Chapter 301
Chapter 301 He's Different
The spoken words resonated deeply, stirring tumultuous emotions.
Xavier's eyes underwent a profound transformation, disbelief shaking his very core. "Milly, what are you saying? Stephanie pushed you down? And she struck your hand?"
Milly arched an eyebrow, bemused by his reaction. Was it Stephanie's facade crumbling, or did Xavier suspect her of weaving tales out of thin air?
Secretly hoping for the latter, eager to dispel the charade between them, Milly smirked faintly as she met Xavier's gaze. "Indeed, she pushed me, attempting harm. Her supposed illness in the woods earlier was a fabrication. She was perfectly fit and agile. Her elaborate ruse aimed to manipulate you into taking her away, leaving me vulnerable to her machinations. And as for my hand...
"Yes, Stephanie was the one who struck it with a stone."
She awaited Xavier's decision, torn between belief in her or Stephanie.
Moments ago,he was performing heartfelt sincerity. Now was the time for a genuine choice. If he sided with Stephanie, it would be in direct contradiction to his promise.
As her words concluded, an icy chill radiated from Xavier, his countenance grim like a demon emerging from the abyss.
Stephanie was panicking. She had never seen Xavier like this, at least not in her presence. Could he truly believe Milly's words now?
If even Xavier turned against her, she would be truly defenceless.
"Xavier, do not listen to her. How could I commit such an act? That's murder! How could I dare murder in broad daylight? Besides, she was deceiving you just now. I truly tried to kill the snake, I swear." Stephanie's voice betrayed urgency, her words disjointed in fear of Xavier's doubt.
Milly found the scene somewhat satisfying. Stephanie's discomfiture was oddly gratifying to witness.
Swinging her leg nonchalantly, she added fuel to the fire. "If you doubt it, Mr. Xavier, you can examine the stone there. There should still be traces of my blood. I couldn't harm myself, could I?"
"You're talking nonsense! You insisted on saving that snake, which led to your injury!" Stephanie retorted, her face flushed with anger.
Milly blinked. "But why do I recall you moving the stone, striking me first, as your blood attracted the snake? Prompting you to strike again, not the one I was trying to save."Exclusive © material by Nô(/v)elDrama.Org.
"You liar! That wasn't how it went! You're just running your mouth! I wanted to smash that snake the first time! Only by the second time did I want to smash you
A hushed stillness fell upon the chamber following those uttered words.
Stephanie bit her lip fiercely, rueing her impulsive plunge into Milly's snare. Her focus had been too single-mindedly on disproving Milly's assertions, nearly forgetting her own dubious actions in that
moment.
173
Chapter 301 He's Different
Had Xavier overheard their exchange? Had he already discerned something awry?
Only Milly, with a mischievous glint in her eye and a playful air, parted her crimson lips to speak, "Ah, so you truly meant me harm.
Stephanie found herself speechless. "I...
"Xavier, please, allow me to explain. I acted rashly earlier. Matters are not as they appear!" Stephanie implored Xavier, attempting to grasp his sleeve.
But Xavier instinctively recoiled, evading her touch, his eyes now distant and cold.
Stephanie stood frozen, daunted by his gaze. "Xavier...
The tension between them thickened, and Milly, the sole spectator, seemed to relish the drama. Nonchalantly reaching for an apple from Stephanie's fruit basket, she polished it meticulously before biting into it, all the while observing the unfolding tableau.
Tears welled in Stephanie's eyes as she regarded Xavier, her voice quivering with emotion. "Xavier, we've known each other for so long. Can't you trust me?" Something crunched.
"Does our lifelong bond count for naught against mere gossip?"
The crunch was louder.
"Xavier..."
Louder still the crunch became.
Stephanie's tearful entreaties mingled with the sound of Milly's apple-eating, creating a peculiar irony.
Wordlessly, Xavier closed his eyes, masking his inner turmoil. In a hoarse voice, he finally spoke, "Stephanie, come with me."
His countenance remained impassive, devoid of emotion, as he cast a fleeting glance at her, sending a chill down Stephanie's spine. "Xavier
Ignoring her, Xavier turned and departed.
Milly smirked at Stephanie, who remained rooted to the spot. Tossing the apple core into the bin with precision, she taunted, "Are you not leaving yet?
Stephanie bit her lip, shooting a resentful glare at Milly before making her way out.
Just as she reached for the door,
Milly's voice sliced through the m silence, "Stephanie, remember, the last laugh is the sweetest. People like you are nothing but jests." Read
With a resounding thud, Stephanie
slammed the door behind her.
Though she refrained from casting her usual defiant glance over her shoulder, her trembling hands betrayed the fury that gripped her.
Ah, that tras cathartic!
Stendonie's readiness to enrare in verbal iousts was understandable. Bevond all else, these exchanges
Chapter 301 He's Different
offered a profound sense of gratification.
Following Xavier, Stephanie trailed
him to the fire escape. As the door swung open, a brisk gust swept through, prompting involuntary
shivers from them both.
is on !
Xavier paused, pivoting to fix Stephanie with a penetrating stare. In unfamiliar intensity.
at fleeting moment, his gaze bore an
I'll ask you once more, and this is your final opportunity. Are Milly's disappearance and her injured hand. in any way connected to you?".
116