Chapter 3

"Mr. Neal, should I book a restaurant?" Mr. Cheyne asked after careful consideration.

Joshua pinched the bridge of his nose in irritation. "No need for that."

He knew Cynthia was venting her frustrations. If spending money made her feel better, he would let her do so.

Just as he said this, another payment notification arrived on his phone, a purchase worth over four million.

Mr. Cheyne and the four bodyguards kept their eyes to themselves, not saying a word, accompanying him silently.

Cynthia came out after making her purchases. The jewelry was naturally handed to Mr. Cheyne, who had his hands free. Just as she was about to continue shopping, Joshua's phone rang.

His irritated mood eased a little when he saw the caller's name. His furrowed brow relaxed, and he answered the call with an exceptionally gentle voice, "Jayleen."

Mr. Cheyne and the four bodyguards were speechless.

Had he forgotten that Mrs. Neal was still here?

"Mr. Neal, Jayleen had a car accident on her way to the hospital for a follow-up appointment. She's still unconscious in the operating room. Could you please come over? She kept saying your name before going into surgery," the voice on the phone sounded loud and worried.

"Send me the address. I'll be right there," Joshua replied quickly, and his heart was tightening.

After hanging up, he looked at Cynthia, wanting to explain but realizing there was no need. He simply instructed Mr. Cheyne, "You guys accompany Cynthia while shopping. Buy whatever she wants. If you can't carry it, have it delivered to the house in the afternoon."

The bodyguards replied, "Yes, Mr. Neal."

With long strides, Joshua left.

The atmosphere became somewhat awkward when Cynthia was left with Mr. Cheyne and the other bodyguards.

Feeling that he had to say something to help Mr. Neal, Mr. Cheyne adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses and smiled. "Mrs. Neal, there's no need to worry. Mr. Neal will return once he finishes his business."

"Thank you," Cynthia said meaningfully.

Mr. Cheyne tilted his head.

What?

Cynthia looked at the bright and splendid decorations in the mall, then slowly said, "Not only do you work day and night, but you also have to say such things against your conscience. Have you ever seen anyone leave to meet their lover but leave halfway through their date?"

Mr. Cheyne and the bodyguards did not know what to say.

For a moment, the five of them looked at her with pity.

This might be the pain of marrying into a wealthy family, knowing that her husband was with another woman, yet unable to do anything.

They sighed inwardly.

Cynthia, amused by their reaction, said, "Don't look at me with such pity. Any one of the items in your hands is worth your annual or even ten years' salary."

Ouch!

It was a heartfelt blow to them.

That was harsh, but it was the truth.

"Is there anything you want?" Cynthia asked.

All five of them looked up, looking at her quizzically, unable to keep up with Mrs. Neal's unpredictable train of thought.

"While he's seeing his crush, I'll spend his money on things for you," Cynthia said, pinching the card in her hand, and her tone was deeper than before.

She had not realized that she still cared that Joshua had left her for Jayleen.

At that moment, she just wanted to max out his card.

Mr. Cheyne and the bodyguards stared at her in shock.

Cynthia found them amusing and continued to shop with the card.

She never expected Joshua to appear while they were eating suddenly, his body exuding an icy chill, his gaze sharp.

Before anyone could react, he dragged Cynthia toward the parking lot, gripping her wrist with surprising strength.

"Bang!"

Cynthia was slammed against the car, and her body ached from the impact and her brow furrowed involuntarily.

What was happening?

Before she could react, accusatory words rang in her ears.

"Why did you harm Jayleen?" Joshua was engulfed in a raging fury, barely able to control his strength. "Why did you hire someone to drive a car to hit her? I have already given you the cars, houses, and money that I promised you. What more do you want?"

Joshua looked like he had come from hell, and his body was emitting an icy aura.

Those narrow, and bottomless black eyes were dark, bottomless and icy as if they could swallow a person whole.

"When did I ever harm her?" Cynthia was puzzled by the accusation.

"You dare feign ignorance? You deliberately scheduled the shopping trip today to take this opportunity to have someone kill Jayleen, didn't you? You must know that even if I were dead, I wouldn't let her suffer the slightest harm," Joshua spoke with a cold voice.

Joshua's words were chilling, making them shiver.

Cynthia was initially angry, but after hearing his words, she became calm.

She looked at him, her words laced with sarcasm. "You're the first person I've ever met who can rephrase cheating in such elegant words."

"Cynthia!" Joshua was furious.

"If you have a problem with your brain, go see a doctor," Cynthia retorted without regard for his dignity. "Why would I give up my wonderful life after divorce to hire someone to kill her? What do I gain from this?"

"You tell me," Joshua's tone became increasingly dangerous.

Cynthia realized his thoughts. "You think it's because I want you?"

Joshua did not answer.

However, his expression and attitude gave her the answer, 'Wasn't it?'

"What do I gain from you?" Cynthia continued to question him, "To treat me as a substitute for your lover? Or for you to cheat on me?"

Joshua was speechless.

He found her words somewhat harsh and tried to explain, "I didn't cheat."

"You did," Cynthia did not give him a chance to refute.

Joshua frowned. "Don't change the subject."

"You're the one causing trouble for no reason," Cynthia retorted.

Joshua remained silent, while his deep and cold gaze was falling on her, exuding an overwhelming sense of oppression as if he was seeing her for the first time.

Cynthia did not want to waste time on this matter, and she did not like being wronged. "Just because she told you that I hired someone to hit her, you believed her?"

"Yes." Joshua's anger gradually subsided under her gaze, but the chill surrounding him did not dissipate. "She never lies to me, and she has evidence that you're behind it."

Cynthia raised her eyebrows.

Her grip on her purse tightened and her emotions got the better of her. "Fine, get in the car. I'll go to the hospital with you to see her."

Joshua's icy aura dissipated with her words, not expecting her to be so cooperative.

After all, if she were guilty, she would not go.

For a moment, he felt conflicted, unsure whether to believe the evidence or not.

"Get out of the way！" Cynthia stared coldly at him, who was in her way.

Joshua released his grip on her, and he looked at her, feeling distant. He felt an inexplicable irritation. Suppressing his emotions, he took out his car keys and unlocked the door.