Noelle knew Joshua was in Jupiton, so when Aaron asked her <i>to </i>return to Jupiton to help him retrieve some documents, she happily agreed.


    Noelle thought to herself, ‘Xylia is so obsessed with her rinky–dink studio, she must have already gone back to Norhill.


    Noelle figured, ‘I’ve got this window of opportunity–I’m going to win Joshua over.


    Noelle added in her heart, ‘Even if I have to pull some tricks, it’s totally worth it!‘


    Besides, those files Aaron wanted might just be the ones Richard has been after.


    This trip to Jupiton was definitely going to kill two birds with one stone!‘ Noelle thought to herself.


    Noelle asked one of the secretaries and found out that Joshua had gotten to the office early for a meeting.


    So she picked up a cup of Joshua’s favorite coffee and went straight to his office to wait for him.


    The morning meeting didn’tst long, and Joshua was back in his office in no time.


    Through the blinds, Joshua saw a figure inside and figured it must be Xylia.


    With a smile on his face, Joshua pushed the door open, but his expression changed when he saw who was sitting on the couch.


    “Who let you in here?” Joshua demanded, his face darkening as soon as he saw her.


    Noelle was more than used to Joshua’s icy attitude–she just shed him a gentle smile and spoke softly as always.


    “Joshua, it was Uncle Aaron who sent me back to fetch those files,” Noelle replied, her voice sweet.


    Joshua t–out ignored her, heading straight for his desk. Without even ncing her way, he pulled out his phone and sent Xylia a quick message.


    How can buying something take so long?


    Seeing that Joshua wasn’t paying her any attention, Noelle had to scramble for something to say.


    “Joshua, I know I messed up before, and I’m really sorry,” Noelle said softly, almost pleading. “From now on, I’ll treat you like a real brother, and I won’t ever give Xylia a hard time again. Will you stop being mad at me now?<b>” </b>


    Xylia didn’t reply to Joshua’s message.


    Joshua frowned, set his phone down, and looked up at Noelle.


    “These days, everyone’s throwing around apologies. They hurt people, then act like a half–hearted “sorry”


    makes it all disappear,‘ Joshua thought, feeling increasingly annoyed.


    ‘So arrogant, he scoffed inwardly.


    “Grab the files and go. Don’t just stand here getting in the way,” Joshua said coldly.


    474


    74


    95 vouchers


    Joshua didn’t bother sugarcoating his words–they stung, just like always. Noelle bit her lip so hard it almost hurt, and her face went white. ‘Why does he have to be so savage every single time?‘ she thought to herself, feeling the sting but refusing to back down.


    Still pretending not to notice the pure annoyance in Joshua’s eyes, Noelle got up and walked over to his desk, keeping her tone soft and pleading–as if nothing had happened.


    “Joshua, I swear I get it now. Please–just for my brother’s sake, can you let it slide and forgive me onest time?” Noelle whispered, trying her best to sound cute and pitiful.


    Joshua didn’t respond. His jaw was tight, and he looked seriously pissed.


    He looked anything but pleased.


    Noelle knew that, no matter how much Joshua hated her guts, he’d still end up cutting her some ck–at least for her brother’s sake.


    After all, Joshua literally owed his life to her brother.


    Noelle kept going, trying her best to sound sweet and vulnerable. “My brother raised me all by himself. I miss him a lot, and I know he’d want me to treat his brothers like my own family. Joshua, I really do know I was wrong.”


    Noelle kept her voice gentle and sweet, ying up her most adorable side.


    Then she moved closer, reaching out to grab Joshua’s sleeve, trying to act all cutesy and clingy.


    Joshua frowned and quickly moved aside, but Noelle, in her rush, identally twisted her ankle and tumbled straight toward him.


    Reacting instantly, Joshua kicked at the desk, sending his chair rolling backward and pulling himself out of reach.


    Noellended t on the office floor.


    “Joshua, guess what I brought back!” Xylia called out cheerily from the door.


    She stepped in carrying a stic bag with some cut–up fruit in it.


    Xylia looked up and saw Joshua sitting all the way at the back of the room, nowhere near his desk.


    Then her gaze dropped–to the floor beneath the desk, where she spotted a pair of delicate ankles and white stilettos poking out.


    Xylia’s eyes went wide.


    11:43 Sat<b>, </b>Sep 27


    Joshua practically jumped to his feet, blurting out, “It’s Noelle–she just came to pick up some files.” Noelle was still sprawled out on the floor, whimpering in pain, her whole body aching from the fall.


    As soon as she heard Xylia’s voice, Noelle froze solid, her mind nk for a second.


    ‘Wait–Xylia’s still in Jupiton?‘ Noelle thought in a panic, her thoughts spinning.


