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    Geoffrey''s earlier seriousness faded away, reced by fatherly warmth. His words brought Yvonne a littlefort.Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    "Dad, I understand."


    "That''s good. I''m really happy you came to have dinner with me tonight. I''ve asked the kitchen to prepare your favorite dishes."


    He didn''t want Yvonne to discover that Sydney was there. However, Sydney was so exhausted from his torment that she wouldn''t wake up, not even if thunder struck.


    After Yvonne finished eating with him, she would leave. At that point, he would return to his room and continue sleeping with Sydney.


    "Thank you, Dad." Yvonne smiled. "Dad, no matter what happens, remember that we''re family and I''ll always be your daughter. Even though you and Mom divorced, I know there must have been no way to continue living together, which is why you made that choice. The divorce is good for both of you. As your daughter, I just want you both to be happy. If one day you meet someone who can make you happy, you must tell me. I will support you."


    Geoffrey smiled, gratified. "That''s my girl! Don''t worry. If that day everes, I''ll tell you. And no matter what, your mother will always hold an important ce in my heart. She''s a good woman."


    Though that ce had nothing to do with love.


    Geoffrey had only ever loved one woman in his life. His feelings had never changed.


    As for X, what he felt most for her was guilt. Though he was selfish, cold, and ruthless, he was still human.


    X had sacrificed so much for him, keeping many things hidden. Even after the divorce, she didn''t reveal anything.


    In his heart, he felt guilt and gratitude toward her, but guilt and gratitude alone couldn''t sustain their life together.


    What X wanted was his love, and that was something he couldn''t give her.


    Though he didn''t love X, he could still live with her. But in the end, X couldn''t take it anymore and asked for a divorce. So, he epted it.


    He couldn''t exin all this to Yvonne, as his rtionship with X wasplicated.


    Yvonne shared a meal with Geoffrey,


    and the father and daughter chatted andughed. It had been a long, long time since they had spent time like this.


    To be precise, they probably never had. Her father had always been serious and rarely involved in her life, but tonight, the father and daughter duo enjoyed themselves, talking andughing together.


    Geoffrey seemed like an ordinary father, doting on his daughter, rather than the high-and-mighty chairman. They had also drunk quite a bit. Yvonne stood up and said, "Dad, I''m going to the restroom. I''ll be back soon to continue drinking with you."


    Geoffrey waved his hand. "Go ahead."


    Yvonne stumbled out of the dining room.


    When she reached the staircase, she nced upward and, seeing no one, hurried up the stairs.


    At her father''s bedroom door, she pressed her ear against it. Then, cautiously, she gripped the doorknob and quietly opened a crack. She peeked inside.


    On the bedy a woman curled on her side, with her back to Yvonne.


    It felt like a bolt of lightning had struck Yvonne.


    The woman''s long hair draped down, and her shoulder was exposed, clearly indicating she wasn''t wearing clothes.


    ''Grandmother was right! Father does indeed have another woman. Who is she? Is she the mistress who caused the divorce?'' Yvonne thought.


    Her blood pressure spiked instantly. How could her father do something so outrageous?


    Just as Yvonne was about to rush in and see who the woman was, she suddenly thought about what she would gain by confronting them now. The deed was already done.


    If she barged in now and questioned her, it would only make her father furious and alert the woman.


    Suddenly, she heard footsteps approaching from a distance. Yvonne immediately closed the door and hurried away.