Chapter 48: Chapter 48 Drama in the golden palace!!!
The car zoomed off, sliding slowly beneath the incoming canopy of trees that crowned the garden with a heavenly glow, opening the way to the grand park.
It was still midnight, yet it didn’t feel like one inside this estate. Golden lights glowed in every direction, making the atmosphere serene, almost heavenly.
Daniel stepped down from the car in slow motion when it finally halted, his eyes still in a trance, captivated by the breathtaking scene.
If our world could be this beautiful, he thought, then how much more would heaven be? Because this—this feels like the paradise I’ve heard stories of since childhood.
He finally tore his gaze away and noticed Xylander was already out of the car, waiting for him.
"Don’t mind my attitude, this sight is just magical," Daniel exclaimed, his mind running through those fairy tales where houses shone with enchantment. This place could rival any of them.
The golden hue shimmering all around only deepened the illusion.
"I know this is stunning," Xylander replied with a calm smile, "but wait until you see our ground—the upper floor. That’s real beauty."
When he spoke, Daniel noticed it wasn’t the usual rich-man’s bragging. It wasn’t arrogance or the need to flaunt wealth. He said it casually, almost humbly, as though speaking too loudly might make his fortune vanish.
Why does this man keep getting better and better? Daniel wondered.
He was soon introduced to the lower floor and encouraged by Xylander to go in. Together, they stepped into the building, and as they entered the elevator, Xylander gestured for Daniel to join him.
"Oh, of course, the elevator," Daniel muttered under his breath, almost amused at himself. How could he forget that a mansion like this would obviously have a lift?
Life finally seemed to be taking a turn for the better. For some reason, Xylander had forbidden the two men following him from joining them inside. That left only Daniel and him in the lift, side by side.
Daniel didn’t speak. His throat felt dry. For the first time in his life, he was tongue-tied. Even a simple greeting felt impossible. God, what is happening to me? he thought. It’s not like it’s anything grand—it’s not like we’re falling in love. So why am I acting this way?
He’s your contract husband. Nothing more. So calm down.
Resolving to face him, Daniel turned sharply—only to realize, too late, that Xylander had done the same. Their faces collided at once.
"Ouch!" they both groaned as their bodies brushed, their lips just inches apart. Daniel instantly shifted back, putting a wide gap between them, so wide that even Xylander seemed taken aback by the sudden social distancing.
"It was just an accident. You don’t have to avoid me like that," Xylander reprimanded softly.
Daniel froze, gazing at him. Why was he acting like an introvert? Is he really one?
"Are you offended?" Daniel asked incredulously. After all, they had been exchanging pleasantries just moments ago.
"You treated me like poison you want to run away from," Xylander replied, his tone laced with quiet hurt. He shook his head in resignation. "Of course—it’s a contract marriage. You don’t care."
He groaned softly, reprimanding himself internally for even sounding that way. You just met him, don’t sound desperate. You’re the city’s most desirable bachelor. If news spreads that you’re engaged to another man, the scandal could ruin you—turn you into the city’s virus. Avoided. Mocked.
Yes, he was gambling his future.
Daniel noticed the way Xylander turned his face aside, lips pressed tight. The rest of the ride was silent, each retreating into their own thoughts until the timer rang for their destination. Xylander was the first to step out.
The moment he did, Daniel—still lingering in the lift—heard a loud voice echoing from inside.
"Congratulations, my baby boy! I heard you’re engaged, and to be married the very next day!" an elderly woman exclaimed.
Xylander stiffened. His bodyguards weren’t here; they couldn’t have spread the news this fast.
"How did you know?" he asked sharply.
The woman pointed to a figure lounging in a chair.
"Of course—it was you, Alexander. Why didn’t I think of that?" Xylander groaned, his expression shifting back into the cold seriousness he had worn before, the cheerful facade gone.
Two young ladies ran up and hugged him tightly, dragging him forward until he pushed them off.
"Have some dignity, ladies! Haven’t I warned you not to cling to me in such a manner? I’m not your age mate," he scolded, his voice deeper, harsher—more dangerous than what Daniel had heard earlier in the car and lift.
Daniel, still rooted at the elevator, refused to step out. So they don’t know yet? About him marrying his fellow man? The noise outside sounded like another family drama unfolding.
Why can’t these nosy relatives stay in their own houses? All they ever do is come ruin what’s already flourishing. Isn’t that evil spirit enough?
"Brother, that isn’t fair! Your fiancée has been waiting for so long," a lady chimed in.
Daniel blinked. What? His sister? With another fiancée?
Wait—what is she blabbering? Engaged? Already?
Was he brought here just to be humiliated? This wouldn’t be funny. He wouldn’t let it slide.
Peeking out to confirm what was happening, Daniel slipped out of the elevator and almost stumbled—landing directly into Alexander’s arms.
Perfect.
And just like that, he got the spotlight. Every gaze fixed on him, all wondering where this strange "outcast dog" had emerged from. Even the girl clinging to Xylander—his supposed sister—glared at him with irritation, like he was filth.
History isn’t repeating itself, right? Daniel thought. Not after the enemies I made in Adrian’s mafia zone. I can’t survive another mess like this. And now—another fiancée? Really?
"Where did you crawl out from, dustbin?" the irritated girl snapped.
Daniel’s jaw clenched, ready to lash back—but unfortunately, there was no flaw to drag her with. She was flawless. A brunette, long legs, perfect curves. She could be a model.
"I am his—" Daniel began, but Xylander cut him off, declaring firmly without an ounce of shame:
"That person you’re calling dustbin is your soon-to-be brother-in-law. My groom. Our wedding is tomorrow."
The entire room went silent. Faces paled.
The brunette stared at Alexander, expecting him to laugh, to say it was all a joke. But his expression was dead serious. He even held up a flower with words written boldly across it: Congratulations.
"Xylander, tell me this isn’t true. Are you homosexual? In this century? What were you thinking?" the lady fired mercilessly.
Grandma Rachael staggered back, her face pale. The supposed fiancée, Nicole, was trembling, her eyes wild.
"Maxine, tell your brother this isn’t funny! He jokes too much, but I am freaking out! Somebody tell me this is another prank!" Nicole demanded, shaking as though her whole world had collapsed. Her man was gone.
Nicole was a ginger beauty, not as glamorous or striking as Maxine, but she had her charm. At least Xylander had taste, Daniel noted—choosing him over his "hamburger-faced" fiancee.
"Maxine, my wedding is tomorrow. Respect my decision," Xylander deadpanned.
His tone, his cold eyes, his steady voice—it was clear he had made up his mind. Nothing could dissuade him. Not now.
Grandma Rachael staggered again, her body burning hot, and Maxine rushed to her side.
"Calm down, Granny. Your blood sugar," Maxine coaxed, then turned sharply to her brother.
"And you, Xyle—you know this is exactly what ruined our parents’ marriage! You’re about to go public with Mother’s company, and you want to destroy it all by being a faggot? No. I won’t let this wedding happen. I won’t let Mom’s dream collapse because of this madman you brought here." She spat the words and stormed off.
Daniel just stood there, wide-eyed, speechless.
Just as predicted—more drama.
But then his eyes caught the breathtaking beauty of the inner chambers—the uppermost floor, gleaming like a palace. This... this is beauty at its peak.
As for Maxine, her insults, and her "bird of the same feather" friend Xyle fiancee!!Daniel’s jaw set.
They weren’t going to take Xylander away from him.
If it came to a fight, then so be it.
The billionaire tycoon was his—even if he was just using him to level up.