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    On the outskirts of the city stood a secluded vi, its gates looming in the evening light.


    Joshua floored the elerator all the way, sting down the road–he made it in just an hour and a half.


    David Baldwin was already waiting by the entrance. As soon as Joshua pulled up, David rushed over.


    Without wasting a second, David quickly brought Joshua up to speed on everything that had just happened.


    “The news about Dexter’s death got to Burke Sterling fast. With Connor gone too, Burke tried making a break for it out of the country–we managed to corner him at the airport just in time. Dude hasn’t struggled or said a single word since<b>.</b><b>” </b>


    “If anything, he’s almost smug, like he knows for sure nothing’s going to happen to him.”


    Joshua’s expression stayed cool. “He’s got someone backing him. That’s why he’s acting so fearless.”


    David frowned. “Who’s behind him?<b>” </b>


    Joshua’s tone was t as he uttered just one name: “Richard.”


    David’s heart skipped a beat-‘No way… it’s really him!‘ He nearly stumbled back, blurting out, “Richard?!”


    With Kaden’s two hundred million dors, the Schultz Group was back from the brink.


    Ziggy was riding high again, feeling like he was on top of the world.


    Even his assistant, who had been ready to quit, was back to work with a newfound enthusiasm.


    “Everyone who stuck with the Schultz Group through this mess is a hero. You’re all getting the afternoon off,” Ziggy announced.


    His assistant rolled his eyes inwardly. ‘After all we’ve been through together, shouldn’t there be some real reward?‘


    ‘Like a pay raise, or maybe some kind of bonus?‘


    ‘Seriously, just giving us half a day off and calling it a reward? That’s it?‘


    But it was Ziggy’s decision, and he didn’t get a say in the matter. He headed out to spread the word, just as he


    was told.


    With the afternoon free, Ziggy decided to drop in on those fair–weather friends of his–the ones who couldn’t wait to kick him when he was down. It was time to remind them that Ziggy was way more than what met the


    <b>eye</b><b>. </b>


    At the Capital Gold Club, Ziggy sprawled across the center of a leather sofa in the private lounge.


    Two gorgeous women sat snuggled up close beside him, barely clothed.


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    They cozied right up to him, pouring drinks and feeding him fruit—just like some spoiled princeling living it up at the brothel in days gone by. Ziggy knew how to enjoy himself, no doubt about it.


    On the other couch sat those guys who used to look down on Ziggy when the Schultz Group was hanging by a thread.


    Now, their faces were stered with fake smiles.


    “Bro, I always said you had mad skills! The Schultz Group was in deep water, but you hauled it back like it was nothing. Seriously, surviving all that mess means good luck’sing your way. Soon you’ll be calling the shots as Jupiton’s biggest boss!”


    “For real! You just swung by Norhill and snagged two hundred million in backing—brought the Schultz Group back from the dead. That’s legendary, man!”


    “Ziggy, you gotta teach me that hustle sometime! My dad won’t shut up about me taking over our family’s business, and now he’s literally telling me to hang around you and learn your tricks.”


    “1


    Ziggy could see straight through their fake praise, but honestly? Their words were music to his ears.


    He didn’t care if their loyalty was fake. All that mattered was making it absolutely clear: Ziggy was no pushover.


    The drinking session dragged on until the early hours, and Ziggy stumbled back to the former Schultz family home, totally hammered.


    <i>“</i>Xylia, can you whip up some hangover soup for me?” he called out the moment he stepped inside.


    Ziggy didn’t even make it two steps past the front door before he started shouting for someone.


    Gia, who had juste out to get some water, hurried over, worry etched on her face as she reached out to steady him.


    “Why’d youe home so drunk? Your dad said you gave everyone the afternoon off at thepany–what kind of drinking session did you get yourself into?” Gia asked, her voice full of concern and a hint of reproach.


    Ziggy squinted at her, trying to focus. “Mom?”


    Gia helped him to the couch and handed him a ss of water.


    “Who else would it be? Your sister’s in jail, remember? Unless you n to spring her out, how’s she supposed toe home and make you hangover soup?” she shot back, her tone sharp.


    Ziggy was so hammered he was practically living in the past, back when Xylia had just been locked up by


    Connor and Maddox.


