Torn Between Love and Hate

Chapter 171

Chapter 171 How Could He Possibly Give Up?

Joseph felt as if he had been hit over the head.

He never expected that his act of pretending to be drunk and asleep would not be seen through by

Deborah, but rather be exposed by this child.

There’s no point in pretending to be dead any longer, so he could only open his eyes and glance out

the window.

“Is it dawn already?”

He slowly sat up and looked at the unusually calm little girl beside him, “Alyssa, why are you up so

early?”*

Alyssa looked at him and said, “I usually wake up early every day. Steven told me that when we die,

we’ll have plenty of time to sleep. So, while we’re alive, it’s not wise to sleep too much.”

Joseph thought of Steven’s face.

That man, who is busy with his career all day long, should indeed be able to say such words.

Joseph hadn’t really interacted much with Alyssa before, and now, in this awkward situation, he found

himself struggling to speak coherently.

“Well, kids should sleep in, you know. Getting more sleep is good for their health, especially when

they’re growing.”

Alyssa didn’t respond to him immediately, but after a while, she suddenly said, “Mr. Black, may I share

my thoughts?”

Joseph felt that, despite the child’s young age, he somehow exuded an inexplicable sense of

oppression.

“Of course,” he replied.

Alyssa looked at him with clear eyes and said, “Mr. Black, I think you and my mom aren’t quite a good

match.”

Joseph’s face stiffened, “Why would Alyssa feel that it’s not appropriate?”

Alyssa was being stared at by him, discussing face-to-face why she was dissatisfied with him, yet she

didn’t show the slightest bit of panic or unease.

At this moment, Joseph suddenly thought, somewhat inappropriately, that he should let those

employees in his company who tremble at the sound of his voice come and see this child who is not

even eight years old.

At least it’s hard to find someone in his company who, when confronted with their issues face-to-face,

can remain as calm as this employee.

Alyssa spoke calmly, “Because, Mr. Black, you remind me a lot of my father.”

Joseph looked a bit amused and said, “Ashton? No, I don’t think I’m much like him.”

In Deborah’s mind, a man who resembled Ashton was like receiving a death sentence.

So, Joseph’s attitude was very firm.

No, he’s not like Ashton.

What a joke! You can criticize him for anything, but you can’t say he’s like Ashton.

Alyssa continued, “You’re just like my dad. Both of you come from prominent families and have

successful careers, as well as a rather tragic past. That past has shaped your personalities, making

you quite similar to each other.”

Ashton once lost both of his parents, and during that time, in order to stand firm and preserve the

foundation of his home, he experienced many setbacks and challenges.

So he became indifferent, detached from human emotions, and even cruel, without any limits.

And Joseph, having endured Wayne’s abuse and witnessed his mother’s tragic death, faced numerous

challenges before reaching adulthood.

In order to achieve his goal, he would stop at nothing and use every means necessary.

Alyssa was just a child, but her words left Joseph unable to argue.

Alyssa looked at him with an unfazed gaze, “Family background and personality are just one aspect of

it.

There are other facts as well, such as what I saw early this morning, Mr. Black. You pretended to be

drunk and forced yourself on my mother. And last night at the mall, you showed hostility towards Mr.

Gaige.”

Of course, there was also the deception, manipulation, and exploitation that Joseph had inflicted upon

Deborah three

years ago,

Joseph suddenly had a severe headache.

The thing he regrets most now is that he couldn’t resist the urge last night and impulsively ran over to

kiss Deborah.”

But it was true that he really genuinely didn’t know that Alyssa would suddenly come out and see it.

As soon as he came over, he was too excited, with Deborah filling his mind. He completely missed

Alyssa’s voice or the sound of her footsteps.

He kissed Deborah’s face, and it really wasn’t the first time.

Over the past three years, they had spent day and night together. Despite his strong self-control, the

fact that he hadn’t truly possessed Deborah was already the most incredible restraint he could muster.

Occasionally, I couldn’t help but kiss her forehead and her face; it’s not like it never happened before.

Last night, after seeing the exchange between Zayne and Deborah, and having had a disagreement

with Deborah himself, he couldn’t help but feel a surge of jealousy.

No matter how much he tried to explain, he could still imagine Alyssa coming out of her bedroom in the

early morning, only to see him, Joseph, pinning Deborah against the wall and kissing her.

A child, not even eight years old, undoubtedly felt the same disgust and difficulty in accepting the

situation as if they had witnessed a despicable and lewd rogue breaking into their home and forcing

himself upon their mother.

As for his hostility towards Zayne, it was evident that Zayne had feelings for Deborah written all over

his face. Joseph wanted to let go of the animosity, but he just couldn’t.

However, it’s really just a bit of uncontrollable hostility and wariness in the heart.

It’s like something you treasure dearly is being stared at with shining eyes by someone else.

Who wouldn’t have a bit of hostility and wariness nowadays?

Joseph tried to explain gently, “Alyssa, I’m not the person you think I am.”

He’s not like Ashton; he really isn’t a pervert.

Alyssa’s face was expressionless as she said, “My dad once forced my mom in the same way you did

early this morning. He pretended to be drunk at the time, but it was obvious that he was just faking it.”

Alyssa didn’t say much more, simply stating, “Anyway, that’s my attitude. I think Mr. Black is a lot like

my dad, sa he and Mommy aren’t really a good match.”

Joseph was momentarily at a loss for words, unable to speak.

Deborah had just finished freshening up and walked out of the bedroom, “Alyssa, have you decided

yet?”

Upon seeing Joseph already sitting on the couch, looking quite alert, Deborah was momentarily taken

aback.

Alyssa got up and walked over, saying, “I’ve ordered food for three people. Since Mr. Black is awake

now, why don’t we all have a meal together before leaving?”

Deborah looked at joseph and said, “Since you’re awake now, why don’t you go back first? After all,

Alyssa isn’t very

familiar with you. I’ll stay with her for a while, so she can feel more comfortable.”

She’s basically asking them to leave.

Joseph stood up and said, “Alright, I’ll be going now.”

He then turned to Alyssa and said, “Alyssa, I have some work to attend to. Thank you for ordering the Text © by N0ve/lDrama.Org.

food. I’ll visit you and your mom another day.”

Alyssa nodded, “All right.”

After he finished speaking, he left. Naturally, Deborah didn’t try to keep him, and there wasn’t much

more to say.

Joseph stepped out of the guest room and onto the carpeted hallway outside.

Walking down the corridor and stepping into the elevator, he only then noticed the prominent veins on

the back of his

hand.

Suddenly, he felt the urge to go back and ask Deborah, if Alyssa really couldn’t accept him, would that

be the end for

them?

However, he quickly regained his composure.

How could one possibly need to ask this?

There’s no need to ask; in Deborah’s eyes, there’s no doubt that he and Alyssa are incomparable.

Joseph went downstairs and left the hotel.

Morton was already waiting outside in the car. As soon as he saw him come out, he immediately got

out of the car and

walked over.

Joseph’s face looked unwell, and Morton didn’t even dare to breathe.

Joseph got in the car, his eyes narrowed, and his expression cold and sharp.

But he gradually calmed down.

How could he possibly give up Deborah for Alyssa?