Ch. 41..50

Chapter 41: Are You Still Pretending?

“Hazel, we do not have a rendezvous.” Joshua was dissatisfied.

“Who? What? Huh? Who said that we have a rendezvous?” Hazel’s angry face turned redder.

“So even if Ivan is back, he is not like he is catching us with our pants down.” Joshua looked at her with questioning eyes, “What are you afraid of?”

“Who said that I am afraid?” Hazel went mad, “Nothing is going on with Ivan!”

“Duly noted.” Joshua twitched his lips.

What? Hazel looked at him, astounded.

That’s not right! She had nothing to do with Ivan, but she also had nothing to do with Joshua either!

Why did she sound like she was explaining to him?

Just when she was about to fight back, Joshua calmly explained, “Your parents called you yesterday but didn’t get through, so they called your roommate. Although your roommate explained to them, they probably did not buy it and will probably show up at the university.”

“Is that the truth?” Hazel was astounded.

It seemed like her parents misunderstood the situation because she had her phone turned off.

In that case, she really should go back to the university as soon as possible. Her parents cared about her very much, so they would likely drive to the university.

Has she misunderstood Joshua all along?

Hazel looked at him with a little embarrassment.

“Hazel! Where have you been hiding?” Outside the door, an angry voice came.

Then the door was pushed open quickly. Claire was standing at the doorway, and she was somewhat surprised when she saw Joshua in Hazel’s room.

But when Claire saw Hazel’s luggage that Joshua had packed, she was outraged, “Hazel! We really misread you. You turned out to be a dirty thief! Are you planning to run away with your accomplice after you steal our things?”

Hazel couldn’t help but frown, “Claire, did you misunderstand something? What thief?”

Ivan and the others rushed into Hazel’s room. Seeing Joshua in the room, Ivan’s expression changed from relief that Hazel was safe to jealousy.

“Hazel, who is he? Is he your boyfriend?” Ivan looked at Joshua unhappily. Hazel hesitated for a moment.

Hazel would not like to disclose the identity of Joshua to avoid a lot of problems. As for her relationship with Joshua… Hazel was also perplexed on that part.

What’s more, she didn’t really like the tone of Ivan’s questioning.

“I’m a friend of Hazel’s. I came here to pick her up.” Joshua said.

“See, I am right about them! They just want to steal something and run!” Claire sneered.

Karla stumbled in behind the crowd and saw the situation. She couldn’t help but feel happy.

Now everyone in the crowd thought Hazel was a thief. It looked like she could not get away with that easily.

“What’s wrong with your ears?” Joshua’s look got a little cold, “Or are you unable to understand English?”

“You, you…!” Claire didn’t expect Joshua to dare to ridicule her like this!

“Dear Claire, ” Hazel couldn’t help but frown, “Why do you keep saying that I stole your stuff? What have I stolen from you?”

“Are you still pretending?” Claire snorted, “Now, where is my camera?”

“Here you are.” Hazel picked up the camera from the table and handed it to her, “I helped to get it back. A while ago…”

Claire grabbed the camera, opened the camera bag, and checked it carefully.

“Hazel, enough of your lies!” Karla hurriedly interrupted her and added, “You clearly wanted to steal Claire’s camera and got caught on the spot. Now you still want to act like a nice person? If you didn’t steal the camera, why is it in your hands? You even pack up your luggage! You wanted to run away with what you stole before we got back! I suggest we should check her bag and find out what else she stole from us?”

Two boys in the crowd looked at each other for a second and stepped forward. They were really planning to search for Hazel’s luggage.

“How dare you!” Joshua stepped forward, his face cold and terrible.

The two boys were a little shocked by the superior temperament radiated from Joshua. They hesitated.

Hazel hurriedly pulled Joshua’s arm and whispered, “What are you doing? Want to fight with them?”

If they began fighting, this thing would surely went out of control.

“Look at them.” Joshua glanced at the crowd in the room, “Who you regard as friends may not be friendly to you.”

Hazel was also shocked.

She was even more shocked Ivan did not say anything when others framed her.

“Karla, you or anyone should know why I got the camera.” Hazel took a deep breath and said, “I did not steal the camera. If you don’t believe me, call the police.”

“Forget it, this may be a misunderstanding.” Ivan broke his silence and said, “The police will make things ugly. We are all friends, after all. And you got your camera back, right, Claire?”

Hazel’s heart feels even colder.

Ivan didn’t want to call the police not because he trusted her, but because he did not want to cause a scene?

After she checked her camera, Claire looked at Hazel and said, “Even if I don’t care about the camera, what about Karla? Hazel pushed Karla down the hillside, and Karla sprained her foot. How can we just let it go?”

“You said that I pushed Karla down the hill?” Hazel sneered.

Now Hazel finally understood. It turned out Karla was the one who framed her. This group of people was really ridiculous.

“Of course, you pushed me!” A little panic flashed in Karla’s eyes. The next moment, Karla said, “Hazel, do you want to say that it was I who pushed you?”

“But you did push me…” Hazel was depressed.

“How can you be so bold, Hazel? Now you want Karla to take the blame for you?”

“If Karla pushed you, then why is Karla the wounded one but not you?”

***

Listening to their accusations, Hazel clenched her fists.

Hazel knew they were confused between right and wrong. She really wanted to solve the problem with a good old fashion fight!

“Hazel, this is your fault. Please apologize to Karla.” Ivan’s face was ugly.

“What did you just say?” Hazel looked at him with disbelief. Her hope vanished completely.

 

Chapter 42: I Believe You

Ivan’s expression softened a little. He said again, “Just apologize to Karla, and this thing is over.”

Hazel suddenly felt that all this was so absurd.

When Ivan’s friends did not believe her, she was only angry. However, when Ivan did not believe her, she was angry and hurt.

“What about you?” Hazel looked at Joshua. “Do you think I pushed her and framed her?”

“How could that be?” Joshua said quietly. “You said no, that means no, and I believe you.”

Hazel’s look relaxed. She felt a little warmth in her heart, but she was still enraged. She thought that all these people did not believe her. But when she was feeling completely desperate, Joshua said firmly that he believed her.

Seeing the changes on Ivan’s face, Karla was afraid of the growth of suspicion in Ivan’s mind, so she yelled, “You are here together. You’re her accomplice, so no wonder you’ll speak up for her! And would give us a reason to believe this thief,”

Hazel took a deep breath and said, “Karla led the way. She said we should take a shortcut to save time. Then she deliberately threw the camera on the ground and told me to pick it up. When I went to pick it up, she was going to push me from behind. I dodged, and she fell down the hill and sprained her foot. Believe it or not, that’s the truth. As for why Karla did all that…”

“Hazel, stop your cheeky lying!” Karla worried that Hazel would tell all about her secret love for Ivan, so she hurriedly interrupted, “You said that you like Ivan and did not like seeing Ivan so close to me, that’s why you wanted revenge against me!”

Hazel was really admiring Karla’s performance.

