Filed to story: The Regretful Billionaire: An Unpredicted Reunion
Pete looked tired and even had some stubble. He was unlike the Pete she’d seen before.
“My father was arrested. Isn’t it normal for me to not be doing well?” Pete asked rhetorically, sitting across from her.
Danika looked at him, unable to tell if he was genuinely worried about Eric or just acting.
After a long silence, Pete suddenly asked, “Do you think…he will be sentenced to death?”
In fact, even if Eric were sentenced to life imprisonment, Pete wouldn’t feel guilty. He thought his father deserved that punishment.
But if it was the death penalty…
Despite all the hatred he had for that man, he still didn’t want him to die.
Danika knew what he meant but didn’t want to give him any hope. “He’s definitely going to die.”
Pete pursed his lips and didn’t say anything.
“Although he was your father, his hands were stained with blood, so he deserves death,” Danika added.
Pete understood what she meant and sighed heavily. ‘I know, but I haven’t gotten over it yet.”
“I heard that he’d already handed over all the affairs of the Dafoes to you before he was caught. That meant he was aware of what the outcome would be. You don’t need to feel sad for him,” Danika said.
Pete nodded. “I know. I was just asking casually.’
“Why did you come today, then? Our collaboration is over, so I don’t think there’s a need for us to meet again.’ Danika’s gaze was sharp and unfriendly.
Pete smiled lightly and felt that Danika’s change of attitude came all too fast. “I still need to testify in court to put the nail in the coffin. So, how can our collaboration be considered complete?”
“Even if you don’t testify, Eric is already doomed. If you go, it’s your personal choice to exact revenge against him. Whether you go or not is up to you.” Danika smiled at him. Pete hated Eric immensely. If he missed this opportunity, there wouldn’t be a chance for him to get his revenge again.
Pete looked at Danika, silently acknowledging how intelligent she was. “You know, you’re quite a fine woman. Why don’t we…”
“Stop right there. I’m not interested in you.” Danika ruthlessly rejected him.
Magnanimous Brother-In-Law
Pete smiled and said, “I know, you’re fixated on Eustace. I really don’t see what’s so good about him that’s worth your affection.”
“You wouldn’t understand.’ Danika seriously doubted that Pete, who grew up in the Dafoe family, would understand what love was. Her guess was indeed correct-he didn’t understand, nor did he intend to figure it out. If love would make him follow in Eric’s step, he would rather never have something that destructive for the rest of his life.
“I’m done joking around with you. I’m here to invite you to dinner.” Pete returned to normal and stated his intentions clearly.
Danika looked at the time and found that it was indeed time for dinner. However, she’d already made plans with Eustace earlier. “I don’t think there’s a need for that. We’re just partners working together for a common goal. You don’t need to thank me.”
“I’m not thanking you. I just think you’re quite to my taste. As your younger brother, I should treat you to a meal,” Pete said with a smile. The word ” younger brother’ made Danika’s hair stand on end.
She glared at Pete sternly and said dryly, “Stop talking nonsense. I don’t have a younger brother as old as you.”
“Oh? Why don’t you ask Lynette? I think she considers me her son.” Pete grinned confidently.
Danika didn’t know how he had the audacity to say such shameless words. He hadn’t exactly treated Lynette well. What made him think that she would consider him her son?
Waving at him dismissively, Danika tried to shoo him away. “Go away. I don’t have time to eat with you.”
“Come on, let’s have a meal together…my dear sister.” Pete blinked at her pleadingly like a spoiled brat.
A chill ran down Danika’s spine as she looked at him. At that moment, she thought he looked like a devil. “What do you want?”
“Nothing. I just want to improve our relationship and have more contact with you in the future. After all, we’re siblings,” Pete justified.
Danika didn’t know what to say to that.
Obviously, she didn’t believe what Pete said. Upon careful consideration, she guessed that he couldn’t suppress the Dafoes now and wanted to improve his relationship with her in order to secure help. After all, with the support of the Zellwegers, he would have more say within the Dafoe family.
Eustace walked in right then. Seeing Pete there, his cheerful expression immediately became gloomy. “What are you doing here?”
“Oh, you’re here, my dear brother-in-law. Perfect timing, let’s have dinner together,” Pete declared smilingly despite Eustace looking all grumpy and unfriendly.
Eustace was at a loss too. He turned to look at Danika, as if asking her what Pete meant by that. Danika shook her head, indicating she hadn’t the foggiest idea either.
“My dear sister and brother-in-law, let’s go. Come on, don’t leave me hanging like this,” Pete spoke again, looking slightly aggrieved.
Eustace walked to Danika’s side. His originally indifferent face softened a bit.” Okay.”
“Eustace…”
“He called me his brother-in-law. How can I refuse him?” Pete’s way of addressing flattered Eustace to no end.
Danika was speechless, silently cursing that Eustace was unreliable at times like these.
“As expected of my magnanimous brother-in-law!” Pete then clapped his hands and announced, “Let’s go. I’ve already booked a restaurant.”
With that, Pete turned around and walked out, Eustace and Danika towing behind.
“Why did you agree, Eustace?” Danika was sure Pete had ulterior motives.
Eustace didn’t care. He hugged Danika and whispered in her ear, “We both know his little tricks, and they won’t affect us. So, what’s the harm in agreeing?”
“But… “Danika was aversive toward any further relations with the Dafoes.
