Chapter 25
David’s anger was palpable, visibly perturbed by something the others had shared. How could she pull such a stunt? What in the world happened five years back? Why is she still breathing?”
Kenny nearly spoke up but promptly held back upon catching sight of Nathan. He stood up with Samantha and smiled at Nathan. “Nathan, you’re here.
Samantha looked at him with red eyes and lightly wiped her tears with a handkerchief.
Nathan walked over and asked, “What’s goin‘ on?”
David couldn’t help but question Nathan, “When did you know about this?”
“Know about what?” Nathan shot back.
David divulged, “Cassidy’s alive.”
Nathan glanced at Kenny and Samantha coldly and asked flatly, “She’s still alive. Isn’t that great news?”
Kenny and Samantha were at a loss for words.
Nathan asked further, “Are you disappointed that she’s still alive?” Cassidy was their daughter, but they didn’t seem to be happy
at the news,
David commented unhappily, “How could we be happy! If she’s alive, why keep us in the dark? Five years hack, everyone! thought she was gone. Now, she resurfaces outta the blue. How can Kenny and Samantha clarify this to everyone? She disappeared all this time, didn’t she think anyone would fret over her?”
Meredith said aggrievedly. “Mom and Dad are glad to see that she’s still alive. But she has really gone too far today.”
David patted the back of Meredith’s hand and complained to Nathan, “I’ve told you before, she was raised by a club dancer,
you can’t expect much from her. How dare she ask her father for 6 million dollars? That’s outrageous! She even dared to slap her own mother. What an insolent girl!”
and
Nathan’s eyes fell on Samantha “What did she do?”
Samantha opened her mouth but hesitated. Kenny shook his head and sighed.
Meredith said with a pained expression, “She showed up at the Jensen residence today with a group of bodyguards and vandalized the house. She even slapped Mom. I don’t understand why she did this.”
“I’ve never seen such a ridiculous thing in my life!” David exclaimed. He then looked at Nathan and spilled, “Did you know she’s got a kid with Josiah Saunders? You’ve been worrying about her for nothing. She’s been living a carefree life for the past five years. She even got pregnant before marriage and had an illegitimate daughter! It’s shameful!”
Nathan’s face darkened immediately. “Enough”
“Enough?” David stood up instantly. “Are you still defending her? What good has she done to charm you?”
Nathan replied coldly, “She is my wife. I gotta stand up for her.”
Kenny and Samantha’s expressions changed when they heard this. Meredith froze and looked at Nathan in disbelief.
“You still consider her your wife? You’re not even engaged yet. Even if you make her your better half, does she see you as her man? Josiah’s throwin‘ a shindig at Saunders Group next week, plannin‘ to announce his engagement to her. I can’t believe the rumored fiancée of the Saunders family is actually her! What a ridiculous situation this is!” What a mess!” David ranted. “Let’s be clear. I only have one granddaughter–in–law. That’s Meredith! No other woman’s enterin‘ the Howell family!”
Meredith was moved. “Grandpa David, I appreciate how much you love me, but please don’t say that. Maybe she has her own reason to do that.”
“Reason? What reason could she possibly have? She’s a fickle woman. She hasn’t gotten married but has already given birth to a daughter. The Howell family will never accept such a person,” David sneered.
“That’s it,” Nathan warned firmly. “Don’t say that again.”
David’s face flushed in anger. “Watch your attitude!”
Chapter 25
Kenny and Samantha hurriedly interjected, “Mr. David Howell, we don’t want the Jensen family drama to disturb the Howell family’s peace.
Samantha said to Nathan, “We came here to visit Mr. David Howell. We didn’t intend to bring it up initially. If he hadn’t insisted on asking, we wouldn’t have mentioned it. Besides, airing our dirty laundry is embarrassing for us.”
David looked at Meredith and said, “We are a family. When Meredith marries Nathan, we will be a real family. Don’t have to call it your dirty laundry.”
Following David’s words, all eyes turned towards Nathan involuntarily.
Nathan sneered, “Didn’t I say that I would break off the engagement with Meredith?”
Meredith’s face turned pale instantly.
“Don’t you dare?” David stood up abruptly and slammed his cane on the ground. “I warn you. Don’t speak those words again! Nathan, remember that you and Meredith were childhood sweethearts. That woman came into the picture later, while Meredith was abroad for treatment. She had been coveting you since the beginning. Besides, you were the one who initially wanted to marry Meredith. Now, you’re breaking off the engagement wishfully. What do you think of Meredith?”
Nathan suddenly interrupted him rudely. “And what do you think of me?” Fury sparked in his eyes, chilling the living room atmosphere instantly..
Kenny and Samantha looked at him blankly, sensing a tinge of guilt creeping in.
Nathan looked at Meredith coldly and sneered. “Meredith, who is up to something bad really?”
Shocked. Meredith stammered, “Nathan, I don’t understand…”
“Since when did I agree to tie the knot with Meredith? It’s all your fantasy!” Nathan declared.
Meredith stood there dumbfounded, eyes wide.
Kenny and Samantha rose nervously. “Nathan…
“Why? You’re gonna deny what you have done after five years?” Nathan’s gaze sharpened. “Back then, you claimed Meredith had a heart disease, and the doctor gave her less than five months to live. You wanted the Howell family to fulfill her last wish and even suggested using Cassidy to bear Meredith’s child. Then, he looked at Meredith and said coldly, “Five months, huh?”
Five years past, Meredith returned. Kenny and Samantha relayed to David that Meredith was ailing, with five months left to live.
H
O
