Chapter 238 Joshua Has Leukemia
It was six in the evening when Henry brought his wife and kid back home.
Skyler had tired out from playing, so Henry carried her in his arms while Crystal walked by
his side.
In the lobby, the family caught the curious glances of Seeas Corporation’s employees.
The CEO has such a gentle expression on his face!
Upon reaching the parking area, Henry secured the child in the booster seat, adjusted his posture, and signaled for Crystal to take the passenger seat.
Before Crystal got in, he lifted his hand and brushed her shoulder.
“What’s wrong?” Crystal shot him a puzzled gaze.
With a soft gaze and a surprisingly gentle voice, he answered, “Considering I’ll be working late tomorrow, how about you and Skyler come over and accompany me?”
Knowing his intentions, she deliberated for a moment before replying, “I need to take Skyler to see my mom in the afternoon, but I can bring her over in the evening.”
Henry didn’t say anything.
Thinking he might be upset, she was surprised when he enveloped her waist with his arms. In a bold move, he leaned down and gently kissed her lips, right in front of the busy entrance of Seeas Corporation.
She ran her tongue over her lip and protested, “Don’t just kiss me like that!”
Henry’s gaze darkened.
After a long while, he smiled. “Get in the car. I could use a smoke.”
He never smoked in Skyler’s presence, but an overwhelming urge was nagging at him right
then.
Without protesting, Crystal entered the car ahead of him.
Henry leaned down to light a cigarette but ended up smoking only half of it before extinguishing it, opening the door, and sliding into the driver’s seat.
Subsequently, the black Maybach petered out from sight.
Meanwhile, a beautiful woman sat in a white BMW in the parking lot. Her malevolent gaze remained fixed on the trunk of Henry’s vehicle.
This woman was Audrey.
Crystal is back! That kid’s alive and kicking, living the good life. The three of them look like a seriously happy bunch.
Audrey’s gorgeous face twisted with rage. Her knuckles whitened from how hard she squeezed the steering wheel.
I hate it so much! I couldn’t even catch a glimpse of Henry in the past three years. Yet, what had he done? He had only kept Crystal in his mind!
“How is she better than me?” Audrey asked with a chilly tone.
Beside her, a young man took a seat. As her sugar baby, he inched closer, contemplating a kiss to pacify her frustration. “There’s no one who can match you,” he said reassuringly.
Audrey shoved him away frustratingly.
Nevertheless, he was adept at his role and proved to be more than just an attractive face.
Rather than experiencing humiliation, he found a sense of pride in having finally stirred Audrey’s desire. The two of them eagerly headed to a luxurious five-star hotel, secured at suite, and indulged in passionate intimacy for a span of two hours.
Following their intimate encounter, Audrey retrieved a pile of banknotes and casually flung them onto the bed.
She got out of bed, put on her clothes, and drove to the mansion that Joshua had bought in Barnwood.
Night had fallen, yet Rhea hadn’t slept.
Upon noticing Audrey’s arrival, she had intended to heat up supper, but a surge of anger surged within her at the sight of hickeys adorning her daughter’s neck. “How much longer do you intend to carry on like this? Wouldn’t it be wiser to settle down with a respectable man instead of hopping from one to another?”
Upon her divorce, Audrey was granted a twenty million alimony settlement.
In a span of three years, she had managed to almost completely deplete every last cent of
that amount.
Unhappy with Audrey’s extravagant way of living, Rhea resorted to nagging her daughter.
Nonetheless, Audrey displayed little concern as she dropped onto the couch, ignited a cigarette, and nonchalantly formed a smoke ring. “Mom, you’re always on my case! Even if I burn through all the cash, I can simply ask Dad for more. He might not be working now, but he had savings from his earlier days.”
Joshua appeared on the stairs, his body trembling in anger.
The greatest disappointment I’ve faced in life is taking in Audrey. This girl has been at disaster over the past few years, squandering her wealth and engaging in frivolous relationships with various men. Even if I possess a fortune, it would never be sufficient to sustain her extravagant way of living.
Joshua stated icily, “Those aren’t yours alone! You still have a sister.”
“Sister?”
With a tone of mockery, Audrey retorted, “Are you losing your mind, Dad? Does Crystal even consider you her father? With the Lodge and Miller families backing her, do you really believe she cares about your meager wealth?”
Her words stabbed Joshua right where it hurt.
He had disappointed Krystal in the past, as well as their child, to the extent that Crystal didn’t even want to lay eyes on him.
He had been to Sumanthova before but only dared to sneak peeks at Crystal from a distance. away, fearing his presence would repulse her.
Rage overcame him, causing him to cough up a mouthful of blood. A small stream of crimson liquid trickled from the corner of his mouth. The sight left Rhea in shock, prompting her to hastily rush to his side. “Joshua! Joshua, are you all right?”
Joshua’s knees gradually gave way, bringing him down to the ground.
When his consciousness began to fade, he called, “Krystal!”
Rhea’s complexion turned as pale as a sheet when she heard this.
In the late hours of the night, the report detailing Joshua’s condition was finally released.
The words “Late-stage leukemia” were printed on the paper.
The women from the Quinn family, along with several other relatives, had gathered. After all, Joshua was a billionaire. They were prepared to seize his assets once he breathed his last.
The doctor explained, “Mr. Quinn’s condition is urgent and cannot be further delayed. He requires an immediate bone marrow transplant. As his close family members, please get
ready for HLA typing. The optimal outcome would be to find a compatible donor within his family. If not, he’ll have to join the waiting list. Given his condition, waiting might not be an option.”
Georgina cared deeply for her son, so she ordered all the relatives to take the test.
Since Audrey wasn’t biologically related to Joshua, she sat calmly, toying with her fingers. “If we can’t find a match among us, there’s still Crystal,” she suggested. “She’s Dad’s biological. daughter. I’m certain she’s the most likely candidate to be a donor!”
Driven by the fear of losing her son, Georgina talked with Joshua about reaching out to Crystal.
However, he disagreed.
Lying on the bed, he said, “Stop it, Mom! I won’t ask that of Crystal.”
I don’t have the right to and feel ashamed to make such a request from her.
Georgina stomped her foot in anger, her frustration evident. “Joshua, have you lost your mind? You’re her biological father. She wouldn’t exist without you! Considering your role in her birth and upbringing, shouldn’t she offer something in return?”
Joshua was lost in a daze.
Raised her? Have I really? I’ve let both Krystal and Crystal down. I won’t force Crystal to do the test, but I want to see her and her child. I’m a grandfather, after all.
In the meantime, Henry drove Crystal back to the mansion.
As the car came to a stop, he turned slightly and suggested, “Why don’t we choose a day to move your belongings? That way, we won’t have to keep shuttling back and forth.”
Crystal nodded, ready to bring some of her belongings over.
Henry’s fingers gently caressed the steering wheel. “When do you think we should officially register our marriage?” he inquired.
Register our marriage?
His words prompted the woman to look over her shoulder at Skyler. “Does our relationship really necessitate formalizing our marriage?” Her voice held a soft tone.
Henry laughed. “Who are you planning to marry if not me?”
Crystal didn’t take the bait.
She opened the door and gently lifted Skyler out of the car.
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