From His Invisible Wife to the World's Icon novel Chapter 106

Before she could even finish her sentence, the soft fabric of his shirt slipped from her fingertips.

The man walked out of the room with an icy demeanor, a complete 180 from his gentle attitude just moments prior.

Only then did Lydia realize that Eleanor had already been coaxed to sleep.

She looked back at his stern retreating figure and wallowed in self-pity for a few seconds.

How could she have the nerve to ask him for a favor?

Just because he had helped her a couple of times didn't mean they were actually friends.

If it hadn't been an emergency earlier today, and if he hadn't desperately needed someone to play his fiancée to put his grandmother's heart at ease, he would never have given up Dr. Vaughn for her mother.

This wasn't friendship. It was a transaction.

Lydia walked out of the ward and saw Xavier sitting on the sofa, flipping through a document in his hand. His entire being radiated an icy aura that screamed at everyone to keep their distance.

"Wesley, I'm going to take off," she told his assistant, not daring to disturb Xavier.

"Hold on, Ms. Sterling, this is for you." Wesley handed her a bag.

She opened it and looked inside, her eyes widening in shock. She glanced at Xavier, then back at Wesley. "What are these?"

Inside the gift box was a limitless black card, the property deed to a luxury hillside villa, and the keys to a limited-edition Ferrari.

"The compensation our boss promised you. It's all explicitly outlined in the contract," Wesley reminded her. "Did you forget, Ms. Sterling?"

She had skimmed it at the time, thinking that any socialite in the city would have agreed to the terms in a heartbeat.

The villa alone was worth a hundred and fifty million dollars, not to mention she would have the CEO of the Ford Group owing her a favor.

Honestly, even without the money, those women would have lined up just for the rare chance to get close to the golden boy.

"I can't take this." Lydia placed the bag on the coffee table.

The man's dark, intimidating aura instantly flared. He lifted his gaze and stared right at her.

She had the sudden illusion of being pinned to the spot by his piercing stare.

It was a little terrifying.

"Is Ms. Sterling planning on burning the bridge after crossing the river? Are you backing out of our agreement?" Xavier's tone was dangerously cool.

"No, that's not what I meant at all."

"If you hadn't given up Dr. Vaughn, my mother might not have made it."

"I'm incredibly grateful. I couldn't possibly repay you enough as it is. How could I accept your things?"

Xavier's finger lightly tapped the edge of his document. He rubbed the paper slightly. "One thing has nothing to do with the other."

But they were clearly connected, weren't they?

Lydia didn't want it, and she felt she had no right to take it.

"Ms. Sterling, I suggest we stick to the terms of the contract."

"Here are the clauses, just in case you need a refresher."

Wesley handed her the contract, his tone strictly professional.

She had no choice but to take it and flip through the pages.

"This matter must remain strictly confidential. If a fifth person finds out, my boss will retract your compensation. In front of Grandma Eleanor, you will play the role of the perfect fiancée. Outside, you are to maintain your distance from my boss," Wesley reiterated, reciting the core terms of the agreement right into her ear.

…

Joanna stepped out of the elevator and bumped straight into Wesley.

"Ms. Quinn?"

"I heard Xavier got engaged?" Joanna asked, frantic. "Is it true?"

A massive piece of news had detonated within Averton's elite social circles yesterday.

Eleanor had suffered a sudden medical emergency and required immediate surgery. With the Ford heir yet to secure a fiancée, the CEO had supposedly contacted everyone on his shortlist, ordering them to rush to the hospital. The first one to arrive would become his fiancée.

When she got the news, she had been in South Africa buying diamonds!

She caught the fastest flight back, only to hear that Xavier was already engaged.

She couldn't believe it. She couldn't accept that she had missed her chance at becoming his fiancée just like that!

Wesley nodded. "It's true."

Joanna staggered back two steps, her back hitting the cold wall. She stood there stunned for a long time before she finally found her voice. "Who is it?"

Who was lucky enough to become his fiancée?

"I'm sorry, Ms. Quinn, but I'm not at liberty to say," Wesley said quietly. "And it's not something you should be concerning yourself with."

"Grandma Eleanor is already asleep. You should head back," he added, his tone carrying a clear dismissal.

Joanna let out a sudden, self-deprecating laugh. Heartless and cold... The subordinate was exactly like his boss.

Refusing to accept defeat, she turned on her heel and marched straight to the hospital's security room. She slapped a stack of cash into the guard's hand and began reviewing the security footage from outside the surgical ward.