Tessa returned to the hotel as if fleeing
The moment she stepped inside, she ran straight into Connor.
Connor noticed her distressed state and frowned slightly.
55 vouchers
“Where have you been? I told you to pack your belongings and prepare to return to Jupiton tonight. Have you packed?” Connor asked.
A chill ran through Tessa’s heart; upon seeing Connor, she instinctively rushed into his arms.
Connor froze for a moment, then, feeling the trembling of the woman against him, wrapped his arms around her.
His voice softened.
“What happened?”
250
Tessa shook her head in Connor Ford’s arms. “Connor, let’s go back now. Once we’re back, let’s get married, shall we?”
The word “marriage” made Connor’s brows knit.
“Tessa, didn’t I say…”
“Don’t try to brush me off with the excuse of mourning for your grandfather!” she burst out. “We can get a marriage certificate without holding a wedding ceremony. Or do you n to stay chaste forever for Xylia?”
“Tessa!” His tone turned sharp.
Tessa’s sudden, sharp outburst displeased Connor.
He had always <b>thought </b>of her as sensible, but now she seemed willful, and he hated it.
Tessa saw Connor being harsh to her <b>and </b>suddenly burst <b>into </b>tears.
“Connor, how can you treat me this way? You’ve already slept with me and promised to take responsibility. But every time marriagees up, you dodge it with excuses. If you don’t intend to take responsibility, just say it! I won’t bother you!”
Connor parted his lips, but no words came. Tessa’s usation left him speechless.
Seeing his silence, Tessa jerked free of his hand.
“I understand. I will not appear before you again. We’re done.”
She turned to leave, but Connor grew anxious.
8:18 Thu, Sep 18 N
He grabbed her hand. “Tessa, wait-
Before he could finish, Tessa suddenly spun back, using his momentum to pull him into <b>a </b>kiss.
56 vouchers
Connor instinctively tried to push her away, but she pressed <b>closer</b>. She didn’t even realize what she was doing, only that she had ignited his desire.
Soon, their clothesy scattered across the hotel room, adding to the mess.
Half a monthter, Xylia’s ster cast was finally removed.
However, during her recovery period, she still couldn’t walk much. Apart from doing rehabilitation exercises, her four older brothers ordered her to sit in a wheelchair.
Therefore, when Hudson wheeled her into the studio, Josie thought that Xylia had been utterly ruined.
“Xylia! What happened to you?”
Xylia twisted her wrist and lifted her foot to show she was <b>fine</b>.
Hudson exined on Xylia’s behalf.
“She’s still recovering and should avoid excessive movement.”
Josiepletely put her mind at ease.
She actually didn’t think what Hudson did was very exaggerated.
After all<b>, </b>serious injuries could have lifelong consequences if things go wrong, so it was best to be cautious.
She took over from Hudson and wheeled Xylia to the reception area on the first floor.
“The studio has two floors, but there’s no elevator. Since your foot isn’t well right now, you have to sit here for
now.”
Josie instructed the receptionist to bring two sses of water for Xylia and Hudson.
The receptionist, Macy, was a charming youngdy with a round face; her temperament closely resembled. that of Josie.
“Ms. Sadler, would you care for some juice? It was freshly made today.”
She was cheerful and full of vitality.
Xylia looked at her <b>in </b>confusion. “Do you know me?”
During this period, she didn’te to the studio; not even the employees had seen her.
This young girl actually recognized her at a nce.
“You’re so close with Ms. Dunn, so I guessed right away.”
Xylia continued to marvel at her perceptiveness.
Josie rolled her eyes.
“Don’t <b>listen </b>to her. She saw your photo on my phone.”
55 vouchert
Macy immediately pouted. “Ms. Dunn, can’t you let me at least look smart in front of Mr. Sadler?”
“No.”
Macy, with her head bowed in dejection, returned to her post.
Xylia looked at Josie with a smile.
“You have recruited a girl who is just as cute as you.”
“Tsk! Don’t call me cute. I’m a cool girl!”
Xylia gave a small smile.
Just then, Hudson received a phone call and needed to deliver something to Kaden.
“I’lle to pick you up shortly. Wait here.”
“Go ahead,” Xylia said. “We’ll be fine.”
After Hudson left, Josie smiled and looked at Xylia.
Her eyes, as round as grapes, studied Xylia closely.
Since arriving in Norhill, surrounded by love, Xylia’splexion had grown rosy, her energy brighter than it had been in Jupiton.
“Now this is the beginning of a good life,” <b>Josie </b>said <b>warmly</b>.
Xylia tilted her head, puzzled, but Josie quickly changed the <b>subject</b>.
“By the way, I’ve confirmed the contacts you gave me. They’re both niche designers, experienced and creative, even if not widely known. I asked them to submit sample drafts. Coincidentally, one of them will bring his draft today, <b>so </b>you may review it <b>as </b>well.”
Xylia nodded slightly.
Just as Josie finished speaking, a middle–aged man in sses stepped into the studio..
Macy said to <b>Josie</b>, “Ms. Dunn, Leroy Bonner has arrived.”
“That’s him. Wait here for a moment.”
8:18 Thu, Sep 18 N
Josie hurriedly said a quick word to Xylia before heading toward Leroy.
EL 55 vouchers
From a <b>distance</b>, Xylia saw Josie say something to Leroy, then brought <b>him </b>over here and sat down together.
Leroy had a handsome and dignified appearance and looked to be about forty years old. His eyes convey a sense of pride, giving him the air of an artist..
He gave Xylia <b>an </b>indifferent nce, then handed the carefully wrapped painting he had been holding in <b>his </b><b>hand </b>to Josie.
Josie unwrapped the painting and nced at its contents.
Leroy designed a vintage–inspired <b>dress </b>featuring a spaghetti strap design. The waist is ruched with diagonal draping, and the skirt falls to the knee with a neat hemline.
Josie assigned randomness as the theme to encourage designers to demonstrate their true abilities.
After viewing the painting, she furrowed her brow slightly.
“Mr. Bonner, it’s vintage, yes–but a little too stiff. It’s missing something.”
Josie has alwaysmunicated straightforwardly.
Leroy’s expression instantly darkened.
He didn’t wait for Josie to continue speaking and quickly pulled back his design drawing from her hands.
“I thought your studio understood design, but you’re just amateurs!”
“Mr. Bonner, please don’t get angry. This is just feedback. Please sit down and listen to me finish. If I’m wrong, we can revisit it, okay?”
Josie said to Leroy, making every effort to remain calm andposed.
Leroy let out a snort.
“What’s the point of talking to people like you who don’t understand design?”
Carefully packing away his sketch, he turned to leave.
Xylia suddenly called out <b>to </b>stop him.
“Mr. Bonner, may I have a <b>look </b>at your painting?”
Xylia <b>sat </b>in her wheelchair at an awkward angle, so she had not clearly seen Leroy’s <b>work </b><b>just </b>now,
Leroy stopped, turned his head, and eyed Xylia.
“And who are you?”
Xylia smiled gently and said, “I’m the owner of this shop.”