Chapter <b>219 </b>


    “Um…” The model hesitated, just about to speak, but Tessa didn’t let her finish.


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    Tessa gave the model’s clothes a snide once–over, then turned to Xylia with a smirk. “Xylia, you seriously think you’ve got what it takes topete here? Honestly, you’re just here to embarrass yourself. Why even bother stepping onstage? Just quit now and save us all the cringe.”


    The model was just about to exin that the outfit wasn’t designed by Xylia. Xylia caught her eye and shook her head.


    ‘Even if I tried exining to Tessa, she’d never care. No point wasting my breath,‘ Xylia thought.


    Xylia fixed her gaze on Tessa, her tone steady. “Whether Ipete or not has nothing to do with you. Now, please leave–stop bothering my model.”


    Tessa let out a sharpugh and stepped up to Xylia.


    “So, Xylia, you really think just because you’re cozying up to Mr. Garcia, your path’s gonna be all sunshine and rainbows? Designer? Please. If you don’t have the skills, no amount of connections will get you that trophy. I’ll be front row when you crash and burn in front of everyone,” Tessa smirked.


    With that, Tessa turned on her heel and stormed out of the dressing room.


    Xylia didn’t pay her any more attention. She turned back to the model, offering a gentle, apologetic smile. “Sorry you have to deal with this mess. The real outfit should be arriving any minute–just bear with this one for a little longer, alright?”


    Xylia had gotten mixed up today and identally brought the wrong outfit.


    This sample was from a client a couple days ago, and since the model thought it looked pretty good, she wanted to try it on for fun. With the right outfit still on its way, Xylia just let her go ahead and wear it.


    The model waved off her concerns. “It’s really no trouble, Xylia. Your studio’s designs all have a special touch. Even this piece–while it looks simple at first–has something unique to it. I’ve worn a ton of big brands, but your team’s work truly stands out.”


    Xylia couldn’t help but smile at the praise. “Thank you, that really means a lot! After the show, let’s exchange contacts–if you ever want something custom for yourself, just let us know.”


    “Oh, I’d love that!” the model replied brightly.


    Xylia was thrilled–another potential client in the bag.


    When Josie finally burst in, breathless from hauling the right outfit all the way over, she couldn’t help but put Xylia in a friendly chokehold andunch into her rant.


    “Seriously, how could you mess up at such a crucial moment? Are you trying to throw away your shot at winning? After all my naggingtely–this is how you repay me? Do you even appreciate how much I’ve been helping you?” Josie grumbled.


    Xylia craned her neck, shing Josie a sheepish grin as she clung to her arm.


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    “I’m really sorry, Josie! But lucky for me, I have you to bail me out–you brought the outfit and totally saved my skin today. What would I ever do without you, huh?”


    Xylia spent ages coaxing Josie, and only then did Josie finally let go of her irritation–if just barely.


    “Next time, pay more attention, alright? You’re meant to be the next big name in design,” Josie scolded, still sounding half–annoyed.


    “Alright, alright, I swear–I’ll keep my head in the game,” Xylia grinned, giving a yful salute.


    Just then, the model strutted out in the right outfit, looking absolutely stunning. Xylia and Josie couldn’t take their eyes off her.


    Josie instantly forgot about being mad, nced at Xylia with excitement, and dered, “That’s a champion’s look. You’re totally winning this.”


    At the judging panel for the fashion show, Xavi sat front and center, surrounded by several other judges.


    Connor had somehow managed to sneak onto the panel too, with Tessa sitting right behind him.


    And then there was Howard, seated on the other side of Xavi.


    Xylia and Josie made their way to the front row.


    Joshua was already there, sporting sunsses–which was a rare look for him–plus a casual T–shirt, jeans, and crisp white sneakers. He blended right in with the college crowd; you’d never guess he was anything but your


    average guy.


    There were two empty seats next to him, so Xylia and Josie walked over and settled in beside him.


    Josie looked Joshua up and down. “Mr. Garcia, you rocking that college kid look today?”


    Joshua didn’t bother taking off his sunsses and ndly replied, “My wife looks way too young, so I had to switch up my wardrobe to match her.”


    Josie gave a theatrical shudder. “Ugh, you two are just too much!”


