Chapter 264

Joseph looked at the side profile of the woman in the video, vaguely recognizing that it could be his sister. He was perplexed as to why Nancy would take away Alvin and Alvina. "On Monday morning, I tried to embarrass Nancy by posting her old scandals online. She must be taking it out on the kids to get back at me, what should we do?" Tear drops welled up in Melissa's terror-stricken eyes. Meanwhile, pain filled Joseph's gaze. Without thinking, Joseph clenched his fists. If Nancy did harm Alvin and Alvina, he wouldn't show mercy. He immediately tried calling Nancy, but no one answered, triggering a bad feeling. "We can't wait to report until they've been missing for 24 hours, we have to find them right now!" Fear had heightened Melissa's emotions because she knew someone like Nancy was capable of unthinkable craziness. Keeping his calm, Joseph said "Don't worry, I know how to find them." He reached out to his father's old friend, Titus Wesley. Despite being retired, it was still easy for him to find someone. Joseph sent the video of the woman taking the children away near the kindergarten to Titus Wesley. Titus managed to use satellite surveillance to track down the woman and the children getting into a black sedan and monitored the vehicle to a reservoir at the northernmost part of the city. Joseph and Melissa immediately went to the police station. By the time the police arrived at the reservoir, a middle-aged man who drove the black sedan was about to throw the sleeping Alvin into the water! "Freeze! Put the child down!" Pointing a gun at the middle-aged man, the police officer issued a stern warning. Upon seeing the police, the middle-aged man immediately knelt on the ground, gently placing the child on the ground next to him and sobbing. "Officer, I was forced into this! People threatened me... if I didn't comply, my family would be in danger..." The police arrested the middle-aged man, and Melissa rushed over to hug Alvin on the ground while Joseph saw Alvina still in the car! "Are the kids still alive?" Joseph turned to ask Melissa, observing her clutching Alvin close to her chest. He couldn't bear the sight of Alvina being cold to the touch when he took her out of the car. Overwhelmed by tears, Melissa nodded and said, "He's just sleeping." Joseph sighed a sigh of relief, thankfully they arrived just in time, a minute later could have had unthinkable consequences. The middle-aged man confessed at the police station that he was instructed and threatened by others to add sleeping pills to the children's drink and discard their sleeping bodies in the reservoir to drown. But the middle-aged man also clarified that the two children he picked up from the kindergarten were not his, but a young and beautiful woman did that. Through investigation and correction, the middle-aged man admitted that Nancy was the woman who picked up the children at the kindergarten. Liam was the mastermind behind the commissioned murder! Joseph had always cherished siblings love, but he didn't expect that Nancy would commit such a despicable and inhumane deed. Unable to toughen his heart and send Nancy to jail, he gave her a living allowance to live abroad. Out of despair, Nancy and Liam signed a divorce agreement, putting an end to their ill-fated relationship that lasted nearly seven years. However, in Liam's case. Joseph and Melissa are not going to let him off easily. With old scores and new grievances added up, Liam ended up bankrupt, disgraced and, eventually, jailed. Joseph seized this opportunity to acquire Humphrey Group and relaunched it after re-organization. Under the guidance of Joseph, Melissa became the President of Humphrey Group, finally reclaiming her father's business. Though Melissa may still lack maturity in the business world and needs to learn and grow, it's just a matter of time. As the day of Joseph and Melissa's engagement drew near, they sent out invitations in the business circle, hoping everyone would come to witness their significant day. Melissa also invited her good friends, Peter and Amy, but she was puzzled as to why she could never get both of them at the same time, as if they were avoiding each other. In the Clarkson mansion, Sunday evening. Joseph's and his family, along with Melissa and three children, gathered for dinner. They had all seen significant changes recently, including Joshua. "Big brother, you really have a girlfriend now? When will you introduce us?" Melissa exclaimed in surprise, which was indeed a piece of great news. "I didn't expect love to come so quickly, but I've made up my mind that she is the one." Admitted Joshua. His usual cool demeanor mysteriously vanished, leaving him radiating warmth and an unfathomable joy in his eyes. "Who is she? Do you have her picture?" This sparked the curiosity of Joseph, who was not fond of gossip. He was genuinely happy for Joshua -- who wouldn't be elated to have one less competitor? Although Joshua had a picture of the girl on his phone, he wanted to keep it a secret for a while to create suspense. So he said "She is one of my students, the most talented one I've met in my years of teaching. When the time is right, I will let you all meet her." "Big brother, they say 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder'. You may see only her virtues because you love her." Joseph teased, stating the reality that in love, all we see are our partner's merits, and it is only by accepting their shortcomings through the trials of life that we can go further. "Big brother, when will the right time be?" Melissa couldn't help asking, as Grandma Julia also listened intently, a charming smile on her face. "Probably... at your engagement ceremony." Said Joshua. He had indeed fallen irrevocably in love with this girl. This once indifferent soul, unaffected by worldly gains or losses, had finally indulged in love. Melissa and Joseph exchanged smiles. Just as the entire family was feeling happy for Joshua, the doorbell suddenly rang. Uncle John quickly went to open the door, deliberately raising his voice to inform the people inside. "The master and madam have returned. Please, come in!" The entire family had no choice but to get up and welcome them. Joseph was quite surprised - why didn't his parents inform them about their return? "Father, Mother, why didn't you inform me about your early return? I could have sent someone to pick you up." Said Joseph respectfully. They were genuinely unprepared, and he had a premonition that this was not good news. "We just came home, no need for such a fuss." Jacob said indifferently, his gaze falling on Melissa and the three children standing beside her.