“No need, Father. I’m fine. What’s more, it’s been so many years, I’ve gotten used to it.”

Rachel had wanted to tell Jim about how her hearing had been restored, but changed her mind at the thought of William finding out. She couldn’t afford for any accidents to happen at this critical period.

“You must get it checked out,” Jim insisted. “I know you can lip-read, and everyday conversations aren’t a problem for you, but your world lacks something if you can't hear. Be good, contact the doctor when you’re home. As for the cost…”

“Dad, you weren’t the one who caused her ears to become like this! Her husband is the one she should be looking for, not us. Moreover, he owns such a huge company. Wouldn’t he have the money to treat his wife’s condition?” Yvette butted in.

Fire burned in her chest when she heard Jim defending Rachel so fiercely. Why would he do that? Rachel wasn’t his biological daughter. He should hate Rachel as much as Yvette did! She was practically a sinner of the Lloyd family.

“Enough, Yvette,” Jim rebuked, his face dark with displeasure. “Even if Rachel isn’t your biological sister, she did live with us for many years.”

Yvette’s eyes turned red. She whined indignantly to Jim, “Dad! If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t have suffered so much for so many years. My brother wouldn’t have gone missing, either.”

“Exactly! Well said, Yvette. Because she brought bad luck upon us, I don’t even know the whereabouts of my son till today.”

The piercing voice of a woman rang in the living room. Rachel looked up and saw a figure walking down the stairs, dressed in an expensive skirt with her hair up in the most fashionable style. Her skin was fair and dewy, a clear sign of an extensive and luxurious skincare routine, which smoothed out all signs of aging on her face. She was Rachel’s stepmother and Jim’s second wife, Sasha Dawson.

Ever since Sasha lost her younger son, she viewed Rachel with animosity. She didn’t like Rachel in the first place, and her dislike toward Rachel intensified since then.

Yvette hurried over to Sasha’s side, confident that her mother would back her up.

“Mom, seriously! She clearly knows that no one in the family welcomes her, but she insists on appearing here. She’s just bent on upsetting everyone.”

Sasha smoothed out her shawl and strutted toward Rachel, overwhelming hostility in her eyes. “Rachel, are you really bent on doing that? Making everyone upset on your father’s birthday?”

Rachel knew that she wasn’t welcomed here, but there were some things she had to talk to her father alone. So, she made the greatest compromise she could.

“I’ll leave right after speaking with Father. I won’t overstay my presence.” She then looked at Jim. “May I, Father?”

Jim was tired of his family being at daggers drawn each time Rachel visited them, during which he always found himself in a difficult spot.

Chapter 81

He rubbed his nose bridge irritably. “Come on up.”

Rachel was about to follow behind Jim when Sasha stopped her.

“Rachel, your grandfather is here today. Must you force me to invite him down before you’ll leave?” Sasha spat. Rachel was stopped from entering the house like an outsider.

The atmosphere turned icy in that instant.

Jim looked at Sasha and demanded, “What are you doing? Rachel said she just wants a word with me and will leave after that.”

“No way! Who knows if she’s here to ask you for money? I heard from Yvette that William’s childhood sweetheart is back. He even removed Rachel from her position as director.”

Jim’s face fell as he asked Rachel, “Is that true?”