Chapter 193
"Charlotte wore a smug smile, ""You hear that? She's basically telling you to beat it.""
Cassie's face went pale instantaneously.
""I said, you're the one who should get lost.""
Joseph rose smoothly, his leg swinging out decisively, toppling Charlotte to the ground without a trace of chivalry.
The onlookers were stunned. Charlotte's scream pierced the air, ""Joseph, what the hell are you doing kicking me? You'll regret this!""
""Will I? I'm waiting."" Joseph pulled out a piece of paper from the table and meticulously wiped his shoulder where she had touched him, as if something filthy had sullied him.
Cassie watched the scene, feeling the pent-up anger inside her dissipate significantly.
At least he had the sense to act. Otherwise, she'd have written him off for good.
""Joseph, you're gonna regret this,"" Charlotte Jones spat, her humiliation boiling just beneath the surface as she stormed out.
""..."" There was a beat of silence.
""What a joke,"" Noah Collins sneered. ""Like she's even in Joseph's league.""
Laura Miller and Sam couldn't help but snicker at the comment.
Cassie and Joseph, however, remained expressionless.
""Don’t get too full of yourself,"" Joseph said with an icy edge to his thin lips, a trace of sarcasm flashing across his face.
Noah, caught off guard, hastily retorted, ""The Jones family is nothing special. Even if they teamed up with Peace Group, I wouldn't care. Let's drink and keep the party going. Those who stay are the real deal."" With that, he took the lead in selecting a song, and Laura quickly joined in, eager to choose her own.
The long couch was left deserted, except for Cassie, awkwardly seated between the two men, Sam on one side and Joseph on the other. She cringed inwardly, remembering how loudly she had claimed Joseph was her man.
""Come sit here,"" Joseph said abruptly, patting the seat next to him.
With no choice, Cassie moved next to him. Joseph's hand casually rested on the back of the couch, his other hand gently lifting her chin as his brows quirked up. “You said... I'm your man?""
""..."" Cassie's face flushed as she locked eyes with his deep, unreadable gaze.
With the firm gaze still on her, she felt a surge of defiance and blurted out, ""Yes, you are my man, and if you think that’s wrong, correct me anytime. I, Cassie, won’t cling to you if you don’t want me to.""
Joseph wasn't sure whether to be annoyed or pleased.
He had never seen such a bold side of her. Clinging to feelings wasn't her style, but then, did that speak of a deep and enduring affection?
""Good, you remember who you are,"" he stated coldly, ""So why do you always ignore what I say? Having fun chatting with other men?""
Cassie, taken aback, thought he meant only Sam and said in all earnestness and a hint of annoyance, ""Mr. Anderson was just apologizing for the other day. I wanted to sit next to you, but you... you've been gone for days, not coming home, not talking to me... earlier acting like you didn’t even know me...""
Her voice trailed off, her cheeks red with a mix of embarrassment and hurt.
Joseph felt something inside him shift as he saw her on the verge of tears. The anger he had been harboring for days couldn't find its way out.
""The audacity you have, accusing me like that. I can't stand deceit from anyone,"" Joseph muttered sardonically. ""I told you to stay away from David, but it's like my words just fly past you. Do you think I'll keep forgiving you over and over?""
Cassie was taken aback, suddenly putting two and two together. ""Are you talking about the other day at the hospital? How did you find out?""
Joseph's face was expressionless, but the displeasure and sharpness in his eyes were undeniable.
Cassie found herself having to explain: ""I was at Garden Height when Mrs. Parker called. David overheard my call and mentioned he knew someone at the hospital. That's all it was.""
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