Ch. 161..170
Chapter 161
Nervously, Suzanne halted Nathan’s hand and fumbled with the buttons on her shirt. “I don’t think we should go on.”
Confusion filled Nathan’s expression as he gazed at Suzanne. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and she couldn’t meet his eyes. The air was tense with uncertainty.
Suzanne considered it-a regular guy might not be into someone who had dealt with a sexually transmitted infection three times.
She weighed the possibilities: he either loved her intensely or was convinced she was free from any diseases. Considering the slim chance of the former, she leaned toward the latter.
In a gentle tone, Suzanne asked, “Nathan, is there something you’re keeping from me?”
Nathan’s eyes wavered, but he insisted, “No.”
With his capabilities and the careful oversight of his two most trus assistants, Nathan was confident in the accuracy of the DNA resul
Suzanne released a gentle sigh, her mood sinking as she averted her gaze. “I don’t want to continue.”
A chill settled in Nathan’s heart, and his impulsive desires took a back seat. He gingerly distanced himself from her while dealing with his inner struggles and the pain he couldn’t put into words.
Nathan sat on the edge of the bed, letting out a deep breath as he grappled with his emotions. He thought about it for a long time but couldn’t muster the courage to talk to her about what was on his
mind.
Suzanne sat up and fixed her clothes. Keeping a close eye on Nathan,
she could feel his inner turmoil and was sure he had a secret.
“Remember when you said you want us to be close? Well, as husband
and wife, we should be honest with each other.” Suzanne gently
encouraged him to share his secret.
However, the words remained stuck in Nathan’s throat, and he couldn’t bring himself to utter it. His gaze bore into Suzanne’s, who picked up on his hesitation and felt a twinge of frustration.
She got to her feet and declared with annoyance, “I don’t want to be around you. I’m heading back to my room.”
She had only taken a couple of steps when Nathan hurriedly caught up, clasping her wrist. Suzanne turned to face him.
Nathan looked handsome and carried himself with pride. There was always a serious vibe around him that made it a bit tough for others to approach.
Uttering the simple phrase “I love you” seemed like an overwhelming task. Nathan feared that once he mustered the courage to speak those words, Suzanne might respond with, “I don’t love you. The love is Oliver.”
Suzanne noticed Nathan’s uncertain expression and felt a sense hope. All she wanted was his honesty, and in return, she was ready to trust him and reveal the mystery behind her newfound identity.
Together, they could work on unraveling the truth. Suzanne waited patiently for quite some time.
“This is your room. I’ll go,” Nathan remarked.
Suzanne’s anger flared up. She moved behind Nathan and pushed his back firmly with both hands.
“Fine, just go. I don’t want to see you.” Even though she spoke in a gentle tone, a touch of annoyance hung in the air.
Suzanne struggled to budge Nathan with her weak efforts. Still,
Nathan followed her request and left the room. As Suzanne went to close the door, Nathan reached out to keep it open.
“Are you upset?” he asked solemnly.
Suzanne muttered, “No.”.
“You seem unhappy.”
“Would you be happy in my situation?”
Nathan fell silent. Suzanne had just turned him down, leaving him unable to fulfill his desires. Now, she was telling him to leave the room, and he couldn’t shake off the disappointment.
Wondering why Suzanne seemed upset, Nathan thought that maybe she could somehow sense he was keeping something from her. Nathan began, “I-”
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Chapter 162
Suzanne slammed the door shut and yelled, “Don’t look for me today! I need my space!”
Nathan lingered outside while pursing his lips. Seeing Suzanne upset gave him a strange feeling-part sweetness, part helplessness.
Suzanne leaned on the door while sorting through her thoughts. She loved Nathan but had doubts. She wanted to depend on him, but couldn’t find the words to tell him.
After thinking it over, Suzanne gave in and opened the door, only to find Nathan had already left. She searched around but couldn’t find him. Disheartened, she sighed and went back to her room.
As time passed, Nathan didn’t make any effort to find her. He skipped meals and didn’t return home at night.
Suzanne waited for him in his study, but eventually, she fell asleep, only to wake up and discover Nathan was still nowhere to be found
Late at night, Suzanne pouted in bed while hugging her pillow in frustration. Thoughts of Nathan’s whereabouts occupied her mind but she held back from texting him.
She got annoyed because he followed her wishes so faithfully and didn’t go looking for her.
