Chapter 12
“Sorry! Jessica spat out the word through gritted teeth, barely keeping her frustration in check. Darell had made her apologize to Nina, and no matter how much it irked her, she had to follow through.
Nina raised an eyebrow, surprised, Jessica looked like she wanted to tear her to shreds, yet here she was, saying “sorry” out
loud.
“What’s your problem? You seem off,” Nina asked, blunt as ever.
Jessica snapped. “You’re the one who’s off
Humphrey chuckled, glancing briefly at their father, who was observing in silence. Leaning in, he explained to Nina, “Dad probably made her apologize.”
“No way.” Nina shook her head, crossing her arms. “He hates me She still thought Jessica was losing her grip.
Darell’s expression darkened, and he strode over to Nina with an intense gaze. She stood her ground, meeting his eyes. totally unafraid.
What now? Another lecture?” she wondered.
Out of nowhere. Darell asked. “Are you the famous painter Berthe Morisot?”
Ninz froze. “Wait, what? How did he figure that out?”
Jessica immediately cut in, shocked. “Dad, what are you even saying? Nina can’t be Berthe–she’s just some hick from the sticks!” She wasn’t about to let her father forget that Nina grew up in the countryside with barely any schooling.
Darell ignored Jessica’s outburst, keeping his gaze steady on Nin “Well? Are you or aren’t you?*
He scrutinized the two paintings, noticing the same style in each
ina, of course, wasn’t about to give herself away, Chin raised, she said confidently, “No, I’m not!”
Really Darell narrowed his eyes. “Then how exactly did you paint something like Enduring Beauty?”
Nina shrugged, still defiant. “Why the big mystery? It’s the kind of painting anyone could pull off if they have hands.”
Jessica, irked by Nina’s tone, scoffed, “Oh, so I guess that means we’re all handless then?”
Nina glanced over at her, entirely sincere. “I mean… maybe your hands just aren’t pulling their weight.”
“You!” Jessica’s eyes welled up with tears. She turned to Darell, desperate. “Dad, look! She’s mocking me again!”
Darell frowned at Nina. “Do you have to constantly antagonize your sister?”
Nina’s eyes flashed with anger. She lifted her chin defiantly. “Why don’t you tell her to lay off? You are always blaming me.. Just because I’m the easy target, you think you can let her walk all over me? That’s not right!”
Darell was taken aback. Easy target?‘ he thought grimly. ‘Is that what she thinks she is? Humphrey has always favored her, and she’s never been afraid to speak her mind. Everyone else is trying to fit in, but she’s already stirred up so much trouble. It’s only been two days!
Darell’s heart ached. Nina was a constant reminder of the tragedy that had taken his wife. He hated her, but she was still his daughter. And she had a knack for disappearing, so he couldn’t keep chasing after her.
Finally, he sighed. “Enough,” he said, his voice low. “Just stay out of trouble. Go to bed.”
Chapter 12
He turned and walked away
Nina turned to Humphrey with a huff. “Why’s he always lecturing me about causing trouble? I haven’t done a thing!TM
Humphrey laughed, reaching over to tousle her hair. “You’ve got all wrong. Nina. That was his way of surrendering”
In the Woods family, their father was practically law, and no one dared talk back–except Nina. She didn’t just talk back; she went toe–to–toe with him, and he’d gotten used to it.
“Surrender? Are you feeling okay?” Nina raised an eyebrow, skeptical. How could she miss this surrender?
“Don’t worry about it,” Humphrey said, guiding her toward the stairs. “Tomorrow, I’m taking you out for something delicious.
Remembering the amazing beef Humphrey had treated her to last time, Nina relented. “Okay, fine. But I want more wagyu
tomorrow.”
“Of course. Whatever you want.”
With that, he led her upstairs, leaving Jessica and her mother, Rachel, behind in the living room.
“Mom, what are we going to do?” Jessica asked, looking distressed. “I feel like Dad doesn’t hate Nina that much anymore. What if he starts liking her more than me?”
Jessica felt a primal sense of ownership over her father. Nina was an intruder, daring to trespass on her territory. The Woods family was hers. Her dad, her brothers, their future–it was all hers by right. She wouldn’t allow Nina to take even a crumb
Rachel cupped her daughter’s face, reassuring her. “Jessica, you have years with your father. Nina just got here–she doesn’t mean anything”
“But why didn’t he punish her?” Jessica pouted, feeling betrayed. She thought Nina, with her audacity to run off, should have
disciplined–or worse.
Rachel’s brow furrowed slightly. She could tell Darell’s attitude toward Nina was softening, but she didn’t want to worry Jessica
“Don’t start fighting her now, Jessica. From now on, you need to
Despite his responsibilities as CEO of Woods Group, Humphrey had spent the past few days taking Nina out, treating her to new foods, showing her the vibrant world outside her sheltered upbringing. And she’d grown to love it
Back in the Special Operations Division, her life had been mission after mission. But now she was free, discovering a world. where people seemed far happier than they ever had in the Division.
At breakfast the next morning. Nina’s face lit up with anticipation. “Humphrey, where are we going to eat today?”
“Today… Humphrey started, smiling, but Darell’s cool voice interrupted him.
“He’s going back to work.”
Nina turned to Darell, her face falling. “But he already promised we’d go out today!”
“He has to work,” Darell repeated with a long, indifferent stare. And you’ll stop wasting time. I’ve enrolled you at Lyceum University. After break, you’ll start classes there with Jessica.”
It hit her like a thunderbolt. She nearly dropped her fork, feeling a sudden chill.
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Chapter 12
Is he really that desermond go ruin my god time? she wonderest
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