It did sound like something Joshua would say. Aurum muttered to himself in a low voice, "Joshua wishes for me to be his father. He hopes that Gale and I will be together. He repeatedly tries to ship us. I wonder if he still remembers?"

After a few seconds, he added, "Ah, anyway, he speaks without restraint. How can I take him seriously?"

"Mr. Lefting, what did you say?" Zoe did not catch it, only seeing Aurum's mouth moving.

"Nothing." Aurum raised his head and said, "Mrs. Zoe, take care. The