If the judges published an admission, it would be as good as sting her bribery for the world to see. The inte would roast her alive. And once the news spread, her awards would be seen as dirty, and she’d be called out as a cheater by everyone. There’d be noing back for her.


    “Joshua, please… you can’t do this, you’ll destroy me!” Noelle cried out, her voice trembling.


    Noelle was clearly anxious, her words quivering with fear.


    Eliza heard Noelle’s plea, and for a moment, she hesitated.


    She looked over at Joshua. “Joshua, I know Noelle messed up, but do we really have to <i>go </i>this far? Maybe there’s another way to deal with this?”


    Eliza wasn’t going to cover for Noelle, but she couldn’t bring herself topletely destroy her either.


    Noelle heard Eliza’s words, and for a moment, a sh of hatred flickered in her eyes.


    Eliza always treated her like she was precious, but when push came to shove, all Eliza cared about was punishing her.


    Noelle thought, ‘How did I never notice how two–faced Eliza could be before?‘


    Joshua didn’t miss the flicker of hatred in Eliza’s eyes.


    He dered, “That’s final. I’ll be recing the chief designer at Garcia Group. If you want to remain here, you’ll have to settle for being an ordinary designer.”


    Then, Joshua strode up to Noelle, his voice deep and icy.


    “This is yourst warning. If you screw up again, even for your brother’s sake, I won’t hesitate to make you pay,” he said coldly.


    His words, frosty and merciless, drilled straight into Noelle’s heart, leaving only a biting chill behind..


    That’s when it hit Noelle–Joshua had an agenda all along.


    He knew that she’d secretly set up Xylia at the bar, and even joined forces with Jessica to take her down.


    So this was payback… revenge for Xylia.


    Joshua turned and headed for the door.


    Eliza called out to him, but Joshua just waved her off.


    “Kids grow up and move out,” he said, his tone casual.


    “That kid!” Eliza muttered, clearly annoyed.


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    Eliza turned to Noelle, who was standing there with tear–stained, red eyes, looking ready to break down. Seeing her like that, Eliza found herself unable to utter any harsh words.


    So instead, she spoke in a gentle,forting tone.


    “Noelle, I know you messed up this time, but taking responsibility and fixing your mistakes is the right thing to do. You’re a gifted jewelry designer–honestly, you don’t need shortcuts or schemes. In my eyes, you’ll always be the best.”


    “Promise me you won’t do things like this again just because you’re worried you’ll let us down, okay?”


    Noelle quickly nodded, sounding meek and obedient. “I understand, Mrs. Garcia.”


    Eliza gently held Noelle’s hand.


    “Joshua isn’t really going to paint a target on your back. Let this be a lesson, okay? Treat it as a chance to start over,” she said in a soft,forting voice.


    Noelle felt anger swirling inside her, but she forced her expression to stay sweet and obedient.


    “Okay, Mrs. Garcia,” she replied, trying to sound steady despite the sting in her chest.


    Eliza gently patted Noelle’s head, offering for her to spend the night.


    But Noelle politely declined, insisting she’d rather go home.


    Watching Noelle walk away, her silhouette growing smaller by the second, Eliza let out a weary sigh.


    Just as she turned around, she caught Aaron’s gaze from the second floor.


    “How long have you been standing there?” she asked.


    Aaron answered, “I’ve been here since Joshua came back.”


    Aaron descended the stairs, each step steady as he approached Eliza.


    He nced at her, sighing, “It’s been years since Ist saw Noelle. She’s really be someone else.”


    Eliza was painfully aware of how much Noelle had changed, but deep down, she still couldn’t help wanting to pull her back from the edge.


    After all, her brother had once put his own life on the line to save Joshua.


    “Let’s try again,” Eliza murmured. “Maybe fate hasn’t given up on us yet.”


    Aaron sensed Eliza’s sadness and pulled her into aforting embrace.


    *******


    The next day, Xylia arrived bright and early at Garcia Group. No sooner had she stepped through the front doors than she bumped into Noelle.


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    Noelle looked like a total wreck after a sleepless night–her face pale, eyes red and swollen, exhaustion written all over her.


    As soon as she spotted Xylia, she red at her like she was about to pop a vein, her whole face twisted with


    resentment.


    Xylia was confused as hell.


    She figured Noelle must’ve gotten beat up by Jessicast night.


    But honestly, Xylia thought she totally deserved it.