Ivan looked at Hazel with some astonishment. His eyes were full of surprise and hidden joy.

Joshua laughed and suddenly embraced Hazel’s waist with one arm, “You said that I am her accomplice, then Hazel should like me, right? Why would she like someone else? I don’t think Hazel’s taste is that bad.”

Hazel went flushed. Before she dodged, Joshua gently kneaded her waist. She was a little stunned, but she understood Joshua immediately.

Ivan’s face was getting bleak.

“You, you two liars!” Karla said, somewhat flustered.

Hazel was really fed up with Karla. She suddenly stepped forward and approached Karla.

“What are you doing?” Karla stared at her without fear.

Now that so many people were around, she didn’t really believe that Hazel dared to do anything.

“Karla, I’m just a friend of Ivan’s. I know you like him. But why do you think of me as an invented enemy?” Hazel said coldly, “Besides, even if I really wanted to do something to you, I would not have used that kind of coaxing and deception. I prefer this!”

Hazel suddenly grabbed Karla’s and performed a beautiful shoulder throw. Karla was slammed down to the ground!

All of them were astounded. Karla was in absolute shock and didn’t move out of fear.

They never expected that Hazel could subdue Karla with such a neat and quick move.

Hazel’s move was faster than their reaction. Hazel looked thin and small, but she actually packed that kind of power?

Ivan was stunned. In all the time they had been friends, he never knew Hazel was so good in close-quarter combat. And, while Hazel was so strong, it’s not necessary for her to deceive Karla into the depths of the woods and push her down the hill.

Everyone looked at Karla suspiciously.

As the pain of her sprain spread, Karla was even more agitated. She hurriedly stood up and shouted, “Hazel, you kept this to yourself for just this moment, huh?”

Hazel suddenly felt a bit ridiculous, obviously, their relationship was closer, and she expected them to believe in her.

“I have evidence,” Hazel said suddenly.

“What evidence?” Ivan looked at her with dismay.

“Hazel, you’re bluffing!” Karla shouted, “You don’t have any evidence at all!”

“Ivan, check your phone. I expect that my number is in the blocked caller’s list.” Hazel said confidently, “Karla planned to push me down the hill, and I could not call for help.”

Startled, Iven checked the blocked list on his phone and found Hazel’s number.

Ivan suddenly felt a chill go up to his spine.

Hazel didn’t touch his cell phone yesterday, and Karla had borrowed his phone for a while.

Did he actually misunderstand Hazel?

“I will go back with you.” Hazel looked at Joshua. She had explained herself anyway.

“Good.” Joshua took her belongings.

While two walked out of the room, everyone looked at them with fear, and Ivan was the only brave one who dared to chase them.

The rain had finally stopped as Ivan ran outside after them and said loudly, “Hazel, you…”

“If you think I stole something, then please call the police,” Hazel said indifferently. “I didn’t steal it, and I won’t let you touch my things without my permission.”

“Hazel, I believe you.” Ivan hesitated and said.

Hazel felt quite ridiculous, “You believe me, and you still want me to apologize to the one who framed me?”

Ivan did not speak.

“In fact, you still don’t believe me, don’t force yourself.” Hazel said, “But it doesn’t matter. I’m not angry now.”

“Really?” Ivan looked at her with some hesitation.

“Yeah.” Hazel nodded, “I am just in the same university as you. Karla is the niece of your mentor, and the others are your classmates. You are close to each other. That’s why you chose to do that to me.”

Ivan’s face was pale. It sounded like Hazel was extremely disappointed with him now. He suddenly regretted that he had not believed Hazel.

Ivan clearly knew Hazel was an honest and straightforward girl. But… when he saw a strange man in Hazel’s room, he seemed to have lost his composure.

Ivan’s mentor walked toward them from the backyard. He glanced at Joshua in amazement.

Suddenly, the mentor hurriedly walked forward and said, “Mr. Denmark? Are you Mr. Denmark?”

“Professor Lee, how are you?” Joshua smiled and nodded to him.

 

Chapter 43: Who Is This Guy?

“Why are you here?” Professor Lee greeted him with delight. “Why do we need to stand here? Let’s go in, sit down, and have a little chat,”

Ivan looked at Joshua in surprise. Joshua looked one or two years older than himself and a little more mature. But why would his mentor be so humble in front of Mr. Denmark? Who the hell is this guy?

“No, I am in a hurry.” Joshua said, “Also, professor, your students seem to have misunderstood me.”

Karla and the rest of the crowd came out of the villa. She couldn’t help but wonder when she saw Joshua and Professor Lee talking with each other like old friends.

Karla tolerated the pain on her foot, walked over to Professor Lee, and said, “Uncle, do you know each other? Is he a student?”

Before Professor Lee could answer her, Karla sneered, “Was he caught for stealing things before? Or else why would he come here to steal our things?”

“Shut up!” Professor Lee hurriedly interrupted her, “Karla, what are you talking about?”

Karla was stunned, her uncle never treated her like that before. She suddenly felt more persecuted, “I don’t talk nonsense! Uncle, I know you are a nice person. But since he suddenly appeared here, who knows if we have lost anything…”

Professor Lee slapped Karla’s face and said, “Do you know who he is?”

Karla covered her cheeks and looked at him skeptically. Professor Lee was looking extremely outraged.

Everyone in the crowd was stunned. They had never seen such an angry outburst from Professor Lee.

They had also suspected Joshua and Hazel were stealing from them. But now, Professor Lee even beat his most beloved niece for insulting this man.

They looked at Joshua. Everyone was thinking, “Who is this guy”?

At the moment, Professor Lee hurriedly apologized to Joshua, “Mr. Denmark, please forgive my niece. She has no sense, and her intelligence is obviously…”

“Uncle, how can you do this to me!” Karla interrupted, her eyes were red, “You actually beat me for a student and say that I am senseless?”

“You…!” Professor Lee was speechless. He angrily yelled at Ivan, “Get this irresponsible thing out of my face!”

Karla was even angrier. Ivan hurriedly shut her mouth with one hand and dragged her back into the villa with another.

“Mr. Denmark…” Professor Lee looked at Joshua in a flurry.

“Professor Lee, I think you are still busy with your private affairs.” Joshua said, “Let’s talk some other time.”

“OK…” Professor Lee was a bit helpless.

Joshua came to his Maybach and calmly opened the car door for Hazel.

The expressions of the crowd suddenly changed.

The car he drove was actually a Maybach? They had seen this Maybach and thought some rich man parked it there. It turned out to be this man’s car?

They were all embarrassed at the fact they thought this man was stealing from them. Joshua was clearly wealthy and did not need to steal their possessions.

Karla’s expression had also changed. She suddenly realized that she seemed to have offended someone who should not be offended.

After Hazel got in the car, Joshua drove it away.

Looking at the back of the car, Ivan finally couldn’t help but ask, “Mentor, who is this guy? Is he also one of your students?”

“If only I could have such a student!” Professor Lee’s words were full of anger, and he looked at Karla with annoyance, “He is Joshua Denmark.”

