Rebirth to take revenge
Chapter 143: Josh’s fiancée

Chapter 143: Josh’s fiancée

Josh lounged on the sofa, his legs crossed in a relaxed posture. Lucy sat across from him, her gaze fixated on his face with an almost obsessive intensity.

Sensing her stare, Josh finally lifted his head, meeting her gaze with an icy expression.

Caught off guard by his look, Lucy quickly averted her eyes, but her fascination with him quickly drew her attention back.

Josh, however, ignored her and reached for a glass of wine. Just as he was about to take a sip, Lucy leaned forward and grabbed his arm, her voice soft and pleading. "Josh, don’t drink so much!"

Josh’s cold eyes bore into her. "Let go."

Startled by his sharp tone, Lucy’s hand trembled as she released him.

"What’s wrong, Josh? Did I do something to upset you?" she asked timidly, trying to regain her footing.

Josh let out a low chuckle, devoid of humor. "What’s wrong?" he repeated. "You’re dirty."

Lucy froze. "Dirty?" she echoed, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Yes. Dirty," Josh said bluntly, his gaze unwavering.

Lucy’s mind raced as her confidence crumbled. But she wouldn’t give up so easily. If enduring humiliation was the price she had to pay to stay close to him, she would bear it—because to Lucy, marrying Josh was worth any sacrifice.

However, as she tried to summon another sweet smile, Josh’s next words sliced through her like a blade.

"I have no interest in filth."

The room fell into a heavy silence, and for the first time, Lucy truly grasped the cold distance between them.

---

The Greg family had always been powerful in City A, and Josh, as a military commander with unparalleled influence, had no patience for schemes or insincerity.

For Lucy, this reality was a bitter pill to swallow. Yet, she remained determined. I will make him see me differently, no matter what it takes, she thought, clinging to the fading hope that she could one day stand by his side.

---

"Josh, how could you say that I’m dirty?" Lucy asked, her voice trembling as tears welled up in her eyes.

Josh furrowed his brows impatiently. "Stop crying. If you keep crying, I’ll throw you out right now!"

Hearing this, Lucy’s tears fell even harder.

"Josh, how could you say that to me? What did I do wrong? What did I do?" she sobbed, her emotions spiraling out of control.

Lucy, the beloved daughter of the Smith family, had been pampered since birth. She was unaccustomed to rejection, let alone humiliation. Her entire life had been defined by privilege and ease.

For the first time, she found herself chasing something—or rather, someone—that remained out of reach. And now, she stood before Josh, broken and desperate, tears streaming down her face.

If it weren’t for her dream of marrying Josh and becoming his wife, she wouldn’t have stooped to such a level. She wouldn’t have pleaded for his attention or agreed to a blind date in hopes of capturing his heart.

But Josh? He had just called her dirty.

What was dirty about her?

---

Josh felt a surge of irritation as he looked at her tear-streaked face. Her cries grated on his nerves, and he turned away abruptly, heading for the door.

"Wait," Lucy called, rushing to block his path.

"Josh, whether you admit it or not, I am your fiancée! We’re engaged, and I am your girlfriend!"

Josh’s expression darkened. His lips curled into a mocking sneer.

"Lucy, don’t forget your place."

Her heart trembled at his cold words, and her tears returned with renewed intensity.

"Josh, why do you have to treat me like this? Did I do something wrong? Do you have to humiliate me like this?"

Josh raised an eyebrow. "Do you think I don’t know about your little scheme with those reporters?"

Lucy froze, her face paling. She hadn’t expected Josh to see through her plan so easily.

"I... I had no choice," she stammered.

"Then leave! Don’t bother me again," Josh snapped, his tone as cold as his gaze.

---

Lucy watched helplessly as Josh brushed past her, his back as resolute as ever.

Her heart ached, and the humiliation stung like a fresh wound. Tears blurred her vision as anger simmered beneath the surface.

She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms as she silently cursed Claire.

It was all because of her.

If Claire hadn’t come into the picture, Josh would never have treated her this way.

