The air in Serena's lungs was instantly stolen, and her brain seemed to be deprived of oxygen.
There was no time to think, no time to weigh her options-under his gentle push, she stumbled into the room.
With a flick of his foot, the door closed behind them.
He wrapped his arm around her slender waist, kissing her soft lips as they made their way toward the bedroom.
As they collapsed onto the bed, Xavier murmured with deep affection, "Serena, you were wronged today. God knows, the moment I heard that Karina bullied you, how much I wanted to drop everything and run to your side to hold you tight."
Serena finally got a chance to breathe. She tilted her head, panting heavily.
"I... I didn't feel... like I was wronged! Someone like Karina... I'd never take her seriously! She's not worth it!"
"Whether she's worth it or not is one thing. But I can't tolerate her insulting you."
"So..." Serena suddenly came to a realization. "You talked to Karina first, didn't you? That's why she agreed to come up and apologize to me?"
"Mhm." He gave a soft hum, then lowered his head again to kiss her neck.
Serena had wanted to ask how exactly he'd managed to convince Karina. After all, that woman was notoriously arrogant, always expecting others to bow to her-she was the last person to willingly apologize.
But the tingling sensation on her neck made her both uncomfortable and excited, and in the next moment, all her questions vanished from her mind.
Her hands reached around his strong back, and with her eyes closed, Serena let herself go, surrendering to the moment with him.
The next day, the grand opening ceremony proceeded as scheduled.
As a giant in the industry, any hotel opening under the X Group naturally attracted a crowd of social elites.
Some came out of courtesy, to show respect to the Blaze family. Others hoped to use the opportunity to build a connection with the group.
As the executive president, Xavier handled everything personally. Every step of the process was meticulously managed to ensure perfection.
Serena hadn't originally planned to attend, but after his persistent coaxing-and him pitifully insisting that this was his first time acting as executive president, a major milestone-she gave in.
He had said, for every important moment in his life, he wanted her to be there as a witness.
Unable to resist, Serena simply tidied herself up and sat quietly in an inconspicuous corner of the guest seating area.
Watching him on stage-handsome, confident, radiating charisma as he read his opening speech-her heart started racing for no reason.
Was she blind before?
Otherwise, how could she have ignored a man this dazzling and gone running into Clint's arms instead?
Halfway through his speech, Xavier seemed to sense something. He looked up and gazed in her direction.
Serena gave him a small smile. Satisfied, he nodded slightly and continued with his speech.
Suddenly, a familiar voice sounded beside her, "Miss Knowles, you're attending the opening ceremony of the X Group Hotel as well?"
Serena looked up at the man who had appeared next to her.
His face seemed familiar. She asked instinctively, "You are...?"
"Miss Knowles doesn't remember me? We met at the hospital."
"Hospital?" She thought for a moment, then her eyes widened. "You're... Dr. Beckett?"
The man smiled, "I'm surprised Miss Knowles still remembers me!"
Serena gave an awkward smile. "Of course I do. Last time, you helped me out-you're practically my savior!"
"Not at all, not at all. Just a small favor," Dr. Beckett waved his hand and asked with concern, "Last time, I remember you said you were seeing the ophthalmologist for some intermittent X-ray-like vision issues. Has that happened again recently?"
Serena shook her head. "Not recently."
Her vision ability only surfaced when she was appraising gemstone. She hadn't done that in a while, so the ability hadn't shown up again.
"Hmm. That kind of phenomenon could be psychological too. If it comes back, you might consider a consultation with a psych specialist."
Serena inwardly disagreed.
She was certain there was nothing wrong with her mentally. The vision ability likely had something to do with her rebirth.
Still, since he meant well, she simply nodded and didn't argue further.
They exchanged a few more words before Dr. Beckett said he had to go.
Then Serena suddenly remembered his odd behavior at the hospital-and her mother's discomfort when she mentioned him at home.
"Dr. Beckett, wait!" she called out impulsively.
Dr. Beckett paused, turning back with a puzzled look. "Miss Knowles, is there something else?"
"I remember... last time, you mentioned you knew my parents?"
Dr. Beckett's face stiffened, his smile becoming strained. "That was many years ago."
Serena stared at his face, not wanting to miss a single twitch. "Then... do you know someone named Gaius?"
The moment she said the name, Dr. Beckett's expression darkened visibly, and he couldn't even maintain a forced smile.
His jaw clenched slightly, and he stammered nervously, "Ga... Gaius?! I... I don't know him! Never heard of him!"
"Oh? Are you sure?" Serena pressed gently.
Dr. Beckett waved his hand. "Of course I don't!"
Then, as if eager to flee, he quickly added, "I have some friends waiting for me over there, I'll take my leave now," and hurried away, his retreating figure clearly flustered.
Watching him leave, Serena's eyes narrowed.
Judging by his reaction, there's no way he didn't know Gaius. Otherwise, why be so panicked?
Plus, he'd only revealed he knew her parents because he'd accidentally called her 'Serena' at the hospital. She wouldn't have noticed otherwise.
Clearly, he hadn't intended to admit it.
Rubbing her chin, Serena became more certain-Dr. Beckett must be hiding something.
And this secret... very likely involved her parents, or even Gaius's death.
***