<b>Chapter </b><b>92 </b>
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Over the next week, Xylia enjoyed a particrly peaceful time. There were no interruptions from the Ford family, and no tedious family matters to deal with.
She stayed in the apartment the whole week, not stepping outside. Every day, she sat by the windowsill, holding her sketchpad, working on design ideas.
The apartment had a great location and good exposure to sunlight. The sun streamed into the room from the morning, casting a warm glow over her, making her feel like her future was shining just as brightly.
After sending hertest design sketch to Chase, she received a call from the private detective.
The private detective hadn’t contacted her in a while, so the sudden call made her excited. There must be some new clues. She quickly answered the phone.
“Ms. Schultz, we’ve tracked down the third person at the scene. She’s in Jupiton,” the private detective said.
Xylia was excited. “Where is she? I’ll go find her.”
“This person is a bit timid. Ms. Schultz, you mustn’t rm her. I’m on my way back to Jupiton now. Once I arrive, we’ll go together,” the private detective added.
Xylia thought for a moment, the private detective’s negotiation skills were definitely better than hers. She nodded. “Okay, thank you for your hard work.”
With this good news, Xylia wasn’t worried about tomorrow’s ss reunion anymore. After all, she would be leaving soon, so this would probably be thest time she would see these old ssmates.
A knock came at the door. Xylia opened it to find Joshua standing outside with a bag of groceries. “I finished work early today. Want to have dinner together?” Joshua asked.
Xylia stepped aside to let him in, ncing at the time on her phone in surprise. “You finished work at 11 this morning<b>?</b><b>” </b>
“Drivers don’t have fixed hours,” Joshua replied.
Joshua walked into the kitchen. He took out some vegetables and fruit and put them in the fridge, then made a fruit tter and brought it to the living room. “Have some fruit first. Dinner will be ready soon.”
Xylia sat down andfortably started eating the fruit. It wasn’t that she was too proud to help. It was just that every time she mentioned helping in the kitchen, Joshua would send her out.
After a while, she got used to staying out of the kitchen.
For the past few days, she had been thinking about what Rachel had said at the Jones Health Center. Rachel seemed to be implying that Joshua liked her.
Xylia immediately dismissed the thought. After all, Joshua was younger than her, and she was still married. It seemed impossible that he would like someone like her. But he treated her really well–that much was true.
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So, over thest couple of days, Xylia subtly tried to bring it up while talking to Joshua. The conclusion was that Joshua considered her <b>just </b>a friend. This put her at ease.
Her marriage with Connor had already drained so much of her emotional energy. She couldn’t afford to go through another one.
<b>“</b><b>I </b>have some things to do tomorrow, so I won’t be able to join you for dinner.” During the meal, Joshua mentioned.
Xylia nodded first, then, while chatting casually, asked, “Do you also have to work on weekends?”
Joshua shook his head, “It is a private matter.”
Xylia, sensing the situation, did not ask any further questions.
Noticing her silence, Joshua felt a sh of disappointment in his eyes.
After dinner, Joshua left the apartment. He received an update from his private detective. “Connor has found the third witness to the hit–and–run incident.”
Joshua turned off his phone and walked toward the elevator.
<b>***** </b>
The next day, Xylia wore a light blue shirt with a floral cor, paired with dark red jeans, and sneakers<b>. </b>This outfit was bought some time ago when she went shopping with Josie. It wasn’t too expensive but had a touch of affordable luxury.
After applying light makeup, she left the house and headed to the venue for the reunion.
As soon as she stepped out of the elevator, she saw a group of people gathered around a booth, chatting excitedly.
Frankie, who had just finished ordering drinks from the waiter, spotted Xylia, looked her up and down with a hint of mockery, and still smiled as he walked over to greet her. “Xylia, right? You finally made it—we’ve been waiting for you.”
His loud voice immediately attracted the attention of everyone around. The crowd parted, and Xylia finally saw Tessa sitting in the booth.
Xylia frowned. Tessa didn’t even <i>go </i>to the same school as her.
Xylia followed Frankie to the booth.
Tessa stood up, her blue, diamond–studded gown shimmering like a mermaid just emerging from the water. “Xylia, you’re here,” Tessa smiled sweetly, her expression carrying a smugness Xylia knew all too well.
Tessa had always been determined to steal everything from her. Parents, brother, lover, even high school ssmates.
“Xylia, what are you wearing? Even if you’re divorced, you’re still the Schultz family’s heiress. How could you
<b>12:08 </b><b>Mon</b><b>, </b><b>Sep </b><b>15 </b>
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not afford a decent piece of clothing?” Tessa said, looking at Xylia with disdain.
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The people around her nced at Xylia, then at Tessa, and gave Xylia the same look of contempt.
“Heiress? When Tessa was found by the Schultz family, Xylia’s true identity was exposed. How can a fake heiress dress so well?” someone said.
“Exactly, a fake is still a fake–nothing can change that,” another person chimed in.
Xylia knew that attending this reunion wouldn’t be easy, but she didn’t expect Tessa to be involved.
Ignoring the mockingments from those around her, she looked directly at Tessa. “You didn’t go to the same high school as us, right?”
Before Tessa could exin, Frankie quickly spoke up. “Although Tessa didn’t go to the same school as us, she gets along very well with us.
“Every year we try to invite you to the reunion, but you changed your contact information right after graduation, and none of us could get in touch with you.
“Luckily, Tessa said you were busy and came in your ce. She’s been maintaining your rtionships with us for years, so don’t be too hard on her.”
Because of Nova, Xylia had lost all her friends in her senior year. So after graduation, she changed her contact information, starting fresh. But it was unexpected that Tessa had the patience to continue pretending with Xylia’s ssmates.
Xylia remained silent as Tessa stood up and hooked her arm around hers.
Tessa turned to the group and said, “It’s not easy for Xylia toe to the reunion, so let’s not leave until we’re all drunk.”
The crowd cheered and gathered around the long table.
Tessa’s hand tightened around Xylia’s, her sharp nails digging into her flesh.
Xylia tried to pull away but couldn’t break free.
Tessa leaned close to Xylia’s car, speaking in <b>a </b>cold, sinister tone. “Xylia, I’ve got a gift for you–make sure you enjoy it tonight.”
<b>12:08 </b><b>Mon</b><b>, </b><b>Sep </b><b>15 </b>
<b>Chapter 93 </b>
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