Ch. 291..300

Chapter 291: When Did You Do The Test?

“Director Cohen, do you really think that there is no way to prove this kind of thing?” Joshua looked at him calmly.

“Of course, there is one and the easiest way.” Fred said, “You both do a DNA test, and everything will be really clear. However, if it is a hospital owned by the Denmark family, I am afraid the result will not be convincing to the public?”

“You’re right.” Joshua nodded. At this moment, Jaxson came in with a piece of document. He came to Joshua and handed the document to him.

Joshua took the document and handed it over to Fred. “This is the DNA test I had done in another hospital. I haven’t seen the results yet. Director Cohen, since you are so concerned about this matter, how about taking a look first? ”

“When did you do the test?” Fred was stunned. He didn’t expect that Joshua would be so prepared for the confrontation.

The Flores family suddenly panicked, Caroline and Lanny both grabbed the document at the same time, and both started ripping it up.

“Fake! It is fake!” Caroline roared, “You must have altered the results!”

Everyone in the living room was speechless. Although they knew the Flores family had not received much education, their ignorance still managed to broaden their horizons.

Hazel frowned, they had made it clear that they were just unreasonable. No matter how many DNA tests Joshua did, they would not recognize the results. Not to mention, there was a Denmark Group’s director supporting them. It was not too difficult for them to forge fake DNA test results.

Why did so many people showed their nasty side when it came to the business of Denmark Group? Fred was so accomplished when he was young. But he worked with the Flores family in order to get a piece of Denmark Group.

He was the only person who put himself on the table. Who knew how many of them, just like him, were in the dark?

Hazel lifted her head and looked at Joshua. The person at the center of the whirlpool was Joshua. What would he do?

Even if the Flores family were not his family, he always felt he owed them. What measures would he take?

Joshua looked at the group indifferently, it did not seem that he was willing to continue arguing.

“Alexander Pushkin wrote a fairy tale, called The Fisherman and His Wife. Have you heard of it before?” Joshua suddenly said.

“What…” The Flores family looked at Joshua with dull faces, not knowing why he would suddenly mention it.

“I am suddenly in the mood to tell you the story.” Joshua said faintly, “A fisherman saved a goldfish, and the goldfish promised to pay him. The fisherman’s wife asked the goldfish for a tub, a wooden house… to become a noble lady and even the empress, etc., the goldfish satisfied her wishes one by one. But the fisherman’s wife was still not satisfied. She then wanted to be the female overlord at sea, and she required the goldfish to come to serve her personally. In the end, the goldfish reclaimed everything it gave to her. The fisherman and his wife began living a poor life again.”

The Flores Family’s faces turned extremely pale, and they looked at Joshua incredulously. “What, what do you mean?”

“Well, I will summarize it for you.” Joshua said indifferently, “This story tells the truth. Excessive greed will only give you nothing.”

The Flores family felt a cold chill from his tone. They only created the whole story because they knew that Joshua wouldn’t easily go too hard on them. They even had the excuse of reuniting with their son and had the illusion that Joshua would go soft and recognize them on behalf of their son.

After all, Joshua had been supporting them and lifestyles for years, like a real son to them. They thought they had a legitimate reason for their delusions.

Joshua said again, “You should walk now. Maybe from the beginning, I shouldn’t have interfered with your life. I will take back whatever I gave you before, and you will end up with your old life.”

What?! Caroline only saw blackness in front of her, almost fainted. She looked helplessly at her husband, Lanny, but he did not look any better than her.

“How, how dare you?” Henry said desperately. He didn’t care whose child Joshua was, whether Joshua was his brother or not. He only cared about Joshua’s money! And, he was going to take everything back? How could he agree on that?

A cold and dark glow flashed in Joshua’s eyes. He could forgive almost anything the Flores family did, except that they shouldn’t have bullied Hazel. And Henry dared to put his hands on Hazel!

“If you dare to do this, we will go to the media and tell them that you are ruthless. You don’t admit that we are your family, and you let us live a poor life!” Henry said wickedly, “Then everyone will think you are nothing but a ruthless person. How about that?”

“Joshua, if the image of Denmark Group’s president is damaged, the impact on the company can be huge. You have to think carefully.” Fred put pressure on Joshua.

“It doesn’t matter. Just suit yourself.” Joshua said faintly, “Nanny Carter, send the guests away.”

Everyone was stunned. It seemed that Joshua had given up arguing with the Flores family, even if they would discredit him. Hazel was uncomfortable, she believed that there was clearly a better solution.

The purpose of the Flores family was the Denmark Group. As long as Joshua did not have Denmark’s Family’s property in his hands, they would not harass him again.

Hazel didn’t believe he hadn’t thought of it. He knew that there were other directors on the board backing the Flores family, but he would rather break off his relationship with the Flores family and would not give in to their demands?

Suddenly, she awkwardly looked at Joshua. Could it be that he did this only because he didn’t want to reveal her identity?

The Denmark Family had its enemies. If her identity as the real daughter of the Denmark Family were disclosed, her situation would become very dangerous. So, Joshua preferred to let the Flores family continue to tarnish him and the company to keep her safe?

It turned out that she was so important in Joshua’s heart. Hazel felt so loved, and she knew she could not continue to stand behind Joshua and use him as protection.

“You want to recognize Joshua as a son only because you want Denmark Group,” Hazel said faintly. “But you got it wrong, Joshua does not have the group in his hands any longer.”

 

Chapter 292: How Convenient For You

“What are you talking about?!” The Flores Family looked at her with surprise.

“Since all of you said that Joshua is your son, it’s obvious that Joshua is the adopted son of Denmark Family,” Hazel said quietly. She looked at Fred, “An adopted child is not the biological son of Denmark’s Family. So, he is not qualified to inherit everything from the Denmark Family. Is that what you’ve been thinking, Director Cohen?”

Fred certainly thought that way, and so did other directors. It was just embarrassing that Hazel stated their true opinion in public, and he certainly wasn’t going to admit it.

“All of us are well aware of what Joshua is capable of…” He began to divert the topic.

“So, what if he’s an adopted child?” The Flores family argued, “Since the Denmark Family’s daughter cannot be found, Denmark Group naturally belongs to Joshua!”

“How convenient for you.” Hazel said faintly, “Unfortunately, Joshua not only retrieved the daughter of the Denmark Family but also returned all of the Denmark family’s property to her. We can show you the property transfer document at any time. There is a signature on it with legal binding. That is to say, legally, Joshua has nothing now. Do you still want such a son?”

“Hazel…” Joshua sighed.

Hazel shook her head slightly, and she whispered, “Joshua, we can’t continue to hide something so important.”

Joshua pitied his eyes. Seeing that Hazel was very determined, he nodded his head.

The Flores family and Director Cohen were all stunned. They only had one sentence repeating in their heads, Joshua has nothing.

