266

266

Despite everything, Samantha did not leave the premises. After Kelsey's abrupt departure, she cautiously slipped back into Alpha Xavier's bedroom. When Xavier saw Samantha re-entering his private chambers, his face contorted into a strange, unrecognizable expression. It was a mixture of disbelief, irritation, and something darker that he couldn’t quite define.

Mark, who was standing nearby, also reacted. His facial expression shifted as his brows furrowed deeply. The two men exchanged a tense glance, their eyes fixed on the monitor in front of them. On the screen, Itzel and Elinor were visible, chatting in the living room, though the surveillance system lacked audio. While their gestures and body language were apparent, the actual topic of their conversation remained a mystery.

Alpha Xavier felt his chest tighten as his heartbeat quickened, almost as if it were stuck in his throat. His mind raced with possibilities, and he found himself silently hoping Samantha had returned to his bedroom for some innocent reason, like accidentally leaving something behind. However, that hope quickly began to feel unrealistic.

Minutes turned into an hour, and Samantha stayed inside his chambers the entire time. Finally, she emerged from the room, her face calm and composed, as if nothing unusual had occurred. Elinor and Itzel greeted her casually, completely unaware of what had transpired behind closed doors. After exchanging a few pleasantries, Samantha bid farewell and left the Xavier mansion.

But questions filled Alpha Xavier's mind. Why had Samantha spent over an hour in his bedroom? What exactly had she been doing in there during that time? The uncertainty gnawed at him, and he couldn't shake the unsettling possibilities that began to form in his head.

Could it be…? The thought made Xavier feel physically ill. He couldn’t bring himself to fully consider the idea that Samantha might have taken advantage of him while he was unconscious. How could someone in such a state engage in anything intimate? It seemed impossible, but the doubt lingered.

Still, another chilling possibility crossed his mind. What if Samantha had done something else entirely? What if she had entered his room for another purpose, like taking something from him or even collecting his DNA for some sinister reason? The thought made him shudder with disgust. It was hard to accept that someone who seemed so kind and gentle could be capable of such actions.

His entire worldview felt as though it had been turned upside down. The events of the day had shaken the foundation of his values. Kelsey, whom he had once trusted, had proven to be ungrateful and deceitful. Samantha, with her outward image of sweetness and virtue, now seemed like a manipulative opportunist. Even his own mother had shown her willingness to conspire against him for her own benefit. And Itzel, who was supposed to be a close family friend, was no better—she had clearly played her part in the schemes as well.

Despite years of experience in the cutthroat world of business, where he had always been on guard, Alpha Xavier felt blindsided by this personal betrayal. The humiliation of being used and deceived by those he had trusted filled him with a mixture of anger and shame. It was a bitter pill to swallow.

As the thought of Samantha potentially conspiring against him continued to grow in his mind, Xavier’s revulsion deepened. He clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white, as he sat silently, grappling with the implications. Mark, who had been observing him closely, finally spoke up, trying to break the silence.

"President Murong, maybe we’re jumping to conclusions," Mark said in an attempt to calm him. "If you were unconscious, how could you have participated in such an act? It simply doesn’t make sense."

Alpha Xavier didn’t respond immediately. Mark’s words made sense, but they didn’t erase the nagging doubt in his mind. If there truly was a plot against him, Samantha and her accomplices wouldn’t have let him go so easily. Something didn’t add up, and Xavier was determined to uncover the truth. He knew that, sooner or later, the full story would come to light.

The idea that Samantha had been in his room for over an hour without any specific reason was implausible. Xavier forced himself to confront the possibilities. Either she had taken advantage of him in his vulnerable state, or she had entered his chambers for another purpose entirely. Perhaps she had stolen his sperm, intending to undergo artificial insemination at a hospital to conceive a child. Both scenarios were equally disturbing.

But why would Samantha go to such lengths to have a child? In the past, her actions were often motivated by external pressures, such as her parents forcing her into situations to repay debts. But now, she had no one controlling her. What could possibly drive her to do something so audacious and underhanded?

Samantha knew the fragile state of her connection with Bella. She understood that their relationship couldn’t withstand any more strain. Yet, despite this, she had chosen to act in a way that could only lead to further complications. Why? What was Samantha really after?

The more Xavier thought about it, the more he realized that Samantha’s kind and gentle demeanor had been nothing but an illusion. Her words and actions were calculated, designed to mislead and manipulate. For years, she had successfully maintained this facade, so much so that even he had been fooled. It was infuriating to think about how thoroughly she had deceived him.

The realization filled him with a deep, simmering rage. His fists slammed against the table as his frustration boiled over. He would not allow this situation to go unresolved. Those who thought they could manipulate him and tarnish his dignity would face the consequences. He vowed to expose their schemes and make them pay for underestimating him.

Later that evening, when Layla returned home from work, Leo rushed to greet her. Grabbing her hand, he exclaimed, "Aunt Layla, that man came back today! I ignored him and threw out all the gifts he brought with him."

"Good job!" Layla said with a grin, giving Leo a thumbs-up. "If he dares to come back again, splash water on him and send him running."

"What do you mean by 'send him running'?" Leo asked curiously.

Layla smirked. "It means he won’t have the courage to come back."

"If he shows up tomorrow, I’ll make sure to pour cold water on him," Leo declared with determination.

Bella, who had been listening quietly, frowned. "Layla, let’s not make this into a spectacle," she said softly.

Layla crossed her arms and shook her head. "This isn’t a small matter, Bella. Xavier abandoned you and your child without a second thought. Now he suddenly wants to show up and claim to be a father? I’m teaching Leo to stand up for himself so that Xavier doesn’t get the chance to take what’s rightfully yours."

"But he wouldn’t dare…" Bella began, though her voice betrayed her uncertainty.

"Don’t be so sure," Layla replied firmly. "Alpha Xavier’s mother is a force to be reckoned with. With her support, he might try anything. We can’t let our guard down."

Bella sighed. Layla’s concerns came from a place of love, and she appreciated her loyalty. Still, when she thought back to the pained expression on Xavier’s face earlier that day, she couldn’t help but feel a twinge of sympathy. Despite everything, Xavier wasn’t entirely heartless.

No matter what had happened, Xavier was still Leo’s father. Bella couldn’t let her son grow up harboring resentment toward him. It wasn’t fair to either of them. Later that evening, as she tucked Leo into bed, she spoke gently to him. "Leo, let’s try not to be so harsh on your father in the future, okay?"

"Mom, he’s a liar and a bad man!" Leo protested. "I don’t want someone like him as my dad!"