Torn Between Love and Hate

Chapter 168

Chapter 168 By Any Means Necessary

Zayne recalled the scene from that day and looked at Deborah, who was now standing right in front of

him.

His ears turned red.

That was such a long time ago, but thinking about it now, it feels just like yesterday.

After three years apart, he didn’t feel the slightest bit of unfamiliarity towards her.

The elevator was overly crowded, and Zayne’s hand was propped against the wall, almost encircling

Deborah within

his arms.

Deborah was clearly feeling a bit uneasy as well, unable to look up at him. Instead, she could only

lower her gaze and

focus on Alyssa.

Alyssa was a bit puzzled and asked, “Mommy, is there something on my face?”

Deborah coughed awkwardly and said, “It’s nothing, Mommy just hasn’t seen you in a long time.”

Alyssa lifted her head to show her, her face filled with happiness.

Shopping carts can only be taken out to the elevator and cannot be removed from the mall.

After exiting the elevator and arriving at the underground parking lot, Zayne loaded everything into the

car. Then, he opened the rear door, allowing Deborah and Alyssa to get in.

Joseph’s car happened to drive up as well, stopping not far behind them.

He was worried that Deborah might have bought too many things, making it difficult for her to carry

them all. So, he thought of coming over to see if she needed any help.

As it turned out, the car arrived just as Zayne was carrying a bunch of stuff, with Deborah and Alyssa

following closely

by his side.

A few people were chatting, and it seemed like they were quite familiar with each other.

It seems that Zayne already knew that Deborah had regained her memory.

Joseph pushed open the car door, got out, and walked over.

After letting Alyssa get in the car first, Deborah was about to get in herself.

Joseph said with a laugh, “Dr. Gaige, what a coincidence!”

Zayne turned around and saw Joseph, dressed in a black coat, walking towards the car.

His face was relaxed, even with a hint of a smile, but it couldn’t hide the overwhelming sense of natural

pressure that surrounded him.

Deborah glanced at Joseph without saying anything, and directly followed Alyssa into the car..

Zayne instinctively explained, “It’s a coincidence, Mr. Black. I happened to be on a business trip nearby,

and I came to the mall to buy some things when I ran into Deborah.”

Joseph nodded, “I see. So, Dr. Gaige is taking Debby and Alyssa back to the hotel, right? If you’re in a

hurry…”

Zayne could clearly see what was happening. Deborah got into the car without even saying a word of

greeting.

It seems like they’re having a disagreement. From what Joseph is saying, he probably wants to take

advantage of the situation, and take Deborah and Alyssa back home.

Zayne hesitated for a moment, and inside, Deborah looked at him. “Dr. Gaige, Alyssa is getting a bit

hungry. Can you take us back first?”

Zayne looked a bit embarrassed, “Ah, alright then, Mr. Black. Let’s chat another day.”

After he finished speaking, he went straight to the driver’s seat and got in the car.

Since Deborah didn’t want Joseph to accompany her, Zayne didn’t feel the need to help Joseph

mediate their relationship either.

Joseph watched the car drive away, his smile fading.

He turned around and got back in the car, looking at Morton in front of him. “Follow them.”

Morton felt a bit uneasy as he followed the car, cautiously speaking up, “Mr. Black, we should head

back to Richmond

now.

Before coming to Oceanview City last night, you promised the company’s board members that you

would change it to tonight, so everyone could have a drink together.”

Joseph’s ink-black eyes stared intently at the car ahead. “Let’s pick another time.”

It had been a long time since he had carefully thought about Zayne.

But now, suddenly, a problem has been discovered.

In the past three years, Deborah has grown fond of Joseph’s gentleness, tolerance, magnanimity, and

thoughtfulness.

These things were actually unrelated to Joseph.

But in the past three years, he knew what Deborah liked, so he instinctively became that kind of

person.

And now, Deborah had discovered the true Joseph from the past.

He is neither gentle, nor tolerant, nor magnanimous, nor considerate.

He is skilled in strategizing, ruthless in execution, and will stop at nothing to achieve his goals.

Unfortunately, Zayne appeared.

Joseph suddenly realized that Zayne, this man, was the one who looked just like the person Deborah

liked.

