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Xylia let out a startled scream, leapt to her feet, and flung the doll away. Her hands were smeared with fake blood, herplexion ashen–anyone could tell she was terrified out of her wits.

Lydia justughed to herself, not caring about anyone else’s reaction.

She looked like a mischievous kid who’d pulled off a prank, almost giddy with pride at her own handiwork.

“You’re such a scaredy–cat! Even Noelle’s braver than you!” Lydia teased, bursting into even louderughter.

Lydia just keptughing, clearly enjoying herself more and more.

“This isn’t funny at all, Xylia thought privately, irritation flickering within her.

Without saying a word, Xylia grabbed a tissue, wiped the fake blood off her hands, and shot Lydia a frosty re.

“Are you doneughing?” she asked coolly.

“Not even close!” Lydia shot back.

Her eyes shed with pure malice as she red at Xylia.

“I don’t know what trick you pulled on Joshua to make him bring you here, but let me tell you–Joshua’s heart already belongs to someone else! As long as I’m here, I’ll never let a woman like you, who’s already been married once, be with Joshua!”

Xylia tossed the tissue away with a chill in her eyes. “Come on, tell me–who does Joshua really care about? Is it Noelle?” she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

At the sound of Noelle’s name, Lydia recoiled, visibly disgusted, then scoffed and actually spat to the side, her face full of contempt.

“Noelle? Please. That girl’s a total wolf in sheep’s clothing! She doesn’t even measure up to you–how could she everpare to the one Joshua truly loves?” Lydia snapped.

Xylia had thought Lydia was on Noelle’s side, but clearly, she couldn’t be more wrong.

‘She actually hates Noelle?‘ Xylia thought, a sh of surprise crossing her mind.

Xylia frowned at her. “Then tell me–who’s the one Joshua really loves?”

Lydia looked Xylia up and down with tant disgust, sneering, “Definitely not someone like you.”

“Someone like you doesn’t even stand a chance!”

Turning away with her hands behind her back, Lydia started spinning her little dramatic tale, clearly enjoying every second. “Joshua’s true love is the girl who literally snatched him out of the jaws of death.”

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“Back when Joshua was overseas, the people who were after him nearly killed him. But his true love swooped in, saved him, gave him a ce to hide out, and they shared some really sweet times together. Then out of nowhere they got separated, but Joshua swore he’d find her no matter what and make her his wifei” /i

As she finished her story, Lydia shot Xylia a smug look, her gaze brimming with challenge.

“So, no matter how you managed to get Joshua’s attention, you’d better quit while you’re ahead. Because when his real soulmatees back, he’ll toss you aside without a second thought.”

Xylia took a moment to really process everything Lydia had just said.

‘Why does this story sound so much like mine with Joshua?‘ Xylia wondered privately, suspicion ring up inside her.

“So what if I decide not to leave Joshua?” Xylia asked, her voice calm but unyielding.

Lydia was honestly stunned that Xylia just brushed off everything she’d said. She couldn’t believe Xylia didn’t take her warnings seriously at all.

Annoyance red inside Lydia–she was getting mad now. ‘Is she really ignoring me?‘

“If you don’t leave Joshua on your own, don’t me me if things get ugly!” Lydia threatened coldly.

Xylia just smiled, picked up the bloody–eyed doll from the floor, its sockets still oozing fake blood.

“What? You still think you can scare me off with this thing?” she shot back, sarcasm heavy in her voice.

She casually set the doll on the table and said coolly, “No one knows Joshua’s heart better than I do. For all you know, the ‘love of his life‘ you keep talking about–might just be me.”

Lydia looked at Xylia with utter contempt. She couldn’t believe howpletely shameless she was.

‘I’ve spelled it out for her, crystal clear, and she still acts clueless? She actually thinks she deserves to be Joshua’s one and only? Absurd!‘ Lydia fumed inwardly.

‘Someone like her thinks she could ever be Joshua’s true love? As if!‘

She let out a coldugh. “Since you won’t take my friendly advice, don’t me me for showing you the hard way. We’ll see who wins in the end!”

With that, Lydia spun on her heel and stormed out of the bedroom.

Xylia let out a long sigh of relief and headed out herself, finally able to breathe after all that drama.

Back in the living room, Joshua and Mr. Lennox were nowhere in sight.

Guessing they’d gone off to the study to handle some business, Xylia sat herself down to wait.

The butler, always thoughtful, had someone bring over snacks and fruit for her.

When Joshua and Mr. Lennox finally finished their conversation and stepped out of the study, Joshua

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immediately noticed Xylia waiting in the living room.

