Chapter 223
"Joseph's stern face loomed coldly above as his boot bore down heavily on Richard's chest. ""You've been making quite a name for yourself in Madison recently, haven't you? Flaunting your twisted antics there now. Aren't you concerned about tarnishing the Hernandez name? Do you actually believe you have the authority to command the Hernandez family?""
""Joseph, I’m sorry, I won’t repeat my actions,"" Richard pleaded, his voice quivering with fear.
""No, I must admit, you've got courage. You even dared to meddle with my woman,"" Joseph uttered with a chilling laugh.
Richard was taken aback. ""Olivia's your woman?""
Joseph slowly crouched down, his eyes as cold as ice. ""As if I'd stoop so low.""
A spark of realization dawned on Richard's face, disbelief evident in his voice, ""You don't mean... Cassie?""
""Just bear that in mind. I don't want to feel like I've wronged an innocent man when I finally deal with you,"" Joseph stated, straightening up.
Aware of Joseph's reputation for ruthlessness, Richard scrambled up from the floor and knelt, bowing his head to the ground, ""Joseph, please, I was ignorant... Please, forgive me.""
With a brutal kick, Joseph sent Richard crashing against the wall. Blood gushed from his mouth.
""If you lack self-control, perhaps I should assist you by incapacitating you,"" Joseph suggested casually as he strolled over.
""No, please,"" Richard trembled in terror. ""Joseph, I won’t repeat my actions. My grandmother would be devastated; she's always been fond of me and grandpa would be enraged.""
""So how do you suggest I vent this frustration?"" Joseph's boot pressed down mercilessly between Richard's legs.
Tears welled up in Richard's eyes from the pain as he clung to Joseph's pants, pleading, ""Please, any punishment you deem fit, I'll accept. I’ll kneel before Miss Brooks tomorrow, beg her to pardon me.""
""Remember your promise,"" Joseph stated firmly.
He turned to his men and commanded, ""Since he's so fond of playing with women, strip him and let him experience a night on the balcony.""
Richard shuddered at the thought; he had already caught a cold after Cassie stripped him and forced him to lie on the bathroom floor for half an hour. Now he was to endure an entire night in the freezing air—it was the early hours, and the temperature outside was near freezing.
""Joseph, I'll freeze to death.""
""Don't fret, you're my cousin. I’m not going to let you die. An ambulance is on standby downstairs, ready to rescue you when you're on the verge of passing out.""
With a pat on Richard's shoulder, the most tender gesture he had exhibited that night, Joseph turned and departed.
Richard was on the cusp of breaking down, vowing to himself never to cross paths with Cassie again.
At eight in the morning, Cassie was preparing breakfast in the kitchen when she received a call from Carter Harrison.
""Cassie, the board has called for an emergency shareholders' meeting this morning. They claim you assaulted Mr. Hernandez last night and they want to strip you of your chairmanship.""
""Also, if you don't grovel and apologize to Mr. Hernandez, they're planning to expel you from the board.""
Cassie immediately untied her apron, ""I'll be there shortly.""
After hanging up, she dashed to the front door like a whirlwind.
""Where's my breakfast?""
Joseph, clad in a black robe, yawned as he sauntered down the stairs. His muscular physique made even the simple garment look effortlessly elegant.
""The company's in crisis; have what the staff prepared,"" Cassie replied, swiftly changing her shoes before rushing out of the mansion.
Joseph's brow furrowed; it had been too long since he'd savored a breakfast prepared by her."
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