“Who?” Everyone was stunned.

Joshua Denmark? No way!

“Is he with the Denmark Group?” Someone asked with a little panic.

“Is there any other Joshua Denmark?” Professor Lee snorted and walked back into the villa.

Every face was pale, filled with fear and regret of what they had said and done earlier.

Many of them were hoping to work at the Denmark Group after graduation. But now, they had just offended the President!

Suddenly, everyone looked at Karla with annoyance. She conned them into believing that Joshua was a thief!

Ivan was completely confused. How did Hazel get to know Joshua?

At first sight of Joshua, Ivan had an overwhelming feeling of disaster.

Joshua was calm and handsome and seemed to be better than him in every aspect, even when it came to the point of trusting Hazel.

Ivan was not thinking clearly. For a moment, he had thought he would be better than Joshua in terms of academics and family background, but then harsh reality hit him.

He was totally lost.

If the other party was Joshua Denmark, how could he fight with him?

“Why, why are you looking at me?” Karla was scared by everyone. She still said, “How would I know Hazel was with that man? Maybe he was blinded by Hazel…”

Before Karla finished her speech, Ivan’s cell phone rang.

Ivan checked the phone and saw an anonymous mail with a recording file in the attachment.

Ivan opened the recording file, which was a conversation between two people.

“Did you want to push me down? Did you throw the camera deliberately?”

“No! I just wanted to pick up the camera!”

Karla’s face suddenly became desperately pale. How could her conversation with Hazel be recorded?

“No! You listen to me!” she cried almost hysterically. “That is fake, fake!”

Everyone looked at her coldly, their eyes full of disgust. This girl took advantage of their trust and played them. They ignored Karla and went back to the villa one by one.

“Dear Ivan, you have to trust me…” Karla dragged Ivan’s sleeve and pleaded.

Ivan pushed her away with disgrace. It’s too late to apologize.

***

Hazel was sitting in the car, bored. When she saw Joshua hitting on the phone with his finger, she couldn’t help but say, “Don’t play with your phone when you are driving.”

“Alright.” Joshua put the phone down and said, “Still thinking about what happened just now?”

Hazel said with a sullen voice, “I’m afraid they still think I’m a thief. I thought you might have a way to prove them wrong.”

Joshua twitched his lips.

He did help prove the innocence of Hazel. The anonymous mail sent to Ivan was from him.

 

Chapter 44: Are We Okay?

Joshua chose not to show everyone the recording while they were accusing Hazel because he knew Ivan would have apologized to her.

Hazel is so caring that she would have forgiven Ian. Joshua would not give Ivan the chance to apologize and would not give Hazel the chance to forgive him.

A man who did not trust Hazel did not deserve to be with her.

“I guess I should thank you for helping me out.” Hazel smiled.

“So, are we okay?” Joshua said.

The smile on Hazel’s face was fading.

The root of the problem between her and Joshua was not here. Joshua saw all the changes in Hazel’s expression.

He slowed down and pulled the car to the side of the road. Hazel straightens up in her seat and suddenly realizes there was a problem.

If she pissed off Joshua, would he suddenly drop her halfway home?

“Hazel.” Joshua was looking really serious, “Let’s talk about our problems.”

“Can we go back first and talk?” Hazel whispered with a bit of embarrassment.

Joshua was a bit surprised. Seeing her eyes evading him, he suddenly understood what Hazel was worried about.

Joshua felt angry and funny at the same time, but he said, “Well then, think about what you are going to say to me when we get back.”

Hazel suddenly sneezed several times.

“Got a cold?” Joshua asked with concern.

“Maybe, it could be from being in the rain earlier today.” Hazel rubbed her nose.

Joshua opened the storage compartment and took out a few boxes of medicine, “See if you can find something that might help?”

Hazel searched in the boxes and took two capsules out of a package. Joshua handed her a bottle of water.

After taking the pills, Hazel noticed Joshua staring at her. He seemed envious of her. Was Joshua envious of her ability to take medicine so smoothly?

Hazel was curious and feeling awkward at the same time. “Why are you afraid of taking medicine?” She couldn’t help but ask.

“Not afraid. I just hate medicine.” Joshua corrected her.

Hazel was speechless. Then she asked, “Why do you hate taking medicine?”

Joshua’s eyes flickered. He whispered, “Hazel if you want to take care of me, you have to take care of me to the end. I don’t accept your curiosity for a moment.”

Hazel went flushed.

She just asked casually. When did she say that she wanted to take care of him? And what was “to the end”? Does that mean a lifetime?

“Who the hell wants to care for you…” Hazel whispered and turned to look out of the window.

Joshua’s eyes were darker. He didn’t say anything more and just started the car.

As the medicine began to work, Hazel fell asleep involuntarily.

When they reached the Imperial Capital, Hazel was in a deep sleep. Joshua was not willing to wake her up, so he took her to the Denmark Residence.

Hazel heard someone whispering when she was half awake.

“Young Master, what happened to Miss Crowe?”

“She is fine. Nanny Carter, please take care of her. And call me if she wakes up.”

“Okay. ”

Hazel had wanted to open her eyes, but she was exhausted.

Not long after that, she was placed on a soft bed and continued to sleep.

***

“Joshua!” Isaac Anderson aggressively pushed open the door to Joshua’s room. He rushed to the bed and pulled back the quilt, “I heard that you are sick. I want to check if you are dead or not…”

Isaac could not finish his words, he was stunned by Hazel, who was sleeping in the bed. He quickly dropped the quilt back down onto Hazel and murmured, “I must be dreaming. This can’t be real. It must be an illusion…”

Hazel opened her eyes and looked around. She was still a bit sleepy.

“Where am I? Why am I here?”

When she pulled the quilt back from her face, she saw Isaac standing beside the bed.

She immediately jumped out of bed and, without hesitating, kicked Isaac.

“Ouch!” Isaac groaned with a painful sigh. He stared at Hazel with sorrow and anger, “Hazel, it’s really you!”

“What is going on? Is this real?” Hazel grabbed the quilt and covered her body, looking at Isaac cautiously, “Why are you here?”

“That is what I want to ask you about,” Isaac said with a broken heart.

He desperately yelled, “Why are you in Joshua’ bedroom, Hazel? Are you two really dating? Are you together?”

“Watch your language!” Hazel waved her fist at Isaac in anger.

The next moment, she looked at the furnishings in the room. It was indeed Joshua’s bedroom, but how did she end up here?

“I understand.” Isaac said, “Joshua kidnapped you! Does he want to imprison you and do S&M things with you? Hazel, don’t be afraid, I will save you!”

“You really got to stop thinking so much…” Hazel glanced at him silently.

“Then what the hell is going on?” Isaac looked at her earnestly, “Come on and tell me. I can handle all of it.”

“I guessed when I was still sleeping, so he brought me here.” Hazel guessed.

“Oh, my goodness! Take a girl home when she is asleep? He is not a good guy.” Isaac said confidently, “Hazel, you should stay away from him.”

