Chapter 62. Fair Trade

On the other end of the line, Xavier furrowed his sharp brows, the crease between them deepening as his expression turned serious. His posture stiffened slightly, and when he spoke again, his voice dropped, losing its usual ease.

“Serena…” he said slowly. “You’re not doing this because of Clint, are you?”

Serena let out a dry laugh, short and humorless. “What do you think?”

Xavier fell silent for a beat, clearly weighing his words. “You told me you’d never have anything to do with him again, but…” He exhaled quietly. “Gaius is his father.”

“Stop overthinking.” Serena’s grip on the steering wheel tightened. “I just want to know if his death had anything to do with my dad.”

Another pause followed, heavier this time.

“But a few days ago, I offered to look into it for you,” Xavier said, frown deepening. “And you said no. What changed?”

“I…”

Serena hesitated.

Her thoughts drifted back to her mother’s strange reaction—the way Nola’s expressio