From His Invisible Wife to the World's Icon novel Chapter 77

"Just remember to drink the soup," Lydia said, setting the bowl on the coffee table before turning to leave.

As the door clicked shut, Joanna's view was completely cut off.

A warm hand pressed against her forehead, snapping Joanna back to reality. She met Lydia's worried gaze.

"What's wrong? You look pale."

"It's nothing." Her heart gave a painful tug as she pulled Lydia's hand down. "Lydia, I actually have an emergency at the office. I have to run."

"Be careful driving."

"You should head home early too, okay?" Joanna said, looking back after taking a few steps.

"I'm going to keep an eye on his boss for Wesley. I'll leave when he gets back," Lydia said softly. She watched Joanna's lonely silhouette as she nodded and walked away.

Why did it feel like Joanna's head was somewhere else? Was she just exhausted from work?

She looked away, her mind drifting.

Was it because the blind date went badly?

Joanna had mentioned earlier that she knew the guy too. Which heir in their social circle would make Joanna care this much?

Could it be her old flame?

Lydia walked over to the window in the corridor, gazing down as Joanna's Mercedes pulled out of the parking lot. She watched the car turn the corner in the distance. Suddenly, a massive plume of thick smoke billowed up from the intersection. Her heart plummeted in terror. She immediately yanked out her phone and called Joanna.

The call was answered instantly. Hearing Joanna's voice and confirming she was safe, Lydia finally let out a massive sigh of relief.

Right at that moment, Wesley hurried down the hall.

Lydia hung up, preparing to leave, when the lounge door swung open.

Xavier stepped out, his expression thunderous.

Wesley quickly stepped up to support him, but Xavier dodged his hands and kept walking.

"Ms. Sterling, are you heading back to Moonlight Cove?" Wesley asked anxiously.

"Yes."

"Could we ride back together? I need a little help keeping an eye on him."

He despised disobedience and deception above all else!

Remembering his domineering, aggressive behavior back at Tidal Crest Manor a few nights ago...

Panic seized her. She inched her foot toward the exit, her eyes instinctively darting toward Apartment 1201—and slamming right into Xavier's bottomless black gaze.

In that very second, a powerful arm hooked around her waist from behind, completely trapping her in an icy aura.

It felt like sinking into a swamp. She grabbed at the iron grip clamped around her waist, overwhelmed by his sheer dominance. Unsure of how to break free, she stared at Xavier, her lips parting to beg for help.

Then, she felt a burst of warmth brush against her freezing cheek.

At that exact moment, Xavier shot her a freezing glare and slammed his door shut.

Lydia's heart spasmed. The fragile shell holding her fractured heart together finally shattered into a million pieces.

Her eyes went totally dead, plunging into the abyss. Without warning, Frederick spun her around and slammed her against the freezing hallway wall.

A vicious undercurrent violently churned in his eyes.