"Brother, why would you say that? How could I possibly not be over him?" Wren frowned.

’I’m not some kind of masochist. Why would I be eager for Kaden Xavier to break my heart all over again?’

"So, are you going tonight? If you go, I’ll go with you."

Finn Wynter really couldn’t stand the thought of Wren and Kaden Xavier being alone together.

Kaden Xavier was a cunning wolf; who knew what he would do next?

Not long ago, he’d been busy crushing the Quinn Family, pulling a lot of strings to push their company to the brink of bankruptcy.

Just as the Quinn Family was about to declare bankruptcy, Kaden Xavier moved with lightning speed and swallowed up the Quinn Group. It happened so fast that even Finn didn’t have time to react.

Perhaps he had long harbored this intention, only holding back because of his friendship with Nathaniel Quinn.

Putting other grudges aside, Kaden Xavier was a formidable opponent, and the only person he had met in all these years who was his equal.

"It’s fine. Kaden Xavier won’t do anything to me," Wren stated firmly.

"But..."

"Brother, I know what you want to say, and I know what Kaden Xavier is trying to do! But Grandma Xavier was so good to me. In my heart, she is my own grandmother. As long as she’s still with us, I can’t just turn my back on them. It’s inevitable that I’ll have to interact with Kaden Xavier. But once she..."

Wren couldn’t bring herself to say the word, nor did she want to.

She pursed her lips and continued, "Grandma doesn’t have many days left. Each time we see her might be one of the last. So, I want to cherish the time we have. Even if I can’t stand the thought of seeing Kaden Xavier, his mother, and his sister, I still want to spend more time with Grandma."

If Elder Xavier and Old Madam Xavier hadn’t brought her back from the orphanage, she might never have found View Gardens in this lifetime, let alone grown up healthy.

If Moonwater Villa was her home, then hadn’t Elder Xavier and Old Madam Xavier also given her a new one?

Even a grown man like Finn Wynter felt his eyes redden at Wren’s words.

Family bonds are something a person simply cannot sever.

He could also see that Old Madam Xavier was genuinely good to Wren.

"Okay. Call me if you need anything."

"Okay."

「Around 5:00 PM.」

Wren finished packing up, ready to leave work.

She had just reached the hospital entrance when she heard Mason Shaw’s voice from behind her.

"Dr. Wynter." Mason Shaw jogged to catch up. "Thank goodness you haven’t gone far."

"Dr. Shaw, can I help you with something?" Wren’s tone was distant.

Ever since Mason Shaw had expressed his intention to pursue her, she always felt uncomfortable, and running into him was awkward.

"Dr. Wynter, I was wondering if you’re free this weekend. I know a new restaurant that’s opened up, and it’s pretty good. We could go try it, and we could even go horseback riding after dinner..."

"She’s not free."

Suddenly, a deep, chilling voice came from the side.

Kaden Xavier, clad in a black trench coat, strode over, reached out, and took Wren’s cold hand, his brow furrowing.

’Why are her hands so cold?’

Wren tried to pull away, but the damned scumbag only held on tighter, making her furious enough to bite him.

"Mr. Xavier, you two are divorced. I don’t think you have any right to control Dr. Wynter’s schedule."

That innate air of superiority about him really rubbed Mason Shaw the wrong way.

’Why does he have to stick his nose into everything?’

’I just want to pursue someone in peace. Why is it always either Finn Wynter or Kaden Xavier getting in my way?’

"Dr. Shaw, have you forgotten? Wren and I haven’t finalized our divorce papers yet. Our marriage is still legally binding," Kaden Xavier said in a particularly punchable tone. "Besides, she needs to come to my house this weekend to check on my grandmother. She has absolutely no time to accept your invitation, Dr. Shaw."

"Then next weekend."

"She’s not free then, either. Or the weekend after that. Or any weekend, for that matter."

Kaden Xavier gave Mason Shaw absolutely no opportunity to ask Wren out.

Mason Shaw could no longer maintain his gentle expression. He took a deep breath and said, "I was asking Dr. Wynter. What right do you have to decide for her? That’s far too domineering and rude!"

