Rebirth to take revenge
Chapter 142: Plot

Chapter 142: Plot

Jealousy burned in Lucy’s eyes as she bit her lip in frustration.

"Why didn’t you wait until Josh was gone? You’re all so careless!" she snapped, her tone laced with resentment.

On the other end of the phone, Anna’s tone turned angry. "Miss Lucy, didn’t you say you’d arrange everything and make way for the reporters from the Smith family? Now my people have been forced to retreat. Isn’t this your responsibility?"

Lucy felt a wave of frustration. She hadn’t expected Anna to turn on her as well.

"Do you think I don’t want to get rid of him? But he’s surrounded by bodyguards, all elite soldiers who retired from the army. I’m lucky if I could even get rid of one of them!"

Anna snorted coldly on the other end of the line. "I suggest you tell Mr. Greg about this soon before he loses all faith in you. If you mess up again, don’t expect any help from me!"

With that, Anna hung up abruptly.

Lucy clenched her phone tightly, her eyes flashing with anger. She refused to believe that she couldn’t defeat a girl like Claire. She would find a way to bring her down.

Claire grabbed Alex’s wrist and pleaded with him, "Alex, it’s all my fault. I’m so sorry."

"Don’t say it’s your fault. I just hope you can live well. I don’t care about anything else," Alex smiled, his tone gentle.

Claire looked at Alex’s handsome profile, and her eyes turned red again. She sniffled, trying to hold back her tears, and looked up at him with a determined expression. Her voice was resolute. "I promise you, I’ll live well."

Upon hearing Claire’s firm response, a flicker of surprise flashed through Alex’s eyes. He reached out, gently cupping Claire’s face, and planted a soft kiss on her forehead. "Claire, I love you. You will always be my most precious treasure."

As she listened to Alex’s tender words, tears streamed down Claire’s face.

"Hurry up and get better. I have a surprise for you," Alex said softly.

"A surprise? What kind of surprise?" Claire asked curiously.

Alex looked at her, a teasing smile on his lips. "You’ll find out when the time comes."

Claire pouted and said, "Okay then."

Alex couldn’t help but laugh at her adorable expression. A glimmer of indulgence flashed in his eyes. "You always pretend to be silly!"

With a chuckle, Alex reached out and ruffled her hair. The two smiled at each other.

Later, Claire ate a little food and then leaned back against the headboard, staring out at the night sky through the window. Her thoughts were in turmoil, and her emotions were a mess.

"Alex," Claire called softly.

"Hm?" Alex turned to her, his warm smile putting her at ease.

After a moment of hesitation, Claire said, "I want to ask you something."

Alex’s eyes flickered knowingly, as if he could already guess her thoughts. "If you want to know something, just ask me directly."

Claire pressed her lips together before asking, "Were the reporters today sent by the Smith family?"

Alex’s expression stiffened for a brief moment, but he quickly regained his composure. "Why do you ask?"

Claire hesitated before saying slowly, "I was surrounded by reporters at the Western Medical Clinic today, and I can’t help but feel they were sent by the Smith family."

A cold light flashed in Alex’s eyes. "Don’t worry about it. I’ve already taken care of the matter."

"Thank you," Claire said gratefully.

She didn’t want to drag Alex into her family’s schemes, but she couldn’t stand idly by while the Smith family tried to frame him. The conflict inside her made her uneasy.

"Don’t be so formal with me," Alex said, reaching out to gently tousle her hair.

Claire looked up at him and asked, "Where is Anna now?"

At the mention of Anna’s name, Alex’s expression turned cold, but he quickly masked it. "I’ve already sent her away," he replied calmly.

"Really?" Claire’s voice carried a trace of hope.

Alex nodded slightly. "Yes."

"I have a feeling she and Lucy are working together against me," Claire said firmly.

Alex pondered her words for a moment before asking, "Why are you so sure they’re colluding to frame you?"

Claire thought back to her recent experiences at the clinic. Anger bubbled up inside her. "I don’t have solid proof, but I just know they’re behind this," she said through gritted teeth.

Alex couldn’t help but chuckle at her determination, though his eyes remained serious. "So, you suspect Lucy and Anna of conspiring against you?"

"Who else could it be?" Claire said with conviction.

