Xylia let it slide without digging deeper.


    Joshua didn’t miss a beat. “So tell me, did I really try to bribe him?”


    Tessa pressed her lips together, saying nothing. She was certain–there hadn’t been any bribery.


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    The truth was, Connor and Joshua were at odds. Even if Joshua tried to slip Connor a bribe, Connor wouldn’t have gone for it.


    But now that she’d steered the conversation in this direction, denying it would just make her look like she was stirring up trouble.


    She replied coolly, “That’s on you. How would I know?”


    Joshua stood up, walked past Tessa, and made his <i>way </i>to the judges.


    Some of the judges were officially–appointed veterans–folks who couldn’t be bribed so easily.


    Joshua took off his sunsses and looked at the judges politely.


    “So, experts, have I ever tried to bribe any of you? Rx, this is a live broadcast. <b>If </b>I did, just blink hard and everyone watching will catch on.”


    Xylia couldn’t help but chuckle at Joshua’s words.


    ‘What kind of nonsense is he even spouting now?‘ she thought.


    Howard frowned at Joshua.


    “Mr. Garcia, the show’s about to start. This isn’t the ce to cause a scene,” he said.


    “I’m not making a scene. Someone’s out here saying I bribed you to give my girlfriend a high score. Come on, this is an official contest–a big deal. I can’t be the one to taint the whole thing with scandal.”


    Joshua nced Connor’s way, his tone sharp. “Right, Mr. Ford?”


    Connor had spotted Tessa heading over to Xylia and Joshua earlier, and the moment he saw it, he got this anxious feeling–like something messy was about to happen.


    ‘So she really did stir things up. Figures. Connor thought, annoyed.


    His <b>face </b>soured. Connor knew he’d only gotten the judging seat thanks to some strings pulled behind the


    scenes<b>, </b>


    Now that Tessa had thrown the whole subject of behind–the–scenes connections out into the open, Connor couldn’t help but worry–if she failed to target Joshua, she might just end up digging up dirt on him instead.


    ‘What an idiot, Connor thought darkly.


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    Connor kept up his poker face, shooting Joshua a look. “What does that have to do with me? I’m not exactly


    close with Mr. Garcia.”


    “So what you’re saying is, I didn’t bribe Mr. Ford, right?” Joshua pressed.


    Joshua looked straight at Connor and asked, “So, I didn’t bribe you, right?”


    Connor had no clue what Joshua was nning, but he nodded anyway.


    Joshua spun around to face Tessa.


    “Ms. Schultz, even your future husband says I didn’t bribe anyone. Now do you believe me?” Joshua said, his voice dripping with mockery.


    Tessa clenched her fists so hard her whole body shook with anger.


    Tessa couldn’t really argue back–she had nothing to prove the bribery usation.


    Joshua’s smirk vanished bit by bit as he straightened up beside the judges, his gaze icy and locked on Tessa.


    “The fairness of thepetition is under strict supervision. If you keep throwing wild usations and messing with my name, trust me–Garcia Group’swyers don’t mess around,” he warned, his tone chilling.


    Joshua’s stern face gave off an unmistakably intimidating vibe.


    Josie nudged Xylia’s arm, whispering, “Girl, your guy is absolutely owning the ce right now. Total boss energy.”


    “Girl, no wonder Joshua is the head honcho at Garcia Group. Your boyfriend is seriously rocking the boss vibes right now,” Josie grinned.


    Xylia didn’t see Joshua get serious often, but every time he did, she felt a sense of calm and security wash over her.


    Tessa’s face drained of color as the audience’s whispers started to reach her.


    “She’s using someone of bribery before the show even starts? And she doesn’t have any proof? Sounds like she’s just making stuff up,” one person said.


    “If Ms. Schultz ispeting, I’d say her future husband on the judging panel is the one who might be biased. That’s not fair,” another voice chimed in.


    “I’ve looked into these judges before, especially Mr. Jennings–trust me, he’s totally stone–cold, never lets emotions get in the way. If anyone here would refuse a bribe, it’s him,” someone piped up.


    “Whatever, let’s just see how the results shake out. If something shady went down, it’ll be pretty obvious soon enough,” someone else said.


    ”


    ”


    Xavi spoke up right then.


