Ethan muttered something under his breath.
“That’s not necessarily true.”
Xylia didn’t hear him. “What did you say?”
Ethan looked up, his expression calm, a faint smile in his eyes.
‘She didn’t suspect a thing, Xylia thought.
After finishing their meal, Xylia packed a meal to–go for Joshua, said goodbye to Ethan, and left.
Once she was gone, a man stepped out from the restaurant and walked up to Ethan.
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He took Ethan’s hand and asked, “Aren’t you worried Joshua will give you a hard time over this? That guy isn’t easy <i>to </i>handle.”
Ethan turned to look at him, his eyes full of tenderness and affection.
“For the chance to be with you, I’d risk anything.”
The man gazed at Ethan with a tender, aching look. <fn0f32> This text is hosted at Find1Novel</fn0f32>
“Did you get enough to eat? Want to head back in for a little more?”
“Sure.”
Hand in hand, the two of them went back inside the restaurant.
Meanwhile, Xylia called Joshua to see if he was done with work.
Joshua had just wrapped up a meeting and was sitting in his office, rubbing his temples in exhaustion.
When he answered Xylia’s call, he asked her toe straight to the office.
It was already after hours, and only a few employees were still workingte. Most had already left for the day.
Garcia Group didn’t have a culture of overtime.
When Xylia got to the Garcia Group building, she headed straight up to the top floor–the executive suite— and walked right into Joshua’s office.
“Bet you’re starving. I brought your favorites, and picked up a couple of drinks on the way,” she said with a smile.
She had gotten two fresh fruit juices, still cold from the shop.
Joshua had been exhausted all day, but just seeing Xylia felt like all the tiredness melted away for a moment.
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He walked over, pulled her into a tight hug, and rested his head gently against her shoulder.
“Tired?” Xylia asked, tilting her head with a gentle smile.
She reached up and softly brushed Joshua’s cheek.
Joshua pouted, acting all cute. “Yeah, I’m exhausted,” he admitted.
“Poor thing, let me get you some food,” Xylia said, turning and nting a quick kiss on his face.
She coaxed him to eat, her voice full of warmth.
The two were practically glued together, totally wrapped up in each other.
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Once Joshua had finished his meal, Xylia looked over and asked softly, “You still got work tonight?”
“Nah, I’m done. Let’s head home,” Joshua said.
After tidying up the desk, Joshua took Xylia’s hand and walked out of the office with her.
When they got back home, Joshua got a message from David.
[Mr. Garcia, Ethan really does have a boyfriend. The guy’s from the Garcia family’s second house, and he’s the only son of his generation. His parents found out he’s dating a guy and now they’re forcing him to break up and pushing him into an arranged marriage, all so he’ll have kids for the family. Ethan’s still refusing to give in.]
Xylia flopped down on the couch the second she walked in, dead tired and not wanting to move a muscle.
Joshua shot her a look, his brows drawing together.
‘Ethan’s been getting closer to Xylia. What’s his angle?‘ Joshua wondered to himself.
After replying to David’s message, Joshua walked over and sat down beside Xylia.
“How did it go with Ethan today?” he asked.
“Go how? What are you talking about?” Xylia blinked at him,pletely lost.
‘I just went out for this awkward meal because I felt guilty. It’s not like I’ll ever cross paths with Ethan again, so what’s with all these questions?‘ Xylia thought, baffled.
Seeing Xylia so clueless, Joshua just gave a helpless little smile.
He reached out and gave her head a gentle pat.
“So, what kind of guy do you think Ethan is?” Joshua asked.
“He’s just a bit na?ve, young at heart—a kid, really. We only had one meal together. I barely know him, and I honestly doubt I’ll ever see him again,” Xylia replied.
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‘Fair enough, Joshua thought.
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‘But I can’t help but wonder–is Ethan purposely getting close to Xylia, <i>or </i>is it all just a coincidence?‘ Joshua mused to himself.
