The car pulled up next to a mall.

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Joshua led Xylia into the mall, grabbed some gifts, and then they got back on the road, heading off to pay their respects to a family elder.

Before long, their car pulled up in front of a private vi on the outskirts of Daltonia’s capital city.

Joshua and Xylia stood outside the vi.

The butler had been waiting at the gate for some time.

As soon as he saw Joshua and Xylia arriving together, he hurried over to greet them at the entrance.

The butler greeted them warmly at the door. “You must be Mr. Garcia, correctb?/bb” /b

Joshua nodded. “Yes, Mr. Lennox is expecting me. We’re here to pay him a visit.”

“My master has been waiting for you both. Please,e inside,” the butler said.

He epted the gifts from Joshua and handed them to a nearby servant, then led Joshua and Xylia toward the main vi.

They arrived at the main vi. As soon as they stepped inside, a cough sounded from within, followed by ia /iwarm, deep voice.

Mr. Lennox called out, “Is that you, Joshua?”

The butler answered, “Yes, Mr. Garcia is here, and he’s brought his girlfriend to visit you. These are the gifts he picked out for you.”

On the sofa in the living room, a man sat with his back to them.

He didn’t bother to turn around, his voice easygoing and familiar. “Why bring gifts? You’re here, that’s enough e over and let me get a good look at you.”

His way of speaking felt just like home, casual and warm–pure Alvend style.

‘Wait, he doesn’t sound like someone from Daltonia at all,‘ Xylia thought, surprised. ‘I totally expected to meet a local.‘

Joshua took Xylia’s hand and led–her over to the man.

“Mr. Lennox, it’s been ages. You’re still just as strong and spirited as ever,” Joshua said warmly.

By the time he finished speaking, they were already standing in front of Mr. Lennox.

Xylia finally got a good look at him.

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He had the typical Alvend look–about forty, with keen, striking eyes and an unmistakable air of authority.

He sat on the sofa, a nket draped over his legs. His posture was proper, but there was a hint of awkwardness to the way he sat.

Xylia kept her eyes in check, careful not to stare out of politeness.

But Mr. Lennox’s gaze settled on her, quietly sizing her up.

After a moment, he finally spoke up. “So, you’re Joshua’s girlfriend?”

Joshua wrapped an arm around Xylia’s shoulders and smiled as he introduced her.

“Yep, that’s her–my girlfriend, Xylia.”

Then he turned to Xylia and said, “Xylia, this is Mr. Lennox, one of my dad’s closest friends.”

Xylia greeted him politely.

“Hello, Mr. Lennox,” Xylia said warmly.

Mr. Lennox nodded, clearly pleased. “Not bad, not bad. Joshua’s always been notoriously picky–back in the day, us old folks used to fret over whether he’d ever settle down. Who knew he’d go and quietly find himself such a stunning girlfriend?”

Xylia felt herself blush a little under the praise.

Joshua just grinned, proud as ever. “Naturally, I’ve got great taste.”

Mr. Lennox invited them to take a seat.

Joshua and Xylia sat down beside him on the sofa.

“So, what brings you here this time?” Mr. Lennox asked.

“I need a favor from you, Mr. Lennox,” Joshua replied.

In Daltonia, the bnce of power came down to two sides: the underworld, controlled by Richard, and the legitimate world, overseen by Mr. Lennox.

For years, because of the awkward history between his father and Mr. Lennox, Joshua hardly ever came by to visit.

Now, just showing up and turning straight to ask for help-

Even Joshua, who’s never been shy about these things, couldn’t help but feel a little embarrassed.

Just then, a crisp, lively voice called out from upstairs.

“Joshua! Is that you?” came the yful call, sweet as can be.

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The girl’s adorablei, /iexcited tone echoed through the halls, right as her footsteps danced down the bspiral /b

staircase.

Xylia turned to see a girl, probably about twenty, skipping down the stairs in a pink princess dress–like something straight out of a fairy tale.

Her eyes sparkled the moment she saw Joshua.

Then, like an eager butterfly, she darted straight toward him.

Joshua hurriedly yanked Xylia out of the way.

The girl ended up tumbling right onto the soft sofa in a heap.

The living room wentpletely quiet for a moment.

The girly sprawled on the sofa for a few seconds, then pushed herself up, threw Joshua a dramatic pout, and shot him a look.

“Just like always! You never let a girl hug you!” she huffed.

