Chapter 40
The 886 VII‘ room at Betrico’s elite private hospital, part of the Chisers Group, looked like a war zone. Shards of glass, blankets, and pillows were strewn about, with a bowl of risotto sitting forgotten, its steam now just a faint whisper.
Joseph was a disaster, sprawled on the hospital bed. His eyes, bring with rage and bloodshot, contrasted sharply with his usual polished and suave demeanor. His hair was a mess, and his face was rough with stubble
Up close, the emptiness of one sleeve in his loose hospital gown was evident with a subtle red stain seeping through the
white fabric.
Huddled in the corner, a woman wept uncontrollably, her composure shattered. It was Barbara, Harold’s current wife and Joseph’s birth mother. Her usual elegance was replaced by smeared makeup and a disheveled appearance, as if she had aged a decade in a single night.
This chaos had persisted since Joseph woke that morning, realizing Morris had taken his arm. His violent outbursts had been relentless–smashing objects, chasing off medical staff, and even attempting to strangle his own mother.
Clutching a bowl of untouched risotto, Barbara forced herself to stand and approached Joseph’s bedside. Joseph, please, eat something. We’ll get through this. I promise we’ll fix your hand, she sobbed, her voice breaking.
“Get out,” Joseph bellowed, the cords in his neck standing out in stark relief.
Suddenly, Harold barged in, his voice a thunderclap. “Shut your mouth.”
At his entrance, Barbara’s distress only deepened. “Harold, you have to help Joseph. Morris is ruthless, taking his brother’s arm. Joseph’s life is ruined without it.”
Harold, already on edge, snapped at the sight of Barbara’s disarray and incessant tears. His hand lashed out, striking her with a force that sent her crashing to the floor, her sobs now mere whispers.
However, Joseph just watched with an indifferent gaze from his bed, his eyes a deep, furious red.
Harold pointed an accusing finger at Barbara, his voice dripping with disdain. “I gave you everything, and this is what you’ve raised–someone who’d drug Phoebe. How am I supposed to show my face now? You’ve ruined him with your coddling.”
Turning to Joseph, he spat, “And you actually caused harm and left a trail for Morris to follow. The SEC banning Regalflow Group was a warning from him. Yet, you still provoke him?”
“Fortunately, Morris found some girl who managed to heal Phoebe,” Harold remarked, casting a sidelong glance at Joseph
on the bed.
At the mention of Morris and the girl healing Phoebe, Joseph’s eyes widened with a menacing glint.
Harold smirked, adding. “Strange, isn’t it? Morris, not known for his affections, was gentle with this girl, even escorting her personally. But she’s something too, healing Phoebe in no time.
With that, he said to Joseph and Barbara curtly, Take care of yourselves.” Then he strode out of the room.
As the door closed behind Harold, his angry face was replaced by a cunning smile. He snorted, thinking, ‘Morris, if I can’t bring you down, I’ll let your own brother do it It’s not my fault; you’re too uncontrollable Chivers Group will only be mine.
Inside the room, Barbara remained on the floor, while Joseph closed his eyes, his left hand balling into a fist, with veins bulging. When he opened his eyes, he said slowly, ‘Mom, I’m sorry.”
Barbara’s tears halted, and she staggered to her feet, asking. Joseph, what did you say?”
Joseph looked at Barbara, his eyes now soft and vulnerable. “Mom, I’m sorry. I’m hungry. Is there more risotto?”
08:33 Wed, Dec 4
Chapter 40
“Yes, of course. I’ll get right away,” Barbara replied, her urgency palpable as she hurried out.
The moment Barbara left, Joseph’s soft gaze hardened into a sister stare. “Morris, you’ll pay for taking my hand. I’ll take Chivers Group and everything y
