Chapter 12
Feeling the sensation at her waist, Avery was suddenly alarmed.
Surely, Joshua wasn’t planning to torment her again, right?
Not even a donkey in a farmyard was used like this!
At that thought, Avery couldn’t help but feel a bit angry. She tried to turn away, but Joshua wouldn’t let her. He held her waist tightly.
“What’s wrong? You’re going to discard me now that you’ve used me in front of Clyde?”
Avery felt guilty and gave a dry laugh. “Of course not. It’s just that it’s getting late. I should head back.”
Joshua tightened his grip and pulled her into his arms. Their bodies were so close that their faces almost touched.
“My place is not far away. If you really want to rest, I can take you back.”
Joshua’s warm breath brushed against Avery’s face. She instinctively wanted to avoid it, but he lifted her chin before she could do anything.
“You even asked me to massage your hand earlier. Why are you acting shy now?”
Avery was about to explain that it was just an act, but when she met Joshua’s dangerous gaze, she swallowed her words.
“I… I was just joking.”
“I don’t like jokes,” Joshua said. “Call me like how you did just now, and I’ll let you off this time. How about that?”
Avery looked up just in time to see the teasing in his eyes. He was clearly playing with her! “Fine,” she agreed readily. “But I think I forgot what I called you.”
Looking at Avery’s innocent expression, Joshua felt a bit helpless. He almost believed her. She was really an excellent actress.
But that was a good thing–it would save her from being overwhelmed by the Smith family once she married him. After all, the Smith family was like a big stage, always full of drama.
“Mr. Smith, what are you thinking about?” Avery’s voice pulled Joshua back to
“Mr. Smith?” Joshua’s gaze turned even more dangerous.
reality.
Avery feigned confusion. “Isn’t that what I’ve been calling you? What should I call you, then? Or should I call you ‘Mister‘ like before?”
“Shut up.” Joshua’s expression darkened instantly.
Seeing his reaction, Avery suppressed a smile but acted pitiful instead.
Joshua couldn’t help but laugh at her expressionHe checked the time and saw that it was already midnight, so he drove her back to the traditional medicine clinic.
Before he left, he told her, “I have a meeting tomorrow, so I’ll be late for your birthday party.”
She nodded. “It’s fine. Finish up your stuff first.
She had not even expected Joshua to attend her birthday party in the first place. After all, he was always busy. She was already surprised that he came to Tom’s to see her.
Avery turned and walked away, but Joshua didn’Crush to leave. He lowered the car window and watched as her figure disappeared farther
away
A cold wind blew, and he couldn’t help but cover his mouth and cough. He coughed for a while, the intensity of it making his face flush red.
“Drink this. It’ll help soothe your throat.”
A blue thermos cup was handed through the car window.
Joshua looked up in surprise and saw Avery standing outside the car.
The breeze lifted her skirt slightly, and her already delicate figure looked even more fragile in
the breeze.
“What are you doing back here again?”
“I heard you cough a lot, so I brought you some medicine,” Avery explained while handing him some herbal medicine in her other hand. “Take one dose a day. Although it won’t completely cure you, it’ll make you feel a little better.”
Joshua took the medicine, a trace of warmth flashing in his eyes,
“Alright. It’s late. You should head back.”
Avery nodded and turned to leave.
Only after her figure had completely disappeared from his sight did he withdraw his
Raze.
Looking at the medicine and the thermos cup in his hands, Joshua’s lips curled into a pleasant sinile. He told Delcan, “Let’s head back.”
The next morning, Avery was woken up by a phone call.
She felt annoyed as she answered the call.
“Why are you calling so early? Don’t you know disturbing someone’s sweet sleep is a cardinal
Chappi 12)
sin?”
“You little brat! It’s already 9:00 am and you’re still sleeping! Do you think you’re still the future lady of the Smith family? I’m telling you, get back here right now! Or I won’t see you as my daughter anymore!”
It was her mother, Molly.
Avery felt a little more awake from Molly’s shouting. She replied in a polite tone, “So, Madam Green, what’s the reason for this call? Just a heads up–I’m not interested in your old jewelry.”
Molly loved playing poker with a group of rich ladies. Her skills weren’t great, but she always placed large bets to show off. After several hands, she would lose all her pocket money.
It wasn’t much of an issue in the past. But for the past few months, the Sinclair family’s business had been losing money, putting pressure on Howard. Molly was afraid he would find out about her gambling habit and take his anger out on her, so she kept it a secret.
Recently, because the business was tight, Howard had asked for money from Molly. Without a choice, Molly had to start selling her old jewelry.
When Avery mentioned the jewelry, Molly snapped.
“You still have the nerve to mention that? If you hadn’t broken off the engagement with the Smith family, we would’ve had the wedding gifts, and your father and I wouldn’t be struggling for money!”
Avery scoffed. “Then let your adopted daughter marry into the Smith family. Since Clyde likes her so much, maybe he’ll give an even larger wedding gift.”
Molly exploded on the other end of the line. “Abigail is insecure. If she marries into the Smith family, she’ll need to prepare a bigger wedding gift! Do you think I’d sell my daughter for that little bit of money?”
Avery sneered. If it had been her in the past, she might have felt hurt. But now, she just found. it laughable.
Not wanting to listen to Molly’s rant anymore, Avery hung up the phone and got up to get ready.
Since the Sinclair family had gone to so much trouble to throw her a birthday party, it would be rude for her not to show up as the star of the day.
Anyway, she could enjoy a good meal there and make a scene if she wasn’t happy. There was nothing for her to lose.
As Avery was putting on her
It was Cassandra.
makeup, her phone rang again.
“Happy birthday, princess! Are you awake?”
Avery was amused by Cassandra’s tone. She imitated her and said, “Her Royal Highness is still getting ready. You may send the car now.”
“Please wait a moment, Your Highness. Your humble servant is on her way.”
After hanging up, Avery continued her makeup. When she was finally ready, she went outside to wait for Cassandra to pick her up.
But as soon as she stepped out, she saw a black Rolls–Royce parked in front of her house.
The person in the car impatiently got out. It was Clyde.
Avery looked at him with a shocked expression. “My big nephew? What are you doing here?”
Chara
