From His Invisible Wife to the World's Icon novel Chapter 52

The night was deeply quiet, but sleep evaded her entirely.

Thinking back to that scene in the dream, she realized how many people had actually stepped up to help them during the crash.

Thinking of Wesley naturally reminded her of Xavier's trousers.

She pulled them out of the dryer, ironed them perfectly flat, and folded them into a garment bag.

She then scrubbed the apartment top to bottom. By the time she was numb with exhaustion, she had successfully distracted herself from dwelling on the past.

When dawn broke, she washed away the sweat and fatigue.

Just as she was getting ready to leave, her therapist called.

It was time for her monthly check-in.

With her departure for Silicon Valley looming and her nightmares acting up again, she really needed someone to talk to.

She planned to head over to the clinic that afternoon.

As she stepped out of her unit, the door across the hall opened.

Xavier emerged wearing the suit she had purchased for him yesterday. The tailored fit accentuated his tall, lean physique, making him look devastatingly handsome.

He looked incredible.

But she wouldn't dare voice the compliment. She simply walked over and handed him the bag. "Mr. Ford, here are your trousers. Freshly laundered."

He took them with an impassive expression.

They rode the elevator down together in silence.

In the underground garage, Wesley hurried over to meet them. "Boss, I have a family emergency and need to take a half-day off. Do you mind catching a cab?"

"Or... Ms. Sterling..." Wesley trailed off, giving her a hopeful look.

Remembering her dream from last night and Wesley's kindness during the accident, she readily agreed. "I can drop Mr. Ford off. Our offices aren't that far apart."

"Thank you so much, Ms. Sterling," Wesley said, respectfully ushering Xavier into the passenger seat.

Xavier looked downright brooding, but she was used to his dark moods by now.

Lydia drove out of the garage. The man beside her kept his eyes tightly shut, a flicker of discomfort crossing his sharp features.

They stopped at a red light.

"Mr. Ford, you look a bit pale. Are you feeling alright?" she asked, feeling a spike of tension as she studied his profile.

The foundation had been around for decades, and its board was composed of highly respected veterans from Seraphina's generation.

Though older, these women were impeccably dressed, radiating both wealth and seasoned wisdom.

Once she was seated, the board president spoke. "Everyone is here. We can announce the candidates."

The candidates took turns giving their speeches. When Sierra stepped up to the podium, she looked incredibly smug. With the CEO of The Foster Group backing her, she clearly felt victory was already in her pocket.

Suddenly, the doors opened, and the woman and little boy from the hospital walked right in.

The woman pointed a finger straight at Sierra. "Ms. Sutton! When are you going to give me the remaining two hundred and fifty thousand dollars?"

Lydia watched panic warp Sierra's features. "What nonsense are you spouting? What money?"

"Ms. Sutton, didn't you promise me that yourself? You told me to reject Mrs. Foster's generous double compensation because you would pay me triple! You even promised to get my husband a job! You can't back out now! When are you giving me the rest of my money?" The woman's voice rose hysterically.

Whispers erupted across the boardroom. One of the more blunt board members scoffed. "So the only reason that family refused to settle was because Sierra was pulling the strings behind the scenes. Someone who maliciously sabotages others for her own gain has the nerve to run for foundation president? The idea of her leading a charity is an absolute joke."

"You're lying, I never did that..." Sierra's frantic gaze darted around the room as she shrieked her denial.

The woman wasn't backing down. "Yes, you did! You even threatened me! You said the foundation belonged to the Foster family, and that Mr. Foster doted on you the most. You told me if I didn't obey, you'd have him make sure I didn't get a single cent."

"The patients in the next bed heard everything you said when you came to the hospital. Are you trying to play dumb now?"