Mr. Lennox just shook his head, looking at his youngest daughter with a mix of exasperation and fondness.

“You’re not a little kid anymore. Seriously, throwing yourself at your brother in front of everyone? Didn’t you see he brought your future sister–inw home?” he said.

The moment Mr. Lennox finished speaking, the girl’s gaze shifted to Xylia.

She crossed her arms and walked up to Xylia, sizing her up.

“Future sister–inw?” she asked, her eyes wide with curiosity and a hint of disbelief.

Xylia looked to Joshua for help, not quite sure what to say.

Joshua stepped in, quickly making the introductions. fna7c8 Official source is F?nd-Novel/fna7c8

Only then did Xylia realize that the girl in front of her was Lydia Lennox, Mr. Lennox’s youngest daughter.

Xylia greeted Lydia with a friendly smile.

Lydia barely acknowledged her, not really bothering to respond.

Mr. Lennox said to Lydia, “Lydia, take her upstairs and hang out for a bit. I need to talk things over with Joshua.”

Lydia chirped, “Okay!”

Xylia nced at Joshua, a little uncertain and silently looking for guidance.

Joshua just grinned and ruffled her hair. “Rx, the kid’s actually super easy to get along with. Go ahead.”

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Lydia shot Joshua a fierce look and snapped, “Who are you calling a kid?”

Then she grabbed Xylia’s hand and marched her right upstairs.

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Joshua and Mr. Lennox turned their attention to the real reason for the visit and started talking business.

Lydia didn’t waste any time. She grabbed Xylia by the hand and pulled her straight into her bedroom.

Despite Lydia’s adorable vibe, her room was a whole other story–nothing but ck and white, and seriously cold and minimalist.

As soon as they walked in, Lydia gestured for Xylia to sit wherever she liked. “Feel free, make yourself at home.”

Xylia didn’t stand on ceremony.

She was sore and tired all over–if she could sit, she sure wouldn’t stand, and if there was a chance to lie down, she’d skip even sitting altogether.

She sank into the soft sofa, grateful for the chance to finally sit down and rx.

Lydia settled herself on the edge of the bed opposite her and started eyeing Xylia again, clearly checking her

out.

After all she’d been through, Xylia had gotten pretty good at telling whether someone’s stare carried any sort of malice.

Right now, she could tell Lydia was just genuinely curious.

‘What exactly is she so curious about?‘ Xylia wondered, feeling a little baffled.

‘Is she just checking me out because I’m Joshua’s girlfriend?‘ Xylia thought, a touch uneasy.

“I’ve definitely met you before.” Lydia dered, sudden and unwavering, like she wasying down a fact.

Lydia’s wordsnded out of nowhere, her tone crisp and decisive–no room for doubt.

Xylia hesitated, a little thrown. ‘I honestly don’t recall ever crossing paths with you,‘ she replied.

“Three years ago, I went to Jupiton with my dad. We attended a party–some kind of charity auction, I think- held at the Capital City Clubhouse. On our way out, right at the entrance, I remember spotting you there,” Lydia said, her voice filled with certainty.

Xylia’s lips twitched. ‘Got to hand it to her–she’s got a memory like a steel trap. Me? I can barely remember what happened three years ago.’

Lydia scooted forward, checking Xylia out again with a curious look. After another careful nce, she nodded, totally convinced.

“No doubt about it–it’s you! There’s no way I’d forget such a pretty face,” Lydia said yfully.

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“Wait a sec–weren’t you already married? And didn’t you have a kid?” Lydia asked, her eyes wide with curiosity.

She could clearly remember standing at the entrance and hearing that tiny kid by Xylia’s side call her “Mommy,”

Xylia’s gaze clouded over for a split second.

She said quietly, “That’s all in the past.”

‘I never would’ve thought a stranger could know my story so well, Xylia thought, a bit thrown.

Xylia studied Lydia’s face, searching for even the tiniest flicker of disapproval or shade in her eyes.

But she found nothing.

‘So why bring it up?‘ Xylia couldn’t help but wonder.

Lydia quickly looked away, got up, and walked over to her desk. She rummaged through a drawer and pulled out a little doll keychain, then handed it to Xylia.

“For you,” Lydia said simply.

Xylia shot Lydia a confused look, murmured a quick thanks, and epted the keychain.

As soon as Xylia touched the keychain, the doll’s eyes popped right out–then some thick, red goop came oozing out, sttering all over her hand.

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