Chapter 189:
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Deep down, Joshua understood the reality of the situation. Alicia was the only one capable of aplishing such feats. Despite the sacrifices she had made for him in the past, she had enough principles to end things if she was pushed too far, even if it meant walking away penniless.
Besides, she wasn''t stupid.
Joshua recognized that his previous patience and tolerance was not due to fear, but to love.
However, when he stopped to reflect, a new thought struck him.
Maybe it wasn''t love after all.
Maybe he was just settling a debt.
Otherwise, why would he conspire against him, cornering him?
With these thoughts, Joshua slowly clenched his fists.
While driving back, a call from Lilliana interrupted his thoughts.
She sounded irritated. “Why aren’t you back yet?”
At a red light, he replied nonchntly: “I just got out of the hospital. “I’m on my way.”
“The new maid is a mess. She''s driving me crazy. Get back here and take care of this,” Lilliana demanded impatiently.
Joshua, ignoring her, opted to light a cigarette.
A deep breath caused him to cough violently; he felt his chest split open.
"Aren''t you going to ask about my visit to the hospital?" I have challenged.
"You''re back now, right? If you haven''t been admitted, you should be fine," Lilliana replied.
Joshua mocked herck of empathy.
He knew her too well: she was helpful when it came to important matters, but shecked personal warmth.
What did you expect?
Upon returning to the Green residence, Joshua barely had a moment to rest before Lilliana began giving him orders.
The tasks he gave him were insignificant, but he…
Joshua perceived Lilliana''s demands as degrading.
Feeling ill, but standing firm, he replied hoarsely: “I am not feeling well. Let someone else take care of you.”
Lilliana, lying on the sofa and looking through photos, was clearly upset. “Is it really that hard to go get a ss of water?”
"I don''t want to," Joshua replied curtly.
Lilliana got angry. “What do you mean, Joshua? Didn’t you use to serve me water when you were trying to flirt with me?”
“Things have changed, okay?” Joshua said, gritting his teeth. “Back then, I treated you with love. Now, you see me as a servant, demanding water as if I owe it to you.”
“You deserved it!” Lilliana replied.
She stood up abruptly, throwing the photos at him. “Look what you’ve done!” she used angrily. “You invited Alicia to Yates Mansion because you still had unfinished business with her, giving her opportunities. “Would you be in this mess if it weren’t for that?”N?velDrama.Org is the owner.
Joshua looked at the photos spread out before him.
Each one, taken by a private investigator, captured Caden and Alicia together, clearly close.
Alicia''s expressions, ranging from anger to yfulness, were vividly captured. She seemed genuinely happy, a stark contrast to Joshua, whose face had turned ghostly pale.
“Does it hurt to see this? Do you regret it now?” Lilliana mocked. “Your ex-wife and the man you regret have joined forces to bring you down. How does it feel?”
In a fit of rage, Joshua stomped on the photographs, his eyes boiling.
Lilliana insisted: “I warned you from the beginning to discuss things with Alicia, but you didn''t listen. “Now look at the consequences.”
Joshua clenched his fists and looked at her. “Am I not suffering enough for you? Why are you saying all this now?”
Lilliana scoffed. “You can''t stand it, can you? Did you ever think about my feelings while you were with Alicia? And I''m pregnant with you.”
Throwing caution to the wind, Joshua retorts, “I was unfaithful to my wife with you. What did you expect? Even if it hadn''t been Alice, there would have been someone else. Are you resentful of all the women I’ve been with?”
Lilliana''s expression twisted with a mix of anger and humiliation.
Ovee by rage, she grabbed a pillow and threw it at him.
"How dare you talk to me like that! Remember who supports you now."
Joshua shrugged dismissively and said, “Then let your family stop supporting me. Let them watch me fail.”
“Do you think I won''t?” Lilliana replied.
“Go ahead,” she challenged. Joshua''s gaze then fell on her lower belly. “I won''t be the one who suffers the most.”
Then he stormed up the stairs, mming the door.
Lilliana watched him go, her expression cold. She could no longer hold back her tears. She burst into sobs, realizing the true weight of the situation. He would not be the one to suffer the most.
She reproached herself for her naivety in getting involved with him and, what was worse, getting pregnant out of wedlock.
His resolve hardened. He knew that if he continued to defy, he would lose all respect.
When Cedric arrived, he found her still crying. After hearing the whole order, he was furious and heartbroken.
“Now it''s up to us, and yet he dares to treat you like this? Does he think I’m easily manipted?”
Cedric smoked, his face red with anger, as he prepared to face Joshua.
Knowing her father''s temper, Lilliana quickly intervened. "Dad, please don''t do this. Caden has been putting pressure on him and it''s understandable that he would be angry. He hasn''t hurt me directly."
Cedric was visibly upset. “Why do you keep defending him?” I have demanded.
“What other choice do I have?” Lilliana cried. “I''m due in a few months. Do you want me to face this alone and be the butt of ridicule?”
Despite her disputes with Joshua, Lilliana''s feelings for him persisted, prompting her to defend him.
Cedric, who had only one son, was furious at first, but knew he had to give in for Lilliana''s sake.
His anger was palpable, but Lilliana tried to calm him down.
“Joshua''s situation is temporary. He still has the support of the Yates family. Once he has inherits, he will have the resources to counter Caden’s moves.”
Cedric was still worried.
“Caden is well prepared. In just a few months, he has gathered important evidence against Joshua. It seems like a carefully nned strategy for a long time. Don’t underestimate him,” he warned.
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