Chapter 71: Chapter 71 An extravagant surprise.
If chaos was something, then that dinner was the very definition of it. When everyone had finally settled and begun gently reaching for their plates, Rachel saw it as the perfect moment to make her ridiculous announcement.
Carrying a glass cup, she clinked it continuously until every pair of eyes turned to her. Daniel was the exception—he was furious at yet another interruption.
Couldn’t they all see the bandage wrapped around his head? He needed food, not some pointless disturbance, especially from the old cargo. There was a time for everything.
Even with the irritated expression of nearly everyone at the table, Rachel continued until she was absolutely certain she had their full attention.
"Don’t worry, the food isn’t running away," Grandma Rachel proclaimed while fixing her gaze on Daniel, who was glaring back at her.
To Daniel, it was almost funny how fragile this woman appeared. If he were to push her down the staircase and she died, he’d be painted as wicked. But what he didn’t understand was how someone so old could still manage to be such a pain in the ass. It was aggravating.
"Some changes are happening here, as you can see—especially with my son, who’s now married and thinks it’s an excuse to disrespect me. But it’s fine." Rachel’s words hit nerves, and Xylander’s eyes immediately locked onto hers. She didn’t lower her gaze.
They continued staring at each other until she finally broke it off.
"As I said, it’s fine. But concerning Joseph and Diane right here—they’ll be staying in the Golden Palace with their children, who will arrive tomorrow morning. I want us to be one big family. So, is that good?" She laid it out, and for a moment, the entire dining room turned chillingly silent.
Okay, okay!! This was getting out of hand. The old hag wanted to turn their place into a charity event or what? Because inviting people to stay—permanently, by the sound of it—was outrageous.
Well, that wasn’t happening. Xylander wasn’t about to sit there and watch nonsense unfold. And just as expected, he spoke up.
"With all due respect, Granny, I hold you in high regard. But this—this is not happening. Not on my watch. Definitely a no." Xylander stood up.
"This isn’t just anywhere. This is not some place where people from the countryside can just barge in. Where is that ever done?" he pressed on.
Daniel’s eyes flew wide—oh ewww, countryside? They were freaking from the countryside?
Just as everyone thought it was turning into a serious matter, Daniel suddenly broke into laughter. He laughed so loudly that the entire table stared at him as though he were some kind of spectacle.
Xylander looked confused. Did he say something funny?
"Sorry, darling, it’s just—countryside. Oh gosh! So you all are that wretched? No wonder you look homeless," Daniel mocked, and the affected family felt the blow land sharply.
Joseph and Diane, whose family was the one from the countryside, suddenly slammed the table at once, trying to warn Grandma Rachel that if Daniel continued, they would leave.
"Oh please, spare us the perfect show of mannerisms. That’s embarrassing—even for beggars. Don’t you have dignity? Dragging your children all the way from the countryside only to make it obvious you’re really suffering." Daniel smacked his lips, clearly amused.
A pity!!
Even with the venomous glares surrounding him, Daniel sat unflinching, staring right back.
"What? You want me to help scrape off what’s stuck in between your teeth? Because tell me—why would someone move their whole family into a rich home if not to exploit or beg?" Daniel shot back coolly, stabbing his fork into a piece of beef.
The old thing could go on with her plans, but as far as Daniel was concerned, he was going to eat—and nobody was going to stop him. To everyone’s incredulous look, he dipped the meat into his mouth and chewed.
Xylander calmed down slightly. Daniel had said his mind, and it struck Rachel enough to make her look like a fool.
"You two planned this, didn’t you? To humiliate me like this. But it won’t work, because that property handover document will be signed. And after tomorrow, you’ll no longer be the heir of Wolfe Enterprise!" Rachel thundered, thinking she was making a point.
But Xylander wasn’t bothered.
"Okay, Granny. Call me to sign it when you’re ready. As for this dinner—I’ll leave you to it. Alex!! Can you bring the surprise?" Xylander called, and Alexander walked in stylishly dressed in a black suit, holding four shopping bags.
Daniel’s eyes snapped to the direction.
A surprise!! Hmm... interesting.
Maxine, whose attention had drifted back to her phone, almost dropped it when she saw the headlines. Daniel’s Instagram followers had skyrocketed to fifty million. She nearly screamed. All over the internet, the faces of Xylander and Daniel were trending. Even global brands were now calling for Daniel, asking him to represent them.
