Chapter 20 Tiffany’s Regrets
Just as Isabel was about to open her eyes, Leo’s voice interrupted the charged atmosphere.
“Boss, glad I found you. I was just speaking with…”
He halted mid–sentence as he noticed Isabel snug in Xander’s embrace, an almost kiss hanging between them.
Caught in the act, Xander was mere inches from Isabel’s lips.
Isabel, startled by the sudden intrusion and the closeness of Xander, blinked open her eyes in confusion.
Why was he so close, almost close enough to kiss her?
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She dismissed the thought quickly; a man like Xander, if he had any interest in women, would surely have pursued someone already given his status.
Xander’s face shadowed over with frustration. Leo’s interruption had thwarted what might have been a sweet moment.
“What is it?”
Leo, sensing the tension, replied anxiously, “Mr. Perkins and his father heard you were here… They’d like to see you?”
Collecting himself, Xander nodded, “Understood, let’s go then.”
Isabel, attempting to lighten the mood, chimed in, “You just saved me, so I guess it’s my turn to help you out.”
Hearing Isabel’s words, Xander felt a deeper annoyance.
He knew that her kiss had been a ploy, but her blunt admission only intensified his displeasure..
As they started to move, Isabel, in a lighter tone, hooked her arm through his. “If you don’t mind later, feel free to return the favor–kiss me in front of Tiffany.”
She meant
as a playful jest, but Xander stopped abruptly, his gaze dropping to her lips, momentarily lost in thought.
Is it possible to do it this way?
Cough cough–I was just joking. I know you’re not into women and you’re a bit of a germaphobe. Asking you for a kiss is almost like risking your life.
“Who said I’m not into women?”
“Do I need someone to tell me that? You’re 30 and still single, you avoid closs contact with women. Isabel shrugged. “Plus, there’s talk that you might be into men.”
Xander fell silent.
“Rumors often have little to do with reality.”
He felt the need to clear this up; it was important that she did not continue under this misconception.
“That makes sense.” Isabel nodded. Observing is better than hearing, and gossip is rarely accurate.
In the private room.
Tiffany was desperate to get out.
“Dad. I don’t want to marry him! Please, let me go
“Don’t be foolishat Mr. Bennett may be married, but the bond between our family and his is significant. He’s shown good grace attending your grandfather’s birthday today. If you sub him, that’s on you. Plus, you ignored him a few days ago and he was not offended; that’s fortunate Morris considered this and felt a pang of worry.
10:37 AM
Chapter 20 Tiffany’s Regrets
“But he’s just not my type, Dad!”
“Enough!” Albert reprimanded, eyeing Tiffany, “Xander is nearly here, mind your words. And I heard he’s married.”
“Really?” Tiffany looked surprised.
Albert stroked his beard. “It’s just a rumor I overheard.”
“It’s probably not true.” Tiffany scoffed, suspecting the rumor was just a tactic by Xander to lower her defenses.
Just then, there was a knock at the door.
The expected guest had arrived.
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Albert, and Morris stood up to greet him, while Tiffany sat in the corner, facing away from the door, wishing she’d made herself less appealing, hoping it might repulse him.
Morris swung the door open and was immediately taken aback by the sight of the young, strikingly attractive Xander standing before him.
Are you Mr. Bennett?”
“I’m Xander Bennett, he responded coolly.
At the sound of that deep, resonant voice, Tiffany instinctively lifted her gaze..
Could a voice really be so compelling?
Overcome by curiosity, Tiffany turned around and when her eyes landed on Xander’s strikingly handsome features, her expression shifted to one of sheer surprise and evident admiration.