But that ‘girlfriend‘ Ethan told Xylia about was never real–it was all fake.
Joshua let it go and didn’t ask any more.
He’d keep an eye on Ethan from now on.
Richard had gotten thepensation from Xylia, but he still hadn’t leaked the story to ruin her studio’s reputation–though the temptation was definitely there.
But even after being forced into a corner like this, he was still pissed off.
He held the documents Noelle had stolen from the Garcia family, his eyes cold and ruthless.
“Joshua, this time, I’m not letting you off easy!” Richard growled.
The documents were Garcia Group’s top–secret files–the very lifeblood of thepany.
Richard nced over the files–these weren’t just any contracts, but the Garcia Group’s closely guarded secrets. A sly grin tugged at his lips as he waved Holt over.
“Go give Garcia Group some trouble, will you? And while you’re at it, pass a word to Connor–let him know the Ford Group’s glory is riding on this. Let’s see if he can handle the heat,” Richard said, his voice cold and sharp.
Holt shot him a quick nod and slipped out to set the n in motion.
Ever since Richard had run off with his son, Connor had started seeing him in a whole different light.
But since they were partners for now, Connor had to keep things civil.
When Connor got Holt’s call and heard what Holt had to say, he couldn’t believe his ears.
“You want me to tell everyone not to work with Garcia Group?” Connor asked, his voice dripping with disbelief.
‘Is Richard seriously out of his mind?‘ Connor thought.
Jupiton might be a sprawling metropolis, and sure, Ford Group sits at the top–for now. But honestly, that’s only because Garcia Group keeps things low–key and out of the spotlight.
If Connor started making noise for no reason, he’d just be ignored. Worse, he’d be painting a huge target on his back for enemies to take aim, basically asking for trouble.
Connor had zero interest in doing something this pointless–busting his ass for no reward? No thanks.
Holt just waved it off. “Just roll with it. Once you put the word out, you’ll see how people react. Remember,
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Joshua didn’t just steal your wife–he stepped all over Ford Group when you were at your lowest. Come on, you telling me you’re still scared of him?”
“Me? Afraid of him? Not a chance, Connor shot back instantly, tone sharp.
Connor retorted without thinking.
After a couple seconds of silence, he said, “I know exactly what I need to do. No need to bait me, alright? We’re just working together–I’m not here to take orders from you guys every darnn time.”
Before Holt could say another word, Connor ended the call.
Holt reported back to Richard, who simply gave a cool, subtle smile.
“Rx. Connor’s petty enough–he’d never pass up a shot at putting his rival in his ce,” Richard said.
Holt nodded in agreement.
After hanging up, Connor left his study.
As he was heading out to the office, he passed by Sonny’s room.
Ever since Sonny hade back, he’d been way quieter than usual.
He wasn’t his usual yful self, and he’d even started focusing on his schoolwork.
It wasn’t ss time yet, and Sonny’s bedroom door was open. He was sitting at his desk by the window, sketching something with his pen.
Connor walked over and saw Sonny sketching on a nk sheet of paper–a family portrait.
He, Sonny, and Xylia were all there, together in the drawing.
The sight hit Connor hard, knocking the wind out of him.
He remembered, albeit vaguely, that when Sonny was very young, he’d once drawn a family portrait too.
Back then, Sonny could barely hold a pen–the people on the paper were just messy, colorful squiggles, three tangled linesing together as their little family.
Xylia still praised Sonny’s drawing, insisting it was great, even though it was just a colorful mess.
Connor’s lips curled into a faint smile.
“Sonny, do you want your mom toe back?” Connor asked, not really thinking before the words came out.
He caught himself and quickly rephrased.
“Are you hoping your momes back?” he said, softening his tone.
Connor knew just how much Sonny missed Xylia. For a second, he hesitated, then decided to rephrase his
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question.
He never expected Sonny would shake his head.
“No, I don’t want Mom toe back, Sonny replied, looking up at him, totally serious.