Billionaire And His Son Betrayed Me: Brothers Back Me Up novel Chapter 247

Chapter 247

Connor didn’t spare Joshua even a single glance. His attention was completely focused on Xylia, his gaze as gentle as the softest affection between lovers.

Xylia felt goosebumps prickle across her skin. She ignored him.

But Cecilia Jennings, standing nearby, caught the way Connor was looking at Xylia. Remembering what Tessa had just said, she blurted out, “So this is your secret second ship?”

Xylia: …

‘Guess Cecilia didn’t hear a single thing I just said earlier.’ Xylia thought to herself.

“Secret second ship?” Connor repeated Cecilia’s words, his gaze still fixed on Xylia. He raised an eyebrow, seemingly unfazed by the term.

Joshua’s expression darkened, and he was about to speak up, but Xylia placed her hand on his arm to stop him, silently telling him to let her handle it.

Xylia looked straight at Cecilia and said, “Miss Jennings, just because you’re younger doesn’t give you a free pass to say anything you want. Are you even aware your words are bordering on slander?”

Cecilia pressed her lips together, glaring stubbornly at Xylia, refusing to back down.

Xylia turned away from Cecilia and faced Connor head–on.

“There’s this saying online that I really like—a proper ex should be as good as dead. Yet you keep showing up and pulling the whole zombie act in front of me. Are you hoping I’ll call someone to haul you off already?”

Connor’s expression darkened for a moment.

He immediately picked up on the shift–Xylia wasn’t burning with anger or flashing him looks of disgust anymore. Now she seemed completely chill, like he barely registered in her world.

Her voice had lost that harsh chill; instead, it was just flat and emotionless.

But her words still hit as sharp as ever.

When the realization hit that Xylia was actually over him, Connor’s face went from stormy to pale in a flash. He frowned, staring at her, shaken.

“Xylia, I swear I didn’t mean to bother you,” Connor managed, sounding a little uneasy.

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Chapter 247

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“Well, you are seriously getting on my nerves. Maybe take a second and realize how downright shameless you’re acting,” Xylia fired back, absolutely ruthless.

Xylia didn’t cut Connor any slack at all.

Joshua had been just hanging back on the couch, worried Xylia might get the short end of the stick, ready to step in and stand up for his girlfriend at any second.

But to his surprise, she was fiercer than ever–her comebacks had Connor totally speechless. ‘Guess I don’t need to worry about her at all,‘ Joshua thought, secretly impressed.

Every word from Xylia hit Connor right where it hurt, fueling his frustration with each

sentence.

He shot back in a cold voice, “Xylia, do you really have to go this hard on me?”

Joshua had been silent for a while, slouched on the couch with that lazy lift of his eyes. The silver hair and the icy look in his eyes just made him seem even more cool and aloof.

“Mr. Ford, if you’d quit stirring things up, my girl wouldn’t be coming at you like this,” Joshua said evenly.

Connor’s grip tightened instinctively around his wine glass.

Joshua’s constant, deliberate digs every time they met really got under his skin.

But this was George Jennings‘ birthday celebration, and if he started drama with any of the guests, he’d just end up embarrassing himself.

With an indifferent, almost chilly glance at Joshua, Connor shifted his gaze back to Xylia.

Connor said with quiet confidence, “Work’s going smoothly for you right now, and you don’t feel threatened. Sooner or later, you’ll be the one reaching out to me.”

Back in the day, no matter what went wrong, Xylia’s first thought was always to find him.

Connor hadn’t given up–he just thought Xylia was acting this way because she was still hurting from what he’d done.

The way he saw it, there was no way their eight years together could compare to the short fling she’d had with Joshua. That bond was stronger, deeper–she couldn’t possibly care less about him than she did about Joshua.

He was sure that Xylia would eventually come looking for him again.

With that, Connor turned and walked away.

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Chapter 247

Cecilia shot a look at Xylia and Joshua, then glanced over at Connor.

She hesitated for a couple of seconds before getting up and trailing after him.

Inside the villa, the AC kept everything perfectly cool and comfortable.

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In the heart of the party, the dance had started up, elegant music drifting through the villa while couples–one after another–stepped onto the floor together.

The women’s gowns came in every imaginable style and color, sparkling like fresh blooms, each one vying for the spotlight.

Joshua stood up, gently taking Xylia’s hand, his voice teasing, “Should we join the dance?”

Xylia hesitated for a second, then shook her head with a small smile.

“Why not? Don’t know how to dance?” Joshua raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised.

Joshua raised an eyebrow.

If Xylia hadn’t quit dancing for her family, she’d still be leading the show. Seriously, it’s not like she doesn’t know how to dance.

Xylia pointed to her outfit. “This evening gown really isn’t meant for dancing, especially since I’m still wrapped up in your jacket.”

She was sporting a fitted mermaid dress that pretty much kept her steps tiny. And Xylia was way too particular about proper dancewear–there was no way she’d ditch Joshua’s jacket right now, but wearing a suit jacket over an evening gown? That just killed the look for her.

Thinking it over, Xylia decided it was better to sit this one out.

Joshua’s eyes dropped to Xylia. With her hair elegantly swept back and held in place by a simple jade pin, her makeup making her skin look like porcelain, she stood there sparkling- even in that not–so–matching getup, she was impossible to ignore.

He couldn’t help swallowing.

Someone this captivating–yeah, Joshua would rather keep her out of the spotlight than let everyone else start eyeing her up.

Joshua suddenly slipped his arm around Xylia’s waist, pulling her against him. He dipped his head to whisper in her ear, his voice teasing, “How about giving me a private dance when we get home? I’ve never seen your moves before.”

Dancing had become almost foreign to Xylia now.

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Chapter 247

‘Her ears went warm, turning a bit pink. Xylia thought, flustered.

She turned to meet Joshua’s fiery gaze and felt her chest flush hot.

“Give me a little time to get ready,” Xylia said softly.

“Sure thing, I’ll be waiting,” Joshua replied, his voice warm.

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Joshua watched as Xylia turned away, her cheeks burning with shyness, and honestly, it just turned his heart to mush.

His girl–even the way she breathed seemed to slam right into his chest and leave him reeling.

Over on the dance floor, petals of color kept blooming, but here in Joshua’s arms, with Xylia pressed close, they soaked in a stolen sliver of quiet right in the middle of all that chaos.

George Jennings‘ birthday bash was set up outside.

Once the dance in the banquet hall came to an end, everyone started making their way toward the garden at Jennings Manor.

The garden had been thoughtfully set up well in advance.

Mounds of fresh flowers lined the space, and each round table sported its own gorgeous floral centerpiece.

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