Chapter 20

Lilliana felt Joshua's words cut deeply, but she maintained her composure. "I'm not afraid of him. I simply don't want to write the song myself."

Joshua retorted, "Just compose something and be done with it. Alicia's been married for two years, a homebody cooking and caring for everything. She's forgotten everything. She's nothing special. Why bother with her?"

Lilliana pouted, clearly dissatisfied. "Are you really unwilling to pay for my help? Fine, I'll do it myself."

Joshua replied firmly, "Lilliana, you know I'd spend anything on you. It's not that I don't want to, but in this case, it's not worthwhile. Stop acting like that."

Lilliana bit her lip, frustrated. She knew how much Joshua had indulged her over the past two years, spending millions without hesitation.

"Okay," Lilliana conceded, though her unhappiness was evident.

That night, an unexpected welcome awaited Joshua. As he entered, a gentle figure threw herself into his arms. The room was dark, but a strong perfume filled the air, its intoxicating scent awakening something within him. He embraced Lilliana, kissing her roughly as his hands explored her body. Lilliana responded eagerly, knowing exactly what he wanted.

"Turn on the lights. I want to see you, hubby," she purred.

The word "hubby" triggered a memory in Joshua—his early days with Alicia, her shy use of the term, her eyes filled with sincerity and love. Alicia's emotions had been genuine then; all she'd ever wanted was his affection.

Overwhelmed by memories, Joshua abruptly grabbed Lilliana's neck. His voice was harsh. "Don't turn on the lights. We'll do it my way."

Equally impassioned, Lilliana pleaded breathlessly, "Just be careful. Remember the baby's safety…"

Later, Joshua transferred $5 million to Iris, including a note: "Don't fail me."

"I'll deliver it in ten days," Iris replied.

Lilliana was outraged. "Ten days? The movie's released next month, and Gerry gave me ten days! Isn't that too short a timeframe?"

Frustrated and exhausted, Joshua ignored her. "Good things come to those who wait. Rushing will only compromise quality."

Lilliana ceased arguing. "Okay. Just ensure it's ready before the deadline," she said.

Lilliana had faith in Iris's capabilities. "When I secure a fantastic marketing campaign and release another hit song, my market value will skyrocket. And when I become famous, I'll personally deliver the first signed copy to your ex-wife. I want to see her face."

Joshua offered a perfunctory response. He cared little for Lilliana's stardom; he was far more interested in Alicia's reaction to being eclipsed. He savored the anticipation of her humiliation, knowing he would have no one to turn to for support.

This thought lingered as he returned to work, wondering if Alicia would ever seek his help. That afternoon, his assistant arrived with food. "Mr. Yates, it's time to eat."

Joshua frowned at the greasy smell. Lilliana, raised in affluence, was accustomed to takeout and restaurants, unlike Alicia, who had diligently cooked for Joshua, striving to please him in every way, even through her meals. Joshua now realized the impact those meals had had on his refined palate; those seemingly trivial moments had become a significant part of him.

Later, Alicia encountered Joshua leaning against a wall, smoking. His tailored suit and sophisticated appearance contrasted sharply with his frantic post-divorce persona. He exhaled a puff of smoke, looking mature and composed.

"Have you eaten?" he asked.

Alicia replied coldly, regarding him as a stranger, "What do you want from me?"

"Relax. You don't need to be suspicious," Joshua said with a soft smile. "I'm not here to cause trouble. I just wanted to see you."

Alicia scoffed, unconvinced. She walked past him and up the stairs. Joshua followed, his eyes on her groceries. "Looks like you haven't eaten. Mind if I join you for lunch?"

Alicia pulled out her phone, her expression cold. "Get back or I'll call the police!"

Joshua extinguished his cigarette and looked into her eyes. "Alicia, I have a proposition. I want you to cook for me again, and I'll pay you one hundred thousand a month."

Alicia didn't hesitate to dial a number.

Unfazed, Joshua raised an eyebrow. "One hundred thousand isn't enough? Fine, I'll double it. Negotiate the price, and I'll accept it!"

Her bitter laughter revealed the irony. During their marriage, Joshua had looked down on her; now, post-divorce, he was suddenly so generous. Was she merely asking for food? Of course not. Alicia wasn't naive. She held the phone to her ear, letting the ringtone ring. "If you aren't scared of the police, you're probably terrified of Lilliana, right?"