Kaden Xavier’s lips curved, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes. "I don’t think I need to be polite to someone who’s trying to steal my wife. Don’t you agree, Mr. Shaw?"

’Mr. Shaw.’

Wren was a little surprised.

Apparently, she didn’t know what Mason Shaw’s actual status was in the Shaw Family, only that he was one of the Shaws.

Mason Shaw’s face darkened, a storm brewing in his eyes. A sinister glint flashed across them as he unconsciously clenched his fists.

"Kaden Xavier, don’t forget, you owe me a favor."

"So what? I’ve said it before. Ask for anything but her. As for her, I will never let go."

"Then you’ll have to ask Dr. Wynter if she’s willing."

Kaden Xavier shrugged, showing a rare, roguish side. "And what if she’s not?"

As the two men secretly clashed, Wren, standing to the side, couldn’t bear to watch any longer.

’Making such a scene at the hospital entrance is so embarrassing!’

She quickly smiled apologetically at Mason Shaw. "I’m so sorry, Dr. Shaw, but I don’t think I’ll be free. Grandma just woke up, and I have to go check on her every day. Let’s reschedule dinner for when I have more time."

"Is that so? What a shame." Mason Shaw pushed up the glasses on his nose, forcing a slight smile. "Well, let’s schedule it for when you’re free, then."

"Okay, I’m really sorry. We have to get going now!" Wren said, pulling Kaden Xavier away.

The moment she turned, her smile vanished.

Being pulled along by her, Kaden Xavier watched Wren’s retreating back, his eyes filled with amusement and his thin lips curving into a slight smile.

’She just used ’we.’ Clearly, Mason Shaw is an outsider.’

When they reached the car, Wren let out a sigh of relief, only to turn and meet the teasing look in Kaden Xavier’s eyes.

"What are you smiling at?"

Kaden Xavier raised an eyebrow, glancing down at their intertwined hands. Only then did Wren realize, dropping his hand as if it were a hot potato.

She looked away, a suspicious blush creeping up behind her ears as she awkwardly opened the rear car door.

"The neighbor’s dog peed on the back seat last week. Are you sure you want to sit there?"

Wren’s expression turned as ugly as if she’d just swallowed a fly.

’There’s no way it’s that much of a coincidence.’

But when she saw Kaden Xavier’s nonchalant expression, she started to have doubts. ’What if it’s true?’

Wren reluctantly closed the back door, got into the passenger seat, and slammed the door shut.

Kaden Xavier chuckled softly, walked around to the other side, and got in the car. He saw Wren sitting there with her arms crossed, sulkily staring out the window.

He shook his head, leaned in close, and reached his fingertips toward her abdomen.

A masculine scent instantly enveloped Wren, his warm breath brushing against her cheek like a feather.

Wren’s body stiffened. Her heart skipped a beat, and holding her breath, she asked defensively, "Kaden Xavier, what are you doing?"

Kaden Xavier saw her resistance and tension, and his eyes darkened for a moment before he pulled the seatbelt across from the side and buckled it.

"Just buckling your seatbelt. What were you thinking?"

"I wasn’t thinking anything."

Kaden Xavier smiled and didn’t tease her further. He started driving toward the old family home, while Wren sat in the passenger seat as if on pins and needles, wishing she could jump out of the car immediately.

’I should have just taken a taxi.’

When they finally arrived at the old mansion, Wren fumbled frantically to unbuckle her seatbelt, but it was as if the belt was working against her; she just couldn’t get it undone.

Helpless, she had no choice but to shoot Kaden Xavier a look for help.

Kaden Xavier found this amusing and gently unbuckled the seatbelt for her.

Once free, Wren immediately fled from the car.

’How mortifying!’

’Next time, I’m never getting in Kaden Xavier’s car again!’

"Grandma, I’m here!"

Wren entered the villa. Old Madam Xavier looked up, her face wreathed in smiles as she looked at Wren.

"Wren, you’re here! Dinner will be ready soon."