Chapter 34 Blood Doesn’t Mean Family
As Roman entered his study, Leo followed behind with his head lowered. ‘What did I do to deserve this boss?’ he thought miserably, awaiting whatever punishment would come next.
Roman sat in his chair and glared at Leo. "Your phone," he said, stretching his hand out.
Leo stood dumbfounded, wondering what his boss might need his phone for, but he didn't dare question it. He quickly unlocked it and placed the phone in Roman's hand.
Roman took the phone and scrolled through it until he found what he was looking for. He smiled softly looking at the photo his assistant had taken. His mood, which had been sour due to constant interruptions, improved. He tossed the phone back to Leo.
"Send this photo to me immediately, then delete it from your phone."
Leo quickly caught the phone and stared at the photo he had taken. He looked at his boss surprised. This might be his ticket out of another punishment, he thought.
"Right away, boss!" He said, quickly sending the photo to his boss and deleting it from his phone, even showing Roman the deletion history to confirm.
"Boss, is that all?" he asked with his fingers crossed, hoping his boss would forget about the current situation.
"No."
Leo's heart rate went up when he heard that.
"I want you to inform the pilot that I'll be taking the private jet to different destinations for vacation, so he should be prepared."
Roman kept silent for a while, as if contemplating. Suddenly he said, "Leo, I want you to pick 15 different countries, and also choose different good vacation spots from each, like the ones my wife was looking at on the tablet. I want it to be perfect. I expect you to handle all the proper arrangements. If my wife is satisfied with the arrangements, you're getting a bonus after my vacation ends."
Leo stared at his boss bewildered. ‘15 different countries! Just for a honeymoon vacation trip. The boss really dotes on his wife. I need to butter up to her more in the future.’
"Yes sir!!" Leo said, straightening up.
"And look for a good destination for the executives who want to come on vacation. Maybe a cruise ship, or a private beach house, or something nice that would suit their taste. I can't bring them along with my wife, that would ruin our moments. But you're coming with me—I don't want any mistakes with the arrangements."
"Okay sir," Leo beamed with joy. Although he'd still be working as an assistant, he would get to visit different destinations with his boss.
Right at that moment, a hasty knock was heard on the door.
Roman signaled for Leo to answer the door. Mrs. Chen, the housekeeper, walked in panicked.
"Young Master, the young mistress's father is here, and he came to look for trouble with the young mistress. They are current—"
Roman couldn't wait for the housekeeper to finish before he dashed outside, his expression extremely dark like storm clouds. Leo and the housekeeper hastily followed after him.
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Evelyn had gone outside after hearing a car horn, thinking maybe it was Grandfather Alexander since she wasn't expecting visitors and Roman hadn't informed her of any. But she didn't expect the person she met would be her father. She couldn't believe he actually found a way to come here after she'd rejected his calls countless times.
"Fath—" she had wanted to call him father out of habit, but then remembered their current status.
Richard, upon seeing Evelyn come outside looking extremely well and healthy, could no longer hold his anger. He immediately walked to her and shoved her hard, causing Evelyn to almost lose her balance. She stumbled back, pressing her hands to her chest, trying to steady her racing heart.
"YOU BITCH!!! What have you done? How dare you try to destroy what I've worked so hard to build over the years!" he yelled angrily, his voice echoing throughout the mansion, startling the household staff who had retreated to their rooms on Roman's orders.
"Not only did you slander your sister online so she lost all her reputation and career, you also want to destroy me? Your own father?"
Evelyn, after gaining her footing and trying to understand what her father said, yelled back. "What the hell are you talking about? I don't have a sister, and certainly not a father. Before you disowned me, I already denounced the title you placed on me as your daughter!!! I'm no longer tied to that fucking family!!!"
Richard’s expression twisted. His hand shot out.
Evelyn flinched, twisting her body instinctively. He struck her hard across the face, the sharp sound echoing in the open space.
"FUCKING BITCH!!! Your sister is on the verge of committing suicide because you ruined her! She's mentally unstable and now I'm on the verge of bankruptcy, and you dare spout nonsense in my face!!??"
Richard breathed heavily in rage. "If I had known what you'd become, I wouldn't have kept you bitch!! I would have sent you away when your mother died!!"
Claire, who had been in the car silently watching the drama unfold, quickly stepped out and pinched her husband's hand in panic, whispering so only both could hear. "Honey, you've said too much."
Richard finally broke out from his rage, realizing he'd said something that should have remained buried forever. He shifted uncomfortably and turned to gaze at Evelyn, checking if she'd caught anything from what he said.
Evelyn's face had turned to the side from the blow, her vision nearly whiting out from the unexpected but somehow expected violence. She trembled uncontrollably, her fingers clenched so hard, her veins were popping out.
"Why do I have to care for Maya's mental health when she started it?!! Why do I have to be blamed for your bankruptcy when it has nothing to do with me?!! Why do you guys always play the victim for everything!!"
Evelyn yelled loudly, her voice cracking. "We already cut ties as family, why do you still have to fucking look for me when things go wrong on your side!! Why do I have to be fucking blamed for everything?!! What did I do to deserve this? I've been nothing but filial to you!!" Evelyn yelled in tears.
She quickly composed her emotions, taking a deep breath and wiping the tears brimming in her eyes.
"You know what? I'm just starting. This is phase one of Maya's problems, because she's still alive and kicking, isn't she? Notice how I haven't done anything yet online other than uploading evidence to clear my name. I haven't even come after her yet, and she's already pretending to die?" Evelyn let out a bitter laugh.
"This is just phase one, and you can go to hell with your bankruptcy. Blame yourself for your incompetence. I only allowed myself to be hit by you today—this would be your last time you ever try something so stupid in your entire FUCKING WRETCHED LIFE!!! Now LEAVE MY HOUSE THIS MINUTE!" Evelyn yelled coldly.
Richard and Claire were both stunned by her cold tone and bold attitude she had never shown. But most importantly, they breathed a huge sigh of relief that she hadn't caught on to what he'd said before, due to her anger.
Richard quickly recovered. His jaw clenched, veins standing out on his neck. "I'm going to beat you up until you realize who you belong to!"
He began walking toward her quickly, attempting to yank her hair.
Evelyn looked around, searching for something to use to fight back.
But he was getting closer. Just when he was about to grab her hair, a powerful hand shot up from nowhere, grabbing his hand so powerfully that Richard could hear his bone cracking.
"AHHHH!!!" He immediately yelled, breaking out in cold sweat.