“But it’s okay. He still has you, right?” Hazel chuckled, “You are his parents. Of course, you should raise him, and he should get married. Shouldn’t you help him with a house or a car?”

They were all in a panic. They wanted to claim Joshua as their son only for the property of the Denmark family, but if he had nothing, why would they want him?

“He is not our son!” Caroline hurriedly said, “Why should we support him?”

“Right, right!” Lanny added. “Our son had problems with his legs when he was born, or else why should we sell him?”

“He not only had a bad leg but also had congenital heart disease. They told us that when he was born. The doctor said he probably wouldn’t survive to be an adult. He died early, right?” Caroline said harshly, “We don’t run an orphanage. He can find others to be his parents!”

Everyone’s mouth was wide open. Everyone was impressed by the change of attitude of the Flores family! Their greed was as much as their heartlessness.

“Wait!” Fred looked suspiciously at Joshua. He was too shocked for a while. Now he couldn’t help but ask Joshua, “You found the child of Marcus and Cate? Who is she? And, where is she? Why didn’t you tell us…?”

“It’s me.” Hazel smiled.

Fred looked at Hazel in shock. In fact, he had always noticed the girl who was with Joshua. Although he hadn’t spoken to Hazel, he felt good about her and as if there was something familiar about her.

Her eyes reminded him of her parents. Did that explain why he sensed something familiar about Hazel?

Henry, Caroline, and Lanny had their mouths wide open, they were shocked but suddenly became furious. How could Hazel be the missing daughter of the Denmark family? This must be an act put on Joshua and Hazel!

Rachel caught Hazel’s wrist incredulously and asked in surprise, “Hazel, what’s going on?!”

There was some guilt in Hazel’s eyes. She never told her true identity to her foster parents because she was afraid it would affect their relationship.

She had no choice now but to disclose her identity. And she believed that her relationship with the Crowe family had never been sustained by blood but by the fact that they had been so loving to her for the entire life.

“Mom, it is okay, I know that you and dad adopted me. I also know that you have been secretly searching for my biological parents.” Hazel whispered.

“You know everything…” Rachel looked as if she had been hit with a truck. Even though she always wanted to tell Hazel and help her find her biological parents, she was overwhelmed by the situation.

“Well, but I just found out not that long ago.” Hazel nodded. She explained, “It turns out I wasn’t abandoned. I was taken away by an enemy of the Denmark Family. Whether it was Joshua or my parents, they never stopped looking for me. Joshua held a surrogacy competition just to find me.”

Rachel slowly came back to reality. It seemed as if Hazel was telling the truth. However, Rachel still didn’t know how to face it.

“Fake! It’s all faked!” Caroline stared at Joshua in anger. “Joshua, did you deliberately lie to us so that we would change our mind?!”

“You are not worth a lie from me.” Joshua looked at them coldly. His patience was exhausted.

“Hey, what’s so important even if you are the biological daughter of Denmark’s family?” Henry said reluctantly, “I have heard that your parents originally wanted to adopt my brother! You were taken away because you weren’t the lucky ones. The Denmark Group property all belongs to our family!”

“Yes! You should give it to us!” His parents followed.

Everyone looked at them sarcastically. This family kept stimulating their lowered cognitive limits.

“Your son was not lucky either!” Rachel suddenly angered, “He was a child who had not been adopted, but you still want to occupy the property of the real daughter of Denmark Family! Do you even know how to write the word shameless?”

Joshua suddenly stepped toward Lanny and Caroline, their legs went weak, and they almost fell to the ground.

“You, what do you want to do?” They held each other steady and glared at him.

“Want to know why I have been helping you all the time?” Joshua said faintly, “Your son, named Jughead. He once told me that he gives you a good life when he becomes rich. And then, he would take it away, and you would return to Hell again. That way, you would regret that you abandoned him. I am not him. I didn’t want you to experience that. But now…”

 

Chapter 293: Why Didn’t You Tell Us Earlier?

Joshua took a deep breath and said, “I think I should help him with his wish.”

His words made the Flores family and Lily panic. They had determined that Joshua had felt some deep guilt or affection for them because of their son, and he would not go hard on them. That was why they dared to be so arrogant, but things were not exactly what they imagined.

Joshua used to be nice to them, perhaps because they were the parents of his friend. He didn’t retaliate against them, perhaps because he was condescending, or perhaps because he knew that Jughead was actually craving for affection deep down in his heart.

But no matter what the reason was, they had consumed all of Joshua’s patience, and there was no reason to be easy on them.

“Joshua… No, Mr. Denmark, you can’t do this to us.” Lanny said. He was terrified and quickly said, “You know that he was angry, he didn’t really mean it. Wherever he is, he would be sad if he knew that you were doing this to us!”

“Right, right!” Caroline echoed. “He just said that because he cared about us…”

Joshua looked at them calmly, his eyes so indifferent, without the slightest emotion. He said, “Jaxson, get them out of here.”

The bodyguards stepped forward and escorted the Flores family out.

Joshua looked at Fred and asked, “Director Cohen, is there anything else?”

Fred’s face twitched.

Fred arrived with the Flores family and was hoping they would cause chaos, then the board would find a way to take advantage of the situation. However, Hazel had plans of her own, which completely destroyed their plan and caught him off guard.

Fred looked at Hazel with deep and dark eyes and said with a serious look,

“Joshua, I apologize for the previous thing because of lack of information. But, are you sure she is the lost child of the Denmark family? I heard that their enemies killed her when they took her?”

“Director Cohen, you are one of those who had experienced the entire situation.” Joshua said faintly, “You should clearly know that when Hazel was young, her body was never found. That was, at that time, that Mr. and Mrs. Crowe rescued her.”

“This is a big thing. I can’t rely on this simple information to identify her as a child of Denmark Family.” Fred said with a dignified look. “I don’t think other directors will agree either. You can’t just present Denmark Group to her in this way!”

Hazel sighed, she had always had a good impression of Fred. After all, Joshua said that Fred and his parents were very good friends when he was young. It seemed that time and money could change everything, and Fred only cared about the Denmark family’s property.

“I will convene a board meeting as soon as possible,” Joshua said faintly,

“At that time, I will give every one of you a statement confirming Hazel’s identity.”

Fred snorted when he heard that Joshua seemed to already have evidence to prove Hazel’s identity.

Fred did not say anything more, he just looked really serious as he said goodbye to Joshua and left.

After getting in the car outside of Denmark Residence, Fred couldn’t take it any longer. He took out his mobile phone and dialed a number to tell the person on the phone what happened at Denmark Residence.

“Really?” The person on the phone thought for a while and sighed softly,

“Joshua is really remarkable. We haven’t sent him the ‘Denmark Family’s child.’

yet, and he has already found one.”

“What should I do now?” Fred asked with some doubts. “That Hazel… Is she really the child of Marcus and Cate?”

