MIDNIGHT Bride The CEO's TEMPTATION

"Let me go!" Vanessa cried angrily. The bodyguards kept ahold of Vanessa and did not let her go until they reached the elevator.

She was still attempting to go back to the board room, but the two bodyguards kept standing in the corridor that led to the room, so she had no chance at all.

"Miss Young, I advise you to go to the branch office." Jaxzon came out and calmly advised her.

"I'm not going!" Vanessa said, rude and unreasonable.

Jaxzon sighed helplessly. "In this case, Miss Young, you're fired. Please go to the personnel department to go through the formalities."

"What, what?" Vanessa looked at him in disbelief.

She didn't completely know all of Joshua's methods until today, he was definitely efficient and orderly.

If she didn't go to the branch office, she would have to leave office, Joshua didn't give her any right to choose at all. No matter which one she chose, she would likely never see Joshua again.

Vanessa was so angry that she clenched her teeth. All of a sudden, nausea surged in her, and she couldn't help but rush into the nearby bathroom to retch.

Surprised, Jaxzon followed her. "Miss Young, are you all right?"

"I don't need your kindness. Get out!" she growled, irritated.

Jaxzon was speechless for a moment and turned away.

Vanessa's face turned purple with rage. Suddenly, she looked down at her flat belly.

She was really pregnant because of the incident that night. She couldn't have this baby, she had to get rid of it! But she thought she could use the baby to slander Joshua. There was a wicked gleam in Vanessa's eyes as she began to come up with a plan.

***

At the end of the meeting, Hazel followed Joshua back to the President's office.

"What would you like to drink, Hazel?" Joshua asked.

"Juice, please," she said.

He took a bottle of juice out of the fridge and poured her a glass. As she was drinking, she frowned a little.

"What's the matter?" He reached out and touched her head.

"Joshua," she asked after thinking for a bit, "did the Young family do something bad?"

She could perceive Joshua as a person caring about the relationship, which was why he put up with the Young family and Vanessa. Even if Vanessa had accused him of having sex with her, Joshua had done nothing to her in the end.

But something terrible seemed to have happened, and he had changed his attitude toward the Young family and took drastic measures against them.

Joshua's eyes were slightly overcast.

No matter what the Young family did to him, he could be less ruthless for the sake of the relationship between the two families. But Vanessa actually dared to hurt Hazel, so of course, he couldn't stand it anymore.

Hazel was his most important lover and the person he wanted to protect for life. No matter who wanted to hurt her, he would not let go.

"Didn't you hear it in the meeting?" he said coolly, "Director Young embezzled funds, which put me in the position of being unable to put up with the Young family anymore, so of course, I needed to fix the situation."

"Oh..." She was still a little confused. Although Joshua's reasons were very reasonable, she thought that was not the truth, but she did not continue asking.

She thought that Vanessa would never give up so easily and that she would have other tricks up her sleeve. But if she told Joshua, it would slightly seem she was provoking, a little bit unkind.

Seeing that she was still thinking about it, Joshua quietly changed the subject. "Hazel, it is Grandpa Anderson's birthday party this weekend. Go with me."

"Oh?" Hazel looked at him with a bit of embarrassment. "Wouldn't others think too much if I go with you?"

"Don't worry, you're going as Isaac's friend." A smile curved his lips slightly. "Besides, Isaac's grandpa never liked journalists, so there will be no journalists at the party."

"But," Hazel said, somewhat embarrassed, "I don't have the right dress."

"I'll buy you one," he said quietly.

She was about to say no, but she gave up instantly as she noticed Joshua trying to convince her.

She knew she might as well forget arguing because if she refused, it would make him unhappy. As he said, it was nothing lavish for him. Besides, it would be too hypocritical to say no to a dress since she had accepted a car.

"Okay, but it's better to be normal," she said. "After all, Grandpa Anderson is the main focus. I don't want to steal the show."

"Leave it to me." He chuckled.

***

When the weekend arrived, Joshua and Hazel drove to Anderson Residence. It was more extravagant than Denmark Residence, there was a huge fountain pool at the door, and the villa was decorated more like a palace.

"Isaac actually lives in a place like this?" Hazel chuckled.

"This is where his grandfather lives," Joshua said quietly. "Isaac moved out a few years ago, but he comes back every weekend to have dinner with other family members."

She nodded and went into the hall with him.

The decoration of the hall was likewise exceptionally extravagant, but there was dignity among the extravagance. It didn't make people feel it was a family of new fortune but of potent family background.

When Hazel and Joshua walked in, there were many eyes on them. Many people at the party knew Joshua, but he never been close to a woman, but he actually brought a woman with him.

Everyone was wondering and looking at Hazel curiously. Joshua had purchased a pale purple dress in a beautiful fit for Hazel's body.

Wearing it, Hazel was like an elegant valley orchid. Although she may not have been eye-catching, she looked exceptionally beautiful at first glance. 

There was a look of amazement in everyone's eyes, and they all thought that Hazel and Joshua were a real match. Many of the people were envious as Joshua and Hazel walked through the crowd and spoke to Isaac.

"Hazel?" Isaac looked at her, feeling her incredible. "You look lovely today!"

"Thank you." Hazel smiled.

Joshua frowned unhappily, then stepped forward to keep Hazel behind him.

"Joshua, go away." Isaac pushed him aside unkindly. "You're in my way to see the beauty!"

Joshua put his hand directly over his eyes. "Isaac, take us to your grandfather."

"All right." Isaac shrugged and didn't play with Joshua anymore.

He raised his eyebrows in disgust. "My grandfather is upstairs at the moment. So-and-so is talking with him."

Hazel was somewhat surprised. Isaac rarely hid his emotions in front of them. Who was the so-and-so he mentioned?