Chapter 189:
Deep down, Joshua understood the reality of the situation. Alicia was the only one capable of managing such feats. Despite her past sacrifices for him, she was principled enough to end things if pushed too far—even if it meant leaving without a dime.
Moreover, she was no fool.
Joshua recognized that her previous patience and tolerance hadn’t stemmed from fear, but from love.
Yet, as he paused to reconsider, a new thought took hold.
Perhaps it wasn’t love after all.
Maybe she was simply settling a debt.
Otherwise, why would she plot against him, driving him into this corner?
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As these thoughts lingered, Joshua’s fists tightened slowly.
While driving back, a call from Lilliana interrupted his thoughts.
She sounded irritated. “Why haven’t you returned yet?”
At a red light, he replied nonchalantly, “I’ve just left the hospital. I’m on my way now.”
“The new maid is a disaster. She’s driving me insane. Get back here and handle this,” Lilliana demanded impatiently.
Joshua, ignoring her, opted to light a cigarette.
A deep inhale led to a violent cough; his chest felt as though it were splitting.
“Won’t you ask about my hospital visit?” he challenged.
“You’re already on your way back, right? If you weren’t admitted, you must be alright,” Lilliana retorted.
Joshua scoffed at her lack of empathy.
He knew her too well—she was helpful when it came to significant issues but lacked personal warmth.
What had he been expecting?
Upon his return to the Green residence, Joshua barely had a moment to rest before Lilliana began ordering him around.
The tasks she set before him were menial, yet he…
Joshua perceived Lilliana’s demands as demeaning.
Feeling unwell but standing his ground, he responded hoarsely, “I’m not feeling well. Let someone else take care of you.”
Lilliana, lounging on the sofa and flipping through photos, was clearly upset. “Is it really so hard to fetch a glass of water?”
“I don’t want to,” Joshua replied curtly.
Lilliana’s temper flared. “What do you mean, Joshua? Didn’t you used to serve me water when you were trying to win me over?”
“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 like I owe it to you.”
“You deserved it!” Lilliana retorted.
She abruptly sat up, throwing the photos at him. “Look what you’ve done!” she accused angrily. “You invited Alicia to Yates Mansion because you still had unfinished business with her, giving her opportunities. Would you even be in this mess if not for that?”
Joshua glanced at the photos scattered before him.
Each one, snapped by a private investigator, captured Caden and Alicia together, clearly close.
Alicia’s expressions, ranging from anger to playfulness, were vividly captured. She looked 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 taunted. “Your ex-wife and the man you despise have united to bring you down. How does that feel?”
In a fit of rage, Joshua stomped on the photographs, his eyes seething.
Lilliana pressed on, “I warned you to handle things with Alicia from the start, but you wouldn’t listen. Now look at the consequences.”
Joshua balled his fists, facing her. “Am I not suffering enough for you? Why say all this now?”
Lilliana scoffed. “Can’t handle it, can you? Did you ever think about my feelings while you were off with Alicia? And I’m carrying your child!”
Throwing caution to the wind, Joshua retorted, “I was unfaithful to my wife with you. What did you expect? Even if it weren’t Alicia, there would have been someone else. Will you resent every woman I’ve been with?”
Lilliana’s expression twisted with a mix of anger and humiliation.
Overcome with rage, she grabbed a pillow and threw it at him.
“How dare you speak to me like that! Remember who’s supporting you now!”
Joshua shrugged dismissively and sneered, “Then have your family stop supporting me. Let them watch as I fall.”
“Do you think I won’t?” Lilliana retorted.
“Go ahead,” he challenged. Joshua’s gaze then fell to her lower abdomen. “It won’t be me who suffers the most.”
With that, he stormed upstairs and slammed the door.
Lilliana watched him leave, her expression cold. She could no longer hold back her tears. She burst into sobs, realizing the true weight of the situation. It wouldn’t be him who would suffer the most.
She berated herself for her naivety in becoming involved with him, and worse, getting pregnant out of wedlock.
Her resolve hardened. She knew that if she remained defiant, she’d lose all respect.
When Cedric arrived, he found her still in tears. After hearing the entire ordeal, he was both enraged and heartbroken.
“He’s dependent on us now, yet he dares treat you this way? Does he think I’m easily manipulated?”
Cedric fumed, his face flushed with anger as he prepared to confront Joshua.
Knowing his father’s temper, Lilliana quickly intervened. “Dad, please, don’t. Caden has been putting him under pressure, and it’s understandable he’s lashing out. He hasn’t hurt me directly.”
Cedric was visibly upset. “Why do you still defend him?” he demanded.
“What choice do I have?” Lilliana wept. “I’m due in a few months. Do you want me to face this alone and become the subject of ridicule?”
Despite her disputes with Joshua, Lilliana’s feelings for him persisted, prompting her to defend him.
Cedric, having only one child, was initially furious but knew he had to relent for Lilliana’s sake.
His anger was palpable, but Lilliana tried to calm him.
“Joshua’s situation is temporary. He still has support from the Yates family. Once he inherits, he’ll have the resources to counter Caden’s moves.”
Cedric remained concerned.
“Caden is well-prepared. In just a few months, he has gathered significant evidence against Joshua. It feels like a strategy that’s been carefully planned for a long time. Don’t underestimate him,” he warned.