“Let’s forget about it for a moment.” The person said faintly, “No matter whether she is or not, now she has no way to prove that she is really the child of Denmark Family. The child in our care should also be sent to them now.”

“There seems to be evidence in Joshua’s hands…” Fred hesitated.

“Don’t worry. I can probably guess what the evidence he got.” The person said, “I have the same kind of evidence in my hands. What you have to do is to slow him down and then announce the identity of our child ahead of him.”

“Okay,” Fred promised.

***

In the Denmark Residence, everyone had left. Even Jennie was taken back to the orphanage by Joshua’s driver. Hazel looked at the empty hall and felt emotional. Many things were going to change, and she couldn’t tell if it was going to get better or worse.

“Hazel, what the hell is going on?” Rachel said with a sullen face.

“Rachel, let’s go to the study and talk about it,” Joshua said faintly.

Although Rachel was still furious, she went to the study with them. Hazel told Rachel everything. Rachel’s expression became deep and thoughtful. She realized that Hazel had already known her own identity when they were there last time.

When she thought carefully, she believed that last time, Hazel suddenly broke up with Joshua also because of this fact. Rachel stared at Hazel. Her mind was chaotic.

“How can you prove that Hazel is the lost child of the Denmark family?” Rachel asked. She was still somewhat unwilling to accept it.

Joshua took out Hazel’s baby photo. Looking at the photo, Rachel’s pupils shrank. She now fully believed that Hazel was indeed the lost child of the Denmark family.

After they adopted Hazel, they also took pictures of her. At that time, Hazel was exactly the slightly-grown version of the little baby. Rachel had watched her grow up, so she knew better than anyone else how Hazel looked when she was a child.

“Why didn’t you tell us earlier?” Rachel looked at Hazel helplessly.

Rachel began to feel her relationship with Hazel had just changed… a bit.

“Mom,” Hazel stepped forward and gently caught her hand. She said with some protest, “I didn’t tell you because I was afraid that you would deliberately alienate me, like what you are doing now!”

Rachel was stunned. Hazel actually noticed that? Indeed, after learning about the fact, Rachel suddenly didn’t know how to deal with Hazel. So, she subconsciously began to alienate Hazel.

 

Chapter 294: You Imagine Things?

“How would I?” Rachel denied in embarrassment.

“But you did!” Hazel muttered. “You have been reluctant to look right at me. If things were normal, you should have begun yelling at me by now! But you haven’t.”

“… What’s wrong with you? You imagine things?” Rachel laughed with tears.

“That’s because I know you only do that because you care about me too much.” Hazel smiled and forced herself into Rachel’s arms, whispering, “Mom, no matter what my identity is, we have been together for more than 20 years. You and Dad will always be my parents. The feelings between us will never change because of this.”

Rachel looked suspiciously at Joshua.

“Rachel, I really want Hazel to be recognized by the Denmark family.” Joshua said faintly, “But only because I want her to know her identity and get everything that belongs to her. She doesn’t need to abandon her loved ones.”

Rachel sighed slowly, “This is too sudden. I have to think about it…”

Hazel and Joshua nodded with a look of understanding.

Suddenly, Rachel looked at Joshua and said, “If the Denmark family recognizes Hazel, will there be any danger to her?”

Joshua was really touched. The Crowe family was really good to Hazel. Their top priority was always Hazel’s safety. Rachel was very sensitive and had realized the real reason why he refused to disclose Hazel’s identity.

“I will protect Hazel,” Joshua promised.

“So, she is in danger now?” Rachel’s eyes blinked.

“Mom, whether it will be dangerous or not, this is what I should face.” Hazel whispered, “I know that you have been helping me find my own parents, but they were hurt badly by their enemy. I am their daughter, after all. I should admit that regardless of my safety, right?”

“Do you think this kind of thing is child’s play?” Rachel was angry and again, “Hazel, why don’t you take your safety seriously?”

“Mom, you can be sure that I will pay attention to my safety! Besides, I got Joshua. I believe him.” Hazel said solemnly.

“Just do what you like.” Rachel waved her hand irritably. The impact on her was too great. She didn’t know what to do with herself.

“Right, you said that my husband and Ronald would be coming here?” Rachel asked,

“Are they here yet?”

“I just received the message.” Joshua said, “They will arrive in five minutes.”

“I will go pick them up.” Rachel strode out of the study.

Hazel hung her head and looked depressed.

“Hazel,” Joshua gently wrapped her in his arms, “Don’t think too much. It will take time for them to accept this.”

“I know…” Hazel sighed, but if she were alienated from them, she would be crushed.

“You brought my dad and my brother here because you wanted to tell them about my identity, right?” Hazel looked up at him.

“Yeah.” Joshua nodded slightly, “But I didn’t plan to happen so fast…”

“Okay, anyway, they will have to face it sooner or later.” Hazel shrugged, “I will explain it to them.”

“I will be with you,” Joshua said.

“Don’t.” Hazel vomited, “My parents don’t like you. If you go, they will think you have ulterior motives. Wait for me to convince them!”

Joshua raised his eyebrows. He still wanted to say something but gave up when he saw Hazel looked so determined. Hazel went downstairs to find Rachel. But when she just got downstairs, she saw Theresa Flores standing there.

She was a bit stunned. Joshua had kicked her family out of Denmark Residence, and the situation with Theresa would be a bit of a problem.

If they made her cut ties with the Flores family, it would seem cold-hearted. Theresa grew up in a horrible environment, with her parents treating her badly, but she still had a good personality, which was rare. If she had to go back to their home, then her future would be completely destroyed.

“Sister Hazel,” Theresa looked at her and said in a hurry, “I didn’t come to plead for my parents. They deserved everything that happened. However, my parents said they wanted me to stay, and they also wanted to see me once before leaving to say goodbye to me.”

Hazel frowned. The Flores Family didn’t care about Theresa at all. Hazel could not understand that even after Joshua drove them out, why would they want Theresa to stay and continue to live comfortably. Had they really become so sensible suddenly? She felt something was wrong.

“Is this really what they said?” Hazel asked.

“Yes.” Theresa sighed and asked awkwardly, “They regret it now. My parents said that they don’t want my future to be influenced because of them. Hazel, can you talk to Mr. Denmark to give us some time to say goodbye?”

Such a request was really hard to refuse.

“Well then…” Hazel said. “You go ahead. I will tell Joshua. But please pay close attention to your surroundings and to your safety. Remember to call me if anything goes wrong.”

“Ah?” Theresa looked at her in surprise. It seemed that she didn’t understand what Hazel said.

“… Hurry up, remember to keep an eye out for yourself,” Hazel said.

Theresa hastily left Denmark Residence. Hazel went to tell Joshua about the Flores family and Theresa, by the time she finished her story, her father and brother had arrived.

