Page 104 of King of Ruin

Despite everything she was feeling, her voice remained soft when she spoke, carrying the same gentle warmth she always used with the people around her.

"Where is the woman Xavier brought back?"

Layla hesitated.

The brief pause was enough for Elise to notice the discomfort in the maid's expression. Layla lowered her eyes for a moment before answering carefully.

"She's downstairs, Miss Foster. Mr. Chen has just entered the house with her."

Elise remained silent for a second, then gave a small nod.

"Take me there."

Layla looked at her with concern but didn't question her. She quietly stepped aside and guided Elise out of the bedroom, leading her through the hallway toward the staircase.

With every step down, Elise could feel the strange heaviness in her chest growing stronger.

Xavier stood in the center of the living room, his tall figure as commanding as ever. One of the maids was taking his suit jacket from him while another collected the luggage that had been brought inside.

There was a gorgeous woman standing beside him.

The quiet movement on the staircase caught the attention of the maids nearby, and several of them turned around. Their whispers started almost immediately, low enough that they clearly thought no one could hear them.

But Elise heard every word.

"Mr. Chen brought another woman back to the house..."

"Does that mean Miss Foster isn't his wife anymore?"

"What do you mean? When was she his wife?"

"They were supposed to get married, weren't they? Maybe the wedding was canceled."

Elise’s eyes found Xavier standing in the living room. Then they shifted to the woman beside him.

She was beautiful.

The woman had short brunette hair that framed her delicate features, with a charming face that carried both sweetness and sophistication. She wore an elegant white outfit that looked expensive without appearing overly flashy. The long skirt flowed smoothly over her figure, becoming sheer from the thighs down to her ankles, with a subtle slit adding a touch of elegance. Her off-shoulder white top completed the refined appearance, making her look like someone who had been raised in the same privileged world as Xavier.

The woman noticed Elise approaching and turned her gaze toward her. Their eyes met briefly, but she didn't say anything. She simply studied Elise quietly before returning her attention to Xavier's side.

And then Xavier's eyes met hers.

He looked at her calmly, almost as though the past three days had not happened. There was no sign of the anger she expected to see, no trace of the frustration from their argument on the yacht.

"This is Astrid," he said, his voice steady as he gestured toward the woman beside him. "I'm in love with her. She will be staying in this house with me from now on."

Without waiting for Elise to answer, Xavier turned away and looked toward Layla.

"Take Astrid's luggage and prepare the guest room."

Layla gave a respectful nod before quickly moving toward the suitcase near the entrance. She lifted it carefully and carried ittoward the guest room on the ground floor, leaving the three of them standing in the quiet living room.

Elise's eyes followed her until she disappeared down the hallway. After a quiet breath, she lowered her gaze and composed herself before continuing down the remaining steps.

By the time she reached the bottom, a gentle smile had returned to her face. It was the same soft smile she had always given Xavier, the one filled with warmth and concern.

"You've been away for several days," Elise said softly as she approached them. "How are you feeling? The journey must have been exhausting. Would you like something to drink? Or perhaps something to eat?" she asked gently. "You must be tired after such a long trip."