My Beloved Has Risen from Death's Embrace novel Chapter 17

Was it all just a joke?

She had pleaded with him for so long, and it was all just for laughs?

And no wonder the Martinez Group’s bid proposal was rejected first thing in the morning. It turned out Xan never actually spoke to Samuel on his behalf.

Matthew stared at Xanthea, who was all smiles just like usual, yet somehow completely different.

Before, he could read her like an open book, but now, standing so close, he couldn’t decipher her thoughts at all.

“I’m tired, I think I'll head up to bed early, Matt. Drive safe, huh~”

Xanthea stretched lazily and made her way upstairs.

Her change in demeanor left the family stunned.

Christopher set down his tea, thinking back to how thrilled Xan used to be when Matthew would ask her out. But today, she coldly turned him down, and from their conversation, it was clear that she hadn’t interceded for the Martinez Group.

Having witnessed Xan's change of attitude the night before, Samuel, catching his parents' surprised looks, smiled proudly.

Xan had grown up, no longer the little girl who constantly followed Matthew around.

Miranda frowned, puzzled by Xanthea’s cold demeanor towards Matt. Were they having a falling out?

“Xan!” Matthew called after her, “So what have you been up to lately? I heard you've already submitted your thesis.”

Xanthea paused on the stairs, then turned around with a secretive smile, “Lately I’ve been preparing a surprise for Matt and Miranda.”

Miranda and Matthew met her gaze and smiled faintly.

“Thanks, Xan.”

So, she was planning a surprise, no wonder she was so secretive.

On the way home, Matthew put the concert tickets back in his bag and tried to calm his troubled thoughts. It must be the stress from work, he thought. Xan has liked him since they were kids, and there’s no way she’d suddenly be distant.

Suddenly, his phone chimed with a news alert - ‘Eighteen-year-old girl strikes a million-dollar gem at the event!’ He expected it to be just another clickbait, but his finger accidentally scrolled to a very familiar photo.

Xan?

How could it be her?!