Chapter four
Ashford Empire – Xavier's Office
The morning sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the Ashford Tower, but inside Xavier's office, the air turned cold as the door burst open.
"Is this what you call focus?"
Xavier looked up slowly, unfazed. Alistair Ashford, his father, stormed in with his cane thudding against the marble floors. The once towering titan of industry still commanded a room with a single breath — even in sickness, even with time chasing his heels.
"Good morning to you too, Father," Xavier replied dryly.
"Don't give me that smug face," Alistair snapped. "I just got out of a meeting with Malcolm and the others. They think you're brilliant, yes. Talented, capable, driven. But you know what they said?"
Xavier rose to his feet, his jaw tight. "That I'm not married."
Alistair pointed his cane at him. "Exactly. No wife. No heir. No stability. And they're beginning to question if the empire can survive without those things. You're giving them room to doubt you, Xavier. That's dangerous."
"I've doubled our profits this quarter. Closed the Sutherland deal in forty-eight hours. I've secured land rights in three cities. But that's not enough?"
"Not for the vultures," Alistair said grimly. "Not when they smell transition. This company was built on family, son. And they won't rest until they see one beside you."
Xavier turned away, walking toward the tall windows that overlooked the city skyline. The buildings below looked small from this height — like everything was within reach, except peace.
"You want me to marry," Xavier muttered.
"I want you to survive," Alistair replied. "Before I die. Before they rip this company from your hands."
There was a silence, filled only by the hum of the city and the tension thick in the air.
"You act like I don't see what this is doing to you," Alistair continued, quieter now. "You smile in public, but you don't sleep. You drink your coffee like it's morphine. And now you've taken in that girl… Goodness, right? The one from the past?"
Xavier stiffened.
"You found her in the woods. Brought her home. Why?"
Xavier turned around, face unreadable. "Because I wanted to."
Alistair's gaze sharpened. "She's the girl you used to talk about — the one you chased in high school."
Xavier didn't respond.
"You still care for her?" his father pressed.
"I don't have time for this conversation," Xavier said, brushing past his father.
"You're marrying her, aren't you?"
Xavier froze at the door to the side lounge. Then slowly, he turned back, expression unreadable.
"Don't worry, Father. You'll get what you want. Just not how you expected."
At that moment, the intercom buzzed.
"Sir," said a soft voice. It was his secretary. "Apologies, but Mr. Elias Ward is asking if you're ready for the board meeting."
Xavier sighed. "Tell him I'm on my way. And Arielle—" he paused, "bring coffee. Strong."
"Yes, Mr. Ashford."
Alistair didn't miss the flicker of weariness on his son's face.
"You think you're in control," he murmured as Xavier walked past him. "But you forget one thing… love doesn't obey contracts."
Xavier didn't look back.
He stepped into the elevator, mind spinning with numbers, decisions, and now — her.
Goodness Marwood. The girl who always brought chaos with her.
And maybe, just maybe, the solution to everything.