The following day at noon, the sun beamed down brightly. The mountain road curved and seemed to go on forever, with only a few vehicles on the wide path.
A fancy car was making its way to Phoenicia. In the back seat, Nathan appeared aloof and distant, his gaze profound as he stared
contemplatively out of the window.
Cole was behind the wheel, and Lucas occupied the passenger seat. They were both puzzled about Nathan’s decisions.
Despite being engrossed in official matters, he had spent hours traveling back to the military base to complete his duties and was now rushing back to Phoenicia without pausing for a break.
The considerable distance between the two cities and the fatigue from the constant back-and-forth travel left them silently pondering. They figured Nathan must have his reasons for such actions.
As they drove past a sloping road on a small hill, Nathan suddenly instructed, “Pull over by the roadside.”
“Here?” Cole was surprised.
“Yes,” Nathan responded indifferently.
The car veered off the main road and parked by the grassy edge of the hill. Nathan opened the door, stepped out, and strolled toward the dense wild grass. Cole and Lucas stared in bewilderment as Nathan vanished into the dense thicket.
Cole scrunched his face. “What’s General Morrison doing?”
“Maybe he needs to answer the call of nature?” Lucas suggested.
Cole raised an eyebrow. “You think the general would do that anywhere?”
Lucas grinned awkwardly. “No, then what’s he doing?”
Cole shook his head. He opened the car door and got out. Lucas did the same, and they both waited silently beside the car for Nathan to
return.
Nathan headed toward a patch of blooming white zinnias. He glanced around, bent down, and picked a handful of flowers.
After pulling them out, he wrapped their roots with a handkerchief from his pocket to make sure the soil stayed contained.
Cole and Lucas looked on in confusion. Eventually, Cole broke the silence, “Is General Morrison paying tribute to a fallen comrade?”
“Maybe,” Lucas replied.
As Nathan gazed at the white zinnias he had picked, his eyes softened with tenderness. He gently plucked away some wilted. leaves.
Thinking about Suzanne’s happy expression at the sight of the
beautiful flowers, a smile lit up Nathan’s face. He returned with the zinnias.
Shocked, Cole patted Lucas on the shoulder. “D-Did you see that
smile on General Morrison’s face?”
Lucas nodded vigorously, his jaw hanging open.
Chapter 163
Chapter 163
Suzanne had been lost in her book for quite some time when she got a craving for some fruits.
She headed downstairs, and the moment she entered the living room, she caught Sally expressing her complaints to everyone around.
Sally appeared sad like she had been treated unfairly and bullied. “I don’t blame Nate. He must have his reasons.
“She’s been talking behind my back, spreading false rumors about me, and making Nate think poorly of me. That’s why he doesn’t like me anymore!
“She knows how to control men, and Nate must have fallen for it. It’s fine if I get hurt, but I worry Suzanne will hurt Nate. She’s crafty and can manipulate men like it’s a game
“I’m truly afraid Nate might end up getting hurt!”
Florence looked concerned and said, “I don’t think so. Nate isn’t t
easily fooled. How could he be deceived by a woman?”
“Why not? Don’t you think he’s changed?” Sally asked.
Gary pondered for a moment before replying, “Yes, he has changed. He spends more time at home now, not just buried in work.”
“He talks more and even helps around the house now,” Taylor added.
Tobias joined in, “He’s friendlier, not as distant as before.”
With a smile, Wendy said, “Aren’t those good changes? I don’t see anything wrong with Nathan.”
Sally looked at everyone in disbelief. She hadn’t anticipated everyone reaching such a positive verdict.
“But-” Sally tried to say more, yet her voice abruptly stopped as she noticed Suzanne approaching slowly. Sally looked at her with a guilty expression.
After greeting everyone, Suzanne calmly faced Sally and remarked, ” Ms. Hoffis, I could have exposed your wrongdoing, but I decided not to shame you. Why are you trying to cause problems in my family?”
Sally tried to stay composed and spoke in a soft tone, “Suzanne, I didn’t cause any problems. I was just having a conversation with’ everyone.”
Layla gave Suzanne a disapproving look and sneered, “We already know what Sally is like. There’s no need for your involvement here.” Sensing the tension, Florence swiftly shifted the topic. “We were just having a casual chat. No one said anything negative or tried to cause trouble.
“Suzanne, are you hungry? I can ask the housekeeper to whip up some dessert for you.”
