Joshua shot Connor a nk look, his eyes glinting with icy intent. “Mr. Ford, do you even know why your contract got axed?” he asked coldly.

Connor’s face turned bgrim/b. “Was this you?”

“If it happens again, it won’t just be about losing a deal,” Joshua warned. He strode inside, deliberately knocking Connor aside with his shoulder.

Connor flinched under Joshua’s intimidating stare, but he quickly pulled himself together. He watched Joshua’s retreating figure.

Just then, Crawford stepped out, and they shook hands and greeted each other.

Connor finally realized it was Joshua bwho /bhad tanked his deal with Crawford.

‘How could just a kept man have the kind of pull to make Crawford walk away from such a huge opportunity with Ford Group? Connor wondered, ‘Could it be Joshua is working for the Garcia family?

Xylia had been in the hospital for several days.

Connor never came to see her, not even once. He just sent a caregiver to look after her instead. She couldn’t

care less.

Joshua had invited Xylia out a few times, but she always said no.

For one thing. Joshua had no idea Xylia was stuck in the hospital, and she didn’t want him to get all worried

about her.

For another, Xylia didn’t want to get him mixed up in her problems.

Connor was the kind of guy who could pull anything.

Xylia’s foot was finally on the mend, and she could get out of bed and walk again.

Just then, her private investigator suddenly bcalled/b. “Ms. Schultz, I’ve got an update on that hit–and–run you were framed for four bmonths /bago, the one you asked me to look into,” he said.

Without a second thought, Xylia, leaning on her crutches, left the hospital right away.

Xylia arrived at the bar she’d agreed to meet the detective at and took a seat across from him.

The private investigator was a man in his thirties, dressed head–to–toe in ck casual wearb, /bsporting a gray- ck baseball cap.

“Go ahead, Mr. bWard/bb, /bXylia said, nodding to him to get started.

7:55 Thub, /bSep 11

55 vouchers

Maverick got straight to the point. “Ms. Schultz, four months ago, you took your car out, and the next day, the cops locked you up for a hitb–/bband/b–run.

“They btraced /bthe car that killed someone back to you, and you were the only one who’d used it that day. After bdigging /baround, the police pinned it all on you and charged you..

“But there weren’t any cameras on that stretch of road, and you kept saying you were set up, so I started looking into

the people who lied to the police back then.”

Maverick handed Xylia a photo.

Xylia picked it up. It was a picture of a young bwoman/b.

“Her name’s Xiomara Lane. I looked into her, and she’s bbeen /bmissing from Jupiton ever since you went to jail,” Maverick exined.

“She’s a local, born and raised in Jupiton, with her whole life and job here. How could she just disappear without anyone noticing? Something’s definitely fishy,” he added.

Xylia didn’t need to think twice; this had Connor written all over it.

Xylia met Maverick’s gaze. “I know exactly who framed bme/b, but I need solid evidence. I’m counting on you,” she said.

Maverick nodded and assured her. “You hired me, so I’ll make sure to get bthis /bdone right. You can count on

me.”

Maverick put the photo away, his eyes drifting to her leg. “Is yourg okay?” he asked.

Xylia smiled, I’m fine, but thanks for worrying about me.”

Maverick just nodded, said goodbye, and left.

As soon as he stepped out of the bar, Maverick pulled out his phone and made ba /bbcall/b. “Mr. bGarcia/b, I’ve balready /btold Ms. Schultz everything, but she seems to be hurt,” he said.

Just as Xylia was about to leave the bar, she ran into Chase walking in. Her eyes lit up, and she called out. “Hi,

Mr. Bell.”

Chase turned at the sound of her voice, meeting bXylia’s /beyes shining with excitement.

Chase paused for a second, and when he realized who she was, his expression instantly soured. He took a seat at bthe /bbar, acting like she didn’t even exist.

They’d only ever talked online, just a couple of video calls. Xylia figured Chase probably didn’t recognize her

Π

in bperson/b.

She bmade /bher way bover /bon her crutches and stopped right in front of him.

HA

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“Mr. Bell, it’s me, Xylia. I honestly didn’t expect to bump into you here. I really appreciate all the help you’ve given metely, Xylia bsaid/b, her tone open and genuine.

Chase just shot her a frosty look. “Ms. Schultz, I’m only helping because my boss told me to. If it wasn’t for that, I wouldn’t have bothered teaching you anything.

“You’ve p

got some real talent, but take my advice. Put your energy binto /bproper design bwork /band don’t get distracted by pointless drama.

bChase /bpretended bnot /bto bnotice /bbher /binjured leg.

He had to admit that Xylia was incredibly gifted, but her work on the drafts bhad /bbeen pretty binconsistent /bthese past few days.

What Chase hated most were people who got ahead just because of their connections and didn’t bother to work hard, like Xylia.

bXylia /bcaught the cold edge in his words and the frosty look on Chase’s face.

Even if she wasn’t the most perceptive, she could sense the hostilitying off Chase.

‘Guess he’s pissed at me for not handing in my drafts these days, Xylia thought.

“Mr. Bell, I know I haven’t been submitting my draftstely; that’s my fault. There’s been some stuff going on at home, but I’ll be out of the hospital bsoon/b. Promise I’ll get my work in on time once I’m back,” Xylia said, her

voice earnest

Chase just ignored herpletely.

Xylia rubbed her nose, feeling a bit embarrassed, and headed out.

Not long after she got back to the hospital, Joshua walked in with Rachel in tow.

Xylia was taken aback and blurted out, “Why are you guys here?”

Joshua stood there with a dark expression, giving Xylia a rare, cold look. He didn’t even bother to answer her question

“Give her a check–up,” he told Rachel in a serious tone.

Rachel just looked a bit helpless.

Rachel had a packed schedule today, but bJoshua /bjust showed up out of nowhere, didn’t say a word, and hauled bher /bbstraight /bto the hospital, all just so she could check on his crush’s leg.

‘Wow, thanks for trusting my skills bso /bmuch, Rachel thought, rolling her eyes inwardly.

Ms. Schultz, let me take a look at your leg, Rachel said.

Xylia was still reeling from the surprise, and when she caught Joshua’s stormy expression, she couldn’t help but feel a little guilty and dropped her gaze.

7:55 Thu, Sep 11

Rachel checked her leg, her brows knitting tightly with concern.

65 vouchers

“Your legs haven’t even healed from thest time, and now you’ve got fresh injuries. If you don’t take this seriously, you might never walk right again,” Rachel said bluntly.

X had already heard the same warning from her attending doctor, so it didn’t bother her at all.

Joshua stood off to the side, fists clenched and lips pressed into a thin line; he was practically radiating cold

anger.

“I’ll head back and get you some meds.” Rachel let out a sigh, feeling a bit helpless. She didn’t even wait for Joshua to say a word before heading out.

Once Rachel was gone, Xylia turned to Joshua, feeling kind of awkward. “How did you know I was in the hospital?” she asked.

Joshua didn’t say a word; he just stared at her face, silent. After what felt like forever, he finally spoke. “Xylia, divorce Connor.

200

b150 /b