Hazel naturally had to explain it to them again. The Crowe family didn’t expect such a story and sat for a while, feeling overwhelmed and pondering everything that Hazel told them.

Harry finally asked, “Hazel, do you know what kind of person your parents were?”

“I think…” Hazel whispered with a touch of gentleness and regret between her eyebrows, “They were very good people.”

“Since they were good people, of course, you should admit that they are your parents,” Harry said calmly. But light flashed in his eyes, and he said something unpleasant, “However, what does Joshua want? Does he want to get close to you for the Denmark family’s property?”

Hazel was speechless. Her parents really thought about everything for her.

She said, “Dad, Denmark’s family’s property had already been given to him. If he really wanted it, why did he look for me? Anyway, everyone thought that I was dead. Why would he continue to look for me? He also could’ve made me completely vanish into thin air with his power and resources. Why did he let me know my identity, let me return to the Denmark family, and why did he give everything back to me?”

 

Chapter 295: I Was Engage With You

Hazel’s words left Harry and Ronald speechless. She was right. If Joshua really wanted the property of Denmark’s family, there was absolutely no need for him to find Hazel.

“He may not be the property of Denmark’s family.” Ronald said while his eyes darkened, “How can you tell that he is with you not because he wants to repay the Denmark family for adopting him?”

Harry and Rachel were thinking.

“It’s not like that!” Hazel hurriedly said.

“Not like that?” Ronald then asked, “He has been with you only after he found you, right? If you say no, then what does he like about you? According to what you said, Joshua attaches importance to affection and loyalty to people. Then, he planned to use his marriage to take care of you for a lifetime. Isn’t this possible?”

Hazel wanted to say something, but she didn’t know what to say. Joshua had said that he fell for her at first sight, which did not look so convincing when she talked to her parents. Honestly, she was not completely confident as to why he was with her.

Taking a deep breath, Hazel sighed, “Brother, do you think I can’t tell whether he likes me or he just wants to repay his debts to Denmark’s family?”

“Okay.” Rachel interrupted their dispute. “Let’s stay here for a few days, and we will know what kind of person he is.”

Hazel was stunned. The last time Crowe’s family rushed home, presumably with misunderstandings and dissatisfaction for Joshua. But they were really willing to stay and get to know Joshua? She really didn’t know whether it was a good thing or a bad thing.

Hazel left the room. She should at least inform Joshua about this. Her phone rang while she was on her way to find him. It was Isaac Anderson, and she was surprised he was calling, so she answered immediately.

Before she could say anything, Isaac’s astonished voice came from the other end.

“Hazel, are you actually the missing daughter of the Denmark family?”

Hazel put one hand on her forehead, “No way… Why could you know this so fast? Don’t tell me that the whole world knows it already.”

“The whole world? Not yet.” Isaac said. “But both those who should know and those who shouldn’t already know.”

Hazel sighed.

“This Joshua!” Isaac gasped his teeth, “He is actually stealing the goods for himself! The fact is, I was engaged with you…”

“What is stealing the goods…” Hazel was somewhat speechless, and she asked a little blankly, “And, you just said what you have with me?”

Isaac’s last few words were spoken with a too low voice, and she couldn’t hear them clearly.

“Forget it,” Isaac said with a bit of depression. “It doesn’t make sense to say this now. We haven’t got together for a long time. I will call Joshua. Let’s spend some time together.”

“Okay.” Hazel thought it was good to get together now that she could be herself.

When Hazel just hung up, when the phone vibrated again. She felt helpless. Was it another person who just learned her identity? But this time, it was a text message. Seeing the content of the text message, Hazel’s face turned serious.

The text message was sent by Theresa, who simply wrote an address with the word “Help”!

Sure enough, the Flores family had not suddenly become sensible. They must’ve coaxed Theresa to meet them to set up another conspiracy.

Without seeing Joshua, Hazel rushed out of Denmark Residence, stopped a taxi nearby, and rushed to the address that Theresa sent her.

Theresa’s address was very remote. And soon, there were no other vehicles around. Hazel suddenly calmed down.

If the Flores family really had any conspiracy against Theresa, she might not be able to save her alone. After thinking it over, she picked up her mobile phone and sent the text message to Joshua.

Just as the text message was just sent, the car suddenly shook forward, and Hazel almost threw the phone because of the jolt.

“What happened?” Hazel asked blankly.

A car was chasing them and was side by side with the taxi.

“I don’t know.” The driver was both amazed and annoyed. “What’s wrong with that guy? When I go fast, he goes fast too. When I slow down, he slows down too. You wait here. Let me get out and talk to him.”

The driver was about to pull over. Hazel looked back and found several cars were close to his car. She suddenly became filled with tension and detected danger.

Hazel quickly said, “Don’t stop! Keep moving!”

“What?” The driver was stunned, and Hazel swiftly put her hand on his leg and forced him to press down on the gas pedal. The taxi quickly sped up, and the driver yelled, “What are you doing? You will crash my car!”

“I will pay you!” Hazel said, “If you don’t want to die, just drive fast!”

As soon as the words came out of her mouth, the sound of a gunshot rang out, the car window was shattered. The other car was obviously trying to hurt them.

The driver realized what was happening, his face turned pale, and he stepped on the gas. The car behind them was right on their bumper and kept hitting their car over and over, like a cat playing with a mouse.

Hazel looked horrified, she was too careless. Even Isaac had found out about her identity, and the Denmark family’s enemies would have found out too.

She had been so protected by Joshua that she didn’t consider her own safety. The people in the car must have been waiting for her from the beginning.

Although she had sent Joshua a message for help and her current location, the other party was prepared and caught her off guard. She might not be able to get away from them.

Suddenly, a car accelerated and stopped directly in front of the taxi. The driver panicked and slammed on the brakes. After the harsh sound of the brakes squealing, both cars were deformed, and the taxi was forced to stop.

“Get out of the car!” A group of people gathered around. Their guns were aiming at the taxi.

“It’s none of my business, I am just a taxi driver…” The taxi driver was taken out of the car, and he said in confusion.

Hazel clenched her fists tightly.

Looking at the black muzzles of their guns, she understood how dangerous her situation was. The other party obviously wanted to catch her alive, but she would not be shown mercy if she resisted.

She pushed the door open and got out of the car.

A man came behind her with his gun pointed at her back. He ordered, “Walk!”

 

Chapter 296: Are You Doubting Joshua?

Hazel had to walk toward the other car. With the door open and no chance to escape, she had no other option but to get in. She had hardly gotten into the car when the door slammed shut, and she heard a gunshot.

Then there was a confused burst of gunfire, mixed with an angry query, “Who are you? How did you sneak in?!”

Hazel was in shock and tried to hide in the car. The driver’s door flew open, and a man grabbed the driver by his jacket and threw him out. He quickly sat in the driver’s seat and slammed on the gas, the car rushed away like an arrow.