Hazel was speechless. Joshua was quite right about his fair-weather friend.

She ignored Isaac and walked out of the room. Hazel saw that Nanny Carter was downstairs.

“Hazel, how was your sleep?” Nanny Carter asked intimately.

“Very well. Where is Joshua?” Hazel looked around.

“The Young Master went out for business.” Nanny Carter said, “Do you need me to call him back?”

“No need.” Hazel shook her head, “Since he is not there, I will be going home.”

“Let me drive you,” Isaac said.

“When did you arrive?” Nanny Carter glanced at Isaac in surprise, even though she knew who he was, she did not look very impressed with this behavior.

“Just now.” Isaac said smugly, “I snuck in when you were not paying attention.”

Nanny Carter reprimanded Isaac for a second. Isaac laughed and accepted.

“Hazel, wait for a second, the young master will be back soon.” Nanny Carter said.

Hazel shook her head, “He will probably be swamped. I will come back to see him some other time.”

Seeing that Hazel was determined, Nanny Carter had to say, “Alright then, let Isaac drive you.”

Before Hazel refused, Isaac said, “Exactly, I will take you home. Please invite me to dinner, Hazel.”

 

Chapter 45: What About Joshua?

Isaac’s bold comment really overcame Hazel.

“If you don’t agree, then I will keep pestering you,” Isaac said.

“Well.” Hazel reluctantly agreed, “But I decide what kind of dinner I will invite you to.”

She could not take the risk that Isaac might ask for some expensive feast.

“Sure!” Isaac promised happily.

However, he did not expect that Hazel would take him to eat at McDonald’s.

Hazel ordered a McCrispy Chicken Burger. She looked at the sad-looking Isaac and said, “Don’t worry. If you don’t like a spicy burger, you can order something else.”

Isaac frowned. Did she just look down on him? He also ordered a McCrispy Chicken Burger.

He took one bite of the burger and started to choke from the heat. He drank half of his cola just to mask the heat. “Why in God’s name will you eat this kind of thing…” Isaac frowned.

“I got a cold.” Hazel said, “I think spicy food is better when you get a cold.”

“Just like that?” Isaac was motionless.

“What else did you expect?” Hazel asked.

“I thought it was a date between you and me.” Isaac laughed.

“What are you talking about?” Hazel clenched her fists.

“I mean, just give up on Joshua. You may want to think about hanging out with me.” Isaac smiled.

Hazel got coughed on her food.

“If you joke around like that again, I may ask you if you want to eat my fist. Is that okay?” Hazel said after drinking some cola.

“I am serious,” Isaac said innocently. Why would Hazel think he was only joking?

“Oh.” Hazel continued to eat.

“Hazel, I am not any uglier than Joshua, right?” Isaac was frustrated, “Don’t you feel anything towards me?”

Hazel thought about it seriously, “With you, it feels like being with my brother. You’re friendly enough like my brother,”

“You got a brother like me?” Isaac asked curiously.

“He is not as cheeky as you are.” Hazel said, “But somehow, I know that both of you are nice guys.”

“So… I am just like a brother…” Isaac murmured. Then he still asked, “What about Joshua?”

Hazel’s face changed. She said uninterestedly, “I don’t feel anything for him. Don’t mention him.”

Isaac looked at her meaningfully.

Hazel’s cell phone rang, and she frowned. It was an apology message from Ivan. She looked at the text message, and she was a little sorry.

“Well, give me your mobile phone.” Isaac reached out.

“What?” Hazel asked but still handed the phone to him.

“I’m your brother now. You cannot put your brother on the blocked list on your phone!” Isaac suddenly blinked, “Joshua is also on the blacklist? That’s exactly where he should stay! Don’t unleash him!”

Hazel was speechless.

Isaac touched the sticker on the back of her phone and asked with a frown, “Do you girls always like these colorful stickers?”

“It looks cute.”

Isaac turned over the phone and looked at the sticker. Suddenly, his face changed.

“What’s wrong now?” Hazel asked.

Isaac peeled off her phone sticker with a serious look. There was a black little thing glued underneath the sticker.

“What are you doing?”

Isaac made a gesture of “be quiet.” He threw the phone sticker into the trash can and then pulled Hazel and walked out of the McDonalds.

Hazel followed him and got in his car.

“Hazel, do you remember who touched your phone?” Isaac asked seriously.

“What’s wrong?” Hazel was amazed.

“The little black thing just now is a tiny bug with a positioning function.” Isaac’s face was a bit ugly now, “Who is after you?”

Hazel was thinking.

Someone put a bug under her phone sticker, and she was completely unaware of it!

Suddenly, her face changed slightly.

“Who are you thinking of?” Isaac asked. “Tell me, I will check it for you.”

“I didn’t think of anyone. It’s just a little scary.” Hazel lowered her eyes.

“You have to be careful these days, try not to go out alone.” Isaac was uneasy about the situation.

“Alright.” Hazel nodded.

Looking at her low mood, Isaac sighed, “Let me take you back.”

“No need.” Hazel smiled. She opened the car door and said, “We are already at the university gate. I can just walk from here.”

But when she just got out of the car, a tall figure stopped in front of her.

It was Joshua.

“Why don’t you wait for me to come back?” Joshua sighed.

Hazel bit her lip gently.

“You move fast!” Isaac got out of the car and looked at Joshua. He was less than pleased.

“Not as fast as you.” Joshua’s eyes got darker, “Isaac, your fiancée, maybe nearby…”

“Okay-okay, don’t mention that woman.” Isaac said with a big head, “Hazel is all yours. See you around.”

After Isaac got in his car and fled, Joshua said, “Hazel, he has a fiancée. You should stay away from him…”

Hazel looked at him for a while and said, “Joshua, let’s find a place to settle the things between us.”

“Get in the car.” Joshua frowned. He got a bad feeling about this.

Joshua drove to a nearby coffee shop, and Hazel picked a seat near the window. She looked at the traffic flowing outside the window and asked, “How did you find me?”

Joshua was surprised, “Isaac’s car is noticeable.”

“No. I meant when I was in state M.” Hazel asked with a complex expression, ” was in the mountains by then. How did you find me so soon?”

Joshua hesitated. He was thinking about how to tell her.

“Is it because you installed a positioning bug on my phone?” Hazel sneered, her eyes sharpened.

“Your phone was indeed installed with a bug, but it wasn’t me who installed it.” Joshua said, “Hazel, believe me. I won’t do this to you.”

“If not you, then who?” Hazel asked.

“It’s Janet Flores,” Joshua said with some helplessness.

When Jaxson checked Janet’s account yesterday, he accidentally discovered that there were Hazel’s recording files on Janet’s computer. That is when he found out that Janet had secretly installed a bug on Hazel.

 

Chapter 46: Are You Quarreling?

However, thanks to the bug, Joshua found Hazel so quickly and proved her innocence.

Hazel’s eyes were full of disappointment, “Janet? Isn’t she your secretary? Are you saying that she is actually doing this without you knowing?”

