:


    Xylia stayed quiet, letting Leon work things out on his own.


    Leon trusted his little sister wouldn’t lie to him. After thinking it over, he just epted his fate.


    He dropped his head, looking downright defeated.


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    Leon muttered under his breath, “If I’d known things would end up like this, I wouldn’t have said all that to her.”


    ‘Man, I really messed up,‘ Leon thought to himself, feeling seriously annoyed.


    Xylia was honestly a bit curious about how Leon and Mia Monroe first met. She also wondered, ‘Just when did Leon fall so deep for her, anyway?‘


    From Xylia’s perspective, it didn’t seem like the two were very close at the beginning. ‘Guess I wasn’t the only one who noticed that,‘ she mused.


    But this wasn’t the moment to get caught up in all that.


    Xylia shot Joshua a look.


    Joshua spoke up, “Howard’ll be swinging by soon to pick up this little munchkin.”


    As soon as Howard’s name dropped, both Be and Leon’s gazes snapped to Joshua.


    Be demanded, “Who told you to call my dad?”


    Leon blurted out in surprise, “Howard’sing here?”


    Be and Leon spoke at the same time.


    Be rushed over to Xylia, grabbing her hand in a panic.


    “Sis, don’t let Dade get me! I don’t wanna go home!”


    Leon frowned at Xylia. “Since when did you start hanging out with the Jennings family, little sis?”


    Xylia told Leon about what happened that day.


    Only then did Leon realize how serious it all was–he felt a chill run down his spine.


    “Why didn’t you let us know about any of this? You actually took on those traffickers by yourself? Are you hurt?” Leon demanded, sounding both anxious and frustrated.


    Xylia shook her head. “No, I’m really not hurt–don’t worry, seriously.”


    Leon frowned at her, his tone strict but caring. “Promise me, you’ll tell your brothers right away next time. Don’t face things alone, you hear me?”


    10:11 <b>Sat</b><b>, </b>Sep 20


    …


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    Leon’s concern was so real, Xylia could see the sincerity right there in his eyes.


    Xylia couldn’t help but feel a wave of emotion–it really got to her.


    Back at the Sadler family home, her brothers never missed a chance to remind her: whatever came her she’d never have to face it alone as long as they were around.


    Joshua couldn’t help but roll his eyes at their mushy sibling moment.


    <b>way</b>,


    He sauntered over and slipped his hand around Xylia’s other hand. “Hey, you got me too. Next time anything goes down, remember toe find me first.”


    Leon red at Joshua, looking thoroughly annoyed.


    “Seriously, why do you keep popping up everywhere?” Leon muttered, barely hiding his frustration.


    Joshua shot back azy look, his calm gaze tinged with a yful challenge.


    Leon was so mad, he nearly stomped his feet.


    Be’s eyes were brimming with tears as she gazed up at Xylia. Xylia couldn’t help but find it odd, so she crouched down, looking at the little one with concern.


    “Be, why don’t you want your dad to pick you up?” Xylia asked softly.


    “It’s always just me by myself when I get home. I don’t want Dad to take me back,” Be murmured, her voice trembling.


    Just the thought of going home alone made Be break down in tears.


    Xylia reached into Joshua’s pocket, grabbed a tissue, and carefully wiped Be’s tears.


    “Don’t cry, sweetheart,” Xylia soothed gently.


    Leon muttered from the side, his toneced with mockery.


    “The Jennings family is so busy, they can’t seem to spare a minute for their own kid.”


    The sarcasm in his voice was impossible to miss.


    <i>“</i>Our family business is none of your concern,” Howard’s voice cut through the air, sharp and cold.


    He strode over, his assistant trailing behind him.


    Howard’s gaze flicked over Leon’s face, barely registering him, before turning to Xylia,


    “Sorry for the trouble Be’s caused you,” Howard said, his tone polite but distant.


    Xylia couldn’t shake the feeling that Howard’s attitude toward her had changed. It wasn’t the same gentle demeanor she’d seen at the police station.


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    Instead, there was an unmistakable undercurrent of hostility in the way he spoke.


    Xylia shook her head. “It’s fine.”


    Howard looked down at Be, who was practically glued to Xylia’s side.


    “Be,e here,” he called, his tone distant butmanding.


    Be clung tighter to Xylia’s shirt, her misty eyes flicking anxiously between Howard and Xylia.


    Reluctantly, Be released her grip on Xylia’s shirt hem, still looking as if she never wanted to let go.


    “Sis, Be’s heading out now,” she murmured, the disappointment and hurt clear in her tiny voice.


    Hearing that, Xylia’s heart melted. She couldn’t help herself–she turned to Howard and spoke up for Be.


