Chapter 155 “Your phone blew up or something! I was so worried about you; I had people track your phone’s IP all night. It ended up showing you were at the Marlowe Manor in Everglade! I drove seven hours straight to get here, and on the way, I’ve imagined all the terrible things that might’ve happened to you. Seeing you safe and sound now, I’m just so relieved, Xan. From now on, please let me know where you’re going, okay? Don’t make me worry again.” Matthew’s voice cracked with emotion, and he reached out to hug her, but Xanthea stopped him with a hand, “Uh, Matt, there are people around.” “Oh, Fight, I got a bit carried away! So, Xan, let’s head back to Crestwood. Your folks are waiting for you at home; they’re worried sick!” “What? You told my parents?” “Yeah, I was freaking out last night; I called everyone I could think of.” Xanthea rolled her eyes secretly. Great, now everyone must know about her embarrassing ordeal of being kidnapped by Orion. In the lobby, Orion emerged from the open kitchen, his eyes unblinkingly fixed on Matthew’s hands as they gripped Xanthea’s shoulders, his gaze deep and inscrutable. Leonard, noticing him, shot an annoyed glance at the servants who had failed to stop Matthew, and then turned to Xanthea with a smile. “Xan, why don’t you stay for breakfast? Today’s dishes are plenty, and they’re cooked by Orion himself. I’ve been his friend for years and never had the pleasure of trying his homemade dishes. You’re in for a treat!” At the mention of Orion’s name, Matthew swiftly turned around, his face paling at the sight. Orion! It really was him! He was actually here! As Oliver had said, Xan really did come with him, No matter what had happened between them, after his heated accusations against Orion over the phone last night and his impulsive intrusion into the Marlowe Manor today, Xan definitely shouldn’t stay for breakfast! “Xan, I picked up some food on the way here, all your favorites. Let’s head back before they get cold in the car.” Just as Xanthea was about to speak, Leonard interjected, “Xan, you wouldn’t deny me this small courtesy, would you? Even if you won’t do it for me, do it for the Sylvan Fox. Your vomit.spilled all over it last night when you were drunk, and on the way back, the silk got snagged. That dress is a total write–off now.” “What?!” Xanthea was shocked, “The Sylvan Fox’s ruined?” That was qne of Matilda’s creations, part of the Forest Twelve Spirits Collection. Losing one piece didn’t just mean the loss of millions of dollars; it diminished the value of the entire collection. “Yeah.” Leonard saw the guilt in her eyes and sighed, “That was a rare piece designed by Matilda, a real treasure.. Such a pity. Now, there’s no replacing it in the entire globe!” 1/2 Chapter 155 Matthew sensed an ulterior motive in his persistence, feeling consternated. He was obviously trying to guilt–trip Xan into staying, clearly harboring other purposes! He was Orion’s best buddy; the way he acted suggested something sinister about Orion’s intentions! * Chapter 156
Category: My Beloved Has Risen from Death’s Embrace (Xanthe and Mr. Lockwood )
My Beloved Has Risen from Death’s Embrace Novel
After Xanthea died, she witnessed the cold and ruthless president, Orion Lockwood, had actually killed the couple who harmed her. He knelt before her grave with bloodied hands, kissing her body, saying, “Xan, it’s too cold underground, I’m here to accompany you.”Reborn into her youth, Xanthea tormented the shameless bastard, Matthew and the despicable woman, Miranda, while also curiously investigating Orion, as they were completely unfamiliar before. Unexpectedly, as soon as they became familiar with each other, she was cornered by the man. “Xan, you know full well that I love you deeply, yet you dare to provoke me! In that case, never think of leaving me.”