"Claire, we need to approach this matter carefully. Don’t get angry just yet," Alex said gently, hoping to calm her.

Claire nodded reluctantly. "Okay. I’ll trust you."

Seeing her agree, Alex smiled in satisfaction.

---

Meanwhile, at the Smith family mansion, Lucy was on the phone, her expression cold and calculating.

"What did you say? Josh helped her out of trouble?" Lucy’s voice was laced with disbelief and jealousy.

The person on the other end of the line, Anna, sounded frustrated. "Miss Lucy, didn’t you promise to handle everything and ensure the reporters from the Smith family could proceed? Now my people have been driven away. Isn’t this your fault?"

Lucy’s grip on her phone tightened as irritation flared within her. She hadn’t anticipated Josh’s interference.

"Do you think I don’t want to get rid of him?" Lucy snapped. "But he has bodyguards—elite soldiers who’ve retired from the army. I’d be lucky to take down even one of them!"

Anna’s voice on the other end turned icy. "I suggest you report this to Mr. Smith as soon as possible. Otherwise, don’t blame me for not helping you further."

Before Lucy could respond, Anna hung up, leaving her seething.

Lucy clenched her phone tightly, her eyes filled with malice. "I refuse to be defeated by Claire," she muttered under her breath. Determination burned in her gaze as she vowed to find a way to bring Claire down.

Her expression darkened further, and the room seemed to echo with her chilling resolve.

Lucy would never allow another girl to take her place in Josh’s heart. Moreover, Josh had never once showered her with genuine compliments. She had to make him see Claire’s true colors!

With these thoughts brewing in her mind, Lucy’s eyes glimmered with malice. She was determined to make Josh witness, with his own eyes, Claire’s supposed flaws.

---

Outside the Greg Building, a white Audi came to a smooth stop. A young woman, dressed in a beige windbreaker, gracefully stepped out. Her appearance was striking—delicate features, a soft, pure aura, and sparkling eyes that could rival the brilliance of the stars.

She walked toward the company entrance, and upon arriving at the elevator, she pressed the button for the second floor. Quietly, she stood waiting. Seconds turned into minutes, with only the occasional sound of the elevator beeping breaking the silence.

Finally, the elevator doors slid open. The girl lifted her gaze and was greeted by the sight of a familiar, handsome face. Josh, dressed impeccably in a sharp suit, looked as composed and confident as ever.

Seeing him, Lucy’s eyes lit up with joy. She hurried toward him, her voice brimming with excitement. "Josh! I’ve missed you so much!"

Josh, however, remained indifferent. "Do you need something from me?" he asked calmly.

For a moment, Lucy’s bright smile faltered, but she quickly masked it with a playful expression. "I just suddenly missed you, that’s all!"

Josh said nothing and stepped out of the elevator, leaving Lucy staring after him with a mixture of frustration and longing.

Why? Why could Josh so easily dismiss her?

---

Lucy clenched her fists but kept her composure. She hurried after him and grabbed his arm.

Josh glanced at her, neither pulling away nor responding, and continued walking forward.

To Lucy, his lack of resistance felt like hope. He still cares about me! she thought excitedly. Josh still likes me!

Her confidence reignited, Lucy clung tightly to his arm as they stepped into another elevator.

Once inside, she turned to him, her tone laced with anticipation. "Josh, do you have time for dinner tonight? It’s been such a long time since we last ate together!"

Josh gave her a fleeting glance but didn’t answer.

Lucy, unwilling to give up, tried again. "Well? Do you have time tonight?"

"Yes," Josh finally replied, though his voice carried no warmth.

Hearing this, Lucy’s heart leaped with excitement. She knew his response was likely out of politeness, but she couldn’t help but feel a flicker of hope.

As the elevator doors closed, Josh’s gaze momentarily drifted to the reflective wall. Lucy’s eager face was mirrored back at him. With a faint sneer, he looked away, his expression unreadable.

Josh loathed wasting time on people like Lucy. Yet, this dinner was necessary. There were things he needed to discuss, and for that, he was willing to endure her company.

---

By 7:30 p.m., in the CEO’s office at Greg Corporation, two bottles of red wine and a glass of juice sat neatly on Josh’s desk.