Chapter 53
She’d been thinking non–stop about how to get Tessa close to Stanley. She knew they had some tough competition, like Eva Huffman.
Eva had always been kind of shady with Stanley. If Kristina helped out, Tessa would be totally out of the picture.
Inside, Lisa was fuming, but she had to keep it cool. She nudged John with her elbow, basically saying it was time to transfer the money. If 600 thousand dollars could get Tessa into the McClain family, it was a no–brainer.
John said reluctantly, “I’ll transfer it to you when you’re ready to buy it in a couple of days.”
“Dad, these herbs are on pre–sale. If we don’t pay, they won’t hold them for us,” said Kristina.
Lisa urged, “Come on. Just transfer the money. Kristina has been running around picking out gifts. Hurry up and let her buy them.”
Out of options, John had to transfer the money right then and there.
As 600 thousand dollars hit her bank account, Kristina’s balance shot up and her mood lifted instantly. She thanked her parents with a sweet voice.
Devin felt like his head was about to explode. He was so mad he could have shot John on the spot.
After the couple left, Trenton and Devin walked over to Kristina.
Kristina sat there, grinning at the numbers on her phone. She thought about her previous life when she’d thrown millions into the Bentley family. It was a total waste.
This time, she was doing the exact opposite. Lisa and John couldn’t be mad at her. They had to be polite and suck up to her. Looking up, Kristina saw Devin and Trenton standing together.
Devin’s brows were furrowed, his eyes filled with concern and a hint of anger. “How can that cheap guy be your dad? Is it always this hard for you to get money?”
Kristina was taken aback. “Mr. Anderson, what are you doing here? You’re injured…”
She noticed the bandage on his arm and the way he was standing with Trenton, and it all clicked.
Kristina smiled brightly at Devin and pulled Trenton closer. “You made up that bathroom excuse just to go after Mr. Anderson, didn’t you? Did you hurt his arm?”
Trenton nodded without hesitation.
Kristina’s heart leaped into her throat. “Are you out of your mind? I told you how ruthless Mr. Anderson is, and you still went after him. It’s a miracle you made it back alive!”
He must have been lucky to be clueless. Otherwise, he could have easily ended up as a tragic casualty with the brain of an eight–year–old.
“Did he hurt you? Are you okay?” she asked anxiously.
“I’m fine. He’s the one who got hurt,” Trenton replied.
Kristina sighed in relief and smiled at Devin, “Mr. Anderson, I’m really sorry about today. Thanks for being so cool and treating us to a meal. I appreciate you coming all this way. I’m about to be discharged from the hospital.”
Kristina wanted to get away from this dangerous guy as fast as possible.
Devin seemed a bit upset. ‘Am I being rejected by my own daughter?‘ He sighed inwardly, showing a rare gentle side. “What if your dad isn’t really your dad, and someone else is? What would you think? Would you acknowledge him?”
The question was a bit odd, but Kristina thought about it seriously, ‘What did he mean by that? Did my mom cheat on my dad back then?‘
“Mr. Anderson, are you saying my dad isn’t my real dad just because he’s cheap with me? Don’t worry. I know my dad. If I weren’t his daughter, he wouldn’t have raised me this far.”
John wouldn’t waste money raising someone else’s kid.
“What if you did have a real dad and he came to find you? What would your attitude be?” Devin asked again.
Kristina made a face. “He’d probably be worse than my dad. My dad isn’t perfect, but he raised me. This ‘real dad‘ you mention hasn’t even given me a sip of water. I’d rather not have one at all.”
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Chapter 53
These words pierced Devin’s heart and led him to make a new decision.
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