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Chapter 11. Hard Path

John saved his baby girl, Pearl, from Sandra today. He took his daughter to get out of the house by taking her to the Excellor early in the morning. There are so many things that he needs to talk to her.

"Thank you, Daddy." Pearl smiled slightly, then threw her sight back to the outside window. John prepared for his driving. He glimpsed at her and felt guilt built inside him. He must take careful words, too.

"Did you sleep well last night, sweetheart?" John asked with a soothing tone. Pearl put down her head and then shook it.

"I can't sleep last night, Dad." John nodded understandingly.

"I'm sorry, Dear. I'm not a good father for you." Pearl glanced at John. She stared at him quietly.

"I'm so hurt if you are not happy with your life. It's just, took me so much time to think about it." John was trying to speak from his heart. He clutched his heart to do the match-making wedding to his daughter. Even Pearl was not his own.

"Why did you do this, Dad? I don't want to get married now." Pearl's voice trembled. She almost shed a tear.

"I know. That's why I'm asking for your compassion to forgive me,"

"Why'd you say that, Dad?" Pearl cut with her frowning look at driving John. John smiled bitterly. His eyes blurred in tears, but he tried to pull them off.

"I shouldn't put you in the situation. I never think this way."

"What is your reason?" Pearl half put her side to face John. She wanted to know. Pearl deserved to hear the reason.

"Debt. I owe a big one to The Kellents. Bruce Kellent was the one who invested his money into our garage. When the business almost fell, he came to help. I signed the papers, and he asked me if I have daughters. He said he had to find someone to engage with and marry his only son," John described the story's background, and Pearl listened carefully.

"I never thought it would come on this way when I said yes. Then the business needs more capital and Mr. Kellent put his money on it. When the times I had to pay, I couldn't manage it. I went to bankruptcy as you see."

"So, you sold me, Dad?" Pearl disbelieved to hear him. She looked so upset about her father's decision.

"I'm sorry. I can't do this on Briana, she's still in high school." Pearl threw back her sight to the outside. She didn't want to see her father now.

John felt so uneasy about Pearl's reaction. The guilt would eat him alive. Although Pearl was not his daughter, John had an enormous debt to her late parents.

"You can blame or be mad at me. I'm not such a worthy man to be your dad," John cried. He wiped them and glimpsed at somewhere else to hide.

"I don't know what to do, Dad. I do not want to get married now. I don't even know him."

John still needs to reply to Pearl. Their car has arrived at the parking lot. Pearl should get to the office soon, yet she stayed still in her seat. She didn't even take off her seatbelt. John also stayed quietly and stared at the front view.

"What if you talk to him about your work? Perhaps he would reconcile with it." Pearl frowned, then turned to look at John. John also glanced at her.

"Talk?" John nodded.

"If Taggart Kellent chose you like he did last night. It meant that he was interested in you. He should listen to you." John added his thoughts.

"What if he doesn't? What if he forces me to get married now?" Pearl shot a question. She wondered if Taggart Kellent would like to have an open discussion. He looked terrified.

"I will find a way to solve it soon. But I still think that he would listen to you. You are his future bride, right?" John replied while encouraging Pearl. Pearl still doubted it, yet she didn't take it further.


Everest followed Taggart to the CEO's room while discussing Pearl. Now that Taggart knew about her name, he needed to figure out many things.

"Are you sure that she's here?" asked Everest when Taggart sat on his chair.

"Yes. You'd better assemble all of the staff and workers. I want to take her." Taggart pointed at Everest with his stern, husky voice.

"Now?"

"Yes, don't you get it?" Taggart scolded Everest, who seemed doubtful about his order. Everest looked uneasy. Taggart then turned to him, scrutinizing his eyes.

"What's wrong with you? Shouldn't you be happy about me finding my mate?" Taggart commented. Everest grinned oddly, then glanced into something else in the room. He found it uncomfortable to talk about the issues.

"Everest! What are you doing? Why don't you answer me?" Taggart lost his patience now. Everest then got closer to talk, even if he didn't have to whisper like no one else was in the room.

"I'm sorry I have to tell you this, Alpha. But, since you pronounced your mate last night, I've got bad news," said Everest, trying to explain. Taggart frowned suspiciously.

"Was it about that fucking Damian and his father?" Taggart guessed sarcastically.

"Not only about that. The elder must find out about your chosen mate and they disagree with that,"

"What!" Taggart shrieked shockingly, then instantly stood from his chair. Everest gulped his nervous saliva and then grinned awkwardly.

"Uhm, one of them said that they have to talk to you about it," Taggart growled at his beta, immediately making Everest stop his words. He shouldn't report it to Taggart to see his response now.

"I said, you have a lot of work so, I should reschedule a few things to manage." Everest was on the verge of his sanity now. If Taggart had thrown his tantrum at him, Everest would be dead today. Hence, Taggart scrutinizes his piercing gaze up to Everest. He would never change the plan.

"Tell them to fuck off my business. I don't deal with the elders!" Taggart shoved his disrespected mouth to Everest. Meanwhile, Everest would be killed if he forwarded the message.

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