Filed to story: The Regretful Billionaire: An Unpredicted Reunion
Satisfy My Curiosity
Yvonne made no retort to her accusations. In the face of such a large power disparity, refuting Danika was futile. It would only result in a more severe beating.
“Get lost! Disappear from my sight,” Danika said, frustrated. The very sight of Yvonne disgusted her.
Yvonne got up and left, but she made a mental note to make Danika pay when she married Brandon and took over the Britts. She thought she could manipulate someone as long as she shared the same bed with them as she had in her previous marriage.
However, she forgot she was in Bardoff City, and no one there was that easy. Danika was so angry that it took her a while to calm down. When she turned around,
Evan was still there. He had seen everything that had just happened, which made her feel a little embarrassed.
Evan handed her a glass of juice and said, “Are you thirsty? You talked for so long.”
“Thank you, Evan,” Danika said as she took the glass from him. The juice tasted rather good.
“She isn’t worth your time or words. I’ll make sure she disappears and never shows up in front of you again,” he promised. He didn’t want Danika to waste her time on someone like that.
Danika was surprised. “Evan, how do you plan to do that?”
It was Evan’s turn to be taken aback. He didn’t expect Danika to ask that.” Don’t think too much, Danika. I just want her to leave Bardoff City, so you won’t bump into her.”
“Is that so?” Danika didn’t believe him. The way Evan had spoken earlier made her feel like he wanted to kill Yvonne. She hoped it was just all in her head.
“Don’t get involved. She’s not worth it,” Danika said, not wanting Evan to waste his time on Yvonne, either.
Since Danika had said so, Evan agreed. “Okay, I’ll do what you say. After all, you’re my boss now.”
“Evan, you don’t have to come to Zellweger Inc because of me. I believe you’ll develop better if you didn’t come to Zellweger Inc,” Danika said. Zellweger Inc was a large, established corporation, so it wouldn’t be easy for Evan to make a name for himself there. It might be more rewarding for him to join a startup or start his own business.
Evan understood what she meant but had regrets over his decision.” Danika, being a head of a department in Zellweger Inc is what many people dream of. I’m happy just thinking about it. I wouldn’t have had this opportunity if it weren’t for you.”
“Evan…”
“You’re overthinking things. Coming to Zellweger Inc clearly benefits me, so why do you act like I’m losing out? Danika, you don’t need to be like this,” Evan said, feeling a little exasperated.
In response to his persistence, Danika didn’t know what to say and could only sigh, “I’m just afraid you won’t be able to fully utilize your talents at Zellweger Inc.”
“Don’t worry, if I can’t do it at Zellweger Inc, I won’t be able to do it anywhere else,” he replied, adding, “As for starting my own business, I don’t have any plans yet. If I do, I’ll let you know. Don’t worry. I won’t let myself suffer a loss.”
“Okay, if you ever want to leave Zellweger Inc, just let me know.” Danika nodded, not wanting to say much more.
“What did Eustace want to talk about?” Evan suddenly asked, curious about it. It caught Danika by surprise. A little frustrated, she asked, “Evan, when did you become such a gossip?”
“Can’t you satisfy my curiosity?” Evan asked.
“Stephanie seems to be looking for me. I’m going to see what’s up,” Danika said, avoiding the topic. She walked over to Stephanie, who was nearby, leaving Evan and his question in her wake.
Do You Want to Be with Him?
Halfway through the night, Stephanie finally got her hands on Danika. “We finally meet, Miss President.”
“Not you too.” Danika rolled her eyes, having been pestered enough tonight. Stephanie giggled. “I’m genuinely congratulating you here! Now, no one will push my family or me around in Bardoff anymore!”
“No one here bothered you in the first place,” Danika teased, though she knew Stephanie didn’t really concern herself with it, nor did her family. In fact, they had been keeping a low profile ever since they moved there. In a way, it was like repaying
Danika’s kindness of looking after them by not causing more trouble. The two women observed the flow of the crowd in the hall from their spot on a nearby couch.
Stephanie sighed, “I really never imagined this day would come.” She never imagined she might come to Bardoff City, nor would Danika become the head of the Zellwegers.
“Me neither.” Danika nodded. She hadn’t recovered from the shock and surprise of these past few weeks either. Sometimes it felt like all of it happened was against her will, such as her taking on the position of the Zellweger family’s head. She never wanted it. All it did was burdened her further. Yet countless people envied her for it.
Even Eustace was fighting to become the next head of the Quincey family in Bardoff. He’d surely find it incredulous to hear Danika refuse her current position.
Stephanie sighed once again and changed the topic. “No matter. All that matters is that we’re both safe and sound.”
“Yeah. How are your parents, by the way? And the family company?” Danika asked.
“They’re alright. Business is growing, especially with everyone giving us the respect of being friends with you. It’s even more successful than it was in Parrington, too.” Her family was hopeful of future growth in Bardoff City.
“Maybe the success came from your family’s effort, not because of me.’ Danika really hadn’t done anything to influence the Zelliots’ business.
“Well, whatever it is, we have you to thank.” If it weren’t for Danika’s persuasion to have them move to Bardoff City, they’d likely still be toyed with in Paul Wagner’s hands.
Danika gently rubbed Stephanie’s shoulder. “What are friends for, hm? Don’t need to thank me.’
Stephanie grinned. “Nah. I still think a thank you is necessary.”
The Ones at Fault
“No, he just asked me to give him another chance? Danika huffed.
“Another chance?” Stephanie thought, then asked, “Do you still have feelings for him, Danika?”
