“She was the one who started all this. She brought it on herself!” Rachel exclaimed.

Joshua showed no interest in her words. “Leave. Alicia can’t see you right now.”

Determined not to waste her visit, Rachel pressed on. “Mr. Yates, I had no idea you still had feelings for Alicia. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have treated her that way. Don’t we deserve a chance to make things right?”

Joshua leaned back with his legs crossed as he lit a cigarette, letting her ramble on. The disdain etched on his face was unmistakable. Under his intense gaze, Rachel felt a wave of humiliation wash over her. Her voice quivered as she responded, “But it was the Reyes family that bullied her. Why should we suffer the consequences?”

Joshua exhaled a cloud of smoke. “The Gray family wields significant money and influence, and Randolph is quite capable. I taught him a small lesson, and you’re already struggling to cope?”

Rachel felt her frustration boiling over. “Randolph owes 300 million dollars and is facing a lawsuit! You call that a small lesson?”

Joshua’s face turned grim. “300 million dollars?” When he acted, he expected Randolph to lose only a few million. How did it amount to 300 million?

Upon seeing the look of confusion on his face, Rachel suspected he was pretending not to know anything.

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She wiped her tears, feeling humiliated. Despite her anger, she tried to remain polite. “The damage is done, and we recognize our mistakes. Mr. Yates, please allow me a chance to apologize. Stop this and give us a way out!”

Joshua sensed that something was amiss. He asked, “The Gray family lost 300 million dollars? How did that happen?”

Rachel didn’t understand his question. Did he find this amusing?

Under his intense gaze, Rachel spoke honestly. “Randolph embezzled money in the past. The evidence was given to the authorities. After fines, it all added up to 300 million dollars.”

“Who reported it?”

“Wasn’t it you?”

“If I were the one who did it, would I be asking you this now?” Joshua wasn’t foolish. He would never push the Gray family to the edge for a woman. He simply wanted to teach Randolph a lesson.

In truth, he wasn’t even planning to leave any trace behind.

When Rachel arrived at the Yates Mansion today, he was surprised by how quickly he had been exposed. It seemed that someone had deliberately targeted Randolph and made him take the fall.

Rachel felt completely bewildered. “Are you saying it wasn’t you? Who else could it be? Mr. Ward?” Joshua’s eyes narrowed. “What makes you say that?”

Rachel struggled to think clearly. She didn’t know what to say.

Under Joshua’s pressure, she finally opened up. “Because lately, Alicia is the only person Randolph has crossed. Aside from you, Mr. Ward is the only one who would defend her.”

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

Rachel didn’t have any information to share. However, she despised Alicia with every fiber of her being. If it hadn’t been for that woman, the Gray family wouldn’t be in this predicament.

“On the day Alicia was bullied, Caden was the one who defended her. I remember when he found her in the pool; he was more anxious than anyone else. He pulled her out and performed CPR immediately.”

Joshua wore a stern expression.

Rachel couldn’t help but keep talking. “Alicia is your ex-wife, and Mr. Ward is your brother. How is that even appropriate? They were so close that day. I bet there’s something going on between them!”

The Gray family had buried the details of that day. Joshua knew Alicia had been hurt, but that was all he understood.

It turned out the backstory was quite scandalous.

Joshua sneered. Initially, he thought Caden was the one interested in Alicia and that Alicia had no interest in Caden, but now he realized he might have been mistaken. It takes two to form a connection.

He wasn’t concerned about the 300 million dollars, as it didn’t affect him all that much. What he needed now was to see Alicia immediately.

He stood up and instructed Georgia to escort Rachel out. Rachel was taken aback. “Mr. Yates, I came to you today to…”

Joshua wasn’t in the mood to hear more. He walked away and called Alicia.

Meanwhile, Alicia was at the supermarket, picking out groceries. Feeling uneasy, she answered the call.

“Where are you?” Joshua’s voice was filled with anger.

Alicia sensed that something was wrong. Not knowing what was happening, she replied cautiously, “I’m at the supermarket getting some things. What’s going on?”

Joshua paused for a moment before saying, “Mrs. Gray came to the Yates Mansion, saying she wanted to apologize to you.”

Alicia’s heart raced. Why would Rachel go to the Yates Mansion to apologize to her?

Considering the sensitive situation, Alicia was worried Rachel might say something inappropriate. She quickly returned the items in her cart and hurried back to the Yates Mansion.

Upon her arrival, she realized she should have informed Caden. However, Joshua was already waiting outside the gate.

She approached him immediately, glancing through the gate.

“Didn’t you say she wanted to apologize to me?” she asked. “Where is she?”

Joshua stared at her intently. As he waited for her, he had thought about many things, but he still needed to hear it from Alicia.