Ch. 121..130

Chapter 121: You’re My Secretary

The holidays passed quickly, and Joshua was disappointed that his relationship with Hazel had not advanced to the next level.

Fortunately, their relationship had improved and became stable. He could feel Hazel’s attachment to him.

After breakfast, Hazel was about to leave to get her bus at the nearby stop.

“Wait.” Joshua stopped her.

He reminded her helplessly, “Hazel, did you forget you had a car?”

It was because Hazel wasn’t willing to get in his car, and he couldn’t stand the thought of her taking a crowded bus that he found a way to give her a car.

Hazel was in a daze, she really forgot about it.

“But…… Is it a bit of an exaggeration for a secretary to drive to work?” She hesitated for a moment.

“It depends on whose secretary it is,” he said softly. “You’re my secretary. My secretary is not that poor.”

She was speechless, then she laughed. “All right, Mr. President, you are awesome. Do you need me to hug, kiss, and pick you up?”

Joshua was a little surprised. He didn’t understand Hazel’s words, but he very quickly said, “Yes.”

She didn’t expect that she would shoot herself in the foot. Pretending not to hear him, she walked toward the garage.

“Hazel Crowe,” he said solemnly, grabbing her wrist, “I want you to hug, kiss, and pick me up.”

How could he be so adorable?! Looking at his sincere face, Hazel was moved.

She said with a straight face, trying to resist the urge in her heart. “Stop that now, Mr. President, I can’t pick you up.”

“What about this?” Joshua chuckled. Suddenly, he grabbed her by the waist and lifted her in the air.

She cried out and put her hand on his shoulder. She could not help but chuckle when she couldn’t stand it anymore.

“Put me down…” she said, blushing.

He gave her a slight smile and spun her around before he put her down.

Her heart was so full of sweetness that she didn’t reject him again, leaving him to kiss and hug her.

After satisfying him with more kisses, Hazel drove to Denmark Group.

Joshua followed her in his car, and she didn’t refuse. After all, if she did, he would definitely have plenty of reasons why she shouldn’t refuse him.

The secretary’s office was busy all morning, Hazel barely had time to take a break. Joshua was in a meeting with another company but forgot to send a document, with everyone else being so busy, Hazel volunteered to send it, Joshua nodded in appreciation.

Hazel was about to leave when Jaxson ran after her.

“Miss Crowe,” Jaxson stopped her. “The President asked me to tell you to wait for him and go home with him after the meeting.”

“All right.” She nodded her head. She was a subordinate, so of course, she would obey him.

After taking Hazel to the lounge, Jaxson returned to the conference room. Hazel was waiting for Joshua when her phone suddenly rang.

She couldn’t help frowning as she looked at the strange number. Having hesitated for a bit, she finally answered the phone.

“Hazel, let’s meet.” Vanessa’s voice came from the other end.

Hazel was powerless. Sure enough, Vanessa didn’t want to let her go, she was becoming obsessed.

“I don’t think we need to meet,” Hazel said coldly. “After all, we don’t know each other, and there’s nothing to say.”

Vanessa said, “It’s about Joshua…”

“Then we have nothing to say,” Hazel interrupted calmly. “If I want to know something about him, I’ll ask him myself. As for what I don’t want to know, you don’t have to tell me.

“Hazel, why do you want to hide behind Joshua?!” Vanessa cried out, irritated. “Do you think you can solve problems by hiding from me?!”

Hazel’s eyebrows were slightly raised.

Vanessa certainly wouldn’t give up and would definitely find another opportunity to meet with her if she didn’t agree to talk with her.

Maybe she should meet her, even if it was only to let Vanessa know her attitude that she would never leave Joshua simply because of her words.

“Okay,” said Hazel as she noticed there was still a little time before Joshua finished the meeting. “I can meet you, but you must guarantee you will leave me alone if you cannot drive a wedge between Joshua and me.”

Vanessa was so irritated that she clenched her teeth. Hazel said straight out that she would try to drive a wedge between them.

Vanessa took a few deep breaths, holding back her anger. Hazel was just a little girl who only cared about love, she knew she could easily deal with her kind. The more a woman who considered love a priority and was willing to give everything for love, the easier she could be dealt with.

The appointed meeting place was at a tea shop near Denmark Group offices.

Hazel arrived first and ordered a cup of tea. When Vanessa arrived, she sat across from her, Hazel gave her a distant look. Vanessa looked aggressive, but Hazel did not really care.

“Hazel, you love Joshua very much, don’t you?” Vanessa said in a deep voice.

“Not really,” Hazel said seriously, tilting her head. “I don’t have any hard feelings. I like him, but I don’t love him enough.”

Vanessa suddenly felt she couldn’t continue this topic anymore. Hazel wasn’t acting predictably at all, at this point, she should have been saying how they truly loved each other and ask her not to break them up.

“So, you don’t love him at all?” Vanessa came back to her senses and said angrily.

“You have such an unusual understanding…” Hazel put one hand on her forehead, looking up at Vanessa helplessly. “Let’s skip the small talk of the holidays. What is your reason for me leave Joshua this time?”

Vanessa was choked and speechless, her heart was full of resentment.

She didn’t have any contact with Hazel before, did she underestimate her? She didn’t even hesitate to say what she was thinking.

Hazel waited for a long time, but Vanessa still said nothing, she just continued to change her expression while she was deep in thought.

Hazel couldn’t help but say, “You are so mad at me that you forgot what you intended to say, aren’t you?”

Vanessa was really pissed off. How could Hazel Crowe act this way?!

“Think carefully about it,” Hazel urged. “I don’t think we want to be spending any longer with each other than we need to. Let’s talk this over as clearly as possible. Can I remind you? Generally speaking, you have to take out a check or something and then use the money to insult me and ask me to leave, don’t you?”

 

Chapter 122: You’re Too Greedy

Vanessa was so irritated she wanted to reach across the table and throttle Hazel. She was giddy with anger, Hazel was not thinking the way Vanessa had expected.

She had thought Hazel wasn’t out of college yet and was a stupid woman who only knew about love. However, she was more complicated than that.

What she had planned to say was all messed up by Hazel, and she was so angry that she didn’t know how to continue. But thankfully, Hazel did remind her about the check she prepared.

Vanessa put her hand on her handbag and was about to take out the check when Hazel said to her as if she was consulted, “But if it’s a check, it’s at least a seven-figure sum, right? Joshua is very generous, and his girlfriend’s position is worth such an amount. If it’s less than eight-figure, it’s a bit embarrassing and not very attractive.”

Vanessa’s fingers froze.

The Young family had just come through the crisis, and she didn’t have that much money. This check for Hazel was only a few hundred thousand dollars.

Hazel’s words suddenly made her feel like her check was exceptionally unpresentable, even if she did take it out, very likely Hazel would just laugh in her face.

“You’re too greedy!” Vanessa sneered. “It looks like you’re staying with Joshua for his money!”

“Don’t say those kinds of meaningless words,” Hazel spoke calmly. “If I am not after his money, of course, I wouldn’t leave him just because you misread me. If I was really after his money, do you think I might break up with him just because you said something?”

Vanessa choked back her words once again. She was completely bewildered.

From the very beginning, the conversation had been entirely in Hazel’s hands. No matter what she said, Hazel could make her choke back her words and be completely unable to continue.

