Filed to story: The Regretful Billionaire: An Unpredicted Reunion >>
Simone didn’t mind revealing her connection to Danika. The two women going head-to-head didn’t affect her pursuit of inheritance whatsoever.
Far behind her, Yvonne’s face turned from deathly pale to fierce red in seconds. “Danika again,” Yvonne said angrily, gritting her teeth. No wonder Simone proposed inheriting the company out of the blue!
Simone then left Bloom Mansion, leaving Elias and Sam to strategize against her in the living room.
“You need to do something about this, Dad. You can’t have Simone inheriting the company,” Sam said anxiously. He wasn’t the brightest out there, but even he knew he would become a nobody without the company in his name. Yvonne might even leave him if that happened.
Elias thought things through before saying, “Don’t worry. The dead won’t come seeking your inheritance. He couldn’t let his family or its assets land in an outsider’s grasp, especially whichever man Simone ended up marrying.
Meanwhile, Sam was still reeling from what his father had just said.
Dead?
Still, he kept his mouth shut. The company needed to go to him and only him, whatever it took.
Back at Perry Residence, Danika was reading a book while lounging on the couch. She was constantly learning and improving herself with Jade’s help for La Vie Jen Rose Designs to run smoothly. That was one of the fundamental ways to navigate the medical world and its developments.
A maid from the Old Mansion dropped off lunch for her around midday, much to her embarrassment. Still, it was Eustace’s plan, and she wasn’t going to get upset with him just because he cared about her.
A warm, happy feeling rose in Danika’s chest as she gazed at her meal. She truly loved the feeling of being cherished and cared for. Danika took a picture of the meal and sent it to Eustace with the caption, “Remember to eat lunch today.”
Eustace, on the other hand, had been buried in a pile of documents and reports from Vincent when he received Danika’s text.
Vincent startled slightly when he realized Eustace had switched his phone from vibrate to sound mode. The reason why was soon revealed to him when Eustace softened up and smiled as he read the text on his phone. Vincent guessed it had probably to do with Danika. She really was one of the few people in his boss’ life who made him much happier.
Eustace responded to Danika with a text, then turned to Vincent. “Let’s deal with the rest after lunch.”
“Lunch?” Vincent gaped. This was the first time Mr. Quincey had proposed they have lunch while at work. He nearly looked out the window to check if the sun had risen from the west.
“Go on.” Eustace dismissed him with a wave of his hand.
Vincent nodded hesitantly. Not two steps later did he stop and ask, “What about you, Mr. Quincey?”
Eustace had set his phone away and pored through the rest of the papers by now. “Get me takeout. once you’re done with your meal. I’ll look through the rest of the documents in the meantime.”
Vincent sighed in relief at that. His boss was still a workaholic, though maybe slightly better than he used to be.
Danika had just finished lunch when someone knocked on her door.
“Who would be here at this hour?” she wondered. She went to the door and opened it hesitantly, only to find Yvonne Dickman outside. “What are you doing here?” she asked, still surprised.
Yvonne shot her a glare and asked angrily, “Did you persuade Simone to take over Bloom Conglomerate?”
Danika blinked for several seconds before laughing. “Yes, I did. Why? Scared?”
“Scared? I have no reason to be scared.” Obviously, Yvonne wouldn’t admit that she was. “Luck is not in her favor with Elias in the driver’s seat.” She knew just how ruthless the old man could be. That kind and wise mask of his was just a farce.
“Then why did you come to pay me a visit?” Danika shot back, crossing her arms over her chest. Yvonne held back from slapping her. “I was just curious how you and Eustace are doing now. Are you two dating now, hm?”
Danika didn’t answer, only smirking in response.
“You are?” Yvonne asked incredulously. She never guessed they would end up together so fast.
“Isn’t it considered cheating when you’re still dreaming about another man while married? I’m sure Sam would throw quite the fit if he knew,” Danika drawled slowly and confidently. Yvonne was really something; she had eyes bigger than her stomach.
Yvonne was starting to throw a fit herself. “How could you two be together again? How?!”
“Why can’t we?” Danika thought she was being quite childish.
“Because you two were once divorced, that’s why!” Yvonne yelled.
Danika rolled her eyes, ready to shut the door in her face. “That’s our personal business, none of yours. All you have to worry about right now is how to get Bloom Conglomerate into your greedy paws.”
Yvonne grabbed onto the door, not letting Danika close it. “You think you’re special just because you stole Eustace from me twice, bitch?” Danika frowned, but before she could say anything, Yvonne continued, “You really think it was love at first sight for him? I’m telling you now-it’s only because you look like that woman he loves.”
