Chapter 135:


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    Outside the room, Georgia and Shelia had been listening to the whole situation unfold.


    Alicia tried to reach for Joshua, but without hesitation, he pushed her back.


    He handed his phone to Georgia. “Don''t let her leave until I get back.”


    Georgia didn''t hesitate to follow his orders. She picked up the phone and put it away. "Yes, Mr. Yates!"


    Alicia made a desperate attempt to retrieve her phone, but Joshua pushed her back into the room and mmed the door shut, locking it behind him.


    She pounded on the door, shouting verbal threats, but no matter how much she screamed, Joshua ignored her. He had more important things on his mind and he felt he had to do something like this.


    Keeping her locked up for a day or two didn''t seem like a problem. It wouldn''t change anything, but it would allow her to release some of the frustration that was bubbling up inside her.


    Lilliana noticed the red mark on her cheek as soon as she walked in. “Who pped you?” she asked.


    Joshua had almost forgotten about the handprint on his face.


    He touched his cheek, quickly making up an excuse. “My father.”


    "Why would I hit you?"


    "It was just a minor disagreement. He''s been unstable because of his illness, so I didn''t take it personally."


    Lilliana studied the mark closely. Whoever had struck her had delicate fingers. The handprint looked more like that of a woman than a man.


    Although she still had her suspicions, Lilliana hid them well and gently rubbed her cheek. Nearby, Gina excused herself.


    But Lilliana gave him a quick instruction: “Bring me a ss of hot water first.”


    Gina nodded in response, and the water had just finished boiling. It was still dangerously hot when she brought it in.


    As Gina handed her the ss, she reminded Lilliana, “Miss Green, the water is very hot, so be careful.”


    Distracted by her own thoughts, Lilliana paid no heed to Gina''s warning. After massaging Joshua''s face, she picked up the ss, only to let out a sharp cry as the heat burned her hand.


    Joshua took her hand and kissed her softly. “Didn''t he tell you the water was hot? Be more careful.”


    Already frustrated by the burn, Lilliana was further irritated by Joshua''sment. "Who said the water was hot?"


    "Calm down. Let me cool it down for you," he said.


    Lilliana was still smoking from the burn, so she angrily called Gina toe back.


    "It''s boiling hot! How do you expect me to drink this?" I have shouted.Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.


    Gina lowered her head. “I''m sorry, Miss Green. The water has just finished boiling and I warned you.”


    “Stop making excuses!” Lilliana snapped.


    She couldn''t tolerate being disrespected in any way, so she demanded that Gina drink the boiling water right then and there.


    Gina''s face turned pale. "Miss Green, please..."


    Even Joshua felt that this had gone too far. “Leave it. Why don''t you tell him to get your favorite coffee and we''ll leave it at that? Calm down!”


    However, Lilliana had made up her mind. “Fine, but he still has to drink it first.”


    Gina pleaded, “Miss Green, the water is too hot. “It will burn my throat.”


    “Oh, now you''re worried? What if I had drunk it? Doesn’t my throat matter?” Lilliana replied.


    Gina nervously fiddled with her fingers, too scared to move forward.


    Lilliana''s irritation grew as she watched Gina standing there, helpless and scared. She hated how Gina always yed the victim, as if everyone owed her something. The more she looked at Gina, the more her anger intensified.


    "Drink it right now or you''re fired!" Lilliana demanded.


    Gina refused to move from her spot.


    Her silent refusal seemed like an open challenge to Lilliana. It was the first time Lilliana had seen Gina stand up to her.


    Lilliana scoffed, “What’s wrong?” Has Harley died? You still need money for your medical bills, don''t you?”


    Hearing those words, Gina immediately looked up. Her eyes were burning with hatred.


    He could take any insult, but he refused to let anyone curse Harley.


    Lilliana grimaced. “Don''t bother looking at me. I don''t mind. I''m the one who keeps you and Harley alive. I pay you twenty thousand dors a month. No one else would do it for you. So what''s it going to be? Your pride or Harley’s life?”


    Joshua remained silent.


    He let Lilliana behave as she pleased.


    The light in Gina''s eyes dimmed until it disappearedpletely. Still, she didn''t move.


    Lilliana stood up, picked up the ss of boiling water and threw it at Gina.


    Gina didn''t flinch, as if the pain didn''t affect her. She simply stood firm.


    Joshua noticed the redness on Gina''s hand and turned to Lilliana. “That''s enough. “You’ve had your say.” Then he told Gina to leave.


    Gina stepped forward, took the ss without hesitation and said, “I''m sorry. I''ll get you another ss of hot water. It won’t be scalding hot this time.”


    Lilliana scoffed at her. "Rx. I hired her to take the beatings. “This is nothing,” she told Joshua.


    Joshua gave him some advice. “Still, be careful. Don''t let thise back to haunt you. You don''t want me to use this against you, do you?”


    “Do you really think I would do that?” Lilliana scoffed again. “She only gets paid because she works for me. If anything happens to me, she''ll be the first to suffer. “Anyone could try to kill me, but not her.”


    Outside, Gina held the ss tightly and stared at it nkly. She filled it halfway with hot water, mixed it with tap water, and set it aside.


    Ignoring the burns on his hand, he pulled out his phone and asked for a portable recorder.


    It was time to help Alice… and herself.


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