Dara just thought he was brushing her off casually and didn't take it seriously.
After all, he was a wealthy young master with everything at his fingertips, and she was just a poor girl from a remote mountain village, completely clueless about the world.
"Alright, if you ever need anything, just give the word!"
Hearing her response, Xavier curved his lips in satisfaction and gave her a small nod.
That smile-Dara felt like her entire body went numb.
It was as if she were surrounded by a sea of blooming flowers, all bursting into bloom at that very instant he smiled.
Or like the pitch-black night sky was suddenly lit up by dazzling fireworks.
Her eyes involuntarily locked onto his face.
Feeling her gaze, Xavier's smile faded slightly, and he frowned just a little.
He turned around and said coolly, "Let's go."
"Oh, okay!" Dara snapped out of her daze, embarrassed, and quickly trotted to catch up.
The sports car stopped a few hundred meters away from the Carter residence.
Staring straight ahead and not looking at the passenger seat, the man said expressionlessly, "Get out here. If the Carters see you, they'll just give you trouble again."
"Alright." Dara reached out to unbuckle her seatbelt. Just as she turned to open the door, she paused and looked back. "Sir, thank you again. Really."
"You've already thanked me so many times! I'm about sick of hearing it."
Blushing slightly, she lowered her head. "Still, after everything you've done for me, I have nothing else to give. The least I can do is say thank you."
"No rush. You'll have your chance to repay me later."
Dara didn't quite understand and stared at him blankly.
But he didn't say any more. "Go on, if you're gone too long, Karina might notice."
"Alright, then I'll go now."
As soon as she stepped out, the car made a clean U-turn and sped away without looking back.
Dara blinked, feeling a slight pang of disappointment.
But then she quickly reminded herself-he was a high-and-mighty young master. How could someone like him ever notice someone like her, a nobody?
She shook her head and turned to walk back toward the residence.
As soon as she entered the main gate, she saw a large crowd gathered in front of the mansion.
In the center stood Mr. and Mrs. Carter, Karina, and a distinguished middle-aged man who, despite some redness in his face, still held himself with great presence.
That man looked a little drunk.
The Carters wore fawning smiles, their attitudes overly eager.
Mr. Carter carefully helped Henry into a car.
Once he was seated, Mr. Carter still added politely, "Mr. Blaze, get some good rest when you get back. Let's get together again another day."
Despite having drunk quite a bit and being annoyed by Xavier earlier, Henry kept his composure.
He raised a hand and responded with a calm smile, "Thank you for the generous hospitality. That rascal Xavier has been spoiled rotten-he's far too willful. I hope you won't take it to heart."
"Mr. Blaze, no, not at all! He is still young, full of fire-having his own opinions is only natural. I'm a father too, I understand."
"Mr. Carter, you're indeed generous and broad-minded. I'll be sure to bring my son by another day to offer a proper apology."
"Mr. Blaze, if you really do that, I'd be too embarrassed to accept!"
"..."
The two men continued exchanging pleasantries back and forth.
Karina stood behind her father, hands folded properly in front of her, maintaining a polite, ladylike smile.
But internally, she was already quite impatient.
This dinner had been arranged just so she could see Xavier.
Who would've thought Henry would say a few words and just chase away the man she'd been dreaming about? Of course she was upset.
Unable to take any more of the small talk, she glanced up, letting her eyes roam aimlessly.
Suddenly, her gaze locked onto a figure sneaking near the main gate.
Her expression darkened as she glared at Dara, who was hunched over, trying to stealthily slip back into the servant dorm.
A few minutes later, Henry's extended Rolls-Royce finally drove off after all the formal goodbyes.
"Mr. Blaze, take care!"
Once the car disappeared through the gate, Karina dropped her facade and rolled her stiff neck.
But she didn't turn to go inside. Instead, her eyes remained locked on the direction of the servants' quarters.
"Karina, let's go! Uncle Blaze's gone. Let's head home," Mrs. Carter called casually as she passed by.
"You and Dad go ahead. I... I want to take a walk in the garden. I'll be back soon."
Mrs. Carter didn't think much of it and nodded. "Alright, go to bed early."
"Got it. You too."
Once Mr. and Mrs. Carter entered the house, Karina's expression turned cold and she stormed toward the servants' dorm.
Trying to keep a low profile, Dara had been keeping her head down, sticking to areas covered by trees ever since she re-entered the compound.
She breathed a sigh of relief once she stepped into the dorm, thinking she'd successfully avoided any trouble.
But just as she sat down on her bed-hadn't even taken off her shoes-the door was suddenly kicked open with a loud bang.
The crash scared her half to death.
Karina stormed in, her face grim and her tone aggressive. "You sneaky little wretch, where the hell were you sneaking off to just now?!"
"I..." Dara stood up, trembling, her eyes darting nervously. "Miss... I didn't go anywhere!"
"Didn't go anywhere?" Karina's eyes dropped to the white gauze wrapped around Dara's leg.
"That's medical gauze. Where did you get it?!"
"I... I just went to a nearby clinic and had it wrapped quickly-nothing major..."
Karina's face turned cold, her voice dangerously sharp. "There's no clinic near the Carter residence. The closest hospital is at least a twenty-minute drive. It's already dark, buses have stopped running. On foot, it'd take over an hour one way. That's two hours round trip. You didn't have the time!"
Then, raising her voice, she demanded, "Spill it! Where did that gauze really come from?!"
Dara was startled and shivered. "I..."
Seeing her stammer, Karina narrowed her eyes. "Don't tell me-you snuck into the supply room while we were all distracted with the dinner and stole it?!"
"No!" Dara shook her head frantically. "I didn't steal anything!"
"No? Then tell me-where did you get the gauze you used to wrap your leg?!"
***