Chapter: 157

Joshua's eyes darkened briefly, but he concealed any emotion.

"Alright, Dad," he replied calmly, masking his thoughts.

As Joshua exited the study, he noticed Alicia leaning against a hallway pillar, lost in her own thoughts.

“Alicia? What are you doing here?" he asked, walking over to her. He could see something was off and added, “Were you scared?"

Alicia wasn't pretending. She truly was a bit shaken. "You were talking in there, but why did Jerald get so angry all of a sudden?"

Joshua shrugged with sarcasm in his tone. “Caden has a bad temper and always manages to irritate Dad. It's nothing new."

"I see," Alicia murmured.

Outside, the rain pounded heavily against the windows, the sound deafening.

The thunder rumbled loudly, making Alicia's face pale even more.

Joshua, noticing her reaction, found himself amused. "It's just thunder," he said, chuckling. "Come on, let's go eat.”

Alicia, seeing how unaffected he was, asked in a casual tone, “Do you like this kind of weather?"

“Yes," Joshua replied, his smile growing. "I like anything that Caden fears."

Alicia's heart sank at his words.

She pressed, "How could someone like Caden be afraid of thunder?"

Joshua, in a chipper mood, replied, "Do you know how his mother died?"

Alicia clenched her fingers together.

"No," she muttered quietly.

Joshua nearly laughed, clearly entertained by his own story. "Over a decade ago, his mother died giving birth in the hospital. It was raining like this, and Caden stood at the hospital entrance, drenched and nearly struck by lightning."

Alicia halted, a chill running down her spine.

Images of a similar scene flashed through her mind.

She felt an unexpected wave of sympathy for Caden.

To witness the sudden death of someone close was a pain that could never be forgotten, yet Joshua seemed to find amusement in it.

In that moment, she realized she didn't recognize Joshua anymore.

His coldness made him almost repulsive.

Joshua noticed she had stopped walking. "What's wrong? Are you feeling alright?" he asked, concerned.

Alicia's grip tightened until her fingers turned pale. “I've caught a cold, and my stomach isn't feeling great. You go ahead and eat. I'll rest for a bit," she whispered.

Joshua's gaze softened as he asked, “Is a little cold really that troublesome?"

Alicia hesitated, unsure of how to respond.

Joshua gave her a knowing look. “How about a little surprise tonight?" he suggested, his tone insinuating.

Alicia felt a surge of anger rise within her, but before she could react, his phone buzzed.