Chapter 11 Despicable

• Joseph was already on the verge of losing his temper. Is he asking for death?
• Joseph grumbled under his breath, tearing his eyes away from his phone. He then turned to his assistant and asked, “When is Hawthorne Group's anniversary celebration?”
• Lucas said, “It's in three days, Mr. Lawson.”
• Joseph said, “Order a set of formal wear from Ayla. Rush it. I need it for my wife's upcoming event.”
• Ayla was a renowned gown designer from Friyx. Each of her gowns commanded a price of at least a few million. An expedited order meant shelling out even more money.
• Joseph had never brought his wife to any social events before, so Lucas was taken aback when he announced that he would be bringing her. Lucas quickly reached out to their contacts in France.
• After taking the medicine, Stanley moved to a different dining location and the red spots on his body quickly faded away. An hour later, when Nadia went to the cashier's desk to pay the bill, the cashier said, “Ms. Xander, a lady with the surname Shipley, had already settled the bill earlier.”
• Nadia was momentarily stunned.
• Who else could the lady from the Shipley family be, if not her mother, Beatrice?
• Was she so busy that even when she arrived in Derport and dined in the same restaurant, she wouldn't spare a moment to see me? Nadia bit her lip, her eyes involuntarily welling up with tears.
• “All right then.” She took a deep breath, intending to walk away.
• However, she turned back around and asked, “Did she say anything?”
• The cashier shook his head.
• Nadia felt as if something was blocking her heart, causing her discomfort.
• Beatrice didn't want to return to that home and see a certain someone, so she filled her schedule with work.
• Therefore, since Nadia's childhood, it was as if she had no mother. Does she truly not care about me, her own daughter?
• Nadia's eyes were bloodshot as she stared intently at the cashier, unnerving them. “Are you all right, Ms. Xander?”
• Only then did Nadia realize her lapse in composure. She shook her head. “I'm fine.”
• She turned and walked away.
• Stanley was waiting for her not far away. Seeing her visibly downcast, he voiced his concern. “What's wrong? Did I frighten you?”
• “See, I'm all right now.” He swung his arm for emphasis. His pristine shirt was rolled up to his elbows, revealing a man's forearm that was fair and smooth.
• Nadia couldn't help but smile. “No. There was just something in my eye, but I'm fine now.”
• At the entrance of the restaurant, a woman with short hair and simple attire paused before getting into her car. She cast a final glance back at the slender figure visible through the glass door.
• Her gaze rested on the young woman, exuding a profound tenderness.
• It wasn't until someone in the car called out to her, “Professor Shipley?”
• Beatrice had just withdrawn her gaze before she turned and stepped into the car.
• When Nadia and Stanley stepped out of the restaurant, the black sedan had already driven off.
• Stanley watched as Nadia got into the car before he left. Once Nadia returned to her place, she carried the flower pot upstairs. After safely storing away the care card for the flowers, she went to bed.
• Unsure of how long she had been asleep, she opened her eyes to a blurry figure by the bed. At the sight, Nadia's eyes widened instantly, and she bolted upright. “When did you come in?”
• Joseph, clad in a tea-colored shirt and dark trousers, casually sat on the sofa by the bed, his long legs spread apart. Even in such a casual posture, his handsomeness was unparalleled.
• “When you were sleeping.” He wasn't exactly known for his good temper.
• Recalling the video Timothy had sent him, along with the words Timothy had sent, he was so infuriated it was as if his liver ached.
• He was angry that another man was showing so much affection to his woman, which he would not stand for.
• Nadia straightened her pajamas, expressing her dissatisfaction. “Didn't anyone ever teach you that it's not appropriate to enter someone's home without permission?”
• She had just changed her password, yet he had managed to crack it again. She decided that next time, she would switch to a fingerprint lock!
• Joseph scoffed, “We're not even divorced yet!”
• Nadia said, “We're almost there!”
• Joseph was speechless. So infuriating!
