Chapter 332 The Truth of Those Years
Stuart just sat there, speechless, after hearing all the dirt Isaac had pulled.
Man, he really wanted to take Isaac out. How could someone be such a scumbag? Just because he couldn't have Carol, he decided to wreck other people's lives and love stories. He made two people who were crazy about each other suffer for over twenty years.
Stuart used to think that even if Elbert hadn't cheated, he might still be to blame. Like, why did he need a female assistant anyway? But Melissa wasn't really his assistant; she was just an office clerk who sometimes got a bit too close under the pretense of work.
Back then, Elbert was young, good-looking, and came from a well-off family. Even if he wasn't flashy, his life was still pretty luxurious.
In those days, the gap between him and regular folks was huge. Even if someone had a decent income, they couldn't live like he did.
Elbert was all about his studies at first, and it wasn't until he started chasing Carol that people at the research institute realized how loaded he was.
He'd have flowers laid out on the path Carol walked from the dorm to the cafeteria. He'd drop tens of thousands on fireworks just to light up outside her window.
Seasonal luxury items, jewelry, dresses, bags—anything a girl could want, he'd buy it for her. All to win Carol over.
Carol was a tough nut to crack; she didn't care about fancy stuff and didn't even bat an eye despite Elbert chasing her for ages.
It wasn't until later, when Carol got into some trouble and Elbert saved her, that they finally hit it off.
Everything just fell into place after that.
Elbert was the top dog at the research institute, and Carol was the top gal. Lots of people liked Elbert, and even more were into Carol.
Elbert never thought that one of Carol's admirers would be the one to screw him over in the end.
He couldn't explain it back then. Caught in bed with someone, what could he say? Who would believe him?
It was Andrew who pulled some strings, and since Melissa didn't press charges, Elbert got to stay at the research institute. But from that point on, Carol never worked on the same project team with him again, and she never even spoke to him.
The worst part wasn't the betrayal. It was suffering for decades, only to find out it was all a big joke. How could anyone handle that?
Stuart eventually made his way to the hospital, and luckily, Jeffery was still awake.
When he showed up, Josephine was surprised. "Didn't you say you'd come later?"
"Got things sorted out, so I came over." Stuart greeted her and sat by the bed, asking Jeffery, "Did you like tonight's food? What book are you reading? Want me to join you?"
Josephine smiled and let the two of them have their time. She went to the living room and chatted with Laura and Claudia in a group chat.
Laura knew Claudia was at the hospital taking care of Jair and would occasionally send messages asking for updates.
Josephine was okay; she worried about Claudia but didn't say much.
But Laura didn't hold back. She feared Claudia being too nice to Jair would make him take her for granted and that Jair might exploit Claudia's good nature and push her around. Josephine, however, didn't think Jair was that kind of guy.
But Laura chimed in the group chat: [With Jair being so tight with Stuart, how could he be a good person!]
Josephine didn't dare defend Stuart because he had been pretty awful in the past.
The pain she went through was real. She could give Stuart a chance and let bygones be bygones, but she couldn't erase the nights Laura spent worrying about her.
Laura was the type who hated evil and loved fiercely. No matter how she treated others, she was always good to Josephine and Claudia.
When Laura said that in the group, Josephine just smiled and typed: [You're right. But Jair is still more reliable than Stuart.]
Laura: [You know Stuart is unreliable? If you ask me, you should really give him a hard time, trample him, humiliate him, and let him know that women are not to be messed with!]
Josephine: [Okay, I'll do that.]
As long as it made Laura happy.
Laura knew Josephine wouldn't do it, but hearing her say it made Laura happy. She then turned to Claudia: [What are you busy with? Reply to my messages.]
The two chatted for a bit, and then Claudia replied: [I just went to buy breakfast. There aren't many options here, but luckily there's a Veridiania restaurant. Otherwise, I'd be stuck.]
Laura said: [Is he unable to stand up now? Where exactly is he injured? Could it be a sexual dysfunction?]
Josephine couldn't help but laugh.
Claudia: [He's injured under the ribs.]
Laura: [That's okay then; it shouldn't affect his male functions.]
Claudia sent an angry emoji and then said: [Don't say such things!]
Laura replied: [What did I say? If he can't perform, you definitely can't be with him. I'll find you someone better, got it?]
Josephine decided not to type anymore and just watched them chat.
After a while, Stuart came out and casually closed Jeffery's room door.
Josephine heard the noise and looked back at him. "Is Jeffery asleep?"
"Yeah, he's out." Stuart walked over and sat next to her, asking, "What are you laughing about?"
"Chatting with Claudia and Laura," Josephine said. "Jair is in the hospital, and Claudia went to take care of him."
"He called me and asked me to thank you. You must have told Claudia."
Josephine said, "Did he say when he'd be back? Maybe he'll come back with Claudia."
"In three or four days." Stuart asked, "Still chatting?"
"Something up?" Josephine put down her phone. "What's wrong?"
Stuart leaned on her shoulder and closed his eyes. "Josephine, I'm feeling a bit down."
"What happened?" Josephine tilted her head and looked at him.
Stuart had a very straight nose, smooth and sleek from this angle. Josephine couldn't help but reach out and touch it.
Stuart grabbed her hand and held it in his. "Today, I found out the truth about my dad's affair back then."
Josephine asked, "So what really happened?"
Stuart slowly told her everything. Josephine listened and fell silent too.
How could there be someone like Isaac in this world? After doing such terrible things, didn't his conscience hurt? And William was his son, yet he instilled hatred in him from a young age, making him live with it. Isn't that absurd? Isaac must be mentally unstable, right?
"Is he a lunatic?" Josephine said.
Stuart said, "He might still be fantasizing about being with my mom. He's very obsessive and crazy, willing to do anything to get what he wants."
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