Chapter 217 Intrigue and Scheming Within the Family

Chapter 217 Intrigue and Scheming Within the Family

Joshua smiled slightly, "Whatever you say."

"So will you come over once you're done with work?"

Joshua picked up his water glass and took a sip, "Missing me?"

"Quit teasing me. I'm being serious here. Grandpa's in the hospital. It will look improper if you stay away."

It was a matter of courtesy. The Thomas clan was large, and those relatives would definitely all come once they heard Dad was hospitalized. Ursa had specifically mentioned that Joshua, as the eldest grandson, would invite gossip if he kept staying away.

The Thomas family held immense power. Despite the calm surface, countless schemes unfolded behind closed doors. Who knew how many eyes were watching Joshua, just waiting for him to make one mistake so they could drag him out for judgment and pull him down from his CEO position. Ava understood all this.

In the time it took Joshua to glance down at his watch, another secretary knocked and entered, "Mr. Thomas, Kieran has been waiting for quite a while."

Joshua raised his eyebrows slightly.

Ava let out a soft sigh, "You should take care of your work first."

"I'm coming over." His low, mellow voice sounded as Joshua stood up from his office chair. He picked up his phone, draped his suit jacket over his arm, and strode toward the door.

Samuel's voice came from behind, trying to stop him, "Mr. Thomas, Kieran flew back from overseas specifically to sign this contract. He only has these two hours.  We have spent ages negotiating this deal, if..."

Joshua had already walked into the elevator. His eyes turned cold, and Samuel immediately fell silent.

Ava pressed her lips together lightly. From how anxious Samuel sounded, she could tell how important this contract was. With Joshua leaving the person hanging like this, the project would probably fall through.

Seeing Ava frown slightly, a barely noticeable dark gleam surged in his black eyes. His tone softened a bit more as he reassured her, "Don't worry, I'll be there soon. Wait for me."

Ava responded softly, "I'll hang up now then."

"Okay." Joshua nodded.

......

After finishing her tasks, Ava returned to Victor's hospital room. As expected, it was bustling with activity inside.

All the relatives had come, bringing along  the younger generation. They gathered around Victor, showering him with endless words of concern. Who knew how much of that concern was genuine.

Ursa stood toward the back with an unpleasant expression on her face.

When Ava pushed the door open, Ursa spotted her first and pulled her back outside.

"What's wrong, Mom?"

"Look at that group in there, acting like they care so much about Dad. Every single one of them wishes Dad would die soon so they could grab a share of the family assets once chaos breaks out. Xavier is abroad, Hayden is who knows where, and Joshua hasn't arrived yet either. They're all in there bad-mouthing people to Victor. When Joshua gets here, watch how they'll all cower like dogs and won't dare say anything.

By the way, is Joshua coming?"

"He's on his way."

"Good. Let's see what they dare to say once Joshua arrives." Ursa glanced into the hospital room, clearly quite angry.

Ursa went through descriptions of their "ugly faces" one by one for Ava, helping her recognize people.

"Got it? When we go in, you're Joshua's wife, so greet them. We need to keep up appearances. Dad's getting old, and he still hopes the whole family can be harmonious."

Ursa continued, "Their words aren't pleasant to hear, but I'll be right beside you, so don't be nervous. Whatever they say, if you don't want to listen, just don't. If you can't answer something, don't bother - I'll answer for you."

Ursa repeatedly reminded Ava.

Ava nodded gently, "Don't worry, I've got it."

Ursa and Ava walked in one after the other. The next second, a sharp voice asked, "Ursa, who's this you've brought?"

Ursa held Ava's hand and introduced her to everyone, "This is Ava, Joshua's wife. Ava, greet everyone."

Ava's indifferent gaze turned toward the source of that sharp voice - a well-dressed woman.

Ava politely greeted everyone in turn. A gaze landed directly on her.

She had noticed this gaze since she entered. Ava looked up, frowning slightly as she glanced to the side.

She saw a man sitting on the sofa, fingers stroking his chin, eyes fixed directly on her, full of scrutiny.

Such rude staring made Ava very uncomfortable. Ursa quietly stepped forward, perfectly blocking the gaze for Ava.

Ava thought for a moment, pulling a name from Ursa's earlier introductions - Noah, notoriously lecherous.

That look made Ava feel even more disgusted.

"Joshua's wife? Ursa, you're not fooling us, are you? When did Joshua get married? How come we don't know about it? Since neither Joshua nor Hayden showed up, did you just randomly find a woman to pretend to be Joshua's wife to represent him?

Your family is really something. Dad handed nearly all the company assets to Joshua, and now that Dad's sick and hospitalized, Joshua can't even be bothered to show his face.

Dad, look at Noah - when he heard you were hospitalized, he was so worried he rushed over without even eating lunch."

Cordelia spoke sarcastically, stepping on Joshua while praising Noah.

Ursa suppressed her anger. These people were constantly venting their dissatisfaction about Victor handing the company to Joshua.

Well, whose fault was it that their sons were useless? If their sons could handle the responsibility, then let Joshua give them the position.

Unfortunately, not one of their sons was capable. The whole group of them together couldn't match a single finger of Joshua's.

"You're right, Joshua shouldn't have been late." Ava pulled her lips into a cold smile.

"Ava!" Ursa called out sharply. Did she know what she was saying?

Ava gave Ursa a reassuring look and said calmly, "But it's precisely because Joshua manages the entire company, unlike Noah who idles around with nothing to do, that being a bit late is unavoidable, isn't it?

But Grandpa, Joshua called early this morning to check on you. He just finished his work and is on his way here now."

"This is the Thomas family. What right does an outsider like you have to speak?" Cordelia asked in a shrill voice.

"She is my granddaughter-in-law," Victor said, clearly annoyed. "How could she be an outsider?"

"Dad, what are you saying? Is this woman really Joshua's wife?"