FHD
<b>1:50 </b>
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Chase stepped out of his car and immediately spotted Xylia and her group standing by the hotel entrance.
Xylia was dressed in <b>a </b>white embroidered dress that entuated her sexy waist. With a touch of makeup, her delicate face looked <b>fresh </b>and ethereal; she was breathtakingly beautiful.
Chase paused for a moment, then his expression hardened as he walked over.
When Xylia spotted Chase, it was like she’d just been thrown a lifeline. “Mr. Bell, do you have an invitation? Mr. Quezada didn’t give me one, but he told us to go in together,” she said.
Chase pulled out his invitation and handed it to the host.
Xylia finally let herself rx, but Chase’s next words hit her like a p in the face. “I don’t know her.”
Without even sparing Xylia a nce, Chase strode straight into the hotel.
Xylia stood frozen, staring at his retreating back.
Sonny mocked Xylia. “You’re such a joke. You think just anyone’s going to <b>let </b>you in? You’repletely incapacitated, yet you still <b>have </b>the <b>audacity </b>to attend a designer meeting. You’re such an embarrassment to our family.”
Sonny pointed at Xylia arrogantly <b>and </b>turned to the two bouncers. “What are you waiting for? Get her out of here,
The bouncers looked at Xylia with disdain. “All dolled up like that, trying to <b>catch </b>some rich guy, huh? I’ve <b>seen </b>girls like you a thousand times. Get lost before I have to throw <b>you </b><b>out</b>, one of them said.
“Move it. We’re here to greet important guests, not some broke nobody,” the other added.
Xylia frowned, getting anxious. She considered calling Xavi for help.
But before she could pull out her phone, Xavi’s voice rang out from inside. “What’s going on here?”
“Hi, Mr. Quezada,” the bouncers said, straightening up immediately.
Xavi turned to Xylia with a warm <b>smile</b>. “Ms. Schultz, you’re here. I forgot to give you an invitation, and when you didn’t reply to my messages, I came down to check on you.”
Xylia nced at her phone and saw that Xavi had indeed sent her a few messages.
“Sorry, I didn’t check my phone,” <b>she </b>said.
“No worries,e on in, Xavi replied.
As a major shareholder of the High Desert Hotel, Xavi was someone the bouncers didn’t dare to cross. They lowered their heads, not saying a word.
“Thank you, Xylia <b>said</b>.
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As Xylia followed Xavi toward the entrance, he suddenly turned to the bouncers. “This is a formal event. Kids. aren’t allowed inside,‘ he <b>said</b>.
Sonny’s eyes went wide in disbelief. “Who do you think you are? What gives you the right to keep me out?” Sonny shot back.
“Doesn’t matter who I am. At your age, shouldn’t you be in school instead of causing trouble here?” Xavi retorted.
“None of your damn business, Sonny snapped.
The bouncers looked uneasy. “Mr. Quezada, <b>this </b>is Mr. Ford’s son. Mr. Ford told us to let him in, so, uh-
Xavi’s expression turned cold as he looked at the bouncers. “Is Connor hosting any of the events today?” he
asked.
“Uh-“the bouncers stammered.
Today, the hotel hosted two events, a business conference organized by the Jupiton Economic Council and a designer’s event hosted by Quezada & Co. Apparel Design.
Connor was only an invited guest at the business conference, not the host.
“Connor’s just a guest. What right does he have to sneak in his people?” <b>Xavi’s </b>voice grew colder, a hint of impatience in his words.
The bouncers felt a chill run down their spines. They didn’t dare cross Xavi and quickly replied. “Understood.”
Xavi led Xylia inside.
No matter how much Sonny kicked up a fuss at the entrance, he wasn’t allowed in.
Xavi led Xylia into the conference hall. Xavi said, “Ms. Schultz, take your time and look around. I’ve got a few. things to handle.”
Xylia replied, “Sure, thanks <b>again </b>for everything today.”
Xavi shed her a friendly smile and made his way upstairs to the second floor.
Xylia nced around the hall, taking in the scene.
The ce was pure luxury; waiters wove through the crowd with trays, and a long table off to the side wast loaded up with all kinds of snacks <b>and </b>pastries.
Talented designers from all over the world chatted in small groups, each with graceful manners and their own distinct ir.
Xylia spotted <b>Chase </b>right away.
7:56 Thu, Sep 11
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Chase was wearing a crisp white suit, with an eye–catching gray–gold silk scarf draped stylishly at his waist. Every step he took <b>made </b>the scarf sway with effortless elegance.
He was smiling lightly as he chatted with a female designer.
As soon as he finished <b>talking</b>, Xylia walked up to him; his face immediately turned cold.
Chase shot her a frosty look. “How did you get in <b>here</b>?”
Xylia’s expression lost its warmth. “Mr. Bell, have I done something to offend you?” she asked.
His attitude toward her had changed so drastically. Today was her chance; Xylia needed answers.
Chase let out a coldugh. “You’ve got Mr. Quezada backing you up. Even if you did offend me, I doubt it matters, right?” There he goes again, with <b>that </b>passive–aggressive attitude.
Xylia frowned. “Mr. Bell, you’ve taught me design, and I’ve always seen you as my mentor. If I’ve done something wrong, just tell me and I’ll fix it, but you don’t have to keep throwing shade at me, she said.
Chase scoffed, “You don’t even know what you did wrong, and you think you can fix it?”
He shot her a <b>cold </b>re. “Tll tell Mr. Quezada to get someone else to mentor you. I’m not wasting my time on some nepotism case like you.
Xylia opened her mouth to respond, but Chase had already walked away.
Upon watching his retreating back, her expression grew cold. She wasn’t some pushover. If he wanted to y cold, she wasn’t about to keep trying to warm things up.
On the other side of the hall, the host grabbed the mic and hopped on stage. “We’ve got a little game for everyone tonight. Over on the right, you’ll find drawing boards and art supplies.
“Dear designers, your challenge is to design a gown themed around tonight’s party. The grand prize is sponsored by Quezada & Co. Apparel Design <b>and </b>the Garcia Group together. Details of the prize will be announced soon.”
The designers didn’t look too excited at first. But when they heard the prize was from Quezada & Co. Apparel Design and the Garcia Group, <b>everyone’s </b><b>eyes </b>went wide.
Quezada & Co. Apparel Design was a global chain, famous everywhere.
The Garcia Group was an ultra–rich, mysterious family from Jupiton. They were super low–key, and the Garcia family almost never showed up at business gatherings.
But even so, anyone in business would instinctively show respect when they heard the name Garcia Group.
No ordinary person could pull off being able to quietly build empires all over the country and be the richest family while staying humble.
Most of the designers had <b>at </b>least heard of the <b>Garcia </b>family, so now, everyone <b>was </b>itching to win that reward.
7:56 Thu, Sep 11
Everyone rushed over to grab a board and started drawing like their lives depended on it.
Xylia picked up a drawing board and started sketching out ideas.
Sitting next to her was a round–faced girl who looked to be in her early twenties.
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The girl nced at Xylia<b>, </b>her eyes lighting up with admiration. “Wow, you’re gorgeous. I hardly ever see anyone make a dress look as good as you do,” she said.
“She’s got curves, but she looks ssy, not shy. There’s something elegant about her, really unforgettable.” the girl wondered.
<b>Xylia </b>smiled, “Thanks. I’m Xylia Schultz. I’m just starting out as a designer.
“Just starting out?” The girl looked at Xylia in surprise, then checked out the quick sketch Xylia had made on
her board.
“But you seem pretty skilled. But your lines are just a bit shaky. Did you hurt your hand or something?” she
asked.