Chapter 7

Lexi stared at the relic onstage with bloodshot eyes. A chill crept up her spine. Melissa immediately slipped her arm around Joshua's and said in a soft, spoiled tone, "Joshua, I want that relic. It would be perfect for praying for my poor little nephew." Joshua indulgently pinched Melissa's cheek and lifted his bidding card. "Two hundred thousand dollars." Lexi lunged forward and yanked Melissa's wrist, fury twisting her features. "Melissa, how dare you?" "If you hadn't been so obsessed with protecting your mother's reputation, Sebastian wouldn't have died. I'm doing her a favor. Using her remains to make a relic and praying for Sebastian is the least she can do to make up for it." Seeing the smug curve of Melissa's lips, Lexi wanted nothing more than to tear her apart. She raised her hand high, ready to slap her. The next second, a powerful force slammed into her, knocking her to the ground. Lexi crashed into the steps, her back going numb with pain. Melissa's eyes filled with tears as she looked at Lexi, her voice trembling. "Lexi, if you wanted the relic, you could have just said so. Why did you have to hit me?" Joshua's expression grew even colder when he heard that. "Lexi, how did you become this vicious?" His voice was not loud, but it was enough to draw everyone's attention. "Is that the so-called genius bomb expert who just returned from overseas? Why does she look completely unhinged now?" "What genius? She couldn't even save her own kid." "This is embarrassing. As Commander Lowe's wife, attacking someone over a relic? She's completely disgraced him." The mocking voices flooded in, darkening Joshua's gaze even further. "Get out of here now. Or do you want me to have someone throw you out?" Lexi clenched her fists, forcing herself not to cry. Her eyes remained locked on the relic onstage. "Joshua, do you even know what that relic is made from?" Joshua snorted. "Whatever it's made from doesn't matter. If Mel wants it, I'll make sure she gets it." With that, he raised his card again. "I'm calling it." Those words crushed every last shred of hope Lexi had left. She looked at him in desperation. "Joshua, I am begging you. Please give that relic to me." Joshua looked at her, his voice ice cold. "You don't deserve it." The words sent Lexi spiraling into despair. She stared at him for a beat, then dropped to her knees. "Joshua, please… Just give it to me." For a brief moment, shock flashed through Joshua's eyes, but it disappeared just as quickly. He strode onto the stage, took the relic from the auctioneer, and walked toward Lexi step by step. Lexi looked at the relic in his hand with desperate hope. In the next instant, Joshua walked past her and placed the relic around Melissa's neck. All the light drained from Lexi's eyes. She collapsed to the floor, utterly powerless. She had thrown away all her dignity, only to be trampled without mercy. This was the difference between love and indifference. It was painfully obvious. Joshua coldly glanced at Lexi on the floor, then turned to the soldiers nearby. "Take her away. Don't let her come out and embarrass herself again." Lexi was dragged out of the banquet hall like dead weight. She stumbled back to her bedroom in a daze. Just as she entered, the door was kicked open. Joshua stormed in, his expression dark and furious. "Lexi, how dare you have Mel kidnapped and beaten?"