“Is there anything else you want to say?” Hazel asked.

She promised to come to see Vanessa, to make her give up on her ideas. She was a little slow, but she knew exactly what Vanessa was up to. Knowing Vanessa’s purpose, Hazel would naturally be prepared before meeting with her. After all, she had a good memory after being cheated by Vanessa once.

Vanessa clenched her fingers in anger, her nails dug into her palms. Suddenly, she sneered coldly, “Hazel, I’ve really underestimated you!”

Hazel didn’t know whether this was a compliment or an insult, so she said helplessly, “I’m flattered…”

“You are a very clever woman,” Vanessa said in a low voice after taking a deep breath. “In that case, let me cut the chase. I’m sure you know what to choose.”

Hazel was surprised. Did Vanessa still have other tricks?

“The true heir of the Denmark family is not Joshua, but the little daughter of the Denmark family!” Vanessa said in a deep voice.

Hazel was a little surprised. Joshua actually had a younger sister. She really didn’t know that.

“It’s just that the daughter of the Denmark family was kidnapped not long after she was born. The Denmark family searched for her for many years, but she wasn’t found even after her parents died. As long as she is found, everything in Denmark Group will be hers, and Joshua will get nothing!”

Vanessa sneered as she stared at her. “But the Denmark daughter has been found by our family, but whether she will be discovered depends on your choice!”

Hazel mused. “You mean, if I don’t leave Joshua, you’ll let everyone know about his younger sister and leave Joshua with nothing?”

“It takes no effort to speak to a wise woman.” Vanessa whispered, “Hazel, you can rest assured that if you leave Joshua, I’ll give you a lot of money! If you won’t leave… Ha ha, I think you don’t need me to tell you how you should choose?”

Hazel furrowed her eyebrows as if she was thinking.

Vanessa did not urge her, but there was more contempt in her heart. It turned out Hazel was just a greedy woman.

“But I don’t believe you.” Hazel looked up at her.

“Do you think I would lie to you about it?!” Vanessa was angry. “Hazel Crowe! When Joshua really loses everything, you won’t get a dime from me!”

“Even if you say so,” Hazel looked at her calmly, “I’m still wondering, isn’t Joshua Denmark also the Denmark family’s son? Why do you say that Joshua will have nothing if the Denmark family’s missing daughter is found? He should also have the right of succession, shouldn’t he?”

“Didn’t he tell you?” Vanessa looked at her in surprise. The next moment, her face was full of a triumphant smile. “If you want to know the reason, you can ask Joshua.”

Hazel raised her eyebrows slightly. It looked as if this incident involved the Denmark family’s secret.

Since Joshua wasn’t willing to tell her, there must be a reason. Everyone had their own secrets, and she wasn’t a person who liked to pry into another person’s privacy.

“It seems you’re as old as the missing girl…” Vanessa sneered as if she had thought of something, “I think Joshua wants to be with you, perhaps seeing you as a substitute for his sister, maybe to ease his guilt.”

Hazel smiled. “Vanessa, do you think I would believe such a simple provocation?”

Vanessa was ashamed and angry.

“Besides, even if it’s true,” Hazel said seriously, “I don’t think you actually found the Denmark family’s missing daughter.”

Vanessa’s heart sank, she didn’t expect that Hazel would guess the truth at once.

Garry had been secretly searching for the missing girl, but he had failed in finding her. Since he was no longer a director of Denmark Group, his family had no extra money to continue the operation.

She just wanted to deceive Hazel with this information, but she cannot find Vanessa was lying.

Vanessa threatened her coldly. “So, you’ve decided to have a life-or-death struggle with us? Hazel, you’re smart. Think it over!”

Hazel was silent. Vanessa’s words were half true, and she didn’t believe them. It was the Denmark family that she cared about.

“I’ve made up my mind,” she said suddenly.

“You’re really sensible.” Vanessa sneered. “When are you going to leave, Joshua?”

“No,” Hazel shook her head. “I decided to stay with him.”

“Hazel Crowe, you…” Vanessa stood up from her chair in a rage. Hazel actually dared to call her bluff.

“Since you said you found the little girl, isn’t it natural that the Denmark Group is returned to her, considering it does belong to her,” Hazel said coolly.

“You, you…” Vanessa’s face turned purple with rage. She had no idea what to say.

 

Chapter 123: Don’t You Really Care?

Vanessa was completely confused. Why was Hazel able to say these words so convincingly? Wasn’t she with Joshua for his money?

“Then Joshua will lose nothing!” Vanessa bellowed.

“Let it be. Why do you look more anxious than I am?” Hazel looked at her, puzzled.

“Don’t you really care?!” Vanessa was even more irritated.

“Of course, I do,” Hazel says with a bland face. “But given your temper, even if I leave him, you’ll continue to threaten him with the Denmark family’s daughter. In that case, I must stay by his side until he really loses everything, but at least he will have me!”

Vanessa was trembling with anger. She was pretty sure now that Hazel was fooling her.

When she thought Hazel was a stupid woman only focused on love, she acted as if she was obsessed with money. But when she thought she was a bad woman only loving money, she began to show her love and care for Joshua.

“Hazel, are you trying to fool me?!” Vanessa pointed at her angrily.

“No.” Hazel looked blankly at her. “I’m telling you what I think.”

“You……” Vanessa was even more irritated.

This matter was originally a fiction used for deceiving Hazel, but she didn’t rise to the bait, which made Vanessa completely lose her mind.

“Wait and see, I’ll make you regret it!” Vanessa bellowed. However, her face changed suddenly, and she rushed into the bathroom to vomit despite herself.

Hazel followed her in disbelief. Both of them were in shock.

How could it be possible? Did she actually make Vanessa so pissed off that she vomited? Was Vanessa too angry, or did she just go too far?

But what she just said was all the truth.

“Hi, are you all right?” Hazel was a little embarrassed. “Do you need me to get you a glass of water or call an ambulance for you …”

“Get out — !” Vanessa yelled angrily at Hazel as if she had exhausted all her strength. “Hazel Crowe, don’t shed crocodile tears!”

“Alright…” Hazel was taken back, and then she shrugged. “I guess you’re not happy to see me. I will leave.”

Hazel immediately left the bathroom, she was always good to those who were good to her, but she did not waste her time sucking up to others.

She wasn’t Vanessa’s mother, she cared about Vanessa only because she had thought she had pissed Vanessa off and made her puke. But, when Vanessa cursed her, she wasn’t going to stay to fight with her.

Vanessa clenched her teeth. What kind of woman was she?! She really left like that! Hypocrisy!

Another twinge of sickening sensation welled up, and Vanessa vomited again.

A waitress came to the bathroom and asked her with a little trepidation, “Are you all right, Miss…”

“Are you blind? Can’t you see I’m not fine?!” Vanessa yelled at her.

“Shall I get you a glass of water?” The waitress asked in horror, “Are you pregnant since you are vomiting like this…”

“Maybe it’s you who is pregnant! Maybe you disgrace your family!” Vanessa stretched out her hand to hit the wall angrily.

The waitress screamed and ran away.

Vanessa froze in the bathroom. She was as cold as if she had cold water poured over her head. Was there really a baby… in her body?!

Hazel just stepped out of the cafe when she got a call from Joshua.

