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    Xylia turned toward the voice and spotted a familiar figure. She couldn’t help but roll her eyes. ‘Great, trouble really does follow me everywhere!‘


    It was Tessa.


    As Tessa approached, she saw the impatience on Xylia’s face and felt indignation bubbling up


    inside her.


    ‘Xylia acts like she’s suddenly too good for everyone just because her fortunes changed? Now she has the nerve to give me that look!‘ Tessa thought.


    Xylia stayed silent, but Cecilia Jennings, hearing Tessa’s words, turned to her. “What do you mean by that? What kind of baggage are you talking about?”


    Tessa stepped up to them, shooting Xylia a cold, cutting re before turning to Cecilia. “Because Xylia was already hooking up with Joshua before she even split with her ex–husband. Would you call that cheating during her marriage, or just straight up two–timing?”


    Xylia’s face went cold.


    “Tessa, you should really watch what you say. nder can get you in serious trouble,” Xylia said, her voice icy.


    “Oh? So you did it, but can’t stand people talking about it?” Tessa sneered.


    Tessa crossed her arms, eyes full of contempt as she red at Xylia.


    “You were already getting cozy with Joshua before you ever split with Connor. Who knows when you two actually started?” Tessa added, letting her disdain show.


    Cecilia shot Xylia a wary, unfriendly look after hearing what Tessa said.


    “You really have a crush on my brother? Listen up–someone from the Sadler family is never setting foot in the Jennings family, so you can forget about it,” Cecilia sneered.


    Just as Xylia was about to retort, Tessa cut her off with a snide chuckle.


    Tessa nced over at Cecilia. “So, you’re Miss Jennings from the Jennings family?”


    Cecilia tilted her chin up, her voice dripping with pride. “That’s right. Today’s my grandfather’s birthday banquet.”


    Tessa pressed on, “You’re still young, so maybe you don’t understand. Some women go after men not because they want to walk down the aisle–they just want to mess around and grab


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    whatever benefits they can.”


    Cecilia narrowed her eyes. “So you’re saying Xylia went on a date with my brother not because she actually wants to marry him, but just to get her hands on his money?”


    “Please, Ms. Sadler isn’t hurting for cash. But considering all the drama between the Jennings family and the Sadlers, for all you know she’s only cozying up to your brother to get some sweet revenge…” sneered Tessa.


    “Tessa!” Xylia coldly interrupted, her voice cutting through the tension.


    ‘She’s seriously crossing the line,‘ Xylia thought, her patience snapping.*


    “You’re supposed to be a guest invited by the Jennings family, but here you are, inciting them and trying to stir up bad blood between our families. What exactly are you after?”


    Tessa let out a scornfulugh. “What am I after? I’m simplyying out the facts for Miss Jennings. Don’t forget, I know exactly what kind of games you y.”


    “Oh, really?” Xylia stepped right up to Tessa, her gaze fixed and unflinching.


    “I know perfectly well what kind of person you are, Ms. Schultz. You’re just here stirring things between me and her, hoping to create drama between the Jennings family and the Sadlers— all so Connor can get ahead. Tell me, if I called you out in front of everyone at the banquet right now, who do you think they’d believe?”


    Obviously, no one would be quick to trust either side.


    But these were all power yers from elite families, the kind who’d made an art out of scheming–they’d never just buy into anyone’s story.


    Instead, they’d size up the situation, weighing the influence of the Sadler family, the Jennings family, and the Ford family, who were still neers in Norhill.


    In no time, they’d know exactly whose toes they could step on and who was best left alone.


    Tessa might not be the brightest, but even she knew when to weigh her options and y it safe.


    She wanted to nt seeds of discord between Xylia and Cecilia, but she wasn’t looking to start an all–out war.


    After all, she really had been smearing Xylia’s reputation, and drawing too much attention would only end up hurting herself.


    She shot Xylia a cold re before turning on her heel and walking away.


    <b>13:10 </b>Mon<b>, </b>Sep <b>22 </b>


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    Even though Tessa didn’t say another word before leaving, that little seed of doubt was already taking root in Cecilia’s mind.


    She walked away without losing a thing.


    After Tessa left, Xylia turned to Cecilia.


    The girl nced at her with obvious suspicion, lips pressed into a thin line–she clearly wasn’t dropping her guard anytime soon.


