Chapter 45
Chapter 45
Harrison had secretly arranged bodyguards to protect Roxanne due to the recent online harassment
and disclosure of her private information. He emphasized to the bodyguards that they shouldn't get too
close and shouldn't let Roxanne discover their presence. Thus, the bodyguards kept their distance and
remained cautious.
As the bodyguards watched Roxanne pacing along the riverbank, they grew concerned about her state
of mind and the possibility of her taking a drastic step due to Sebastian's actions.
They reported this to Harrison, causing him to clench his phone tightly and his heart to skip a beat.
Could she be considering suicide? While facing such a terrible father, anyone would be tormented, and
suicidal thoughts weren't out of the question.
However, Harrison's calm rationality kicked in, allowing him to analyze the situation.
Despite the gravity of her circumstances, Roxanne was inherently optimistic. Even in the face of
adversity, she would stand strong and positive. After all, she had managed to remain positive despite
being abandoned by her parents at the age of four. Content © NôvelDrama.Org 2024.
Harrison reminded himself of this and concluded that she probably wasn't as pessimistic as he initially
feared.
He instructed the bodyguards, "Keep a close eye but maintain your distance. Let me know immediately
if there's any change."
He had an important meeting scheduled, and he had initially planned to finish it before seeking out
Roxanne. However, he found it increasingly difficult to focus on the meeting.
Eventually, he decisively ended the discussion with the senior management, saying, "Let's wrap it up
for today. I have other urgent matters to attend to. We'll continue tomorrow. Meeting adjourned."
Harrison was the first to leave the meeting room. His pace quickened as his urgency grew.
Alexander followed and inquired, "Harrison, what's wrong with you? The online harassment of your wife
is affecting your mood, isn't it?"
Harrison continued walking, saying, "Why would I be so unsettled by that?"
"Are you trying to deny it again?"
"Can't I?"
"Your face is full of concern for your wife. Are you heading to console her?"
Harrison remained silent.
He entered his office, changed his clothes, and reemerged wearing a different outfit.
Alexander observed him and questioned, "Why do you change into this navy suit every time you leave
the company building? Moreover, the quality of this suit doesn't seem that good."
"It was custom-made by Roxanne." Harrison said as he adjusted his collar with care.
Alexander suddenly realized, "Oh, so it's a suit made by your wife. No wonder you like wearing it, even
though it doesn't look high-quality."
Harrison straightened his sleeves, "You're overthinking it. She doesn't know who I really am yet, so
wearing the clothes she bought for me won't arouse suspicion."
After adjusting his attire, Harrison continued, "Besides, I think the quality of this suit is decent. It's not
much worse than the clothes in my closet. It's just that one is a branded item and the other isn't. In the
end, they're all clothes. What's the difference in the brand?"
Alexander remarked, "Clearly, it's because you like Roxanne. You even like the clothes she gives you.
There's no need for unnecessary explanations."
Harrison stated, "You're seeing things that aren't there. I'm not in the mood to argue about this with you
right now."
Alexander grinned, "Are you willing to admit that you're going to see Roxanne?"
Harrison replied, "My wife is in trouble, and as her husband, shouldn't I help her?"
Alexander nodded, "Of course, of course! Go ahead; no one will stop you."
Harrison hastened his steps and instructed, "You handle the matters related to the group. If there's an
issue, deal with it yourself. You don't need to call me. I trust your abilities."
While observing Harrison's hurried departure, Alexander asked, "Is it because you trust my abilities, or
is it because you don't want me to call and interrupt you while you're with Roxanne?"
Harrison didn't answer; he was already far away and out of sight.
Roxanne couldn't comprehend it. Wasn't she Sebastian's biological daughter? Why was he causing her
such misery? She parked her electric bike by the roadside, sat alone by the riverbank, and let the wind
blow over her as she contemplated these questions. But she couldn't find any answers. She found
Sebastian's account and his provided phone number, then dialed it.
Sebastian's phone remained busy. Ever since his live streamed suicide attempt a few days ago,
numerous internet users found his contact information, wanting to offer him help.
"Please don't refuse. Twenty dollars isn't much; it’s just a little gesture of goodwill from me. Take it as
your living expenses so you don't go hungry."
One hundred dollars, fifty dollars, twenty dollars...
Sebastian intentionally left his phone number and methods for people to send him money on the
platform, claiming that he wanted his daughter Roxanne to send him some living expenses. However,
he successfully manipulated their sympathies and used it as an opportunity to collect funds, pretending
to be in dire need.
His trick worked, and he constantly received notifications of incoming funds. After expressing gratitude
over the phone, he hung up and immediately revealed a malicious smile.
"People are so easily deceived."
The internet was truly a remarkable thing. It not only threatened Roxanne, who wasn't even cared for
by her father, but also easily swindled a substantial amount of money from well-meaning people.
If he had known earlier, he would have live streamed his suicide attempt sooner, perhaps raking in
even more money.
Sebastian, now feeling satisfied, anticipated that Roxanne would obediently give him both the property
and the living expenses. He stupidly thought that Roxanne would really give him all these things just
because of her status as his daughter?
At that moment, another call came in.
Was it another easily manipulated internet user coming to offer money?
Sebastian answered the call.
Roxanne's pained voice confronted him, "Sebastian, are you even human? Are you enjoying yourself
watching people insult and harass me on the internet?"
Sebastian couldn't discern Roxanne's voice. Since he hadn't raised her since she was four, he had no
idea what she sounded like. However, Roxanne's questioning led him to realize her identity.
He snorted coldly, "Roxanne, are you feeling frightened now? Have you prepared the house and the
living expenses? Oh, right. Roxanne, I've changed my mind. I don't want the property paid in
installments. I want you to pay me in full, and I want sole ownership rights.
Also, I've decided that I don't want the living expenses on a monthly basis. I want you to pay me thirty
years’ worth of living expenses upfront. This way, you can't use excuses to avoid paying me later.
If you can do all this, I will tell the internet users that you've realized your mistakes, and I'll defend you,
persuading them to forgive you."
Roxanne was trembling with anger, feeling as if her soul was being torn apart.
How could someone be so heartless, cruel, and shameless?
Sebastian wasn't even deserving of the title father. He wasn't human.
Why should she suffer so much because of him? She was his own flesh and blood; why was he doing
this? Even if he didn't like her, he didn't need to push her to such extremes. She couldn't ignore this
pain, as it came from someone she couldn't distance herself from. Despite her strength, she couldn't
fend off the pain that originated from him.
Powerless and overwhelmed by anger, she weakly asked, "Sebastian, since I was four years old,
you've never cared for me. Even if I were capable of providing you with a house worth nearly a million
dollars and a monthly allowance of a thousand dollars, wouldn't you feel any shame when you accept
them?"