Forced Marriage: My Wife, My Redemption-Chapter 169: Julia/Josh Anderson...

~Country Z~

A convoy of sleek, black cars made its way up a long, hilly driveway. Their move dominant and powerful as they pass through several security checkpoints along the way.

The road was bordered on both sides by a beautifully crafted boulevard, its trees tall and strong lined the path like watchful sentinels.

The Sunlight filtering through the leaves, cast colorful rays of light onto the moving cars as they sped by.

As the cars approached the large main gate, they slowed slightly. The Camera capturing the dominant insignia of the car beeped lightly then followed with a soft click, the gate opened smoothly, and the convoy drove into the vast castle estate that stretched over several kilometers.

The castle’s architecture spoke volumes of its century-old history. Its surroundings were magnificently carved .

The surrounding lawns were perfectly trimmed, the grass vibrant and green, added to the grandeur of the estate. Every inch of the land had been maintained with care, a reflection of wealth and legacy.

The cars came to a smooth stop in front of the castle’s massive stone steps. A guard opened the door of the second car and bowed slightly.

A young man stepped out. His expression cold, his appearance handsome, and his aura imposing.

"Welcome home, sir," the voices of the security team echoed through the vast mansion, and traveled across the quiet landscape, even the sound stirring the stillness of the nearby forest.

Julia Anderson nodded lightly adjusting his coat while he walked. He strode quickly across the stone-paved walkway ascending the steps with effortless grace. His assistant trailed closely behind, struggling to match his long strides.

"Welcome home, sir," Patrick greeted with a slight bow, his voice respectful but warm. He had watched Julia grow from a boy into the man standing before him.

He is now taller, sharper and more composed. His features had become more defined but surprisingly it is the features of a lady—a lady from the past.

Julia gave a small nod in return. His eyes briefly met the old man’s, a flicker of familiarity and respect passing between them.

"My father?" Julia asked, not stopping as he walked through the grand hallway that led to the sitting room.

"He is in the study, Sir," Patrick replied.

Without another word, Julia turned on his heel and began to walk away, he paused briefly in his stride, his gaze resting on his assistant.

"Make sure to investigate everything about that girl—every single detail not leaving out any smallest detail. I have sent the information to your phone and I want the report in 24 hours," he ordered.

"Yes Sir." Maxwell answered with fine beads of sweat on his forehead. He sighed as he watched Julia disappear up the staircase.

"Young Master is becoming more difficult to deal with," he muttered to himself, then hurried outside to complete his task.

Julia paused outside the study door. He took a deep breath and raised his hand to knock. After a few seconds, there was a light shuffling sound from inside, followed by a deep, cold voice.

"Come in."

With his hand on the door handle, he pushed the door lightly and it creaked open. Julia stepped inside and closed the door behind him with a soft thud.

His eyes took in the sight of the man at the desk—his father, Josh Anderson, a once-powerful man whose presence still commanded attention. He made his way to the couch in the study and sat down.

"You’re back?" Josh asked, closing the laptop in front of him and carefully gathering some papers he was working with. His movements slowed when he noticed the expression on Julia’s face. ƒгeewebnovёl.com

"I saw her," Julia said, his lips curling into a smirk.

Josh froze. His hand trembled slightly as he stopped what he was doing. His eyes searched Julia’s face for signs of a lie or exaggeration, but found none.

"You’re serious?" Josh asked, his voice shaky. Julia nodded with a deep sigh.

Josh felt his breathe hitched, Slowly, he sank into his chair, his eyes staring into the distance lost in thought.

"How is she? Is she okay? Is she being bullied? Does she have friends? Is she—?" Josh asked, his voice trembling, his gaze on Julia demanding answers.

"Relax," Julia interrupted, raising a hand. With the series of questions, he is already feeling his head throbbing.

"I’m not ready to answer all of that yet. I need more time and more proof before I give you anything solid. I’m still working with assumptions, and you know that’s not a definite answer."

Josh nodded slowly, though disappointment clouded his face. He leaned back in his chair, his eyes heavy with regret and sorrow.

Julia knew and understood what this meant to him. His father had been betrayed by his own family. He had been schemed and plotted against by his closest.

Crossing his legs like a monarch, Julia rested his fingers on the armrest and tapped lightly, his gaze thoughtful.

"There’s a man beside her," he said. "He’s in a wheelchair."

Josh blinked "A wheelchair?"

"A man?" His tone was skeptical and disbelieving.

"Yes," Julia confirmed. "And I must admit, I was a bit surprised too. Despite being crippled, he’s quite good-looking."

Josh’s expression darkened "What does good looks have to do with anything? My daughter—Josh Anderson’s daughter—isn’t meant for trash," he snapped, anger flashing in his eyes.

Julia sighed. "Dad, don’t you think you’re overreacting? She doesn’t even know she is an Anderson. How can you then define trash or gold for her?"Julia asked carefully.

"Then, you bring her back." Josh instructed immediately.

Julia sighed deeply "Dad, calm down. Barging in now or using force to get her back might only push her further away. She might resist besides I would doubt if she isn’t as stubborn as you." He concluded with the last part coming out almost as a whisper.

Julia Anderson might have preferred to storm in and drag his sister back. Even using their special forces should anybody try to stop them—but that would only make things worse. She would definitely resist or possibly go farther away from them.

Josh sighed heavily, his shoulders slumping in resignation. Julia felt a pang of pity for him. His father was a man betrayed by his own blood, robbed of love and life by a cruel family; weighed down by guilt and loss.

"If we can’t bring her back now, at least can she be protected? I don’t want any harm coming her way anymore." Josh pleaded quietly.

"Of course, but not right now. It’s too risky," Julia answered. "Any sudden move could draw attention to her. We need to be careful."

"I just want her to be safe," Josh said quietly.

He wouldn’t want to lose track of her again. It has taken him solid seven years to know of her existence and fifteen years to locate her again. And there’s nothing he wish more than bringing her home.

"If I can’t bring her back now... can we at least protect her? Make sure no more harm comes her way?"

Julia nodded slowly in agreement. "And... what about my—" He paused, struggling to say the next word. "...your wife?"

He had felt that word that wanted to spill out of his mouth heavy and he couldn’t bring himself to say it because he had never acknowledged it.

Josh face darkened slightly while a smirk played on Julia’s lips. "Don’t get it wrong, I mean Sonia Andrews."

"There’s nothing going on at the moment," Josh said plainly. "I’ve already met all the demands of the Andrews family. So, the bond is officially broken."

Julia let out a bitter chuckle. "Good, I have some business to handle in Country Y," Julia continued, his voice turning serious. "I may need to head back very soon."

"Then, you must keep an eye on your sister." Josh stated, his tone both instructive and admonishing.

Julia nodded silently, his gaze not leaving his father’s fatigued face. He sighed deeply.

"What are you planning to do about the expansion in the company, if you are going down to country Y?" Josh asked.

As much as he wants his son and daughter together keeping eye on each other, responsibilities must still be met.

Julia shrugged lightly before given him a run down of his plan. Both of them tactical stepping away from the earlier discussions.

Each bearing their own weight of responsibility. One carried the weight of the past, while the other bore the responsibilities of the present.

Outside, the sun was beginning to dip behind the mountains, casting golden light across the castle grounds.