Chapter 176
Chapter 176
Daisy flinched, staring down at her hands.
“What hair sample?” Sara asked, confused. “What are you talking
about p>
I exchanged glances with Finley before explaining.
“When we suspected Audrey might be our sister, Clara obtained a
strand of her hair for DNA testing. Daisy found it and replaced it with
her own, trying to sabotage the test p>
Sara gasped, looking at Daisy with disbelief. “Is this true p>
Daisy nodded almost imperceptibly, tears welling in her eyes.
“I was scared,” Daisy said, her voice breaking as she turned to Sara
with a trembling lower lip.
“I thought if she came back, everyone would forget about me. That I
wouldn’t matter anymore p>
She reached for Sara’s hand, squeezing it. “I made a mistake. I know I did. I was just so afraid of losing my family p>
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Chapter 176
The tears spilled down her cheeks now, and Sara’s expression
immediately softened.
She wrapped an arm around Daisy’s shoulders, pulling her close.
“She’s still just a girl,” Sara said, looking up at me with pleading eyes.
“We all make mistakes p>
U
“Sending her to Europe is excessive punishment p>
“This isn’t about punishment,” Finley interjected. “It’s about
consequences and growth p>
Dad, who had been silent until now, stood up.
“Ethan, Daisy has acknowledged her error. Perhaps we can find
another way forward that doesn’t involve sending her away p>
I looked at Daisy, her tear–streaked face lifted toward me in silent
pleading.
Then at Finley, whose expression made it clear he thought I was
being too soft.
“You need to understand there are consequences for your actions,
Daisy,” I said, crossing my arms.
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“Even if I’m not sending you to Europe, you’re not getting off that
easily p>
Daisy straightened up, wiping her tears quickly.
“Anything. I’ll do anything p>
“First, you’re going to write a formal letter of apology, promising
you’ll never attempt to sabotage or harm Audrey in any way,” I said
firmly.
“And your allowance will be reduced by half for the next six months. ”
“That’s fair,” Daisy nodded eagerly, relief washing over her face.
“I’ll write the letter tonight. And I don’t care about the money, really.
Just… thank you for not sending me away p>
“ One chance,” I warned. ”
Daisy nodded quickly. “Yes. I promise. Thank you, Ethan p>
Sara squeezed Daisy’s hand, relief evident on her face.
Later that evening, I retreated to my bedroom, closing the door
behind me with a quiet click.
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Chapter 176
The muffled sounds of my family’s conversations still filtered through
-they wouldn’t be leaving anytime soon.
Not now that they knew about Audrey.
I sank onto the edge of my bed, massaging my temples where a
headache was beginning to form.
With my parents here in New York, the pressure to arrange a meeting
with Audrey would only intensify.
I pulled out my phone, scrolling to Audrey’s contact.
My thumb hovered over her name for several seconds before I scrolled
past it.
No, calling her directly felt too intrusive. Too presumptuous.
Instead, I tapped on Caspar Thornton’s number.
If anyone could gauge her readiness for such a meeting, it would be
him.
After three rings, his cool, measured voice answered.
“Cole p>
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I took a deep breath. “Thornton, I need to ask a favor p>
A brief silence stretched between us before he replied, “Get to the point p>
I paced across my bedroom, choosing my words carefully.
“My parents flew in from Chicago today. They know about Audrey p>
I paused. “They’re eager to meet her, naturally. Could you… would you
mind asking if she’d be willing to see them? ”
“I see.” His voice remained neutral, but I could sense the underlying
caution.
“I’ll pass along your request to Audrey, but that’s all I’ll do. I won’t
pressure her either way p>
“I wouldn’t expect you to,” I replied quickly.
“This has to be entirely her decision p>
“Understood,” Caspar said.
“Thank you, Thornton,” I said. “I appreciate it p>
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Accidentally Crossing the Tycoon
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