With a warm smille, Wendy said to Angela and Stanley, “No need to be so formal–it was nothing, really. Just a small favor.”
“Mommy, Mrs. Angela protected me! Let’s go visit their house and play,” Bella pleaded, her voice soft and childlike.
Wendy thought for a moment. For now, she wasn’t planning to leave the Capital–she needed to wait for Horace to make good on his promise.
Besides, Brittany was coming back soon, and Wendy was curious to meet her.
She turned to Angela. “I’ll ke you up on that invitation.”
Stanley extended his arms. “Bella, come here–let me carry you.”
However, Wendy declined firmly. “It’s okay, Mr. Hawk. I’ll carry my daughter.‘
Bella blinked her big, sparkling eyes; she first glanced at Wendy, then at Stanley. “But Mommy, I want Mr. Handsome to hold me.”
Wendy was speechless. After three years of raising her little girl, she hadn’t expected this sudden betrayal.
Stanley scooped Bella up effortlessly.
Bella grinned and explained, “Mommy, I’m getting bigger and heavier now. I don’t want your arms to get tired, so I want Mr. Handsome to hold me. I love you, Mommy.”
Wendy was left utterly disarmed by her daughter’s high emotional intelligence.
Angela smiled at the charming Bella. “Alright. Let’s go.”
Horace brought Jessica back to the house. In the living room,
he stared hard at her.
“Do you understand what you did wrong?”
“Why do you always favor Wendy?” Jessica snapped back. “It’s because you all side with her that I had to send people to kidnap her daughter! For the past three years, while she was away, I have been behaving well! This is all Wendy’s fault–she shouldn’t even exist!”
Horace’s anger flared. “Whether it was three years ago or now, you blame everything on Wendy! Have you ever once reflected on your own mistakes?”
Jessica’s voice was cold. “I’m not wrong!”
“How could you be so stubborn…” Horace growled.
Jessica’s tone suddenly turned desperate. “If you don’t love me anymore, I’d rather be dead!”
Horace was furious. “You pulled that suicide act three years ago. Don’t you ever get tired of the same tricks? Can’t you come up with something new?”
On the way home, Jessica had already planned it out–cry, cause a scene, and threaten to kill herself–just like three years ago. She was sure it would make Horace bend to her will again.
But Horace saw right through her, and she froze.
Just then, Ida hurried in. “Horace, why are you arguing with Jessica? She’s your only daughter. No matter what she’s done wrong, just talk to her calmly. Don’t scold her!”
She gently comforted Jessica. “Your father loves you so much. He’s only harsh because he cares.”
1/3
Chapter 694
+25 BONUS
Over the past three years, Ida had been very kind and indulgent toward Jessica. Jessica knew all too well that Ida was trying to win her favor—if Ida got close to Jessica, she might get to marry Horace.
Horace and Jessica remained locked in tension.
Then, a clear ringtone echoed through the room–Horace’s phone was ringing. He pulled it out, and the screen flashed with the name “Brittany“.
Brittany was calling.
Horace answered quickly. Brittany’s voice came through, calm and firm. “Hey, I’m back in the country.”
She had returned earlier than planned.
“Where’s my daughter?” Brittany continued. “I want to see her now. Arrange for us to meet.”
