hapter 397
Still, he couldn’t shake that lingering <b>sense </b>of frustration.
And with his father’s repeated warnings<b>, </b>Joseph didn’t dare act recklessly.
He had this nagging suspicion that someone was backing Aurora from behind the scenes.
Otherwise<b>, </b>how could she have risen <b>so </b>far<b>, </b><b>so </b>fast?
After all, the Walton Corporation and Hunt Enterprises <b>were </b>evenly matched in strength. If one had to <be </b>out on top, Walton only held an edge in a few specific projects.
With that in mind, Joseph honestly didn’t know how to respond <b>to </b>Judy’s question.
Judy could <b>see </b>his hesitation<b>, </b>but inwardly, she was still scheming and doing her best to push Joseph into going after Aurora.
That <b>way</b><b>, </b>it would save her <b>a </b><b>great </b>deal of time.
And she could focus her energy on improving herself.
No matter what, her feud with Aurora was far from over.
Joseph finally opened his mouth after some thought. <b>“</b>You know the state <b>my </b>family’s in right now.
“My dad’s keeping a tight watch on me. If anything unusual happens, he’ll find out immediately. I need to y <b>it </b>safe for now<b>.</b><b>” </b>
Joseph kept studying Judy’s expression, but she didn’t show any visible reaction. Her face remained calm andposed.
What he didn’t see<b>, </b>though, was her fingernails digging deep into her palm.
<b>This </b>man <b>was </b>always full of <b>excuses</b><b>. </b>
<b>No </b>matter the situation, he only looked <b>out </b>for himself.
<b>Even </b>after everything Aurora had done to him, he still couldn’t let her <b>go</b>.
And now he <b>was </b><b>even </b>using <b>his </b>father as <b>a </b>shield. How convenient.
<b>“</b>Alright, <b>I </b>understand. I really do,” Judy said, smiling with even more sweetness than before, her <b>voice </b>soft and <b>agreeable</b><b>. </b>
She looked like she had <b>no </b>temper at all<b>, </b>exactly the kind of demeanor that fed <b>Joseph’s </b>inted ego.
<b>He </b><b>pulled </b>her tightly <b>into </b>his arms<b>, </b>utterly <b>content</b><b>, </b>his face glowing with satisfaction.
He <b>truly </b><b>hadn’t </b>expected this<b>, </b>like stumbling upon <b>a </b>treasure.
A <b>woman </b>who depended on <b>him </b><b>so </b><bpletely</b>.
<b>“</b><b>Don’t </b><b>worry</b><b>,</b><b>” </b>Joseph said confidently. <b>“</b>Once this period <b>blows </b><b>over</b><b>, </b>I’ll make sure Aurora gets what’sing to her.<b>” </b>
<b>But </b><b>Judy </b>responded <b>sweetly</b><b>, </b><b>“</b><b>It’s </b>alright. <b>As </b><b>long </b>as <b>it </b><b>doesn’t </b><b>put </b>you in a tough <b>spot</b>, that’s enough for me. I just felt a little indignant on <b>your </b><b>behalf</b>. <b>After </b><b>everything </b>she’s done <b>to </b><b>you… </b><b>if </b><b>you </b><b>can </b>endure <b>it</b><b>, </b>that’s <b>all </b>that <b>matters</b><b>.</b><b>” </b>
Hearing <b>that </b>made Joseph <b>fall </b>silent.
To be honest<b>, </b>he <b>had </b>thought <b>Aurora’s </b>treatment <b>of </b>him <b>wasn’t </b><b>all </b><b>that </b>terrible<b>. </b>
After all<b>, </b>it wasn’t the first time she’d sent him <b>to </b>prison.
But hearing Judy <b>say </b>that <b>made </b>him wonder<b>–</b>had he <b>been </b><b>too </b><b>forgiving </b>toward Aurora?
<b>She’d </b>thrown him behind bars<b>, </b>and he was still willing <b>to </b>tolerate her<b>? </b>
Maybe <b>he </b><b>really </b>had been too lenient.
“Judy, I…” Joseph started, trying to say something reassuring, but Judy had already had enough of his pitiful <b>act</b>.
“Shh. I understand<b>.</b>”
She gently ced her fingers over his <b>lips</b><b>. </b>
Het innocent face was <b>full </b>of <b>sympathy</b><b>. </b><b>“</b><b>I </b>know what’s weighing on <b>you</b>. I know what you’re thinking. That’s why I won’t push you.”
“This is your business, <b>after </b>all. I’m just an outsider<b>. </b><b>All </b>I <b>can </b>do is support you without reservation.”
She smiled <b>faintly</b><b>. </b><b>“</b><b>But </b>I do <b>want </b>to stand by your side <b>as </b>soon as possible. I want us to start thinking about our future.”