“Hazel, where are you now?” Joshua asked in a deep voice.

“I’m near the company…” She looked around and told him where she was.

“Wait there!” There was a little helplessness in his voice.

She agreed and waited by the door, very shortly after Joshua’s car stopped right in front of her.

“Get in,” he said with a gloomy face.

When Hazel got into the car, her eyes went to the door of the cafe, and she happened to see Vanessa coming out.

Joshua also saw her and his eyes looked disappointed. “Did you come out without telling anyone so you could meet her?”

“Mmm…” She nodded.

“Hazel, what did she say to you?” he asked gravely.

Hazel hesitated for a bit.

The incident involving the missing girl of the Denmark family should be their secret. If she asked Joshua directly, she might ask him something forbidden.

Besides, she didn’t believe that Vanessa had actually found the girl, if she had, she would have threatened Joshua directly. Why would she need to find and threaten her?

“Nothing,” she said lightly.

“Really nothing?” Joshua frowned slightly. “Hazel, tell me the truth.”

“She told me to leave you, but I didn’t want to. Then she puked because I pissed her off.” She stuck her tongue out.

“… Is that all?” He raised his eyebrows in surprise.

“Yes.” She smiled. “You can be sure, Joshua. I’m not going to break up with you or distrust you just because someone said something. Unless you have really done something wrong, and then I’ll teach you a lesson!”

Joshua’s eyes flickered, and he heaved a sigh of relief. He was really afraid Vanessa would talk nonsense, but it was clear that Hazel didn’t give in to her provocation.

“Hazel, don’t worry. I’ll never do anything bad to you,” he whispered his promise.

Hazel smiled, her heart felt warm and sweet.

“But,” Joshua said as his face darkened with less tenderness, “Is that why you left without saying a word? Do you know how worried I am about you?”

Hazel’s face was a little embarrassed. “Weren’t you in a meeting? I don’t want to disturb you.”

“You should have at least sent me a message.” He sighed and pinched her cheek helplessly.

“I knew I was wrong, and I’ll never do it again.” She put her palms together devoutly and admitted her mistakes sensibly.

His eyes were a little cold as he said to her, “Hazel, don’t go to see Vanessa alone anymore.”

“Ah? Why?” she asked blankly.

She indeed didn’t want to see Vanessa, but in Joshua’s words, Vanessa seemed very dangerous.

Joshua’s eyes twinkled. He wasn’t going to tell Hazel about the crash because he didn’t want her to know it.

“She’s very crazy. No one knows what she’s going to do,” he whispered.

Hazel nodded approvingly. “Rest assured, I won’t meet her again.”

They had talked it over. Even if Vanessa came to her again, she would never meet her.

“That’s good.” Joshua rubbed her hair gently.

Hazel thought it was over, but she didn’t expect that Joshua would transfer Vanessa to a branch office two days later.

 

Chapter 124: Let Me In

Joshua was very quick and tough, and by the time Vanessa received the message, she had no choice but to listen.

It was a small city that Joshua arranged for her to go to and she wouldn’t have any real power, so it was natural that she didn’t want to go to.

But even if Joshua had arranged any other city for her, Vanessa wouldn’t be willing to go. Joshua just found a random reason to make her leave the imperial capital.

Joshua was in a meeting, he would always bring Hazel to meetings, letting her sit in and listen. Although Hazel didn’t understand what they were saying most of the time, she still went and pretended to be interested, but she was always sleepy sitting there.

Fortunately, Hazel was his secretary, and everyone thought she was here to take notes.

Halfway through the meeting, Vanessa’s angry voice sounded outside the door. “Let me in! I want to see Joshua Denmark!”

“Mr. President is in a meeting, and you can’t go in…” The man outside stopped her.

There was the noise of pushing and shoving, and then the door was burst open by Vanessa.

“Joshua, how can you transfer me to another city?!” Vanessa bellowed angrily as soon as she entered.

“Get out!” Joshua’s face darkened.

Vanessa was a little frightened by his scolding, and her momentum weakened. Joshua had always been gentle, and it was the first time she had ever seen him speak so seriously and harshly.

“Miss Young, Mr. President, is in a meeting with the board of directors now, and it’s really not the right time for you to break in.” Jaxson came to her and whispered, “You should go home. If there’s anything, you can talk with him later…”

Vanessa bit her lip unwillingly. She knew Joshua was in a meeting with the directors, so she took advantage of the time to make a scene. How could she leave like that?

“I won’t go!” With a distressed look on her face, Vanessa spoke out, “Joshua, my father is the elder of the company. But you’re going to send me to another city. Is that how you treated the company’s elders? Aren’t you afraid of disappointing the rest of the company’s directors?!”

Hazel raised her eyebrows in surprise. Vanessa was really good at confusing different concepts as she intended to stir up the dissatisfaction of the directors who also had children.

Sure enough, the directors could not help whispering, with a sense of impending danger.

Garry was the closest of the directors to Joshua Denmark, but recently they had all heard rumors that Joshua had plotted and cheated Garry out of his shares. Though they did not know whether it was true, they would rather believe it than nothing.

Vanessa and Joshua had a good relationship, but he was actually so ruthless. Then wouldn’t Joshua be more merciless when he wanted to deal with them in the future?

Hazel couldn’t help worrying about Joshua. However, he explained it, and everyone else would think he was trying to use the Young family as an example.

Joshua looked at Vanessa coldly as he said coolly, “The personnel transfer of the company’s business assistant is decided by your department, not me.”

The crowd was in a daze.

It was true. Although Vanessa joined the company, her employment contract followed the rules. She was only a trivial business assistant. There was really no need for Joshua to step in and arrange such a position.

Joshua’s simple words passed the buck completely, since he did not transfer Vanessa, the rest of her story would naturally not make sense.

“You…” Vanessa’s line of thinking was all confused. She had thought that Joshua would have all kinds of reasons, but she did not think that he would not admit it at all.

Vanessa said, irritated, “I’m fine at the imperial capital. Why should I go to another city?”

“The employees of the company should obey the company’s arrangement,” Joshua spoke lightly in a businesslike tone.

“I am not going!” she said, gritting her teeth, “Joshua, is that because of the matter between you and me that you want to treat us like that? Do you have to be so ruthless?”

Joshua’s eyes were a little cold, and he nodded slightly to Jaxson.

Vanessa had been making trouble again and again, so there was no need for him to be gentle anymore.

“Behold.” Jaxson pressed the button of the remote control in his hand, and an agreement appeared on the big screen of the meeting room instantly.

Everyone looked at the screen and whispered in shock.

Vanessa saw it, too. In an instant, her face turned pale.

“As you can see,” Jaxson said, “Director Young misappropriated the company’s funds privately and in a large amount. For the sake of Mr. Young, who was the company’s elder, the President merely let him return the funds and didn’t have him hold him accountable for it, so Director Young then transferred the shares to the President. That’s also what the President was going to mention at this meeting.”

“Besides, the company’s business assistants have to work in other cities for two years. No exception. Miss Young has been working for three months. She should have been there as early as one month ago, but Mr. Young has previously suppressed the matter and broken the company’s rules.”

“I see…” All the directors nodded in agreement.

Now that they knew the truth, they would not misunderstand anything. Of course, Joshua’s means scared them a little. This was indeed a useful warning to others by punishing Director Young.

Vanessa’s face turned paler.

She had planned to use the directors to put pressure on Joshua, but it was so easy for him to deal with it.

She had been more unreasonable than she was acting, but Joshua had never cared much. Why was he acting so ruthless?

It must have occurred to Joshua that something would happen like today when she had been assigned to this position. She had been set up by Joshua from beginning to end!

Suddenly, Vanessa’s eyes fell on Hazel with a bit of hatred!

No, she couldn’t leave anyway, if she left, there would be no way to separate Hazel from Joshua.

“I don’t care! I won’t go!” Vanessa was angry. “What can you do with me?”

The people burst into an uproar, and everyone looked at her in surprise. Her unreasonable behavior really took the directors by surprise.

“Take her out, Jaxson, and everything will be done according to the company system,” Joshua said quietly.

Then his eyes swept coldly over the directors. “Besides, I don’t want to see something like this happen again!”

If Vanessa could break into the meeting room, there must be someone on the board who was informing her.

The directors suddenly became silent and bowed their heads.

“Yes,” Jaxson said.

Vanessa wanted to continue, but two bodyguards walked in and took her out.

 

Chapter 125: Leave It To Me

“Let me go!” Vanessa cried angrily. The bodyguards kept a hold of Vanessa and did not let her go until they reached the elevator.

She was still attempting to go back to the board room, but the two bodyguards kept standing in the corridor that led to the room, so she had no chance at all.

“Miss Young, I advise you to go to the branch office.” Jaxson came out and calmly advised her.

“I’m not going!” Vanessa said, rude and unreasonable.

Jaxson sighed helplessly. “In this case, Miss Young, you’re fired. Please go to the personnel department to go through the formalities.”

“What, what?” Vanessa looked at him in disbelief.

She didn’t completely know all of Joshua’s methods until today, he was definitely efficient and orderly.

If she didn’t go to the branch office, she would have to leave office, Joshua didn’t give her any right to choose at all. No matter which one she chose, she would likely never see Joshua again.

Vanessa was so angry that she clenched her teeth. All of a sudden, nausea surged in her, and she couldn’t help but rush into the nearby bathroom to retch.

Surprised, Jaxson followed her. “Miss Young, are you all right?”

“I don’t need your kindness. Get out!” she growled, irritated.

Jaxson was speechless for a moment and turned away.

Vanessa’s face turned purple with rage. Suddenly, she looked down at her flat belly.

She was really pregnant because of the incident that night. She couldn’t have this baby, she had to get rid of it! But she thought she could use the baby to slander Joshua. There was a wicked gleam in Vanessa’s eyes as she began to come up with a plan.

***

At the end of the meeting, Hazel followed Joshua back to the President’s office.

“What would you like to drink, Hazel?” Joshua asked.

“Juice, please,” she said.

He took a bottle of juice out of the fridge and poured her a glass. As she was drinking, she frowned a little.

“What’s the matter?” He reached out and touched her head.

“Joshua,” she asked after thinking for a bit, “did the Young family do something bad?”

She could perceive Joshua as a person caring about the relationship, which was why he put up with the Young family and Vanessa. Even if Vanessa had accused him of having sex with her, Joshua had done nothing to her in the end.

But something terrible seemed to have happened, and he had changed his attitude toward the Young family and took drastic measures against them.

Joshua’s eyes were slightly overcast.

No matter what the Young family did to him, he could be less ruthless for the sake of the relationship between the two families. But Vanessa actually dared to hurt Hazel, so of course, he couldn’t stand it anymore.

Hazel was his most important lover and the person he wanted to protect for life. No matter who wanted to hurt her, he would not let go.

“Didn’t you hear it in the meeting?” he said coolly, “Director Young embezzled funds, which put me in the position of being unable to put up with the Young family anymore, so of course, I needed to fix the situation.”

“Oh…” She was still a little confused. Although Joshua’s reasons were very reasonable, she thought that was not the truth, but she did not continue asking.

She thought that Vanessa would never give up so easily and that she would have other tricks up her sleeve. But if she told Joshua, it would slightly seem she was provoking, a little bit unkind.

Seeing that she was still thinking about it, Joshua quietly changed the subject. “Hazel, it is Grandpa Anderson’s birthday party this weekend. Go with me.”

“Oh?” Hazel looked at him with a bit of embarrassment. “Wouldn’t others think too much if I go with you?”

“Don’t worry, you’re going as Isaac’s friend.” A smile curved his lips slightly. “Besides, Isaac’s grandpa never liked journalists, so there will be no journalists at the party.”

“But,” Hazel said, somewhat embarrassed, “I don’t have the right dress.”

“I’ll buy you one,” he said quietly.

She was about to say no, but she gave up instantly as she noticed Joshua trying to convince her.

She knew she might as well forget arguing because if she refused, it would make him unhappy. As he said, it was nothing lavish for him. Besides, it would be too hypocritical to say no to a dress since she had accepted a car.

“Okay, but it’s better to be normal,” she said. “After all, Grandpa Anderson is the main focus. I don’t want to steal the show.”

“Leave it to me.” He chuckled.

***

When the weekend arrived, Joshua and Hazel drove to Anderson Residence. It was more extravagant than Denmark Residence, there was a huge fountain pool at the door, and the villa was decorated more like a palace.

“Isaac actually lives in a place like this?” Hazel chuckled.

“This is where his grandfather lives,” Joshua said quietly. “Isaac moved out a few years ago, but he comes back every weekend to have dinner with other family members.”

She nodded and went into the hall with him.

The decoration of the hall was likewise exceptionally extravagant, but there was dignity among the extravagance. It didn’t make people feel it was a family of new fortune but of potent family background.

When Hazel and Joshua walked in, there were many eyes on them. Many people at the party knew Joshua, but he never been close to a woman, but he actually brought a woman with him.

Everyone was wondering and looking at Hazel curiously. Joshua had purchased a pale purple dress in a beautiful fit for Hazel’s body.

Wearing it, Hazel was like an elegant valley orchid. Although she may not have been eye-catching, she looked exceptionally beautiful at first glance.

There was a look of amazement in everyone’s eyes, and they all thought that Hazel and Joshua were a real match. Many of the people were envious as Joshua and Hazel walked through the crowd and spoke to Isaac.

“Hazel?” Isaac looked at her, feeling incredible. “You look lovely today!”

“Thank you.” Hazel smiled.

Joshua frowned unhappily, then stepped forward to keep Hazel behind him.

“Joshua, go away.” Isaac pushed him aside unkindly. “You’re on my way to see the beauty!”

Joshua put his hand directly over his eyes. “Isaac, take us to your grandfather.”

“All right.” Isaac shrugged and didn’t play with Joshua anymore.

He raised his eyebrows in disgust. “My grandfather is upstairs at the moment. So-and-so is talking with him.”

Hazel was somewhat surprised. Isaac rarely hid his emotions in front of them. Who was the so-and-so he mentioned?

 

Chapter 126: You Don’t Have A Chance

Hazel was curious. Isaac had always been sarcastic and rarely showed such obvious disgust for anyone. But she did not ask him, although she was curious.

Isaac took them to his grandfather’s room. Grandpa Anderson was sitting in his wheelchair. Despite his gray hair, he looked hale and hearty. There was smart light in his eyes.

“Grandpa.” Isaac came to him. “Joshua is here.”

“Ha ha ha, Joshua, I said you should be here at this point.” Grandpa Anderson smiled and nodded to Joshua, his face full of kindness. But as he glanced over Hazel next to him, he was caught off guard. “Who is she?”

“This is my future girlfriend!” Isaac said, half-jokingly, “Well, grandpa, is Hazel all right?”

Joshua cocked an eyebrow slightly, and Hazel was a little embarrassed.

Before they could clear up the misunderstanding, she suddenly felt a cold stare. The feeling came from the dark corner, like a snake stalking her, she felt her hair stand on end, making her very uncomfortable.

Hazel furrowed her eyebrows and cautiously looked up.

Next to Grandpa Anderson stood a man who resembled Isaac, he looked to be about the same age. However, the man was a bit fiercer and gloomier than Isaac.

Hazel didn’t usually judge a book by its cover, but she still felt like it was an especially dangerous atmosphere.

“Are you Isaac’s girlfriend?” The man squinted and looked at her like he was looking at a prey he had already got. “Are you free? Let’s go and have a drink.”

Hazel watched him suspiciously.

Suddenly, a warm hand fell on her waist, and the familiar feeling made her feel at ease instantly.

“I’m sorry, Sam. Hazel’s busy,” Joshua put his arm around Hazel’s waist and said quietly.

Sam seemed surprised, too. Joshua and Hazel were so intimate that he could tell they were a real couple.

Of course, he was not interested in Joshua’s woman, and even if he was, he didn’t want to offend Joshua in any way.

“Sam, stop hitting on Hazel!” Isaac said coldly. “Otherwise, even if Joshua lets you go, I’ll teach you a lesson!”

“Aren’t you also hitting on her?” Sam sneered.

“Well, Isaac’s just kidding.” Grandpa Anderson opened his mouth quietly and broke the tense atmosphere. “Am I right, Isaac?”

“Of course not.” Isaac’s face softened a lot when he talked to his grandfather. “Grandpa, don’t you think Hazel’s great? What if she breaks up with Joshua one day, and I chased her and made her your daughter-in-law?”

“You don’t have a chance,” Joshua said quietly.

“Mm, you don’t have a chance,” Hazel echoed his words.

She knew Isaac was joking, so she didn’t care much. She knew clearly that Isaac was kind while Sam actually considered her as his prey even though he had merely said a word.

“You brat, how dare you to play such a joke?!” Grandpa Anderson picked up the crutch at hand, pretending to hit Isaac, but he didn’t look furious.

Sam’s face was a little colder.

He always envied Isaac’s relationship with Joshua, but he couldn’t understand why Joshua would be friends with Isaac but was always distant from him.

He had shown his kindness to Joshua, but he couldn’t fit in his circle. He tried to provoke them, but Joshua was sensible enough not to be provoked at all.

The one he most despised in the Anderson family was Isaac, but because of Joshua, he dared not look down on him at all.

Joshua gave a gift to Isaac’s grandfather, who accepted it with pleasure.

After that, Grandpa Anderson had a brief chat with Hazel, Hazel politely responded.

“You’re indeed a good girl.” He laughed and praised, looking at Hazel with eyes full of love. “Joshua, you have a good eye. Looking at her, I sense something familiar about her; I like her.”

Joshua’s mouth tilted slightly as his eyes flickered, nobody knew what he was thinking.

“Thank you, Grandpa.” Hazel was a little shy.

“Well, it’s time for me, the birthday boy, to show up.” Grandpa Anderson laughed, and he got up from his wheelchair with the help of a crutch. “Come on, come down with me.”

Isaac and Sam quickly helped him. Hazel was taken back. It turned out Grandpa Anderson could walk.

Grandpa Anderson joked as if he had guessed what she was thinking, “Did you think I couldn’t walk, Hazel?”

“I…” Hazel suddenly became more embarrassed.

“Ha ha ha, I am old, my legs and feet are not as strong now. Sometimes I am too lazy to walk. I’m afraid I won’t live for long.” He didn’t care about it but couldn’t help sighing.

“Grandpa, you are in such good health that you will live past one hundred!” She said quickly.

“You’re really talkative.” He was a little happier.

“Grandpa, let’s go.” Sam urged. “The guests are waiting.”

Grandpa Anderson nodded. The three of them walked ahead of Hazel and Joshua, she glanced at Sam and couldn’t help frown.

After Sam knew she was Joshua’s girlfriend, her feeling of being stared at was completely gone.

She could feel that Sam was not aiming at her before, but acting that way to upset Isaac because he had misunderstood her relationship with Isaac. The relationships within the Anderson family seemed more complicated than she had imagined.

When they were at the bottom of the stairs, others were about to congratulate Grandpa Anderson when there was a commotion at the door.

Hazel looked at the door with others, and the next moment she furrowed her eyebrows.

It was none other than Vanessa, the last person she wanted to see.

Vanessa wore a pale blue lace dress. Her dress was translucent, and her body could be seen through it. But she didn’t mind in the least. This kind of attention made her very happy as she proudly walked through the crowd to Grandpa Anderson.

Hazel sighed helplessly. She couldn’t understand what Vanessa was thinking exactly.

This was the birthday party of Grandpa Anderson, who should be the center of attention at the party, but Vanessa completely stole the show. Why did she always like to act as she did?

Vanessa came to Grandpa Anderson and offered him a gift, she asked a servant to put it with the others.

After that, she looked defiantly in Hazel’s direction.

 

Chapter 127: Do You Have Special Feelings For Him?

Hazel was feeling very helpless.

Vanessa grew up with Isaac and the others, it was completely normal for her to be present at Grandpa Anderson’s birthday party. However, Hazel still thought Vanessa was very disturbed.

She would feel uncomfortable every time she saw Vanessa as if Vanessa was deliberately targeting her.

At the beginning of the banquet, people began to wish Grandpa Anderson a happy birthday. Sam accompanied him and handled it with ease.

Joshua brought two drinks and handed them to Hazel.

“Isn’t… Isn’t it wine?” Hazel asked anxiously.

She had made several jokes in front of Joshua, and now she would be scared almost every time she saw wine.

“Don’t worry, it’s grape juice. I asked Isaac to prepare it.” Joshua chuckled.

Hazel was relieved. She took a sip of the sweet, sour grape juice.

“Joshua, who is he?” Looking in Sam’s direction, Hazel asked in a low voice, frowning.

“Sam is Isaac’s cousin.” Joshua whispered, “Grandpa Anderson had an elder brother who betrayed the family for a woman, so the Anderson family passed on the family business to Grandpa Anderson. Later, his brother and his wife were killed in a car accident, leaving only a child who was ten. Grandpa Anderson was kind and took his nephew into his home and resided with him. Sam is actually the grandnephew of Grandpa Anderson. But the father and son are so ambitious that they think the Anderson family should belong to them, so they have been making trouble. Worse still, all of Isaac’s uncles have ulterior motives, and Grandpa Anderson can only barely restrain them.”

Hazel was dumbstruck.

Isaac usually looked cynical and heartless, but to her surprise, Isaac had been growing up in this kind of environment.

“But I think Isaac doesn’t seem to want to compete.” Hazel mused.

At the birthday party of his grandfather, all the grandchildren surrounded Grandpa Anderson, trying their best to push themselves forward, especially Sam, who had been around him all the time.

As for Isaac, he had already gone to talk with some pretty women who came to the party.

“Well.” Joshua nodded. “Isaac had seen so many plots and intrigues, beginning when he was a child that he has been very resistant to them and always wants to stay away from home. But his grandfather loves him the most and worries about him the most.”

“That’s right. After his grandfather dies, Isaac won’t fight for it, but others don’t think so. His life will be hard without his grandfather’s protection.” Hazel sighed.

Joshua was a little surprised. He had simply told Hazel about the situation of the Anderson family, but she was so perceptive.

Sure enough, she was right. Hazel was indeed brilliant. Most of the time, she just didn’t care, but as long as she was willing to think, she could always grasp the root of the matters keenly.

“Besides…” Hazel hesitated.

“Huh?”

“Isn’t it good for us to whisper about someone’s secret?” Hazel whispered with a little embarrassment.

Joshua said quietly, “I’d rather tell you than you ask Isaac.”

Hazel didn’t know whether to cry or laugh. Why was Joshua jealous again?

“You seem to care about Isaac especially?” She looked at him playfully.

Suddenly, it seemed that she remembered something, and then she asked in shock, “Do you… have some special feelings for him?!”

Joshua was so angry with her that he almost laughed. What was the girl thinking?

“Hazel,” he said with deep eyes as he approached her, “it seems like I need to prove my sexual orientation to you.”

She understood the hint in it, so she quickly shook her hands. “Don’t bother, don’t bother. I’m sure your relationship is pure.”

“Huh?” His face darkened. This girl! The more she said, the more absurd it seemed to be.

“I’m wrong.” She admitted her mistake very sensibly. “I believe you, really!”

“It’s too late to admit it now!” He came closer to Hazel, and the flaming desire in his eyes got a little more intense.

He leaned over and whispered in her ears, “Hazel, I’ll show you tonight!”

Her heart missed a beat, and she was shy and remorseful despite herself. Why did she play with fire again?

“Master Denmark.” A waiter came to them. “Our master asked you to come over.”

Grandpa Anderson was looking for him? Joshua cocked an eyebrow. “What’s the matter?”

“I don’t know,” The servant said.

Joshua took Hazel by the hand, but the servant said in a dilemma, “Mr. Denmark, our master only invited you.”

Joshua furrowed his eyebrows.

“You may go.” Knowing that Joshua was worried about her, Hazel smiled. “He must have something too private to talk about, and it would not be convenient for me to be around. I’ll wait here until you come back.”

Joshua was still a little reluctant.

“Rest assured.” Hazel continued, “I’m not a kid, and it’s the Anderson family’s residence here. Why are you worried now that they’re so many people at the party?”

“I’m more worried because you’re not a kid.” Joshua couldn’t resist but laughed. “Ok then, don’t run about. I’ll come back to you after we are done talking.”

“Mmm.” She nodded.

Joshua followed the servant upstairs while Hazel waited for him very obediently. Noticing that Joshua left, several women not far away from Hazel discussed for a bit and then walked over to her.

“What’s your name, Miss?” the woman taking the lead.

Hazel was a little startled. Why did they come to talk to her?

“… My last name is Denmark,” she replied cautiously because she felt that these women must have a certain reason to be asking.

“Denmark?” A few women’s eyes lit up, and they asked quickly, “Are you the cousin of Mr. Denmark? Oh, nice to meet you…”

Then they jabbered their names.

It turned out that they came for Joshua. Hazel felt a little embarrassed.

Fortunately, she had been careful and did not tell them her real last name. Otherwise, if any sharp-eyed woman found out that Hazel was the one who had an affair with Joshua, they might tear her up.

Hazel didn’t remember any of their names, but she knew they were all Isaac’s cousins. Many of the ladies in the large families would have a commercial marriage, and Joshua was undoubtedly the best choice, so surely, they would try their best to soften her up.

“Miss Denmark, do you know what Mr. Denmark likes best?”

“What does he like for a gift?”

“What’s his hobby?”

***

Hazel had quite a headache as she was chased by a group of women asking questions about Joshua. How could she know all the answers? She did not know his preferences, like the back of her hand.

 

Chapter 128: Vanessa’s Lies

“I don’t know, either…” she answered instinctively. She was so embarrassed that she wanted to get rid of them, but the women kept following right behind her.

“How could you not know? Aren’t you the cousin of Mr. Denmark?”

“Yeah, and Mr. Denmark is willing to take you with him as his companion. You must have a great relationship!”

****

Hazel had a headache and frustration watching these ladies persevering.

“Sorry, I’m going to the bathroom.” Hazel was forced to make an excuse and ran off to the bathroom. Hazel let out a deep sigh of relief when she closed the door behind her. The ladies were so annoying that she did not want to see them again.

But where could she go now? As she came out of the bathroom and looked all around, a waiter came up to her and asked, “Are you, Miss Crowe?”

Hazel was stunned. How did he actually know her? She didn’t directly admit, “What’s the matter with you?”

“Mr. Denmark invited you over, saying he would give you a surprise,” the waiter said.

“Joshua?” She felt surprised.

Didn’t he go to talk to Grandpa Anderson? Had they talked that quickly? Did he go back to the hall and not see her, so he asked the waiter to look for her? Would he give her a surprise? What was he playing?

“Yes.” The waiter said, “Please follow me.”

“Ok.” She nodded.

The waiter took her to the garden behind the villa. The garden was huge and quiet, with an artificial lake that was flickering under the light.

A chill wind blew, and she suddenly felt awake.

Why could Joshua ask her to come here? A sudden surge of panic ran through her body, she began to tremble as she tried to slow her thoughts down.

Was it really Joshua who asked her out?

“Where on earth are you taking me?” she asked, looking around attentively.

“Right ahead.” The waiter pointed to the pavilion ahead, which was built on an artificial lake, and Hazel vaguely caught sight of a figure.

Was that really Joshua?

She walked toward the pavilion in disbelief while the waiter turned to go back to the house.

When she figured out who the person in the pavilion was, she was extremely speechless.

It wasn’t Joshua, but Vanessa. Hazel did not expect her to scheme by using his name, but Vanessa had. Hazel was speechless, thinking that Vanessa set her up, she really was a disturbed woman.

Hazel turned around to leave, the last time she met with Vanessa, she said everything that she felt needed to be said. There was no reason to meet with her again.

“Hazel!” Vanessa said her name. “Are you so afraid to see me?”

Afraid of seeing her? Hazel stopped. She twisted around and looked at Vanessa with a smirk.

There was only Vanessa Young, with none around. Hazel didn’t think Vanessa could hurt her.

“What do you want to do this time?” Hazel cocked an eyebrow.

“Don’t worry, and I just want to show you something.” Vanessa came up to her.

She opened her purse and took out a file.

“What is it?” Hazel asked in wonder.

“Don’t worry, Hazel,” Vanessa said, her face as sullen as ever in the dim light.

She lowered her head, but her eyes shone with a ferocious gleam. “Do you know why Joshua has to drive me out of Denmark Group and imperial capital?”

Hazel frowned in surprise. Why did Vanessa suddenly mention this?

