Torn Between Love and Hate

Chapter 140

Chapter 140 You Shall Be the CEO Again

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When Deborah stood up, she realized that it was already dark outside the floor-to-ceiling windows.

When she came to the hotel, it was noon, and now she had slept through the entire afternoon.

Joseph looked guilty. “I was worried about you. Remembering that you didn’t bring anything with you, I

brought you some clean clothes, living supplies, and food. Have you eaten?”

Deborah glanced at her phone. It got dark early in winter, and it was just 5 pm now.

She suddenly remembered something. “Didn’t your dad ask you to go home for dinner tonight? Why

are you still here?

Go back.”

Deborah’s head was still a little dizzy. She went into the bathroom to wash her face.

Joseph followed and stood far away at the bathroom door, feeling uneasy.

“Do you hate me?”

Deborah leaned over the sink, scooped up some warm water and splashed her face.

When she stood up straight again and looked at Joseph from the side, there were water droplets sliding

down her eyebrows, cheeks, and jawline. Her face looked alluring under the light.

Joseph glanced at her and couldn’t help swallowing. He immediately felt deep guilt and looked away.

Deborah wiped her face with a warm towel to dry it.

She then reached out and caught some cold water. She walked over and slapped Joseph’s face slightly

a few times with

her hands. “Wake up. Why would I hate you?

“Hate you for saving me from distress three years ago? Hate you for deceiving me so I could live to this

day? Hate you for taking care of me for three years so I could achieve what I have today and say

goodbye to the tortured self I was in the past?”

Her marriage to Ashton was nothing. The old her would have accepted her fate, suffered in silence,

and thought she

could never fight back in the end.

But now she only acknowledged one fact, she would not accept a husband like Ashton.

No matter how difficult, she would definitely divorce him and choose what she wanted-

the career she wanted, the man she wanted, the life and circle of friends she wanted.

Instead of telling a man who had once abused and mistreated her like an animal, “Don’t treat me that

way anymore,

okay?”

As for Joseph, if he hadn’t saved and deceived her, she would probably still be in Ashton’s hands now.

Joseph suddenly reached out and grasped the hands that had gently slapped his face.

He lowered his head, his burning eyes staring at Deborah. “Really?”

Deborah grasped his hands in return and then gently pushed them away. “Go back. Didn’t your dad ask

you to have dinner? Then go.

Now that your brother has revealed our affairs to the media, if he really gets the Black Group, won’t he

bully you even more?”

Lucien had told her all this. When Joseph’s mother was still with Gerald, Gerald had left her shares.

Even after they separated, those shares had always remained in Joseph’s mother’s name.

After Joseph’s mother passed away, the shares were naturally inherited by Joseph.

Three years ago, Joseph went to Oceanview City and gave up everything, including the shares to

Gerald.

Over the past three years, his stepmother and half-brother had tried every means to get those shares

into their own

hands.

Joseph held her hand reluctantly, seeming reluctant to let go. “Then I’ll take you with me.”

Deborah pushed his hands away impatiently and urged him, “Go quickly. Take me there? I haven’t

divorced Ashton

Vet.

“Going with you to attend a family banquet will make me a laughingstock. It will allow your stepmother

and brother to mock you even more in front of your father?”

Joseph said stubbornly, “I don’t care.”

Deborah’s tone became serious. “But I do. With the media in an uproar now, we should minimize

contact outside before my divorce. As for your family, it’s even more impossible for me to go.”

Joseph left reluctantly. His eyes seemed unable to leave her.

Deborah pushed him out the door and slammed it shut.

Through the peephole in the door, she saw Joseph standing outside looking rather aggrieved.

His voice came from outside. “I brought you food. It’s on the coffee table inside. Eat it.”

Deborah said, “Okay”. Joseph stood outside, still reluctant to leave.

She couldn’t help laughing until she saw him answer the phone and finally turn to leave.

Outside the door, Joseph answered the phone as he entered the elevator.

Gerald’s slightly solemn voice sounded, “Where are you? The food is ready. We’ve been waiting for

you.”

Joseph said, “Still on my way, I’ll be there in half an hour.”

Gerald’s tone was a bit unnatural. Over the years, the communication between father and son had

been pathetic.

Gerald knew Joseph hated him. To be honest, he hated himself too.

“No rush. I had the maid keep the food warm. Drive safely.”

Joseph said, “Okay” and hung up.

In Black Manor, Gerald looked at his phone and sighed.

About half an hour later, Joseph arrived.

The whole family was waiting in the living room for him alone.

As soon as Joseph came in, his stepmother Jane came up, “Joseph, you’re back. It must be freezing

outside. Your dad has been worrying about you.”

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As she spoke, she was about to take Joseph’s coat, but Joseph ignored her and handed it to a nearby

servant.

Jane’s smile froze, and she awkwardly followed him back to the dinner table.

Chandler, smiling graciously in his wheelchair, said, “You look thinner, brother. There was your favorite

soup tonight.

Come back and have more.”

Joseph only whispered a greeting to Gerald and Robert, “Grandpa, Dad.”

Over the years, his attitude toward the Black family had been cold.

Needless to say, over the past three years, he had taken Deborah to Oceanview City and cut off

contact with the Black

family.

Even Robert was flattered, “You’re back. That’s good. You’re back. That’s good!”

Gerald’s eyes reddened. Pretending nothing was wrong, he told a servant, “Bring some warm water to

wash his hands.

And pour

him hot water to warm up.”

The servant immediately complied. With the whole family present, the atmosphere was unusually

harmonious.

In the past, whenever Joseph came back, there was always conflict or stony silence.

The servant brought the hot water over and offered to wring out the towel for Joseph.

But he said, “I can do it myself.”

Gerald and Robert were obviously satisfied, sensing less of the hostility Joseph used to have.

Chandler and Jane exchanged a glance, looking apologetic. Chandler said, “Brother, I owe you an

apology. Leaving the office today, reporters suddenly surrounded me, asking about you and Ms.

Shepherd.

“At the time, I didn’t know what happened at Mr. Mullen’s birthday party today. I spoke carelessly and

revealed. Jingron and that Ms. Shepherd is now a renowned designer.”

Joseph just scoffed without responding much, leisurely wiping his hands with the hot towel.

Chandler went on, “I was thinking you’ve made Jingron so big, with over 20 billion in assets really

amazing.

“And Ms. Shepherd’s accomplishments in design are also brilliant. Telling the media is a good thing,

nothing to hide. 1

really didn’t expect rumors outside about you and Ms. Shepherd…”

Joseph finally put down the towel and glanced at him. “Stop overacting.”

Chandler looked puzzled. “Joseph, what do you mean? I really didn’t do it on purpose. Anyway, it was a

slip of the tongue. I apologize.”

Joseph laughed coldly. “You really didn’t do it on purpose. Few knew Jingron was my venture, yet you

had a clear grasp

of it.

“The fact Deborah is designer Yolanda was never public, known to only a select few, yet you

investigated thoroughly.

“Since these were not publicized, you must have known they were intentionally concealed. Why reveal

them to the media?”

Chandler paled. “Brother, are you accusing me of doing it on purpose?” Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.

Gerald said solemnly, “Enough. Chandler, I know your intentions. Don’t assume your grandfather and I

see nothing. Now that Joseph is back today, I have something to discuss with you.”

Chandler’s hand below tightened abruptly.

His face remained obedient. “Dad, please speak.”

Gerald looked at Joseph solemnly, “You were gone for three years. Chandler has been handling the

Black Group’s affairs during that time.

“Now that you’ve returned, you shall be the CEO again. What do you guys think of that?”