Chapter 479
Michael's voice crackled with irritation as he retorted, "Joseph, this is the second time you've summoned me over this woman." His own anger was mounting. "Joyce Ray is Nancy's sister. With Nancy no longer with us, I'm merely attempting to look out for her kin."
Joseph's voice was laced with a bitter self-awareness. "Yes, I've often justified my actions in the same way, leading me to cross my own moral boundaries time and again for Megan Ray's sake. The monstrous acts Nathan Zenith has committed over the years are unthinkable! Four years ago, he was responsible for a loss of life, and every piece of evidence pointed directly at him. Yet, I bore the brunt of the entire Madison community's ire to represent him in court. I loathed my profession after that, stepped away from practicing law, and let Brandon Wright pursue me—you're well aware of all that."
Michael fell into a stunned silence.
Joseph's grip on Cassie's hand tightened. "I shielded Nathan Zenith for four years, even stood up against the Zenith Family when they tormented the Leightons, at the cost of my own marriage. People have to move on. I can't cling to the memory of Megan Ray forever; it's not fair to Cassie."
Frustration gnawed at Michael, and he shot back, "Is that what your love for Megan Ray amounted to? Just that?"
"She's gone... perhaps you loved her more than I did," Joseph replied, his voice heavy with resignation.
Michael felt a jolt of realization. He knew.
"If we're still brothers, then please show some respect to my wife from now on," Joseph implored before hanging up, his gaze fixed on a stunned Cassie.
Cassie's mind was a whirlwind of confusion. She'd heard about Joseph being one of Madison's top lawyers who had disappeared overnight—all because of Nathan Zenith. And Michael had feelings for Megan Ray? The plot was thickening.
"Cassie, from now on, I will let go of the past for you. Can we just look forward and move on?" Joseph's voice was filled with sincerity.
Cassie's confusion lasted only a moment before she withdrew her hand. She couldn't discern what was real and what was not.
"It's okay; we have plenty of time," Joseph said as he rose from his seat. "You continue with your work; I won't disturb you anymore."
With that, he exited the room, closing the door behind him. Cassie sat there for a long time, the words on the documents before her blurring into insignificance.
After leaving Peace Group, Joseph drove to the hospital for his infusion treatment. His condition was precarious, barely kept in check by medication.
No sooner had the needle pricked his skin than Mabel stormed in, livid. "Joseph, you really sent Legal to Chamberlain asking for 800 billion? Are you trying to kill the guy? You must be losing your mind over money."
Marcus trailed behind Mabel, his face a portrait of despair. "Look, I know you blame me for being with your mother. It's fine if you don't like me. But the Chamberlains, they're innocent in all this. Joe, as your uncle, I'm begging you, lay off Chamberlain, will ya?"
"Don't beg him, Marcus," Mabel interjected, her heart aching at the sight of the man she loved demeaning himself.
Joseph smirked, "Uncle Marcus, care to plead some more? I'm used to women playing the victim, but this is the first time I see a man doing the sob story. It's quite amusing."
Marcus's refined features froze.
Mabel was seething with anger. "Watch your mouth. Your Uncle Marcus has always stood up for you, even made me go soft on you recently. But now I see I was wrong; you're just cold-blooded and heartless."
Joseph crossed his arms, "How am I heartless? That 800 billion, it's the legitimate earnings from the cooperation between Hernandez and Chamberlain over the years. It's all there on the bill, crystal clear. They owe us, and I'm the bad guy for trying to get what's due to Hernandez? I'm doing this for Hernandez's benefit."
"We don't need that kind of benefit. The Chamberlain and Hernandez families, we're practically kin. I made it a point to back the Chamberlains back in the day. Your grandfather knew all about this..."
"Well then, go complain to my grandfather. Why come to me?" Joseph retorted with a scoff.
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