Gossip 187


    Chapter 186 That Is Disgusting


    Alexander lowered his gaze, truly unable to bear the sight any longer.


    However, others didn''t see it that way. How could they possibly know how humble Clifford''s love


    was? They merely assumed that one of the women who happened to seduce Clifford bore a striking


    resemnce to ine. In an attempt to please Clifford, she deliberately mimicked ine, which


    was why everyone was quite dismissive of Zendaya.


    Moreover, from the recent conversation, it was clear that he was only toying with her, so she


    couldn''t be considered his girlfriend.


    Naturally, this would lead to those sharing her table to resent her presence, not wanting to waste


    time on her.


    Particrly among them was the man who sat in the center. Dressed in bespoke attire and adorned


    with essories from exclusive auctions, he casually leaned back in his chair. His hair was slicked


    back, and his handsome features exuded a certain wildness. He had a habit of tilting his head back


    and looking down at people, an action that conveyed his sense of disdain.


    “Clifford, it''s fine to have fun, but don''t get too invested. After all, most women are interested in


    money, and they would do anything for it,” Josiah scoffed. “Be careful not to be fooled by a facade!”


    The words were harsh, yet they only served to amuse Isabe further.


    She thought, Hmm... Well, how can one argue that a sried employee isn''t working for the


    money? I find myself unable to refute this. Fine. Looking at Zendaya''s expression, she seems


    completely at ease. She clearly thinks that Josiah is right in hisments about her.


    Upon understanding the full context of the situation and hearing Isabe''s thoughts, Alexander felt


    as though constantly experiencing secondhand embarrassment was quickly bing a chronic


    issue.


    Josiah spoke directly to Zendaya, his intention to humiliate her was clear as day. Yet, the one who


    was visibly bothered wasn''t Zendaya but Audrey, who was standing next to him.


    Not only did herplexion darken, but her eyes reddened for a moment. The faces of others who


    were privy to what was really going on also changed ordingly.


    After finishing his statement, Josiah even cast a nce at Audrey.


    Isabe thought, Well, well, well, so they weren''t talking about Zendaya after all! They''re just making


    indirect criticism. True enough, the more you try to sort things out, the messier it gets. Not bad,


    Josiah. Does he really not realize he''s cheating on his friend?


    Alexander almost spat out his drink, blown away by her revtion.


    The gossip Isabe had initially spoken about was down to itsst piece.


    Was she talking about Josiah and Audrey when she mentioned the so-called ex-girlfriend-turned-


    sister-inw and a broken rtionship being mended? Has Josiah... gone out with dated Audrey


    before and is looking to reconcile?


    Alexander realized that his memories were all in chaos.


    Meanwhile, Isabe was thoroughly enjoying the gossip.


    She thought, Initially, the two of them had a secret romance for a while, which was discovered by


    few. Given Josiah''s nature, his willingness to keep the rtionship hidden indicated his genuine


    feelings for Audrey. However, Audrey was still unsure about marrying him. She was afraid that her


    reputation might be jeopardized in the future, which was why she insisted on keeping the


    rtionship a secret. Later on, Audrey''s family reached the ceiling of their socialdder. She knew


    that by marrying Josiah, who was unable to be the heir of the Hampton family and could only


    be a spoiled silver-spooned kid, she would not be able to help her family gain the power or influence


    to elevate their status. Therefore, Audrey chose to use Josiah''s connections to get close to Caleb.


    By the time Josiah found out, the two families had already agreed on a marriage alliance.


    She continued in her mind, Josiah confronted Audrey, who could only express her agony. Despite


    her love for him, she yearned to climb higher on the socialdder to bring her family more wealth.


    From then on, Josiah perceived Audrey as a selfish woman who would sacrifice love for money. He


    couldn''t help but hate her, yet he couldn''t stop caring about her... Cough, cough, I certainly didn''t


    want to read any literature about inws having affairs...


    Alexander thought, I certainly don''t want to hear it either. No wonder there was a period when he


    always seemed particrly tormented and would often y cruel tricks on the girls who pursued


    him for money. I never expected it to be like this.


    Josiah''s older brother, Caleb, was a great business partner of Alexander''s. Thetter was certain


    that Caleb was stillpletely in the dark.


    Observing the reactions of the two, Alexander felt that the situation had be rather serious. It


    was clear that they hadn''t let go of their feelings, and he couldn''t help but worry if this might lead to


    some sort of trouble.


    Suddenly, Alexander felt Isabe turning her head to look at him, leaving him puzzled.


    Isabe sighed inwardly, thinking to herself, You guys really are a sad bunch. Apart from Rnd


    and Aiden, the rest of you... can only watch helplessly as the ones you love drift away from you. You


    love them, yet you can''t have them, and it''s so hard to forget. Despite being tall, rich, and


    handsome, why is your luck in love so terrible?


    Alexander thought, I''m not the same as them, alright?


    He couldn''t understand why Isabe, despite being so fond of checking out gossip, never took a


    moment to look into his heart.


    Perhaps... my luck in love is just as terrible.


    When the realization struck him, Alexander suddenly froze, his demeanor instantly bing


    awkward. His mind was aplete mess, the tips of his ears gradually heating up. Instinctively, he


    wanted to reach out and hold Isabe''s hand.


