Chapter 163 A Half-Brother!
Josephine's heart skipped a beat.
Andrew wobbled, and she quickly steadied him. "Grandpa!"
Andrew tossed his phone aside. "That bastard!"
He was so mad his eyes turned bloodshot, and his chest heaved.
Josephine helped him sit and handed him some water.
Andrew closed his eyes, taking a moment to calm down.
Then Josephine asked, "Grandpa, is it about Stuart?"
Andrew shook his head.
Josephine sighed in relief.
Andrew then said, "I'll explain later. Right now, I need to go abroad."
Josephine was shocked. "You need to go abroad? But your health..."
Andrew's health was okay, but a long flight might be too much.
Andrew said, "There's something I need to handle."
"I'll go with you," Josephine insisted. "I don't trust anyone else."
At least she was a doctor and could handle any health issues.
Andrew sighed. "I didn't want you to know, but I can't hide it. Alright, you can come."
So, Josephine, who had just returned home, flew out again.
Stuart picked them up at the airport.
They hadn't seen each other for over three days.
Stuart still looked tall and composed, but he was visibly more haggard, with bloodshot eyes and lines between his brows.
When Andrew saw him, he asked, "Where is he?"
Stuart's gaze shifted from Josephine. "I'll take you there."
On the way, Andrew was quiet, and Josephine didn't ask much.
Seeing Stuart safe and with Andrew, Josephine didn't plan to get involved in the Haustia family matters.
She said, "Grandpa, you go ahead. I need to get back to the research institute."
Stuart was about to speak, but Andrew said, "You come too."
She could ignore Stuart, but not Andrew. Josephine had to comply.
Stuart's expression softened a bit.
The three of them didn't talk much on the way.
When they arrived and opened the door, Josephine saw a familiar figure. "William?"
She pondered, 'It's William! What's going on? Stuart said someone wanted to kill him, and it's related to William? Impossible! And Andrew is here because of William? That seems unlikely too.'
William's gaze fell on Josephine. He smiled, his handsome face looking more lively. "Josephine, you're here too."
"What are you doing here?" Josephine asked.
"Mr. Stuart Haustia didn't tell you?" William's tone was sarcastic. "Oh, Mr. Andrew Haustia came in person. I'm so honored."
Andrew, always respected, had never been spoken to so sarcastically by a junior. He sat down with a stern face. "Stuart, take Josephine to rest first."
William snorted, "Are you afraid of the family's dirty laundry being aired?"
Josephine had always respected Andrew. She glanced at William and said, "Grandpa, you talk. I'll go freshen up."
"I'll take you," Stuart said, leading Josephine to another room.
As soon as they entered and closed the door, Stuart turned around and pressed Josephine against the wall.
With just a door between them and Andrew and William, Josephine lowered her voice. "What are you doing?"
Stuart bent down, burying his face in her neck. "Josephine, I almost didn't get to see you."
Josephine frowned. "What's going on? What does this have to do with William?"
Stuart sighed. "William is my half-brother."
Josephine was shocked. "What?"
Stuart explained, "You know my parents' relationship is a mess now."
Josephine nodded. She knew Stuart's parents were both researchers, often away at research bases, deeply passionate about their work. Initially, their relationship was great, sharing common interests. But then, Stuart's father had an affair with his assistant, Melissa Clark. After that, they separated and barely kept in touch. Both were so busy with their work that they didn't care much about the family, leaving Stuart to be raised by Andrew.
William was Melissa's child from that affair. When the affair was exposed, Andrew was furious and sent Melissa abroad, cutting off all contact. No one knew she was pregnant at the time, and now William was all grown up.
Outside, William sneered. "Both Stuart and I are the Haustia family's descendants. He lived a good life, while I was tossed around, homeless. Is that fair?"
Andrew said sternly, "No matter what, your mother intruded into someone else's marriage."
"Bullshit!" William cursed. "My mom was just an assistant. Elbert forced himself on her. The Haustia family is powerful enough to crush her easily!"
William continued, "When the affair was exposed, you were ruthless, sending my mom abroad to fend for herself. Do you know what kind of life she had? She died of illness, depressed and lonely, in her forties."
He shouted, "I became an orphan! My mom's death is the Haustia family's fault! You're all murderers!"
Andrew sighed. "Even if Elbert and I were wrong, you shouldn't harm us."
William sneered. "Harm you? To destroy someone, you have to take away what they value most. Stuart is the Haustia family heir. I want him dead! I want you all to feel the pain of losing a loved one!"
"Enough!" Andrew roared, "Right or wrong, it doesn't matter anymore. The person is gone. Why do this?"
William said, "Gone? With just a few words, you want to erase all the pain my mom suffered. You really are a ruthless wealthy family!"
Andrew spoke, "Whatever you want, I can give it to you. Stuart is your brother. You can't do this."
"Brother?" William sneered. "He doesn't acknowledge me. If I hadn't revealed the truth, you'd be looking at a corpse right now!"
Andrew asked, "But you were the one who attacked him first, right?"
William called out, "I'm avenging my mom!"
Andrew closed his eyes. When he opened them, he looked exhausted. "If you want revenge, go after Elbert. He's the real culprit!"
"I want to," William said, "After dealing with Stuart, Elbert is next!"
Andrew felt he was beyond help. "And Josephine? What do you want with her?"
William smiled. "Josephine is such a good woman. Stuart doesn't deserve to be her husband."
Andrew was furious. "Nonsense! She's your sister-in-law!"
"Sister-in-law?" William scoffed. "Stuart doesn't deserve to be her husband, let alone my brother!"
