Chapter 377
Joseph stood tall, his hands trembling with a rage that was palpable. "I've stood face to face with Audrey myself, and I've witnessed the damage done to Cassie's face. She is my beloved, do you know the significance of appearance to a woman?" His voice echoed through the room, his fury barely contained.
Celeste stammered in response, her voice barely a whisper as she sought refuge behind the matriarch of the family. "I'm at a loss as to what you're implying. I've done nothing wrong."
Joseph's eyes blazed with a fiery anger, his rationality teetering on the brink of collapse. "Don't feign ignorance. It was Vera and her offspring who instigated this, wasn't it? You've always been in their favor—what did they offer you in return?"
Realizing that she could no longer evade the truth, Celeste gritted her teeth and spat out, "Fine, let's say I did it. What then? Joseph, I am your aunt. Would you really harm me for the sake of an outsider?"
"She is not an outsider, she is my beloved. I won't end your life, but it will be your face that pays the price for her suffering." With each word, Joseph moved closer to Celeste, his intentions clear.
Mildred, in a desperate attempt to protect her daughter, interjected, "You can't do this, Joseph. She's my child. If you harm her, I'll never forgive you."
Isaac, too, tried to defuse the situation, "Joseph, let's not be hasty. Medical science has made great strides; if need be, we can send her overseas for cosmetic surgery."
Mabel, her face red with anger, issued a stern warning, "If you dare harm your Aunt Judy, don't think of me as your mother ever again."
Joseph, undeterred, retorted, "Do you think I care about that?" He pushed Mildred aside and forced Celeste onto the dinner table, a paring knife now in his hand.
Celeste, her body shaking with terror, pleaded, "Joseph, please, I was wrong. I won't repeat my mistake. I'll apologize to Cassie, alright?"
Joseph's chilling smirk sent a shiver down her spine. "Perhaps I should mar your face first, then offer my apologies, don't you think?"
Overwhelmed with fear, Celeste blurted out, "You're insane! We should have never brought you back from that institution."
Joseph's response was chilling. "Well, Aunt Judy, I'll be sure to pay special attention to your face." His eyes burned with a madness that was terrifying as he raised the knife.
Suddenly, a voice filled the room. "Joey, stop!"
It was Cassie, standing in the doorway. The room fell silent as everyone turned to look at her.
"Walt," she said firmly, "I arrived just in time. Please, reason with him."
Despite her disgust, Cassie approached Joseph, taking his arm in hers. "Leave," he commanded, not wanting her to witness the monster he was becoming.
"I don't need you to fight my battles," Cassie said softly. "She isn't my real enemy."
"Exactly, I just lost control for a moment," Celeste quickly agreed, seizing the opportunity.
Joseph, however, remained unmoved. "I know, and no matter who it is, I'll make things right for you, starting with her."
"But she's your family, Joseph. I don't want you to lose what's left of your family because of me; I'm not worth it," Cassie pleaded, looking into his eyes.
Joseph was deeply affected by her words. Even with her beauty marred, she still had the power to stir his heart.
"No, you're worth everything," he said quietly.
Cassie paused, then looked down. "Think about your grandmother. How would she feel seeing her grandson harm his aunt? She's too old to bear that."
Joseph hesitated, glancing back at Mildred, whose pleading eyes met his. His grip on the knife loosened, and Celeste, seeing her chance, fled from the room as if delivered by a miracle.
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