:
A chill rippled through Xylia Schultz<b>, </b>she sneered.
75
E55 vouchers
Her disappointment had been piling up, again and again—not from just one moment.
Her voice was steady. “Sonny, listen- I’m divorcing your father even if nothing happened yesterday.”
Seeing Sonny Ford freezed, she softened, letting out a quiet sigh.
Now his big, bright eyes looked exactly as they had when he was a baby. Xylia couldn’t help but warned, “You’re sensitive to some foods. Be careful with what you eat.”
Her voice was gentle, her eyebrows were curved, and her skin was fair, with the grace ssical beauty.
Now, speaking to Sonny, her expression was even more gentle, like a wash painting.
of a
Xylia paused for a moment and pulled out a smile. “I can’t take care of you from now on–you have to take care of yourself,” she added.
Sonny’s eyes widened in disbelief.
‘Mom is leaving me? That’s impossible. How could she be so petty?‘
He kept his eyes wide open, cheeks puffed up. “It is your duty to raise me up and I will report you <b>if </b>you fail to fulfill your responsibility. I will be Tessa’s son“, he said.
Xylia almostughed, but felt more sarcastic in her deep heart.
Since when did her son be like this? The boy she gave birth to after ten months of
pregnancy.
What he called her care was a cage and Tessa’s indulgence was freedom.
“I don’t care“. She smiled and stood up from the sofa, the slim–fit cheongsamplemented
her waist even slim.
Sonny was close to tears with anger, he held back.
But inside, panic spread.
Until he saw Xylia about to leave, he was already on his feet.
<b>Tessa </b>Schultz caught him.
<b>11:44 </b><b>Wed</b><b>, </b><b>Sep </b><b>10 </b>
55 vouchers
She fondled his head with smile. “Don’t worry, your mother is just being affected, say some sweet talk to her and she’ll be fine.”
“Your mom’s just being dramatic. And honestly, it’s not a bad thing she left. From now on, I’m your sworn godmother–one of me is worth two moms.”
Her smile lit him up, he rushed into her arms gaily.
“yeah! I’ve got a godmother now!”
‘With a smart, high–achieving godmother like Tessa, who needs a real mom? Even if that woman begged meter, I wouldn’t forgive her!‘ Sonny thought, fuming.
‘Hmph! She will be sorry when shees back to see me, my father and godmother, three of us living so happy.’
But two days passed, Xylia still heard nothing from Connor Ford.
She sent him messages. It sank without a trace.
Xylia frowned, irritation stirring.
Suddenly, the doorbell rang.
It was Joshua Garcia.
He wore a fitted suit, his eyes carrying a trace of a smile–careless, yet striking.
He leaned an arm against the doorframe and saidzily. “Got time? How aboute with me?”
Xylia hesitated but still followed him since she had nothing else nned today.
Spotting the car at the curb, she smiled and said, “change a new rental today?”
He was driving an older–model Toyota Camry, in but so clean it almost looked new.
Joshua opened the door for her, his voice low and smooth. “It is mine. I bought it years ago. I drive it sometimes.”
tinum blond hair fell across his brow, his refined air making the in Camry look like a luxury ride.
His
<b>gaze </b>held a lingering warmth.
Xylia slipped into the <b>seat </b>without fuss, her eyes avoiding his.
The interior was spotless<b>, </b>emitting a new car smell.
How could an old car be like this<b>? </b>
It is weird, but she didn’t ask.
He drove steady, all the way to a fashion studio.
Thevish decoration made Xylia frown. “What’s this for?”
55 vouchers
Seeing her doubt, he moved with quiet grace, lips curving. “Have you forgotten that you promised me a thank–you gift?”
He meant the g she’d promised to attend with him.
Xylia lowered her gaze, murmured assent, and followed him in.
She hadn’t been to anything like a g in years.
Inside, the rows of beautiful dresses pricked her
eyes
with heat.
It had been years since she’d worn any dress like them.
While the upscale interior decoration only made her hesitate more.
She wasn’t one for dressing up, but years with Connor had taught her the price of things.
This was nowhere an ordinary person could afford.
Xylia looked at Joshua and hesitated. “I can do my own makeup. Just rent a dress–no need
to…”
She didn’t have much left. The little money on her was from selling off her old jewelry a while
ago.
Joshua was just an ordinary man, and even if they pooled their money, it still wouldn’t be enough for a ce like this.
His expression cooled for a beat, then the warmth returned.
He said, “Don’t worry. This is my friend’s ce. We’re here to give him some exposure.”
Relieved, Xylia followed the stylist into the makeup room.
Watching her slim figure. Joshua’s eyes turned cold.
Ice glinted in his gaze.
<b>11:44 </b>Wed, <b>Sep </b>10
…
‘How much have you suffered with Connor Ford? Xylia, he thought.
E55 vouchers
He thought of her cautious nce at the gowns, and the air around him sharpened.
‘Connor Ford… I will not let off.
Xylia chose a gown and sat for makeup.
The makeup artist greeted her warmly, eyes crinkling with a smile.
As she leaned close, she caught the badge on her chest: Lead Stylist.
‘How could it be? To let the Lead Stylist herself do the makeup for friends?‘, she thought.
All of these made Xylia puzzled. She asked, “The man I came with–he’s close with boss, isn’t he?”
your
The Lead Stylist kept smiling, hands steady. “The one outside? He’s-”
Crash-
A heavy smash echoed from outside.
The Lead Stylist paused, shot Xylia an apologetic look, and stepped out.
A momentter, someone pushed the door open.
A familiar figure walked up to her.
“Well, what a coincidence. Didn’t expect to see you here.”
Xylia looked up and saw Tessa’s smiling face.
Instinctively, she frowned, had something of a feel that enemies are likely to meet each other.
Xylia didn’t answer. Tessa didn’t care–she plopped into the seat beside her, grinning.
“This studio is the most famous in Jupiton. It is not easy to be a membership here. I’m guessing you told them you’re Mrs. Ford, right? Xylia Schultz, you’re divorcing, but still shing that title?” Tessa said.
Xylia raised her eyebrow.
“But Mrs. Ford only rates a junior artist, right?” Tessa smiled. “Here, service goes by spending rank. I’m premium–spent millions. My makeup’s by a Senior Stylist.”
Xylia almostughed. Does it matter?
:
To her, it was all the same.
The next second, the Lead Stylist came back in.
Smiling, she walked straight over. “Sorry to keep you waiting, Ms. Schultz.”
A flicker of glee lit Tessa’s eyes.
Did her membership just get upgraded–enough to let the Head Stylist serve her?
She narrowed her eyes at Xylia, sneering inside.
75
55 vouchers
Hick. After all these years without dancing, she probably couldn’t even tell the good from the bad.
Tessa leaned back like she owned the ce. “Perfect timing–I have a g tonight. Shouldn’t I
curl it?” Tessa Schultz asked.
Silence fell the moment she finished.
Tessa looked up at the Head Stylist.
Only to see her looking awkward—as she walked to stand behind Xylia.