In the Lap of Luxury

Xander knocked on the door, and an attendant opened it. Isla looked up and saw the good-looking man.

Xander gestured with his finger, indicating for her not to make a sound.

At that moment, Grace had already won over a dozen rounds.

Another lady at the table understood the situation well and kept folding her cards. Combined with Grace's sharp wit, Priscilla and Jean were utterly defeated.

A pile of chips lay on the table.

Priscilla was visibly upset. After finishing the last round, she conceded. "You're really clever, Ms. Lewis. I admit defeat."

Even from the back, Grace seemed delighted. "Okay. Losing isn't scary. It's being afraid to admit defeat that's scary. Aunt Priscilla, you need to practice your poker skills."

Priscilla remained silent.

After collecting the chips, Grace bid farewell and turned to leave. But as she did, she stumbled into a man's arms, hurting her nose.

When she looked up, she saw Xander. "Xander?"

Everyone looked over.

Smiling, Xander gently rubbed her nose for her.

"How long have you been here?" Her tone softened.

"I just arrived. Are you tired of playing?"

"Just a bit."

Their intimate interaction clearly indicated a close relationship. Priscilla stood up and said, "Xander, why are you here?"

Xander raised his hand to adjust Grace's collar without looking at Priscilla. "I have a meeting here. I heard Grace was here, so I came to see." "Mrs. Jones told me that Ms. Lewis is like Raymond's daughter. I heard that the Lewis family has three brothers. Are you considered the fourth?" Upon hearing this, Xander cast a disdainful glance at Priscilla, his eyes growing colder.

Grace blurted out, "We're not siblings."

"It doesn't matter how I see you. What matters is how the outside world sees you. Everyone knows about the relationship between the Fulton and Lewis families. Though you're not siblings, you're close like family."

Xander's hand slid down, gripping Grace's hand tightly. "Oh, please, Aunt Priscilla. If I cared about how the outside world sees things, you and Jake wouldn't be here anymore. Don't you think so?" Priscilla's remaining smile vanished.

Since he had been young, Xander had always been respectful and courteous to her. But only she knew that there was a wolf ready to attack underneath his gentle facade.

After Xander and Grace left the private room, she chased in her chips.

"Can you speak to her like that?"

Xander didn't answer. "How did you know who she was?"

"Mrs. Jones mentioned Jake's name to flatter her. I figured it out. Smart, aren't I?"

He chuckled. "Indeed."

After a while, the chips were all chased in. "I won 160 thousand dollars."

12

Her face was fair, and she spoke with vivacious charm. Xander picked

a

of her hair and played

with

it. "Did you do this on purpose to vent for me?"

Grace felt a bit embarrassed. "I was venting for Aunt Hestia."

Still unsatisfied, she said, "If I had met her earlier, I would have won more than just this 160 thousand dollars. It's all your fault for not telling me before."

Hearing that, Xander felt warm inside. When men were vulnerable they wished to be cared for just like

women.

Grace was like sunshine, piercing through the deep and dark ocean and filling his heart with light.

Xander's secretary hurriedly came to find him. "Mr. Fulton, the client has arrived at the door."

Only then did Xander let go of Grace. "I'll go now, okay?"

She replied with a hum.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

"What should you call me?" He couldn't bear to part with her.

"Xander?"

He shook his head.

"Mr. Xander? Mr. Fulton?"

Grace hadn't sensed anything odd yet. "What should I call you?"

Smiling, Xander leaned closer to her ear, spraying his breath gently. "Xan."

In an instant, Grace's face flushed.

She glared at him, not wanting to comply. Yet his cold lips fell on her cheek, coaxing, "Just say it once."

"Xan."

He chuckled softly, finally letting her go, and went to attend to his business.

Grace's heart was pounding heavily as she watched them leave.

As expected, Hazel wasn't by his side anymore. Instead, there was a new face.