Ang Bright from Bridge Studio was the project lead–a woman who always gave off an air of efficiency. She wore gold–rimmed sses and a sharp business suit,ing across as clean–cut andpetent.
Her whole look radiated a no–nonsense vibe.
Noelle spotted her immediately. Ang looked busy, and as Noelle stopped her, Ang’s brow twitched in
annoyance.
But years in the business kicked in. Ang quickly collected herself, smoothing out her frown.
Her professional smile returned as she turned to face Noelle, her expression calm and polite.
“I don’t think we’ve met before,” Ang said, her tone polite but a little cautious.
Noelle introduced herself, calm and confident: “I’m Mr. Garcia’s sister. Do you have time for a quick chat?”
Ang’s curiosity was clearly stirred. “Of course,” she replied, her smile bing more genuine.
Noelle led her over to a nearby café.
After they’d ordered two coffees, Noelle leaned forward, she spoke with unwavering confidence. “There’s no way your studio is getting the Garcia Group contract.”
Ang kept her cool and didn’t bat an eye.
Ang just asked, “Why?”
Noelle replied, “Because the owner of Xylic Studio, yourpetition, happens to be Mr. Garcia’s girlfriend.”
Ang’s poker face almost shattered with shock. She took a steadying breath, her mind working fast, before replying to Noelle, “The Garcia Group is known for their impable reputation, and Mr. Garcia has always been all business–never the type to blur the lines between his work and personal life. As for you, you say you’re his sister? That’s odd. I’ve never heard about Mr. Garcia having a sister.”
Noelle privately scoffed at Ang’s whole act. Nothing bugged her more than women who paraded around like elite powerhouses, talking and moving as if they were the only brains around. Noelle was rolling her eyes so hard in her head, she could practically see her brain.
“I’m Joshua’s sister,” Noelle said, unflinching. “Seriously–if you don’t buy it, we can go straight to him and settle this face–to–face.”
Ang looked at Noelle, who spoke with such assurance it was hard not to believe her–honestly, Ang was already about 70% convinced.
Thinking back to the meeting, Ang remembered Joshua seeming unusually familiar with the owner of Xylic Studio. She’d caught them exchanging loaded nces not just once, but a few times.
‘Okay, guess I’m about 90% convinced now,‘ Ang thought to herself.
8:38 Thu, Sep 18 N
“If you’re really Mr. Garcia’s sister, why are you telling me all this?” Ang asked.
Noelle’s lips curled into a small, knowing smile. She could tell Ang was starting to buy it.
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“I don’t like Xylia,” Noelle said, not bothering to hold back. “She doesn’t deserve my brother. I’m going to make sure she’s out of his life, one way or another.”
Noelle didn’t bother hiding her true feelings.
Ang, however, had zero interest in getting tangled up in this drama–she knew better than to dip her toes in trouble that wasn’t hers.
“Bridge Studio’s just a small outfit working with Garcia Group,” Ang replied, her voice polite but clearly putting distance between herself and Noelle. “Sorry, Miss, but I’m not about to meddle in whatever’s going on with you and Mr. Garcia. I’ve got other matters to attend to, so I’ll be leaving now.”
Ang didn’t so much as nce back. She got up and headed out, wanting no part of this twisted sibling feud.
Noelle let her go without a word.
‘Mission aplished, Noelle thought, satisfaction flickering in her eyes. ‘No point wasting breath on people like her anyway.‘
‘So Xylia wants to team up with Garcia Group, does she?‘ Noelle mused, her attitude icy. ‘Bridge Studio’s got a serious reputation in Norhill–let’s see if she can actually swallow all that glory if she does snag the contract.‘
Xylia left Garcia Group with her cheeks zing red.
She kept her head down, all but barging out, silently cursing Joshua every step.
‘Unbelievable!‘ Xylia grumbled in her head. ‘All I did was tease him, and he had to make me so flustered I could hardly breathe!‘
Xylia had just left Garcia Group, originally thinking she’d pop back to her studio. That n crashed and burned when her phone lit up–Kaden was calling, and apparently, she was needed at Sadler Group instead.
Last time she’d gone over there, it was all about transferring shares. ‘Wonder what this is about this time, Xylia thought, vaguely uneasy.
She didn’t bother overthinking it–just hailed a cab and headed off to Sadler Group. No point stressing; she’d deal with whatever came her way when she got there.
It was lunchtime when Xylia arrived at Sadler Group.
She headed straight for the top floor, where Kaden’s office was.
Kaden was buried in work, even during his lunch break.
Xylia knocked and stepped in. Two meals were already set out on the desk.
