CHAPTER 23: CHAPTER 23: NATHANIEL GALLAGHER, GO TO HELL

"..." Josephine felt a tightness in her chest, just staring at him.

He still looked the same as before.

Handsome and gentle, elegant and noble, and after turning 30, he exuded the calm composure of a mature man.

Yet, she suddenly felt that the person beside her was extremely unfamiliar.

Perhaps she never really understood him.

"Come, I’ll put it on you." Nathaniel Gallagher took off the ring, gently placed it on her ring finger, and tenderly kissed the back of her hand.

"Do you like it?"

Josephine looked down at the ring.

The pigeon egg-sized blue diamond sparkled brilliantly, dazzling and eye-catching.

However, the Thornton Family had numerous rare treasures in their collection. She had seen too many priceless jewels, and it didn’t evoke much of an emotional response from her.

Feeling slightly disappointed, Nathaniel said with a gentle smile, "I’ve asked someone to prepare wild ginseng soup for you, to nourish you well."

After saying that, he got up, brought over the thermos, and personally scooped the soup into a bowl.

"Nathaniel Gallagher, you don’t need to try so hard," Josephine said coldly.

She had already made up her mind to get a divorce.

Whether he was lying or not, she no longer wanted to live with him.

"It’s only natural for a husband to take care of his wife. How can that be considered trying too hard?" Nathaniel smiled warmly as he brought the soup over, carefully skimming off the oil.

He gently blew on it to cool it down, thoughtfully bringing it to her lips, "Come on, open your mouth."

Josephine hesitated for a few seconds but still obediently drank the soup.

Her body hadn’t fully recovered yet.

No matter what decision she made, it would have to wait until after she was discharged from the hospital.

For now, let him do as he wishes. It was just a matter of enduring a few more days.

"Drink a bit more," Nathaniel patiently fed her spoon by spoon.

He knew very well that issues that could be resolved with a bit of coaxing didn’t need to escalate to the point of no return.

If one were to say how deeply Nathaniel loved Josephine, that might not be the case.

To a man like him, love was just a seasoning. Divorce would be nothing but a loss for him.

"I don’t want to drink anymore." Josephine instinctively touched her lower abdomen, still pained by the loss of the little life.

Seeing this, Nathaniel gently reassured her, "Once your health is better, we can have another child. This child was just not meant to be with us, so there’s no need to be too sad. Although it’s regrettable, we will have more children in the future."

"..." Josephine looked at him coldly, remaining silent.

He was quite skilled at comforting people.

In the following days, Nathaniel stayed by her side in the hospital.

He personally fed her, ensuring she was well cared for.

He did everything meticulously and thoughtfully, even moving Master Thompson to persuade his granddaughter to be more understanding and forgiving.

...

On the tenth day of the hospital stay.

Josephine’s body was almost fully recovered, and she could get out of bed to walk around.

Jamila Jacobs, Angie, and yoyo.

Upon hearing about her hospitalization, they all rushed to the hospital to see her.

In the ward.

Jamila placed a bouquet of fresh flowers by the bedside, her expression serious, "Josephine, do you still consider us as close friends? Such a big deal, being hospitalized, and you’re only telling us now."

Angie also looked worried, "We only found out today that you’re in the hospital. How are you feeling? Better?"

Josephine smiled, "I’m much better now, I can be discharged next week."

"No wonder we couldn’t reach you on the phone these past few days."

Jamila said this while sitting at the bedside, preparing to peel an apple for her.

Suddenly, she noticed the large pigeon egg diamond ring on Josephine’s hand. Her eyes lit up immediately, and without hesitation, she took Josephine’s ring off, "Wow wow wow~, wow wow wow~, have you secured another trophy?"

"Such a big diamond, and a rare blue diamond at that. It’s practically blinding me."

With an envious look, she tried the ring on her own finger, admiring it from all angles.

"It’s so beautiful!"

yoyo also looked shocked, "Such a big blue diamond, it’s very rare. Is this the 40-carat raw stone your husband bought at the auction last year for three billion?"

Josephine instinctively nodded, "Uh, it probably is!"

"Such extravagance, truly worthy of the casino mogul, spending so lavishly. A raw stone of over 40 carats has so much potential for appreciation. Instead of keeping it as a collection, he actually had it cut into a ring."

Angie also tried on the ring, "See, that’s what being pampered by a husband looks like! This is how you spoil a wife!"

"Josephine, you are so lucky to have married such a wonderful husband!"

"..." Josephine felt a lump in her throat, like something was stuck.

Life is like drinking water; only the person who drinks it knows its warmth and coldness.

If she voiced her thoughts about wanting a divorce, they would probably think she was ungrateful.

