Exclusive Clinic, VIP Reception Room
The expansive room was luxuriously decorated. Xavier lounged lazily on the semicircular sofa, his posture casual and unbothered.
Henry paced back and forth in front of him, hands clasped behind his back, head lowered.
"Dad! Stop pacing already! If you've got something to say, just say it!"
Henry halted, glaring angrily at his son. "This is a huge deal, and you're still acting like it has nothing to do with you? Can you ever stop giving me headaches?!"
"I don't think it's that big of a deal," Xavier replied nonchalantly.
"Hmph!" Henry's brows furrowed. "That Celia isn't just some ordinary little star! The Ryder family has been in the arts for generations-they were once the presidential entertainers. They've got real backing and resources."
"She publicly confessed her feelings for you. If you ignore her, she's bound to be mocked by the public and torn apart by the media. And that would mean the Ryder family-our family would be officially burning that bridge!"
"Then burn it," Xavier said coolly. "It's not like the Blaze family depends on the Ryder family for anything."
"That's not the point!" Henry's tone grew harsher. "I've taught you since you were young-more friends mean more paths in life. We're not supposed to make enemies unless we absolutely have to! And especially not with powerful families like the Ryders!"
Xavier yawned, looking utterly uninterested. "Then what do you want me to do? Just surrender to someone I barely know and sacrifice my lifelong happiness?"
"Well..." Henry's face turned serious as he pondered. "The Ryder family might not be as strong overall as the Carters for now. But the Carters's rooted in traditional industries, and those are already starting to decline. Meanwhile, the Ryders are thriving in the rising entertainment sector. Not only are they personally doing well in showbiz, they also own several major entertainment companies and manage a large number of popular artists. You could say they control half of Vernon's entertainment industry. If we could marry into the Ryder family, it would be..."
"Dad!" Xavier impatiently cut him off. "They haven't even said anything about marriage yet, and you're already fantasizing about it?!"
"Fantasizing?!" Henry's face darkened. "Your choice of words is getting worse and worse! First you told me to go marry Karina, now you're accusing me of fantasizing! Tell me-are you the father, or am I?!"
"You're the father, you're the father," Xavier waved him off lazily. "But even if you are, that doesn't mean you get to decide my marriage however you want! I'm already in my twenties-shouldn't I at least have a say in who I marry?"
"No need!" Henry snapped. "Don't think I don't know-you've got your heart set on Serena Knowles."
"Let me tell you-people like us, in families like ours, who we marry and who we like are two entirely different things! You can keep obsessing over Serena if you want. What you do with her in private, I can turn a blind eye. But if you think you're bringing her into the family? Forget it!"
"I've said it before-our family will never accept a woman with a marriage history as our matriarch."
Xavier's expression hardened as his father continued to speak so forcefully.
He hated when people badmouthed Serena. Not even one word.
Not even from his own father.
He sat up from the soft sofa, posture straightening. "Dad! I don't care if it's Celia or Karina-I'm not marrying either of them! Maybe you think marriage and love can be separate, but I can't. I, Xavier Blaze, will only marry the woman I truly love. And that woman is Serena Knowles-no one else, ever!"
"So I suggest you stop scheming and save your breath. Quit trying to make deals with the Carter or Ryder families!"
Henry was seething with rage. He roared, "You ungrateful brat! Are you trying to piss me off to death?!"
His fury got the better of him, and he staggered, nearly collapsing onto the sofa.
Xavier quickly stood and reached out to steady him.
But Henry slapped his hand away.
The air in the VIP room was thick with Henry's heavy, angry breathing.
Xavier's face was tight, lips pressed together. After a brief silence, he said as calmly as he could, "Dad. I know Serena's previous marriage bothers you. But come on-it's a different era now! Why get hung up on that?"
"Besides, putting that aside, Serena's pretty great in every other way, right? Her father is the mayor of Vernon, and her mother is a university professor. Maybe not aristocrats, but definitely a cultured, respectable family."
"She graduated from a top university. She's beautiful, gracious, well-educated, and sensible. Most importantly, you watched her grow up! What's so inappropriate about making her your daughter-in-law?"
"Don't give me that crap!" Henry barked. "I already told you-the Blaze family does not want a woman with a marriage history!"
Seeing how firm his father's stance was-and that he was still fuming-Xavier knew saying more now would only add fuel to the fire.
And as his son, he knew exactly where his father's weak spots were.
So he softened his tone. "Dad, let's talk about this later, okay? For now, can I just go get my treatment?"
He clutched his chest dramatically. "I can't breathe right... my chest feels really tight."
Sure enough, Henry panicked.
He forgot all about his anger and shouted toward the door, "Someone! Get in here!"
Dr. Wale had been eavesdropping just outside. Hearing the shout, he rushed in first. "Mr. Blaze! What are your orders?!"
"Him!" Henry pointed at Xavier. "He's not feeling well. Get someone to treat him-quickly!"
"Yes, right away!" Dr. Wale looked frantic as he ran out to call for help.
Xavier exhaled in relief. This storm of scolding had finally come to an end-for now.
...
Given the Ryder family's status in the entertainment world, Celia's love confession had hit the news like a bombshell in Vernon.
Especially since it was an unrequited love-and the object of her affection was none other than the Blaze family's only heir.
Over the past few days, media outlets had stationed reporters around the Blaze family villa and the X Group building, day and night.
Everyone wanted to get to Xavier for an exclusive.
Luckily, the Blaze family's clinic was private and off-limits to outsiders. Hiding inside, Xavier was relatively safe.
Since Celia publicly confessed her love on that show, she had received zero response from him.
Feeling the pressure, she even begged her brother, Christan, to go ask around-but came back with nothing.
Two days later, at 10 a.m.-
Serena stepped out of her home, holding an invitation to an international stone auction.
The event was strictly for industry insiders, and it had taken her quite a few connections to get her hands on that invite.
Just as her Mini Cooper drove out of the underground garage of her complex, it was immediately blocked by a black jeep waiting at the corner of the road.
***