In the Lap of Luxury

Chapter 559 A Kiss

Grace watched as Xander's face rapidly darkened. His smile disappeared. "What?"

In the next second, Grace threw a stack of photos at Xander, evidently angry.

"I hadn't told you that I had attended Henry's birthday party, but you have photos of me there. What I ate, what I did, who I was with—you knew everything, but you never mentioned a word.

"Xander, what are you trying to do?"

Grace was in utter disbelief and filled with dread.

Xander looked down at the photos scattered on the floor, all showing Grace at the birthday party. Most of them showed her and Benjamin. They were taken from compromising and intimate angles.

Xander glanced at Hazel's bag and came to a realization. He bent down and picked up the photos one by one. Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

"It wasn't intentional. I was watching Benjamin, and you just happened to be there. That's why there are photos of you."

Grace couldn't wrap her head around it. She asked, "Why do you have people watching Benjamin?"

"He was behind Byte Technologies' scandal and made things hard for you. Why wouldn't I have someone keep an eye on him?" His tone was calm. It was nearly impossible to fault him.

"That way, if you hadn't been able to handle it, I would have had a backup plan to help you."

Grace stared into his eyes, wanting to believe him. But for some reason, she was filled with doubt. "You could have told me."

"Even though you have a grudge against Benjamin, you still helped him buy clothes and cleaned up his mess. If I had told you, would you have been fine with it?"

Xander clenched the photos and sat opposite her. His voice was laced with restrained turmoil and unease.

"I …" Grace instinctively tried to explain, "I had no choice. He kept pestering me."

Xander smiled and said, "It was three years of marriage. Gracie, you say you've moved on, but haven't you ever wavered when you think of the past?"

"Of course not!"

Xander suddenly moved closer, trapping her in a corner. "What did you like about him?"

"I didn't …"

Cornered, Grace tilted her head up to meet his piercing eyes.

"I mean, it was once upon a time."

Grace remembered how she had fallen for Benjamin at first sight in Coronia. Her expression dimmed for a moment.

That moment sparked the rage that had been long hidden in Xander.

He lifted Grace's chin, forcing her to look at him.

"I watched him just to see how charming he was and why you had forsaken everything to marry him. Now, seeing what a deceitful and cunning man he is, I'm even more confused as to why I lost to him!"

His last words made Grace's eyes widen.

"Xander …"

The next second, Xander leaned in and forcefully kissed Grace's flushed lips. He held the back of her head and deepened the kiss.

Xander had never lost his temper in front of Grace before, let alone made such a daring move.

Grace was frightened, and she subconsciously tried to resist his advances. But he pressed deeper, murmuring against her lips, "Grace …"

It was as if years of pent-up emotions were breaking free.

Grace melted into his embrace, her resistance fading as she gradually lost strength. Her face turned redder.

After what seemed like an eternity, Xander pulled away. His lips were red, and his breath was hot on her neck.

"Grace."

He no longer called her "Gracie".