Xylia couldn’t hide how exhausted she was.


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    Joshua, feeling a pang in his chest, reached out and softly stroked her cheek. That alone wasn’t enough–he had to mess up her hair a little too.


    “Running apany is just like living life—it’s never all smooth sailing,” he said.


    He didn’t tell Xylia, “I’m here.”


    Joshua nned to prove it with every move, always being her safe harbor. But he also wanted Xylia to remember: the road ahead wouldn’t be easy, and there’d be a whole lot of unknowns waiting for her.


    Xylia knew she had to mentally brace herself for all the challenges that kepting her way.


    Joshua’s words soothed her. With a steadying breath, Xylia refocused and threw herself back into work.


    By the end of the day, the store was back online and rolled out a brand–new collection of womenswear.


    Xylia and Josie had mapped all this out in advance.


    They realized that just doing custom orders wouldn’t be enough if they wanted to build their brand. They had to stock up on ready–to–wear pieces as a solid starting point.


    That’s why, over the past few weeks, Xylia and Josie teamed up to design a whole batch of women’s outfits. After hashing things out with Henry, they decided to kick things off with a few thousand sets and put them up for sale online.


    The n for opening a physical store would depend on the feedback they received from their online sales, shaping the roadmap for a brick–and–mortarunch.


    Joshua suggested that Xylia bring in a team of professionals to take over both the online and physical store operations so that she and Josie could devote themselves to developing the high–end collection.


    For starters, they could enter internationalpetitions to build their personal reputations as designers, break into the global scene, and make a ssh in top fashion magazines.


    Both tracks would move forward side by side.


    Xylia and Josie totally agreed with Joshua’s suggestion. Since they’re both all about action, without missing a <b>beat</b><b>, </b>they started recruiting a team of professionals.


    After a whole day hustling non–stop, Xylia finally made it to the end–she could almost taste the relief of clocking out.


    Joshua, without missing a beat, grabbed Xylia’s bag and slipped his fingers into hers, leading her out with that easy, caring style that just screamed ‘I’ve got you!


    Xylia curled her arm around his, leaning her head gently on his shoulder. The way she was glued to him,


    inside and out, made the world between them shrink to nothing.


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    “Joshua, you’re totally my behind–the–scenes MVP. With you by my side, everything just feels a whole lot easier,” Xylia said, her voice soft.


    When Xylia opened up like that, Joshua’s grin stretched even wider.


    “I’ll always have your back,” he promised.


    Xylia loved hearing that.


    As their car rolled out of the open–air parking lot, Ziggy stood alone on the empty lot, eyes locked on their retreating figures. His face was clouded with something unreadable–whatever was brewing in his head, nobody could guess.


    After a moment, he slipped into his own car and drove off, not sparing them another nce.


    Early the next morning, in the CEO’s office at Sadler Group, Kaden was greeted by Ziggy, who’d dropped by unannounced.


    Kaden didn’t bat an eye at the unexpected visit, handling it all with his usual calm.


    When the secretary came in carrying tea, Ziggy instinctively reached out to take the cup.


    But with a quick twist of her wrist, the secretary handed the cup straight to Kaden, leaving Ziggy awkwardly hanging.


    Ziggy felt awkward.


    Kaden didn’t even bother to look up, his tone t: “Mr. Schultz, you’re not here for tea. Spit it out–what do you want?<b>” </b>


    Ziggy bristled at Kaden’s chill attitude. He leaned back on the sofa, his gaze rebellious and locked onto Kaden.


    “Mr. Sadler, I came here today to settle some scores,” Ziggy said.


    “Oh? What are you here to settle?” Kaden took a sip of his tea, put the cup down, and said, “Far as I know, Sadler Group and Schultz Group haven’t ever done business. So what exactly do we owe each other?”


    “It’s not about business deals,” Ziggy replied. “I’m talking about personal favors.”


    Kaden just raised his eyebrows, silently telling him to go on.


    Ziggy sat back like he owned the ce, voice loud and clear as he spelled out his reasons foring.


    “Xylia Schultz–now your sister, Xylia. Let’s get one thing straight: you only have her in your life because the Schultzs raised her. That’s a favor your family owes us, right?” Ziggy dered.


    “Of course,” Kaden replied coolly.


    Kaden stayed totally unfazed, just calmly waiting for Ziggy toy out what he wanted.


    Just as expected, the moment Kaden said nothing. Ziggy cut straight to his demand.


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    “Back when Xylia was living with the Schultzs, we made sure she wanted for nothing. She was loved like one of our own. So here’s the deal–the Sadler family owes us 600 thousand. Pay up, and the whole debt- emotional or otherwise–is settled. After that, Xylia is yours, and the Schultzs are officially out of the picture,” Ziggy said, his tone firm.


