Chapter 1712


    Thssa''s gaze was drawn to the source of the sound, and there, making his way through the crowd, was Joshua, impably dressed in a navy blue suit. The sides of his face bore the subtle marks of time, lending him a rugged charm. He leaned on a cane, moving with a slight limp, but the air of a business magnate clung to him, undeniable and imposing.


    As Joshua entered, drawing many an eye, Thssa felt a pang of surprise, her breath catching slightly. The moment Joshua walked in, Thssa''s heart skipped a beat, an involuntary response to his presence.


    "Dad! What are you doing here?" Rosalind hurried forward to greet him, attempting to link her arm through his. Joshua gave her a brief nod, then smoothly sidestepped her attempt, making his way directly towards the stage.


    Rosalind''s enthusiasm met with disappointment, leaving her feeling deted as she watched him move past her to the end of the tform. Climbing the stairs with effort, Joshua made his way towards Thssa, his limp more pronounced.


    Thssa watched him approach, her heart softening at the sight of his struggle. She went to him, offering her arm for support. Joshua didn''t refuse her help, his face breaking into a look of gratitude for her gesture.


    With Thssa''s assistance, Joshua reached the front of the stage, where he stopped before Susan, his expression turning serious.


    "Thssa isn''t some countryN?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.


    bumpkin fresh off the farm; she''s my


    daughter, Joshua Whitman''s


    daughter. Do you really think the


    Whitman family can''t aff tinum jewelry? You''re underestimating us," he dered


    with conviction.


    Susan, taken aback by Joshua''s interrogation, stepped back, intimidated by hismanding presence. Meanwhile, the crowd,


    ???


    which had been quick to criticize Thssa moments before, fell silent, shocked by the revtion of her true identity. Human nature being what it is they were quick to judge when they thought Thssa was vulnerable, but the news that she was Joshua Whitman''s daughter changed everything.


    Previously, they were all too ready to verbally attack her, seeing her as alone and defenseless. Lysander''s intervention had brought a brief reprieve, and his closeness with Rosalind led some to believe he was just a good Samaritan. But now, with Joshua Whitman himself dering Thssa his daughter, her status was transformed entirely.


    The crowd murmured amongst themselves, their envy palpable. A reporter broke through the noise with a question: "Mr. Whitman, it''s well-known you have a son and a daughter, Reginald and Rosalind Whitman. There''s never been mention of a second daughter, especially not one already grown. Could you shed some light on her background?"


    Rosalind looked at Joshua, eager to


    hear his response. She had never epted Thssa as her sister and viewed her with nothing but


    resentment. Thssa''s appearance threatened not only her father''s affection but her rtionship with Lysander. Thssa was an


    adversary in her eyes. Rosalind had taken some pleasure in Thssa''s difficulties, only to be taken aback by their father''s public


    acknowledgment. The sight of her usually doting father supporting Thssa filled Rosalind with a bitter jealousy.