Chapter 355
"Did I wake you?" Joseph asked, tucking the blankets around her. "Go to sleep, it's late. We can talk tomorrow."
"How's your grandmother?" Cassie sat up abruptly, her silk pajamas revealed.
He gently stroked her hair. "She's okay, just a bit scared. A few days of rest will do her good."
Cassie's long eyelashes drooped as she spoke in a weak voice, "Joey, let me go."
It had been a long while since she addressed him with such tenderness. In the heat of their love, that was how she sweetly called him.
Joseph was momentarily lost in thought until he noticed Cassie kneeling on the floor, tears brimming in her eyes.
"Just let me go, for both our sakes. You saw it tonight; your family will never accept us. I can't take this life anymore, with people barging in, judging me. Joseph, I'm a human being, too. I'm so tired!"
Her sobbing filled the room.
Her grandmother had coddled Cassie since childhood. Not quite a life like his, but one of dignity and pride. She couldn't be the other woman, nor could she bear the scornful stares.
And yet now, all of that had been destroyed.
She came to New York for vengeance against Isabella, but somehow, she seemed to have lost even her dignity in the process.
Now, all she wanted was to return to Madison. Vengeance for Isabella could wait.
She was exhausted. Today's events had breached her last line of defense.
Joseph stood there in a daze; it was the second time today she had knelt before him.
Why had the woman who once loved him become so undignified?
It felt as though his heart was brutally pierced by thorns, bleeding profusely.
"Get up," he said, reaching to lift her.
"If you don't agree to my terms, I won't get up," Cassie replied, her eyes dull, devoid of any spark.
"Cassie, when did you become like this?" Joseph yelled in frustration. "Where's your self-confidence, your pride? Don't you have any self-respect?!"
Cassie offered a bitter smile. "Didn't you break all that yourself? In your presence, I couldn't afford to have any."
Joseph staggered; although she stood right in front of him, it felt as if there was a vast distance between them.
"I won't let you leave unless I die," Joseph said before turning and walking out of the bedroom.
He spent the entire night in his study, sleepless.
.................
At eight in the morning, he walked out of his study, weary.
During breakfast, Walter came to report. "This morning, the old man and Desmond went to the office in person. They've sounded out the board and senior executives about Liam taking over the presidency of Hernandez Corp. The reason given... your behavior was deemed unworthy."
Joseph slowly swallowed his breakfast, the corner of his lips curling into a mocking sneer.
"The old man was truly enraged this time," Walter said, holding back further comment.
Even when Joseph had left for Madison, and Liam handled the responsibilities, he did so as the vice president. Now, it was a blatant affront to Joseph's authority.
"Whatever," Joseph said calmly, wiping his hands with a towel.
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