Page 126 of King of Ruin

Though years of working for Xavier had taught him to hide most of his reactions before they ever reached his face. Still, for the first time in a long while, he found himself genuinely speechless.

‘No reason?’

His mind echoed the words in utter confusion.

‘Mr. Chen... you came home with another woman, introduced her as your future wife, and practically announced that your arranged marriage with Miss Foster was over. And you're wondering why she isn't talking to you?’

Benjamin had spent years admiring Xavier's intelligence. The man could dissect billion-dollar contracts in minutes, anticipate a competitor's next move before they made it, and solve business crises that left entire boards scratching their heads.

Yet when it came to women...

Benjamin wondered if all of that intelligence simply disappeared.

‘She isn't ignoring you for no reason,’he thought helplessly. ‘She's ignoring you because you broke her heart.’

Of course, those words never left his mouth.

His survival instincts were far too well developed for that.

He stood quietly beside Xavier's chair, waiting for him to continue.

Xavier remained leaning back, one hand resting beneath his chin while the fingers of his other hand tapped thoughtfully against the leather armrest. His brows were drawn together, not with anger this time but with genuine confusion, as though he had spent the entire morning trying to solve a problem that refused to make sense.

After a long silence, he finally looked at Benjamin.

"Tell me something."

Benjamin straightened instinctively.

"Yes, Mr. Chen."

Xavier's voice was calm, carrying the quiet authority that never needed to be raised.

"Don't you think she's the one who should correct her attitude?"

He frowned slightly, clearly convinced his reasoning was perfectly logical.

"Ever since I came back, she's barely spoken to me. This morning she ignored me at breakfast, and today she didn't even bother coming to the office."

His gaze sharpened.

"Does she think she can simply behave however she wants? As an employee, she disappears without explanation. As..." He paused for the briefest moment before continuing, "...someone living in my house, she refuses to speak to me."

His angry eyes settled on Benjamin.

"Explain that to me."

Benjamin's lips parted, but no words came out.

He wanted to answer honestly.

But there were some truths...

That simply weren't worth dying over.

Choosing the safer option, he cleared his throat and replied carefully, "Mr. Chen, you are absolutely right. Miss Foster should be more mindful. She should give you more attention and take better care of—"

He didn't get the chance to finish.