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Alpha Kilian’s eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing as he focused on Nelly. “Do you mean to let her do it on her own?” he growled. Nelly nodded in response, her expression firm. Furrowing his brows, Alpha Kilian protested in a reluctant tone, his voice filled with a mix of concern and resistance. “But she’s still just a child. Even if you can bring yourself to allow it and I reluctantly agree, Grandpa would definitely object. There’s plenty about the entertainment industry that you don’t know about that I’m familiar with. Underneath the glamorous surface is a dog-eat-dog world.”
Nelly’s eyes flashed with determination as she spoke, her voice holding an air of authority. “I might not know the entertainment industry well, but I’m well aware that no career is ever easy. Since money and power matter a lot in the industry, it’s easier for Donna to maintain her principles, for she doesn’t covet them and naturally won’t be distracted. But if you shelter her from the very beginning, she will grow used to being pampered. So unless you can be by her side, protecting her for eternity, please close ranks with me.”
Furrowing his brows, Alpha Kilian couldn’t deny the truth in Nelly’s words, despite his reluctance. Even though he might always be able to shelter her, while the wealth of Morris Corporation would ensure that she would always live in luxury, it was true that it was impossible for him to be by her side at every single moment. Holding that thought, he turned his gaze to Donna, his daughter. Just thinking about her being part of a place like the entertainment industry broke his heart. “Donna, what do you think?” Alpha Kilian asked, his tone tinged with a mixture of concern and sadness.
After dwelling upon the question, Donna answered, her voice filled with determination. “Tony has said before that we can only protect those around us when we’re strong. Even though I do want both of you to protect me, I hope more than anything to protect both of you one day.”
Alpha Kilian barely heard her words as his eyes narrowed. “As a result, I feel that Mommy is right. Mommy, I would like to stand on my own two feet,” Donna declared. Subsequently, Alpha Kilian reached out to stroke her head, his touch filled with a mixture of love and sadness. Despite the knowledge that it was for her own good, he still felt a stinging heartache, as she was, after all, his daughter. Even though he couldn’t deny his reluctance, he did acknowledge that Nelly was right-Donna could only mature by being independent. With that thought in mind, Alpha Kilian informed her of his decision. “All right then, I’ll support you in whatever you want to do. But just remember, as long as someone upsets you, you must tell me about it.” Although he wouldn’t interfere with her progress, anyone who had the intention to bully her was welcome to try. They would definitely not be let off with just a warning.
The sight of Alpha Kilian filled Donna with warmth. Is this what it feels like to have a Daddy? This is amazing! Looking at Alpha Kilian with eyes that sparkled as brightly as the stars, Donna nodded with conviction. “Mmm-hmm, I know.” Alpha Kilian, with his face brimming with affection, stroked her head in response. When she saw how enamored Alpha Kilian was with his daughter, Nelly couldn’t help but comment, a hint of amusement in her tone. “Since she’s just exploring the matter, it doesn’t necessarily mean that she would become an actress. Perhaps she might end up realizing that she has no interest in it at all. Therefore, don’t let your imagination run wild.”
“That would be for the best. In such an event, she should return and take over the family business instead,” Alpha Kilian suggested. Nelly was speechless, surprised by his response. “What about Tony and Ben?” Donna inquired cheekily, her eyes shining mischievously. It was only then that Alpha Kilian remembered his two sons. After pondering for a fleeting moment, he replied, his voice filled with a mix of seriousness and playfulness. “They’re the ones who should be venturing out on their own. It would be great if they could make something of themselves. Otherwise, all you need to do is to make sure that they don’t go hungry. Everything else will still be yours!”
Donna was ecstatic to hear the answer, not because she was going to inherit most of the wealth, but because she was the apple of her father’s eye. Hmm, I’m Daddy’s favorite! All this while, she had been the one who was the most pampered at home. Now that she had a father, she realized that even more attention was being showered on her. I’m truly blessed! The smile on her face was so vibrant that it was brimming with glee. Despite the indifferent look on her face, Nelly knew that she had made the right decision when she saw how delighted Donna was. Raising the glass of red wine to her lips, Nelly took a gentle sip.
At the same time, Alpha Kilian swept his gaze toward her, for she looked inexplicably mesmerizing when drinking wine. Without making any comments, he, too, took a sip of his wine. As the three of them had their reflections cast onto the glass, it was a truly heartwarming scene that reflected the bond between them. Meanwhile, inside the hospital, the doctors were desperately trying to save Erin’s life in the emergency room when Alpha Zachary arrived. Desmond, who was on the phone when he saw Alpha Zachary, quickly ended his call with a few short words. “How did this happen?” Alpha Zachary demanded, his voice filled with a mix of worry and anger, directed at Desmond. Desmond pondered briefly before answering, his voice tinged with frustration. “While she was being driven to the airport, she caused an accident when she fought for control of the steering wheel with the driver.” Alpha Zachary’s eyes narrowed, his anger rising. “There’s no one else to blame but herself,” Desmond remarked, his tone laced with bitterness. “If you hadn’t tried to send her away by force, the accident could’ve been avoided!” Alpha Zachary’s voice held a tinge of guilt as he blamed himself.
Even though he was being manipulated by Erin all the time and yearned for freedom from her control, this wasn’t the way he wanted to escape her grasp. Hence, he was filled with anguish the moment he learned of the accident. Desmond’s brows furrowed, his frustration evident. “What else am I supposed to do if not this? Do you think that she would leave willingly? Let me tell you, after offending the Morris family, this is her only way out. If only she had been cooperative back then, all this wouldn’t have happened. Do you think I enjoy doing this? Or do you want Lucas Corporation to be destroyed?”Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.
Alpha Zachary clenched his fists, his anger boiling. The Morris family! It’s them again! At that moment, Desmond let out a sigh, his voice filled with resignation. “I’ve arranged a meeting with the Morris family and will be using the opportunity to convince them to let us go.” He had barely spoken when his phone rang again. After glancing at the number, he answered it while making his way out. Coincidentally, the doctor emerged from the emergency room after its doors were opened. “Is any of Erin Charstille’s family members here?” Regaining his senses, Alpha Zachary hurried over. “I’m her son.” “The patient’s life is no longer in danger. But due to the traumatic brain injury she has suffered, she might not… be able to wake up forever,” the doctor explained, his words hitting Alpha Zachary like a blow. Alpha Zachary’s heart stopped the instant he heard those words, his mind filled with disbelief and grief. “What do you mean she might never wake up?” Alpha Zachary asked, his voice breaking.
“In layman’s terms, she’ll become a vegetable. But don’t you fret, as there are many precedents of such patients waking up, although it will have to depend on her own consciousness and determination,” the doctor explained, attempting to offer some solace. Stunned, Alpha Zachary stood frozen, his world shattered by the news. Whatever the doctor said subsequently didn’t register with him. He simply remained silent till the doctor was done. Standing still, he could feel a devastating blow strike his heart. She will never wake up… She will never ever wake up… That also means that no one will threaten me anymore. In fact, that would be the last time anyone manipulates me. Isn’t this what I have always yearned for in my dreams? After pacing around in circles, his eyes began to redden and fill with anger. At the sight of the bench beside him, he walked over and kicked it upside down. She’s never going to wake up. This is all Alpha Kilian’s doing! With that thought in mind, Alpha Zachary brought out his phone, scrolled through his call history, and called back one of the numbers. “Are you still interested in collaborating? Let’s meet,” Alpha Zachary proposed to the person on the other end of the line, his voice filled with a mixture of bitterness and determination.