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Chapter 232
Xylia simply didn’t have the energy to go back to the office, so after dinner she just started working from her
apartment.
Luckily, Joshua had arranged a private art studio for her before she moved in.
She sat in front of her drawing board in a shy, slightly awkward posture, carefully working on the latest order for a traditional outfit.
After being ignored by Xylia all afternoon, Joshua started seriously reconsidering his actions.
At that moment, he came over with a glass of milk, putting on his most charming smile to try and win her favor.
“Sweetheart, you must be tired from drawing. Want some milk? Or how about some fruit? I can wash it for you,” he offered.
Xylia turned her head to look at Joshua, who was going all out to win her over. She couldn’t help but notice how he could switch moods in the blink of an eye.
Right now he was happily calling her “sweetheart” every other word, but the moment they were in bed, he’d suddenly switch and start calling her “sister,” especially when he wanted to act all cutesy. Honestly, it was…
‘Seriously… Xylia thought to herself.
‘Is this supposed to be some kind of weird kink?‘ she wondered, feeling baffled.
Conveniently, Xylia was a little thirsty, so she accepted the milk from Joshua and took a sip.
As soon as she tried to set the glass down, Joshua–eager as ever–snatched it from her hands like a loyal puppy and placed it on the floor himself.
When he saw Xylia’s expression soften, Joshua immediately jumped in, saying, “Sweetheart, I’m sorry. I promise I won’t lose control like I did last night.”
Xylia’s ears flushed red in an instant.
“You still have the nerve to bring that up!” she retorted, louder than usual.
She hardly ever raised her voice, but right now she just couldn’t help herself.
Seeing that she was finally paying attention to him, Joshua’s grin grew even bigger, and he immediately tried to butter her up, shamelessly pushing his luck.
“Alright, alright, I’ll zip it. From now on, I’m all yours–whatever you say goes, whether it’s out here or… you know, in bed…”
“Joshua!” Xylia’s cheeks burned bright red as she shot him a fierce glare. “Don’t you dare finish that sentence!”
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Chapter 232
Joshua’s trademark flirtatious eyes curved up in a teasing smile.
He pressed a gentle kiss into Xylia’s palm.
Xylia snatched her hand back like she’d been burned, her cheeks burning up even more.
“I won’t say another word. I’ll be good, promise,” Joshua said quickly.
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Xylia gave him a bossy glare, then refused to pay him any more attention and focused on her drawing again.
Joshua grabbed a little stool and scooted over right next to her.
Since his stool was lower than Xylia’s, his long legs had nowhere to go, so he folded them up awkwardly. Ended up looking shorter than her, and then–like a spoiled kid–he snuggled in and rested his head on her lap.
She looked down at him for a moment but didn’t push him away either.
Sunlight poured in through the window, bathing their cuddled–up figures in a gentle golden light.
Joshua stayed quiet, not causing any trouble.
After a long while, when Xylia finally finished her sketch, she realized Joshua hadn’t moved an inch.
She figured he must’ve dozed off.
But when she glanced down, she saw his eyes open, quietly watching her drawing.
Sensing Xylia pause, Joshua spoke up, “Who’s the Tang suit for?”
“It’s for a lady named Beatrice. Her grandfather’s birthday is next month, so she wants a luxury, custom Tang suit for him. She’s really picky about the details–even brought in some high–end fabric for us to use,” Xylia explained.
While she was talking, Xylia reached out and lightly poked Joshua’s cheek. “Are there any big–name families with their old man celebrating a birthday next month?”
Xylia glanced up at him as she asked.
Joshua looked up at her. “Why are you so sure it’s someone from an old–money family? Just because she brought in fancy fabric doesn’t mean she’s got pedigree. Could be she’s just loaded.”
Xylia shook her head. “No way. Beatrice is really refined–she doesn’t give off that nouveau riche vibe at all.
Besides, the fabric she brought in isn’t some luxury brand you can just pick up if you’re rich; it’s exclusive, takes months to pre–order, and even with money you couldn’t get it unless you’ve got real connections or status. If she wasn’t from a truly influential family, there’s no way she could have gotten her hands on it.”
Joshua paused for a second, thinking it over. “George Jennings has his big birthday coming up next month.”
Xylia blinked in surprise. ‘Huh, I never would’ve guessed it was someone from the Jennings family,‘ she
Chapter 232
thought.
Thinking about all the drama between the Sadler and Jennings families, Xylia frowned.
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“If George Jennings finds out I designed the Tang suit, you think he’ll just reject it outright? Or maybe even blame Beatrice for it?” Xylia muttered worriedly.
Joshua chuckled.
He sat up from her lap, but even after straightening, he still had to look up at her.
“Everyone in Norhill knows about the feud between the Jennings family and yours. If Beatrice calls George Jennings her grandfather, do you really think she doesn’t know who you are?” he said.
Xylia paused, the realization hitting her. “Oh, so she planned this?”
Joshua took her hand and started gently massaging it, trying to soothe away her fatigue.
“Doesn’t matter if it was deliberate or not. Just mind your own business–the Jennings family is totally out of your orbit,” he said.
Xylia mulled it over and agreed.
Bella’s little face suddenly popped into Xylia’s mind.
She sighed gently. “Ever since Mr. Jennings took Bella away that time, I haven’t seen her at all. He probably made her stay away from me.”
Joshua suddenly spaced out, just staring at Xylia with a blank look. “You like kids?”
Xylia was just about to respond when Joshua’s brows knitted together sharply. “Wait, are you thinking about that little traitor again?” he blurted, sounding a bit jealous.
At first, Xylia didn’t catch who he meant by “that turncoat.”
But one look at Joshua’s face and she realized he was talking about Sonny–the little traitor.
She gave Joshua a quick smack on the forehead.
“Cut it out with the jealousy already. I’ve got nothing to do with the Ford family anymore–why would I even care about him?” Xylia shot back, rolling her eyes.
Everyone says family ties are supposed to be unbreakable, but for Xylia, that’s just not true.
She’d given everything for her own flesh and blood–only to be betrayed by him in the end.
Even though Sonny was once a part of her, now that he’s gone rotten, she’d never take him back.
Joshua still looked pretty grim.
Xylia’s eyes sparkled mischievously as she leaned in close to Joshua.
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Chapter 232
“How about I give you a baby?”
Joshua’s face turned bright red in an instant, caught completely off guard by her words.
He was blushing so hard, he looked like a ripe tomato.
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Xylia stared at him, totally shocked. She’d just thrown out his usual flirty line, thinking they were close enough for that kind of joke–and yet, as soon as she mentioned having a baby, he was blushing like crazy? She couldn’t believe it.
Instead of turning away in embarrassment, Joshua looked Xylia right in the eyes, his expression resolute.
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