Xylia’s words plunged the private room into an eerie silence. After a long pause, just when Xylia thought Kaden was angry, the seemingly stern Kaden let out a softugh, his lips curling slightly.


    “This isn’t really a gift from me,” Kaden said with a smile. “It’s something you truly deserve.”


    Xylia furrowed her brows in confusion, looking at Kaden.


    Kaden smiled affectionately as he exined, his gaze tender as it rested on Xylia. “You were born into our family with great anticipation. These shares were prepared by our parents and grandparents long before you


    were even born.”


    Cyrus spoke up after Kaden. “You’re the little princess of the Sadler family. Our parents, and even our grandparents while they were alive, always thought about you. We’re all so happy you’vee back to us.”


    Xylia’s eyes grew misty. All these years, she had felt like a lost soul, drifting aimlessly, unable to fit into the Schultz family and unable to enter Connor’s heart. But across the world, her true family had been waiting eagerly for her return.


    A bitter ache welled up in her chest, and she nearly burst into tears.


    Hudson gently rubbed Xylia’s head, offering reassurance. “The gift from Kaden doesn’t count. Let him go back and prepare something better for you.”


    Through her tears, Xylia managed a smile, her heart lighter. “I’m sorry for being so stubborn and not wanting to return home. I know it must have upset you all.”


    Kaden had indeed found herst year, but she had refused to return because she didn’t want to leave Connor. Despite Kaden’s repeated attempts to reach out, she had been unwilling to reconnect with them. Looking back, she was really heartless.


    “It’s all in the past. As long as you’re back now, we’re all just happy to have you home,” Kaden said.


    Xylia felt their warmth and affection, and her body rxed.


    During the meal, Kaden suddenly asked, “You mentioneding home with us at the end of this month. What’s going to happen then? Do you need any help?”


    Xylia shook her head. “The Schultz family’s grandmother was the kindest to me. I need to wait until after the anniversary of her passing before leaving.


    “Also, the end of the month marks one month since Connor and I registered for divorce, and I need to get the divorce certificate first.”


    At the mention of Connor, the three brothers of the Sadler family’s gazes instantly turned cold.


    Hudson spat in contempt. “That bastard! He has feelings for his own sister–inw–how can someone like him expect to work with us?”


    He looked at Xylia, his tone fierce. “If anyone dares to hurt you, I won’t let them off easily.”


    Xylia said lightly, “It’s all in the past. In any case, I will handle my own matters well.”


    E 55 vouchers


    Kaden and Cyrus exchanged a look, realizing that Xylia didn’t want them to interfere. They fell silent.


    Then, recalling the earlier incident, Xylia asked, “Kaden, was it you who had Connor and Tessa kicked out just


    now?<b>” </b>


    Kaden shook his head. “Caperson Bistro is owned by the Garcia Group. I don’t have the power to order the staff to expel people.”


    Besides, Connor’s name carried weight in Jupiton. The staff wouldn’t have just kicked anyone out. It must have been the owner’s decision.


    Kaden had never met the mysterious heir of the Garcia Group. However, this time when Leon returned home, he mentioned that Xylia had grown close to a driver from the Garcia family. He did show interest in this driver.


    *****


    At that very moment, the driver Kaden mentioned was in the CEO’s office of Garcia Group.


    He signed a document and handed it to his assistant.


    The assistant ryed the information about what had happened at Caperson Bistro. “Rest assured, Mr. Garcia. We’ve expelled Connor and Tessa, and both have been permanently cklisted from Caperson Bistro.”


    Joshua nodded, recalling the surveince footage where Connor and Tessa were cornering Xylia. His anger red again. “Prepare everything for next month. We’ll start the acquisition of the Schultz Group then.”


    The assistant nodded, took the signed documents, and left the office.


    Joshua’s phone vibrated with a message from an unknown number. [Joshua, are you really not going to meet me?]


    He turned off the screen impassively, his eyes growing colder. It seemed he needed to wrap up these bothersome matters even faster.


    *****


    When Xylia returned home, she had bought too much fruit and decided to give some to Joshua. She sent him a message asking if he had returned.


    Joshua called her back. “I’ll be home around eight. Is something wrong?” he asked.


    Xylia smiled and replied, “No, it’s nothing. I just bought some fruit and was nning to bring some over for you.”


    Joshua felt a sense of joyful surprise at being favored.


    Xylia continued, “Thene to my ce to pick it up when you return. If you have not had dinner yet, I can prepare something for you.”


    <b>63 </b>


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    “Got it,” Joshua said, then hung up. After the call, he quickened the pace of his meeting<i>. </i>Originally scheduled to end at 6:30, he wrapped it up at 6:00.


    Afterward, he passed all remaining tasks to his assistant. The assistant grumbled under his breath.


    Joshua calmly said, “Your end–of–month bonus will be doubled.”


    The assistant immediately stoppedining, swearing to serve Joshua with unwavering loyalty.


    As Xylia arrived at her residentialplex, she saw Connor waiting at the entrance. Seeing her, he immediately walked over with a dark expression. “Come with me.”


    Xylia was caught off guard as he grabbed her wrist. He pulled her toward the car parked nearby. Xylia struggled. “What are you doing? Who wants to go with you? Let go of me!”


    Connor forcefully shoved her into the front passenger seat. “Grandfather is about to pass away. Come back with me.”


    Hearing this, Xylia stopped resisting. The news was expected, yet still took her by surprise.


    <i>The </i>doctor had said that Orion might not make it through the month. Despite her resentment toward him for using her, she couldn’t forget the kindness he had shown her in the past. She wouldn’t refuse to see him off for thest time.


    She


    gave in and sat quietly in the car. However, after a while, Xylia began to feel something was off. “This isn’t the road to the Ford Mansion!”


    She looked at Connor, but saw only a grim expression on his face, his eyes fixed ahead. A cold, ominous aura surrounded him.


    Xylia began to feel afraid. She asked Connor, “Is Orion alright? Are you lying to me?”


    Outside the car window, streetlights flickered on one by one, and the sky darkened rapidly. The orange- yellow light shed across Connor’s cold face.


    He nced at her briefly, his gaze devoid of warmth. “Xylia, you’ve gone too far this time.”


    “What are you going to do?” Xylia looked at him warily.


    Connor didn’t answer. Instead, he mmed his foot on the gas pedal.


    The ck Porsche sped down the highway, overtaking all the vehicles ahead.


    When Joshua returned to his apartment, he knocked on Xylia’s door first. But after waiting for a long time, there was no answer. Joshua stood at the door, frowning slightly.