    The result was hearing Isabe''s inner voice exim, What?


    Alexander''s train of thought was abruptly interrupted. When he regained his focus, he realized that


    the conversation at the table had already progressed to discussing Josiah''s current girlfriend.


    What, Josiah has a girlfriend now?


    It turned out that when Josiah had made the earlier insinuations, it was essentially aimed at Clifford.


    Even though they were friends, neither of them would back down.


    Clifford had indeed spent money to achieve his goals, but he was unwilling to admit it. Hearing


    those words made him feel ufortable. He wanted to retort, but the sight of Josiah''s gloomy


    face made him realize what was going on. Immediately, he began to add fuel to the fire, saying,


    “Yes, yes, I know you have experience in this area. Is that why you''re treading so carefully with your


    current girlfriend? What''s the matter? Didn''t bring her this time because you haven''t figured out


    where she stands yet?”


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    Once these words were spoken, many people present were shocked.


    Among them, Audrey''s expression froze.


    This time, Josiah didn''t look at Audrey. An awkward look shed across his face for a moment


    before he feigned nonchnce and said, “I intended to bring her, but she had to work today.”


    Upon hearing it for the first time, Aiden and Ines immediately bombarded him with questions.


    “Is she from an ordinary family? Are you and Rnd both looking outside our social circle?” Aiden


    remarked in surprise, “That''s strange. Considering your character, Mr. Josiah, I''m surprised that


    you''re as amodating as Rnd. You let your girlfriend go just because she said she has to


    work overtime?”


    “Why are you talking behind my back?” Rnd had returned while speaking, immediately putting


    Aiden in a chokehold, prompting thetter to plead for mercy.


    In reality, the people sharing Rnd''s table didn''t care at all about his girlfriend''s departure. After


    all, she wasn''t part of their group, and they generally ignored her. It wasn''t that they looked down on


    her, but rather, it was difficult for them to findmon ground for conversation. Even the asional


    interaction was just out of respect for Rnd. After all, only Rnd had a heroplex and didn''t


    care about one''s background.


    “Apparently, Josiah has be a good man, just like you,” Ines said, herughter causing her to


    shake uncontrobly.


    “What?” Rnd responded, his face full of confusion.


    At this point, Damien spoke up, getting straight to the point. “I bet you haven''t revealed your true


    identity to them yet, have you? Be careful, you might just get burned ying with fire.”


    “Huh? You''ve been dating under a false identity?” Even the usuallyposed Deborah couldn''t


    hide her surprise.


    Seeing Deborah''s interest, Damien immediately spilled the beans about his friend, saying, “Oh yes,


    he is pretending to be poor to test his girlfriend''s sincerity.”


    Deborah frowned, saying, “That''s despicable.”


    Clifford chimed in, “What''s even worse is that Mr. Josiah made her support him for two years, and


    he ns to continue? In my opinion, that girl is unusually naive.”


    This time, Josiah''splexion turned awkward. However, his defiant nature wouldn''t allow him to


    be embarrassed.


    “You guys don''t understand. She was smitten with me at first sight. Seeing her sincerity, I simply


    gave her a chance. I don''t have any special demands for my other half, as long as they''re willing to


    love me, regardless of whether I''m rich or not. She''s been doing well... So, barring any unforeseen


    circumstances, she''ll be the one I marry. Although she''s supported me for two years, I''ll make up for


    it by providing her with a luxurious life that she could never attain at her current social standing.”


    Josiah spoke with an air of arrogance, yet his expression was surprisingly serious, which left his


    companions somewhat taken aback.


    “Are you serious? Do you truly like her?” Ines curiously questioned.


    Josiah hesitated for a moment, but eventually nodded, a fleeting glint of tenderness shing in his


    eyes.


    Audrey lowered her gaze, pursed her lips, and tightly clutched the cell phone in her hand.


    Rnd furrowed his brows, saying, “Doing this... is like you''re toying with someone''s feelings. If


    she''s truly as good as you say, she might not be able to easily ept the truth. You should rify


    things as soon as possible, apologize, and seek her forgiveness. Otherwise...”


    Josiah suddenly spoke with a hint of urgency, “She won''t. You can''tprehend how much she


    loves me, how much she needs me.”


    “Oh, that sounds familiar. Mr. Clifford just said the same thing,” Damien remarked with a light smile.


    Clifford immediately shot a re over.


    All this while, Alexander, who had been quietly listening to their conversation, subtly changed his


    expression, his eyebrows furrowing.


    Is it really a coincidence?


    Turning around, he saw that Isabe''splexion had already changed, disying an expression


    of disbelief.


    Sure enough, her thoughts echoed out again.


    What the f*ck! That''s disgusting! Dakota''s kept man turns out to be Josiah? What a ridiculous love


    story of a poor girl and a rich boy! Does Josiah have any clue how hard Dakota has to struggle


    because of him? Is he out of his mind? Why would he, after being Audrey, go off and toy with the


    feelings of others? If he had the guts, he should seek revenge on the one who tricked him...


    Audrey... Wait! What has she done? She, she, she... D*mn! There''s going to be some major drama


    today!


    Meanwhile, in a small private room on the same floor, specifically reserved for guests to touch up


    their makeup, Eleanor arrived with her friends.


    Inside, two makeup artists were already prepared.