Chapter 167 167: Stubborn Woman
Chapter 167 167: Stubborn Woman
But how could he show up here? If he was not in love with her, it made no sense for him to drift away from his work to come here...
But Cassie supported their relationship regardless if it was true love or just a fleeting affection. There was a wide gap lying between them.
"What's more, it's not very safe here, so I have met with the owner, and you can call him whenever you need. Don't stay here too late." He put the business card of the owner down in front of her.
"Thank you," Cassie was moved and couldn't help feeling something strange. What a considerate man! For a moment, she thought it was nice that Irish could be with him. He was a man that could make someone feel safe.
He then turned back and took another glimpse at Irish. Cassie saw that his eyes were filled with fondness, and a smile spread across his face. After a while, he urged her. "Don't tell her I've come here and talk to you."
"Why?" Cassie was puzzled, but he didn't reply and then left.
He gradually vanished from her sight, and Cassie took a look at the stage. Irish finished her song, and all the people applauded her.
Cassie also stood up to clap her hands for Irish, but Joseph's behavior made her sigh. As she clapped, she whispered softly, "Irish, I'm still confused about your relationship, and I don't know whether to support you or not."
Joseph stayed a bit longer inside his car. He still could hear Irish's soft and enchanting voice while singing that lonely song.
Suddenly his hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, and then he slammed it several times. A silent cry inside his heart made him feel terrible. He missed her so much!
"Stubborn woman!" He murmured before leaving that place.
****
The Lake family household was ablaze with activity.
All the people in the family were busy with their own things. Shirley went upstairs to the beauty salon after taking a rose bath, where a professional beautician would attend to her, while William watched a boring soap opera. Kelly was practicing a tea ceremony beside the teapot in the living room, and the fragrance of the tea surrounded her. Roy was working outside, while Ruby went to sleep early because of her poor health, and Lilith was playing games in her bedroom.
However, Henry was in his study with a cigar in hand while Joseph sat across from him. Joseph didn't smoke but tasted the tea made by Kelly slowly.
"It seems that we still have to talk about the issue of whether to let Ruby move into your house." The smoke rising from the cigar blurred his old face.
Joseph was silent as if he was thinking.
"You have put an end to this unfortunate incident, but Joseph, you have been affected by it."
Joseph squinted slightly and put down his cup, "I'm sorry."
Henry sighed slightly and waved his hands, "You don't have to apologize to me. I know the reason why you married Ruby."
Joseph was stunned for a few seconds, but he soon calmed down and took another sip of tea."
"You thought that our family had been kind to you and your brother, so you didn't refuse our request since you believed it would be the best way for you to pay us back."
Joseph looked up at Henry and said, "But it's a fact that you've treated me well."
"I understand you, and actually, it's my fault. I shouldn't have forced you to marry Ruby, I just hoped that my daughter would be happy," Henry had a sad smile on his lips.
"I agreed to get married to Ruby. It's not your fault."
"Well, then I would like to ask you, is it possible for you to go back to the way things were?" He asked him tentatively and leaned forward slightly.
After thinking for a while, Joseph replied, "I thought this was my life, and I don't believe in destiny. But now that I've found my true love, Mr. Lake, I can't go back anymore."
"Alas." Henry breathed a deep sigh, and it seemed that he had known what Joseph's answer would be already. He looked melancholy, "They're both my beloved daughters, and I don't want them to get hurt. Joseph, what should I do?"
"I'm sorry," He apologized again.
"I have one last question for you. Do you really love Isabel?" Henry asked him frankly.
"Yes, I love her so much." This time he didn't hesitate.
Henry was shocked for a while and then continued, "But I want to know her opinion."
Hearing this, Joseph's eyes suddenly became dim, like a falling meteor finally extinguished its last faint light. He smiled bitterly and shook his head, then said with a dreary expression, "She doesn't want to have any complications with me."
"She's a smart girl," Putting his cigar aside, Henry picked up a cup of tea and continued, "I hoped for her to join the Runestone Group because she's also a part of the family, but now it seems that it's better for her to leave. I am not partial to Ruby, but I'm more afraid that she will be hurt. No matter how close you are, Irish will be hurt in the end because you're her brother-in-law. You know that people always blame women. Several years ago, her mother had seen this through, and she left me. Isabel is as clever as her mother, and I have dealt with this guilt for so many years."
"Mr. Lake, I have filed a petition to divorce Ruby, and I mean to follow through with it."
"Joseph, don't hurt Isabel anymore. Let her go, please," Henry felt hot-blooded.
Joseph shook his head and said affirmatively, "Not everybody is a sage. Who can be entirely free of mistakes? But we also have the right to correct our mistakes. I insist on divorce because of Isabel, and I want to get to know her again in a better situation. I'm also doing this for Ruby because I'm not her Mr. Right after all."