The Billionaire’s Secret Quartet (Thalassa and Elowen) novel Chapter 1823

"I've got a phone. I can call him," Susan said through tears.

Payne glanced up and nodded towards one of the bodyguards, "Get her phone."

No sooner had he spoken than the bodyguard reached into Susan's pocket to retrieve it. Susan squirmed and twisted in discomfort, her expression contorted with pain, but soon enough, the bodyguard had her phone in hand.

When they tried to unlock it, it asked for a password. "What's the pin?" the bodyguard asked.

Susan, without hesitation, gave it up.

The bodyguard unlocked the phone, scrolled through the contacts, and found Joshua's name. He opened the call log and showed it to Payne. There were indeed two calls logged.

Payne signaled to the bodyguard, "Call him."

Understanding the cue, the bodyguard dialed the number. The ringtone tightened Thalassa's chest with anxiety. She was nervous about Joshua answering, yet dreading the consequences if he did. If Joshua answered, it would prove Susan wasn't lying. Despite her unwillingness to believe, if Joshua was indeed aiding and abetting the enemy, she had to accept it.

As Thalassa's heart hung in suspense, the call was answered. Joshua's distinguished and aged voice came through, "What now?"

Before she could finish, the phone was hung up by the bodyguard. Susan was relieved she managed to mention the bar's name, but remembering her predicament, she broke down crying again.

Payne returned to Lysander's side and said, "It's confirmed. It's Joshua."

He didn't wait for Lysander's response, noticing how Lysander's grip on his wheelchair had tightened, veins bulging with the strain. Accepting that Joshua was the culprit must be hard for him. After all, Joshua was a mentor and friend to Lysander, someone he deeply respected. The thought that Joshua would protect someone as vile as Susan was unimaginable.

Payne looked again towards Thalassa, seeing her troubled expression. With Joshua having only recently acknowledged Thalassa as his daughter, to then turn around and shield her tormentor, it was bound to be painful for her.