Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

Chapter 61 Once the Anger Subsides, Head Home Early

Since our last brief meeting, I only remembered Victor as stern. I knew he didn't like me.

Ethan didn't need to question his lineage; he got his good looks and serious demeanor from Victor.

Just like now, Victor didn't say a word, but one look from him made me feel small.

"Dad," I greeted out of respect.

Victor glanced away and walked in. I quickly stepped aside.

"Don't call me that. I won't acknowledge a daughter-in-law who hasn't earned my approval," he said calmly, leaving me frozen.

By the time I snapped out of it, Victor was already seated on the sofa, looking around like it was his first time here.

Even if Victor didn't accept me, I was still Ethan's wife and needed to take care of him.

I poured a glass of water and placed it in front of Victor. Not daring to call him Dad again, I just said, "Here's some water." Victor looked up at me again.

I lowered my head, feeling the weight of his gaze.

Victor asked, "How much money do you want?"

I was stunned. "What do you mean by that?"

Victor lit a cigarette, his lips curling in contempt. "Emily, 26, graduated from Starlight Medical College with a nursing degree, working at Benevolence Hospital since. Your ex-husband was an obstetrician there but got fired recently." I stared at him, shocked. "You investigated me?"

Victor took a drag, smiling slightly. "Your dad was a truck driver who died in an accident over a decade ago. Your mom became a vegetable in the same accident and passed away this June at Benevolence Hospital. You grew up poor and likely learned early that money is crucial. For the poor, survival often comes down to money."

He was right; the rich lived for life, the poor for survival. But that didn't mean the poor would sell everything for money. We had dignity too.

Ethan for his

laughed like he'd heard the funniest joke. "Not for money, then for love? Ms. Russell, you have no strong family background and are divorced, but I don't underestimate you. Ethan hasn't been

"You think I tricked

slowly. "Maybe it's not just money; maybe you have other motives. He may not like me meddling, but he's still my son. I won't let someone

judged me guilty. No matter what I say, it'll just seem like I'm covering

reached for the water glass, then put it down, remembering I

to marry him. Why you? He chose a

made sense. Ethan chose me to get back at both

I'll leave now." I ran upstairs, packed a suitcase,

there, smoking like

leave without a word, but then I stopped. "You still feel

steal or rob. We earn every penny through hard work. What's wrong with that? Ethan..." my voice choked

knew Ethan longed for

turned serious, and he stared

villa. It felt like I was always running away, leaving places that once felt warm to

go back to Broadway Alley; Ethan would find me

the car window, tears flowed silently. I had hoped to

It was Ethan's car, speeding. Was

passed each other, and when I looked back, his car

took out my phone, scrolled to Ethan's number,

me off, and Bella was waiting at the entrance. She took my luggage and asked, "What's going

tell I'd been crying and

had eaten. Not wanting to trouble

a shower and got into bed, but I couldn't sleep. Bella kept asking, so I finally told

father like

doesn't matter. It was a mistake from the

to get back at Arthur and his dad.