“It’s a frame-up. Clearly this is a frame-up!” Anthony immediately retorted upon hearing Joseph’s accusation.“Are you jealous, so you’re framing me, right? Everyone knows that our family’s company, Anderson, is doing very well. There’s no chance of bankruptcy!” Although Joseph’s words were all true, that didn’t mean Anthony would admit to them.“Whether or not you’re lying, you know yourself. Were you trying to deceive people by fabricating the story about the fake medicine bust to come here and deceive others?” Anthony looked at Joseph with a look of astonishment, clearly showing that this was something the Anderson family had kept very secret. The news had also been strictly confidential, so how could an ordinary person like Joseph know about it? Too many questions raised doubts.Mrs. Smith and her son immediately became defensive when they saw Joseph confront Anthony. In their eyes, Joseph was always the villain, and Anthony was the opposite.“Hey, stop being jealous of Anthony’s f
“There’s still one more step! If he hadn’t stormed off that day, the rice would have been cooked by now!” Alex reminisced about the events of that evening.Speaking a bit about Alex, he was the young leader of the Astor family. He was also the most talented and cunning member of this noble family.“No worries, there are still plenty of opportunities.” John smiled gently at Alex. People knew him as the iron warrior and Alex’s right-hand man.“Since we came back until now, has Coco Watts shown any activity?”“She’s still snooping around. Last time, we were too complacent, but he also doesn’t need to worry too much. Next time, all we need is to prepare a poison without an antidote, and Coco Watts will naturally obediently come back to ask for his help!”“And you’ll soon have both her body and soul!” John continued.“Although she has just returned to the country, it must be acknowledged that she possesses exceptional talent. I even feel like Coco will surpass her sister’s shadow. Having he
“Damn it! How could it be like this?” Anthony cursed as he walked, feeling as if he had a burning oil drum inside him. Clearly, the company had hidden the fake drug bust carefully, so how could someone as ordinary as Joseph know about it?“Or does Joseph know someone high in Anderson?” Anthony thought to himself. “No, no, that’s too absurd!” Anthony quickly dismissed the hypothesis. Even if Joseph did not know someone high up, they wouldn’t be foolish enough to reveal the impending bankruptcy of Anderson to him. It would be incredibly stupid. Anthony believed that no one would be foolish enough to jeopardize their own economic interests like that.Anthony paced back and forth in the room, his hands tightly clenched together, sweat dampening his palms. He couldn’t figure out where Anderson’s vulnerability lay, how someone like Joseph, who spent all his time in the kitchen, could know such a shocking secret. Anthony’s guts churned hotter with each passing moment. He couldn’t sit still an
“I’ll have this investigated!” Nicolas said, indifferently. He had little faith in Anthony’s hypothesis.“General Nicolas, please believe me! That guy Joseph is very ruthless; he’s the one who killed your leader!”“Don’t judge Joseph solely by his appearance; he may seem harmless, but he’s truly powerful. While not prominent in other fields, he’s exceptionally strong. If you don’t believe me, you can ask those present at the Watts family party; he single-handedly took down thirty men!”General Nicolas chuckled lightly upon hearing this. He thought Anthony would provide some useful information, but it turned out to be just that. Thirty men? So what? The Sprezzatura gang had hundreds of members; it was truly unbelievable that Joseph could take down a hundred men by himself. Nicolas had been in the political and underworld circles for many years, and he had never heard of Joseph! If he were truly a master, there was no way Nicolas wouldn’t know.“Alright, I said I will investigate.” With
“Yes, you can relax. The task you entrusted to me is done!” Rebecca said, smiling, as she was making a phone call.“Don’t worry! He won’t suspect anything! I used Miss’s phone to text him. You know, when people are in turmoil, their guard is at its lowest. He won’t know this is a trap! That fool will definitely come.” Rebecca spoke with confidence. One hand held her own phone, while the other held Charlotte’s phone.Rebecca was about to say something else when the door suddenly swung open. The person entering was none other than the owner of the room, and Rebecca’s employer, Charlotte.“Miss, Miss, when did you come back?” Rebecca immediately hung up the phone, her tone slightly awkward.“Just got back. Who were you talking to on the phone?”“Oh, just an old school friend asking to borrow money!” Rebecca quickly came up with an excuse, swiftly placing Charlotte’s phone back on the desk.Charlotte suspected nothing. She sat in her seat and worked on the documents.Seeing that Charlotte
“Young people these days are so spirited!” Nicolas looked at Joseph, then burst into laughter. In truth, he still had some doubt. Saying Joseph unilaterally killed his brother was illogical.“Joseph, do you know what consequences your words will lead to?”“I do.” Joseph replied indifferently. Even if not for Charlotte, he would still confess to killing Nicolas’s brother. It was his deed, and he didn’t want others to be implicated. Joseph knew his own capabilities. Facing the man in front of him, he felt no fear.“Do you know who I am?” Nicolas raised an eyebrow.“Major General Nicolas from the west.”Nicolas laughed heartily at that. Joseph knew his identity, so he must also know how formidable he was. Yet here, in this desolate place, he dared to admit to killing Nicolas’s beloved brother. Was he challenging his authority? Nicolas wanted to see how much courage the man before him had.“Aren’t you afraid of death? Or do you think I’ll spare you?”Joseph remained unfazed. He took two st
“Alright, I agree!” Joseph spoke, and the door was pushed up once again. A muscular man appeared, and Joseph recognized him as Mask Steven—one of the greatest heavyweight boxers in the world.Speaking briefly about Steven, he was hailed as the champion among supports, holding the heavyweight title from 2000 to 2010. He was undisputed for years. At 18, he won the gold medal in the lightweight category at the 2009 Summer Olympics and turned professional later that year.In the boxing world, Steven’s name was known to all. He was both an idol and a nightmare for all boxers worldwide. In recent years, Steven seemed to have withdrawn from boxing competitions and there were no reports about his activities. Joseph was surprised by Steven’s appearance today. He didn’t understand why Steven would become a subordinate under Nicolas, especially since Steven had no prior connection to the military or politics.“No need to look at me with such suspicion! Working for General Nicolas is an honor for
“You truly have broadened my horizons!” Nicolas wiped the blood from his mouth and spoke up. He didn’t seem the least bit angry.Nicolas was someone who valued talent. Joseph had truly earned his respect.“As promised, the death of that person. Consider it settled!” Nicolas waved his hand, signaling to let the matter go. He cherished his younger brother, but as a long-time military man, Nicolas believed in deeds over words. He knew there were reasons behind his brother’s death. The Sa gang leader never refrained from wicked deeds. It was just unfortunate that his brother encountered someone as courageous as Joseph.“Thank you for keeping your word. I also hope you’ll forgive Charlotte; she has nothing to do with this!”“Of course, Nicolas, I’m not unreasonable.”“In the future, if there’s anything, I hope for your cooperation!” Nicolas continued.Anthony, standing nearby, turned red with rage, as if possessed, and started babbling incessantly.“General, please reconsider. General, ple
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