Lightning shed and thunder rolled outside the fifth-floor room. It was quite some time before James stumbled in, drenched in blood.


    Joseph, staring at the portrait on the wall, asked casually, "Where is she? Did she spill the beans?"


    James didn''t say a word, prompting Joseph to turn around. James was a mess, blood everywhere. He tossed a blood-stained knife at Joseph''s feet, his voice icy. "She''s dead."


    The news of Sophie''s death hit Joseph like a ton of bricks. "Dead?" he echoed, his face shifting with disbelief. He lunged at James, clutching his cor. "I told you to get information, not kill her! Did you get the address? Talk!"


    James knew perfectly well what Joseph really wanted the address. All those promises about making things right with Sophie were just Joseph''s way of pretending to care. Being his son, James saw right through him. It was all just a game to get what he wanted, even if it meant using his own flesh and blood.


    "Did you kill Grandma?" James suddenly asked, breaking the tension.


    Joseph calmed down, replying, "You already know, don''t you?"


    "Dad, you''ve kept too many secrets from me. Even if I had the address, I need some leverage."


    "What do you want?"


    "I want to see the treasure myself. There are things you haven''t told me. I can lead you there, but I''m not giving up the location beforehand."N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content.


    Joseph smirked at James''s shrewdness. "You really are my son, aren''t you? Same blood, same tricks."


    Taking a seat, Joseph added, "Since we have the address, nothing else matters. If you want to see it, I''ll take you."


    "Alright," James agreed, his tone t. "After Grandma''s funeral, I''ll show you."


    "James, this is about your mom," Joseph reminded him. "You''re my son, so I trust you. I promise, once we find the Devonport treasure and save your mom, our family


    whole again. Maybe you phie


    could even start fresh."


    "Maybe," James muttered, turning to leave.


    Just then, Joseph asked, "Where''s Sophie''s body?"


    James halted. "Don''t you trust me, Dad?"


    "A father way. I


    once trusting his son? No my respects." Conte


    s just thinking, she was et


    pay


    daughter-inw. I should


    James''s gaze hardened. "She''s in her room. If you want to see, go ahead."


    "Then I''ll go pay my respects," Joseph said, heading out.


    James knew Joseph didn''t buy his story. Downstairs, the air was thick with the smell of blood. As Joseph- pushed open the door, he saw


    Sophie on the bed, bloodied and


    lifeless. Her face was a gruesome sight, eyes wide open, skin ghostly pale. Joseph approached, gently brushing Sophie''s shoulder.