• He stood up in anger, his hand reaching up to loosen his tie. “Stanley is forty years old. Are you sure you want to divorce me to be with that old man?”
• Suddenly, he leaned over, his hands bracing on the edge of the bed as he inclined toward her. His dark eyes bore intensely into hers. “Are you certain he can satisfy you?”
• Nadia was speechless. How could this despicable man say anything that comes to his mind? Moreover, when had I ever said that I wanted to be with Stanley?
• “He's a man in his forties. His health could start declining!” Joseph's dark eyes were intensely fixed on her, as if he was determined to get an answer from her.
• Nadia was so infuriated that her mouth twitched uncontrollably.
• Her face flushed with anger, she finally managed to blurt out, “Joseph, have you lost your mind?”
• Joseph stood up straight. “OK!”
• Indeed, he felt as if he was losing his mind, a sensation he had never experienced before. In all those years, he had never been driven to the brink of insanity by a woman.
• Joseph turned around and descended the stairs, leaving the place.
• Nadia followed her, only to realize that the small flower she had brought back from the botanical garden was missing. She immediately rushed out and called after Joseph, “Where's my flower?”
• Without even turning his head, Joseph commanded, “I discarded it!”
• Nadia was about to lose her mind. “That was for my mom!”
• The flowers were intended as a gift for her mother..
• The sound of Joseph's voice echoed from the elevator, clearly annoyed. “She got the message!”
• Nadia watched as the elevator descended, taking Joseph down the building. She wished the elevator could just take him away completely.
• She got dressed and went downstairs to look, but there was no sign of the flowers, making her feel defeated.
• Of course, had she known the cost of those flowers, it would have broken her heart.
• Nadia had been feeling down all night. Just as she was about to sleep, she sensed someone entering the room. Her mood tensed up and she peered down from the opening.
• At the first level, Joseph was directing a few people to move flowers into the house. “Move everything over to the window, and make it quick!”
• It was clear that he had been drinking. He stood at the entrance, the scent of alcohol reaching up to the second floor.
• Nadia threw on her clothes and descended the stairs. “What are you doing?”
• Joseph's thin lips curved slightly, his handsome face exuding arrogance. “What I gave you, is it really not as good as what Stanley gave you?” he asked with a hint of challenge in his voice.
• Nadia was speechless.
• Even though he was a powerful CEO, when drunk, he was not much different from a child.
• “You're drunk. I don't entertain drunkards here, so you better go home!” Nadia recalled the last time he got drunk, and it made her feel uncomfortable all over.
• She was about to ascend the stairs when a large hand clamped onto her shoulder from behind. “I'm talking to you!”
• Nadia furrowed her brows, feeling utterly exasperated. “Even if you send a hundred pots, it still wouldn't be that one pot, ugh...”
• No sooner had she turned around than he leaned in, capturing her lips in a kiss all at once.
• At that moment, Nadia felt her heartbeat fell into chaos. He's taking advantage of me again!
• “Let me go!” She hit and punched him.
• Joseph released her, his dark eyes, still warm from the aftereffects of the alcohol, stared intensely at her. “Say it again!”
• Nadia dared not speak further. The look in his eyes was too intimidating. He wasn't malevolent, but there was something frightening about him. It was a feeling she couldn't quite put into words.
• The woman looked at him with her large eyes, a hint of timidity flashing within them. Joseph was pleased. In his view, a woman should show some fear toward a man. Otherwise, they could easily become uncontrollable.
• Joseph bent over, promptly sweeping Nadia off her feet in a horizontal carry.
• “What are you doing?” Nadia was drenched in sweat, fearful that he would once again become violent after drinking.
• Joseph carried her with steady strides up to the second floor. He gently laid her on the bed. “Sleep!”
• Nadia was speechless.
• “You go home and sleep. This is my place!” Nadia said, irritated.
• Smack!
• A slap landed on her backside as he said, “Quiet down, or I'll deal with you right now!”
• The man held her as they lay together on the bed.
• Nadia was speechless. This sc*mbag!