Chapter 268: Go Somewhere With Me

April raised her head, her eyes finally lifting to meet his. Her heart was thudding so hard against her ribs she was certain he could hear it.

​Seeing the sheer, unbridled joy written all over his face—the broad, stupidly handsome smile illuminating his features—she felt a fresh wave of embarrassment crash over her. Really, was that a good call? Why is he smiling like an idiot? It’s completely infuriating.

​"Special, my ass," April muttered, clicking her tongue sharply as she spun on her heel to resume walking down the corridor, her strides stiff and hurried. "Your arrogance and confidence must be the only things keeping your head attached to your shoulders, Alexander."

​"What? How did you know?" Alexander snickered, stepping into quick, long strides to catch up with her.

​He was feeling himself far more than he had any right to, his shoulders broader, his posture soaring with a triumphant, unshakeable satisfaction. The lingering phantom touch of her lips still burned on his, and no matter how icy her words tried to be, those bright crimson cheeks betrayed everything.

​As they turned the corner toward the private elevator, the heavy, suffocating aura filling the lower hall hit them like a wall.

​Standing on either side of the doors were Xavier and Nat.

​Xavier stood with his hands tucked casually into his trouser pockets, looking like an untouchable corporate monolith, though his icy eyes immediately tracked April’s move the moment she appeared.

Nat was leaning against the wall, his arms folded across his broad chest, looking like a caged beast temporarily forced into obedience after getting chewed out the previous night.

​However, the second both men’s eyes landed on Alexander, their sharp instincts kicked in.

​There was a distinct, blinding aura surrounding the knight. Alexander wasn’t looking at them with his usual wary vigilance. He was walking beside April with a low, smug, thoroughly satisfied glint in his blue eyes, his lips subtly upturned in a victor’s curve.

​Nat’s eyes narrowed into deadly slits, his body straightening instantly. What the hell is with that look?

​Xavier’s composure cracked for a fraction of a second, his gaze dropping to Alexander’s face, then to April’s flushed cheeks, and back again. The temperature in the lobby plummeted into sub-zero territory in a matter of seconds.

​"What took you so long?" Nat growled, his voice dropping an octave as he stepped directly into their path, his dangerous gaze locking onto Alexander. "You look awfully pleased with yourself, Greels."

​Alexander didn’t flinch. In fact, he matched Nat’s dangerous and interrogative gaze with an insufferably calm, knowing smirk, subtly shifting his posture to stand just half an inch closer to April’s shoulder.

​"The walk down was quite pleasant," Alexander replied smoothly, his tone laced with a quiet, devastating superiority. "We had a rather... enlightening conversation."

​Nat’s jaw clenched so hard a muscle twitched violently in his cheek. He looked at April, whose head was lowered as she deliberately avoided eye contact with all three of them, practically radiating pure awkwardness.

​Xavier stepped forward, his dark eyes fixed entirely on April, his voice dropping into a smooth, freezing rumble that cut through the silent standoff. "Did you now?"

​April pressed her lips together, her heart hammering wildly as she felt the intense, overwhelming weight of three powerful, possessive men all directing their absolute focus onto her.

She let out a long, heavy exhale, trying desperately to summon her usual composure, though her burning face made it an impossible battle.

So, finding out she actually had feelings for them was all it took to drop the nonchalance after all. She was a mess.

​"If everyone is done posturing," April said flatly, stepping straight past Nat and Xavier into the open elevator cab, "I would like to get into the car before I decide to leave all three of you behind."

But before she could step further, Xavier took a step forward, ignoring the subtle, triumphant air surrounding Alexander entirely.

His dark eyes locked onto April, his tone dropping into a low, smooth cadence that immediately cut through the lingering awkwardness in the hall.

​"April, would you mind... going somewhere with me?"

​Nat’s ears perked up instantly, his body shifting into an aggressive, guarded posture, while Alexander’s eyes glinted with a sharp, protective alertness at the sudden proposal.

​April blinked, taken off guard by the abrupt shift in topic. "You want to go... where?"

​"Somewhere that is not the estate," Xavier stated smoothly, his expression unreadable. "I would like to speak with you."

