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Eventually, Joshua was kicked out of Xylia’s office. He was just too restless and was getting in the way of her work.
‘Seriously, how can anyone get anything done with Joshua around?‘ Xylia couldn’t help but sigh to herself, already feeling a headacheing on from his constant antics.
Time passed in a blink, and soon, George Jennings‘ birthday banquet was just around the
corner.
Xylia had already finished tailoring the outfit and delivered it to Beatrice well in advance.
On the surface,st time’s incident didn’t seem to have affected their partnership.
But deep down, only Xylia and Beatrice knew–there was now an unspoken knot between them.
Before the banquet, Joshua was all set to help Xylia out and book her a m team.
But Xylia just smiled and told him, “Kaden already took care of it for me.”
Joshua felt a hint of disappointment swirling in his chest. ‘Guess I’m just extra around here now,‘ he couldn’t help but think.
Still, Xylia steeled her heart and kicked Joshua out without a second thought.
Lately, they’d been all over each other, and honestly, Xylia was starting to feel like she just couldn’t handle all the clinginess anymore.
After wrapping up her work early, Xylia headed back to the Sadler family home.
The m team Kaden had booked was already waiting for her.
When the team leader, Lucy, saw Xylia, her eyes lit up.
“Ms. Sadler, you’re absolutely stunning!” Lucy said admiringly,
Xylia couldn’t help but blush at thepliment, mumbling a quick thank you before slipping into the seat at the vanity.
“It’s a birthday banquet tonight, so let’s go for something elegant and refined,” Xylia suggested.
Lucy nodded, all smiles. “Got it, Ms. Sadler.”
Four hourster, just as Xylia was starting to nod off from boredom, the m team finally
<b>13:10 </b><b>Mon</b>, <b>Sep </b><b>22 </b>
finished her makeup.
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Lucy grinned and brought over the dress she’d been hiding all evening, handing it to Xylia with an excited flourish.
The gown was <b>a </b>shimmering pink mermaid dress with an elegant off–the–shoulder cut. Soft, luxurious fur–trimmed satin cuffs dangled from her arms, striking the perfect bnce between ssy and a touch of mischief.
Xylia’s figure was the stuff of envy, and once she slipped into the dress, she looked breathtaking–and she knew it.
Lucy was practically showering her with nonstop praise.
“Ms. Sadler, you’re honestly the most gorgeous person I’ve everid eyes on! I mean, your face glows even without a touch of makeup, and as for your figure–you’re just born to wear anything! Literally every style looks amazing on you.”
Xylia couldn’t help but blush, a little embarrassed by all the attention.
She hurried downstairs to find Kaden.
All four Sadler brothers were here tonight. As Xylia came down, each looked at her with admiration.
Hudson Sadler stepped over, circled her, and praised, “No wonder you’re The Sadlers Princess. You’re beautiful, and tonight you look like a goddess.”
Leon Sadler nodded in agreement.
Leon grinned, teasing, “With that gorgeous face of yours, you’d totally be the hottest star in showbiz. Directors would fight over you for every lead role!”
Hudson rolled his eyes and shot back, “Oh, knock it off. Like we’d let our princess loose in that crazy scene–no way I’m letting showbiz mess up our little sister.”
Hudson turned to Xylia with a smile. “Don’t mind Leon, sis, he’s just messing with you.”
Leon clicked his tongue, walked right over, and grabbed Hudson by the back of his cor. “Hey, you brat<b>, </b>it’s been way too long since I put you in your ce–are you just begging for trouble or what?<b>” </b>
“Come on, let go! I’m not some kid anymore, you know. You really want me to lose face in front of everyone?” Hudson grumbled, wriggling to get free.
“Doesn’t matter how old you get, you’re still my little brother! Like I’d ever care about your pride when ites to keeping you in line.” Leon shot back,ughing.
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Xylia grinned at Leon and Hudson’s usual bickering. She didn’t bother getting involved and just walked straight toward Kaden and Cyrus.
Once she reached them, Xylia asked, “So, when are we heading out?”
Kaden nced at the time and nodded. “Heading out now should be just right. Let’s go.”
Cyrus eyed Xylia’s high heels and couldn’t help but offer a little professional advice.
“Sis, if you get a chance to sit down at the banquet, take it! Those heels will have your feet aching in no time–and your foot’s barely recovered from surgery, so go easy, alright?”
Xylia grinned, “I hear you, Cyrus.”
Leon and Hudson had stopped bickering by now.
Slung an arm around each other’s shoulders, they both turned to Cyrus and teased, “Cyrus, you’re turning into a real worrywart. Is this what being a doctor does to you–makes you act like a total mother hen?”
