Chapter 686

Joshua's career was over, his future completely ruined. In a panic, Joshua apologized to Cedric on the phone in a panic. "Mr. Moore, I'm so sorry! I was dizzy just now and said nonsense. Please don't take it to heart." Cedric scoffed coldly. "Joshua, you're just a lowly office director. Yet, you act so high and mighty. You claimed that you have connections everywhere, even threatening to have me arrested. "It's a good thing I saw it for myself today. I'll be launching an investigation to uncover just how much dirt you've been hiding." Joshua felt like he had been struck by lightning. His legs went weak as the truth hit him as there was no way he could survive an investigation. "Please, Mr. Moore, I'm begging you…" Before he could finish, Matthew turned the phone screen back toward Cedric and said, "I'll leave this matter to you. That's all. I'm hanging up now." Cedric had more to say, but the call had already ended. He immediately reached for his desk phone and began making arrangements to investigate Joshua. When the call ended, Joshua hurriedly grabbed Matthew by the arm. "I'll have Tobby apologize to Lorraine. I'll cover the medical costs for the scratches, ten times, or even a hundred times the amount! Please, I beg you, speak to Mr. Moore on my behalf!" Matthew's eyes flashed coldly as he responded. "You want me to plead for you? Have you lost your mind?" Joshua's face stiffened, but he pushed on. "You wanted an apology—we'll apologize!" Matthew's voice was icy. "It was too late for that! I don't want Tobby's apology. What I want is to watch you go to jail." Joshua's face went pale, and his hope drained. He looked like a wilting flower, knowing exactly what he had done. If they started digging into his misbehavior, he wouldn't even make it to prison as he'd face something worse. Joshua's legs gave out, and he collapsed to his knees in front of Matthew. "Please, Matthew, I'm an office director, and I'm now begging you on my knees—just let me go this time!" Matthew ignored him, scooping Lorraine into his arms and taking Lillian's hand. As they passed Joshua, Matthew stooped and said, "Lorraine may be young, but she has a father. My mom may be old, but she has a son. To anyone who dares to bully them, I won't let it slide." With that, Matthew walked out of the room, carrying Lorraine and supporting Lillian. Joshua remained on the floor, overwhelmed with regret. He wished he had raised Tobby better and kept him from bullying others in kindergarten. He also wished he had made Sophia more discreet. But it was too late for any of that. Sophia broke down in tears. She knew exactly what Joshua had done and it involved too much misbehavior. His career was over, and their family was finished. Even their wealth wouldn't survive this. Kelly slowly snapped out of her shock. Everything had changed so fast that she could barely keep up. But what shocked her most was Matthew. She never expected that Lorraine, who was usually quiet, and her dad to have such immense power. He even had connections with the mayor. With her mind racing, Kelly quietly slipped out of the office, leaving Joshua and Sophia alone in the silent, and despair-filled room. Matthew looked at Lorraine's scratched face, his heart aching. "Does it hurt, Lorraine?" Lorraine smiled and shook her head. " Not at all! I'm tough enough!" Matthew kissed her forehead. "That's my good girl." Lillian, still feeling like she was dreaming, had been terrified when Joshua mentioned sending Matthew to prison. She never expected such a sudden twist of fate. "Matthew, how do you know Mr. Moore?" Matthew didn't hide it. "I treated him once." Lillian nodded repeatedly. "Good, good, good," she replied, though it wasn't clear what exactly was so "good". Still, her face broke into a smile, with just a hint of pride. After walking a few steps, Lillian suddenly remembered something and asked, "I recall that after you graduated from medical school, we couldn't help you find a job, so you went into business. "You've probably forgotten most of your medical skills by now. Why would Mr. Moore choose you, a second-rate doctor, instead of going to a specialist at a big hospital?"