Lucy’s eyes glinted with resentment and determination. She would find a way to ruin Claire. She had to.

---

"Josh, are you still pretending to be the good guy? If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have any trouble with Claire!" Lucy spat, her voice trembling with bitterness.

Josh turned back to her, his gaze sharp and unyielding.

"Lucy, let me be clear," he said coldly. "I have never liked you. Stop deluding yourself."

Lucy’s hands shook with fury, her voice rising. "And Claire? What about her? Is she worthy of you?"

Josh’s expression darkened at her words.

"What nonsense are you talking about?" His tone turned sharper, louder.

Lucy refused to back down. "I don’t know why you’re protecting that woman, but mark my words, Josh—you’ll regret it!"

Josh’s jaw tightened, his anger barely restrained. He took a threatening step toward Lucy, and she instinctively backed away.

"Lucy," he warned, his voice dangerously low, "stay away from Claire. If you don’t, you’ll regret it."

"How dare you!" Lucy retorted, her voice trembling with fear and indignation.

Josh smirked, his expression ruthless. "Why don’t you try me?"

Lucy faltered, her fear now palpable. She couldn’t believe this cold, merciless man was the same Josh she had admired for so long.

"Josh, don’t force me..." Lucy whispered, her eyes wide with apprehension.

Josh’s expression only grew colder. He stepped closer, grabbing her shoulder and pinning her against the wall.

"Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to," he said, his voice dripping with disdain. "Stop playing games with me."

He released her roughly, and Lucy stumbled back, barely keeping her balance.

"And one more thing," Josh added, his voice like ice. "Claire and I don’t have the kind of relationship you think we do. She’s my sister. She shares the Greg family bloodline."

Lucy’s breath hitched. "Sister? How is that possible?"

Josh sneered. "There’s nothing impossible about it."

---

Lucy’s face turned ashen as realization sank in. The truth felt like a slap to the face.

Claire—her rival—was connected to Josh’s family in a way she could never be.

Her heart burned with rage and humiliation.

Josh was everything she had ever wanted: powerful, charismatic, and respected as a military commander in City A. He was a man destined for greatness, and she had envisioned herself by his side, sharing in his glory.

But now, her plans were unraveling, and her dreams seemed further away than ever.

Still, Lucy wasn’t one to give up easily. If Josh thinks this is over, he’s wrong, she thought, her eyes narrowing with determination. I’ll find a way to win him back—even if it means bringing Claire down in the process.

---

Claire, on the other hand, was just an ordinary girl.

What right did she have to be part of the Greg family?

Moreover, the Greg family was a prominent household with wealth and influence. Could it be that she was an illegitimate child?

The thought sent chills down Lucy’s spine, and her face turned pale.

"Josh, is Claire really your sister?" Lucy asked in a trembling voice, her doubts and fears spilling out.

Josh sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. "What do you think? Do you think I need to lie to you?"

Lucy’s face grew even paler, her mind racing with possibilities.

"But Josh, do you really care about her that much?"

Josh narrowed his eyes, his sharp gaze locking onto her. It was as if he could see through her intentions.

"Lucy," he said coldly, "whatever happens between Claire and me is none of your concern."

Lucy took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. This was bad—very bad.

She had already joined forces with Anna to deal with Claire. But now, if anything happened to Claire, it would reflect poorly on her since she was Josh’s fiancée. More importantly, Claire was his sister.

Regret clawed at her as she realized the potential fallout.

No, Lucy thought, panicking. I can’t let anything happen to Claire. I have to fix this before it’s too late.

---

"Josh," Lucy said hesitantly, her voice trembling. "Do you really care about Claire?"

Josh’s expression darkened, his annoyance evident. "That’s none of your business!"

Lucy flinched at his sharp response. She had always believed that Josh felt nothing for Claire beyond familial obligation. But now, his protective demeanor toward her made Lucy uneasy.

He does care about her.

A sense of urgency flooded Lucy’s heart. If Claire didn’t like her, then marrying into the Greg family would be impossible.

Josh’s gaze was cold and unwavering as he addressed her.