Chapter 729 Moral Blackmail

Chapter 729 Moral Blackmail

Stanley probably didn’t expect me to say that, and his face twisted with anger as he suddenly glared at Lyanna.

“Lyanna, are you just gonna stand there and let them push me around?”

I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. If this guy really cared about Lyanna, how did things get this bad?

Even if there was some love, it had probably been worn down by life's struggles.

Lyanna bit her lip and stepped out from behind Joanna, looking at Stanley nervously.

“Why don’t you just go home, Dad?”

Stanley’s demeanor changed instantly, like he realized he could manipulate her.

“We don’t have the money to go back. Either let us stay here or give us the money to leave.”

Lyanna bit her lip again, looking downcast. “But I don’t have any money either. I lost my job because of those debt collectors.”

“Well, I don’t care. Either give us the money or let us stay here. After all, I’m your father. You can’t expect me and your brother to sleep under a bridge, can you?”

Joanna shot Lyanna a look of frustration.

I was about to snap back, but then I realized the crux of the issue.

If Lyanna kept being this timid around her family, even if we helped her now, it wouldn’t fix the problem long-term.

We could help her temporarily, but unless Lyanna toughened up, she’d never be free from these leeches.

Lyanna clenched her fists and gave us a quick glance before turning her gaze back to Stanley.

After a moment, she spoke slowly, “But if I can live under a bridge, why can’t you two men do it?”

Stanley was taken aback, his face contorting with anger as he stared at her.

“What kind of talk is that? I’m your father!”

Starting is always the hardest part. Once Lyanna got the first sentence out, her grievances poured out uncontrollably. She stared at Stanley for a long time before continuing.

“I never said you weren’t my father, but have you acted like one in recent years?”

“You racked up huge debts and expected me, a fresh college graduate, to pay them off. You demanded that I send money home every month.”

“Father, are you trying to drive me to death?”

Stanley’s face grew darker, and he raised his hand as if to hit Lyanna, but a nearby bodyguard stopped him.

“You really dare say that? I was just trying to toughen you up.”

“Endure hardship to become a better person, don’t you get that?”

I couldn’t help but laugh at his words, but it wasn’t a happy laugh—it was one of sheer exasperation.

“If that’s such a great principle, why don’t you try it out?”

Stanley shot me a cold glance and scoffed, “What’s it to you? Stay out of our family business.”

“Father, what exactly do you and Sean want? Do you think my existence is a burden to you?”

Lyanna looked at them with a heartbroken expression.

“Or do you think that if I die, you’ll get some payout to clear your debts?”

I frowned at Lyanna’s words. “What do you mean? Why would there be a payout?”

“Because my father took out a life insurance policy on me, with a death benefit,” Lyanna explained through her tears.

“I thought it was because he cared about me.”

Even the bodyguards looked sympathetic—this girl had been through so much.

“Is that really what you think of me?” Stanley scoffed.

Lyanna couldn’t hold back any longer and asked, “Then how should I think of you?”

Stanley was at a loss for words and patted Sean Patel on the shoulder.

“You talk to your sister. She’s been blinded by the outside world and doesn’t know what’s good for her.”

Sean reluctantly looked at Lyanna and spoke slowly.

“Lyanna, hasn’t Dad been good to you? You can’t repay him like this.”

Lyanna let out a bitter laugh. “If this is what you call good, then I’d rather he wasn’t.”

“Stop overthinking it and come home with us. Mom’s been asking about you every day,” Sean said, as if it was no big deal.

I shook my head in frustration. As a beneficiary of the situation, Sean couldn’t possibly empathize with Lyanna.

“I’m not going back today, and I won’t ever return. From now on, we’re no longer family. Don’t worry about me, and I won’t send another cent home.”

Lyanna wiped her tears away after saying this.

I nodded slightly, impressed by her courage to sever ties.

That’s the kind of resolve that makes her worth helping.

Stanley hadn’t expected Lyanna to say such things and his face was contorted with rage.

“Enough! What do you want? Who in the family has more education than you?”

“And you’re still not satisfied?”

Lyanna shot back, “Wasn’t it because I had good grades and got into college on my own? Are you blaming me for that?”

Stanley couldn’t argue with Lyanna and started using guilt to pressure her.

He went on about how he had raised her and how she should be grateful.

Lyanna bit her lip. “But in the years since I graduated, I’ve already paid off nearly half of your debts. Isn’t that enough to repay you?”

I was stunned by Lyanna’s words. Nearly half the debt—that was fifty thousand dollars!

Lyanna must be incredibly capable and hardworking to have paid off that much in a few years.

Stanley’s face lit up with a hint of joy. “That’s my girl. Now, just keep going and pay off the rest.”

Lyanna laughed bitterly. “I won’t pay another cent, and I won’t acknowledge you anymore.”

“You’ve become ungrateful after going to college, haven’t you?” Stanley shamelessly tried to guilt-trip her.

I could barely stand to listen anymore. I wanted to speak up several times, but Royce stopped me each time.

Royce shook his head at me.

I knew Lyanna had to handle this herself, but it was hard to watch.