Chapter 4

Wendy took the opportunity to lean into Xavier’s arms, her voice trembling with tears.

“I’m sorry, Xavier. I don’t know what I did to upset Starla. She really seems to hate me.

“I only wanted to check on her since she was still awake so late at night. But the moment she saw me, she got angry. She called me a manipulative vixen trying to seduce you and even pushed me. Look—my wrist is swollen.”

As she spoke, tears rolled down her face, making her look as if she had suffered a great injustice.

“That’s not true!”

Starla blurted out, her voice rising. “She was the one who disrespected my parents first! She even called me an orphan and the daughter of an arsonist!”

She turned to Xavier, desperate for even the smallest bit of trust from him.

But Wendy only widened her eyes innocently. “How could I say something like that?

“I’ve volunteered at orphanages for years, helping so many poor children who don’t have parents. Why would I ever say something so cruel?”

Starla opened her mouth to argue, but Xavier’s expression had already darkened.

He stepped in front of Wendy protectively, his gaze cold as he looked at Starla.

“Starla, what’s happened to you?

“Wendy has always been kind and respectful. Why would she do what you’re accusing her of?

“You’re jealous, you lash out, and now you’re making false accusations. Where’s the respect and decency I taught you?”

Starla felt like her throat was stuffed with cotton. She couldn’t get a single word out.

With just a few sentences, Xavier had already condemned her as guilty.

No matter how much she tried to explain, he would only see it as nonsense.

The emotions burning inside her were instantly extinguished, leaving behind nothing but cold emptiness.

She let out a bitter smile. “So that’s what you think of me?

“Fine. Believe whatever you want.”

Lowering her head, she brushed past them and tried to leave.

But before she could take another step, Xavier grabbed her arm.

“You think you can just walk away after what you’ve done? Apologize to Wendy.”

Starla met his gaze, her eyes filled with quiet defiance.

She didn’t care if Xavier misunderstood her. She didn’t care if Wendy looked down on her.

But when it came to her parents, she would never back down.

Xavier’s eyes went cold. “So you’re refusing? Starla, looks like you’ve really grown bold.

“Mrs. Lucas!” His voice was sharp as he called for the housekeeper. “Move all of her things to the guest room. She can move back when she finally learns some respect.

“Until then, no one is allowed to let her set foot on the second floor.”

Starla watched as her things were carried one by one into a tiny room near the laundry area.

She let out a quiet, self-deprecating laugh.

She should have realized it sooner.

She was no longer special in this house.

Not only that, but Xavier wouldn’t even let her sit at the same table as them during meals.

Without looking up, he said flatly, “When you learn to respect your elders, you can eat with us again.”

Starla didn’t argue. She simply picked up her blanket and turned back toward her room.

As she made her bed, she thought to herself, “It doesn’t matter if Xavier hates me. I’ll be gone soon anyway. Once I disappear, he won’t even feel anything. “

At that moment, her phone rang. It was Professor Zimmer.

“Starla, all the preliminary work is complete. The earliest we can proceed with the cryopreservation procedure is in a week. When do you want to schedule it?”

She glanced at the calendar. A week from now—July 9th.

The day she and Xavier first met.

The day he pulled her from the fire.

“Let’s do it on July 9th.” She spoke softly. “I’ve always liked that date.”

Professor Zimmer hesitated before saying, “There’s still a week left. You should take this time to say goodbye to your loved ones. Xavier cares about you a lot, If he finds out, he’ll definitely struggle to let you go.”

Starla stayed silent.

She had no idea how to say goodbye to Xavier.

Just the thought of leaving him forever made her heart ache.

“I… I fought with him. There’s no need for a goodbye.”

Xavier hated her. If he knew she was leaving, he would probably be relieved.

Professor Zimmer sighed on the other end. “Your uncle loves you. There’s no way he’s really mad at you.

“You must have done something to make him upset again. He’s been so good to you. Listen to me—go apologize and say goodbye properly. Don’t leave regrets behind.”

Starla hesitated.

The next afternoon, she asked the housekeeper to take her to Xavier’s study.

“What is it?”

Though Xavier had banned her from the second floor, when he saw her at the door, he didn’t get angry. He simply kept his head down, focused on his work.

“Uncle Xavier,” she nervously twisted her fingers. “I… I came to apologize.”

Xavier lifted his head and studied her. “Apologize to me?

“The one you should be apologizing to is Wendy.”

He called Wendy over and made her stand in front of Starla, his gaze locked on them both.

Apologize… to Wendy?

Starla shut her eyes briefly, thinking about Professor Zimmer’s words.

Swallowing her pride, she forced herself to say the words. “I’m sorry, Wendy.”

Her voice trembled with suppressed emotion, thick with unspoken grievances.

For some reason, Xavier couldn’t help but glance at her again.

How odd…

He frowned.

Why did seeing Starla like this make his chest tighten?

She was finally behaving, admitting her mistakes, and acting mature.

Shouldn’t he be pleased?

Yet, instead of relief, all he felt was discomfort.

Still, he kept his expression cold. “From now on, you need to show Wendy the respect she deserves. Understood?”

“Understood.” Starla’s voice was barely a whisper as she turned and hurried out of the study.

But just as she stepped away, she overheard voices from the slightly open door behind her.

“Xavier, Starla has always been reckless and stubborn. If she causes a scene at the wedding, wouldn’t that embarrass the Llyod family?”

Xavier didn’t respond right away, as if considering her words.

After a pause, Wendy continued, “Why don’t we send her abroad?

“If she’s in another country, she won’t see you anymore. That way, she can finally let go of those… inappropriate thoughts. Plus, she’ll be able to focus on her studies. What do you think?”

For a long moment, there was silence.

Then, Starla heard Xavier’s quiet response. “I’ll think about it.

“If she still refuses to behave, then we’ll do as you said.”

Her stomach clenched.

So there really wasn’t a single place left for her in this house.

Starla felt her heart sink, deeper and deeper, until it was completely lost at the bottom of the ocean.

Without a word, she turned and walked back to her room.