All Chapters of Ashes Before Dawn: Chapter 21 - Chapter 29

Joshua fell silent for a moment. Instead of answering her question, he smoothly changed the subject."Ms. Scott, you're an excellent dancer. You must have spent years mastering it."She smiled and nodded. "Does that mean you dance too, Mr. Stewart?"A faint smile touched Joshua's lips. "I would not say I'm an expert."Yara's smile grew even brighter."You're being modest, Mr. Stewart. I've always admired men who love deeply. After hearing everyone talk about you, I have become really curious about you and Mrs. Stewart. Would you mind telling me your story?"Joshua glanced around at the guests before speaking."If you'd like, Ms. Scott, we can sit in the garden."Yara gestured toward the path ahead."I'm listening."Each carrying a glass of wine, they walked away from the crowd and into the quiet garden. The peaceful atmosphere made it much easier for people to open up.Joshua looked at the woman in front of him. For some reason, she felt strangely familiar, and the feeling

The moment Cecilia heard those words, she completely lost control."You little brat! I'm your mother!"Your real mother is dead! She's never coming back!"Joshua finally snapped. He strode forward, grabbed her arm tightly, and said in an icy voice, "Enough! He's just a child. What does he know?"When Sheila was here, she never ignored his safety or screamed at him like this."Go home right now. Also, don't make another scene, or don't blame me if I stop being nice."Cecilia was furious and heartbroken. Seeing the anger on Joshua's face, she knew he had truly reached his limit. She did not dare argue any further.Still crying, she turned and ran out of the Stewart mansion.The moment she was gone, Max threw himself into Joshua's arms and cried uncontrollably. "Daddy... why has Ms. Zeller become so mean? I'm scared."I miss Mommy... Waaaah..."Joshua's heart ached.At this point, all he could do was gently pat Max's back and comfort him over and over. He could not understand w

The moment those words left his mouth, Cecilia completely fell apart. She screamed and lunged at him like a woman driven mad."Joshua! You're heartless!"If I have nothing to do with you, then who gave birth to Max? Tell me!"Yara glanced back at the nearly hysterical woman, then spoke with practiced generosity. "Joshua, this lady doesn't seem to be in a good state. Why don't you take her home first? I can always call my brother to come pick me up."Her understanding only made Cecilia seem even more unreasonable. Joshua helped Yara to her feet and wrapped an arm around her before coldly addressing the people nearby."My bodyguards will handle things here. Don't worry about her."Without giving Cecilia another glance, he walked away with Yara.Behind them, Cecilia cried and screamed his name, but not once did Joshua look back.Resting lightly against his shoulder, Yara curled her lips into a faint smile.The pain she had once suffered was finally being tasted by Cecilia instead

Cassius's expression turned grim the moment he heard Cecilia's story. He turned toward the Stewart family, and the friendliness in his tone disappeared completely."In that case, perhaps you should settle your own family matters first. As for the Stewart family, I think the Scott family would be wise to keep our distance."Also, from this day forward, Mr. Stewart, please stop bothering my sister."With that, he took Yara's hand and stormed off.Joshua instinctively tried to pursue them, but Cecilia grabbed his arm.He was furious, yet with Thomas standing there, he could not openly lose his temper.Only after their car had disappeared into the distance did Cassius grin and tease Yara."Everything happened exactly the way you predicted. Cecilia really couldn't keep her cool. Now she's completely infuriated the Stewart family. I doubt things are going to end well for her."Yara remained calm, as if none of it had surprised her."Now all we have to do is watch them tear each othe

Just before Joshua lost consciousness, he thought he saw Sheila's face flash before him.He blinked. However, the familiar face was already gone. He lay on the cold pavement, every bone in his body aching as though it had been shattered.Voices and sirens filled his ears. People seemed to be talking about him, about the miserable state he was in.He could not make out the words. All he knew was that his legs hurt so badly he could no longer feel them.Cold.He was so cold that his entire body trembled uncontrollably. However, no one offered him even the slightest warmth.So this was what it felt like to be hit by a vehicle. When Sheila had been struck by the car he hired, she must have felt even more hopeless than he did now.After all, she had been run over by a truck.Perhaps this was fate's long-overdue judgment. At last, he was paying the price for everything he had done.As the paramedics lifted him into the ambulance, another siren wailed nearby. He vaguely heard the nur