“Where do you think you’re going? Today, we’re settling this once and for all,” Sadie said.


    She grabbed Nylia and dragged her toward the private rooms on the second floor. The second floor was much quieter than the bustling first–floor lobby.


    Sadie was surprisingly strong, and with her friends helping out, Xylia couldn’t break free no matter how much she struggled.


    At the door of the private room, just as Sadie was about to open it, Xylia saw her chance and grabbed a fistful of her hair, yanking hard.


    Sadie yelped in pain and let go of Xylia.


    Sadie’s friends immediately reached for Xylia’s hair, too, but Xylia whipped out a can of pepper spray her bag and sted it right at the girls.


    from


    They screamed, covering their eyes <b>and </b>dropping to the floor. Taking advantage of the chaos, Xylia made a break for it.


    “Xylia, you bitch, you’re ying dirty.” Sadie’s angry shouts echoed behind her.


    Xylia didn’t slow down. She ran even faster.


    Thankfully, she always kept some self–defense items in her bag when she went out.


    Sadie might have been just a girl, but she’d been spoiled rotten since she was a kid, spending money like it grew on trees and hanging out with all sorts of shady characters.


    Xylia wasn’t about to go head–to–head with her in a ce like this.


    Just as Xylia rounded the corner to head downstairs, out of the corner of her eye, she spotted someone emerging from a nearby private room.


    The guy had broad shoulders, a trim waist, and an unmistakable <b>aura</b>. It was Joshua whom she’d been searching for.


    As soon as <b>Joshua </b>stepped out, he felt an <b>intense </b>stare on him. He turned and met Xylia’s eyes.


    A sh of delight flickered in his gaze, but when he noticed the pepper spray she was holding, his face fell. He strode over to her. “What are you doing here?<b>” </b>


    Xylia looked at Joshua. His clothes were perfectly in ce, but there was a lingering scent of women’s perfume on him.


    Xylia bit her lip, but couldn’t bring herself to admit she’d been following him.


    Just thought I’d take a look around. What about you? Did youe here alone, or with someone?” she asked. Her eyes stayed glued to <b>Joshua’s </b>face, trying to catch any flicker of truth..


    9:49 Fri, Sep <b>12 </b>


    [80


    56 vouchers


    But Joshua didn’t look the least bit ufortable, Instead, he lowered his charming eyes, masking whatever he was feeling <b>inside</b>. Just here to talk business,” he replied.


    Before they could get more than a few <b>words </b>in, Sadie stormed over with her posse hot on her heels.


    Sadie was rubbing her eyes as she ran<b>, </b>and by now, they were puffy and red all around.


    When she saw Xylia standing next to Joshua, Sadie couldn’t help but stare at Joshua for a second, totally Caught off guard by how handsome he was. But she snapped out of it fast.


    Sadie pointed at Xylia, her voice full of rage. “You dared to hit me? I’m going to make you


    This t


    you regret it today<b>.” </b>


    time, besides her usual crew of girlfriends, there were also a few guys along behind her.


    The moment these guysid eyes on Xylia, they couldn’t hide how impressed they were, openly checking her


    <b>oul</b>.


    “Honestly, Sadie, if Paul really ditched you for this chick, I can’t even me him. He’s got good taste,” one of the guys joked.


    “For real, just look at her. She looks so fresh–<b>faced</b>, and that hot figure? If you hadn’t told us she’s a few years older than you, I’d totally believe she’s our age,” another chimed in.


    Hearing her buddies hype up her enemy like that, Sadie was fuming and finally snapped,


    “You bunch of dickheads with balls <b>for </b>brains, keep running your mouths and I’ll gouge your eyes out myself,” Sadie snapped.


    With Sadie blowing up like that, the guys instantly shut their mouths. But since they couldn’t talk back, they turned their frustration on Xylia instead.


    As they started moving toward her, Joshua <b>quickly </b>stepped in front of Xylia, shielding her.


    “Hey, handsome, of all the girls you could go for, you really had to pick this psycho? With a face like you could have anyone you want,” Sadie said, acting like she was <b>giving </b>Joshua some friendly advice.


    yours<b>. </b>


    But her eyes were full of disdain; she clearly thought <b>Joshua </b>must be out of his mind to be interested in someone like Xylia.


