A Man with Nerves of Steel (Joseph Hart) novel Chapter 279

Chapter 279

Cora followed Joseph into the elevator, then into his office. Only there did Joseph finally say, “Cora, have you still not figured out what our relationship has become? After everything that’s happened between us, do you really think I’d celebrate a meaningless anniversary with you?”

Cora was deeply displeased by Joseph’s words. “How is it meaningless? We’ve celebrated this day together for years. How can it suddenly mean nothing?”

She had assumed that several days apart would have softened Joseph’s attitude, but he hadn’t changed at all.

Joseph said, “You know better than anyone what you’ve done over the years. You managed to fool me, but you can’t fool yourself. It’s truly impressive how you kept up the lie for over ten years!”

Cora protested, “I didn’t…”

Joseph cut her off with a bitter laugh. “I know your playbook-deny everything, claim there’s no evidence. But your word doesn’t mean a thing anymore. You even denied the DNA test.

“You deny everything you’ve ever done. Once the people involved are dead, you think you can just erase the past, don’t you? Like that hot springs resort getaway with Warren.”

Cora said, “Don’t listen to those rumors. I’ve done nothing to betray you.”

Joseph sneered. “You’ve done nothing to betray me? Well, I don’t need you to be faithful to me anymore. I’m not that important. You don’t need to rush to explain yourself either.

“Cora, right now, the Lowells have much bigger problems to worry about than me. Don’t waste your time here.”

Joseph motioned for Cora to leave.

Cora shook her head. “No. You have to come home with me today.”

“And what if I refuse? Will you get your people to drag me away? If that’s your plan, then you’d better think it through. Don’t regret it when I decide to use the same methods against you or your parents.”

Cora shouted, “Just try it!”

Joseph chuckled. “Oh, that’s right… You’re Cora Lowell, the richest woman in Jenton. Who would ever dare cross you or your family? But I’ve met people who are far more powerful than you. Yet, they’re still just ordinary people; they bleed just like the rest of us.”

Cora fell silent. She could tell that during their time apart, Joseph had rubbed shoulders with people from the absolute highest echelons of society-people like Mavis. His horizons had broadened, and he no longer regarded her or the Lowell Group with the same sense of awe he once had.

Joseph continued, “Wasn’t your headquarters burned to the ground? What does that tell you?”

Opening his lunchbox, he added, “It tells you that money isn’t everything. Wealth can buy you a lot of things, but it can take just as much away. There’s always a bigger fish out there, Cora, and they have the power and influence to crush you.”

Cora’s eyes narrowed. “Who are you to lecture me about that?”

Joseph let out a self-mocking laugh. “I’m no one. I’m just a poor man without a dime to his name!”

Cora frowned, weighing her options. A part of her wanted to order him brought back by force, but she knew he wouldn’t go down without a fight.

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“If you won’t come home, then let’s forget about celebrating our anniversary today,” Cora said, shifting tactics.” You can make it up to me some other time. Let’s talk about something else. Why did you tell Natalie she belongs to the Zahn family?”

“I only told her she might be a Zahn. Anyway, she isn’t mine, and I have no idea who her biological father is, either. You’re the only one who holds the answer to that question.”

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