Chapter 177 Please, Forgive My Dad?

Chapter 177 Please, Forgive My Dad?

It was almost midnight when Adrian got back to the Hart family estate.

The entrance lights were on. Adrian changed his shoes and walked into the living room, then suddenly stopped.

Violet was leaning on the sofa, holding a half-read book. The blanket had slipped down to her knees. She wore light gray loungewear, her hair loose around her shoulders. Her breathing was steady, like she'd fallen asleep waiting.

Adrian stood there watching her for a while. He looked dazed, suddenly remembering how during their seven years of marriage, he often worked late, and Violet would stay up all night waiting for him like this. He'd never paid attention.

The wall lamp lit her face softly. Adrian walked over quietly, bent down, and gently took the book from her hands to set it on the coffee table. His movements were light, but she still woke up.

Violet opened her eyes, her gaze unfocused for a second. Once she saw it was him, she sat up a bit. Her voice was still hoarse from sleep. "Adrian, what time is it?"

"Almost midnight. Why didn't you go to the room to rest?" Adrian asked softly.

Violet rubbed her eyes. "I thought I'd read for a bit, but I didn't mean to fall asleep."

She stood up, ready to head back to the room. Adrian watched her walk toward the stairs. He wanted to call her back and tell her he'd found the truth from seven years ago, but he couldn't say it. All these years, Quinn had stayed by his side without complaint. When he learned the truth, he couldn't even blame the Wells family. With Violet, he only felt heavy guilt.

"Violet." He called out anyway.

Violet stopped and turned around, looking confused. "What is it?"

Their eyes met. Adrian's mind pulled in different directions, but he swallowed everything and just said softly, "Good night."

Violet said good night and went upstairs.

Early the next morning, Quinn showed up downstairs at Hart Group. Her eyes were a little swollen, like she'd been crying for hours. The receptionist recognized her and quickly let her through. Quinn went straight up to the president's floor.

Roman was coming out of the break room with coffee when he saw her. He paused. "Ms. Quinn, what happened?"

"Is Adrian here?" Quinn's voice was hoarse.

"Mr. Hart is meeting a client. It'll be about twenty more minutes." Roman set down his cup. "Want to wait in the lounge?"

Quinn nodded and followed him there, sitting on the sofa. Roman brought her a cup of warm water. "You don't look well. Should I call a doctor?"

Quinn shook her head and forced a smile. "No, I'm fine. Thanks, Roman."

Roman left and closed the door. The office went quiet. Quinn held the cup, her fingers pale, thinking hard about how to act and what to say when she saw Adrian so he'd feel bad for her and forgive the Wells family.

When Adrian finished with the client, Quinn went into his office. Adrian saw her come in, his face calm with no anger. "What brings you here today?"

Quinn looked up, her eyes full of tears she was holding back. "Adrian, I'm here to apologize for my dad."

Adrian just watched her without answering right away.

"He didn't sleep last night, just kept drinking. When he got drunk, he told me a lot. He said he's felt guilty all these years and shouldn't have gone down that road. He doesn't expect you to forgive him, he just hopes you won't take it out on Wells Industrial." Quinn lowered her head, eyes wet. "Last night he drank until his stomach hurt and threw up all night. He wouldn't go to the hospital, so the family doctor had to come and settle him down."

Quinn wiped her eyes pitifully. "This morning I went to see him. He was sitting alone in the study, wouldn't see anyone, and hadn't eaten."

Her voice got more choked. "Adrian, Dad did something wrong. I'm not defending him. But he did it for Wells Industrial and our family. He was desperate back then, chased by loan sharks and scared to even go home. If it was just for money, I couldn't argue. But Mom was sick, and everything he did was because he loved her too much."

Quinn looked up at Adrian, tears finally falling. "I'm not trying to excuse him. I just want you to know he's a father who made a mistake. No one has to forgive him. But as his daughter, I have to speak for him. Without what he did, there'd be no Wells family, and no me."

Adrian leaned back on the sofa, looking at her red eyes. His brows moved slightly. He couldn't stand seeing her like this. "Quinn."

Quinn looked at him with hope.

Adrian's face stayed calm. "I've looked into it. You have your side, the Wells family has theirs. I get both."

Quinn's tears fell again.

"But I need time to process it," Adrian said.

Quinn froze, lowered her head, and twisted her fingers. "You... don't want to forgive Dad?"

"I didn't say that," Adrian paused. "I just haven't figured it out yet..."

Quinn stayed quiet for a few seconds, then walked over, squatted down in front of him, and looked up. "Adrian, for the sake of all these years, can you give Dad a chance?"

Her voice was low and shaky. "I won't make it hard for you. If you can't face him, then don't. As long as you don't make this public or drag Wells Industrial into it, I'll be grateful. Dad's old, he can't take that kind of hit."

Quinn reached out and gently held Adrian's hand on his knee. "Adrian, just... think of it as me begging you, okay?"

Adrian looked down at her hand holding his. He almost pulled away on instinct, but caught himself. He realized he was starting to dislike Quinn's touch.

The silence dragged on until Quinn almost thought he'd refuse. Then Adrian put his other hand over hers and patted it lightly, like he was comforting her.

"Alright," he said quietly.