Chapter 382
He had once believed their union to be divinely ordained, but reality had proven to be a stark contrast.
As he observed Cassie, even the usually vocal Michael found himself speechless. In truth, he had never held any particular affection for her, but in this moment, he couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy.
"If you truly consider yourself my brother, then start contemplating my wedding gift. I intend to host a wedding next month that will be the talk of the town," Joseph declared, his dark eyes gravely serious as they rested on Cassie. "You all may doubt me, but I will prove myself. Regardless of her transformation, my love for her remains unaltered."
Cassie's head jerked up, her eyes wide with shock. She was at a loss to comprehend his intentions. Had he not grown weary of all this?
"I don't want this," she finally managed to utter after a prolonged silence. "Do you wish for the entire world to gaze upon my marred face?" Joseph's handsome features hardened.
"I never desired for the world to witness your love for me. All of that is mere vanity. Do you comprehend?" Her words pierced him like a dagger, aimed straight at his heart.
In that moment, Joseph didn't want to understand anything. The only thing he was certain of was his debt to her, and he was resolved to spend his life repaying it, safeguarding her with all he had.
---
Cassie had been recuperating in the hospital, with Joseph faithfully maintaining a nightly vigil by her bedside. Word of Joseph's audacious siege on the Hernandez family estate to rescue Cassie had circulated throughout New York, stirring the city into a whirlwind of concealed unrest and hushed whispers.
Amidst the turmoil, a piece of joyous news suddenly began circulating in New York. The following Saturday, Luna of the Leo family and Felix of the Stark family were set to announce their engagement, with Mildred of the Hernandez group playing the role of matchmaker.
The news caught Cassie off guard during her hospital stay. She had only heard fragments of information about the Starks.
Decades prior, the Stark family was merely an average clan in New York. However, following Marcus's marriage to Mabel and her unwavering support, the Starks swiftly ascended to become one of the top four influential families in the city.
Now, Liam was poised to inherit the Hernandez Group. This meant that the entire Hernandez legacy would eventually be his. Given that Liam's grandparents were Starks, it was inevitable that the Stark family would rise to prominence in Madison, second only to the Hernandez empire.
It was no wonder Luna's demeanor had undergone a complete reversal. She had ceased her fixation on Joseph. Everything was beginning to fall into place.
However, Luna was not known for her strategic acumen—it was likely that Vera, capitalizing on the Hernandez family's sense of obligation, had managed to secure some favors.
Vera was proving to be quite the strategist, wasn't she?
That evening, Luna took to social media with a personal video: "Yes, I'm getting engaged. I know it's surprising that I've suddenly decided to marry. The truth is, I'm simply worn out. Loving so many people is exhausting. From now on, I want to be with someone who loves me, who's caring and adores me, someone who'll treat me like a princess, not like I'm insignificant."
The comments began flooding in:
"Poor Princess Luna, love yourself from now on, and forget Joseph."
"Joseph is finished—he doesn’t deserve you."
"Are you all oblivious? I heard the woman who seduced Joseph is Luna's half-sister, supposedly the illegitimate daughter of Leo Chapman."
"Impossible! Leo Chapman is one of Madison's top ten distinguished individuals. He's renowned for being a devoted husband and family man. It seems he's in hot water now."
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