Chapter 154 Matthew stormed away from the clinging servant, his gaze lifting to the man standing regally at the staircase in the lobby. The heir to the Marlowe fortune, the young master of the Marlowe family, Leonard? Matthew had seen. him more than once in financial news segments and at high–society gatherings. “Mr. Marlowe, good to see you!” Adjusting his cufflinks, Matthew raised his voice, “I’m Matthew, CEO of Forest Fashion, and Xanthea’s fiancé. I apologize for intruding today. It wasn’t my intention to disturb. I’m just trying to find Xan. She hasn’t been in touch since she got drunk last night. She didn’t answer the phone, and no one’s been able to reach her. Knowing she’s alone in the city worries me. I wonder if Mr. Marlowe could let me see her?” co this Matthew? So this was Xan’s fiancé! Leonard narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze inadvertently wandering to the kitchen before signaling to Louis with a glance. The butler, understanding his cue, waved at a group of servants to escort Matthew out. “What’re you doing? Let go of me now!” Seeing the servants swarm towards him again, Matthew grew panicked. He had introduced himself. If others didn’t know of his relationship with Xan, that was understandable, but the engagement between the Nightshade family and the Martinez family was well known in Crestwood. How could Leonard, a prominent figure in Havenbrook, not be aware? His being pulled away now, was it a sign of guilt? Could it be something had really happened to Xan within the Marlowe Manor? Leonard descended the stairs with a look of impatience. “Mr. Martinez, my family are still sleeping. Please keep your voice down. Whatever it is, we can discuss it outside.” “Why? Why discuss it outside? Just let me see Xan, and there’s no need for all this talk, Or have you done something to her? Where is she now?” Upstairs, Xanthea was blissfully admiring a well–nurtured black iris on her bedside table when she suddenly heard the commotion outside. Among the voices, one faintly familiar sound reached her ears; “Matthew?” She opened the door, and at the sight of Matthew surrounded by a group of servants at the lobby entrance, surprise flickered across her face. It really was him? Why was he here? “Xan? Xan!” While struggling. Matthew suddenly looked up and saw Xanthea. His eyes lit up, and he forcefully pushed through the servants to run upstairs. 1/7/2 Chapter 154 “Xan, it’s really you! Are you alright? Are you hurt? Has mistreated you?” anyone As he reached her, he gripped her shoulders tightly, causing Xanthea to wince slightly. Confused, she said, “I’m fine, Matt, but how did you end up here?” “Last night I called you, but it seemed like you were drunk. The call ended abruptly, and no matter how many times I tried, no one answered until the very last call.” As he spoke, he recalled the eerie silence and ambiguous moans from the phone call the previous night. His hands tightened, his eyes scrutinizing her as if searching for any suspicious sign. But there was nothing. Xan looked well, along with her body, and since his arrival at the Marlowe Manor, there had been no sign of Orion. Could it be that he had misunderstood the situation last night? There was no one speaking over the phone, the only voice being just drunken slur, but what about the explosion?
Chapter 153 “Can’t believe you’ve got sea urchin!” Leonard stared in astonishment at the tray, neatly adorned with freshly made sea urchin dish. Just as he reached to pick one up, the man stopped him, “Don’t touch.” Leonard knew the sea urchin was likely prepared for Xanthea, but couldn’t he try just one? That seemed a bit stingy! Sea urchin dish was a delicacy from the Everglades, rare and prized for their tender flesh, commanding a steep market price. What made them unique was their smooth, round body covered in spines that embed deeply, requiring careful skills to complete this special dish. A glance at the tray revealed about twenty to thirty pieces, each requiring significant time and effort to prepare. The kitchen island was littered with various other breakfast items, making Leonard wonder what ungodly hour the cook had started at to prepare all this. “Orion.” Leonard looked at him, expressing admiration, “You really love her, huh? I can’t even imagine how happy she’d be as your wife.” His words caused Orion, who was turning off the stove, to pause abruptly, drifting into a brief reverie, while the pancakes on the griddle started to burn. “Hey, hey! They’re burning! Just when I was praising you!” Leonard pointed at the griddle, catching a fleeting look of distraction in Orion’s eyes, and couldn’t help but tease. Although he wasn’t sure how Orion and Xan’s relationship would evolve, the fact that Xan was engaged with a wedding planned for the end of the year was undeniable. Wasn’t he just stirring the pot by saying this? “Hey, things that haven’t happened yet still have room to maneuver! Unlike me, destined to be a dashing bachelor this lifetime. If I were reborn as a woman next life, bro, I’d totally chase after you!” He tried to lighten the mood with a joke, but was met with a cold glance from the man. Just as Leonard was about to receive a “scram” from Orion, he wisely made his exit, “Alright, you keep at it. I’m gonna go hang with Xan!” Exiting the kitchen, Leonard was about to head upstairs when he heard a commotion at the entrance. “Sir, sir!” “Please stop, you are now trespassing. If you proceed further, we will call the police!” “Go ahead! My fiancée is here, can’t reach her by phone, can’t see her imperson, the police coming would actually help me find her! See where you’ve hidden her!” “Ms. Nightshade is indeed here, but without any proof of your acquaintance with her, we cannot let you in!” Leonard turned around, watching from a distance as the butler, a servant, and a man in a suit who was clearly agitated, were arguing. He shouted, “Louis, what’s going on?” “Mr. Marlowe!” Louis hurried over to report, “This Mr. Martinez at the door claims to be a friend of Ms. Nightshade’s, but 1/2 Capter 103 can’t specify when she arrived here or who she came with. I asked him to call her but the calls weren’t going through, so I stopped him. Then, angered by being stopped, he tried to force his way in, even fabricating close ties with Ms. Nightshade. Considering her celebrity status, I suspect he might be an obsessed fan, hence I thought to expel him from the estate!” Mr. Martinez? As Leonard heard this, his brows furrowed slightly.