Joshua said, “Hazel, I don’t need to do this to you. Or, maybe I should ask her to explain to you in person?”

“She works for you. Of course, she will do anything as you say.” Hazel snorted.

Joshua frowned. Hazel didn’t believe him. Now, no matter what he said, she decided that he had instructed Janet to do it.

“What did she say to you? And do you really have that much of a misinterpretation to me?” Joshua asked.

To solve the misunderstanding, he had to find where the root of it all came from.

He only knew Janet had said something to Hazel. But Janet would not disclose what she said to Hazel, and he could not guess.

“Joshua, let me go.” Hazel suddenly said. Joshua’s pupils shrank.

“I don’t care what your purpose is, but I really don’t want to continue to be involved with you.” Hazel took a deep breath and said firmly, “I was attending your surrogacy competition just for the one thousand dollars. Let me return it to you, and we are clear. ”

“Hazel, that is unfair to me.” Joshua frowned with strength, “I don’t even know what I did wrong, and you just condemned me to death. Even a condemned prisoner should have a chance to defend himself.”

“No, you didn’t do anything wrong.” Hazel said, “We belong to two different worlds. We should not have known each other from the beginning. The most important thing is that I don’t want to have anything to do with you. I have had bad luck ever since I met you. So, please let me go, I just want to live an ordinary life.”

She blamed him for… her luck being worse? Was it really that bad to be with him?

Joshua felt even more despair. No matter what he said, Hazel probably would not listen to it.

“I will take you back first.” He whispered, “Now is not the right time to settle things between us. We should wait till you calm down.”

“I am very calm!” Hazel was furious.

“But I am not calm. This is not the right time to talk about matters between us,” Joshua said with a tone full of agony.

“You…!” Hazel glared at him, “Even if you delay this conversation, it will not matter. When I have made up my mind, I don’t change it.”

“Okay.” Joshua nodded indifferently.

Hazel was both annoyed and helpless. Joshua did not want to hear what she said, so he took her back to the dorm.

Hazel had to swallow her anger.

She returned to her room and heard that Ariel and Summer were chatting.

“Someone online guessed that Prince Charming canceled the surrogacy competition because he had chosen a candidate. Check out this post, really well-spoken.” Summer said.

“I saw it. Do you think those gossip reporters would dig up Hazel?” Ariel asked.

“It depends on whether Hazel and Prince Charming plan to disclose their relationship.” Summer smiled and looked at Hazel.

“I have nothing to do with him.” Hazel said coldly, “Don’t mention him in front of me again!”

The two roommates were astounded. Ariel asked cautiously, “Are you quarreling?”

Hazel put on a poker face. Quarreling? It’s impossible to quarrel with Joshua.

Summer hurriedly shifted the topic, “Hazel, two days ago, your parents called and said they want to come and see you. Did you call them back? We can find a place to accommodate them if they visit.”

Hazel’s look eased a lot, “I called them and said that I have an exam soon. They are not coming, they changed their mind about coming to visit and decided to go elsewhere.”

The two sighed and dared not mention Joshua anymore.

In the evening, when Hazel finished showering and was about to go to bed, she heard some noise from downstairs.

While she was about to go to the balcony to see what happened, Ariel swung open the dorm door and rushed in.

“Hazel, go!” Ariel took her and ran outside the door.

Hazel asked behind Ariel, “Wait for a second, Ariel, what happened?”

Ariel took her down the stairs and explained quickly, “It’s still a matter of surrogacy competition. Someone claimed that you are the surrogate mother chosen by Joshua. This thing blew up online, and your information was released.”

She continued to say, “Some jerk even uploaded a few photos of you sitting in various luxury cars, saying that you… Forget it. These are not important. The problem are the media. Reporters are now jamming the gate of the dormitory building. They can rush up and interview you at any time. It’s better you slip away from the back door now…”

Before Ariel finished talking, those reports were already rushing up the stairs.

“Not good!” Their expression turned to panic. If they went downstairs, they would surely bump into the reporters, and it’s also too late to head back.

What should they do?

The door of the dorm room next to them suddenly opened. It was Summer who hurriedly waved at the two and said, “Get in!”

Hazel and Ariel got into the dorm room next door.

Listening to the noise and footsteps outside the door, Hazel leaned against the door and couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Well, her luck had not run out.

However, Hazel heard someone shouting outside, “I saw her go into a room on his floor!”

Suddenly the door was being pounded on by multiple people, and the sound was deafening.

Hazel blocked the door, and her face turned pale.

No way? She just ran out of luck? She could not get away with this?

“This way!” Summer’s friend generously took and handed the bedsheet to Hazel and said, “You should go now. We will block them for you!”

Hazel hurriedly took the sheet and ran to the balcony. Ariel and the other two girls were blocking the door.

Hazel could not think much. She tied the sheet to the railing of the balcony and slipped down the sheet.

It’s on the second floor. The length of one bedsheet was barely enough.

Before Hazel’s feet touched the ground, someone nearby shouted, “Hey, someone dropped off the balcony! It must be Hazel! Where is she?”

It’s impossible! There were still some reporters guarding downstairs?

In a panic, Hazel suddenly let go of her hands and fell on the grass.

She landed on her feet but tumbled forward. Her foot was hurting, but she could worry about that later. She quickly stood up and ran toward the front gate.

 

Chapter 47: Where Would She Be?

“Go after her!” She could hear the reporters shouting behind her.

Hazel ran a few laps around the campus and successfully lost the reporters.

It’s just… Hazel looked at herself in fluster.

She ran out so fast that she did not grab her phone, ID, wallet, or anything. All she had on was a pair of pajamas.

The weather was getting colder, and she would not be able to handle it in just a pair of pajamas for long. Hazel rubbed her arms. She really wanted to go back.

Those reporters just wanted to interview her but not eat her, right?

A car came, and Hazel hurriedly hid in the nearby woods.

The two reporters who lost Hazel were very disappointed. Suddenly, they saw a car coming and hurriedly stopped the car.

“President Watson, please allow us to interview you!” Two reporters slammed the car window.

The car stopped, and President Watson got out.

Astounded, Hazel couldn’t help but hide behind the tree.

“Excuse me, there is a student named Hazel in your university. She participated in the surrogacy competition held by Joshua Denmark. What do you think of your students participating in this kind of activity?” One of the reporters hurriedly asked.

President Watson put on a poker face hearing that.

Another reporter was really straightforward, “This Hazel is said to have been raised by wealthy people. She’s always in and out of luxury cars. She also bribed the staff of the surrogacy competition event and won the qualification of surrogate mother to the children of Denmark Family with unfair play. Someone also said that she had ruined the reputation of a student because of a personal grievance. How is your university planning to deal with such a student?”

Hazel totally lost her mind.

No wonder Ariel asked her to leave immediately. It turned out the rumors about her online had developed into horrible lies.