    Joshua stood with his back to Xylia, his face icy cold. Those usually charming eyes were now t and indifferent, and when he nced at Sadie and her gang, it was like he was looking at something he wouldn’t touch with a ten–foot pole.


    “Bunch of brats skipping school to get a taste of the real world, huh? Don’te bawling when life smacks you in the <b>face</b>,” Joshua said coolly, his presence alone making it clear he wasn’t someone to mess with.


    The guys looked like they were losing their nerve.


    “What are you all scared of? She’s nothing. There are so many of us. Are we really going to let one guy stand in our way?” Sadie barked, trying to fire up her crew.


    9:49 Fri<b>, </b>Sep 12


    With Sadie taking the lead, the whole group rushed straight at Xylin.


    55 vouchers


    Joshua unhurriedly rolled up his sleeves and loosened the <b>top </b>button of his shirt, the veins standing out against his lean, muscr forearms. He looked like he was about to throw down.


    The tension in the air was off the charts.


    Xylia stood behind Joshua, watching as he knocked out the guys in front of him with clean, ruthless moves- like it was nothing.


    By the time he was done, only Sadie and her two friends were left standing, frozen in ce. None of them dared to move a muscle.


    Suddenly, the door to <b>a </b>nearby private room swung open, and Yana’s voice rang out before she even stepped


    outside.


    “Joshua, how long does it take to step out for a smoke?” she called, her tone tinged with impatience.


    It


    Xylia looked up and saw a familiar figure standing in the doorway. It was she, the wealthy woman, who kept Joshua.


    <b>Yana </b>spotted Xylia, too, and she saw Joshua standing guard in front of her, with a bunch of punks sprawled. out on the floor.


    Yana marched right up to Xylia. “Hi, I’m Yana <b>Garcia</b>. I’m Jos


    Joshua gave Yana a warning re.


    Yana smiled and looked at Xylia. “Boss. Joshua’s my driver.”


    Xylia frowned, feeling a wave of confusion.


    ‘Wait a second? If Joshua’s supposed to be her driver, then why was she the one driving when they showed up? Shouldn’t he have been behind the wheel?‘ she thought, suspicion creeping in.


    “I know you. You’re the champ fromst night’s design contest, and you’re also <b>Joshua’s </b>close friend,” Yana. continued.


    Xylia eyed Yana, who was acting all chummy, warily.


    The guys scrambled to their feet, grabbed Sadie, and hustled her off to the side. Messing around was one thing, but none of them were dumb enough to risk their lives or futures over this.


    The moment that woman showed up, her presence alone was enough to make them think twice about crossing her.


    Sadie was yanked away, totally baffled; she still wanted to give Xylia a piece of her mind, but her crew just wouldn’t let go.


    With her friends dragging her back, all <b>she </b>could do was grumble and curse <b>as </b>they hauled her into the private room<b>. </b>


    9:49 Fri, Sep 12


    E85 vouchers.


    Joshua caught the uneasy look on Xylia’s face and shot Yana a nce that was more warning than request.


    “Ms. Garcia, you handle the rest of the meeting. I’m off the clock, so I’m heading <b>out</b>,” he said.


    Yana barely had time to react before Joshua took Xylia by the hand and whisked her away.


    Yana <b>watched </b>them go, a small smile ying on her lips. Time to let my brother know; his little darling finally found his beloved one, Yana thought to herself.


    After leading Xylia downstairs, Joshua pulled out his phone, ready to call her a ride home.


    “Joshua, are you really just Yana’s driver?” Xylia asked, her tone full of doubt.


    “Yeah, what else do you think it could be?” Joshua replied, sounding totally casual.


    “Nothing.” Xylia said quickly, a little flustered. Seeing the clear look in Joshua’s eyes, she realized she was probably just overthinking things.


    “Maybe Joshua really is just here to help his boss with business, she thought. Talking pay in a nightclub isn’t exactly unusual.‘


    Suddenly, Joshua turned to Xylia, looked her up and down, and simply said, his voice low and steady, “You’ve changed.”


    E