Just as the atmosphere grew tense, Judy suddenly spoke up. “Mr. and Mrs. Hunt, I know I’ve caused you trouble. I’m sorry. This is my fault. I’ll leave now. Don’t worry, I know my ce<b>.</b>”
Joseph suddenly panicked when he heard that.
“No!”
But Judy wouldn’t listen. She stepped past him, ready to walk out.
Joseph couldn’t let her go. He grabbed her hand and refused to let go.
For the first time, he felt <b>a </b>wave of panic.
He couldn’t shake the feeling that if he let <b>go </b>now, Judy might nevere back.
He wasn’t willing to ept that.
He was simply chasing love–what was so wrong with that?
Melvin and Crystal stared intently at the hand their son refused to release<b>. </b>
Crystal was breaking into a nervous sweat.
Melvin was still watching, and she hadn’t expected Joseph to be this bold.
What was he thinking?
Did he even care about the position as heir to Hunt Enterprises anymore?
Crystal was deeply worried. If things really turned out badly because of this, and Joseph lost his chance to inherit thepany–then what would be of him?
The massive Hunt Enterprises—who would it go to?
The thought gave her a pounding headache.
She couldn’t understand what had gotten into him. Why had he suddenly be so daring?
He’d never rebelled like this before.
Melvin looked at Joseph and found itughable. “Joseph, don’t tell me you really think you’re something without Hunt Enterprises? Things havee to this, and <b>you </b>still can’t see what I want from you?”
<b>“</b><b>I</b><b>…</b><b>” </b>
Joseph was suddenly jolted awake by those words.
His father’sment was a blunt reminder- he wasn’t the only one who could inherit thepany.
Even if he walked away, there were plenty <b>of </b>others who could take his ce<b>. </b>He wasn’t irreceable.
So, what was the point of all this rebellion and drama?
Who exactly was he trying <b>to </b><b>prove </b><b>a </b>point to?
That thought shook his resolve<b>, </b>and doubt began to creep in.
Crystal seized the moment and pressed harder. “Son, listen to your father. Think it through. She’s not worth it. Don’t throw everything away <b>over </b>a woman. <b>Don’t </b>be foolish!”
Judy bit her lower <b>lip </b>hard.
She had no idea how much effort it took to hold herself back.
If Joseph hadn’t still been holding her hand, she would’ve stormed out by now.
This man had no sense <b>of </b>responsibility<b>, </b>none at <b>all</b>.
And this family <b>was </b><b>twisted </b>beyond words
<b>It </b>had only taken her one aftemoon to <b>see </b>everything clearly.
It was pathetic <b>how </b>much time and energy she had wasted on all this.
This <b>time</b><b>, </b>Judy didn’t hesitate.
She looked at Joseph–silent and conflicted—and <b>it </b>only made her want tough.
Since he <b>couldn’t </b>make <b>a </b>choice<b>, </b><b>then </b>she would make it for him.
“Joseph, I’m tired.”
With those words, Judy began forcefully pulling her hand free from his grip.
She had expected him to hold on tightly, only to realize, with just a light tug, she was already free,
So, his heart had already made the choice for him.
“If you won’t choose, then I will.”
With that, she turned and walked away.
Joseph instinctively reached out, as if to grab hold of something, and took a step forward.
But then he looked at Judy’s retreating figure and then at the sharp, unyielding expressions on his parents‘ faces,
In the end, Joseph said nothing and stood frozen in the living room.
His silence was the decision.