Chapter 59
Chapter 59
When a family fell apart, it was never the parents who suffered the most. They were adults. They had the ability to take care of themselves.
But the children had to face an uncertain future and witness their parents’ brutal arguments, which would become a shadow that could never be erased for the rest of their lives.
Now, standing face to face with him, Stella’s expression was icy, her gaze even frostier. “You have no right to call me that.” ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ͟.net
“I’m your father. You’re my daughter. Why can’t I call you that?” Theodore Jansen retorted, sounding utterly self-assured.
Stella had no idea where he got the nerve to say such things.
“Daughter?” Stella scoffed, letting out a sharp laugh. “Does a real father really kick his own daughter and wife out, leave them stranded on the street?
“Does a real father welcome his mistress and her bastard daughter into the family home?”
Her words immediately turned Theodore’s embarrassment into anger.
“Enough!” Theodore yelled. “Don’t talk about Louisa like that. She’s the love of my life, and I never had any real feelings for your mother. What’s wrong with me divorcing her and being with Louisa?”
Stella thought, ‘Sylvia really is Theodore’s daughter. One kicked out his own wife just to bring the mistress home, and the other knows Ernest is married with kids but still shamelessly chases after him. Like father, like daughter.’
“You two really are cut from the same cloth-absolutely shameless!” Stella spat, her voice dripping with disgust.
“You’re really pushing your luck,” Theodore roared, his fury boiling over as he walked toward Stella, ready to slap her.
Back then, the Jansen family couldn’t compare to the Spencer family’s influence. After marrying Stella’s mom, Theodore spent years groveling, always playing the role of the obedient husband.
Stella, treasured by the Spencer family, was untouchable-he never dared lay a hand on her, keeping up his facade as the ever-doting father.
But now, with the Spencer family on the edge of ruin and Stella’s mom locked away in a mental hospital, his own Jansen family was soaring, all thanks to the Lloyd Group.
This newfound power inflated Theodore’s ego. Now, not only did he feel entitled to slap Stella, but he also believed that Stella wouldn’t dare to challenge his demands.
As Theodore approached, the excitement in his eyes was clear. It was obvious he had been wanting this moment for a long time. He felt entitled to teach her a lesson.
“Bang!” Jeremy suddenly stepped in front of Stella, his tall figure knocking Theodore to the ground.
Looking up, Theodore was met with Jeremy’s cold, commanding gaze. A shiver ran down his spine.
“Jeremy, what do you think you’re doing? You wouldn’t hit me, would you?” Theodore blustered, his confidence wavering.
Jeremy just sneered. “If it weren’t for Stella, we wouldn’t have any connection at all.”
Realizing he wasn’t going to be hit, Theodore stood up, his smugness returning. “I’m Stella’s father. Since you have feelings for my daughter, you’d better respect me. Without my approval…”
“Jeremy, let’s go,” Stella cut in, her voice cold and firm. After seeing just how shameless he was, Stella had zero interest in
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Chapter 39
wasting another second on him.
Jeremy nodded, clearly uninterested in engaging with someone like Theodore.
But before they could walk away, Theodore was suddenly right there in front of them, clinging on like gum stuck to a shoe. “Wait!” he called out.
“I’ve got nothing to say to you,” she said coolly, sidestepping him. “Don’t bother me for anything.”
After Stella’s mother suffered severe trauma, causing significant health and memory issues, and was sent to a sanitarium, whatever little remaining affection Stella had for this so-called father was completely worn away.
From that moment on, they were strangers-no connections, no obligations.
“I’m your father,” Theodore repeated over and over, like that line could change anything. “No matter what, that doesn’t
father.” change the fact that I’m your
Stella stopped and shot him a cold look. “Cut to the chase. What is it you actually want?” She was at the breaking point, and honestly, it took all her willpower not to lash out at him right then and there.
Finally, Theodore got to the point. “So, Stella…”
“I said stop calling my name!” Stella snapped.
“Alright, alright, fine. Listen, I’m in a tight spot and really need your help. You’re my daughter-you’re not about to just leave me hanging, are you?”
“Maybe you should have at least a shred of family bond before you try to emotionally blackmail me.” Stella scoffed, her voice sharp.
“I’m your father,” Theodore began again.
“Just drop it,” Stella interrupted coldly, her tone final. “Whatever you want from me, the answer’s no. I won’t help you. If you’re having problems, go cry to Sylvia. Don’t come crawling to me.”
Without another word, Stella brushed past him and walked off. Theodore tried to block her again, but Jeremy stepped up, his imposing frame knocking Theodore sideways so hard he almost lost his balance.
“Stella, listen up-if Sylvia ever found out I was in trouble, she’d never just stand by and ignore me,” Theodore shouted, sounding desperate.
He was totally losing it now, no dignity left. “She’s nothing like you-she’s not some cold-hearted brat. I raised is how you treat me? How could you turn your back on your own father?”
you
and this
The restaurant was practically around the corner from Lumière Group, so most of the lunch crowd were executives from the company.
Theodore wasn’t just throwing a tantrum-he was out to ruin Stella’s reputation on purpose, trying to get her kicked out of Lumière Group for good.
Anyone who was known for being unfilial always got a bad reputation.
But before Theodore could shout any more, a waiter quickly stepped in to quiet him, and two burly security guards dragged
him out.
By the way, Jeremy happened to be one of the investors in this place. Being a co-owner, it was totally reasonable for him to have the staff handle this situation.
“Jeremy, thanks,” Stella said, turning to look at him.
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Jeremy flashed a casual grin. “Come on, no need to be so polite with me.”
Then Jeremy seemed to remember something. “By the way, what made Theodore show up today? He’s got the Lloyd Group supporting him now, so he should have no shortage of money or business deals.
“Who knows?” Stella replied with a shrug, not looking bothered at all. “Could be he’s just trying to prove he still matters. Maybe wants to rewrite his sorry history, make himself look less pathetic.”
Once people found success, the first thing they did was forget their roots.
Stella and her mother had witnessed with their own eyes how humble the former Theodore had been, pretending to be the good husband and good father.
Now that her mom was stuck in a sanitarium and couldn’t even handle facing anyone from her old life, Theodore had lost his last source of attention. So, all he could do was bother Stella.
“Quit showing off in front of me and fishing for attention,” Noreen said.
Behind the restaurant, near the dumpsters, Theodore was left lying there, covered in dirt and disheveled, but he didn’t care. Instead, he took selfies by the trash and immediately called Noreen to brag about his hard work.
What he was asking for wasn’t money, but for Noreen to pull some strings and make sure Sylvia and Ernest got married, as soon as possible.
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A5
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