Joseph turned around, his gaze meeting the friendly eyes of the woman. She had a gentle appearance, with calm but sharp brown eyes, and her hair, streaked with silver and gray, was neatly tied back. Despite her age, she exuded strength and determination. "I’m Miriam," she said, a slight smile appearing on her lips. "I used to be a servant here many years ago. Today, I decided to visit, and I see the dogs still seem to long for human company."Joseph nodded, returning her smile. "I’ve only recently started coming out here to play with them. Work has been stressful lately, so I needed a place to relax."Miriam gently sat down next to Joseph, her eyes intently watching the dogs wagging their tails joyfully. "It’s been a long time since I’ve seen anyone play with them. They’ve grown old, but they’re still loyal and yearn for human presence just as they always did."Joseph looked at the dogs, his eyes scanning the now grassless yard, which was at least still clean. Though the dogs were old
Joseph sat silently, listening intently to Mrs. Miriam's stories, his eyes gleaming with admiration. The memories of Norman and Jayce's childhood came alive through her words, like pages of a book opening to reveal a world full of color. He couldn’t help but feel a deep respect for the bond between the brothers, but deep down, Joseph was scheming. He realized that to win Norman's trust and affection, he needed to recreate those moments, to rebuild the memories that once forged a strong bond between the two brothers.Joseph decided to create similar moments, experiences that would make Norman feel as if he were reliving those old days. He understood that beneath Norman's rebellious and indifferent exterior, there was a longing for his childhood and the people in it. That was why Norman often acted out, deliberately going against Mr. William's wishes. In doing so, Norman hoped to reclaim a part of his lost past, a silent rebellion against the cold and harsh present.From a psychological
Joseph walked into the house. As he passed through the door, he unexpectedly caught sight of Norman standing in the hallway, his expression serious."Joseph, come have dinner," Norman said, his voice deep and warm. Despite his rebellious and nonchalant appearance, there was still a hint of concern in Norman's eyes for his older brother.Joseph nodded slightly and followed Norman into the dining room. On the table were simple but comforting dishes. They sat across from each other, the soft light casting a peaceful yet thoughtful atmosphere over the two brothers."After dinner, will you go with me to visit Dad?" Norman continued, his eyes looking straight into Joseph's, filled with hope and expectation.Joseph was briefly surprised but quickly regained his composure. "Alright, I'll go with you."The meal passed in silence. Both brothers focused on their food, but the atmosphere between them was not tense; rather, it was a thoughtful quiet. Joseph could feel an invisible bond slowly form
Hospital waiting room atmosphere was heavy, tension palpable. Angry voices echoed through the room, mixed with the footsteps of doctors and nurses passing by in the hallway. The shareholders, with faces flushed with anger, stared intensely at Norman and Joseph, their disappointment, and frustration clearly visible.“Mr. William is lying there, his life hanging by a thread, and you two just arrive now?” an elderly shareholder named Henderson snarled. “You’re his sons, and yet you’ve left everything on Jayce’s shoulders, even though he’s not William’s biological son!”Another shareholder, Mrs. Rose, chimed in, “We’ve heard about Jayce’s plans for change. He’s taken on all the pressure, while where were you two? When the company faced difficulties, who stepped up to resolve them? It was Jayce, not you two!”Joseph clenched his fists, his eyes flashing with a hint of discontent. But before he could respond, the waiting room door swung open, and Jayce stepped in, his face calm and his poli
When the door finally closed behind the last of the shareholders, the room fell into silence. The tense atmosphere seemed to dissipate with each departing step, leaving only Joseph, Jayce, and Norman in the now still room. The dim light from the overhead lamp cast shadows on their weary faces.Jayce stood in the middle of the room, his eyes drifting towards Joseph. A familiar smile curled on his lips, one that Joseph knew all too well, yet never could fully decipher. That smile seemed friendly, yet something hidden lurked beneath the surface.“Joseph, don’t let them get to you,” Jayce said in a soft tone, as if he were discussing something trivial. “They’re just worried about the company, and sometimes that worry makes them say things they shouldn’t. You understand, don’t you?”Joseph stared straight into Jayce’s eyes, trying to conceal his true feelings. It was clear that Jayce was pretending nothing was wrong, as if everything was under his control. Joseph gave a slight smile, one t
Norman walked down the long, quiet corridor of the hospital, holding the thermos tightly. The light from the fluorescent lamps cast long shadows as he walked. His footsteps echoed evenly on the white tiled floor, but Norman couldn't shake off the vague feeling of unease. The hospital at night was eerily quiet. The long corridors, the silent wards with tightly closed doors, all created a stifling atmosphere. Norman couldn't stop thinking about the strange doctor's instructions to get him some warm water. He didn't suspect anything, but the incident happened so suddenly that he couldn't help but worry. When he reached the area with the hot water heater, Norman suddenly stopped. He bent down, opened the thermos, and prepared to get some water. But when he turned on the faucet, he realized that the faucet wasn't working. Not a single drop of water came out of the pipe. Norman frowned, feeling confused. He fumbled, turning the faucet a few more times, but the result was the same.Norman
Norman couldn't suppress the panic rising within him. After what had just happened, he was certain that Mr. William was in danger. His hands trembled, and his voice quivered as he looked at Joseph with eyes full of worry."Joseph, I think something's happened to Father..." Norman stammered, trying to convey the fear swelling up inside him. "I don't know... but I have a really bad feeling. We need to go back now; I'm worried about him."Joseph looked into Norman's eyes, clearly seeing the panic and desperation there. He placed a hand on Norman's shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze, trying to reassure his younger brother."Calm down, Norman," Joseph said, his voice steady and reassuring. "We're going back right now. Everything will be fine. I promise you."Norman nodded, trying to regain his composure. As for Joseph, he was already calculating everything that was about to unfold. The pieces in his mind started falling into place, and he understood that this was the moment Jayce would m
In that moment, Joseph looked deep into Norman's eyes, clearly seeing the pain and worry within them. He then made up his mind that, no matter what happened, he would not lose control again. He had to stay calm, think clearly, and make the right decisions.A small shout from the doctor drew the attention of both brothers. "His heart is beating again, but it's very weak! Keep monitoring closely!"A brief sense of relief washed over Norman upon hearing this, but he knew that the situation was still very serious. He couldn't take his eyes off Mr. William, who was lying on the bed, surrounded by various wires and tubes connected to his body.Joseph glanced at the clock, silently wishing that time could slow down, but he knew that was impossible. He felt like time was slipping away too quickly, and with each passing moment, Mr. William's life hung more precariously.Norman remained standing beside Joseph, his eyes never leaving their father. The fear of losing Mr. William had now become a