Desmond could understand what happened as young people often acted impulsively. Noah could not handle the fact that Joseph still had lingering feelings for Chloe, so he resorted to extreme measures. There was a reason behind his actions. But Jasper was a five-year-old kid. Kidnapping was illegal, yet Noah had instructed Eustace to kidnap Jasper. Desmond could not fathom how the promising successor he had personally groomed had turned into such a dreadful person.The cane was made of solid wood, and the strike caused Noah excruciating pain. He let out a muffled groan as he staggered. He clenched his teeth, knowing that he had no other choice but to keep lying."Grandpa, I didn't do it," he insisted.His words were met with a series of harsh strikes from Desmond. Each hit was delivered with tremendous force, fueled by anger and a desire to make Noah see reason, but he remained steadfast in his denial."Lock him in his room. He's not allowed to set foot in Exotic Star ever again. Th
Though it was already dark outside, Chloe was able to see a few steps ahead with the help of the moonlight. Inside of the stone chamber was pitch-black. The floor was uneven, and she stumbled with every step.Chloe kept close to the wall, moving forward one step at a time. Suddenly, she heard a creak. She was unsure of what she had stepped on, but the entire chamber began to shake violently, followed by a sensation of weightlessness.She clung to the wall, trembling in a corner as she started to panic. She knew there would be many unknown dangers inside, but dying before seeing Joseph would be a terrible waste.Giant rocks rolled toward Chloe from all directions. She just narrowly avoided being hit several times. Each passing moment was like a battle with the Grim Reaper."Are you trying to get yourself killed?"Suddenly, rough hands gripped her shoulders, and a familiar masculine scent enveloped her. Chloe could not see the person's face, but she knew it was Joseph, and her tense
His eyes dark with desire, Joseph made no move to stop her. He could have endured it while searching for a way to break out of the stone chamber alone. However, now that she was here, he could not resist anymore. After Chloe had enough of feasting on Joseph's body, a playful idea popped into her head. She gulped and said in a serious tone, "Putting aside your personality, you’re really handsome."She reminisced about how she had been captivated by his looks at first sight.Joseph chuckled and said, "Are you feeling restless?""Very," Chloe replied. She nestled in his arms and continued, her gaze inviting. "It's so hot here. I wanna take off my clothes."As she talked, she began to undress.Joseph's breath hitched. "Are you trying to seduce me?""No, I'm not. Don't talk nonsense," Chloe denied, "Besides, we've seen each other naked. We know what the other looks like."Little did she know that her words were having quite an impact on Joseph. He made a concerted effort not to e
Vince paced back and forth anxiously. He checked his satellite phone over and over, afraid of missing Joseph’s call. After a while, he pressed his ear against the stone chamber as if he were a thief."Vince, have you heard anything?""Why don't we just rush in? It's better than sitting here waiting.""Yeah, Vince. We're stronger together. If there's danger, we can help Mr. Joseph."Vince started to waver. One person might be powerless, but the situation would be different if they had a team. As men, they hesitated while Chloe dared to enter alone to help Joseph.He stared at the tightly closed doors and made up his mind. When he was about to take action, his phone rang."Hello?""It's me, Samuel.""Mr. Samuel, is something wrong?""Did Chloe manage to find you?""Yes, she did. She's already inside with Mr. Joseph, but we don't know the situation. I’m about to head inside to look for them.""I’d advise you to stay put. If you mess up Joe’s plan, you'll get a beating."Joseph
Zoelle sighed. "I'll do my best, but I can’t promise anything. The poison she ingested has spread to her organs. Even the best physician can’t save her. On top of that, her will to survive is extremely low..."Frieda was determined to die, and there was no medical solution for a patient with such intentions.Joseph stood at the doorway, gazing at Frieda who was breathing weakly on the bed. His heart tightened. Even though it had only been one day since she was brought back to Duskfall, she had already resolved to take her own life. She had already decided what to do if she was captured again.Death would be her release. Joseph closed his eyes, trying to regain his composure. "Please do your best to make her wake up. I'm begging you." Zoelle nodded solemnly. "I’ll do everything I can." Tears welled up in Vince's eyes. He wiped them away with his sleeve and pleaded, "I know you're the best doctor, Zoelle. I apologize for what happened before. Please, you have to save Frieda. Don
Before Joseph left the room, he closed the door.Frieda had lost the will to live. She patted Chloe's shoulder and said, "Cherish it this time."Chloe held onto Frieda's hand, her eyes filling with tears."Don't be sad, Chloe. I'm quite relaxed now. It's not as torturous as you think. I've lived long enough," Frieda consoled.She was exhausted, and now, she could finally rest."Don't say such words. You’ll get better. Zoelle is an excellent physician. I'm sure she can save you.""I won't get better. I know," Frieda said laboriously, "I want you to do something for me. I want you to take care of your own health. The longer you put it off, the worse it’ll become.""My headache is just a minor issue. I'll be fine with some rest.""No, it's not a minor issue. Chloe, what Zoelle said was right. You need to see a psychologist."Frieda could tell that Chloe resisted the idea that she had a psychological issue and could not handle the stress. At this point, there was no other choice.
Before Joseph could respond, a commotion erupted outside, and Otto entered with his people. His face bore a wicked grin as he stepped aside to make way for those behind him.Dressed in white sportswear, Cyrus walked forward and fixed a mocking gaze on Joseph. "You coming to my place uninvited and taking away my people was extremely impolite.”"Yeah, if you wanted to see Frieda, you could’ve just told me. I would’ve helped you schedule a meetup. As a prestigious family, the Whitmans shouldn't engage in such sneaky activities.” Otto sneered, seemingly forgetting that it was Duskfall who had abducted Frieda.Joseph ignored them and stood by the bedside quietly with his head lowered. Shadows from the trees outside the window cast patterns on him, and an eerie aura surrounded him. The room fell strangely silent.Otto felt that something was amiss. He shoved Vince aside and glanced into the room. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the flatline on the heart rate monitor and shuddere
Vince stretched out his hand to stop Otto. He said coldly, "Don’t even think about running. It'll be your turn to get beaten up next.""Nonsense. This has nothing to do with me. I can't stop someone who's determined to die."Except for freedom, Cyrus had given everything Frieda needed during her stay at Duskfall. The situation that led to today was entirely of her own making."Shut up! I'm going to beat the hell out of you now!""Get out!" Joseph shouted, his eyes bloodshot.Vince stopped in his tracks and fell silent. Chloe wiped away the tears from the corner of her eyes. She led Jasper out of the room and left the room to Joseph. She knew that he needed some time alone right now. *The rain showed no sign of letting up. Chloe brought Jasper to the Sullivan manor, but he could not fall asleep until late at night. While he slept, he mumbled for his grandmother.Chloe could not sleep. After tucking Jasper in and making sure he was comfortable, she quietly left. Water soaked