Revenge is Best Served… After Reborn

Seeing Sophie keep her guard up, Joseph casually strolled over to a couch and settled in.

"Sophie," he started, "if we're going by family ties, you really should be calling me Uncle Joe."

Noticing her icy demeanor, he pressed on, "I mean no harm, really. I've got my own things to handle, and it seems you're in the way."

Sophie said nothing, her silence louder than words.

Joseph softened his tone, trying to reach her, "Everything I've done, it's been for my wife. I hope you get that."

He continued, his voice tinged with regret, "I genuinely think you're remarkable. If Rose were still around, she'd be thrilled to have you as a daughter-in-law. It's just too bad... my son didn't know a good thing when he had it." "Mr. James, I have no idea what you're talking about," Sophie replied, her voice cold as ice.

Facing this man with his polished facade, all she wanted was to keep her distance. She wasn't some naive teenager anymore, and she certainly wasn't falling for his emotional play.

"My marriage to James's mom was a business deal, but we were in love and had James. If my mother hadn't interfered with Rose, we could've been a happy family. That's something I've regretted for years."

"I know you've been through this before. I'm well aware of how James treated you in your past life. The Burke family owes you an apology, and I'm truly sorry for that."

"The day Rose died, I misunderstood her and didn't visit. I carry that regret with me always. Even after living through this twice, my only wish is to fix my mistakes."

Joseph took a deep breath, "I think we've had some misunderstandings. If you're looking for an apology, I'm here, sincerely saying sorry. But, hope you'll work with me and share the treasure's location. If you do, you can have all of it, and all I want is

Rose. After that, we can part ways.

What do you say, Ms. Sophie?"

"Mr. James, Joseph, you've left a trail of destruction, ruined countless families, and now you want my forgiveness? No, I think you're just trying to get that treasure location out of me faster."

Sophie cut in, her voice sharp, "You keep talking about how much you love Ruby, but where were you when she needed you? Why weren't you with her on her last day? Your words might move you, but they don't move me! Mr. James, you don't love Ruby like you claim."

Joseph's smile faltered, the mask slipping.

Sophie didn't let up, "I heard after Ms. Elodie married, she wanted to keep acting, but you wouldn't allow it, afraid of her being close to other men. So she was stuck in the Burke household. Just for dancing at a party, you suspected her of cheating. Then you tried to tie her down with a child, and sure enough, she got pregnant. She was like a bird about to fly, but you clipped her wings, and she ended up in despair... and then she was gone."

"No!" Joseph shot up, his demeanor darkening, "It was my mother! She did it all! Not me!"