Chapter 237

Jerald was more than ready for Sheila to leave. With a contemptuous gesture, he pushed her away. "Then go! Go now! And make sure you take care of Caden today!"

Sheila looked back at him, her face a mixture of despair and fury. She had endured years as Jerald's lover, clinging to the hope that her loyalty and sacrifices would soften him, change him. But he remained unchanged. A man without a heart remained so, no matter the passage of time. "Men are truly the coldest creatures," she muttered.

A bitter laugh escaped him. "Jerald, you don't even care about your own wife and child! You're not afraid of karma?"

Jerald scoffed, disdain dripping from his voice. "Karma? Seriously? You dare mention that word? When my wife was pregnant with our second child, you forced your way into my life with Joshua. It was your actions that led to her death during childbirth. If karma belongs to anyone, it's you."

Sheila's body trembled with fury. "I am not the reason for her death! It's you! You are the one who has committed all those sins. Don't you dare blame me!"

Jerald's gaze was cold. "You think I killed her? Where is your evidence?" he mocked. "You seduced me and used Joshua to blackmail me into a divorce. That story is old; everyone knows it. You say I killed her? Who would believe that?"

Tears streamed down Sheila's face.

Jerald leaned closer, his voice deep and menacing. "If you continue to slander me, I will make sure you end up in jail. And believe me, you will rot there."

Sheila stiffened, shaking with fury and humiliation. Years of suffering, degradation, and manipulation had led to this moment. She craved revenge, to destroy him, to make him suffer as she had. She knew she could ruin him, but Joshua's safety held her back. She couldn't risk it, not yet. Reluctantly, she relied on Jerald, for now.

Through clenched teeth, she spoke bitterly. "Jerald, Caden is ruthless, determined to destroy the Yates family. Now that his target is Joshua, do you really think you'll be saved? How long do you think you can remain unscathed?"

His confidence wavered. She was right. He had become estranged from his family, a constant irritant to Caden. If Caden unleashed his wrath, not even Jerald's position as Caden's father would protect him.

Jerald's eyes flickered urgently. "We have to take risks to save Joshua."

Sheila restrained her anger. "What do we do?"

Noticing her agitation, Jerald softened his tone, attempting to calm her as one might soothe a frightened animal. "Sheila, we can resolve our differences later. For now, we have to work together."

Joshua had been receiving covert medical treatment, known only to a select few. The Green family, however, was aware. His company, built with such effort, had been destroyed overnight. He had suffered serious injuries; a recent surgery had left him incapacitated, and he was also receiving treatment for damaged vision. It was uncertain if he would regain his sight. Failure of the treatments would leave him blind and helpless, utterly defeated.

Lilliana was devastated. She cried uncontrollably, wreaking havoc at home, begging Cedric to intervene. But Cedric was hesitant, finally dismissing the matter entirely. "You're engaged, not married. We don't need someone so broken. I'll find you someone better," she told Lilliana coldly.

However, Lilliana's love for Joshua was genuine. Her feelings were deep, evidenced by her willingness to risk pregnancy before marriage. Now, with Joshua in a desperate situation, her desperation consumed her. She even threatened Cedric with her own life and that of her unborn son. "If you don't save him, I will end my life and that of my baby! You will regret it forever!" she shouted.

Faced with Lilliana's threat, Cedric felt helpless. "Lilliana, you don't understand the situation," he said, his voice low but firm. "My hands are tied. Even if I wanted to save Joshua, I couldn't. Caden is determined to see him dead, and no one can change his mind!"

"Why does he want Joshua dead? They are brothers!" Lilliana shouted.

Cedric answered bluntly: "Old grudges, a woman, and because Caden wants to defend Alicia! You don't know what Joshua did last month."

Stunned, Lilliana murmured, "Because of Alicia?"

Cedric, too, had been stunned by the truth. "I can't understand what's going through Caden's mind. To go to such lengths for a woman, even turning against his own brother..."

Lilliana's face turned deathly pale, and she collapsed. Her thoughts spun wildly. He wouldn't have pushed Joshua to confront Alicia if it hadn't been for the rumors linking Yolanda and Caden. Her plans had failed miserably, the consequences unbearable.

Lilliana covered her face, overwhelmed. Joshua had been her husband for two years. As soon as she glanced at him again she muttered bitterly, "How she suddenly became so valuable to Caden. I can't accept it. It doesn't make sense..."

The magnitude of her loss was crushing, but the knowledge of Alicia's newfound importance to Caden was a devastating blow. It shattered her composure, leaving her completely helpless. The blow caused a sharp, stabbing pain in her abdomen.