65 vouchers
Tessa was dressed in a red gown with a cinched waist that perfectly hugged her curves, showing off her dancer’s sexy, supple figure to perfection.
She nced at the hall Xylia had just exited, the corners of her lips curving into a faint smile. “I heard this is a designer’sworking event. Are you here to attend, Xylia?”
Josie nced at Xylia. “That’s your <b>friend</b>?”
Xylia looked over at Josie. “Don’t you have something to take care of? Go ahead. I’ll treat you to dinner when you’re free,” she said.
Josie nodded with a smile. “Alright, I’m off then.”
After Josie left. Xylia turned her attention to the two of them. Her gazended on Connor’s hand resting on Tessa’s waist, and she smirked indifferently, “If I’m not here for theworking event, am I here to dance?”
As soon as Xylia looked over, Connor dropped his arm from around Tessa’s waist.
For some reason, ever since Tessa told him how she felt, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he was betraying Xylia. But there was no way he could just leave Tessa behind.
Hearing Xylia’s words, he instinctively frowned. “Do you have to be so snarky all the time? Tessa’s your sister, not your enemy,” he <b>said</b>.
Tessa deliberately put on her best wounded look. “Xylia, your leg injury <b>wasn’t </b>
wasn’t my fault. You got punished for your own hit–and–run, and you can’t dance anymore. Stop throwing shade at me, okay?” she said.
“Besides, I’m just looking out for you. You’ve never been in the <i>de </i>fool of yourself by just jumping in,” she added.
orld before. I’m worried you’ll make a
Some of the designers who were still near the exit <b>caught </b>Tessa’s words as they were leaving. Now, I they looked at Xylia was different.
Xylia turned to Connor. “Tell her who really caused the hit–and–run.”
Connor looked away, dodging her eyes. He knew perfectly well that Tessa was behind the hit–and–run.
way
But Tessa had fought tooth and nail to be the lead dancer; if word got out, her whole future would be trashed.
Xylia was different. They were married, and even if she couldn’t dance anymore, he’d make sure she lived like a queen, no matter what.
He frowned at Xylia, deliberately steering the conversation away. “Xylia, can’t you just see where you stand? You’re just a housewife who’s never even tried your hand at art, and you think you belong at some fancy designer event<b>? </b>
“How did you even manage to sneak in here? Don’t you think you’ve embarrassed yourself enough already?”
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Xylia never really expected Connor to say anything good about her. But hearing him belittle her so bluntly still <b>hurt </b>more <b>than </b>she wanted to admit.
She didn’t see the point in arguing with someone so hopeless, so she turned around and walked away.
“Oh. Xylia.” Tessa suddenly lunged forward and seized Xylia’s hand. She gripped Xylia’s arm tightly, her nails pressed right against her skin.
She leaned in so close that only Xylia could hear her whisper.
“Xylia, I stole your fiance. I snatched your lead dancer spot, and trust me. I can take your husband, <b>too</b>. You took eighteen years of my good life, so now, anything that’s yours, I’ll make it mine,” “Tessa hissed.
Suddenly, Tessa sank her nails deep into Xylia’s skin. Xylia flinched from the pain and instinctively shook Tessa off
“<b>Ah</b>.” Tessa suddenly screamed, staggered to the side, and fell to the floor. “My foot.”
Connor hurried over and helped Tessa to her feet.
Tessa’s face was pale as she shot Xylia a wounded, pitiful look. “Xylia<b>, </b>even if you hate me, you can’t destroy my foot like this. How am <b>I </b>supposed to dance ever again<b>?</b><b>” </b>Tessa cried, her voice trembling-
Connor red at Xylia, his eyes zing with anger. “Xylia, how could you be so vicious? Tessa’s your you even care that you might ruin her whole life with this?” he shouted.
sister. Do
He didn’t have time to deal with Xylia. He scooped Tessa up in his arms and rushed out of the venue. Over his shoulder, he threw back, “We’ll settle thister.”
Not far away, a bunch of reporters who’d been invited to the event saw everything go down. They instantly rushed over, cameras shing like crazy as they started snapping photos of Xylia.
“I know you. You’re Xylia Schultz, the one involved in that hit–and–run four months back.
“You used to be a top dancer, but after you got injured in prison, you can’t dance anymore, right? Is that why
you!
tried to hurt Xylia out of jealousy?” one reporter shouted.
“Ms. <b>Schultz</b>, I heard the family of the person you killed in that ident left Jupiton. Was it your family that drove them away?” <b>another </b>reporter pressed.
“Ms. Schultz, you killed someone and still have the nerve to show off like this. Is it because you’ve got the Schultz and Ford families covering for you that you think you’re untouchable?” a third reporter chimed in.
The reporters at events like this were always aggressive with their questions.
Xylia kept backing away, but the reporters were like dogs with a bone, refusing to let go as they closed in and surrounded her.
“I’m not the one who ran that person over, Xylia blurted out, her voice shaky as she tried to defend herself.
“The police already convicted you. Are you saying they got it wrong. Ms. Schultz?” one reporter shot back.
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1555 vouchers
Xylia’s protest died on her lips.
Some of the designers who hadn’t left yet hung back on the sidelines, watching the drama unfold with
interest.
They’d just been wowed by Xylia’s talent at theworking event, thinking she was the next big thing in the design world.
But now, they couldn’t believe she was actually so mean and jealous–hearted.
Not only did she bully her <b>own </b>sister in front of everyone, but she’d even gone to jail for a hit–and–run–and then used her family’s power to drive the victim’s family out of Jupiton.
People were convinced that someone like her could only get into an event like this if she had some powerful connections pulling strings for her.
Was it Mr. Quezada from Quezada & Co. Apparel Design? Or maybe Mr. Garcia from Garcia Group?‘ they wondered.
Designers exchanged whispers, their eyes filled with growing contempt for Xylia.
Xylia was cornered for ages, microphones jammed right <b>up </b>against her as the reporters kept firing questions. She was totally on her own,pletely lost on what to do next.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Xavi’s voice came from the side, cold and tinged with impatience.
The reporters froze, and the once–bustling entrance fell silent.
Xylia seized the moment and broke free from the swarm of reporters. <b>She </b>barely had time to catch her breath before she found herself staring straight into Joshua’s intense, unreadable gaze.
Joshua was standing right beside Xavi, his suit crisp and immacte, exuding an unmistakable air of privilege and authority.
Xylia’s eyes
widened in shock. “Why would he show up here?‘ she thought,pletely thrown off.
Xavi nced at the reporters, a polite smile on his face that didn’t reach his eyes. “You were invited in, but now you’re harassing my guests. Did you ever ask for my permission?” he said coolly.
Xavi was one of the major shareholders of High Desert Hotel and one of Jupiton’s wealthiest heirs. The reporters all knew better than to cross someone with that much clout.
After sending the reporters packing. Xavi turned to Xylia. “Are you <b>alright</b>?” he asked.
Xylia shook her head. “Thanks for <b>that</b>.”
“It’s fine. Those reporters are just here to make a quick buck, chasing after gossip. Anyone who tries to spread rumors will get what they deserve. You don’t need to worry about a thing, Xavi said, his tone reassuring.
Xylia was genuinely taken aback; she <b>hadn’t </b>expected Xavi to stand up for her like this. She stared at him in disbelief. “Why do you trust <b>me </b>like that?”
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“Well, it’s because you’re friends with Joshua. Anyone he vouches for has to be a good person, Xavi said with a yful smile.
Joshua didn’t respond to Xavi; he just looked straight at Xylia. “Come on, let’s head out together,” he said,
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