In the face of the reporters who kept on asking questions, President Watson finally said, “The university is the place to study. We will not prevent students from participating in some positive activities. But for some students who are unwilling to study or those who have misconduct, will face serious consequences.”

“Serious consequences refers to… being expelled?” The reporter asked sharply.

“As for specific results, our university will contact the media as soon as possible after we have been in contact with the student in question. Please make way, thanks.” President Watson said.

Although he did not explain the details, he clearly indicated that Quantum University was about to expel Hazel. The reporters were pleased and gave way to President Watson’s car.

When everyone was gone, Hazel was still hiding behind the tree, stunned.

The temperature was getting lower and lower, just not as cold as her heart.

How could this happen?

She was about to be expelled before graduation. When this news hit the air, her parents would know sooner or later. How should she face her parents?

Since the university intended to expel her, she could only avoid contacting them for so long.

Hazel bit her teeth and rubbed her frozen fingers.

***

Joshua also received the news.

Although information can explode and be exaggerated on social media very quickly in this era, Joshua felt there was something wrong with the whole situation.

When the message that Hazel had been chosen as the surrogate mother was disclosed, Hazel’s photos in a luxury car were immediately scattered online. Suddenly, Hazel became a “whore”, “girl who got compensated for dating,” etc.

All kinds of negative information about Hazel, including the old slandering posts about her were dug out on Quantum University’s campus forum. Everyone suddenly believed that Hazel seduced the staff of Denmark Group and won the selection.

The whole thing began to get out of control. Besides, to defame Hazel, people began questioning Denmark Group online and asking Denmark Group for an explanation.

Joshua himself did not have a Twitter account. Most people left messages under the official Twitter account of Denmark Group as if they were his parents. They said they were worried that Hazel would cheat Joshua, and they did not agree to their relationship.

The intensity of this incident had happened too fast as if there was someone invisible behind it.

“Mr. President.” Jaxson entered the office and said, “The press department has calmed the media.”

“Well done. Did you find out who was behind this?”

“It was… Janet.” After a little hesitation, Jaxson said, “She contacted the media and public relations team. Her schoolmate provided those photos of Miss Crowe.”

“Janet is not capable enough to do this on her own.” Joshua frowned, “Keep checking. There must be someone helping her.”

Jaxson promised to continue searching. After a while, he continued, “And Miss Crowe has disappeared.”

“Didn’t you arrange for someone to pick her up?” Joshua asked in surprise.

“Those reporters got there first before my man. It’s said that Miss Crowe jumped down from the balcony of the second floor and disappeared.” Jaxson said.

Joshua suddenly stood up, “I’ll go find her.”

It’s so late at night. It could be very dangerous for Hazel to be outside alone. Filled with worry, Joshua went downstairs and drove to Quantum University.

Most of the reporters who had been staying at Quantum University left when they could not find Hazel. But there were still a few reporters who stayed at the gate to the girls’ dormitories, and another group of reporters began searching for her near Quantum University.

Joshua called Hazel’s phone, but it was Ariel who answered, and he just knew that Hazel probably ran out of her room without taking anything of importance.

Where would she be? Joshua thought for a while and finally decided to look for her on the campus.

If Hazel did not have anything with her, she would not make it far. Besides, the most dangerous place would usually be the safest place.

After searching for a long time and finding any sign of her, Joshua became more and more uneasy.

“Hazel!”

The sound of a restless roar burst out in the quiet campus.

Joshua frowned. It was Isaac’s voice.

Isaac came here too? Joshua was extremely uncomfortable.

Judging by the sound of his voice, Isaac was not near him.

Suddenly, Joshua saw the shadow of a person in the woods next to him.

With a slight astonishment, he hurried into the woods.

“Hazel!” Joshua called out with a low voice.

The person who was ready to dodge suddenly stopped.

Joshua hurried forward and relaxed.

The person in front of him was none other than Hazel, and she was shivering in the cold.

Joshua took off his coat and put it on her.

The warm temperature of his coat and the reassuring breath of Joshua almost lead her to burst into tears.

 

Chapter 48: Bring Her Back Home

Joshua gently embraced Hazel and said, “Don’t be afraid. It’s okay now.”

Hazel suddenly felt tears in her eyes. She felt angry and frustrated, but when Joshua just said one sentence, she felt weak and victimized.

She clearly did not do anything wrong, but she had to listen to the personal attacks happening on the internet.

Hazel leaned on Joshua’s chest and struggled with her emotions.

“Someone is there! Go check it out!” Two people shouted and ran towards them.

Hazel was shocked and wanted to run. Joshua took her wrist, “Come with me.”

Hazel took a step and stumbled.

“What happened? ”

“I accidentally sprained my foot.”

Joshua frowned, he bent down his body and said, “Get up.”

“Ah?” Hazel looked at him with surprise.

“I’m going to carry you,” Joshua whispered.

Hazel looked at him in confusion, hesitating.

“Or, do you prefer me to hold you in my arms?” Joshua asked calmly.

Looking at the two people who were getting closer, Hazel no longer hesitated. She climbed onto his back.

Joshua carried her to a nearby car. The driver quickly got out and opened the door for them.

Joshua put Hazel in the car, and he sighed, “Go to the Denmark Residence.”

The driver pulled away and lost the two people behind.

Hazel hugged the suit jacket tighter around her shaking body.

“Turn on the heat,” Joshua told the driver.

Hazel realized that since she had got into the car, Joshua had been holding her.

Her cheeks were slightly hot. Hazel pushed him away and looked outside the window.

They soon arrived at the Denmark Residence. When Hazel tried to get out of the car, Joshua held on to her like he was hugging a princess.

“I can go by myself!” Hazel exclaimed, and she struggled to jump out of his arms.

“Your foot is sprained. Why must you fight?” Joshua was unhappy.

Hazel struggled again, “Let go of me!”

When being held by Joshua, her heartbeat really fast.

“I’ll spank your ass if you don’t listen.”

Hazel was quiet for a moment, and she looked at Joshua miserably.

He sounded like an elder speaking to a child. She would be humiliated if he did spank… that spot!

Joshua was stronger, so she didn’t even bother to argue.

Looking at her resentful eyes, Joshua was weak. What’s on her mind now?

Joshua took her into the living room and put her on the sofa.

“Nanny Carter, get a bag of ice,” Joshua shouted.

Joshua sat next to Hazel, lifted her leg, and placed it on his legs.

“Let, let me do it myself,” Hazel said.

“You don’t trust me?” Joshua frowned slightly.

Hazel’s cheeks went red. This had nothing to do with trust.

As soon as she saw how Joshua worked, she knew he was very experienced in dealing with such minor injuries. But, he was holding her foot… the temperature of his palm. She felt like her heart was going to jump out of her chest!

Nanny Carter got a bag of ice and a towel so Joshua could wrap Hazel’s foot.

Hazel sighed with relief from the coolness of the ice.

“Is it better?” He asked.

Hazel nodded.

“Fortunately, there is no fracture or joint dislocation.” Joshua softly said, “You’ll be fine in two days when the swelling disappears. You need to take it easy the next two days.”

