The Moment I Stepped Into His World as the Fake Girlfriend, I Became the Real Prize novel Chapter 23

The next morning, Elena got completely ready before opening her bedroom door.

"Miss Larkin, right this way."

A maid was already waiting outside to escort her to the dining room.

But before she had taken more than a few steps, Elena casually glanced up and spotted a man standing at the top of the stairs.

He was leaning effortlessly against the banister. His black dress shirt was tucked perfectly into his tailored trousers, accentuating his broad shoulders and lean waist while making his legs look impossibly long.

Sensing Elena's gaze, the man slowly turned his head.

It was then that Elena noticed his hair was slicked back, completely exposing his striking, untamed features. The sleeves of his shirt were casually rolled up to his forearms, revealing a mechanical watch resting against his prominent wrist bone.

For a moment, Elena's footsteps faltered, rooting her to the spot.

If this man wasn't her highly dangerous ex-boyfriend, Elena might have actually taken a moment to appreciate the view.

After all, Xavier's outfit was utterly flawless. It perfectly highlighted all of his physical advantages, making him look aristocratic, aloof, and maddeningly untouchable.

As a woman, she knew exactly how irresistible his type was.

Back when he had pretended to be a broke college student, even she had fallen for him.

Let alone now, with his true identity as Mr. Hawthorne. Few women on earth would be able to resist him!

"Mr. Hawthorne..."

"Leave us. I'll take her down," Xavier interrupted the maid.

"Yes, Mr. Hawthorne."

The maid bowed and retreated, leaving Elena completely alone.

Under the weight of Xavier's dark, predatory gaze, she suddenly felt trapped.

"Babe, you look a little scared of me."

Seeing that she wasn't moving, Xavier was in no rush. He took a deliberate step toward her.

As the distance closed, he spoke with a slow, agonizing drawl, like a hunter zeroing in on cornered prey.

Elena inwardly scoffed at his blatant flirting but refused to give him a verbal response.

Unfazed by her icy demeanor, Xavier raked his eyes over her from head to toe, taking in the unfamiliar university uniform.

"Sterls tells you to wear a uniform, and you just put it on. You don't even like these kinds of clothes."

When he spoke again, his tone was laced with a subtle hint of jealousy and bitter sarcasm. "Not like with me. I used to beg you to wear what I liked, and you wouldn't even give me the time of day..."

Elena froze, suddenly remembering the outfits she used to buy when they were dating—lingerie she'd force Xavier to wear for her own amusement.

She loved seeing them on him but hated wearing them herself. Xavier would have to coax and beg her before she'd occasionally humor him.

"What can I say? You're an older ex-boyfriend."

Seeing him obsessed with the past, Elena tilted her head and offered a sweet but merciless smile. "Unlike Sterling. He's two years younger than me. Of course, I'm happy to dress younger so we look like a perfect match."

Taking advantage of Xavier's instantly darkened expression, she quickly dodged past him to escape.

But in the next second, Xavier snagged her arm, yanking her back violently. Elena stumbled, and he immediately pinned her against the wall!