Suzanne had reached her limit of putting up with everything. “Layl don’t want to stir up problems, but some people constantly twist th truth, create conflicts, and wrongly blame others. I’ve forgiven her multiple times, but she never changes.”
Sally quickly teared up and expressed her distress, “I didn’t do that, Suzanne! Why are you accusing me unfairly?”
Suzanne scoffed, “Are you still faking it? On Grandma’s birthday,
Nathan sent a set of jewelry and an evening gown.
“You came to my place, ruined the gown by splashing dye on it, and spoiled the birthday gift I had prepared for Grandma.”
Taylor and Wendy couldn’t believe what they just heard. They stared at Sally with wide eyes.
“Oh no! That’s terrible!” Wendy whispered with surprise.
Sally tightened her fists as tears rolled down her cheeks. “You’re spreading lies about me.”
Suzanne’s eyes sparked with anger as she remembered the bad things Sally did to her. “You went as far as slapping yourself on purpose, making Nathan think I hit you. That’s why I got kicked out of Sudvilla.
“Once, when I was injured, you brought me food, but then you
purposely dropped it on the floor and pretended to fall. You made it seem like I mistreated you in front of Nathan.
“And remember that time in the military base dormitory? You
intentionally fell down the stairs and falsely accused me of pushing
you.
“You’re tricky and deceitful. Just because I can’t outsmart you doesn’t mean I’ll tolerate you forever.
Everyone in the room stared at Sally in astonishment, their faces showing a blend of disbelief, disgust, and disdain.
Sally rose to her feet, shaking with anger. She tightened her fist and cried out, “I didn’t do it! You’re spreading lies about me! You’re the one who’s good at spreading lies.
“Just like what you did to ruin my relationship with Nate. Are you now trying to make everyone in the family hate me?”
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Chapter 164
No one knew who to trust, and suspicious glances were exchanged all around. Suzanne couldn’t take it anymore. It was hard to believe that someone so shameless could exist in this world.
With no proof to support her, Suzanne felt stuck. To make things worse, Sally started crying as if she was the one who got hurt the
most.
Just when Suzanne was figuring out what to do about Sally, she heard footsteps coming closer from behind.
“Nate…” Sally sobbed.
All eyes turned to the door as Nathan walked in. Dressed in a sharp black suit that made him look both commanding and handsome, Nathan exuded a cool and collected presence. In his hands, he held a small bunch of zinnias.
Nathan had just finished his work at the military base, but he d back without thinking twice. He was worried that Suzanne n getting a hard time from Sally and the others, and he wanted to sure she was okay.
It was only at that moment that Nathan discovered Sally hadn’t j committed the few wrongs he knew about, but had also carried o numerous outrageous actions against Suzanne.
With a kind expression, Nathan walked over to Suzanne and handed her the flowers. For a moment, Suzanne was lost in a happy daze. When she finally looked at him, her expression was full of delight.
Suzanne felt her heart racing, a warm flush spreading across her cheeks as a delightful feeling bubbled up inside her.
She glanced at the flowers in her hand and asked with a gentle smile,” Where did you find these beautiful flowers?”
“I picked them from a little hill,” Nathan replied in a soft tone.
Suzanne’s face lit up with a sweet warmth as she admired the zinnias in her hands. “Where were you yesterday?”
“I was at the military base,” Nathan replied.
Suzanne kept her gaze on the flowers, saying, “Oh.”
Nathan held Suzanne’s hand and told everyone, “Mom, Dad, we’re heading to our room.”
Gary readily agreed, “Sure, go get some rest.”
As long as they could keep Sally and Suzanne from arguing, things would stay calm at home.
Florence grinned and said, “Nate, when you’re surprising your wife with flowers, try roses, lilies, or baby’s breath instead of zinnias.”
Nathan smiled back. “Suzy loves zinnias.”
Nathan’s loving words and sweet address to Suzanne revealed his deep affection for her. Suzanne blushed and shyly looked down in
response.
With a mischievous grin, Taylor leaned in close to Wendy and whispered teasingly. He poked fun at Nathan for boldly offering Suzanne with the zinnias he had picked, suggesting it was a tad tacky.
Wendy couldn’t help but roll her eyes at Taylor. “You know nothing. Nathan takes the time to pick fresh flowers for his wife after work. It shows he’s thoughtful.
“And you? The flowers you got for our anniversary were arranged by your secretary.”
213
Taylor sheepishly dropped his head in response.
