Chapter 674 Kaleb And Joe Ended Their Friendship
The actions of the Joe couple made Kaleb realize completely that Joe was determined to seek revenge on Billy for Patricia.
Fearing that Kaleb would plead for Patricia, Joe blocked him, planning to unblock him after things settled down.
Kaleb, not giving up, sent him a message.
"I know you blocked me, but after all these years of friendship, don't I deserve your trust? I know you're at home, and I'll be waiting at your doorstep until you're ready to talk."
Although phone calls were futile, Kaleb hoped his message would reach Joe.
And indeed, a few minutes after sending the message, Joe called.
Kaleb answered the phone, "Joe..."
"Kaleb , this has nothing to do with you! If you still consider me a friend, don't get involved anymore! I don't want our decades of friendship to fall apart because of a sudden appearance of Patricia."
Joe's tone carried deep exhaustion as if drained of spirit.
Naturally, Kaleb didn't want their relationship to be destroyed like this.
"Joe, our decades of friendship won't be easily destroyed! I cherish our brotherly bond! But there are some things I want to say to you in person! Can I come in?"
Joe hesitated for a moment. "Is it for Patricia? If it is... then you should go back! When this matter is over, I will personally come to apologize to you."
Kaleb sighed, not directly answering his question, and deliberately said, "After decades of friendship, do you really have no trust in me?"
Joe was at a loss for words. by his retort.
After a while, he said, "Fine! I'll have the butler open the door!"
Not long after the call ended, the butler came to open the gate and personally invited Kaleb in.
Joe and Susan also came downstairs, sitting on the sofa in the living room.
Even though it had been two days, Susan still couldn't accept the fact that her son had left. She sat on the sofa, wiping away tears.
Joe's eyes were red and swollen.
Despite trying to hold back, the sorrow was evident.
"Mr. Hill, Mrs. Hill, Mr. Taylor is here!"
Both of them were immersed in sorrow until they heard the butler's voice, then they looked up.
Kaleb observed them with concern, his voice gentle as he inquired, "How are both of you holding up?"
Joe's response was laden with grief, his tone heavy with sorrow. "How can we be okay when our only son is dead! These days, Susan's eyes are almost blinded from crying! We haven't dared to tell Carol about this, afraid she won't be able to handle it."
Kaleb patted Joe's shoulder, sitting across from them on the sofa.
"Actually, have you ever thought that Billy didn't die?"
At these words, Joe and Susan both looked up, puzzled yet with a hint of hope.
Kaleb clarified, "Billy is proficient in swimming. I had someone test it out. A skilled swimmer like him wouldn't drown from a fall."
"Test?" Joe and Susan frowned.
"Who did you test it with? Why suddenly test this?" Subconsciously, they still thought Kaleb was trying to forgive Patricia.
Kaleb was not giving up.
He was determined to help Patricia.
Thinking about this, they couldn't help but feel more disappointed in him.
Decades of friendship between the two families were being overshadowed by someone they had only known for a month.
Feeling the weight of their misunderstanding, Kaleb hastened to clarify, "Although Billy is not my biological son, I have treated him like a son all these years! His place in my heart is the same as Maximilian's! If he truly met such a fate, I'd be as devastated as you, yearning for justice to be served!"
Joe looked at him expressionless. "Are you trying to say that Billy didn't die? Patricia is innocent? Kaleb Taylor, if you still consider me a friend, you shouldn't meddle in this. I know you like Patricia, but you've only known each other for a month."
This was the first time Joe called Kaleb by his full name."
Sensing the urgency of the situation, Kaleb couldn't hold back. "But Patricia has been innocent all along! You've dedicated your life to upholding justice. Are you willing to compromise your principles on the eve of your retirement?"
Joe's emotions flared. "The driver saw it with his own eyes! I investigated the driver; he had no grudge against Patricia, and no one instructed him. Why would he frame her? Tell me, why?"
As he spoke the last sentence, his voice grew louder.
Chaos engulfed the scene.
Kaleb explained, "It's all about perspective! The angle from which the driver was standing caused a visual error!"
Having been in politics for decades, Joe was naturally sharp-witted and immediately caught the implication in his words, his face changing immediately. "So, you mean Patricia just patted Billy on the shoulder, and he fell? Was this all a play staged by Billy to frame Patricia? In fact, with Billy's swimming skills, he wouldn't have been harmed by falling!"
Kaleb hadn't expected him to hit the nail on the head, unsure how to respond.
Joe stood up angrily, veins popping on his forehead and neck. "Is that what you're saying?"
Remembering Sebastian's advice that Joe was angry, Kaleb quickly stood up to calm him, "Joe, don't be angry. I came here to talk about this matter seriously with you, not to upset you!"
With Billy unjustly dead and wrongly accused, Joe couldn't calm down.
"Fine, then explain to me, why would Billy implicate Patricia? There's been no previous quarrel between them, no recent grudges. What motive would he have to harm her?"
Kaleb remained unusually calm. "I don't know either! That's why I said there are many things we haven't figured out yet! Until we understand everything, let's not wrongly accuse innocent people."
Joe was utterly disappointed in Kaleb.
"Kaleb, why do you defend her like this? Billy practically grew up under your care!"
Upon concluding his statement, Kaleb pointed forcefully towards the door and shouted, "Leave. I can't bear to look at you any longer. Our families' association ends here."
Kaleb, taken aback by Joe's obstinate demeanor, found himself at a loss. No matter what he said, it seemed to fall on deaf ears. In a moment of desperation, he implored, "Patricia is my daughter. Even if I beseech you, in consideration of the bond between our families, grant her an opportunity for exoneration, do heed our explanation."
Joe, initially puzzled, then broke into a sardonic smile—a smile rife with irony.
"Kaleb, have you gone mad in search of a lost child? I've said it before, Patricia is not your daughter. Billy personally did a DNA test for you. Science doesn't lie! Stop being so stubborn."
Kaleb was stunned. "What are you saying? Billy did a DNA test for us?"
Why had Joe never mentioned this to him?
He hadn't mentioned it when he came to tell him that Patricia wasn't his daughter, nor had he mentioned it since.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
