Chapter 133

“She started all this! She asked for it!” Raquel exclaimed.

Joshua ignored her. “Go away. Alicia can’t see you now.”

Rachel, determined to be heard, pressed on. “Mr. Yates, I had no idea you still held feelings for Alicia. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have treated you so poorly. Don’t we deserve a second chance?”

Joshua sat cross-legged, lighting a cigarette and letting her continue. His disdain was palpable. Under his intense gaze, Rachel felt humiliated. Her voice trembled. “But the Reyes family harassed her! Why should we suffer?”

Joshua exhaled smoke. “The Gray family has considerable money and influence, and Randolph is capable. I taught him a lesson, and you’re already struggling?”

Rachel’s frustration boiled over. “Randolph owes $300 million and faces trial! You call that a lesson?”

Joshua’s face darkened. “$300 million?” He’d expected Randolph to lose only a few million. How had it escalated to this?

Seeing his confused expression, Rachel suspected he was feigning ignorance. Wiping away tears, she swallowed her humiliation and tried for politeness. “The damage is done; we acknowledge our mistakes. Mr. Yates, please accept our apology. Stop this; give us a way out.”

Joshua sensed something was amiss. “Did the Gray family lose $300 million? How?”

Rachel didn’t understand. Was he mocking her?

Under his gaze, she spoke truthfully. “Randolph embezzled. The evidence was presented to the authorities. It all totaled $300 million.”

“Who reported it?”

“Wasn’t it you?”

“If I’d reported it, would I be asking you this?” Joshua wasn’t a fool. He wouldn’t push the Gray family to the brink for a woman. He’d only meant to teach Randolph a lesson. He hadn’t even intended to leave a trace.

Rachel, arriving at the Yates mansion, was shocked at how quickly she’d been discovered. Someone had deliberately targeted Randolph.

Completely baffled, she asked, “You didn’t? Who else? Mr. Ward?”

Joshua’s eyes narrowed. “Why him?”

Pressed by Joshua, Rachel finally revealed, “Lately, Alicia is the only person Randolph has crossed paths with. Besides me, Mr. Ward is the only one who would defend her.”

“Caden’s relationship with Alicia? Why would he defend her?” Joshua asked, displeased. “Do you know anything?”

Rachel had no information, but despised Alicia intensely. If not for her, the Gray family wouldn’t be in this mess.

“The day Alicia was bullied, Caden defended her. I remember finding her in the pool; he was more anxious than anyone. I pulled her out and performed CPR.”

Joshua’s expression remained stern.

Rachel continued, “Alicia is your ex-wife, and Mr. Ward is your brother. They were so close that day. I suspect something is between them.”

The Gray family had buried the details of that day. Joshua knew Alicia had been hurt, but that was all. The backstory was far more scandalous.

Joshua scoffed. Initially, he’d believed only Caden was interested in Alicia, and that she wasn’t interested in him. Now, he realized he’d been wrong. It takes two.

He wasn’t worried about the $300 million; it didn’t significantly affect him. He needed to see Alicia.

He stood and gestured for Georgia to escort Rachel out. Rachel looked surprised. “Mr. Yates, I came to…”

Joshua cut her off. He walked away and called Alicia.

Alicia was at the supermarket. Anxious, she answered.

“Where are you?” Joshua’s voice was sharp.

Alicia sensed trouble. Cautiously, she replied, “At the supermarket. What’s wrong?”

Joshua paused. “Mrs. Gray came to the Yates mansion; she wants to apologize to you.”

Alicia’s heart pounded. Why would Rachel apologize?

Worried Rachel might say something inappropriate, Alicia abandoned her shopping and rushed back to the Yates mansion. Upon arrival, she realized she should have contacted Caden. Joshua was already waiting outside. She approached, peering through the door.

“You said she wanted to apologize? Where is she?”

Joshua stared. He’d considered many things while waiting, but still needed to hear it from Alicia.