Chapter 112

It wasn’t the first time I’d been hit, but it was the most painful yet. I wasn’t surprised; I gently touched my cheek. The burning sensation intensified. I’d been mentally prepared from the moment I asked Marlon to help me buy Jackson Group shares. My father’s actions were expected.

“Had enough?” I asked, meeting his gaze without emotion.

Yosef was momentarily stunned, likely expecting tears or resistance. After a moment, he said, “You deserved that. Why did you get Joanna fired by Mr. Parker?”

That surprised me. “You’re here for Joanna?” I asked, frowning in confusion. I’d thought only Jackson Group matters would incite this reaction, but it was about Joanna.

“Her surname will be Jackson, not Charlotte. She’s your younger sister. Treat her better; she’s had a difficult life,” Yosef warned, raising his eyebrows.

Those words sounded familiar. I remembered Hayden implying something similar. Everyone pitied Joanna, believing she’d suffered greatly. It seemed I was expected to yield to her, to care for her. Sometimes I admired her ability to garner such concern from men.

“I’ve said I have no siblings, and I don’t have one now,” I declared, staring at him with determination. Perhaps when he hit me last time, I'd resolved to cut ties. Saying this now, I felt no regret.

He noticed my indifference, his eyes narrowing. “You… what are you saying? No father?” He hadn’t said he disowned me.

Not waiting, I sneered. “Sorry. I don’t acknowledge you. Since Sophia gave you three children, you won’t lack for care in old age.”

Yosef stood stunned, confused. Earlier, he’d found Sophia and Jeanna hugging and crying. Joanna had been expelled from the Parker family. Feeling sorry for them, he’d stormed over in anger. He wondered why his daughter suddenly disowned him. His mind unclear, he blurted, “What do you mean, three kids? You’re my child?”

“Since you drove my mother to death, you’ve ceased to be my father,” I said coldly, my hand clenching into a fist. Scenes from my childhood, playing with him, flashed before my eyes. He and my mother were childhood sweethearts; I’d received much affection as their first child. But time changed everything; that fatherly love likely belonged elsewhere. Some things couldn't be held onto.

Yosef’s anger flared; he raised his hand to strike again. “Brat! Do you know what you’re saying? Blood ties aren’t something you can just cut off.”

I was about to dodge when Hayden appeared, blocking the blow. He moved swiftly, positioning himself before me. With one hand, he grabbed Yosef, radiating a chilling aura.

“What do you think you’re doing, Yosef?” Hayden asked coldly, the temperature seeming to drop with each word. Yosef’s fierce look vanished, replaced by fear. His grip weakened; panic filled his eyes. “Mr. Parker, you’re back…”

He always acted respectfully before Hayden. Grandpa said Dad lacked boldness and couldn’t accomplish much.

“Just walked in and saw you laying a hand on my wife,” Hayden said slowly, his lips curling slightly.

I raised an eyebrow. Did he just call me his wife? Honestly, he didn't need to maintain this pretense.

Yosef paled, awkwardly laughing. “No, I was just chatting with Yvonne, you must have misunderstood.”

Hayden still gripped his hand, clearly showing Yosef shirked responsibility. His demeanor failed to satisfy Hayden. Hayden instantly released his hand, squinting at me. “What’s going on!”

I had no intention of covering for Yosef. “He said I got you to fire Joanna, and he’s helping her get justice. I have to say Joanna lost because she wasn’t competent enough.”

I turned and went upstairs. Yosef tried to follow, but Hayden stopped him. “Yvonne!” Yosef yelled.

“Yosef, Joanna resigned because she lost a bet. It had nothing to do with Yvonne,” Hayden said.

“A bet?” Yosef asked, confused. “Didn’t you help her? I thought you guys were…” He stopped, realizing something.

Hayden’s gaze grew colder. “Yosef, Yvonne is my wife,” he said icily.

“So you helped Yvonne?” Yosef asked again. He knew Hayden and Yvonne weren't on good terms. If there was a bet and Yvonne didn’t lose, Hayden might have secretly helped her, suggesting lingering feelings. Yosef could always maintain ties with the Parker family. “If there’s a bet, it needs to be fair,” Hayden added.

Yosef paused. “So you didn’t help anyone!” If he had, Joanna wouldn’t have lost.

Yosef had two daughters—one biological and one stepdaughter—neither of whom had won his heart. Climbing the social ladder to a family as prestigious as the Parkers was tough. He thought, How could I just give up now?

Hayden noticed the disappointment in his eyes, furrowing his brows. “Are you Joanna’s stepfather?”

“Yeah…” Yosef, not expecting the topic change, nodded. It wasn’t a secret.

“When did she find out about my relationship with Yvonne?” Hayden asked.

Yosef thought carefully. “Her mother and I met last year. She should have known then. Her mother was quite interested in you and Yvonne.”

Hayden hadn’t realized Sophia had been intrigued by his marriage from the beginning. As soon as those words fell, Hayden’s face turned pale with anger. When he woke up from his coma and saw Joanna, he’d had doubts. Knowing she was from Elysiumville and hearing her mention the Parker family, while claiming ignorance, now, hearing Yosef, she must have known for a while. Her intentions seemed dishonest.