When Joshua arrived at the coffee shop, he saw a “Closed” sign hanging on the door.
But oddly enough, the door wasn’t locked.
Joshua pushed the door open.
The tightly shut curtains had thrown the whole shop into semi–darkness.
Joshua spotted several people sprawled across the floor, knocked out cold and each sporting a few bruises on
their faces.
His brow furrowed, and he turned to dash toward the stairs.
Just as he reached the top floor, before he could even step out onto the rooftop, a warm handtched onto his
wrist.
A glint of danger shed in Joshua’s eyes, and he tensed, ready to fling the hand off.
But the moment he nced over, it was Xylia’s delicate face that came into view.
Noticing the cold, dangerous look in Joshua’s eyes, Xylia quickly waved her free hand and said, “Hey–it’s me! It’s just me!”
Joshua froze for a moment, then, realizing who it was, pulled her into a tight embrace.
Joshua asked in a low, husky voice by her ear, “Are you okay?”
Xylia could hear the slight tremor in his voice.
She hugged him back, reassuring him softly, “I’m fine, really. Don’t worry.”
There was movement outside on the rooftop.
Xylia tugged Joshua into the narrow gap by the stairwell, peering through a sliver in the door. She gestured for Joshua to listen to the sounds outside.
“Why isn’t Joshua up here yet?” came a man’s impatient voice.
It was Dexter’s voice<b>. </b>
Joshua’s brow furrowed, and he pulled Xylia closer to him.
Then Noelle’s <b>voice </b>cut in.
“Guess he’s still looking for Xylia. Honestly, your crew is pathetic–they can’t even catch one woman,” Noelle sneered, total contempt in her voice.
Just as Xylia was getting ready to head upstairs, the people in the coffee shop were about to go after her.
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But she had Joshua’s men there to protect her.
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The moment Xylia turned around to face them, her bodyguards burst right in, ready to shield her.
Clearly, they were top–notch–just two guysid out everyone in the shop, no sweat.
Xylia stood frozen,pletely floored by what she’d just witnessed. It took her a moment to collect herself before she dashed out of the shop with the bodyguards.
Once she’d made it outside, Xylia figured there was no way Noelle would risk making such a bloody scene in broad daylight.
After a quick thought, she grabbed her bodyguards and snuck up another passage to the rooftop.
Hiding out up there, she wanted to see what Noelle was really nning.
She overheard Noelle arguing with a guy, and as they were about to leave, he suddenly got all jumpy and blurted out, “Joshua’s here.”
So she just stayed put and waited for Joshua to show up.
“You never mentioned Xylia had bodyguards. If I’d known, I wouldn’t have left those useless bums downstairs,” Dexter said, sounding borderline bored.
Dexter just shrugged–it didn’t really matter to him.
He’d neverid eyes on Xylia before and had no clue what type Joshua was into.
But catching her on the surveince feed now, Dexter had to admit she was a whole lot more stunning than he expected.
“Gotta say, Joshua’s girl isn’t bad at all,” Dexter muttered, a note of grudging admiration in his voice.
His voice oozed cocky arrogance and outright disdain.
Joshua, out in the hall, immediately felt his face harden.
‘Damn it, Dexter really is after Xylia this time,‘ Joshua thought, his heart pounding.
He knew he needed to act even faster now.
Noelle and Dexter caught sight of Joshua climbing the stairs on the surveince feed, but to their surprise, he still hadn’t reached the rooftop.
Noelle frowned, growing impatient. Dexter couldn’t help but feel a flicker of anxiety–‘What’s taking him so long?‘ he thought.
The two of them made their way toward the door to the rooftop.
<b>As </b>soon as they swung open the rooftop door, Dexter was swept off his feet by a flying kick–he sailed a good <b>six </b>feet across the floor before crashing down hard.
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He hadn’t even recovered from thatst fire, and getting booted out of nowhere like this made his spine feel like it’d been busted to pieces.
He tried to get up, but the pain was just too much.
Gritting his teeth, he forced himself up a little–only to see Joshua standing at the rooftop entrance, his expression cold and stormy.
Noelle froze the moment she saw Joshua.
Even though she knew he wasing, it was still a total shock to actually see him right there.
Running into him like this caught herpletely off guard.
She was terrified–her heart flipped in her chest, and every fiber of her being was shouting at her to run.
