Chapter 100 You Passed
Caspian’s grip tightened around Xiomara’s arm.
She tried to pull away again. His fingers dug into her sleeve.
"I said let’s go."
Xiomara’s eyes darted to Veyra. Then to the phone in Veyra’s hand. Then back to Caspian.
Her jaw was tight. Her breathing was loud.
But she stopped struggling.
Caspian dragged her toward the doorway.
They reached the threshold.
Xavier Lala was standing there.
His arms were crossed. His round glasses caught the hallway light. His face was calm. Unreadable.
"Mr. Thorne," he said. "Leaving so soon?"
Caspian stopped. His hand released Xiomara’s arm.
He looked at Xavier. His eyes were cold.
"Get out of my way."
Xavier did not move.
"This is a private hallway," Xavier said. "You’re not supposed to be here."
Caspian stepped closer. His chest nearly touched Xavier’s.
"I said move."
Xavier tilted his head. His voice was pleasant.
"I heard you the first time."
Caspian’s face darkened.
Xiomara grabbed his sleeve. "Caspian. Let’s go."
Caspian did not move. His eyes were locked on Xavier’s.
Xavier smiled. "I understand your frustration. It’s hard to lose. Especially when you thought you had it won."
Caspian’s hands curled into fists.
Xavier stepped aside. He gestured toward the staircase.
"The exit is that way. Try not to trip on your way out."
Caspian’s jaw tightened. His knuckles were white.
Xiomara pulled him again. Harder this time.
"Come on."
Caspian turned. He walked past Xavier. His shoulder brushed against Xavier’s as he passed.
Xavier did not flinch.
Caspian stopped at the top of the stairs. He looked back.
"This isn’t over," he said.
Xavier tilted his head. "I hope not. I was starting to enjoy myself."
Caspian’s face went red. Xiomara grabbed his arm and pulled him down the stairs.
Their footsteps faded.
Xavier turned to look at Veyra.
She was still standing in the doorway. The phone was still in her hand. Her face was calm.
Xavier walked toward her. His steps were unhurried.
"Are you all right?" he asked.
"I’m fine."
"I heard shouting. Came to see what was happening."
Veyra tucked her phone back into her bag. "You missed the show."
"Did I?"
"Xiomara shoved an old man. I caught him. She wanted to fight me. Caspian dragged her away."
Xavier’s eyebrows rose. "The janitor?"
"You know him?"
"I’ve seen him around. He’s been here for years." Xavier paused. "Is he okay?"
"He’s fine. I sent him home."
Xavier nodded. Then he smiled.
"You’re always in the middle of something, aren’t you?"
Veyra shrugged. "It follows me."
Xavier’s smile faded. He looked at the open door behind Veyra.
"Is Dr. Harrison still here?"
"He left a few minutes ago."
"I was supposed to meet him. Table No. 1."
Veyra’s heart skipped. Table No. 1. That was her table. The private dining room she had been using all night.
"Table No. 1 is at the end of the hall," she said. "I’ll show you."
Xavier blinked. "You don’t have to—"
"I’m going that way anyway."
They walked down the hallway together.
Xavier’s steps were measured. His hands were in his pockets. His face was calm, but Veyra could see the tension in his shoulders.
He had prepared himself for rejection. He had expected to lose. He had come to Bordeaux expecting to be told he hadn’t made the cut.
Instead, he was walking toward Table No. 1.
A waitress appeared. She led them to the private dining room at the end of the hall.
The room was larger than the one Veyra had been using. A long table dominated the center. Crystal glasses sparkled in the low light. A vase of fresh flowers sat on the sideboard.
Xavier stopped at the threshold. He looked around the room. Then he turned to Veyra.
"Is Dr. Harrison coming back?"
"He said he would."
Xavier nodded. He walked to the table and sat down. He pulled out his phone and set it on the table. Then he looked at Veyra.
She was still standing at the door.
"You can leave now," he said.
Veyra did not move.
Xavier tilted his head. "Did you need something?"
She stepped into the room. She walked toward the table. She sat down across from him.
Xavier’s eyes narrowed.
He studied her face. Her dark hair. Her gloved hands. The calm expression.
He reached into his pocket. He pulled out several folded bills. He set them on the table between them.
"Take this," he said. "And leave."
Veyra looked at the money. Then at him.
"I’m not here for your money."
"Then why are you here?"
She leaned forward. Her voice was soft.
"I’ve been watching you all night. The way you handled Caspian. The way you stepped in when Xiomara shoved the janitor. You have presence."
Xavier’s expression did not change.
"I’m flattered," he said. "But I’m here for business. Not for—"
"Not for what?"
He pushed the money closer to her.
"Take it. Please."
Veyra looked at the money. Then at his face.
He was controlled. Polite. But she could see the tension behind his eyes. The way his jaw was tight. The way his hand rested on the table, still and deliberate.
She had seen this before. Men who kept their emotions locked away. Men who never let anyone see what they were thinking.
She wanted to see what happened when that control broke and she stood up.
Xavier’s shoulders relaxed. Just a fraction.
Veyra walked around the table. She stopped beside his chair. She bent down.
Her hand moved.
The slap cracked across his face.
It was not a hard slap. Not painful. But it was deliberate. Sharp. Loud.
Xavier did not flinch.
His head had turned slightly from the impact. But he did not raise his hand to his face. He did not stand up. He did not shout.
He slowly turned his head back to look at her.
His eyes were cold.
"You have five seconds," he said. "To leave this room. Before I call security."
Veyra did not move.
Xavier reached for his phone. His thumb moved across the screen.
"Security," he said. "There’s someone in my room. I need her removed."
He hung up.
He looked at Veyra.
"They’ll be here in thirty seconds."
Veyra smiled.
She pulled out her own phone. She dialed a number.
"Dr. Harrison," she said. "I’m with Xavier Lala. He just called security on me."
She paused.
"Yes. I’m very satisfied. He passed the test.”
She hung up.
Xavier stared at her.
His hand was still on his phone. His face was still red where she had slapped him.
The door opened. Two security guards stepped inside.
Xavier looked at them. Then at Veyra.
"What is this?" he asked.
Veyra tucked her phone into her bag. She sat down across from him.
"I’m Grace," she said. "And you just passed."