Chapter 882

If Joseph hadn't understood Arianna's earlier words, her last statement left him utterly shocked. Eloise tried to speak, but the words caught in her throat. She knew any explanation would be futile.

"Just now," Joseph said, his gaze fixed on her, "Ari said, 'your son'? Which son?"

"If I told you I bore him before I met you, would you still be so angry?" Arianna's confession left Eloise nothing to hide. She sat calmly.

"Before we met? Eloise Neville, you're something else! After all these years, you kept this secret so well. What else are you hiding? How many sons? How many lovers? No wonder people warn against marrying women from your circle. You truly amaze me!"

He stumbled back, appearing to age a decade in seconds. Eloise, his wife for years, couldn't bear to see him this way, yet she remained seated. "You don't need to act like this. As I said, it was before we met. Since our marriage, I've been completely faithful. But you? You've had Elizabeth as your mistress for years, and you have a son with her! Who are you to judge me?"

"You had a son with another man behind my back, and you blame me? How much money did you steal to raise him, you slut?" Joseph's rage unleashed a torrent of insults.

Numb, Eloise laughed. "Oh, I'm a slut? Then what are you? A coward. You always wait for me to solve your problems. It's karma that the Tanner family is in this situation."

Joseph lunged, delivering a harsh slap that sent Eloise sprawling onto the sofa, her cheek swelling instantly. She didn't retaliate, simply lay there and laughed. "Go on, hit me! You can do whatever you like, while I can't even acknowledge my own son, can only meet him secretly. Yes, you're always right."

"How dare you talk back to me?" Joseph's anger intensified. He'd often regretted mistreating her and even scolded Elizabeth for her sake. He grabbed her hair and slapped her repeatedly. "Slut! You're a goddamn slut!"

Seeing stars and bleeding, Eloise heard only a dull hum from the blows. Then, men entered, led by Nathaniel. He saw the scene, strode forward, seized Joseph's arm, and threw him aside. Joseph, surprised by the younger man's strength, landed heavily. "Why you…" His eyes widened, recognition dawning. "I remember… I saw you with Ari. She brought you into the company. You're…"

He watched Nathaniel help Eloise onto the sofa, tending to her wounds before someone applied a cold compress.

"You're her bastard son!" The truth struck Joseph.

Nathaniel gave him a chilling look and released Eloise. He stood, then kicked Joseph repeatedly until he rolled over.

"Who are you to call anyone a bastard? Your own son is one! And you're the biggest, worst one of all!" Nathaniel's kicks and shouts released years of pent-up resentment and frustration.