Chapter 152 Was it possible? Ms. Nightshade was so wasted last night; she must be feeling terrible. The boss loved her dearly; he wouldn’t really make a move even if he wanted it that much. And with the boss‘ formidable capabilities, how could Ms. Nightshade possibly get out of bed after it, let alone be acting energetically like she was now! As for the musky scent, it was not like a man had to really get inside, well, it wouldn’t be wrong to say he released it without touching Ms. Nightshade, but strictly speaking, nothing really happened, Thinking this, Cedric felt like he had found solid evidence and defended Orion righteously, “Ms. Nightshade, you drank so much strong liquor last night; it might have affected your sense of smell.” “Is that so?” Xanthea scratched her head, half–doubting, trying to recall if she had ever lost her sense of smell after getting drunk. Cedric nodded, glanced out the window guiltily, and accidentally spotted a dense cluster of blooming heather, an idea suddenly forming. “I’ve got it!” Xanthea jumped, “Got what?” “I know why you smelled that scent! Look! There’s a cluster of heather right outside the window.” “Heather?” Xanthea looked out at the dense, oval–shaped cluster of tiny white flowers, “What does that have to do with anything?” “Ms. Nightshade, did you know? Heather is the city flower of Everglade, also known as ‘scented flower‘. Its fragrance and a man’s se…” He was cut off mid–sentence as Xanthea’s face turned sour, she snatched the gift box from his hands and shut him out the door with a slam. The cold sound of the door closing and her disdainful words hit him at once. “Frivolous! Just like your boss!” He wanted to say, “Ms. Nightshade, that’s not fair. The boss‘ way more frivolous than I am!! Everything had a reasonable explanation. Xanthea, feeling reassured, opened the gift box to find a neatly folded set of new clothes, she thought there would be merely one piece of clothing, but turned out it was from a bra to underwear, all very considerate! She put on the white, heavily detailed floral dress and appreciated herself by twirling in front of the mirror; she looked ethereal and enticing. Not only was the dress beautiful, but it also fit her perfectly, even the lace choker perfectly covering those marks on her neck. She wondered who had such great taste. Just then, Cedric’s words echoed in her mind. “The boss asked me to wake you up and bring these clothes for you.” Could Orion have picked them out for her? She suddenly c measurements, especially her bra size? her chest. How did he know her The exact size couldn’t be a coincidence! It must be the Marlowe family’s servants who prepared it, and he 1/2 Chapter 152 just took the credit, right? But how would the Marlowe family’s servants know her size? In the open–plan kitchen downstairs. Leonard strolled into the kitchen, yawning lazily, only to stop short at the sight of a man’s tall figure focused on cooking and the beautifully arranged, fancy breakfast on the kitchen island. “Wow! Orion, I didn’t know you could cook. And it looks so good; how come you’ve never shown this skill before? Making a special effort in the kitchen today must be for Xanthea, huh? Man, the CEO of the Lockwood Group, controlling the fate of hundreds of thousands employees, and here you are, cooking for a girl. Who would believe it?”
