"Besides," Joshua finished, "I''ve never been afraid of going to hell."


    Sherman, standing to the side, was deeply shaken. It was a chillingly calm, clear, and terrifying statement. Joshua wasn''t denying the importance of his savior, but no matter how important that person was, they couldn''tpare to the woman he loved.


    Sherman suddenly thought of a good friend of his who was in the middle of a messy divorce. He and his wife had been deeply in love, a perfect match. But then, a person who had once saved his life appeared, and their happy marriage fell apart. There''s nothing wrong with being tolerant and lenient with someone who saved your life. But when his wife and his savior shed, he always made his wife back down. After all, she had saved him.


    At first, his wife had been willing to tolerate it. But over time, the savior became increasingly demanding, even starting to provoke his wife. Yet his friend, still bound by that debt of gratitude, couldn''t bring himself to be firm. And so, they ended up on the path to divorce.


    Not long ago, Sherman''s friend had beenining to him about it, his words full of frustration at his wife''sck of understanding. At the time, Sherman had thought his friend''sints were not entirely wrong. But now, Joshua''s words hit him like a ssh of cold water, a sudden moment of rity.


    In that instant, he understood. It was true that his friend loved his wife, but he loved himself more. He constantly forced his wife to yield to his savior, often saying things like, "She saved my life, do you want me to be an ungrateful person?" or "If I were that heartless, couldn''t I be just as cold to you one day? Is that the kind of person you want me to be?" He had wrapped his selfishness in a cloak of loyalty and honor. Forcing the person he loved topromise was just a way to avoid his own guilt.


    There was a term, "outsourcing filial piety." Was this what you''d call... "outsourcing gratitude"?


    So, Joshua would rather be condemned by the world, hated by gods and men, than allow the woman he loved to suffer the slightest injustice?


    Sherman felt a sense of awe.


    Joshua was willing to face universal condemnation for Ste. But Sellers would never do the same for Aurora. Could they really go up against a man like this?


    While Sherman was lost in thought, he didn''t hear what else Joshua said, but Sellers coldly hung up the phone. Giving up his position as head of the family was out of the question t was also clear from Joshua''s words that even with Mr. Burton''s


    connection, a peaceful résolution was impossible. Of course, Sellers


    had never wanted one the hagkonty hoped to full Joshua into a false sense of security before delivering a fatal blow. But Joshua hadn''t taken the bait.


    It seemed that appealing to Joshua''s morals or conscience was useless. Joshua


    hadid out his twisted worldview for them to see.


    After the call ended, Sherman thought for a few moments, then dialed Aurora''s number. "Aurora, are you free? Could youe over for a bit?"


    Aurora seemed to have heard about Sellers'' troubles and quickly agreed. An hourter she arrived at The Burton Group. "Sellers, you called me in such a hurry. Is something important going on?"


    Sellers looked at her. "Aurora, I remember you once said that Rachel is currently in Simone Lerman''s hands?"


    Aurora nodded. "Yes, Leonard said so himself. He said he handed her over to Simone to deal with."


    Sellers'' lips curved into a chilling smile. "Leonard isn''t in Solmaris right now. We can snatch Rachel from Simone."