Another shot rang out, but they were too far away.

“Hold tight!” The man’s voice was cold.

Hazel clutched the handle of the car and stared blankly at the man in the driver’s seat.

He was the one who had forced her to get into the car with a gun, and she was quite sure she didn’t know him, but he saved her, for now.

Cars roared up behind him, and the man slammed on the gas again to shake off them. He was having a hard time getting rid of them, but they were at least a few car lengths behind them.

“Who are you?” Hazel came to her senses and questioned the man.

“I am James Howard.”

Just when she thought he wouldn’t answer, the man told her his name truthfully. She was stunned for a moment before she asked. “Do we know each other?”

She looked closely at James, whose face was very angular and solemn but was somehow reassuring, and that kind of reassurance was typical of a soldier or a policeman. Hazel had often been in contact with the police, but his fierce temperament and killing intent were not what the police would train for.

“No,” said James in a deep tone.

“Then why did you save me?” Hazel looked at him warily. “Or are you not here to save me?”

Instead of answering, he looked straight ahead and asked, “Are you the Denmark couple’s daughter?”

“Who told you that?” She was more alert. Sure enough, as Isaac said, when her story came to light, both the right people and the wrong people would know.

But which side did James belong to?

“Aunt Jennie,” he answered. Aunt Jennie? Hazel was in a daze. Jennie was there when she revealed her identity, and she seemed to have something to say but choked it back.

However, since Jennie had told him, at least the man was credible. Suddenly, something occurred to her, and she was a little amazed. “You’re a kid from the orphanage, too?”

“Yes.” He nodded.

“Do you also know Joshua?” There was a touch of joy on her face.

“It’s hard not to know a hypocrite like that.” He sneered, and his voice was full of contempt.

She frowned in displeasure, and her alertness rose. “You aren’t saving me because you are friends with Joshua?”

“I would not dare to have that kind of friend!” His cool face suddenly softened. “I’m doing it for your biological parents.”

She was in a trance. She had heard Joshua repeatedly mention that her biological parents were very kind, but only at this moment did she feel the depth of how much good karma they had planted. But why did two people who were so good have to go through so many tribulations in their life? With that in mind, she was a little dispirited.

Then she looked at James again, frowning despite herself.

James was a man who she could believe, or at least she sensed that he was harmless to her. However, he seemed to get a little carried away when she mentioned Joshua.

“Why do you hate Joshua Denmark?” she asked.

James frowned again. “You should stay away from him. He’s not as simple as you think! I’ve been looking into the men going after you for a while now, and they’re related to the Denmark Group!”

Denmark Group? Hazel’s brows were knitted more tightly. It seemed that those who tried to kill her were from the Denmark Group. Were the directors so impatient?

“Are you doubting Joshua?” She was a bit shocked.

“I’m not going to doubt anybody,” he said in a deep voice. “All I know is, if you have an accident, the biggest beneficiary is him! Just like your parents.”

He shut up immediately and stopped talking.

She was in a daze because she had already figured out what he wanted to say, even if he didn’t finish his sentence. Was James Howard actually suspecting Joshua was involved in her parents’ death?

“That assumption is too horrible to even think about. Wasn’t my parents’ death an accident?” Her expression was very serious. “You’ve been with Joshua longer than I, haven’t you? Don’t you really know what kind of man he is? No matter what misunderstanding you have, I don’t want you to think the worst of him like this!”

“I said,” He looked a little impatient, “I just saw who benefited in the end. Besides, how can there be so many accidents in this world?”

She was tongue-tied because, according to him, Joshua really had something to do with it. What shocked her more was the meaning in his words. Was it her parents’ death, in fact, not an accident?

If not, it was murder!

She suddenly felt a pain in her chest. Her parents were so kind, but they had to endure the loss of their daughter, but how much did their enemies hate them? Enough to kill them?

Taking a deep breath, she said seriously, “I believe Joshua. If there’s anything fishy about my parents’ death, it’s irrelevant to Joshua. I’ll prove it to you!”

Since it may not have been an accident, of course, she had to trace the cause.

“Oh? Replying to Joshua’s force?” Unexpectedly, he looked sideways at her. It was the first time that he looked at her after the rescue.

He still remembered Marcus Denmark and Cate Joseph in his mind. Hazel looked like them, her eyes looked a lot like her mother’s. But the difference was that Cate’s eyes were always tender while Hazel’s were lively and playful as other girls.

“If I really rely on Joshua’s force, you won’t believe me, will you?” she said seriously, “If you think he’s a suspect, I’ll hide it from him and look it up myself. If I find out it has nothing to do with him, please don’t continue to misunderstand him!”

He raised his brows in surprise. “Do you care what I think of him?”

“Joshua cares.” She bit her lip slightly. “You were really good friends, weren’t you? Joshua mentioned you, and I think he cares about you very much.”

 

Chapter 297: Aren’t You Afraid?

Hazel did hear Joshua mention James. She remembered it well, he had mentioned there was a child who had grown up with him, had misunderstood him, and they had a bad relationship.

When Joshua told her, Hazel joked that it must have been the other person’s fault, but she clearly remembered the regret and sadness in his eyes when he mentioned it. He was a reserved person, and if someone could make him have such an expression, that person would definitely be very important to him.

James looked a little colder, and apparently, Hazel’s words didn’t make him change his attitude towards Joshua.

Suddenly, several cars emerged and stopped in the middle of the road ahead.

James became very nervous. “Get down!”

She swiftly ducked down in her seat as gunshots rang out, and the car jolted. She assumed that James had driven the car into the ditch and detoured around them, but the cars chasing them were only getting closer.

She raised her eyes before her pupils suddenly contracted. “You are hurt?”

There was already a bullet hole in James’s arm, and the blood was pouring out of it.

“Nothing,” said James, unperturbed.

She opened the car’s trunk, found something to stop the bleeding, and simply bandaged him.

James looked at her in surprise because she wasn’t afraid of such a situation but was calm enough to stop his bleeding skillfully.

“Aren’t you afraid?” he asked in surprise.

“No, I’m scared to death,” she said truthfully, her voice a little shaky. “I know I can’t help, so I thought I could do something useful to distract myself. You still need to get the bullet out in the hospital as soon as possible.”

He was even more surprised that Hazel had a different temperament from what he had imagined. However, with her personality, she could deal with anything she encountered more calmly.

“Let’s get rid of them,” said James in a deep voice.

The car behind them was getting closer and closer to them.

As they started to get closer, her heart became tenser. She knew very well that these men were only planning to take her alive, and if they could not, they would turn their guns on her.

How could she not be afraid in a situation where she might be killed, even if she appeared calm?

Suddenly, she heard a strange hum. She looked out the window in astonishment as a helicopter was hovering above them, whirring.

