Chapter 721

Evan stepped out to make a phone call, leaving Xavier with a nagging feeling that something was off. The look Evan had given him before leaving sent shivers down Xavier's spine.

Trying to break the awkward silence, Xavier attempted some small talk, "Uncle's pretty tied up, huh?"

Mandy chuckled, "Yeah, my dad's swamped. Running a company while not even being in the office. He's the go-to guy for everything, so his phone's always ringing off the hook."

Ayala, caught in a whirlwind of indecision, chose to remain silent, especially when it came to Mandy's every move, which she perceived as nothing short of brown- nosing Xavier.

Ayala was kicking herself. Raising a child in wealth didn't mean spoiling them rotten. And now, the fruits of her leniency had come back to haunt her, leaving her to bear the brunt of her decisions.

Mandy handed the menu to Xavier. "Xavier, take a look. What are you in the mood for?"

Xavier, passing the menu to Ayala, suggested, "Auntie, why don't you pick something?"

Taking the menu without a word, Ayala scanned through its contents when Evan burst back in.

"Honey, let's skip dinner and head back. Disaster struck. Someone's played us for fools, and we're on the brink of bankruptcy!"

Ayala, startled, stood up and dropped the menu. "How could this happen?"

"We need to head back now. It's all gone pear-shaped!" Evan, a mix of panic and worry, managed to say.

Xavier, watching Evan's reaction, couldn't detect any deceit.

"Mandy, you should head back with your folks," Xavier suggested.

Evan interjected, "No need. Let Mandy focus on her studies. Your Aunt and I will handle the situation at the company. We'll update Mandy as things progress."

Evan, grabbing Ayala by the hand, hurried out, leaving Xavier fraught with concern. Just when he thought he'd found himself a wealthy, naive sweetheart, her family was teetering on the edge of financial ruin?

Xavier said, "Mandy, maybe you should go back and check on things."

"Meh, I'm clueless about business, Xavier. I wouldn't be of any help," Mandy shrugged off the suggestion.

"Yeah, but your Aunt Hattie's well-off and influential. She's bound to lend a hand, right?" Xavier mused.

At the mention of her Aunt Hattie, Mandy's face twisted in displeasure. "Who knows! She's changed. She only listens to Josefina now. It's not even a given she'll help us out."

Xavier was at a loss for words...

...

Evan and Ayala arrived at the Harrison family estate, a place of both wealth and

woes.

Sitting down, Evan guzzled a glass of water, exasperated. "That Xavier, he's the one behind this mess!"

"What? Xavier's behind this? How come I didn't know?" Ayala was taken aback.

"Because I've kept it under wraps. Remember what Josie said? If I ever came into contact with the one who

W sharp pain

el a

poisoned me to feel a

And that's exactly what happened when we met Xavier."

Hattie, ever the matriarch, chimed in with a severity that filled the room, "I've always said Xavier was bad ē news. He was two timing Ruby with one of Josie's friends until Josie caught him. A man of his fickle nature is no good match for Mandy."

Hearing Hattie's words, Ayala's worries deepened.

"Mandy's become too spoiled under my watch. She won't take a blind bit of notice of what I say. If I tell her to go east, she'll head west, especially if Xavier's involved!" Ayala fumed, her temper flaring.

Clutching her stomach, Ayala grimaced in pain.

"Auntie, you feeling alright?" Josefina noticed Ayala's discomfort.

Nodding, Ayala replied, "Just some stomach cramps, probably stress-related."

Josefina moved closer, offering her assistance, "Let me check your pulse, Auntie. Your health's what matters most."

Trusting in Josefina's medical expertise, Ayala extended her hand.

After examining her, Josefina looked up in surprise, leaving Ayala anxious. Could it be something serious?