    Xylia just shrugged, her voice breezy. “Rx. I couldn’t care less about your brother.”


    Xylia settled back onto the couch, picked up her juice, and took a slow, rxed sip.


    Cecilia had thought Xylia would try to exin herself, but instead, she showed zero reaction; actingpletely unbothered, she just sat down and started nibbling on her snack.


    Cecilia decided to watch Xylia more closely.


    Instead of leaving, she helped herself to a small cake and sat across from Xylia.


    Xylia didn’t say a thing.


    Before the banquet officially kicked off, everyone was mingling and chatting freely.


    From across the room, Connor caught sight of Xylia—and immediately felt his mood take a nosedive. ‘Why is she here?‘


    He’d just watched her walk in with Joshua, sticking close by his side, and the whole scene left Connor fuming inside.


    Back when they were married, Xylia could never be bothered toe with him to any of these stuffy parties. Now here she was, showing up as Joshua’s date. Just great.


    ‘Has her feelings for Joshua really run that deep now? Was she ever this devoted… to me?‘ Connor thought bitterly.


    He politely brushed off a few people trying to strike up conversation, holding his wine ss as he made his way toward where Xylia was sitting.


    Before he could make it over, someone stepped in and blocked his path.


    It was Kaden.


    Kaden gave Connor a cold, dismissive look. “We meet again, Mr. Ford.”


    Connor instantly felt uneasy when he saw Kaden.


    13:10 Mon<b>, </b>Sep 22


    After all, Kaden had embarrassed him pretty badly recently.


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    But since Connor was trying to get a foothold in Norhill now, he knew better than to disrespect the Sadler family.


    The fewpany heads he’d just brushed off were nothingpared to the Sadlers. With Kadening over personally, Connor had no choice but to put on a friendly face for him.


    Connor’s eyes flicked over Kaden’s shoulder, and sure enough, Joshua was already by Xylia’s side–he’d beaten Connor to it.


    Connor gritted his teeth inwardly, hating that he’d missed his chance to get there first.


    Still, he forced a polite smile and raised his ss toward Kaden, masking his frustration with practiced grace.


    “Mr. Sadler, it’s been a while…” Connor said.


    Just as Connor leaned in to clink sses, Kaden coolly pulled his own away, leaving Connor hanging in the most obvious way.


    Without even sparing Connor another nce, Kaden turned and walked away.


    For Connor, it was straight–up humiliating–he could almost feel the sting on his face.


    Connor’s cheeks burned as he stared at Kaden’s retreating back. ‘Isn’t he supposed to be Xylia’s so–called lover? How does he just stand there, saying nothing, while she gets all chummy with Joshua? Doesn’t even have the guts to speak up,‘ Connor sneered to himself.


    ‘Is Kaden actually afraid of Joshua?‘ Connor mused in disgust.


    The more Connor thought about it, the more he found Kaden utterly contemptible.


    ‘So much for the Sadlers I used <i>to </i>try to buddy up to–they’re just spineless, after all!‘ Connor scoffed internally.


    Connor’s gaze drifted back to Xylia. Joshua was leaning down, murmuring something to her, and Xylia gave him a light, annoyed smack–even though her cheeks were pink.


    Her gesture had a girlish, yful ir, her face flushed with embarrassment.


    Seeing them together, acting all lovestruck like two teenagers, was enough to set Connor’s nerves on edge.


    Connor clenched his jaw, swallowing down his pride and jealousy–then strode over anyway.


    Meanwhile, Xylia was ring at Joshua, clearly warning him to watch his mouth or she’d


    <b>13:11 </b>Mon, <b>Sep </b><b>22 </b>


    ignore him for the rest of the night.


    Joshua finally got the hint and backed off.


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    Cecilia, sitting across from them, bit her lip, her face flushed as she watched the whole exchange. It was hard to tell what was going through her mind.


    Xylia caught Cecilia’s flustered expression and figured she and Joshua were probably making the girl ufortable. With an apologetic nce, she tugged at Joshua, suggesting they should head out.


    Before they had a chance to move, someone’s shadow loomed over them. Xylia looked up- Connor was standing right there, blocking their way.


    “Xylia, we meet again,” Connor greeted, his tone strangely polite but with tension simmering underneath.


    AD