Chapter 190

Josiah wondered, "Who is 'he'? Is it Howard?" Confusion clouded his mind. Howard and Yvette had always seemed stable; he'd never witnessed an argument. Especially Howard, who always indulged Yvette. What had changed? Ever since Howard's recent awakening, issues had arisen between them.

However, Josiah couldn't refuse Howard. "Yvette, let's wait for Howard; you can talk things out," he said, opening the door.

Soon, Howard entered, his hair and clothes dusted with snow. He wheeled directly to Yvette. "Don't disturb Josiah and Sienna. It's late; they need rest. Come with me."

Unsurprisingly, Yvette refused. With red eyes, she sneered, "Why the rush? Afraid I'll say something?" She glanced pointedly at Sienna.

Sienna was perplexed. "Why is she looking at me? This has nothing to do with me," she thought.

Yvette continued, "Afraid your siblings will discover their noble brother is a two-timer and fickle?"

Sienna was shocked. "What?" she thought, looking at Josiah, who seemed unsurprised. Does he know? she wondered.

"Yvette," Howard said patiently, his handsome face half-lit, half-shadowed. "Be a good girl, come with me. It's not what you think."

Yvette remained unmoved. "Leave! I don't want to see you!"

"Yvette!" Howard grabbed her arm. "Come with me! Why are you causing a scene?"

Yvette winced. Tears welled as she cried, "Let go! You're hurting me."

Howard recoiled, realizing he'd touched her burn. "I'm sorry," he said, regret evident. "I didn't mean to. Your burn needs treatment." He gently took her other arm. "Come with me."

"No!" Yvette cried, struggling, clutching Josiah's arm. "Josiah, I don't want to go back."

Josiah, observing the situation, finally said, "Yvette doesn't want to go; don't force her."

Howard glanced at Sienna, frowning. "You mean, you want her to stay?"

Josiah replied, "Yvette is upset. Give her time to calm down."

"Nonsense!" Howard retorted. "You haven't even asked Sienna if she minds Yvette staying."

Josiah realized his oversight. He'd forgotten to ask Sienna, whose relationship with him was strained. What if she disagrees? he thought.

Sienna, arms crossed, raised an eyebrow. Is he even daring to ask me? His girlfriend's here, and he's inviting another woman to stay?

She didn't care. Silence fell. The atmosphere was tense.

Howard reached for Yvette again. "Yvette, come with me. Don't disturb my brother and sister-in-law."

"I won't!" Yvette saw Howard protecting Sienna. Is Sienna that important? He secretly favors her! I won't let him have his way! she thought.

"This is Josiah's home. He wants me to stay. I'd rather die than leave!" she declared.

Josiah's face darkened. "Brother…"

Seeing his brother's anger, Josiah said, "Yvette will stay tonight. You can talk when she's calmer."

After a moment, Howard looked at Yvette, who ignored him, and said, "Since you insist, stay. We'll talk when you're ready."

He left, Josiah following him out. Hervey waited outside. Josiah helped Howard into the car. "Brother…" he began.

Howard sneered. "What?"

Josiah asked, "Is it true you're seeing someone else?"

Howard remained silent. "Brother!" Josiah pressed.

"I'm tired," Howard finally said, instructing Hervey, "Let's go."

The car departed, leaving Josiah with a heavy heart. What about Yvette? he worried.

Inside, Sienna yawned. Josiah returned.

"Should I leave?" Sienna asked.

Josiah grabbed her wrist. "Don't get involved. Go upstairs."

"How am I causing drama?" Sienna retorted, pointing at Yvette. "Isn't she staying? It's inconvenient for me to stay."

Josiah tightened his grip. "Yvette will stay downstairs. You go upstairs."

"Guest room?" Sienna was incredulous. "You're letting her stay in the guest room?"

Josiah thought, What else can I do? He held his breath. "What do you think?"

"Fine," Sienna grumbled, understanding his predicament. I'm a good shield, she mused, leaving for upstairs.

Yvette, stunned by Josiah's coaxing of a woman, realized the irritable wolf was capable of gentleness.

Seeing Sienna ascend the stairs, Josiah sighed in relief, then looked at Yvette, who looked disheveled and tear-stained.

"Yvette," he said, pointing to the sofa. "Sit. I'll get the first-aid kit."

"Okay."

Josiah fetched the kit. Yvette had removed her coat, revealing a badly burned area—a large red patch with blisters. Some had burst, oozing liquid and blood. Josiah disinfected the wound.

"It'll hurt," he said, applying burn ointment. "We'll check it tomorrow."

"Okay," Yvette replied, then her voice choked. "Josiah, are you going upstairs? Don't leave so soon. Stay and talk with me."