Her ramblings helped Danika clear up the confusion she had had for some time. She did wonder why Eustace fell in love with her the moment he saw her. Was it really all because of her looks? Danika shook herself out of those thoughts. She couldn’t let Yvonne get to her head. “You’re pretty childish, Yvonne Dickman. Playing these tricks just so you can tear a rift between us.”
“You think I’m trying to tear you two apart?” Yvonne sneered while pointing at Eustace’s front door.” Why don’t you see for yourself if he still kept that woman’s photo under his desk in his study?”
Seems like she had been snooping around his place.
Danika wasn’t happy with the news. She wasn’t going to waste her breath, though. “Even if he did, so what? Now, is there anything else you wanna tell me before I shut this door in your face?”
Who didn’t have a past? That woman was Eustace’s ex at most. It wasn’t a big deal to her.
Yvonne just about got a stroke hearing that. “So what? So what?! Don’t you care that you’re just a substitute for some woman?!” She refused to believe anyone could be so tolerant! No-only idiots would behave like this!
“Yes, I don’t care. Anything else?” Danika gave Yvonne an annoyed look. She’d slap herself before she believed in the other woman’s crazed statements. If she did and got into a fight with Eustace, she’d be playing right into her hands.
Danika shut the door before Yvonne could say anything else, leaving Yvonne speechless outside.
“You can look for yourself then…when you see that woman’s face, you’ll know I’m not making things up,” she grumbled, then finally left. Still, a heavy feeling of unease weighed on her chest.
After Yvonne had left, Danika opened her front door and looked at the door across hers. She couldn’t lie and say there wasn’t an inch of doubt in her heart, yet she couldn’t go and have second thoughts about Eustace all because of Yvonne’s jealous ramblings. With a sigh, Danika decided to let things go.
She shut the door and prepared to return to her book. But when she did, she realized she wasn’t in the mood anymore. With another sigh, Danika got up and left her house, heading straight to the police station. She would check on Miller Little and where things were heading now.
What should she say to Joey? Would he blame her for doing this?
Yes, Miller was an asshole, but he was still Joey’s father. He might get really upset with her for sending his father to jail.
At the police station, Danika was stunned to find out that Miller would be charged with attempted manslaughter. It was way heavier a charge than attempted assault. She wasn’t even injured that badly, either. Still, she wouldn’t request a lesser charge. All that she was worried about right now was what to tell Joey.
She left the station and drove straight to Joey’s boarding school. She needed to tell him straight up regardless. It was a better alternative than him finding out on his own.
When Danika reached the school gates, Joey was already there waiting for her; kudos to her for calling his teacher beforehand.
“Dani!” Joey called out happily upon seeing her.
“Get on. We’re going out for lunch!” Danika called out in response.
Joey sat in the front passenger seat, not asking why she had come to fetch him. They reached a nearby cafe for their meal which Danika had chosen for its quiet environment in order to break the news to Joey.
“So, how’s school? Are you holding up okay?” Danika asked after they were finished with their orders.
Joey was an intelligent student, having been able to become a high school senior even though he was just sixteen years of age.
“Yeah. My teachers say I can easily make it to the country’s top university if I keep this up.” Joey beamed. He felt happy with his current progress, only focusing on his studies and not worrying about anything else.
Danika nodded approvingly, but before she could continue, Joey suddenly asked, “But you came to meet me to tell me something else, right?”
Danika was surprised that Joey had guessed something was up. She nodded again. “Yes, actually. It’s about your father.”
“Him?” Joey frowned. “Did he come to bother you again?”
Danika shook her head. “He got himself arrested for getting into some trouble.”
Joey didn’t show an ounce of sadness hearing the news. In fact, he looked glad. “Really? That means he won’t be able to find you and cause you any more trouble, right?”
“Aren’t you upset?” Danika asked, confused,
“Why would I be? I stopped treating him as my father a long time ago.” Miller, the father, had died in Joey’s heart a long, long time ago. He even wished the man actually died just so he could live carefreely.
Danika stared at him in shock, which Joey noticed.
“Do you find me cruel for thinking that, Dani?”
Danika shook her head. “No…I just feel bad for you.”
Only those who had been through too much grew numb to pain. No one was born heartless, after all. It was clear Joey was someone who had gone through it.
“Thank you, Dani.” Joey smiled. He had been worried Danika might think he was a sociopath.
Danika patted his head. “I was concerned the news would affect your mood.”