<b>Chapter </b>267
Xylia didn’t ask Joshua about Noelle again.
After they finished their meal, Joshua headed out, promising he’de pick her up after work.
Joshua had been practically glued to her side these days, and now that he was suddenly nowhere to be seen, Xylia felt a bit lost. She wasn’t quite used to the emptiness.
She shook herself out of her spiral of random thoughts and fully immersed herself in work.
By the afternoon in Norhill, dark clouds started rolling in, making the whole city feel heavy and dreary.
As Xylia ducked out to use the restroom, she overheard some coworkers by their workstationsining.
“Why does the weather flip so fast? I bet it’s gonna be pouring when we get off work.”
“The forecast didn’t even mention it. I was carrying my umbre every day when it was all sunshine, and of course, now that it’s gloomy, I left it at home. Just great.”
“Seriously. I had an umbre in my bag all week, and the one day <b>I </b>switch bags–bam, bad luck.”
”
Xylia nced out at the gloomy sky.
It was definitely about to rain, and of course, she hadn’t brought an umbre either.
Sure enough, it started pouring just as she clocked out.
The rain was pounding down, and the lobby turned into a madhouse–everyone was scrambling to grab a cab. Cars were nowhere in sight, and it just kept getting more crowded and hectic by the minute.
Some folks were trying to hitch rides with coworkers, and the underground parking lot was jam–packed too.
Joshua had taken her car, so she was stuck.
She gave Joshua a <b>call</b>, and he told her the rain had traffic backed up all over the main street by her office. “It’s a mess out here,” he said. “I’m probably at least ten minutes away.”
Xylia told him to be careful and hung up.
Some coworkers spotted her and offered to let her join them, but she politely turned them down.
Before long, the parking lot had mostly emptied out.
After about seven or eight minutes of waiting, Xylia suddenly felt a sharp, intense gaze locked onto her.
After those kidnappings, her body automatically tensed up, every nerve on alert. <ol start="8"><li>8. </li></ol>
Lately in Norhill, there had been a series of violent crimes.
Word on the street was that it was all bitter loners trying to get revenge on society.
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Without thinking, her hand slipped into her bag, instinctively wrapping around her self–defense tool.
She spun around, but saw no one there.
Instead, a man emerged from the elevator–around thirty, with features so gentle they seemed carved from jade, not a hint of aggression. His eyes curved in a warm, easy way, and the subtle smile at his lips made him. look disarmingly gentlemanly.
He walked over, catching her watching him.
With a friendly smile, he said, “You’re the boss of Xylic Studio up on the 16th floor, right?”
Xylia froze, her guard going up even more.
“You know me?” she asked, her voice cautious.
The man chuckled. “A few days ago, you treated everyone in the building to afternoon tea. We’ve all been pretty curious about the person running Xylic Studio up on the 16th floor.”
Xylia rxed a little.
After all, it had been a bit of a hassle for everyone that day, so even mentioning it now made her feel kind of embarrassed.
“Sorry for the hassle I caused you guys,” Xylia said.
She shot a quick look at the entrance, just waiting for Joshua to walk in.
Suddenly, the man reached his hand out to her.
“I’m Richard, manager of thepany on the 17th floor. Our team arrived on time that day, so we didn’t get caught up in the mess. We just kind of lucked into afternoon tea thanks to you, so I really appreciate it.”
Since he was being so courteous, Xylia couldn’t really turn down his kindness.
She offered him a brief, polite handshake. “No need to thank me. It was nothing, really, I was happy to do it.”
Richard was the first to let go; his gentle demeanor matched his refined look, a real gentleman through and through.
“Ms. Sadler, are you waiting for someone?” he asked.
Xylia nodded.
“Alright then<b>, </b>I’ll head out first. See you around,” Richard said.
After exchanging polite greetings, Richard made his way to his reserved parking spot and drove off,
ever the
gentleman.
His car had barely left when Joshua’s pulled up right behind, almost as if he’d been timing it.
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The rain had thoroughly soaked Joshua’s car<b>, </b>cold droplets turning the whole ride into an icebox.
Xylia climbed in and shut the door. Joshua shot her a sharp look, cold suspicion flickering in those usually gentle eyes. “Who did you just meet?” he asked.
Xylia stared at Joshua, shocked. ‘How did he even know I’d run into someone?‘ she wondered.
“Just ran into the manager from the 17th floor. He just said hi and mentioned the afternoon tea,” Xylia replied.
Joshua’s eyes stayed sharp, his suspicion still lingering. Xylia raised an eyebrow. “What’s up?”
Joshua hesitated for a moment, then let it go.
“There’s just something about your scent that’s familiar. Maybe I’m just overthinking it,” he said.
“You’re definitely overthinking,” Xylia teased, shooting him a yful look. “You’re always with me in this office building, so it’s normal you’d catch a familiar scent. Don’t act like I’m sneaking around behind
your back!”
“You’d never cheat,” Joshua said, his voice unwavering.
His tone was firm–there was no doubt in it.
Xylia let out a teasing hum. “You really trust me that much?”
Joshua cleared his throat, a yful grin flickering at the corners of his mouth.
“Come on, I’m insanely good–looking and loaded–no way you’d ever go for someone less than me. No one else could measure up to your standards.”
Xylia burst outughing, buckling her seatbelt as the car slowly pulled toward the exit.
“You’ve got a pretty clear picture of yourself, don’t you?” she teased.
Joshua’s lips curved into a gentle smile.
“What are we having for dinner tonight? Should we swing by the supermarket?” he asked.
“Sure, I’m in the mood for hot pot. How about we make it at home?” Xylia suggested.
“Sounds good,” Joshua replied.
Their car slipped away into the rainy evening.
Not far away, Richard’s car was idling at the curb, as he watched Joshua and Xylia drive right past him.
From the shadows, his stare was cold and vicious, reeking of danger–a far cry from the gentleman he’d appeared to be moments ago.
<b>8:35 </b><b>Thu</b><b>, </b><b>Sep </b><b>25 </b>
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In the back seat, John tapped away on hisptop, but paused for a split second when he caught Richard’s low, sinister chuckle.
Having followed his boss for years, John could read Richard’s moods from even the smallest things- especially hisughter.
Right now, he could sense it clearly: Richard was practically vibrating with excitement.
John paused for a beat before finally asking, “Boss, you must be in a good mood after meeting that woman- did she catch your interest or something?”
<b>‘</b>Is he into her?‘ The thought jolted through John’s mind, but he instantly pushed it away.
‘No way. Not possible!‘
‘That’s not his style. My boss isn’t the type to fall for anyone.‘
Richard leaned back in the driver’s seat, his voice low and casual. “She is pretty decent looking. No wonder Joshua’s so taken with her. Too bad.”
Richard didn’t finish his sentence, but John knew exactly what he meant.
John knew. That woman was doomed. And so was Joshua.
He nced at hisptop screen. “The number we used to call Noelle a couple of days ago got traced. Joshua probably knows where we are by now.”
“Let him figure it out. Honestly, I’d be disappointed if he didn’t,” Richard said, his tone calm but edged with
menace.
His old man had said it on his deathbed–his death was tangled up with Joshua, no escaping it.
This trip to Norhill wasn’t just about some bet with Noelle. That was just the cover.
Richard was here for revenge.
He was going to make Joshua suffer so badly he’d wish he’d never been born.
John didn’t say another word. He knew exactly how cold–blooded his boss could be–no need to worry about anything else. He’d just stick to his ownne and let the rest y out.
The car started up and slipped into the curtain of rain, moving through the jam–packed streets and quietly falling in behind Joshua’s ride.