Billionaire And His Son Betrayed Me: Brothers Back Me Up novel Chapter 220

Chapter 220

Xylia let it slide without digging deeper.

Joshua didn’t miss a beat. “So tell me, did I really try to bribe him?”

Tessa pressed her lips together, saying nothing. She was certain–there hadn’t been any bribery.

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The truth was, Connor and Joshua were at odds. Even if Joshua tried to slip Connor a bribe, Connor wouldn’t have gone for it.

But now that she’d steered the conversation in this direction, denying it would just make her look like she was stirring up trouble.

She replied coolly, “That’s on you. How would I know?”

Joshua stood up, walked past Tessa, and made his way to the judges.

Some of the judges were officially–appointed veterans–folks who couldn’t be bribed so easily.

Joshua took off his sunglasses and looked at the judges politely.

“So, experts, have I ever tried to bribe any of you? Relax, this is a live broadcast. If I did, just blink hard and everyone watching will catch on.”

Xylia couldn’t help but chuckle at Joshua’s words.

‘What kind of nonsense is he even spouting now?‘ she thought.

Howard frowned at Joshua.

“Mr. Garcia, the show’s about to start. This isn’t the place to cause a scene,” he said.

“I’m not making a scene. Someone’s out here saying I bribed you to give my girlfriend a high score. Come on, this is an official contest–a big deal. I can’t be the one to taint the whole thing with scandal.”

Joshua glanced Connor’s way, his tone sharp. “Right, Mr. Ford?”

Connor had spotted Tessa heading over to Xylia and Joshua earlier, and the moment he saw it, he got this anxious feeling–like something messy was about to happen.

‘So she really did stir things up. Figures. Connor thought, annoyed.

His face soured. Connor knew he’d only gotten the judging seat thanks to some strings pulled behind the

scenes,

Now that Tessa had thrown the whole subject of behind–the–scenes connections out into the open, Connor couldn’t help but worry–if she failed to target Joshua, she might just end up digging up dirt on him instead.

‘What an idiot, Connor thought darkly.

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Chapter 220

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Connor kept up his poker face, shooting Joshua a look. “What does that have to do with me? I’m not exactly

close with Mr. Garcia.”

“So what you’re saying is, I didn’t bribe Mr. Ford, right?” Joshua pressed.

Joshua looked straight at Connor and asked, “So, I didn’t bribe you, right?”

Connor had no clue what Joshua was planning, but he nodded anyway.

Joshua spun around to face Tessa.

“Ms. Schultz, even your future husband says I didn’t bribe anyone. Now do you believe me?” Joshua said, his voice dripping with mockery.

Tessa clenched her fists so hard her whole body shook with anger.

Tessa couldn’t really argue back–she had nothing to prove the bribery accusation.

Joshua’s smirk vanished bit by bit as he straightened up beside the judges, his gaze icy and locked on Tessa.

“The fairness of the competition is under strict supervision. If you keep throwing wild accusations and messing with my name, trust me–Garcia Group’s lawyers don’t mess around,” he warned, his tone chilling.

Joshua’s stern face gave off an unmistakably intimidating vibe.

Josie nudged Xylia’s arm, whispering, “Girl, your guy is absolutely owning the place right now. Total boss energy.”

“Girl, no wonder Joshua is the head honcho at Garcia Group. Your boyfriend is seriously rocking the boss vibes right now,” Josie grinned.

Xylia didn’t see Joshua get serious often, but every time he did, she felt a sense of calm and security wash over her.

Tessa’s face drained of color as the audience’s whispers started to reach her.

“She’s accusing someone of bribery before the show even starts? And she doesn’t have any proof? Sounds like she’s just making stuff up,” one person said.

“If Ms. Schultz is competing, I’d say her future husband on the judging panel is the one who might be biased. That’s not fair,” another voice chimed in.

“I’ve looked into these judges before, especially Mr. Jennings–trust me, he’s totally stone–cold, never lets emotions get in the way. If anyone here would refuse a bribe, it’s him,” someone piped up.

“Whatever, let’s just see how the results shake out. If something shady went down, it’ll be pretty obvious soon enough,” someone else said.

”

”

Xavi spoke up right then.

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“If Ms. Schultz still thinks our design contest isn’t fair, she’s free to report it to the officials. But we’re about to kick things off, so let’s not stir things up,” he said.

Now, Tessa was the one under fire.

She cast a pleading look at Connor, hoping he’d speak up for her.

But Connor didn’t spare her a single glance.

His eyes wandered, landing absent–mindedly on Xylia in the crowd.

Tessa’s anger flared up, and she turned to Joshua.

“I’m not saying Mr. Garcia is bribing anyone right now, but if your girlfriend’s design doesn’t measure up, who’s to say you won’t step in and talk her up at the last minute?” Tessa snapped.

Joshua shot her a sarcastic grin. “So in your view, Ms. Schultz, an official contest like this is that easy to rig? You think I could just say a couple of words and crown my girlfriend champion?”

“Wouldn’t put it past you…” Tessa muttered under her breath.

“Tessa!” Connor’s voice cut through the air.

Tessa flinched, turning her wounded gaze on Connor.

“Go sit down,” Connor said sharply.

‘Does she seriously think she can stir up trouble in a place like this?‘ Connor thought, barely containing his

annoyance.

She’d already dragged the officials into it, and still kept running her mouth. She had no clue how much backlash she was about to bring on herself.

Even though Tessa was boiling with anger, Connor’s dark stare made her clamp her mouth shut.

Tessa shot Joshua a cold, hard glare.

“Hope you stick to what you said. If your girlfriend’s work gets roasted by everyone, just zip it,” she threw over her shoulder.

With that, Tessa stormed back to her seat.

Joshua sank into his seat as well.

Joshua’s expression was stormy.

Xylia could see how pissed he was and tried to calm him down. “Don’t let her get under your skin.”

Joshua gripped Xylia’s hand, fury flashing in his eyes.

“She actually dared to accuse you of pulling strings? I wanted to help you out, but you wouldn’t let me—and

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Chapter 220

now she’s talking trash about you,” he spat, frustration heavy in his voice.

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“If you’re innocent, you’ve got nothing to worry about. Don’t bother stooping to her level,” Xylia said, trying to

soothe him.

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