Rebirth to take revenge
Chapter 154: Leander

Chapter 154: Leander

"Master, there’s a car behind us that’s been following us this whole time," the man suddenly said, breaking the silence.

Josh turned his head and glanced at the car behind them.

Sure enough, the vehicle had been trailing them persistently.

"Drive. Get rid of it!" Josh ordered, his lips pressing into a firm line and his tone sharp.

Sebastian nodded and immediately sped up, maneuvering the car deftly through the traffic.

"This isn’t one of your people, is it, Alex?" Josh asked coldly.

A flicker of surprise flashed in Alex’s eyes, but he kept his silence.

Josh smirked, the corner of his mouth curling upward. "It seems that someone in the Smith family can’t hold their peace." His sneer deepened. "That’s fine. It plays right into my hands."

"Alex, tell me—how do you think I should handle this?" Josh’s voice took on a sharper edge, his expression growing colder.

Alex gazed out of the window, his voice steady and indifferent. "Since you seem intent on causing trouble for Claire, if it were me, I wouldn’t let her go."

"But if it’s you, I don’t think it’s necessary. After all, Claire has nothing to do with you," Alex said coldly.

"Don’t worry, I’ll protect Claire," Josh sneered.

"I’m not worried about you; I’m afraid Claire is the one worried about you," Alex replied, frowning.

"Why would she worry about me?" Alex asked, puzzled.

"Heh, are you really this clueless, or are you pretending?" Josh mocked, laughing bitterly. "Doesn’t she like you?"

When Claire was with Alex, her demeanor revealed her feelings—like the shy affection of a girl in love. She wasn’t good at hiding her emotions. Josh had noticed it long ago, and Claire hadn’t denied it.

Josh’s expression turned sharp. "Alex, do you even qualify as a good husband?"

"How did you become her husband? You can’t even protect your wife!"

Alex’s face turned pale and sour at Josh’s cutting words.

Josh pressed on, his tone ruthless. "Do you know why I wanted to save Claire?"

Alex remained silent.

Josh answered his own question: "Because she’s my most important person, and I don’t want her to suffer any harm. She’s the one I love most, and I won’t let her lose anything."

"But you? Alex, do you have any idea how many times you’ve put Claire in danger? Do you even keep track?"

Alex stayed silent, his fists clenched at his sides.

Josh continued, his voice filled with disdain: "The Smith family has been running rampant for too long. Do you really think that after Claire is discharged from the hospital, they’ll leave her alone? They’ll keep coming after her until they succeed."

"Do you think Claire doesn’t know this? Do you think you can still protect her?"

Alex’s face turned rigid with anger as he tightened his grip, but Josh wasn’t done.

"I told you to deal with the Smith family. Don’t blame Alex!" Claire interjected, her voice strong despite the turmoil.

Josh’s sharp gaze turned to Claire.

"It wasn’t Alex’s fault; I told him to stop," Claire said firmly, looking directly at Josh. She didn’t want Alex to bear the blame.

Josh stared at her, stunned. "Claire, are you insane?" he shouted.

Claire stood silent.

Josh’s eyes reddened, filled with suppressed emotions. "If I ask you not to make such a foolish sacrifice, would you listen to me?" His voice cracked with emotion.

He wanted nothing more than to hold Claire close, protect her, and shield her from every ounce of pain.

Claire looked at Josh, a flicker of struggle and uncertainty in her eyes. Finally, she said with conviction, "Josh, I believe in you."

Josh wanted to speak, but instead, his jaw clenched tightly. Without a word, he pulled a pistol from his pocket, turning to face the car parked behind theirs.

Claire paled as the driver was revealed to be Anna.

"Josh, what are you doing?" Claire asked, her voice trembling with fear.

"This way, Anna will know not to follow us anymore," Josh said nonchalantly, raising his gun.

"No! Don’t be reckless! You’ll destroy yourself!" Claire cried out, grabbing his wrist to stop him.

Josh’s tone turned icy, his eyes meeting Claire’s with firm determination. "Claire, do you think the Greg family is afraid of threats? You are what matters the most to me!"

Claire shivered at his unwavering resolve, unable to speak further.

A loud bang shattered the silence, breaking the car’s window. Anna, sitting inside, flinched as the glass exploded around her.

"You’re insane!" Claire glared at Josh angrily.

Josh scoffed. "If you keep interfering, I’ll drag you back to the Greg family myself!"

