Chapter <b>124 </b>
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Joshua’s gaze met hers, the storm in his eyes shing with her confusion.
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The moment of truth was here. He couldn’t hide his identity much longer, and perhaps it was better toe clean himself.
Just as he drew a breath to confess, Xylia suddenly burst outughing.
“Wait, don’t tell me. Is it one of those corporate inside jokes? Like he’s the ‘CEO‘ of the parking lot and you’re the ‘CEO‘ of the breakroom?” She shook her head, amused by her own logic. “It’s so weird. You guys and your weird power games. Do you all call each other ‘Mr. to feel more important?”
Joshua could only stare at her, utterly speechless.
Xylia found his reaction even more amusing.
“Was that man a friend of yours? Did you two have a falling out?”
In her experience, Joshua, with his easy charm, had many friends and few enemies. His direct hostility toward Burke suggested a serious conflict, which exined his rudeness.
Joshua remained silent, the perfect opening for his confession now lost.
Xylia, believing she had guessed correctly, gave a small, conciliatory smile.
“You can have your arguments, but don’t scare off my potential coborators,” she protested lightly.
“You cannot work with him,” Joshua said, his expression turning uncharacteristically stern, his voice low andced with a protective urgency that bordered on intimidation.
Xylia froze, startled by the intensity in his tone.
Seeing her reaction, Joshua quickly softened his demeanor.
“I’m not his friend; I’m his adversary,” he exined, choosing his words carefully. “His business practices are… hical. You should stay far away from him.”
“But Scentree is an internationally renowned brand,” Xylia countered, puzzled. “Did he use underhanded means to build it?<b>” </b>
Joshua stopped walking and looked directly at her.
“Don’t you believe me?”
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“I do,” she said hurriedly. “I’m just curious.”
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Not wanting to borate further or risk her seeking out Burke, Joshua feigned a wounded, disappointed demeanor.
“Well, if you don’t believe me, you can go back and find him. I’m sure working with a prestigious CEO is far better than with a mere driver.”
Seeing his uncharacteristic pout, Xylia quickly backpedaled.
“Alright, alright, I believe you! I was just curious because it’s so unlike you to make enemies.”
“So, your curiosity about him is because of me?” Joshua ventured, steering the conversation away from danger.
Though his conclusion wasn’t entirely urate, Xylia nodded, relieved to see his mood lift.
A satisfied smile finally appeared on Joshua’s face.
Soothed, Xylia dropped the subject of Burke.
She hade to wee him, and naturally, she offered to treat him to dinner.
After a brief discussion, Joshua chose the most renowned restaurant in Norhill–Savoria.
“Now that you’re a Sadler heiress,” he teased, “you can afford to treat me to a proper luxury meal, right?”
Xyliaughed and made a sweeping gesture.
“Order whatever you like!”
Located in the heart of Norhill’s most exclusive district, Savoria was the city’s oldest and most distinguished restaurant, known for its modern take on global fusion cuisine with an emphasis on exquisite, artfully presented dishes.
Xylia had made a reservation, and upon their arrival, a staff member led them directly to a coveted window–side table on the third floor.
The dusk light streamed through the floor–to–ceiling windows, casting a warm glow over them.
Xylia handed him the leather–bound menu.
“Order anything. Don’t even think about the price.”
A hint of cunning flickered in Joshua’s smile. “Don’t worry, I won’t.”
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He ordered several dishes, and Xylia noticed, with a warm flutter in her chest, that every one was her favorite.
She added a delicate truffle broth before finalizing the order.
As they waited, they chatted easily.
“You said you were transferred,” Xylia began, “but the Garcia family has no business in Norhill. Who are you driving for now?”
Joshua smiled. “I wasn’t transferred here to be a driver.”
Xylia looked at him, her expression prompting him to continue.
Joshua pressed his lips together, gathering the courage to finally reveal his identity.
After a moment’s mental preparation, he began, “Xylia, the truth is—”
“Xylia? What are you doing here?” A voice cut in, severing his confession at its root.
Joshua’s jaw tightened, the words dying on his lips. They both turned toward the interruption. “Kaden?” Xylia eximed, her surprise shifting the focus entirely.
Kaden walked towards them, a striking, unfamiliar woman poised at his side.
The woman on Kaden’s arm wore a sharply tailored business suit. Her long hair was swept back, revealing a delicate yet strong–featured face that exuded both intellect and assertiveness.
Noticing Xylia’s gaze, Kaden introduced her with a tone that seemed slightly reluctant. “This is my… friend, Rosalind Webb.”
He then gestured to Xylia. “This is my sister, Xylia.”
“Sister?” Rosalind’s sharp, probing gaze swept over Xylia. “Since when do you have another
sister?”
Instinctively, Xylia felt a flicker of hostility in the woman’s appraisal.
Kaden’s gaze, however, softened noticeably when itnded on Xylia.
He exined to Rosalind, “We’ve found my sister, the one who was missing.”
“Ah, I see,” Rosalind said, her demeanor shifting into one of polished courtesy.
“The lost heiress. Congrattions on your family’s reunion.”
The subtle hostility Xylia had sensed moments before vanished, reced by a cool,
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professional warmth.
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It was then that Xylia felt certain that Rosalind and Kaden’s rtionship was far more than just friends.
“Are you here for dinner as well?” Xylia asked politely.
Rosalind nodded, a polite smile on her lips, but before she could reply, Kaden interjected.
His voice was calm, but his eyes, fixed on Joshua, held an unmistakable coolness. “Would you mind if we joined you?”
Joshua’s brow furrowed slightly. His every instinct was to refuse.
Then he recalled David’s warning: if he intended to marry Xylia, he would need the approval of all four of her brothers. Now was not the time to offend the eldest.
Fortunately, Rosalind saved him the trouble. She grabbed Kaden’s arm and gave him a yful, if slightly exasperated, tap on the shoulder.
“Are you that clueless? I finally managed to free up my schedule for this dinner, and your first instinct is to share a table? That’s hardly the point of a date.”
Kaden’s face darkened. He looked at Rosalind, gritting his teeth in exasperation.
“You were the one who insisted on dinner.”
It struck Rosalind that it was indeed the case.
But the reminder still amused her. “When I insist on dinner, it’s for a private table for two. Not a group gathering.”
A date? A private table?
Xylia watched the exchange with growing amusement.
Hudson had mentioned Kaden might be in a rtionship soon. It seemed the prediction wasing true.
“Rosalind,” Kaden warned, his voice tight with irritation.
Joshua chose that moment to interject with a gentle, diplomaticugh. “I think thedy has made her preferences quite clear. Perhaps we should all enjoy our own evenings.”
“My conversation wasn’t with you,” Kaden retorted, his cold stare returning to Joshua.
Xylia quickly stepped in to defuse the tension.
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“Kaden, Joshua and I do have some business to discuss. It would be a bit inconvenient to share a table tonight. Let’s n a family dinner another time, yes?”
Before Kaden could argue, Rosalind smoothly took charge.
“Of course, Xylia. It was lovely to meet you.”
She gave Xylia a genuinely warm smile and then, without a nce back for Kaden’s opinion, firmly steered him away by the arm toward a table on the other side of the dining room.
They were seated close enough that Kaden could still nce in their direction throughout the meal, his expression unreadable.
Joshua sighed inwardly. The moment for his confession was thoroughly ruined.
Chapter <b>125 </b>