Xavier possessed an incredibly clear sense of self-awareness.
He felt absolutely zero need to build an empire.
If he could coast comfortably as a trust fund baby for the rest of his life, why would he torture himself and risk blowing his family's money?
Jocelyn's mouth twitched. She was completely at a loss when dealing with a slacker of this magnitude.
"I just thought you'd want to build something of your own. I believe that having your own career is the only way to earn your parents' respect and show them you've grown up."
"If you're successful in your own right, you'd actually have a voice in your family."
Xavier looked at her with sudden realization. "Is that the kind of man you're into now?"
Jocelyn didn't deny it, simply responding with earnest persuasion. "Xavier, it's not just about what I like. I'm saying this for your own good."
"Don't you want to surpass Owen?"
"He clearly didn't take you seriously just now."
She thought this would ignite a spark of competitive drive in Xavier, completely unaware that he had long since given up on trying to rival Owen.
"Owen really is building his own business. I've heard about it recently. I just didn't expect you to keep such close tabs on him while you were abroad."
"I guess you really do prefer men with ambition."
Xavier let out an inexplicable sigh.
Owen had been right-he and Jocelyn really weren't a good match.
Why hadn't he seen it before?
Looking at it now, Jocelyn probably never liked him in the first place.
"I'll never be that kind of guy, and fortunately, I've already accepted that."
Xavier had made peace with his parents' arrangements, especially since they had already picked out a fiancée for him.
He had been hesitant to mention the engagement to Jocelyn earlier.
Now that he realized she would never care for him no matter how hard he tried, a wave of relief actually washed over him.
He could finally close the book on his teenage crush.
Jocelyn felt a sudden, inexplicable shift, though she couldn't quite pinpoint what was wrong.
"Accepted what? You can always keep trying, can't you?" She assumed he meant giving up on his career.
How could he just surrender to mediocrity like this?
If she had his resources, she would seize control of the family business, call her own shots, and live
how she wanted without an to anyo
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Xavier looked confused. "Are you trying to convince me not to give up on you?"
"But you just said you don't like guys like me, so no matter how hard I try, I don't have a chance."
Jocelyn was dumbfounded. Was that seriously what he took away from this conversation?
"That's not what I meant. It's not that
I don't like you, it's just... how do put this just see you as dear friend from my younger years, do you understand?" fo FindNovel.net
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Xavier waved a hand dismissively. "You don't need to explain, I get it have a fiancée anyway se. I'll jus treat you as a friend from now on too."
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Jocelyn froze completely. She hadn't taken the rumors of his engagement seriously
at all.
But now, everything felt entirely different.
Was he truly planning to just accept his arranged fate without a fight?
"But do you even have feelings for this fiancée of yours?"
"If this is your parents' arrangement, can't you push back?"
"Xavier, I just want you to find someone you truly love, instead of being a puppet for your parents."
"You vicious little brat, how dare you say such toxic things? Who says my son is a puppet?"
Lillian Vance, who had been worrying about her son, rushed out, terrified his brain had short-circuited over this girl again.
And she was exactly right!
The second she stepped outside, she heard Jocelyn badmouthing them.
Thank God the newly acknowledged Churchill girl had given her a heads-up that Xavier was escorting someone out.
Otherwise, how would she have caught this wretched girl trying to drive a wedge between her and her son?
And Claire?
She had quietly masterminded the entire thing from the shadows.