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    56 voucher


    On the day Joshua and Xylia nned to head back to Norhill, a heavy rainstorm hit, causing their flight to be canceled.


    Just then, Aaron called, asking Joshua to stay in Jupiton for a few more days. A major client wasing to Jupiton, and since Joshua was already there, Aaron wanted him to handle the meeting.


    Without hesitation, Joshua declined. He reminded Aaron of their previous agreement and insisted that Aarone to Jupiton to negotiate in person.


    Only then did Aaron tell Joshua that Eliza had been in a car ident in Norhill. Her leg was injured, and she was stuck in the hospital recuperating, so Aaron couldn’t leave her side.


    “When did this happen?” Joshua demanded, his voice rising despite himself.


    Joshua’s face instantly darkened, brows furrowing as his temper red. ‘No way… Why now?‘ he thought, unable to keep his concern from showing.


    Xylia, who’d been packing nearby, heard the tension in Joshua’s voice. Realizing something serious had happened, she immediately stopped, her eyes wide with concern as she hurried over to him.


    “Last night,” Aaron replied, sounding a little guilty. “It waste, and your mom kept insisting I shouldn’t tell you. She didn’t want you to worry about her.”


    “She didn’t want me to know, so you just went along with it?” Joshua’s voice was sharp, his frustration clear.


    “Seriously, don’t worry,” Aaron reassured him. “It’s just a minor leg injury. A few days in the hospital and she’ll be just fine.”


    Joshua fell silent for a moment before asking, “Who was the driver?”


    “I know what you’re getting at,” Aaron said, voice low. The background sounds got noisier, making it obvious he was at the hospital, probably ducking out so Eliza wouldn’t overhear their conversation.


    “It was just some guy runningte for work–panicked and mmed the gas instead of the brake,” Aaron exined. “He hit your mom on the sidewalk, but another car was making an illegal U–turn and crashed into his vehicle, which softened the blow. That’s why your mom ended up not being seriously hurt.”


    “Doesn’t sound like something Richard would pull,” Joshua said under his breath.


    Joshua asked Xylia to grab him a ss of water.


    Once she was gone, Joshua lowered his voice. “Richard’s in Jupiton now. He’s already getting close to Xylia. If he wants to go after you, he’ll probably use Eliza as his way in. Watch your back.”


    Aaron’s voice grew noticeably more somber.


    “Got it,” Aaron replied.


    11:42 <b>Sat</b><b>, </b><b>Sep </b><b>27 </b>


    After a moment of thought, Joshua added, “Dad, find a reason to get Noelle back to Jupiton”


    “What are you nning?” Aaron asked, clearly curious.


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    “Since Noelle’s in cahoots with Richard, I can use her to find out what he’s really nning,” Joshua exined.


    “Got it. Watch your back out there in Jupiton,” Aaron said.


    After he hung up, Xylia walked in holding a ss of water and passed it to Joshua.


    Xylia’s eyes were full of worry as she asked, “Did something happen?” Her voice was gentle but anxious.


    She hadn’t fully heard the call, but the words “car ident” had sent her heart racing.


    Joshua quickly shared with Xylia everything Aaron had told him about Eliza’s ident, his own worry hidden beneath the facts.


    ‘No way… Eliza got into an ident?‘ Xylia thought, her heart tightening with concern.


    Xylia asked anxiously, “How did this even happen? Is she badly hurt?”


    Joshua took Xylia’s hand, his voice gentle. “Don’t worry, it’s nothing serious. I just have to stay in Jupiton for a few days before heading back to Norhill. Will you stay here with me?”


    “But what about Eliza?” Xylia asked, still worried.


    “My dad’s with her,” Joshua exined, giving her hand a little shake as his voice softened into a yful plea. “Just stay with me, please?”


    Xylia couldn’t resist when Joshua acted like that–she could only nod. “Okay, I’ll stay.”


    She reached up to gently caress Joshua’s cheek. “I’ll stay with you. Let me give Eliza a call and see how she’s doing.”


    Joshua nodded.


    Xylia grabbed her phone and gave Eliza a call.


    Eliza picked up almost immediately. “Xylia, what’s up?”


    “Mrs. Garcia, how are you feeling?” Xylia asked, her voice full of concern.


    Eliza’s voice sounded strong and steady, which, based on Xylia’s experience, meant she was doing okay.


    “So you found out, huh?” Eliza grumbled, annoyed that Aaron couldn’t keep a secret. She quickly switched to a more cheerful tone and said, “Don’t worry, Xylia. I just scraped my leg a bit, that’s all. Couple days in the hospital and I’ll be good as new. I told Aaron not to tell you guys, but I swear, he just can’t keep his mouth shut.”


