Chapter 7:
“Dad! What the hell is happening?“”
Jessica’s shrick tore through the estate halls as she stormed into Manson Valcruz’s office with her high heels clicking against the marble.X “All my bank accounts are frozen and credit cards?– All declined! You…You promised me the Valcruz legacy and this is what I get for my birthday?!” Jessica argued, her voice rising with desperation
“You promised to give me 5% shares-”
“Shares?” Mason Valcruz, my biological father, finally looked up, his eyes bloodshot.}
With a sharp crack he threw a newspaper at Jessica’s face that hit her before falling flat on the ground. The front page’s headlines made Jessica’s eyes widen.
Valeruz Global Stocks crash- Foreign Ventures Collapse Under Fraud Allegations]}
“See what you have done! The deals you suggested have all failed terribly and I am in knee deep debt! The brands that you modelled for have all withdrawn their cooperation and you dare ask me about shares?
Because of your folly the person with most shares in the Valcruz enterprises now is Athena not me
“W–What do you mean?“8
“Athena is doing what you refused to do–securing the most powerful alliance in the underworld!” Mason Valcruz’s tone turned cold as steel. “…and if sacrificing her saves what’s left of our family empire, I don’t give a damn if she hates me for it!“?
It was at that moment a knock was heard 8
Xander entered cold and polished, presenting Jessica with a bouquet of thousand lilac roses and diamond jewelry set worth millions
This? Who can afford something so grand like this?”
Xander’s voice was low…almost reverent. “A birthday gift, Miss Jessica. From Miss Athena.”
With a moment of hesitation the cold man melted as Jessica opened the box, her eyes wide with joy.
“She apologised for creating a scene and said that you will look absolutely breathtaking in these.”))
A le
My name was Xander’s cover to give his expensive offerings to Jessica.}
When Jessica realised that there was no way that I could have been so ‘considerate‘ she did not refuse Xander at all.
Not when she got absolute satisfaction from seeing that the man I once loved, so smitten with her
Xander was about to offer my own gift the Valcruz Jewelry cheat’s key when my father interrupted.%
“You are here at the right time. My dear Jessica is heartbroken due to several circumstances so it will be better if you accompany her from now onwards.”
Xander’s heart that would have immediately lightened with happiness was somewhat uncomfortable as he paused, the weight of Mason’s words crashing into him.
“What? But wasn’t I supposed to guard Miss Athena“1
“Athena is no longer your masterli
She has given you to Jessica, said she no longer had any use for you now that she is marrying Killian Arrows.”
Xander’s entire body froze as if a bucket of cold water was poured over his head.8
His expression remained unreadable as the words struck him like a gunshot.
as she talked to him.
Jessica took slow steps toward him.. “Are you alright Xander? You look pale.” Her fingers brushed his as
Xander didn’t move.
He must have been ecstatic to get rid of the woman who followed him like a kicked puppy but suddenly a strange sensation entered his heart as if he was lost.
I was marrying the man who was his arch rival and yet someone he could never carelessly touch, suddenly I was someone who has gone too far away to ever meet again in life.
“Xander I am so sorry, sister handed you over like an accessory. She actually told me yesterday that since she is no longer heiress, I take precedence. You’re now assigned to me.
At first I thought she was joking but she left so suddenly.“)
Xander’s heart pounded.
No. Athena couldn’t have just walked away like this.!!
That night Xander could not sleep and walked to the place where we first met, his mind thrown in chaos.
“She was the one who couldn’t even survive a day without me”
r the V
Valeruz
ica but was attracted by the canopy of pink and white of the
Three years ago Xander Thorne visited Valcruz estate in disguise to see Jessica Japanese cherry blossom tree.
At was at that moment he saw me gently removing the harsh stones near the tall tree as i hummed a song.
“No flower blooms so easily, first you water it and then give sunlight and then care and love….only then it blooms.“7
I stood there barefoot on the stone path, my silk gown trailing behind when I turned to see him.2
10:01 AM ď ď.
“Hey you, are you the bodyguard that my mother’s family sent?” Not able to come up with a response Xander lied that he indeed was sent to save her from all schemes.
“But you look like you would rather run away than talk to me.” I said with a smile, tossing my heels onto a nearby bench.
Xander raised an eyebrow. “I don’t speak unless needed.“”
“I don’t like men who talk too much anyway.”
I then walked toward him, petals caught in my hair. “What’s your name?”
“Xander.”
“You look like you’ve been through hell but worry not I might be able to accompany you since I have been a part of hell myself.” I had told him that.
And then, without warning I extended a delicate origami crane folded from a medical report to him.!!
“My mother made these when she was dying. She said every folded crane was a wish. I have made eighty–three. Want to know what I wished for with this one?”
He didn’t respond so I placed the paper bird into his hand.
“I wished for someone who wouldn’t look at me like I am replaceable…for someone to protect me for once and not discard me.“)
Xander recalled how I smiled. “Don’t disappoint me.”
His heart was in turmoil
That was the day she started entering my life even when she was nothing but means to reach someone else. She made tea when I dame home bruised. Asked about my nightmares.
And now she is gone.
