"It's not like you don't know how much I've sacrificed for this family. And yet, you're blaming everything on me even though it's Rita's fault for getting herself into this situation. I know my last name isn't Russell, but haven't I done enough to be considered part of your family?"Vince embraced Karen and patted her back. "Alright, I shouldn't have been so harsh. I didn't mean what I said. I was just very worried about Rita. But can you stop making a fuss for my sake since there's an outsider here?"Karen finally stopped crying after that, but her lips were pale, making her look weak."You don't look too well. You should get yourself checked too when we send Rita to the hospital." Vince then turned to his stepdaughter. "Sadie, come help your mother."However, Vince did not expect Sadie's attention to be fully focused on Sherman. She was watching him intently as if she was afraid to miss any of his expressions.Sherman noticed her gaze but chose not to engage with her. Sadie's st
"Karen, be honest with me. Are you involved in what happened today?" asked Vince.Karen's hand on his shoulder tensed momentarily. She was about to pull her hands back when he grabbed it.She forced a smile and asked, "What do you mean by that? Haven't I explained everything to you? Why are you asking me this again?"Vince stared at her sternly, refusing to let any of her expressions get past him. "Rita is my daughter, so no one knows her better than me. She'd never do something like this. Even if she likes having fun, she wouldn't joke about her health like this. Especially considering the presence of sleeping pills detected in her system by the doctor. As far as I know, Rita has no trouble sleeping, so where did these sleeping pills come from?"Karen withdrew her hand, feigning anger. "So you're saying I'm lying to you? Rita's so perfect, and it's never her fault, so I must be the one who drugged her. Do you know how many years she's been living away from us? You have no idea wha
"If I knew you were at the hospital, I wouldn't have asked you to come with me. What happened to Rita isn't something to brag about, so there's no need for so many people to know," said Vince.Karen turned away, visibly upset. She silently wiped away her tears. "Would you believe me if I had told you that earlier? It's such a simple matter that could be easily verified, yet you insist on me explaining it over and over again. In the end, you still don't trust me."Deep down in your heart, no one can compare to your daughter. Yes, I know this is a family matter, so how could I interfere? But you also should know that I've been her stepmother for so many years. Don't I have the right to care about her, too? If you can't even grant me this right, then I have nothing more to say.""That's enough. I've never said such things. I know you're only saying all these out of anger, but it was a shock to me when I saw Rita looking all disheveled in a hotel room with a man. So can't you understand
The unconscious Rita, on the other hand, was unaware of what her father had done, which left her unable to face Sherman for quite some time.Meanwhile, Sherman, who had left the hotel but was still concerned about Rita, had no idea that Vince—whom he had no regard for—would try to match him with Rita. Without Vince's interference, Sherman might have developed feelings for Rita.With Vince's involvement, their relationship did not even have a chance to begin normally. He detested being trapped in a marriage controlled by others and despised being manipulated like this.Rita woke up bewildered, not knowing where she was but aware that something had happened. As she moved her fingers slightly, Vince, who had been by her side all along, woke up as well. Although he temporarily trusted Karen, he still insisted on staying by Rita's bedside. He told Sadie to take Karen home."Rita, you're finally awake. You nearly scared me to death," said Vince, wiping his face and immediately ringing th
Vince had to tell her the situation as it was. "You might've been assaulted if Sherman hadn't arrived in time. I don't know who did it, but all I know is that you were too careless."Rita was speechless for a moment. She never expected someone would stoop so low to target her like this. That explained why she felt dizzy when she was going up the elevator. Her brain felt like it was encased in cement, unable to function properly.After a moment, she dryly asked, "So it wasn't just my imagination. Sherman did come. But where is he now?"She felt she could get a clearer picture of what happened from Sherman for some reason. Rita sighed internally. 'Dad has a new family now, so it's a given that he'll be unable to remain objective in the retelling of the incident.'"Why are you even asking about him? He said you two are just friends. It was just the two of you in the room when I arrived. Who knows if he tried anything with you?"Rita knew her father was only speaking out of anger, so
Vince smiled and ruffled Rita's hair. "It's nothing. I used to stay up for several nights in a row when I was young. Tonight, I must stay by your side."When Rita was younger, her father and mother would always be there for her when she was sick. Over the years, Vince had maintained this habit. Whenever she felt unwell, he would stay by Rita's side.Rita could not help but tear up at the thought of these memories, and she feebly called out, "Dad…"Even though she was safe, she was still scared. The only reason she tried to convince him to go back was because she cared for him. Deep down, she wanted him to stay. The sense of security her father brought was something no one else could provide.Vince simply tucked Rita's messy hair behind her ear. "You're alright, my dear. I'll always be by your side."As Vince expected, Rita woke up startled in the middle of the night. She subconsciously called out for her father, prompting him to rush in from the next room as if he had stayed awake
Rita blinked. "But what if something unexpected happens?"Vince replied firmly, "None. Nothing of that nature will happen."Rita wanted to ask if he would rush to her side if she, Karen, and Sadie were all in trouble, but she felt it would be too petty to ask. Seeing how exhausted her father was, she did not want to burden him further with such questions. Besides, she was afraid of his answer or hesitation.Vince continued to comfort Rita until she fell into a deep sleep. This time, she slept peacefully until morning, perhaps because her father was beside her.When Rita woke up, she felt like she had returned from another world. Vince kept his promise and stayed by Rita's side.At that moment, he was standing by the window, sipping coffee. Despite not being very old, Vince had to admit that he was feeling the effects of the sleepless night. He would not have been able to keep up his energy during the day if it were not for the strong coffee."You're awake! Are you hungry? Should
Vince helped Rita sit up. "Donna knows what you like to eat the best. She would've rushed over here in tears if I hadn't told her you need some quiet to recover."At the mention of Donna, Rita smiled. "Please tell her that I'm feeling better. I don't want her to worry."At that moment, Karen tactfully suggested that Rita move back home.Rita quietly nibbled on the pastry, appreciating the familiar taste of Donna's cooking.Vince did not immediately speak up, so Karen continued, "Rita has been through so much, and her body is still weak. How can she take care of herself? It's better for her to move back home where we can all take care of her. Plus, she'll recover faster if she gets to eat what she likes. Right, Vince?"Vince nodded but did not decide for Rita. "Sweetheart, would you like to move back home? If you don't want to, I can have Donna bring a few people to take care of you at your place for a while."Rita looked at Karen, who was definitely scheming something. Suddenly,