<b>Chapter </b>296


    As Sonny was being led away by the servants to another vi, he started throwing a tantrum, insisting that Xylia had toe with him.


    Xylia’s ears were aching from his constant wailing, and when she saw Sonny looking like he might faint from crying, she told the servants to put him down.


    Once he was free, Sonny staggered over to Xylia.


    He immediately wrapped his arms tightly around Xylia’s leg.


    “Mommy, please forgive me. I was wrong. I promise I won’t say I don’t want you ever again. You’re my only mommy,” Sonny sobbed.


    He was crying his eyes out, and every word out of his mouth was the sweetest kind of pleading.


    Even his words were so soft and adorable, it was hard not to want to give in.


    If Sonny had said something like this before she left the Ford family, she would’ve happily forgiven him in a heartbeat.


    But now, she just couldn’t do it anymore.


    ‘It’s all toote now,‘ Xylia thought to herself, a heavy sense of finality settling in her chest.


    She knelt down so she was eye level with Sonny, meeting his tear–soaked gaze.


    She remembered when Sonny was just born–tiny, wrinkled, eyes squeezed shut, and honestly, she’d found him a little funny–looking at first.


    But he changed so quickly–every single day, he grew softer and fairer. When he finally opened those beautiful, crystal–clear eyes, it was like gazing at a little angel dropped straight from the heavens.


    Back then, Xylia’s heart overflowed with motherly affection. She’d cradle Sonny for hours on end, and even when her arms started aching, she still couldn’t bring herself to put him down.


    The very same son she was afraid would break in her hands or melt on her tongue–her whole world once- had ended up driving knife after knife into her heart.


    The wounds in her heart had scarred over, only to be torn open again and again. Each time, the jagged marks left behind never truly faded–they were just part of her now.


    She could let those painful memories go and make Sonny her son again.


    But inside, it still didn’t sit right. She couldn’t help feeling cheated, as if she was betraying herself–and worst of all, she’d be failing Joshua.


    She gently took Sonny’s small hand, her voice barely above a whisper.


    11:43 <b>Sat</b>, Sep <b>27 </b>


    “You might not get this right now, Sonny, but not every mistake can be erased with an apology, I’m not going to forgive you,” Xylia said, her tone steady but cold.


    “Just remember–I’ve already been the mother you always wanted. From now on, you and I are done,” she finished.


    Sonny didn’t really understand everything Xylia said, but he knew exactly what she meant by “we’re done“– that their bond was over.


    Mom still refused to forgive him.


    “Mommy, I’m sorry… please, can’t you forgive me? I can’t live without you!” Sonny begged, his voice shaking with sobs.


    He gripped Xylia’s hand tight, like it was hisst lifeline.


    Xylia kept her tone ice–cold, ignoring Sonny’s pleas. “When you’re back with the Ford family, don’t evere looking for me again. You’ll have a mom, but it won’t ever be me.”


    As soon as she finished, she let go of Sonny’s hand and got to her feet without a second thought, nodding for the servants to take him out.


    No matter how hard Sonny struggled and cried, Xylia remainedpletely unmoved, her heart shut tight.


    The servants couldn’t help but feel a wave of sympathy. Sonny was her own flesh and blood–no matter how deep the conflict, it was hard to imagine any mother being this ruthless.


    They’d worked at the Garcia family estate for years, and at that moment, everyone quietly reached the same conclusion.


    Xylia was definitely not someone you’d ever want to cross.


    The living room fell silent again.


    After hearing what Joshua said, Xylia made her way to the study.


    The Garcia family’s study was huge, with towering bookshelves lining every wall, packed with all sorts of books–some real treasures among them.


    The room was defined by its ssic solid wood finish, giving it a vibe that was both refined and impressive.


    The only thing that didn’t quite match the study’s style was the area by the floor–to–ceiling windows that had clearly been set aside for something else.


    There, a small patch of soft carpet wasid out with an easel, fine paper, an array of paints and brushes, and even a tiny little stool.


    Joshua had set up all of this himself.


    Xylia felt her heart turn unbelievably soft when she saw all of this; she just wanted to hold the man who always understood her.


    <b>11:43 </b><b>Sat</b><b>, </b><b>Sep </b><b>27 </b>


    ??


    But instead of heading to that little creative corner, she sat down at the desk and opened theptop Joshua had set up for her, then sent a message to Lily.


    She gave Lily a quick update on the project’s progress and asked if, going forward, they could keep all projectmunication between just the two of them.


    Lily didn’t respond right away, so after sending the message, Xylia simply closed the chat window.


