Chapter 29 - 29: No Room for Cooperation

Translator: 549690339

As a woman, Molly knew that such a gaze was not friendly.

But after experiencing everything today, she had no more energy to guess.

She tugged on Joshua’s clothes, and he turned around. Seeing her slightly weary expression, he thought of everything that happened today and immediately guessed the reason.

It had been a shocking and exhausting day for her.

“I’ll take you home first.” Joshua ignored the gazes of the others in the room and left with Molly.

As they reached the door, Molly backed off a few steps and said, “Joshua, you said your father wanted to meet me, and he has. You’ve already helped me with what I needed, so from now on, let’s keep a distance.”

Gillian’s way of addressing her made Molly feel awkward.

It also made her realize that even if she wasn’t afraid of her own shadow, others might not think the same way.

Moreover, she had promised Damian to stay away from Joshua.

Hearing her seemingly resolute words, Joshua was not annoyed. On the contrary, he appreciated her even more.

If it were any other girl, they would be eager to have a relationship with him, but Molly’s attitude showed that she really considered him as a friend.

Joshua hesitated, wondering if he should tell her about his intentions to treat her as a sister.

Thinking that the results would be out by tomorrow, he changed his mind.

If the results were good, Molly would be his real sister, and if not, he would still treat her like one, not letting anyone bully her.

“I understand why you’re worried. From now on, we’ll do it your way.” Joshua smirked, knowing the results would be available tomorrow.

The two stood in front of the house, the light overhead casting a golden halo around them.

From a distance, they looked like a handsome man and a beautiful woman, a pair of celebrity couples.

Isabelle got out of the car and saw Joshua and Molly at the door.

She tightened her grip on the gift in her hand and stood still for a few seconds. Thinking of her father’s advice, she mustered the courage to walk over.

“Joshua…”

Isabelle was dressed demurely today, wearing a long white dress with her hair cascading down to her waist. Her expression was gentle, and her voice softer than usual.

Joshua raised an eyebrow, his gaze shifting to the pile of gift bags in her hand. “Miss Richardson, a rare visitor indeed. So, your injury has already healed?”

His sarcastic tone mocked her, and Isabelle bit her lower lip: “Not yet, but 1 still think it’s more important to apologize to Mr. Thompson.”

“Apologize?” Joshua squinted his beautiful eyes.

Molly, who was standing next to him, originally wanted to leave, but after hearing these words, she quickly guessed Isabelle’s purpose for coming.

As Samuel’s plans hadn’t worked out, Isabelle had been sent to soften things up instead.

Molly sneered.

It was obvious how important this cooperation was, even making someone like Isabelle lower her head.

“What, you knew Molly was here and came to apologize to her specifically?”

Joshua smiled wickedly.

Compared to him, the Richardson family owed Molly even more.

He would eventually settle the score with them for what happened today.

Isabelle pursed her lips, her teeth grinding against her gums, and clenched her fist tightly: “Joshua, you knew I came to apologize to you. Do you really need to use this against me?”

Just then, the door opened, and Gillian came out.

Seeing Isabelle, she was first surprised, then smiled happily: “Isabelle! How did you know 1 had come back?”

Isabelle was surprised to see Gillian back in the country. After a few seconds of shock, she felt the weight lifted from her hands.

Gillian took the gifts from her: “You didn’t have to bring any gifts when you came. Don’t worry, as long as it’s from you, I will like it.” The lump in Isabelle’s throat grew. “No, this gift is for…”

Gillian happily took the gift inside to unwrap it.

Watching the servant carry the gift away, Isabelle was so angry she couldn’t speak.

Joshua scoffed and sent Isabelle away: “Since you’ve delivered the gift, Miss

Richardson, you should go home early. Don’t let anything else happen to you.”

“What about the cooperation between our families?”

Isabelle hesitated, and Joshua raised an eyebrow: “l don’t know what you’re

talking about.”

Isabelle trembled with anger.

Joshua was playing Tai Chi with her.

She couldn’t afford to waste the valuable gifts she gave today.

If she came back empty-handed and lost money, her father would be furious. And when he got angry, she would pay the price. Fear made her break out into a cold sweat.

She couldn’t return empty-handed.

“Joshua, if I’ve done anything wrong to you before, I apologize. But you shouldn’t take your anger out on my family. The gifts 1 brought today are worth nearly six-figures. You can’t just let me go back empty-handed.” Isabelle glanced into the house, where Gillian had already begun to open the gift box.

At this point, she was somewhat grateful to Gillian.

Since the gift had been opened, she wanted to see how Joshua would return it to her.

Unfortunately, she still underestimated Joshua.

“What does the value of your gift have to do with me?” Joshua ruthlessly tore through her facade. “Gillian took the gift, so you should talk to her about it.”

“There will be no discussion about the cooperation. l, Joshua, either don’t make a move or achieve my goal when I do.”

Joshua’s eyes were willful.

Isabelle stared at him blankly, unable to believe he would be so brazen as to deny it.

“What do you want then? Do you want me to kneel down and beg for your forgiveness?” Isabelle’s eyes turned red.

She thought that as long as she apologized, Joshua would retract his revenge, and the cooperation would continue.

But she didn’t expect that Joshua would not allow her to repent at all.

Her stunned gaze slowly shifted towards Molly.

Seeing her, Joshua raised his eyebrows and quickly stepped in front of Molly, blocking her.

For years, Joshua had never targeted her. But now that Molly was here, he had turned against her family.

Everything seemed to fall into place.

“l know it was all your doing behind my back.” She got closer to Molly, “You just wanted to avenge your grandmother, didn’t you? But my family is innocent. Come at me! Why hurt innocent people? Do you know how many people will lose their jobs because of what you’re doing?”

Innocent…

Molly had originally planned to watch from the sidelines, but when she heard this, she couldn’t help but scoff: “True, your family is innocent. But what about my grandmother, is she not innocent?”

The moment Isabelle went after her grandmother, Molly had no intention of sparing her.

She just wanted to weaken the Richardson family’s power. The employees losing their jobs in the end was a decision made solely by the Richardson family.

Trying to use this moral high ground to manipulate Molly was too naive.

“So it really was you!” Isabelle rushed towards Molly, only to be blocked by Joshua’s quick reaction.

Isabelle pointed at Molly, her whole body trembling with anger.

“What do you want?” Joshua’s expression was fierce.

Isabelle stared hard at Joshua, her voice choked with tears: “Everyone seems to think that you and I are sworn enemies, but no matter what others think, I’ve always considered you a friend. I never thought you would listen to her. Joshua, I advise you, some people are toxic. If you get involved with someone like that, you better be careful not to be poisoned together..”