The one who appeared last was none other than Barnaby Hale, Director of Special Ops, along with his men.
Normally, he avoided showing his face. Like a snake, he preferred to stay hidden in the shadows, striking unseen. Nonetheless, with the Driscoll family collapsing and even Maurice dead, he had no choice but to step out.
Mia glared at him with hatred. “Barnaby, what do you want?
Barnaby smirked coldly. “What do I want? You bitch, I’m going to drag out your lover and expose everything to the public!”
With a wave of his hand, the completely broken Franklin was dragged forward.
Though not yet dead, Franklin was barely alive. His body was mangled beyond recognition, little more than broken flesh, and his eyes still clung stubbornly open.
“Franklin!” Mia’s face crumpled as she rushed forward reddessly, and Barnaby did not stop her, allowing the reunion to take place.
“Mia, I want to see our child before I die,” Franklin whispered weakly, as if even speaking these few words had drained all his remaining strength.
Tears flooded Mia’s eyes as she sobbed. “Franklin, Joe is here… If you want to see him, go ahead! Everything is over now, and I don’t want to hide anymore. You two can face each other at last.”
Joe staggered forward, staring in disbelief at Franklin’s ruined face.
Mia cried out miserably, “Joe, this is your father… Your real father!”
Joe refused to believe it, roaring in denial, “No, he absolutely is not! My father is Maurice Driscoll, and I’m a member of the Driscoll family. This cripple has nothing to do with me.”
Franklin never got the chance to take another breath. The hope of seeing his son acknowledge him had carried him this far, but Joe’s rejection crushed it. With his body broken beyond repair, his life ended there.
Mia broke down, wailing. “Franklin!”
Then, she turned to Joe. “Joe, he really was your father. Why couldn’t you admit it? That was his last wish, his final chance to hear you accept him!”
Joe roared back furiously, “Don’t even think about it. I’m not his son! You crazy woman, stop trying to deceive me. I’ll never believe you!”
Mia stared at him blankly, unable to believe the depth of his denial. She never imagined Joe would reject the truth so violently.
Barnaby let out a cold snort. “You’re worse than an animal. Even when told the man was your father, you refuse him.”
He turned to Mia with a sneer. “Ms. Hernandez, I have a proposal you might want to hear. As long as you submit to me, I’ll take you and Joe to live in Chetvine.”
As he spoke, his eyes shamelessly roamed over Mia’s body.
Tiana, Victoria, and the others all looked sickened, their faces filled with disgust.
“Mr. Hale, the Driscoll family isn’t completely finished yet, but you’re already spouting such shameless words. Don’t you feel embarrassed wearing that uniform?” Victoria mocked him directly-
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Tiana added coldly, “As the Director of Special Ops, have you no shame left?”
Barnaby remained unfazed and laughed darkly. “Don’t be in such a rush, Tadies. If I decide you’re worth it, I’ll take you both as well.”
Then, he turned back to Mia. “So, what’s it going to be? You and Joe have nowhere left to run. His two fathers are both dead, and now you’re both trapped.”
He grinned cruelly. “But if you agree to come with me, I can protect you. I can give you protection, wealth, and power beyond measure.”
Mia shook with rage and humiliation. “You’re no man. And to think Maurice once treated you like a brother.”
Barnaby snorted coldly. “Maurice? I never imagined he’d turn out to be such a