"Jamila, if you’re so envious, why don’t you get married soon? Isn’t there someone who’s been pursuing you all along?"

Jamila rolled her eyes, "Tch~, envy is one thing; I won’t get married so early. I won’t consider marriage before 35."

"I want to enjoy a few more years of freedom..."

The three friends chattered enthusiastically in discussion.

"Bang bang bang!" There was a knock on the door.

"Come in!"

"Click!" The door of the ward was pushed open!

Vivian Shaw walked in.

She was wearing an ivory v-neck long dress, with exquisite makeup on, carrying a bouquet of flowers, gracefully walking into the ward!

The four pairs of eyes simultaneously looked at her.

Vivian froze for a moment, but quickly flashed her signature harmless smile, "Sister-in-law, I’ll be discharged this afternoon and flying to The Republic of Arcadia tomorrow. I came to say goodbye and wish you a quick recovery."

"..." Josephine frowned, not even wanting to exchange pleasantries!

If she used to dislike Vivian Shaw,

Now she detested her deeply, feeling physically unwell at the sight of her.

Jamila slightly raised her brows, crossing her arms as she appraised her, "Josephine, is she the one you mentioned, Jade?"

Josephine’s expression darkened, and she didn’t answer.

"Jade?" Vivian blinked in confusion, looking cluelessly at her!

Jamila let out a cold snicker, "Look at that aura, it must be her, right."

"Sister-in-law, I hope you recover soon, these are flowers for you!" Vivian placed the flowers on Josephine’s bedside.

As she leaned forward, a noticeable blue diamond necklace hung around her neck.

Josephine noticed it, frowning as she took a closer look.

Around her neck was a blue diamond necklace, with a main stone pendant of about ten carats. Surrounding the main stone were five smaller stones, each about one carat.

It appeared extremely luxurious and eye-catching, with top-notch craftsmanship and design.

Boom!

Josephine’s eyes stung, immediately realizing that the blue diamond necklace and her blue diamond ring came from the same original stone!

Nathaniel Gallagher split the raw stone in two, made a ring for her from one piece, and a necklace for Vivian Shaw from the other.

In an instant, she suddenly felt that the ring on her hand was as disgusting as excrement.

Jamila Jacobs, sharp-eyed, noticed immediately, "Whoa, is her necklace and your ring made from the same stone?"

Vivian Shaw listened, feigning innocence, "Oh, are you talking about this? This is a birthday gift from my brother, it’s called ’Star Accompanies the Moon.’

"..." The four of them heard this and collectively fell silent.

She came in front of Josephine Thompson on purpose to provoke and show off!

If not for Nathaniel Gallagher’s indulgence, she wouldn’t dare to repeatedly and openly provoke her.

Vivian Shaw puckered her lips, with a face full of advice, "Sister-in-law, after I leave, you have to take good care of my brother. He has a sensitive stomach, so make sure he drinks less. Also, don’t let him stay up late often."

Jamila Jacobs snorted coldly, "Is this really something you should be worrying about?"

Vivian Shaw ignored her, continuing to speak to Josephine Thompson, "Sister-in-law, don’t misunderstand, I’m just concerned about my brother’s health. Since I can’t be by his side to take care of him, I’m entrusting you with this."

"He doesn’t know how to take care of himself, so you really need to put in extra effort to look after him."

Her tone was as if she were the legitimate wife and Josephine Thompson the concubine.

Josephine Thompson felt suffocated, an unspeakable irritation and distress filling her chest.

Did they really think she was a pushover with no temper?

Jamila Jacobs, hot-tempered, immediately exploded, "Josephine, you can tolerate this? If you swallow your pride today and allow that little bitch to get away with this, don’t ever call yourself my sister again."

Angie, equally displeased, sarcastically jeered, "This little green tea bitch provocatively challenging the main wife, who gave you the guts?"

Vivian Shaw turned pale, "Sister, please speak with some respect."

"Who are you calling sister? Are you even worthy?"

yoyo sneered, disdainfully saying, "If I ever get married and a mistress dares to openly flaunt in front of me, I’d get someone to strip her pants off on the street. Then, stuff peppers in and sew it up with a needle so she knows the cost of being a mistress."

Vivian Shaw, teary-eyed, "You’re too much, you’re too rude."

"Who are you calling a mistress? My brother and I are completely innocent, you can’t slander us like that."

Josephine Thompson, plagued by the noise, coldly said, "Get out, don’t let me see you again."

Vivian Shaw’s mouth quivered, like an angry little bird, "Sister-in-law, I came here with genuine intentions to say goodbye. If you’re not appreciative, that’s fine, but why insult me?"

"Leave quickly, or I’ll slap you!"

"Fine, I’m going. Rest assured, I won’t tell my brother about your insults."

