chapter1826

Joshua slowly opened his eyes.

Laurel Quinn stepped forward and asked with concern, "Joshua, are... are you all right?"

Joshua glanced at her, but his gaze landed on Stella beside him.

A spark of light appeared in his eyes. "Star."

Stella immediately went to his side. "Joshua, are you okay?"

Joshua gently hugged her. "I'm fine."

Stella asked again, "Are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere?"

Joshua's eyes flickered. "Just a bit of a headache."

Stella carefully studied Joshua's face. Seeing his calm expression, a sense of doubt and unease inexplicably surfaced in her heart.

Last time, she had only been missing, and Joshua had been incredibly anxious when he saw her. Why was he so calm this time?

She glanced at Laurel Quinn, who also found it very strange.

Stella said softly, "Foreman and Aurora worked together. That's why they faked my death... Foreman was also behind Deanna's car accident. The goal was to lure us to Novaris to make it easier for them to act."

As Stella explained what she knew, she observed Joshua's expression.

His gaze wasn't unfocused and chaotic as she had imagined. Instead, it held a sharp edge that was unusually intimidating.

His dark eyes were unfathomable voids, cold and deep. It was as if something about him had changed.

Sensing Stella's scrutiny, Joshua lowered his long eyelashes, concealing the thoughts in his eyes. The arms holding her, however, tightened unconsciously.

His voice was low and raspy. "Star, I'm sorry. I failed to protect you."

Stella sighed softly. "It's not your fault. No one could have expected Foreman to be

so vicious, not only killing Deanna but also taking so many other lives."

Joshua rubbed his temples as if his head ached.

He asked, "Is Harold here?"

"Yes," Stella replied.

Joshua said, "Star, could you please ask him to come in?"

Of course, she had no reason to refuse. "Okay."

Seeing Stella leave, Laurel Quinn followed her out.

After the room door closed, Laurel Quinn asked Stella, "Don't you think Joshua is acting a bit strange?"

Stella frowned slightly. "A little... but he just went through a shock

shouldn't that be considere

normal?" ovel

Laurel Quinn's gaze grew thoughtful.

Stella found Harold and said, "Harold, Joshua is awake. He wants to see you."

Harold's face lit up with surprise. "Mr. Gardner is awake?!"

Stella nodded.

Harold was about to go to Joshua but suddenly paused as if a thought occurred to him.

"Mr. Gardner really asked for me?"

"Yes," Stella said.

From Harold's perspective, now that

Joshua knew Stella was alive, he

would want to be with her every second, unwilling to be separated. Why would he suddenly call for him?

Although he had his doubts, Harold still knocked on the door to Joshua's room.

Entering the room, Harold saw Joshua with his eyes closed, rubbing his temples.

Seeing him enter, Joshua asked, "What's happened recently?"

Harold found Joshua's question extremely odd, but he answered truthfully. "Ms Cameron isn't dead. It was likely just a scheme by Foreman and Aurora..."

Joshua cut him off. "I'm not asking about that. I'm asking about before."

Harold was a smart assistant. His eyes widened in shock.

He stammered, "Mr... Mr. Gardner... you don't remember?"

Joshua's brow furrowed. "What exactly happened?"

Harold asked cautiously, "What... what all do you want to know?"