Chapter 4 He Was Poisoned

• They're dead! Joshua's gaze was icy and harsh, radiating a lethal aura! Insulting my father is like spitting in my face and beheading me!
• Thump, thump, thump!
• With a swift stride forward, Joshua extended both his hands, each gripping the collars of the two lackeys. He then tossed them backward.
• “Ah!” Two figures shot through the air, simultaneously crashing into the garbage bin.
• The stench of garbage was overwhelming, swallowing up the piercing screams of the two individuals.
• Outside the trash bin, their limbs struggled helplessly.
• “Holy crap!” Samuel recoiled in fright, stepping back twice. He stared at Joshua, swallowing hard with wide-eyed astonishment, his voice trembling as he asked, “Who are you? How dare you interfere in our affairs?”
• Over seven years, Joshua had undergone significant changes. It wasn't just his complexion and physique that had transformed, his entire demeanor was completely different from before.
• Thus, Samuel couldn't recognize him.
• Joshua remained silent, his cold laughter echoing in the air. Without another word, he casually slapped Samuel across the face.
• Smack!
• The sharp sound of a slap echoed, sending Samuel flying sideways. He crashed against the opposite brick wall, forming a large character-like shape before collapsing weakly, falling into unconsciousness.
• Behind him, a cloud of crimson mist filled the air, as several molars danced in the breeze before hitting the ground.
• Joshua couldn't be bothered with those scum.
• Every word he spoke to them would be considered superfluous.
• “Dad...” Joshua bent down to help Zachary up, expressing with deep sorrow, “I'm sorry, I returned too late...”
• Bewildered, Zachary stared at him, his lips quivering, yet he couldn't utter a single word.
• “Joshua? Y-You're still alive?” Quinley lunged forward, wrapping her arms around Joshua, sobbing uncontrollably. “Joshua, it's me! It's Quinley!”
• “Quinley?” Joshua was slightly taken aback, a smile unwittingly surfaced on his countenance. “It's been a few years. Has the little girl from back then turned into a young lady now?”
• He gently tapped her nose, chuckling. “Just like before, you're still such a crybaby!”
• “Don't tease me!” Quinley's face flushed and she said coyly, “I'm just happy to see you. Let me... Let me cry a little longer!”
• She opened her arms once again, then draped them around Joshua's neck, her voice choked with emotion as she said, “Joshua, seeing you again is so wonderful!”
• Joshua's lips pursed slightly, his heart awash with a myriad of emotions.
• Back in the day, when he established Skyterra Pharmaceutical Group, the person who provided him with the greatest support was his classmate, Matthew Calloway.
• Quinley was none other than the sister of Matthew.
• Whenever Joshua had a casual get-together with Matthew, she would always tag along, staying close to Joshua. She would regard Joshua as another brother, chattering away nonstop. Her adorable demeanor was simply picture-perfect.
• Past events were vividly etched into Joshua's mind, solidifying into memories.
• Joshua asked, “Quinley, what brings you here?”
• “I came to see Old Mr. Judd...”
• Quinley gently took Zachary's arm, expressing her regret. “I'm sorry. It's my fault for not taking better care of Old Mr. Judd, which has caused him so much pain...”
• Seven years ago, something happened to Joshua, and following that, Zachary disappeared, his whereabouts unknown.
• Several years later, Quinley, while strolling down the street, unexpectedly stumbled upon Zachary, who had become a mentally ill vagrant.
• Given the inconvenience of bringing him back to the Calloway family residence, she discussed it with her brother, Matthew. They decided to rent a traditional courtyard house in the area for Zachary and even hired a housekeeper specifically to take care of him.
• However, Zachary was severely mentally ill. If he weren't watched carefully, he would wander off and often run into Samuel's group, who would then mistreat him.
• Earlier, Quinley came to visit and found that the housekeeper wasn't home, neither was Zachary. She quickly went out to look for Zachary and just happened to encounter those three young men disrespectfully mistreating someone.
• “Every time my dad went out, would he always bump into these three good-for-nothings?” Joshua furrowed his brows. “They never went to the house to cause trouble?”
• “No.” Quinley shook her head and asked, “Joshua, is something wrong?”
