Chapter 69: Stop Bothering Me
Logically speaking, that should have resolved the issue. Just as George was about to lead Caleb away, someone shouted, “Wait a moment!” Caleb turned around and saw that the person approaching was Gianna.
In an instant, the sight of that familiar face stung his eyes. Why is she here? I didn’t want her to see this. With all his effort, Caleb lowered his head, refusing to look at Gianna’s face any longer. It was too embarrassing for him. He had the audacity to hide in someone else’s place and shamelessly “stole” their items. As such, he thought that if she found out he was the thief, she would be utterly disappointed in him, which he didn’t want to happen.
Contrary to expectations, Gianna didn’t take issue with the situation. Instead, she rushed over and took hold of Caleb’s blood-stained hand, stating resolutely, “Mr. Quixall, I want him to stay, so he can’t go back with you!”
Before George could even speak, Phillip had already lost his temper. “Gia, do you even understand what you’re saying? He’s the thief who stole your birthday gift, yet you insist on letting him stay in our house. If word of this gets out, it would ruin the reputation of our family!”
The Sherman family’s vast empire had always been coveted by many business rivals. If word leaked that the Sherman family was so generous they could even accommodate thieves, and rumors were fabricated in the business world, creating issues out of thin air, then the Sherman family’s company would suffer negative consequences. From then on, they would no longer be able to maintain a firm footing in the business world. Everyone knew that the head of the Sherman family spoiled her daughter, indulging her to the point where she was almost out of control. However, the rules of the Sherman family were strict. Even the treasured daughter of the patriarch couldn’t do as she pleased.
Upon considering that, Philip forcefully suppressed his anger, sternly stating, “Gia, come back! This man was long ago cast out by the Quixall family. He’s alone and unsupported. Now, he’s nothing more than a commoner, unworthy of you!”
Gianna, however, shook her head. “Dad, I’m not coming back. I have no intention of tarnishing the reputation of the Sherman family, but I must protect this person!”
Philip chuckled out of anger. “Feeling bold, are you? Even daring to talk back to me now! What’s so special about this guy that you’re going out of your way to defend him?”
Gianna spoke slowly. “It’s not that he is particularly good. It’s just that I think he is.”
Philip paced anxiously inside the room. “Even so, you can’t keep him here, let alone leave with him!”
She seized Caleb’s hand, intent on leaving with him. Suddenly, Caleb withdrew his hand.
Gianna was utterly shocked. “Caleb, why did you reject me? The Quixall family never valued you. They didn’t even treat you like a human being! Sticking with me might be tough, but it’s still better than the torment you’d face returning to the Quixall family!”
Caleb turned his head away, quietly saying, “Stop pestering me. I simply don’t like you.”
Gianna shuddered, looking at Caleb in disbelief. Caleb hardened his heart, refusing to even spare her a glance.
Upon witnessing that scene, Phillip grew angrier. Gianna was his dearly beloved daughter, the apple of his eye. He was angry that a man like Caleb rejected her. “See? Gia, this good-for-nothing kid doesn’t care about your feelings at all. A man like him isn’t worth your devoted protection!”
With a grand wave of his hand, a few bodyguards stepped forward. They seized Gianna by her arms and began to drag her back.