Silence hung over them after Jenny's remark. It was so quiet that the only sounds heard were their breathing. Eric and Lynette were shocked at how casually Jenny dropped the information, which was different from what they had anticipated."Mrs. Dafoe, you look shocked. Do you need to take a breather in the bathroom?" Jenny stared at Lynette. Lynette wanted to say that was unnecessary, but she noticed the look in Jenny's eyes and guessed that her daughter had other plans. "You're right. I need to leave for a moment to calm down."She looked at Eric. He caught the back-and-forth between Lynette and Jenny but was not too bothered because he knew they could not do much in his territory."Go. Call me if you need anything," he said to her. She nodded with a wry smile and headed for the bathroom. When she was far away, Eric's expression changed. He wiped the fake smile off his face. "Miss Walter, what are you up to?""Mr. Dafoe, you're overthinking things. I really want to work with you
Lynette refused to listen to Graham, but he went on anyway, "Nettie, I married Rowena Glass because I fell into her trap. We have long since divorced.""You're divorced?" She didn't know about that."I have never loved her. You're my one and only love," he confessed.Her eyes brimmed with tears, for she shared the same affection. Still, the thought of Eric's wicked tricks stopped her from confessing her true feelings. "Thank you for your love, but I'm doing well now, and I do not wish to be disturbed. Leave this city with Jenny if you care for my best interest. Do you know how much danger you'll put her in?""I know. Jenny is quite stubborn, especially after learning that your life isn't all roses with Eric. We agreed to leave the city with you." He added, "Nettie, Jenny is our daughter. We have owed her a lot over the years, but she cares about us and never holds a grudge against us. She's such a great kid. Sometimes, I feel grateful for having a daughter like her."It was heart-
At the event hall, Jenny engaged Eric in a talk. Anyone watching would think they were serious about the business partnership, but Eric knew all too well that Jenny was buying time. He downed the red wine in his glass and gave her an emotionless look. "Was that enough time?""What?" She appeared puzzled."You were buying time. Was that enough?" He chuckled as his gaze wandered to the restroom. Lynette seemed to have walked in that direction. Jenny smiled at his cleverness. "Mr. Dafoe, it seems you care a lot about my mother." He snickered and looked at her sharply. "Of course. She's my wife.""Your wife?" She smirked. "But I heard that you're mistreating her.""So what? Do you think you and your useless father stand a chance to leave with her just because I'm mistreating her?" His tone was full of mockery, and he looked disdainful upon mentioning Graham.Jenny's expression contorted. She had not come across someone as impudent as Eric in a long time. Still, she was understandi
Jenny spotted Graham standing not far away from the hotel entrance and approached him. "Dad, how was the talk with Lynette?" she asked. Graham had a complicated look on his face mixed with slight concern. "She said she won't leave with us and requested that we leave Bayside City.""Cut that nonsense, Dad. I don't care what she said to you. Most importantly, what do you think about her life with Eric Dafoe?" Lynette would definitely refuse to leave because she was concerned for Graham and Jenny's safety. Jenny hadn't had much chance to interact with Eric, but she could tell the man was no angel. After her question, Graham shared his thoughts, "She's in the exact situation as the information you gathered on her. Eric Dafoe probably doesn't treat her well.""That's good enough. Once we confirm that, we will leave with her no matter what. We can't leave her behind to suffer." Lynette was, after all, her biological mother, and Jenny wasn't heartless."It's not that simple. She's stil
Lynette almost lost it a few times and wanted to beat up the rascal, but she couldn't because Eric doted on his son."Eric Dafoe, have you never told your son what actually happened? You pressured the Bells for my hand in marriage. Did you think I'd marry you otherwise?" She was truly angered. After being forced to marry Eric, Eric's son accused her of being a mistress, and she refused to take that lying down.Eric's expression soured. "You said you didn't want to marry me? Who would you prefer, then? Graham Walter?"She shouldn't take his silence on the way back home as his forgiveness."Eric Dafoe! Your son is slandering me!" She jumped in anger."Why are you taking him seriously?" Eric countered as though the twenty-year-old Pete was still a child.Lynette gritted her teeth and came to a realization when she glowered at the father and son. "Sure, I shouldn't take him too seriously. I'm a fool for expecting you to speak up for me. You'd rather have me accused than get yourself
In the end, Pete left the mansion in a storm of rage, and one wondered if he had taken Lynette's words to heart.Just as she let out a sigh of relief, Eric went up to the second floor and stood in front of her. Before she could speak to him, he grabbed her by the neck. "So, did you meet Graham Walter? Did he get intimate with you?"It turned out that Eric wasn't as unbothered as he appeared on the surface. To him, Lynette was his woman, and regardless of whether he actually loved her, no other man should touch her. He was silent on their way home because he was figuring out a way to teach her a lesson. What could be done to scare her into not seeing men behind his back?After racking his brains, he concluded that a beating was the most effective."Let go of me!" Her attempts to push him away were futile. "Eric Dafoe, you're a sick man!""Yeah, this isn't your first day knowing that about me, is it?" he was as calm as water, but he tightened his grip on her neck, and she instantly
Jenny put aside her cutlery and stared at Graham defeatedly. "I had not seen her at all when I was a kid. Now, you want me to call her 'Mom'? I can't do that.""I know, and I hope you won't resent her. It's all my fault that she had to leave." Things wouldn't have ended this way if he were capable enough to keep Lynette by her side. Jenny didn't seem to mind as she brushed it off. "Both of you shouldn't feel guilty at all. I was living a good life at Orchid Village. And you hired all those teachers to give me lessons. You played a role in shaping my success today."Although Graham had never once visited her at the village, she found the teachers he hired very helpful and meaningful. "It's my duty." He wallowed in regret, even though it was too late. The conversation ended there. Jenny quickly changed the topic. "You'd better not go out in the next few days. Eric Dafoe would probably send his men. We've strengthened the security here at the villa. You'll be safe if you stay insi
After an excruciatingly lengthy silence, Pete gave in and asked, "When did you recognize me?""First of all, you bear some resemblance to your father," she explained. "Secondly, I looked into the Dafoes before this. Not only do I know you well, I am privy to the matters of all your family members." If people in the Dafoe family tree stood before her, she might recognize and name them better than Pete could.At this point, Pete's smile was wiped off his smug face, but he soon emerged from his silence as he recalled the main goal of his meeting with Jenny. "Is that so? That's great. I don't even have to introduce you to all of them next time.""What?" She was perplexed, as though she hadn't figured out the meaning behind his words."I think you're a lovely young lady. Since I'm single, I shall allow you to date me." He sounded rather frivolous and seemed to believe that it was Jenny's good fortune to have a chance at dating him.This time, she burst out laughing. "Are all the Dafoes