“That’s quite quick. He really cares about you.” He snorted.

“What?” she asked blankly.

Then she realized what James meant. The door of the helicopter opened, and Joshua stood in the doorway, looking anxiously in her direction.

A number of cars drove up ahead, shielding their car in the middle of the group. The cars that were originally chasing them saw their disadvantage in the situation and then turned around in succession. However, there were cars still racing up behind them.

“It’s safe.” James was relieved and pulled over to the side of the road.

Hazel opened the door and got out. The helicopter had been so low that the wind from its wing blew her hair behind. She watched Joshua leaping from above and run up to her with a worried face. He grabbed her and held her tightly.

“Hazel, are you okay?” he asked, his voice full of remorse.

“I’m okay.” She shook her head and looked back at James. “But he is injured…”

Before she could finish, James slammed on the gas, and the car sped away.

Watching the car disappear in the distance, she was completely astonished. How much did James hate Joshua to not even speak to him?

“It was James Howard who saved your life?” Joshua frowned a little.

“Yeah.” She asked curiously, “What has happened between you?”

“We will go home and talk,” he said quietly.

“But his wound…” She was more or less worried.

“Don’t worry, he is very capable and will take good care of himself,” he whispered.

She was a bit upset because what she would say was pointless now that he was gone.

Following Joshua into the helicopter, she told him all about her distress.

“Joshua, I shouldn’t have run out of Denmark Residence without saying a word,” she said, her head lowered, as she sat awkwardly. “I was too careless this time. I should have told you in advance.”

He sighed before he reached out weakly and rubbed her hair. Even if it was her fault, he didn’t want to scold her in the least.

“I will apologize to your parents and tell them that I didn’t protect you well enough.”

She looked at him in surprise. “No, no, my parents have been dissatisfied with you, and they’ll definitely make a fuss. Joshua, let’s keep it from them!”

“Keep it from them?” He frowned.

She nodded hastily. “My parents don’t know I was in trouble, do they? Besides, I’m not hurt. If we don’t tell them, they won’t know!”

He had a look of unhappiness, but he understood what she was saying.

“That’s it!” she said. “I don’t want to tell them, and you mustn’t either. Listen to me!”

She looked very authoritative, but Joshua knew that she was just trying to protect him. His heart was warmed, and he thought she was extraordinarily cute.

“Hazel…” He said her name.

“Joshua, you haven’t told me why James hates you,” she asked curiously.

He looked a little stiff and then let out a small sigh.

“Because of Jughead,” he whispered. “When he fell into the water, James wasn’t with us. He stayed at the orphanage, but he didn’t expect to hear of Jughead’s death. He has been blaming me for not taking good care of him, and then the Denmark couple adopted me…”

She understood suddenly.

She didn’t have much contact with James, but she could see his temper. In the eyes of James, Joshua was the biggest beneficiary of all, so he naturally thought Jughead’s death was Joshua’s fault. Worse still, he even had a bolder thought of suspecting that Joshua was responsible for her parents’ death.

“And what sort of man is he?” she asked curiously.

He felt very uncomfortable before he looked at her resentfully. “Hazel, are you asking me about other men, huh?”

“He saved me! Can’t I get to know my savior?” said she unkindly. Joshua was not a bad man, but he was too jealous.

“It’s me who saved you.” He rarely argues with her. “If I didn’t arrive, you would have both been in danger.”

 

Chapter 298: Do You Know How I Feel When You’re Jealous?

“Joshua,” she looked at him wide-eyed, “you care so much about him, which would lead me to believe that there is something between you!”

He stared at her helplessly. “What are you thinking about?”

“Do you know how I feel when you’re jealous?” She poked him in his chest.

Joshua’s eyes were a little deep. He took her fingers lightly and then pulled her into his arms.

“Joshua…” She was kind of surprised.

“You’ve been talking to me randomly all the time. Are you still afraid now?” he asked.

Her body froze abruptly. He did find out… Yeah, he had always been so keen. Though it was not the first time she had been gone after, how could she not be afraid of the black gun muzzles and the cars that had been chasing after her?

As she told James, she was scared to death, but she knew that fear was of no use at all, so she kept doing other things to distract herself from thinking about how she was feeling. Joshua had seen through her illusion of bravery, and the fear that had been repressed in her heart suddenly poured out like a flood. However, she felt so reassured in his arms that the overwhelming fear dissipated immediately.

“Of course,” she said sadly, trying not to cry.

“It’s all right, it’s all right.” He patted her on the back lightly.

Her body gradually stopped trembling before she leaned quietly in his arms.

“James is a competent man,” Joshua said quietly. “He’s intuitive and tough, but he is too stubborn to listen to others’ opinions.”

She frowned. If Joshua was right and James thought there was something suspicious about her parents’ death, there must be something. As for his suspicions of Joshua, she didn’t believe them at all. She had known Joshua for over half a year, and she knew exactly what he was.

“Can he be trusted to say that the people wanting to kill me are related to the Denmark Group?” asked she, looking up.

“Did he say so?” Joshua was somewhat surprised, and his finger tapped slightly. “If he said that, it must be true. I’ll have to investigate Denmark Group directors carefully.”

She was slightly relieved that she and Joshua were thinking alike.

“By the way, as for Theresa, did you ask someone to save her?” She asked. She just realized that was the reason she ran out of Denmark Residence and was put in a dangerous situation.

“Yes,” said Joshua lightly. “I’ll handle all of it later.”

“Mm.” She nodded repeatedly.

When they returned to Denmark Residence, they saw Theresa, who Jaxson had rescued. She looked very sad, Hazel thought she looked heartbroken.

“Theresa, I’ll take you back to your room,” Hazel felt sad for her and whispered. “Whatever happened, have a rest first, and then we’ll talk.”

“No, Sister Hazel.” Theresa looked at Hazel as if she had made up her mind. “I don’t know how to ask this, but I need another favor?”

“What is it?” Hazel was a little astonished.

“You’ve been very kind to me these days, but I want to move out,” Theresa said very earnestly.

“What happened?” Asked Hazel in wonder.

“Nothing,” Theresa shook her head. “I just want to start over.”

Hazel looked at Joshua blankly. Theresa didn’t have any friends here, so she would always have a heart-to-heart with Hazel. If Theresa wasn’t willing to tell her anything more, there was naturally nothing she could do.

Joshua gave her a slight nod, so Hazel said in a soft voice helplessly, “Okay then, but you can come to me whenever you’re having trouble.”

“I will!” Theresa said gratefully.

After Theresa excused herself to go back to her belongings, Hazel couldn’t help but whisper, “What did the Flores family do to her exactly?”

“The Flores family gave Theresa to a rich businessman in his fifties in order to stay in the imperial capital,” Joshua whispered. “They tricked her into going out to meet them. They presented her to the old man, she is thoroughly disappointed in her family.”

