Chapter 42

Chapter 42

Cynthia stared at him and retorted, “Do you want me to give you another punch?”

Joshua remained silent.

Perhaps it was because he was no longer worried, or maybe it was the romantic lighting in the room,

but he felt irresistibly drawn to Cynthia, and he really wanted to be close to her.

Since they had started sleeping in separate beds six months ago, they had not slept together, let alone

had sex.

Joshua approached Cynthia step by step, enveloping Cynthia with his domineering aura.

Cynthia furrowed her brow and disliked the atmosphere.

“I have something else to do,” she spoke up.

“Are you going to pretend that you don’t know what Thomas meant by giving you to me?”

Joshua’s eyes grew darker, and his breathing became heavier.

“At this point, do you think I’ll let you go?”

“Do you want to sleep with me?” Cynthia asked.

Joshua got even closer, and he could smell the fresh, light fragrance emanating from her body.

With a hoarse voice, he whispered, “Yes.”

Cynthia did not answer him.

Just when she was about to ignore him, Joshua suddenly carried her and placed her on the bed.

“Josh…”

“Don’t speak.” Joshua’s towering figure pressed her down, leaving her trapped in his arms.

Their noses were almost touching, and Cynthia could even feel Joshua’s body temperature. rising. As

someone who had been married and slept with him for a year and a half, she knew all too well what

that reaction meant.

“Do you know you’ve been very naughty lately?” Joshua spoke, his warm breath blowing on

her face.

“There were a few times where I’ve wanted to take you back and give you a good lesson.”

Cynthia did not say a word, only staring back at him.

Joshua looked at her plump red lips, and his Adam’s apple rolled as his body temperature rose. His

gaze became even deeper as he leaned in to kiss her.

Cynthia turned her head away.

“Why are you avoiding me?” Joshua’s voice was hoarse and seductive, sending shivers down her

spine.

Cynthia answered firmly, “I don’t like affairs.”

Joshua paused for a moment, puzzled. “What do you mean?”

Chapter 42

“Are you going to act dumb?” Cynthia refused to believe he did not understand her.

“We haven’t gotten our divorce certificate yet. We’re not divorced yet,” Joshua blurted out, thinking of

Yoel’s words earlier.

“I’m talking about Jayleen. Aren’t you afraid she’ll find out about you cheating on her with me?” Cynthia

said directly, completely disregarding his feelings.

As soon as those words came out, it felt as if a bucket of cold water poured over Joshua’s head,

dissipating all his desires.

“Let go,” Cynthia said calmly.

Joshua’s eyes were dark, but he ultimately got off the bed and sat in the living room.

Cynthia got up unhurriedly.

Just as she was about to leave, Joshua’s oppressive gaze fell on her. “Shouldn’t you explain what you

were doing at the Platinum Restaurant?”

“It’s none of your business.” Cynthia could not be bothered to answer.

“The Platinum Restaurant is a members–only restaurant, and you can’t get in.” Joshua’s gaze carried

scrutiny. “Who brought you in?”

“I said it’s not your concern,” Cynthia repeated.

She did not intend to stay with Joshua any longer, so she walked past him and headed out.

Joshua grabbed her arm and pushed her against the wall, his hand propping up beside her face.

“Cynthia, there’s a limit to joking around!”

Cynthia was puzzled.

“I didn’t pay attention to you before because I wanted you to know that this circle is not as simple as

you think.” Joshua’s aura was terrifying. “After experiencing today’s events, your should understand

that you can’t survive in this circle.”

“If Thomas had given you to someone else, you wouldn’t have been unscathed like you are now.”

Joshua’s tone became even harsher, and his black eyes glinted with cold light.

Cynthia provoked him by saying, “Is that so?”

“You don’t believe me?”

Cynthia did not reply.

Then, Joshua pulled her to another room in the suite and turned on the computer. His slender fingers

tapped on the keyboard, and then a series of pictures appeared on the screen with the eyes of the

people in them blurred out.

“These are all people who were played to death by those people.” Joshua pointed at the screen, but his

gaze was fixed on Cynthia as he continued, “Some of them were sent to jail, and some are still in the

circle.”

Cynthia glanced at the pictures. Although their eyes were blurred, she recognized a girl she had seen

before. She had helped report her case, but the lack of evidence meant the perpetrator was not caught.

Some people looked glamorous on the surface but were actually completely different behind.

Chapter 42

closed doors.

Knowing that Joshua was concerned for her, Cynthia looked away and replied, “I’ll protect myself.”

“Cynthia!” Joshua was angry.

Cynthia remained calm as she said, “I care about myself more than anyone else. I’ll make anyone who

harms me pay the price. Since we have already chosen to divorce, there are some things you don’t

need to worry about.”

“Do you want Mitchell to take care of you?” Joshua was becoming more furious.

Cynthia was not in the mood to argue with him. “I don’t need anyone to take care of me.”

“So, you just want to enter this circle?” Joshua’s rage was building up inside him.

Cynthia replied firmly, “Yes.”

“Even if it means paying a painful price for it?”

“Yes.”

“Fine.” Joshua stood up immediately, releasing a chilly aura. “Don’t come crying to me if something

happens.”

“Don’t worry. I won’t,” Cynthia reassured him.

This only made Joshua angrier. He could not understand why Cynthia was so determined to enter this

circle despite knowing the risks involved.

In the merciless business world, it was possible to be taken advantage of even if one had billions of

dollars.

After their conversation, Cynthia and Joshua parted ways on unfriendly terms.

Joshua stormed out.

Yoel compensated for the hotel room door and then drove Joshua to the airport.

They had already finished discussing the necessary collaborations in the past few days.

As for the meeting at noon today, he would not need to attend.

Yoel noticed that Joshua was in a bad mood and asked, “Mr. Neal, are you really not considering

staying another day?”

“Shut up.”

“Yes, Mr. Noel.”

The atmosphere inside the car was heavy. Joshua was feeling irritable and closed his eyes to rest. Not

long after, he opened his eyes and ordered Yoel, “Make sure the people in Nexuria sabotage Cynthia’s

efforts and force her to give up.”

“That’s not a good idea,” Yoel said bravely.

Joshua’s gaze grew colder. “Are you feeling sorry for her?”

“Of course not,” Yoel was quick–witted. “I just think that you still care for Mrs. Neal. Why do you want to

divorce her? Wouldn’t it be better to bring her back to Jiverton if you’re so worried?”

“Focus on the road,” Joshua snapped at him.