Chapter: 121

Alicia halted in her tracks.

She clenched her fists tightly.

Joshua let out a laugh. “Are you feeling frightened? I can lend you a hand."

Alicia fixed her gaze on him.

The anger and disgust were unmistakable in her eyes.

However, the darkness obscured Joshua's view.

She challenged him, “Why do you want to push me to my limits and then offer assistance, Joshua? What is it that you want?"

Joshua plastered on a forced smile.

“You were the one who charged ahead and offended Lilliana, and I just stepped in to help you. And yet, you are blaming me?"

Alicia shot back, "Aren't you and Lilliana in this together?"

Was not it he who laid the groundwork for Lilliana's attack? Were they not the ones spreading the harmful rumors and insults?

Joshua seized her hand. “Alicia, let us discuss this in the car."

The moment he touched her, a wave of goosebumps spread across her skin as she forcefully shook him off.

Joshua tightened his grip.

Alicia was irritable and on edge, which seemed to delight him. "If I walk away, those drunks might pull you into a secluded area and assault you. Are you not afraid?"

Alicia's breath hitched for a moment.

Joshua lowered his voice, making it more menacing. "I came here specifically to get you out of this situation. If you refuse to come with me, I have other ways to make you comply."

He gestured toward the drunks, threateningly adding, "You have already been with someone. What difference does it make if you have a few more partners?"

Alicia's face went white, and she swayed unsteadily.

Nausea gripped her, threatening to make her vomit.

Joshua, feeling triumphant, drew the dazed Alicia into his embrace.

Her voice came out hoarse. “Joshua, you have everything. Why can't you just let me go?"

Joshua studied her pale features.

"You were the one who provoked me first," he replied. “You still have feelings for me and want to compete with Lilliana for my attention. There were more constructive ways to handle this, but you chose to sabotage her future."

He reached out to play with her hair. "Do you have any idea how much it cost me to clean up that mess? You should have made amends long before this."

Alicia felt a wave of nausea wash over her.

Did she really still have feelings for him?

What a ridiculous notion.

The weight of reality and the growing hatred finally shattered her composure.

Joshua guided her toward the car.