CHAPTER 822: CHAPTER 822: SHE’S WAITING FOR HIM

Leah Thorne paused, why was he here?

Hadn’t he left with Cecilia Pence?

Hugh Xavier was about to take Leah Thorne’s small hand, but missed, leaving his hand awkwardly hanging in mid-air. He turned to look at his son, "Justin, why are you here?"

Justin Xavier had one hand casually in his pocket, his eyes dark and inscrutable, "Dad, are you sure you want to talk to me here?"

Hugh Xavier frowned briefly, then turned and followed Justin Xavier.

Leah Thorne stood in place watching the backs of the father and son as they left. She hadn’t expected both of them to show up tonight. The relationship between the two had always been poor, and she had no idea what they would discuss now. She gently furrowed her elegant eyebrows.

...

In the dim corridor, Justin Xavier and Hugh Xavier stood together. Hugh Xavier pursed his lips and asked, "Justin, why are you here?"

Justin Xavier’s lips curved into a half-smile, "Dad, shouldn’t you be asking yourself that?"

"You..." Hugh Xavier looked at his son. His marriage to Justin’s mother had been a union of two wealthy families, lacking genuine affection. Plus, his heart had always been preoccupied with his first love, Eleanor Sawyer, who was Leah Thorne’s mother, so he never liked Justin as a son.

However, Justin Xavier had been outstanding from a young age, a fitting heir to a wealthy family. As time went on, Hugh discovered that this son grew more composed and profound with age, like now, as those cold eyes casually landed on him with an insidiously sharp precision, as if penetrating him with X-ray vision, leaving him defenseless.

He was, after all, Justin’s father, yet his son used this tone with him!

Hugh Xavier placed both hands behind his back. "Justin, Leah is not a child anymore. She’s not your biological sister. You shouldn’t seek her out casually to avoid damaging her reputation!"

"Heh," Justin Xavier let out a low laugh, "Dad, I thought you didn’t know Leah is your adopted daughter. Aren’t you afraid of the gossip for coming to see her here, late at night?"

Struck speechless, Hugh Xavier’s expression turned unpleasant. He scolded in a low voice, "Justin, have you let your mother’s influence get to you? Your mother is crazy, don’t believe a word she says."

"Don’t believe what my mother says about you cheating with Leah’s mom years ago, or that you brought Leah into the house with ulterior motives, and plan to have her in your bed one day?" Justin’s words were spine-chillingly blunt, leaving Hugh ashamed.

"You!" Hugh Xavier’s face changed drastically. Without a second thought, he raised his hand to slap Justin hard across his handsome face.

Justin Xavier did not avoid it. With a "smack," his entire handsome face was forced sideways by the slap.

Hugh Xavier was trembling with anger, pointing at Justin, and shouted, "Justin, are your wings fully grown now? Let me tell you, I’m not dead yet, I haven’t handed the Xavier family and Xavier Corp over to you yet. I can make you the heir of the Xavier family and the president of Xavier Corp. I can also strip you of these positions and leave you with nothing!"

"For years, your mother has been a lunatic, a fool. Don’t follow her ways, or else both of you will be kicked out by me!"

There was no trace of emotion on Justin Xavier’s handsome face. He merely used the tip of his tongue to press against his right cheek before slowly turning his face back. Looking at Hugh Xavier, he thought his mother’s current state was the result of his father’s handiwork.

The Xavier family members are all mad.

Not a single one is normal.

Heh.

Justin Xavier shrugged, his deep voice exuding a hint of a light, mocking laugh, "Since the facade is already torn, there’s nothing more to discuss."

With that, he put one hand in his pocket, approached Hugh Xavier, and spoke in a low voice, "Stop playing the nauseating role of the benevolent father. I know better than anyone what your intentions towards Leah Thorne are. Don’t mess with her, or else... you’ll destroy the entire Xavier family with your own hands."

Hugh Xavier’s pupils contracted as he looked at Justin standing in front of him, shocked that his son would dare threaten him.

Only now did Hugh Xavier realize that the son he had never liked had somehow grown into the very thing he feared.

Hugh remembered something from over a decade ago when Leah Thorne was brought into the Xavier family. Day by day, she blossomed. Even before she grew into her current enchanting self, she was like a fresh bud, tempting him to pick.

One night, while Leah was bathing and his wife wasn’t home, he had dismissed all the maids to enter Leah’s room.

He quietly pushed open the bathroom door, peering inside...

Before seeing anything, he heard a series of firm knocks at the door. Turning back in surprise, he saw Justin standing at the door.

Young Justin stood there, his cold black eyes silently and eerily watching him, seemingly peering into his soul and laying bare his filth and shame.

He left quickly, and Justin never spoke of the incident to anyone. It was as if father and son had turned a page on that day’s events.

But Hugh knew a thorn was deeply embedded between him and Justin.

Not long after, Justin took Leah and left the Xavier family, never to return.

Now, hearing Justin’s dark and defiant words, Hugh felt the shame of that day he was caught peeping at Leah in the shower.

Hugh wanted to speak, but under Justin’s cold and indifferent gaze, he could only snort and leave in a huff.

Hugh Xavier left.

Justin Xavier stood alone in the dim corridor, his facial expression unchanged, shrouded in a pale grayness.

"President." At this time, his personal assistant Coleman approached, offering a clean handkerchief.

Justin Xavier did not take it. He was unbothered by the slap on his face, but he spoke in a deep voice, "Have someone keep an eye on Hugh Xavier."

Coleman nodded in understanding, recalling Hugh Xavier’s brazen words that Justin would be left with nothing; he found this notion to be the biggest joke he’s ever heard.

"President, I don’t think your father will easily let go of Miss Thorne. Perhaps let Miss Thorne know his intentions so she can prepare herself."

Justin Xavier slightly lowered his striking eyes, "No need, I don’t want her ears sullied by this."

With that, Justin Xavier turned around.

...

Justin Xavier walked to the veranda and saw Leah Thorne up ahead, waiting for him without going into the apartment.