Leon quickly sidestepped away from Hudson, throwing him under the bus as he pointed over. “That mother hen stuff came from Hudson, not me, Cyrus–don’t drag me into this!”
Cyrus nced over at Hudson.
‘Hudson felt an icy chill shoot down his spine.’
Right on cue, Cyrus’s tone turned cool as he spoke up.
“Kaden, I heard the Carters are looking for a marriage alliancetely. If we don’t want to offend them, why not just send Hudson? I mean, out of all of us brothers, he’s got the most free time on his hands anyway.”
‘If they’re calling me a nag, I might as well double down,‘ Cyrus thought to himself with a wry grin. ‘Hey, making sure my little brothers are set for life–that’s just part of the big brother gig!’
Kaden couldn’t deny it–Hudson was barely ever home these days, always glued to the racetrack.
Hudson barely got a chance toin before Kaden waved him off, “Don’t even start whining–I’ll get back to Mr. Carter tomorrow.”
Not giving Hudson any chance to protest, Kaden simply took Xylia with him and stepped out.
As Xylia reached the door, she couldn’t help but hear Hudson’s dramatic wailing echoing behind her.
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She chuckled softly and turned to Kaden.
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“Are you really going to let Hudson meet that Carter girl for a blind date?” she teased, ncing
at Kaden.
Kaden shrugged, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “Just one meeting, not a big deal. It’s not like it’s going to hurt him.”
It might’ve been summer, but the night air still carried a hint of chill.
Seeing how delicate Xylia’s dress was, Kaden shrugged off his suit jacket andid it gently over her shoulders–a quiet gesture that spoke volumes about how protective he was.
“Yourpany’s just starting out and you’re busier than ever. This is exactly when you need to take extra care of your health,” he reminded her, concern clear in his voice.
Xylia nodded with a warm smile. “Thanks, Big Bro.”
Being back in Norhill, surrounded by the warmth of the Sadler family, was the most rxing and loving time Xylia had ever known.
For Xylia, these were the moments when she felt truly at peace, wrapped in love–nothing else ever came close.
George’s birthday banquet was held at the Jennings family estate.
Perched halfway up a hill, the estate came into view as soon as Xylia rounded the winding mountain road. The Jennings Manor was lit up like a beacon, casting a warm glow over everything.
At the entrance, dedicated hosts were waiting to greet them.
As soon as the Sadler family’s car pulled up, a valet quickly stepped forward to guide the driver to the parking area. Meanwhile, Xylia and Kaden got out and hopped into a golf cart that the Jennings family had arranged just for them.
They cruised along the long, white stone path, heading straight for the main vi.
As soon as they pulled up to the vi, Xylia spotted Joshua and Rosalind waiting by the
entrance.
The moment she stepped out of the cart, Joshua strode right over without a hint of hesitation, his eyes fixed on Xylia.
Seeing Kaden’s jacket around her shoulders, Joshua immediately plucked it off and tossed it to Rosalind, then smoothly slid his own suit jacket over Xylia. His every move was full of that signature possessiveness–as if he had to make it clear to everyone that she was with him.
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Joshua gave an approving nod, clearly pleased with himself.
Then he added with a satisfied smirk, “Now that’s much better.”
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Even the always–cool Kaden almost let out an eye–roll at Joshua’s possessive little stunt.
Xylia gave the edge of the jacket a helpless tug, eyes on the vi entrance. “We’re about to head in–I really don’t need this anymore.”
She started to slip the jacket off, but Joshua reached out and stopped her.
Joshua leaned in, his voice low and teasing by her ear, “Did you seriously not notice the bite mark on your right shoulder?”
Xylia’s hand flew up to cover her shoulder, her gaze snapping up to meet Joshua’s–eyes wide with disbelief.
She had definitely been fooling around with Joshua these past few days… but was there really a bite mark on her shoulder?
‘Wait, he did nibble my shoulder the night beforest,‘ Xylia realized, her cheeks heating up. ‘But I swear it wasn’t that hard, so howe the damn mark is still there?‘ Now she was just
mortified.
Joshua leaned in closer, dropping his voice to a teasing whisper. “It’s still red as ever–you can totally see it…” he murmured, sounding almost proud of himself.
Xylia’s cheeks were on fire.
She hadn’t noticed a thing until now. If Joshua saw it, then–God, how long has it been showing? From the moment I changed until now?
‘Shoot, did everybody see it?‘ The thought made her want to crawl under a rock.
No wonder Kaden had draped his jacket over her shoulders–even though it wasn’t chilly.
Xylia felt like she’d lost all dignity. She huddled deeper into Joshua’s jacket, not even daring to think about taking it off.
<b>Chapter </b>245