Page 148 of King of Ruin

The moment those words left her mouth, the silence inside the car became even heavier.

Elise turned toward Astrid and gave her a small, encouraging smile before stepping aside and motioning toward the open car door.

"Go ahead."

Astrid nodded without hesitation. The soft clicking of her heels echoed across the driveway as she walked around the car and quietly climbed into the seat Elise had just given up.

Throughout the entire time, Xavier never took his eyes off Elise.

He watched her standing there, watched her willingly give away the seat he had prepared for her, watched her treat everything he had done that morning as though it meant absolutely nothing.

The anger on his face was no longer something he could conceal.

It burned plainly in his eyes, tightening every sharp line of his face until even Benjamin, who had stood beside him for years, felt his heart skip a beat with fear.

Benjamin instinctively lowered his head, not daring to speak another word.

Inside the car, Xavier kept staring at Elise as she walked away, his eyes never leaving her retreating figure. With every step she took away from him, the jealousy burning inside him flared even hotter, mixing with a rage he could barely contain.

‘Is she really so desperate to get rid of me that she'd walk away from me so easily?’

His jaw clenched so tightly it hurt.

‘I did all this for her... and she's still acting as though none of it matters. As if everything I personally prepared this morning was for another woman instead of her.’

His gaze remained fixed on her back, unable to look away.

‘Haven't I made it obvious enough that I want you? How can you still not see it?’

The questions pounded through his mind, each one fueling the anger already consuming him. His hands slowly curled into fists until his nails dug into his palms, every muscle in his body locking with the effort of holding himself back. Jealousy, frustration, possessiveness, and a fury he could no longer suppress churned violently inside him, burning through his chest until it felt as though he was about to lose control completely.

As Elise walked toward the main road to hail a cab, her heel suddenly caught in a small pothole.

She stumbled forward.

Inside the car, Xavier straightened instantly.

Every trace of anger vanished from his face, replaced by raw concern so quickly that he didn't even have time to hide it. His hand instinctively moved toward the door, ready to get out.

But before he could, Elise caught herself.

She steadied her footing, adjusted her balance, and after brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear, continued walking toward the main road as though nothing had happened.

Only then did Xavier slowly settle back into his seat.

The concern that had surfaced disappeared just as quickly, replaced once again by the anger he had been trying to suppress.

His eyes shifted toward Benjamin, who was still standing frozen beside the car.

"What the hell are you doing just standing there?" Xavier snapped, his voice cold with irritation. "Drive!"

Benjamin practically jumped at the order.

"Yes, Mr. Chen!"

Without wasting another second, he hurried to follow the order, relieved to have something to do before Xavier's temper exploded on him instead.

Chapter 16