CHAPTER 181
As Arianna made her way upstairs, Aunt Julia was about to head to the kitchen when Grandma King pulled her aside.
Aunt Julia looked puzzled. “What is it, Grandma King?”
Grandma King narrowed her eyes and whispered, “Remember that special item I asked you to retrieve from the old mansion?”
Aunt Julia's face lit up in recognition, and she lowered her voice. “You mean the ancient remedy that’s been in the family for generations?”
“Exactly!” Grandma King’s expression grew mysterious. “Make sure to add it to every dish we prepare tonight.”
Aunt Julia placed a hand over her mouth, her eyes wide with concern. “A small amount of this medicine can be quite stimulating. It’s very potent. Consuming too much can make one’s body excessively hot, which isn’t good for health.”
Grandma King shook her head with a knowing smile. “That’s precisely what we want! If that stubborn boy won’t make a move, then his grandmother will stir things up for him.”
She glanced toward the stairs, her expression one of determination. “Since Xander won’t take the initiative, I’ll do what I can to ignite some sparks in their relationship.”
Aunt Julia nodded in understanding. “I’ll get it ready as you instructed, Grandma King.”
.........
Arianna returned to her room, washed her face, and changed into some cosy home clothes. Settling onto the sofa, she began to feel a wave of drowsiness.
For the first time, the villa felt like a home to her. Despite her usual detachment and reluctance to fully relax there, she now sensed a genuine sense of belonging.
She dozed off on the sofa, and after a while, Aunt Julia came upstairs to wake her for dinner.
Arianna roused from her nap, quickly tidied her hair, and adjusted her clothes before heading downstairs.
When she arrived in the dining room, Xander and Grandma King were already seated. Arianna made a deliberate choice to sit next to Xander.
Grandma King beamed and said, “Julia, please bring out the dishes.”
“Of course!” Julia responded, carrying in dish after dish, each one steaming and aromatic.
“Help yourself, Arianna. Make sure to enjoy everything!” Grandma King urged. She then looked over at Xander and added, “You did well today, so be sure to eat plenty too.”
“Thank you,” Arianna replied, sampling the food and remarking with a pleased smile, “It’s delicious!”
Xander also picked up his utensils. Despite his usual impassive demeanour, he managed a curt, “It’s good.”
Grandma King wasn’t expecting any compliments from Xander, but she persisted, “Julia and I prepared this for you, so you two need to finish everything!”
Noticing that Grandma King wasn’t using any cutlery, Arianna asked, “Grandma, aren’t you joining us for dinner?”
“Oh, me? I’m sticking to a vegetarian meal today,” Grandma King replied smoothly.
“Julia has set aside some vegetarian dishes for me. I’ll eat a bit later.”
Arianna, familiar with the old lady’s dietary habits, accepted this without question.
After dinner, Xander excused himself to handle some work and retreated to the study. Meanwhile, Arianna enjoyed a stroll with Grandma King before heading back to her room.
Arianna wasn’t sure if it was the room’s stuffiness or just the residual heat from her walk, but she decided to change into some fresh clothes and take a bath.
After her shower, she emerged and noticed Xander returning to the room.
He must have showered in the guest bathroom, as his hair was still damp, with droplets trickling down from the tips and following the contours of his body before soaking into his clothes.
Wearing a simple T-shirt that showcased his toned physique, Xander moved about with an easy grace. The sight of him, even in such casual attire, had an undeniable allure.
Arianna didn’t pay much attention to Xander as she merely glanced over out of habit. Despite having just cooled down from her bath, she felt an unexpected flush of warmth again.
Quickly averting her gaze, she swallowed hard, wondering, *What’s happening to me? Am I coming down with something?*
Trying to refocus her thoughts, Arianna blurted out, “Xander, about what you mentioned earlier… about me begging you…”
She hesitated, biting her lower lip before forcing the words out, “Is it possible that I called you while I was drunk?”
Arianna considered this possibility and realized it might be the only explanation. That night, she had drunk heavily, and much of her memory was a blur. She had assumed she simply fell asleep after drinking.
As Xander dried his hair with a towel, he looked up and met her gaze.
“So, you’ve remembered.”
Despite her preparation, Arianna’s emotions wavered, and a sense of unease washed over her. Did she say something she shouldn't have in her drunken state? Had she perhaps revealed her true feelings or shared something deeply personal?
Arianna's face went pale as the thoughts took hold. Struggling to keep her voice steady, she asked, “Did I… say anything else besides begging for help?”
Xander’s hand halted mid-wipe, and he tossed the towel onto the sofa with casual ease. A smirk played on his lips as he responded with a teasing edge,
“Would you like to know?”
His expression only heightened Arianna’s anxiety.
She bit her lip, her voice barely above a whisper,
“Yes, please tell me.”
Despite her dread, she needed to understand what had transpired.
Xander’s demeanor shifted suddenly. His face grew stern, and his voice became cold as he enunciated each word,
“You called me a… jerk.”
Arianna went silent.
“And a worthless piece of trash.”
Arianna’s eyes widened in disbelief.
