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Since Xylia had moved to Norhill, she hadn’t really kept in touch with Rachel much.
Getting a call out of the blue from Rachel and hearing she was sending medicine, Xylia’s mind went straight to Joshua.
“What kind of medicine?” Xylia asked.
“Your boyfriend hit me up and asked if I could mix something up for your health–and to help with period pain,” Rachel replied, yful teasingcing her words. “He didn’t answer when I asked for your address, so I figured I’d just call you instead.”
‘Knew it,‘ Xylia thought to herself.
A smile crept onto her face, warm and full of happiness.
After giving Rachel her address, they chatted for a bit before hanging up.
Joshua had just rushed out, saying he’d be back soon.
Seeing how hurried he was, Xylia didn’t give it much thought.
When the office door opened again, she figured it was Joshuaing back.
Without even looking up, she asked, “Where did you just go?”
Her voice was soft–not really a serious question, just a gentle, everyday greeting, full of
warmth.
When she didn’t hear a reply, Xylia lifted her gaze.
Her smile instantly faded as her eyes met Connor and Maddox.
“Who told you toe here?” Xylia asked, her tone frosty.
It was t, devoid of any warmth.
Josie squeezed in from the side and said to Xylia, “They’re new clients. They’ve got a big deal to discuss. You need to keep things professional, boss.”
Josie couldn’t hide the grin on her face, cocking her eyebrow like she was saying, ‘Time to squeeze them for every cent.
Xylia didn’t answer. Josie tugged her aside and whispered, “Xylia, I get that you hate them— honestly, the more you hate, the more it means you care. If you really want them out of your
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life, you’ve got to treat them likeplete strangers. That’s the only way they’ll stop mattering.”
Xylia almost wanted to say her life wasn’t affected by them at all these days.
‘I just feel nothing but disgust toward them now,‘ she thought.
Josie’s advice really struck a chord with her.
Even if it was just in disgust, the fact that seeing Connor and Maddox instantly shifted her mood, even subconsciously, said enough.
That wasn’t good. She had to start viewing them asplete strangers.
Once Josie stepped out, Xylia fixed them each a ss of water in a businesslike way—just as she would for any other client.
Connor and Maddox epted the water almost respectfully.
Maddox’s clear, dewy eyes never left her as he cradled the ss, sipping quietly like he was entranced by water straight from some enchanted spring.
Xylia cast them a detached nce. “Go ahead, what kind of partnership are you proposing?”
Her attitude was cold and distant.
Connor and Maddox, though, weren’t phased at all.
Connor set his ss down, fixing his gaze on Xylia, clearly refusing to look away.
“I’m looking to buy into yourpany,” Connor said, handing over a contract he’d prepared. “Take a look.”
His tone was softer than usual–<i>a </i>rare moment of tenderness.
Connor believed that once Xylia saw both the amount he was proposing to invest and his ns for Xylic Studio, she couldn’t possibly doubt his sincerity.
‘She’ll say yes,‘ he told himself.
‘No way she’d turn me down,‘ Connor thought, unwavering.
But Xylia didn’t even nce at the contract.
She paused for a couple seconds, then said coolly, “If there’s nothing else, you should go.”
She shut him down without so much as a look at his offer.
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Connor paused for a split second, then hurriedly said, “Xylia, just give the contract a chance. My offer is ten times higher than anything else on the market. You seriously don’t want to
miss out on this.”
He was clearly getting anxious now.
Connor knew Xylia well enough to realize that, even if she ran her own studio, she’d never ept an investment from Joshua, just because he was her boyfriend.
With rtionships, Xylia always kept things clean and simple.
She’d never let moneyplicate things with someone she cared about.
Even when they were married, Xylia had never leaned on his connections for her medical career. She’d earned her spot as lead doctor step by step, all on her own.
Connor knew he didn’t have any right to be close to Xylia now, but if he could get her to work with him on business, maybe he’d finally have a chance to reconnect.
The more chances they had to meet, considering the feelings Xylia once had for him—and the fact that they had a son–getting back together was basically inevitable.
With that thought, Connor swore to himself he’d make Xylia ept his investment, whatever it took.
Maddox jumped in to back his dad <ol><li>up. </li></ol>
“Mom, just let Dad invest already! He’s loaded, and of course you should spend his money,” Maddox said, all eager and innocent.
Xylia’s tone remained ice–cold. “Let me repeat myself: I’m not your mom. I have nothing to do with the Ford family anymore.”
She met Connor’s eyes, every word edged with finality.
“And let me make this clear–no matter how much money you put on the table, I’m never letting you buy in. After I broke away from Jupiton, I never once nned to have anything to do with you <i>or </i>your family again. So if you’ve got nothing else, get out.”
She meant every word. There was no chance she’d ever budge.
Seeing her like this, Connor couldn’t help but get a little annoyed.
“Xylia, don’t be so hard–headed,” he said, his tone sharpened. “Starting apany isn’t nearly as simple as you imagine. Now that you’re scaling up, you’re gonna need serious cash flow. What are you just gonna keep going to Joshua every time you need money?”
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“My investment’s ten times the market rate, and I’ll help you expand, too. It’s a win–win, honestly. If you’re turning this down just because of our history, you’re just letting your feelings get in the way.”
Xylia’s face stayed utterly nk.
“So you mean to say that with my own abilities and resources, I’m somehow helpless to run thepany unless you swoop in to save me? Is that it?” she asked, her tone icy.
“That’s not how I meant it. I just think you could use a partner,” Connor tried, keeping his voice even.
A faint, biting smile curled on Xylia’s lips.
“Connor, you’re just as arrogant as ever. Funny how you pride yourself on ‘knowing‘ me, but you really don’t have a clue. Do you actually believe I’d turn down my boyfriend and crawl to you, my ex who should be long gone? What is it–do you think you’re irresistible, or do you really think I’m as low as you are?”
Her words dripped with pure contempt, meant to utterly humiliate him.
Connor’s face darkened in a sh, jaw clenched tight.
Xylia didn’t blink. “Save yourself some dignity and walk out on your own, unless you want me to have security toss you out. And don’t evere back here just to ruin my day.”
Maddox listened to Xylia’s icy reply, quietly set down his ss, and moved hesitantly over to
her.
“Mom, it was me and Dad’s fault before. We came here to apologize. Dad had a car ident a
the couple days ago, and he’s still not all there–his brain’s not working right now. If he says wrong thing, please don’t be mad at him, okay?” Maddox pleaded, his voice gentle and innocent.
Xylia caught sight of the bandage wrapped around Connor’s head.
But that had nothing to do with her.
She didn’t bother insisting Maddox stop calling her “Mom.” When his small hand reached for her, she simply sidestepped and stood, heading straight for the door.
“Since you’re not leaving, I’ll have someone escort you out,” she said, her tone t and final.
Xylia swung the door
There stood Joshua.
open.
His face was dark–she couldn’t tell how long he’d been there, or what he’d heard.
Xylia froze for a second, then blurted out, “When did you get here?”
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