The Art of Revenge

Shameful Moment

Just then, footsteps approached the door.

Xavier pushed it open and entered.

When Mrs. Ryder saw him, her expression still carried gratitude. "Xavier, you're here."

"Auntie," Xavier greeted politely with a smile. "How is Celia?"

Mrs. Ryder glanced at her daughter lying on the bed, her face full of worry. "She still hasn't woken up."

Xavier looked at Celia briefly before saying, "Don't worry. I spoke with the attending physician-Celia is not in any life-threatening danger. She may sleep a while longer, but she should wake up soon. Why don't you go rest in the lounge for a bit? Christan and I can stay here with her."

"No, no need," Mrs. Ryder immediately waved her hand. "I want to stay with Celia until she wakes up!"

"Mom," Christan chimed in from behind, "please listen to Xavier and get some rest. You've been worrying nonstop outside her room since this morning. It's already been half a day, and you haven't even had a sip of water."

Looking at his mother's clearly pale face, he added, "What if Celia hasn't woken up yet and you collapse from exhaustion? That would make her feel even worse when she comes to."

Mrs. Ryder hesitated.

Gently but firmly, Christan guided her out of the room, continuing to coax her as he went.

Eventually, he managed to escort her to the lounge next door.

When he returned to the ward, the moment he walked in, he saw Xavier leaning against the windowsill with his arms crossed, frowning at Celia

"What? Feeling guilty?" he asked mockingly.

Xavier glanced over and gave a helpless smile. "To be honest, a little."

"Hmph." With a cold snort, Christan didn't press further. He walked to his side and faced the window.

"That mysterious woman-handled?"

Xavier's face darkened slightly, and he quietly responded, "Handled. But she's not some random woman. She's..." He paused, then added, "She's someone I know. She came to see me."

"Oh? Another one of your romantic entanglements?"

Xavier didn't respond.

Christan continued sourly, "You're such a playboy. I thought you only had eyes for Serena. Now another woman appears? And she even knows you're here... she must be pretty close to you."

Xavier smiled faintly but said nothing, turning to face the window instead.

Now wasn't the time to drag Serena into this.

The two tall, striking men stood in silence by the window.

Even without seeing their faces, their silhouettes alone could draw attention.

A young nurse passing by outside the room stole a glance inside-and froze in surprise.

She lingered for a long while, hoping one of the two stunning silhouettes would turn around.

Unfortunately, it seemed as if the two men had made an agreement-not a word, not a glance back.

The nurse finally left reluctantly after being urged repeatedly by a colleague.

"Uhh..." A weak groan broke the rare stillness.

Both of the handsome men turned around at once.

Celia squinted, her gaze hazy as she looked at them.

Her vision was still blurry, but she could vaguely make out that one figure was Christan.

"Christan..."

"I'm here!" Christan quickly walked to her bedside, asking anxiously, "Celia, how do you feel? Is anything hurting?"

"I... I just feel really weak all over."

Celia glanced around, vaguely noting that everything around her was white-this wasn't her bedroom. "Where... am I?"

"This is..." Christan pressed his lips together, seeming reluctant to explain further.

Another voice cut in-calm, emotionless. "Do you remember what you did? How you ended up here?"

That voice... it sounded so familiar!

Celia took a moment to process, then looked stunned. "You... are you... Xavier?!"

"I'm Xavier," the man replied, stepping closer to the bed.

He stopped a couple of steps away.

Celia's lips curled upward uncontrollably. She quickly raised a hand to cover her face. "Don't look at me. I must look terrible right now!"

"Yeah, you do," he replied bluntly.

Christan glared at him furiously. "Xavier! Speak properly!"

Xavier shrugged indifferently. "I'm just telling the truth."

Celia's expression instantly fell.

But Xavier, fearless, continued, "You used to be such a beautiful girl. Why ruin yourself like this and turn yourself into a mess?"

"I..." Celia was already flushed with embarrassment.

Christan clenched his fist, whispering harshly, "Don't forget she's here because of you. Isn't it heartless to say something like that?"

Xavier smiled faintly but ignored him. "Celia, tell me-do you remember what you did?"

Celia closed her eyes, as if unwilling to recall that shameful moment.

He didn't push her, only continued, "You have everything-good family, good looks, supportive fans. Why throw it all away?"

"I didn't know what else to do!" Celia sobbed, covering her face. "The news is all fake, but no one believes me when I try to explain. Especially you! After seeing all that news, you definitely wouldn't like me anymore! I was too ashamed to face anyone. What's the point of living?"

Hearing her words, Christan's glare toward Xavier grew even sharper.

Xavier pressed his lips together, thinking for a moment before speaking. "I didn't believe a word of those articles."

"Really?!" Celia looked at him in surprise, tears clinging to her lashes but her eyes sparkling with hope.

He nodded solemnly. "I'll take care of the fake news. Within twenty-four hours, you'll see the official clarification."

"But... so many media outlets reported on it. The public backlash was huge. Even with the Blaze family's influence, how could you possibly silence every outlet in just twenty-four hours?"

With a confident smirk, he tilted his head. "Whether it's possible or not-you'll see for yourself."

Celia's eyes curved into a smile as she gazed at him with adoration. "Xavier. I believe whatever you say."

***

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