"He doesn't have any feelings for you. I've just confirmed it! This is all just a facade for him to deal with his family. Once he obtains the evidence he needs, he'll file for a divorce. I hate to break it to you, but there's no hope for you in this situation. You and I are both women, so I know very well how you feel about him."Rita did not know where Sadie had just come back from, but hearing her assert that there was no future between her and Sherman made her feel deeply wounded. Still, she continued to maintain her composure."Is that so? If there is no future between him and me, does that mean there is one for you and him? You seem to have it all figured out, but do you truly see yourself as a part of your family? Listen up, Sadie Parr. If I'm not good enough for him, then you're even more unworthy of him."Karen frowned and reprimanded Rita, "Why are you talking to your sister like that? We've been a family for many years, and there's no reason to make such hurtful comments.
Rita tried to console herself this way, but her tears just would not stop. Just the thought of Sherman looking at her with such indifference, as if she were something dirty, pained her deeply.She never expected anything more than friendship with Sherman, but she never imagined that her father's actions would make any possibility between them impossible. Even their friendship was forcibly stripped away, leaving Rita feeling bitter.She could partly understand her father's intentions. The situation with the family business was dire, or he would not have impulsively threatened the Parr family with the videotape. Nonetheless, his actions were incredibly foolish. The entire Russell family could cease to exist if Sherman were to truly get angry.At that moment, Rita was unaware that Vince did all that for the sake of his unborn son. She still naively believed that her father's actions were partly out of love for her and concern for her future.Having just been discharged from the hospit
"The reason you're so weak right now is because you've been running around too much outside. You might as well take this time at home to rest properly," Vince suggested.Rita nodded and quietly ate her breakfast.Vince looked at her and felt that his daughter had grown up. Perhaps she could understand his intentions.Little did he know that she was already planning to search the study for evidence once he was out of the house.With only Vince having a job, the atmosphere at the table changed completely once he left. Rita did not say a word but subtly moved her seat further away from Karen."Hey, weren't you sitting close to me? Why the sudden change?" Karen remarked.Rita replied with a smile, "Oh, I'm afraid my negative energy might affect the baby in your belly."She remembered Karen saying something similar when she initially tried to get close to her. Karen had said Rita brought back luck, and that supposedly caused her mother's death. Rita had kept that in mind for a long t
"The weather's perfect today. How about I set up a small table in the garden for you to enjoy the sun while having some snacks?" Donna suggested.Donna took a deep breath. She knew that standing up for Rita did not amount to much; it was just a momentary satisfaction. After all, Rita had been through such situations countless times over the years. It was better to get Rita away from Karen and Sadie, so that her appetite would not be ruined at the sight of them.Rita smiled and said, "Sure, please reheat it for me. I'll head out to the garden in a bit."She patted Donna's arm and turned to Karen. "Karen, have you told my dad about your relationship with Esmond?"Karen tensed up as soon as Esmond's name was mentioned; she no longer displayed the relaxed demeanor she had before."What are you talking about? I don't even know that person. Since we're strangers, why would I bring him up in front of your father? Your father is busy now. As his daughter, you should be more considerate. W
"I lived with you in that rundown alley until I was eight years old. Even now, I still feel nauseated thinking about the smell of that filthy drain. If you've forgotten, I haven't. If you want to reminisce about the past, go ahead, but don't drag me with you!" exclaimed Sadie.Karen, forgetting her pregnancy for a moment, stood up and rushed to Sadie, attempting to cover her mouth. "Have you gone mad? Watch your words. When have I ever met up with him? Rita was just asking; she didn't mean anything by it. I haven't had any contact with him for years. Considering how he treated me and you back then, why would I even want to contact him?"Rita watched the drama unfold, realizing Esmond's influence was more significant than she thought. After all, just mentioning his name caused Karen and Sadie to fight among themselves!It seemed Sadie indeed cared a lot about the past, holding onto resentment even after so many years. It was understandable, though. For someone as vain as her, one's b
Donna chuckled indifferently. "You're not here often anyway, so it doesn't really matter if I stay or not. If she wants to find faults with us to kick me out, so be it. You know I won't have trouble finding another place to go. Besides, I've been around your mother and you for so long that I just can't stand Karen. I've been thinking about leaving for a while now. If it weren't for you occasionally coming back home… Sigh…"Rita knew that Donna had followed her late mother into the Russell family and that the two of them were more like sisters than anything. That was why Donna had always been loving and caring toward Rita. In fact, Donna and the household staff who had watched Rita grow up would have left a long time ago if Rita was not there.'I bet Karen probably wishes the staff would all leave so she could replace them with her own people,' thought Rita."Donna, would you be willing to stay here a little longer for my sake?" Rita placed her hand on Donna's. Donna, in turn, held o
'I've paved the way for her, yet she doesn't want to walk it. Instead, she wants to take the traditional approach of winning him over! Doesn't she realize just how much of a difference there is between them? There's no way her passion alone could win Sherman's cold heart!' thought Vince.Fortunately, he had already hidden the original documents, so even if Rita found something in his study, it would only be a copy.Unfortunately, Rita was completely unaware of that when she sneaked into her father's study. She did not expect to find the USB flash drive so easily. Thinking she was lucky, she silently apologized to her father in her heart when she held the small chip in her hand.'I know the family business needs the Parr family's investment, but don't worry, Dad. I'll help you raise capital after apologizing to Sherman. I stand with you, no matter what.'At the end of the day, Rita was still a member of the Russell family and Vince's daughter. She had enjoyed so many benefits from h
'Let's see how she can continue to be a reporter when the family truly falls. She should really think about who has been supporting her all this time. I've given her nothing but the best as she grew up, so it's time for her to return the favor!' thought Vince, not feeling guilty at all.He drove to Parr Group's building. As he watched Rita's car searching for a parking spot nearby, Vince could not help but feel amused.'She's so considerate of him that she even chose a meeting place closest to him as if she's afraid to trouble him by going someplace far. Has she never considered how much affection a man could have for her if he isn't even willing to go the distance for her? This daughter of mine is too naive for her own good! Fortunately, she has me, her father, watching over her! Since she liked Sherman so much, she should be happy to marry him!'Rita was restless when she arrived at the cafe. She kept biting her lip and looking around anxiously. She was not sure if Sherman had see