“Okay,” Hazel answered with a bit of embarrassment.

She knew all that. She just felt so strange being instructed by Joshua in this way.

“Is there any other place injured?” Joshua’ eyes moved up from her calf.

“No,” Hazel hurriedly said.

Joshua got closer to her.

Hazel suddenly opened her eyes, and her heart ramped up again.

Looking at his handsome face getting closer to her, Hazel felt mindless. The atmosphere was so mystifying that she could do nothing but close her eyes.

“What is this?” Joshua’s fingers touched a red mark on her neck.

Hazel opened her eyes in amazement. Joshua didn’t mean to kiss her?

Seeing the hint of ridicule in his eyes, Hazel suddenly felt ashamed and wanted to find a hole to bury herself.

“What is this?” Joshua laughed and continued to ask.

Hazel felt ashamed and touched the red mark, “A branch accidentally scratched it. It’ll disappear soon.”

“Alright.” Joshua nodded, and suddenly he said, “What are you doing with your eyes closed?”

“I’m sleepy, okay?” Hazel was displeased.

“I thought,” Joshua twitched his lips, “You were expecting… a kiss.”

Hazel’s cheeks went flushed, “Who was expecting… anything!”

He kissed her lips before she finished speaking.

His deep eyes were so close that she could even see his shallow smile and the reflection of herself.

The sudden attack left her breathless. She tried to resist and push him away, but Joshua held her wrist with one hand and the back of her head with the other.

The tip of his tongue was on her lips. There was some intoxicating tenderness in his invasion. Like the cities of a fallen nation, Hazel’s hands moved on his neck, and she even began to respond to the kiss.

After the long kiss, Hazel leaned against Joshua’s chest and gasped.

Why did she do that? Hazel lost her mind.

Suddenly, Joshua stretched out his fingers and gently lifted her chin, “Hazel, you feel for me.”

“Hell no!” She pushed him away as if she was electrocuted.

“Really?” He smiled, “Did you not feel a bit of something when I kissed you?”

“No! You forced me!” Hazel was mad, feeling so ashamed. She struggled, “It’s just… the atmosphere was inviting, and I couldn’t resist…”

She was desperately looking for a reason. Even though she said so, in Hazel’s heart, it was clear that when Joshua kissed her, she didn’t really hate it at all. She even had a little joy and excitement.

“Well.” Joshua twitched his lips. He picked her up again.

“What do you want to do?” Hazel was in a panic.

“Take you to bed,” Joshua said lightly.

“No…” Hazel was struggling to jump down.

“Don’t move.” Joshua was blinking, “Or do you want to do something else, huh?”

Hazel instantly gave up fighting. Was he going to kiss her again… or… make a further move?

Joshua carried Hazel to the guest room.

He put Hazel on the bed. Hazel immediately retreated and watched him carefully.

Joshua’s eyes glimmered for a second.

At the next moment, he twitched his lips and knelt on the bed with one leg. His body moved closer to Hazel.

Hazel grabbed the sheet nervously and leaned back, “What are you doing?”

She was retreating while he was attacking. Finally, Hazel lay on the bedside, and there was no more room to retreat.

Looking at Joshua so closely, Hazel seemed to have seen the flame in his eyes.

Did he really want to… escalate the situation?

Hazel’s heartbeat was fierce. She stretched out her hand to push him, but he grabbed her hands first and pushed her back.

As his warm breath pounced on her neck, Hazel trembled, and she was like being electrocuted.

 

 

Chapter 49: This Matter Will Resolve Soon

Joshua smirked.

“Hazel, do you think you would have any chance to get away if I really want to do something to you?” He asked softly, amused by her reaction.

Hazel was a little annoyed, and Joshua was deliberately teasing her.

“That…” Hazel could not finish her sentence.

“Don’t think too much,” Joshua whispered, “I’ll handle the rest. Rest assured, this matter will be resolved soon,”

Hazel looked at him in surprise. He actually knew what she was about to say?

Joshua found her long after the comments started, so he knew what had happened.

“Sleep early.” Joshua caressed her head gently.

Hazel looked at him resentfully. She was not a child!

When he left, Hazel wrapped herself up with the quilt and rolled around in bed with shame.

Why did she kiss Joshua?

Hazel reached out and touched her hot cheeks. Her heartbeat was still fast. She suddenly discovered that she did feel something for Joshua.

She could find all kinds of reasons to lie to him, but she could not deceive herself.

From the beginning, Hazel felt that he was dangerous and intuitively wanted to stay away from him. But she could now understand that the danger was because he was too attractive. She felt it irresistible when he got close.

She never had these feelings for others. She was scared. When she thought about it, she thought she was being unreasonable.

What did Joshua feel about her?

Hazel was quiet.

If she was regarded as one of the candidates for the surrogate mother, then after what happened to her, Joshua should fully protect himself and get away from her.

Instead, he came to see her right away and took her back to Denmark Residence, like he was never afraid of it being discovered.

She thought to herself. Well…just let it be.

Hazel was already exhausted after such a late night, and she fell asleep quickly.

When she woke up the next morning, Hazel found a clean set of clothes next to the bed. In addition to clothes, there was her cell phone and ID. Did Joshua specifically bring her things here?

She quickly picked up her cell phone to find out what was going on. Hazel got very depressed as she surfed the web on her phone.

She had a basic idea of what happened, which was beyond her expectations. The online negative posts about her were really intense, mainly based on a few photos of her.

She was actually photographed secretly when she got in Joshua, Jaxson, Isaac, and Ivan’s cars. Every time the car was different. But all of them were expensive. People had determined that she was a “whore”.

The old posts about her in the campus forum were dug up by Kyla using an anonymous identity. People all believed that Hazel did something dirty in the preliminary selection.

Even her university was about to expel her. Although Hazel was a bit sad about that, it was not a big surprise. What surprised her was that all the arrowheads were now pointed at Joshua.

The media said with more plausibility that this surrogacy competition had an inside story, and the message came from inside Denmark Group. This added to the credibility of the news.

The Denmark Group remained silent on the matter, and everyone wanted an explanation. Even Denmark Group’s shares fluctuated by the incident.

How did this message come out of Denmark Group? Hazel could not help but frown. How would Joshua deal with it?

After washing, she left the room and went to find him.

“Miss Crowe, morning.” Nanny Carter looked at her with a loving face outside the door.

“Nanny Carter, you may just call me Hazel.”

“Okay, Hazel. What do you want for breakfast?”

“No need. I’m not hungry yet.” Hazel asked, “Where’s Joshua?”

“The young master is in the study room. Go and see him.” Nanny Carter smiled, “I’ll get you something to eat. It’s not a good habit to skip breakfast.”

After saying that, Nanny Carter went downstairs.

Hazel was embarrassed. The nanny could have at least told her where the study was. Hazel came to a nearby room and pushed the door. The door was locked. Hazel was somewhat surprised. What was hidden inside this door?

“What are you doing?”

