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The Garcia Group’s stocks dropped several points in just one week.
All thanks to Connor, who orchestrated the whole thing.
While Joshua was struggling to keep up with the chaos, Connor sent him an invitation.
It was to a charity g at the Capital City Club on Friday.
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Connor personally delivered the invitation to Joshua, and couldn’t help but feel quite pleased seeing how worn–out Joshua looked.
“Mr. Garcia, don’t hold it against me for ying hardball–business is business, there’s no right or wrong to it. But I’m throwing you a bone here. A lot of big shots in the business will be at that charity g. You never know, maybe someone there can give you a hand,” Connor said.
Connor had cornered Joshua in the underground parking garage of the Garcia Group.
At that moment, Joshua and Xylia were taking a break and nning to visit their teacher.
When Connor handed over the invitation, Xylia couldn’t help but roll her eyes, thinking, ‘Seriously? Can’t he pick a better time for his games?‘
Noticing Xylia’s obvious eye roll, Connor threw her a look and said, “Xylia, here’s a word of advice: you’d be smart to keep your distance from all this drama. It’s better for both you and Joshua.”
But if Xylia didn’t listen, Connor had no problem forcing her hand–even if it meant making her take a hard line.
Xylia thought Connor was absolutely unnecessary–like an extra scene in a drama nobody asked for.
In her opinion, after a divorce, an ex should be as good as dead–no contact, no crossing paths, pure radio
silence.
But Connor just wouldn’t quit; he was always in her face, never giving her or Joshua a break, and hell–bent on driving a wedge between them.
Only now did Xylia realize Connor wasn’t just a piece of trash–he was the kind of creep that made her skin crawl.
“Whatever happens in my life has absolutely nothing to do with you. If you’ve got so much free time to hand out invitations, maybe you should use it booking yourself a psych consult–seriously, get your brain checked,” Xylia shot back.
Xylia grabbed Joshua and hustled him into the car, making sure he didn’t spend another second around Connor. ‘No way am I letting him get dragged into Connor’s drama again,‘ she thought.
Watching Xylia step up for Joshua like that made Connor’s chest ache with envy and bitterness.
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That sour feeling burned through him, pumping through every vein, and he felt like he could blow up any
second.
Joshua kept his lips sealed the whole time, just letting Xylia guide him straight into the driver’s seat without a
fuss.
Once Xylia got in, he hit the ignition and drove off without looking back.
On the way to see Grace, Joshua couldn’t wipe the smile off his face.
Xylia, still in a bad mood, gave him a sideways nce and said, “What’s with that smile? You really think all this drama is funny?”
“Wow, I never pegged you for someone who could take so much, Mr. Garcia. No matter how many jerks line up to try you, you never blow up or even lose your cool,” Xylia scoffed.
Joshua just shot Xylia a soft look, then reached out andced his fingers through hers.
“Come on, how could I ever get pissed off when I’ve got my sweetheart watching out for me? With you by my side, all I feel is lucky,” Joshua teased.
“What if they mess with me?” Xylia asked, raising an eyebrow.
“I’d beat them to a pulp,” Joshua replied, his voice soft but deadly serious.
Xylia nced at Joshua’s side profile while he was driving, let out a couple of annoyed little huffs, and shook off his hand.
“Just focus on driving, will you?” she shot at him, her voice a mix of impatience and concern.
Joshuaughed softly, then finally put both hands back on the wheel.
She wasn’t really mad at Joshua; she just hated seeing anyone try to mess with him, that’s all.
They picked up some gifts and headed over to Grace’s ce. The old couple weed them with open arms.
“Ms. Chase, how are you feeling now?” Xylia asked gently.
Grace gently pulled Xylia <i>to </i>sit beside her on the couch, wrapping her up in a warm wee.
Grace looked <i>so </i>much healthier now, her cheeks rosy as she sat in a deep green cheongsam. Years spent dancing had given her a dignified poise and a peaceful, graceful aura.
“I’m feelingpletely fine now. It means so much that you both remembered me and came by together,” Grace said with a warm smile.
“You’re my teacher–you’re like family to me, almost a parent. How could I note visit you?” Xylia said, her tone full of warmth.
Every time Xylia was around Grace, she’d instantly turn into her cutesy, clingy self, unable to stop herself from acting a little spoiled.
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Grace was now the only senior Xylia genuinely looked up to.
Grace smiled and patted Xylia’s hand, then turned to Joshua with a gentle look.
