Chapter 810

"How long do we need to keep up this charade?" Stephanie asked, her patience exhausted. She felt terrible about her promise to act with Derrick. She wasn't a good liar, but she had to navigate visitors with ulterior motives. She endured their feigned concern and exaggerated compliments.

This was all new to her. Since Derrick's "illness" and hospitalization, she'd witnessed a shocking change in people's behavior. Initially cautious, their visits had become increasingly indifferent. Now, even her own niece was vying for power.

"Joseph came by yesterday, didn't he?" Derrick asked lightly, gazing out the window. He'd been asleep but heard muffled voices outside his door. Stephanie must have intercepted them.

Stephanie nodded. "Yes. I told him you were resting after an injection and would be asleep for a while. He should come back later."

"That father-daughter duo—each with their own agenda!" he exclaimed, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Is Joseph really planning to give all his assets to that illegitimate son?"

Stephanie sighed. "El has helped him so much over the years. That would devastate her."

"Do you think my sister-in-law is so docile?"

Derrick turned to face Stephanie, a cold smile on his face. Sunlight streamed through the window, partially obscured by the curtains. He was hiding, strategizing, maintaining control—at considerable personal cost. He hadn't enjoyed fresh air and sunshine in a long time. Even indoors, he had to hide behind curtains to avoid paparazzi.

"You mean El is also…" Stephanie was astonished. She saw a vast difference between people's current and past behavior. Everything was constantly challenging her understanding.

"No, El is like me. She's never interfered with company matters. If she hadn't managed the household all these years, I wouldn't have…" Derrick paused. "Why do you think she managed the family for so long? She handled all the Tanner family's internal affairs. Consider our relatives' wives. Everyone has a close relationship with her, don't they? Everything she did affected the company, but you didn't realize it, did you? Even after having a mistress for years and bringing his illegitimate son home, Joseph hasn't filed for divorce. Do you know why?"

Stephanie was speechless. She'd always been weak in managing internal affairs—incapable, really. Eloise had been indispensable, and she was genuinely grateful. But she hadn't realized the complexities involved.

"There's one more thing." Derrick paused, his gaze intense on the distant forest. The lush green trees were a beautiful sight. "Do you know when Benny first discovered wood carving and became obsessed? Do you remember when that was?"