"Master Denmark!"
The group of women was both surprised and pleased. Some of them lowered their heads very shyly, while others looked at him boldly.
There was a touch of disp.l.e.a.s.u.r.e in Joshua's eyes as he calmly interrupted Caroline, "Why did you bring these people here?"
"Hear me out," Caroline said, after giving Hazel a sideways glance.
With a smile on her face, she continued, "I've checked for you. All of these girls are good at cooking and other housework. They deserve to be around you. As long as you keep them around, they will take care of all of your meals and needs. They will be your everything…if you are hungry, thirsty, tired…"
Hazel was speechless. What cooking and housework? Caroline was aiming at her, suggesting that she didn't deserve Joshua.
"So, you brought them here for Joshua's blind date?" Hazel spoke nonchalantly.
"What blind date? Hazel, why are you so jealous?" Caroline explained impatiently as her eyes flashed with pride. "They're all the new maids that I found. What do you think of them? Aren't they great?"
Hazel's lips twitched. Caroline was blatantly arranging for the woman to steal her boyfriend.
"Hazel, are you worried that these girls are too excellent and that Joshua will have a crush on them?" There was a sneer in Caroline's eyes, but she said with a gentle tone, "You really overthink. Joshua is so kind to you, which makes me especially touched. Don't you believe him?"
Hazel could not even speak, she finally saw through Caroline's tactics. If she stopped these girls from being maids, that would mean she didn't believe Joshua. If she said she believed Joshua, it would mean she agreed to let the women stay. Whether she agreed or not, it was an admission that these women were better than her.
As Caroline defiantly stared at Hazel, who was wondering how to reply, Joshua spoke quietly, "Don't bother."
Caroline was in a daze. She thought that Joshua might refuse, but she didn't expect he would refuse so quickly. These girls were specifically selected by her. Henry's eyes lit up when he saw them, but why was Joshua completely unmoved?
No man didn't like pretty young girls, and there was a legitimate reason to keep them. Why would Joshua refuse? She could not figure it out at all!
She hurried to persuade, "Joshua…"
Joshua calmly raised his hand, stopping her from continuing. "Our maids are very capable, and I have no intention of changing them. Nanny Carter is my elder. She is responsible for all the arrangements of personnel in Denmark Residence. She really has the final say here. Please don't disturb her work again. Besides…"
The smile on Caroline's face was fading as Joshua's words were clearly a slap in the face. She even heard the warning in his words, he was angry with her for quarreling with Nanny Carter.
Joshua looked at Caroline nonchalantly and said, "I don't think any of these women are beautiful and excellent."
Caroline's face twisted into a scowl instantly. It never occurred to her that Joshua would deny her idea so exhaustively. Though she was angry and wanted to explode on the spot, she knew that she must react calmly in her heart.
"Joshua," Caroline's body trembled as she pinched her own palm hard, making her eyes red with pain. "Don't blame me. Every time I see you, I think of our little son. You know, I haven't seen him since he was so young. I miss him very much! I've never been able to do anything for him, so when I see you, I can't help but think of you as for him…"
Hazel looked at Joshua. Caroline had already talked about the secret. Would her confession help to open Joshua's heart?
Joshua was a bit sad, he spoke quietly, "Mrs. Flores, I can understand your feelings. However, I am not your son, please do not put the feelings for your son on me."
Caroline, who was sobbing, stopped crying and looked at him with a face of disbelief. Hazel was also very surprised. She wondered if Joshua was serious or just angry.
"I, I just feel so guilty…" Caroline stammered, "I'm trying to do something for him. So please don't blame me for causing you trouble…"
Joshua looked calm as she appeared dispirited. "Mrs. Flores, you can't interfere in your son's life like that, no matter what."
Hazel looked at him with a complicated expression. Why was Joshua so patient? If anyone else had done this, he would have punished them.
It appeared to Hazel that the Flores family was a unique situation. He had been helping them for years, giving them unconditional gifts, and now he was indulging Caroline. If she thought there was nothing between them, she would be lying to herself.
She thought so, and it was obvious Caroline thought the same since she looked pleased. It seemed that she had done something wrong this time, so Joshua was unhappy. However, he did not want them out of his life.
"I see. I'll never do anything like that again!" She hurried to promise.
"Get Mrs. Flores a ride home, please," said Joshua to one maid.
Caroline did not want to push her luck any further, so out of fear of provoking Joshua anymore, she quickly followed behind the maid.
The group of women was disheartened about leaving, but they all reluctantly left.
Nanny Carter glared angrily at him immediately after Caroline left. "What do you mean, Sir? Don't you really know what she's here for?"
"Nanny Carter, don't be angry," Joshua said. "Since you don't like her, you can make sure she is stopped immediately by the bodyguards next time. You are in charge of such a big house. Don't bother yourself to argue with such a woman."
"You…" Nanny Carter was angry and powerless. "It's okay if I'm wronged, but she brought those women to make Miss Crowe unhappy clearly. What do you want her to think of you…"
Nanny Carter suddenly halted because she realized that Hazel was nearby.
"Nanny Carter, I'm fine," Hazel said with a slight smile, shaking her head. "Joshua didn't let the women stay, and I'm delighted. You can rest assured that I trust him."
"That's great…" Nanny Carter smiled embarrassedly, then she turned to Joshua and scolded him. "Look, how sensible Miss Crowe is. You should cherish such a good girl!"
"I will." Joshua didn't know whether to cry or laugh.
After comforting Nanny Carter, Joshua and Hazel left together. He opened the car door and said, "Hazel, let me take you back to school."
"Don't bother." Hazel smiled. "You have work to do. I'll take a taxi."