Meanwhile, Nathan led Suzanne upstairs while texting on his phone with his free hand.
Sally felt completely ignored as if she were invisible. She called out, ” Nate… Nate…”
She wished to follow them, but Florence promptly restrained her.” Sally, hear me out. Nate has his thoughts. You can’t force things to happen!”
Suddenly, all their phones beeped simultaneously. In perfect unison, they reached for their phones and glimpsed a message from Nathan. Oddly, Sally didn’t receive it.
The message held a file. When they opened it, they discovered an audio recording and surveillance footage.
“Whoa!” Taylor blurted out in surprise. He shot Sally a disapproving look. The others followed suit, their faces reflecting a mix of shock and disdain as they glared at Sally.
At that very moment, Sally realized that Nathan’s silence wasn’t a sign of forgiveness. Instead, he had shared evidence with the fami proving that she had framed Suzanne.
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Chapter 165
Sally felt the seriousness of the situation sank in. Anxiously, she looked at Gary and Florence. “Mr. Morrison, Mrs. Morrison, I-”
But before she could say more, they just walked past her without a word, their faces cold and distant.
Others in the living room also displayed indifference and disdain. They muttered just loud enough for $ally to catch their words.
“I can’t believe this. I’ve been around for ages, and I still can’t figure out when someone’s faking being the victim.”
“You’re not alone. I’ve fallen for it too.”
The Morrisons despised Sally. Normally, Sally could handle awkward situations, but this one was tough. The whole living room was empty, and Sally was the only one left.
Frustration boiled inside her, and anger flashed in her eyes. Sh clenched her teeth, stormed back to her room, packed her ba walked out.
Leaving the Morrison residence, Sally’s resentment grew. She gra her phone and made a call. “Hello, is this Suzanne’s dad? Your daughter has tied the knot with someone from a wealthy family.”
In her room, Suzanne carefully planted the zinnias in a pot, then set it on the balcony before giving them a good watering.
She couldn’t resist the charm of the cute and beautiful flowers. A huge smile lit up her face throughout the entire time.
A gentle breeze whispered, and the balcony was bathed in the warmth
of the sun. Suzanne’s cheeks blushed as the sunlight gently kissed them.
Her eyes formed happy crinkles as she smiled, and she found herself irresistibly drawn to reach out and touch the zinnias.
After a bit, she looked up and noticed the room had gone super quiet. Wondering what Nathan was doing, she went back in to find him fast asleep on the bed.
Suzanne gingerly climbed onto the bed, using both hands to support herself as she leaned toward Nathan’s handsome face. She watched in silence for a few minutes to make sure he was truly asleep.
Nathan stayed perfectly still, breathing steadily and quietly. His face was really good-looking, with thick eyebrows, a straight nose, and lips that had a sexy charm.
Despite his good looks, he gave off a cold and serious vibe that made others feel a sense of intimidation when he stayed silent.
Suzanne, who never dreamed of being Nathan’s wife, was amaze that she now got flowers from him. Even though his way of giving flowers was unique, it still touched her deeply.
She smiled softly as she carefully inched closer. Her movements were graceful, and with bated breath, she couldn’t resist placing a kiss on Nathan’s lips.
As her lips met Nathan’s soft ones, her heart burst with emotion. Her whole body tensed and trembled with nervous excitement. She enjoyed it so much, and the impulse was overwhelming.
After the quick kiss, she backed away while enjoying the triumph of their secret moment. Just as she felt relieved, Nathan slowly opened his eyes and stared at her with a dazed look.
Suzanne blushed immediately. She pressed her lips together with a
look of embarrassment and discomfort, resembling a child caught in the act. Nathan looked quietly at the discomfort in Suzanne’s eyes.
“I-I’m sorry,” Suzanne apologized.
Nathan’s throat moved as he swallowed hard. He couldn’t figure out why Suzanne was saying sorry for kissing him. In a deep, raspy voice, he questioned, “Sorry, for what?”
Suzanne glanced down and whispered, “I just wanted to thank you. I really appreciate the flowers you give me.”
Nathan let out a hum of acknowledgment, his eyes filled with
passión. Suzanne started to pull away, thinking of leaving the bed so as not to disturb his rest.
However, Nathan firmly caught hold of her wrist, causing her to look at him with surprise.
He never imagined that a small bunch of flowers would prompt Suzanne to kiss him. It was a delightful surprise, but his longing for more kicked in-a more profound, lingering kiss, or perhaps a comforting hug.
