Chapter 163: Believe It or Not, I'll Arrange Your Engagement Right Now
"Grandpa, what did you say?"
The cooperation between the Ellis family and the Thomas family had lasted over a decade. If it were canceled just like that, it would undoubtedly be a huge loss for the Ellis family.
And this loss was something even the wealthy and powerful Ellis family couldn't afford.
Someone had to step up to calm Joshua and Ava's anger, and that person was undoubtedly Thea.
After thinking it over, Isaac decided this was the best solution.
"Send Thea to prison to reflect on her mistakes."
Joshua's expression was cold, showing no mercy.
When Thea was dragged out, she kept crying. Isaac looked exhausted. Naturally, he felt bad about Thea going to prison and was already scheming about how to get her out.
The large office gradually quieted down. Ava withdrew her cold gaze and let out a soft breath.
"Feel better now?" Joshua handed Ava the warm water in his hand.
Ava pressed her lips together slightly. "No matter what, it can't make up for the harm done to Cleo."
Cleo did nothing wrong.
Why should she be treated like that?
Ava felt angry just thinking about it.
"Why didn't you let me cancel the cooperation with the Ellis family just now? Wouldn't that be more satisfying?"
The Thomas family, as a business giant that dominated the market, canceling cooperation with the Ellis family would mean crisis at best, bankruptcy at worst for the Ellis family.
Ava took a few sips of water, put down the cup, and shook her head. "Make you suffer losses just to vent my anger? I don't think my temper is that spoiled."
"This small loss is nothing compared to your feelings."
Ava smiled lightly. "No thanks, that would make me a bad woman who harms others."
Joshua curved his lips and planted a kiss on Ava's lips. "Who would dare say that about you?"
Ava dodged Joshua's kiss. "Don't be so shameless, we're still at the company."
"Daddy, Mommy, what are you doing?"
Speak of the devil!
Joshua was holding Ava when he saw the two children at the door, and his expression immediately darkened.
"Why did you bring these two here?"
"Daddy, don't you welcome us?" Finn stood in front of Joshua with his hands on his hips, his little face very unhappy.
Cleo rushed toward Ava, who immediately pushed Joshua away and reached out to hug Cleo.
The pushed-aside Joshua watched Ava being monopolized, his face looking very unpleasant.
"Maybe we should send them to school after all."
Otherwise they'd monopolize Ava all the time.
He finally had a chance to be alone with Ava, and these two kids popped up again. Simply impossible to guard against.
Joshua rubbed his head.
"Daddy, you really don't welcome us." Finn glared at Joshua indignantly.
Watching both Finn and Cleo get to be in Ava's embrace, Joshua felt even more annoyed.
Especially Finn. Cleo being a girl was one thing, but why did he always get to monopolize Ava's embrace?
Joshua pulled Finn out of Ava's arms with a dark expression.
Finn looked confused.
"Daddy, what are you doing?"
"Don't cling to your mom."
"Why not?"
"She's mine."
"She's my mommy. Are you trying to fight me for Mommy?" Finn was furious and deliberately challenged Joshua, constantly trying to snuggle into Ava's arms.
But Joshua pulled him back again. Finn's little face was full of anger. "I'm going to get mad."
"I don't care. Don't cling to your mom." Joshua pulled Finn to his side without room for argument.
"Why not?"
"Because you're a boy. Your mom is mine. If you want a hug, go find your own wife to hug."
"I don't have a wife."
"Go find one."
"I can't find one!"
"Useless." Joshua wouldn't give up. "If you can't find one, I'll arrange a marriage for you right now."
Look at him being such a good father.
"I don't want that. I just want Mommy!" Finn puffed up his little face angrily.
"You have to whether you want to or not. I'll arrange it for you right now."
Ava didn't know whether to laugh or cry at these two. "Joshua, what are you doing? Finn is only five years old."
He didn't need to be in such a hurry to find a daughter-in-law as a father.
"But he's still a boy."
Finn sniffled and looked at Ava pitifully, like a little beast whose nature had been imprisoned, desperately longing to be rescued.
Receiving Finn's distress signal, Ava quickly pulled Finn into her arms. "It's okay Finn, don't listen to your dad's nonsense."
Finn nestled in Ava's arms and smugly rolled his eyes at Joshua.
Joshua gritted his teeth and reached for Finn, but that little clever one immediately hugged Ava tightly. "Mommy, save me."
Ava was helpless and looked up at Joshua.
That look clearly said: try touching Finn one more time!
Joshua was speechless.
Joshua compromised under Ava's warning gaze and reached out to Finn.
"What?"
"I'll hold you."
"No way." Finn was extremely disgusted.
"You don't get a choice." Joshua's long arm reached out and pulled Finn into his own arms, holding him on his lap.
"Don't hold me." Finn pushed against Joshua very resistantly.
Couldn't be more disgusted.
Joshua clenched his back teeth.
"You think I really like holding you?"
Joshua's unfriendly tone made Finn's eyes even redder.
