Billionaire And His Son Betrayed Me: Brothers Back Me Up novel Chapter 62

Chapter 62

Xylia’s fingertips turned pale as she gripped the sign.

Tessa’s words felt like a curse, taking root in Xylia’s mind.

#:55 vouchers

She didn’t think she owed Tessa anything, but the memory of Laurel being scolded by the Schultz family for favoring her kept replaying in her mind.

For a moment, Xylia’s mind went blank.

Everything slipped away–the memories of the Schultz family, Laurel, even Laurel’s painting.

The auctioneer called out, “300 thousand going once, 300 thousand going twice, 300 thousand-”

Just as the auctioneer’s hammer was about to fall, Joshua raised his sign. “600 thousand.”

Joshua switched his grip, flashing two fingers at the crowd.

“Anyone else want to raise the bid?” he asked.

The signature outbid–everyone gesture–something only insiders would recognize–caught everyone’s attention. People who hadn’t cared about the painting now found themselves curious about Joshua.

This was no small–time auction. Everyone there had serious money, and anyone bold enough to outbid everyone in a place like this was clearly someone out of the ordinary.

All eyes were on Joshua now, sizing him up.

But not a single person there knew who he was.

Xylia stared at Joshua, completely stunned. “What are you doing?”

She wondered, “Earlier, when I said I wanted to bid on the painting, Joshua didn’t say a word–which means his boss clearly hasn’t given him any instructions to bid. So is he suddenly bidding for my sake?”

She hurried to stop him. “Joshua, I don’t need this. Don’t do anything reckless.”

She thought that if Joshua used his boss’s money for something personal, he could easily get fired.

Joshua flashed her a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing.

600 thousand, sold!” the auctioneer announced.

With that insider’s outbid–everyone gesture, everyone knew Joshua had it in the bag. The auctioneer slammed the hammer down hard.

Sitting in the back, Sadie’s face was twisted with displeasure.

‘It’s so obvious Joshua is bidding for Xylia. Seriously? Xylia has a man waiting for her at home, and now she’s

Chapter 62

got another one on the side? She’s got no shamel

‘And the worst part? Her lover is ridiculously good–looking.

‘Like she even deserves someone like that. Sadie scoffed inwardly.

65 vouchers

Tessa kept her cool as she watched Joshua. For the first time, it hit her–this man was definitely more than just some regular guy with a job.

After the auction ended, Joshua handed the painting to Xylia.

Xylia didn’t take it. Instead, she frowned at him. “You should just take the painting back to your boss, so you don’t get in trouble.”

She figured that he’d already spent the money, so he needed to bring something back to show his boss.

She didn’t want Joshua to lose his job because of her.

Joshua just smiled and shoved the painting into her arms. “Relax, it wasn’t my boss’s money. I paid for it myself.

Xylia’s eyes widened. “Where did you get that much money?”

600 thousand wasn’t exactly pocket change.

up

She couldn’t help but wonder, ‘He’s only been working for a few years–how could he have saved that much?”

“I earned it, obviously,” Joshua said with a shrug. “Been working a few years, managed to save up a bit.”

Xylia’s frown only deepened as she scrutinized him, her gaze searching and a bit suspicious.

Joshua met her stare with those slightly upturned, mischievous eyes of his, a subtle smirk playing at his lips- clearly a little pleased with himself.

In the end, Xylia was the first to look away, conceding defeat.

She hugged the painting and fished a bank card out of her bag.

“There’s 300 thousand on this. I’ll figure out how to pay you back the rest–with interest. Consider it a loan,” she said matter–of–factly.

Joshua’s smile froze. He couldn’t help feeling a little annoyed that Xylia was treating him like some stranger, counting every penny.

But he couldn’t really say anything right now.

He didn’t take the card.

“Aren’t you planning to open your own studio? If we’re talking interest, just add this to the tab. Pay me back when you start making money, or treat it as my investment. When you’re a big shot, just remember to share.

Chapter 62

the profits with me, Ms. Schultz,” Joshua said with a grin.

E55 vouchers

Xylia held onto the card, but she couldn’t help worrying, “Are you sure you’ll have enough left for yourself?”

Joshua burst out laughing.

“What’s so funny? Xylia asked, a bit annoyed.

Joshua glanced at her, a teasing smile on his lips. “You know, this is the second time you’ve asked if I have enough money.”

The first time was years ago, back when they were overseas. He was down and out, and she came to his rescue. Right before they went their separate ways, she looked at him and asked, ‘Do you have enough cash to get by?”

He told her he was fine.

But she still wired him some money–and even stuffed a handful of bills into his pocket when he wasn’t looking.

‘Some things never change.‘ Joshua thought, a little warmth blooming in his chest.

“It’s nothing. I’ve got plenty of cash. No need to worry about me,” Joshua said, his tone light and a little teasing.

He stuffed his hands in his pockets, looking lazy and carefree, silver hair ruffling in the breeze. He looked just like some cocky college kid, totally at ease with himself.

There he goes, acting all cheeky again, Xylia thought, shaking her head.

She sighed helplessly and put the bank card back in her bag.

I can’t open the studio just yet, but it’s coming soon. Consider the 300 thousand as your investment, and the other 300 thousand as interest. I’ll pay you back as soon as I start making money,” she said.

Joshua’s eyes crinkled with a smile. “Deal.”

Xylia hugged the painting, catching Joshua’s crooked smile, and felt a rush of warmth bloom in her chest.

A breeze kicked up, and some dust got caught in her right eye.

She shut her eye, wincing as she reached up to rub it.

“What’s wrong?” Joshua hurriedly asked.

“Just got some dust in my eye,” Xylia muttered, still rubbing.

Joshua grabbed her wrist. “Don’t rub it.”

He gently cupped her face, used his thumb to pull her eyelid open a bit, and blew softly at the corner of her

eye.

55 VOL

Chapter 62

Sadie came out arm in arm with Tessa, and the first thing they saw was that scene. From their angle behind Joshua, it totally looked like he and Xylia were kissing.

Tessa just smirked, her lips curling with mockery.

She pulled out her phone and snapped a photo, making sure to catch the moment.

Sadie, still clutching the glass cup set, glared at them, her eyes burning red with fury.

By the time Joshua finally blew the dust out of Xylia’s eye, Sadie’s angry voice rang out behind them. “What are you two doing?”

Xylia blinked, and once she felt her eye was clear, she wiped away the tears at the corner of her eye.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify