Ch. 171..180

Chapter 171: Don’t Stop Me

In the end, they agreed with Joshua’s arrangement. They returned to their temporary Swan Lake residence community with Hazel, leaving all the rest to Joshua.

Even though Hazel had tried her best to comfort them, how could Harry and Rachel let go of their worries? They didn’t even have the mental energy to talk about the relationship between Hazel and Joshua.

Waiting like this was not good, it only gave them time to think. Rachel and Harry called Hazel and said, “Hazel, do you know where Nadine lives?”

Hazel was surprised, “Dad, Mom, are you going to find her?”

Rachel frowned, “This thing was somehow started by her, right? I heard Eddy sought trouble with your brother because of her. Let’s go find her and make her testify for your brother. Isn’t it a good idea?”

“I’m afraid she won’t help.” Hazel sighed.

After the incident, she heard Nadine left immediately. If she really had the intention to help, she would have at least gone to the police station to make a statement, but she did not. Obviously, she wanted to stay out of this.

“How will we know if we haven’t tried?” Harry sighed.

“Okay, I’m going to find out where she lives.” Hazel reluctantly agreed.

Hazel called Joshua, and Joshua quickly found the address and sent it to her.

Nadine also received news of Eddy’s death and quickly started packing her belongings and prepared to leave the capital.

When Hazel and her parents reached the address, they saw Nadine was leaving with her suitcase. The Crowe family stopped her, but just as Hazel had speculated, Nadine was unwilling to help.

“Miss Reed,” Rachel said in a pleading tone, “We just hope that you can stay and tell the police the truth. That’s all.”

Nadine said impatiently, “What does this have to do with me? It was your son who fought with Eddy. If he didn’t fight back, things would not have been so horrible. And he even makes me have to… forget it. Just get out of my way. Don’t stop me!”

The Crowe family’s faces suddenly became extremely threatening. Hazel was infuriated.

“Miss Reed, if you did not pester my brother, how would this have happened?” Hazel said coldly, “If you already had a sugar daddy, why did you confess your feelings to my brother? I can honestly say, were you the one picking up fights from start to finish.”

“What are you talking about?” Nadine glared at her, “Even if I confessed to him, I didn’t ask him to kill anybody! He killed a man. Shouldn’t he be arrested? Now you still want to blame me for what he did. The entire Crowe family is just so evil!”

“You…” Rachel was angry. She wanted to say something but was stopped by Hazel.

“Mom, forget it.” Hazel shook her head. When it came to this, Harry and Rachel certainly knew that Nadine would not help.

They had no choice but to let her go, Nadine snorted and pulled her suitcase past them.

Suddenly, a young woman with a large group of people appeared across the street.

Nadine was about to walk past them when the woman grabbed Nadine’s hair and slapped her in the face.

“How dare you…” Nadine angrily glared at the woman, but then she realized who the woman was, she couldn’t help but feel guilty. The woman was none other than Eddy’s wife. Nadine had not met her, but she recognizes her from pictures.

“You slutty bitch!” The young woman gave Nadine another slap, “You seduced my husband, and my husband was killed!”

Nadine still wanted to resist, but the men behind the young woman pinned her down and then punched and kicked her.

“Save me! Hazel, save me…” Nadine hurriedly called Hazel for help.

Rachel wanted to go forward, but Hazel stopped her. Hazel looked at Nadine and said coldly, “What does this have to do with me? You are the bitch who destroyed another family. Don’t you deserve to be beaten by the wife?”

Hearing these words from Hazel, Nadine was suddenly mad. She angrily yelled at Eddy’s wife, “Why are you going after me? It’s them, the Crowe family who killed your husband! You are just not capable of beating your true enemies, huh?”

Harry and Rachel’s faces turned white. They didn’t expect Nadine would be such an awful person!

“Hey! You still want to make mischief?” The young woman slapped Nadine’s face again.

“Dad, Mom, let’s go,” Hazel said coldly.

“Yeah.” The two agreed with a grimace on their face. They had thought about helping Nadine for a moment, but not anymore.

When they left, Rachel sighed in disappointment, “I thought I could help Ronald, but I didn’t expect…”

“Mom, don’t worry. It doesn’t matter if this lead doesn’t work. We still got Joshua.” Hazel whispered.

Harry and Rachel stared at her. Hazel was stunned, and she suddenly said,

“You don’t want to let Joshua help?”

Harry and Rachel looked at each other, embarrassed. They came to Nadine, not that they didn’t think about the possibility of being rejected, but they didn’t want to owe Joshua anything.

“Mom, Dad, please, can you hear me out?” Hazel said with a serious look, “What time is it now? Can you put aside the prejudice against Joshua?”

“We’ll try,” Harry said slyly. “Hazel, can you ask him if he is willing to come over for dinner tonight?”

Hazel looked at them in confusion, then quickly nodded.

Although Crowe’s family asked Joshua to dinner because they needed help from him, it also represented a change in their attitude towards Joshua.

Hazel dialed Joshua’s number he quickly answered. She asked her immediately, “Joshua, are you free tonight? My parents want to invite you to dinner.”

Joshua was surprised and raised his eyebrows. He said softly, “Of course. If my father-in-law and mother-in-law want to invite me to dinner, I have all the time in the world for this dinner.”

Hazel’s face suddenly turned red, and she hurriedly said, “Then come over at 7 o’clock tonight. Remember, do not be late. My parents dislike people who don’t respect time.”

“Well, I will be there,” Joshua whispered.

“Okay good, I still got other things to worry about.” Hazel frowned. She said with some concern, “If Eddy’s death was due to fighting in the Kim family, I am afraid that someone will rush to kill my brother to keep the truth in the dark!”

 

Chapter 172: Don’t Stop Me

Hazel thought that if Ronald had any kind of accident, then Mrs. Kim would have no reason to pursue anything further, and the real murderer would have peace of mind. The real murderer might even take the risk of taking Ronald out.

“Hazel, don’t worry.” Joshua whispered, “I have already warned the police and let them pay more attention to your brother’s safety, and also arranged my men to secretly protect him. If someone really wants to do it, he will fall into our hands.”

Hazel breathed a sigh of relief. It turned out that Joshua had thought of everything, and with his promise, Ronald’s safety was guaranteed.

“And, you remember what time to be here for dinner?” She whispered.

“Yes, seven.” Joshua smiled and promised again.

****

At seven o’clock in the evening, the doorbell rang. Joshua arrived on time, Hazel was delighted.

“I am going to open the door!” She yelled.

Watching her rush by like a gust of wind to the door, Harry and Rachel, who was preparing dinner, had some inexplicable feelings. But it was a special situation, and they could not say anything.

Hazel opened the door and saw Joshua standing outside the door with a gift in his hand.

“Come in.” She took the gift from his hand. “What did you bring?”

“Coffee,” Joshua whispered.

Joshua had done his research and found out that both Harry and Rachel liked coffee very much.

“It’s a good gift.” Hazel looked at the coffee in her hand and shouted at

Harry and Rachel, “Mom, Dad, Joshua brought you coffee.”

Harry and Rachel looked at the two with some hesitation. Joshua took Hazel’s hand intimately, and Hazel allowed him.

“See coffee! Look!” Hazel took the coffee in front of them.

“A gift…” Rachel said she wanted to refuse it immediately, but when her eyes fell on the coffee, she couldn’t help but sigh, “This is… Blue Mountain Coffee?”

Harry’s face also changed, and he carefully took the coffee. He then said,

“This aroma… is much thicker than the ordinary blue mountain coffee.”

“Well,” Joshua said faintly, “This is made from coffee beans grown above the altitude of 2, 100 meters. I don’t know too much about coffee. I heard Hazel said that you are both good at this, so I think this coffee found the true masters.”

Harry shook his hand and almost threw the coffee. Rachel and Harry couldn’t speak. Harry took a deep breath and pushed the coffee back, “No, it’s too expensive. We can’t accept it.”

“It’s not about the price. It’s about Joshua’s thoughtfulness. You should accept it.” Hazel advised.

Seeing the hesitant look of her parents, Hazel sighed, “Hey guys, what’s the matter with you? It’s just coffee, some kind of drink, right? It’s nothing to Joshua.”

Hazel said with a smile, “Check his Maybach parked outside. That’s a limited edition. Are you disappointed because he did not give you guys a villa, so you won’t make the coffee?”

“Hazel is right.” Joshua smiled lightly.

Her parents could not say anything anymore…

“Girls will be girls…” Rachel was very unhappy, Hazel took Joshua’s side, with no sign of backing down.

“Mr. and Mrs. Crowe,” as if he knew what the two were worried about, Joshua said faintly, “This is just a gift from a younger generation to the two elders. It doesn’t mean anything.”

Rachel was still hesitant, and Harry sighed, “If that’s the case, then yeah, thank you, I’ll take it.”

“Harry!” Rachel looked at him with awkwardness and couldn’t help but whisper, “We can’t accept…”

“I know what you mean.” Harry whispered, “It’s not about the price or what kind of gift it is. You are afraid that if we accept it, it will look like we have accepted Joshua. But look, Hazel’s mind is all on Joshua. What else can we do?”

Rachel was utterly speechless as she agreed to accept the gift.

After a little more conversation, they sat down at the table. Hazel naturally sat next to Joshua.

“Hazel, come and sit here.” Rachel pointed to the chair next to her.

“No need, Mom, I can sit here.” Hazel waved her hand.

Rachel suddenly wanted to send her to her room. How could she act so horny in front of her parents?

“Joshua, try my mother’s cooking, it’s great!” Hazel said proudly.

Rachel’s anger dissipated. Harry looked at the two and said, “It’s a pity that Hazel knows nothing about cooking. Rachel and I had worried about it before. I assume that no one would want to marry her.”

“It doesn’t matter, Joshua has a chef at home.” Hazel calmly answered to the pecking, “Moreover, he wouldn’t mind if I only do the eating.”

Hazel smiled and looked at Joshua.

“Yeah.” He nodded softly, “She is right.”

Harry was flabbergasted. It looked like their daughter had really grown up. And what’s more, Hazel sounded as if she was about to marry Joshua.

“What if the home chef is not available?” Harry put on a poker face.

“That’s fine.” Joshua faintly smiled, “I know a little about cooking. Hazel won’t get hungry.”

Rachel almost choked, the two of them were utterly shocked. They originally wanted to let Joshua see Hazel’s defects, but he actually… sounded like a house-husband, and he spoiled Hazel so much. Joshua was much harder to cope with than they thought.

Besides, there were more important issues to be dealt with. Rachel asked nervously, “Joshua, did you check on the situation at the hospital?”

Joshua frowned at the situation, Hazel’s parents were still alienated from him. He would have to take it slow, they had asked him to have dinner, which did not represent anything, but he still held on to hope.

He sighed, “It has been checked. Eddy’s death was due to a sudden heart attack.”

“Did he have heart disease?” Harry asked nervously.

“Yeah.” Joshua nodded.

Harry and Rachel suddenly felt a little cold.

Eddy died of a heart attack, and Ronald probably couldn’t get the charges dropped.

According to Kim’s family’s words in the police station, they would definitely find a way to put his death on Ronald. They would say that the fight with Ronald caused a heart attack.

 

Chapter 173: Which Hospital Is On Fire?

“What should I do now?” Rachel asked with helplessness in her voice. The Kim family was rich and powerful, and she did not see any hope to save Ronald.

“Dad, Mom, don’t worry,” Hazel muttered, “Even if he had a heart attack, it might not have been caused by Ronald. I have always felt that there was something suspicious about the entire thing.”

“Hazel is right.” Joshua said faintly, “It’s very likely to be a murder. There are many people in Kim’s family who wanted Eddy to die in an accident. Harry, you are a doctor, and I have something to ask you.”

“Go ahead.” Harry was focused

“Is there any possibility to make it look like he died of a heart attack, and even the forensic expert can be fooled by the evidence, but it was really a murder?” Joshua asked calmly.

“Yes.” Harry said, “There are several ways to achieve this. The simplest and least noticeable is to inject air into the patient’s vein quickly. The injection of 100 to 200 ml of air can cause the patient’s heartbeat to stop, and the patient will die in less than one minute or two. By doing that, the deceased looks like he had a heart attack. Are you saying…”

“Well.” Joshua nodded. He then asked, “Can the autopsy detect the truth?”

“Yes,” Harry said. “After the autopsy, you can see if the deceased was murdered.”

“That’s good.” Joshua said faintly, “Please understand that the police have arranged for an autopsy. I have also convinced Mrs. Kim, and she will cooperate with the police to find out the truth as soon as possible. I believe the results will come out in the next day or two.”

Harry and Rachel were stunned even before they asked for help from Joshua, and he had arranged things thoughtfully. Joshua asked Harry questions not because of being uninformed of the situation. He just did that to make them feel at ease.

The impression they had of Joshua was getting more complicated. Although their will of separating Joshua and Hazel was still unyielding, they had to admit that Joshua was good.

“Joshua,” Hazel said, “I think Eddy may have been killed in the hospital just after he arrived. One of the hospital’s doctors or nurses could be the murderer. I think the police should investigate them and see who’s connected to the Kim family behind the scenes.”

“We are looking in the same direction. But if the police were to intervene now, we might spook the murderer.” Joshua said faintly.

“However, you can rest assured that I have secretly investigated.”

“You are really thoughtful.” Hazel continued, “But if I was a murderer, I would destroy the corpse as soon as possible. I think we should send someone to guard Eddy’s body, just in case.”

“Well, good advice. I will get Jaxson to arrange it as soon as possible.” Joshua nodded.

Harry and Rachel stared at the two talking, their mouths wide open. For a moment, they did not recognize Hazel anymore.

They had always seen Hazel as an obedient child, even as she was growing up day by day, in their eyes, she was still a child to be spoiled by them.

But now, when they encountered such a big thing, and both of them were helpless, Hazel calmly handled the situation, discussing with Joshua the details they had never thought of.

Hazel had really grown up, and she was smarter and more capable than they thought. She was no longer a child.

Was this Hazel’s own growth, or because of the influence from Joshua? The two were somewhat ashamed.

“Try the seafood salad my mom made,” Hazel said to Joshua with a bit of pride, “This is my mom’s signature dish, especially delicious!”

Harry and Rachel looked at each other, stunned. Hazel regained her usual appearance as if the calmness and wisdom she had shown just now was just an illusion.

After the meal was finished, Harry and Rachel relaxed, and Hazel said she was going to walk Joshua out, she expected her parents to object, but they didn’t.

Hazel walked him out to his car, Joshua glanced at the gate of the villa.

“Hazel,” He whispered, “There is something I have long wanted to do.”

Hazel looked at him blankly. “What?”

The next moment, she was in Joshua’s arms. He kissed her with a familiar breath.

At the end of the kiss, Hazel shyly looked at his chest and said, “You… be careful. My parents may run out and hit you.”

“I checked. They are not coming out.” Joshua chuckled.

“Now go!” Hazel hit his arm, Joshua got into the car.

“Be careful on the road.”

“Well, go in.” He whispered. “I will call you when I get home.”

Hazel stood by the car, but Joshua didn’t make any attempt to leave. She couldn’t help but urge him, “It’s too late. You should go now.”

“You go back in first.” He said faintly.

“Why?” She wondered.

“Hazel,” Joshua said softly, “Ladies first.”

“Ok…” She turned and walked back. She could feel the gentle eyes of Joshua at her back.

Watching her enter the villa, Joshua drove away.

***

The next day, the Crowe Family and Joshua went to the police station together. When they arrived, they heard a policeman shouting, “This is not good! The hospital just called and said that the morgue had a fire!”

Rachel only saw black in front of her, she felt lightheaded but quickly recovered, and she grabbed the policeman. “Which hospital is on fire?”

The policeman appeared to have just got the job. Being caught by Rachel, he stuttered, “The one that the deceased, Eddy Kim, is at. The hospital he…”

“How could a morgue be on fire?!” Harry asked anxiously.

“How, how would I know?” The little policeman said, “I heard that the place is now in a mess. I think someone deliberately set fire to it…”

Rachel almost collapsed, and Harry hurriedly held her steady, but his face also looked very nasty.

The morgue was on fire, and it seemed just as Hazel expected, someone wanted to destroy the corpse. If something happened to Eddy’s body, the truth of this case would be buried, and the cost would be Ronald spending his life in prison.

 

Chapter 174: Can We Leave With Him?

Hazel spun around to look at Joshua, he was feeling helpless. He asked the policeman, “What is the exact situation? You should make that clear first.”

“What is the situation?” The little policeman couldn’t figure it out.

“You didn’t work overtime to do an autopsy last night?” Joshua asked.

Harry and Rachel had already been feeling desperate, and when they heard his words, they suddenly became inconsolable. They grabbed the little policeman again and asked eagerly, “Really? Have you ever done an autopsy?”

“Yes, yes,” the little policeman said in a panic, “The results have all been analyzed.”

“But you just said that the morgue was burned?” Harry asked blankly.

“It was burned, but that didn’t affect the autopsy.” Realizing that they might have misunderstood something, the little policeman hurriedly explained, “The hospital cooperated with our autopsy work. They transferred the body to another place. What was left and burned in the morgue were only fake mannequins.”

“So why did you shout just now?” Hazel was speechless. She was very assured by Joshua, but the policeman scared the hell out of her.

“Come, come on. I just could not imagine who would dare to burn the morgue in the hospital…” said the little policeman.

They were all relieved.

“Fortunately, things are still under control.” Harry wiped the cold sweat on his forehead.

“What about the autopsy report?” Rachel asked.

“You wait here. I will fetch it.” The little policeman said and ran away.

They did not wait too long before the sheriff personally handed the autopsy report to them.

Rachel and Harry rushed to take the report and read it.

The director said, “We have checked. The right ventricle of the deceased has a chamber of air that was artificially injected, which caused the false appearance of a heart attack. We have also found out that the murderer was a nurse in the hospital, bought by the Kim family’s illegitimate son. We’ve already set out to apprehend the real murderer…”

“It’s your job to capture the murderer.” Joshua interrupted him calmly, “Now we have proved that Ronald is innocent. Can we leave with him?”

“Sure.” the sheriff hurriedly said. “We will release him right now.”

Ronald was quickly brought out. When Harry and Rachel saw him, they excitedly embraced him.

Hazel’s eyes were burning. When she saw Ronald, she felt relieved.

In the past two days, she was actually anxious, but when she saw the sad appearance of Harry and Rachel, she could do nothing but calm herself.

Fortunately, Joshua was with her and helped her deal with this complex situation.

Joshua hugged her softly, patted her back, and Hazel leaned on his chest.

Ronald whispered a few words to his parents and looked up and saw the intimate look of Joshua and Hazel. He was disheartened.

As they left the police station, Joshua’s driver drove the car over.

“Let’s go, I’ll take you home,” Joshua whispered.

Without hearing the response of others, Ronald preempted, “No need to worry, Master Joshua, we can take a taxi back.”

Harry and Rachel were a little embarrassed. They knew that Ronald didn’t want Hazel and Joshua to be together. However, Joshua pulled strings to help clear Ronald’s suspicion of murder, then, as soon as he got out, he wanted to cut ties with him.

“What’s the trouble? Calling a taxi is trouble.” Hazel said and opened the car door, impatiently saying, “Dad, Mom, come on. If my brother wants to take a taxi, let him go.”

Harry and Rachel looked at Ronald, looked at Hazel again, and finally got into the car. They couldn’t do anything too daring.

Ronald couldn’t help but frown, his parents were not as re. His parents were not as repelled by Joshua as before. He had no choice but to get into the car.

Joshua took them back to the Swan Lake residence community. After thanking Joshua again, Harry did not ask him to stay. Joshua knew that the Crowe family must have a lot to say now.

After he left, Harry and Rachel quickly pulled Ronald into the villa.

The Crowe family called Hazel into the living room. All of them looked serious. Hazel sensed something not good but asked, “Dad, Mom, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing, sit down, we just want to talk to you.” Rachel said.

Hazel sat opposite them.

“Hazel, this time, we have to thank Joshua.” Harry said, “Without his help, your brother would not have come back so soon. We can see that he is indeed a very good young man.”

“Of course!” Hazel was a little happy. Her parents finally changed their attitude toward Joshua.

“But–” Harry paused, and he sighed, “You two still can’t be together. We have already bought the ticket. Tomorrow, you will follow your brother back to City S. Don’t talk to Joshua anymore.”

Hazel was flabbergasted.

She did not expect her parents to accept Joshua because of this incident, but she did not think that their attitude would still be determined. And they actually planned to take her away so soon.

“Dad!” Hazel hurriedly said, “He helped us so much. Why won’t you agree to us being together?”

“His help is one thing. It’s another thing if you are together or not.”

Rachel said, “If we agree with you because of his help, then would we call it selling our daughter?”

“Not selling. How about I say I’m free to him, okay?” Hazel growled.

“You fool! How can you say that?” Rachel was about to hit Hazel, but she was stopped by Harry.

Harry’s face was a bit nasty, “Hazel, why are you so unruly?”

“What gives you the illusion that I am so reserved?” Hazel thought over and said thoughtfully, “I was reserved in the beginning, but I didn’t like it.”

“Rachel just hit her. I won’t stop you.” Harry was infuriated.

“Domestic violence is illegal, Mom. I will call the police!” Hazel quickly jumped over the sofa. Rachel had taught her CQC skills.

“I am the police!” Rachel said with a dark face.

“You are going to break the law when you know the law. Then I, I…” Hazel looked at her with anger and sorrow and finally said helplessly, “I can only cry for myself!”

 

Chapter 175: I Want Both Sides

Rachel burst into laughter, “Okay, get your ass over here and sit down!”

Hazel did as she was told and sat back again.

“Mom, Dad, please let’s talk about it,” Hazel said earnestly.

Looking at their daughter, who suddenly grew up, the two looked at each other and nodded.

“Why don’t you agree with Joshua and me?” Hazel asked.

“Hazel, it’s not easy to be proper in a rich and powerful family.” Harry said seriously, “Joshua is good, but his position is too high, and you are too weak. If you are with him, I am afraid you will face too many enemies. At that time, he may not be able to protect you. Even if you ignore it, this problem will always exist.”

“You are right.” Hazel nodded in agreement.

Rachel and Harry breathed a sigh of relief. Their daughter was finally showing she did have some reasoning left in her.

But Hazel continued, “So I’ve decided, I’m going to be stronger as soon as possible. The stronger I am, the more bullets I can take. At that time, I didn’t need Joshua’s protection. Maybe he needs protection from me someday!”

Looking at Hazel’s stubborn expression, her parents’ faces became dim.

“Hazel! Do you really think this is a child’s play?” Rachel was angry and anxious, “You see how Eddy died so suddenly. If you encounter this kind of thing, what do you want us to do? Instead of letting you cross the tightrope on a cliff, I would rather you marry an ordinary person and live a safe life!”

Hazel was a little moved. She knew that Rachel and Harry disagreed with her and Joshua only because they worried about her.

However, no matter what kind of conspiracy was ahead, she had to bear it.

She was the daughter of the Denmark Family. But all these years, Joshua was standing in her position, taking all the bullets for her. She could not let this situation continue.

“Dad, Mom, I know you only mean good for me.” Hazel took a deep breath and said sincerely, “But I’ve decided to be with him, and I am ready for any cost. And, I believe Joshua. As long as I work with him, everything can be overcome!”

The two were stunned. Rachel was so angry that she wanted to beat Hazel.

Hazel dodged her, but Rachel grabbed her cell phone.

Rachel said to Ronald, “Ronald, take her upstairs and lock her up! We are taking her away tomorrow!”

Hazel’s eyes widened in shock, and she yelled, “How can you do this to me! It’s unfair!”

Hazel kicked and screamed while Ronald pulled her to her room.

“This is not good…” Harry said helplessly.

“Of course, it’s not good.” Rachel sighed, “But what else can I do now? Anyway, let’s bring her back to City S first.”

Upstairs, seeing Ronald locking the door, Hazel hurriedly pulled the doorknob and said, “Brother, Joshua saved you! We still owe him a formal ‘thank you.'”

“You can be sure, it’s just the two of us going back, and our parents will stay and thank him,” Ronald said faintly.

Hazel was speechless. That was by no means her focus.

“Hazel, why do you have to be with Joshua?” Ronald’s eyes were dark. “Is Joshua more important to you than us?”

“Brother, please don’t make me answer a choice question, okay?” Hazel was miserable.

“If you have to choose one side?” Ronald looked at her.

“Then you will regret it.” Hazel’s eyes blinked, “You guys spoiled me too much! Now I am very greedy. I want both sides!”

Hazel slammed the door closed.

Ronald looked at the closed door after Hazel slammed it in his face, as he thought that Hazel was going to choose Joshua and now he didn’t know what to say.

Hazel sat in her room crying. She was locked in, her phone was confiscated, and she had no way to contact Joshua.

She was not going to sit and wait. If she were taken back to City S by Ronald, Joshua would indeed chase them, but then she would be mortified if they got in a fight.

She had to find a way to escape and find a way to let the Crowe family meet.

Joshua once again. Her parents were still feeling grateful and guilty because of Joshua’s help, so it was a good time for them to meet.

She couldn’t leave through the main entrance, she was no match for either Rachel or Ronald.

Hazel went to the balcony and looked at the ground, she had an idea.

She left a note in the room and listened to the movement downstairs for a long time. She then tied the bed sheet to the railing and climbed down it.

Later in the evening, Rachel put dinner on a tray and walked upstairs with Ronald to deliver it to Hazel.

Ronald opened the door. Rachel said softly, “Hazel, I made your favorite food…”

Looking at the empty room, she stopped mid-sentence.

She put down the dinner tray and picked up the note on the table. She suddenly became furious. “Ronald, come with me! Let’s go to Denmark Residence and bring this little girl home!”

Ronald went to the balcony and saw the sheets tied to the railing.

Hazel actually ran away? She would never pull this thing before, that was probably why they were unprepared.

Hearing Rachel’s voice, Ronald returned to the room. “Mom, what’s wrong?”

Rachel handed the note to him, he looked at it and was silent for a few moments.

“Mom, maybe Hazel just wrote this to scare us.” Ronald analyzed.

Rachel yelled, “Now she is obsessed with Joshua. Call your dad. Let’s go find her now!”

Ronald called out to Harry, and the three of them left immediately for Denmark’s Residence.

***

Hazel was at Denmark Residence, after she escaped, she borrowed a passerby’s cell phone to call Joshua. He picked her up soon after and took her to Denmark Residence for dinner. She was sitting on the sofa relaxing, waiting for the arrival of her family.

“You just ran away?” Joshua was helpless, “I will take you back later.”

“No need,” Hazel shook her head, “My parents should arrive soon.”

 

Chapter 176: Make It Happens First

“Are you sure they will come instead of going home because of anger?” He raised eyebrows.

“Don’t worry, I left them a note,” Hazel said with a smile.

“What did you write on the note?” Joshua was somewhat curious. What kind of message was it that would make Crowe’s family hurry to find her?

“I wrote…” Hazel suddenly smiled. The next moment, she pinned Joshua down on the sofa.

“Well?” Joshua looked at her in surprise.

With a naughty smile on his face, Hazel took a bite on his lips. “I went to Joshua to have a baby! You don’t come to me, I will take your little grandson back to you guys next year!”

“Hazel!!!” Rachel’s outraged voice came.

Hearing this familiar voice, Hazel was so frightened that she suddenly rolled off the sofa.

Joshua hurriedly reached for her, and he fell off the sofa too. He swiftly put his hands out so they landed on the carpet, and he would not land on Hazel. However, the two were now transferred to the position of man on top.

Rachel was livid.

Her parents and brother rushed over as soon as they found the note, and the servants of Denmark Residence recognized them, so they didn’t stop them.

It was just perfect timing that as soon as Rachel came through the door, she saw Joshua on top of Hazel.

This girl actually dared to “make it happen first”?!

“Hazel, are you okay?” Joshua lifted Hazel up.

Hazel saw Rachel, Harry, and Ronald, who was looking really angry, and she quickly hid behind Joshua.

She didn’t expect that they would catch them like that, and even if she explained, they probably would not listen.

“Mr. and Mrs. Crowe, this is a misunderstanding.” Joshua held Hazel behind him, explaining calmly.

“Yes, right, misunderstanding, misunderstanding!” Hazel echoed.

“I can see for myself!” Rachel shouted angrily at Hazel, “Now you come over here!”

“I won’t.” Hazel put her head out of Joshua’s figure.

“Mrs. Crowe, Hazel is fearful. Don’t scare her.” Joshua said softly.

Rachel almost could not catch her breath. Harry came to her side and gently helped her to breathe, “Okay, let’s talk to the children.”

Harry believed it could have been a misunderstanding. However, even if it was a misunderstanding, Hazel took the initiative, which meant her feelings for Joshua had surpassed obsession.

“Please sit down. Let’s talk.” Joshua said faintly.

Rachel was so angry and weak that she had to sit on the sofa with Harry, he was not feeling well either but was trying to be strong for his wife. Hazel was like a frightened child. She hugged Joshua’s arm tightly and looked at them with fear.

“Hazel, go back with us,” Harry said.

“I don’t want to go back.” Hazel said softly, “Dad, Mom, Joshua, and I really love each other. You just let us be together, okay?”

Seeing that Rachel was getting angry again, Harry quickly stopped her.

He frowned, “Hazel, you broke up for a while and reunited again like a child’s game. How do you expect us to believe that you are sincere? If you do this all day, do you think Master Joshua won’t mind?”

Hazel looked at Joshua.

“Harry, it doesn’t matter. Hazel is at the age where she has many thoughts in her mind, so it’s normal to break up and reunite. I can understand that.” Joshua said softly.

Harry was speechless. Joshua really cared about Hazel, even if she had a bad temper sometimes.

“Well, that’s it!” Hazel nodded desperately. She looked at Joshua curiously.

“Joshua, you said everything I want to say, but how do you know?”

“Because I feel the same way.” He whispered. As his eyes got darker, Hazel felt her heartbeat speeding up.

Looking at the two’s affection, Harry and Rachel were even more disheartened. They came here to take Hazel away, not to see them loving and affectionate to each other.

Furthermore, Hazel seemed to be really determined.

“Dad, Mom, it’s not good to stay this way.” Ronald said, “It’s better for both sides to take one step back. Hazel is going back with us, and we won’t hurry back to City S, but we can make an appointment with Master Joshua to talk about their affairs.”

Harry and Rachel looked at each other and thought there was no better way.

At this rate, Hazel might really bring them the grandson next year, and Joshua had helped them a lot, felt they could not disrespect him.

“I don’t want to go back! You will persuade me to go back to the villa and then tie me up and send me back to City S immediately!” Hazel gasped.

“Hazel, when did I ever lie to you?” Rachel was annoyed. “You are a girl. You can’t live in a man’s house like this!”

Hazel gently pulled Joshua’ sleeves and looked at him with some anxiety.

“Alright,” Joshua said faintly, “Let me send Hazel back to her university.”

Crowe Family had already taken a step back, and he should also show his sincerity. Hazel did not want to go back with them, and Crowe’s Family would not let Hazel stay with him. Sending her back to university would be the best choice.

“Let Ronald send her.” Rachel said with a calm face to indicate she agreed.

Hazel did not raise any objection. Ronald called a car and took her back to Quantum University.

The car stopped at the school gate. Ronald got out of the car and walked to the campus with her.

Walking into the school, Ronald suddenly said, “Hazel, you broke up with Joshua before because you were afraid that we might get hurt in the future, right?”

Hazel stopped in her tracks, and she looked at Ronald with surprise. “How did you know?”

Except for Joshua, she did not tell anyone else.

Ronald was silent for a while. He didn’t answer. Instead, he asked, “You are now with him again. Do you no longer worry that we will be in danger?”

Ronald stared at her.

“Brother, I thought about it.” Hazel’s look was more serious than ever. “If I am with Joshua, maybe it will really bring you danger. But as long as I am strong enough, I can protect you from harm.”

 

Chapter 177: He Is The Only One

“It’s like you were trapped this time, and we could save you because Joshua is strong enough. He can take on the Kim family head to head, and he can prevent the conspiracies behind it. It looked like he did it very easily, but it’s because he blocked those conspiracies in places that we could not see.”

“So, I want to be stronger and become as strong as him. In this way, no matter what kind of situation we are caught in, I can protect you!”

Ronald looked dejected. He understood what she meant.

Even if she was not with Joshua, they might still be caught in danger, as his experience has proven. The only way to solve the problem was to make himself stronger.

He was clearly the first person to encounter the incident, but Hazel advanced first. He was still thinking about how to separate her and Joshua.

The most important thing was… Hazel really made up her mind this time.

She was determined to be with Joshua. Even if they separated her from Joshua, they would only make Hazel suffer for a lifetime.

As they got to the girls’ dormitory, Ronald suddenly reached out and held Hazel in his arms.

“Brother?” Hazel was a bit stunned. Somehow, she felt this hug from Ronald was very different from previous ones.

“Hazel, must it be him?” He whispered.

Hazel said firmly, “I can’t guarantee the future, but at least for now, he is the only one.”

Ronald sighed and let her go. He reached out and rubbed her head like in the old days.

“Brother!” Hazel was somewhat complaining. She had grown up already, and he touched her head like he was touching a child.

“Rest assured, I will help you convince our parents.” He said with a chuckle, his eyes full of brotherly love for her.

A touch of joy flashed in Hazel’s eyes. “Really?”

“Really.” Ronald nodded, ” Now go back to the dormitory.”

Hazel went back to the dormitory happily. Ronald looked at her back, and her eyes went darker. Since there was no way to persuade her, he could only support her as long as she was happy.

Students had been gradually returning to Quantum University after vacation.

Hazel called her roommates on her way to the door to tell them she was on her way back.

Hazel pushed open the door of her dormitory room. Ariel and Summer were waiting for her.

“Hazel, let’s talk!” The two asked her to interrogate a suspect. “Who is the handsome guy downstairs that brought you back? Aren’t you supposed to be in love with Prince Charming? Don’t tell me that you are in the middle of a love triangle!”

“That’s my brother, by blood,” Hazel said helplessly. It turned out that they saw Ronald bringing her back.

“Ah? Brother?” The two were even more surprised. The next moment, Ariel’s eyes became sparkling. She grabbed Hazel’s arm and asked excitedly, “Hazel, do you think I have the chance to be your sister-in-law?”

“You can stop that.” Summer said, “You are so horny. When you see some other handsome guy in two days, you will forget him.”

“Who said that I am horny?” Ariel hurriedly explained, “I am just pursuing and appreciating the beauty in our life! And, ah, I am always very loyal to Prince Charming…”

“Hey, I am still here. And you want to hit on my boyfriend in front of me?” Looking at Ariel’s infatuation, Hazel interrupted her helplessly.

“Hey?” The two looked at her curiously. “I remember that before the vacation, your attitude toward Prince Charming was still unwilling. Now just after a vacation, and you begin to confess that he is your man? Hurry up. Tell us what happened exactly during the vacation?”

“Yeah that, I am a little tired. Let me tell you about it another day.” Hazel said.

She and Joshua had not completely solved the problem, she was really in no mood to talk about it. Her parents had already made an appointment with Joshua to meet tomorrow. Although Ronald said he would help, she was not very confident.

She quarreled with her parents, but because she knew that they cared about her very much, she also knew they wouldn’t stop talking to her. However, if she did have to choose one side or the other, she would not know how to choose.

Seeing that Hazel was moody, Summer and Ariel did not bother her.

***

Ronald returned to the villa in the Swan Lake residence community. Harry and Rachel were still awake, waiting for him to return.

“Is Hazel back to the dormitory?” They asked.

“Yeah.” Ronald nodded.

“She didn’t sneak away to find Joshua again?” Rachel asked worriedly. She was terrified that her little girl would go to Joshua again, and she would be a grandmother within a year.

“She won’t,” Ronald said. “I told her I would help her convince you.”

“It’s okay to tell her that.” Harry breathed a sigh of relief, “Let’s think about what to say when we meet with Joshua tomorrow…”

“Dad, I mean it, really.” Ronald suddenly said.

“What do you mean?” Rachel looked at him blankly. “Ronald, have you betrayed us? Even if Joshua saved you, you shouldn’t sacrifice your sister to thank him!”

Seeing Rachel’s real anger, Ronald said calmly, “Mom, do you know why Hazel suddenly broke up with Joshua a few days ago?”

“She had a problem with Joshua. Why else would she have done it?” Rachel said with a cold face.

“No, she broke up with him for us.” Ronald sighed, “I deliberately made her drunk that day to get the truth out of her.”

“What?” Harry and Rachel looked at him, completely shocked. They didn’t know why that was important.

Ronald calmly told them about his conversation with Hazel, and Harry and Rachel were even more shocked.

They had always treated Hazel as a child and even treated all her actions as childish, impulsive, and ignorant.

But Hazel actually bore so much on her shoulders? Rachel suddenly remembered the tears in Hazel’s sleep, and she looked so sad. But for their safety, Hazel would rather suffer for it.

And what about them? They just took advantage of their identity as parents to force Hazel to do something she didn’t like to.

Chapter 178: Why Did You Scare Me

Harry and Rachel suddenly felt that they were really unsuccessful parents.

They had never tried to understand Hazel or even give her a chance to express herself, but they had only demanded her to do something she didn’t like instead.

“Let’s think… this matter over,” Harry said.

***

Hazel tossed and turned all night, and then the moment she walked out of her dormitory building, she saw Rachel waiting downstairs.

She was so scared that she wanted to run back to the dormitory immediately.

“Hazel!” Rachel stopped her, a little disappointed in her heart. She and Hazel used to have a great relationship and talk about everything, but lately, Hazel had been avoiding her.

“Mom…” Hazel asked timidly, “Why are you here?”

“I came to have breakfast with you. Take me to the best restaurant nearby, so we can get something to eat…,” Rachel paused for a moment and said, “Besides, we haven’t had a heart-to-heart with each other for a long time.

Hazel was in a daze, Rachel was softer to her than before but was it just because they had come with a new idea to trick her into leaving Joshua?

“Mom, you’re suddenly so gentle. I’m a little scared…” Hazel looked around cautiously.

“Get over here!” Rachel’s face darkened in an instant.

“Aye!” Hazel quickly replied and trotted toward her.

Rachel was amused. “You, you don’t listen to me unless I’m hard on you.”

“You’re the only one who dares to be so hard on me.” Hazel stuck out her tongue. She felt that Rachel had really changed her attitude this time.

Hazel took Rachel to a nearby restaurant and ordered a selection of delicious food.

“Why do you eat so much? Aren’t you afraid to put on weight, and Joshua will detest you in the future?” Rachel frowned.

“Mom, I’m in school now, and I have a lot of physical exertion, so I won’t get fat easily,” Hazel said. “Besides, Joshua isn’t that shallow.”

“What’s he like then?” Rachel continued.

Hazel stopped eating her breakfast and looked at her in disbelief.

“What are you looking at me for?” Rachel continued, “Didn’t you always want to impress me with your love story with Joshua? Here’s a chance for you to let me know how true your love is.”

Hazel was both happy and surprised. Rachel tried to trick her into going home before, but now she was really having a heart-to-heart talk with her.

Rachel surrendered as she looked at her excited appearance, but she still talked tough, “Our appointment with Joshua is at midnight. You have three hours to convince me.”

“Mmm!” Hazel nodded hurriedly.

Hazel was just an ordinary girl who told her mother about her secret thoughts with a happy smile on her face. She told Rachel about how she and Joshua got to know each other and how their relationship developed.

However, Hazel didn’t tell her that Joshua had been to their home privately and that she knew about her biological parents because she hadn’t figured out how to mention it.

Rachel listened quietly, but she didn’t change her attitude toward Joshua very much. However, she fully understood that Hazel deeply loved him.

“Mom,” Hazel said softly as a spoiled girl, “Joshua really loves and cares about me, but what really moved me is that he, like you and dad, always tries to understand and support me. I was drugged that time, he obviously had a chance to have sex with me, but he let me go. At that time, I already knew he was a person worthy of my love for life.”

“You’re obsessed with him right now, and of course, you think he’s very awesome,” said Rachel quietly.

Hazel got a little nervous. She couldn’t really figure out whether Rachel agreed or not.

Rachel took out her phone and looked at the time. “It’s still early, Hazel. Come on, let’s go shopping.”

“Okay.”

Hazel was hesitant to go shopping with Rachel, but she bought her a lot of stuff. Hazel was still a bit confused by her mother’s actions, she still could not tell what Rachel was thinking.

Close to noon, Harry and Ronald came to join them, and the family went to the appointed restaurant.

Joshua had booked a private room and arrived early. The meal was about his future with Hazel, he had to ensure everything was perfect before they arrived.

When the Crowe family arrived, they were shown to the private room. Hazel obediently sat next to Rachel. She looked at Joshua anxiously with a distressed expression.

After a few brief remarks, Harry directly said, “Thanks to your help, Ronald was released, Mr. Denmark. My family is very grateful to you for it.”

“You are welcome, sir.” Joshua’s heart leaped, but his face was calm. He was uncertain about their attitude at this moment.

“But,” Harry said sternly, “We appreciate you were saving Ronald, but we wouldn’t agree with the relationship between you and Hazel as payment for that!”

Instantly, Hazel felt as if he had thrown a bucket of cold water in her face, she trembled with anger. Were her parents still unwilling to change their minds?

She tried to open her mouth, but Rachel grabbed her arm. With pain in her wrist, Hazel lowered her eyes disappointedly.

Joshua cocked his eyebrows slightly as he had recognized the hidden meaning of Harry’s words. His mouth tilting upwards slightly at the corners, he felt greatly at ease.

“But…” Harry looked at the angry Hazel and said softly, “since you like each other, we as parents have no reason to stop you from loving freely.”

Hazel was in a daze. She looked up at Harry in disbelief. Was she listening correctly? Did her dad allow her to be with Joshua?

Joshua smiled, but he was not very surprised. However, getting their approval gave him a sense of accomplishment.

“Mom, Mom!” Hazel excitedly grabbed Rachel’s wrist and asked happily, “Really? You and Dad will allow us to be together?”

“What else can we do? Break up with you?” said Rachel, crossly her eyes full of love.

“Why did you scare me…” Hazel pouted with a grievance.

“Were you upset?!” Rachel touched her forehead softly. “You pissed off your dad and me for days, and it’s us who should be upset!”

“It’s my fault.” Hazel chuckled like a spoiled girl.

“But—” Rachel suddenly drawled.

Hazel became nervous instantly. She would break into a cold sweat as soon as she heard the word “but.”

“Mom, can’t you just finish it all at once? Finish what you were saying. I am about to have a heart attack.”

“You crazy girl!” Rachel chuckled as she patted her on the head, but then she looked serious. “You can be together, but you must obey three rules.”

 

Chapter 179: Three Rules

“Three rules?” Hazel looked at her curiously.

“Yes.” Harry looked at Joshua. “You have to say yes and before we give you our blessing to be with Hazel.”

“Rachel and Harry, please tell me,” said Joshua quietly.

The Crowe family could make such a request, and it was probably because they wanted to protect Hazel. Hence, he certainly wouldn’t refuse them.

“First of all, we hope that Hazel won’t be involved in any affair, and I don’t think it’s hard for you to do, is it?”

“I promise,” Joshua promised solemnly.

“Second, if you’re planning to get engaged and get married, it mustn’t be done before Hazel finishes school. And you have to make sure you don’t have premarital sex.”

This point really cut Joshua to the quick.

He and Hazel had never broken through to the last step, and now his future father-in-law was directly stopping him from having sex with Hazel.

But for his future with Hazel, he had to say yes even if he was unwilling.

“You have my word,” Joshua said in a deep voice.

“Third, if Hazel wants to break up with you, you have to agree and stop pestering her!” Harry’s eyes turned a little deeper as he stared hard at Joshua.

He admitted that his rules were a little too much for Joshua. But Hazel was his daughter, and he certainly wanted to protect her in any way.

Joshua’s eyes turned a bit deeper. The Crowe family didn’t take advantage of these three rules to ask for money or something but to try hard to minimize Hazel’s possible harm.

He would have to do everything he could to be nice to Hazel, and if he made her sad, he was very likely to face the end of their relationship.

“I will follow them,” Joshua said seriously.

Harry looked relieved and said gently, “We can trust your promise. Well, let’s eat.”

“Mom…” Hazel’s eyes were red because she was greatly touched.

“Don’t think these three rules are only for Joshua, and you don’t have to follow it,” Rachel said solemnly. “You can’t break the second rule, even if it’s you who initiates it!”

Hazel instantly became embarrassed. How could she initiate anything with Joshua? What kind of thoughts did her parents have about her?

Then they all had a happy lunch together.

After lunch, Hazel lovingly took Rachel’s arm. “Mom, let’s continue shopping this afternoon.”

“No. Do you think we’re free like you?” Although Rachel still talked tough, there was a touch of softness in her eyes. “We’ve already bought our tickets, we’re leaving this afternoon, and it’s time to get to the station.”

Hazel was shocked and confused. “So soon? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Didn’t we tell you yesterday that we would be going home today?” Rachel rolled her eyes at Hazel. If it hadn’t been for Hazel’s runaway, she would have been leaving with them.

Hazel was even more reluctant as she looked at them. “You don’t have to leave so soon, do you? At least stay for two more days…”

“Come on, Hazel, you need to go to school, and we need to go to work,” Harry said lovingly. “We’ve been here long enough. Our holiday is already over, and it’s time for us to leave.”

Hazel was about to open her mouth when Rachel touched her head and said to her, “Hazel, you’ve always been a comfort to me. Keep that in mind, if you are ever thinking of doing anything out of line before you graduate…”

Hazel was both amused and powerless. Her parents and brother insisted on leaving, so she had to let them go. When Joshua offered to drive them to the station, they politely accepted.

In the station, Harry and Rachel pulled Hazel aside and kept telling her to follow the rules.

Joshua looked at them from afar, his eyes soft.

“Take care of Hazel.” Ronald walked up to him and whispered, “If you’ve wronged her in any way, I’ll take her away.”

Joshua cocked his eyebrows slightly as his eye fell upon him. “Then you’ll be disappointed.”

Ronald looked away with a profound expression.

Hazel looked at them and walked toward Ronald. She opened her arms and gave him a big hug. “Thanks, brother.”

Ronald must have helped her, for Harry and Rachel to change their attitudes so quickly.

Ronald patted her on the back lovingly.

“Brother, the eyes you look at me are a little strange.” She asked secretly, “What did you say to Joshua?”

“Can’t they be strange?” Ronald could not help but sigh. “I have watched a good cabbage grow for twenty years, but it is going to be eaten by a pig…”

“What did you say?” She pushed him away, both annoyed and amused. “Don’t change the subject!”

“I just warned him not to bully you.” He rubbed her hair reluctantly.

“He won’t.” She laughed.

Ronald couldn’t resist giving her another hug. “Hazel, take care of yourself.”

When the train arrived, the Crowe family picked up their bags and walked through security. Hazel looked sad as she watched her family walk away.

Joshua took her to the car and softly consoled her. “Hazel, if you miss them, we can visit them in City S any time.”

“Mm.” Hazel nodded.

“Come on, let’s go home,” Joshua whispered.

“Take me back to school, Joshua,” she said suddenly.

“Hazel?” He is surprised.

“I have promised my parents, so I want to live in school,” she said thoughtfully.

He frowned. “Hazel, I wouldn’t do anything to you even if you lived in Denmark Residence…”

“No,” she said, shaking her head. “I moved to Denmark Residence because I didn’t have a place to stay for my vacation. School starts now, and of course, I should live back in the school.”

Besides., there was another important reason, living with Joshua, she was too quickly obsessed with his beauty, and of course, she could not say that. She was not as active as her parents thought, but she could not think straight every time she was with Joshua.

“… Alright.” Seeing her stubborn attitude, Joshua had to agree, “but you must continue with the secretary’s work.”

Hazel nodded.

***

Since she had moved back to the dormitory, Hazel worked harder than ever and saw Joshua less, causing Summer and Ariel to wonder if something was wrong with their relationship.

Hazel was heading to the library one weekend, but as soon as she stepped out of her dormitory building, she saw Joshua waiting for her downstairs.

“Hazel, let’s go. I have somewhere to take you,” he said quietly.

“Where?” she asked blankly.

“Halfway Cemetery,” Joshua said, his eyes slightly dimmed, “Today is the anniversary of our father’s death.”

 

 

Chapter 180: Was He Mistaken?

“Sorry, I don’t know…” Hazel looked a little overwhelmed.

Joshua’s adoptive father was also her biological father, but she was not prepared for him to say that.

“Don’t worry,” he whispered. “I didn’t mention it to you.”

Joshua gently held her hand as they got into the car. Hazel’s palm was cold as she was nervous.

He stretched out his arm to gently embrace her.

Surrounded by his familiar, tender aura, Hazel sucked in a deep breath and gradually calmed down. Although she had heard a lot about her parents from Joshua, she was really not well-prepared to meet them.

She wouldn’t even meet them, she would meet their graves. She didn’t know how to face them.

Knowing what she was worried about, Joshua whispered, “Hazel, don’t be stressed. If they were still alive, they would be ecstatic to know you were safe.”

“Mmm.” Hazel nodded heavily. She went to meet her biological parents mostly because Joshua missed them.

When they reached the Halfway Cemetery, Hazel spotted a flower shop and suggested, “Let’s buy a bunch of flowers. Do you think he… I mean, my father would like them?”

“Yes, he’ll love it if you buy it.” Joshua said softly, “Go ahead, I’ll park the car.”

Hazel got out of the car. The moment she walked into the flower shop, she bumped into a woman who came out of the shop.

The woman seemed to be taken aback by her, and the bouquet in her arms fell directly to the ground.

Hazel quickly picked it up and returned it to her. “Sorry, sorry. I’m too careless. Here you are…”

The woman was still a little dazed and did not take the bouquet.

Hazel looked up in surprise. The woman in front of her had been well cared for and looked like she was in her thirties, but her temperament proved she was, in fact, older.

Hazel assumed she was a well-bred lady, but she thought the woman was staring at her strangely. It was like she had seen something magical.

“Madame?” Hazel called her again, a little dizzy. “Your lilies…”

The woman came to herself and took the bouquet, saying quietly, “These are Casa Blanca lilies.”

“Eh?” Hazel was lost.

“Only this kind of pure flower is worthy of the purest people,” said the woman with deep eyes.

Hazel was a little embarrassed. She didn’t seem to understand what she was talking about. Or maybe it was because the woman was not talking to her at all.

“I mean it.” The woman looked down at the flowers in her arms.

“I’m sorry…” said Hazel ashamedly.

“Mmm.” The woman walked straight out of the flower shop.

After parking his car, Joshua walked into the shop and saw Hazel still selecting flowers.

She walked up to him and said helplessly, “I don’t know what to buy, what kind of flowers does father like?”

“Just buy this kind.” Joshua looked at the flowers in front of him.

“Casa Blanca?” Hazel was surprised.

“Mmm,” Joshua asked in surprise, “So you know it? It’s a kind of unusual lily, and a lot of people just think of it as a normal lily.”

“I’m actually one of the many people you’re talking about.” Hazel looked a bit embarrassed. “I just met someone who told me. Does father like this kind of flower?”

“Yes.” Joshua gently explained, “Father thought this flower was best for mother.”

Hazel understood instantly.

After that, Joshua and Hazel bought the flowers. But as soon as they walked out of the shop, it began to drizzle. Hazel couldn’t resist sneezing.

Joshua took off his coat and put it around her shoulders.

“No, no,” Hazel said hurriedly. “Joshua, I’m not that fragile. I’ll be fine soon…”

“Hazel, I’m your boyfriend,” Joshua said as he raised her eyebrows. “Let me do what I’d do as a boyfriend.”

“… Oh.” With a thin blush on her cheek, Hazel agreed shyly.

“Shall we buy an umbrella?” she asked. There was still some distance to the cemetery, but the car couldn’t be driven any further, so they had to walk.

“I have one in the car,” he said, “Wait here, I’ll get it.”

Hazel wanted to open her mouth, but Joshua had already run into the rain. He returned with an umbrella and put his arms around Hazel’s shoulder as they walked toward the cemetery.

A woman came out of the cemetery with an umbrella, her face blurred by her umbrella.

She passed them calmly, but suddenly she stopped and looked back in surprise at Hazel and Joshua.

Aware of her gaze, Joshua frowned slightly and also stopped.

“What’s the matter?” Hazel asked blankly.

Joshua looked back, and the man was far away. His eyes turned a little deeper. “Nothing. Maybe I was wrong.”

Hazel was perplexed. Was Joshua mistaken?

But she did not ask him.

Soon Joshua took her to his parents’ grave. They were buried together, but a bundle of Casa Blanca lilies had been placed in front of the gravestones.

“Somebody’s been here.” Joshua frowned.

“I should have seen her…” Hazel looked at the flowers and mused.

“When? What kind of person is it?” Joshua asked.

“It was she who told me it was Casa Blanca,” Hazel recalled. “It’s like the lady you mistook. By the way, who do you think she is?”

Joshua’s eyes were a bit deeper as he whispered. “She looks like mother’s sister Sunny Joseph.”

“Isn’t that our aunt?” Hazel was astonished. “Why haven’t you mentioned it before?”

“She has lived abroad for years,” Joshua explained in a low voice. “Perhaps because she was adopted by grandparents, she did not have much contact with the Joseph family or the Denmark family after marriage.”

She was shocked and couldn’t help but whisper, “Why are there so many adoptions in our families?”

“It shows they’re all kind,” said Joshua gently. Perhaps it was because they were so kind that Hazel was treated with the same kindness.

“Mmm.” Hazel nodded in agreement. She looked at Joshua. “Is the woman her or not?”

“I don’t know,” Joshua said quietly. “I’ll check later on.”

She didn’t continue to ask.

Looking at the tombstones in front of her, she felt sad. Was it her biological parents who were asleep inside?

“Dad, Mom, I found Hazel.” Joshua whispered, “Don’t worry, she’s fine and happy. In the future, I will take good care of her for you.”