Chapter 873

"What do you mean, Eloise?" Elizabeth asked, picking up the phone. She was skeptical, but since it concerned her son, she listened.

"Nothing. If you give Joseph the phone, I'll speak to him. Otherwise, I won't say anything. Your son confessed; I've spoken to my lawyer. He'll likely be in prison until he's forty!"

Elizabeth was terrified. "Stop trying to scare me! My son did nothing wrong! You and your daughter framed him!" Despite her anger, she handed the phone to Joseph. "Take it! If she calls again, I'll throw your phone out the window!"

"What do you want, Eloise?!" Joseph demanded impatiently.

"Do you know your brother left the hospital?" Eloise stated bluntly.

"He's dead?" Joseph asked.

"Discharged, not dead!" Eloise corrected, knowing he was unaware.

Well done, Derrick. Oscar-worthy performance, she thought angrily. She doubted he was ever truly ill. It was all part of his plan.

"His hospital ward was empty. He left two days ago and didn't return home. Stephanie's gone too, along with the people I sent there. Don't you think something's wrong?" Eloise asked.

Joseph, after a moment, said, "I don't care anymore. He probably has other plans. Let him be."

He was exhausted. His son had confessed, and Joseph couldn't save him. Arianna had already seized the company. Without Damian, Joseph lacked the will to fight for power.

"Fine!" Eloise snapped. "Since you don't care about this family or the company, enjoy your mistress and precious son. If push comes to shove, we'll all crash and burn!" She hung up angrily.

Joseph cared little, but was his son's fate more important than the Tanner family's future?

"Mom, are you okay?" Arianna, anticipating this, had remained silent.

"Pretend your father is dead. We'll devise a plan. Find your uncle, and ensure the company remains calm. Since you can't get his shares, focus on winning over the other shareholders," Eloise advised.

"It won't be easy. They're founders, and most worked with Uncle Derrick," Arianna admitted. She'd confronted her uncle precisely because she needed more shares.

"Interests, dear. It's all about interests. Show them you have their best interests at heart, and you'll win their support at the shareholders' meeting in two days. If that fails..." Eloise left the sentence unfinished.