Chapter 544

Chapter 544 A Pawn

The two of them returned to the

ard together.

Lysander pushed the door open. “Dad, Mom, I’m back.”

The conversation between Laura and Camila abruptly halted. Maverick even shot a fiery glare directly at Josiah.

Josiah didn’t show any signs of discomfort, as if that was his first time appearing there. “Mr. and Mrs. Thorne, I just happened to run into Lysander downstairs, so we came up together.”

Maverick scoffed coldly, turning his head away directly.

Camila knew he was Lysander’s ex–husband. Seeing them together again, yet without any sign of Zachary, she couldn’t help but worry. She kept glancing behind them anxiously.

Josiah had already casually closed the door, and the atmosphere in the room was a bit awkward.

Camila had been holding back, but in the end, she couldn’t help but ask Lysander, “Lysander, didn’t Zachary go for a walk with you? Why hasn’t he returned yet? It’s getting late. We should be leaving soon.”

Lysander hesitated and said, “He-”

Josiah was there for a reason, and he timely intercepted the conversation by answering, “Mr. Powell has an unexpected matter to attend to. He has gone on a business trip.”

Zachary was employed at Guerra Group at the time. Given Josiah’s position as the employer, his words naturally held a high degree of credibility.

Camila was somewhat intimidated by Josiah, but she was driven by her concern for her son. She cautiously asked, “Mr. Guerra, isn’t this arrangement a bit too abrupt? He didn’t even have time to come upstairs and tell me.”

Josiah didn’t feel like saying much. He simply stated, “It’s an urgent matter.”

Laura was soft–hearted and offered some comforting words by saying, “Indeed, Zach takes his work very seriously. Now that the company needs him, he naturally has no choice but to step up.”

Maverick saw Lysander standing with Josiah again, and it really rubbed him the wrong way. Clearing his throat, he said, “Don’t get involved in their work matters. I’ve just boiled some water. Why don’t you all have a drink first?”

He poured a glass of water for each of his two daughters and wife before finally handing one to Camila. However, he completely ignored Josiah.

Josiah had already grown accustomed to Maverick’s cold treatment. By then, he had comfortably accepted his role as an invisible man.

Lysander’s previously anxious heart finally began to settle down after she took a sip of hot water.

Camila, however, still felt uneasy. She asked again, “Zachary has been busy lately. I can understand if he has to go on a business trip urgently, but no matter how busy the work is, there should be a time limit, right? How long will he be gone this time? He didn’t even mention where he was going.”

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Chapter 544 A Pawn

“Flaite.”

Camila didn’t quite understand. “What? Where’s that? Is he going there for business?”

“Flaite is an island nation in the Pascal Ocean.”

Camila was quite puzzled. “Oh… Where exactly is Flaite? Is it far from us?”

“It’s quite a distance away.”

“Oh, dear. This child is so committed to his work. He’s constantly consumed by the belief that his talents are unrecognized, and he wants to prove himself by achieving something. However, he left in such a rush, and I’m not even sure if he packed everything he needed. He didn’t even have time to tidy up his clothes at home.” Camila let out a sigh.

Laura continued to persuade, “Zach can always buy new clothes once he gets there. Besides, it’s an island in the Pascal Ocean. It’s supposed to be warm, right?”

Josiah gave a slight nod. “It’s not cold. It’s far from the mainland and surrounded by the sea on all sides.”

Surrounded by the sea on all sides? A shiver suddenly ran down Lysander’s spine as she recalled the rumors she had once heard about Josiah. A yacht was set sail with four people onboard, but he returned alone. Could Zachary be…

Lysander dared not let her thoughts wander further. She glanced back at Josiah, whose expression remained as serene as a placid lake, unchanged in the slightest.

Before long, Howard returned from the café and said, “Maverick, when I was on the way back, I bought a latte for Mich. Isn’t it a popular drink among girls these days? Here you go, Michelle.”

Michelle didn’t dare to accept the coffee. Instead, she looked toward Maverick.

Maverick, typically outspoken, grumbled, “What on earth is happening today? Everyone seems to be crowding into this ward.”

Camila hesitantly looked up.

Seeing that, Maverick quickly waved his hand and explained, “Don’t get me wrong. I wasn’t talking about you.”

“I understand.” Camila could always gauge the atmosphere. Ever since Howard arrived, the mood in the room had been off. She was worrying about her son and seized the opportunity to stand up. “Laura, Maverick, Zachary is out of town on business. I need to go home and pack his things. I’ll be leaving for today. I’ll come another day to visit Michelle.”

Laura walked her a few steps. “Let me walk you out.”

Maverick waited for Camila to leave before saying with clear displeasure, “The one who shouldn’t have left has left.”

Everyone could tell that those words were directed at Howard and Josiah.

Josiah was indeed a man of his word. No matter what Maverick said, he listened without uttering a single word of rebuttal.

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12:17 Thu, 13 Jun

Chapter 544 A Pawn

Howard looked rather distressed as he responded, “Actually, it’s not fair to place all the blame on Josiah for what happened in the past. I must also take responsibility for my lack of strict discipline. If you’re upset, it would be better to direct your anger at me instead of affecting the children.”

Taking into account that his wife and daughters were present, Maverick refrained from using harsh words. However, he couldn’t help but make veiled criticisms. “Did I ever say I didn’t blame you? An apple does not fall far from the tree, though. She even showed up at the hospital yesterday! If it weren’t for her, we’d still be in the dark!”

Howard glanced at Josiah as if asking a question, to which the latter responded with a nod of agreement.

“I thought her prolonged absence meant she had finally started to reflect on her actions, but it seems…” Howard bowed his head in regret, unable to finish his sentence.

Maverick’s stance remained unchanged. “All I know is that I can’t stand by and let her continue to bully Lysa!”

From her bed, Michelle chimed in, “Exactly. That woman was truly mean!”

Howard felt distressed and didn’t know how to explain. All he could do was sigh and say, “It’s a family misfortune.”

“Sir, so this is where you’ve been!” Molly’s caregiver knocked on the ward door. “Madam has been quite worried, wondering why you haven’t returned yet.”

Howard gave Maverick a nod. “Maverick, I can’t leave my wife alone for too long. I need to head back. I’ll come and visit Mich tomorrow.”

Maverick remained silent.

Josiah escorted Howard to the door, but with a pivot of his step, he turned back and stayed in the ward.

Maverick was straightforward as he issued the order for the guest to leave. “Why hasn’t the person who should be leaving the most left yet?”

“Mr. Thorne, I have something I’d like to verify,” said Josiah with a humble demeanor, treating Maverick with genuine respect as an elder. “Was there only one person causing trouble at the hospital yesterday?”

Maverick raised his eyebrows in annoyance. “What are you implying? Do you think I’m trying to deceive you? There were so many people in the hospital who witnessed it!”

Josiah hastily clarified, “That’s not what I meant. I’m just concerned that someone might be deliberately stirring up trouble.”

Lately, Lysanne had indeed been making a series of blunders, proving herself to be rather shallow and foolish.

Josiah thought someone could’ve used Lysanne as a pawn to stir up trouble.

The Charming Ex–Wife