Chapter 68: Cardiff's Demise

As the crowd saw Joseph, they made way for him. The real Joseph emerged from the throng, flanked by his followers. Those who had surrounded Cardiff knelt on one knee towards Joseph. "Boss! You're here!" "Lord Reaper!" "Hail, Lord Reaper!" These people seemed brainwashed, their voices filled with fervent reverence when speaking to Joseph. Cardiff was dumbfounded. These people had already deified Joseph! Looking at Joseph, Cardiff's eyes were filled with confusion and unease. "You... you... you're not dead?" "Joseph, you're alive?!" Joseph sneered. "Seems you were really hoping I was dead, huh?" Joseph stared down at Cardiff. "I treated you well back then, didn't I? Even handed you half of my shares to manage, but what happened? You drugged me, and then... haha." "You wanted me dead back then, I knew it well." "You know what happened afterward: my reputation plummeted, I was kicked out of my home, with nowhere to go and constantly hunted... Cardiff, you really did a number on me!" Cardiff tried to defend himself, but Joseph continued. "You may not know much about my past, but you do know that I was being hunted by Kerry and his men." "And for so many years, Kerry couldn't find me. But the only time I was discovered was in Florida. So, did you tip them off about my whereabouts?" Cardiff broke down. "Joseph! It wasn't my fault! They... they came to Florida and took my mother!" Florida took his mother? Joseph laughed. "Isn't it possible that if you hadn't told them I was in Florida, they wouldn't have come? You sold me out for your own benefit. Even if they took your mother, it's your own fault." Years ago, after leaving his family in New York due to some issues, Joseph was hunted by Kerry. He never revealed his whereabouts after leaving. While in Florida, he knew everything about his family's movements. If Cardiff hadn't intervened, how could his family have found him? Joseph's eyes were cold as he looked at Cardiff. "I didn't want to make a big deal out of this, considering you were once someone I trusted. But you've crossed the line too many times, and this time I won't let you off easily." "The events from five years ago, I'll settle with you now." "I think I've been quite lenient, haven't I?" With that, Joseph lightly waved his hand, and an invisible force bound Cardiff. Cardiff struggled in terror but couldn't escape the powerful grip. "From now on, you'll face the punishment you deserve," Joseph said coldly. He left Cardiff to writhe in pain on the ground. The onlookers were filled with awe and fear towards Joseph. Cardiff, sensing the impending doom, shouted. "No! No! Don't kill me!" "I'll give you money! I have lots of money now." "Much more than what you gave me back then!" "All this money is in my hands now. If you spare me, I'll split it with you. Sixty-forty, okay?" Cardiff didn't want to die, but he didn't want to live in poverty either. So, he offered to share his money with Joseph. Hearing Cardiff's plea, Joseph's lips curled into a disdainful smile. "You think I'd still fall for your lies? Money? You think I care about that now?" He tightened his grip, causing Cardiff's face to turn pale and his breathing to become labored. Not only that, Joseph took out a mask from his subordinates. He calmly put it on his head. "Haha." Cardiff, hearing Joseph's words, was at a loss for what to do. Then he remembered something. "Do you know what Kerry did when he couldn't find you in New York?" "You can't kill me. There's a chip inside me!" "If you kill me, they'll use the chip to find you!" Joseph, wearing the golden Reaper mask, different from the black ones around him, relaxed his grip slightly upon hearing this. Cardiff thought he had a chance. "You know, if you kill me, you'll expose yourself!" Joseph remained calm. "Seems Kerry values me quite a bit." Cardiff sneered. "So let me go! Do you know how many men Kerry has?" "They have a vast empire and will tear you apart!" "Listen, if you spare me today, I promise I'll never betray you again." "I won't harm you in any way!" "We can be good brothers like before!" Joseph laughed. "Good brothers? Are you crazy?" "Cardiff, you've already betrayed me once, and you expect me to forgive you?" "Are you dreaming?" Cardiff didn't realize how little Joseph cared. Even Kerry didn't intimidate him! "Don't you want my money?" "Who's going to manage my money after I'm dead?" Joseph laughed again. "You think I'd be afraid of Kerry and his men? It's understandable, but you think I'd want your money?" "If you love your money so much, take it with you to the underworld!" With Joseph's words, Cardiff's body slowly lifted off the ground, then fell like a broken kite. With a dull thud, Cardiff's life ended. The crowd, seeing this, remained silent, too terrified to make a sound. Joseph smirked. With Cardiff dead, one of his burdens was lifted. But the future challenges were far from over.