Henry looked lean, almost delicate, like a beautiful, fragile figure. Yet, in that moment, he exerted immense force, enough to almost crush Xavier’s wrist.
Caught off guard, Xavier winced in pain and looked at Henry, who now stared back with deadly intent in his eyes. For a mere potted plant, Henry’s face was filled with pure rage, as though he could destroy everything in his path.
Xavier quickly yanked his hand free, confusion flickering across his face. “It’s just a cactus. Is that really necessary?” He spoke loudly, though the smile on his lips was anything but warm.
Henry didn’t respond, ignoring him entirely. He simply pushed his wheelchair, turning his back to Xavier as he repositioned the cactus into the sunlight. Despite the blood still dripping from his hand, Henry reached out and gently touched the white flowers on the cactus.
The vivid red blood stained the pure white petals, glistening under the sunlight like a dark omen.
“Don’t touch other people’s things without permission,” Henry muttered coldly.
Xavier studied him for a moment, a frown forming as he watched Henry’s back. The man was known for his temper, but this was the first time Xavier had seen it so palpable. He hadn’t felt it before, but now, he could sense the deep undercurrent of his volatile emotions.
“You really do treasure this plant,” Xavier remarked after a long pause, his voice losing its teasing edge. “Those who don’t know you might even think Guinevere gave it to you herself.”
Henry didn’t respond, his focus solely on the cactus as he adjusted it. Though confined to a wheelchair, Henry was a man of great power, with eyes and ears everywhere. In Fern City, there was likely no one more well-informed than him.
Xavier knew all too well that Henry was not someone who could be easily approached, even by his own family. Despite being Weston’s uncle, Xavier understood that his relationship with Henry was fraught with complexity. He fell silent, lost in thought as the weight of their situation settled over him.
Before Xavier could continue his thoughts, Weston appeared, having silently entered the room behind him. Xavier started, surprised by his sudden presence, but Weston quickly slapped him on the shoulder, returning to his usual careless demeanor.
“Why are you so quiet?” Weston asked, pushing him aside with a casual flick.
Xavier didn’t respond, his attention now on Henry, whose emotionless eyes briefly scanned him before locking on Weston.
“Come in,” Weston ordered, his tone firm, as if he were giving commands to a subordinate. Though Henry’s expression remained grim, he followed Weston into the room without a word. As he passed Xavier, he let out a quiet snicker and remarked, “Sometimes, even the closest of relatives have to wear a mask. Nothing truly matters when it comes to profit.”
Xavier felt a chill, as if the words were a warning, and a cold shiver ran down his spine.
Chapter Title: A Walk Through the Past
Meanwhile, in the university town, Stella had informed Roger that she would visit him. Since he had another class, she took the opportunity to explore the university enclave.
Fern City was a vast, bustling metropolis, home to numerous universities. The most prestigious among them was Fern University, one of the top universities in the nation. For many students, it was the dream school, the epitome of academic excellence.
As Stella wandered through the campus, she couldn’t help but feel that her previous decisions had meaning. The bustling environment around her, full of eager minds and aspirations, made her realize the significance of her own journey.
Skip to content