The family dinner was held at Han’s house.

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It was a grand, ancient–style vi. Behind the iron gate, a long stretch of concrete driveway led in, nked by wide, manicuredwns on both sides.

When Xylia and Connor arrived, a fleet of luxury cars was already parked in the parking area by thewn.

As Connor got out of the car, he pulled Xylia close by the waist, ignoring her reluctance.

“You’d better behave yourself tonight, Connor warned in a low voice. “Don’t embarrass me, or I can’t say what

I’ll do.”

Xylia sighed, knowing better than to argue.

As Xylia revisited that ce, she felt her face tense and her whole body stiffen.

Jonah was standing at the entrance. When he spotted Connor and Xylia approaching, he hurried over to greet them.

“Hey, Connor, Xylia. Jonah greeted them with a warm smile.

His gaze lingered on Xylia, open admiration in his eyes. “You look absolutely gorgeous, Xylia.”

Jonah was a year older than Connor, and as cousins, there was a certain resemnce between them.

But Jonah carried himself with a steadier, moreposed vibe. His hair was slicked back, showing off his sharp features and giving him an almost intimidating edge.

Even when he smiled, there was always a hint of danger lurking beneath, like he was never as friendly as he

seemed.

Connor frowned, let go of Xylia’s waist, band /bstepped in front of her, blocking her from view.

“We’re family, no need for all the greetings. I’ll take Xylia inside now.” With that, he took Xylia by the hand. and led her into the vib. /b

bJonah /bwatched the two of them walk away, the smile at the corner of his lips gradually turning cold.

d away from

As soon as they walked in, Xylia yanked her Connor.

Connor gave her an impatient look, his brows furrowing.

“Don’t push it,” Connor said, his tone clippedb. /bTonight’s important.”

“It’s not like I wanted to be bhere/bb,/b” Xylia retorted.

As soon as she stepped inside, Xylia felt her skin crawl with unease.

9:52 Fri, Sep b12 /b

The memories of what had happened there three years ago still haunted her.

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Connor knew exactly what this ce meant to her, yet he still bforced /bher toe to this family gathering. expecting her to put on an act as the perfect couple.

She had no intention of bying /balong.

Connor was taken aback by her retort. He wanted tosh out at her, but thinking about what wasing, he bit back his anger and stayed silent.

This so–called family gathering was more like avish bparty/b.

The grand hall was packed with socialites band /bbig shots, all dressed to the nines, champagne in hand as they worked the room.

As soon as Xylia and Connor stepped inside, all eyes seemed to drift toward Xylia–even if no one stared openly.

Lately, news about Xylia, the Ford family’s young madam, had been blowing up online, with rumors swirling everywhere.

Everyone there was an insider; beven /bthose who didn’t care for online drama had caught wind of the gossip that Xylia bwas /bfooling around with other men behind Connor’s back.

Some bsaid /bshe’d been in a bhit/bb–/band–run and just left the scene like nothing happened.

Others imed she broke her own sister’s leg out of pure jealousy.

And of course, there was talk about her throwing bthe /bFord bfamily’s /bweight around to bully people.

All that dirt piling up about Xylia had turned into the rich bcrowd’s /bfavorite after–dinner gossip.

Xylia never bothered to mingle with this crowd, which just gave them even more reason to badmouth her.

Connor led Xylia over to greet Willow and Han.

“Uncle Han, Aunt Willow,” Connor said politely.

Han and Willow bwere /bbusy entertaining guests when they spotted Connor and bXylia /bapproaching.

Han greeted them with a warm smile, but Willow’s face instantly turned cold.

“Hey, bConnor/b! How have you beenb?/b” Han asked warmly.

“Not bad,” Connor replied.

He started chatting with Han.

Meanwhile, Willow shot Xylia a smirk, her lips curled with barely hidden sarcasm.

“Xylia, you’re really everywhere these days,” Willow said, her voiceced with mockery. “You’re even showing

9:52 Fri, Sep 12

up on TV bnow/bb./b”

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Everyone bknew /bshe was talking about all those nasty rumors about Xylia that had blown up online recently.

Xylia met Willow’s gaze.

Willow, well into her forties, was impably maintained. The emerald silk gown she wore only made her look even more regal and refined.

