Xylia and Kaden were both stunned by what George Jennings did.


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    Just being invited by George was surprising enough, but who’d have thought he’d actually put his status aside and personally bring cake over for us juniors?


    And that genuine, cheerful grin on his face wasn’t just for show either.


    He really felt like a kindly old grandpa looking out for the younger generation.


    Xylia and Kaden took the slices of cake, ncing at each other before turning to George. With genuine smiles, Xylia said, “Thank you, Grandpa George.” Kaden chimed in, “Yeah, thank you, sir.” Their voices carried a warmth that matched the old man’s kind gesture.


    George’s eyes, usually clouded with age, lingered on Xylia, suddenly lighting up with a touch of nostalgic warmth.


    “You really remind me of your grandmother–there’s quite a resemnce,” he remarked fondly.


    Xylia had heard Kaden talk about Grandpa George and their grandparents before, so with him watching her now, she couldn’t help but feel a little embarrassed.


    She tilted her head and nced over at Kaden, hoping he might say something.


    Kaden spoke up, “Grandpa George, if my grandparents were still here, they’d definitely havee today to celebrate your birthday.”


    George finally tore his gaze from Xylia.


    With a wistful look in his eyes, he stared out into the dense darkness, as if searching for something lost, fixated on a distant spot.


    “Yeah… If only they were still here, the Sadlers–Jennings families would never have ended up like this.”


    After a while, George finally turned his gaze back to Kaden.


    <i>“</i>Come here, let’s have a talk–just the two of us as grandfather and grandson,” George said softly, but with a certain gentle authority.


    Kaden followed George out.


    Be came over with another slice of cake and offered it to Xylia. “Sis, have some cake!”


    13:12 Mon<b>, </b>Sep <b>22 </b>


    Xylia now found herself with two slices of cake.


    She looked hesitant. “I don’t think I can eat anymore, Sis.”


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    She’d already indulged in so many pastries back in the banquet hall, and honestly, she was getting a bit sick of sweets now.


    Be didn’t push her, though. Instead, she turned and ced the cake in front of Joshua.


    “Then let the bad brother have it,” she said, sticking her tongue out yfully.


    Joshua raised an eyebrow at the nickname, shooting Be a sideways look.


    “Why am I the bad brother?” he asked, feigning hurt.


    Be nted her hands on her hips and stared Joshua down, her little face full of indignation.


    “You totally are the bad brother! Last time you called my dad toe and drag me away, just so I couldn’t hang out with Sis!”


    She was still holding that grudge, all this timeter.


    Joshua just shrugged, clearly not bothered in the slightest.


    He leaned in, shing a wicked smile at Be. “Because Sis belongs to me–not to you.”


    Be stood there,pletely stunned, like she’d just been struck by lightning.


    Xylia gave Joshua a mock–scolding re, clearly fed up with his antics.


    “Seriously, why do you have to tease her like that?” Xylia said, her tone full of gentle reproach as she nced at poor Be.


    ‘Just look at her–she’s totally petrified because of you,‘ Xylia thought, concern bubbling up


    inside her.


    But Joshua didn’t seem the least bit guilty.


    Just then, Beatrice showed up with Kevin and Cecilia right behind her.


    Cecilia nced at Xylia, her re from earlier fading into a look that was almost… sympathetic.


    Beatrice offered Xylia a friendly nod. “Ms. Sadler, thanks again for the Tang suit you made for my father.”


    “He really loves it, you know. Not everyone has talent like yours,” Beatrice added sincerely.


    “You tter me, Beatrice, Xylia responded modestly, keeping her tone low–key.


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    Maybe thanks to that awkward setupst time, they weren’t nearly as distant or awkward now -they could actually talk without the initial walls.


    Kevin, sharp as ever, made himself invisible in the crowd, melting into the background


    scenery.


    As the conversation continued, the crowd around them started to buzz with curiosity.


    The long–standing feud between the Sadlers and the Jennings had been a hot topic for years, and everyone had been expecting some drama when the Sadler siblings showed up at George’s birthday party.


    But instead, George had calmly taken Kaden aside, and even Xylia seemed to be getting along just fine with the Jennings kids.


    The other clite families just stared at each other,pletely lost.


    ‘Wait, did the beef between the Sadlers and the Jennings get squashed ages ago and nobody realized?‘ folks wondered, surprised.


    ‘Or did we just never get the memo?‘ people wondered, scratching their heads.


    Connor and Tessa were seated nearby, catching bits of the hushed conversations swirling around them.


    Tessa remained totally unfazed, while Connor just sat there, staring at Xyliapletely lost in thought.


    ‘A Sadler kid?‘


    ‘What does that mean?‘ The crowd couldn’t help but whisper among


    themselves.