Xylia stood behind Joshua, checking out the rooftop, her gaze sweeping every corner.
She suddenly spotted over a dozen men dressed in casual attire scattered around.
The second Dexter was kicked flying, these guys sprang into action, rushing right over.
A couple of them scrambled to help Dexter to his feet, while the rest instantly shielded him, standing guard up front.
These men were clearly not cut from the same cloth as those amateurs downstairs in the coffee shop.
They were all tall and broad–shouldered, their faces grim, and every pair of eyes gleamed with cold, murderous intent.
Xylia might’ve been kidnapped a few times before, but even here at home, she’d hardly ever seen a scene this intense.
She tightened her grip on Joshua’s hand.
Joshua pulled her behind him, his eyes fixed warily on Dexter and the men he’d brought along.
Dexter was helped to his feet, then spat a bloody wad viciously onto the ground.
He looked like a total mess.
But the hatred in his eyes only burned brighter.
He red at Joshua, eyes zing with hate. “Joshua, didn’t see thating, did you? I’m still alive!”
Damn, after that massive fire, he’s actually still alive.
Joshua let out a cold, mockingugh. “How long do you think you’llst<b>?</b><b>” </b>
“Evil never dies. Trust me I’ll be around way longer than you,” Dexter shot back, his voice full of venom.
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His men propped him up and brought him to the front line, Dexter’s re at Joshua getting icier with every
step.
“You knocked me down hard, man. What makes you think I’d ever let you get away with it?” Dexter sneered.
“Funny you should say that,” Joshua replied coolly, his face stone cold. “Letting you off was never on my mind.”
With only Xylia standing behind him, Joshua was hopelessly outnumberedpared to Dexter and his men.
But Joshua’s presence was somanding, it felt as if an entire army stood with him–making you believe that even if all those guys rushed him at once, none of them would stand a chance.
Dexter, knowing full well what Joshua was capable of, couldn’t help but feel a chill of intimidation.
This wasn’t somewless ce overseas–here, every move he made was locked down by local rules.
Dexter had figured he’d use Xylia as a bargaining chip to teach Joshua a lesson once he showed up, but killing him today? That was never part of the n.
Now, looking around Joshua’s own turf, he realized that if he tried anything stupid, he’d end up paying dearly.
Dexter’s gaze shifted to Xylia, standing just behind Joshua.
He could only make out half her face, but damn, she was way more gorgeous in real life than she was on camera. Even Dexter had to admit, she was a knockout.
A cold smirk tugged at Dexter’s lips as he turned his attention back to Joshua.
“Mr. Garcia, I’ll let today slide,” Dexter said, his voice dripping with mockery. “But don’t think this is over. We’re not done yet.”
Dexter made a quick gesture, signaling his guys.
Immediately, his men helped him down the rooftop stairs and disappeared into the night.
Noelle spotted an opportunity and tried to melt into Dexter’s crew, slipping quietly out of the corner <b>as </b>they started to leave.
But the moment she made a move, Joshua’s cold voice rang out, loaded with authority.
“Stop right there,” Joshua ordered, his eyes fixed on her.
Noelle was so intimidated by Joshua that she had no choice but to stop dead in her tracks.
Joshua angled his head toward her, his stare brutally cold–chill to the bone.
Noelle’s face went ghostly white as she instinctively stepped back, two paces. She’d never seen Joshua look at her this way before–his eyes were full of raw disgust, the kind of loathing you’d reserve for an enemy.
“Joshua…” she blurted out, her <b>voice </b>shaky.
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Noelle wanted to exin herself so badly, but her tongue felt tied in knots–no matter how hard she tried, not a single word came out.
Joshua’s voice cut through the silence, cold and merciless. “You’ve got two choices. Pick wrong, and you’ll be facing a lot more than just getting fired.” ##238.Chapter 238 Go to Hell First
On the way back, Joshua wore a cold, unreadable expression the whole time.
Xylia wanted to say something a few times, but seeing him like that, she kept quiet.
Once they got back to the apartment, Joshua shut the door and practically crushed Xylia into his chest, holding her so close it felt like he never wanted to let her go.
Xylia wanted tofort him, to go along with the hug, but it was just too tight, too suffocating. She patted his back.
“Not so tight. I can’t breathe,” Xylia said.
Joshua finally eased up, his head drooping as his face buried into the crook of her neck.
