Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 3103

Seeing the table brought yesterday's events crashing back into Xavier's mind. His expression darkened. "I didn't buy this. Take it back."

"Sir, Ms. Lamont has already paid for it. It's non-refundable," the manager said awkwardly.

"I'll keep the table, but refund her the money. I'll pay for it myself," Xavier replied.

The manager shook his head. "We can't process a refund either."

Frustration flared in Xavier's chest, but he knew taking it out on the delivery guys was pointless. "Just put it in the backyard," he finally muttered.

"Right away!" the manager said, exhaling in relief.

Damian led the men to the back.

By the time Xavier walked out, the table was already set up. Made from premium rosewood, it was hand-polished and carved with intricate patterns allegedly crafted by a master artisan.

The entire courtyard instantly looked a lot more elegant.

Xavier recalled how Norah had teased him about the backyard having nothing of value except a dog and a cat. She definitely did this on purpose.

Pointing to the old, broken table Norah had collapsed on, Damian smiled. "I'll go throw this out."

Xavier glanced at it. "Leave it."

Damian left it alone. When he returned from his chores later, he found Xavier dismantling the broken table and using the wood planks to build a bridge between Circe's cat house and coco's doghouse.

Because Circe was still small, she would tumble every time she tried to jump from her roof to coco's. Now, with the makeshift bridge, she wouldn't fall.

Watching Xavier nail the planks into the wall, Damian couldn't help but think their boss was a lot softer on the inside than he let on.

Just like he was with Norah.

*

When Adrian went to look for Norah, he found her staring off into space. One look was all it took to know what was on her mind. Ever since she'd returned from taking time off, she had been completely distracted.

Janice smiled warmly. "Why give up being the young master of the Hanson family to run a little place like this?"

"It's freeing," Xavier replied evenly.

Janice nodded, taking an understanding tone. Her smile remained gentle, her voice conversational. "I knew Norah was working a part-time job on weekends, but I had no idea it was at your place."

Xavier looked apologetic. "I should have told you. That was my mistake."

Janice shook her head slightly. "I haven't been paying enough attention to Norah. That's on me. If I had known earlier, maybe I would have understood what she was thinking sooner."

"I've missed out on a lot of her growing up, and I don't want to force my hand in her love life," Janice said earnestly, looking him in the eye. "But I still need to know your intentions. Do you like her?"

Janice's visit was exactly what Xavier had anticipated, yet it still filled him with guilt. He called her Sister-in-law, and now her daughter was in love with him. The generational gap made him feel a profound sense of shame, as if he were taking advantage of a younger relative.

He looked at Janice. His dark eyes were so calm they bordered on apathetic as he stated flatly,

"I do not like her."