The Cat-Like Miss Preston: Mr. CEO begs for Reconciliation!-Chapter 124: I’m Willing to Serve Her

Rosalind Rowan walked in with a radiant smile in her eyes, her high heels clicking on the floor.

When Caleb Xavier saw her, his face instantly lit up. "Rosalind is here!"

Rosalind Rowan nodded with a smile. "Yes, didn’t you call and say you missed me? I came over as soon as I could."

As she finished, Isla Xavier bit the end of her chopstick and asked, "Grandpa, did you ask Sister Rosalind to come over?"

"Yes. Is there a problem?" Caleb replied.

"With *someone* here, I can’t eat at all. I just feel like throwing up. I only feel better when I can see Rosalind!"

Chloe Preston knew those words were meant for her and lowered her gaze.

BANG!

Donovan Xavier slammed his chopsticks heavily onto the table, his brow furrowed.

The air fell silent for a few seconds.

Ian Xavier glared at him, his voice calm yet commanding. "You ungrateful son, are you trying to rebel?"

Donovan stood up from his chair, his expression cold and grim. Just as he was about to speak, a slender, pale hand hurriedly pulled him back down.

Under the table, Chloe Preston secretly squeezed his hand, signaling him to stay calm and not argue with his family for her sake. From the look on his face, it seemed that if she hadn’t stopped him, he would have flipped the entire table.

Chloe shot him another warning look.

Donovan suppressed his anger and quieted down. He picked up his chopsticks again, put some food on her plate, and then ladled her a bowl of soup.

Isla stood up, holding her bowl with both hands and offering it to him with a sweet smile. "Brother, don’t just serve my sister-in-law. I want some too."

"Alright." Donovan smiled, took the bowl, and filled it for her. "Be careful, it’s hot. Take it slow."

Isla took it with both hands and immediately grimaced. "Ouch! Hot, hot, hot!" She touched her earlobe, her face endearingly childish as she exhaled sharply. "Whoa, my hand almost got burned off."

The tense atmosphere in the room instantly relaxed.

Taking it all in, Caleb Xavier spoke on a strange impulse, "You ungrateful boy, how about you serve your grandpa a bowl too!"

Donovan, who had been eating in silence, laughed coldly. "Weren’t you the one with no appetite, feeling like you were going to vomit? I wouldn’t dare serve you. I’m afraid watching you throw it up would ruin my own appetite!"

"You!" Caleb flared up in a sudden rage.

Rosalind Rowan took his arm, her smile gentle. "Grandpa, don’t blame Donovan. I’ll get it for you."

Caleb patted her hand, a relieved smile on his face. "See? Rosalind is always so considerate!"

The two walked over. Ian Xavier, who was sitting to Donovan’s left, saw her approach and rose with a warm expression. "Rosalind, you can sit here."

Rosalind Rowan nodded obediently. She pulled out the chair and sat down, turning her head to look at the man beside her. "Donovan."

Her eyes were soft and alluring, her voice a gentle, tender caress filled with a affection that could melt anyone’s heart.

But Donovan, completely unfazed, seemed blind and deaf to her charms. He picked up a piece of fish and meticulously removed the bones with his chopsticks, focused and attentive, afraid of missing even the smallest one.

Then, he pushed the plate over to Chloe Preston, his voice laced with a lingering tenderness. "I’ve picked it clean. You can eat without worrying."

Rosalind stared, stunned. She clenched her hands so tightly her nails dug into her palms.

Is this still the man I remember? In my memory, he was always cold and decisive, imperious and cruelly detached, keeping everyone at a thousand-mile distance. Moreover, I can’t recall him ever smiling—at least, not at me. So he has this gentle side to him after all, so thoughtful and considerate.

Seeing Rosalind on the verge of tears, Caleb tapped his bowl sharply. "Donovan Xavier, this is the breakfast table, not a place for you to flirt!"

Donovan scoffed. "How am I flirting? I simply put some food on my wife’s plate. What’s so wrong with that?"

Ian Xavier frowned, his voice deep. "She’s not your wife yet!"

"She will be soon," Donovan stated flatly.

Chloe Preston’s thick lashes trembled.

A faint ache spread through Caleb’s heart. He clenched his fist, suppressing his anger. "She has hands and feet. She can get her own food. She doesn’t need you to wait on her!"

