Substitute Wife, Genius CEO novel Chapter 221

Xavier Sterling turned his head to look out the window.

Outside, lightning flashed and thunder roared alongside a torrential downpour; without a compelling excuse, the Sterling family would never allow him to leave.

Just then, his phone rang. He answered immediately, and Lily Sutton's terrified screams pierced through the speaker.

"Ah—Xavier, Xavier, the power went out! What do I do?" she sobbed. "I'm so scared..."

"Don't be scared, sweetheart. Turn on your phone's flashlight and light some scented candles. Just wait for me, I'll be right there..."

While comforting Lily, Xavier knocked on the bathroom door and commanded coldly, "Summer, hurry up and come out!"

Summer Vance was only halfway through her bath and had barely started her movie. Being so rudely interrupted put her in a foul mood.

Her temper flared. "What is wrong with you?! Can you stop bothering me? You're being incredibly annoying. Why don't you just go call your precious sweetheart?"

"Summer, we are leaving right now," Xavier stated.

"I told you to leave earlier and you refused!" Summer snapped. "Now I just got in the tub and you suddenly want to go. Are you messing with me?!"

Knowing he was in the wrong, Xavier softened his tone. "Come out, Summer. I'll explain everything."

"I'll come out when I'm done soaking!" she gritted out.

"Summer, I will say this one last time: come out. We are leaving right now."

"And I already told you, I'll come out when I'm done!"

"Fine. If you won't come out, I'll have the maids go in and fetch you." Even through the heavy door, Xavier's icy indifference remained palpable.

Furious, Summer ripped off her sheet mask and slammed her fists into the water, sending splashes everywhere.

Finally, with a dark scowl and a muttered curse, she rose from the tub. "Give me five minutes."

"Three minutes," Xavier replied coldly.

Summer headed for the shower. "Ten minutes."

"No," Summer replied.

Xavier frowned. "Still not done? Does it really take you this long to get dressed?"

Summer toyed with the zipper on her jacket. "Is it long? You're just desperate to run back to her, so it feels long to you."

He fell silent for two seconds before turning around. The moment he saw Summer fully clothed, his brows knitted together, a dark shadow crossing his face.

"Summer!"

"Didn't you want to leave? Are we going or not? If you're not in a rush anymore, I'm going to dry my hair." Summer turned back toward the bathroom, her hair still dripping wet.

Xavier ground his jaw, unclenching his tight fists. He took a long stride forward and grabbed her arm. "Your stomach hurts. I'm taking you to the hospital."

Without missing a beat, Xavier scooped her up into his arms and marched toward the door. "Act like it."

Summer immediately caught on. "You want me to be your shield? That wasn't in our contract."