Her Heart Her Terms (Lily and Xavier)

Before Lily could finish speaking, Xavier shook off her weakened grip. He strode toward the bedroom door, saying, "I'll have Timothy handle it!"

Though Timothy, as Xavier's representative, would certainly handle Hayden's case well, Lily could not help but feel a cold emptiness in her chest. She had not expected Xavier to manage Hayden's case personally, but it stung to see him rushing around for Sarah while leaving her own matters to Timothy.

Unable to sleep, Lily called Timothy to ensure he would coordinate with Sylvester to

investigate Hayden's case. With Timothy taking over completely, Lily suddenly found herself with nothing to do.

She got up and went downstairs to retrieve her long-dead phone from her purse in the foyer. As soon as it powered on, it flooded with messages and missed calls, mostly from a worried Marvanne. When Lily called Maryanne back, she noticed her friend's response was not as panicked as expected.

"I'm... at Xavier's place," Lily mumbled, bracing for Maryanne's reaction.

"I know," Maryanne replied sharply. "I saw Xavier's assistant with the lawyer at the police

*station."

Maryanne had gone to report Lily missing but spotted Timothy there with Sylvester, discussing Hayden's case. Xavier's involvement in Hayden's situation was enough to tell her where Lily had gone. her off firmly."

"Lily, you better have a good explanation" Maryanne started, but Lily cut ly cut I'm not staying with him, and we'll get divorced after he handles Hayden's case!'

Maryanne, who had been descending the police station steps, stopped suddenly. Then, she broke into a grin. "So, you're using him? All is forgiven then!"

Lily did not share her friend's enthusiasm and instead felt anxious. After all, Xavier was not someone who could be easily manipulated, and she needed to prepare for his inevitable retaliation.

The thought suddenly reminded Lily about her interview at Lupier. She had completely forgotten about it over the past day, and Lupier had not contacted her either.

She quickly called back the number that had originally scheduled her interview. When they answered, she identified herself and began apologizing, but the woman's gentle voice interrupted her. "Ms. Joyner, Mr. Devereux just returned to the country. Would 9:00 am this morning work for

Chap 29

your interview?"noveldrama

Relieved, Lily said, "Yes, thank you!"

It was not yet 8:00 am, so Lily gratefully accepted. Without any professional attire at Xavier's house, she had to settle for presentable jeans and a black trench coat.

Lily arrived at Lupier's three-story office building at 8.50 a.m. and found the receptionist. The building's first floor was for reception, the second for designers' offices, and the third housed executive offices and meeting rooms.

Her interview was scheduled next to the president's office on the third floor. Through the frosted glass wall of the president's office, she could make out a tall figure seated at the desk.

Following the receptionist into the adjacent room, Lily thanked her for the coffee she brought. "Mr. Devereux will join you once he's finished with his current business," the receptionist explained before leaving.

If she could not secure this position at Lupier, Lily knew she'd struggle to find another suitable design firm in Jadeford. She felt more nervous than in any previous interview, and as the minutes ticked by in the silent office, her anxiety grew. Suddenly, footsteps approached, and the door opened. Then, Lily saw Terence leading a group of people into the room.