Chapter 826

Remembering Stephanie's words, Joseph was incensed. "'Oh, Ari, you're so capable, aren't you?'" he thought. He immediately drove home, pulling over abruptly and rushing inside.

"Arianna Tanner!" he shouted, demanding an immediate answer.

Eloise emerged with a cup of lemon tea. "What's the matter? She's not home. Why are you so angry?"

"Why? It's all your fault Arianna has become like this!" He lost control and slapped Eloise, catching her off guard. The cup shattered as she fell, the impact leaving her face swollen. Despite this, she remained composed, giving him an icy glare.

"What do you think you're doing?" she asked.

"I" Joseph stammered, regret momentarily washing over him as he saw her swollen face. Years of marriage had never seen him resort to violence before, but today's rage had been overwhelming. However, his regret was short-lived. He sat on the sofa.

"Eloise, I'm telling you, if Arianna can't give me a good explanation, this is the end of our family." The threat was serious; his anger was genuine. If Arianna had tried to usurp Derrick's position, it meant she'd been secretly plotting against him. He never imagined she would do such a thing, and it might even explain Damian's troubles.

Eloise snorted, her look mocking. "Why? Haven't you already destroyed our family?"

Her sneering tone startled him. He looked away, then said, "Stop talking as if I've wronged you. You've worked hard, but I've given you a life of luxury. Yes, I cheated with Elizabeth, but it's normal for a successful man to have several women. After all these years, it's only you two, and I've tried to be fair! Even though Elizabeth deserves better, I've never brought her home, because I care about your feelings."

Joseph poured out his heart. "I never wanted to hurt you or Arianna, and I've been good to her, but she… Do you have any idea what she's done? She tried to take over the company using Derrick's seal! She's backstabbed me, made me a target!" He jabbed his finger at his chest.

The maids, witnessing the argument, hesitated to clean the mess. One offered Eloise a cold towel, which she flung away.

"Leave us!" she commanded. The maids nervously retreated.

Eloise sat opposite Joseph, arms and legs crossed, staring coldly. "Fair?" she scoffed. A mirthless chuckle escaped her lips. "Joseph Tanner, do you really think you've been fair? Have you truly been good to Ari?"