Joseph felt a tightness in his chest


    This version of Judy was nothing like the one he used to know.


    It was a world of difference.


    He stood at the apartment door, but when he entered the passcode, the system repeatedly shed a warning: incorrect password.


    He froze in ce, startled.


    His expression darkened as a wave of unease slowly crept up from within.


    He remembered what Judy had said before–something about setting it for the convenience of the housekeeper.


    He tried the most basic password he could think of, but it still didn’t work.


    That was the moment he finally understood.


    Judy had clearly cut ties with him.


    Joseph couldn’t ept it.


    This apartment was his gift to her–he’d given so much over the years. How could she just walk away?


    If he couldn’t have her, then no one else could.


    His expression twisted with fury.


    His woman had dared to slip out from under his control?


    How could she?


    He’d bought her a ce to live, given her freedom, even supported her business.


    And in return, this was what he got?


    Yes, he didn’t have hard proof that Judy had betrayed him<b>, </b>but at this point, he could feel it–her affection


    for him was gone.


    The truth was, their rtionship had been broken <b>for </b>a long time.


    Still, Joseph couldn’t bring himself to let go.


    After everything he’d invested, he wasn’t going to give up now.


    Without hesitation, he dialed her number.


    <b>1/3 </b>


    +15 BON.


    No matter what, he was going to get an answer today.


    Whatever Judy had to say–it wouldn’t change his mind.


    Joseph had already made up his mind as he pressed the call button.


    Judy was busy with Keh, making arrangements for their uing trip abroad.


    When she saw Joseph’s name shing on her phone, her first reaction was pure irritation.


    She’d once thought he might still hold some strategic value, but things had changed.


    Now, she had Keh–someone she genuinely relied on and, admittedly, had real feelings for.


    As for Joseph, he could be left behind entirely.


    She didn’t even want to think about the things he’d done.


    The way he hadpletely abandoned Aurora, hisck of ambition, the way he gave up on everything….


    All of it had left her thoroughly unimpressed.


    She had her own life now, and she wasn’t about to go back and get tangled up with people who had no


    ce in it.


    Not only would it waste her time–it would drain her energy.


    Judy was ready to move on, and the people from her past needed to stop dragging her down.


    She had no interest in ying games anymore.


    With that thought, she hung up without a second’s hesitation.


    Keh, watching from the side, raised an eyebrow. “So that’s it? You’re really cutting him off?”


    He was a little surprised, to be honest.


    After all, Judy had been wavering before.


    Keh had noticed it clearly.


    Years in business had sharpened his instincts–he could read people well.


    And in the beginning, Judy had been ying both sides, dancing between him and Joseph without choosing either.


    Keh had seen right through it.


    But over time, he became confident she’d choose him in the end, and she did.


    Sure enough, he’d won


    Smiling, Keh wrapped his arms around Judy from behind, holding her close