    Since Joshua and Richard were basically at each other’s throats, Xylia wanted nothing to do with Richard anymore–she didn’t want to make things any tougher for Joshua.


    If it hadn’t been for the initial contract already being signed for this project, she would’ve dropped the whole partnership without a second thought.


    Richard was out on the golf course when he got Lily’s message.


    Holt leaned in and said, “Xylia’s made it clear–she doesn’t want to work with you anymore.”


    After sinking a hole–in–one, Richard let a chilling smile y at his lips.


    It wasn’t the kind of smile that warmed a room–instead, it was that icy curve Holt knew all too well. The sort that signaled trouble, maybe even something deadly.


    “Xylia, you’re really something else,” Richard muttered, his tone loaded with dark amusement.


    He shed back to that day at the Garcia Group’s elevator–she’d been so shaken, keeping her distance like he was radioactive.


    ‘Was it just shyness, or was she worried Joshua would get the wrong idea?‘ Richard wondered to himself.


    ‘Are those two really that tough to shake?‘ Richard mused, a hint of cynicism in his eyes.


    “Have Lily message her back, and send her over to Alvend right away. From now on, she’ll handle everything with Xylia,” Richard ordered, not leaving any room for discussion.


    Holt just frowned and nodded.


    After messaging Lily, Holt just couldn’t hold back and asked, “Boss, what about your n?”


    Richard replied, “Just because Lily’s handling the negotiations doesn’t mean I can’t show up, right?”


    Then he shot Holt a “Are you actually serious?” kind of look.


    Holt dropped his gaze, thinking, ‘Why does this make me feel like such a doormat?‘


    He was already bringing the deal to their doorstep, and now he still had to dance to all their tunes?


    Joshua arrived at the golf course, striding straight over to where Richard was waiting.


    11:43 <b>Sat</b><b>, </b><b>Sep </b>27


    Richard set his club aside and shed Joshua a smile.


    “Mr. Garcia, you finally decided to show up. Two hourste, huh?” Richard teased, eyebrow raised.


    He’d arranged to meet with Joshua today.


    ??


    After dropping Sonny off at the Garcia family estate, Richard was certain Joshua would make an appearance- so he didn’t mind hanging around those extra two hours.


    He didn’t seem the least bit annoyed.


    Joshua, on the other hand, was all ice, his gaze fixed on Richard with a hint of something dangerous simmering just beneath the surface.


    “Then why didn’t you leave?” Joshua asked, his voice low and sharp.


    “I knew you’d show up eventually, Mr. Garcia. Two hours isn’t that long to wait. Besides, I got in a few extra rounds,” Richard replied, his tone casual, like he didn’t have a care in the world.


    Joshua stood there with his hands stuffed in his pockets, the scorching sun zing down on his silver hair. Shadows from those icy strands fell across his eyes, making his whole presence feel dark, cold, and intimidating.


    “Richard, since you want to y, I’ll y with you,” Joshua said, his tone frosty, pure challengeced in every word.


    He strode forward, stopping right in front of Richard, a cold, razor–sharp smirk curling at his lips.


    “All these years, you’ve been nothing but a worthless nobody, hiding out in Daltonia just like your father- scared of the light. You really think you can pull strings and walk out of Jupiton without a scratch?” Joshua spat, every syble a calcted insult.


    Every word out of Joshua’s mouth was brutal, hitting Richard right where it hurt most.


    Richard’s smirk faded, his jaw tightening.


    Joshua kept going,pletely unbothered. “Your father’s been waiting for you for ages. Maybe it’s time you went to pay him your respects.”


    “Don’t you dare talk about my father!” Richard snapped, his face twisting with anger.


    The smile vanished from Richard’s face, and those usually gentle features took on a hardened edge, making him look downright cold and sinister.


    Joshua narrowed his eyes, voice filled with icy usation. “You set up my mom’s car ident, didn’t you?”


    Richard’s face flickered, unease shing through his eyes as he hurried to deny it. “I was in Jupiton–how could I possibly hurt your mom?”


    “Younded my mom in the hospital, so I dug up your dad’s ashes and tossed them to the chickens. Consider it payback,” Joshua sneered, every word a deliberate insult.


    <b>11:43 </b>Sat<b>, </b><b>Sep </b><b>27 </b>


    <b>C </b>


    “What the hell did you just say?” Richard practically shouted, eyes zing with fury as his fists clenched tight at his sides.


    Joshua red back at him, his jet–ck eyes cold and merciless–there was nothing but emptiness in that


    stare.


    “If you want a war, let’s do it for real. This time, I’m not letting you get away,” Joshua said, every word dripping with icy resolve.


    <b>AD </b>