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Mr. Lennox was in his wheelchair, and Joshua pushed him into the elevator, taking him up to the second

floor.

Soon enough, they were right there in front of Xylia.

Only then did Xylia realize Mr. Lennox was unable to walk.

She stood up.

Joshua turned to Mr. Lennox and said, “Mr. Lennox, I’m counting on you to handle this. Xylia and I should head out now.”

“What? You’re running off before dinner?” Mr. Lennox said with a chuckle.

“Yeah, I’ve got to make it to Odell State tonight. But once things are settled here, I’lle back and we’ll have a real drink together,” Joshua replied with a grin.

That really hit the spot for Mr. Lennox.

“Kid, you’ve got a smoother tongue than your old man ever did,” he chuckled.

Then he turned his attention to Xylia.

“Next time youe by, you and Joshua better stay for dinner, alright?” he said warmly.

“Sure thing, Mr. Lennox,” Xylia replied with a smile.

After saying goodbye to Mr. Lennox, Joshua and Xylia headed out of the vi together.

As they walked out of the main building and made their way toward the vi’s front gate, Xylia couldn’t shake the creepy feeling that something was watching her from behind.

She nced back, but saw nothing out of the ordinary.

Joshua gave her a quick look. “Something wrong?” he asked.

Xylia just shook her head and switched topics. “So, what did you ask Mr. Lennox to help out with? Is it about Richard?”

Joshua nodded, affectionately ruffling Xylia’s hair. “No need to stress over the specifics. I’ve got to head out to Odell State tonight. Just stay home and get some good rest, okay?”

Xylia frowned, worry flickering across her face as she looked at Joshua. ‘Does he really have to go without me?‘ she wondered.

“Can’t Ie with you?” she asked, her voice soft but stubborn.

The thought of being left alone in this foreign country made her uneasy–she just couldn’t bear the idea of being apart from Joshua.

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Joshua looked really serious now.

“Odell State is where Richard calls the shots. It’s not somewhere you should go–way too risky. Mr. Lennox’s already agreed to have people watching over our ce, so you’ll be safe while you’re there,” he assured her. steady and calm.

“And what about you?” Xylia asked softly, anxiety flickering in her eyes.

She squeezed Joshua’s hand, holding on a little tighter as worry gnawed at her,

“Are you sure you’ll be safe?” she pressed, sounding genuinely concerned.

Joshua just grinned, giving her check a yful pinch. “Rx, I’ll be fine. Do you know who you’re talking to?”

His goofy, carefree manner somehow managed to put Xylia at ease. ‘Honestly, how can anyone stay anxious when he acts like nothing ever fazes him?‘ she thought, feeling her mood lighten a little.

But deep down, she still couldn’t shake the worry.

Suddenly, Lydia’s words drifted into her mind.

“Hey, I heard you’ve got someone you love?” Xylia asked, trying to sound casual.

“Who else would it be but you?” Joshua shot back instinctively. fn1027 This text is hosted at find[?]ovel/fn1027

It slipped out before he could even think about it.

Suddenly, it all clicked for Xylia–she was the one who’d rescued Joshua overseas, the one who stuck by his side day in, day out.

So that “love of his life” Lydia kept talking about… was actually her!

She’d been so rattled earlier, she hadn’t connected the dots at all.

Joshua’s baffled expression only made Xylia want tough even harder.

Grinning, she slipped her arm through his and said yfully, “Yep, that’s me.”

Joshua loved seeing her like this–yful and a little pouty.

“Since we’ve got some time, let’s go pick up a few things you’ll need. Once everything’s settled here, I’ll take you out and show you around properly,” he said, his voice warm and full of affection.

“Sounds good,” Xylia replied, smiling.

“Oh, and one more thing–try not to leave the house until I get back, okay?” Joshua added, his tone turning

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After all, Richard’s the kind of guy who ys dirty–no telling what scheme he might pull.

Joshua didn’t want Xylia to get caught up in any of Richard’s schemes.

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Xylia nodded, promising she’d be good and do as Joshua asked.

Joshua couldn’t help but smile, loving how sweet and obedient she was acting right now,

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After their supermarket trip, the two of them made their way back to the vi, arms loaded with two bgiant /bshopping bags each.

Before leaving, Joshua couldn’t help but remind Xylia of a dozen things, making sure she’d be safe and taken care of. Only then did he head out, get in his car, and drive away.

Xylia stayed there, watching as his car disappeared down the road, an uneasy feeling settling in her chest even though she couldn’t quite say why.

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