Nathan’s face jerked to the side from the force of the slap. He held his face as he glared ferociously at the man before him. Suddenly, the edges of his lips twisted into a sarcastic smirk as he snarked, “What now? Are you mad because you’re embarrassed?”
Ace returned his son’s glare with one of his own. “You were abroad for almost eight years and never contributed anything to this family. Now, you’re calling me out for doing what’s right for our future but take a look at yourself. Everything that you’re enjoying now is the fruits of my labor!”
Nathan’s eyes turned bloodshot as he took a couple of steps toward Ace and confronted him, growling, “I was abroad for almost eight years, but you guys didn’t care about me when I was gone. You have no idea how pathetic I was when people chased after me for money. You certainly have no idea how unbearable it was for me when I had to worry whether I’d have enough money to place food on the table. The cheeks of you to mention that I’m enjoying the fruits of your labor. You just mean the car and house, don’t you? Here, take it!” Then, he unceremoniously tossed the keys he was holding in his hand at Ace. “I’ll move out of Muse Peninsula tomorrow. I have no interest in you interfering in my life nor do I want you to be in my life! So, you can forget it! Disown me if you’re so worried I’d leech off you.”
Ace became dumbstruck by Nathan’s actions as he stood on the same spot in stunned silence. In contrast, Jade was terrified as she hastily rushed over and grabbed Nathan, whimpering, “Nathan, what are you doing? Are you breaking all ties with us?”
Although Nathan’s eyes were so bloodshot that it seemed as though he had burst a vein during the argument, his voice sounded a little weak when he spoke to her. He even sounded a little aggrieved. “You guys forced me into this. I told you that I love Halma. I’m serious about her and intend to marry her, but you want me to marry Lexie instead.
Even if I were to dismiss the fact that you’re forcing me, you even resorted to such despicable methods to set us up. Do you have any idea how terrible Halma feels? The news of her boyfriend spending the night in a hotel with another woman became viral on the Internet! How do you expect her to go to work and continue on with her life? Is money that important? Is it more important than your son’s happiness? How could you bring yourself to say that this is all for my own good?
Also, what did you tell Halma? Do you know how much time and effort I spent before I finally won her heart? Because of you, she’s ignoring me. Mom, as a woman, why do you have to make things difficult for another woman? Do you want me to turn out like Dad?” he said, looking at the woman who had tears streaming down her face.
Finally, Ace snapped out of his shock and marched to him with a frown. “You’re a member of the Baker Family. Don’t make things sound more terrible than they are. Cease with your dramatics. Besides, you’ll only be doing your duty to your family, as you should. You said you love her and she’s the only one for you, huh? You gave her your heart, but has she done the same? Don’t you know that she only likes you for your money and status? Do you think that she’ll still like you after you leave this family? Don’t be so naive.”
Anger rushed to Nathan’s head as he glared at Ace. Frankly, Jade wouldn’t have to suffer any injustice because she was from the Nolan Family. Alas, Ace kept brainwashing her with his seemingly reasonable logic.
Don’t worry, my heart remains in this family and I’m only doing this for show. It’s nothing serious. I didn’t like her and didn’t even see what she looked like. I’m just like a kite, and you’re the person holding my string. I’ll never slip out of your hands. You’re worried whether a man is treating his woman well? I can tell you right now that a man values the woman to whom he passes his earnings. I’m working extra hours and attending business gatherings all because I want to give you and our son a better life.
Just like that, Ace managed to assure Jade for years, until the day when that woman came to their door to provoke them.
