In the Lap of Luxury
Chapter 527 Rascal

"Xander, you..." Hestia's voice trailed off downstairs. She had seen Grace, too. Grace stood where she was, staring at the man on the stairs in surprise.

"Xander? When did you get here?"

Xander looked exhausted, but it didn't seem like he had just arrived in Frenda.

He looked a little resigned and smiled as he leaned against the banisters. "Gracie, it looks like we really are fated for each other. What a surprise to see you here, of all places."

"Don't talk nonsense." Grace was annoyed as she walked closer. "Were you already in Frenda when I called Peter?"

Xander didn't deny it. "I had some business to take care of."

"Where's my car?"

"Parked at my house."

"You didn't even drive it back for me before you went abroad."

Xander stared at her exposed skin, his gaze intense. "I wanted to make an excuse for us to meet again."

Grace jumped, and her neck turned red at once. It felt uncomfortably warm.

Hestia tactfully retreated without speaking when she saw what was happening.

"How's your injury?" Grace asked in a small voice.

"Pretty much entirely recovered."

"Then why do you still look so unwell?"

Xander suddenly reached out and pulled on the edge of her towel.

Grace stiffened. "Xander ..."

When he spoke, he was just inches away from her. "It's loose. I'm tightening it for you."

Grace felt like she was being tempted by the top male model in the industry. She felt her heartbeat quickening, and she didn't move a muscle.

"I-Is it done?"

Xander had stopped what he was doing. Water was dripping off the ends of her hair and falling on the back of his hand. It seemed hotter than lava. "Gracie..." His voice was extremely hoarse.

Grace was already trembling slightly.

He said quietly, "Go and get changed. You're really pushing my boundaries right now."

Grace couldn't resist it any longer. She turned, closed the door, and panted heavily as she leaned against the wall.

Whose boundaries were being pushed? She had almost lost control.

When Grace had recovered, she put on an ordinary pair of pajamas. Xander was no longer standing on the stairs.

The maid said, "Mr. Xander and Madam Fulton are discussing business in the study."

Grace took the pumpkin soup from the maid's hands. "I'll send it over."

The study door was ajar. Grace freed a hand and was about to push it open when she heard them talking.

Hestia had never been so angry. "That rascal has made so much trouble over the past few years, and now he's trying to lord it over you? Wait and see what I'll do to him!" Xander sounded restrained. "That's enough, Mom."

Hestia's voice trembled. "Does it hurt?"

"It's almost fully healed. It doesn't hurt."

"Xander, you're the eldest son. In the future, the entire Fulton Group will be handed to you. You must hold the authority in your hand with an iron grip, do you understand?" Xander was silent for a moment. "Mom, I don't think that my ambition lies here."

"You've already endured it for so many years. It's not like we need that bit of power. But you have to fight for it, if only to win this battle, do you understand?"

"I understand." Xander sighed. "Did she hit you today?"

"She didn't manage to hit me. With skill like that, she can't even hope to touch me."

Hestia was annoyed. "I was just glad that I managed to get rid of her before Grace got back. If Grace saw her, it would have looked terrible."

Grace's hands trembled, and the tray she was holding shook.

From the study, a gaze swept over to her.

"You should go and rest," Xander told his mother.

Hestia got up and went out. Grace dodged and hid in a corner. She only entered the study with the tray once Hestia was gone.

"Xander."

Xander sat in the shadows and gestured for her to come closer. "How much did you hear?"