    Kaden mulled it over for a moment, then nodded coolly. “No problem,” he thought.


    He told his secretary, “Print up the contract.”


    “Once the paperwork’s signed, I’ll have the 600 thousand check ready for you. That work for you?” Kaden


    said.


    Ziggy couldn’t believe how easy this was–when Kaden agreed right away, it threw him for a loop.


    As soon as he snapped out of it, he didn’t hesitate to say yes.


    He’d tried to get 300 thousand out of Xylia before and totally struck out. He’de in today expecting to argue his head off with Kaden.


    Who would’ve thought that if he hiked up the price to 600 thousand, he’d actually get it handed over just like that?


    ‘If I’d known, I should’ve said 900 thousand instead!‘ Ziggy kicked himself, feeling like he totally missed a golden chance.


    ‘Man, I really dropped the ball on that one,‘ Ziggy thought, cursing his own carelessness.


    After signing the paperwork, Ziggy didn’t stick around at all–he took the 600 thousand check and walked straight out of Sadler Group.


    That money was more than enough for Ziggy to get Schultz Group back on its feet.


    After Ziggy left, the secretary turned to Kaden and asked, “Mr. Sadler, are you really going to hand over that much money? Ever since they found their biological daughter, the Schultzs have treated Miss Xylia like an enemy. I heard they even tried to force her to pay them back.”


    Kaden recalled the days he’d investigated Xylia’s past with the Schultzs, the memories ying in his mind. ‘If I hadn’t looked into it myself and seen the truth…‘


    ‘Handing over 600 thousand isn’t something I’d do if I hadn’t made sure the Schultzs genuinely cared for her back then, Kaden thought, his expression unreadable.


    “The Schultzs raised Xylia, and that’s a debt I’ve just paid. But everything Tessa did to hurt her after she came home–don’t think I’ll let that slide,” Kaden said coldly.


    The secretary finally put the pieces together, understanding exactly what Kaden meant.


    ‘So this is what it means to keep grudges and gratitude crystal clear…‘ the secretary thought, equal parts shocked and impressed.


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    “Get things ready. When Schultz Group’s back from the dead, we’ll make sure Ziggy gets a ‘gift‘ he’ll never forget,” Kaden added.


    “Got it,” the secretary replied, nodding.


    After the secretary left, Kaden’s gaze grew icier by the second.


    Ziggy wasted no time–he grabbed the 600 thousand and headed straight back to Jupiton.


    He’d heard all about Tessa’s drama, but after the Schultz family’s downfall, he and Tessa had been on the outs. When Schultz Group went under, she turned tail and ran, hiding out like nothing was her problem. So now that Tessa was in hot water, Ziggy figured she was on her own.


    Besides, the evidence against Tessa was irond. Even if he shelled out for the bestwyers, facing a pile of proof and the whole world rooting against her, he’d have to be bored out of his mind to get mixed up in that


    mess.


    When Ziggy got back to Jupiton, Yves and Gia sought him out–the first thing they did was bring up Tessa’s situation.


    Ziggy, beyond annoyed, didn’t bother hiding it. Heid out two choices for them, his tone sharp with impatience.


    “I’ve got 600 thousand right now. So tell me which is it? Do you want me to use it to save thepany, or waste every penny on Tessa, knowing she’s still headed straight for jail?” Ziggy said.


    Yves and Gia wentpletely silent, not a word between them.


    In the end, Yves made the final decision–he was the one to determine Tessa’s fate.


    ‘She needs to pay for everything she’s done,‘ Yves dered, his voice leaving no room for doubt.


    While waiting in lockup, Tessa’s mind couldn’t stop spinning–she imagined every possible way this could go down.


    Connor? Forget it. She could <i>see </i>it in his eyestely–he waspletely over her. Hoping he’d swoop in was just pointless.


    But at least she still had her parents and Ziggy. They were her family–they had to love her, right?


    Tessa held tight to one thought: when disaster struck, her dad, her mom, and her brother would never let her face it alone. Someone would definitelye to save her.


    But as the days dragged on, nobody from the Schultz family came to the station to get her out. All she got was the worst news imaginable: her official sentencing.


    Twelve years behind bars, plus 600 thousand to pay the victim’s family–no way out.


    Even when the verdict was read out loud, Tessa’s eyes darted around, desperate for someone from her family


    8:33 Thu, Sep 25


    to swoop in and save her. But nobody showed up.


    Only then did it sink in—she’d beenpletely abandoned.