    ‘Xylia… Sadler… Wait, is Xylia really from the Sadler family?‘


    ‘So does that mean Xylia is a Sadler daughter, and Kaden is her brother?‘ More guests started to connect the dots, their shock growing.


    Connor felt like all the half–formed suspicions swirling in his mind had suddenly locked together into one blindingly clear realization.


    Back in Jupiton, he’d crossed paths with Xylia and the Sadler boys–those guys had gone totally ballistic on him for her sake.


    Even in Norhill, every time he’d bumped into Xylia, he’d always figured she was just some ordinary girl mysteriously mixed up with the Sadler brothers.


    But looking back now, it all clicked–Xylia taking the Sadler name wasn’t some dramatic act to burn her bridges with the past. She was never just a side character in the Sadler family’s story. She was their long–lost daughter, finally found.


    Connor felt like his brain was buzzing–he just couldn’t ept the truth staring him in the


    face.


    But then he nced over at Tessa, who was sitting right next to him, listening to the whispers around them. Her face was pale, but there wasn’t a hint of surprise in her expression.


    And that’s when Connor realized–Tessa must’ve known all along.


    He turned to her, his voice low and steady. You knew Xylia was a Sadler, didn’t you?”


    Tessa was totally caught off–guard by the sudden question–her brain just nked for a second.


    It was honestly one of the only times Connor had bothered to speak to her in days–and of course, it was still all about Xylia.


    She snapped back, blurting out, “Yeah, I knew. I even told you.”


    Connor blinked, looking genuinely confused. “Wait, when did you ever tell me that?”


    “That day you kicked me out of the vi. Tessa said, sounding a little exasperated. “I literally asked if you knew why Xylia was using the Sadler name. You acted so chill about it, I assumed you already knew.”


    Finally, Connor actually spoke to her after days of cold shoulder. Tessa knew this was her chance to close the distance between them.


    Her tone lost its usual edge, turning all soft and sweet as she replied.


    Connor thought back and realized, yeah, Tessa really had asked him that question that day.


    But back then, he hadn’t really thought much of it.


    The idea that Xylia could be one of the Sadlers had never even crossed his mind.


    If Xylia was really a Sadler, starting apany would’ve been no big deal for her. Even without Joshua’s help, she’d always have Kaden in her corner.


    With that kind of backing, it made sense she was <b>so </b>confident–no wonder she could shut down his investment offer without even blinking.


    As the truth hit him, Connor’s face turned dark as a storm cloud.


    13:12 <b>Mon</b><b>, </b><b>Sep </b><b>22 </b>


    <b>57 </b>


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    ‘If Xylia’s actually a Sadler, why didn’t she say something earlier?‘ Connor thought, his mind in overdrive.


    He’d been worrying like a total fool, stressing about whether she had enough capital or whether someone would try to y her.


    All that worrying? Turns out, it was nothing but a bad joke–and he was the punchline.


    Watching the party over there, with everyoneughing and looking so close, Connor felt like he was getting punched right in the gut. It was almost too much to bear.


    Before he knew it, his fists were balled up tight–he couldn’t help himself.


    Totally clueless about the storm raging inside Connor, Tessa just saw this as her chance. ‘<b>If </b><b>I </b>can keep this up, maybe he’ll finally help me out. I seriously have no one else to turn to now- he’s all I’ve got,‘ she thought.


    She was about to say something, but Connor shot to his feet, barely touching his food, and strode straight out of the garden without another word.


    Panicking, Tessa didn’t think twice–she jumped up and chased after him.


    Kaden only came back when the banquet was winding down. He looked as calm as ever- guess that talk with George must’ve gone pretty smoothly.


    “Kaden,” Xylia called out, “Miss Lynch said to let you know she’s got a private dinner set up for you in the dining room. She wanted you to head over when you got back.”


    Kaden waved off the idea. “Nah, it’s cool–I already ate with Grandpa George. Tell her thanks, though.”


    Xylia was just about to ask Kaden what he’d talked about, but he nced over at Rosalind instead.


    “Ready to go home?” he asked her.


    Rosalind had just had a bit to drink, her face flushed. When Kaden spoke to her, she blinked in surprise, not quite registering that he was addressing her.


    “Yeah,” she murmured, nodding a little dazedly.


    Only then did Kaden turn to Joshua and Xylia. “I’m gonna take her home first. Don’t stay out toote, okay? And if you’re noting back, at least shoot me a text so I know you’re safe.”


    With that, Kaden led Rosalind away.


    Xylia tugged on Joshua’s arm, whispering, “Is it just me, or does Kaden seem a little sad right


    now?<b>” </b>