Only after Ziggy left did Joshua turn to look at Xylia. “Are you okay?” he asked.
Xylia shook her head. “Thank you.”
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Joshua frowned, about to speak, when Xylia waved her hand yfully. “I got it. Every ‘thank you‘ will be remembered, and I’ll return the favor in the future.”
She released Joshua’s hand and walked over to sit on the sofa. There was an unopened bottle of water on the table. She opened it and took a sip.
Seeing that she had regained herposure, Joshua felt a sense of relief and walked over to sit beside her on the sofa.
Xylia asked, “I’m curious, what exactly do you expect me to repay? It seems like you don’t really need any help from me.”
Joshua didn’tck money, had plenty of friends, and his career and personal life were going well. There didn’t seem to be much she could do for him.
Upon hearing this, Joshua nced at her, and though there was a hint of possessiveness in his eyes, he didn’t show it. “Who knows what the future holds? Let’s leave it unsettled for now.”
“That’s fine,” she replied. Xylia didn’t mind, making friends with Joshua was incredibly lucky for her.
A faint smile appeared at the corner of Joshua’s lips. His eyes slightly lifted, and the emotions in his gaze grew deeper.
*****
Xylia spent the entire week recuperating in the hospital. Soon, it was the anniversary of Laurel’s passing.
“Tomorrow is my grandmother’s anniversary. I need to prepare to go back,” Xylia said while packing her things in the hospital room. She looked at Joshua.
“I’ll be back in Norhill tomorrow evening. Let me treat you to dinner tonight,” Xylia added.
During the week, Joshua had stayed by her side, taking care of her without leaving.
After she regained herposure, she didn’t need anyone around. She didn’t want to dy Joshua’s work, but he insisted and even took time off to look after her.
Xylia decided to invite Joshua for a meal before she left.
When Joshua heard she was leaving, his gaze hardened for a moment before returning to normal. “Alright, where should we eat?”
Xylia fiddled with her phone for a moment before replying, “I made a reservation at Caperson Bistro a couple of days ago. Last time I went there with my brothers, the food was really good.”
<b>10:47 </b>Tue, <b>Sep </b>16
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Joshua leaned against the window, watching Xylia. Upon hearing her words, he stiffened slightly. “Do you like the food at Caperson Bistro?”
Xylia nodded and put her phone away. “The Datonese food there is excellent. It’s on me today, don’t worry about the cost.”
She had received a generous sum of money from her brothers, and now her bank ount had enough to livevishly for the rest of her life.
Seeing her rarely disy the demeanor of a richdy, Joshua could not help but let out a gentle chuckle. He walked over, took the bag from her hand, and left the hospital room with her.
As they walked, they chatted. “Have you seen your brothers?” he asked.
Xylia nodded, then, after thinking for a moment, leaned in and whispered into his ear with a yful tone, “I’m actually from the Sadler family.”
“The Sadler family?” Joshua raised his eyebrows and asked, feigning confusion.
Xylia nodded. “I never expected my family to be from the Sadler family, the wealthiest in Norhill. When my eldest brother contacted me, he told me that our parents had passed away, and it was just the four brothers left.”
“I thought we were just an ordinary family, but I had no idea we were this wealthy.”
It took Xylia a few days to ept this reality. In thest couple of days, talking to her brothers had felt much more rxed than before.
Joshua nced at Xylia, noticing the slight apprehension in her expression, and smiled softly. “The Sadler Group’s businesses span the entire country. The Sadler family is incredibly wealthy. They’re truly lucky to have you as part of their family.”
Xylia suddenly looked at Joshua. “Shouldn’t I be the lucky one?”
“For generations, the Sadler family has only had sons. They wanted a daughter, but it never happened—until your generation, when they finally got you,” Joshua said.
Xylia chuckled at Joshua’s words. After everything that happened with the Schultz family’s true and fake daughters, her expectations of family had been low.
But after reconnecting with her three brothers and realizing how wealthy they were, she felt a bit more afraid.
She feared that the Sadler family might be like the Schultz family, and that her own apprehension might hurt her rtionship with her brothers.
Yet, one simple remark from Joshua helped case much of that fear. She now valued Joshua even more as a friend.
*****
They drove to Caperson Bistro. The waiter recognized his boss and was about to greet him, but a stern nce
10:47 Tue, Sep <b>16 </b>
from Joshua stopped him in his tracks.
:
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Xylia noticed the waiter standing still, looking flustered, and took the initiative to speak first. “Hello, we have a
reservation.”
The waiter, finally snapping out of his daze, checked Xylia’s reservation and led her and Joshua to the private
room.
As they were about to enter the room, a familiar voice interrupted their steps. “Xylia?”
Xylia turned to see Kaden. He was apanied by Xavi, and it seemed they were about to discuss some coboration.
“Xylia?” she said, surprised.
Xavi’s eyes widened as he darted his gaze between Xylia and Kaden.
Kaden looked at Xavi. “Mr. Quezada, do you know my younger sister?”
Xavi nced at Joshua before managing to suppress his shock and spoke to Kaden. “I’ve coborated with Ms. Schultz before.”
Xylia nodded. “Mr. Quezada is
my
benefactor.”
Kaden understood and then looked at Joshua.
Xylia suddenly realized and promptly made an introduction to Kaden. “Kaden, this is my friend Joshua. Joshua, this is my eldest brother, Kaden.”
Joshua smiled and greeted Kaden. “Hey, Kaden.”
Kaden’s gaze was less than friendly. He then asked, “Are you here to eat?”
Xylia nodded. “I’m leaving tomorrow, so I want to treat my friend to a meal.”
With that, Xylia said goodbye to Kaden and Xavi. “Since you have business, we won’t keep you. We’ll go ahead and eat.”
She pulled Joshua into the adjacent private room. During this time, Kaden’s hand lingered on Xylia’s hand, which was holding Joshua’s sleeve. His gaze darkened. Another man was trying to make a move on his most cherished sister.
Xavi, still in shock, waited until Xylia and Joshua disappeared into the private room before speaking. “Mr. Sadler, shall we leave now?”
Kaden nodded coolly. “Our cooperation is confirmed. If you have any other requests, just tell my assistant. If they’re reasonable, Sadler Group will agree.”
“What?” Xavi blinked, a bit lost.
“Since we’ve run into someone we know, let’s see if we can score a free meal,” Kaden said.
Chapter III
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While Xavi was <b>still </b>in shock, Kaden walked to the door of the private room that Xylia and Joshua had entered, pushed it open.
AD