“Is that all?” Nathan raised an eyebrow slightly.
Suzanne felt a bit puzzled. “What?”
Nathan couldn’t help but find her adorable and innocent. “Apart from flowers, what else makes you happy?”
He shifted his hand from her wrist to her delicate hand and held it with all his tenderness.
Without a second thought, Suzanne responded, “Books.” Nathan’s gaze intensified even further.
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Chapter 166
Nathan couldn’t help but think about Sally, who was always immersed in her books. For her, books weren’t just filled with facts, they were like brain food.
Worried about disturbing him, Suzanne said, “E-books are easy to use now, and a lot of them are free. You should get some more sleep. I won’t bother you.”
Nathan slowly released her hand. A mix of emotions swirled within him. Even though he cared about Suzanne, memories of Sally stuck around.
Unintentionally, he found himself merging the two in his interactions with Suzanne. He set aside his thoughts and closed his eyes.
Suzanne got up from the bed and grabbed a book. She eased into a chair and began to read while Nathan continued to get some rest. The tranquil ambiance in the room deepened the sense of calm.
Now and then, Suzanne couldn’t resist stealing glances at his peaceful sleeping face. Just looking at him made her feel warm and happy. These moments were like pure bliss, and she felt truly content. Nathan stirred after a four-hour nap and noticed Suzanne dozing at the desk. After checking the time on his phone, he quietly got up from the bed and went to Suzanne. With care, he gently lifted her and settled her on the bed.
He covered her with a blanket, then propped himself up on the bed with his arms. Gazing at her serene sleeping face, he lovingly stroked. her silky hair.
After a quick refresh in the bathroom, Nathan stepped out of the room and was greeted by a commotion of sounds.
He followed the noise downstairs, only to discover Suzanne’s parents and brother had arrived. They sat arrogantly in the living room,
showing no respect.
“Get Suzanne out here now! I can’t believe she got married without even asking us. Does she think we’re dead or what?” Dario York, Suzanne’s father, scowled in irritation.
Samuel sat with crossed legs while casually eyeing the villa. His eyes lit up. “Dad, Suzanne’s got a knack for picking rich guys. Look at this place-must’ve cost a fortune.”
Dario lounged on the couch with his hands casually spread on each side. He snorted with arrogance. “Marrying a rich guy means nothing! She’s just like her mom-no help at all.
“She got married several times but never shared a penny with me. I’ll deal with her soon.”
Horrified by her in-laws’ vulgarity, Florence quietly distanced herself. She made sure her sons and daughters-in-law stayed in their room leaving only Gary with the guests. Gary sat in silence, wearing a st expression.
As Nathan descended the stairs, Gary appeared relieved and quickly stood up. “Nate, your in-laws are here. Can you deal with them? I’ve got something to take care of.” a
After Gary left the living room, Nathan approached the trio and gave them a serious look. Although the Yorks recognized him as their son- in-law, his solemn attitude made him a bit intimidating.
Samuel quickly uncrossed his legs, sat up, and stole anxious glances at his parents. Dario worked hard to keep his composure while
watching Nathan with a touch of arrogance.
Meanwhile, Betty was beaming with joy. She stood up and spoke
warmly, “You must be Suzanne’s husband, right? It’s a pleasure to meet you.
“I’m Suzanne’s mom, Betty York. This is Suzanne’s dad, Dario, and her brother, Samuel. We just dropped by for a visit with our daughter.”
Dario exploded with anger. He pointed at Betty and yelled, “You, old hag, can’t you understand how things work in society? He should be the one trying to please us politely!
“You were born into a lower class, and you’ve raised a daughter who’s just as low as you.”
Betty rolled her eyes at Dario, who had a habit of being nasty and using rough language, a behavior often fueled by his excessive drinking.
Old habits were tough to break, and Dario had already started his tirade during their first visit to their son-in-law’s home.
Nathan clenched his fists, his expression growing solemn in
response.
Chapter 167
Nathan casually sat down in front of the three of them.
Suddenly, the whole room turned chilly, and the air got really cold. Samuel gulped anxiously. He felt like he knew Nathan from somewhere, but couldn't quite remember where they had met.
Dario asked bluntly, "What's the deal? No greetings for your in-laws? Looks like you couldn't care less about us."
Nathan had checked out Suzanne's family before marrying her. He knew Suzanne wanted to keep her distance from them, and he wasn't keen on maintaining close ties either.
