Xavier's eyes burned with icy fire as he spoke, each word laced with a cold, unyielding edge. "That's right! Serena is my treasure. I can't even bear to say a harsh word to her. I go out of my way to spoil and protect her. But thanks to the little stunt your sister pulled, she made my Serena angry. Having her apologize is already me showing you mercy!"
Christan furrowed his brows, clenched his jaw, and said each word slowly, "Xavier, I understand if you want Celia to apologize to you. But having her apologize to Serena-don't you think that's going too far?!"
"She likes you so much! And you're asking her to apologize to the woman you love? Have you ever thought about how devastating that would be for Celia?!"
"That's her problem. It has nothing to do with me," Xavier said matter-of-factly. "The only one I care about is Serena. Besides, your sister is the one who did wrong here! If she had the guts to do it, she should have the courage to face the consequences!"
"I'll make it clear right now-if Celia doesn't apologize to Serena, then don't blame me for disregarding our brotherhood and destroying her acting career!"
At this moment, Christan was overwhelmed with frustration.
He couldn't tell whether it was because of Celia, or Serena-or maybe both.
In a low voice, he asked, "Do you really have to be so ruthless?!"
"I'll say it again. I'm not the one at fault here," Xavier said firmly, showing zero intention of backing down.
When it came to Serena, he had always stood his ground to the very end.
"Heh," Christan chuckled dryly and said slowly, "The Ryder family may not be as powerful as the Blaze family, but we're not nobodies either. Especially in the entertainment industry, the Ryder family practically controls half the scene. Do you really think you can destroy Celia's career just like that?!"
"You're welcome to try."
His tone remained relaxed, but there was a hint of dominance beneath the surface.
"Xavier, if you want to ruin Celia, you'll need to tap into a lot of resources and connections. Right now, your father still holds the reins of the Blaze family. I doubt you can pull it off alone. Besides, our families have been close for generations. I don't believe your father would cut ties with the Ryder family over something like this."
"Who said I needed the Blaze family's help?" Xavier blew on the fingernail he'd been cleaning idly. "Even without the Blazez, I, can do whatever I want!"
"What are you trying to say?!"
"Hmph." The man gave a soft chuckle and drawled, "If you don't get it, then forget it. All you need to do is go ask Celia-does she want to keep her career, or apologize to Serena? That's it."
With that, he hung up the phone.
Christan stared blankly at the now silent phone, his brows tightly furrowed, his expression full of worry.
...
Nightfall, Ryder Residence.
Celia didn't touch a single bite of dinner. Claiming she wasn't hungry, she hid in her room and didn't come out.
All day, she had been on edge, unable to eat or sleep, anxiously waiting to hear from Christan.
She was terrified that her impulsiveness had truly angered Xavier-and even more afraid that this might push him even further away.
Knock, knock, knock! The sound of knocking interrupted her thoughts. She had no desire to talk to anyone, and replied impatiently, "I'm going to bed!"
A magnetic male voice came from outside. "Alright then, get some sleep. I'll come back tomorrow morning."
Her eyes lit up. She rushed to the door in a few quick steps.
Opening it, she called out to the man who had just turned to leave, "Christan! Wait a minute!"
Christan stopped and turned back. "What is it?"
"You... aren't you super busy today? Why did you... suddenly come back?"
Unhurriedly, he replied, "There's something I wanted to talk to you about in person."
"It's about him, right?!"
They both knew who 'him' referred to.
"Yeah." He nodded, expression unreadable.
"Come in and tell me then!" Celia stepped aside to let him in.
"Weren't you just about to sleep?"
"I... I wasn't really! I've actually been waiting for your call!"
He hesitated briefly before finally walking into her room.
Inside, Celia sat at the edge of the bed, while Christan took the single armchair nearby.
Propping one arm on the chair's armrest and his chin on his hand, he thought for a moment before slowly saying, under her hopeful gaze, "I talked to Xavier."
"What did he say?! Was he very angry?!"
"When he found out it was you behind the photo, he reacted... rather calmly."
"Really?!" Celia practically leapt off the bed in excitement. She moved closer and asked cautiously, "So does that mean... he forgave me?!"
Christan hesitated. He really didn't want to say the next part.
His sister had been pampered her whole life. She got whatever she wanted. Xavier was the only thing she ever desired but couldn't obtain.
She liked him so much. And yet, he wanted her to apologize to her rival in love.
Imagining how crushed Celia would be when she heard that, he couldn't bring himself to say it.
Pressing his lips together, he eventually just nodded lightly. "Yeah, he forgave you. Stop overthinking and focus on your work. I'll help clear up the photo scandal."
"Then..." Celia still wasn't ready to give up. "Did he... say anything about my confession?"
"Not for now. I'd advise you to give up. The photo incident should help lessen the impact of the confession scandal. Just pretend none of it ever happened and focus on getting back to work."
With that, under her disappointed gaze, Christan stood up and left the room.
Back in his own room, once the door was securely closed, he let out a long, helpless sigh.
His eyes were dark and troubled as he gazed out the window.
In his mind, Xavier's words kept echoing.
He said he didn't need the Blazes to destroy Celia
Over the years, it was true that Xavier had been involved in some projects on his own, but no one really knew the details.
At gatherings, whenever someone asked, he'd casually brush it off and say it was just a hobby-people would find out eventually.
They all assumed he was just dabbling. No one took it seriously.
But this time, from the way he spoke, Christan could tell-he wasn't bluffing.
For the first time, Christan was genuinely curious about what Xavier's so-called 'hobby' really was.
What kind of enterprise could give him that level of confidence-to say he could destroy Celia all by himself?
***