• “It's nothing. These past years, both you and Matthew have been through a lot.” Joshua pursed his lips slightly, subtly waving toward Clayton in the Volkswagen, signaling him to leave first.
• Then, together with Quinley, they escorted Zachary back to his residence.
• It was a moderately-sized courtyard house, which was kept reasonably clean.
• Upon entering the living room, Joshua helped his father to sit down. He gently took Zachary's wrist and said, “Dad, let me check your pulse to see how your health is doing now...”
• Despite being told otherwise, Zachary was defiant. He stubbornly kept one hand clamped over the pocket of his jacket, refusing to let go.
• “Hmm?” Joshua was a bit curious and asked, “Dad, what's in your pocket?”
• “Hehe...” With a grin on his face, Zachary pulled out a squashed chicken drumstick from his pocket.
• When Samuel's group was ganging up on him, the drumstick fell onto the ground.
• After it fell, he hid it away, keeping it until then.
• “Joshua, you've lost weight. Have more chicken drumsticks...” Zachary offered up a chicken drumstick, asking, “You love chicken drumsticks the most, don't you?”
• “Old Mr. Judd had already started having trouble recognizing people. Occasionally, he would recognize me a bit, and also my brother, and then there was...” Quinley, wiping her tears, said, “Every time I bought him chicken drumsticks, he would always mention how much you loved them...”
• “Dad...” Tears instantly welled up in Joshua's eyes.
• In his younger years, he came from a poor family and was malnourished. For him, having the luxury of eating chicken drumsticks was as special as celebrating the New Year.
• After he became wealthy, his favorite thing was still chicken drumsticks.
• Whenever they had meals together, Zachary would always set aside two chicken drumsticks for his son.
• “Joshua, you've lost weight. You should eat more chicken drumsticks,” urged Zachary again.
• That was something Joshua hadn't heard for seven years.
• “Dad, chicken drumsticks are my absolute favorite...” Taking the drumstick, Joshua bit into it with a choked sob.
• The chicken drumstick had a slight sour taste, indicating it was likely spoiled.
• However, when it touched his lips, it was a rich warmth of affection.
• Zachary was over the moon, clapping his hands and chanting, “Joshua loves chicken drumsticks! Joshua loves chicken drumsticks...”
• Perhaps he was tired. After watching Joshua finish his chicken drumstick, Zachary felt somewhat weary.
• Joshua assisted him onto the bed to rest, then meticulously checked his pulse and frowned.
• Letting go, Joshua stood up, then pulled out the acupuncture kit he always carried with him. He took out several golden needles, inserting them into several acupoints on Zachary's body.
• Curiosity piqued, Quinley asked, “Joshua, what are you doing? Are you treating Old Mr. Judd's illness?”
• “Yes. My father's mental illness was induced by poisoning, but there's still hope for him.” Joshua spoke in a low voice. “However, because it was left untreated for a long time, it's a bit troublesome to deal with.”
• “You're saying you can treat it?” Quinley was overjoyed and exclaimed, “My brother and I took Old Mr. Judd to many renowned doctors, and they all said there was no hope! If he could really be cured, that would be amazing! He... Wait, he was poisoned?”
• Suddenly, her face filled with confusion. “Joshua, are you saying Old Mr. Judd was driven into mental illness because of poison?”
• “Ordinary mental illness usually only involves a few abnormal meridians. However, my father's pulse was overly excited and had a strange rhythm. It's likely that this was caused by some drug.” Joshua said solemnly, “I had someone look into it. My father's mental illness began after he was kidnapped and released. It's likely he was poisoned.”
• “D*mn it! It must have been the Youngblood family's doing!” Quinley spoke resentfully. “The Youngblood family has been relentless in their pursuit of Old Mr. Judd over the years. Those three troublemakers we just encountered? They're from the Youngblood family! They've been causing problems for Old Mr. Judd every now and then!”
• “I'll start by finding a way to cure my father's illness! As for the Youngblood family...” Joshua let out a cold, sarcastic laugh before proclaiming, “Those whom the gods wish to destroy, they first make mad! Sooner or later, they'll all meet their downfall at my hands!”
• His tone was icy, radiating a deadly intent.
• “Right!” Quinley nodded emphatically.
• Bang!
• Footsteps could be heard entering the courtyard.
• Quinley wondered who had arrived.