Would he really abandon his family for her?
“I… I <b>haven’t </b>forgotten,<b>” </b><b>Joseph </b>muttered<b>, </b>unable to meet his father’s <b>eyes</b><b>. </b>
He knew full well that his reputation and <b>status </b>came from Hunt Enterprises.
Without it, he was nothing.
Judy let out a faint, bitter smile at his response.
Of course. She should’ve <b>known </b>better.
There was no way Joseph would give up the honor bestowed upon him by the Hunts.
Everything he had now came from them.
Without thepany<b>, </b>without the family backing, Joseph was nobody.
When he nced toward his mother, he saw the same look of disappointment and frustration etched on her face<b>. </b>
That only deepened his guilt.
<b>But </b>out of the corner of his <b>eye</b>, he noticed the redness at the corner of Judy’s <b>eyes</b><b>. </b>
? ? ? ?
Seeing it hit him hard.
After all, she was the one who’d stayed by his side through his lowest moments.
<b>How </b>could he simply give her up just because his parents said so?
<b>Was </b><b>it </b>truly <b>wrong </b><b>to </b>be with the woman he loved?
Melvin let out <b>a </b>cold snort. <b>“</b><b>If </b><b>you </b>haven’t forgotten, then why are <b>you </b>still with this woman? Do you <b>even </b><b>realize </b>what
Crystal tried <b>to </b>coax him <b>gently</b><b>. </b><b>“</b><b>Joseph</b>, <b>listen </b>to your father. End things <b>with </b><b>her</b><b>, </b>alright?
<b>you’ve </b>done <b>wrong</b>?<b>” </b>
“She’s not right for our family<b>. </b>Don’t worry<b>, </b>I’ll <b>help </b><b>you </b>find <b>someone </b>more suitable. Whatever <b>type </b><b>you </b>want, <b>we’ll </b>find the <b>perfect </b>match <b>for </b><b>you</b><b>.</b>” <b>Judy </b><b>bit </b><b>down </b><b>on </b>her lower <b>lip</b><b>. </b>
In that moment, she <b>felt </b>like her dignity was being dragged <b>across </b>the floor.
She hadn’t expected how brazenly <b>his </b><b>parents </b>spoke in front of her.
If they <b>were </b>already like this now<b>, </b>then <b>even </b>if she did end <b>up </b><b>with </b><b>Joseph</b><b>, </b>she <b>would </b>never <b>receive </b><b>their </b>blessing<b>. </b>
<b>Worse</b><b>, </b>she’d be talked about behind her back<b>, </b><b>endlessly </b>criticized.
<b>Hadn’t </b>she entered this rtionship for the Hunt family’s <b>wealth </b>and influence<b>? </b>
<b>But </b>in the end<b>, </b><b>if </b>this <b>was </b>what she <b>got </b>in return<b>, </b>what was <b>the </b>point of all her <b>persistence</b><b>? </b>
<b>“</b><b>Dad</b><b>!</b>”
Joseph suddenly raised his <b>voice</b><b>, </b><b>startling </b><b>everyone </b><b>in </b>the <b>room</b>.
Even Judy looked <b>up</b><b>, </b>caught off <b>guard</b><b>, </b>unsure of what he was about to <b>say</b>.
His fists clenched <b>tight</b><b>, </b>veins bulging at his neck<b>. </b><b>“</b>Dad, <b>I </b><b>love </b>Judy. I’m <b>with </b>the woman I <b>love</b><b>, </b>I don’t <b>see </b>how that’s <b>a </b>crime. <b>Or </b><b>to </b><b>put </b>it <b>another </b>way<b>—</b>what exactly have <b>I </b>done wrong?<b>” </b>
<b>“</b>You….! You <b>ungrateful </b>son<b>!</b><b>” </b>
<b>Melvin’s </b>eyes widened with rage.
He couldn’t believe <b>his </b>son <b>dated </b><b>speak </b>to him like this.
Even <b>Crystal </b>stared at Joseph in shock. <b>“</b>Joseph, <b>what </b>are you saying<b>? </b>That’s your father <b>you’re </b>talking to! You’re the sole heir to Hunt Enterprises. Do you even understand <b>the </b>consequences of what <b>you’re </b>doing?”
She turned slightly, cing herself between Joseph and Melvin, shooting her son a sharp nce.
Joseph noticed the look immediately and knew exactly what it meant.
His mother was using his inheritance as a threat.
<b>And </b>Judy had seen the entire exchange.
<b>Now</b><b>, </b><b>more </b><b>than </b><b>ever</b><b>, </b>she was curious–between her and <b>the </b>Hunt legacy, which would Joseph choose?
Crystal’s silent warning made her intentions clear: she was telling her son not to make a foolish mistake.
This was a choice–a clear line drawn between Judy and the future of the Hunt family.
And Crystal expected Joseph to understand what weighed more.