Xander Greens!" Zeenat Avery sneered. "You worthless piece of trash. To think my grandpa forced me to get engaged to such a lowlife! I don't know what good he saw in you. You disgust me!"
"Mmmh, brother, I'd advise you not to trouble my fiancee," Simon Powell interjected, stepping forward. "Or else you won't like what happens next."
Simon was the young master of the Powell family, a prominent second-generation wealthy family in Nation A. He had bedded almost every high-society lady in the nation except Zeenat, who had unknowingly become his latest prey.
He leaned in, flashing an evil smile. "See? Only power and money can trap women. Now watch as I bed your woman."
Xander looked past Simon, his eyes fixing on his fiancée. He felt a sharp sting of betrayal, realizing just how blind and short-sighted she truly was. "Zeenat, is this how you reciprocate my love? Have you ever asked me for anything that I failed to provide? Is this how you want us to end? Is this man really worth breaking us apart?"
"Xander, don't give me that 'I love you but I'm poor' look," Zeenat scoffed. "Yes, he is worth it. He is rich. He can guarantee that my family's company signs the contract with the Reeds. What can you do? You're just a bartender and a delivery boy."
"So, you catch me delivering to your room, and instead of apologizing for cheating, you insult me?" Xander's voice dropped, growing dangerously calm. "Are you that desperate to climb the social ladder? Are you that ashamed of me?"
"Yes, I am desperate!" Zeenat snapped. "Xander, ever since you entered my life, you've brought me nothing but embarrassment. My boyfriend is a literal delivery boy... You can barely afford a hundred dollars' worth of clothes for me. I'm tired of it. I want to end this stupid arrangement—and you are going to tell Grandpa that I caught you cheating on me."
Xander let out a cold, humorless laugh. "So, I am the fool who has to take the blame for your infidelity? Tell me, how much did he buy you for? How many other men have there been?"
Before she could answer, Xander stepped closer, an oppressive aura radiating from him. "Zeenat, make sure you don't regret today."
Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked out.
For a terrifying second, Xander's sudden intimidation sent a cold chill running straight down Zeenat and Simon's spines. Zeenat stood frozen, her feet glued to the floor. A wave of panic hit her. What if he actually told her grandfather the truth? What would happen to her standing in the family?
"Sweetheart, don't waste your energy worrying about that trash," Simon said, pulling her back to reality. "My family holds the reins in this city. I can make a nobody like him disappear from this nation entirely. He won't trouble us again. I'll protect you."
Zeenat looked up at him. "Really?"
"Of course. Don't you trust me?" Simon smiled smoothly.
"Thank you so much, sweetheart," she sighed, leaning into him. "And I'm sorry for the drama my pathetic scumbag of an ex-fiance caused."
"Don't worry about it. It's his fault for showing up here as our delivery boy anyway. At least now we don't have to hide anymore," Simon laughed.
"True," Zeenat agreed, hardening her expression. "I'll go home right now and tell Grandpa that Xander was the one who cheated."
As Xander walked away, memories of how this mess began flooded his mind.
Three years ago...
"Well, young man, thank you for saving me," Old Master Avery had said, coughing weakly as Xander helped him up. "But what are you doing out in a dangerous place like this? It's no place for someone like you."
"I just happened to be passing through. This is my usual hunting zone," Xander replied easily. "I didn't expect to run into anyone out here."
"Well, you saved my life. I truly thought this was the end of me," the old man said, tears welling up in his eyes. "I thought I'd never see my darling granddaughters again."
Xander felt a pang of sympathy, seeing a bit of his own grandfather in the vulnerable old man. "You're lucky I'm a local. I know the right herbs to counteract that reaction. Why were you out here alone anyway?"
"It's a long story, my boy. But I have one request," the old man said, looking at Xander with deep gratitude.
"Go ahead, I'm listening."
"I want to take you back with me. A life out here in the wilds doesn't suit your talents. Come be my grandson-in-law. I only have two granddaughters, and you can choose which one to marry—though my eldest is the most capable," the old man offered.
Xander had agreed on the spot. At the time, his own father had been relentlessly pressuring him to find a wife, with no success. He figured this was the perfect opportunity. A woman from a regular wealthy family wouldn't know his true identity or the massive extent of his real wealth and power. She wouldn't be marrying him for his status. To him, it seemed like a clean, honest arrangement.
And when he first met Zeenat, he had genuinely been attracted to her. He had wanted to make her the true mistress of his household and build a real life with her.
"I will respect you and love you, Zeenat," Xander had promised her on the day of their formal introduction. "My loyalty will always belong to you."
"Okay," Zeenat had replied with a sweet smile. "I'd like to see that."
Present Day
Xander's eyes darkened as the memory faded.
Then what changed? What happened to the woman who gave him that sweet smile?