Previously, Denmark Group arranged for Vanessa to go to another city; otherwise, they would dismiss her. Later, Vanessa chose to leave, and Hazel had very little knowledge of it.

Was that why Vanessa came to her? But that made no sense.

“I think you’re too boring…” said Hazel heartily.

There was a flash of anger on Vanessa’s face. She wanted to fight with Hazel. However, after sucking in a deep breath, she forcefully restrained the urge.

She was well-prepared today. She couldn’t be misled by Hazel once again, she had to have Hazel fall into her trap.

“It is because… I’m pregnant.” Vanessa said, her eyes sparkling with malice. “It’s Joshua’s baby.”

Vanessa was actually pregnant? And the baby was Joshua’s? No, that was impossible.

Her first sentence shocked Hazel a little, but the second one made her feel ridiculous.

“I’m three months pregnant,” Vanessa said, putting her hand on her still flat belly and looking at Hazel.

Then she quietly looked at Hazel. “I became pregnant that evening three months ago, that he will not admit to. Why do you think he has changed his attitude toward me during this time? It is because I am pregnant, and he thought the baby wasn’t his. He treated my family and me like that in order to force me not to keep the baby.”

Hazel was taken back and couldn’t comprehend what was happening.

What Vanessa said did not sound implausible, but she didn’t believe it.

“That’s just your one-sided observation,” Hazel said coolly. “I’m sorry, I can’t believe you.”

“That’s why I want to show you this.” A touch of malice flashed across Vanessa’s eyes rapidly before she handed a file to Hazel.

“What’s this?” Hazel took it blankly.

The lighting was dim, so Hazel took out her phone and turned on the flashlight above the file.

The sight of the handwriting on it tensed her up.

“I went to get a paternity test, and the baby in my belly really belongs to Joshua.” Vanessa said with hidden bitterness, “Hazel, I am pregnant with Joshua’s baby. Please leave him. Don’t let my baby be born without a father.”

There was exactly the paternity test report in Hazel’s hand, and the final results showed that Joshua was indeed the father of Vanessa’s baby!

How was that possible?!

Hazel’s hand trembled, and the paternity test report almost slipped from her fingers.

She came to her senses and looked again at the paternity test report on which there was clearly a hospital seal. It didn’t seem to be fake. She felt lightheaded looking at it, her thoughts were in complete chaos.

She didn’t believe in Vanessa, but the paternity test report was right in front of her. Suddenly, something occurred to her, and she asked in a deep voice, “Did you show it to Joshua?”

“Not yet,” Vanessa said with a smile full of expectation. “But I think he’ll come back to me when he sees it.”

“Your paternity test report is great, but I don’t believe it.” After sucking in a deep breath, Hazel said calmly, “Maybe even this test is fake. Since you haven’t shown it to Joshua, I’ll show it to him for you.”

No matter what Vanessa was up to, the truth would come out if she directly asked Joshua in person. Even if Vanessa gave her the paternity test report, Hazel would be willing to believe him.

 

Chapter 129: Vanessa’s Trap

With the paternity test report in her hands, Hazel was going to tell Joshua. Vanessa looked at Hazel, her face flashing a triumphant smile.

Noticing that Hazel was going to leave, Vanessa had a panic-stricken expression. She hurried to take the paternity test report away from Hazel. “Give it back to me! This is the surprise I want to give Joshua!”

Vanessa’s panic made Hazel more skeptical. She asked with doubt, “I don’t think you want Joshua to see that, do you? If it is true, isn’t it the same whoever shows it to him?”

“Give it back to me!” Vanessa shouted angrily.

She quickly grabbed the report.

Hazel furrowed her eyebrows slightly. The angrier Vanessa was, the more Hazel thought there was something wrong with the report. Realizing that Vanessa would do anything to get the report back, Hazel held it firmly in her hand and said, “Vanessa, why do I have a feeling that you are scared?”

“I am not! Ah!” Suddenly Vanessa let go of the report, and she staggered back two steps, she then fell into the lake behind her with a splash.

“Help! Help!” Vanessa cried, struggling in the lake.

“Help! Someone has fallen into the water!” Suddenly, someone stood at the door of the hall and shouted.

Suddenly, many of the guests came out of the hall and walked towards the lake. The garden lights turned on, and the garden was suddenly as bright as day. Several people rushed past Hazel, plunging into the lake and swimming in Vanessa’s direction.

As they swam to reach Vanessa, Hazel had an uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach. She sensed that Vanessa had fallen into the water on purpose. Did Vanessa intend to frame her in this way?

Vanessa was quickly saved, but she lay on the ground by the lake, apparently unconscious.

Several people surrounded them, muttering blankly, “What happened?”

“Please make way.” Suddenly, a gloomy voice came, and the crowd quickly cleared a pathway.

Sam walked through the crowd. He looked at Vanessa, who was sitting shivering by the lake, and Hazel. Then he immediately asked a servant to make an emergency call, he looked as if he were the owner of Anderson Residence. After that, he asked, with a gloomy expression, “What happened?”

“I saw it happen!” A man suddenly came out from the crowd. Then he pointed to Hazel and raised his voice. “I just went for a walk in the garden and saw the two of them arguing. The young lady then shoved her into the lake.”

“How could she shove a lady into a lake on such a cold day even if there is a fight?”

“Yes, this woman looks beautiful. But why is she so wicked?”

***

“Miss Crowe, what’s your grudge against Miss Young?” Sam frowned with a scolding voice.

Hazel pressed her lips tightly. “I didn’t! I did not push her, she jumped in herself!”

No one would believe her no matter what she said to defend herself, but she had to try, she would definitely be regarded as guilty.

The whispers grew louder, and apparently, they didn’t believe her words at all.

“Miss Crowe, don’t you think what you said is ridiculous?” Sam said discontentedly, “Both of you are guests of the Anderson family. If you have any misunderstanding, please let me know. I can mediate for both of you.”

“I…” Hazel suddenly felt very cold.

He didn’t mean well at all. He was clearly trying to make things worse in front of so many people.

“I just saw that they were fighting over something,” said the “witness”, who suddenly took the report away from Hazel’s hand.

After opening it, he said after casting a glance, “Paternity test report? Is Miss Young, who has fallen into the water, pregnant? And the baby belongs to Joshua! I see. This woman must have known that Miss Young is pregnant with Mr. Denmark’s baby, so she shoved Vanessa into the lake intentionally to make her have a miscarriage, right?”

“I just wonder why she seems so familiar. Isn’t she the companion of Mr. Denmark?”

“Yeah, didn’t she just have an affair with him?”

“What a wicked woman she is! How could she deserve Mr. Joshua?”

***

Everyone started to accuse Hazel, and various kinds of charges left her speechless.

Everyone turned away from Hazel when Vanessa, who had supposedly been unconscious, started coughing and woke up.

It was very coincidental that she woke up at that moment, she immediately put her hands on her stomach and cried out with a mournful expression, “My baby, my baby… Hazel, how could you be so vicious? Did I lose my baby? Help me…”

A crowd of onlookers shouted, “Ambulance, call an ambulance!”

“Call the police! By the way, call the police! The wicked woman must not be allowed to get away with it!”

Hazel felt cold, and then she realized what a perfect trap she had fallen into. The paternity test report wasn’t the point, Vanessa had planned to fight with her and deliberately fall into the water.

