Chapter 10
Trevor said calmly, “Xanthe’s divorce cooling–off period still has half a month left. Once it’s over we’ll get married, sir.”
Holden nodded in approval, letting out a long sigh. “If only Xanthe had chosen you from the start, she wouldn’t have had to suffer so much.”
He glanced at his daughter, his eyes filled with concern. “She’s lost so much weight… even her gaze looks weary. Has she been suffering all these years with the Connollys?”
Trevor didn’t hold back–he told Holden everything he had uncovered.
As he listened, Holden’s face grew darker with fury until he erupted, “That bastard! I knew from the beginning he wasn’t anything good. But I can’t believe he even went so far as to keep a mistress!”
He slammed a hand on the table. “That son of a bitch dares lay a finger on my daughter?! Then there’s no reason for BMC Global to keep existing!”
With both the Wentworths and Michelsons being on top of the most powerful families in the entire Illinois, taking down BMC Global would be as simple as making a phone call.
Just as Holden’s words fell, his daughter walked in. “Dad,” she said, her voice steady, “I want to handle everything related to Barrington myself.”
“Xanthe.” Her father frowned. “Are you still not over that son of a bitch? He cheated on you- what’s worth holding on to?”
Even Cora couldn’t stay silent anymore. “Sweetie, you chose him back then and severed ties with us. And now? Are you really still protecting him?”
They both still remembered how fiercely Xanthe had fought with them years ago for Barrington. To them, everything she said now sounded like the same old story–her making excuses for him.
She was about to clarify things when Trevor stepped in. “Uncle, Auntie, you’ve misunderstood her. She’s not protecting him. She just wants to take her revenge herself.”
He smiled at the worried couple, reassuring them. “She’s back now. Let’s trust her.”
Xanthe stared at Trevor in surprise. Of all people, it was him who believed in her the most.
“Xanthe,” he said gently, “whatever you decide to do, I’ll stand by you.”
Seeing Trevor still trusting their daughter unconditionally after all these years, Holden and Cora exchanged a look, and their tensed faces softened into warm smiles.
“Sweetie,” Holden said, “both of you already missed seven years. Now that you’re back, don’t let him slip away again.”
Tears welled in Xanthe’s eyes. She nodded firmly, her voice cracking when she replied, “This time, no matter what happens, I won’t lose him again.”
Turning to the man she should’ve married in the first place, she said, “Let’s get married next month, hmm? I want the most extravagant wedding in all of Illinois,”
Trevor stared at her in disbelief, as if the words hadn’t quite registered.
He’d always known she was partly motivated by revenge when she came back to him–but he
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didn’t care.
He thought he’d need much more time to win her love.
He never expected her to seriously want to marry him.
Seeing his silence, Xanthe began to waver. “Do you think it’s too rushed?”
“No,” he said quickly, shaking his head. “I just can’t believe you actually want to marry me.”
He took his hand and looked solemnly in her eyes. “Marry me, Xanthe–I promise I’ll never let anything hurt you again.”
It was a vow Xanthe felt to the depth of her heart.
Through her tears, she smiled and replied, “I believe you, Trevor.”
From the side, Holden and Cora couldn’t help the smiles tugging at the corners of their lips. They had always seen Trevor as the ideal son–in–law, and now, with their daughter by his side again, they finally felt at peace.
In the following days, Xanthe officially took over the W Industries.
While she was busy, the news that the Wentworths and the Michelsons were forming a marriage alliance quickly spread through the upper social circles in Chicago. Everyone knew Trevor was already planning the wedding in earnest.
One evening, as usual, he came to pick Xanthe up after work.
“I made an appointment with the bridal boutique for tomorrow,” he said excitedly. “I wonder if President Wentworths has time?”
Ever since she’d taken over the company, Xanthe had been swamped with responsibilities. They barely saw each other except late at night.
Realizing how little time she’d been giving him lately, she wrapped her arms around his neck and apologized. “I’m still new to all this. There’s so much I’m not familiar with yet–but no matter how busy I get, I won’t miss trying on my wedding dress.”
‘Tomorrow,” she promised, “we’ll go together.”
Trevor’s lips curved into a satisfied smile. “Alright.”
Since she came back to the city, Trevor had been staying with Xanthe at an apartment near her
office to make things easier.
That night, just after she stepped out of the shower, she found him sitting on the bed with a heavy look in his eyes.
‘Trevor? What’s wrong?” she asked, drying her hair.
He looked up at her, hesitated, then looked away. He seemed conflicted, like something was weighing on him.
Xanthe immediately grew anxious. “Hey, Trevor, did something happen? If you won’t tell me, you know I’ll find out for myself.”
The next second, he stood up and walked straight to her. He pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly as if he was afraid she’d disappear.
“Xanthe,” he whispered hoarsely, “if Barrington comes to take you back, are you… are you going to leave me?”
Chapter 10
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