'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.
The Stanton siblings, alongside their mother Beth, gazed at their father's lifeless body on a stretcher in the morgue.Agata still wept, using a napkin to dry her tears, while Carson and Campbell silently endured the overwhelming sense of helplessness.Beth, bored out of her mind, struggled not to yawn in front of her children. They had been at the place for a couple of hours, and Beth couldn't wait to leave and return to her mansion.She discreetly gestured to check the time on her watch, hiding the immense boredom she felt during this painful moment for them."And... what if we go back to the mansion?" Beth timidly suggested.Agata looked at her in disbelief, while Carson and Campbell couldn't believe she would say that."How can you think of that at a time like this?" Agata exclaimed."My dad just died," added Campbell."We should be with him," Carson said, puzzled.Beth rubbed her forehead as if suffering from a migraine. She was tired of pretending empathy and playing the grievin
The lawyer Scott woke up after a long night of paperwork and organizing Joseph's documents.He turned on the television and came across news that left him completely stunned and perplexed."The powerful billionaire magnate, Joseph Stanton, has passed away," said the reporter on the morning news."It can't be," exclaimed lawyer Scott, putting his hands to his head and gaping.Scott sat on his sofa to try to process what his eyes were seeing.A chill ran down his spine, and his entire body shivered within seconds. It was clear to him that Beth Aldress had something to do with Joseph's death.Scott had to inform the police immediately. The whole world needed to know that she wanted her ex-husband dead.The doorbell of his apartment began ringing unexpectedly.For Scott, it was very strange since he had no relatives living nearby, nor did he have any friends who could come to his house.So it was a mystery who could be the person calling at his door."Maybe it's the police," he said to hi
Beth had hired some men that same day to clear out all of Joseph's paintings and artwork.From the smallest images to his gigantic portrait hanging in the main hall, painted by a very famous artist."I want everything out of the mansion," Beth ordered as the men carried out their tasks.Just then, the Stanton brothers arrived and found these individuals loading their deceased father's belongings onto a truck."Mom?" Agatha exclaimed, a bit confused."Dear children... you're back," Beth approached them with a satisfied smile, reflecting how much she was enjoying the moment."What's happening here, Mom?" Carson asked."What are these men doing with Dad's things?" Campbell began to struggle with one of them over one of Joseph's paintings."Children... Children... Children..." Beth exclaimed, taking Campbell's shoulder and letting the man take Joseph's painting.Beth stood in front of them, arms crossed over her chest."I just want to give this house a little touch of modernity," Beth shr
"Should have started there," exclaimed the terminal manager."What!?" said the obese woman in astonishment."You, shut up!" ordered the manager, pushing the obese woman with his shoulder.The obese woman fell silent, but the expression of bewilderment didn't leave her face."The gentleman is a special customer and deserves special treatment," the manager took Curtis by the shoulders, smiling cheerfully. "What is your name, distinguished friend?""Curtis?" said Curtis, also very puzzled."I want you to give our friend Curtis the best seat you have on your bus," ordered the manager."I don't understand anything that's happening," said the obese woman, scratching her head."I don't pay you to understand; I pay you to drive and obey," shouted the manager."Yes, sir," the obese woman lowered her gaze, furrowed her brow, and shrugged her shoulders.Curtis put the card away again and couldn't help but smile at the face of the obese woman. Deep down, he enjoyed seeing her get what she deserve
The funeral of Joseph Stanton had changed venues. It was now taking place at the Ballmer mansion, adorned with dignified decorations.Beth found out and promptly appeared at the Ballmer mansion, putting on her best performance as a grieving widow. She dressed entirely in black, holding a Bible in hand, mourning beside Joseph's casket while Alfred wiped away her tears with a handkerchief.She knew perfectly well that the elite would attend Joseph's funeral if it was held at the Ballmer mansion, and she cared about the opinions of those magnates for potential future business."If you look up the word 'hypocrisy' in the dictionary, you'll find a picture of your mom," Charles Ballmer said to Carson as they observed Beth from a distance.Carson sighed, lips moving with arms crossed over his chest. "You can't blame her for doing what's necessary to secure that endless fortune," Carson replied.Charles smirked ironically, placing his hand on Carson's shoulder. "Your dad had very bad luck cro