The last item up for auction was an ancient poetry book, with a starting bid of two million dollars.Grace jokingly messaged Xander. "This item has great research value. I was originally reluctant to bring it out. Are you interested in it, Mr. Fulton?"Xander's slender fingers glided across his phone. "Let's end this year on a high note."Upon receiving this message, Grace heard Hazel's bid from behind. "Three million dollars."Since Xander was supporting his girlfriend, most bidders didn't dare compete with him. At most, they only raised the price slightly. Matthew was among them, bidding up to six million dollars before backing down.The auctioneer announced, "Mr. Fulton bids 6.5 million dollars, going once, going twice—""7.5 million."A crisp, young voice that hadn't been heard all evening rang out from the corner. At once, all eyes turned to look.A man sat in an inconspicuous spot. His profile cast a slight shadow under the light, exuding a debonair charm.Hazel whispe
Smiling, Xander said meaningfully, "It's just a matter of time. When it happens, please come to the Fulton residence for the celebration."Jake's expression froze for a second. Since he had been born, he had never returned to the Fulton residence. Since he wasn't a legitimate child, the elders of the Fulton family wouldn't allow it.Xander was clearly provoking him.As Hazel went to handle the procedures, Jake glanced at her figure. His words were dripping with deep implication as well. "I hope you can fulfill your wishes like you did today."After that, he walked straight out of the hall and disappeared around the corner.Xander remained standing straight, like an evergreen tree.On the other hand, Grace was busy handling the work. As soon as she finished, she went downstairs. The police had finished collecting evidence."There are signs of deliberate tampering with the surveillance. The evidence at the scene is not sufficient. We need more time for the investigation." The pers
Grace was in Xander's arms. Tears shimmered in her eyes from his kiss. Her body stiffened for a moment at his words.Suddenly, she asked, "What if… one day you find out that I'm too close to another man?"With eyes filled with desire, Xander wiped the moisture from her lips. "I'll make him disappear."Grace opened her eyes slightly."Are you that serious? What about me?""A naughty girl deserves punishment." As he spoke, he pinched her waist as if warning her.In reality, he spoke with a smile in his eyes and wasn't entirely serious.But Grace felt a hint of fear. She pursed her lips. Some subtle clues from before had made her realize that Xander was not as gentle and calm as he appeared on the surface. Inside, he was like a bomb, ready to ignite at any moment if someone dared to provoke him.He could be mad.Xander adjusted his posture, allowing Grace to straddle his lap. Suddenly, she hissed in pain."What's wrong?" He frowned, his desire dissipating by half."My ankle
In an instant, Grace blushed crimson. Previously, she had taken the initiative to flirt, but she had actually been acting tough. Now that Xander had taken the lead, he was possessive and aggressive. Even his breath felt amorous. Just locking eyes with him sent electric currents coursing through her body.She suddenly felt at a loss. "S-So soon?"Xander propped himself on the pillow beside her with one hand. He was amused by her reaction. "Why so nervous? Weren't you looking forward to it earlier? You were disappointed when I didn't give it to you."Grace immediately reached out to cover his mouth. "It's not the same! I was just curious!"His large hand lingered on her slender and fair leg, teasing her. Smiling, he asked, "Are you not curious now?""I am, but…"If Xander took the initiative, he could really do it. Grace felt a sense of fear creeping in. She swallowed nervously. "You've had a long day. I'm afraid you're not in condition for it."As soon as she said it, she reg
It seemed like Joshua's and Celia's appearance was just a coincidence. They just had a stroke of luck.Grace thanked Angus, but she seemed dissatisfied.Angus reassured her, saying, "Ms. Lewis, the girls are not in any life-threatening danger, and the person who drugged them has been found. Without evidence, we can't continue the investigation."Grace nodded understandingly. "Can I go see the suspect?""Of course, follow me."As Angus led the way, a figure emerged from around the corner and passed by them. Grace recognized him immediately. "Shawn, what are you doing here?"The figure, who wasn't wearing a mask and had a straight back, was none other than Shawn.He glanced up and made eye contact with the three of them. Instinctively, he hid the document he was holding behind his back."Ms. Lewis, Mr. Fulton."Xander remained calm and extended his hand. "Why are you here, Mr. Griffin?"Shawn glanced at Angus and replied, "The teahouse was robbed. I'm here to report it.""Robb
Xander nodded and glanced at the document in Shawn's hand. "The meeting has been moved up by two days. Please reserve a private room for me."Shawn faced his glance. "Alright."After Grace finished seeing the suspect, she didn't notice anything unusual. The woman was emotionally unstable. She glared at Grace with red eyes and wasn't able to speak coherently.Just as she came out, she received a call from an unknown number. "Hello?""Celia caused trouble at your annual party. I apologize on her behalf." It was Benjamin. It seemed he had already heard about it.Grace took a deep breath. He had probably known that she wouldn't answer his calls, so he had called from a different number."Did you instruct her to do that?""How could I? Of course not.""Then, why are you apologizing? Or is it that you can control her now?" Grace was angry, and he had just so happened to call, becoming a target of her venting.Benjamin went silent for a few seconds. "Since Celia got involved with J
Three days before Christmas, Xander went to Blossoms Teahouse for a meeting without taking Grace along.Before this, she had kept sticking to him, perhaps thinking he would return to Frenda. Now that she knew he was taking a short break and could stay until after Christmas, she wasn't as clingy. She preferred to laze around in bed in the late morning.Spencer opened the door for Xander. "Mr. Fulton, your guest has arrived."Xander nodded and passed by Shawn at the front desk. A scent of magnolia wafted through the air, a fragrance belonging to women. Shawn had smelled it before, when he was with Grace.Though he was inexperienced, he understood that it represented intimacy between Xander and Grace.Shawn let out a slow breath.The private room wasn't large, but it offered extreme privacy. Winston Jarvis, an elderly man, was sitting there. He was the deputy secretary of the Pamore government and a close friend of Hestia's. When Xander was abroad, he was Xander's university pro
Spencer hurried over. "What's wrong?"Shawn played with the tea set in his hands, as if deep in thought. "That's my political law teacher from the police academy.""He recognized you?""He only taught me for a year, and then he was transferred. I haven't seen him since. I never had a chance to repay his kindness." Shawn returned to his separate room."It's been so many years, and my face has changed drastically. I'm sure he's long forgotten me."Choosing the police academy had been Shawn's way of escaping from the Hawkins family. He hadn't found his true passion until Winston had guided him and taught him to strive for the career he wanted.So, even though they had only been teacher and student for a year, it held special significance for Shawn.Inside the room, Winston still hadn't touched the tea in front of him."Xander, if it had been many years ago, I would have agreed to your request immediately. But now, I've reached this position, and everyone is trying to find fault wi