Public Displays of Affection Without Shame

Richa deliberately took his time before returning to Xavier Dupont's room. When he finally entered, he saw Xavier Dupont standing by the bed, gently drying Richard's long hair. Without saying a word, Richa moved towards the sofa and plopped down, mentioning casually that he had something to discuss.

Richa didn't rush Xavier Dupont, nor did he show any impatience. He simply sat there, looking coldly out the window as he puffed on his cigarette. 

By now, night had fallen, and the distant ocean was swallowed by darkness. Only the rows of streetlights faithfully burned, illuminating the night with their lives. Occasionally, a few couples strolled along the beach, walking hand in hand, snuggled close to each other. The atmosphere seemed pleasant.

Sitting on the bed with Xavier Dupont drying his hair, Richard glanced at Richa, who had his back to them. His eyes narrowed slightly.

What is he doing here? Could it be that our meeting has been discovered by their father?

The thought that their secret might be exposed made Richard nervous. He looked at Xavier Dupont anxiously. 

Richa had often been the one to tip off Xavier Dupont in the past, so Richard feared that might be the case this time too.

"Don't worry, I'll handle it," Xavier Dupont reassured him, gently stroking Richard's face before bending down to plant a kiss on his forehead.

Richard nodded but still felt uneasy. Grabbing Xavier Dupont's shirt, he spoke seriously, "If worse comes to worst, I'll go down with your father. I'm not afraid to die."

Having finally experienced Xavier Dupont's tenderness, Richard didn't want anything to jeopardize it.

"We'll help you, but you have to promise us one thing—you can't go after Alex," Richa said from the sofa, exhaling a cloud of smoke.

He continued in his cold tone, "With the two of you, plus Alex, our chances of success are higher."

"But even then, our odds aren't great. If we could bring our eldest brother into the fold, we might be able to turn the tables," Richa added, his voice steady and deliberate as he puffed on his cigarette. It was clear he had thought things through before coming to Xavier Dupont. 

His actions were not just to help Xavier Dupont but also to protect himself. An hour earlier, Richa had received a text from his father, ordering him to attend a matchmaking meeting. There was no room for negotiation. If he didn't start fighting back, he would end up on the same path as Xavier Dupont.

Hearing Richa's words, Xavier Dupont understood that their father had set his sights on Richa, intending to use him for a marriage alliance to solidify his own power.

"You have the details on the other party, right?" Xavier Dupont walked over to the sofa and sat down across from Richa.

Without a word, Richa handed his phone to Xavier Dupont.

Xavier Dupont took the phone and looked at the woman's profile with a blank expression.

Richard came over, sat beside Xavier Dupont, and glanced at Richa's phone.

After reading it, he said to Xavier Dupont, "I know of The Brooks Family. They're currently a neutral force with a large, powerful business empire. I've heard they're an old family from out of town, dealing in the jewelry trade with considerable influence."

"Not only is your father trying to pull The Brooks Family into his camp, but even my father is eyeing them, as are all the prominent families. Strangely, they don't seem interested in us—they seem to be looking for someone."

"But I've heard they don't meet outsiders easily. It's surprising your father managed to arrange a meeting and even set up a match for Richa," Richard said, his voice tinged with shock. His fists clenched in frustration. This only showed how deep Xavier Dupont's father's reach was, making it that much harder for them to take him down.

"What are they looking for?" Xavier Dupont asked.

"I'm not sure, but there's a rumor that the eldest daughter of The Brooks Family ran off with the family chauffeur's son over a decade ago. They're probably searching for her," Richard speculated.

Xavier Dupont handed the phone back to Richa and said, "There are two possibilities. One, the old man used money to secure the connection, or two, he knows the whereabouts of The Brooks Family's eldest daughter."

"It's unlikely to be money. The Brooks Family is powerful and wealthy—they wouldn't be swayed by that. The second possibility seems more likely," Richard agreed.

Xavier Dupont silently lit a cigarette, took a slow drag, then tossed the lighter onto the coffee table. He wrapped a strong arm around Richard and pulled him onto his lap.

Gently, he gathered Richard's long hair from his chest, letting it fall behind his back, and began carefully untangling the ends with his fingers as he exhaled a puff of smoke.

Richard naturally leaned into Xavier Dupont's embrace. He took the cigarette from Xavier Dupont's lips and took a puff, only to choke and start coughing.

Xavier Dupont couldn't help but smile as he took the cigarette back from Richard, exhaled a puff of smoke, and kissed Richard softly on the lips, silently telling him that smoking didn't suit him.

