Chapter 27
Ella stopped in her tracks.
She didn't expect Joshua would want her to stay so his friends could humiliate her.
How could Joshua have become so awful?
He knew perfectly well she couldn't drink, yet he was forcing her.
Ella refused to give in and insisted on leaving.
Joshua said coldly again.
"You can go, but you'll definitely regret it."
Ella knew he was using her children as leverage.
Thinking of her two kids in Joshua's hands.
She had no choice but to compromise. She turned to face everyone, forcing a smile.
"Fine, everyone. I'll drink with you, but can you afford the price?"
Everyone laughed.
"Who are you looking down on? Ten thousand dollars a glass, come drink."
As he spoke, he pulled out his phone and put it on the table, ready to scan and pay anytime.
The others followed suit, putting their phones down. "I'll pay twenty thousand a glass."
"Thirty thousand here."
"Fifty thousand from me."
Several men competed with each other.
It wasn't really about being generous.
Although no one respected Ella for clinging to the Thomas family.
But everyone had eyes—Ella still had a pure, pretty face.
Plus she was young. A woman like this probably hadn't been touched by a man yet.
Naturally, everyone wanted to be the first to have a taste.
Even if it cost a hundred thousand or so for one night, it was pocket change to them.
Ella glanced coldly at Joshua, seeing him put his arm around Scarlett's waist again.
She swallowed the bitterness in her heart, filled a glass and drank it down in one gulp.
Then she pulled out her phone for the other person to scan.
"Fifty thousand dollars. Transfer it."
The man didn't want to spoil the mood, so he transferred the money.
He transferred a hundred thousand dollars, gesturing to Ella, "Come on, drink another."
It was a drink he poured himself, filled to the brim.
Ella looked at the payment notification, knowing what Joshua wanted to see, and did as he wished.
She picked up the glass again and downed it in one gulp.
The burning sensation stung her throat painfully, making her face flush red, tears nearly choking out.
But the others weren't ready to let her off.
They kept transferring money, kept making Ella drink.
Joshua watched. In the dim light, his handsome face suddenly turned dark and cold.
His hand on his leg clenched tightly into a fist.
Scarlett pretended to be sympathetic, saying coquettishly.
"Joshua, tell them to stop. How can Ella drink so much?"
"She loves money, doesn't she? Let her earn it."
Joshua watched as Ella not only didn't beg for mercy, but sat down next to his friends right in front of him, constantly pouring alcohol down her throat.
He thought, this damn woman.
Would she throw herself at any man who gave her some benefits?
How could she be so cheap?
So young and instead of being good, she learned how to please men.
No one noticed that Joshua was already very unhappy.
Scarlett deliberately reminded those friends, "You guys tone it down, stop bullying Ella."
The men kept pushing, determined to drink Ella under the table.
They kept transferring money.
Ella couldn't remember how much she'd drunk anymore.
She looked hazily at Joshua sitting across from her, her heart feeling like thousands of ants were gnawing at it.
That pain was heart-wrenching.
She swore that from now on, she would never love Joshua again.
The heart that loved him was completely dead.
Ella really couldn't drink anymore. Her head grew heavy, her vision went black, and she collapsed against the shoulder of the man next to her.
Seeing they'd finally gotten Ella drunk, the men reached out to support her, unable to help rubbing against her.
Although they usually looked down on Ella.
But being close to her, the natural fragrance from her body made them want to get closer.
Joshua watched his friends' actions and suddenly stood up, shouting harshly.
"Do you all have a death wish!"
Everyone froze.
They didn't understand why Joshua was suddenly angry.
Before they could react, Joshua had already pushed past Scarlett, strode over and scooped Ella up in his arms.
His eyes looked at those friends as sharp as swords, his presence overwhelming.
"I only told you to tease her a bit. Who told you to actually make her drink this much?"
"If anything happens to her, I'll have your lives."
Still worried about Ella drinking too much, Joshua left everyone behind and carried Ella away.
Everyone was stunned.
They didn't understand what Joshua was thinking.
He was the one who told them to drink with Ella.
How could he threaten their lives when something went wrong?
The men suddenly felt a bit scared.
Scarlett realized something and quickly got up to follow.
She jogged alongside Joshua, saying with concern.
"Joshua, let me come with you. I can take care of her."
"Those guys really went too far. How could a young girl like Ella handle that kind of treatment?"
Joshua walked briskly, saying, "No need, I'll take her back myself."
Outside the nightclub, Brian had already driven over and was waiting.
Seeing Joshua come out, he immediately got out and opened the car door.
Scarlett was unwilling. Watching as Joshua was about to get in the car with Ella.
She pleaded again.
"Ella will definitely be really uncomfortable tonight. It would be convenient to have me there to take care of her."
"There are maids at home, we don't need you to take care of her."
Joshua still got in the car holding Ella.
Looking at Scarlett, he added one more explanation, "I have to take good care of her, otherwise I can't explain it to my grandfather."
Then he had Brian drive.
Soon, the car disappeared into the night.
Scarlett stood there frozen, her heart mad with jealousy.
As a woman, how could she not sense that Joshua caring so much about Ella meant he must have developed feelings for her?
Besides, they'd been married for a year.
In that year, even if you hated someone, wouldn't feelings develop over time?
Scarlett thought about how all these years, she'd worked hard to improve herself just to be worthy of Joshua.
To marry Joshua and make her adoptive parents look at her with new respect.
So she absolutely couldn't let Ella stay by Joshua's side.
Four years ago, she was able to make Ella leave.
Now, she also had ways to make them divorce and make Ella get lost.
In the car.
Joshua kept holding Ella in his arms.
Holding her small body, looking at her flushed face, her furrowed brows and pained expression.
He couldn't help but reach up to smooth her brow, scolding.
"If you can't drink, don't you know how to refuse? What are you trying to prove?"
Joshua was very clear that he hated Ella now.
The only reason he took her away was to give Aiden an explanation.
He didn't feel sorry for her at all.
Just then, Ella's phone rang.
Joshua felt around on her and pulled it out, answering the call.
On the phone, a child's innocent, soft voice came through.
"Mommy, when are you coming to sleep with us? Without you here, Aurora and I can't fall asleep."
Joshua's heart softened, looking at Ella in his arms, his tone inexplicably gentler.
"Your mommy is asleep and can't come. You should go to sleep early."
Hearing Joshua's voice, Aurora and Dorian were thrilled.
"Daddy, you're with Mommy?"
"Yes."
Joshua said with a stern face, correcting them, "Don't call me daddy. I could never be your father."
Aurora and Dorian felt hurt, asking pitifully.
"Why? Aurora and I are very good. If you're willing to be our daddy, I promise you won't regret it."