Chapter 136: She Is Nothing Compared to You

Maggie was aware of Joseph's reaction. She rose, smiled, and went to the washroom.

Vanessa looked at Joseph and said, "Joseph, don't worry. I'll talk to her."

Joseph kept his eyes closed, irritated. If Vanessa hadn't insisted on choosing jewelry from the displays, things might have been different.

"It's alright. Stay here. I'll talk to her."

Joseph stopped Vanessa from getting up, then went after Maggie.

Vanessa remained motionless, tears in her eyes. She couldn't help but follow him.

Maggie spotted Joseph as she left the washroom.

"Maggie!"

"What's wrong?" Maggie's disinterest was evident.

"I know I wronged you, but my parents did nothing wrong. You know how hard we worked for Honor Wide. Please, talk to Annie and convince her to work with us." Maggie remained silent.

She held to her principles, harboring resentment toward Joseph, yet mindful of the Camerons' kindness.

Joseph continued, "You know our situation. The designers are all selected by the tactical team, and they're crucial. You wouldn't want to disappoint them, right?" Maggie looked at him, acknowledging the truth of his statement.

The Camerons had invested heavily in this project: outlets, materials, manpower, and factories totaling twenty billion dollars. Besides Shawn Lewis's diamonds and rubies, they were acquiring pearls, gold, and jade. It was a massive undertaking.

Maggie's expression turned icy. "I'll try," she said, "but you saw her attitude in the meeting. We share an aesthetic, but I have no say at Honor Wide, so don't get your hopes up." She started to leave.

Joseph stopped her, saying softly, "I'm sorry, Maggie. I shouldn't have listened to Vanessa. She is nothing compared to you." Feeling ridiculed, she looked at him.

Joseph was handsome, intelligent, and well-mannered—a highly sought-after bachelor. But he was unethical.

She was about to speak when she glimpsed a silhouette at the corridor's end—Vanessa. A mischievous idea struck her. She feigned tears and said, "But you chose her. I was nothing compared to her." Her red, tear-streaked face conveyed helplessness and devastation.

Joseph's heart sank. This was a side of Maggie he hadn't seen in a long time; a delicate vulnerability.

"Maggie, I'm sorry. Vanessa was a mistake, a game. She means nothing compared to you. I never wanted to be with her, and I never intended for you to find out," Joseph explained hastily, recalling Maggie's discovery of his affair with Vanessa.

He'd been discreet, rarely meeting Vanessa, so he wondered how Maggie had found out. He suspected Vanessa had deliberately exposed them.

Maggie said, "It doesn't matter how you feel now. She's the one with you."

Joseph frowned, then declared, "Maggie, I'll end things with her if you'll come back. You know how I feel. I don't even care about what happened with Nathaniel." Maggie was amused.

He wouldn't have mentioned Nathaniel if he truly didn't care. She knew he still hadn't gotten over it—perhaps a fear of losing control, or the allure of the forbidden. But his words weren't genuine.

"What about Vanessa?" she asked, tears in her eyes.

"Don't worry about her. She's nothing. I'll give her money and send her away," Joseph assured her, recognizing that Vanessa's value to him paled in comparison to Maggie's.

Maggie shook her head. "Forget it. Things can't go back. Vanessa might be petty, but she's good for you. Be kind to her."

Maggie was finished. She was ready to leave.

Joseph saw this as his chance to win her back, believing he could persuade her.

"Maggie, please give me another chance. I truly love you." He took her hands.

Maggie avoided his touch. The sudden movement caused her bag to fall open, spilling her lipstick, phone, and hotel key card.

Annoyed, she bent to pick up her belongings. Joseph helped, but his gaze fell on the hotel key card. It was for a luxury hotel—not the school-arranged hotel where she was staying. Why did she have it?

"Maggie—"

Maggie took the card, saying, "Thanks." The cold, unwelcoming Maggie had returned.

"You're still talking to Nathaniel?" Joseph asked unconsciously.

Maggie smiled slyly. "Sometimes."

Joseph frowned. "What do you talk about?"

Maggie's smile widened. "Are you asking if we're still having an affair?"