The guests present today left one by one. Ultimately, no one wanted to be involved in this troublesome situation. Mike also had several of his men taken to the hospital. The surrounding space became unusually quiet. The once spacious hall now only had four people left: Joseph, Charlotte, Anthony, and Rebecca.“Things have come to this point, and now, there’s no escaping it!” Charlotte was the first to speak, breaking the eerie silence.“My network in this city isn’t nonexistent either. Let me try to contact some influential people.” Charlotte said as she took out her phone and dialed some high-ranking numbers in the city. She genuinely wanted to help Joseph, just as he had helped her earlier.Before Charlotte could make the call, Rebecca snatched the phone from her hand.“Miss, please forgive my rudeness. But this time, I can’t just stand by and watch you jump into the fire!”“Rebecca! Give me the phone back! Right now!”Faced with Charlotte’s firmness, Rebecca couldn’t help but trembl
“Here is the esculeap grass for you.” Coco fulfilled her promise and handed the esculeap grass to Joseph. It had no use in her possession, but it meant something to Joseph. Besides, she wasn’t the type to just talk without backing it up.When Joseph saw the esculeap grass in Coco’s hands, he couldn’t hide his excitement anymore. This was what he needed. Something he had been searching for years. With this medicinal herb, Joseph was confident he could soon concoct the medicine he needed.“Thank you so much.”“It’s nothing. This is something you deserve. Besides, I’m just keeping my promise. Can’t have people saying the daughter of the Watts family talks big but doesn’t follow through, right?”“Exactly.” Joseph looked at Coco, a smile still on his lips.“Oh, by the way, if you find another branch of esculeap grass or similar herbs, remember to let me know. We can continue to trade.” Joseph continued.“Sure, no problem.”“Oh Joseph, there’s one thing I don’t understand. What exactly do yo
Charlotte paced back and forth in the room, her stomach burning like fire.“What should I do? I can’t just stay silent like this!”“Miss, please calm down! If we don’t stay quiet now, what else can we do!” Rebecca clung Charlotte’s trembling hands. Charlotte still had feelings for Joseph.“No, I have to do something for Joseph. All of this is because of me!”Faced with Charlotte’s stubbornness, Rebecca didn’t know how to advise her. No matter how many times she said it, Charlotte still insisted on protecting Joseph!“Alright, let’s do this. Let’s ask Anthony for help! Surely he will help us!” Rebecca compromised somewhat.“No, it’s beyond Anthony’s control now! Even if his father agrees to help now, it won’t make any difference!” Charlotte grew increasingly panicked. If it weren’t for her, things wouldn’t have escalated to this point. Joseph fell into this mess because he was protecting her. How could Charlotte just sit idly by!“Fine, I’ll go meet with the leader of the Sprezzatura ga
“It’s done, Patrick. It won’t be long now,” Joseph said, smiling. He had finished storing the esculape grass.“You don’t have to go through all this trouble for me!” Patrick replied before Joseph could say anything.Just then, the phone rang suddenly. Joseph didn’t have this number saved in his phone, but he recognized it—it was Rebecca’s number.“What’s the matter?” Joseph answered the phone, his tone clearly lacking goodwill.“Joseph, something’s happened. Charlotte went to the Sprezzatura gang leader’s place this morning, but she hasn’t come out yet!” The secretary’s voice couldn’t hide her worry, fear, and tension. Since Charlotte had entered there, Rebecca hardly dared to breathe.“Why did she go in there?”“What else could she do? She wanted to negotiate with those people to save you! Rebecca shouted over the phone. It was all because of Joseph, all because of him, that her lady encountered this situation.Joseph was now losing his composure, too. He hurriedly grabbed the coat on
“Let him go now!”“Immediately apologize to Joseph,” Brain ordered Eric.Upon hearing this, Eric was so enraged that his lungs felt like they would burst. He was a notorious gang leader himself. He didn’t know who the person in front of him was, but that Joseph had beaten his son to a pulp was undeniable.Now, if he let Joseph go, how could he make his subordinates respect and obey him in the future? He couldn’t swallow this anger. His beloved son had suffered such severe beatings that he lost reproductive function. How could he just let it slide?“Brain, this matter is beyond my authority. I cannot comply with your request!”As soon as Eric finished speaking, a loud slap echoed in the air. Brain wasted no time in delivering a resounding blow to the old man’s face.“If I let him go now, how will I answer to my son? And how will I satisfy my pride?”“You have no choice. Immediately release Joseph and his people!” Brain’s face turned red with anger. His fury was clear.Eric felt a bit sh
“How could you say such things! Do you have any shred of humanity left?” Joseph’s words made Charlotte extremely uncomfortable. She had done all this for him, hadn’t she? Yet instead of gratitude, Joseph could utter such hurtful words.Joseph showed no sign of backing down, continuing his attack on Charlotte.“What did I say wrong? Being the best person means knowing one’s limits!”“We are divorced now, so it’s best if we have nothing to do with each other in the future!” Joseph continued, clearly delineating boundaries between his ex-wife.Charlotte was livid, regretting her good intentions in the face of such venomous insults.Seeing her boss being bullied, Rebecca, already harboring resentment towards Joseph, poured more fuel on the fire.“Joseph, you truly are an ignorant person. The biggest mistake in Charlotte’s life was getting involved with you!”“My attitude has nothing to do with you.” Joseph remained unyielding.Charlotte was so angry that she was speechless. Thinking back o
