Page 8 of King of Ruin

Elias's expression changed completely.

The amusement that had been lingering on his face disappeared as he leaned forward, placing his glass down on the table. His eyes narrowed at Xavier, as though he was trying to determine whether he was joking or if he had somehow missed a major part of his friend's life.

"You've been living with a woman in your house this entire time?"

His voice rose with every word.

"And we're only finding out about it now?"

Elias stared at him in disbelief, dragging a hand through his hair as he sat back slightly.

"Is that why you've been refusing to let any of us come to your house?"

The look he gave Xavier was a mixture of irritation and confusion, as though he couldn't decide whether he wanted to punch him or demand an explanation.

Xavier simply stared back at him, completely unimpressed by the reaction.

"I'm not hiding her."

His tone remained calm despite the chaos around him. He picked up his whiskey glass again, taking a slow sip before continuing.

"She's just a woman my family wanted me to get to know, so I started seeing her. That's all."

He lowered the glass onto the table and leaned back into the sofa, his expression firm.

"She's living in my house because it was convenient. But I have no intention of marrying her."

The words caused everyone to pause.

Cassian, who had been watching the exchange with growing interest, tilted his head slightly.

"Wait."

His eyes moved toward Xavier.

"Are you talking about that woman...?"

A slow realization crossed his face.

"Elise?"

The moment the name left his mouth, Xavier's expression shifted.

It was subtle, but everyone in the room noticed.

His eyes moved toward Cassian, and for the first time that evening, a hint of surprise crossed his usually controlled features.

"Oh? Elise Foster? That makes sense.”

Elias repeated the name, looking between the two men. Then he suddenly leaned back, understanding dawning on him.

Cassian was the first to break, throwing his head back as he laughed. Elias followed immediately, shaking his head as he looked at Xavier as though he had just heard the most ridiculous thing imaginable.

Even Lucius, who rarely showed much reaction, lowered his glass with a faint smile appearing on his face.

Xavier continued staring at the three men across from him, his expression becoming increasingly unreadable as their laughter slowly faded. He had known them for years, but the way they were looking at him now made it feel as though he had somehow become the subject of a conversation he had never agreed to have.

He leaned back against the leather sofa, one hand resting around his whiskey glass while his dark gaze moved from one face to another.