Once my father had dispatched Emma, his first action upon returning was to publicly apologize to our entire family in front of the assembled guests.
He portrayed himself as deeply regretful and innocent, expressing that he, too, had been deceived by Emma's true nature.
He lamented that despite his kindness towards her, his feelings had been severely wounded.
Yet, my mother was quick to correct him, stating, "Lily suffered the greatest harm. She was nearly wrongly accused by Emma."
My father hastily agreed, nodding fervently, "Yes, yes, Lily was most injured. It was my fault. Will you forgive me, Lily? I promise, I won't soften my heart and adopt any other children again. You are my one and only daughter."
I felt nauseous but swallowed it down. My mother then spoke, "Since harm has been done, mere apologies lack sincerity. You should offer a tangible form of compensation."
"What would you like, Lily? Name it, and I'll fulfill it," my father said earnestly.
"Anything?" I asked innocently.
"Of course, when have I ever gone back on my word?" he promised, assuming he could appease me with a small token as he had done before.
"I want your shares in Harper Corporation," I demanded bluntly.
His expression visibly shifted, and after a prolonged pause, he stammered, "You're only fourteen, shares aren't practical for you..."
"But you were willing to give them to Emma. Does that mean I am less important to you than Emma?" I asked, pretending to be hurt, adding casually, "Or is Emma your biological daughter?"
This suggestion startled him. "Impossible! Don't talk nonsense, you're my only daughter."
"Then why were you willing to give shares to Emma but not me?" I pressed.
"My shares are to assist your mother at the company..." he began.
"No need," my mother interrupted, "Ethan has already agreed to return to work at the company."
"Ethan isn't..." my father disbelieved, convinced Ethan would remain despondent.
"I am the eldest son. It's my responsibility to uphold the family," Ethan stated firmly.
My father gritted his teeth, unwilling but unable to refute.
"Can I have the shares now, Dad? You said you'd agree to anything," I gazed at him imploringly, under the watchful eyes of the guests.
If he refuses, he won't be able to save face either. Cornered, he gritted his teeth harder. He dared not openly confront us. He believed maintaining appearances gave him a chance to turn the tide, while burning bridges left him with only his twenty percent share. After years of meticulous planning, how could he surrender?
He acquiesced, "Fine."
My father reluctantly parted with his shares. I gleefully inquired, "You'll give me all your shares?"
"Ten percent is enough, just like what I asked Ethan to give Emma," he negotiated.
"Aren't I supposed to be more important than Emma in your eyes?" I feigned hurt.
He remained silent, his unwillingness evident.
My mother was blunt, "When you took my shares, you swore you don't want it and they'd be for our children eventually. This was rightfully her to begin with. Now, returning them to Lily sooner to mend her heart, you're reluctant?"
My father was trapped by my mother's logic, with so many relatives and friends as witnesses. His reputation as a good man hung in the balance of his next decision.
