Chapter 59: Acknowledge This Daughter
Seeing that I had gotten Maria on my side, I finally felt a bit relieved.
Henry's mindset probably wouldn't change overnight, but with Maria and me supervising together, we'd definitely make some progress.
At the very least, we had to work together to protect the company first.
"Helena, I understand what you're saying. From now on, I'll keep an eye on your father too and won't let him do anything inappropriate. But you two shouldn't stay mad at each other anymore."
Maria patted my arm and said, "Go on, call your dad down for dinner."
I nodded and obediently went upstairs to the study.
In the study, when Henry saw me, his eyes clearly brightened for a moment, but he still pretended to act casual and asked, "What is it?"
"Dad, I was a bit too harsh just now. Please don't be angry anymore. Come down for dinner, okay?"
"Do you really know you were wrong?"
Henry asked seriously.
I nodded. "I really know I was wrong. Mom has prepared the meal. Let's go eat together."
Seeing my sincere attitude, Henry finally stood up. When he walked over to me, he patted my head and said, "Helena, don't worry. I won't let what you're worried about happen. Remember, in this world, only you and Maria are the people closest to me."
This time, I was smart enough not to mention Rosalind. I just nodded obediently and said, "Let's go eat then."
When we came downstairs, and Maria saw Henry and me coming down together, she finally showed a smile.
I thought the Serenity situation would take a few days to blow up, but unexpectedly, the very next morning, John started calling Henry to come over to their house.
Henry took me to John's house. As soon as we entered, I could feel the oppressive atmosphere inside.
Seeing an unfamiliar girl in the room, I sneered inwardly and instantly felt excited.
Serenity, we finally meet again.
Henry was stunned for a moment when he saw Serenity, then asked, "What's going on here?"
Willow dabbed at non-existent tears and pointed at John accusingly, "Henry, you're here. Take a good look—this is the mistake John made outside!"
"What?"
Hearing this, Henry was shocked. He looked at Serenity a few times, then turned to John angrily, "John, you're old enough to know better. How could you do something like this? Look at how young this girl is. This is completely inappropriate!"
As soon as Henry finished speaking, John's face turned red with embarrassment.
"Henry, it's not what you think!"
At that moment, Serenity stood up and said timidly to Henry, "Uncle Henry, my name is Serenity Lockwood."
Hearing this, Henry's voice stopped abruptly. He turned to look at Serenity in disbelief, "Your last name is Lockwood? Then you are...?"
"She's John's illegitimate daughter!"
Willow covered her face and started crying, "How miserable is my life? How can I go on living?"
"Mom, don't cry."
Natasha tried to comfort her a few times, then said sternly to John, "Dad, if you want to acknowledge this daughter, fine, but she can't appear in our house!"
"Natasha."
John didn't expect Natasha to say such a thing.
"Dad, it's okay. I just came to see you today. Seeing that your family is doing well, I'm relieved."
Serenity stood up and started walking toward the door. "Dad, I'll leave now and won't disturb your life anymore."
After bowing deeply, she walked toward the door.
Watching this scene, I smirked, confirming that Serenity, the master actress from my past life, was back. In my previous life, I had experienced her tactics many times.
Serenity looked delicate and fragile, and with her swaying, unsteady figure, not only did I find her pitiful, but John's eyes were red, too.
He reached out to stop Serenity and shouted at Willow and Natasha, "Serenity is my daughter. Starting today, she'll live in our house. If any of you dare to drive her away, you're going against me. Whoever wants to drive her out should get out themselves first!"
"John, are you crazy? If you dare keep this woman, I'll fight you to the death!"
Willow lunged at John with her teeth bared.
But John pushed Willow away directly.
The usually weak John was finally being tough for once. "When I was young, Mom stopped me from being with Serenity's mother. I wronged her. Now I can't wrong Serenity anymore. No matter who tries to stop me, I'm bringing Serenity back to the Lockwood family."
"Not only will I acknowledge her, but I'll also hold a grand welcome party so everyone in Starwave City knows that Serenity is my daughter, John's daughter!"
"Dad."
John's words made Serenity cry tears of gratitude.
Seeing Serenity crying non-stop, John quickly comforted her, "Serenity, don't be afraid. This will be your home from now on. If you're wronged, you must tell me, and I'll stand up for you!"
Then John called out, "Parker!"
The butler Parker rushed over, "Mr. Lockwood."
"Go clean up the third floor for Serenity. Make it the same standard as Natasha's."
"Yes."
As Parker was about to leave, Natasha exploded.
"Dad, have you thought about Mom and me? What about us?"
Hearing her speak, John said earnestly, "Natasha, you're still my daughter. That hasn't changed at all. I'll still love you."
"Love me? What about her? Why does she get the entire third floor as soon as she arrives? What about me? What am I?"
Natasha pointed at Serenity and demanded loudly.
Seeing her aggressive attitude, Serenity's eyes immediately reddened, tears about to fall but not quite falling.
This scene amazed me. In terms of tactics, I was far inferior to Serenity. No wonder in my past life I kept losing to her.
Serenity said, "Natasha, I'm sorry. It's my fault. I shouldn't have appeared. Dad, why don't you just let me go? I can't watch you have family discord because of me."
"No, you can't go anywhere!"
John pulled Serenity close and said to Natasha, "Serenity is older than you. She's been alone and struggling all these years. Stop making a fuss."
"I'm making a fuss? How am I making a fuss? If Serenity hadn't come, why would I be going crazy!"
Natasha reached out and blocked the stairs, saying to Parker, "Everyone, stop! No one is allowed to move. I dare anyone to go up and clean that room!"