Page 200 of King of Ruin

Elise immediately smacked his arm, shooting him an exasperated look.

His grin only widened.

He leaned in again, pressing a kiss to one cheek and then the other.

Just then, Layla's excited voice rang out from behind Elise.

"Miss Foster! You're finally back!"

Layla exclaimed happily as she hurried toward them, her hands clasped together in excitement. A bright smile spread across her face, relief and happiness written all over her features.

Elise and Xavier finally pulled away from each other and turned toward her.

Elise smiled warmly.

"Hi, Layla. I'm happy to see you too."

Xavier glanced at Layla before turning his attention to the matter at hand.

"Layla, we’re hungry," he said. "Make some seafood risotto. And make a few other dishes as well. We'll have lunch as soon as it's ready. Make sure it doesn't take too long."

"Of course, Mr. Chen," Layla answered immediately with an eager nod. "I'll have all the maids help. We'll have lunch ready in fifteen minutes. I promise it'll be very quick."

The moment she finished speaking, she hurried off toward the kitchen.

As soon as Layla disappeared, Xavier looked back at Elise. He stepped closer, cupped her face in his hands, and kissed her on the lips once more. When he finally pulled back, he rested his forehead lightly against hers, his lips still brushing hers as a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"I can finally breathe," he murmured against her lips, his eyes filled with relief as they remained fixed on hers.

Elise smiled back before her gaze slowly wandered around the mansion.

Everything looked exactly the same as the day she had left.

Her eyes eventually drifted toward the guest room. The door stood open, the bed neatly made, and the room was completely empty.

There wasn't a single sign that anyone had been staying there.

She turned back toward Xavier.

"Where's Astrid?"

He frowned slightly.

"Why would she still be here?" he replied. "I told you it was my mistake that I brought her here in the first place" His voice turned firm. "I sent her back the same day you left this house."

Elise looked at him in complete shock.

"You sent her back?" she asked, staring at him. "Where?"

A frown settled on Xavier’s face, as though the very question offended him.

"I just told her to leave this house after you left." He shrugged dismissively. "By the time I came back, she was already gone."

Elise stared at him in complete disbelief.

"You shouldn't have done that."

Her brows knitted together as she looked at him, genuinely shocked by his answer.