Chapter 802

"Dad, I really can't leave now! The reporters are out there, and people are watching me everywhere! Someone will follow me as soon as I go!" Damian said, trembling. Joseph was enraged, but he agreed with Damian's logic. The incident had already attracted media attention, but Damian had also created a scene at the hospital, exacerbating the situation. Now, reporters and paparazzi were likely monitoring Damian's every move, waiting for a misstep.

"Okay, then. Stay at your mother's place for now. I'll come over immediately. Remember: don't leave the house, don't go out in public, and don't answer any phone calls. You know nothing about this, and you must wait for the company to resolve the issue. Do you understand?" Joseph asked sternly.

Damian, trembling with fear, simply nodded fervently. "I got it. I got it."

After hanging up, Joseph grabbed his blazer and prepared to leave. His action caused Eloise to scoff.

"You're going to that woman's place?"

Joseph turned, frowning. He wasn't in the mood to placate Eloise. "Do you understand the situation? Keep your jealousy to yourself! This is serious! It's game over for all of us if we don't handle this properly!" While he slightly exaggerated to frighten her, he was right; this was no trivial matter. The media thrived on sensationalism, reporting anything that would grab public attention. The bigger the story, the happier they were.

Joseph found a cap and sunglasses, then hailed a cab—he dared not drive his own car—and headed to Elizabeth's place. Arriving quickly, he knocked repeatedly until he heard a voice.

"Who is it?"

"It's me, Elly. Open the door quickly!"

The door opened a crack. Joseph entered, swiftly closing the door behind him. He sighed in relief, the tension easing slightly.

"Dad" Damian whispered.

"You hopeless piece of sh*t!" Joseph cursed, raising his hand to strike Damian. Elizabeth intervened, pulling on his arm.

"We're in trouble! What's the point of hitting him now?"

"We're in trouble because of what he did!"

Joseph lowered his hand, but still reprimanded Damian. Elizabeth, however, stepped in.

"I've heard about it, and Damian isn't to blame." She walked to Damian and hugged him, distressed. "All our son wanted was to succeed and make you proud! What did he do wrong? He's young and inexperienced; those cunning people tricked him. Instead of helping him, you want to beat him up? Are you even his father?"

Pausing, she continued, "Do you know what we've been through being by your side all these years? I raised him alone, and now he's helping you at the company. How could you beat him? If I'd known this would happen, I would have died with him long ago! That's better than this!"

Tears welled in her eyes. Joseph was stunned, his anger disrupted by her tears. Frustrated, he sputtered, "Fine. Why bring up the past? What's the point? You said he wanted to succeed. Fine. But what did he do to get scammed? I've told him to be careful countless times, but look what happened! He made a mess—a huge mess!"

It was a mess that could destroy the company.