radicalducati Fair Judge
Fair Judge
Both people in the room turned toward the source of the voice.
At the office door, Xavier stood tall, one hand casually in his pocket. His already commanding presence was further amplified by the sharp, dark-gray tailored suit he wore, making him look impossibly striking-impossible to look away from.
Karina's eyes sparkled as she called out sweetly, "Xavier, you're done already?"
"Mhm. Sorry to keep you waiting. They were doing the final prep run for the opening ceremony in the main hall. This hot spring resort is X Group's biggest hospitality project this year, and as the person in charge, I can't afford to be careless. I took extra care checking the setup-ended up taking more time."
"There's no need to explain so much to me." Karina lowered her gaze shyly, her tone both bashful and pleased. "The Carters'in business too. I've grown up around this stuff-I understand."
Xavier squinted slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing his face.
Karina had always been skilled at putting on a facade-two-faced and cunning. He'd thought she was just another brainless rich girl.
But hearing those words, he began to see her differently.
On the surface, her comment was supportive-expressing understanding of his responsibilities. But beneath it, it was a subtle reminder: she came from a powerful family too. She was worthy of him. The Carter and Blaze families shared similar business structures-she could understand him, support him.
Pretending not to catch the subtext, Xavier offered a faint smile. "Thank you for your understanding, Miss Carter."
Then he stepped inside.
Brody quickly stood up and offered his seat. "Sir, please sit here!"
Xavier accepted without hesitation, taking the seat across from Karina.
"Xavier, you really didn't have to trouble yourself. I could've gone back to my room myself-no need to make such a big deal by coming in person."
She glanced up and noticed beads of sweat forming on his forehead. Smiling, she said sweetly, "You must've rushed over, didn't you?"
He had rushed-nearly dropped everything just to come here, find out what really happened, and then hurry back to comfort Serena.
Karina beamed, pointing to his temple with a shy smile, "Look-you're even sweating!"
Only then did Xavier realize how hot he was. He had jogged over here.
Discreetly wiping his brow, he gave a lopsided smile. "Thanks for pointing it out."
"What's there to thank? You came all this way for me-I should be the one saying thank you!"
Xavier didn't respond, his expression neutral.
Instead, he turned to Brody. "Did you prepare what I asked for?"
"Yes, Sir," Brody said respectfully.
"Alright. Bring it out."
"Yes, sir!"
Hearing their exchange, Karina blinked in confusion. "Xavier... wait, did you prepare a gift for me?"
"Something like that." He nodded.
"Oh?" Her face lit up. "What is it?"
"To clear your name. You'll understand when you see it."
Karina's expression darkened.
Clear her name? What did that mean?
Hadn't she already explained she was just touring the hotel?
Did... he not believe her?
But if he didn't, why would he rush over personally to pick her up?
Before she could work it all out, Xavier pointed to a screen in the corner of the room.
"Miss Carter, please take a look."
Karina followed his gesture and turned. At a glance, she sucked in a sharp breath.
The screen showed surveillance footage from outside the presidential suite on the 36th floor.
The timestamp in the upper right corner marked just two minutes before she had gone over to scream and curse at Serena's door.
At that moment in the video, everything was calm-no one was there.
A wave of unease hit her. If Xavier saw the part where she was hurling insults, wouldn't all her lies unravel?
No way. She couldn't let him watch the rest.
Thinking quickly, Karina stood up and walked briskly to the screen, blocking it with her body.
With a smile, she said, "Xavier, I've been sitting here for an hour. My back's sore. Let's just go, okay?"
"We haven't finished the footage yet." Xavier's tone was laced with subtle meaning.
"What's there to see? If you want to watch something, I'll go to the theater with you instead, how about that?"
But Xavier ignored her attempt to change the subject.
"If I don't watch, how am I supposed to get to the bottom of what happened this afternoon? How am I supposed to make things right for you?"
"Oh, come on!" she waved it off, pretending to be magnanimous. "It's not a big deal! Captain White and I are friends now. I don't hold a grudge about earlier!"
Xavier turned to look at Brody.
Brody frowned and shot him a pained look, as if to say I'm totally innocent here!
Karina was the one who had caused a disturbance. He'd simply followed procedure by detaining her. And Xavier had seen that he hadn't even shake her hand when she offered it.
Friends? Since when?! No one told him!
Of course, Xavier saw right through it.
Sighing lightly, he said with exaggerated sincerity, "Miss Carter, you're so generous-truly the model of a well-bred lady."
Hearing that, Karina thought he was letting it go. Delighted, she smiled, "Xavier, you're too kind. Being gracious is basic human decency. It's got nothing to do with whose daughter I am."
Hah.
Xavier laughed inwardly-a thousand times over.
Gracious?! That word out of her mouth?!
Had she already forgotten how she'd treated Dara just yesterday?
Though disgusted on the inside, he kept his face calm and pleasant. "Miss Carter, your manners are admirable. But still... since this happened in a X Group hotel, and since you were wronged here, I have to investigate properly. As the executive director, I can't rest easy until the facts are clear."
Karina's heart leapt into her throat again.
***