Chapter 151 What on earth happened last night? Why couldn’t she remember a thing? Why? As Xanthea was about to cry from anxiety, a sudden knock came at the door. “Who is it?!” She cautiously hugged a nearby vase and asked. Could it be the rapist at this hour? “Ms. Nightshade, it’s me! Breakfast’s ready, and the boss sent me to wake you up and bring you some fresh clothes.” Cedric’s voice came from outside, and Xanthea breathed a sigh of relief. She opened the door and quickly yanked him inside. “Whoa!” Cedric was startled, staring at her anxious face in surprise, “Ms. Nightshade, what’s going on?” Xanthea looked at him seriously, “Cedric, I need to ask you some questions, and you must answer me truthfully, every single word!” “Alright, alright,” Cedric nodded. “What happened after I got drunk last night?” “You don’t remember anything?” Even though he knew the answer, Cedric still pretended to be surprised. “Uh–huh, I always blackout when I drink; it’s not the first time.” “I see.” Cedric’s eyes darted around, “Well, I don’t know everything, Ms. Nightshade. What exactly do you want to know?” “I…um…” Xanthea was too embarrassed to voice her suspicions directly; fiddling with her pajamas, she asked, “Who changed my clothes?” “Wilma, a housemaid from the Marlowe family.” A housemaid? “Really?” “Yes, I saw her carrying that fairy–like dress out of the room myself. You can ask her if you don’t believe me.” Xanthea continued, “And these weird marks on my neck? They weren’t there yesterday!” “Those marks, well…” abit Cedric looked a bit discomforted, which made her even more anxious, “Just tell me! Did someone… “You got into a scuffle with Ms. Marlowe while drunk,” Cedric interrupted her, and Xanthea was stunned on spot. What? Marks from fighting with Queenie? So that was it! Her first reaction wasn’t anger at being hit, but sheer relief that nothing worse had 1/2 Chapter 151 happened. “And my phone, did she smash it too?” “Yes, exactly!” “Thank goodness, I was so scared.” She held her forehead and exhaled deeply, her high–strung nerves finally calming down. Cedric also secretly let out a sigh of relief. After years in the working world, he hadn’t learned much, but he’d mastered the art of telling white lies, although this was the first time he covered for his boss like this. “It’s okay. I’m done asking.” Xanthea started, but then she sensed something different, her nerves tensing again, “You’re not lying to me, are you?” “Of course not!” Cedric looked earnest, “Why would I lie to you, Ms. Nightshade? What would I gain from that?” Obviously, he might get a promotion, a raise, or even a year–end bonus for being the boss‘ most trusted assistant! He added that thought silently to himself. Xanthea asked, “Then why is there a musky scent in this room?” “Musky?” Although she was being subtle, Cedric, being a sharp man, immediately understood. Ms. Nightshade was referring to the scent of a man’s semen. カン “How could that be? I don’t smell anything. The air is clearly filled with the scent of irises. Ms. Nightshade, could your sense of smell be off?” “Impossible” Xanthea denied flatly, “I’ve had a keen sense of smell since I was young, capable of distinguishing even the most complex and subtle scents. Do you think I just guessed that jade last time?” At her insistence, Cedric panicked immediately. The boss had spent the night in Ms. Nightshade’s room and only left at dawn. If the air truly had a musky, scent as Ms. Nightshade claimed, could the boss have really done something to her?
