of whom to rescue rests solely with you, and therein lies no right or wrong.”
“If you harbour hidden motives, they too are needless. Our association demands no sacrifice for your aspirations. You need not forfeit yourself for any desire; pursue it if you wish.”
Xavier’s heart panged, his breath hastening. “Milly, it’s not as you believe. I didn’t…
Milly shook her head, intercepting his words. “It matters not how you feel towards me. If you love Stephanie, then by all means, care for her. If you deem her unsafe in my presence, then keep her distant. I shall not suffer for it. Should harm befall her, I shall not shoulder the blame. As for you
“I have brothers aplenty who care for me, and your presence is of no consequence. You may distance yourself as far as you please.”
Xavier’s eyes welled with tears, fearing Milly truly wished to sever ties. He reached for her hand, beseeching, “No, it is not so. You are the only sister in my heart. Milly, grant me another opportunity to prove myself. I will not fail you. Please, do not… do not cast me away.”
Milly’s gaze remained impassive as she withdrew her hand, locking eyes with him. “Some wounds, once inflicted, can never mend.”