“Perhaps you don’t believe it, but I am the son of the former leader. My mother was his mistress.” The man’s hands were clasped together, sweat pouring from his palms.Joseph looked at the man in front of him, a hint of skepticism in his eyes. This man was claiming to be an illegitimate son?“He undoubtedly knows of my existence, but refuses to acknowledge it. He abandoned both my mother and me when I was just a baby. In his eyes, there’s only that rebellious son!”“So, you’re willing to kill him?”“Yes, I hate him.” The man’s eyes didn’t hide his resentment.“Please, please help me become the new leader of Sprezzatura. I’m willing to serve you for the rest of my life.”The man knelt down, continuously begging Joseph for help.Joseph remained silent for a moment, his mind filled with various thoughts. He hadn’t wanted to get too involved with the Sprezzatura gang, but fate seemed to have other plans.“What’s your name?”“You can call me Jasper. Jasper Swits.”“Alright, I agree. However
“Coco, calm down,” Joseph hurriedly intervened to stop Coco’s erratic behavior.“I’m sorry,” Coco said in a trembling voice, unable to control her heavy breathing. The drug in Coco’s system was still taking effect, making her much more reckless.To end that awkward situation, Joseph quickly turned to seek Amile’s help.“Amile, come here and help her lie down!”Upon hearing this, Amile rushed to the bed, pretending not to notice anything unusual. Only then could they all ease the tension.Deep down, Coco wanted to take things further with Joseph. Whether it was the effect of the drug or her deep desire, Coco truly wanted that to happen. Unfortunately, things didn’t develop according to her wishes, as Amile acted as a barrier to prevent anything from happening between Coco and Joseph.“Joseph, I...” Coco wanted to say something but stopped herself. Shyness and embarrassment prevented her from speaking. In reality, she wanted to let the man in front of her know that Coco Watts wanted him,
Joseph nodded slightly, not showing any emotion. "Charlotte is still safe, right?" Joseph asked, his voice calm, but his eyes intently watching Coco's reaction. This was his way of probing her, not about Charlotte, but for any sign that she knew or was involved in the death. Coco abruptly lifted her head, her eyes filled with anger. "What are you talking about, Joseph? Why would you ask me that? Do you think I don't care about Charlotte?" The anger in Coco's voice made Joseph realize he had touched on something sensitive. But what was she angry about? Because he suspected her, or because she really had something to hide? "I meant no harm, Coco," Joseph replied, trying to calm the situation. "I just want to make sure everything is okay... between us and with Charlotte." But he knew his words wouldn't soothe her anger. Coco stood up abruptly, her eyes full of frustration and rage. "Joseph, what kind of person do you think I am? I've always been by your side, helping you th
Coco slowly guided Joseph back to his room, each of their steps heavy like the tense atmosphere surrounding them. Joseph was still somewhat intoxicated, but he maintained a calm demeanor, occasionally nodding to the staff they passed along the way. His eyes were fixed ahead, but his mind was swirling with chaotic thoughts about everything that had just happened. Coco walked beside him silently, holding his arm securely, her eyes betraying her concern.At last, the door to the room appeared before them. Coco gently opened it and helped Joseph inside, closing it behind them. As soon as the door shut, the atmosphere in the room changed completely. Outside, the noise and bustle of the party still lingered, but inside, there was only an eerie silence. Faint light filtered through the curtains, casting soft shadows across the room.Joseph turned on the light, a soft golden glow spilling throughout the space. Suddenly, he pushed Coco away, surprising her. He didn’t say a word, instead quietl
Joseph stood amidst the lively atmosphere of the party, but his mind felt lost in a maze of confusion. He tried to piece together the fragments of the events, but the more he thought about it, the more complicated everything became. If Jayce wasn’t the one who killed Charlotte, and he wasn’t behind Mrs. Smith’s death either, then Jayce must be panicking. Two key pawns Jayce had planned to use to threaten him had mysteriously vanished. So, who was behind all of this?Joseph couldn’t stop asking himself questions. “Is there someone silently helping me, or do they have a bigger agenda?” The appearance of a third force in this game could completely change the outcome. This made him uneasy. If someone was helping him, why would they choose such a method? And if they had ulterior motives, was he becoming a pawn in their hands?Looking over at Jayce, Joseph noticed that although Jayce outwardly appeared calm, he was likely in turmoil inside. Coco approached him, her eyes filled with concer