Chapter 150 Orion stared at the girl intensely, his eyes shimmering with a fiery blaze as if he was hell–bent on devouring her whole in the fire. Until a flush of red crept up his cheeks, his heavy growl dissolved into the long night. After a while, he tenderly and meticulously wiped the hem of her fairy–like dress and glanced at his hand blandly before heading toward the bathroom. “No! Please no, don’t come any closer! There are snakes, so many snakes! Help me, Mom, Dad, help me!” When Orion returned to the room, he found the girl thrashing in the throes of a nightmare, her hands flailing as if to ward off something. “Xan?” He approached her, and saw the sweat and terror on her face; brows furrowed slightly, he turned to grab a towel. Unexpectedly, she grabbed his wrist immediately. “Don’t go; don’t leave!” “I’m not leaving, just grabbing something: I’ll be right bac “Don’t go.” She kept muttering in fear, as if afraid he’d never return, her voice filled with frightened whimpers, “Dad.” The girl’s trembling, sultry call of “dad” jolted Orion as if he’d been electrocuted, freezing him in place. He narrowed his eyes, looking at the girl whose lips slightly parted, face wearing an expression as if she was begging for reassurance, “What did you just call me?” “Dad.” Little temptress, was she really trying to torment him to death? Orion closed his eyes, and gently kissed her forehead to comfort her, “It’s okay, everything’s okay now. There, there, no need to be scared anymore. I’m right here with you; you’re my beloved treasure.” As the face of the girl on the bed relaxed and her breathing evened out into deep sleep, Orion gently held her hand and sat on the carpet beside the bed, placing a dark iris beside her pillow. “Xan,” he murmured, “do you know the meaning of the black iris?” In the darkness, his gaze upon her was as deep and intense as the night itself, filled with tenderness that could drown one in its deep affection. – Secret admiration, desperate love. -My rare find, not to be kept, not to be had, If only time could stop at this moment, forever paused here. Eyes closed, he sighed deeply, kissing her hand. “Ugh, it hurts.” As morning light filtered through the sheer curtains, casting patterns across the curvaceous form of the girl in the large bed, Xánthea grimaced slightly, and then slowly sat up with a painful expression, clutching 1/2 Chapter 150 her head. It hurt so much, and her body, too, seemed as if as if it had been trampled. Was this the aftermath of a hangover? She slowly opened her eyes, and upon seeing the unfamiliar brand new nightgown on her, her mind went blank Beside the bed, a fresh black iris stood in a vase, and on the dresser lay a phone. She delicately picked up the battered, broken device, examining it for a long moment before her expression twisted in realization. This was her phone?! “Who the hell smashed my phone?!” Angry, she jumped out of bed, clutching the phone, ready to storm out, but stopped abruptly at the sight in the dressing mirror. Reflected clearly, she saw the slightly open collar of her nightgown revealing a couple of suspicious red marks along her neck and collarbone, which looked like hickeys?! Nightgown, hickeys, a sore body, a smashed phone, and a faint scent of musk lingering in the air. In an instant, Xanthea’s face turned pale, and her mind uncontrollably conjured a horrifying scenario. Had she been taken advantage of last night after getting drunk? The broken phone could be a result of a failed struggle! Although her body felt terrible, apart from the headache and the weakness in her limbs, there was no other sensation, especially no pain down there. According to her knowledge of physiology, was it possible? 2/2
Chapter 149 Seriously, the boss didn’t exploit Ms. Nightshade’s tendency to black out after a drink and take advantage of her, did he? “Whoa!” Leonard stood at the dining table, catching a glimpse of the girl in the man’s arms, and nearly spit out his drink. Calling Orion a beast before was actually an understatement! Out there in broad daylight, forcing himself on Xan was bad enough, but now with Xan completely knocked out, he was still not holding back! and that suit jacket thrown over her to cover up; he He looked at the poor state of her mouth, her neck, and that suit jacket thrown assumed her skirt must have been all torn up. Such a pity, his one–of–a–kind vintage dress worth millions had been ruined! “Ms. Nightshade’s drunk. I’ll take her up.” “Alright!” Cedric nodded, “Room 203, on the second floor. I’ve already sprinkled sulfur around. Boss, do you need dinner brought up?” “No, I’ll stay with her.” Stay with her? What else did he intend to do?! Leonard watched him carry the girl upstairs and couldn’t help but lean in and whisper, “Ahem, just, you know, take it easy, man. She’s out of it; don’t do anything rash.” Orion gave him a cold glance, and Leonard mimed zipping his lips.. “Forget it.” He thought, “He’s not gonna listen.” A twenty–year–old man was indeed a frightful creature, full of vigor and impossible desires, never satisfied. Poor Xan might have to suffer with that slim figure. Room 203 on the second floor of the mansion Orion pushed open the room door and gently placed the girl on the large bed, pulling over a thin blanket. As he saw her sprawled out in a seductive red dress, her pale limbs exposed and unguarded, her expression Innocent yet utterly tempting, like a fascinating enchantress beyond comparison, he was momentarily transfixed. A surge of intense desire unexpectedly sprang forth, heading straight for his loins, making him involuntarily bend down closer until his nose almost touched hers, his eyes fixated oh her stunning face; he looked like a hungry predator eyeing its prey. She was his utterly and completely his. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead, and his Adam’s apple bobbed dryly from the intense swallowing. every inch of his tense body burning with pain. He wanted her so badly. “Liar, a liar! “No, please ho!” / 1/2 The girl, deep in sleep, suddenly seemed to be having a nightmare, shaking her head in terror, her hands. flailing as if frightened, her voice trembling with a cry that snapped him back to reality. He stood up quickly, recalling Loonard’s words. He knew he shouldn’t, couldn’t, but every time he found an opportunity, he lost control like a madman, especially after tooting such tender sweetness. He knew how intoxicating and irresistible she was, and he dared not think about what might happen if he went too far, If she’d lose her life. Just looking at her now, he was overwhelmed, unable to contain himself. In the dark, vast bedroom, heavy, intense breathing began to fill the air, the scent of hormones thick in the atmosphere.
