Xavi stayed behind to make small talk with the group of designers, while Joshua led Xylia out of the High
Desert Hotel.
<i>Xylia </i><i>ti </i>
finally broke the silence, turning to Joshua and asking. “Why are you here?”
The two of them hadn’t spoken at all, and Xylia spoke up first just to keep things from getting awkward.
Joshua’s Xavi’s friend, but it’s not like he has to show up to events like this, Xylia thought to herself.
Joshua didn’t answer her. He just turned to look at her in silence. Then he said, “I came here to ask you. What did you mean by what you said at the hospital?”
Xylia remembered what she’d told Joshua at the hospital. “This is my family’s business. You don’t need to get involved,‘ she wondered.
She said calmly, “I meant it. Just stay out of my family’s business; it’ll only make things moreplicated for
both of us.
Joshua let out a soft snort. He could guess why Xylia was acting distant, but that didn’t mean he had to like it.
“You think Connor’s misunderstanding of our rtionship is going to mess with your family’s happiness?” he asked, his tone sharp.
Xylia couldn’t help but feel a jolt of surprise. “Of course <b>not</b>,” she replied quickly.
Joshua continued, “Or do you think Connor’s going to throw me out of Jupiton, just like he did with those who lied to the police?”
Xylia stared at him, eyes wide. “H–How do you know about that?” she blurted out.
Xylia was stunned that Joshua knew about her worries and even more shocked that he knew someone had covered for her after the hit–and–run. Just how does he know so much about me?” she wondered.
They stood under a streetlight, the dim yellow glow falling from above. Joshua lowered his gaze, the shadows. hiding his expression.
“Xylia, I always thought we were friends,” he said, his voice sounding so lonely.
Xylia looked at him, and for a moment, she couldn’t help but think, ‘He looks just like a big, wronged puppy.
Xylia shifted ufortably. “I-”
“You helped me out when I was overseas, and I still remember that, Joshua said. “Now I’m just returning the
<b>favor</b>.
Xylia couldn’t remember thest time Joshua had mentioned anything about their time abroad. She frowned at him, not <b>sure </b>what to <b>say</b>.
56 vouchers
“You know what kind of family Connores from,” Xylia said, “I just don’t want you getting caught up in my problems and having your life affected because of me.”
“He doesn’t have the power to mess with my life, he replied. Joshua’s lips curled into a <b>faint</b>, confident smile. His gentle tone carried a hint of swagger.
Xylia looked at him, confused.
Joshua deliberately changed the subject, his eyes lingering on Xylia with an intense, almost possessive gaze.
“This is a society ruled byw,” he said. “No matter how powerful <b>Connor </b>is, he can’t do anything to me. So rx.
Joshua paused, then added. “Or is it that you just don’t <b>want </b><b>to </b>get too close to me? You don’t want to be friends anymore?”
Joshua had put it all out there, and Xylia couldn’t reject him again. She managed a smile at Joshua. “Thanks, Joshua
Joshua’s eyes curved with satisfaction, a sly glint of victory shing in them. He knew it. Xylia was always <b>a </b>
softie.
Joshua wanted to walk Xylia home, but she shot him <b>down </b>without hesitation. He gave her a pitiful look, but Xylia just sent him packing.
“When I need your help, I won’t hold back, Xylia said. “But you really shouldn’t get too involved in my family’s business. If gossip starts spreading, it could make things tricky for you when you want to settle down.”
Joshua could only stand there, watching helplessly as Xylia got into the taxi and drove away.
Once she was gone, the yful glint in his eyes faded, leaving them shadowed and somber.
Staring after the taxi as it disappeared into the night, he tugged at the corner of his mouth, his gaze burning with an intense, possessive longing. ‘You’ll be my wife. No one else, he vowed to himself.
Joshua pulled out his phone and called his assistant. “Remind a few media outlets who’s in charge,” he said.
On her way home, Xylia got a message from Josie Dunn, asking her out for dinner tomorrow. Since she had nothing going on, Xylia said yes without hesitation.
