"A man in a suit?" Maggie looked staggered.


    "Oh, I remember now! No wonder he looks familiar. He''s that fellow who dropped by for a visit with the


    young couplest time. I gave him a good beating then. Yes, it''s him! He is acting very suspiciously;


    certainly up to no good."


    Before Miriam was done speaking, Maggie darted out of her ce with a pounding heart without even


    bothering to put on shoes.


    In the end, Xavier couldn''t muster up the courage to call Maggie. He felt that he was destined to go


    home disappointed, a victim of his own cowardice.


    Just as he was about to turn and leave dejectedly, he heard a bright, sweet voice calling out to him. "X-


    Xavier!"


    Feeling surprised, he spun around and saw Maggie hurtling toward him, dressed in bunny pajamas and


    tying her hair into a bun.


    His frown disappeared, and his heart fluttered.


    "G-Good evening, Ms. Madison," stammered Xavier with a foolish look on his face.


    Then, he awkwardly shoved the flowers and the gift box into her arms. "Happy birthday!"


    Her heart raced. She merely epted the flowers but declined the gift because she recognized the


    expensive brand.


    "Xavier, thank you for the flowers, but I can''t possibly ept your gift," she said in a low voice.


    As thoughtful as ever, she added, "I know you prepared the flowers and gifts because I helped... No,


    because I repaid Ms. Alyssa''s favor. It was no trouble at all—just a minor gesturepared to what


    she had done for me. I''m the one who is without any idea on how to repay Ms. Alyssa and Mr. Beckett


    for their kindness."


    While speaking, she was overwhelmed by emotions. She pressed her lips, failing to hold back her


    This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    tears. Simrly, Xavier, teary-eyed and overtaken by passion, hugged Maggie. His empty heart was


    once again full.


    Their throbbing hearts beat in sync, nearly shaking the petals off the purple hyacinths between them.


    "Xavier." Maggie blushed, melting his heart.


    "I did not drop by with flowers and gift on Mr. Beckett or Madam Alyssa''s behalf." Xavier''s warm breath


    tickled her ear. Embracing her, he could not let go. "Everything I did was for you. I''m here to see you


    because I miss you, Ms. Madison."


    The feast wasid out, and the guests bustled around Alyssa and Jasper''s home. The ce looked as


    merry as Christmas. Alyssa, draping an arm around Lauren''s shoulders, chatted with her and Sean in


    the living room.


    Alyssa had also invited Jonah and Julien to the dinner, but Jonah could not make it because he was


    busy. Before she hung up on Jonah, she clearly overheard Julien''s seductive, tender voice in the


    background. "Jonah, my waist hurts. A massage, please?"


    Jonah replied, "Get down."


    Alyssa gaped as she tried to fight off the unholy scenes ying out in her mind. She wondered if Jonah


    was truly upied that night, or if he just wanted some private time with Julien.


    Meanwhile, Landon, who was the only guest at Jasper''s invitation, approached Jasper as he felt too


    awkward to mingle with Alyssa''s family.


    When he stepped into the dining hall, he burst outughing at Jasper, who was wearing an apron.


    "Hahaha! Jasper, since when have you be a model househusband? Not bad at all! You''re both


    excellent in bed and the kitchen!"


    "Why? Jealous?" Jasper faced the teasing calmly and deftly wiped his hands on the apron.


    "Of course not. Why would I put myself through the suffering when I have a Michelin-star chef at


    home?" Landon shot his friend a disdainful look.