    “Mr. Jennings, you and your wife seem to be running a million things every day, but maybe you should carve out some time for your own kid,” Xylia said, her words gentle but with a subtle bite.


    Howard took Be’s hand, then nced up at Xylia, his tone noticeably frosty.


    “Our family affairs really don’t require your concern, Ms. Sadler. Still, we owe you for what you did, and Be’s already caused you enough troubletely. For today, any shopping you do at the mall is on me,” Howard said coolly, keeping his tone distant but polite.


    He gave Xylia a curt nod and led Be away by the hand.


    Howard’s assistant walked over and handed Xylia a business card.


    “Ms. Sadler, most of the stores here belong to the Jennings Group. Just show this card and shop as much as you like it’s all taken care of,” the assistant said, expression perfectly polite but detached.


    After that, the assistant turned and left as well.


    Leon, clearly annoyed, snatched the card from Xylia’s hand and tossed it into a nearby trash can.


    “The Sadlers‘ princess doesn’t need to rely on some outsider’s money,” Leon said, pulling out a ck card and handing it to Xylia. “Today’s shopping spree is on me. Have fun.”


    Leon ruffled Xylia’s hair affectionately before turning to leave.


    Xylia stood there, clutching the ck card, totally at a loss for words.


    ‘Is this even apetition?‘ she couldn’t help thinking.


    Joshua reached over, plucked the ck card from Xylia’s hand, and tucked it right into her bag.


    “Don’t make it look like the heir of the Garcia Group is living on scraps. No spending other guys‘ cash–use your future husband’s,” Joshua teased, a cocky grin on his face.


    Not missing a beat, he slipped his arm around Xylia’s waist and headed straight for the luxury boutiques.


    Xylia just rolled her eyes, totally speechless.


    Once the coast was clear, Mia finally strolled out of the restroom.


    ‘Man, these folks could really yak, Mia thought to herself, grinning wryly.


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    She threw on her sunsses, snuck over to the elevator, and slipped right out of the mall without anyone noticing.


    The designerpetition was officially underway.


    Xylia carried her gown backstage to the dressing room, looking for her model.


    When she finally saw the model in person, Xylia was absolutely floored. This woman was drop–dead gorgeous -wless features, a killer figure. Xylia just stood there for a few seconds,pletely taken aback by her beauty.


    ‘Wow, the organizers aren’t messing around this time,‘ Xylia thought.


    <i>“</i>They even brought in an international supermodel for this show!‘


    While the model was changing, the door to the dressing room suddenly swung open.


    Xylia figured it was probably another designer hunting for a spot, so she was about to say, “Sorry, this one’s taken,” when she looked up–only to be met by Tessa’s challenging re.


    Xylia’s expression immediately turned icy.


    “Well, well, sis, I can’t believe you actually signed up for thispetition,” Tessa scoffed, her voice thick with sarcasm. “Marching in like a clueless rookie who thinks she owns the ce–how brave, how na?ve.”


    Xylia didn’t even flinch. She just kept working,pletely unfazed by Tessa’s snide remarks.


    “This <b>is </b>a backstage dressing room. If you’re not involved, you need to leave,” Xylia said, her tone firm and unwavering.


    Instead of backing off, Tessa stepped further into the room, her smirk growing wider.


    “Not involved? Sis, do you even know who’s backing thispetition?” Tessa asked, her voice dripping with mockery.


    Xylia didn’t want to waste her breath on Tessa.


    But Tessa wasn’t about to let it go. She leaned in closer, clearly trying to get under Xylia’s skin.


    “Connor’s one of the big investors here, and I’m about to be his wife. So, what do you think–is thispetition my business or not?” Tessa said, eyes gleaming with smug pride.


    Xylia rose to her feet, her expression icy and unimpressed as she stared Tessa down.


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    “Whatever your connection is, that’s not my concern,” Xylia replied, her voice cutting and direct. “Backstage <b>is </b>for those who belong here. Leave now, or I’ll get security to escort you out.”


    Seeing Xylia keep her cool, acting all high and mighty, only made Tessa seethe even more.


    Just then, the model emerged from the dressing room, fully dressed.


    “Ms. Sadler, is this really how I’m supposed to wear it?” the model asked, looking totally lost and a bit embarrassed by theplicated gown.


    The dress was so borate, the model just couldn’t figure out how to put it on right.


    Tessa took one look at the ckce top and matching skirt on the model, then let out a sharp snort and smirked, not hiding her mockery at all.


    “Xylia, this is your so–called masterpiece?” Tessa sneered, her voice thick with sarcasm.


    B