In that fleeting moment, Xavier couldn’t help but find the situation amusing. A whirlwind of emotions swept through him, more intense than anything he had experienced even during his years as an actor. Hera had somehow managed to evoke a myriad of feelings within him in just a split second.
Xavier’s gaze softened with affection as he approached Hera, his eyes reflecting a tender devotion. Before Hera could fully grasp the situation, Xavier’s strong arm enveloped her waist, drawing her close to his chest in a protective embrace.
Without a moment’s hesitation, he gently guided her face to rest against his chest, silently offering her sce and reassurance. In that tender gesture, Hera felt a surge offort, as if Xavier were silently promising to stand by her side and protect her against any challenge the world might throw their way.
Though she hadn’t felt particrly under attack, the moment Xavier drew her closer, Hera couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming vulnerability wash over her. In his embrace, she found herself silently sumbing to tears, her shoulders trembling as she clung to the fabric of his clothes near his chest, seeking sce in hisforting presence.
As Xavier felt the dampness seep into his clothes from Hera’s tears, his gaze darkened, sweeping over the faces of the people surrounding her. A surge of anger welled up within him, bordering on fury. He was ustomed to seeing Hera radiate with cheerfulness and vitality, but now, witnessing her inability to cry openly under such oppressive circumstances, he was filled with an overwhelming sense of indignation.
With anger zing in his eyes, Xavier’s gaze locked onto Alice, who was also in tears. However, instead of feeling sympathy, he was consumed by intense anger. Alice had been a constant source of trouble for Hera since their arrival, and seeing her in tears only fueled Xavier’s resentment further.
With years of experience in the entertainment industry, Xavier was far from naive. He had witnessed numerous instances of infighting among fellow artists, giving him a keen understanding of the dynamics at y. While he could discern Alice’s motives, having witnessed simr tactics before, he also recognized Hera’s tricks and efforts to defend herself. Viewing Hera’s actions as a natural response to being backed into a corner, Xavier found himself more tolerant of her behaviorpared to Alice’s calcted maneuvers.
Xavier’s patience wore thin when it came to Alice, the instigator of the trouble. The intensity of his anger was suffocating, causing Alice’s breath to catch in her throat as fear gripped her. Her hands trembled as she clutched onto Minerva’s arm for support, instinctively seeking refuge behind her. This sudden shift in position transferred the tension to Minerva, who had yed a role in rallying against Hera. Xavier’s dark gaze then turned to Minerva, silently conveying his disapproval of her involvement in causing Hera’s distress.
Minerva froze, feeling the weight of Xavier’s anger bearing down on her. She couldn’t recall ever seeing Xavier so protective of someone before. Among her brother’s friends, Xavier stood out as the most aloof and reserved. He seldom engaged in conversation, even more so than the stern Dr. Zhane.
In her brother’s group, everyone seemed to have a higher tolerance for Xavier’s demeanor, understanding the hard work he put in his work and how tired he is, so, they never took offense on his actions. As the youngest among them, Xavier received a level of protection and support akin to that of a younger brother, which further fostered a sense of camaraderie among them.
Her brother, Rafael, disyed an even greater level of tolerance towards Xavier, particrly considering Xavier’s lucrative contract with SOE, which made him a significant source of ie. Rafael frequently cautioned her against provoking Xavier and urged her never to cross his boundaries. Aware of Xavier’s importance to her brother, she understood that as long as she avoided actions that displeased Xavier, she could avoid inciting Rafael’s anger.
Despite her efforts to tread carefully around Xavier, she found herself unexpectedly embroiled in this situation. Frustration simmered in her eyes as she nced toward Hera, who remained quietly sobbing in Xavier’s embrace.
"Who do you think you’re looking at like that?!" Xavier’s voice thundered with anger, echoing through the room and jolting Minerva from her thoughts. She flinched, startled by the intensity of his tone, causing her to jump in surprise.
Even Hera felt Xavier’s strong chest vibrated with force as he spoke. His hands, which had been rxed on her waist, tightened slightly, while his other hand traveled to the back of her head, gently caressing her. It was as if he was silently reassuring her that everything would be alright.