    “Eliza, please don’t downy it,” Xylia replied, sounding genuinely concerned. “A car ident <b>is </b>serious stuff. You really should’ve let Joshua know.”


    Xylia’s voice had a firm, serious note to it.


    :


    Elizaughed softly, trying to put Xylia at ease. “Okay, okay, don’t worry. I really do know. You’re right”


    Xylia chatted with Eliza a little longer, gently pressing to make sure she was truly alright. Only after she felt relieved did she finally hand the phone over to Joshua.


    When Eliza spoke to Joshua, she turned into ssic Eliza–no more gentle talk.


    “You little punk! Take good care of my daughter–inw, you got that?” Eliza snapped. “If I <i>see </i>Xylia even a pound lighter next time, don’t think I won’t dig out my old golden cane and smack you with it!”


    It was obvious she was unloading all her irritation at Aaron onto Joshua.


    Joshua guessed Aaron probably ducked out to avoid the storm when he realized Xylia was calling Eliza.


    All Joshua could do was mumble his agreement, going “yes, ma’am, of course” until he could finally hang up.


    Xylia grinned at Joshua, teasing him. “Eliza’s got you whipped, huh? I’ve never seen you act so humble.”


    Joshua raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”


    He feigned deep thought and shot her a sly look. “Pretty sure every time I beg you for something, I’m just as much of a pushover.”


    Xylia blushed instantly, her ears turning red all the way to the tips. Then she gave Joshua a firm smack on the


    arm.


    “Enough with the useless teasing,” she shot back, though she couldn’t hide her smile. “Go fetch the things you just packed up.”


    “Yes, boss wife!” Joshua replied with a yful salute.


    Xylia shoved Joshua’s head aside, her cheeks burning as she slipped out of the bedroom.


    As she reached the bottom of the stairs, one of the servants rushed over.


    “Ms. Sadler, there’s a kid outside named Sonny. He says he’s your son and wants to see you,” the servant announced, a little flustered.


    Xylia’s brows furrowed in suspicion.


    Joshua had always said the Garcia family kept a low profile, rarely hosted any events, so barely anyone even knew where the old Garcia family estate was.


    ‘How on earth did Sonny figure that out?‘ Xylia wondered, a wave of unease passing over her.


    ‘And why did hee looking for me now?‘ she thought, feeling even more unsettled.


    Xylia couldn’t stand anyone from the Ford family–not even her own son.


    11:42 <b>Sat</b><b>, </b><b>Sep </b>27


    55 vouchers


    “Just have the driver drop him off at the Garcia family estate. I don’t want himing inside,” Xylia said, voice icy and unyielding.


    The servant hesitated. “He seemed really sick, so I thought I should let him in.”


    That was when Xylia noticed the little boy curled up tight on the living room sofa.


    Sonny’s face was burning red, and his small features were scrunched up in obvious pain.


    “Mommy… Mommy…” he whimpered, barely audible.


    Xylia frowned, uneasy and reluctant, but after a moment she walked over and pressed her palm against Sonny’s forehead, her mind torn between annoyance and worry.


    ‘Damn, he’s burning up, Xylia thought, feeling the heat against her skin.


    ‘He’s definitely running a fever,‘ she realized, concern cutting through her resistance.


    Xylia acted quickly. “I’ll apply a fever patch for him. Go call the driver–we’ll have him taken to the hospital


    soon.”


    “Got it,” the servant replied and hurried out.


    The servant left the room.


    Xylia quickly grabbed the first aid kit and applied a fever patch to Sonny’s forehead.


    He was feverish all over; despite her reluctance, Xylia moistened a cloth with alcohol and carefully wiped down his body to lower his temperature.


    “Mommy… please… don’t leave…” Sonny whimpered, voice barely a whisper, his tiny hand shooting out to grab Xylia’s sleeve, clutching with all the strength he had left.


    Xylia’s heart squeezed tight as she felt his desperate grip–she couldn’t help but pause, her annoyance wavering in the face of his raw need.


    Xylia looked down at Sonny’s little face. He was her son–her own for seven years, someone she’d once loved dearly. But now, she couldn’t muster even a trace of sympathy for him.


    If it were any random kid lying there sick, her heart would be racing with concern.


    But with her own flesh and blood right in front of her, she didn’t feel worried at all.


    ‘When did my heart turn this cold?‘ Xylia thought, a flicker of guilt passing through her.


    Sonny opened his eyes groggily, and when he saw Xylia right there beside him, it felt just like those old days— her taking care of him whenever he was sick.


    A wave of relief came over him, and he clung to Xylia’s hand, like he never wanted to let go.


    “Mommy… you finally want to talk to me again.”