Serena turned around, and Xavier was smirking, leaning casually against the car. "Why are you in such a hurry to leave? You haven't even had the cocktail I ordered for you."
He shouldn't have mentioned the drink. As soon as he did, an unnamed fury flared up inside Serena.
She turned her face and angrily asked, "Your drinks, I can't afford them. Don't you have many fiancées? Go drink with them. You seemed to be having a great time with that woman just now!"
"I was having a great time!" Xavier nodded, "At least, she doesn't treat me like air and ignore me."
His blunt admission made Serena even more irritable.
She turned back to the car door and tried to open it again. "Fine, if you're happy, go find her. Why are you blocking me?!"
Xavier stretched out his long arm and blocked her path. "Are you angry?"
"No!" Serena turned her face away, refusing to look at him. "We're friends, right? If you meet the right person, I should be happy for you!"
"Really?"
"Of course! Your dad always hoped you'd settle down soon. If you meet the right girl, don't miss out."
Xavier was silent for a moment. Then, suddenly, he asked, "Serena, were you serious just now?"
"Of course! I'm sincerely wishing you happiness!"
"Then look at me. Look into my eyes and say it again."
Serena stubbornly refused to turn her head. "No need."
With that, she tried to pull the car door open again.
"Serena!" Xavier reached out and grabbed her arm. "I've received your message. You and Clint have already signed the divorce agreement. Are you still not willing to give me a chance?!"
Serena forced out a bitter smile, then said faintly, "I'm a divorced woman, and you... you're the most sought-after young heir in the whole of Vernon. There are plenty of women trying to get close to you. Why waste time on me?"
Xavier stared at her side profile, as if he hadn't heard her words. He stubbornly asked, "I'm asking you, will you give me a chance?!"
"Sorry!"
Xavier's hand slowly slid off Serena's arm.
Serena felt her heart sink with the weight of his touch.
Taking a deep breath, she opened the car door and sat down.
Xavier remained outside, quietly watching her, his eyes full of confusion, his smile tinged with self-mockery.
Serena was stung by his smile and just wanted to leave, to get as far away from him as possible.
The engine hummed, and Serena glanced in the rearview mirror one last time. Just as she was about to step on the gas, she saw Xavier, his head lowered, his body swaying slightly.
Thinking she was seeing things, she closed her eyes and reopened them, trying to see more clearly. But then, there was a muffled sound, and Xavier collapsed to the ground, his body hitting the pavement.
Serena, panic-stricken, rushed out of the car and ran toward him.
She shook his arm and anxiously called out, "Xavier, Xavier! Stop playing dead and get up!"
The man on the ground gave no response.
Serena started to panic. She crouched beside him and cried out, "Xavier, don't scare me! What happened to you?! Xavier..."
She looked around; the parking lot was empty except for the two of them.
Her voice cracked, and a hint of sobbing slipped through. "Xavier, wake up! Please..." As she spoke, she reached for his arm, trying to pull him up into her arms.
But her strength wasn't enough. After several attempts, she couldn't lift him.
Whether it was because she had shouted or her tugging had helped, Xavier slowly opened his eyes and weakly spoke, "I... I'm fine! Don't be scared!"
Serena, overwhelmed with relief, cried out, her long-held tears flowing freely. "You scared me to death! Why did you suddenly fall?"
Xavier weakly lifted his hand and gently wiped away the tears from the corner of Serena's eye. "Don't cry, or I'll feel heartbroken."
Serena sniffled. "What happened to you? Where do you feel unwell? Should I take you to the hospital?"
"No need!" Xavier waved his hand dismissively. "It's just a chill. I'm running a bit of a fever."
"A fever?!" Serena immediately felt his forehead, which was burning up.
"How could you suddenly have a fever like this?"
Xavier gave a helpless smile. "Last night, I took a cold bath for hours and fell asleep in the bathtub. After you left this morning, I started feeling off."
She was both angry and anxious. "You know you have a fever, yet you went out and drank so much! Are you trying to kill yourself?!"
"I didn't drink!"
"You're lying to me?!"
"I'm not lying. I really didn't drink! The only woman qualified to drink with me is you."
"What about just now?!"
"What was in my glass? It was cola!"
"That girl...?"
"She was arranged by my dad. If I didn't come, he would have threatened me, saying he wouldn't let me see you again. I had no choice but to come."
"...!" Serena's heart shook again.
Not saying much more, she gently cradled Xavier's head in her arms, softly asking, "I don't have enough strength. Can you get up by yourself? I'll take you to the hospital!"
Xavier intentionally leaned his head against her chest. "I can't get up, I'm too weak. Can you hold me for a bit and let me recover?"
Serena helplessly curled her lips. "Stop playing dead, get up. Your fever's really bad; we can't waste time. We need to go to the hospital."
"I'm running a fever because of you. Let me lie here on your lap for a while, and I'll be better."
"... What does this have to do with me? I didn't tell you to take a cold bath..."
Xavier winked mischievously. "Well... next time, if something like last night happens, can I do whatever I want?"
Serena didn't understand the implication of his words.
Last night, she had been drunk and slept like a log, with no recollection of what happened.
"Do whatever you want! Who can stop you?"
Xavier's eyes lit up. "So you said it!"
"I said it!" Serena nodded innocently, not understanding. "Now, can you get up by yourself?"
"You need to support me. I need to lean on you to have the strength."
"Okay, okay!"
Serena reluctantly stretched out her hand. Xavier grabbed it and, with her help, slowly managed to stand up.
Before she could even breathe a sigh of relief, his head drooped onto her shoulder.
"Hey, what are you doing?!"
"I'm dizzy. Let me lean on your shoulder."
Serena glanced sideways.
Xavier was 1.88 meters tall. For him to rest his head on her shoulder, which was less than 1.7 meters, he had to bend his body at an awkward angle.
For him, this was probably more exhausting than standing.
"Are you sure you're more comfortable like this?"
"Of course!" He rubbed his head against her neck, and the stubble on his head made her itch.
Serena hurriedly pressed his head down. "Okay, stop moving. We're going to the hospital now."
***