LOGINA shadow crossed Joshua's gaze. After a brief pause, he replied, I'll be there right away.'"…Eight tables had been arranged in the dining hall for Steven's birthday party. It wasn't overly extravagant, yet every guest was a notable figure in the business world. The celebration carried the grandeur befitting a company chairman.Joshua took his place at the main table, next to Steven, the birthday celebrant—a visible testament to his elevated position and the Lynch family's respect for him.None of the other guests batted an eye; everyone knew Stroud Group was the Lynch family's most important benefactor. It was only natural for Joshua to be treated like royalty.Ruth, Steven's beloved wife, sat to his right. Beside Joshua, Jessica looked delicate and clingy, casting him affectionate glances from time to time. The way they interacted stirred endless gossip among the attendees."Everyone, look! Mr. Stroud and Ms. Lynch are such a perfect pair!""Yes! They're the ideal match of ta
"Back then, Ms. Everhart was still young and unable to fend for herself. Without any maternal support, she could do nothing but watch as her father lavished all his attention on Mrs. Lynch and her daughter."At one point, Ms. Lynch got into a fight with Ms. Everhart and left scratches across her face! It was obvious that Ms. Lynch was entirely at fault, yet Mr. Lynch didn't even try to uncover the truth. He simply slapped Ms. Everhart across the face!"The more the maid spoke, the more worked up she grew. In front of Joshua, she poured forth Winter's long-suppressed fury and grievances, leaving nothing unspoken."Ms. Everhart… was the pride and joy of Madam Everhart! When Madam Everhart was alive, no one would have dared lay a hand on her."With her gone, Ms. Everhart is treated like she's worthless! Every brick of this villa was paid for with Madam Everhart's sweat and toil. How dare they treat Ms. Everhart like this?"Not long ago, I became sick and returned home on leave to rec
"Are… Are you… Mr. Stroud?"Joshua looked up to find a middle-aged maid standing in the doorway. Her expression was full of surprise.Cradling the photo frame, he rose gracefully and approached her. He extended his hand politely. "Hello, my name is Joshua Stroud."Holding a damp rag, the maid couldn't return his handshake. She simply smiled and nodded. "Mr. Stroud, you're far too kind. How could someone like me be worthy of shaking your hand?""Don't say that. There's no question of worthiness here.""Mr. Stroud, you weren't downstairs with the other guests. Why have you come into this room alone?""I lost my way and discovered that this door was open. Before I realized it, I had walked inside." Joshua's long lashes drooped as he studied the photo in his hand. "May I ask… who used to stay here?"A faint smile lingered at the corners of the maid's eyes, but her mood had unmistakably darkened. "Ms. Everhart did."Though Joshua had suspected it in the back of his mind, hearing it
The nosy guests fell silent, intimidated by Joshua's piercing eyes. Wearing awkward smiles, they quickly slipped away.Joshua withdrew his gaze coldly, a suffocating weight pressing on his chest. His fingers tugged at the Windsor knot of his tie.Regardless of Winter's imperfections, these self-important people had no right to judge her. She was his wife, and only he had the right to speak of her."Josh, my father's over there. Let's go." Jessica approached him, her tone gentle and soft.Joshua's expression remained indifferent as he looked over. Just as he had expected, Steven and Ruth were laughing and talking with the guests a short distance away.Basking in the limelight, Steven's face shone with a rosy flush. He looked like the moon among a cluster of stars.Joshua had no desire to step forward now. He refused to be paraded as the Lynch family's prized possession.He had backed Cloudeast Tech in the past, motivated both by his appreciation for Jessica and by the company's c
Winter smirked. "But I won't be going to Mr. Lynch's birthday party.""You're not going?""No."Reginald let out a mocking laugh. "I'm sure things are going to get interesting. Don't you want to see it firsthand?"Winter's expression stiffened, and she turned around. "Interesting? What do you mean by that?" she whispered."I'm downstairs."Winter's heart skipped a beat. She rushed to the floor-to-ceiling window and looked down. Sure enough, a black Aston Martin gleamed under the streetlight across the street.Clad in a flawless black suit, Reginald stood against the car door. He tilted his sharp, sinister face upward, fixing his gaze squarely on the building.Though he didn't know which floor Winter was on, the intensity in his eyes made it feel as if he were staring straight at her.Winter spun around and took a deep breath.Reginald's soft laugh tickled her ear. "Ms. Everhart, though I can't see you, I know you've spotted me. My good looks are hard to miss, after all.""Mr
"Josh, if you want to see Winter, I can ask her to come," Jessica said, looking aggrieved. "Even if I know she'll probably reject me, I'd still do it for you—""Alright, go ask her then," Joshua replied, cutting her off mid-sentence.Jessica's face went pale with anger. She clenched her fists, silently berating herself for speaking too much.But what truly made her blood boil was the thought that Joshua actually wanted to see that bitch, Winter, at tonight's birthday party. How absurd!If the guests discovered that the two of them were married, wouldn't Jessica be completely humiliated? Winter absolutely could not be allowed at Steven's party tonight.…Winter had just returned from inspecting the new energy vehicle factory at Everlast Tech. She hadn't bothered to change out of her gray work uniform.Even after a full day of work, there wasn't a trace of fatigue on her face—if anything, she looked even more energized."Ms. Everhart, you look absolutely stunning in that uniform!
Bradley whined, "Why am I the only one being punished? Why isn't Terence being held accountable too?"Everyone froze. All eyes landed on Terence.Terence trembled, his face flushed with embarrassment. "I didn't hit anyone! It was all your doing! Stop blaming me!""No! You forced me to hit Alistai
Winter genuinely wished the ground would swallow her whole.Seeing her bolt like a startled rabbit, Ezekiel's lips curved into a faint smile. His breathing deepened slightly as he slowly turned around."Mr. Fulton." As luck would have it, George suddenly knocked and entered the room.Ezekiel's ey
In the blink of an eye, Monday arrived. Winter drove straight to the courthouse.Since that day, she hadn't reached out to Joshua even once. Not a single message had passed between them.She had already made everything crystal clear in front of the Stroud family.Today, Joshua was expected to sho
"Ms. Everhart, you're up so early!" George blurted out as he pushed the door open. Seeing Winter already awake, he looked a little embarrassed. "Sorry, I had no idea…"Winter rose at once and offered a smile. "It's alright."George glanced toward the bed. "Has Mr. Alistair woken up?" he whispered.