    Noelle gingerly picked herself up, looking super frustrated at how embarrassing this whole scene was.


    She shot Xylia a fierce look, almost blurting something out, but with Joshua watching, she quickly caught herself, stering on a smile instead.


    “Hey, Xylia! You’re still in Jupiton? I figured you’d already headed back to Norhill. I <b>just </b>came by to get some documents–and, of course, to see Joshua too!”


    Noelle called out “Joshua” in that soft, syrupy voice, making it sound almost too sweet to be real.


    ‘Noelle’s never looked at me like that–when did she get so friendly?‘ Xylia thought, genuinely shocked.


    ‘Did Joshua sending her overseas and then bringing her back totally flip her personality or something?‘ Xylia wondered, still trying to figure it out.


    Noelle was wearing a cute little dress, but after that tumble, it looked totally rumpled and messy.


    She didn’t even bother to straighten it out–she was just about to walk right out the door.


    Xylia shot her a look and said, “Hey, you might want to fix your dress before heading out. If anyone sees you like that, they’re gonna think Joshua roughed you up or something.”


    Noelle’s face went from pale to ashen, her lips twitching as she tried to hold onto her smile.


    “Got it. Thanks.” Noelle replied quietly.


    Noelle straightened her dress as best she could, her face still stiff, then slipped out of the office, doing her best. to avoid everyone’s gaze.


    Xylia nced at Joshua.


    Joshua froze for a second, then hurried over to Xylia and took the bag from her hands.


    “Let me see what you bought,” Joshua said, trying to y it cool.


    He dropped his gaze, acting all nervous for reasons he couldn’t even exin–after all, that scene just now had looked super awkward, and anyone walking in would’ve totally gotten the wrong idea.


    ‘Anyone walking in would’ve totally gotten the wrong idea,‘ Joshua thought.


    Joshua barely nced at the bag before dropping it and hauling Xylia down to sit beside him, almost like he needed her close for backup.


    11:44 <b>Sat</b><b>, </b><b>Sep </b>27


    “She twisted her ankle and tried to fall on me, so I dodged, and she totally crashed onto the floor instead. Seriously, it’s not what it looks like,” Joshua said, sounding a bit flustered.


    “Seriously, I didn’t think anything was weird,” Xylia said, raising an eyebrow at Joshua’s awkwardness.


    “Come on, of course I trust you. Why are you so nervous?” she teased, sounding both confused and a little amused.


    Joshua reached out, took Xylia’s hand, and hugged her close.


    “I just don’t want us to have any misunderstandings, or for you to get the wrong idea because I screwed something up,” Joshua said softly, his tone serious.


    With a soft smile, Xylia reached out and gave Joshua’s fingertips a reassuring little squeeze. “I believe you.”


    Joshua finally let out a sigh of relief.


    Xylia pulled out some apple slices from the bag. “I saw this apple treat in a video yesterday–they said it’s awesome with passion fruit and honey, all chilled. I just had to get some. Let’s try it together!”


    Joshua finally realized Xylia had gone out just to buy snacks. ‘She’s got such a sweet tooth, he thought, suppressing augh.


    ‘Such a foodie,‘ Joshua couldn’t help but think.


    Joshua gave a wry smile and opened his mouth, letting Xylia feed him a bite.


    It was sweet, refreshingly cold, and seriously tasty.


    Xylia hadn’t tried it yet, her eyes full of expectation as she watched Joshua. “Well? Is it tasty?”


    ‘Are you using me as your guinea pig or what?‘ Joshua wondered to himself, a little amused.


    “Pretty good!” Joshua replied, giving Xylia a yful grin.


    Xylia finally took a bite, instantly rxing. “It really is delicious!”


    ‘Guess the inte wasn’t lying!‘ Xylia thought happily.


    Xylia popped another bite of apple into Joshua’s mouth, then shooed him back to his desk. “Come on, work time! Chop–chop!”


    ‘Yep, I’m definitely her personal foodb rat now,‘ Joshua grumbled to himself, totally resigned.


    Joshua let out a helpless chuckle, gave Xylia’s head a gentle little pat, and went back to his desk to dive into work.


    After finishing her snack, Xylia pulled out herptop and got back to her remote work.


    Josie and a couple of designers hade up with some initial drafts, and Xylia started going over them.


    Chapter 298.


    Out of nowhere, Xylia’s phone buzzed–unknown caller ID.


    Xylia instantly got a bad feeling. She picked up, bracing herself for whatever wasing.


    “Xylia Schultz. Tomorrow at 2 p.m.,e by the Schultz family house. Grandma left something for you,” said a voice she knew all too well.


    <b>AD </b>