Despite the pangs of jealousy and the awkwardness, Alexandre was slowly beginning to understand Hera’s unconventional rtionship with her boyfriends. Meeting Xavier gave him a glimpse into their dynamic, but it wasn’t enough to judge.


    He still needed to meet the others, get a feel for who they were, how they coexisted without bloodshed or underhanded schemes. Or perhaps there were schemes, but they were so absurdly childish that Hera never noticed.


    What Alexandre didn’t know was that if he ever did witness one of their "schemes," he might justugh out loud rather than feel threatened, after all, they are really as childish as it could be and were harmless, just annoying.


    "Alright, it seems Mr. Montague might be a little drunk. How about we all head back and get some rest for tomorrow’s race?" Alexandre offered with a disarming smile.


    His tone was generous, too generous, which caught Xavier off guard. He wasn’t sure what unsettled him more: Alexandre’s apparent grace, the casual way he inserted himself into their ns for tomorrow, or the fact that he was subtly dismissing them like a courteous host seeing off his guests. Something about it felt off.


    Xavier blinked at his ss of juice. Drunk? On juice? Was Alexandre mocking him, calling out hisck of public decorum, or was he genuinely offering a polite excuse for Xavier’s over-the-top behavior?


    Whatever it was, Xavier felt the weight of his action. His pride bristled, but he could only grit his teeth and ept the loss for now, his expression darkening in quiet defeat.


    After finishing their meal and chatting a bit more about the uing race, Hera and the others returned to the hotel. Both Antoine and Alexandre also had rooms there.


    In fact, Alexandre had arranged a permanent reservation at that hotel, not just for convenience, but for business. The hotel was known for its exceptional privacy and top-tier security, making it the ideal spot for confidential meetings and high-stakes negotiations. Because it was often fully booked, Alexandre secured a room year-round, allowing him to drop in anytime, whether it was after a long night ofworking or to host discreet business talks.


    As for Antoine, he was content crashing on the sofa in Alexandre’s room. Even though he could no longer pursue Hera, he still tagged along, if only to witness the fierce standoff between Xavier and Alexandre. With Xavier guarding Hera like a jealous hawk, Antoine found the dynamic amusing, even if it meant watching his friend get shut down at every turn.


    And so, they all headed in the same direction, Alexandre’s sleek sports car trailing closely behind Hera’s extended Rolls-Royce Cullinan and her convoy, all the way to the Imperial Hotel.


    This time, Alexandre wasn’t even trying to hide his stalking; he was openly tailing them. The boldness of it made the veins on Xavier’s forehead pulse visibly, a clear sign of his barely contained irritation.


    <strong>[Six Musketeers’ Group Chat]</strong>


    <strong>[Xavier:</strong> I think I need backup...]


    <strong>[Dave:</strong> Why? Baby Boy, don’t tell me you still don’t know how to chase off pests. Need me to teach you?]


    <strong>[Xavier:</strong> I think I really might...]


    <strong>[Dave:</strong> Oh?! Leave it to me then! What do you want to learn? Just say the word, this big brother will make sure you master it before tomorrow.]


    <strong>[Xavier:</strong> Shamelessness.]


    <strong>[Xavier:</strong> (?_?)]


    <strong>[Dave:</strong> Are my eyes deceiving me, or are you picking a fight?!]


    <strong>[Xavier:</strong> No, I’m genuinely trying to learn. The opponent I’m dealing with is almost as shameless as you...]


    <strong>[Dave:</strong> (＃`Д′)? ]


    <strong>[Dave:</strong> (ノ?益?)ノ彡┻━┻]


    <strong>[Dave:</strong> I honestly don’t know if I should be ttered... or insulted.]


    <strong>[Luke:</strong> Well, if we’re talking about shamelessness, no one’s beating Dave. That’s a gold medal he’s not giving up.]


    <strong>[Zhane: </strong>Agreed...]


    <strong>[Rafael: </strong>No disagreement here.]


    <strong>[Dave: </strong>What the hell, guys?!!!]


    <strong>[Dave: </strong>( ▼Д▼)y─┛~]


    <strong>[Dave:</strong> Don’t act all noble and squeaky clean—you’re just as shameless as I am!]


    <strong>[Dave: </strong>I’m just brave enough to admit it. You lot are still hiding in your closets, huh?]


    <strong>[Dave: </strong>Your closet must be made of steel too, ’cause it’s not just shamelessness you had, you’ve got skin thicker than armor!]


    <strong>[Dave: </strong>And if we’re really talking about shamelessness... shouldn’t Leo top the list?!]


    <strong>[Zhane: </strong>Don’t drag the sick into this.]


    <strong>[Dave: </strong>Oh, so now you’re defending him? You two besties or what?]


    <strong>[Dave: </strong>And for the record, I’m not cursing the sick. I’m just stating <i>facts.]</i>


    <strong>[Dave: </strong>Wait a sec... I <i>knew</i> it!!! You guys are ganging up on me again, aren’t you?!]


    <strong>[Dave: </strong>Typical!]


    <strong>[Dave: </strong>@Xavier, why learn from me? You’re already shameless enough, you don’t need training!]


    <strong>[Xavier: </strong>But that guy... he’s on a whole different level.]


    <strong>[Luke: </strong>He’s <i>what</i> exactly?]


    <strong>[Xavier: </strong>He’s openly stalking Hera. How am I supposed to win against that? That’s shamelessness in its final form.]


    <strong>[Zhane:</strong> Then call the cops.]


    <strong>[Xavier: </strong>Call the cops? On what grounds? He’s just conveniently heading to the <i>same hotel</i>, just one floor below us... and the guy has police connections.]


    <strong>[Xavier: </strong> （ ￣￣ー￣￣）]


    <strong>[Rafael: </strong>Damn... he really <i>is</i> shameless.]


    <strong>[Dave: </strong>But aren’t we all?]


    <strong>[Xavier:</strong> ...]


    <strong>[Xavier:</strong> ε≡Ξ≡Ξ≡ヽ( ;￣〇￣)? ]


    <strong>[Luke: </strong>I’m out.]


    <strong>[Zhane: </strong>Gotta check on Leo.]


    <strong>[Rafael: </strong>Noment.]


    <strong>[Rafael: </strong>ε=ε=(怒?Д?)?]


    <strong>[Dave: </strong>Ha! Thought so. Bunch of fake saints!]


    After chatting with his friends and getting nowhere, Xavier sighed in defeat and chose to let things unfold naturally. As long as he stayed close to Hera, Alexandre wouldn’t have much of a chance to get near her. It wasn’t like he and the others had won Hera over easily either; he trusted that she wouldn’t be swayed just because Alexandre was good-looking and had money.


    Once he calmed himself down, they reached their floor. Xavier led Hera to ’<i>their’</i> room, a fact silently acknowledged by Athena and the others. Without a word, they popped in their headphones and earphones, protecting their ears, their innocent hearts, and sparing themselves from another round ofte-night dog food.


    As soon as the door clicked shut behind them, Xavier pinned Hera against it, his body pressing close, his face mere inches from hers. Though he’d chosen to let the earlier incident slide, the jealousy still simmered beneath the surface. Alexandre might not have fazed Hera, but that didn’t mean Xavier didn’t feel the need to remind her exactly who she belonged to.


    Gone was theid-back, asionally pitiful look he wore earlier. Now, his expression had shifted to dark, hungry, and full of raw desire. A predator on the hunt.


    His eyes locked on hers as he whispered, voice low and dangerous, "Now, now, strawberry... how should we spend our night, hmm?"