Joseph had just hung up with Coco, feeling the weight of exhaustion and pressure pressing down on his shoulders. The conversation with Coco had not gone as he had hoped, and now his mind was a tangled mess of thoughts about Charlotte and his current relationship. He had just relaxed back into his chair, trying to regain his composure, when his phone rang again. This time, it was Norman.Joseph answered, trying to sound normal despite the turmoil within. “Norman?”“Joseph,” Norman’s voice came through, a mix of concern and excitement. “Can you come to the hospital right away? Father has woken up.”This news hit Joseph like a gust of wind, clearing away some of the tension clouding his mind. William, their father, had been in a coma for a long time, and everyone in the family had been worried, unsure if he would ever recover. Joseph felt his heart beat faster, a mix of joy and apprehension.“Has Jayce been informed?” Joseph asked quickly, his instincts kicking in.“No. I haven’t told Ja
When Mr. William refused to thank Joseph, insisting that what Joseph had done was merely a son's duty, Joseph wasn’t surprised. He stood there, listening to every word his father said, with a feeling he had grown all too familiar with: indifference, denial, and lack of recognition. Joseph knew very well that in Mr. William's eyes, he was never seen as worthy, never truly valued no matter how hard he tried.In that moment, Joseph felt a deep emptiness rise within him. It wasn't a fresh pain but rather an old, hardened ache, a part of life he had long accepted. Mr. William had always been difficult, and his expectations were never meant for Joseph. No matter what Joseph did, even saving his life, it was never enough to change Mr. William’s ingrained view of him.Joseph didn’t need to think for long. He knew what he had to do to maintain peace for himself and the family during this time. With a faint smile, he said to Norman, “Let’s just let this go. There’s no need to make a big deal ou
Jayce stood there, his gaze cold, barely concealing the hostility he felt. The two said nothing, only staring at each other for a long moment, as if time had stopped. The tension between them was palpable, a chill that no words could adequately express. Jayce smirked slightly, then walked away, leaving Joseph standing there with a growing sense of unease.Joseph didn’t look back at Jayce. He just continued walking, his resolve only strengthening. He knew this battle wouldn’t be easy, but he also knew he had to keep moving forward on the path he had chosen.Meanwhile, inside the hospital room, Norman sat by the bed, his eyes filled with concern. He carefully chose his words as he spoke to Mr. William, trying to subtly express his worries.“Father,” Norman began, his voice gentle but meaningful, “I think we need to reconsider everything. A lot has happened recently that perhaps we haven’t fully understood.”Mr. William, lying in bed, frowned but maintained his usual self-assured demeano
Joseph was surprised, raising an eyebrow. "A girlfriend? Since when did you have a girlfriend without me knowing?"Brian shook his head, trying to keep a serious expression but clearly unable to hide his irritation. "You've been so busy lately that there's been no time to talk to anyone. I didn’t even have the chance to tell you."Joseph burst out laughing, giving Brian a light pat on the shoulder. "Come on, Brian. Don’t be so sulky. You know I've had a lot on my plate lately. But really, tell me, who’s the lucky girl who caught your eye?"Brian sighed but couldn't resist a smile when he heard Joseph’s teasing tone. "She's just a normal girl. We've been dating for a few months, but recently she’s been upset over the smallest things. I honestly don’t know what to do anymore."Joseph raised an eyebrow, his eyes gleaming with interest. "So, tell me, what exactly has she been upset about that’s got you so frustrated?"Brian looked at Joseph for a moment, as if weighing whether or not to s
Joseph nodded, unable to disagree. "Exactly. They always act as if everything revolves around their personal goals, regardless of the consequences. That’s what makes them so dangerous. If I don’t act quickly, things could spiral out of control."Brian leaned back in his chair, his eyes fixed on Joseph with deep thought. "So, what’s your plan?"Joseph remained silent for a moment, as if weighing each step in his mind. "I need to divide them, make Charlotte and Mrs. Smith lose faith in Jayce. I have to find a way to make them see that Jayce is only using them and that collaborating with him will bring them no benefit."Brian nodded, then let out a bitter smile. "That’s a tough plan. But if anyone can pull it off, it’s you. Just be careful not to get caught up in their psychological games. They’re not only strange but also very skilled at manipulating others."Joseph smiled slightly, but there was a steely determination behind it. "I won’t be defeated that easily. Jayce may think he has
"You’re right, Brian," Joseph replied, his voice thoughtful. "Jayce has been using every trick in the book to get what he wants. But he forgets that I’m not someone who can be easily defeated. He may be cunning, but I won’t let him succeed."Brian nodded, his eyes filled with determination. "Joseph, you’re not fighting this battle alone. Remember, I’m always here, ready to face any of Jayce’s dirty schemes with you. He may be crafty, but we can take him on together. You’re never alone in this fight."Joseph hadn’t thought much about it before, never imagined that Charlotte and the Smith family would become a threat to him. He had assumed that after the divorce, he would be free from that mess. But no, it had followed him into the present, growing from a storm into a full-blown hurricane.Joseph drummed his fingers on the table, then picked up a glass of whiskey and drank it in one gulp. The light bitterness on his tongue and the gentle sweetness down his throat made him feel more clea
Brian smiled, feeling satisfied to see that Joseph had finally made a decision. "Good, Joseph. You've made the right choice. We'll prepare everything we need. When they attack, we’ll strike back even harder. They will pay for what they've done."Joseph nodded, but deep down, he knew there was still one thing he needed to do before moving forward with Brian's plan. He couldn’t completely ignore the feelings and history between him and Charlotte. Even knowing she had betrayed him, Joseph wanted to give her one last chance to explain and choose. He decided that he would meet with Charlotte one more time, lay everything out clearly, and let her decide if she wanted to continue opposing him.As Joseph was lost in these thoughts, something suddenly slammed into the table where he and Brian were sitting, causing their food and drinks to spill. Both of them were startled and turned to see what had happened.Joseph was surprised to see David, Charlotte's brother, standing there with a group of
Brian sat beside Joseph, his eyes burning with anger. He could feel his body tensing up, his fists clenched as if ready to punch David right then and there. But before he could act, Joseph signaled for him to stay calm, his gaze steady and composed.Seeing that Joseph wasn't reacting, David continued his verbal assault with even harsher words. "I don’t understand how Charlotte put up with you for so long. All you do is leech off women, no value whatsoever. Without her, you’re nothing but a useless loser."Brian raised an eyebrow, struggling to contain the rage boiling inside him, but his eyes still flickered with anger. Meanwhile, Joseph remained calm, though it was clear he was making a great effort not to let the insults get to him.Suddenly, David stood up and shouted loudly so that everyone in the bar could hear. "Hey everyone, look here! This is Joseph, the most useless man I’ve ever known! Who does he think he is? A freeloader, nothing but a parasite on others!"Laughter erupted