Companies were flooding his page, tagging him for responses. Movie studios sought his attention—all because he had married the famous Xylander Wolfe, the mysterious, breathtaking man who took the business world by storm.
Her world shattered. Just a day—and this happened. Why Daniel? Why??
All her life, this was what she wanted, yet she never secured it. When Maxine finally snapped, it was upon seeing her dream company, Chanel, offering Daniel an endorsement deal and a contract to model for them. That was the moment she nearly fainted.
"You stole my career! You freaking stole my career!" Maxine screamed like a deranged person, completely unaware that Daniel—who didn’t even own a phone—had no clue about any of it.
When she looked up and saw all eyes on her, then glanced at what was happening between Xylander and Daniel, her eyes bulged.
The bags Alexander carried were from top designer brands—pieces worth millions of dollars. One-of-a-kind items that only a single person in the world could own.
Maxine began to tremble. This wasn’t happening. It just wasn’t.
"I wanted to give you this at the wedding, but something came up. Still, you deserve the world. And after this, we’ll go for our honeymoon." Xylander smiled warmly.
"Go on, open it." He urged, and Grandma Rachel’s jaw nearly dropped.
Alexander handed Daniel a golden bag. Opening it revealed a tall box, so large it resembled a rock. Unwrapping it, what came into view was a stunning necklace.
It was monumental—a dazzling testament to Xylander’s taste. The golden crest made Daniel look like royalty, but what made it breathtaking was the carved image at its center—an engraving of Xylander and Daniel, hugging and kissing.
Daniel squirmed so hard he nearly screamed his lungs out.
Oh, this was exciting.
He opened the second box. To his shock—it was the brand new iPhone 17 Pro Max, freshly released.
Daniel rushed into Xylander’s arms, hugging him tightly. In the process, a food plate stumbled and fell on Diane and Maxine, their yelps deafening as thick particles clung to their clothes. But the lovers didn’t even glance at them.
Daniel was overwhelmed. He felt spoiled beyond measure, while Alexander kept winking at him.
"Okay, the third bag—here goes nothing." Opening it, Daniel tore off the wrapping and found two cases: one containing a golden boot shaped like Cinderella’s glass slipper, and the other a silver version.
His eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. Who even thought of this? Unreal. No—this was too much.
He burst into tears. These were perfect—just what he loved. And in that same box was a book from his childhood, his lifetime favorite: Dangerous Passion.
There it was—the nostalgic novel.
Unable to take it anymore, Daniel screamed with joy, hugging both men deeply. Rachel’s face twitched so violently she stormed out, followed quickly by the others, until the dining table was empty. Funny enough, none of the three noticed.
"Before we sleep tonight, I want you to read the book to me, Daniel. Let me into that world that shaped who you are. I want to be deeper in your world—let me in." Xylander confessed, leaving Daniel speechless.
And then—the last bag.
When he opened it, his entire face turned pale. A document slipped out—it was for a house, bought in his name, in Paris, France.
Daniel’s expression was priceless. He had a house. He was rich. He was fucking rich.
This was it—everything he always wanted.
And then, everything changed when Xylander knelt down, holding a flower handed to him by Alexander.
"As I said earlier, I want to be more involved in your life. To share in your happiness, joy, and sorrow. Daniel Wolfe, I’ve fallen hopelessly in love with you—probably from the first moment I saw you. I knew you were mine. So please, stay with me forever, till the end of time." Xylander offered the flower.
Alexander passed him a ring, which Xylander held out, waiting for Daniel’s response. He only hoped Daniel wouldn’t refuse. If he did, Xylander’s heart would shatter.
"I may not be perfect, but with Alexander beside me, we’ll protect you and safeguard you—till the very end." Xylander added softly.
Daniel looked from Xylander to Alexander—both gazing at him as if he were the most precious jewel in existence.
When did things turn this way? How had he managed to pull both men—especially Alexander—into his orbit?
This couldn’t be a joke. Not with the gifts. Not with everything that was happening.
Now the question that gnawed at him: should he accept their love... or reject it? Because indirectly, Alexander’s eyes told him the truth—he was confessing too.