Yves and Gia didn’t like Xylia’s assessment of Tessa, but knowing they needed her help, they had to suppress their irritation.


    Yves said, “Since you’re close with Mr. Sadler, help connect us so we can talk business with him. Think of it as paying us back for all those years we raised you.”


    Afraid Xylia might refuse, Gia quickly added a threat. “Either you hand over two hundred million dors as payback for your upbringing, or cutting ties with us won’t be so simple.”


    Xylia let out a scoff, incredulous. “When I signed that agreement to sever ties, we were done. And now you seriously think you can demand money from me?”


    ‘Seriously, they really have no shame,‘ Xylia thought to herself.


    “Why shouldn’t we? You really think cutting ties with us is that simple? That agreement means nothing- unless we agree, you’ll always owe the Schultz family!” Gia snapped.


    Gia was already losing her patience; she just wanted to push Xylia into backing down and setting up that meeting with Kaden.


    Xylia was fed up with how shameless Yves and Gia were acting. There’s no way she was going to introduce Kaden to them. And as for giving them money? Not a chance.


    Just then, her ride pulled up. Seeing Yves and Gia still acting all high and mighty, Xylia hopped in and mmed the door.


    “If you think you’re so clever, go track down Mr. Sadler yourselves. Stop bothering me!” she snapped.


    Yves and Gia tried to block her way, but Xylia didn’t even hesitate–she got into the car and told the driver to go, leaving them behind in the dust.


    Gia shot a venomous re at the car, spitting in disgust.


    “Ungrateful little snake! All those years wasted raising her!”


    Yves cast a resentful look at the Sadler Group building, frustration simmering beneath the surface. But since Xylia was already gone, there was no point in chasing after her anymore.


    He stared at the massive ss tower looming close by and squared his shoulders. “Come on, even without Xylia, we still have to give it a shot!”


    Gia bit her lip nervously. “You can’t just walk in to see Mr. Sadler–you need an appointment. We don’t even have his assistant’s number. There’s no way we’ll be able to meet him if we go now.”


    “Trying is better than doing nothing!” Yves shot back, his jaw set.


    The thought of seeing his life’s work crumble left Yves burning with bitter frustration. Years of effort–he refused to let them vanish without a fight.


    Even if there were beasts lurking on the road ahead, he’d carve out a future for the Schultz Group no matter the cost.


    Without another word, Yves strode toward the Sadler Group building. Gia hastily followed, unwilling to fall behind.


    When they walked up to the reception desk, Yves exined why they were there. The receptionist just gave them a practiced, polite smile.


    “Sorry, but without an appointment, you can’t see Mr. Sadler,” she replied.


    Yves’s eyes shed as inspiration struck. He leaned forward and asked, “That girl who just walked out–you recognized her, didn’t you?”


    The receptionist nodded honestly.


    After all, that was Ms. Sadler, the little sister Mr. Sadler had just reunited with. The wholepany had seen her photo, and everyone’d been strictly told–no one’s allowed to disrespect her, no exceptions.


    It was obvious how much weight Ms. Sadler carried in thepany–everyone had seen her photo, and there were strict orders not to give her any trouble, no exceptions.


    Yves leaned forward and lowered his voice. “She’s the one who told us toe see Mr. Sadler.”


    The receptionist instantly looked awkward, her confidence slipping as she realized things just gotplicated with Ms. Sadler involved.


    ‘Should I really get involved in Ms. Sadler’s family mess?‘ the receptionist fretted. ‘If I ignore this, and Mr. Sadler finds out, I could lose my job… After a moment’s struggle, she finally made up her mind.


    “Alright, please wait a moment. I’ll double–check with Mr. Sadler.”


    She quickly called Kaden’s assistant.


    When Kaden heard the news, he paused. “Schultz?”


    The assistant nodded. “The receptionist sent over a photo. It’s the family that adopted Ms. Sadler when she was in Jupiton.”


    Kaden let out a cold chuckle. “The Schultzs… how amusing,’ he thought.


    ‘The Schultzs in the capital.‘ Kaden’s eyes narrowed, dismissive.


    ‘Perfect. There are plenty of scores I still need to settle with the Schultzs, Kaden thought coldly.


    He instructed brusquely, “Let them up.”


    Meanwhile, Xylia returned to the studio and filled Josie in on the new n they’d discussed at the Garcia Group.