"Why are you here? Speak," Nathan said with indifference.
Dario's eyes widened, and he pointed at Nathan with displeasure. "I'm your wife's father, your father-in-law. Watch your attitude!"
"If you have no reason to be here, it's best you leave," Nathan replied coldly. His firm attitude made it tough for Dario to take control.
Dario didn't waste time and said, "Did you give the wedding gifts for marrying my daughter? Don't even think about marrying her if the gifts aren't worth millions."
"I did," Nathan replied casually.
"Where are they?"
"With Suzanne."
"How much did they cost?"
"Half of everything I own."
The three of them were shocked by Nathan's words and exchanged surprised looks.
Dario swallowed nervously and eased up a bit as he asked, "Usually, don't people give wedding gifts to the bride's parents? Why did you give them to my daughter?"
Nathan saw this coming. He leaned on his hand and said, "Suzanne gets half of everything I own. How much she wants to share with you is her call. I won't step in.
"If she decides not to share anything, there's not much you can do about it."
Dario scoffed dismissively, "What a joke. She wouldn't dare keep it to herself. I'll make sure she regrets that choice."
With a frown, Nathan warned, "Lay a hand on her, and you won't see the sun tomorrow."
Dario sensed Nathan's strong presence and fell silent. The tension in the air became apparent.
Samuel gave an awkward smile and asked, "Hey, what's your name?"
"I'm Nathan Morrison." The name surprised the three, and their faces went pale as they nervously glanced at Nathan.
With many people having similar names, they tried to reassure themselves that Suzanne couldn't be marrying a general from the Norvanian military.
Samuel continued to ask gently, "Nathan, where do you work?"
"At the military base."
Samuel's face was ashen, and a sudden wave of nerves washed over him. He quickly stood up and apologized, "I'm sorry for the interruption, General Morrison."
His voice shook a bit, and he hurriedly urged his parents. "Come on, Mom, Dad. Let's leave quickly."
Annoyed, Dario brushed off Samuel's hand. "Leave? We haven't got the money."
Samuel broke into a cold sweat. "What money are you talking about? That's General Morrison from the military base! Have you lost your mind from drinking?"
Betty was suddenly shocked as realization hit her. "Is he the General Morrison who shut down Jim's casino?"
Samuel nodded vigorously. His hair was damp with sweat. He grabbed Dario and urged, "Let's get out of here fast. We can't afford to mess with him!"
Dario stood up and shook off Samuel's hand in anger. He roared determinedly, "I don't care if he's the king or anyone else! If he marries my daughter, he's my son-in-law.
"He has to show me respect, whether he likes it or not. I'm not scared of him!"
Samuel was furious, his fists tightening as he felt the urge to knock some sense into his father. "Do you even know who General Morrison is?"
"I don't know, and I don't care. Isn't the military base where our country builds weapons? What's so impressive about someone who makes weapons?
"Let him launch rockets at me or run me over with a tank. I'm not afraid."
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Chapter 168
Betty stomped her foot and shot an exasperated look at Dario. “Are you out of your mind? Are you drunk or something? One moment you’re clear-headed, and the next, you’re all blurry. If you’re not leaving, then we are!”
Dario pointed menacingly at Betty and Samuel. “None of you are allowed to leave. With me here, what’s there to be afraid of, anyway?”
Nathan could feel a headache building. If the commotion continued, Suzanne would probably wake up. Having such troublesome family members was truly pathetic. Nathan took out his phone and sent a message.
Meanwhile, Dario continued making a scene in the living room for a couple of minutes until Cole walked in with a few strong-looking soldiers. They were armed with rifles and advanced toward Dario with stern expressions.
Dario snapped out of his agitation in an instant. His legs ga and he dropped to his knees, trembling. “I- I’m sorry, s-sirs, I…”
Samuel was also visibly shaken. He quickly helped Dario to his and whispered, “Dad, let’s go.”
“Okay… H-Help me, I can’t feel my legs,” Dario mumbled.
Betty rolled her eyes at Dario and reluctantly helped him leave.
Nathan leaned against the couch with his hand on his forehead and quietly observed the three of them as they walked away.
Concern for Suzanne lingered in his thoughts. With family members like these, Suzanne must have faced tough times before.
Together with the armed soldiers, Cole escorted the trio out of the
Morrison residence.
Outside the gates of the Morrison residence, Dario took a deep breath and glanced timidly back at the grand villa.