Her subtle, natural scent filled his senses, and only then did the anxiety inside him finally begin to ease up.
He held her for so long that Xylia could feel her body starting to go stiff.
Atst, Joshua found his voice, rough and low. “Looks like I’m gonna have to stick to you like glue from now
on.”
I guess I’ll need to stay by your side every damn second from now on.
Dexter came from Alvend, and when he made a move, he was utterly ruthless–practically deranged.
Joshua had caught the look Dexter gave Xylia earlier, hungry and cold, like a predator sizing up its prey.
That was the kind of look Dexter gave when he’d picked his next victim.
His methods were brutal and savage; things likews or consequences were never even on his radar.
Joshua knew he couldn’t let Xylia out of his sight for a second.
‘He’s really worried about me, Xylia thought, noticing the concern written all over Joshua’s face.
She didn’t push him away–of course not.
Xylia asked, “But what about your own business<b>?</b><b>” </b>
Joshua didn’t answer. Instead, he swooped in and imed her lips in a fierce, possessive kiss.
It wasn’t gentle in the slightest–it crashed into her like a tidal wave, urgent and overwhelming. Xylia <b>was </b>forced to tilt her head back, surrendering to the raw tremble in his kiss.
Their burning, mingled breaths tangled in the entryway, the heat between them rising fast.
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Just as Joshua’s hand slipped under her shirt, Xylia grabbed his wrist and turned her head away, dodging his hungry kiss<b>. </b>
She tried to catch her breath, blurting out before he could continue, “I still have to head back to the studio
In one swift motion, Joshua swept Xylia into his arms and carried her right into the living room.
Xylia tumbled onto the couch, and Joshua braced himself over her, nting his hands on either side.
“Do you really have to go back?” he asked.
His voice sounded aggrieved, and his breaths came heavy, rough around the edges.
It was obvious he was holding himself back, fighting to control the heat in his eyes.
Xylia gazed at Joshua, her heart melting at the hint of pink at the corners of his eyes. She felt a sudden tenderness and didn’t give him an answer right away.
That tiny hesitation was all the invitation Joshua needed—he immediately took it as her silent consent, acting as if she’d already agreed.
And before Xylia could speak, Joshua sealed her lips with a kiss, capturing the words she tried to utter.
Two hourster.
Xylia was so worn out she didn’t even want to lift a finger.
Joshua helped clean her up, then just lingered, staring at her soft, sleeping face. Still not satisfied, he bent down and kissed her gently on the forehead.
“Get some sleep,” he whispered. “I’ll be right back when you wake up.”
Xylia didn’t have the energy to move, let alone talk.
She meant to ask where he was heading off to, lips opening as if to speak, but nothing came out.
The moment she heard the lock click, sleep took her under in an instant.
Joshua drove out of the bustling downtown of Norhill, heading straight for the outskirts.
Once he hit those quiet, unmonitored back roads, he mmed on the gas, not holding back for a second.
He finally parked at a lonely mountaintop just beyond the city limits.
Right at the edge of a sheer cliff.
Dexter hung bound and helpless right over the edge of the cliff, nothing below him but empty air.
Suspended hundreds of meters above the ground, the guy who always acted like an untouchable boss was now shivering like crazy, his fear messing him up so bad he was nothing like his usual arrogant self.
Joshua stepped out of the car.
His boots crunched against loose gravel as he made his way right up to the cliff’s edge.
One of the bodyguards who’d been protecting Xylia earlier came over. “Mr. Garcia.”
Joshua just nodded.
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The bodyguard walked up to the rope suspending Dexter, pulled out a knife, and made a menacing show of slicing through it.
Dexter started shaking even more violently.
He struggled harder, desperate to break free.
“Joshua! Call yourself some kind of hero, stabbing me in the back? You take me out now, you’ll be dragging yourself down with me!” Dexter yelled, voice shaking.
Joshua let out a cold, mockingugh. “Oh? You’re talking about the man pulling strings behind Burke, aren’t you?”
Dexter’s eyes widened in shock–he hadn’t expected Joshua to know about that.
He blurts out, desperate, “If you kill me, he’ll hunt you down!”
“You’re nothing but a disposable pawn,” Joshua sneered, his words like ice. “You should’ve burned to death in that fire. You got lucky and crawled out alive… but you really think you deserve any more time in this world?”
Joshua said all this with a chill so deep, it didn’t carry a shred of mercy.