At the end of the day, Danika was the one who would decide whether she wanted the relationship to continue. If she did like Eustace romantically, the man wouldn’t have to do much to win her over. But if Danika didn’t, then whether Eustace recovered his feelings for her didn’t matter anymore.
“I don’t know.” Danika shook her head. “I just don’t think I have the time for him or romance anymore.”
Helping more people and getting more surgeries done felt far more rewarding than wasting her time with Eustace.
“You have a point. Not everyone has to marry. Some can enjoy life even while single.” Stephanie nodded.
“I can enjoy that fact now that I’ve already married once, but you can’t, Steph,” Danika retorted. ‘ Haven’t you found someone who catches your eye from the suitors trying your hand here in Bardoff?”
“They…uh…” Steph mumbled, blinking blankly.
“Well?” Danika had heard a few hotties were among them, especially those with a proper upbringing and background. Stephanie’s standards wouldn’t be sky-high, would they?
Stephanie sighed. “They’re mostly after you, actually.”
“Me?” Danika gaped.
“Yeah. They know we’re friends, so marrying me is the best chance to guarantee their families a life free of worry.” Stephanie wasn’t that easily fooled. None of her suitors actually liked her for her own person. They’d have a lifelong benefit if they had a connection to the Zellwegers of Bardoff City.
Danika sighed helplessly. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know this would happen.” She’d barely met up with Stephanie and her family since moving here, and still, there were folks eyeing her wealth out of greed.
“I don’t blame you. Those people are the ones who are at fault.”
What Does Your Breakup Have to Do with Me?
Danika was about to reach the main hall when Blake stormed toward her, her eyes moist and red.
“You sneaky bitch!” Blake screeched.
Danika cocked an eyebrow at her. She hadn’t crossed Blake a single time tonight, so what the hell was she on about?
“Eustace wanted to break up with me, but I know it was your doing, wasn’t it?!’ Blake screeched again like a tire hissing on the pavement.
“Eustace’s breaking up with Blake?” Danika thought. She was truly surprised. She had only told Eustace to not rely on Blake or her family, and here he was, already breaking up with her. Still, she smiled. “I’m not sure what you mean, Ms. Watkins?”
“Stop that pathetic act, Danika Zellweger! You told Eustace to break up with me, didn’t you?”
The second Eustace returned to her after talking to Danika, he had raised the topic of breaking up, even emphasizing it had nothing to do with Danika. What? Did she take Blake for some idiot?
Danika chuckled, then asked, “Aren’t you just business partners with Eustace Quincey?”
“We—” Blake stomped her foot on the ground. “We’re dating! Not business partners!”
“Really? Then what does your breakup have to do with me? If Eustace really saw your relationship as a romantic one, would he so easily want to break up with you?” Danika continued boldly, not afraid of Blake even though the Watkins were more powerful than the Zellwegers. After all, Blake wasn’t as powerful in her own family, unlike Danika.
Blake gnashed her teeth together. “Do you know what you are right now, you bitch? A fucking whore!”
Danika guffawed. “I’m sure there’s been a misunderstanding, Ms. Watkins. Are you sure Eustace isn’t breaking up with you because you’re not as powerful a tool for him to wield as you think?”
“H-how dare you?!’ Blake gasped and paled instantly. A part of her deeply knew what Danika was saying was true, so she didn’t know how to retort. Even if she wasn’t dating Eustace, the Watkins would still work together with him, given he still had a high chance of succeeding as the Quinceys’ heir.
“Why don’t you use your precious time to raise your status in your family instead of throwing a tantrum here? That way, you could at least stop relying on others.” Danika sneered, then turned to leave.
Blake shook with rage. She roared, “You better wipe that smile off your face, Danika Zellweger! You only got this position because you were lucky. You’d never get the same treatment in my family!”
Graham had done everything in and out of the book to deal with the Zellwegers. Hence, he had such a powerful say over who got what. That was why no one had dared oppose or comment on his decision to give Danika the title of the family head.
But things were different in the Watkins. There were many heir candidates, each wanting to claim the throne. Even Blake’s father had fathered a handful of children, and she didn’t mean much among them. So it was impossible for Blake to increase her influence and power in her family.
Unlike Danika, who only shared the candidacy with Jolene Zellweger. She also had a father who preferred her. No wonder she got the spot without much hassle. Danika had heard Blake’s screaming, but she chose to ignore it.
It’s a Bomb!
If Danika was in Blake’s position, she’d spend her time moping over her minimal chance of being heir to do what she loved instead. She’d even leave the family if that meant finding her own happiness.
Sadly Blake didn’t plan to do so. She neither had the determination nor wanted to let go of the safety net that was her family, so she could only let her family conflict painfully tug at her from all angles.
Danika spotted Eustace the moment she returned to the hall. His height made it nearly impossible to miss him. The man nodded slightly at her when their gazes met but did nothing else. Now Danika didn’t know what that meant. So she paid no mind to it and continued on with the night.
Near the end of the celebrations, Danika heaved a great sigh in anticipation of the night ending and was grateful nothing terrible happened. But the moment she did that, she spotted Randy Glass walking into the hall.
The Glasses had long gone bankrupt, and neither had they been invited to tonight’s celebration, so his appearance alarmed quite the crowd. Some guessed he’d been invited because they once were related to the Zellwegers since Jolene Zellweger was the daughter of Rowena Glass.
Danika, however, was certain that no one from the Glass family had been invited. She glanced at James at the far corner of the hall, who was standing beside Jolene. Many guests had been surprised to see her there, but all that mattered to Danika was ascertaining whether Jolene had invited Randy.