Furthermore, Sam must have been Vanessa’s accomplice. Otherwise, he would not be accusing Hazel, and it was very likely, Vanessa had arranged the “witness,” and he had known the contents of the report before he even read it.

In the eyes of others, it could be said that the evidence was conclusive. That was — Hazel was jealous and deliberately shoved Vanessa into the water to make her miscarry.

With the evidence and Vanessa’s excellent acting, Hazel didn’t have a chance to defend herself at all.

She was desperate. It all happened so fast that it was like it had been rehearsed countless times without giving her any chance to defend herself.

“What’s wrong?” A deep, familiar voice came in, and Hazel felt happy instantly and then extremely wronged.

Everyone made way for him as Joshua walked through the crowd. He was slightly stunned to see Hazel standing by the lake.

“What’s the matter?” He strode over to her.

“I…” she tried to speak but was interrupted by Vanessa’s pitiful and miserable cry.

“Joshua, our baby… Oh, my stomach hurts so much. We may have lost our baby…” Still putting hands on her stomach, Vanessa cried sadly.

“Baby?” Joshua looked at her sarcastically as if he had heard a big joke.

“Mr. Denmark, Miss Young is really pregnant with your baby!” The “witness” went up again and handed the paternity test report to him. “I saw Miss Young give it to Miss Crowe, who then angrily shoved Vanessa towards the water!”

“Joshua, I didn’t. You must believe me!” Hazel said nervously.

It didn’t matter even if the world didn’t believe her, as long as he believed her.

 

Chapter 130: What A Sinister Hoax

Joshua looked at the report in his hand, and his face darkened a little.

The report was clearly a joke. He looked at the man who had just handed it to him, then recognized him, he was a reporter for a news website.

In an instant, Joshua was worried and thought there had to be something wrong with this incident. The paternity test report was unshakable testimony, and a reporter happened to see the report.

Presumably, this had been known to the media, who even might have prepared the press release before the incident ever happened.

It was a trap, and it was targeting him.

With the report around, no matter how he clarified the situation, others would still think Vanessa’s baby was his. If anything happened to Vanessa’s baby, he couldn’t defend himself.

Joshua’s eyes were deep and angry, he already knew what Vanessa was up to. She was likely trying to get rid of the baby, but she wanted to accuse Hazel of causing it and then slander him falsely.

What a sinister hoax!

Joshua looked at Vanessa, who was still sadly sobbing. The dress became transparent and clung to her after she was pulled out of the water.

He looked down and could not help narrowing his eyes. Vanessa put her hands on her belly, but there was no blood between her legs.

It appeared that the baby in her womb was fine, but she was going to act as if the baby was miscarried. It was nothing but an act for the media.

It was only in a blink of an eye that he had thought through all this and known how to deal with it. His only chance to prove his innocence was to make sure the baby survived.

He strode up to Vanessa and picked her up by the waist.

Vanessa’s face was full of disbelief.

How could Joshua hold her so tightly? He had never been so kind to her, Vanessa was silent with delight, but then she came to her senses and cried more miserably in Joshua’s arms, “Joshua, our child…”

Hazel looked at him in disbelief. Her hand was trying to grab his sleeve, but she got a hand full of air. She stood there in a daze, looking helpless.

Didn’t Joshua believe her?

Why did he suddenly become… someone who she didn’t know at all… after seeing the paternity test report?

Maybe… No, she couldn’t guess randomly. She should trust him.

Joshua held Vanessa, who was still crying, as his gaze swept over Hazel with a little worry.

There were too many people here now, so he couldn’t say much, let alone explain it.

“Hazel,” Joshua whispered as he reached her with Vanessa, “ask Isaac to get you home. I will be taking her to the hospital. The baby in her womb must be protected.”

Joshua left, walking quickly with Vanessa in his arms. Sam followed and told the servant to help them prepare a car.

Hazel stumbled and looked white as a sheet.

What did Joshua mean?

Even if Vanessa had handed the report to her and Joshua had chosen to carry Vanessa, she was still willing to believe him.

Having said that, she could not deceive herself even if she did not want to think too much when she saw Joshua care so much about Vanessa’s baby.

The others who were standing there kept looking over at Hazel, smirking.

“Mr. Denmark is so worried about Miss Young, it seems that Miss Young’s baby is really his, right?”

“Sure! If it weren’t his, why would he care about Vanessa?”

“Chickens, come home to roost! Fortunately, Mr. Denmark saw through her!”

“That’s it! How could this woman who wants to kill his baby deserve him? Mr. Denmark didn’t want to talk to her at all now!”

Each of the harsh and unkind words was stabbing Hazel in the heart like a knife. She never knew that her heart could hurt so much.

Hazel never really cared what others thought of her, but she felt their judging eyes on her and had no place to hide.

Humiliated, she desperately wanted to leave, but the people didn’t seem to want to let her go, and they kept surrounding her, unwilling to make way for her.

“Bitch!”

There was someone in the crowd cursing, and then a stone flew and hit her on the head. Hazel raised her head hastily, and another stone hit her little finger. She could help but gasp with pain.

Her finger felt like it was swelling, but she didn’t have to stop and look at it. It seemed the onlookers had been encouraged, and many of them also picked up stones. “Let’s teach her a lesson! The wicked woman!”

Hazel had never been in such a tight corner and had never been victimized physically, she could always fight back, but her heart was breaking, and her mind was turned upside down with what just happened.

She instinctively covered her head to protect it from the stones that were being thrown at her. Suddenly, a figure appeared in front of her, she froze expecting to be hit, but he helped protect her from the stones.

She raised her head delightfully, but she was disappointed, it wasn’t Joshua.

It was Isaac, who had just arrived and helped her.

“What are you doing? Courting death?!” Isaac protected her, growling.

The people seemed to snap back to reality as soon as they realized it was Isaac and put down their stones in shame.

“Who thought doing this was a good idea?” Isaac’s face was full of anger.

Everyone bowed their heads, but no one admitted to it.

“Isaac, forget it. Let’s go,” Hazel whispered, she really wanted to leave and not be there any longer than she needed to be.

“… Ok, let’s go.” Isaac put his arm around her, he had started to lead her away when he suddenly stopped and looked coldly at the group. “You’ll pay for it!”

Hazel got into Isaac’s car and looked out of the window in a trance.

Isaac furrowed his brows and couldn’t help asking, “Hazel, what happened? Joshua called me suddenly and asked me to get you home. Where’s he now?”

“I don’t know. Don’t ask me,” she said wearily. She didn’t want to think about anything right now.

“What exactly happened ?” Isaac frowned irritably. “Hazel, do you still think of me as a friend?”

Hazel had a horrible headache, she held out her hands and rubbed her forehead before replying impatiently, “I really don’t know.”

Isaac was in the dark, he sighed. “Alright, let me know when you are ready.”

Hazel dropped her eyes, downcast. “Vanessa Young showed me a paternity test report showing that her baby was Joshua’s. Then she fell into the water herself but said I had pushed her. Then Joshua came, and when he saw the report, he took Vanessa to the hospital. That’s all.”

She thought by saying it all as quickly as possible, it would hurt less, but it didn’t help, Hazel felt as if each of them was stabbing her in the heart.