She tugged anxiously at his sleeve. Joshua knew what she was worried about. He opened his mouth silently. "Trust me."
In an instant, Hazel was relieved.
It seemed that Joshua didn't really plan to go to war with Ted. It should only be a means of negotiation.
After figuring it out, Hazel quieted down.
Joshua's eyes were filled with tenderness. Hazel actually trusted him so deeply?
Ted was so shocked that he couldn't speak.
When he learned that Joshua and Simon had conspired to kill him at Stacy Island, Ted had a sinking feeling; that was also why he faked his own death.
But he did not expect things would be back to square one again.
Even though he and Joshua had been together for months, and he had been trying to do what a father should do, Joshua did not hesitate to abandon him, making his role as a father a joke.
"...Do we have to go this far?" Ted asked, a little frustrated.
"What a strange thing to say! Mr. King," Joshua spoke dryly. "Things would come to this because you forced me to make a choice. Do you mean I'm not choosing what you want?"
"I…" Ted thought his c.h.e.s.t hurt. How could he possibly want to turn against his own son? But Joshua silenced Ted's words as if Ted asked for it himself! Ted was always exceptionally vigorous in work and didn't like to argue with others too much. So now, being questioned by Joshua, Ted actually didn't know how he should defend himself!
After a long time, Ted gritted his teeth and asked, "Is that woman really that important to you?"
After all, Joshua turned against him only for Hazel! Ted never thought Joshua would do this for a woman!
"Mr. King, I thought you would overestimate yourself and ask Hazel who was more important, you or Hazel," Joshua said, with a hint of sarcasm. "It seems that you're very self-aware. What gave you the illusion that Hazel wasn't important to me?"
Ted was almost mad with anger. Every time when Joshua confronted him, Joshua's words were so poisonous that Ted couldn't bear them.
"Hazel is my wife. She stands by me through thick and thin. She has been devoted to me, and she is the brightest light in my life." Joshua gently took Hazel's hand. He didn't want to say too much about his relationship with Hazel because he knew that even if he did, Ted would still hate Hazel. "As for you, my biological father, what have you done for me?"
"I saved you!" Ted growled.
"Mr. King, aren't you ashamed when you say that?" Joshua's eyes went cold. "Hazel could have found me and saved me without you. And we shouldn't have been apart for such a long time!"
The gentle touch soothed Joshua, and the anger that had risen in his heart vanished.
"Do… you have to think of me as your enemy?" Ted felt a pang of pain. He was a real failure as a father.
Joshua raised an eyebrow. According to his original intentions, he would directly infuriate Ted and fall out with him. But he wouldn't do that for Hazel's sake.
"Mr. King, I've never considered you an enemy. On the contrary, it's you who chooses me as your enemy," Joshua said firmly. "If you won't give in, we'll have to do what we can. If I don't protect my own wife and children, what an irresponsible man I will be!"
Ted froze. He was not the kind of guy who liked to split hairs. Joshua said that to defend Hazel, but he got to the point.
Just… accept Hazel? Ted really didn't want to. Such a woman would turn his two sons against each other sooner or later.
Having said that, Ted had to compromise. Or he could pacify Joshua.
"I can't accept a woman like Hazel! But..." Ted said in a deep tone, "if you really care about her that much, I can give you guys a chance."
Joshua's eyelids twitched. Hazel was right. Once Ted was willing to make a concession, he would make more concessions.
"When you improve my relationship with Simon, you can take Hazel back to the manor." Ted sighed helplessly.
"What are you going to do to Hazel?" Joshua's heart was filled with vigilance.
For some reason, Ted felt a bit uncomfortable. Joshua was really on guard against him, considering him a bad guy. "She's pregnant with a kid of our family, what can I do to her? Don't you want me to accept her? Fine. Very simple. As long as she behaves like an eligible daughter-in-law in the King family during pregnancy, I can allow you to be together."
Joshua was silent. Ted did make concessions, but it didn't quite live up to his expectations.
Besides, despite Ted's promise, Joshua could not be reassured if Hazel stayed during pregnancy in the manor in Country M. While the old fox couldn't do anything to Hazel openly, he would certainly think of tricks that could cause bad blood between him and Hazel.
"What?" Ted gave out a sneer. "Didn't you say what both of you have is true love, and she's devoted to you? You intend to be together, but you can't stand such a mere test?"
Seeing Joshua hesitate, Hazel scratched the palm of his hand.
She opened her mouth and whispered, "If the conditions are not bad, say yes."
Joshua was helpless. Then he said in a deep tone, "... I'll think about it. Wait for my answer."
Hanging up, Joshua talked to Hazel about Ted's conditions.
"Hazel," Joshua said earnestly, "I know a lot about Ted's power. Maybe he has other powers in his hand, but we don't need to be afraid of him..."
Speechlessly, she looked at him. He was obviously planning to fight Ted to death!
"I disagree," she said, frowning tightly. "Joshua, we don't have to do that now. I can go to Ted King's manor in Country M."
"No," Joshua shook his head without hesitation. "He isn't sincere. He is trying to soothe me for the time being. If you go, you'll be in danger!"