Filed to story: The Regretful Billionaire: An Unpredicted Reunion
“Danika, you…” Graham was concerned. ‘Why don’t I go to him instead?”
“Oh, forget about it. You’re his love rival. I’m scared that he’d only end up fighting you.”
If the two grown men were embroiled in a fight, they’d only humiliate themselves. Plus, Danika knew that Graham was no match for Eric in a physical battle.
Graham did not refute. After learning that Eric wasn’t treating Lynette right, he knew that he would be easily incensed upon seeing the man.
Danika told him not to worry and instructed him, “I’ll buy time by talking to Eric. You’ll take the opportunity to find Lynette and clarify the situation, especially asking her if she’s willing to leave with us.”
“Yes. Got it.” He nodded.
Then, Danika left him and marched in Eric’s direction.
“Mr. Dafoe!” She looked at him with a smile. Eric was standing with Lynette beside him. ‘Let’s continue our conversation from before. I’m very interested in a partnership with the Dafoes.”
He snickered and raised an eyebrow at her. “Miss Zellweger, are you joking with me now?”
“Of course not! I never joke around.” But she had no idea if the “partnership ” would ever come to fruition. Eric scrutinized her, his eyes traveling between her and Lynette. “Miss Zellweger, you resemble my wife.”
Danika chuckled and winked at him. “Well, that’s for sure. Mrs. Dafoe is my mother, after all.’
Silence hung over them after Danika’s remark. It was so quiet that the only sounds heard were their breathing. Eric and Lynette were shocked at how casually Danika dropped the information, which was different from what they had anticipated.
“Mrs. Dafoe, you look shocked. Do you need to take a breather in the bathroom?” Danika stared at Lynette.
Lynette wanted to say that was unnecessary, but she noticed the look in Danika’s eyes and guessed that her daughter had other plans. “You’re right. I need to leave for a moment to calm down.”
She looked at Eric. He caught the back-and-forth between Lynette and Danika but was not too bothered because he knew they could not do much in his territory.
“Go. Call me if you need anything,’ he said to her. She nodded with a wry smile and headed for the bathroom. When she was far away, Eric’s expression changed. He wiped the fake smile off his face. “Miss Zellweger, what are you up to?”
“Mr. Dafoe, you’re overthinking things. I really want to work with you. I think Bayside City is a decent place. If the Zellwegers ever expands our business here, we’ll still need your support,” she assured him with a smile.
He glanced at her, not believing a single word out of the mouth of this shrewd young lady. Still, he couldn’t be bothered to call her out because he would soon find out about her plan.
“Are you saying the Zellwegers wants to expand in Bayside City? Why? Is Bardoff City too cramped for the Ten Elites?” he scoffed, sounding disdainful at the mention of the Ten Elites.
Danika didn’t mind his arrogance, knowing he was born into wealth. “That’s right. Everyone’s looking for better opportunities elsewhere. We’re the same.”
“Hah! And what’s your plan for the partnership?” he asked. Next, Danika started bluffing him. She was not a business expert, but she learned a few tricks after spending time with Eustace.
Meanwhile, Lynette was trying to calm down in the bathroom. She started thinking about the reason Danika wanted her to come there. Someone entered the bathroom, interrupting her thoughts. When she turned around, she immediately understood Danika’s intention.
“Nettie.” Graham’s eyes were brimming with tears as he stared at the woman in front of him in a daze. He had never thought that he could see her again in this life.
Her first reaction upon seeing him was panic. “Why are you here? Leave right now!” She was scared that Eric’s men would spot them together. If Eric learned about their short encounter, given his character, he would never spare Graham.
“Nettie, how have you been doing over the years?” Graham ignored her words and pressed on.
Tears filled her eyes when she felt his care for her. “I’m pretty good. How about you?”
“I-I’m not,” he confessed to her. “Life hasn’t been good ever since you left.”
“How is that so? I heard you got married and had a daughter.” Lynette smiled bitterly. She picked up the details from Eric, who would spite her with Graham’s life updates during their arguments to force her into giving up on him.
Graham felt a little sorry for Lynette when she mentioned his second marriage. “I’m sorry, Nettie. I was…”
“You don’t have to explain to me. I’ve been married for years now. We have our lives. You shouldn’t come looking for me anymore.” She refused to listen to him. No matter the reason behind his second marriage, it wouldn’t change the fact that he was a married man.
I Don’t Know What You’re Talking About
Lynette refused to listen to Graham, but he went on anyway, “Nettie, I married Rowena Glass because I fell into her trap. We have long since divorced.’
“You’re divorced?” She didn’t know about that.
“I have never loved her. You’re my one and only love,’ he confessed.
Her eyes brimmed with tears, for she shared the same affection. Still, the thought of Eric’s wicked tricks stopped her from confessing her true feelings. “Thank you for your love, but I’m doing well now, and I do not wish to be disturbed. Leave this city with Danika if you care for my best interest. Do you know how much danger you’ll put her in?’
“I know. Danika is quite stubborn, especially after learning that your life isn’t all roses with Eric. We agreed to leave the city with you.” He added, ‘Nettie, Danika is our daughter. We have owed her a lot over the years, but she cares about us and never holds a grudge against us. She’s such a great kid. Sometimes, I feel grateful for having a daughter like her.”
It was heart-wrenching to hear his words. If she had a choice, she would choose to raise her daughter. Alas, she wasn’t given the chance to do so years ago.
“Nettie, do you want to leave with us? We will live new lives from now on,’ he asked for her opinion. She was taken aback by the suggestion and was tempted to agree, but…
She was too afraid to say yes. On the one hand, she knew she would never escape from Eric’s grasp. On the other hand, even if she successfully escaped from him, she’d be recaptured, not to mention the danger it could bring to Graham and Danika.