Kaden looked up from his work when she came in and said, “You’re here. Let’s eat first.”
8:38 Thu, Sep 18 N
Kaden quickly finished up his work and made his way over to the sofa.
Xylia took the chopsticks he handed her and asked, “So, Kaden, what’s the asion?”
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“Remember when I told you about the 5% shares Grandpa left for you?” Kaden said. “The transfer agreement is done—just sign it when you’re ready, then drop in and say hi to the other shareholders.”
Last time she signed for that 20% stake, she just put her name on the papers and walked right out–never even met the other shareholders.
“Honestly, Kaden, I don’t really need all these shares. What Mom and Dad left me is already more than enough.”
With 25% of Sadler Group under her name, Xylia was basically a key shareholder already.
She hadn’t really done anything for Sadler Group, and honestly, she felt kind of guilty about it.
Kaden slid her favorite dishes in front of her, meeting her eyes with firm resolve. “This is Grandpa’s dowry for you. You’re not allowed to refuse.”
Xylia went quiet, not knowing how to respond.
Kaden could tell she was struggling to put her feelings into words, and he let out a gentle sigh. “Xylia, you’re a Sadler. You’re one of us. There’s no shame in epting what our family wants you to have.”
Xylia gave him a small smile and nodded.
Kaden saw right through it–he knew that nod was just for show. She hadn’t actually taken his words to heart.
After lunch, Kaden had Xylia sign the paperwork, then introduced her to the major shareholders at Sadler Group. Xylia didn’t head out until all of that was over.
As soon as she walked out of Sadler Group, she ran smack into thest two people she wanted to see–Yves and Gia Schultz.
Seriously? Mr. & Mrs. Schultz were actually right there, in the flesh.
Xylia pretended not to see them, spun around, and made a beeline for a side street–hoping she could catch a cab and vanish before they even noticed her.
But Mr. & Mrs. Schultz caught up to her anyway, determined not to let her slip away.
Gia’s voice rang out, barely containing her thrill. “Xylia, we finally found you!”
Her eyes nearly sparkled with greed, as if she’d just lucked into a winning lottery ticket.
Xylia instinctively backed away a couple steps, putting more space between them.
“I have nothing to do with you anymore. Please, just stop trying to bother me,” Xylia said coldly.
Gia pretended she hadn’t heard a single word Xylia said, her smile fixed and overly sweet as her eyes swept
8:38 Thu, Sep 18 N
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over Xylia like she was sizing up a prize.
“Xylia, I saw you leaving Sadler Group just now. So–do you actually know Mr. Sadler?” Gia asked, her tone sticky–sweet but a little probing.
Xylia instantly went on alert–she knew exactly how the Schultzs operated. If she admitted she had any real connection with Kaden, they’d no doubt turn around and make trouble for the Sadler Brothers.
Her eyes betrayed a sh of annoyance, even though she tried to hold her poker face.
I’ve already cut ties with the Schultzs and left Jupiton behind. So why the hell are they still hounding me?” Xylia thought, her frustration bubbling up.
“I don’t know him,” Xylia said coolly. “I was just here trying to work out a deal, but they basically showed me the door.”
Gia knew Xylia had started up a design studio–she’d taken a quick nce at it from the street ages ago.
It was basically just a cramped, two–story office. Pretty shabby, honestly.
Gia’s eyes shed with clear contempt.
She’d thought Xylia had really made some waves in Norhill–wasn’t Tessa always saying she’dtched onto the Sadler family? Turns out, evennding a basic business deal was out of her league.
“But I’ve heard you and Mr. Sadler are on pretty good terms,” Gia insisted, clearly not willing to drop the subject.
She pressed further, refusing to give up.
Xylia frowned slightly, puzzled. “Who told you that?”
“Tessa said she saw Mr. Sadler stand up for you. I just thought you two must be close,” Gia remarked, sounding convinced she was in the know.
“Men out there care a lot about keeping up appearances,” Xylia shot back dryly. “Ask your husband–if he saw a woman getting picked on, wouldn’t he step in to help?”
Yves, who hadn’t even said a word up till now, suddenly found himself dragged into the mess.
He frowned, clearly exasperated. “That all depends on whether the woman’s actually being bullied! And as for Tessa saying you two are closee on, just because you help someone doesn’t mean you’re close!”
“Tessa’s always spouting nonsense–you guys should know that better than anyone,” Xylia said with a careless
smirk.
Xylia’s tone waspletely casual, like she couldn’t even be bothered to take their questions seriously.
Yves and Gia fell silent, clearly at a loss for words.