Chapter 21 Look at the Fine Daughter You Raised!
Everything was turning into a total disaster.
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The crowd surrounding them had exploded with noise. Some were yelling at Seth, calling him disgusting. Others turned their blame on Zaid, saying he failed to raise his daughter right.
But all of it mixed together into one giant mess.
Everyone was waiting to see what Zaid would do.
Will he give in and let Evelyn marry this guy? It’s not like he has another choice.
With things this public, no decent family will ever want her.
People didn’t really mind if a widow remarried. As long as no one actually said anything out loud, most would pretend not to notice. But this?
This wasn’t something that could be ignored.
Seth had shown everyone a bedsheet as solid proof.
Now it wasn’t just gossip–it was something people had seen. That kind of damage would stick forever.
Who would want a girl like that for a daughter–in–law?
Even just walking down the street, people would be whispering behind her back. Her name would always come with a side of shame.
Which was exactly what Seth wanted. He clung to the plan like his life depended on it.
Again and again, he begged. “Mr. Schmidt, I really do love Evelyn. Please, let us get married.”
Zaid answered him with a brutal kick.
Years in the military gave him speed and power. Seth flew backward like a thrown rag doll, crashing to the pavement. The bedsheet slipped from his hands, landing in the middle of the road.
The red stain on it stood out like blood under the sun.
There was no hiding it now.
Zaid had always cared about keeping up appearances. Being humiliated like this in front of the whole neighborhood pushed him over the edge.
But one hit wasn’t enough. He marched over, grabbed Seth by the collar, and raised his fist.to punch him again.
Yvonne panicked and darted over to block him.
If Zaid really let that punch fly, Seth might pass out–or worse, end up mute from the blow.
That would ruin everything. The scene they’d worked so hard to stir up would be over before it did any damage.
Yvonne didn’t want that to happen.
She flung herself between them, crying, “Hubby, what’s the point in hitting him now? We should focus on finding Evelyn first! Let’s hear her side of it!”
As if there’s anything left to say.
The “truth” is already splattered across the sidewalk for all to see. There’s no way that girl can talk her way out of this.
Zaid tried to shove Yvonne out of the way, but right then, someone in the crowd shouted, “Look! Evelyn’s back!”
Just great.
Chapter 21 Look at the Fine Daughter You Raised!
Zaid’s head spun so fast he almost collapsed. There’s absolutely no saving the situation now
Evelyn stepped out from the sea of people, her eyes glossy with tears.
She looked fragile and broken, as if she had nowhere left to go.
She stopped a good distance from Zaid, too scared to come any closer. Her voice came out shaky and soft. “Dad.”
I don’t have a daughter like you!”
Zaid’s roar cut through the noise like thunder.
But even with all his anger, he didn’t want to keep airing the family’s shame in front of everyone.
So he stormed forward, grabbed Evelyn by the arm, and dragged her toward the house.
If I’m going to punish her. I’ll do it somewhere private–no audience allowed
Evelyn’s face drained of color. Panic surged as she struggled fiercely against his grip.
She kept crying and apologizing over and over, blaming herself. Im sorry. It’s all my fault I was wrong-
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Gasps rippled through the crowd, who just moments before had been entertained by the drama. Now, they were silent again.
“Wait so this is all real?”–
“Isn’t it obvious? He even brought that bedsheet”
Sigh I told you all to stop gossiping. They were just two kids in love. What s the big deal? It’s the guy who’s gross–trying to force her into marriage with this stunt.”
To everyone watching, the one who cried looked like the victim
At first, the crowd enjoyed the show But now? Sympathy was shifting toward Evelyn
Under their eyes, her struggle grew desperate
She clearly didn’t want to go back inside
And Seth‘ He wasn’t about to let her.
If Evelyn went back now, the whole act would collapse.
There’d be no witnesses–no pressure on Zaid to give up his daughter.
So Seth grabbed her other arm, holding tight
His voice rose with fake sincerity. “Evelyn, don’t worry. No matter what, I’ll marry you.”
But in the next second. Evelyn snapped at him.
Her face twisted with disgust and anger. She hissed, “How dare you say that? After what you did, you think you deserve to marry me?”
What is she talking about? That’s exactly why I deserve to marry her!
If I hadn’t slept with her, how else could I have gotten the evidence to trap her?
Still, Seth didn’t nouce her anger.
He babbled on clueless. “I know I was wrong, but I only did it because I love you so much. Then you suddenly left with that Philip guy. I was scared of losing you. That’s why I But don’t worry. After we’re married. I’ll treat you right.*
Io anyone who didn’t know the truth, his words sounded almost reasonable.
He made a seem like he d done something desperate just to get Evelyn back from another man
Chatter 21 Look at the Fine Daughter You Raised!
And as a literature major, he spun his story well.
Evelyn let out a cold laugh before slapping him hard.
Seth. Zaid, and Yvonne froze. Even the crowd, who had been whispering and pointing, fell totally silent.
She’d been crying a minute ago, but now she was fierce.
No one could keep up with the change.
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Evelyn turned to Zaid. “Dad,” she said clearly. I’m sorry I failed to protect Alice last night. That’s my only regret. But the girl
in that room wasn’t me.”
That’s impossible! It was you!” Seth shot back, pointing at the bedsheet again. “I have proof?”
Then Seth’s eyes caught something. A camera. Peeking out from Evelyn’s purse.
In a flash, he lunged forward and grabbed it.
He flipped through the photos and held the screen up to the crowd. “If you won’t acknowledge the bedsheet. acknowledge this!” he shouted. You’re in these pictures, right?”
The crowd leaned in, stretching and pushing to see. Though blurry, the photos clearly showed what happened.
Gasps echoed again.
But this time, their looks turned sharp. They no longer felt sorry for Seth–only doubt.
Seth didn’t care. As long as he could force Evelyn to marry him, nothing else mattered.
Yvonne jumped in, acting shocked. She lunged to grab the camera. “How could you take pictures like this?!” she cried, panic dripping from her voice. “Delete them now! Hubby–how do you delete these
She shoved the camera into Zaid’s hands. The fact was, she wanted him to face the evidence himself.
She wanted to pin Evelyn down with no escape and be the one delivering the final blow.
Zaid’s face darkened fast. He glanced at the screen before shoving the camera back at Yvonne. His voice thundered. “Look at the fine daughter you raised!”
It’s time for her to take some blame as the stepmom!
Yvonne lowered her head, quietly apologizing.
But then, something in the photos caught her eye. Her eyes were glued to the screen, and for a moment, she forgot how to
breathe
