Chapter 28 DNA TEST
THIRD PERSON POV
Veronica stood frozen in the tiny, sunlit living room of the small house on the edge of the city. Her heart performed that ridiculous flip again the moment he told her the house had been purchased already.
Then his phone rang.
He listened for a moment, his eyebrows lifting in surprise. A warm, almost congratulatory smile spread across his face as he glanced at her.
“Oh, congratulations, ma’am,” he said, lowering the phone. “One of your husband’s men just called to finalize everything. The house has been purchased outright. Full cash offer, cleared this morning. It is yours now.”
Veronica stared at the keys he held out, the blood draining from her face. “My… husband?” Her voice cracked. “I don’t have a husband.”
The owner blinked, clearly confused. “Well, the gentleman on the phone was very clear. He said the buyer, Mr. Xavier Cross, wanted the deed put in your name immediately. He even mentioned the playground equipment arriving tomorrow. Seems like you have kids. You do not even look it.” He offered the keys again. “Anyway, it is all taken care of. No mortgage, no rent. You can move in today if you want.”
“No,” she whispered. Then louder, “No. I am not taking this. Tell them to cancel it. Reverse the payment or whatever you have to do.”
She backed toward the door, her hands shaking visibly. The owner looked genuinely sorry, but he did not argue. He simply set the keys on the kitchen counter.
“Ma’am, the sale is already complete. Legally it is yours. But if you want to speak to Mr. Cross directly—”
“I will.” Her jaw tightened until it ached. “Right now.”
She turned on her heel and stormed out, slamming the cab door so hard that the driver flinched in his seat. “Vanguard Mall,” she said through gritted teeth.
Back at Vanguard Mall, Xavier sat behind the wide glass desk in his private office on the top floor. The city sprawled out beneath the floor-to-ceiling windows like it belonged to him. In many ways, it did.
His phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen and saw Jules’s confirmation that the transfer on the small house Veronica had tried to rent had gone through. A satisfied smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. He leaned back in the leather chair and loosened his tie with one hand.
She would be so furious. Good. Let her be furious. At least she would finally stop running.
“I have no idea why she keeps running away,” he muttered under his breath.
He had purposely scheduled a meeting for four p.m. the previous day so she would be away from the suite long enough for him to execute the plan. While she was gone, he had kept Jules, Kendrick, and Ethan on standby. They had reported every detail back to him before she returned. He had ordered Jules to convince Natasha by any means necessary, even if it meant lying that Veronica already knew. That part had not been difficult. The entire move had been arranged behind Veronica’s back while she sat with him in his office. She had suspected nothing.
He knew she would try to run again. That was exactly why he had instructed Jules to monitor every affordable apartment listing. This morning, the moment Jules saw the one she chose on the edge of the city, he had transferred the money and bought it outright in her name.
A knock sounded at the door. Kade entered without waiting for an invitation.
“Good day, Mr. Xavier,” he said.
Xavier did not reply right away. Instead, he continued scanning the documents he had drafted late last night, suggestions to elevate Veronica’s bakery plan into something truly elite, while slowly sipping his matcha.
He finally looked up at Kade. “How is the divorce paper arrangement going? Is it ready yet?”
“Sir, I started the process, but there are inconsistencies in the documents. If we file now, it could be challenged. The lawyer insists we fix it first. The earliest safe filing date is the end of the month,” Kade replied.
Xavier’s head snapped up. Irritation flashed across his face.
“Did I ask for legal advice?”
He leaned back slowly, his eyes hardening.
“I said file it before this week ends. So make it happen before this week.”
He picked up his pen and tapped it once against the desk, the sound sharp in the quiet room.
“Offer her five hundred thousand dollars. If that is what it takes to make her disappear, then do it. I am not dragging this into next month.”
Kade clenched his jaw, fury washing over his features at the realization that his own plans were falling apart.
“I do not think this is a good idea. It is best to do things legally. You know how women can be. She could come back later claiming rights over things you own. Do you not think so?”
A sharp knock cut through the room before Xavier could respond.
Betty, his secretary, stepped inside.
“Sir, Ms. Veronica just arrived. She is waiting in the reception area. Should I let her in?”
Xavier did not look up from his desk at first. His voice came out low, calm, and commanding.
“Let her in.”
He paused, then finally lifted his gaze to Betty. His eyes were steady and authoritative.
“And from now on, you do not keep her waiting. Ever. Whether I am in a meeting, on a call, or you think I am busy, Veronica walks straight into this office. No questions. No delays. Understood?”
Betty’s lips parted slightly, but she quickly swallowed whatever she had been about to say. She gave a small, reluctant nod. “Yes, sir.” She turned and left.
Xavier’s gaze shifted back to Kade.
“She doesn’t have rights over things I own. We do not share the same name. Just do as I say and do not prolong this. You may excuse yourself.”
Kade slipped his hand into his pocket and gave a small bow before he left the office.
At the entrance, he nearly collided with Veronica. A smug smile curved his lips. “Good day, Ms. Harper.”
Veronica bit the inside of her cheek hard enough to taste blood. “Good day, Mr. Kade.”
Kade didn’t reply. The smile stayed on his lips as he walked away. Veronica felt a flicker of unease at the way he had looked at her, but she pushed it aside and strode straight toward Xavier’s desk.
“Can you explain the nonsense you pulled?” she demanded, her voice loud and edged with fury.
Xavier leaned back in the leather chair. The wheels rolled smoothly as he shifted his weight, studying her with those sharp emerald eyes.
“What are you talking about, kitten?”
“Don’t you dare play dumb with me.” She planted both hands on the edge of his desk and leaned forward. “You know I could get you arrested for what you did, right?”
He let out a low laugh, completely unbothered.
“Arrested?” He scoffed, one eyebrow arching.
“Yes, arrested.” Her chest rose and fell rapidly. “Why the hell would you send men to move my children out of the hotel without my permission? We were right here together the entire evening yesterday, and you didn’t mention a single word about it. And now this? Buying the exact house I tried to rent? Putting it in my name like I’m some kept woman?”
Xavier tilted his head slightly, his expression calm but his fingers drumming once against the arm of the chair.
“I see nothing wrong with making sure my children have the comfort they deserve. Do you not think so?”
Veronica’s eyes flared with heat. She straightened up, fists clenched at her sides.
“They are not your children, Xavier. Don’t be delusional.”
He rose slowly from his chair, rounding the desk with deliberate steps until only a few feet separated them. His presence filled the space.
“Let’s get a DNA test done, then.”