From His Invisible Wife to the World's Icon novel Chapter 129

Charles muttered to himself, Does he actually have a woman? What a pity. He withdrew his gaze and turned to Frederick. Make sure you stay with Lydia during her treatments so I can hold my grandson soon. Frederick glanced at her and gave a short grunt of agreement. She stood silently beside him. After seeing Charles off, she turned to head inside. But Frederick grabbed her wrist. Unable to pull away, she glared at him. Didn't I tell you to quit? What are you doing here? She was absolutely never going to quit. Remembering Daniel's advice, she swallowed her anger and whispered, I'm going through the resignation process. That seemed to satisfy the man, but he suddenly pulled her into his arms, his cold eyes studying her as if trying to see right through her. Why was she being so obedient? This level of obedience was exactly what he wanted, wasn't it? But why had he been feeling so much unease lately? A thunderous round of applause erupted in the convention center, and the host's booming voice rang out, And now, please welcome the CEO of the Foster Group, who will be collaborating with the Zener Institute, to the stage... She whipped her head around to see countless camera flashes aimed in their direction. At the exact same moment, she saw Xavier sitting in the front row. The man frowned, his face turning an angry shade of green, before getting up and leaving the hall. Her heart instantly swelled with something unnameable, aching terribly. Her hand was released. Frederick walked toward the podium, basking in the crowd's attention. Lydia bypassed the main hall in a panic, rushing to a corridor on the other side and blocking Xavier's path. Mr. Ford... She had no idea what was wrong with Frederick. Previously, when they were in public, he had treated her with the distance of a total stranger. Xavier stood under the corridor's archway, his expression unreadable. She hurried toward him, panting heavily. Suddenly, her foot caught on something, and she lunged forward, hurtling straight at Xavier. Instinctively, she grabbed his shirt collar to steady herself. The clean, masculine scent of his cologne mixed with a faint hint of cedarwood wafted around her nose. Her rapid breathing unconsciously grew heavier. Looking up at him, she saw the man standing as still as a mountain, his gaze chilling and utterly devoid of desire, like a detached deity looking down on mortals. She quickly steadied herself and pulled her hands back. Mr. Ford, I can explain... No need to explain. Xavier's voice was surprisingly gentle. He reached out and grabbed her hand, lacing his fingers through hers. It was the exact hand Frederick had just been holding. The cold sensation was instantly replaced by warmth. Completely caught off guard, her hand was securely wrapped in his. It felt as if something was breaking out of its shell deep within her heart. The moment their eyes met, she could hear her own heartbeat. An unusual flush of heat crept up her cheeks. Just as she felt this was too intimate— See, Old Mrs. Michel? They're doing just fine, Wesley's voice came from right beside them. Lydia turned her head and saw Wesley holding his phone up for a video call. On the screen was Eleanor, practically on her deathbed. Seeing them together, she squinted and smiled brightly, though her breathing quickly grew labored. Grandma, you should rest, Xavier said. Alright, get back to work... Eleanor chuckled in agreement. Wesley then ended the call. Lydia looked away, and the warmth enveloping her hand was gone. Meanwhile, her other hand was still clutching Xavier's collar. Heat instantly flooded from the tips of her ears down her neck. She hastily took a step back. Her heel caught on the same piece of carpet as before, and she fell backward. Instinctively, she reached for Xavier's outstretched hand. The man yanked her with tremendous force, pulling her right back into his arms. Because of the sheer momentum, she crashed completely into his warm embrace. His cool cheek pressed against hers, their breaths tangling together. She tilted her head up slightly, meeting his deep, dark eyes. The bridge of his straight nose was pressed against hers; with just the slightest movement, he could touch her lips. His black eyes, deep as a dark bay, seemed to hold some magnetic power, pulling her in. Lydia, why are you hugging another man behind Frederick's back? Sierra's voice abruptly rang out from behind Xavier. In the second right before their lips touched, she looked up in shock and pulled back slightly from the man's chest. Seeing Sierra rapidly approaching, an icy chill swept through her body, freezing her instantly in place.