Chapter 905

Meanwhile, at the hospital, Joseph was overwhelmed by emotion upon seeing his elder brother in such a state. He was speechless. "Derrick. I..."

Having learned what transpired over the past two days, Joseph’s feelings progressed from shock to acceptance to a gradual understanding of the truth. A mere couple of months had passed, yet it felt like he'd finally awakened from a protracted nightmare. He'd believed he had everything under control, only to realize he was merely a pawn in someone else's game. In the end, this was all he had.

Derrick pulled up a chair, sitting before his younger brother. "How are you feeling now?" he asked warmly.

"How else would I feel? I'll have to live like this for the rest of my life," Joseph sighed, appearing older than even Derrick. "Derrick, I have a favor to ask. I know I've wronged you, but as brothers, I hope you can promise me something, given how things have turned out."

"Is it about your son?" Derrick inquired thoughtfully.

Joseph nodded. "He's my only son. I always wanted to give him the best, to leave everything to him, but my efforts seem to have been in vain. After all these years, I couldn't give him and his mother what they deserved; he grew up without a father. Now..."

Damian had been arrested for filing a false report and perjury. Joseph's two children were incarcerated, and Eloise had been distant for some time. Elizabeth, meanwhile, had visited twice, only to leave in tears after causing a commotion.

Joseph was under the nurses' care. His wealth and family name, even as a Tanner, offered little solace to his misery.

"Joseph!" Derrick sighed. "Have you ever thought about Arianna?"

Joseph looked confused. "Huh?"

"I understand your concern for your son, but Arianna is your daughter. Have you ever worried about her?"

Joseph frowned, still unsure. "Of course, I have. I've given her the best since she was young, treated her like a princess."

"Really? Yet, all you seemed to care about was what you could do for your son. Have you done the same for her?"

Stunned, Joseph replied after a pause, "After what she did, I've been more than fatherly enough; I haven't held a grudge."