Chapter 54 You Should Be Grateful That You're My Nephew

Vera dumped the cash out of her bag. "This is all I have. Take it and get out!"

"Why are you talking to me like that? Have you gotten so high and mighty that you look down on me now?" Daniel sneered.

"Do you even deserve it?" Vera shot back, her eyes blazing with anger.

If she'd known she'd end up in prison back then, she would've killed this jerk a long time ago.

Daniel smirked. "Deserve it or not, you can't deny I raised you for over a decade, Vera."

Those words cut deep.

Her painful past was a stain she couldn't wash away, no matter how hard she tried.

"Fine, just remember to pay up every month. If you don't, I know where you live and work. I can always find you," Daniel said, sniffing the money arrogantly.

This cash would fuel his next binge. He left, feeling pretty pleased with himself.

Vera's legs gave out, and she sank to the ground, staring at her trembling hands before closing her eyes.

She'd promised herself she'd turn her life around, fight against this cursed fate. But why did things always end up like this?

Meanwhile, Arnold stood on the balcony, watching the scene unfold in the garden below.

He saw the scumbag say something, and Vera was clearly losing it.

"See that? That's Vera's past. That guy's her foster dad. He's taken advantage of her so many times," Bert said.

"Maybe she's even got an STD. You still want her? Uncle Arnold, is your taste that bad? What would Mia think if she knew?" Bert's words grew more heated, even smug. 

So what if he spread rumors? As long as Vera came back to him, ready to be the obedient pet she used to be, any guilt from slandering her would disappear.

"And you know what? Vera's easy. Just give her some attention, and she'll come running back. I used to just snap my fingers, and she'd be right there. Now, just a little kindness, and she'll be back to her old ways..."

Before Bert could finish, Arnold slapped him hard. Bert tasted blood and pressed his tongue against his teeth.

"You hit me?" Bert exclaimed, but when he saw Arnold's eyes, he shut up real quick.

Arnold grabbed Bert's collar, shouting, "Bert Pierce, you should be grateful you're my nephew!"

He let go, and Bert crumpled to the ground, shaking like a leaf, wanting to fight back but too scared to move.

"Get lost," Arnold said, looking down at him.

Bert scrambled to his feet and stumbled back to the banquet hall, unsure if Arnold was defending Vera or condemning her.

Arnold's thoughts were a mystery; he was too shrewd to let his emotions show.

The more Bert thought about it, the darker his expression got. If only he were the one running the Pierce family.

The idea hit him hard. David had set the rule that family members couldn't harm each other for business gains, or they'd be kicked out. But Bert wasn't satisfied. If he had that power, maybe Vera would come to him willingly.

Watching Vera's delicate figure in the garden, Arnold felt a burning sensation in his chest. If it were anyone else, he would've dealt with them by now.

As Vera approached, Arnold looked away, and Charles hurried over.

He signed, [Where's Ms. Garcia?]

"She'll be back soon," Arnold replied.

Charles cautiously studied Arnold's face, then signed, [Are you upset?]

Arnold paused. He rarely showed his feelings. Was it really that obvious now?

Unwittingly, Vera had stirred something in his heart.

Reflecting on it, Arnold felt a strange emotion he had never felt before.

At that moment, Charles dashed towards the returning Vera, and Arnold noticed her eyes were red, not very noticeable under the lights, but her eyelids were swollen.

Charles moved in for a hug.

Vera quickly composed herself and scooped Charles up as if nothing had happened.

"Why were you gone so long? Did someone give you trouble?" Arnold asked casually.

"Nothing much, I just took a call, so I came back a bit late," Vera said naturally.

Arnold's Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed. He decided to play along and didn't call her out on it. Vera probably didn't even realize that she always looked to the left when she lied.

Besides, he had just seen what had really happened.

Arnold suddenly felt like something had punched his heart, leaving a dull ache.

He couldn't understand why Vera would lie. Her secrecy made him uncomfortable. Did she not trust him?

Thinking about what Bert had said earlier, about how he could make her come over with just a snap of his fingers, Arnold felt a surge of anger. He wanted to give Bert a beating right now.

"What's wrong?" Vera asked, turning back to him.

Arnold looked up and hid his feelings. "Nothing. Are you ready to go?"

"Let's go," Vera smiled, looking at the sleepy Charles in her arms.

Once Vera composed herself, she noticed something off. How did Daniel, a just-released vagrant, end up at this event? And who let him in?

These questions swirled in Vera's mind as she clenched her fists. She needed to uncover the truth and resolve these matters. She couldn't let Daniel ruin all her hard work.

Daniel was capable of anything, and she couldn't bear to think about what she might do if he dared to harm Charles.

The idea sent a shiver down her spine. What was Daniel's motive for coming back?

Lost in thought, Vera was silent throughout the ride.

"Vera," Arnold's voice cut through the quiet car.

Vera snapped back to reality.

Arnold asked, "What's on your mind?"