Chapter 865 Xavier’s Warning
This wasn’t some dramatic gesture like a wealthy parent disapproving of their child’s partner and trying to buy them off with a fat check. No—it was more like a silent warning. A message delivered with looks and words layered in meaning. And while nothing concrete had been said about what they’d do if Alexandre crossed the line, the implication hung heavy in the air.
Alexandre could feel it.
And yet—he wasn’t afraid.
But at the same time, he couldn’t refute what Xavier had said, so Alexandre stayed silent. He simply stared at Hera’s back as she lay cradled in Xavier’s arms. Then, after a moment, he asked instead, "Tell me, is it really true that there are already six of you? And are you even strong enough to protect her, not just from danger, but from heartbreak too? Because, as far as I know, while you may be an international celebrity, I’m the only son of the richest man in Paris. Isn’t that enough of a reason for me to be considered to be part of this... group?"
Alexandre’s tone was firm, like a businessman negotiating a high-stakes deal, and Xavier raised an eyebrow. Of everything he had said earlier, these were the points Alexandre had latched onto. It was almost laughable, though Xavier couldn’t tell if he wanted to laugh at the absurdity of the situation or at how composed Alexandre was in the face of it.
"Yes," Xavier replied, his voice calm and a little nonchalant. "There are six of us—me, Rafael, Luke, Zhane, Dave, and the favored one, Leo." As he spoke, he gently stroked Hera’s hair. She had fallen asleep in his arms, completely exhausted from dealing with the aftermath of what Alice had caused. Now, cradled in Xavier’s warmth and calm presence, she had finally allowed herself to relax, surrendering the tension that had weighed on her all day.
Alexandre fell into deep thought, his gaze fixed on the wall in front of him. The tension between him and Xavier was so obvious to everyone, a silent standoff that those nearby could clearly sense. No one dared approach them—everyone instinctively kept their distance, steering clear as much as possible. The atmosphere was too heavy, too charged for anyone to risk getting involved.
Meanwhile, those who had managed to snap photos or record videos earlier found themselves stuck, unable to provide any updates. Their posts had gone viral, drawing floods of viewers eager for gossip and new details. But despite the buzz, they had nothing more to offer. Alexandre’s dark, intimidating gaze had effectively silenced them all. No one had the nerve to linger close enough to eavesdrop.
"Your wealth isn’t what determines whether you can protect Hera," Xavier said calmly. "What matters is how you handle situations that might hurt her—and whether you can stay away from trouble and from women who could cause her pain."