That voice...
Serena's heart skipped a beat. She quickly focused on the figure in front of her.
The silhouette was indeed somewhat similar to Xavier's. But why on earth would he be wearing a woman's dress?!
Mr. Kim stepped forward, stopping behind the stranger and calmly asked, "Miss, who are you looking for?"
The woman turned her head at his voice and looked him up and down with a haughty gaze. Then, folding her arms, she snapped impatiently, "Who are you calling 'Miss'?!"
"Uh..." Mr. Kim glanced down at the pink dress, frowning, "Dressed like that, isn't it natural to call you 'Miss'?"
The person looked indignant, "I wear what I want-freedom of expression!"
"So... you're a man?!"
"No kidding! Can't you tell by my voice?" The person scoffed. "You better go get your eyes checked!"
Mr. Kim's face darkened. "You barged into my home and I haven't even scolded you yet, and now you're turning things around on me?! Who are you exactly?!"
"Hmph!" The stranger scoffed, ignoring him, craning their neck and peeking into the courtyard. "I'm here to find my wife! Where are you hiding her?!"
"Your wife?!" Mr. Kim was about to lose it. "Everyone in the Kim residence is either family or male staff. Where on earth would your wife be?! If you want to go crazy, do it somewhere else! Don't come here looking for trouble. Or I won't be so polite!"
"You still won't admit it?!" The stranger narrowed his eyes, glaring down at Mr. Kim, who was at least a head shorter. "This is the address my wife gave me, and you're still denying it?! Don't tell me you saw how pretty she was and decided to keep her locked up?!"
"Absurd!" Mr. Kim's face turned stern. "Say another word of nonsense and I will use force!"
"Go ahead, lay a finger on me and see what happens!" the stranger declared boldly. "If I don't see my wife today, I'm not leaving-even if you beat me to death right here!"
"Fine! If you're so eager to die, then-"
Mr. Kim raised his hand, ready to signal the servants to act.
But before he could finish, a voice called out urgently from behind.
"Wait!"
Everyone turned toward the voice.
When the stranger saw Serena's face, his expression lit up with joy, and he rushed toward her.
The servants, still unsure of the situation, instinctively blocked his way.
Mr. Kim asked curiously, "Miss Knowles, do you know this person?"
Blushing, Serena nodded. "Yes... he's a friend of mine."
"Serena!" the stranger called out loudly. "It's me-Xavier! I'm Xavier Blaze!"
Mr. Kim looked at the man, then back at Serena. "He keeps saying he's looking for his wife... Could it be that you're the one he's looking for?"
Serena blushed so hard it looked like blood might drip from her face. She lowered her head and replied in a small voice, "It's a misunderstanding! Just a misunderstanding! We're just friends."
Xavier quickly chimed in, "We're friends for now, but soon enough, she's going to be my wife!"
Serena shot him a glare and turned to Mr. Kim. "Why don't you let him go? He's here to find me. I'll leave with him. I'm really sorry for the trouble we've caused today."
Mr. Kim asked, still uneasy, "Are you sure you want to go with him? I mean... he seems a bit..." He tapped the side of his head.
Serena chuckled. "Don't worry. He won't hurt me."
"Well... if you say so, Miss Knowles, I won't make things difficult for him," Mr. Kim said, signaling the servants to release Xavier.
As soon as he was free, the man in the pink nurse dress dashed toward Serena.
He stopped in front of her, lowered his head, and studied her face intently.
After a few seconds, he sighed with relief. "Great... You haven't lost weight these past few days."
Serena blinked. "Mr. Blaze, in this era where thin is the beauty standard, are you complimenting me or insulting me?"
"Of course I'm complimenting you!" Xavier replied earnestly. "I don't care about beauty standards. I just want you healthy and happy. Plump and chubby is perfect!"
"But chubby isn't pretty."
"Nonsense! My Serena is always pretty, no matter what! As long as you're happy, eat whatever you want. Don't worry about anything-I'll always be here for you!"
Serena looked away, lips pressed in a shy smile.
That's when she noticed the dozen or so people around them staring without blinking.
"Uh..." Embarrassed, she took a step back, putting a bit of distance between them. Then she turned to Mr. Kim and said, "We'll be going now!"
Mr. Kim nodded with a knowing smile, his gaze full of meaning: I get it.
Serena flushed with embarrassment, pushing Xavier ahead as they left.
As she turned, she caught sight of Grandpa Bryan standing outside the crowd.
She quickly waved, "Grandpa Bryan, let's meet again another day!"
The elderly man stroked his beard with a smile, clearly understanding.
In the parking lot not far from the Kim residence, Serena stood next to her MINI Cooper, eyeing the nearby champagne-colored BMW.
"Since when did you become so low-key?"
Xavier chuckled sheepishly, "Don't tease me! It's not mine. Belongs to a foreign doctor from the clinic."
"Oh?" Serena leaned against her car, eyeing him with amusement. "I'm impressed. I heard all the staff at the Clinic are fiercely loyal to your father. Didn't expect you to convince one of them to defect!"
"Heh! Piece of cake!" Xavier said proudly, chin raised.
"Mhm." Serena nodded like she was buying it, then grinned. "By the way, what's with that outfit? Why'd you come out dressed like this?"
"Uh..." Xavier looked down at the wrinkled nurse dress he was wearing, scratched his head, and laughed awkwardly. "Special circumstances! I had to sneak out to see you-this was the only way!"
"Well..." Serena said with a mischievous glint in her eye, "I actually think it suits you. You should try skirts more often!"
***