    Xylia settled in beside Joshua, casting a thoughtful nce over his casual look before giving an approving nod. “Honestly, it does look like I’m the one scoring here.”


    Joshua reached for her hand, all his usual coolness melting away as he shuttled even closer. “No way–I’m definitely the lucky one.”


    His voice softened, and he clung to Xylia’s hand like a big, loveable puppy, whining sweetly as he tried to act


    cute.


    Josie had seen so much of their lovey–dovey drama that at this point, she barely even blinked at it.


    10:11 Sat, <b>Sep </b><b>20 </b>


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    Meanwhile, Tessa was sitting behind Connor, and when she nced over, she couldn’t help but notice Joshua and Xylia looking all lovey–dovey.


    Even with his sunsses on, Tessa instantly recognized Joshua as the guy they’d once mistaken for the Garcia family’s driver–who turned out to be the family’s sole heir.


    Seeing Xylia’s happy, glowing face made Tessa’s blood boil.


    She clenched her fists and, just before the show kicked off, strode right up to Xylia and Joshua, making sure all eyes were on her.


    “So this is the legendary Mr. Garcia, huh? We’ve crossed paths back in Jupiton before, but I had no clue who you really were. If I ever stepped out of line, I hope you won’t take it to heart,” Tessa said, her voice ringing out loud and clear with a fake smile, making sure the whole front row could hear her perform her little apology.


    The front row instantly started buzzing, everyone perking up to watch the drama unfold.


    Joshua kept his sunsses on and didn’t so much as nce in her direction.


    Tessa, feelingpletely snubbed, shifted her focus to Xylia, annoyance written all over her face.


    “So I heard the Garcia Group’s sponsoring this event, and Ms. Schultz not only entered the contest, she’s also dating Mr. Garcia himself. Guess that means the trophy’s practically reserved–right, Ms. Schultz?” Tessa’s words rang out loud, loaded with sarcasm and a not–so–subtle wink to the crowd.


    She was tantly stirring the pot, making sure everyone knew that if Xylia took first ce, it was all thanks to favoritism–like she was getting special treatment through backstage connections.


    Whispers started spreading through the crowd behind them.


    “Ms. Schultz? Who’s that? I thought Mr. Garcia’s girlfriend’sst name was Sadler–like the one sitting next to him up front?”


    “Maybe the news got it wrong. But with Mr. Garcia backing this show, it’s pretty much a done deal–she’s gonna win.”


    “Seriously? Then what’s even the point of us being here?”


    “Wait, does the Garcia Group really have that much pull? Can they just rig an officialpetition like this?”


    “Why not? But hey, let’s see for ourselves–once Mr. Garcia’s girlfriend steps out, we’ll find out if she’s got the


    skills or not,”


    Н


    Tessa frowned, clearly annoyed by the crowd’s reactions.


    ‘When did this crowd get so reasonable?‘ Tessa thought, unimpressed.


    ‘Or maybe they’re only holding their tongues because Joshua’s sitting right here,‘ she scoffed to herself.


    10:11 <b>Sat</b><b>, </b>Sep 20


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    Xylia was about to say something, but Joshua gave her hand a quick squeeze–his way of telling her to just let


    it go.


    Xylia shut her mouth and just let it slide.


    Joshua lifted his head slowly, his eyes shielded by his sunsses, gaze cool and unreadable as itnded squarely on Tessa.


    She couldn’t see his eyes, but the sharpness of his stare cut right through her–sending shivers down her spine.


    Joshua deadpanned, “Are you on the judging panel?”


    Tessa froze for a second before answering, “No.” She hesitated, totally thrown off by the random question.


    ‘What’s his deal?‘ Tessa thought, suddenly unsure what game Joshua was ying with her.


    Joshua kept going, still totally unfazed. “So, your guy’s a judge, right? Did I go whisper in his ear to make sure my girlfriend gets a winning score or something?”


    “Connor’s not my husband! We’re not even married,” Tessa snapped back, sounding flustered.


    ‘That’s weird…‘ Xylia thought, taken aback by how quickly Tessa denied being married to Connor.


    ‘Normally, the Tessa I know would be bragging about her rtionship with Connor right now, maybe rubbing it in to get under my skin. So why is she suddenly backtracking?‘ Xylia mused, feeling more and more suspicious.


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