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    He gave a sloppy half–smile. “C’mon, Connor’s not gonna just leave his own wife to rot. He’ll get her out, no


    doubt.”


    Gia shook her head. “Connor can barely keep himself out of trouble these days!”


    Gia looked at Ziggy in his sorry, wasted state and couldn’t help but feel a pang of motherly worry. She quietly called for a servant to help him back to his room.


    Ziggy, still half–drunk, muttered “Xylia Schultz” as he was led away, the name slipping past his lips almost unconsciously.


    Before Tessa returned to the family, Xylia was the one sister Ziggy truly cared about.


    Xylia spent the weekend catching up on all the sleep she’d missed over the past few days.


    She finally managed to pay back her sleep debt and wake up feeling truly rested.


    By Monday, she showed up to work looking radiant and in great spirits, fully recharged.


    Joshua, though, came back superte that weekend night. Xylia was half–asleep, barely registering the soft rustling as he moved around, slipping into bed next to her.


    She called out for Joshua, her voice muffled with sleep, then drifted off again.


    She reached up and touched her cheek–it was like Joshua’s kiss fromst night had left her skin burning, the heat lingering all the way to morning.


    When Josie walked in, she found Xylia sitting there with her hand pressed to her cheek.


    “Why are you covering your face? Got a toothache or something?<b>” </b>


    Xylia lowered her hand and shook her head. “Do you need something?”


    “You missed out on that big international eventst time, but there’s another shot now–you better check your inbox!” Josie said, a yful grin on her face as she urged her.


    Xylia pulled up her inbox and found two new messages–one from Josie and another from Chase Bell.


    She opened Josie’s email first.


    The email was about a huge international fashion design contest in Daltonia–put together by a bunch of top brands. Pretty much the most high–profilepetition out there. If Xylia could snag first ce, she’d blow up overnight and everyone in the business would know her name.


    Xylia couldn’t help grinning.


    “I’m signing up right now!”


    Josie chuckled. “Hold your horses. The entry requirements for this one are pretty strict. I checked, and you


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    ..


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    tick all the boxes<b>–</b>except for one. You need a rmendation from someone who’s a true international heavyweight in the industry<b>, </b>somebody recognized worldwide.”


    Xylia’s mind immediately jumped to Chase.


    She opened up Chase’s email–and sure enough, it was about the samepetition. ‘Knew it, she thought, a flicker of excitement sparking in her chest.


    Xylia’s grin grew even bigger–‘Well, that solves my biggest headache.’


    “Looks like my rmendation’s sorted,” she muttered with a self–satisfied little smirk.


    Joshua showed up at Xylic Studio around noon.


    He was carrying an insted lunch container–it looked like he’d cooked the meal himself and brought it for


    her.


    Xylia saw how exhausted Joshua looked, and her heart went out to him–‘He must’ve had a rough night…


    “Why didn’t you catch some extra sleep? You came home sote, remember?” Xylia’s voice was gentle as she spoke.


    The moment Joshua spotted her, it was like some of that tiredness melted away from his face. He reached <i>a </i>hand out toward Xylia, wanting her close.


    Xylia didn’t hesitate–she walked over, slid her hand into his, and curled up next to him on the couch.


    It was lunchtime, and most of the staff had already headed out to grab a bite.


    Josie had been about to ask Xylia to join her for lunch, but when she saw Joshua there, she figured the two of them wanted some alone time. So, she just shrugged and headed downstairs with Sharon and the others<b>. </b>


    With most of the office cleared out, the ce was pretty quiet.


    “I can’t fall asleep when you’re not around,” Joshua said softly,ying on the affection.


    He was being cute again–ssic Joshua.


    Xylia stroked his cheek with gentle fingers. “Then let’s get an early night together.”


    Joshua leaned in and kissed her gently on the cheek,


    As they ate, Xylia asked, “Did you find Noelle?”


    “Yeah, we found her,” Joshua replied.


    He’d gotten a call from Graham carlier that day. Noelle had booked a flight back to Norhill, and she <b>wasn’t </b>going alone–Richard was with her.


    Looks like <b>they’ve </b>got a n. With those two heading to Norhill together, you just know that <b>ce </b><b>is </b>about to explode.


    <b>Chapter </b>267