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If someone had asked him a few days ago how he would feel if his missing daughter showed up in front of him, Gildroy would definitely have told them he would be over the moon with happiness.
Even if he felt nothing for the weak and useless girl born out of that loveless marriage, there was no denying that he felt good every time people talked about it.
After all, even if most didn’t dare to criticize his ex-wife directly, their words and actions would inevitably still show how they looked down on her incompetence while showing sympathy for his so-called loss.
Of course, even if she really did show up, Noelle’s father had never imagined he would be particularly upset.
How could he feel so strongly about someone he never really cared about? At most, he would arrange a few things for her to look like a good father would… as long as his wife was okay with it.
If she wasn’t… well, he could only put this so-called daughter of his aside. His own family’s happiness came first, after all.
Obviously, over the past few years of living with an actual loving and caring wife, Noelle’s father had realized that the greatest happiness in life wasn’t power or money, but the blissful days he spent together with the love of his life and their child.
He’d never realized what he was missing out on until his sweet angel came into his life. Even if he lost some of his power and prestige in return, Gildroy could confidently say that he was content with the results.
When his so-called daughter really showed up, however, the man realized just how wrong he had been.
Truly, a venomous snake couldn’t give birth to a swan. The thing born from that whore’s womb was really even more disgusting that its mother!
Not only did she dare to speak badly of his beloved wife, but she even made up lies to slander her like that!
“How dare that bitch—!”
Just thinking about the fact even the legitimacy of his own son had been brought into question made him feel like strangling that little serpent to death.
But he knew that he couldn’t be impulsive.
Even if he used to be one of the strongest fighters in the clan, it had been too long since he was really active. And the elders supporting that girl couldn’t be underestimated.
The Nightingale clan respected strength above all, and if he really lost after going in for a fight… not only would he lose his face, but even his wife’s honor and dignity would be lost!
“No no no, I can’t let this slide! B-But… what can I do?” He paced around furiously in his home.
Watching his father curse under his breath like that, his worried son couldn’t help but step forward. “D-Dad, i-is there something I can do to help?”
Naturally, his son had no idea what was going on right now, but that only made Gildroy more furious. ‘If I don’t do anything now, it won’t be long before those two bitches start spreading all kinds of rumors in the clan. How heartbroken will the two of them be at that time?!’
Fortunately, his wife returned from… wherever it was she usually went to gossip and pass her time with other women. Gildroy couldn’t be bothered to care about such things at this moment.
“Drake, dear, you go play with your friends outside. Your mother and I have… something private to discuss.”
Most of the boy’s worries had already faded away when he saw his mother come back looking so happy, and when he saw her blush after his father’s words, Drake hurriedly ran away in disgust.
How could they mention such things in front of him with the sun still high in the sky? His parents were really too shameless for their age!
Of course, he would rather go take a few more punches to his face from those muscled buffoons who could barely put two sentences together than hear the moans and groans of his parents.𝒩𝑜𝗏𝐥xt.𝗰𝓞𝕞
The first few times were traumatizing enough.
Dolores cleared her throat shyly under her husband’s ‘heated’ gaze after her son left. “W-What made you so… excited today, dear?”
Naturally, although she pretended to be innocent and oblivious, Dolores was a clever and intelligent woman who never put down her guard.
She’d known from the moment her husband and that woman had been asked to stay back that something big must be about to happen, and even if she was slightly alarmed at first, Dolores soon realized it could only be a good thing.
Their Nightingale clan was currently going through tough times, and their clan leader had already made it clear that he wasn’t fit for the job through his actions.
To get through this crisis, their clan not only needed to take out all their hidden trump cards, but also a strong and competent leader!
And on such short notice, who else could they turn to but her husband, who had already proven his mettle through the test of time?
Thinking like that, it was only natural for the elders to ask her husband to stay back so they could ‘convince’ him to take up that position again. Maybe they would even apologize for not realizing his true value sooner.
As for why that woman was asked to stay back as well, Dolores naturally figured it out as well.
It was because of her that her husband’s branch lost its status, and he also lost his position. Now that the elders desperately needed his help, how could they not even make her apologize to show their sincerity?
Perhaps she would even be punished!
Of course, since she could figure this all out, so could many others. And while the elders had their private discussion with her husband, Dolores had already been bombarded with congratulations and flattery from all the ladies in her clique.
Just thinking about it all put her in a good mood, and even if her husband hadn’t taken the initiative to ‘call’ her, Dolores planned to reward him well.
It was good way to both celebrate the good news, and also to reinforce her status in his heart.
After all, now that he was once again about to rise up, it would definitely be much harder to ‘defend’ her position than it was when her husband was still down on his luck.
Dolores would never allow herself to make the same mistake as that idiot Narcissa. She couldn’t afford it.
Unfortunately, her coquettish attitude seemed to have had no effect on her husband at all, and even seemed to have annoyed him a little, which immediately chilled her heart.
Looking at his wife’s shocked face, Gildroy sighed. “Sorry, I… I’m in a bad mood right now. Can you rub my head for me?”
There was no way he could tell her the truth after seeing her so happy. Maybe it was best for him to figure out a solution while making sure she never found out about those disgusting things, after all.
As usual, his ‘sweet’ wife agreed to his request with a smile, and Gildroy closed his eyes peacefully while contemplating what to do next, never realizing how hideously the woman’s face had twisted for a split second before she regained control of her expressions.
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