***** While Ayra was going through an emotional onslaught, Xavier just sat there, watching her. He didn’t glare, and he didn’t laugh. He didn’t even blink much. He merely stared at Ayra with a blank, impenetrable expression, as if she were some boring painting he just casually studied because he had nothing else to do. There was no anger on his face, no mockery, no cold amusement, nor even curiosity. Just… emptiness. If anything, he looked like a monarch surveying a commoner… a mere background figure, unworthy of note. Ayra’s breathing became shallow. Seconds stretched into what felt like hours, but she remained kneeling there, helpless and defeated, internally screaming for mercy she wasn’t sure would ever come. Just when the silence had become unbearable… “I don’t want to seek revenge on you again,” Xavier finally spoke. “So I’d rather not know the truth.” His voice remained smooth, unhurried, calm, composed, and so chillingly casual that it somehow made

*****“What’s the time now?” Xavier mumbled absently to himself after a moment, pulling his phone from his pocket.The screen lit up.6:32 p.m.Xavier stared at it, mildly offended, then… “What? Only six-thirty?” he exclaimed. “And here I was thinking it had to be at least eight.”He sighed, then shook his head like a man betrayed by time itself.Grace had told him earlier that she would be working overtime. Their agreed meeting time wasn’t until 9:30 p.m., and the party itself wouldn’t start until ten.Which meant… nearly three hours to kill.Xavier stood there for a moment, deliberating like a man choosing between dinner options. “I can’t go home,” he mumbled. “Too much stress for too little reward.”The thought of the journey back into Oceanview Estate… changing vehicles multiple times, needing to contact the assigned vehicle in Oceanview, and having to wait, made him physically recoil.It felt like someone had offered him a free vacation to Hell, but with paperwork and a

******“I didn’t mean to interrupt your little lovey-dovey paradise,” Xavier said at last, his voice laced with a mischievous lilt, the corner of his lips twitching upward.Selene’s cheeks instantly flushed a dangerous shade of crimson. Her hands flew to her face as if that would somehow hide her from the humiliation. “We weren’t…! I mean…! It’s not like that…!”God’s Time, however, grinned from ear to ear, puffing out his chest like a rooster that had just won the village brawl. “You didn’t interrupt a thing, Young Master Xavier. You simply caught us… Practicing marital wellness.”Xavier tilted his head, unimpressed but clearly entertained. “Practicing, huh? I could’ve sworn it looked like you were about to win the Olympic gold in public affection.”God’s Time chuckled proudly, while Selene practically combusted on the spot.Rolling his eyes at the old man’s unapologetic pride, Xavier stepped further into the room. “Looks like you’re already on the mend... the mummy wrappings a

******God’s Time’s voice was steady and sincere, as though he were reciting a sacred vow passed down from his ancestors. Even his posture on the bed straightened, like he was preparing to receive an honorary medal.Xavier blinked slowly, still processing. Then he opened his mouth to speak, but it was like his brain and mouth had declared war, and communication had broken down.‘This man turned down a dream salary which millions would die to have… because of a vague promise I made when I didn’t even have a job lined up for him?’That thought alone echoed through Xavier’s skull like someone banging pots in a cathedral.Moments earlier, he had been genuinely thrilled for God’s Time when the man mentioned getting a well-paying job. His excitement had been twofold… first, because the old man deserved good fortune after everything he had endured… but more importantly?It was due to relief. Sweet and glorious relief.The truth was, Xavier had come to check on God’s Time and give him

*****“Young… young master,” God’s Time croaked, his throat thick with disbelief, “isn’t… isn’t that money too much for the kind of job I would be doing?”A bead of sweat ran down his temple, and then another. It was as though his body had entered a full-blown panic from sheer good news overload.Xavier gave a knowing smile, almost as if he had predicted this very question. “You would be working for me,” he said, his voice firm but calm. “Anything less than that would be an insult to my reputation.”He stretched lazily. “Moreover, I move around a lot. Which means you’ll practically live behind the wheel.”To anyone else, that might have sounded pompous. But to God’s Time and Selene?It was law, sacred, and a divine truth spoken by a merciful god. They looked at Xavier the way true believers must’ve gazed at prophets performing miracles before their eyes.The silence lingered again, but this time, it was electric… buzzing with rising emotions and surging with disbelief and mount