Joseph ended his phone call with his father before asking, “Aren’t you overthinking things?”
Seeing how he continued to play dumb, I slapped him hard across the face.
“Joseph Gunther, you really are a shameless bastard. You tried to trade my future for Madison’s favor. You’re despicable.”
His cheek had reddened at the spot where my palm had made contact with his skin. He stared at me steadily and said, “Lucy, you’ve misunderstood.”
I told him, “I applied for Clairefield University, not Delasaint. The woman in your heart won’t be able to become a lawyer.”
Joseph’s calm facade finally cracked as he panicked. He grabbed my shoulders and pleaded, “I’m begging you, Lucy. Give up your university spot to Madison. I’ll give you anything that you want.”
I yanked myself out of his grip and said coldly, “Give me ten billion dollars.”
“What?”
“Give me ten billion dollars,” I repeated. “Only then will I give up my university spot to her.”
Joseph was stunned.
I scoffed. “If you can’t afford it, then don’t offer in the first place. You truly are shameless to a fault.”
He didn’t seem bothered by how I scolded him and simply said, “Lucy, Madison’s parents died because they saved me. I owe her this.”
As I aimed a powerful kick at him, I raised my voice and screamed, “Why should it concern me that your family owes her? Why do I have to clear your debt for you?”
Joseph tried to grab me, but my emotions were spiraling out of control. “Get lost! Don’t touch me! All of you are despicable. It makes me sick!” Hurt was written all over his features. “I’m sorry, Lucy. I’m begging you. Please amend your university application form.”
How could he still say something so awful?
“Get lost. If you want to clear your debt to Madison, use your own future to exchange for hers.”
I retrieved my keys and opened the door to my house. But before I could step inside, Joseph hugged me and continued begging me. “If you give up your spot, I won’t attend university either. I’ll stay with you for the rest of my life.”
