Chapter 479

Katrina hadn’t expected Freya to be arriving on the same flight.
If they both made it to Neon Spire on the same day, maybe their paths had already crossed-just two strangers in the airport, never realizing who the other
was.
Xavier grinned. “I doubt it. My sister didn’t land until after five in the afternoon.” After five?
That was uncanny.
Katrina’s eyes widened. “I got in a little after five, too!”
Now even Xavier couldn’t ignore the coincidence.
“Seriously? Then you two might have seen each other without even knowing it!”
Katrina slipped her arm through Xavier’s, leaning closer. “Xavier, I have to admit, I’m pretty nervous.”
“Nervous?” Xavier glanced at her, concerned. “About what?”
“I’m worried your sister won’t like me.”
And Katrina truly was anxious.
After all, Freya was the darling of the Richards family-practically wrapped in silk and kept safe from the world. If Freya said a single negative word about her, Katrina would be finished before she even had a chance.
Xavier gave a warm chuckle. “You don’t have to worry. My sister isn’t the type to create drama. She’s sweet, beautiful, and I’m sure you two will get along just fine.”
To Xavier, Caitlin was the best sister anyone could ever ask for. She was everything he’d ever hoped for in a sibling.
Katrina was a good person too, so there was no reason to think she and Caitlin wouldn’t hit it off.
“Really?” Katrina asked hopefully.
“Of course. I mean every word.”
Katrina trusted Xavier’s judgment—he was never one to make empty promises, much less lie. If he said Freya had a great personality, then she must be easy to get along with. As long as Freya was a normal, reasonable girl, Katrina could relax.
“Oh, that reminds me,” Katrina said suddenly, “I brought a gift for your sister. Could you take a look and tell me if you think she’ll like it?”
Xavier looked surprised. “You bought Freya a present?”
“Absolutely,” Katrina replied with a bright smile. “Your sister is like my sister now. If the Richards family holds her so dear, then as her future sister-in-law, I should spoil her too.”
Xavier’s smile deepened. “Thank you, Katrina.”
“Oh, come on!” Katrina playfully scolded him, then tugged him toward the bedroom. “Come help me decide. Otherwise, I’ll be a nervous wreck all night.”
Inside, Katrina opened her suitcase and took out the gifts she’d carefully selected: a designer handbag worth a small fortune and a luxury necklace. Together, they’d cost her over twenty grand.
The Richards family was no ordinary household. And Freya wasn’t just any society heiress—she might have grown up in the countryside, but now she was the beloved treasure of both the Gonzales and Richards families. Katrina knew she couldn’t just give her something off the shelf.
Seeing the thought Katrina had put into the gifts, Xavier was genuinely touched. This, to him, was what it meant to meet each other halfway.
If Katrina wasn’t a wonderful person, why would she go to such lengths to make Caitlin feel welcome?
“Katrina, Freya’s going to be thrilled when she sees how much care you put into her gift.”
“Really? I was worried she might not like it.”
“No way,” Xavier said, taking Katrina’s hand in his. “I told you, Freya’s truly special. I believe you two will get along wonderfully.” The source of thɪs content is
Katrina nodded, reassured.
Xavier glanced at his watch. “It’s getting late. I should head home-Freya and my grandmother are waiting for me.”
“Okay.” Katrina walked him out to the elevator.
The elevator was waiting on the basement floor. It was after eight, and the hallway was quiet.
Katrina wrapped her arms around Xavier’s waist. “So, Xavier, now that I’ve met your family, does that mean you’ll finally come back to Silverhaven with me to meet my parents?”
Back home in Silverhaven, plenty of people knew she was dating Xavier, but just as many refused to believe it. The Richards family of Neon Spire
was on another lever practically untouchable. The Prescott family, for all their wealth, were just average aristocrats by comparison.
If Xavier came back with her and met her parents, no one could doubt her anymore.
“Of course,” Xavier said, nodding. “Once things settle down with my grandmother and Freya, I’ll come visit Silverhaven to meet your parents.”
This trip home, besides celebrating Hannah’s birthday and Caitlin’s homecoming, Xavier had a third purpose-he wanted to solidify things between himself and Katrina.
He was ambitious, and time was always in short supply. He and Katrina had been together over six months; once things were official, he could put his focus back on work without distraction.
Katrina’s heart soared at his answer. “Alright, Xavier-it’s a promise!”
It was nearly impossible for a girl
from the mainland to marry into Neon Spire, but she’d done it. Not only that, but Xavier respected her. Sooner or later she’d have him wrapped around her finger, the perfect doting husband.
The more Katrina thought about it, the more excited she became.
Ding.
The elevator arrived with a soft chime.
Xavier stepped inside. “I’ll see you soon.”
“Drive safe,” Katrina called after him.
When he was gone, Katrina returṇed to her room. The first thing she did was call Jeanette, barely containing herjoy as she shared Xavier promise to visit Silverhaven and meet her parents.
On the other end of the line, Jeanette’s eyes flashed with envy.
Katrina was unbelievably lucky. One trip abroad and she’d met Xavier, a man out
of everyone else’s league. Not only were they dating, but they were already talking marriage.
Jealous as she was, Jeanette kept her tone light. “Really? Congratulations, Katrina!”