Curtis walked out onto the balcony of the mansion and there he took an ideal position to think about what had happened. His heart was broken and confused by the whole situation. He had suffered many humiliations in his life at the hands of the Ballmer and Stanton families, but no one had managed to hurt him as much as Amber had that night. The night was perfect with a starry sky and a splendid moon, but Curtis could only sigh and try to come to the resignation that Carson had won. Curtis heard Joseph's cane tapping with each step he took on the artistic wooden floor behind him. He turned to watch as his great friend came toward him with a glass of champagne in his hand. "You're not thinking of jumping," Joseph joked coming to Curtis' side. "You're very funny today," Curtis said crestfallen. Joseph smiled kindly and with a grimace meant there was nothing to be done. "Here," Joseph handed that glass of champagne into Curtis' hands. "Beth would die if she saw me drinking out of on
The days passed, and things changed drastically. Ámbar started attending the prestigious places the Stantons used to frequent. Beth couldn't fully accept her as her daughter-in-law, but Carson always stood up for her whenever his mother tried to humiliate her for any reason.Despite her future as Carson's wife, Beth seemed indifferent to Ámbar carrying the Stanton name. She could only see her roots as a poor person, providing enough reason for disdain.Meanwhile, Curtis remained at the mansion, keeping the promise he made to Joseph. He endured humiliations from everyone just to serve in that mansion.One night, he had to serve dinner alongside a couple of other employees. Joseph wouldn't be present, and Curtis knew Beth would seize the opportunity to humiliate him, but that didn't bother Curtis. His major concern was having to serve Ámbar and how uncomfortable it would be for him."Quick!" Beth ordered, snapping her fingers just to annoy Curtis.That night, Curtis had the misfortune o
Ámbar couldn't sleep all night, pondering what she would say the next day when facing Beth during breakfast. It would undoubtedly be a very awkward moment.She went outside and traversed the entire garden to reach the mansion's interior, unaware that she would casually encounter Curtis. She had never been more nervous to see a friend in her life."Norton..." she said as he approached, but Curtis simply continued on his path as if no one were there. Amber felt sadness for being ignored, but deep down, she knew she deserved it.Her troubles didn't end there. She had to join the family for breakfast, and there was Beth waiting for her."And the others?" Amber asked timidly."They haven't arrived yet," Beth said with a big smile, "take a seat."Amber found Beth's sudden kindness very strange but decided to play along and sat in the chair she indicated.Beth abruptly grabbed Amber's hair, pulling it forcefully while placing a knife against her throat."Since I know you won't tell what you
Baxter entered the room in a hurry, as if someone were chasing him. He closed the door behind him, and Beth could sense his accelerated breathing."What's going on?" Beth asked, pausing her makeup. "It's like you've seen a ghost."Baxter took off his jacket and threw it on the bed."I've been calling you all morning," he complained. "Why didn't you answer the call?"Beth made a annoyed face and rolled her eyes with disdain."I'm a very busy woman," she replied, turned, and resumed applying makeup."This is serious, Beth, very serious," Baxter insisted, taking Beth by the shoulders and turning her around again. "I had to come myself in person."Beth threw the small makeup brush against the dresser and stood up."Then speak for heaven's sake," she demanded.Baxter stared into her eyes, as if searching for the right words to tell her without making her angry and explode in a fit of rage."You can't kill Joseph yet."Beth took a few seconds to digest the news, with a puzzled expression on
"This is my new testament," Joseph placed the document on the table, ready to sign.Baxter fell silent, but his discomfort was easily noticeable by the way he moved his legs, as if he were impatient.Joseph took the pen and signed without Baxter being able to understand a single word written there. After the signature, Lawyer Scott took the document and stored it in a briefcase sealed with a secret combination."One moment," intervened Baxter, "I don't know anything about what is written in that testament."Lawyer Scott and Joseph looked at each other for a moment, and the lawyer raised his eyebrow to express his surprise at Baxter's suggestion."I don't think it's necessary," said Joseph.Baxter was stunned. It was the first time in decades that Joseph hadn't informed him about something so intimate."I don't understand. I have been your lawyer for many years.""And you have done very well, Baxter, but today I only need you to witness that I changed my testament."Joseph cleared his
'Positive,' said the message that arrived on Joseph's cellphone, sent by lawyer Scott.Joseph only read that word and locked his phone, putting it in his pocket. He then poured a glass of cognac, as he always did. That was the best way to ease his pain.He already had all the information he needed to be sure of the decision he had made for his new will, but he decided to do nothing until the weddings of his two sons took place to officially announce his change. He wouldn't be the one to ruin these crucial family events.Weeks passed, and finally, the wedding day arrived.The Stanton mansion dressed up for a historic celebration. It was the first time two family members would marry on the same day.During all this time, Beth had been visiting Joseph every day in his room, but he always rejected her, refusing to consume anything she brought. His friendship with Baxter had also suffered, but Joseph said nothing, letting him dwell in doubt and suspicion.Joseph was like a soldier in a war
"Look at him there, talking to that damn beggar," Beth complained to Baxter as she watched Joseph from a distance.Baxter plated some of the finest snacks from the food bar."Just leave it... it's better not to keep provoking him," said Baxter, not taking his eyes off the salad section. "Exquisite!"But Beth couldn't take her eyes off Joseph while he spoke with Curtis at that table."I need to know what the hell he's saying in that new testament."Baxter swallowed his food and said, "You're obsessed."Beth turned her hardened gaze to glare at Baxter.Baxter quickly noticed and felt a bit of fear."He gave me his word and assured me that nothing had changed for you in that will... your future is secured."Beth took the plate from Baxter's hands."I can't gamble our future on the word of an old traitor like Joseph."Baxter moved his fingers, wanting his plate back."I'll extract information from that new testament even if it's the last thing I do."Beth threw Baxter's food in the trash
Joseph writhed on the floor, feeling his heart literally breaking into pieces."I'll be very happy fucking Baxter on your own bed."It was the last thing he heard in this world, and the last thing he saw was Beth's smiling face waving him 'goodbye.'A rather ironic death.Beth savored every second of his pain, crouching there until Joseph stopped breathing and moving.She checked his pulse to ensure he was dead, and that's when she finally decided to seek help.Preparing for another of her dramatic acts, she tousled her hair and clothes, took a few drops of tea to simulate tears on her face, and rehearsed her concerned woman's voice."Help," she said to herself as a test.But apparently, she wasn't convinced by her own voice."No, stupid... You must sound much more worried," she said to herself and then cleared her throat.Joseph's corpse was cooling on the carpet, and Beth only cared about sounding convincing to ask for help."Help... help..." she said to herself desperately, "great.