Chapter 116
Chase kept flattering, just trying to find a breakthrough with Levi.
But he knew Celestia was Levi's precious one, so he stopped involving my daughter.
Levi didn't invite him inside; he just sat down in the garden pavilion.
The weather was chilly, so I went back to the room to get Levi a blanket.
"Actually, you don't need to bother with him."
I said to him quietly. I didn't want any of my problems to trouble him. I could handle it myself. In fact, having him here might give Chase ideas.
"Levi, I'm old, and my health is failing. I know I've never really helped you guys, and I know my request is a bit much, but look, Blair and I are father and daughter, so let's skip the formalities."
Levi glanced at me. He didn't know Chase was sick, so he didn't understand what this whole speech was about.
"I'm just hoping she can do a compatibility test. If it doesn't work out, I'll figure out another way." Chase thought his humble attitude would win Levi's sympathy.
"Bone marrow matching?"
"Yes."
Hope lit up in Chase's eyes again.
"This isn't a small matter. Even if the match is successful, I won't let her take that risk. Of course, if she's willing herself, that's another story."
Levi's position was clear - he didn't agree.
"This..."
"You want her to sacrifice her body to save you? Something that would harm her health? I don't agree."
Chase's eyes dimmed again. He gripped the armrest of his chair, controlling his emotions.
"Are you really going to just watch me die?"
"It's already a low-probability thing. If my wife isn't willing, there's nothing more to discuss." Levi stood up. It was too cold here, and his back probably couldn't take it.
"Blair, are you really this heartless?"
The same old lines over and over - my ears were getting calluses. Why should he keep draining my patience? I hadn't kicked him out yet, which was already giving him plenty of face.
Seeing I wasn't saying anything, Levi waved his hand. "Show him out."
"Yes, Mr. Morgan."
Indigo had been wanting to speak up for me. If she hadn't been with Celestia, she would have come to help me already.
"Wait!"
Chase stood up and said to me, "If you won't do the compatibility test, you should at least pay some medical expenses. Whether you admit it or not, I'm still your father."
He wanted money again?
I don't know where he got the confidence to think that just by coming to our house and making a scene, we'd give him money.
"No one's saying anything?"
Chase asked us. What more could we say?
"Levi, your business is doing well. Just think of it as doing a good deed and help me out." Chase knew I wouldn't budge, so he changed targets.
Levi's lips curved up. "My wife manages all the money in our house. She has the final say."
When did I start managing the money? What did Levi mean by this? Was he giving me the independence to handle it? I had blamed him before for giving money inappropriately, and now he was just staying out of it completely.
This was actually good. If Chase got even a little benefit, he'd keep coming back. He'd never change.
"You hear that? He says you manage the money, so give it." Chase looked at me, practically holding out his hand.
I rubbed my palms together. "The household expenses have been high lately. We don't have spare money."
"Who are you kidding? Your family doesn't have money?"
"Why don't you call the police to come search our house and see if we have any or not?"
I said this on purpose to make him back down. I didn't owe him anything. I wouldn't give him a penny.
"I'll sue you. I'll have the court send you a summons."
"Fine. Turn right when you leave our house and keep walking. You'll pass by the courthouse - you won't even need to turn to see it. Go right now."
"You're ruthless!"
Seeing he couldn't get anything from us, Chase cursed as he left.
"Mr. and Mrs. Morgan, please have dinner."
I came back to my senses. "Where's Celestia?"
"She already ate. I was afraid she'd be scared, so I had her eat first."
"That's good."
I didn't know if Celestia had been frightened by Chase. His barging into my home like that was really scary. I needed to tell the security guards not to let him in anymore.
Levi and I went to the dining room. The table was full of delicious food, but I had no appetite.
My heart kept tightening with anxiety. I hadn't agreed to Chase's request, so he lost his mind and went after my daughter?
Even though Celestia had my blood running through her veins, the chances of a successful match were too low.
"What's wrong?"
Levi was serving me food, but I hadn't even noticed. I'd been spacing out.
"Nothing."
I picked up my bowl and shoveled rice into my mouth. My eyes felt sore. How could I be so unlucky as to have a father like this that I couldn't shake off?
I thought my nightmare would end, but as long as he was alive, I'd have to live in fear. It was clearly his fault, so why did I have to suffer?
My mom and I hadn't asked for anything back then, hadn't held him accountable, hadn't used any legal means to protect our rights. But him? He actually said he'd sue me in court.
What right did he have?
"How old were you when you left?"
Levi suddenly asked me, making my heart jump again.
This was the first time he'd asked about my past.
"I forgot."
I didn't want to talk about the specifics. I didn't want to recall those painful memories. Every time I thought about them, I suffered all over again.
"It's good that you forgot."
"Hm?"
"There's no benefit in always remembering."
Levi added more food to my plate. "Just eat well. Nothing else matters."
Was he caring about me? What about his germaphobia? I suddenly realized he'd served me food twice already.
"It's all unimportant stuff, no need to remember. I'm pretty cold-hearted, aren't I?" I smiled bitterly, forcing myself not to let the tears fall.
I really couldn't hold it together much longer inside. I clearly hadn't provoked him, yet he wouldn't let me go. After more than ten years, now he wanted to be my father...
"You are Blair Ember."
Levi's reminder made me feel a lot better. I really wasn't Jessa anymore. I was Blair now. What could Chase do to me?
"The Starlight series from your company - did you design it?"
The topic suddenly changed. I held my bowl up in front of my face again.
"It was everyone's effort."
I didn't want to admit it. The Starlight series was my wholehearted passion, completed during those days when he was away on business.
"One of the pieces uses pink diamonds."
What was he getting at? Was he paying attention to me?
I laughed awkwardly. "I don't have that kind of talent. Nola likes pink, so she had them design it."
Why was Levi so certain about what materials I used? I thought back carefully - maybe it was that day Elliot mentioned the financing, or perhaps John had told him?
But the fact that I was the CEO of Heartstrings Jewelry - Levi could easily find that out if he wanted to.
I didn't explain. Maybe he wouldn't care about these small things, as long as he didn't follow Chase's bone marrow matching issue and ask about my childhood.
That way, I could bury my head in the sand and pretend the Starlight series had nothing to do with me.