Chapter 534

“Judy, I know the biggest issue between us is my parents. But I promise, I’ll convince them,” Joseph said seriously, his eyes full of determination.

He genuinely looked like he wanted to be with her.

But Judy wasn’t that same girl anymore.

All she wanted now was to grow her studio, not play house with a man clinging to the past.

“I get what you’re saying,” she replied, calm but firm.

“But we’re still young. Can you stop obsessing over romance all the time? We could be building something instead.”

That hit a nerve.

“I am building something!” Joseph shot back.

“I’ve already started learning how to run the company. I’ve made huge progress! Why can’t you see that I’m trying?”

Judy sighed and rubbed her temple.

“Okay, fine. You’re making progress. Then let me ask–what exactly have you accomplished at the company so far?”

That stopped him cold.

He didn’t know how to answer.

“But, Judy… you have to give me a chance,” he said, flustered.

“I really am trying. I’ve been learning from my dad. I’m doing way better than I used to.”

Judy pointed toward her studio.

“Do you see this place?”

“This is something I built from the ground up. And I did it right after we broke up. And you? We’ve been apart for this long, and what do you have to show for it?”

She let out a slow breath.

“Look, I know I shouldn’t tear you down, but if I don’t say this now, it’ll just eat away at me.”

Joseph took a step back, the swagger in his expression replaced by something weary and weathered.

He suddenly looked older and tired, like life had worn him down.

Seeing that only made Judy more put off.

It hadn’t been that long since they’d parted, but what the hell had he been through?

Had their breakup really shaken him so much that he’d stopped caring about himself entirely?

She remembered that in the beginning, she had been quite taken with Joseph’s looks.

Joseph, clearly shaken by her words, lowered his voice. “Judy, do you see me as useless now?”

Judy nodded. “Yes.”

Before he could spiral into disappointment, she continued, “But more than anything, I want to see you improve. I want you to prove to your father that you’re capable.”

“I…”

Before he could get a word in, Judy cut him off. “I have an idea. You can try it. If it works, your father will have no choice but to see you in a new light.”

At that, Joseph’s eyes lit up.

He gripped her shoulders, eager. “Judy, tell me. If it’s something that could change my dad’s opinion, I’ll do it. Whatever it is."

“You tell me to go east, I won’t even glance west.”

Hearing that, Judy’s lips curled into a smile.

“Did you know Aurora’s in the hospital right now?”

Joseph blinked, caught off guard.

All the warmth in his gaze disappeared. “She’s in the hospital?”

Judy replied, “The news just came in. She’s still unconscious. Don’t you think this is a good opportunity?”

“What kind of opportunity?”

His clueless response made Judy want to scream.

Seriously? After everything that woman had done–she’d landed him in jail twice–and he still didn’t feel anything?

Even now, he looked completely unaffected.

Chapter 535