Chapter 64
Chapter 64
Emily’s lips curled involuntarily as she looked at Xavier’s worried expression.
She thought, ‘Look at his concerned expression, the whispers from the crowd, and the villains being chased away. This scene is exactly like the plot of the hero rescuing the damsel in distress.’
If this happened two years ago, or when she first entered St. Gabriel Reform Academy, Emily might have been overwhelmed with gratitude toward Xavier, maybe even grown to trust and depend on him. But now, she just found it all laughable.
“This childish, boring game? I’ve seen it a thousand times at St. Gabriel Reform Academy. Each one taught me just how harsh the consequences could be when I fell for it,’ Emily thought.
Noticing the faint smile on her lips, Xavier softened his grin. “Don’t worry,” he murmured, his voice soothing. “As long as I’m here, no one will lay a finger on you.”
A chorus of hushed and excited squeals rose from the young girls around them.
Emily nodded, playing along. “With Mr. Jenkins here, I’m sure they won’t dare cause any more trouble.”
Later, the troublemakers really did stop showing up, but Xavier started making daily appearances at the shop. Since Emily was always working in the kitchen area, where he couldn’t get in, he offered to drive her to and from work every single day.
Emily never turned Xavier down. Every time, she’d thank him and even flash him a smile. To outsiders, she seemed to have developed a deep trust and fondness for him after he came to her rescue, but that was all it was.
Whenever Xavier tried to get closer, Emily maintained an air of detachment.
Xavier wasn’t annoyed. After all, she was once the pampered princess of the Bennett family. Surely, someone like her wouldn’t be an easy conquest.
Xavier took a gradual approach. While driving Emily to and from work, he would present her with an extravagant bouquet of 99 red roses.
He said, “I wasn’t sure what kind of flowers you prefer, so I picked the ones that best represent my feelings. Just let me know your favorite, and I’ll get them for you next time.”
The moment those ostentatious crimson roses were presented, paired with Xavier’s gallant words, they instantly drew waves of envious admiration from the oblivious onlookers.
As Emily gazed at the familiar face of Xavier’s, turbulent emotions churned inside her, nearly breaking through her composure more than once.
Digging her nails into her palm until it hurt, Emily finally managed a smile as she accepted the bouquet. “This is more than enough. Thank you, Mr. Jenkins.”
‘Xavier’s heart leapt with triumph at her gesture.
After dropping Emily off at the Bennett Family residence, Xavier offered his hand to help her out of the car.
Emily had always opened the car door herself, but when she saw Xavier’s outstretched hand this time, she quickly thrust the bouquet in her arms toward him instead. “It’s actually kind of heavy. Thank you, Mr. Jenkins, for helping me with the
flowers.”
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Xavier’s expression froze for a split second, but he quickly composed himself, resuming that same gentle smile.
He walked Emily to the entrance of the Bennett residence before finally handing her the bouquet he’d been holding. “If you like them, I’ll bring you more tomorrow,” he said gently.
Emily instinctively pressed her lips together before nodding. She politely declined Xavier’s offer to escort her to the Bennett Eresidence. Hugging the crimson bouquet, she hurried away, only to run into Andrew, who stood at the corner with a dark
face.
Andrew fixed Emily with an icy glare. “What’s going on between you and the Jenkins family’s sole heir?”
Emily clutched the bouquet tighter, her face impassive. “Didn’t you see it all, Mr. Bennett?”
‘If he were really just asking out of simple curiosity, he wouldn’t be wearing that expression,’ Emily thought.
Instantly, Andrew’s expression darkened further. He had been standing there since Xavier’s car pulled up at the entrance. He watched their every interaction, including that glaringly ostentatious bouquet of roses.