    With a confident p of her palm on the table, Josie grinned. “Piece of cake! I’ll have a new proposal ready today. We’ll nail this deal!”


    Josie’s enthusiasm was contagious, and Xylia found herself caught up in it. She ended up stayingte at the studio to help.


    By the time they finished up and headed out, Joshua’s car was already parked right outside, waiting for Xylia.


    Josie and Xylia walked out together.


    Josie nudged Xylia yfully and teased, “First it was your brother picking you up, and now it’s your husband. I’m seriously jealous!”


    Xylia smiled. “Want me to drop you off on my way home?”


    Josie immediately straightened up and cleared her throat, pretending to be all serious.


    “I’d better head out. You two take your time,” Josie said, suddenly turning all serious as she straightened up.


    Xylia watched Josie give Joshua a quick wave before heading off toward the bus stop.


    She let out a small tsk, amused.


    Sure, prying into a friend’s business wasn’t exactly polite, but honestly, she couldn’t help being curious.


    ‘Was Josie secretly hiding a guy at home?‘ Xylia wondered to herself.


    Xylia walked over to the car and tapped on the window, motioning for Joshua to get out.


    “What’s up?” Joshua asked.


    “I’m a little hungry. Want to go grab ate–night bite?” Xylia said, her eyes shing with something unreadable.


    Joshua narrowed his eyes at her, looking at her suspiciously.


    “What scheme are you plotting now?” Joshua asked.


    “What trouble am I up to?” Xylia huffed, rolling her eyes. “There’s a snack street right over there with loads of good eats. My treat!”


    Joshua got it–Xylia just had the munchies.


    He hesitated, frowning at her outstretched hand.


    “I’m seriously starting to wonder if I should let you eat all that sketchy street grub,” he teased.


    Xylia shot him a look. “Hey, those ces are legit! Who says they’re dirty?”


    Seeing Xylia get annoyed, Joshua softened right away and tried to coax her. “Hey, I’m just kidding. Come on, let me treat you.”


    Xylia watched him for a moment, making sure he really meant it and wasn’t just appeasing her. Once she was sure, she went along after him.


    At a corner just down from Xylic Studio, Ang spotted Xylia and Joshua strolling hand in hand toward the food street.


    Scowling, she pulled out her phone and called her boss.


    “Boss, they’re looking pretty cozy. That woman was right–they really are a couple,” Ang reported.


    “Understood,” Ang replied.


    Her boss finally spoke, voice low and cold. “Mm, we’re definitely not letting this go.”


    Ang ended the call, spun on her heel, and strode away without another nce.


    Joshua felt like someone was watching him, so he nced over in Ang’s direction–but saw nothing but empty street.


    ‘What’s up?‘ Xylia asked, curious.


    Joshua looked back at Xylia. “It’s nothing. Let’s go.”


    That night, Xylia finally satisfied her craving and got her hands on some grilled squid after dreaming about it for days. She made sure to air out the snack smell before heading back to the Sadler family–she wasn’t about to walk in reeking like a street food vendor.


    Two dayster, when it came time to submit the new design proposals for the Garcia Group project, only Xylic Studio had turned anything in.


    Bridge Studio didn’t show up at all, and nobody could reach them either.


    Joshua just kept his cool through the whole thing.


    “Guess they’re forfeiting,” he said, calm as ever. “So, Xylic Studio gets the contract.”


    Joshua looked over the design Xylia handed in and was genuinely impressed.


    He couldn’t care less about why Bridge Studio had dropped out.


    After years in the business, he’d seen plenty of clients bail halfway–anyone that unreliable, he simply cut ties for good.


    Joshua locked in the deal–final word.


    Still, Xylia couldn’t help but wonder.


    The rep from Bridge Studio hadn’t seemed like he was nning to throw in the towel–so why’d they suddenly drop out?


    But it wasn’t something she really cared about.


    With the Garcia Group order in the bag, Xylia excitedly spread the news to Josie, barely able to contain her grin. And just like she’d promised, she called everyone from the studio together and took them all out for a big celebratory dinner.


    Joshua gave Xylia a yful, exaggerated pout. “Weren’t you supposed to spend tonight with. me?”


    Xylia reached out and stroked his cheek to coax him. “We eat together all the time, but I hardly ever get the chance to treat my team. I’ll make it up to you tomorrow, okay?”


    Joshua’s mood brightened instantly–he couldn’t stay upset for long.