When the Contract Marriage Ended, He Stayed

Chapter 84: Just Dropping By

Aiden Xavier knew Hazel Hawthorne had arrived, so he returned to his office as soon as his meeting ended. Hazel was sitting in his chair, twirling a fountain pen in one hand while the other rested casually on the desk. Her index and middle fingers tapped lightly on the surface, making a crisp sound.

An exquisitely packaged cake sat on the desk, baffling Aiden Xavier. "What are you doing here?"

"I was passing by this cake shop and remembered you have a sweet tooth, so I picked this up. I didn’t know if you’d be coming back to the villa tonight, so I figured I’d just bring it to the office. What’s wrong? Don’t like cake anymore?" Hazel Hawthorne watched Aiden Xavier, a faint smile playing on her lips. ’I’m not going to tell him I bought this especially for him.’

’Aiden’s a sharp man. If I’m too direct, he’ll guess what I’m up to. It’s better to keep him in suspense.’

"You picked it up on a whim, and then just happened to be in the neighborhood to drop it off?"

"Mhm. You said you’d be busy this weekend, and it’s not like I have anything better to do. If you don’t want it, I’ll just take it back." With that, Hazel made to stand up and leave, but Aiden’s next words stopped her.

Aiden looked at Hazel, his deep eyes still holding a profoundness she couldn’t quite decipher. Her expression remained unchanged; no matter what he said, she was confident she could handle it.

"The cake shop isn’t close to the office. Even if you bought the cake and then came here, it wouldn’t have been ’on your way,’" Aiden said coolly. "So, spill. People don’t go out of their way to be nice unless they’re up to no good."

Hazel burst out laughing. "You’re the one who overthinks everything. You assume anyone who’s even slightly nice to you must have an ulterior motive. Well, think what you will. A big reason I brought this cake was to thank you for coming all the way to Freyburg to find me."

Hazel sounded so sincere that Aiden almost believed her.

’It’s true we haven’t spent much time together under normal circumstances, but that doesn’t mean we both don’t have a few tricks up our sleeves. Hazel’s not this nice. And now that she’s certain Raina Lowell had something to do with her incident in Freyburg, she should be taking her anger out on me, if her past behavior is any indication.’

Aiden didn’t press the issue. He glanced at the cake. "Well, since you brought it all this way, we might as well eat it together."

spent with Aiden, the easier it would be to make him fall for

nearby coffee table. "You know, I’ve

shot her a sidelong glance. ’Is there a problem with me liking desserts? Who

Hazel said as she handed a piece of cake to

to Aiden, she "accidentally" got a bit of frosting on her finger. Though there were napkins right beside her, she acted as if she hadn’t seen them. Instead, she brought the tip of her

at the cake in his hand and pondered for a moment. "Mm, it

meter away. She subtly edged closer, holding out

the cake she’d already eaten from a look

I forgot you’re a germaphobe." Hazel stared longingly at the cake in Aiden’s hand. "But I think strawberry

clear: she wanted his

an alien. He promptly finished his strawberry cake in one bite, then asked, "What is it you

the rush? Besides, why are you always so suspicious of my motives?" She ate her cake with a nonchalant, leisurely air. "If you want me to leave, I’ll leave. But if

flickered, a hint of unease crossing his

want to?" Hazel arched an eyebrow, her eyes turning sultry. She was a strange mix of innocent and bewitching, her voice syrupy sweet—a clear

by a pretty face. He reverted to his usual impassive expression.

let’s

snapped up. He had no idea what game she was playing, but he decided he would

had always been efficient, and

serious.’ Hazel had always found that saying

was already handsome, but he was even more captivating when

at Aiden in a daze. In front of him was a floor-to-ceiling window, and sunlight streamed in, unobstructed. On

filter through the leaves and

Aiden looked like a gentle, refined nobleman. He had an aristocratic air that was impossible