"Hold it back. You're a boy, why are you being so delicate?"
"Boys are children too."
"When you were my age, didn't you want to hug Mommy? Try not having Mommy's hugs and see if you cry. You're just a bad guy."
Ava looked at those two extremely similar handsome faces, one big and one small, staring each other down, neither compromising, and she laughed.
"Alright, Joshua, Finn is five years old. How old are you? You insist on competing with Finn, look at yourself." Ava stood up holding Cleo. "Cleo, come on, let's go buy groceries. I'll make something delicious for Cleo tonight. Let those two compete."
Cleo nodded happily.
"I'm going too." Finn broke free from Joshua's embrace and directly hugged Ava's leg.
Ava looked at Finn hanging on her leg, and Joshua stood up not to be outdone.
Ava raised an eyebrow. "You all want to come together?"
"Yes." Joshua picked up Finn who was hanging on Ava's leg.
"He won't even let me hug your leg! Bad guy." Finn struggled with his hands and feet in the air, desperately accusing Joshua of his "evil deeds."
Finally, unable to break free from Joshua's grip, Finn drooped his little face and let Joshua hold him, looking resigned, which made Ava both amused and heartbroken.
Sure enough, sons can never beat their fathers.
Joshua's gaze turned to Cleo in Ava's arms.
Under Joshua's "loving" stare, Cleo blinked uncertainly, glanced at Finn being held up, and obediently got down to walk.
Joshua was very satisfied and took Ava's hand with the air of a victor.
Standing behind them, Finn and Cleo looked at Joshua and were really speechless.
"You're really being an outrageous father." Ava laughed.
The group arrived at the parking garage. Joshua opened the passenger door for Ava. "Kids can't be spoiled."
"I think you're just being selfish."
Joshua nodded without denial. "You're my wife, of course I'm selfish."
"Who's your wife?"
"Fine, girlfriend."
Ava got in the car. Joshua opened the car door for Finn and Cleo, picked up the two little ones and placed them in the back seat, then walked around to the driver's seat and got in.
"You really want to go to the market together?" Ava looked at Joshua in his suit and tie.
"Not okay?"
Ava saw Joshua's somewhat disappointed look and immediately said, "No, it's just that I'm going to the market. Are you sure you're okay with this?"
Because at this time, compared to the supermarket, Ava thought the vegetables at the market would be fresher.
But was Joshua sure he'd been to a market before?
"I'm fine." Joshua started the car.
Ava gave Joshua directions, and half an hour later, the four of them arrived at the market.
Because the market was crowded with people coming and going, Ava worried Finn and Cleo might get lost, so she took Finn's hand and had Joshua hold Cleo.
Joshua could hold Cleo with one hand, freeing his other hand to hold Ava's, as if afraid Ava might get lost too.
Ava felt warmth in her palm and looked up at Joshua in surprise.
"It's crowded."
Ava let Joshua hold her hand. "What do you guys want to eat tonight? I'll make it for you."
"We love everything you make."
Finn and Cleo grew up eating Ava's cooking. Mommy's food was always delicious, so they were even less picky.
"Then let's buy a fish. How about I make fish for you tonight?"
"Great."
When Ava had time, she would personally buy groceries. Finn and Cleo loved fish, so she often bought fish. Plus, she was beautiful, had good temperament, and was polite, so the fish seller had a deep impression of Ava. "Buying fish again? Your husband came today too."
"Yes, do you still have fish today?"
"Yes, yes, wait a moment and I'll pick a nice plump one for you."
Ava immediately said, "Thank you."
The fish seller had wrapped up the fish for Ava and was about to hand it to her when Joshua next to her took it. "Just give it to me."
The fish seller looked at them admiringly. "You're so blessed. Not only do you have both a son and daughter, but your husband is so handsome too."
Ava looked back at Joshua.
This man was indeed handsome.
"You and your husband are such a perfect match. All four of you look like movie stars. The two little ones are so adorable too. What good fortune, really good fortune."
A family of four.
Joshua looked at Ava in front of him, his handsome face becoming even more gentle.
These words were truly beautiful.
This fish seller saw all kinds of people here every day and could tell at a glance how happy this family was. From the moment they arrived at the fish stall until now, Joshua's eyes hadn't left Ava. That love in his heart and eyes really couldn't be hidden at all.
Simply enviable.
Joshua was in a very good mood. He pulled out a hundred-dollar bill and waved his hand grandly—keep the change.
The fish seller praised them even more enthusiastically.
After buying fish, Ava went to buy fresh vegetables and some meat. Along the way, they were constantly praised, and Joshua handed out money like he was distributing it, giving out hundred-dollar bills one after another.
Ava laughed and sighed softly. Sure enough, amazing—even when going out to buy groceries, he didn't need change.
Ava was in a very good mood today. When Ava was happy, the three people beside her were happy too.
Watching the smile flowing between Ava's brows and eyes, Joshua's gaze was more gentle than ever before.
"Let's go to my place." Ava reminded him.
"Okay."