Chapter 18
A dark red stain continued to spread under Abigail, and Howard’s face turned ashen with fear. Someone, quick–call a doctor!” he shouted.
Seeing the blood, Molly immediately forgot her anger toward Howard and rushed over to cradle Abigail in her arms.
The family doctor arrived quickly, and soon, Abigail was taken away for treatment. Watching her departure, guests couldn’t help but start whispering among themselves.
“It looks like Ms. Abigail had a miscarriage. I wonder whose child it was…”
“Probably Mr. Clyde’s. Remember the rumors from before?”
“If I were Avery, I’d be angry at Abigail too. She knew that was Avery’s fiancé, and still…
Hearing their murmurs, Avery’s lips curled in a faint, icy smile. This was just the beginning. She knew these guests would be gossiping even more once they learned exactly when Abigail got pregnant.
Howard overheard their speculations and felt a wave of embarrassment wash over him. But at the moment, his bigger concern was whether Abigail’s child could be saved.
He quickly instructed the maids to escort the guests out and then turned to leave himself. He had thought about asking Avery to help see them out, but noticing Joshua standing by her side, he decided against it.
Meanwhile, Avery was thoroughly enjoying the unfolding drama when Joshua’s voice suddenly broke her reverie from above. “Enjoying the show, aren’t you?”
“of
.” She barely got the words out before Joshua lifted her clean off the ground.
Caught off guard, she gasped. “Hey…”
A soft chuckle rumbled from his chest. He leaned closer, murmuring so that only she could hear, “Better hold on tight, or I might just drop you.”
Reluctantly, she wrapped her arms around his neck and opted to play dead. He didn’t press, but she could feel his grip loosening with every step he took. He was walking fast enough that she was certain he’d let her fall to the ground and leave her there.
Wary of hitting the ground, she finally tightened her hold around him, though she wasn’t happy about it. Peeking through a barely–open eye, she glanced at his reaction–only to find. him smirking right back at her.
He was doing it on purpose.
She opened her eyes fully, leaned close, and blew a soft breath near his ear. She said in a playful lilting voice, “Josh, don’t scare me like that… I’m easily frightened.”
She felt his body tense ever so slightly. As she grinned to herself, she traced a finger along his features with mischievous care. Her gaze gleamed like a little fox. “Josh, you’re so handsome.”
Seeing that he didn’t respond, she got bolder. “Josh, what would your girlfriend say if she saw you carrying me like this?”
Batting her innocent–looking eyes at him, she watched his Adam’s apple bob as he swallowed. Emotions flickered in his gaze. Satisfied, she stopped her little game, closed her eyes again, and pretended nothing had happened.
Ha, it served him right for threatening her.
Joshua’s patience had clearly been tested, and as she closed her eyes, he narrowed his own in slight frustration.
With a sudden move, he pinched her waist lightly. He then said in a low and rough voice, “Just wait until I’ve finished taking care of that scratch on your face. Then, we’ll see how I’m going to deal with you.”
She instantly tensed, freezing in his hold. He found her reaction amusing, but he wasn’t about to let her off so easily. “Why so quiet? What’s wrong? Are you worried my girlfriend might overhear?”
Chapter 19
Joshua’s warm breath brushed against Avery’s face, his deep voice sending a shiver through her. She was taken aback–who would have guessed he could be so effortlessly charming?
“Mr. Smith, hold up!” Howard’s voice called out from behind.
Joshua’s brows creased in irritation, but he didn’t slow down.
“Someone’s calling you, Mr. Smith,” Avery teased.
Joshua’s expression darkened. Just moments ago, she was calling him “Josh“, and now, he was back to just “Mr. Smith“.
By now, they had reached the car. Avery realized he was actually planning to lift her right into the vehicle, and she panicked. “Stop! Seriously, he’s calling for you,” she urged.
Joshua gave a cold snort. “Him? He’s not worth my time.”
Seeing him stride forward with Avery in his arms, Delcan quickly opened the car door. Avery, more eager than ever to catch the unfolding drama, clung to Joshua’s neck. She coaxed him. sweetly. “Josh, please stop for a moment. I just want to see what he has to say.”
Joshua shot her an annoyed look. “With your face like this, you’re still interested in watching the commotion?”
She shrugged. “I’m a doctor. I’ll be fine with a little cream.”
1a
He looked reluctant, so she added with a grin, “If you agree to this, I’ll owe you a favor.”
Seeing her bright, hopeful expression, his gaze softened for a moment. Instead of questioning her further, he sighed and gave a resigned nod.
As soon as he set her down, Howard came over to them while panting. He was struggling to catch his breath. Seeing Joshua’s stony expression, he looked apprehensive and spoke in at cautious tone.
“Mr. Smith… There’s been a situation at home. Could we have Avery stay here tonight so that she can help us settle things?”
Joshua raised an eyebrow. “You mean you want to leave her here so that you can keep using her as your punching bag?”
Howard faltered, his words caught in his throat. He turned to Avery with the intention of getting her help, but she merely glanced to the side, looking thoroughly uninterested.
With no other options, he tried again, “Avery, Abigail’s very upset. Your mother and I just can’t get through to her. Maybe you could help us?”
Avery chuckled dryly. “I’d be happy to help–my rates just happen to be steep. You sure you’re
up for it?”
Howard’s
expression turned dark. He wanted to berate her for being so money–driven, but feeling the weight of Joshua’s cold gaze, he forced himself to swallow his anger.
With a strained smile, he offered, “Avery, the celebration tonight didn’t go as planned. Let me make it up to you with a hundred grand. Buy yourself whatever you’d like, alright?”
“No,” she replied flatly.
“Then… what about 300 grand?” Howard gritted his teeth, adding another 200 grand just to get her to agree.
But Avery simply shook her head again.
Growing desperate, he asked, “How much do you want?”
Enjoy Ad–Free Reading
