Filed to story: The Regretful Billionaire: An Unpredicted Reunion
“I think you’re a lovely young lady. Since I’m single, I shall allow you to date me.” He sounded rather frivolous and seemed to believe that it was Danika’s good fortune to have a chance at dating him.
This time, she burst out laughing. “Are all the Dafoes narcissists?” Eric was conceited, and so was his son. They were family indeed.
“Danika Zellweger, I know your family is one of the Ten Elites of Bardoff City, but you are nothing compared to us Dafoes. I am giving you a chance right now,” he huffed.
She sighed as she silently questioned her decision to join him at the cafe. Finally, she put on a straight face. “Pete Dafoe, why don’t you tell me about your motive instead of wasting time with pleasantries? I still think there is an opportunity for us to work together.”
“What’s there to work on?” he scoffed.
“Isn’t there? I thought you were ambitious.” Her gaze pierced through him as she smiled. “You must have had nothing to do with the invincible Dafoes that you keep harping about.”
He grimaced at her remark. At first, he thought that Danika was an interesting character. If he could date Danika, he’d make Lynette choke on anger. However, his impression of Danika had since changed.
“I know you’re unhappy about Lynette Bell and think of her as the reason behind your mother’s death. That’s why you approached me-you wanted to provoke her. But does that even mean anything?” She gave him a look of pity. Yes, she pitied him, and she also thought that he was pathetic.
When he realized what was going on, he could no longer smile. “What are you saying?”
“I believe you understand very well that your father, Eric Dafoe, was responsible for your mother’s tragic death. Things wouldn’t have ended up this way if it weren’t for him. So, you should work toward replacing him, not wasting your time on Lynette. Provoking her is a useless move.” She wouldn’t have wasted her time persuading Pete if she didn’t need his cooperation. The Dafoes were all crooks to her anyway.
Danika’s words got Pete shaken up and thinking. He approached her to play her, but she was talking business with him. He needed time to process the huge change.
Silence filled the lounge once more. Suddenly, Danika’s phone buzzed from Mr. Ortiz’s call. She looked serious when she saw the caller ID, but she openly picked up the call in Pete’s presence. When Mr. Ortiz informed her that the villa was under attack, she merely acknowledged the incident and hung up. Instead of leaving, she stared at Pete, waiting for him to speak
Is My Proposal Attractive?
Pete gathered himself with a shocked look on his face. “Aren’t you going home? Are you not worried that your dad is dying?”
“Don’t worry. He won’t die.” She sounded confident because she had made the security arrangements according to her investigation into the Dafoes’ dispatchable security.
As long as Eric Dafoe did not send his full force, the villa would be safe. And she was confident that Eric wouldn’t do so, because he wanted to get rid of Graham with his own hands.
“So, Mr. Dafoe, is my proposal attractive?” She was more interested in Pete’s reply.
He looked at her with a seriousness that replaced his flippant attitude from earlier. “Why would I listen to you and go up against my father? I’ll be taking over the family sooner or later.”
“Oh. Are you sure?” Danika flashed him a knowing smile and furnished him with a few photos from her bag. “Your father bore a few children with his mistresses. Every one of them is more capable than you. You’re still the eldest son and heir of the Dafoes only because your maternal grandfather is still around. Your father dare not cross a line because their family is pretty influential. Guess what Eric Dafoe will do once your grandfather is no longer around?” She casually stated the truth without any provocation.
Pete stared at the photo in front of him. It was a photo of Eric having a meal with a woman and a young man around his age. The other photos were in the same vein, only with different women and children of varying ages. He didn’t question the children’s identity at all because they all bore a resemblance to Eric.
As he flipped through the photos, his expression started to crumble. “You dug never come across, proving that Eric was meticulous in hiding his secrets.
“That’s for sure. How would I have the guts to show up in front of your father without any solid proof?” She smiled. If she was incapable of getting her hands on simple evidence like the one she showed him, their meeting today would have been meaningless.
