:


    Connor walked into the hospital room with a cold expression, ring at Joshua.


    “I warned you to stay away from my wife,” he growled.


    Joshua was in a bad mood, and Connor’s hostility just made him even more irritated.


    He forced a smile, about to respond, but Xylia beat him to it.


    “He’s Yana’s driver,” Xylia said calmly. “Yana sent him to bring me food. What’s the problem?”


    Xylia referred to Yana.


    Hearing Xylia call Yana sweetly, Joshua couldn’t help but feel oddly pleased.


    Besides, Xylia, Yana, and he would be a family soon.


    Connor finally realized that Joshua was working for Yana.


    Though he didn’t press the issue, his expression remained stormy.


    “I’ll look after my wife. Get out,” he said coldly.


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    “Ms. Schultz is part of the Garcia family now,” Joshua said, rising to his feet and facing Connor head–on. “Mr. Ford, it’s my turn to warn you.”


    Joshua was casually dressed in a T–shirt and jeans, his silver hair gleaming in the natural light. Even standing in front of someone as privileged as Connor, he waspletely unfazed.


    They squared off, like a tiger facing a wolf.


    “Connor, Joshua said coldly, “the Garcia family will get justice for what you did to her.”


    Connor didn’t miss the dangerous glint in Joshua’s eyes.


    For a split second, he actually felt a chill run down his spine.


    With that, Joshua turned to Xylia. “I’m heading back now.”


    Xylia nodded. “Be careful on your way.”


    After Joshua left, Connor turned his gaze to Xylia.


    She was dressed in a hospital gown, the bruises on her exposed neck hard to miss.


    She didn’t even spare him a nce, just kept eating her food.


    Connor felt the anger simmering inside him, but seeing her like this, it just fizzled out.


    “On Jonah’s behalf, I’m sorry for what happened today,” he said quietly.


    Xylia looked up, meeting Connor’s concerned gaze. “Where’s Jonah now?”


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    “Grandpa’s got him reflecting on himself in the family chapel for three days,” Connor replied. “By the time he finishes, he will probably be exhausted.”


    He sat down on the edge of the bed, looking at her with a softness that was almost unfamiliar.


    “Honey, I’m sorry,” he said gently. “I shouldn’t have let you go with Jonah. I’ll make him pay for what he did to you. Please, don’t be mad at me, okay?”


    He reached out to gently touch the bruises on her neck, just like he had three years ago.


    His gaze was soft, overflowing with worry and love.


    Xylia dodged his hand, turning her face away.


    Connor awkwardly pulled his hand back, figuring she was still mad at him, so he didn’t press the issue.


    After a pause, he finally asked, “How did it go with your aunt?”


    His gaze was earnest, almost pleading, as he looked at her.


    Xylia set her fork down and fixed Connor with a serious look. “Honestly, I don’t feel like I belong to the Garcia family. Are you sure the DNA test wasn’t a mistake?”


    “Impossible!” Connor snapped, not missing a beat.


    “The Garcia family’s daughter, who disappeared years ago, is about your age,” Connor pressed, his tone firm. “Grandpa went through hell to track down your real family. Don’t act like this means nothing.”


    Xylia sneered, saying nothing.


    Connor folded up the tray table for her. Only then did he continue, “Did your aunt mention when she’s bringing you back to the Garcia family?”


    Xylia shook her head. “Since I’m not even sure who I am, I guess the Garcia family will want to double–check before they take me home.”


    Connor’s expression darkened at her words.


    “What did you talk about with Yana?” Connor pressed, his voice sharp.


    “Nothing, Xylia replied, her tone t.


    Connor stared at her, searching her face for any clue, but she gave nothing away.


    In the end, he gave up.


    “Honey,” he said softly, “you’ll meet your real parents in the next couple of days. You don’t have to doubt it.


    DNA doesn’t lie.”


    :


    :..


    He gently took Xylia’s hand, speaking with genuine sincerity.


    Xylia stayed silent.


    After two days of observation in the hospital, Xylia was finally discharged.


    For those two days, Connor barely left her side, acting way more attentive than usual.


    He even came to pick her up himself when she was discharged.


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    Once they were in the car, Connor turned to her and said, “Let’s drop by the Schultz residence. Yves and the others want to see you.”


    Not waiting for Xylia’s opinion, he headed straight for the Schultz vi.


    It was a weekday, but Ziggy was at home.


    As soon as Xylia and Connor walked in, Yves and Gia greeted them with warm smiles. It was a big change from their usual distant attitude.


    “Xylia, you’re back!” Gia said brightly, taking Xylia’s hand. “I knew you wereing today, so I had the kitchen whip up all your favorite dishes. Are you hungry yet?”


    It was as if they were truly mother and daughter.


    Yves also smiled at Xylia, his eyes practically begging for her approval.


    For years, Xylia had craved the Schultz family’s care and affection. Now that she finally had it, the irony was almost bitter.


    Tessa sat next to Ziggy, watching as Gia doted on Xylia. Her face was growing darker by the second.


    She never would have guessed that Xylia was actually the Garcia family’s daughter.


    The Garcia family was the real power yers in Jupiton. They were low–key tycoons, with wealth and status that


    put the Schultz family to shame.


    Ever since they found out Xylia was a Garcia, Yves and Gia started acting totally different around her.


    Tessa clenched her fists, barely holding back the jealousy bubbling inside her.


    Ziggy noticed Tessa’s distress and squeezed her hand, trying tofort her, “No matter what, you’re still my only sister.”


    He didn’t bother to lower his voice, shooting Xylia a look full of contempt,


    What he was really saying was that even if Xylia was a Garcia, she still wasn’t good enough to be his sister.


    “Ziggy! Who do you think you are, talking like that? Xylia is your sister.” Yves was the first to speak up,


    his eyes


    shing a stern warning.


    Ziggy just ignored him.


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    He held Tessa’s hand. “Remember, Tessa’s the only one who’s really our family. Mom, Dad, you’ve got to be careful not to break her heart.”


    Tessa clung to Ziggy’s hand, managing a weak smile.


    “Ziggy, I’m fine,” Tessa said softly. “Xylia has always been part of our family. Let’s keep things peaceful, okay?”


    With that, Tessa stood up, acting all affectionate as she pulled Xylia over to the couch.


    “Xylia, don’t just stand there. Have a seat,” she said, her voice sweet as honey.


    But as she grabbed Xylia’s arm, her long fingernails dug in hard.


    It was right on top of the bruise.


    Xylia winced in pain and jerked her arm away from Tessa.


    “Ouch!” Tessa cried out. She fell toward the coffee table, knocking over a cup of hot coffee. The scalding liquid sshed onto her hand, turning it red.


    “Tessa!” Everyone rushed to help Tessa, with Connor at the front.


    When Connor saw Tessa’s hand turn red and swollen, something inside him snapped. His face went rigid, and in a sh, he spun around and pped Xylia hard across the face.


    “Xylia!” Connor roared. “How could you be so vicious? Do you think just because the Garcias are on your side, you can act whatever you want? Tessa was standing up for you, and this is how you repay her? Do you even deserve her kindness<b>?</b><b>” </b>


    But Tessa grabbed Connor’s arm, speaking up for Xylia, “Connor, she didn’t do it on purpose. Please…”


    “Stop it!” Connor cut her off, his tone icy and absolute. He bent down and picked Tessa up, striding straight for the door.


    Tessa nestled in Connor’s arms, casting a sly nce at Xylia, her lips curled in a smug smile.


    Xylia pressed her hand to her swollen cheek, her heart twisting with pain.