Chapter 13 Dignity

• Josephine felt a shiver run down her spine as a harsh stare bore into her. She turned around and met Maverick's severe gaze and Anna's gloating expression.
• “What's the matter, Jojo?” Flynn noticed Josephine zoning out and squeezed her hand. “Are you cold? Why are your hands freezing?”
• “Oh, I'm fine.” She forced a smile and retracted her hand, realizing at that moment that the misunderstanding was growing even deeper.
• Nevertheless, she thought she could still handle it.
• “Hurry up and eat. If there isn't enough food, I'll order more for you.” Flynn affectionately ruffled Josephine's hair. To him, she was still the same little girl he used to hang out with.
• He had initially planned to return and celebrate Josephine's eighteenth birthday with her, but he was late and didn't make it back in time. However, Flynn reckoned she probably didn't celebrate much on her own and would be contented with the simplest arrangements.
• “Okay, Flynn. Thank you.” Josephine drank the orange juice and helped herself to the delicate pastries before her, but her mind was in a whirl.
• “Maverick, why would you want a woman like her to be your wife?” Anna had never been able to understand Maverick's intention. If he wishes to take revenge against Cliff, why must he marry the Quillen family's daughter? A promiscuous woman like her isn't suited for him. Maverick could've had any woman he wanted by expressing his wish with a look or even a word, so why did he insist on choosing Jasmine?
• Maverick stirred the cup of coffee in front of him. “Yes. I've known for a long time.” How could a man like Cliff raise a well-behaved and good-natured daughter?
• Nonetheless, his deep-seated hatred made him decide to use marriage to bind Cliff's daughter to him for a lifetime.
• “Maverick, I really don't get what you see in her. She's indeed beautiful and has a good figure, but from my understanding, you're not the kind of man who values appearance.” Anna gazed at him. The handsome man before her possessed an incomprehensible heart beneath his indifferent exterior.
• Anna couldn't figure him out, and neither could anyone else. Perhaps no one would understand him in that lifetime.
• “Anna, you do know me.” Maverick was indeed not a man who merely focused on others' appearances. When he decided to marry Jasmine, he didn't even know what she looked like and had only seen a picture of her that Cliff sent him afterward.
• However, unbeknownst to Maverick, the photo Cliff showed him was his adoptive daughter, Josephine, instead of his biological daughter, Jasmine.
• “I hope I can be the only woman who understands you.” Anna curled her lips into a grin. No matter what kind of women cross paths with him, I'm the only one who can remain by his side.
• Maverick didn't respond. Instead, he picked up the coffee mug and sipped on the drink. Then, he turned and cast a frosty glance at Josephine. “Let's go.” This woman is such a daredevil, behaving blatantly even in my presence. It seems I have been too lenient with her.
• When Josephine noticed the look in Maverick's eyes the moment he took his leave, her blood ran cold. Still, she felt immensely guilty and helpless at the sight of Flynn.
• “Jojo, are you still staying in the school now? I'll help you find a better place to live, okay?” Flynn feared others would bully her at school because of her gentle personality. After all, Josephine had never been well-treated in the Quillen residence. Nominally, she was the second daughter of the Quillen family, but, in truth, her status was as lowly as a housekeeper.
• She immediately shook her head. “T-That's not necessary. I—” I don't even possess basic human freedom at the moment, so moving out is impossible.
• “What's the matter? Are you still living in the Quillen residence? Is Mr. Quillen forbidding you from staying outside?” Flynn knew Josephine was very obedient toward Cliff and was also aware that she didn't have the right to refuse any of Cliff's demands.
• “That's not it. I-I'm staying in a student's house because I tutor her at night.” Josephine made up a lie. She couldn't bring herself to tell Flynn that Cliff had sold her to the Lambert family, so her freedom was now restricted by Maverick.
• “Are you still tutoring?” Flynn knew she had always worked part-time, so he didn't find it strange.
• “Yes. That's right,” Josephine replied culpably, hoping to keep Flynn in the dark for as long as possible as she wanted to preserve her final bit of dignity in his heart.
• She didn't want him to look down on her. It is my fault for deceiving him, but what else can I do? If Flynn had come back just a little sooner, perhaps I wouldn't be caught up in this situation now.
• “Jojo, now that I'm here, you don't have to work part-time in the future anymore. I'll provide for you and let you live a good life.” Flynn made a promise to her. He was now capable of taking good care of her, so she didn't have to stay under someone else's roof and live at the mercy of others.
• “Flynn, I'm actually doing very well now.” Josephine didn't want to make things difficult for him. He had worked hard to attain his current success, and she didn't want to ruin his achievements.
• Flynn held Josephine's hands. “How are you doing well when you've become so skinny? I'll look for a place for you to stay tomorrow. You can quit your part-time job and move out. From now on, you don't need to do any more part-time jobs and just focus on your studies. Don't worry about anything else. Everything will be fine with me around.” He didn't want her to suffer anymore. Since they were children, he had watched her progress in life. His heart ached for her, and he also loved her. She was the only woman he wanted to marry in his life.