Late at night, Susanna sat in front of her vanity, her brows furrowed. "Chris, do you think I was too harsh earlier? It was Mr. Lockwood's first time visiting us, and he faced quite the interrogation. And Xan, she has just managed to move on from her last relationship, and if she gets hurt again because of me."
"Don't overthink it," Christopher reassured her, patting her shoulder gently. "You did it all for our daughter's sake. I'm sure he'll understand."
What worried him more was the acquisition contract from the Martinez Group. A deal involving assets worth over millions being handed over just like that was not something to take lightly.
If it were anyone else, he would have been suspicious of a trick. But this was Orion, the richest man in Crestwood, not like Matthew. What could he possibly want from the Nightshade family?
Could he really like Xan that much?
Ethan walked into the study and saw Samuel meticulously going through the contract under the lamp. "Samuel, you were a bit out of line today."
"I'm sorry, big brother." Samuel removed his glasses. "It's just that..."
"I know you care about Xan. We all do. But Orion shouldn't have to pay for the mistakes Matthew and Miranda made. And I trust Xan. She's smart and won't fall in the same place twice."
Ethan paused, looking down at the contract in his hands. "He's willing to acquire the Martinez Group for Xan, something even we hadn't thought of, right? That's perhaps what sets him apart from Matthew."
One talked a lot but does nothing.
The other said little but did everything.
Samuel closed the contract file. "I understand."
"Is anyone there? Can anyone hear me?"
In her bedroom, Xanthea's frustrations went from fiery to exhausted as she shouted until her throat was dry, on the verge of giving up when she suddenly heard Ethan's voice.
"Xan, stop shouting and go to sleep. Orion has already left."
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