He shifted his glance from the photos to the woman seated across from him. “Since you have dug deep into his life, you should also know that I don’t have a say in family affairs.”
Eric had consolidated the power in his hands, and Pete was nothing but a jobless bum. It was almost impossible for him to win control of the Dafoes from his father.
“Don’t worry about it. You’re still the eldest son and heir of the family, at least to the public. If something happens to Eric Dafoe, you’ll be next in power.”
She smiled at him with a devilish look in her eyes, sending a shiver down his spine. He couldn’t believe the words that came out of her mouth as fear crept up in him. “W-what do you plan to do? Are you seriously going to take him out? You better forget about it because it’s impossible!”
“Calm down. That’s not the only method. As long as you’re willing to cooperate, just leave the strategizing to me. You will execute the plan.
How does that sound? Do you want to bet on this?” Danika had a plan in mind, but she needed someone to work with, and Pete would be her best candidate.
He appeared hesitant, not knowing if he should trust Danika. If they worked together and the plan failed miserably, he’d suffer a horrific death.
She knew he was undecided, but she wasn’t in a hurry. “If so, take your time to consider my proposal. I need to return to the villa and take a look.” “Okay.” He nodded. Indeed, he needed time to think long and hard about her suggestion.
Are You Using Me?
Danika was ready to leave, but she was not leaving alone. Looking at Pete, she requested, ‘Now, please send me home.” “Are you asking me to send you home?” He furrowed his brows, displeased at her orders.
She smiled and added, “Eric Dafoe’s men are watching me nearby. They will make a move once I walk out alone. I’m not scared of them, but I don’t like wasting my time warding them off. I need to get home as soon as possible to check on my dad. Got it?”
Pete, who was initially confused, finally understood the situation. ‘Are you using me?”
“How can you say that? As partners, you should ensure my safety. Don’t you think so?” She lifted a brow at him, feeling completely justified.
Pete was unhappy but had to follow her instructions. After all, the last thing he wanted was to see Danika harmed. They left the lounge and got into his sports car.
Eric’s men were caught by surprise. “That…that woman is with Mr. Pete. Do we still make a move?”
“Of course not, stupid! We’d be damned if we injure Mr. Pete.” The assassination plan was thwarted.
When Pete drove Danika to the villa, they found Eric’s men had been taken down. Mr. Ortiz was busy cleaning up at the entrance. When he saw her, he hurried over. “Miss Zellweger.”
“Hey. Is my dad okay?” she asked.
“Mr. Zellweger is fine. Thankfully you arranged for adequate security, and Mr. Quincey came just in time,” he answered.
“Mr. Quincey?” A puzzled expression appeared on her face. The next moment, they saw Eustace emerging from the villa. She was taken aback by his presence. “Why are you here?”
“I’m worried for you. That’s why.” He had been worried for her ever since he heard that Danika was challenging the Dafoes. After finishing his work in Quincey Group, he rushed to Bayside City without wasting time.
Feeling touched, she walked to him. “Thank you, but I can handle this on my own.”
Pete suddenly interrupted their conversation with dissatisfaction. “Hey! Won’t you invite me for tea since I sent you home?”
“Mr. Dafoe, you should skip tea and hurry home to think over my proposal.’ Danika was in no mood to entertain him. With that, she went into the living room with Eustace, leaving Pete speechless at the door. However, he didn’t protest further and left in his car very soon.
He had been hesitating about the collaboration with Danika, but he came to a decision after meeting Eustace Quincey. With the support of the Quinceys and the Zellwegers, he stood a higher chance of success-it would be a rare opportunity that he wouldn’t want to miss.
In the living room, Danika was pulled into a hug by Eustace, who sounded a little jealous. ‘Look at you, going out with other men after I left you alone for a bit! Danika, you’re making me upset.”