The murmurs in the hall grew louder, and the once formal atmosphere of the party began to descend into chaos. Groups of guests gathered, whispering about the murder near the café. Faces were filled with anxiety, and eyes darted around, searching for an explanation.“Did you hear? The murder case,” a woman in a red dress turned to her companion, her voice trembling. “The killer hasn’t been caught yet, and the police have no leads.”“How terrifying! So close to here too, who would have thought something like this could happen in such a peaceful place,” her friend replied, nervously glancing around.People began to speculate about the murder, with theories spreading quickly and seemingly without end. Everyone presented their own assumptions, creating a tense atmosphere. Some suggested a family feud, while others thought it might be an act of revenge.“It could be robbery gone wrong… or maybe some kind of vendetta? I heard the victim was the mother of a wealthy CEO,” a man suggested.“But
Coco hurried into the party, her eyes scanning the crowd anxiously as she searched for Joseph. She looked around frantically, her breath quickening as she walked swiftly past groups of guests engaged in conversation. Her gaze finally landed on Joseph, who stood near a corner of the room, his face tired and pensive. Coco approached him, unable to hide the worry in her eyes."Joseph!" Coco called softly, her voice a bit urgent. "Where have you been? I didn’t see you at all during the party."Joseph turned to face her, giving a faint smile but maintaining his calm demeanor. "I just stepped out for some personal business, nothing important," he said smoothly, though there was a subtle tension in his eyes that Coco couldn’t ignore.Coco frowned, the uneasy feeling in her heart growing stronger. "Personal business? Are you sure?" she asked gently, her voice full of concern. "I tried calling you several times, but you didn’t pick up. Is something wrong?"Joseph looked straight into Coco’s ey
Charlotte lay motionless on the cold floor, her body still, and the pool of blood beneath her had already dried. The dim light from the room cast down on her pale, lifeless face, creating a heavy and terrifying atmosphere. The room was eerily silent, as if frozen in time, with only the faint sound of wind whistling through the crack in the window, disturbing the unnerving quiet.Suddenly, Charlotte's body twitched slightly. A barely noticeable, sudden movement, but it shattered the oppressive silence of the room. Her eyes, once tightly shut in death, abruptly opened wide, her dull eyes now filled with pain. Though devoid of life, somehow she opened her eyes as if pulled back from the brink of death by an unseen force.Charlotte’s throat convulsed, and suddenly, a dry retch escaped her mouth. Her hands instinctively gripped her neck, struggling to suppress something rising within her stomach. Her body convulsed in extreme agony, and soon after, she began to vomit violently, thick, blac
Joseph stood silently next to Charlotte, the initial horror gradually giving way to a sense of clarity. Though a storm of painful emotions churned inside him, he knew he couldn't let them overwhelm his reason at this moment. Something was off, and his instincts as someone experienced made him want to understand more about the cause of Charlotte's death.Joseph's gaze swept across Charlotte's body, now motionless on the cold floor. Blood had spread across the floor, soaking into her pristine white dress, creating a tragic scene. He knelt closer, his eyes carefully observing the color of her skin and the livor mortis that had already begun to appear.With his forensic knowledge, Joseph noticed that Charlotte's skin had turned a pale gray, with blood pooling beneath the skin, forming dark purple blotches in areas where the blood had settled. This gave him an important clue: Charlotte had been dead for at least 4 to 6 hours. A chill ran down Joseph's spine as he came to this conclusion, a
Joseph and Brian held their breath, trying to remain completely silent in the darkness. From their hiding spot, they could clearly see everything happening around the stairwell. The faint light from the second-floor hallway cast long shadows on the floor below.The sound of footsteps continued to echo, each step pounding in their chests. Then, Tyler's figure appeared, slowly making his way up the stairs from the first to the second floor. In his hand, he held something, not too large in size but wrapped in a black cloth, making it difficult for anyone to discern what it was.A stack of documents, perhaps?Joseph and Brian watched intently, trying to gather every detail. Tyler showed no signs of haste; he moved with a suspicious calmness, as if he had complete control of the situation. When he reached the second floor, Tyler paused, looked ahead, and then continued up without the slightest hesitation.Joseph felt the tension inside him rising with every passing moment. There was someth
Joseph sensed the sudden change in the atmosphere. "What just happened in there?" he thought to himself, his eyes never leaving the scene before him. The bodyguards did not exchange any words, just quickly got into the car at an incredible speed, as if they wanted to get out of this place as soon as possible.Brian frowned, a sense of unease filling his heart. "Did you see that? They're panicking," he said, his voice filled with doubt. "Something very unusual happened in the Smith house."Jayce's car immediately started up, the headlights turned on, and it backed away at a much faster speed than when it had come. Joseph and Brian could not believe their eyes as Jayce's car left the Smith house in a hurry and panic. This wasn’t how Jayce would act if everything was going according to plan.Brian nodded, his eyes filled with uncertainty. “It’s obvious something’s very wrong. What do you think we should do next?”Joseph was silent for a moment, his mind racing, trying to figure out what