There was Joshua’s voice behind her.

Hazel was leaning against the door. She turned around swiftly when she heard his voice. She was like a child who was caught doing something wrong. She said, “I’m looking for the study room.”

“Why?” He asked.

“Looking for you.”

Joshua smiled. He asked her softly, “How’s the injury on your foot?”

She shook her head and said, “It’s fine now.”

Hazel had forgotten about her wound, but Joshua still remembered it. She felt a little moved.

“Do you want to go in and see?” Joshua’s eyes were deep.

Hazel looked back at the closed door. She quickly shook her head, “No.”

She was just curious about the locked room. She didn’t like to invade another person’s privacy.

Joshua had opened the door and said, “Come in.”

Hazel walked into the room with him. It was a very clean room, and it must have been cleaned regularly. The interior decoration was sweet and elegant, making people feel comfortable.

Hazel’s gaze fell on the table with a photo on it.

In the photo, there was a pair of young lovers leaning on each other and laughing happily. Somehow, Hazel felt the two people in the picture seemed very familiar.

“This is…”

“My parents. This photo was taken when they were young.” Joshua looked at her with deep eyes.

“They must have loved each other so deeply.” Hazel asked with a smile, “Where are they now?”

“They passed away several years ago.” Joshua looked sad.

“Sorry…” Hazel put down the photo.

“It doesn’t matter. You didn’t know.” Joshua said, “You were looking for me?”

“Yes.” Hazel said, frowning, “It looks like you are now involved in the situation. They are saying there was a dishonest deal in this surrogacy competition… what are you going to do about it?”

 

Chapter 50: The First Time He Appeared In Public View

“I have a better plan,” Joshua looked at her profoundly, “But I need your approval.”

“What’s the plan?” Hazel hurriedly asked.

“We can give a reasonable statement to kill the rumor of a shady deal.” Joshua’s eyes flickered, “The best way is to give a story that everyone can accept. For example,…”

Hazel looked at him quietly.

“We had known each other long ago, and we fell in love, but we were separated for some reason. And we meet again in the surrogacy competition, and we are now together again.” Joshua stared at Hazel.

Hazel’s face changed.

She suddenly thought about the news that she saw on the Internet.

The media said that the message of a shady deal in the surrogacy competition came out of Denmark Group.

“Joshua is the president of Denmark Group. How can he allow such a thing to come out?”

Unless… he arranged that to happen.

Hazel suddenly felt cold. She clenched her fists and tried to keep herself calm.

“The story of the President and Cinderella meeting again after a long time?” Hazel said, “It’s true that the so-called shady deal can be covered up, but what’s next?”

Hazel stared at him, “In a short time, the media will not let us go. What are you going to do?”

“Hazel, let’s be together,” Joshua quickly said to ease her.

Her heart sank completely.

Did Joshua plan all these?

Did he pull all these strings just to tie her up in this way?

She turned him down yesterday, then later at night, the media exploded with information about her, and when she fled her dorm, he found her.

This was all too coincidental. If he was behind all this, then everything made sense.

Joshua had always been such an impenetrable person. He has the intelligence and the means to do these things.

“You don’t hate me, do you?” He whispered, “Let’s try to be together…”

“No!” Hazel abruptly interrupted him. Her intense reaction made Joshua panic.

“I don’t hate you, but it doesn’t mean I like you!” Hazel said coldly, “And I said I would never change my decision! If you can help me out with this, I’ll be grateful to you. If you don’t, I can just get expelled from the university and go home! But I’m not going to be with you because you helped me!”

Joshua frowned. He did not see that coming.

What did he say wrong?

“Hazel, I’m not going to blackmail you into helping.” He looked at her gloomily, “Tell me, what the hell did you misunderstand about me? What made you resist me so much? Am I really that bad in your perspective?”

“There’s no misunderstanding.” Hazel exasperated, “I got in this trouble because I met you! What am I facing if we are together? You are Prince Charming, and I’m just Cinderella to take all the blame! ”

“You don’t have to worry,” Joshua said, “I will deal with it…”

“You don’t understand!” Hazel interrupted him furiously, “I don’t need your protection. I want freedom! I only need you not to disturb my life. And only by leaving will my life return to normal. I will live happily ever after!”

Joshua was shaking. A trace of pain flashed in his eyes. Why did Hazel disgust him so much?

“Do you really think so?” He asked.

“Yes!” Hazel said firmly.

“I see.” Joshua looked inconsolable. His eyes scanned the picture on the table. His heart held nothing but bitterness, “Hazel, whatever you want, I’ll give it to you. I just want to see you happy, that’s all,”

Joshua turned and walked out of the room. Hazel watched him leave, somewhat stunned.

Did he just… let her go?

Hazel was confused and absolutely stunned. She quickly went after him, but before she could catch him, he drove away.

“Hazel, breakfast is ready.” Nanny Carter said kindly.

Hazel asked, “Nanny Carter, do you know where Joshua is going?”

“I don’t know. Maybe he is busy with something.”

Hazel was silent.

***

As the car stopped, Joshua got out. Jaxson welcomed him.

“Mr. President, where is Miss Crowe?” Jaxson asked in surprise.

“She didn’t come.” Joshua asked, “Are the reporters all here?”

Jaxson had already received a message from Joshua, knowing that he planned to open a press conference with Hazel to explain the so-called shady deal in the surrogacy competition.

But now he had informed the major media of the scene, and Hazel actually did not come!

Was there something wrong?

“The reporters have arrived,” Jaxson said quickly. “Maybe I should tell them to come back tomorrow?”

“No,” Joshua said calmly. “Let’s go in.”

“But…” Jaxson looked at him anxiously. Seeing that Joshua was approaching the hall, Jaxson followed him.

All the reporters were huddled in the hall, and they never thought that Joshua would personally hold a press conference to explain the surrogacy competition.

This was the first time Joshua appeared in public view.

For the past few years, only Denmark Group’s PR team leader always appeared at every press conference to answer any news related to the company. What had happened that actually brought Joshua to come forward personally?

The anticipation of what Joshua would say when he took the stage was what all the reporters discussed.

“Master Denmark, about the shady deal in this surrogate competition…”

“Master Denmark, what is your relationship with Hazel?”

***

The reporters in front of the stage yelled questions in total disarray.

Joshua raised his hand slightly, and everyone gradually calmed down.

“I know you have a lot of questions to ask,” Joshua started, “But before you ask questions, I will explain everything clearly.”

Joshua nodded to Jaxson. Jaxson pressed the button. A huge photo of Hazel was displayed on the large screen behind Joshua.

“This is Hazel, I want to clarify a few things first.” Joshua calmly looked at the screen.

He pointed at the photos and explained one by one, “This photo, she is sitting in my car. This one, she is my assistant’s car. And, of course, I arranged for my assistant to pick her up.”

He went on to explain, “As for this one, she is in Isaac’s car. At the time, the three of us were eating together. I had to leave in a hurry, so I asked Isaac to help by driving her back…”