Chapter 36
Xanthea caught the look of surprise and confusion in his eyes as he suddenly awoke, and quickly, with a touch of embarrassment, withdrew her leg. “Ah, don’t get the wrong idea, I was just trying to step over you to get out without disturbing your sleep. Oh, and thanks. for your jacket!*
She handed the jacket back to him, and Orion took it but didn’t move aside. “About the jewelry, Ms. Nightshade, have you considered my offer?”
Xanthea waved her hand dismissively, “I appreciate the gesture, but I really can’t accept it!” The jewelry he showed her was indeed exquisite, each piece a rare treasure. If put on the market, each would fetch at least a couple of million, with the priciest pieces reaching up to several hundred million. How could she possibly accept such lavish gifts!
Orion asked, “Not interested?”
Of course, that wasn’t it! There wasn’t a woman in the world who could resist sparkling jewelry!
Xanthea wanted to deny it but seeing his insistent look, worried he might think she was just being politely evasive, she nodded.
“Then what about Crestwood’s real estate, shops, resources, anything catches Ms. Nightshade, just say the word.”
“No, no, that’s alright!”
your eye,
Xanthea was stunned by his generosity. She had thought his previous life’s pursuit of Miranda was already extravagant, but that was nothing compared to what he was offering her now.
“I told you, the rough diamond was to repay you for helping me fend off those thugs that one time. If you really want to thank me, then just owe me a favor, and I’d call you when need something, alright?”
Xanthea’s stalling tactic worked effectively, and Orion nodded after a moment of silence.
“Alright, that’s settled then! I should get going.”
“Where to, Ms. Nightshade? Can I offer you a ride?”
“Xan, what are you doing here?”
Just as he finished speaking, Matthew ran up from behind, his eyes flickering with a hint of wariness upon seeing Orion and Xanthea together.
He had fallen asleep as soon as he boarded the plane, thinking Xanthea had done the same. He hadn’t expected Orion to be on the same flight, let alone to wake up and see
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Chapter 36
them together.
Xanthea replied, “Just bumped into Mr. Lockwood and came over to say hi.”
“Oh.” Matthew forced a polite smile. “Mr. Lockwood, Xan and I are off to Willowdale for a trip. Didn’t expect to run into you here.”
After he spoke, he extended his hand, but the man in front of him seemed not to notice, his eyes lowered, hiding the flicker of emotion.
So, they were traveling together.
After a few awkward seconds, Matthew’s smile stiffened, and his extended hand hung in the air uncomfortably.
Xanthea looked questioningly at Orion, who coldly stated, “Sorry, I haven’t washed my hands.”
What? Not washed his hands?
Xanthea was shocked; did that mean his hands still had traces of her saliva? Surely, that
was a lie?
Matthew chuckled awkwardly and turned to Xanthea, “Let’s go then.”
“Sure! Mr. Lockwood, till we meet again.”
Xanthea waved at him, turned, and walked down the plane with Matthew.
As the cabin cleared, only Orion remained, staring blankly at the boarding door as if he could still see a trace of the girl who had just left.
Cedric sighed quietly to himself; he had predicted that any meeting between Xanthea and Orion, regardless of the circumstances, would end with Orion in a somber mood.
Once off the plane, Xanthea touched her chin, plotting a way to slip away and leave Matthew with Miranda. That way, the filthy couple would inevitably reveal their true col
under surveillance.