But we can speak in the estate. She thought, blinking in confusion.

​A low, dangerous laugh escaped Nat’s throat as he took a step into Xavier’s space.

"Bold move, Reed," he drawled, his eyes flaring with pure provocation. "But do you really think I’m going to let that happen? You made a major mistake expressing your intentions right in front of me."

​Xavier turned his head slowly, his icy gaze meeting Nat’s raging eyes with absolute, steady composure.

​"In fact," Xavier said, his voice flat and unbothered, "this was precisely the goal. You’re coming too, Nat. Because this involves you as well."

​The corridor fell into an abrupt, stunned silence.

​Nat’s sneer froze mid-process, his eyebrows drawing together as he looked at Xavier as if the tycoon had suddenly lost his mind. Even Alexander’s smug confidence faltered for a second, his sharp eyes narrowing as he evaluated the sudden turn of events.

​April looked between the two towering men, her heart skipping another erratic beat. "What exactly do you mean, Xavier? What involves both of you?"

​"Our arrangements," Xavier replied calmly, though a heavy, intense weight lingered behind his words. "And how we move forward without tearing everything apart before the storm hits. It’s time we laid all the cards on the table."

​Nat scoffed, crossing his broad arms over his chest, though the dangerous spark in his golden eyes shifted into deep intrigue. "A sit-down between the three of us? Sounds like a recipe for a murder scene... but I’m listening."

​Alexander stepped forward, his posture stiffening beside April. "If they’re going, I’m coming with you."

​Xavier didn’t even turn his head. "No, Greels. This is specifically between the three of us."

​April looked at Xavier’s resolute posture, then at Nat’s dark, expectant smirk, before taking a slow, steadying breath. The awkwardness from earlier hadn’t completely faded, but the serious shift in Xavier’s tone told her this wasn’t just another petty squabble.

She could subtly tell that this was about the kiss, but she chose not to ask questions here in the open hall. He wanted to talk? She was all ears.

​"Fine," April said quietly, adjusting her coat as she stepped out of the elevator threshold. "Lead the way."

​Before taking another step, she paused and turned back toward Samuel and Emily, who had been witnessing the charged, volatile atmosphere in tense silence.

​"Samuel," April called out calmly, "could you take Emily back to the estate for me?"

​Samuel’s brow instantly furrowed, his lips parting to object to leaving her side after everything that had happened. But before he could utter a word, Nat cast a cold, sharp glare right at him, his eyes flashing with a warning that practically promised absolute protection—or utter ruin for anyone who dared interfere.

​Realizing that between Xavier’s private security and Nat’s sheer, brute presence, April’s safety was practically an iron fortress. Emily, on the other hand... Samuel slowly let out his breath and gave a crisp, respectful bow.

He was her High Steward, his affairs had to do with her interest, and the interest of her fortress. As for her protection... Unless it was within her fortress, he did not exactly possess the skill and resources to carry out such a task flawlessly.

He was useless in this regard. And as such, he would not push past his own domain.

​"Very well, Miss April," Samuel replied, and lifted his head. "I will make sure Miss Emily’s safety is the utmost priority. Please, return safely."

His heart ached. He did not know if it was due to the knowledge that he could not be more than the Steward, he could not be her shield, her sword, or her poison... Or if it was something else. He was uncontented, but he would never complain. Never.

​Emily looked between her sister and the two towering, dangerous men with wide, anxious eyes. The air felt so heavy it was almost suffocating. She was worried. "April... are you sure you’re going to be okay?"

​"I’ll be fine, Emily," April reassured her softly, offering a brief nod. "It’s not like they’re going to eat me." She laughed it off. "For now, go home with Samuel. And if you get bored, just watch a movie or do some more online shopping." She patted Emily’s hair and smiled.

"Okay," Emily said with a small voice, blushing at the pat on the head.

​Meanwhile, Alexander gave a light scoff, turning on his heel to walk away with an easy, nonchalant grin. It looked like he had backed up, but the sharp, calculating glint in his blue eyes revealed his true intention—he had zero plans of letting her out of his sight.

Once it was just the three of them, April turned to the two men and said, "They’re gone now. Shall we go too?"