Chapter 827

"Why? That's the truth!" Joseph narrowed his eyes, unconvinced anything he'd said was wrong. At least, that's how he'd felt for years.

Eloise snorted and looked at him. "Oh, you've been great to her? Despite her hard work, you refused to delegate power. Ari earned her position through her own efforts! What have you given her? You only care about your son and plan to leave everything to him. Have you spared a thought for Ari's future?"

Joseph hesitated before responding. "She's going to get married sooner or later! Once she's married, she'll no longer be a Tanner. How could she inherit the company?"

"I've told you this before," he continued, "and it's not my fault she was born a woman. Yes, Ari is capable, and if she were a man, I'd hand the company to her. But she's a woman, and she'll get married someday. That's why I told you we should try for a son, but you"

Eloise's childbirth had affected her health, leaving her unable to conceive. Joseph then began an affair with Elizabeth, who later bore Damian. Eloise endured this, knowing she was the legal wife but lacked the power to challenge him.

But now "So it's my fault I couldn't bear a son? Because of that, you've treated Ari this way, thinking you were being fair?"

"It's the same in every family! Who hands over family businesses to daughters?" Joseph snarled, believing himself justified. But her disappointed expression made him reconsider. "Oh, you ganged up with Ari to set me up because of this?"

"Set me up?" Eloise chuckled derisively. "If you call Ari's efforts a 'setup,' I have nothing to say. Your precious son has caused trouble, cost you face, and created a company crisis. Ari has only tried to gain control for his and your sake!"

Joseph was speechless.

"Ari has been working hard to solve the problem, even pushing her uncle. But you? All you do is blame her! Fine. I'll ask her to stop bothering to help, so we can all be happy!" Eloise picked up her phone to call Arianna.

Joseph, still processing her words, was stunned to see her dialing. He tried to grab the phone. "What are you doing?"

"This is what you want, isn't it?" She resisted.

Stronger and faster, Joseph snatched the phone. "Can you calm down? Are you saying Ari visited my brother to find solutions?"

"What else? The company's in bad shape. Why else would she bother taking it over?" Tears welled in her eyes. Joseph felt regret. Seeing her red, swollen face, he realized his harshness.

"El" He reached for her face, but she turned away.

"Save it! I don't want your sympathy."

Embarrassed, he chuckled. "I'm sorry. I was reckless. My fault for losing my temper without knowing the truth. How about you hit me back?"