Claire’s tear-streaked face softened Josh for just a moment, but his resolve remained strong.

He tossed the gun to her, opened the door, and strode toward Anna’s vehicle. Pulling open the driver’s door, he dragged her out forcefully.

"Josh, don’t push me, or you won’t live to regret it!" Anna seethed, glaring daggers at him.

Josh narrowed his eyes and sneered. "I won’t survive? Ha! Let me make one thing clear—if I die, you’re coming with me, Anna!"

Anna’s bravado faltered, her face paling. She hadn’t anticipated Josh’s ruthlessness, let alone his willingness to gamble it all.

Grinding her teeth, she hissed, "You’re merciless! But let me tell you something—I’ll see to it that Claire dies today!"

Without hesitation, Josh raised the gun and fired several shots, aiming directly at Anna’s knees.

With each impact, she cried out in pain, collapsing to the ground.

"Spare your anger, Anna," Alex said as he approached with another gun in hand, his tone devoid of sympathy. "You’ve had enough chances, and yet, you still don’t understand."

Anna, kneeling and trembling, glared hatefully at the men before her but could only seethe helplessly.

"You should’ve cherished your life," Alex added as he threw his gun at Josh and began walking back toward the car.

Josh followed. Together, they got into the car and drove off, leaving Anna behind to stew in agony and rage.

As their vehicle disappeared into the distance, Anna’s face twisted with malice. "Josh... Alex... I’ll make you both pay for this!" she vowed under her breath.

But she wasn’t the only one seething. Moments later, black-clad bodyguards appeared out of nowhere, dragging her further into the dirt.

"Get off me! Josh! Alex! I swear I’ll get you!" Anna shrieked, her fury echoing into the night.

Anna became dizzy, a trace of blood oozing from the corner of her mouth.

"Anna Smith, you’d better listen to us. Otherwise, I don’t mind sending you on your way!"

Trembling all over, Anna bit her lip, her fear forcing her into silence. She knew very well that resisting further would only bring more suffering.

"Please, Miss Anna."

Anna looked up, casting a resentful glance toward the direction where Claire had just disappeared.

Claire Smith, just wait. One day, I will make you suffer.

---

Under the protection of Josh, Claire and Alex returned to their new home. Standing before a grand Gothic-style house, Claire’s heart suddenly skipped a beat.

"Do you like it? This is our new home," Alex said with a gentle smile. His face glowed with anticipation as he looked at Claire.

Claire nodded, though there was a hint of bitterness in her heart.

"Come on inside. Leander has been eagerly waiting for you," Alex urged.

Claire walked in and was greeted by the sight of Leander standing at the door with a bright smile. A warm feeling surged through Claire’s chest as she hurried forward and hugged him tightly.

"Leander," Claire choked up, her voice trembling.

"Mommy, I’ve missed you so much," Leander whispered, his tears streaming down his face.

"I’ve missed you too, Leander," Claire said, her voice breaking with emotion. "Let me take a good look at you. You’ve gotten so thin!" She gently stroked his forehead, concern etched on her face.

Leander raised his head, his large eyes brimming with tears. In a soft, choked voice, he pleaded, "Mommy, you can’t leave me again."

Claire’s heart ached. She knelt down, smiled reassuringly, and caressed his hair. "Mommy will never leave you again, sweetheart," she promised, lowering her head to kiss his forehead. Then, taking his hand, she led him inside.

Leander obediently nodded.

Alex, who had been watching from behind, felt a wave of relief wash over him. A faint smile appeared on his face as he stepped forward, but then he hesitated. He turned and saw Josh still standing at the door. Alex’s gaze darkened.

"Why are you still here?" he asked, his tone sharp.

Josh smirked. "Why should I leave?"

Alex’s brows furrowed.

Josh’s smirk deepened, a glint of mockery in his eyes. "What? After I safely brought you back, you don’t even invite me inside for a chat?"

"We don’t welcome you. Leave now," Alex replied coldly.

Josh shrugged indifferently. "Oh, I don’t believe that’s your decision to make."

He stepped aside and called out to Claire, who was walking further into the house. "Claire, can I come in for a moment?"

Claire turned around, her gaze meeting Josh’s.

"Of course," she replied, her tone carrying a hint of gratitude.

Josh smiled faintly and followed them in. Alex, watching this exchange, furrowed his brows tightly.