Only after ensuring no one was following them did he sigh and resume boasting, “I never expected my son-in-law to be a general at a military base. He has guns, did you see that? They had guns.”
Betty shot him a glare and muttered, “This mess is your fault, you rascal! What are you trying to prove? We could have been fine, but you had to ruin it and make things awkward with your son-in-law.”
Frustrated to the core, Dario couldn’t hold back his anger and started hitting Betty. His fists kept landing on her as he bellowed, “You just won’t stop nagging! Look at our daughter-she’s got a great husband, but I don’t see any good coming my way. I’ll knock some sense into you, you bitch!”
Betty shielded her head as she tried to escape. When there seemed to be no way out, she began struggling with Dario.
Meanwhile, Samuel stayed unfazed. It wasn’t the first time he had witnessed his mother endure physical harm. Realizing it wasn’t a life- threatening situation, Samuel didn’t dwell on it.
Instead, his thoughts were consumed by finding ways to gain advantages from Suzanne. He even considered the possibility of securing a government position through Nathan’s status. A sly grin crept across Samuel’s face as a devious plan took shape in his mind.
Betty was being mistreated by Dario in public. However, Samuel casually walked away while whistling a tune..
Hurting and feeling desperate, Betty cried out, “Help me! Samuel! Why aren’t you doing anything?”
After Dario was done letting out his anger, he grumbled and walked away, leaving poor Betty battered.
She wiped away her tears, struggled to stand on her shaky legs, and called Suzanne while sobbing into the phone. Fortunately, Suzanne picked up right away.
In a troubled voice, Betty cried, “Suzanne, your horrible dad hurt me again…”
She sniffled “Suzanne, please help me! I can’t go on living like this anymore!”
For as far back as Suzanne could remember, which covered three years in her memory, Betty frequently spoke on the phone about Dario hurting her.
Each time Betty shared her struggles, she only sought money from Suzanne for medicine. Despite it all, Betty couldn’t gather the courage to go through with a divorce. It was the first time Betty had ever asked Suzanne for help.
“Mom, where are you?” Suzanne asked with a deep sense of sadnes
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Chapter 169
“Suzanne, I’m outside your gate,” Betty sobbed.
“At my gate?” Suzanne was surprised.
“The Morrison residence’s gate, to be precise. We discovered your
secret marriage. Your dad made a scene at your house, and your husband’s subordinate had to kick him out at gunpoint.
“Your dad got all mad at me, even laid hands on me right there outside your gate!
“Boo-hoo! My life’s a mess! Samuel doesn’t help me either! I’ve had it with both of them. I’m not counting on my husband and son anymore.
“Suzanne, I’m counting on you from now on!” Betty exclaimed.
Suzanne grasped Betty’s message on the phone. With her limited recollections, her emotions toward her parents were already faint. After realizing she wasn’t Suzanne, those feelings faded even mo
“Wait for me. I’m on my way out,” Suzanne said before ending the c and exiting the room.
As she descended the stairs, she spotted Nathan in the living room, absorbed in his phone. Upon hearing her footsteps, Nathan glanced up at her.
“I’m heading out for a bit,” Suzanne awkwardly told him.
Nathan set aside his phone, stood up, and approached her. “Your family was just here.”
“I know,” Suzanne replied.
Nathan looked at her intently and gently asked, “Where are you going? Do you want me to come with you?”
Suzanne quickly shook her head. “It’s fine.”
But as Nathan peered into her uncertain eyes, he sensed a flicker of nervousness within her.
“Can you tell me where you’re going?” Nathan asked. He didn’t want to intrude on her privacy but couldn’t shake off a sense of
unexplained concern.
Suzanne paused for a moment and gestured outside. “My mom is waiting for me out there.”
Sensing Suzanne’s respectful tone toward her mother, Nathan gently asked, “Should I invite her inside?”
“No worries,” Suzanne replied anxiously. She was afraid that her family might cause trouble for the Morrisons.
A subtle tension lingered between them. Nathan casually slid his hands into his pockets and hummed in response.
“I’ll head out then,” Suzanne mumbled.
Nathan nodded.
Suzanne took a few steps, then suddenly halted. She stood still moment, facing away from Nathan, before turning around and walking toward him.
Nathan noticed her serious expression and couldn’t help but smile. What’s the matter?”