Sitting across from them, Richa found his cigarette had lost its flavor. His gaze was icy cold as he watched them.

Xavier Dupont and Richard, however, showed no shame, openly flaunting their affection in front of Richa. He had seen thick-skinned people before, but none quite like this.

**Chapter 178: Defending My Beautiful Mommy**

"The cemetery plots are cheap. I don't mind buying one for the two of you," Richa coldly remarked, glaring at Xavier Dupont and Richard.

Xavier Dupont didn't argue. He simply exhaled a cloud of smoke and said, "He won't go after Alex. As for dealing with the old man, we'll discuss the details after we bring our eldest brother into the plan."

Having gotten the answer he wanted, Richa didn't waste any more time. He stood up and headed for the door.

"Make sure to bring Sarah back later," Xavier Dupont called out as Richa walked out.

Richa didn't reply, just slammed the door shut behind him. It was true—one brother always seemed to hold power over the next. Richa suppressed Alex, while Xavier Dupont suppressed Richa.

"Are you really determined to go against your father now?" Richard asked in disbelief. He had mentioned this to Xavier Dupont before, but Xavier Dupont hadn't agreed. Back then, they were just kids with no real power. Now, with their own forces, the situation was different.

"Even Alex has grown up. There's no reason to hold back anymore," Xavier Dupont said, holding Richard's waist with one arm, while flicking ash from his cigarette with the other.

Richard stared at Xavier Dupont, feeling like this was all unreal. He lowered his head, as if trying to confirm it was real, leaning in for a kiss, but Xavier Dupont beat him to it, kissing him first and ruffling his hair.

Richard felt a lump in his throat. Hugging Xavier Dupont tightly, he buried his face in Xavier's neck, sniffling.

Xavier Dupont didn't say anything. He quietly patted Richard's head, comforting him in silence.

After a long while, he finally spoke, "I'm sorry. It's my fault."

"No, it's my fault. I've been the one clinging to you all this time. You only acted cold to protect me—I've always known that," Richard said, his voice choked with emotion. Seeing the large scars on Xavier Dupont's back through his robe, he began to sob.

Those scars were left by Xavier Dupont's father when he had Xavier whipped. Back then, all Xavier Dupont had to do was say he didn't love Richard, or that Richard had seduced him first, and he wouldn't have been beaten. But even when he was hung up and beaten, with blood staining the floor, he didn't utter a single word. He gritted his teeth and endured it all.

"Why were you so stubborn? If you had just said it was my fault, you wouldn't have had to suffer such severe injuries," Richard cried, almost unable to speak. He clung tightly to Xavier Dupont's neck, terrified that he might lose him, which was why he had desperately sought power.

Xavier Dupont quietly stroked Richard's hair, his voice heavy, "It wasn't your fault. The real culprit is the one who started all of this."

If he had a choice, Xavier Dupont wouldn't want such a father, but he didn't have that luxury.

"Go apologize to Alex later," Xavier Dupont said, extinguishing his cigarette before kissing Richard on the cheek.

Richard nodded, wiping away his tears. He hugged Xavier Dupont's neck, trying to calm his troubled heart.

"Daddy, pretty mommy, Sarah is back!"

The door suddenly burst open, and in came Sarah's excited voice, holding a sandwich in each hand.

But she hadn't come back on her own—Richa had carried her over and opened the door for her.

"Did you go to Uncle's room to mooch food?" Xavier Dupont asked with a smile. Sarah's excitement was contagious, making him smile too.

"Yes, yes, yes! Sarah ate until she was full. Brother Kyle ordered lots and lots of yummy food for Sarah. My little tummy is so full," Sarah chirped happily as Richa dropped her off near

 Xavier Dupont, then left without a backward glance.

Being tossed around by Richa was fun for Sarah, who giggled in Xavier Dupont's arms.

Xavier Dupont couldn't help but smile as he ruffled Sarah's hair.

But Sarah wasn't paying attention to him. Instead, she turned to Richard, who was wiping away tears.

"Pretty mommy, were you crying?" Sarah asked cautiously, then suddenly remembered something. Her eyes welled up with tears as she hit Xavier Dupont, crying out, "Daddy's a bad guy! You must have bullied pretty mommy! You're a meanie, Daddy. Sarah won't play with you anymore!"

Xavier Dupont was torn between laughter and tears. But since he had indeed bullied Richard, he didn't deny it.

Richard blushed, feeling embarrassed.

"Hit Daddy! Daddy's being naughty!" Sarah said fiercely, defending Richard as she pretended to scold Xavier Dupont.