Just as Xylia arrived at the Ford Mansion, Xylia almost bumped into Connor and Tessa, who were just getting back from the hospital.
The moment Connor saw Xylia, his face darkened instantly.
“You’ve got some nerve showing up here, Connor snapped. “Look at Tessa’s ankle.
“It’s swollen
up like a balloon. She’s got a dancepetition next week, and you’ve just trashed her future. Do you even realize what you’ve done?”
<b>Til</b><b>, </b>sep 12
65 voucliers
Connor was cradling Tessa in his arms. Xylia nced at Tessa’s ankle, sure enough, it was swollen and red.
Everyone knew it took a hundred days to heal from an injury like that. For Tessa, this hundred–day downtime was a real hit to her career.
Tessa was really willing to go that far <b>just </b>to set me up, Xylia couldn’t help but think.
“You know better than anyone whether it was me who ruined things, or you did it to yourself, Xylia <b>said </b>coolly, fixing her gaze on Tessa. Not a hint of guilt showed on her face.
Tessa, usually so carefree, now shrank into Connor’s arms, looking like she’d been wronged beyond measure.
“Nylia. I get it if you’re jealous of me. Tessa said, her voice trembling but firm. “But why would you ruin my dance career?
“Do you even know what’s at stake in thatpetition next week? If I can’tpete, I’ll lose my spot as the lead dancer. Do you really hate me that much?”
Tessa spoke in a timid yet determined voice, ying the innocent girl.
Xylia couldn’t help but think, ‘Her acting skills have really hit a new high. Honestly, it’s such a waste she’s not in showbiz.
“Who cares if she’s the lead dancer? She’d probably get way more attention ying the drama queen in some viral video; that’d be her real im to fame.
Seeing how much Tessa cared, it felt like Connor’s heart <b>was </b>bleeding for her. He shot Xylia an even colder look.
“Xylia,” Connor snapped. “Tessa’s your sister. <b>You </b>stole eighteen good years from her, and she never once med you. But now you’re being so cruel, trying to ruin her whole future? You really take the cake.”
Connor red daggers at Xylia, then carried Tessa inside without another word.
Xylia caught the faint sound of Connor murmuring words offort to Tessa as they disappeared down the hall. Just ignore her. From now on, pretend you never had a sister,” he whispered.
Xylia watched Connor carrying <b>Tessa</b>, their figures fading into the house, a sarcastic smile curling on her lips.
All these years together, Connor’s obvious care for Tessa had been right in front of her, and she’d been too blind to notice.
Xylia decided not to think about them anymore and walked toward the vi.
When she got to the front door, she found it locked; there was no way in. Xylia knocked, but nobody answered
“Mrs. Ford, Mr. Ford says you need to reflect on your actions out here. If you don’t apologize to Ms. Schultz, you’re not allowed inside,” a servant called from behind the door, all <b>high </b>and mighty, then vanished behind
the door.
9:48 Fri<b>, </b>Sep <b>12 </b>
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Xylia thought to herself, ‘Connor never fails to amaze me. Whatever, if they don’t let me in, I’ll just go stay at a hotel.
But all her passport and stuff were inside the house. Without them, she couldn’t even check into a hotel.
The night wind cut through Xylia’s thin silk dress, sending a chill straight to her bones and raising goosebumps all over her arms.
Xylia was just about to walk away when, suddenly, the front door of the vi swung open behind her.
Mnie storied out and, without a word, pped Xylia hard across the face.
“You bitch,” Mnie spat, her voice full of spite. “You ruined Tessa’s chance topete. You’re nothing but useless, and you can’t stand to see your <b>sister </b>do well? I hope you end up crippled for the rest of your life.”
Xylia was still stunned from the p when a bunch of red and blue toy blocks came flying at her.
“It’s all your fault, you meandy,” a little voice yelled. “You made Tessa hurt her ankle. I knew you went to the High Desert Hotel just to hurt her. Why did you have to be my mom? I hate you.”
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