Suzanne paused, took a deep breath, and spoke from the heart,”
Nathan, as long as it’s just us, I won’t seek a divorce. Unless you want
me to.”
With an affectionate smile, Nathan asked, “What are you talking
about?”
“It’s fine even if you don’t love me, but can you please cut ties with Sally? Let’s make sure she doesn’t meddle in our marriage anymore.” Nathan’s gaze softened, and his breath quickened slightly. “Suzy, I…”
The words “love you” got stuck in his throat once again. His heart raced inexplicably, and his cheeks felt hot. Expressing “I love you” turned out to be more challenging than he had ever imagined.
Before he could even speak, his body had already reacted with a storm of emotions. Nervousness and shyness enveloped him completely.
Suzanne looked a bit sad. “Can’t you do that?”
“I can,” Nathan asserted.
She gave him a warm smile, and a gentle sparkle lit up her eyes. ” Nathan, I’ll trust you one last time. I’ll go first.”
Suzanne waved goodbye while walking away.
Chapter 170
Chapter 170
As Suzanne approached the door, she looked back and made a little heart shape with her fingers. Her smile was so bright and sweet that it was just plain adorable.
Nathan was surprised by her lovely gesture, and it made his heart fill with happiness and start beating fast. His cheeks turned red, and he shyly returned the smile.
After Suzanne left, Nathan’s heart sank. The roomy living room now felt empty and lifeless. Nathan found himself missing Suzanne
already.
Battling a tinge of loneliness, he paced a few steps before deciding to retreat to the study. Work seemed like the perfect remedy to distract himself from Suzanne’s absence.
Suzanne spotted Betty at the Morrison residence entrance, her face bruised and swollen. Touched by empathy, Suzanne quickly called a cab to take Betty to the hospital.
At the medical facility, Suzanne ensured that Betty underwent a comprehensive examination. When Betty realized she wouldn’t have to pay for it, she readily agreed to the examination.
However, a small hiccup happened during the process. The nurse noticed that one of the blood samples drawn from Betty was missing, leading them to draw another one for a thorough examination.
After the examination, the report indicated that Betty was in good health, aside from a few injuries on her skin.
At the hotel’s buffet, Betty piled up a table with food and
enthusiastically dug in. On the other hand, Suzanne, with little appetite, ate sparingly.
She quietly observed the middle-aged woman sitting across from her. She couldn’t shake the sympathy she felt for Betty, but at the same time, she believed Betty didn’t deserve pity.
Betty’s life seemed marked by laziness and a lack of spirit. She had a habit of chronic gambling and spent a significant part of her life depending on an alcoholic man with a history of domestic violence.
Despite having two children, Betty didn’t discipline or educate them. Betty’s son was always gambling and getting into trouble. Debts were piling up, and he was on the run all the time.
On the other hand, her daughter decided to leave school early and took up some shady stuff to make ends meet. Education and
ambition were not her thing.
Suzanne couldn’t help but wonder if Betty’s actual daughter was still around.
When Betty found out Suzanne married a rich and powerful gu began thinking about leaving her husband and son. The idea of starting a new life with luxury and success alongside Suzanne seemed like an exciting opportunity.
Suzanne hoped she could help Betty reach the life she dreamt of if she truly was her daughter. Unfortunately, there was no real link between them.
“Mom, you can stay in the hotel for a few days. I’ve covered the cost for a week,” Suzanne offered.
Betty set her utensils down and asked sincerely, “Suzanne, can you find out if your husband has any empty houses or apartments? I
could move into one of them.
“If you can provide a monthly allowance, I’ll surely divorce that troublesome drunkard. I’ve endured a lot in my life.”
She wiped away tears. Her voice choked up as she continued, “There hasn’t been a single good day since I married him. I’ve had to endure his abuse time and time again.”
Suzanne sighed. “Why didn’t you leave him after the first time he hurt you?”
“I had no choice. If I got a divorce, how would I make it on my own? And what about you and your brother?” Betty explained.
“There are different jobs like street sweeping, collecting recyclables, being a waitress, working in a factory, or doing cleaning work. You can support yourself with any of those.
“It’s just hard for you to give up the monthly money you get from his shares, and you’re not too keen on working for it yourself.”
Suzanne’s words left Betty feeling vulnerable. Her expression grew serious, and she lowered her head, pushing her food around the plate without much appetite.
“Mom, can you see any difference between who I am now and the one who left home ten years ago?” Suzanne asked earnestly.