Chapter 828

While saying this, he reached for her hand to slap his own face. Eloise yanked her hand away with a frown.

"Do you think we're still children, Joseph Tanner? Let me be frank. I'm upset about your mistress and son, because no woman wants to share her husband. Having been around, I see the bigger picture and what's important. Do you think I'd jeopardize the company out of jealousy?"

Thoroughly convinced, Joseph began to massage her shoulder. "Yes, my dear wife, you're right. I'm an idiot and an *sshole for suspecting you and Ari."

"However, Derrick and Stephanie are upset and refusing to cooperate. What should we do? We can't force them, can we? I tried to see Derrick, but Stephanie stopped me. I suspect she's trying to seize control of the company."

"Are you stupid?" Eloise asked, looking at him. "After all these years, you still don't know what she's like? Is she even capable, even if she wants to take over? She's not CEO material! If she's holding back, she's hoping to negotiate. She's easy to deal with."

She analyzed the situation pragmatically. She knew Arianna had met with Derrick, but hadn't expected Stephanie, usually so gentle, to refuse Arianna the seal and even dismiss her. Joseph had suffered a similar rebuff today.

Eloise pondered: With her husband seriously ill and her son likely dead, she must know it's pointless to cling to control of the company. Nobody would take her seriously, even if she were competent. Stephanie must be using the company as leverage to secure her future.

"I think you're right!" Joseph nodded profusely, admitting his wife was better at managing people and understanding their motivations. In these matters, Eloise was far superior to Elizabeth.

"Then, should I talk to her?" Joseph asked tentatively.

"If we get the seal, the safe's passcode, and the keys, the Tanner Corporation will truly be ours!"

"Ours?" Eloise chuckled, giving him a sidelong glance. "Ours, or your precious son's?"

"There you go again!" Joseph let out a dry laugh, embarrassed she'd voiced his unspoken fear. "Don't worry. No matter what, I won't mistreat you and Ari."

Eloise knew, from years of experience, that he still planned to give the company to his son. His prejudice was deeply ingrained and unchangeable.

"Save that for after we've secured the company, and don't get ahead of yourself!"

"Yes, yes, my dear wife is right!" He smiled ingratiatingly, his earlier anger gone.