Morton expressed his concern, “Mr. Black, it’s not appropriate to reschedule again. You’ve just returned

to the Black

Group, and the senior board members wanted to meet with you last night. After all, you promised to

meet them tonight…”

Morton has been by Joseph’s side for many years, and when it comes to important matters, he tends to

speak quite directly.

Joseph’s face was tense.

He felt uneasy, extremely uneasy.

In the message on his phone, Gerald sent a text: (Joseph, are you back in Richmond? Don’t forget to

perform well at the dinner gathering you’ve arranged with the elders from the group tonight.)

In the workplace, the ability to get things done is of utmost importance, and understanding human

emotions and social interactions is also crucial.

Joseph stared at the car in front of him for a long time before finally looking away and speaking.

“Turn around and head back to Richmond.

Zayne drove the car to the hotel entrance, and Deborah got out of the back seat.

At the entrance of the hotel, the waiter recognized Deborah and immediately came forward to help her

with her luggage.

Several people worked together to move a large pile of items to the guest room on the top floor.

Deborah set down the items in her hands, pulled out her wallet from her coat pocket, and handed two

blue-colored banknotes to the waiter.

“Thank you, I appreciate your hard work.”

The waiter smiled and said, “Thank you, Ms. Shepherd.”

After the waiter lett, Zayne spoke up. “I’ll head back first then. If you need any help, just contact me.”

Alyssa enthusiastically handed him the juice, trying to persuade him to stay

“Mr. Gaige, I bought a lot of groceries with Mommy. Why don’t you stay and have some food with us?”

Alyssa really likes Zayne because she, along with Deborah, has received a lot of help from him in the

past.

Surprisingly, for Joseph, Alyssa was a stranger.

Deborah immediately chimed in, “That’s right, Dr. Gaige, it’s been a long time since we last met.

Alyssa used to be close to you too. If you’re not in a hurry, why not stay a bit longer, have some food,

and then head

back?”

Seeing that Deborah had started talking, Zayne didn’t hold back any longer.

He helped Deborah carry the ingredients to the kitchen, “Well, I won’t be polite then. I’m not very good

at cooking, so I’ll just help out as an assistant.”

He helped Deborah wash and chop the vegetables, while Deborah placed the sliced bananas into the

frying pan to

cook.

The frying pan wasn’t non-stick, so after just a couple of tlips, the food got burnt at the bottom.

Deborah immediately grabbed a spatula to shovel the sliced bananas, accidentally damaging a few

pieces in the © 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

process.

She hurriedly turned off the stove, and under Alyssa and Zayne’s slightly shocked gazes, she

explained awkwardly, “I’m not used to cooking in a new place.”

She was too embarrassed to admit that during the three years she had been with Joseph, she had

hardly set foot in the

kitchen.

Unlike three years ago, she used to cook meals for Alyssa frequently.

Alyssa always compliments Deborah, saying that the dishes she makes taste great.

Over the course of three years, her cooking skills had already become rusty.

Zayne took the shovel from her hands with a smile, “Let me do it. You guys haven’t eaten yet, and it’s

already late. Go out and grab something to eat, don’t starve Alyssa.”

Alyssa, holding Deborah’s hand, went out and said, “Thank you for your hard work, Mr. Gaige.”

Once they were in the living room, Alyssa opened the snack bag and shared it with Deborah.

The enticing aroma of food quickly filled the kitchen. Alyssa suddenly said, “Mr. Gaige has always been

so kind, he has helped us a lot.”

Deborah responded somewhat absentmindedly, “Yeah, that’s right.”

Joseph’s car followed behind Zayne’s, and Deborah was aware of it.

However, when Zayne drove to the hotel, Joseph’s car behind him had disappeared.

Somehow, Deborah found herself lost in thought.

After eating, Zayne helped Deborah clean up the dishes and kitchen, and then left.

Deborah, feeling tired, went to bed with Alyssa.

She had no idea how long she had been asleep when, in a daze, she heard the doorbell ring.

Alyssa slept soundly, nestled in Deborah’s arms without stirring.

Deborah squinted as she got out of bed, reaching for her phone before heading out of the bedroom.

Upon reaching the door, she suddenly remembered something and peered through the peephole first.

There’s nothing outside.

She thought she must have heard wrong and was about to go back to sleep.

The person sitting by the door suddenly stood up, appearing in her line of sight.