“How can parents do such a thing to their children?” Hazel was irate but also helpless. “Was she taken advantage of?”

“No, Jaxson arrived in time,” he said quietly.

“What are you going to do with the Flores family?” she asked curiously.

He looked at her with deep eyes because she didn’t just ask.

“What do you want me to do?” He asked.

“Let them go home,” she said quietly. She knew that Joshua hadn’t intended to let them go simply.

He frowned. “But they bullied you…”

“I know, but they didn’t succeed.” She shrugged. More importantly, Joshua would have never let that incident go if the Flores family had not been coercing him.

He had always thought that Jughead’s death was his fault, so he helped the Flores family and gave in to their requests to ease his guilt. He began to see that Jughead was just Jughead and the Flores family was just the Flores family. They may have been related by blood, but Lanny and Caroline treated their children as items to be sold, they were not worthy of his guilt over Jughead’s death.

Therefore, no matter how horrible the Flores family was, Hazel would get Joshua to make them leave.

“All right, I’ll listen to you.” Joshua’s eyes were a little darker. “I’ll ask someone to get them home safe and sound.”

What kind of life they would live when they arrived home was not part of his promise.

She nodded happily as she took Joshua’s hand and started walking upstairs. “Come on, let’s go to see my parents and…”

Before she even finished her sentence, she saw Harry and Rachel standing at the top of the stairs looking at them very unhappily. She suddenly felt like a guilty child who had been caught after doing something she was not supposed to.

Rachel’s eyes were very sharp, staring at her hand. Hazel, feeling uncomfortable with her gaze, quickly withdrew her hand as if she had touched a red-hot iron. Her parents’ faces became a little softer.

“Where did you go?” Harry asked in a deep tone.

“I went to save a little girl,” she said, with a look of indignation, as she hurried upstairs. “Dad, Mom, you don’t know…”

She wasn’t going to tell them she had been in danger, but if she tried to lie to them, she wouldn’t be able to hide it from Rachel, so she decided to tell them a half-truth story.

She turned her head around quietly to wink at Joshua, who was feeling a little vulnerable. Why did he and Hazel become Romeo and Juliet after the Crowe family came? Rachel and Harry were not willing to see Hazel and him holding hands, let alone being together as a couple.

 

Chapter 299: They’ll Live A Miserable Life

When they all sat down, Hazel told her parents about Theresa. She had learned about Theresa’s situation, so she said that she had gone out to help her.

Although it was a lie, Harry and Rachel wouldn’t naturally investigate the truth because they felt extreme hatred for the Flores family, and they were furious about how they had treated Theresa.

“After hearing this, I’m afraid the early death of the two daughters in their house may not have been that simple,” Rachel said as she looked pale. “I’m afraid this family may have abused them and caused their death or abandoned them because of their dislike of daughters.”

Hazel sighed because Rachel was right. She had heard from Theresa that her two dead sisters had been abused by her parents when they were babies.

What makes the entire situation more despicable is that they not only had no guilt over it, but they often used the incidents to intimidate Theresa, as if sparing her life was a great act of kindness.

“How can these people even have children?” Rachel was furious. “I don’t think they’ll end up with a son around them even if they have a lot!”

“Mom, don’t be angry,” Hazel said hurriedly. “Didn’t Theresa break ties with her family? That’s a good thing.”

Then Rachel’s expression softened a little.

“Shall we go and see the child for a minute?” Harry suggested.

“I’m afraid not.” Rachel disagreed. “I’ve seen cases where this kind of child is terribly traumatized, and it is counterproductive for strangers to comfort them. Leave it to the psychiatrist.”

“That’s right.” Harry nodded, agreeing. Then he looked at Hazel. “Since this child depends on you, Hazel, you should take more care of her.”

“Mmm.” Hazel nodded hurriedly.

She suddenly felt very happy. Her adoptive parents were also very kind. They rescued her and raised her as their own daughter, but they did not expect anything in return for their upbringing. Even when it came to Theresa, whose family they hated, they were not judging or disgusted by her, they showed nothing but kindness. But… how could such kind parents become the unreasonable Capulet couple in the face of the relationship between her and Joshua?

They stayed at Denmark Residence, but her parents would suddenly appear like ghosts, staring at them whenever she was near Joshua. Hazel was so scared several times, and she had walked away before she even had time to say a few words to Joshua.

It had been going on like this for days, which was making her crazy, and she was close to breaking down. Worse still, Joshua was worried about her safety, so he asked her to stay in the Denmark Residence for a few days instead of going out. Even though she could be here with her parents and deal with some work, she felt very anxious.

When she finally couldn’t bear it anymore, she found a chance to escape her parents’ surveillance and snuck to see Joshua.

Joshua was in the study, his fingers tapping on the desk, quietly listening to Jaxson’s report.

“… The forces of those directors have been eradicated, and now it is much safer for Miss Crowe to go out,” Jaxson said. “But they didn’t seem to have any contact with Director Cohen, and it didn’t affect him this time.”

“He didn’t have to make a move on this kind of thing. As long as he released Hazel’s identity, naturally, some people would be uneasy,” Joshua said simply. “Keep searching. By the way, how is the Flores couple?”

“I’ve already taken them home,” He replied. “They’ll live a miserable life.”

The Flores couple’s home was in a small remote place. When they had money, they moved to the county town. But now Joshua had taken back everything he had given them, so they had to return to their ruined homeland.

Before they left, they had knocked down their house and now had no place to live, so they had to live in a poor house nearby. The two had gone to look for their own sons, but when their sons saw that they were so down and out, they refused to admit they were their parents, unwilling to support them.

They had become so accustomed to a good life that they refused to live a poor life as they had before. They became lazy and spent each day recalling their previous life and begging.

The two were now regretting that they had so many sons, but none of them were reliable. They hoped they would have kept a daughter to support them or have not fallen out with Theresa, who would soften easily and would not leave them alone. But it was too late, and that would be poor for the rest of their lives.

The thought of this gave Jaxson a bit of pleasure somehow.

The family was blinded by their own greed. Joshua helped them, but they were trying to conspire against the Denmark family for the property. Hazel was kind to them, but the Flores couple were bad to her and even wanted their son to sleep with her. What’s worse, they even tried to sell their own daughter.

Jaxson wanted to say they deserved it even if they were living a miserable life.

“What about Henry Flores?” Joshua’s eyes were deep. He could let Lanny and Caroline go, except Henry, who tried to seduce Hazel. Joshua had already heard Hazel’s recording. Though she had made use of their trick to defeat them and didn’t suffer, he could not forgive him for what he had done to her.

When the Flores family left, Henry didn’t want to go, so he escaped, he had no idea that Joshua deliberately let him escape.