“Thanks for thepliment, Xylia replied, her voice t and unmoved.

Willow’s smile faltered, her expression darkening.

‘What’s going on? When did Xylia turn into apletely different person?

Thest time she came over, she was just a timid little thing, letting everyone push her around.

And now she actually dares to talk back?‘ Willow wondered, caught off guard..

Xylia had no interest in making small talk. She offered a perfunctory greeting, then headed straight for a bsofa /bin the corner and sat down.

The guests stared at her. “That’s Connor’s wife? Seriously? She’s already got a kid, and she’s still out there hooking up with some pretty boy. Talk about shameless.”

A young man shook his head. “And it’s not just that–she’s always throwing the Ford name around, acting like she owns the ce and pushing people around”

A youngdy whispered, “I heard she bwas /bbin /ba hit–and–run, then had the victim’s whole family kicked out of Jupiton. She’s a real piece of work.”

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The others shook their heads. “Just look at her, all dolled up like some Bet she’s got a heart of stone. The Ford family really drew the short straw with her.”

The murmurs and judgmental stares only grew louder, the gossip swirling all around.

Xylia looked up and saw two familiar girls heading her way.

Sadie sneered, “Xylia, you’ve got some nerve showing up here.”

She and Tessa walked over, arm in arm.

Tessa’s eyes locked onto Xylia, jealousy flickering in her

gaze.

‘She’s already got a bsix/b–year–old kid, but with bjust /bba /blittle effort, Xylia still looks like a total teenager. She’s married and still gets all dressed up just to steal my thunder. She really has no shame bat /ball, Tessa thought, bitterness rising in her chest.

b“/bIf you two have the guts to show up at a Ford family bdinner/bb, /bwhy shouldn’t I? Xylia shot back, her tone cool

andced with sarcasm.

9:52 Fri, Sep 12

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Sadie sneered, “You’re messing around with other men, and you still dare to call yourself a Ford?”

Sadie, hot–tempered as ever, didn’t care about the asion–without a second thought, she flung her drink. right at Xylia’s face.

She never thought twice beforeshing out; anyone she didn’t like, she’d go after them without hesitation.

Xylia was caught off guard, the drink sshing all over her and leaving her soaked and totally embarrassed.

People nearby heard the ruckus band /bimmediately turned to stare.

Jonah noticed the drama from across the room and walked over, fixing Sadie with a look.

“Sadie, you really have the nerve to stir up trouble at a family event? I bet your mom’s gonna tear into you when you get home, Jonah bsaid/b, his voice low but sharp.

Sadie snapped back, “Jonah! I can’t believe your family actually puts up with someone so shameless at a party

like this.”

Jonah’s face turned cold. “Sadie, don’t start trouble. I’m not saying bit /bagain.” His voice was icy.

Sadie shrank back under his re and didn’t dare say another word.

Tessa, standing off to the side, couldn’t just watch anymore.

“Jonah, Sadie’s just a kid. Don’t be so bharsh /bon her, Tessa said, her voice soft and sweet.

As soon as Jonah heard Tessa’s voice, his expression softened.

Remembering the news he’d seen, he asked with genuine concern, “I heard you hurt your ankle. How’s it doing now?”

“It’s much better, but I still can’t dance, Tessa replied, her voice tinged with disappointment.

“It’s okay, take your time to heal. You might have missed thispetition, but there’ll be plenty more.” Jonah bsaid/b, trying to cheer her up.

Afterforting Tessa for a moment, Jonah turned to Xylia.

“Xylia, your clothes are soaked. Come on, I’ll show you where you can bchange/b,” he said, his tone warm and considerate.

Xylia shook her head. “No, thanks. I’ve got something to deal with, so I’m leaving now.”

As Xylia tried to get up and leave, Jonah caught her by the wrist.

He bent down, his gaze heavy and intense as he stared at Xylia, the curve of his blips /bicy.

“Leaving already? What, you don’t care about the Ford family at all?” he saidb, /bbhis /bvoiceced with sarcasm.

Xylia knew he was about bto /bmake her pay for what happened to Tessa.

9:52 Fri, Sep 12

She gritted her teeth, her hand tense but she didn’t pull away.

Suddenly, Connor called out from the side. “Jonah, let her gob.” /b

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