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“Joshua, you look a little run–down. Haven’t been sleeping well these days?” Grace asked, her voice full of care.
‘Honestly, I’m really wiped out,‘ Joshua thought, acknowledging the truth.
‘Not that I’ve been pulling all–nighters for work or anything,‘ he mused, ‘it’s just that I keep losing track of time gaming these days.‘
Joshua just shed a sheepish smile and said, “I’ve just been a bit of an insomniactely.”
Grace frowned, her worry clear. “Is it work stress? You young people can hustle all you want, but healthes first–you need to take care of yourself.”
Joshua smiled, nodding warmly at her concern.
“Got it, Ms. Chase.”
Joshua joined Grace’s husband for a game of chess.
Xylia cozied up next to Grace, the two of them wrapped up in conversation.
Grace nced at Joshua for a moment, then turned back to Xylia.
“Xylia, you know I don’t really follow all that business drama, but word’s been getting around from a few of my friends–is Connor giving Joshua a hard time?” Grace asked, her tone full of genuine concern.
Xylia was a bit surprised that Grace had caught wind of all this.
Wanting to reassure her, Xylia said softly, “Don’t worry, Ms. Chase. The Garcia family has a strong foundation -Joshua’s going to be just fine.”
After a moment, she added with a confident smile, “Besides, I’m here too. I’ll have his back.”
Grace knew that Xylia had be the Sadler family’s heiress–her status was sky–high these days.
Grace let out a soft sigh.
“I know you two are more than capable, but if Connor is moving against you, you can bet he’lle prepared. In this world, you don’t have to worry about the decent folks, but you’d better keep your guard up around the schemers.”
Xylia couldn’t hold back augh. “So even you think Connor’s just a snake, huh, Ms. Chase?”
Grace snorted. “Please! I remember all too well how he treated you. Any guy who can go that far against his own wife? No way he’s a stand–up guy.”
Xylia rarely saw Grace let her feelings show like this.
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She grinned and looped her arm through Grace’s. “Connor’s nothing but a sideshow clown now–he’s not worth letting get under your skin.”
Grace’s expression softened as she pulled herself together, affectionately patting Xylia’s head.
They stayed for lunch at Grace’s ce before heading back.
On the way back, Joshua turned to Xylia, chuckling. “Grace’s husband saw I was having a tough time and just now he almost tried to slip me some cash.”
“He seriously looked ready to pull out his wallet for me.”
Xylia caught that cocky tone in his voice and shot him a look. “What’s got you so smug?”
Joshua grinned. “See? He’s looking out for me just because of you–which means, in their eyes, we’re officially a team now.”
Xylia just blinked at him, totally baffled by the way Joshua’s mind worked.
Honestly, it never got old.
“We always show up as boyfriend and girlfriend–of course they see us as a couple. What else would they think?” Joshua teased.
“Besides, don’t you get it? Grace’s husband was totally looking out for you.”
Joshua paused for a moment, mulling it over. “Honestly, I guess he was looking out for me, but let’s be real—if
it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t even know them. It’s you they truly care about, so I just got pulled in by association.”
Joshua’s roundabout logic was making Xylia dizzy.
“Just remember how good they’ve been to you, that’s what really matters,” Xylia replied.
The two of them made their way back home, side by side, a little more rxed than when they’d left.
As soon as they walked through the door, Xylia’s phone buzzed—it was Josie.
“Xylia, I need to head back overseas for a bit. Can you go to Norhill for me?” Josie’s voice held a hint of
urgency.
Hearing the seriousness in Josie’s voice, Xylia’s heart skipped a beat. “What’s going on? Is everything okay?” <fnfb51> This content belongs to Find_Novel(.</fnfb51>
“I’ve got some personal stuff I need to take care of, and I have to leave right away,” Josie said, her voice tight with urgency.
Xylia knew Josie was carrying her own secrets, but she wasn’t about to pry. ‘Whatever it is, she’ll tell me when she’s ready, Xylia thought.
“No worries–handle your business. I’ve got things here under control,” Xylia replied, her tone light but confident.
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Tin catching a flight this afternoon. I’ve already sent you the details for the work I’ve been handling. Just touch base with Shiyao for anything else,” Josie said, her voice steady but hurried.
“Got it. You go ahead, and if you need anything, just say the word,” Xylia replied, her tone warm and reassuring
“Will do,” Josie said, her voice softening just a bit.
After hanging up, Xylia turned to Joshua,
“I need to go to Norhill,” she said,
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