Chapter 425

But as time went on, Indy began to realize that kind of life wasn’t sustainable either—it was far too aimless and “empty.” So, she signed up for both a dance class and a finance course, keeping herself busy and fulfilled every day.

As for Joseph, it wasn’t that he didn’t want to see her; he genuinely couldn’t find the time. Melvin watched over him like a prison warden, tracking every move, leaving him with virtually no freedom.

By now, Joseph was starting to hate the idea of going back to that so-called home. The place reeked of schemes and manipulation. To Melvin, his son’s happiness meant absolutely nothing if it didn’t serve a purpose.

It was this realization that made Joseph even more certain he wanted to be with Judy. Others only wanted him for his wealth, but Judy was different. All these years, she had stayed by his side with sincerity, hard work, and zero selfish motives. And yet, simply because of her background, his parents had never approved of her. Still, the two of them had already promised each other forever, quietly committing to a lifetime together.

Joseph took a deep breath and decided it was time to confront his father directly. Melvin was in the study, busy with paperwork. When he saw Joseph walk in, he looked slightly surprised. “What brings you here so suddenly?” He wore his usual gold-rimmed glasses, exuding a stern, intimidating presence. Even a brief glance made Joseph feel uneasy. His father’s aura had always been overwhelming, and after all these years, nothing had changed, not even his expression. Joseph clenched his fists. “Dad, I came to talk to you about something important.” “Then say it. No need to go in circles.”

Melvin’s face remained cold, unreadable. After being apart for so long, Joseph had been wanting to call Judy for quite some time. But no matter how many times he thought about it, the call never went through; Judy had blocked his number completely. So, in the end, all these sneaky little tricks of his—just who had he learned them from?

Melvin looked at his son standing in front of him and couldn’t help but sigh. “Alright, I get it. You’re at that age now. This is your generation’s world.” Then, without beating around the bush, he added, “You want to go see that woman, don’t you?” Joseph’s eyes lit up. “Dad, how did you—”

“How did I know?” Melvin scoffed, stood up, and walked past his son with a smile. “Everything you’re doing—I did it all back in my day. Don’t assume your generation invented rebellion.” “Dad, since you understand where I’m coming from, then…” Joseph made a gesture toward the door, ready to leave. Watching him, Melvin felt a headache creeping in. Was handing the company over to his son really the right decision? Well, too late to worry now. “It’s actually simple. If you want to see that woman, I won’t stop you.” Joseph’s smile spread wide until Melvin added, “But there’s a condition.” The smile froze instantly. Of course. There was no such thing as a free lunch. He should’ve known that by now. “Go ahead, Dad,” Joseph said like he was marching to the gallows. “As long as it’s not murder or breaking the law, I’ll do it.”