“He’s been hiding, he has racked up a lot of gambling debt, and he is in the hands of a small underground gang, being tormented very miserably,” Jaxson said.

“Mm,” Joshua said quietly. “Don’t let Hazel know that.”

Jaxson hastened to agree.

***

Hazel slyly walked to the entrance to the study and saw Jaxson coming out.

“Is Joshua here?” she asked in a low voice.

“Yes.” Puzzled, Jaxson asked, “Miss Crowe, why are you so sneaky?”

She made a booing gesture and whispered, “Don’t tell my parents where I am if you bump into them.”

As she spoke, she hurriedly went into the study.

“Joshua…” She came to him a little anxiously, but before she could say anything, Rachel’s voice sounded at the door. “Jaxson, have you seen Hazel?”

Jaxson spent a lot of time at Denmark Residence, so Rachel had started to get to know him.

Hazel’s face changed instantly. She looked around, then grabbed Joshua’s arm and took him to the hidden bookcase in the study.

 

Chapter 300: Why Are You So Conservative?

“Hazel…” Joshua was confused. He and Hazel were a couple, everyone knew, so why did they need to sneak around like they were having an affair?

“Shh—” She whispered, “Let’s hide. I don’t want my mother to find us, or we won’t have a chance to talk!”

She had hardly finished her sentence when Rachel opened the door and walked in. In an instant, Hazel’s body stiffened as she tensed up. Joshua’s eyes were a bit deep, he looked at Hazel’s tenseness and thought it might be a good opportunity to seduce her.

All of a sudden, he leaned over and blew in her ear. Hazel’s body quivered instantly as if she had had an electric shock, then she looked at Joshua in disbelief. What did he want to do at this moment?

Rachel looked around in the study, puzzled. She couldn’t find Hazel but Joshua also disappeared.

“Mrs. Crowe, I really didn’t see Miss Crowe,” Jaxson said weakly.

“What are you doing?” Hazel asked in a low voice angrily.

“Shh…” There was the light of tease flashing in his eyes as he whispered, smiling. “Don’t be too loud, and you’ll be heard.”

Hazel was about to say something when Rachel’s voice rang again. She paled and choked back her words hastily.

“No? I clearly saw my girl walking toward this direction!” said Rachel, discontented, and began to search in the study.

A smile curved Joshua’s lips slightly, and there was a brighter gleam in his eyes.

He hadn’t been so close to her for a long time since her parents arrived. It was said that absence made the heart grow fonder, every cell of his was telling how much he missed her.

He couldn’t resist biting her on the ear. Hazel moaned, and her legs went weak, she was leaning in his arms and tightened her lips so she wouldn’t dare make a sound.

What a bastard, she thought as she clenched her teeth and glared at Joshua. He clearly knew she couldn’t make any noise now, but he was actually making a pass at her at such a time. He went too far, and she knew she could show no weakness.

She suddenly reached out her little hand and gently drew a circle on his chest. He took a deep breath, he wore only a shirt, and he could feel the warmth of her palm through the thin fabric. There was a smile and twinkle in his eyes, and he bent down to kiss her porcelain neck.

“Miss Crowe is really not here…” Jaxson was lying with resignation.

“Even if Hazel isn’t here, what about Joshua?” Rachel sneered. “Who are you looking for if he’s not here?”

“I came out to look for the President when I saw he wasn’t here.” Jaxson was about to cry. He knew that Joshua and Hazel were in the study hiding, but he had to lie. However, he had to face Rachel and was under a lot of pressure. What were they thinking?

Rachel, of course, didn’t believe him. Then she searched in the study and stood in front of the bookcase.

The two of them were “struggling” enthusiastically in the closet. Hazel bit Joshua’s lips, and she had even torn off his shirt. When they heard Rachel’s footsteps, they both felt as if a pause button had been hit, and they were motionless, even holding their breath.

Rachel stood in front of the bookcase, frowning. Where could the two of them be hiding in it?

In an instant, it felt as if the air in the bookcase heated up. Hazel was biting Joshua on the lips, but her nerves tensed up completely! Even though there was a door, she could still feel Rachel’s sharp eyes!

She didn’t know what to do. If she were found under such circumstances, she would never be able to clear her reputation.

“Mrs. Crowe,” Jaxson persuaded, “We’d better go out. There’s a lot of Denmark Group documents here…”

“Tch. Do you suspect that I would steal the confidential documents?” Rachel snorted and turned around to leave.

Hazel heaved a sigh of relief when she heard the door was closed. She quickly let Joshua go and was about to open the door.

His eyes darkened as he suddenly wrapped his arms around her waist tightly and whispered, “Aren’t you afraid she’ll come back?”

She paused, and the next moment, his kiss fell on her lips. She tried to push him away, but he held her tightly. As the kiss grew hotter and hotter, she felt less and less air in her lungs, and she seemed almost out of breath, then she struggled to open the door of the bookcase.

But at the same time, the door of the study was pushed open, and Rachel returned again. “Since nobody is here, I’ll borrow a book…”

Suddenly the study became silent, Joshua had let go of Hazel, and the four were staring at one another.

Hazel turned pale, and she thought she might throw up. She didn’t expect that Rachel would come back and they would be caught. Even if they were found hiding in the bookcase, it was ok, but they were found in such an awkward situation.

She felt sad and was desperate to run and hide.

The look of horror on Rachel’s face was much worse than the look on Hazel’s. How much did she see?

Joshua’s clothes were unbuttoned, and he had some suspicious red marks on his body, and his lips were clearly marked with tooth marks. But Hazel looked much better. Now, it looked like Hazel had forcibly kissed Joshua!

“Hazel Crowe!” shouted Rachel, annoyed. It wasn’t as bad as it looked, but Rachel could only guess as to what happened. The marks on Joshua were where Hazel pinched him, and the bite marks on his lips were made when she accidentally bit him a little too hard.

Hazel looked much better than Joshua because he was afraid it would be hard for him to explain if they got caught, so his moves were very gentle and tender.

“Rachel, I forced Hazel. Don’t blame her.” Joshua unhurriedly buttoned his shirt and hid Hazel behind him.

“Yes, yes!” Hazel nodded hastily.

“I can see with my own eyes!” Rachel was even more annoyed. “Come here!”

Hazel shrank behind Joshua, she was worried that Rachel was going to hit her. She said defensively, “Mom, I know you’re outraged, but I’m not to blame. Whenever I am with Joshua, you act like a ghost and have to be around constantly. I haven’t even had a chance to talk to him alone in days. Why are you so conservative? How can I deal with it? I am miserable!”

Rachel was amused by her. They had been so afraid that Joshua would do something to Hazel, so they had been watching them closely. They never thought it was Hazel who was so rebellious.

If Hazel had become so bold that she would hide from her mother, what else would she do? Rachel thought for a moment and reluctantly said, “All right, I’ll give you a chance to be alone!”