With that, she turned to leave angrily.

Jamila Jacobs deliberately tripped her, causing her to stumble.

"Ah..." Vivian Shaw’s high heel twisted, almost knocking her off balance.

Angie took the opportunity to pour a cup of water from the table over her head.

"Oops, my hand slipped!"

"Aaaah--" Vivian Shaw screamed sharply, soaked like a drowned rat.

"You’re too much, you did this on purpose."

"Well, you can’t blame us, who told you to be so shameless?"

Jamila Jacobs and Angie pinned her to the ground, one pulling her hair, one slapping her.

Josephine Thompson saw this and hurriedly tried to stop them, "Enough, enough, stop it now."

yoyo, filled with righteous indignation, picked up a trash can and fiercely slammed it over her head.

What time did Vivian Shaw choose to provoke them?

Of all times, she chose when Josephine Thompson’s friends were present, wasn’t that basically seeking death?

"Help, help!"

Vivian Shaw, dazed and disconcerted from the beating, shouted desperately for help.

"Click..."

Nathaniel Gallagher happened to arrive, heard the commotion from the hospital room, and anxiously pushed the door open to check.

Entering the room.

He saw Vivian Shaw, her hair was pulled to look like a bird’s nest, her dress was torn, even revealing the white lace panties underneath.

She was crying so much her eyes were blurry, pitifully helpless, collapsed on the floor calling for help.

"What do you think you’re doing?" Nathaniel Gallagher felt distressed, shouting fiercely at the trio.

The three, seeing Nathaniel Gallagher arrive, felt a pang of dread and hurriedly got up and moved aside.

Nathaniel Gallagher quickly went forward, picking Vivian Shaw up from the ground, "Vivian, are you alright?"

Vivian Shaw, frightened and panicked, shivered as she burrowed into his arms, "Brother, they... they ganged up to beat me."

Nathaniel Gallagher frowned, instinctively looking toward the three.

"Who laid a hand?"

"..." The three felt a twinge of guilt, instinctively looking at Josephine Thompson.

Josephine Thompson got off the bed, coldly saying, "How didn’t we beat you to death?"

Hearing this, Nathaniel Gallagher’s anger shot to his head, "Josephine, why do you always have to be at odds with a little girl?"

"How does she bother you? Why can’t you tolerate her?"

He could tolerate anything else.

But he couldn’t tolerate anyone bullying the little rose he’d cherished from a young age.

He hoped Josephine Thompson and Vivian Shaw could coexist peacefully.

Meanwhile, Vivian Shaw was his inverse scale, whoever touched it would die.

Vivian Shaw, woefully hiding in his arms, "Brother, don’t blame Sister-in-law. It’s understandable for Sister-in-law to be jealous of me and angry with me!"

"Sister-in-law, if getting a few more hits out of me helps you calm down, then feel free!"

Vivian Shaw’s tears kept falling, a pitiful sight that would make anyone feel unworthy in comparison.

Josephine Thompson looked calm.

She took off her shoes, walked straight to Vivian Shaw’s side.

"Sister-in-law, hit me, as long as it calms you down..." Vivian Shaw thought she wouldn’t dare make a move, especially with Nathaniel Gallagher backing her up.

"Smack!" A loud noise.

Josephine Thompson unexpectedly grabbed a slipper and harshly slapped it across her face. Then fiercely pulled her hair, yanking her out of Nathaniel Gallagher’s embrace, slamming her heavily against the nightstand.

"Ahhhh!" Vivian Shaw screamed a blood-curdling scream.

Everything happened too suddenly.

No one anticipated Josephine Thompson, with her calm demeanor, would act so brutally.

Nathaniel Gallagher came to his senses, hastily pushing her away, standing between the two, "Josephine, what are you doing?"

Josephine Thompson gave him a cold smirk, "You heard her, she asked me to hit her to vent."

"Brother... brother... it hurts..." Vivian Shaw, in pain, rolled her eyes, blood flowing from the mouth. Her hair pulled out in chunks, a large slipper mark imprinted on her fair face.

She fainted from the pain moments later.

"Vivian, Vivian."

Josephine Thompson took the ring off her hand, furiously throwing it at Nathaniel Gallagher’s face, "Bang!"

The ring hit his face, bounced to the floor, and rolled under the bed.

"Josephine, you’re such a disappointment!" Nathaniel Gallagher’s eyes burned fiercely, his expression terrifying.

Josephine Thompson looked at him with a heart like dead ashes, "Nathaniel Gallagher, go to hell! Take your ring and get out of my world."

The hospital room fell into a dead silence.

Vivian Shaw had fainted, Nathaniel Gallagher dazed for a few seconds before anxiously picking her up, "Josephine Thompson, you’ve gone too far!"