When Charles Reed saw her, he grew incredibly agitated. He walked right up to her, reaching for her hand.

Daniel Hayes stepped forward, blocking him with an outstretched arm. "Whoa there, what do you think you’re doing? If you’ve got something to say, spit it out. But getting physical is crossing a line, don’t you think?"

"You... What nonsense are you spouting?! I’m her father! I haven’t seen her in so long, can’t I just have a proper talk with her?! You are so ill-mannered and rude!" Charles Reed’s face paled and flushed in turns, a terrible sight to see.

Daniel Hayes scoffed. Looking at him, he said, "I can be a lot more than just rude. Want a demonstration?"

Intimidated by Daniel’s dangerous, icy glare, Charles Reed took two steps back, daring not to move forward. He swallowed hard, then turned to Chloe Reed, his tone softening. "Chloe, I want to give you a sincere apology. Can you please give me a chance to do that?"

’Seeing his earnest gaze, the pleading look deep in his eyes... how could this be the same arrogant man who used his fatherly authority to beat and berate her whenever he pleased?’

’How things have changed.’

Chloe Reed’s eyes were crystal clear as she looked at him dispassionately. "Go on."

Charles Reed froze, clearly not expecting such a reaction. He hesitated, glancing at Daniel Hayes, an obvious signal that he wanted him to leave.

But Daniel Hayes just scoffed. "What’s this? You need to apologize in secret? What kind of apology is that? If you’re going to apologize, everyone should witness it. Otherwise, if you do it in private, who’s to say you ever really apologized?"

’This man is going to be the death of me!’

’Where did this hulking brute even come from?!’

’He’s such an eyesore!’

But for now, he had no choice but to swallow his anger. After all, he couldn’t win a fight against Daniel Hayes, and Chloe Reed certainly wouldn’t take his side.

Charles Reed didn’t hesitate for long. He looked at Chloe Reed and said, "We were wrong in the past. We were blinded by Sunny Reed, always favoring her and punishing you. You suffered so much because of us, and I truly know now that I was wrong. I want to make it up to you, Chloe. Can you give me a chance to make amends? I promise, I’ll be a good father."

Chloe Reed watched him coldly, feeling not the slightest ripple of emotion. The man before her felt like a stranger. She thought back to her memories of her father, and the image didn’t match the person standing in front of her at all.

’How jarring.’

’So this is what happens when someone falls from grace. They cast aside all their pride and dignity to bow down and apologize to the very person they once despised the most.’

"We have nothing to do with each other."

Chloe Reed said coolly, "I was willing to hear your apology, but that doesn’t mean I’ll forgive you. I can never forgive any of you."

Her tone grew colder. "You’re only thinking of me now because the Reed family is bankrupt. You want to use the twenty-odd years you spent raising me to guilt-trip me, hoping I’ll take pity and help you. You’re probably even thinking that if I just agree to come back, acknowledge you, and reconcile, then the Reed family will have a chance to make a comeback, right?"

She had ruthlessly exposed his intentions, leaving him utterly humiliated.

"But you seem to have forgotten how quickly you changed your tune the moment I told you I wasn’t your biological daughter. You couldn’t wait for me to cut all ties with the Reed family."

Chloe Reed looked at him with indifference, finding the man before her utterly pathetic. ’How could he have the nerve to come find her?’

Charles Reed’s lips trembled for a long moment. "I... I..."

"Don’t bother making excuses. I know exactly what you’re thinking. Let me make this perfectly clear: I will never forgive you, and I have nothing to do with any of you. Don’t come looking for me again. Otherwise, I can’t guarantee what I might do."