Torn Between Love and Hate

Chapter 227 How Many Children to Have

Ashton and a few others walked ahead, unaware of Deborah following behind them.

They went straight in after having their tickets checked. Rebecca stood not far from the entrance, her gaze fixed on

their retreating figures.

She looked uneasy until Ashton was no longer in sight. Then, she turned around and noticed Deborah and Adrian, along with a few others, approaching.

Rebecca cleared her throat and called out to Adrian, "Adrian."

Adrian casually asked, "Where is Ashton going?"

Rebecca glanced at Deborah, hesitating a bit before saying, "To Oceanview City."

Deborah instinctively furrowed her brow.

She didn't doubt that it was a coincidence, but now, aside from the bone marrow donation, she didn't want to have

any more encounters or contact with Ashton.

After speaking, Rebecca immediately explained, "Before the bone marrow transplant, he needs to have surgery to remove the lung tumor. In Oceanview City, they've found a better hospital and doctor, so they plan to go there for the surgery."

Deborah knew very well that with the Mullen family's capabilities, coupled with Ashton's current physical condition, they could have easily spared him from all this running around.

If there were better doctors in Oceanview City, they could probably be called to Richmond to perform surgery on

Ashton.

Perhaps Rebecca and Hector were worried that Deborah might take Alyssa with her to Oceanview City.

When the time came for the bone marrow transplant, there was a fear that Deborah might change her mind, and it would be difficult to find her since the Mullen family lived so far away. Deborah didn't know, and she remained silent.

Adrian didn't say much, and went in first with Deborah and a few others.

Unable to resist, Rebecca turned to Deborah and said, "Ms. Shepherd, I really can't thank you enough for the bone marrow donation."

She was not just saying thank you. What she really meant was for Deborah not to forget and not to go back on her word.

Adrian couldn't take it anymore. He turned around, furrowed his brows, and glanced at her. "What are you thanking her for? Has Ashton established any relationship with you that requires your gratitude?" Rebecca's face turned pale, unable to find words to refute.

Deborah returned to Oceanview City that very day. After getting a good rest, she went back to work at the company the following day.

Evelyn returned to her position as well, continuing to follow Joseph.

Deborah and Joseph's relationship was now public, so there was no need to hide it anymore.

Joseph took her directly to Jingron Design. When they arrived at the company, he made a grand gesture of helping her out of the car and escorting her inside. Together, they entered the elevator and headed to the designer's office.

The media's nose was incredibly sharp. As soon as Joseph pulled up outside the company, a sizable group of reporters had already gathered at the entrance.

He led Deborah out of the car, and the reporters immediately raised their cameras, snapping pictures excitedly in their

direction.

A barrage of questions came one after another.

"Mr. Black, may I ask when you and Ms. Shepherd are planning to hold your wedding preparations?"

"Mr. Black, may I ask how you got to know Ms. Shepherd?"

"Rumor has it that you've had some conflicts with the Black family, is that true?"

"What are your thoughts on the passing of Mr. Chandler Black?"

"Ms. Shepherd, could you please say a few words as well?"

Morton called the security guard over, quickly stopping the reporter.

The

"Apologies, Mr. Black and Ms. Shepherd are currently busy with work and are unable to accept interviews at the

moment."

The reporter was not satisfied and continued to clamor for more information.

Joseph, with his arm around Deborah, walked forward and replied, "Once the wedding date is set, we will definitely inform everyone."

A reporter followed up with a question. "So, have the two of you already decided that you'll be getting married soon and spending the rest of your lives together?" Joseph looked at her with a puzzled expression. "Well, what else could it be?"

Not getting married but spending a lifetime together, shall we play house?

The reporters began another round of frenzy, screaming and asking questions that were hard to make out, creating a

chaotic scene.

Deborah was frightened, feeling that the large group of people could break through the encirclement and pounce on her at any moment.

She quickened her pace, following Joseph into the company.

Upon arriving at the designer's office, the excitement and gossip were evident in the eyes of all the colleagues present.

Especially when Simone and Mona were together, Deborah felt their gaze on her as she sat down beside them, as if they were hungry wolves eyeing their prey. Joseph was still standing nearby, and for the moment, no one dared to speak up.

Everyone kept their heads down and pretended to focus on their work.

Joseph placed Deborah's bag on her desk and said, "You go ahead and get busy, I'll come pick you up for lunch at noon."

Deborah felt many eyes secretly falling on her, which made her feel awkward. All she could do was urge Joseph to hurry up and leave.

"Alright, I got it. You can go now."

Joseph reached out to touch her hand, but Deborah immediately pulled her hand away and hid it under the office desk.

Joseph paused, somewhat helplessly withdrawing his hand.

He patted her head thoughtfully, then turned around and walked away in high spirits.

Joseph left, and soon after, the design department was buzzing with excitement.

One of the employees went out to investigate the situation and quickly returned, saying, "Mr. Black took the elevator and really left."

Deborah was suddenly surrounded tightly, feeling as if she had become a big celebrity out of the blue. A bunch of her colleagues stared at her with starry eyes.

She actually went public with her relationship with Joseph years ago, but at that time, the media stirred up some negative public opinion.

Joseph immediately granted her leave, which later turned into Christmas leave, and she only just returned to work

ΠΟΥ.

Among all the colleagues, Mona's voice was the loudest, as if she had gone mad.

"Ah, Deborah, you've gone too far! Ah, how could you keep such a big secret from me? Mr. Black is my idol, the goal of my life's struggle, and you stole him from me! Ah, waaah..."

Deborah was genuinely worried about her, so she kindly reminded her, "Take it easy, the director is standing right behind you."

Mona shuddered in fright and immediately turned around to look.

Just then, she noticed that the design director was indeed standing behind her, stretching his neck, waiting to hear some exclusive news.

This matter concerned Joseph. Perhaps if he could gather some information, it might help him get a promotion, a raise, and reach new heights in his career.

Suddenly, his eyes met with Mona's, and the design director immediately shrank back his neck, coughing awkwardly.

"Chat about anything you like, it's no big deal. In our design department, we value freedom and there's no need to be too formal. It's perfectly fine to have casual conversations and enjoy ourselves from time to time."

Since the director had already said so, there was no need to be polite anymore.

Mona let herself go completely. "When are you planning to get married to Mr. Black? When do you want to have children? Where will the wedding be held? How many kids do you want to have? Have you decided on the godmother for your children?"