“What other men? That’s Eric Dafoe’s son! I’m discussing working together with him.” She rolled her eyes at him. She wondered, “Can’t he see that I am uninterested in Pete Dafoe?”
Her words failed to assuage him. “I don’t care. I just don’t like seeing you surrounded by men. I’m angry now, so you’d better know what to do.”
Dumbfounded and helpless, she coaxed him, “Eustace, don’t fool around.” It didn’t work on him because he was anticipating a sincere act of ‘apology.’
She had no choice but to give him a peck on the lips. ‘Are you happy now?”
“Not really.” Then, he hugged her tighter and bit her lips as his kiss deepened.
Just Wait and See
When they wrapped up the long kiss, Danika playfully glared at him. “You’re shameless!” Eustace had pretended to be upset just so he could take advantage of her.
“I don’t mind acting shamelessly in front of you.” He held her and refused to let go.
Suddenly, they jumped at the wry cough from the second floor. Danika immediately broke free from Eustace’s arms. Graham descended from the stairs, acting as though he didn’t witness the intimate act. “Danika, you’re home. Did you run into any trouble?*
“Dad, I’m fine. How about you? You’re not in shock, are you?” She collected herself, putting the attack at the back of her mind.
Graham joined them in the living room and sat across from them. “This is not my first time-l’m experienced. Why would I be in shock?”
“Sure, you’re amazing,’ she jokingly complimented him. After that, she told him about the suggestion to work with Pete Dafoe, to which he responded with worry.
“Will he agree to it? Eric is his father, after all. Any average man will not agree to work with us to take down his father.”
“Well, there you have it. Pete Dafoe is no average man.”
Technically, all members of the Dafoe family were not your average Joe. Since Graham had no better idea, he allowed Danika to make the decision.” You can decide on what to do. I have no objection as long as we leave this city with your mom.”
“Alright. Don’t worry. I’ll give it my best,” she replied.
Graham retired to his room, leaving some space for the new couple who were madly in love. He knew better than to be the third wheel.
When Graham left, Danika glanced at Eustace. “Why didn’t you say a word just now? Are you scared of my dad?’
“I’m not scared of him, but I’m worried I might leave a bad impression. Silence is golden.* He knew that Graham held a grudge against him for divorcing Danika. She chuckled and looked at him, amused. “I’ve never thought I’d see you acting this way. What a rare sight!”
“Quit poking fun at me. I did this all for you.” He cared about the perception of her family and friends because he was worried he’d lost her again.
Danika pursed her lips and didn’t retort. She knew very well that Eustace was doing all this for her-he’d never be timid and humble otherwise. Patting his shoulder, she encouraged him with a smile, “Well, keep going! I think you’re doing well!”
“Yeah. I’ll keep working on getting your dad’s acceptance,* he grumbled, and she laughed heartily.
Meanwhile, Pete was slightly petrified to see Eric in the living room when he got home. He felt as if he was caught red-handed, but he quickly calmed down and wandered over to his father. “Are you looking for me?”
“Did you meet with Danika?” Eric asked.
Lynette rushed out of the bedroom after hearing that and glared viciously at Pete, who didn’t seem too bothered.
“Yes, I did. I thought I told you I was interested in her.”
“Pete Dafoe! Just wait and see! I’ll dig up your mother’s grave!” Lynette hurled empty threats at him at the top of her lungs-it was hard for her to even step foot outside of the mansion.
Eric glanced at her and said coolly, “Get back into your room.”
She wanted to retort but kept her mouth shut after meeting Eric’s hostile gaze. She finally gave up and returned to her bedroom. She was afraid of Eric and the inhumane abuse he’d inflict on her when he was enraged
You’re Pretty Ruthless
Pete chuckled after Lynette fled to her room. He never bothered to mask his distaste for her, a fact that he made known ever since she joined the family.
“What exactly are you up to?” Eric fixed his eyes on his son in an attempt to read him. Alas, he realized belatedly that Pete, the son whom he had neglected, had grown into an unreadable young man.