Joshua's voice was hoarse, and he was depressed."What day is it?""What's wrong?" Moses sensed that something was wrong. "Are you sick?""No," Joshua replied simply.Moses still felt that something was off. "Are you sure nothing's wrong?""I'm fine." Joshua appeared tired, and his voice was calm but lacked strength. "Let's get to the point.""Today is your birthday. Congratulations on turning twenty-eight! You're one step closer to thirty," Moses blurted out, sounding serious.Joshua was shocked, and Cynthia, who heard it, also froze, her gaze showing mixed emotions.Was it already the 14th?"I knew you would be too busy to remember your birthday. In the past, I didn't have to worry because Cynthia was there, but now that you're divorced, it's up to me," Moses continued.Those words were like a knife, stabbing Joshua's already wounded heart, numbing the pain even more."Are you still at the office?""Yeah.""Come back quickly. Mom and Dad are here. We're waiting outside y
Nonetheless, Yoel still answered, "Hello, Young Master Neal.""Hasn't Joshua finished work yet?" Moses asked.Yoel glanced at Joshua in the back seat and replied, "We encountered a sudden issue, and there's an urgent matter that needs to be handled. It might take another hour before he can leave work.""Alright. Tell Joshua to hurry up. Let him know we're waiting for him," Moses said.Yoel nodded and said, "Okay.""By the way,""What is it?""Is Joshua okay?" Moses asked again. Despite their usual banters, they were brothers, after all. "When I spoke to him just now, he sounded off.""He's probably just tired. Mr. Neal has been so busy that he hasn't had a meal the entire day," Yoel lied on Joshua's behalf."Well, I won't disturb you further. Let him finish up quickly and come back soon," Moses added. He knew Yoel would remind Joshua to eat on time, and he could not help but wonder what could keep him so busy.After the call ended, Yoel put his phone on silent mode and looked
Moses was surprised when he saw Joshua. "You're back? Didn't Yoel say you'll only be back an hour later?""I let them handle it," Joshua said, looking colder than before.Moses did not ask further but just pulled Joshua over to Yoel. Soon after, they began the most important part of the birthday celebration—blowing out the candles.All the lights in the room were turned off, and the candles were lit. Joshua was 28 years old this year. Moses led the singing of 'Happy Birthday', and Joshua used to treat this part of the celebration as a mundane routine, making a simple wish. However, he actually enjoyed it today.He closed his eyes and began to make his wish. He wished for Cynthia's happiness and well-being, free from worries.He did not wish for Cynthia to remarry him; he just wanted her to be happy, and he would be willing to trade his own life for that. When he was done, he opened his eyes and blew out the candles.This was his most sincere wish, the one he wanted to fu
Felix understood everything just by looking at Joshua's expression. He patted his shoulder and said, "Your mom is very worried about you. She sensed that you were unhappy from the moment you came back."After all, a mother would know her child best.No matter how well you disguised it, parents could see through all your pretenses."I'm fine," Joshua said.Felix asked, "Doesn't it hurt?""The pain I feel is nothing compared to the grievances Cynthia endured in the past." Joshua looked into the distance. The city was enveloped in darkness, and even though the city lights were bright, only the sun could truly illuminate the sky.Similarly, only Cynthia could dispel the darkness in his heart.Having heard his response, Felix did not say anything more. As their children got older, there were certain things they had to handle on their own, and they had to bear the consequences themselves. That night, the city was aglow with countless lights, but Joshua lying in bed felt cold.He f
Yoel was startled! He wanted to speak but was afraid that Cynthia might hear him, so he helped Joshua adjust his hand position."Wait for me. I'll be right there." Joshua's heart was in turmoil.Cynthia called him to explain the plan. "Listen to me, and don't panic."Joshua's heart was pounding intensely, and his breath felt hot. "Okay.""If I get captured, there won't be any danger for me. The person he wants is you. After I'm captured, he'll definitely contact you and ask you to come to my rescue." Cynthia helped him organize his thoughts.She did not expect things to progress to this point so quickly, and she had no idea what that person was thinking."You can't get captured." Joshua feared for her safety."I have to. Only then can I achieve my goal. But I hope you can remember one thing," Cynthia explained her plan to Joshua."What is it?""Trust me."Joshua fell silent.Cynthia looked at the plans she had laid out before her, feeling slightly distressed. "I know it's di
"Let's get down to business." Joshua wasted no time.Mr. White carried his bag and sat down.Yoel saw that the two of them were about to discuss business, so he immediately brought them each a cup of warm water, just in case they wanted to drink during their discussion.However, he was shocked when he saw what Mr. White had taken out.What was that?Was that a…A will!"M-Mr. Neal… Why are you making a will while you're perfectly fine?" Yoel's brain buzzed. "It's nothing. We all have to make one sooner or later. Might as well do it now," Joshua said, tinged with weakness.Yoel was confused. He did not even have children yet! Why was he making a will?Although he did not understand, Yoel could not interfere. However, he did not expect Joshua to leave half of his assets to Cynthia and the other half to Felix and Daphne.One hour later…Joshua signed and stamped the documents, and everything was settled. After Mr. White left, Yoel asked, "Mr. Neal, did something happe
"Are there any questions?" Cynthia asked the six of them.Everyone pondered and said, "No.""You have already planned for almost all possible scenarios, and there are two backup plans to be implemented. There will be no unexpected situations," Riley was confident in Cynthia's decision."There is another thing that I have not taken into consideration," Cynthia said.They had fought against that person, so they knew their character and their way of doing things. However, it was impossible to fully understand the person.Mitchell asked, "What?""The possibility for that person to die with us," Cynthia was silent for a moment before saying this."He will not.""He cherishes his life more than anyone else.""Whether it is possible or not, it would not help if you take it into consideration. If that person really changed his personality and became desperate, it would not be effective no matter how many plans we have," Linus said in a serious tone.That person was as smart as they
How did he know?"Captain...""Captain."Jimmy and Mitchell also came out.Matthew walked in, walked over, and took out a stack of documents from there.Cynthia, Mitchell, and Jimmy closed their eyes.They were done.Even if they did not want to admit it, they had to.Matthew put a stack of documents on the table and tapped it with his slender fingers. "What is this? Do you know who Yerick Baker is? How dare you go to him when you have no weapons or equipment?"Matthew was very angry.He never thought that these guys would do this without telling him.Cynthia understood his character and explained, "We are not going impulsively. We are going to outsmart him.""Is the lesson from last time not enough? Do not go.""Captain!"Cynthia raised her voice slightly.Matthew wanted to scold them like before but was unwilling when he saw Cynthia's face.He tried to suppress his anger and said, "There is no but for this.""Can...""If you have to go, wait until I get the approval