Chapter 228: Makes Me Feel Sick

Jesse stared at Raquel in disbelief. “The photo’s right here. You two were practically undressing each other with your eyes, and you’re still claiming he forced you?”

How had I never noticed before just how skilled Raquel was at twisting the truth? Love really must be blind. My infatuation had made me overlook every red flag, letting her deceive me for five years. For five years, he’d woken up every day excited for their future together, but Raquel sought Joseph again and again without any regard for him.

The realization made his face burn with fury, his breathing turning ragged. Raquel shrank back fearfully. “Th—that’s just the angle! Joseph knew you were investigating me, so he staged this photo! He wanted to plant doubts in your mind so you’d never trust me again!”

“Enough!” Jesse’s fists clenched, his eyes blazing. “Stop lying. Every word out of your mouth makes me sick!”

A surge of anger ignited within him, compelling him to turn around and leave. But at that moment, a voice echoed from behind him. “Well, well, if it isn’t Mr. Jesse? Where are you off to all alone?”

Joseph slung an arm around Raquel’s shoulders, his smirk dripping with mockery. Abruptly, Jesse turned his head. “Joseph, I’ve done nothing to you! Yet you keep pushing me. What the h*ll do you want?”

After the wedding fiasco, their friendship had shattered. The money he’d given Joseph? He’d written it off as charity for a beggar. After all, which scion of a wealthy family would unabashedly ask others for money? And what kind of man, after taking the money, still went after someone else’s fiancée? People as despicable as Joseph were rare. Yet somehow, Jesse had been unlucky enough to cross paths with him.

Joseph raised a taunting brow. “Me? I’m not doing anything. Like I’ve always said, your fiancée came to me. Why don’t you ask her what she wants?”

Jesse glared at them both. “Shameless couple!” Joseph just laughed, but Raquel flushed with shame.

Chapter 228: Makes Me Feel Sick (continued)

“Jesse, I didn’t know he’d show up! This wasn’t planned…”

With a cold snort, Jesse stormed off. Raquel panicked. “Jesse, where are you going? Wait for me! Let me come with you!”

She tried to pry Joseph’s arm off, but he tightened his grip, yanking her against his chest. “Give it up, Raquel. He’s not coming back. You’ve got one option left, and that is to marry me.”

He added, “Your reputation’s in ruins. I’m the only one who’ll take you now. Stay obedient, and I won’t abandon you. Understood?” Danger glinted in Joseph’s eyes. At that time, he looked like a wolf poised to strike. Every instinct in Raquel screamed warning. She stammered, “U—understood.”

Only then did Joseph smile, stroking her cheek with false tenderness. “Good girl. No matter who tries to take you away, I’ll never let go.”

Raquel felt dazed. “Is this really the same Joseph I knew? It’s like he’d been possessed.”

Chapter 229: Waiting For You