Chapter 583 When Jude Softens

Jude took a slow sip of wine. “It’s nothing…”

“Nothing? Come on. You don’t notice the five-foot bubble around you? No one dares get close. You’ve got that look like you’re about to kill someone. I swear, I’m the only idiot brave enough to come talk to you right now.”

Maurice muttered, shaking his head. He almost wished he’d snapped a picture of Jude’s face just then–see how Jude explained that one away.

“Where’s Alfie?” Jude asked.

“Don’t even mention that bastard. I’m cutting him off. Today he barely talked to me–too busy glued to his phone, chatting with his girl. So what if he finally found a woman he likes? Big deal. Doesn’t mean he can ditch his buddies. You know what they say–women come and go, but buddies are for life. We’ve known each other since we were kids, and now he won’t even look at me? Just because of some girl? Not talking to me? Me! Maurice! Since when have I ever taken crap like that? I swear, it’s driving me nuts!”

He let loose, ranting about Alfie and pouring out all his frustration and anger in one go. When he finally finished, it felt like a weight had lifted. He could breathe easier.

“He found someone he likes? Who is it?”

Now that was rare. Very few things in this world could surprise Jude, but Alfie finding a woman he actually liked? That one did.

Maurice rolled his eyes. “Who knows? He’s guarding it like treasure. Says he won’t tell until it’s settled, acting all secretive. Please. He just wants to rub it in my single face.”

Jude’s voice stayed calm. “Maurice, you’re not getting any younger. It’s time you found someone too. The joy of meeting someone you truly love–once you feel it, you’ll never escape it. You won’t want to.”

Maurice froze, staring at him like he’d grown a second head.

“No way. Jude, if you’d said that a year ago, I would’ve sworn you were possessed. That’s not the Jude I know. If I recorded you right now and played it back for your people–or anyone who knows you–they’d think I faked it with Al. Nobody would believe it.”

He wasn’t kidding. If he hadn’t heard it himself, he never would’ve believed Jude would sound like one of his nagging aunts at family gatherings, urging him to settle down and have kids. This was Jude–CEO of DY Group, head of the Bell family. The man who never believed in love, thought it was just weakness, a fool’s game. To him, women had only ever been a way to carry on the family line. Love? That was nonsense. He only had to crook his finger, and women lined up from Dugan to Priuma, desperate to climb into his bed.

Jude shot Maurice a cold glance. “Believe me or don’t. I don’t care.”

“See? I knew it. Deep down, Jude still cares about me. I’ve got a spot in his heart–unlike that bastard Alfie, who ditched his buddy the second a woman showed up.”

Maurice spoke in a playful tone, grinning as he tried to sling an arm around Jude’s shoulder. But one deathly glare froze him in place. He pulled his hand back quickly, rubbing it awkwardly against his pants.

“But Jude, finding a woman you actually like is so hard. I’ve met plenty–different countries, different backgrounds. I’ve even tried talking to a lot of them. But none of it felt real. No spark, no heartbeat, no connection. Just bodies filling needs. They only ever wanted my looks or my money…”

He sighed. “Is there some trick? Some fast way to find a girl you actually like? Why don’t you introduce me to someone? Ever since you got tied down, you look half out of it. I want to try love too–try heartbreak. That way, when I write my memoir, it’ll feel more real!”

“I have no idea. Go to hell.”

That was Jude, alright.

For a second, Maurice almost believed the man cared. But just as quickly, Jude was back–the same old Jude who tormented him until he wanted to drop dead.

Maurice clutched his chest dramatically. “That hurt. But… yeah. That’s the Jude I know. Hasn’t changed a bit. Damn it, why am I actually kind of happy about that? What if I really am some kind of masochist? No way. I’m a normal guy!”

While Maurice wrestled with his thoughts, Jude’s phone buzzed with a notification. It was one of the few he had marked as a priority. The sound snapped him to attention. He whipped out his phone instantly, as if the world on the other end could not wait.

The moment he saw the message, his icy expression softened, as if the weight of the world had suddenly lifted from his face.