“Danika, do you really think Lynette doesn’t care about Pete at all?’ Eustace suddenly asked, stunning Danika with his question.
Danika Worries Too Much
On the way to the restaurant, Danika remained silent because of Eustace’s words. She hadn’t thought about it before, but now she suddenly understood the meaning behind his question.
It was possible that Lynette had no feelings for Eric and even harbored resentment toward him. But she should have a different kind of feeling toward Pete. She’d been a parental figure to him since his childhood, after all. Regardless of how Pete treated her now, she’d likely sincerely treated him as her stepson.
The bond that they had formed over the years wasn’t something that would disappear overnight. Danika couldn’t help but feel helpless about this kind of situation. Initially, she didn’t want to have any contact with the Dafoes anymore, but now it seemed like she had no choice but to keep in touch with Pete.
“Don’t think too much, Danika. While Lynette may have some motherly love for Pete, it definitely won’t surpass her love for you. If she has to choose between you and Pete, I’m sure she’ll choose you over him without hesitation,” Eustace expressed.
Danika chuckled lightly. Was that so? She didn’t feel that way at all.
Although she was Lynette’s biological daughter, she hadn’t really spent time with her mother at all. On the contrary, she was with Pete throughout his childhood and as he grew up.
“Don’t worry. I’m not exactly lamenting that. I just don’t want Pete to cause us trouble later on,” she explained. She didn’t want to be involved with the troublesome Dafoes, nor did she care who Lynette would choose. She was fine on her own and didn’t need another mother to care for her.
“Don’t worry-if anything happens, I’m here,” Eustace said with a gentle smile. His warm smile somewhat calmed Danika’s heart. She felt that she’d been worrying too much.
The Zellwegers and the Quinceys were close to being invincible when they joined hands in Clusia. At least most people wouldn’t dare to cause trouble for them. Danika thought that she’s been a bit too paranoid.
She nodded and smiled at him. “Alright, I understand.”
As they chatted, Pete’s car that was in front of them halted. Eustace’s car also came to a stop accordingly. They all entered the restaurant together.
Pete had apparently booked the venue in advance, so there were no other people in the restaurant, and it was very quiet. Danika furrowed her brow and walked behind Eustace, still wary of Pete. However, her worries were clearly unnecessary.
Pete had simply invited them to dinner. During the meal, he chatted some unimportant topics, as if he really wanted to get closer to her.
Even after dinner, when Danika and Eustace returned to their villa, she still couldn’t figure out what Pete’s intentions were.
“Are you still thinking about Pete’s motives?” Eustace looked at her, feeling a little helpless. He then poured her a glass of water and went on, “Don’t be fooled by his childlike appearance; he’s actually very smart. Establishing closer ties to our two families would benefit him greatly. I’m sure he’s aware of this.’
Danika nodded. She also guessed that this was Pete’s goal.
“Pete is different from Eric. It looks like he’s probably preparing to transform the Dafoes and not engage in illegal activities, so he needs our help,” Eustace continued.
His words instantly shed light upon Danika. She nodded thoughtfully and finally understood what her stepbrother might be up to. “I knew it! The Dafoes’ business doesn’t coincide with the field both our family businesses are in. It wouldn’t make sense for him to try to win us over. So, it turns out that he’s aiming for a transformation.”
“Don’t worry. Based on my observation so far, he shouldn’t have any malicious intent. He just wants our help.”
Eustace usually didn’t bother with these things, but since Danika was so worried, he decided to help her out and ease her anxiety.
Help Him When the Time Comes
The incident put Eric in a horrible light, so his trial soon came. Danika didn’t go to court for his hearing, but she did see some news about it from the media.
Eric thought he still had a chance to escape, so he continued to deny his guilt in court until the prosecution presented the data of the people who died under his hands. With that, he was utterly silenced.
It wasn’t because of guilt that he decided to shut up, but because he understood one thing. If the prosecution could obtain the information, it meant there was a traitor in the Dafoes who had leaked his wrongdoings to the prosecution.
When he was still contemplating who the traitor could be, Pete appeared in court as a witness, and everything became clear to him instantly. Pete testified that he saw Eric kill those people with his own eyes, and he also revealed many of Eric’s other illegal activities.
Eric didn’t refute any of it. From the moment Pete appeared in court, he knew he couldn’t turn the tables this time. But at that moment, he didn’t care about his crimes being brought to justice in court. He stared at Pete and asked blankly, “Why?”
He couldn’t understand why, as a Dafoe himself, Pete would do something that harmed the interests of the Dafoe family. Didn’t he know that speaking out about these things could be fatal to the Dafoes?
“I just think that the Dafoes should take a different path.” Indeed, the former Dafoe family did all sorts of evil deeds and ruled the city, but so what? In the end, nothing good would await them, considering all the sins they’d committed.
Pete wouldn’t let this opportunity to change his family for the better pass him by. Eric understood the meaning behind his words and chuckled, not offering any rebuttal.
The verdict for Eric came out quickly. His deeds were unforgivable, and he was sentenced to death, unsurprisingly.
Before Eric left, he said to Pete, “I hope the Dafoes can flourish under your leadership, and I hope you won’t regret your decision today.”
Pete didn’t speak. He knew in his heart he would never regret it. Even if the future development of the Dafoes could not compare to what they’d achieved now, at least it would be honest and upright.