My Beloved Has Risen from Death's Embrace novel Chapter 15

"Cough, cough~"

Xanthea was unwrapping a piece of candy and popping it into her mouth when Samuel's words nearly made her choke. "Sam, what are you on about? How could that even be possible?"

"Why not possible? Look at today's gathering—every debutante and starlet dressed to the nines, all trying to outshine each other; they were obviously all here for him. But he didn’t so much as glance at any of them. Instead, he only had eyes for you, not to say he even ditched the important Lockwood Group board meeting just for a word from you."

"That’s because I helped him win big at the stone betting table. With the MJ Group contract in the bag, Lockwood shares were his; no need to rush off to that meeting.” Xanthea paused, then added, “And like you said, with all the stunning ladies around, why on earth would he be interested in me?”

"Because you’re the most stunning, Xan!"

Ethan and Samuel chimed in unison.

Xanthea rolled her eyes. "The world of brotherly love is truly mad."

Ethan laughed, "Xan, I’m not just being overprotective. You have no idea how captivating you looked today. If I weren’t your actual brother, I’d fall for you myself."

Samuel, running his fingers through her hair proudly, added, "Yeah, Xan, you were so confident and radiant, a far cry from the girl who used to orbit around Matthew. This is the charisma that our Nightshade family princess should embody!"

Listening to them, Xanthea briefly spaced out. In her past life, her love for Matthew was all-consuming, to the point where she had lost herself entirely.

"Even if I am great, Orion couldn’t possibly like me."

"Why are you so sure?"

Initially, when she saw Orion excavating her grave, kissing her corpse, and even going as far as to kill Matthew and Miranda; she wondered if his actions stemmed from affection. But upon reflection, it seemed improbable.

First, they hadn’t spent enough time together for any affection to be that deep. Second, considering how openly he had pursued Miranda in his previous life, he would have declared his feelings if he liked her. Thirdly, there was his reaction today when she asked him to take off his shirt.

"Sam, can I ask you, Mr. Experienced, something?"

Samuel clicked his tongue, “Xan, what’s with that title? My escapades were all just for networking.”

“If a girl you liked asked you to undress, what would you do?”