Joseph sat in front of the window, looking out at the sky changing in the dawn light. The first rays of the new day's sunlight crept through the door, illuminating the quiet room. In his hand, an old photo has faded with time. The image of his mother when she was young, her face was kind and gentle, smiling slightly when she was with him.Joseph caressed the photo, his fingers gently touching her face. He whispered like a monologue to himself, his voice quiet. "Mom, I miss you. When you passed away, you told me not to avenge you, and not to confront dad. I used to listen to you, but it seems like the trees want to be quiet but the wind doesn't stop."He remembers the lonely days after his mother passed away, recalling her last words of advice. His mother had always wanted him to live a peaceful life, away from conflicts and suffering. But Mr. William, the father he always tried to respect, never wanted to pass on the inheritance to him or even nurture him or want him to be better. If
“Joseph, the company is having a bit of an error. Cause no more trouble. Sit still and let me handle it.” Jayce turned to Joseph, his eyes serious but unable to hide his anger.Joseph looked at Jayce, clearly sensing his brother’s disdain. The other employees in the room paid little attention to his presence, only focusing on trying to fix the problem. Joseph calmly observed and saw everyone in chaos, but no one really knew how to handle the problem.“What kind of business are you guys doing? You can’t fix a simple mistake like this! If you can’t do your job, then quit!” Jayce got mad and scolded the IT team.“We we…”The IT team bowed their heads and hesitated to speak. Indeed, they themselves have never encountered an incident like this before.“Jayce, let me try.” Joseph suddenly approached, his face still as calm as before.Jayce shook Joseph’s hand away, his voice filled with coldness. “The company is already in chaos, cause no more chaos.”Jayce’s attitude now is in complete con
“Everything has just begun!” A devilish smile appeared on Joseph’s handsome face.After leaving Jayce’s room, Joseph walked around the company all morning. He observed everything, from working departments to small meetings taking place in glass conference rooms. Joseph took his camera with him and occasionally stopped to take a few photos, not only to entertain himself but also to record the moments and working atmosphere of William Group.Around afternoon, when Joseph was sitting in a quiet corner near the hallway, his phone rang. He looked at the screen, saw Brian’s name appear, and quickly answered.“Hi, Brian. What’s going on?” Joseph asked, his voice gentle but unable to hide his curiosity.Brian quickly got straight to the point. “Joseph, the acquisition of Anderson Group has been completed. But there’s something unexpected. Jeff Anderson wants to meet you to thank you. He also said he has a good business deal to bring you.”Joseph looked around, then moved to a quieter hallway
Joseph walked towards the elevator to return to his office. When the elevator door opened, he suddenly ran into Jayce. Jayce looked relaxed, but Joseph’s sharp eyes couldn’t miss the slight tiredness on his brother’s face.Joseph asked casually, trying to keep his tone light. “Where did you just get back from?”“Ah, I just went to the cafe across the street to buy some water. I’ve been so busy at work that I need a drink to stay awake.” Jayce smiled slightly, a bit awkward, but tried to hide it.“Is that so? You must be very busy today.”Jayce sighed and stepped into the elevator with Joseph, his eyes slightly tense. “That’s right, Joseph. Today I’m too busy, I can’t give you much instructions or tasks. But tomorrow will definitely be different. I will spend more time guiding you.”Joseph smiled slightly. Of course, he understood it was just a reason to let Jayce’s matter go.“It’s okay, you are my brother. I know you will create the best conditions for me to develop.” Joseph said whi
Mr. William nodded. His eyes could not hide his satisfaction. “You have proven your abilities. I am very proud of you, Joseph.”“If Joseph is that good, then Jayce has a lot to worry about in the future, right? I’m afraid his pile of sleeping pills must have increased.” Norman, sitting at the corner of the table, casually spoke up, his voice full of sarcasm.Jayce, sitting across from Norman, frowned and turned to look at his brother. “Norman, what are you talking about? Of course, I’m happy if Joseph is talented. That’s the joy of the whole William family.”Norman smirked, unable to hide the mockery in his voice. “Really, Jayce? Are you thrilled about that?”Joseph sat quietly observing. He felt that the relationship between Norman and Jayce was not good. Norman’s sarcastic words and Jayce’s reaction show that there is an underlying tension between them. Joseph also grasped some information about Jayce’s past, what Jayce did to maintain his position in the corporation.In Joseph’s mi
“Jayce, it’s a shame I can’t let you have your satisfaction.” Joseph smiled maliciously, his eyes flashing with calculation. He muttered to himself, his voice full of challenge.He tidied everything up and carefully arranged the medical equipment back into the suitcase. He left the bottle of Ganoderma medicine intact on the table, as if it had never been touched. At that moment, Joseph’s phone vibrated. Brian’s message appeared, announcing the time and location of tonight’s meeting. Jeff met them at a nightclub at 12 o’clock at night.Joseph texted back “ok” to Brian, then instructed, “Prepare me a mask.”After planning, Joseph stood up. He swung his legs, with no signs of any injury. Standing in front of the mirror, he looked at himself and smiled evilly. “This minor injury can’t make things difficult for me.”The hands of the clock ticked past eleven-thirty. Joseph’s door opened gently, and he walked out making no noise. He makes every gesture and action carefully and precisely.Jos
“You guys, tell them about our project.” Jeff turned to Leon and Adobe.Leon nodded, took out his phone and opened an app. He walked up to Joseph and Brian, holding up the phone for them to see. “This is our product,” Leon began, his voice filled with pride.Joseph and Brian looked at the phone screen. It’s an online gambling app. The interface is shiny and attractive. Joseph immediately understood something, but he kept silent, letting Leon and Adobe continue.“This is an online gambling app,” Leon explained, his voice filled with excitement. “This application is run by AI and controlled by real people. We designed it to trick gamblers into playing and then swallowing their money.”Adobe interjected, flashing a despicable smile. “That’s right. Our revenue has skyrocketed since launching this app. Gamblers are caught in a spiral and can’t get out.”Joseph heard them boasting about their revenue and clearly saw the cunning of the three people in front of them. He knew that he definitel
Joseph pulled Norman’s hand, his voice stern. “Quickly, leave here first and think later.”Norman nodded, and with the man accompanying him, the three of them quickly left the chaotic hallway. When they walked outside, they met Brian waiting near the car.“Joseph, where have you been for so long?” Brian blurted out, clearly worried.Norman heard it, his face distorted. “Joseph?” He repeated Joseph’s name, his eyes filled with surprise and suspicion. Norman raised his hand to take off Joseph’s mask, but Joseph quickly held his hand, his eyes cold.“Don’t, Norman. Now is not the time.”Brian’s eyes widened when he saw Joseph appear with two other people, and it was also Norman. “Norman? What are you doing here?”Norman also saw Brian. He pushed Joseph’s hand away and smirked. “The next day, if you don’t want to be recognized by someone you know, disguise both of you.”Joseph was about to say something, but then Norman seemed to realize something when he looked down at Joseph’s feet. “Is
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