Chapter 276
"Color drained from her face, and a sharp pain clutched at her chest. If she had her way, she'd never see him again in her life.
“There you are, Joseph!” Luna cooed, taking his arm in a display of affection, acting the part of love-struck girlfriend.
“Mhm.” Joseph, with an imperceptible twist, wondered what was going through this woman's head. Just one dance the previous evening and she was acting like they were long-term lovers.
He was about to extricate himself when Leo and Vera approached.
“Mr. Hernandez, it's a pleasure,” Leo said, offering a handshake.
“Good to see you, Leo. I apologize for the intrusion on my first visit,” replied Joseph courteously.
To Leo, Joseph extended a certain level of courtesy, albeit begrudgingly.
""It's an honor to have you here, Joseph,"" Vera interjected with a broad smile creasing her aged face.
Leo glanced helplessly at his wife and, with forced politeness, invited Joseph, ""Please, come inside. It's chilly out here.""
The couple stepped aside, leaving Cassie no time to dodge.
Their eyes met in a fleeting glance. She hastily averted her gaze, afraid to linger and feel more heartache.
Her mind was a whirlwind of confusion.
Joseph also noticed her. His deep, dark eyes briefly narrowed as if a storm had stirred in the darkness.
He hid his feelings well; none observed the intensity of his stare at Cassie.
Luna, green with envy, tugged at Joseph's arm and pouted, ""Joseph, what are you staring at? This is the illegitimate daughter my dad just brought into our lives. We don't share the same mother.""
Her voice dripped with disdain.
But Joseph already knew.
He was aware that Cassie was Isabella's daughter, but he hadn't expected her former flame to be Leo.
He thought he'd never see her again, yet here she was, a constant thorn in his side, now a part of Leo's household.
The peace he had struggled to find in recent days was once again disrupted, now replaced with a surge of anger.
""Joseph, this is my eldest daughter, Cassie.""
Leo's introduction was gentle, clearly dissatisfied with Luna's spiteful comments.
""Oh, 'eldest daughter'? Isn't she just an illegitimate child?"" Joseph's voice, suave and cool, dropped the cruel remark haphazardly.
Cassie's eyes widened in shock. She hadn't expected him to agree with Luna. His words seemed to cast her down into the dust.
Right, that's the real Joseph: cold, ruthless, cruel.
Vera and Luna were overjoyed, having not anticipated Mr. Hernandez's support.
Leo felt a flicker of embarrassment when Joseph, with a dismissive glance, said coolly, ""In the Hernandez family, illegitimate children are always hidden away. You've been quite foolish.""
Leo stiffened but didn't dare retort; the Hernandez family's influence was too formidable.
Cassie, unable to contain herself, stepped forward and met his gaze unflinchingly. ""Whether my dad's confused or not is none of your business. He is, after all, your elder.""
Joseph's expression hardened, and Vera scolded her sharply, ""How dare you speak to Joseph like that! Apologize at once.""
""Yeah, Joseph was just trying to be helpful. You could have been more polite,"" Luna remarked before lifting her head to address Joseph, ""Please, Joseph, don't be upset. She's from a small town and isn't used to the city ways.""
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
