Chapter 421
With a sense of urgency, she ascended the stairs, her hands hurriedly rifling through the drawers of the study. Among the clutter, she discovered several bottles of medicine. A swift consultation with her phone confirmed her suspicions - two of the bottles were stabilizers and antipsychotic medication.
Could the news be true?
There was a time when he had attempted to harm his caregiver, even causing her injury. Now, she was left to wonder if he could possibly harbor the intention to...
A shiver ran down her spine, the chilling thought too terrifying to fully contemplate.
"Rosalind, Joseph hasn't returned yet. Perhaps we should reach out to him?" Rosalind's figure materialized in the doorway, her gaze fixated on the medicine clutched in Cassie's hand, her expression blank. "Those medications..."
"Rosalind, you've been acquainted with Joseph since his childhood. You must be aware... about his mental health struggles, correct?" Cassie's face was ashen, her lips quivering with apprehension.
Rosalind appeared bewildered, her hands nervously wiping on her apron, "Where did you learn of this? It cannot be accurate..."
"The internet is abuzz with the news," Cassie unlocked her phone and presented the screen to her, "Rosalind, is this the truth?"
Rosalind gazed at the photos in disbelief. "Who would disseminate these? This is a gross violation... You must trust Jo seph, he is a good man."
"However, his temper is incredibly unpredictable, prone to anger, even extreme at times. These medications are proof," Cassie held the pill bottle tighter, her voice barely above a whisper, "I've been fearful of him as well. He's inflicted harm on me before, and it was terrifying. I need to know the truth."
"Very well, I will tell you, but I implore you not to misconstrue him like the others."
Inhaling deeply, Rosalind began, "Joseph developed this condition when he was merely eight, coinciding with his parents' separation. Mabel was entirely absent from his life, and within the Hernandez family, the patriarch was emotionally distant, engrossed in his business. His grandmother loved him, certainly, but with a large family to cater to, and the constant social engagements, who had the time to care for him? The nanny's abusive behavior went unnoticed amidst everyone's indifference."
"Abuse?" Cassie echoed, taken aback.
"Indeed. Joseph was an insecure child, frequently throwing tantrums. It was merely a child's plea for attention, but the nanny found him irksome, often locking him in a closet, sometimes denying him meals, even forcing him to endure the harsh winter stripped of his clothes, left to starve and freeze."
A tight knot formed in Cassie's chest, a pang of pain all too familiar, but Joseph was just a child then.
How could anyone exhibit such cruelty towards a child?
"Joseph did attempt to voice his concerns, but without any visible injuries, everyone dismissed his claims as an attempt to shift the blame onto the nanny."
Rosalind continued, "Joseph's biological father was of no help either, perpetually drowning in alcohol. When Cameron abandoned the country with a new woman the year Joseph turned eight, he severed ties with his son, claiming that Joseph's mere sight evoked unpleasant memories. His departure was the final blow for Joseph..."
Cassie struggled to find her voice. "So..."
"Yes, Joseph spiraled into a deep depression. He ceased speaking, refused to eat, and under the nanny's continued maltreatment, he reached his breaking point and retaliated, injuring her... It was only when his grandmother reviewed the security footage that she discovered the nanny's abusive behavior, but by then it was too late. Joseph was committed to a mental institution, where he underwent treatment for three years. Upon his return, Joseph strived to regain the Hernandez family's favor, which is the only reason he's achieved his current standing."
Tears welled up in Rosalind's eyes as she pleaded, "It's natural to fear Joseph, but I hope you won't scorn or abandon him. He's already endured so much, and losing you would leave him with nothing. It could shatter him."
"...Alright, I won't," Cassie nodded, a twinge of pain still lingering in her heart.
Who would have thought that such a proud and distinguished man concealed a childhood marred by sorrow and suffering?
She was suddenly overwhelmed with the desire to embrace him tightly, to assure him that she would dedicate the rest of her life to compensating for the familial happiness he had been denied.
Others might fear him, but not her. Not anymore.
However, a worry gnawed at her – what if Joseph saw those photos? Could it exacerbate his condition?
She hastily dialed Joseph's number, but received no response.
Left with no other choice, she dialed Walter, "Walter, where's Joseph? I saw the news, where is he currently?"
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