Chapter 6

"Dad?" Xander froze.

Julian frowned. "Shut up. You're the one who gave her access to the security cameras, aren't you?"

Xander wisely kept his mouth shut.

"Now you're so bold that you'll hand over authority to outsiders?" Julian snapped.

"Yvette's not an outsider. I'm sure she had her reasons," Xander shot back.

Julian's hand struck Xander's face without warning. Julian's fist was clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned pale.

"You're a grown man, and you still can't tell right from wrong. A woman cries, and you just go weak. How did I end up with such a disgrace for a son?" Julian shouted.

"No. Yvette's really not that kind of person. She said she only pulled the security footage because she lost her earring near the Floralin Hotel. There's got to be some mistake," Xander protested.

Julian and I shared a glance. We couldn't help but chuckle bitterly.

All these years, we only cared about developing Xander's abilities. We never taught him how to read people. That was a big mistake on our part.

This was the perfect opportunity to let him learn the hard way. People's hearts were impossible to read.

I tilted my chin and said, "Do you really think Yvette is as pure as you believe?"

"Mom, what are you getting at?" Xander looked at me.

Yvette looked heartbreakingly fragile, her eyes red. "I only messed up because I got the wrong person. It was just this one mistake. It doesn't mean I'm that kind of person."

I smiled.

The next second, the big screen was full of mosaics again. Lewd noises started playing one after another. But this time, the voice was Yvette's.

Yvette's face drained of all color. But it wasn't just one man coming and going.

I fixed my gaze on Yvette. "Well then, care to explain this?"

Yvette staggered and nearly hit the floor right then and there.

Yvette's image was ruined overnight.

Julian and I thought that after all this, Xander would at least come to his senses a little.

But we found out Xander was still meeting her in secret.

In the study, Xander bowed before us, his teeth gritted in frustration. He said, "Dad, Mom, I listened to her explanation. Those videos are completely fake.

"Mom, didn't your and Dad's videos turn out to be AI-generated, too? So how can you just decide she's not being framed?"

Julian was exasperated and furious. He snapped, "How many times have I told you, that's not what happened. You saw it with your own eyes."

Xander shot back, "There are so many people in the entertainment industry keeping an eye on her. Who knows if those videos weren't faked?"

"Enough." Julian slammed his hand on the table. "Have you forgotten what she did to your mother?"

Xander froze and glanced at me. He lowered his head, clenching his jaw. "But she just got the wrong person. She really meant well."

Julian and I kept quiet.

Xander looked at me with a pleading look in his eyes. He said, "Mom, she would never do something like this normally. She honestly just mistook you for Dad's mistress. Mom, please, give her one more chance."

"Absolutely not," I replied and stood over him. "Your dad and I have been in this industry for years. We've dealt with our fair share of people like her.

"Xander, this isn't about me holding a grudge. It's just that Yvette really isn't the one for you."

"You barely even know her. How can you just say she's not right for me?" Xander protested.

"Because she wasn't even honest when she came to visit me," Julian cut in suddenly.

Xander was stunned.

Julian's breathing was heavy, his chest rising and falling.

He glanced at me, and I nodded.

Julian let out a sigh. "Actually, after you brought her home that day, she made a pass at me."

Xander's breath caught in his throat.

Julian continued, "But I saw how much you liked her, so I figured it was just a fling. I never thought you'd actually fall for her."

Julian and I were alike in that way. Both of us were in our forties, but we kept up with regular workouts and self-care. We didn't look our age at all. Young women would flirt with him from time to time.

Xander shook his head. He insisted, "No way. That's just not her."

"You brat," Julian barked.

"Dad," Xander suddenly straightened up, his tone unwavering. "You don't know what she's gone through to get here. She's strong and courageous. You can't just tear her down like this."

"If you don't break up with her, your mom and I won't acknowledge you as our son," Julian snapped.

Xander was stunned, and he turned to me.

I kept my expression icy, making it clear that I wasn't going to object.

Xander clenched his jaw. "Fine, if you won't acknowledge me, then so be it."

The belt lashed across Xander's back.

Julian's eyes went bloodshot with rage. He barked, "Say that again."

Xander stiffened his neck, lifting his chin defiantly. "I said, I love Yvette."

"Damn you, love her," Julian snapped. He raised his belt high again.

But Xander just closed his eyes, stubbornly refusing to apologize.

I reached out and caught Julian's hand, stopping him. I said, "Enough. Just go."

Xander opened his eyes and looked at me. "Mom?"

"Go," I repeated.

He slowly turned around.

He glanced at us and called out, "Mom?"

"Go," I said, my tone flat and emotionless. "If you like her, we won't interfere anymore."

Xander shot me a grateful look.

Julian stared at me in disbelief.

It wasn't until Xander had left that Julian finally spoke. "Honey, how could you just let him go so easily? You know the moment he walks out that door, he's heading straight back to Yvette."

I let out a sigh. "We really didn't teach him enough about judging character. Didn't we only become who we are today after dealing with so many bad people?"

Julian was stunned.

I flashed him a wry smile. "Get someone to keep an eye on Xander. Just make sure he and that girl don't do anything crazy. He needs to figure out for himself what she's really like."

Julian nodded in agreement. "Alright, I'll follow your lead," he said.