Chapter 3 We Are In Sync In Bed
Xandra returned to the hotel from the hospital, her delicate features etched with exhaustion.
Her mother had suffered a cardiac arrest, but fortunately, she had been resuscitated.
However, the medical bills were piling up, and she needed more money...
Thinking about her current situation, she felt as if an invisible hand was gripping her heart, making it hard to breathe.
The Cavendish family had gone bankrupt, and Lucius, ungrateful as he was, wanted to call off their engagement.
She had no one to rely on anymore.
Her mother's medical bills, her children's formula—everything required money!
Xandra stood dazedly at the hotel room door.
Thinking about her three adorable little ones, she closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and forced a smile, not wanting her children to sense anything was wrong.
She rang the doorbell, and the door quickly opened.
Seeing the tall man in front of her, her smile froze.
"What are you doing here?"
The man at the door was Frederick.
"Nice to see you again."
Xandra instinctively took a step back and glanced at the room number.
She hadn't gone to the wrong room!
This was the room she had booked!
"What are you doing here?"
Just then, three little heads popped out from behind Frederick.
"Mommy, you're back!"
"Mommy, come in!"
Elizabeth and Margaret pulled Xandra inside.
Frederick closed the door and followed them in leisurely.
"Mommy, we found you a new husband! Do you like him?" Elizabeth asked with a cheeky grin, looking at Frederick.
Xandra was lost in thought.
Hearing her daughter's sweet voice, she nearly dropped her jaw.
"What? Why did you... find me a new husband?"
"Because Mr. Flores is capable!"
"Because Mr. Flores is a eunuch!"
Xandra choked on her own saliva.
Instinctively, she glanced at Frederick's lower region.
Recalling some inappropriate scenes from the night before, her clear eyes flickered.
A eunuch?
This man seemed very much like a real man, didn't he?
"Maggie, Mr. Flores may be powerful, but he's not a eunuch. That's not what it means," Charles explained, clarifying the misunderstanding.
Margaret's big, round eyes widened in realization. "Oh."
Xandra understood and looked at the three little ones, feeling a bit overwhelmed.
What was going on?
Why was this man here?
Did the kids really find her a new husband?
"Sir, can I speak to you outside for a moment?"
Outside the room, Xandra looked at the tall man with a wary expression.
"What's going on? Are you following me?"
"I have better things to do."
Frederick leaned against the wall, exuding a casual elegance.
"Your three kids came to the Russell Group building, asking for Seaside City's business tycoon, Frederick Russell, to be their new dad. They wanted someone to protect you from being bullied."
Unbelievable!
These kids, how did they come up with such an idea?
Xandra felt a mix of amusement and emotion, her nose tingling.
Suppressing her emotions, she probed, "You're not Frederick, right? The kids called you Mr. Flores earlier."
A glint of light flashed in Frederick's deep eyes.
"I'm Frederick's assistant. My name is Raymond Flores."
Raymond was another name he used.
Flores was his mother's surname.
His parents had divorced when he was young, and he had moved abroad with his mother.
He had only returned six months ago to take over as president of the Russell Group.
"Mr. Flores, thank you for bringing my kids back. They say the darndest things, so please don't take it seriously."
Xandra didn't take the kids' words seriously.
Find her a husband?
She had just been heartbroken by a scumbag and had no interest in men at the moment.
"What if I do take it seriously?" Frederick asked.
Xandra looked up. "What do you mean?"
"Marry me."
Marry him?
"Are you nuts?" Xandra blurted out.
Frederick stepped closer, cornering her against the wall.
"Whether I'm nuts or not, you should know very well after last night."
Frederick's lips curled into a faint smile.
The proximity of his masculine scent brought back memories of his fierce strength in bed last night.
A blush slowly crept up Xandra's ears.
He wasn't just sane; he was very strong.
If that's the case...
"Why do you want to marry me?"
Raymond was handsome and had a good job.
Finding an excellent woman to marry should be easy for him.
Why choose her, a single mom?
"Because it fits."
Frederick's gaze darkened as it swept over her rosy lips.
Xandra's beautiful eyes showed a hint of confusion.
"We didn't know each other before, right? What makes you think we're a good fit?"
Frederick's lips parted, and he said, "Don't you think we were a good match in bed?"
Xandra fell silent.
Physical compatibility was his idea of a good fit!
Men really do think with their lower halves.
Xandra blushed and pushed him away, her first instinct was to refuse.
"You're so shallow."
Frederick straightened up, his tone nonchalant.
"Food and sex are basic needs. Even if it's shallow, it's better than being a hypocrite."
His words reminded Xandra of Lucius.
For four years, he had never touched her, giving her all the respect.
But it turned out to be a hypocritical farce!
Her heart ached again, and she lowered her eyes, staying silent.
"Have you made up your mind?" Frederick asked.
Xandra didn't want to consider it, but thinking about her situation, she swallowed her refusal.
Her mother's medical bills needed to be paid.
She didn't have much money left.
And her kids were about to start kindergarten.
The best private kindergarten in Seaside City required parental qualifications.
As a single mom with no background, her kids might not get in.
So...
Xandra's fingers curled slightly as she looked at the handsome Raymond, discarding all her pride.
"If we get married, how much bride price can you offer?"
Frederick glanced at her, a dark gleam in his eyes.
She was quite practical?
It was a good thing he hadn't revealed his true identity.
"How much bride price do you want?"
Xandra heard the coldness in his tone and felt a bit embarrassed.
But she pressed on, "Five hundred thousand dollars."
Frederick gave her a faint look.
"What if I can't afford it? Will you go to the highest bidder?"
He was mocking her for treating marriage as a transaction!
Xandra felt a flush of shame.
She suppressed her emotions, "Mr. Flores, there's no need for sarcasm. I'm not forcing you to marry me."
Xandra lifted her chin, a hint of annoyance flashing in her pretty eyes.
Frederick nodded, "Alright, five hundred thousand it is."
That easily?
Xandra glanced at him, momentarily speechless.
"Any other conditions, just say them," Frederick added.
Xandra shook her head, her gaze clear.
"I don't know your real reason for wanting to marry me, but the five hundred thousand, you can consider it a loan. I'll pay you back when I make money."
"No need. Once the bride price is given, it's yours."
Money was the least of his concerns; he just despised worldly women.
If she weren't useful to him, he wouldn't have bothered with her.