Chapter 8 Entangled Ex
"Wow, you've got quite the imagination!" Emma chimed in, playfully nudging Victoria's shoulder.
"Huh?" Victoria looked puzzled.
Adrian shot her a cold look, then haughtily walked away.
Emma giggled and followed Adrian, shooting Victoria a mischievous smile as they exited.
That grin... it was like she was anticipating a juicy drama unfolding.
Sam emerged from the bedroom, strolled up to Victoria, and whispered, "Miss Chase, you're overthinking it. The Cross family might be in the mafia, but they're not out there randomly offing people!"
"Not just killing people?" Victoria was taken aback, considering they had just narrowly escaped. The traitor had even been shot in the head by Nathaniel.
"You're an outsider, no one's gonna bump you off for no reason." Sam gestured for her to follow. "Mr. Cross told me to take you home."
Victoria nodded, ready to leave, when Sam added, "Sorry."
Before she knew it, darkness surrounded her once more.
She had been blindfolded with a black hood again.
When she had arrived, she was nestled in Nathaniel's arms, her face buried in his shoulder, so she hadn't seen a thing.
It seemed Nathaniel still didn't fully trust her.
But he had gotten hurt trying to protect her.
Victoria couldn't quite grasp Nathaniel's intentions. Did she actually mean something to him?
"Miss Chase, hang on."
Suddenly, Victoria felt something cold in her hand, and by the shape, she figured it must be Sam's small blade.
After a winding walk, she finally got into the car.
The engine purred to life, gliding smoothly.
After a while, she couldn't resist and blurted out an inappropriate question.
"Sam, does everyone leaving the Cross Villa have to wear a black hood?"
"Yep."
"No exceptions?"
"None."
Victoria's heart sank uncontrollably.
"Then why did he save me?" Victoria whispered softly.
She had to admit, Nathaniel taking a bullet for her and not forcing her to perform oral sex on him in front of Sam in the car had given her the false impression that she might mean something different to Nathaniel.
There was one more thing she couldn't figure out: why did Xavier gift her to Nathaniel?
For a big shot like him, even if he wanted to keep a woman as a canary, he wouldn't just take any woman.
But after spending time with Nathaniel, she didn't feel particularly special.
Before long, Sam parked the car in front of Victoria's house.
Victoria removed the blindfold, bid Sam farewell politely, and made her way upstairs.
"Miss Chase."
"Hmm?" Victoria paused, turning to face him.
Sam furrowed his brow slightly, his handsome features clouded with inner conflict.
Sensing his hesitation, Victoria prodded, "What's on your mind?"
Just as Victoria thought he wouldn't speak up and was about to leave, Sam blurted out, "The Cross family is deep waters, watch your back!"
"I know," Victoria couldn't help but smile.
"And, guard your heart well." Sam tapped his chest, then hopped back into the car and drove off.
Victoria returned home with a pensive air.
As she fished out her keys to unlock the door, it swung open from inside.
"Finally, you're back! Why didn't you respond to my texts?" David asked, looking worried.
"Dad, what's up?" Victoria's tone was flat, lacking its usual energy.
David couldn't hide his grin, "You've snagged yourself a real catch of a boyfriend, why keep me in the dark? Cruising around in that fancy car, he looks like a big shot!"
Victoria froze, "Who said he's my boyfriend?"
"Alright, alright, he's not. You're still keeping secrets from your old man." David tugged Victoria outside, "Come on, I've already reserved a private room."
"Where are we headed?"
"Absolutely, let's celebrate in style!"
After a chaotic morning, she had barely sipped on some milk and was famished. It was the perfect time for lunch before heading to the film set.
Upon entering the restaurant and pushing open the door to the private room, she spotted Xavier seated inside, nervously fidgeting with his palm.
He must have been causing trouble in front of David!
As Xavier noticed their arrival, a sly smile crept onto his face.
"Victoria, you're here." He rose from his seat and gestured to the chair beside him. "Take a seat here."
Victoria's demeanor shifted, and she made a move to leave.
"Victoria, hold on!" David urged her into the chair.
With no fondness for Xavier, Victoria sat down, arms folded, wearing a scowl.
David kept up the polite chatter, scolding Victoria for not giving Xavier face, and whispered, "Victoria, Xavier means well, try to understand!"
Victoria seethed at the suggestion, wishing she could expose Xavier's deceit to David.
How could she explain to David that she wasn't in a relationship, but rather being handed over to Nathaniel as a plaything by Xavier?
David turned to continue his praises, "Xavier, thanks to you, even after the breakup, you still have Victoria's best interests at heart and introduced her to such a great match! You should look out for her more in the future!"
"Dad, please, enough!" Victoria couldn't hold back any longer. "Do you know that the company went under because of Xavier's shady dealings behind the scenes?"
David waved it off, "Oh, that's not Xavier's fault. It was my own poor judgment in investing in the wrong project. Xavier even warned me, but I didn't listen."
David was just that gullible, or else how could the family fortune have been squandered?
Every moment she spent there was agony, so she made a quick excuse, "I need to use the restroom."
After pretending to head to the restroom, she planned to slip away but was intercepted by Xavier near the washbasin.
"Where do you think you're sneaking off to?" Xavier grabbed her wrist.
"What's it to you?" Victoria shook him off.
"Oh, so after a few days with Nathaniel, you've turned into a firecracker?" Xavier leaned in close, sniffing suggestively near her ear. "You used to have a delicate scent, now it's all blood."
"Mind your words!"
Victoria shuddered, realizing she hadn't even had a chance to shower or change after the morning's chaos.
"Oh, did I hit a nerve? Don't be so distant, darling. We used to be quite close."
Repulsed, Victoria felt nauseous, "You're disgusting!"
"I'm perfectly fine." Xavier moved even closer, his tone flirtatious. "So, who's better in bed, him or me?"
Irritated by his persistence, Victoria coolly replied, "You and him? There's no contest."
"Is that right?"
"Absolutely."
Xavier, now irritated and embarrassed, seized her wrist and pulled her into his embrace. "How about we give it another shot some other time?"
"Xavier, are you out of your mind?"
"Just a little, not too much." Xavier shamelessly added.
"Let me go!" Victoria struggled, "Haven't you moved on with Emma? Why bother me?"
Xavier's expression shifted.
Victoria knew his Achilles' heel, mentioning Emma hit a nerve.
"If you don't release me, Emma will find out tomorrow that you're still hung up on your ex! Xavier, watch your back!" Victoria cautioned.
"I'm shaking in my boots." Xavier retorted sarcastically.
Victoria felt a chill run down her spine.
Just as she was about to resist again, Xavier released her, looking at her mockingly.
Without a moment's hesitation, Victoria turned and left.
Xavier stood there, watching her departing figure, his eyes reflecting reluctance and a touch of unexplainable madness.
"Victoria, do you really think you can slip through my fingers?"