"I enjoy waiting on her," Donovan replied.

The tension between them was palpable, as if a huge fight was about to erupt. But in the end, Caleb surprisingly said nothing. He swallowed his anger and lowered his head, silently drinking his soup.

Donovan found this strange. This wasn’t his grandfather’s usual style at all.

Maintaining a gentle expression, Rosalind carefully placed a piece of beef in his bowl. "Donovan, you should eat too."

Donovan didn’t say a word. He picked up the piece of beef with his chopsticks, tossed it out of his bowl, and had a servant bring him a new one. He was utterly ruthless, showing her no courtesy whatsoever.

Rosalind’s expression soured. She bit her lip, her eyes darting toward Chloe with a hatred that was about to boil over.

Caleb slammed his hand on the table, finally erupting.

Donovan raised his head, his eyes meeting his grandfather’s, his gaze seeming to challenge, What are you going to do about it?

Caleb looked as if he wanted to beat him to death on the spot with his dragon-head cane, but in the end, he held back and remained silent.

After the meal, Donovan casually picked up the glass of water beside him and slowly took two sips. Caleb lifted his eyes, watching him quietly. Rosalind also watched, her lips pursed, an imperceptible flicker of tension in her eyes.

Donovan turned to Chloe. "Are you done? I’ll take you out."

Chloe nodded.

Just as the two of them stood up, Caleb leaned back in his chair and cleared his throat. "Wait!"

Donovan paused and turned around, looking at his grandfather. "What trick are you up to now?" he asked instinctively.

Caleb glared at him before turning his gaze to Chloe. "I heard you know how to restore ancient paintings, is that right?"

"Yes," Chloe replied.

"Perfect. I have an authentic David Wade in my study that’s a bit damaged. Go and restore it for me."

"Huh?" Chloe uttered.

Caleb’s eyes widened in anger. "What, you won’t take an order from me?"

"Of course not," Chloe explained hurriedly. "Do I... Do I go now?"

"What else!" Caleb said, standing up and walking over with his dragon-head cane. "Come with me."

Chloe nodded. "Okay."

Donovan started walking beside her, accompanying her out.

Seeing this, Caleb glared at him, his brow furrowing. "She’s going to restore a painting for me. Why are you tagging along? Are you two conjoined twins? Can’t be separated for a single moment?"

"I’m afraid you’ll bully her if I’m not around," Donovan said calmly.

"Am I that kind of person?"

"Yes," Donovan answered without hesitation.

"..."

"Go play somewhere else. Don’t follow us. The sight of you annoys me right now!"

Hearing this, Chloe looked at Donovan and pursed her lips. "Go on to your business. Weren’t you just saying you had a video conference to attend? I’ll be fine restoring the painting by myself."

Donovan hesitated, then gently stroked her hand. "Alright," he said in a deep voice. "If anything happens, call me. I’ll come right away."

"If that old geezer bullies or scolds you, tell me immediately. I’m your husband; I’ll have your back."

Caleb was furious and shot him a vicious glare. He turned and led Chloe Preston away. Donovan watched her slender back, an unconscious smile gracing his lips.

A moment later, Donovan returned to his room. He walked to the sofa, sat down, and sent her a message.

[Still worried. Tell me, has Grandpa given you any trouble?]

The reply came instantly: [No, everything’s fine. I’m looking at the painting now.] 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Donovan’s mind was temporarily at ease. The old man was acting strangely today, but he couldn’t quite put his finger on why.

Next, Donovan opened his laptop and started the video conference.

After a while, Liam Keane, who was presenting a work proposal on the other end of the call, paused for a few seconds. "Mr. Xavier... Mr. Xavier, are you listening?"

Donovan’s eyes were closed. He hadn’t heard a word. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead. His body was burning up, and he felt agitated and itchy.

What was happening to him?

The discomfort grew. He yanked at his tie with one hand, turned on the air conditioning, and grabbed the water on the table, gulping it down.

Still hot.

The next second, he slammed the laptop shut with a loud BANG.

He couldn’t stand it anymore.

Donovan stumbled and fell to his knees from the sofa. Veins bulged on his skin as he broke out in a profuse sweat. Waves of heat washed over him, an unbearable, frantic fever.

Chloe, Chloe...

There was only one name in his mind: Chloe Preston.

He... wanted her.

KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.