Chapter 148 The recording was dripping with the girl’s arrogance and mockery, and as Queenie heard it, she couldn’t. help but smirk. That little vixen, so naive to have no guard up against her! Once Ori heard this, he’d definitely going to dump her ruthlessly. Then, all her lies and pretenses would be useless! “Orl, you heard that, right?” When the recording ended, Queenie exaggerated, “Xanthea said it was you who fell head over heels for her, pestering her relentlessly, using every dirty trick in the book to keep her by your side!” She was eager to see disappointment and anger on his face, but Orion remained as calm as a still lake after hearing the recording, replying simply, “Yes.” “What?” Queenie was stunned, hardly believing her ears. Orion continued, “Everything she said is true.” No, no, that couldn’t be! How could that be possible? Ori, with his impeccable background, status, character, and skills – superior in every way – how could he stoop so low to chase after a manipulative temptress? Reeling from shock, she staggered back as Orion carried Xanthea and walked towards the mansion. Watching their retreating figures, Queenie shook her head in disbelief, and then suddenly yelled, “Even if she doesn’t love you, even if she’s only with you for the money, you still don’t care?!” Her shrill voice pierced the night, slightly awakening the drowsy girl. Xanthea, groggily opening her eyes, wondered about the source of the noise, thinking it sounded like a dog barking, before a warm hand gently covered her eyes, sending her back to sleep. Orion’s gaze, sharp and colder than a valley breeze at night, turned to Queenie, “I don’t. As long as she’s willing to be with me, no matter the reason, I couldn’t ask for more.” After those last words, Queenie felt as if struck by lightning, collapsing to the ground in despair. “Ms. Marlowe, you seem out of sorts today, spouting nonsense and disturbing Xan’s peace. Come apologize before you leave tomorrow, or else Chairman Marlowe will have to do it for you.” He would involve her grandfather over such a trivial matter? Queenie watched his back, tears streaming down her face, feeling utterly defeated. Why? Why did he love her so much, willing to forsake his dignity, everything, just to be at her mercy? With all the wonderful women in the world, why her? “Boss, you’re back.” Cedric had been waiting in the lobby and was startled to see Orion carry Xanthea while he entered, especially hoticing her disheveled long hair, slightly swollen red lips, the faint marks on her fair neck, and her disheveled red dresa beneath the suit jacket. What on earth had the boss done to Ms. Nightshade? He–thought the car ride earlier, where the boss had crossed lines while Ms. Nightshade was asleep, was already too much, but this was on another level entirely.