After a short silence, she shook her head under his intent gaze. ‘I don’t want to. I choose to stay with Eric. We get along pretty well.’
“Nettie! Stop lying! He hasn’t been treating you right at all! He forced you to marry him, and you don’t even love him!” Graham felt sorry for Lynette, and he could tell her hesitation was out of concern for his and Danika’s safety.
The more she worried forthem, the more certain he became.
Lynette was shocked to learn that Graham was in the know, and she was at a loss for words. “No matter what, I will not leave Bayside City with you. Both of you should leave the city soon.”
“Nettie, did you send someone to knock me out?” he asked, and she appeared taken aback. He continued, “You had me knocked out and made me disappear because you wanted to protect me from Eric’s assassination. Is that right?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about!” She was stubborn but secretly surprised. How did he learn about her plan?
“Nettie, I know you have a place for me in your heart. Why else would you do that for me? You could have watched me die and live peacefully with Eric.” He stared keenly at her, eager to confirm his hunch. Her silence was the best answer. “Don’t worry. Danika is smart. She’ll think of a way to get you out.” Graham knew her answer and came to a decision for her.
“Did he really ask me not to worry?” she wondered as she silently smirked. How would that be possible?
“Graham, you don’t know how scary Eric Dafoe can be!” she sighed. “Listen to me and leave the city with Danika. Alright?”
“Nettie, I am no longer the man from years ago. I couldn’t protect you in the past, so I watched on as you were hurt and brought away by the Bells. But now, I can offer you protection. So, give me a chance, will you?” he persuaded her sincerely, his eyes fixed on her.
She gaped, but no word came out of her mouth. What else could she say? No matter what she said, she could not change Graham’s decision.
She Should Call Me Stepdad
At the event hall, Danika engaged Eric in a talk. Anyone watching would think they were serious about the business partnership, but Eric knew all too well that Danika was buying time. He downed the red wine in his glass and gave her an emotionless look. “Was that enough time?”
“What?n She appeared puzzled.
“You were buying time. Was that enough?” He chuckled as his gaze wandered to the restroom. Lynette seemed to have walked in that direction.
Danika smiled at his cleverness. “Mr. Dafoe, it seems you care a lot about my mother.”
He snickered and looked at her sharply. “Of course. She’s my wife.”
“Your wife?” She smirked. “But I heard that you’re mistreating her.”
“So what? Do you think you and your useless father stand a chance to leave with her just because I’m mistreating her?” His tone was full of mockery, and he looked disdainful upon mentioning Graham.
Danika’s expression contorted. She had not come across someone as impudent as Eric in a long time. Still, she was understanding of his lack of manners. He was the king of Bayside City who had no regard for anyone else. Suppressing her rage, she asked, “Who knows? What if we do?”
“I advise you to give up on that idea. It’d be a pity if you and your dad were to remain in Bayside City forever,” he suggested with a smile as though it wasn’t a threat.
Danika smirked, seemingly unbothered. “That’s fine. I am attracted to danger.”
“Huh. You’re very different from Lyn.’ If Danika didn’t bear a striking resemblance to Lynette, Eric would have doubted their mother-daughter relationship.
“Well, every person is different,” she chirped. From the corner of her eyes, she noticed Lynette entering the event hall again and assumed that
Graham was done talking to her. So, she excused herself, “Mr. Dafoe, we shall see what happens.’
“Interesting. I can’t wait for it.” He saw Lynette as well and gestured at her to come over. The light in Danika’s eyes dimmed as she left without a word.
At first, Lynette thought she had a chance to speak to Danika, but she was disappointed to see Danika leaving just when she rejoined Eric.
“Your daughter is an amusing character.” He pulled Lynette into his arms as he looked in the direction where Danika had left. He didn’t sound too different, but his words sent a shiver down her spine.
“What do you want to do? You’d better stay away from Danika. I’ll fight you if you dare!”
“What is in that dirty mind of yours? She should call me her stepdad. Why would I be interested in her?” Eric was a playboy, but he had no interest in smart women like Danika. He’d much prefer dumb blondes.
Stepdad? The idea made Lynette sick. She explained, “I have no plans to reconnect with her. And you’re not her stepdad either.”
“Oh? Don’t you? She was confident she could leave with you, from what she told me.” He looked at the woman in his embrace, eyes crinkling in a smile.
His words caught her by surprise. Did Danika say that to Eric? Did she have any idea how dangerous it was?
Knowing Eric, Lynette felt anxious and added, “I am your wife now. Of course, I won’t leave with someone else.” “Is that so? Good.” He didn’t interrogate further. He was smart enough not to take someone at their word
I’m Not a Mistress
Danika spotted Graham standing not far away from the hotel entrance and approached him. “Dad, how was the talk with Lynette?’ she asked.
Graham had a complicated look on his face mixed with slight concern.” She said she wont leave with us and requested that we leave Bayside City.”
“Cut that nonsense, Dad. I don’t care what she said to you. Most importantly, what do you think about her life with Eric Dafoe?’ Lynette would definitely refuse to leave because she was concerned for Graham and Danika’s safety. Danika hadn’t had much chance to interact with Eric, but she could tell the man was no angel.
After her question, Graham shared his thoughts, “She’s in the exact situation as the information you gathered on her. Eric Dafoe probably doesn’t treat her well.”
“That’s good enough. Once we confirm that, we will leave with her no matter what. We can’t leave her behind to suffer.” Lynette was, after all, her biological mother, and Danika wasn’t heartless.
“It’s not that simple. She’s still married to Eric. They aren’t divorced.’ In other words, bringing Lynette with them was futile because she would remain Eric’s wife on paper.