Chapter 4

Lexi had no idea how she got home. When she finally opened her eyes, Joshua was holding her. "Lexi, I am sorry. The photos were leaked accidentally. It was just an accident." Lexi pushed him away, her face completely expressionless. "Joshua, do you realize that one thoughtless thing you said took my mother's life?" Seeing the hatred in her eyes, Joshua felt an unexpected ache in his chest. He reached out and took her hand. "Lexi, do not worry. I'll make sure Sebastian and your mother get a proper funeral." The next day, Lexi insisted on taking Sebastian and Sapphire to be laid to rest herself. As soon as she came downstairs, she saw Melissa sitting there, a dog in her lap, nibbling on something. She froze as she got closer, her voice shaking. "What are you feeding the dog?" Melissa pointed to a jar nearby, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "Joshua knew my pup was low on calcium, so he had someone grind up the bones into powder to give it a supplement." Lexi stared at the two urns, feeling like she might go insane. She lunged forward, raising her hand to strike Melissa. "Sebastian and my mother both died because of you. And now you won't even leave their bodies alone?" Just as her slap was about to land, a powerful force shoved her aside. Her back slammed into the coffee table, and the sharp pain made her eyes burn red. Joshua looked at her coldly. "Lexi, I have tolerated you again and again out of respect for your mother and Sebastian. I never thought you would go so far as to try to hurt Mel." Lexi trembled as she pointed at the urns on the table, her eyes bloodshot as she stared at him. "Joshua, look me in the eyes and tell me what is inside them." Melissa leaned into Joshua's arms, her face full of grievance. "Joshua, I was just feeding my dog in the living room. I have no idea why Lexi suddenly went crazy and tried to hit me." Joshua held Melissa protectively, his gaze icy as it landed on Lexi. "Mel did not know those were Sebastian's and your mother's ashes. But you were wrong to raise your hand. Apologize to her immediately." Lexi clenched her fists, stubborn and despairing as she looked at him. "I am not the one who should apologize." Joshua's expression darkened instantly. He lifted his hand slightly, carrying the unquestionable authority of someone used to command. "Since Mrs. Lowe refuses to admit her mistake, take her outside and make her kneel. She can get up when she knows she is wrong." Two soldiers immediately stepped behind Lexi and grabbed her. Lexi stared at Joshua in disbelief. "Joshua, you are forcing me to kneel and apologize for someone who caused our son's death and my mother's death?" Joshua did not even look at her again. He wrapped an arm around Melissa and headed upstairs. "I bought new toys for your dog. I will take you to see them." Watching his retreating figure, Lexi felt her heart sink completely into an abyss. The bodyguards dragged her to the entrance. Seeing that she refused to kneel, one soldier kicked her hard in the knee. With a heavy thud, she was forced straight to the ground. The biting winter wind cut across every inch of her skin, yet she kept her back straight, kneeling until night fell. When darkness finally settled, the tightly shut door opened, and Melissa walked out arm in arm with Joshua. Holding the Pomeranian, Melissa smiled as she walked up to Lexi and looked down at her. "Lexi, since you're a bomb expert, you should know how to handle fireworks, right? It's my dog's birthday today, so I begged Joshua to give you a chance. As long as you set off fireworks for my dog, I will forgive you." "Mel is kind-hearted. If you set off fireworks for the dog's birthday, we'll let today slide." Lexi raised her head slowly, unable to believe what she was hearing. "Joshua… Sebastian and my mother haven't even had their first memorial yet, and you want me to light fireworks for a dog that ate their ashes?