Chapter 147 “Come on, talk to me! I’m really worried about you, seriously worried. Just tell me where you are, I’ll come pick you up!” “Xan! Xan? Xan?” Though the call connected, no one spoke. After a deathly long silence, Matthew seemed to sense something and paused for a few seconds, “Mr. Lockwood, is that you?” The sound of fabric rustling and a girl’s faint whisper suddenly carried over. Orion, in front of the glowing phone screen, madly kissed Xanthea’s pale, slender neck amidst his anxious words of concern. Matthew faintly heard a moan too hard to bear, and his mind exploded. He didn’t care that the person on the other end might be the powerful Crestwood tycoon, nor did he care about any potential retaliation; all he knew was that Xanthea was his girlfriend and off–limits to anyone else! Clutching the phone tightly, he burst out, “Orion! Is that you, Orion? What are you doing to Xan? Let her go! Right now! Taking advantage of a girl, what kind of gentleman does that make you?” “Have you lost your mind? She’s my love, my fiancée, what you’re doing is criminal, I could sue you!” His threats were unheeded, his anxious pacing suddenly stopped, “Or, do you just like the challenge? Knowing full well Xan despises you, finds you repulsive.” A thunderous crash came through, making Matthew’s ears ring. He froze, then his phone clattered to the ground. It was Orion, it really was Orion! Matthew was holding onto a last shred of hope, which now shattered with the sound of the explosion. Why would Orion smash the phone if not provoked? Had Orion gone mad? With any woman at his disposal, why insist on stealing Xanthea? Matthew had to find her immediately! Orion’s eyes gleamed cruelly as he crushed the phone in his hand. After a long while, he carried the girl in his arms towards the mansion. Hiding behind a pillar in the corridor, Queenie saw him leaving and quickly ran out, arms spread to block his path. “Orl.” She barely spoke when she met his warning gaze. Was he warning her not to wake Xanthea? Orion was so indulging towards this temptress! Without time to feel heartbroken, she bit her lip, sobbing softly, “Ori, I know you don’t like me, but I didn’t come to bother you today. I came to tell you the truth, the woman in your arms. Fearing his anger, she dared not speak ill of her, merely pulled out her phone. 1/2 Chapter 147 “Here’s a recording I made in the backwoods today, just listen, and you’ll understand everything!” She played the recording, and immediately Xanthea’s disdainful, playful voice filled the air. “Ms. Marlowe, perhaps I wasn’t clear enough earlier in the hall. Orion and I are hardly the couple madly in love. He’s the one hopelessly smitten, daydreaming and chasing me relentlessly. If it weren’t for his deep adoration and wealth, I would have kicked him to the curb long ago. You have no idea how annoying he can be, always wanting hugs and kisses.”
Chapter 146 In the grand hall of the mansion. “Leo!” Queenie rushed in from outside, breathless. Spotting Leonard emerging from the study but without Orion in sight, she urgently asked, “Where’s Ori? Where is he?” “What do you need him for?” Leonard sipped his red wine leisurely, a hiss escaping his lips in appreciation. It was a vintage treasure indeed, rich and full–bodied from just a sip, intoxicatingly so. Earlier, Xanthea had downed a whole glass and was likely to be fast asleep shortly. Leonard had hoped to use the wine to create an opportunity for Orion tonight, but it seemed his plan had backfired. “I need to talk to him urgently, stop asking and just tell me!” “He just stepped out, went down the west corridor to find Xan.” Before he could finish, Queenie turned and dashed outside. “Hey, he went to see Xan, why are you in such a rush to find trouble?” Queenie sprinted down the corridor, looking around desperately until she finally spotted a tall, striking figure at the end. “Ori.” Her voice was filled with joy as she called out, but it abruptly stopped. It wasn’t just him. Beneath him was another figure, desperately struggling but unable to escape his overpowering grasp. He was kissing the girl wildly, with such ferocity it seemed he might consume her alive, losing all his usual aloofness and polished demeanor. At this moment, he seemed like a completely different person, crazed and captivated, utterly lost. Queenie recognized the fiery red hem of the fox dress and covered her mouth in disbelief. So the rumors were true! Xanthea really was Orion’s girlfriend. Yet, what broke Queenie’s heart wasn’t this realization but the scene before her. She had imagined that even if Orion had a girlfriend, it would just be a cold, arranged marriage, or a decorative vase set aside to appease the elders and silence the gossip. After all, someone as naturally cold and distant as him wouldn’t really fall in love, let alone be passionate about someone. But now, Queenie saw him passionately kissing the girl in his arms, even if forcefully, he was drowning in it, indistinguishable from any man lost in love. 1/2 Chapter 146 Queenie thought, “Orion had really lost his soul to that seductress! That flirtatious vixen, only after his money!” She had to expose Xanthea! She had to show Orion how truly vile and repulsive that woman was! Orion gently kissed the girl’s serene sleeping face, from her forehead to her nose, then to her delicate cheeks, barely resisting the urge to kiss her moist, tender lips again. “Buzz–Buzz-” The vibrating phone at his feet snapped him out of his reverie. He looked down and saw ‘Matthew‘ flashing on the screen, the red haze of desire in his eyes fading, replaced momentarily by a flash of rage. He picked up the phone and slid to answer. On the other end, Matthew’s voice came through, frantic, “Xan, you finally picked up! I was so scared, what happened just now? What’s going on?”