    Xylia averted her gaze, didn’t even spare Noelle a second look, and walked right past her like she was invisible, heading for the CEO’s private elevator.


    Joshua had postponed all his morning meetings, leaving David to take charge for him.


    As soon as Xylia stepped out of the elevator, Joshua was there, took her by the hand, and led her straight to his office.


    The secretaries kept their heads down, pretending to work, but their eyes were constantly sneaking over to Joshua’s side of the office.


    Once Joshua and Xylia stepped into his office and closed the door, the secretaries started gossiping in hushed


    tones.


    “No wonder Mr. Garcia looked so lively this morning–turns out his fiancée was stopping by!” one whispered.


    “For real! Didn’t you hear? The future Mrs. Garcia just started her own studio, and ourpany’s new gift pack might feature uniforms from her brand,” another chimed in.


    “We’ve been sifting through proposals for days and Mr. Garcia’s kept his hands off. Wouldn’t it make sense for him to just hook his fiancée up?” someone snickered.


    “Mr. Garcia’s always been strict about keeping work and personal life separate. He’d never y favorites!” someone chimed in.


    Xylia saw that Joshua was all smiles today, so she asked, “Did something good happen?”


    “You’re the good thing that happened–having you here is enough for me,” Joshua replied with a yful grin.


    Xylia thought to herself that Joshua’s flirting was really getting out of hand.


    With a helpless shrug, Xylia parked herself next to him.


    She’d purposely skipped breakfast, trusting Joshua when he said he’d have it covered.


    Joshua pulled out sandwiches, a bottle of milk, and some adorable little pastries he’d put together that morning.


    “Dig in!” he urged, eyes lit up and practically sparkling.


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    Seeing him getting all hyped up over breakfast, Xylia couldn’t help but wonder, ‘Why is he <i>so </i>eager? Is he up to something with this food?‘


    “Did you make this?” she asked.


    Joshua nodded.


    Since she’d eaten Joshua’s cooking before, Xylia didn’t hesitate and started eating.


    “So, how does it taste?” Joshua leaned in, eyes wide with anticipation.


    Xylia nodded. “Your cooking’s always top–notch.”


    Joshua looked totally satisfied, soaking up the praise.


    Between bites, Xylia casually asked, “By the way, what time’s the meeting?”


    “It’s still early. Finish your breakfast first,” Joshua replied.


    Xylia didn’t push it any further.


    At eleven o’clock, the head of the other studio showed up.


    Joshua kept things open and transparent throughout the meetingying out the requirements for the employee uniforms and then inviting both studios to refine their earlier proposals.


    “If we don’t end up coborating this time, we’ll send a token of appreciation to the studio that doesn’t make the cut. We want every partner to feel valued,” he said.


    Xylia didn’t often get to see Joshua when he was all business.


    During the meeting, she kept stealing nces at him, her eyes full of admiration. ‘Wow, he’s seriously impressive when he gets into work mode,‘ Xylia thought to herself.


    After the meeting ended, Joshua leaned down, his voice oozing with yful confidence as he whispered in Xylia’s ear.


    “So, was my boss mode too irresistible for you? Did I knock you off your feet with how hot I am when I’m working?”


    Xylia was totally honest, “Yeah, you’re seriously handsome like that.”


    Joshua’s eyes lit up, clearly ready to take things further, but before he could, Xylia cut in, “But the moment we leave the conference room, your boss mask drops faster than a Halloween costume–back to your usual self in no time.”


    Xylia shot him a yful look, purposely pouting as if she was truly disappointed.


    Feeling a bit stubborn and defiant, Joshua pulled Xylia into his office and shot her a ridiculously serious look.


    “Alright, feast your eyes–I’ll give you all the boss energy you can handle,” he announced, half teasing, half


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    proud.


    He straightened up, channeling his inner hard–ass CEO, posture perfect and expression stern.


    Xylia just stood there, deadpan, quietly watching his little performance.


    But in less than five seconds, Joshua totally lost it, the act crumbling as he cracked up.


    Xylia thought to herself, ‘Honestly, messing with Joshua is way too entertaining sometimes.’


    Joshua, feeling a little indignant, pulled her into his arms and kissed her hard.


    Noelle spotted the head of the other studio downstairs and walked right up to them.


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    “Your studio’s not getting this deal–you know why?” Noelle asked, her tone condescending and smug.