Chapter 692
With a warm smille , Wendy said to Angela and Stanley , “ No need to be so formal – it was nothing , really . Just a small favor . ”
“ Mommy , Mrs. Angela protected me ! Let’s go visit their house and play , ” Bella pleaded , her voice soft and childlike .
Wendy thought for a moment . For now , she wasn’t planning to leave the Capital – she needed to wait for Horace to make good on his promise .
Besides , Brittany was coming back soon , and Wendy was curious to meet her .
She turned to Angela . “ I’ll ke you up on that invitation . ”
Stanley extended his arms . “ Bella , come here – let me carry you . ”
However , Wendy declined firmly . “ It’s okay , Mr. Hawk . I’ll carry my daughter . ‘
Bella blinked her big , sparkling eyes ; she first glanced at Wendy , then at Stanley . “ But Mommy , I want Mr. Handsome to hold me . ”
Wendy was speechless . After three years of raising her little girl , she hadn’t expected this sudden betrayal .
Stanley scooped Bella up effortlessly .
Bella grinned and explained , “ Mommy , I’m getting bigger and heavier now . I don’t want your arms to get tired , so I want Mr. Handsome to hold me . I love you , Mommy . ”
Wendy was left utterly disarmed by her daughter’s high emotional intelligence .
Angela smiled at the charming Bella . “ Alright . Let’s go . ”
Horace brought Jessica back to the house . In the living room ,
he stared hard at her .
“ Do you understand what you did wrong ? ”
“ Why do you always favor Wendy ? ” Jessica snapped back . “ It’s because you all side with her that I had to send people to kidnap her daughter ! For the past three years , while she was away , I have been behaving well ! This is all Wendy’s fault – she shouldn’t even exist ! ”
Horace’s anger flared . “ Whether it was three years ago or now , you blame everything on Wendy ! Have you ever once reflected on your own mistakes ? ”
Jessica’s voice was cold . “ I’m not wrong ! ”
“ How could you be so stubborn … ” Horace growled .
Jessica’s tone suddenly turned desperate . “ If you don’t love me anymore , I’d rather be dead ! ”
Horace was furious . “ You pulled that suicide act three years ago . Don’t you ever get tired of the same tricks ? Can’t you come up with something new ? ”
On the way home , Jessica had already planned it out – cry , cause a scene , and threaten to kill herself – just like three years ago . She was sure it would make Horace bend to her will again .
But Horace saw right through her , and she froze .
Just then , Ida hurried in . “ Horace , why are you arguing with Jessica ? She’s your only daughter . No matter what she’s done wrong , just talk to her calmly . Don’t scold her ! ”
She gently comforted Jessica . “ Your father loves you so much . He’s only harsh because he cares . ”
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Chapter 694
+25 BONUS
Over the past three years , Ida had been very kind and indulgent toward Jessica . Jessica knew all too well that Ida was trying to win her favor — if Ida got close to Jessica , she might get to marry Horace .
Horace and Jessica remained locked in tension .
Then , a clear ringtone echoed through the room – Horace’s phone was ringing . He pulled it out , and the screen flashed with the name “ Brittany “ .
Brittany was calling .
Horace answered quickly . Brittany’s voice came through , calm and firm . “ Hey , I’m back in the country . ”
She had returned earlier than planned .
“ Where’s my daughter ? ” Brittany continued . “ I want to see her now . Arrange for us to meet . ”