For the first time, Dexter was hit with the gut–churning realization–his time was up, and death was staring him down for real. Joshua wasn’t joking around this time; the look in his eyes said everything–Dexter knew this was no bluff.
Joshua was dead serious. There was no backing down now.
“Joshua! This is Alvend! You really think you can just do whatever the hell you want here?” Dexter screamed, his voice breaking with panic and rage.
Joshua slid his hands into his pockets, as cool and calm as ever.
The wind at the cliff’s edge howled, whipping his coat around him, but Joshua stood tall and unmoving, like a lone pine defying the storm–unshakably steadfast.
Gusts messed up his cor, letting the fresh kiss mark at his neck peek through.
Dexter suddenly understood–death was on him now, and the reason was crystal clear.
He’did eyes on someone who belonged to Joshua!
As the de hovered close to the rope, Dexter’s terror spiked; he writhed and shook with panic, watching the
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bodyguard getting ready to cut him loose.
“Joshua! Do you even dare let your girlfriend see you like this? Someone soaked in blood like you–how could you ever be worthy of her? Aren’t you afraid you’ll drag her straight to hell with you?” Dexter shouted, his voice raw with fear, trying desperately to rattle Joshua.
Joshua’s face went hard; a cold edge settled over his features.
His eyes shed with murderous intent, dark and unforgiving.
“You’ll be the one to go to hell first,” Joshua said tly, giving Dexter no chance for mercy.
Joshua spat out coldly, “You’re the one who’s going to hell first.”
The bodyguard’s knife was already hacking at the rope.
Dexter let out a chilling scream as he plunged straight down, dropping like a stone.
This cliff was hundreds of meters high–there was no way he was making it out alive. He was doomed.
Joshua turned to the bodyguard. “This time, I want the body in my hands. No slip–ups.”
“What about the body?” the bodyguard asked.
A wicked, dangerous smirk yed at Joshua’s lips. “We’re sending it as a gift–to that man.”
Joshua looked downright cold–blooded–the kind of chill that made anyone watching uneasy.
Seeing that, the bodyguard felt a shiver run right down his spine.
Joshua motioned for the bodyguard toe closer, gave him a few more instructions, and then drove off.
By the time Joshua got back to the apartment, it was already evening.
The ce was dark and quiet, so silent you could hear a pin drop.
Figuring Xylia was still asleep, Joshua quietly set the groceries he’d just bought on the kitchen counter before tiptoeing into the bedroom.
The bedroom was dim and shadowy.
The bed was perfectly made, butpletely empty.
A surge of panic mmed into Joshua–his heart was pounding in his throat.
He turned on his heel and sprinted out of the bedroom, keys clutched tight, tearing toward the front door.
He’d only taken a couple steps when a sudden realization hit him. Turning his head, Joshua noticed the study door was slightly ajar, a faint sliver of light leaking out.
He hurried to the doorway, pushed it open, and there–finally–was Xylia, sitting in his chair with hisptop
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in her hands, focused on whatever was on the screen.
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She hadn’t bothered with the overhead light, just clicked on the deskmp, leaving the rest of the room wrapped in shadows.
The lighting was so dim, the first thing that shed through Joshua’s mind was, ‘She really shouldn’t be straining her eyes like this.
Relief hit him hard, knocking the breath right out of him. He walked in, shoulders finally unclenching.
Xylia nced up at him, her voice soft. “Can you turn on the light?”
Joshua flipped the switch, and the room flooded with bright, warm light.
Joshua only now realized–Xylia was wearing his shirt.
The oversized gray tee pressed close against her bare, porcin skin. Watching her, Joshua’s throat tightened, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed hard.
He walked around to the back of the desk, instantly catching sight of her long, wless legs left exposed. His gaze darkened, a heated look flickering in his eyes.
Xylia didn’t notice the heat in his eyes–she just waved him over casually.
“Hey,e here and help me out,” she called. “Does this n look good to you?”
Xylia’s studio was about to relocate to a bigger ce, and with things expanding so fast, she’d have to make the wholepany structure and the workflows a lot more legit.
She’d drafted a rough n, but couldn’t shake the worry she’d mess something up. So of course, she thought of roping Joshua in—if anyone could spot the problems, it’d be him.
But when Joshua stayed silent for a long moment, Xylia nced over–only to catch that smoldering look in his eyes, hotter than ever.
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