"You..." After a brief moment of confusion, Poppy quickly regained her composure, forcing a smile. "Mr. Blaze, how come you're here?!"
Xavier smirked, his smile not entirely serious, and replied, "If you can come, why can't I?!"
At this moment, Clint had already approached the door. Upon seeing who it was, his face revealed unmistakable disappointment, but he still politely spoke, "Mr. Blaze, it's an honor to have you visit. Why didn't you notify us in advance?"
Xavier, acting as though he were returning to his own home, put his hands behind his back and entered without waiting for an invitation.
As he walked toward the living room, he casually spoke, "I'm here on someone else's behalf."
"On someone else's behalf?!"
Poppy didn't know the history between Xavier and Serena. After being slapped that day, she only assumed that Serena was two-timing and had latched onto Xavier as a way out.
Hearing him say that, she naturally thought that the Blazes had a business deal with the Becketts, which is why Xavier came in person.
Excited, she quickly jogged forward, eagerly guiding Xavier to sit on the sofa. "Mr. Blaze, please take a seat. Would you like tea, coffee, or maybe a soda?!"
Xavier settled into a comfortable position, then glanced at Poppy. "No need. I came to see the owner of this house. If I'm not mistaken, you, Miss Castano, are also a guest. We're all outsiders, so I won't trouble you."
He emphasized the word 'outsiders,' and Poppy's face reddened, instantly falling silent.
Then, his gaze shifted to Clint, and Xavier leisurely asked, "Mr. Beckett, is this how you usually behave at home?!"
"What do you mean by that, Mr. Blaze?!" Clint looked at him in confusion.
Xavier nodded towards Poppy. "You have a wife, and yet you casually bring other women home!"
Clint's face immediately darkened. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end, nothing came out.
Poppy misunderstood again and hastily tried to explain, "Mr. Blaze, please don't misunderstand, Mr. Beckett. Serena is a promiscuous woman. She wasn't even divorced from Mr. Beckett and was already dressed like that to seduce you. Please don't let her deceive you."
"She's promiscuous?! Then what about you, Miss Castano?!" Xavier raised an eyebrow. "You know Mr. Beckett isn't divorced, and yet you came to his house in the middle of the night. What's your intention?"
"I..." Poppy was left speechless again.
"Mr. Blaze!" Clint finally couldn't take it anymore and spoke up, redirecting the conversation to protect Poppy. "How come you're here, but where is she?!"
On the phone, Xavier had repeatedly mentioned that he was with Serena.
He wanted Serena to return home to discuss their divorce, but it was him who had come. What was going on? Where was Serena?
Clint was full of questions, but he didn't voice them in front of Poppy.
Xavier casually crossed his legs and replied nonchalantly, "She's asleep. In my room."
"What?! In your room?!" Clint couldn't help but raise his voice.
"Yeah!" Xavier replied as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "She wanted to have a serious talk with you, but we drank a lot. She couldn't make it, so I let her rest. After thinking about it, I figured it would be rude to stand you up, so after she took a shower, I came instead."
After 'showering...?'
Clint immediately imagined a whole scene in his mind.
His lips tightly pressed together, and his hands clenched at his sides as his entire body trembled slightly.
Xavier squinted, silently observing him, seemingly waiting for his next move.
Poppy, who had been listening, vaguely understood who 'she' was.
Seeing Clint stay silent, she foolishly jumped in, "Mr. Blaze, please don't let Serena deceive you. She must have realized she couldn't win Mr. Beckett back, so she ran to your bed. Be careful, she might cause a scene, spreading rumors to make you take responsibility!"
"Shut up!" Before Poppy could finish her insulting remarks, Clint sharply interrupted her.
"Clint!" Poppy stamped her foot in grievance. "How could you treat me like this for that woman?! Have you forgotten, Uncle Beckett..."
"Enough!" Clint's expression turned serious, his gaze sharp as he looked at Poppy. "Don't say another word! While Mr. Blaze is here, watch your behavior and say less, or you'll make him laugh at us!"
Xavier blinked, "It's fine. I already know what kind of person Miss Castano is. I don't have time to waste laughing at her."
Poppy, still thinking he was complimenting her, smiled quickly and thanked him.
"I knew it, Mr. Blaze-you've got sharp eyes. You can see people for who they really are. I know you'll remember everything I said, so you won't be fooled by Serena."
Xavier gave a thoughtful wave of his hand and nodded.
"Well... thank you, Miss Castano, for your advice. I've taken note of everything you said."
"Huh?!" Poppy blinked, then frowned as the words hit her.
"Advice? I wasn't giving you advice, I was warning you..."
Her cluelessness and naivety were so stark, even Clint felt a twist of discomfort.
There were feelings involved, after all-and he couldn't bear to watch her make a fool of herself any longer.
"Poppy!" His voice was cold as he interrupted her, his tone gentle but firm. "Mr. Blaze and I have business to discuss. Please leave."
"Then... alright!"
Unconsciously, Poppy had always considered herself the mistress of the Becketts. She thought they were discussing a collaboration, and for the sake of Beckett Corp's development, she reluctantly left.
Before leaving, she emphasized, "Clint, I'll talk to you again tomorrow!"
With a loud 'bang,' the door opened and closed, leaving only Xavier and Clint in the spacious living room.
Xavier pointed to the direction where Poppy had left, his expression puzzled as he asked, "Just her?! You're actually treating Serena like that for a woman like her?! In my eyes, she doesn't even compare to Serena's pinky."
"Serena might have the backing of the Knowles family," Xavier said, his tone measured, "but you, Clint Beckett-you're no ordinary man. Building the Beckett empire in such a short time? That takes serious talent. What I don't understand is how you manage your romantic life."
Clint stayed silent for a beat, his expression unreadable. Then, he looked up and asked,
"You and Serena...?"
"What's between me and Serena is none of your business! I'm here today on her behalf to tell you, you should divorce her as soon as possible, or else, if it drags on too long, you'll both grow sick of each other."
"Sick of each other?! Was that what Serena asked you to say?!"
***