Chapter 174
Once they truly accepted Cynthia as their go ddaughter or granddaughter, Joshua could
not be with her anymore. Instead, they would only be siblings for the rest of their lives.
This thought struck Joshua, and he froze.
After divorce, they should not have any further contact. Yet, why did he subconsciously
feel like they would reconcile?
Old Man Neal and Felix glanced at each other, satisfied with their achievement, and went
about their own business.
One sipped tea leisurely while the other read the newspaper.
They were both at ease.
Only Joshua’s mind was in chaos.
After Cynthia and Daphne left the room, Daphne spoke up not long after. She held
Cynthia’s hand, caring for her like a mother to a daughter. “Have you decided about the
divorce?”
“Mmhmm.” Cynthia nodded.
“I know about your situation. It was Joshua’s foolishness and his wrongdoing. He let you
down.” Daphne Tooked down at Cynthia’s fair and slender hand with a hint of apology.
Cynthia did not know how to respond. Daphne treated her well, and she was just like a
mother figure to her. She would not criticize Joshua in front of Cynthia, but it was true that
Joshua was in the wrong.
“I have an unusual request, and I hope you’ll consider it.” Daphne truly could not bear to
part with Cynthia. Cynthia’s presence made her feel like she had gained another daughter,
a gentle, sensible, and brave daughter.
Cynthia asked, “Please tell me.”
“I want you as my go d daughter,” Daphne carefully considered her words before saying
them.
Felix and Old Man Neal spoke those words to provoke Joshua, but Daphne genuinely
wanted it. It was more accurate to say that she liked Cynthia as a person rather than just
as her daughter-in-law.
Cynthia hesitated, not expecting this request. Then, after careful consideration, she
politely declined Daphne’s request. After the divorce, she did not want to have any
personal ties with Joshua except for matters concerning their business. She might make
time to visit Old Man Neal and Daphne, but being a go dd aughter was out of the question.
Cynthia needed a clean break, as lingering connections could lead to uncontrollable
factors.
Daphne was disappointed, but she did not insist. After seeing Cynthia off, Daphne
returned with a complex feeling. When she saw Joshua still standing in the living room, she
glanced at him with a hint of discontentment but ultimately did not say anything.
Joshua had made mistakes, but Daphne could not bring herself to blame him. During those
years, she relied on Joshua to get by.
After all, it was natural for children to grow up and lose their innocence.
“If you really miss her, we can move to Nexuria. We could take her as our go ddaugh ter
then,” Felix stood up to console her.
“Cynthia declined,” Daphne said and sighed. She knew that Cynthia’s refusal meant she
did not want any
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further involvement with Joshua, but she could not help feeling sad.
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The heavy stone in his heart suddenly lifted when Joshua heard this. Then, thinking that
this place was a bit far from where Cynthia lived, he simply said goodbye and left the villa.
It was not until Joshua got outside that he realized the Neal family driver had already sent
Cynthia home.
“Were you planning to send her off?” Moses suddenly appeared and put his hand on
Joshua’s shoulder.
Joshua did not say anything, but he appeared noticeably quieter than before.
Moses patted his shoulder and asked, “What’s wrong?”
“Go investigate that bar where Cynthia punished the hooligans. If there are issues with the
establishment, involve the police, and don’t let those who attacked Cynthia get away,”
Joshua said before heading to the garage to take a car and leave.
Joshua’s mood noticeably sank as the car drove away from the villa. He did not know what
was
happening to him, but the thought of Cynthia saying goodbye to his parents and
grandfather tonight but not him made his chest feel heavy.