Chapter 29 DON’T FALL FOR ME
THIRD PERSON POV
Veronica’s stomach twisted violently at Xavier’s words. The suggestion of a DNA test still rang in her ears like a gunshot. She took a shaky breath and forced her voice to stay firm, even as fear coiled tight in her chest.
“What the fuck? You do not have any right to demand a DNA test on my children.”
Xavier leaned back slightly in his chair, his emerald eyes never leaving hers. “And give me one good reason why I do not. You know if I wanted to, I could make it happen, and there would be nothing you could do to stop me.”
She pressed her lips together, her hands trembling at her sides. “I’m not going to push this conversation any further, okay?” Her tone turned sharp, but underneath it was pure exhaustion. She was trying to shut it down because it was painfully clear he would win any argument they had.
“I am warning you for the very last time. Stay away from my children. I can take care of them on my own. They are not yours.”
“Fine.” He shrugged one shoulder, his voice deceptively calm. “If they are not mine, then whose are they? I remember very clearly that you told me you had not had sex for the past five years. So did you lie then… or are you lying now?”
Veronica’s pupils dilated. Her lips twitched before she could stop them. “Yes… I lied.”
A slow, knowing smirk spread across Xavier’s face. He studied her for a long moment, reading every micro-expression. “Nice try…Now I know you are lying. I am very good at spotting lies, you know?”
He stood up slowly from his chair, rounding the wide desk with deliberate steps. One hand slipped into his pocket as he stopped right in front of her.
Her stomach tightened. She swallowed hard and blinked too fast, her heart hammering against her ribs.
“Or are you scared of getting a DNA test done?”
She swallowed hard, the sound loud in the sudden silence. Her throat felt tight, and for a moment the room seemed to tilt.
“I don’t care if you think you are some kind of human lie detector,” she said, her voice rising. “I have warned you. Back off. Do not dig into my personal life. Just because I work for you does not give you the right to insert yourself into it. That is an invasion of privacy.”
“You keep avoiding the DNA question,” he said, shrugging one shoulder with forced casualness. “Fine. I won’t push it further… for now.”
He exhaled.
“I’m not trying to insert myself into your life, Kitten. I am already in it.”
“No, you are not.” She shook her head, frustration and something dangerously close to longing mixing in her chest. “You know what? As I said, I do not want to drag this any further. I am going home.”
She turned to leave, but his voice stopped her.
“Home?”
She turned back around slowly, the realization hitting her like a wave. “You are wrong if you think I am going into that house you bought. I am making sure I find a new apartment for my children. I will keep searching until I do.”
“Keep searching, kitten,” he said quietly, his tone almost gentle. “And I will keep purchasing. You know it is just better if you stop fighting it and accept reality.”
Her lips parted, but no words came out. The fight drained from her shoulders as the weight of his resources and determination settled over her.
“Anyway,” he continued, glancing out the floor-to-ceiling windows at the sprawling city below, “the kids will be staying in Beverly Hills. It’s far more spacious than the place on the edge of the city. Besides, you own both houses.”
She nodded numbly. There was nothing left she could do. Not today.
She had already started turning toward the door when his voice called her back again, softer this time.
“Kitten.”
She paused.
“Let me throw a challenge at you,” he said, a playful glint entering his eyes. “Don’t fall for me. Let us see how long you last.”
Her eyes widened in disbelief. “How shameless can you be?”
He smiled, slow and devastating. “Very.”
Before she could push him away, he lifted both hands and gently cupped her face. His thumbs brushed lightly over her cheeks. Then he leaned in and brushed his lips over hers in a kiss that was soft, deliberate, and far too brief.
The moment his mouth touched hers, electric shivers raced down her spine. Her breath hitched audibly. She gripped the edge of the desk behind her, angry at her own body for reacting so strongly, for the warmth that flooded her cheeks and the way her knees suddenly felt weak.
He drew back just enough to search her eyes, his own darkening with satisfaction and something deeper.
“The driver is downstairs. Go home. He will pick you up in the morning. Be prepared.”
She could only nod, her voice lost somewhere between fury and unwanted desire. She turned and walked out of the office on unsteady legs.
Outside the building, the driver was already waiting. He greeted her with a polite nod and a small bow as he opened the rear door. “Good afternoon, ma’am.”
She managed a quiet, “Good afternoon,” and slid into the cool leather seat. As the car pulled smoothly into traffic, her mind spun. He is such a flirt. What the fuck. Wait… does he act like this with every woman? Is he a womanizer? The thought sent an unexpected sting of jealousy through her chest.
Meanwhile, Xavier sat alone for a moment in his office after she left. He replayed every word of their conversation in his head and let out a low chuckle. He had thrown that challenge at her — daring her not to fall for him. She had insisted she would not, which he found adorable. But he had seen the way her cheeks flushed, heard the way her breath hitched every time his lips met hers. He knew she would fall within. It might take days, or weeks, but she would. She could draw all the lines she wanted. He would simply walk her right to the edge and wait there patiently.
He had already asked Betty earlier to clear all his morning appointments for tomorrow. Because he had to meet Veronica.
When he finally drove into his penthouse later that evening, Kade was right behind him, following him inside without invitation.
“What do you want, Kade?” Xavier asked, his voice laced with clear exasperation. He dropped onto the large sofa and loosened his tie completely.
“Your father requested that Camila move into the penthouse.”
“No.” The word came out sharp and loud.
“I told him you would say that, but he is adamant. He also knows you have plans to divorce her. I could not deny it.”
“I don’t care if he knows because I already told him. The divorce planning must go on, and it needs to happen before this week ends.”
Kade sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. “It is like walking through a maze. It is totally unrealistic to get the divorce filed before the week ends.”
Xavier exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. “Okay then. It can be extended to the end of the month or whatever it takes. But Camila is not staying in this penthouse.”
“What if she moved into the Velmora Estate instead?” Kade suggested.
Xavier squinted, tilting his head. “Why?”
“That would keep her far away from anywhere near the penthouse. The Velmora estate is downtown. It has plenty of rooms and enough space to keep her occupied. We can hire fresh housekeepers and chefs for her until the divorce is finalized.”
Xavier scratched his jaw thoughtfully, considering the idea. “That is not a bad suggestion. You can go ahead with the plan. How much does the Velmora whatever cost? Send the bill to me.”
Kade gave a small smile. “The bill? You own the estate. We just need the money for the workers and staff.”
Xavier raised his eyebrows, then cleared his throat with a short laugh. “Right… I totally forgot I owned one of those. Alright then. Go ahead with it.”
“Yes, sir.” Kade bowed slightly. “Make sure she doesn’t step foot into this penthouse.”
“Noted, sir.”
Kade turned and stepped out of the sitting room, heading toward the guest area. Once inside the elevator, he pulled out his phone and quickly texted Camila: The plan you thought of is mission accomplished.