    10:11 <b>Sat</b><b>, </b><b>Sep </b>20


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    “If Ms. Schultz still thinks our design contest isn’t fair, she’s free to report it to the officials. But we’re about to kick things off, so let’s not stir things up,” he said.


    Now, Tessa was the one under fire.


    She cast a pleading look at Connor, hoping he’d speak up for her.


    But Connor didn’t spare her a single nce.


    His eyes wandered,nding absent–mindedly on Xylia in the crowd.


    Tessa’s anger red up, and she turned to Joshua.


    “I’m not saying Mr. Garcia is bribing anyone right now, but if your girlfriend’s design doesn’t measure up, who’s to say you won’t step in and talk her up at thest minute?” Tessa snapped.


    Joshua shot her a sarcastic grin. “So in your view, Ms. Schultz, an official contest like this is that easy to rig? You think I could just say a couple of words and crown my girlfriend champion?”


    “Wouldn’t put it past you…” Tessa muttered under her breath.


    “Tessa!” Connor’s voice cut through the air.


    Tessa flinched, turning her wounded gaze on Connor.


    “Go sit down,” Connor said sharply.


    ‘Does she seriously think she can stir up trouble in a ce like this?‘ Connor thought, barely containing his


    annoyance.


    She’d already dragged the officials into it, and still kept running her mouth. She had no clue how much bacsh she was about to bring on herself.


    Even though Tessa was boiling with anger, Connor’s dark stare made her mp her mouth shut.


    Tessa shot Joshua a cold, hard re.


    “Hope you stick to what you said. If your girlfriend’s work gets roasted by everyone, just zip it,” she threw over her shoulder.


    With that, Tessa stormed back to her seat.


    Joshua sank into his seat as well.


    Joshua’s expression was stormy.


    Xylia could see how pissed he was and tried to calm him down. “Don’t let her get under your skin.”


    Joshua gripped Xylia’s hand, fury shing in his eyes.


    “She actually dared to use you of pulling strings? I wanted to help you out, but you wouldn’t let me—and


    now she’s talking trash about you,” he spat, frustration heavy in his voice.


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    “If you’re innocent, you’ve got nothing to worry about. Don’t bother stooping to her level,” Xylia said, trying to


    soothe him.


    Joshua went quiet for a few seconds, then whipped out his phone and started texting.


    Xylia couldn’t help but ask, “What are you doing?”


    Joshua’s tone was ice–cold. “<b>If </b>I’m in a bad mood, nobody gets to walk away happy.”


    She nced down and caught a few lines on his phone screen.


    ‘Send word to the organizers–there’s something shady about how Connor became a judge.‘


    Clearly, he was giving orders to his assistant.


    Xylia’s curiosity got the better of her. “So Connor’s the one who pulled strings to get on the judging panel?” Joshua turned his head, frowning, a sour note clear in his voice. “Why do you care so much about him?”


    Xylia felt wronged. “When have I ever cared about him?”


    “You just said his name,” Joshua retorted.


    ‘Seriously, can’t even say his name now?‘ Xylia snarked to herself, rolling her eyes.


    Joshua gave Xylia’s hand a little squeeze. “No talking to him, no texting, not even a hello. From now on, he’s off–limits.”


    “Alright, alright, someone’s jealous,” Xylia teased.


    She leaned back in her chair, deciding to drop the subject of Connor.


    It wasn’t her business anyway, and it was only making Joshua more upset. Not worth it.


    Connor’s eyes flicked over to Xylia and Joshua. The way the two of them acted so close together got under his skin instantly.


    Their hands stayed locked, neither one letting go, and Connor could feel his irritation growing with every second.


    ‘So what if the Garcia Group is sitting pretty now? No family stays on top forever,‘ Connor thought, bitterly.


    ‘Joshua<b>, </b>don’t think I’m letting you off easy,‘ he vowed silently, teeth clenched.


    The fashion show kicked off.


    The lights over the audience faded out, and the stage exploded with festive<b>, </b>energetic music.


    The crowd instantly forgot all about the drama earlier, hyped up and buzzing with fresh excitement.


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    One by one, gorgeous models stepped out in dazzling evening dresses, and the whole venue lit up with ooohs and ahhs of pure amazement.