Xylia had just fallen into deep thought and didn’t notice Joshua came in.


    He made a sudden noise nearby, which startled her.


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    “You scared me. When did you get here?” Xylia patted her chest. After calming down, she looked back at the tablet.


    Joshua’s gaze followed hers to the tablet.


    A simple sketch of a top and trousers was on the tablet. It looked like a in T–shirt and jeans.


    He stopped watching and looked at Xylia. “I’ve been here for a while. You were just too focused.”


    Xylia quickly ate thest of the chips in her hand. She closed her tablet and looked at Joshua. “Go ahead. What’s the cooperation about?”


    As soon as she finished speaking, the office door opened again.


    The visitor didn’t knock but barged in, just like she was in her own office.


    “Why does it smell so strongly of spicy chips?” Noelle covered her nose in disgust. Then she noticed Xylia and Joshua sitting on the sofa.


    Her brows furrowed deeply when she saw Xylia. “Why are you here, Ms. Sadler?”


    She walked over, holding a document.


    Noticing the spicy chips beside Xylia, she frowned and quietly scolded, “Ms. Sadler, how can you eat spicy chips in the office? This is Joshua’s office. The smell of spicy chips everywhere is quite inappropriate and could have a negative impact.”


    Here it came again. This familiar drama.


    In the past, Tessa often acted this way. She would first criticize in the softest, cutest tone, and then pretend to care about others, ultimately making her seem malicious and foolish.


    Xylia stayed silent.


    Joshua said coldly, “Why didn’t you knock?”


    He was talking to Noelle. His voice was icy, and his face looked frozen.


    Noelle bit her lip. Her eyes instantly reddened because of Joshua’s cold words.


    She said, “Joshua, I wanted to discuss jewelry design with you earlier, but you said that business matters aren’t suitable to talk about outside. Now that we’re in the office, I hope I’m not disturbing you by bringing it up


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    As she spoke, she nced at Xylia.


    The implication was clear. She and Joshua were about to discuss official business for entirely legitimate reasons, and Xylia, as an uninvolved party, shouldn’t be listening.


    Joshua held back his temper and said, “As I’ve said, all matters concerning the jewelry brand should be discussed with David.”


    “Joshua, as the overall leader for this jewelry brand project, you can’t just dump all the work on David.”


    Under normal circumstances, Noelle wouldn’t dare contradict Joshua.


    However, he had brushed her off a few times, and she had seen how sweet Joshua and Xylia were together.


    She was extremely jealous.


    She no longer wanted to stay timid. Instead, she wanted to actively look for chances to talk to Joshua.


    Even if Joshua disliked her, she was determined to seize this opportunity.


    A hint of sarcasm curled at the corner of Joshua’s lips as he finally looked directly at Noelle.


    But his usually warm eyes were now icy cold, and that chill seemed to seep into Noelle’s heart.


    “Are you telling me what to do?” asked Joshua coldly.


    Noelle was taken aback by his cold, stern look. It was like she’d plunged into a freezer. “I… I didn’t mean it like that, Joshua…”


    Joshua didn’t look at her anymore. Instead, he nced at Xylia.


    More precisely, he was looking at the pack of spicy chips in her hand. “Give me one too.”


    Xylia didn’t expect him to change the subject so fast.


    She handed over the spicy chips without thinking.


    Joshua took it, opened the packaging at his leisure, and started eating.


    He’d had a refined upbringing. Even when eating spicy chips, he moved with grace.


    The aroma of the spicy chips filled the air.


    It seemed to p Noelle in the face silently.


    Xylia discreetly watched Noelle’s expression. Her face was pale, and her eyes were brimming with tears, like she might cry any second.


    She said, “Sorry, Ms. Coffey. I also have work–rted matters to discuss with Mr. Garcia. Even for official business, priorities must be observed.”


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    She wasn’t particrly polite, but she gave Noelle a way out.


    Noelle fixed her with a fierce re.


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    “With that lousy studio of yours, do you really think you can work with the Garcia Group?” Overwhelmed by anger, she spoke without thinking.


    Xylia was about to respond when Joshua turned to Noelle, his gaze cold and emotionless. “Leave.”


    His voice was icy cold. Anyone could tell he was impatient.


    Noelle still called out, “Joshua.”


    “Get out!” Joshua was obviously angry.


    Tears welled up in Noelle’s eyes. She red at Xylia one more time before turning and running out of the office.


    Xylia looked at Joshua.


    Caught by her gaze, Joshua felt uneasy for a moment before finally exining, “She was brought into thepany by my mom. Though I’m in charge of this jewelry brand project, I’ve barely interacted with her. Rest assured. I won’t let her take advantage of anything.”


    Joshua held Xylia’s hand to show his loyalty.


    Deep down, Xylia really cared.


    Her romantic past was far from perfect. When Tessa stayed by Connor’s side as his friend, she didn’t take it seriously.


    But it wasn’t until Connor was cheated that she realized how serious things were.


    Once bitten, twice shy. She liked Joshua, but she didn’t want to get hurt again.


    “Joshua, I feel insecure. If I ever find you getting closer to her, I’ll dump you without hesitation.” Her voice was soft, but it carried a hint of determination.


    Hearing her words, Joshua felt like his heart was being squeezed, filled with pain and bitterness.


    He squeezed Xylia’s hand back.


    But that still wasn’t enough. He sat down beside her again and pulled her into a full embrace.


    “That day will nevere.” His voice was firm and resolute. “It’s my fault for not making you feel secure, but in this lifetime, you’ll never have the chance to shake me off.”


    Xylia stayed silent, just quietly leaning against him.


    After a long pause, she finally asked, “What do you mean by cooperation?”


    8:28 Thu, Sep 18 N


    Only then did Joshua mention the cooperation to her.


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    The fiftieth anniversary of the Garcia Group wasing up, and thepany nned to provide customized uniforms for its employees.


    These uniforms must not only reflect the Garcia Group’s corporate culture but also meet the staff’s aesthetic preferences, ensuring they were suitable for wearing outside the workce.


    Joshua said, “The group has over ten thousand employees. For your studio, this is a huge order. However…”


    He lowered his gaze to Xylia. “We’ve talked to many subcontractors about this order. I’m just giving you, Ms. Sadler, a chance. Whether you can get the order will ultimately depend on your abilities.”


    Xylia, intrigued, joked, “Mr. Garcia, won’t you give me some special treatment?”


    Joshua shook his head in a businesslike manner, keeping a serious expression.


    “I can’t do this. I have to ensure every employee’s welfare.” His eyes flickered, and he suddenly leaned in close to her ear, speaking softly, “But if you beg me as Mrs. Garcia, I’ll be foolish just this once and bend the rules for you.”