My wife is right. She's changed. She's plotting something. Frank thought and believed.
So she's put her guard up against me.
He turned sullen. If so, then I have to get rid of her soon.
However, tens of billions can not be obtained until she gets 20 years old.
Nathalia could feel the sudden arrival of hostility and shiver. There is nothing he would not do, even to me, his own daughter, to get what he wants. Nathalia was convinced.
It was true. That was the real Frank Carter. Having no money, power, nor the network of people, Nathalia was not his rival at all.
Before her chance of revenge came to her, she could do nothing but agree to whatever he demanded.
Quickly, she put on a sweet smile, and in a sweet tone, she replied, "You are my dad. There's no need to borrow at all. As long as you need it, I'm happy to give it all to you and be able to help."
It's only temporary. Whatever is mine will return to me. I've promised myself. None of you can steal anything from me. Nathalia thought to herself, calmly.
Frank watched Nathalia. All he could see was an innocent, loving face. She seems to trust me and still admires me as her father.
"You are true, my good girl." He said as he gave Nathalia a hug. "I'm really pleased and feel more relieved now with your help."
However, he still had his doubts about Nathalia. "By the way, who do you think took the video? And who posted it?"
He had someone check, but all they could find out was that it was posted through an IP address in an internet café hundred miles away from town.
He found it threatening to know a video clip like that could just pop up totally unexpectedly. Only someone in the house could have access to take the video. Who could have done it without being noticed at all? He had been wondering.
Anne Carter had interrogated every single servant and housemaid in the house but gained nothing satisfactory.
Could it be Nathalia? But how could she have expected it to happen? And it's unlikely that she's put a camera on herself. Also, Zack beat the shit out of her. If she had hidden a camera, it would probably have fallen out. And Anne saw the maid change her clothes afterward.
What's more, she wasn't at Anne's birthday party, so how could she have taken a video of that part?
Frank kept thinking and trying to figure it out. He grew irritated as he pondered. He felt like there was a hand waiting in the dark to grab him by his throat and strangle him.
Nathalia looked surprised and confused, "I don't know, dad. Have you not found out who did it yet? I would love to know who it was. I mean, how could anyone so annoying and dare to interfere with our privacy." She finished with a raised voice of anger.
Again, Frank watched and listened, trying to detect a hint of deception, yet, again, failed.
"Well, I pretty much know who it is. She has certainly made the biggest mistake in her life. I will make sure she gets the worst punishment ever."
Nathalia smiled triumphantly, "I totally agree with you, dad. Whoever she is, she will be punished."
The scheme worked out perfectly. No trace was left. You wanted to test me. Not a chance.
Frank frowned slightly, thinking I don't see anything suspicious at all. Is she actually innocent? Probably.
He then remembered something and continued, "It looks like you have pretty much fully recovered. I'm going to hold a press conference in a few days, and I would like you and your brother to be present."
Nathalia simply answered, "Sure, dad. I will be there."
That's very cooperative. She's still just an 18-year-old girl. It's very unlikely that she could have plotted the whole thing. Frank felt a bit relieved.
However, his wife's words and warnings still echoed in his head, thus, watchful and alert, he remained.
Nathalia retained her cheerful and supportive look while Frank watched her.
He gave her another cuddle and said a few words of comfort, then left.
As soon as he left, Nathalia dashed into the bathroom and closed the door behind her. The cheerfulness had left her face. She held her fists tight as if she could fight back the tears rushing into her eyes. The mirror reflected the scars on her face, her arms, and even those that were hidden behind her clothes.
Her heart ached, tears rolling down her face. Breathe, breathe. She tried to remind herself and to get back in control.
She knew what her father was like, but to actually face it was hard for her. She was still a young girl who needed love, who had feelings. Pain. Loneliness. Abandonment. Anger.
She cried till there was no more tears. Looking at her defeated self in the mirror, she sneered and said to herself, "There's nothing to cry for anymore. There's only one way to go, the way to revenge. Whatever it takes, I will carry on. I don't want to die. I want to live. Live freely. Defeat them, take everything away from them, make them regret!"
Frank came back not long after and brought a lawyer. Nathalia was asked to sign the agreement for transferring the shares. Now Frank had 45% of the shares, and he'd secured his position in the company.
He said to Nathalia that he was only borrowing the shares, but everyone knew that once she signed her name, the shares belonged to him, and there was no returning.
A few days later, Nathalia got up early in the morning, put on a little bit of make-up to cover up the marks on her face. But it didn't really help. A few bruises were still rather noticeable. She picked a white summery dress. It gave her a fragile and delicate look.
There was another knock at the door. The housemaid had been asked to hurry her up. She let them wait for a good while, then slowly walked downstairs. Ann Carter protested as soon as she saw Nathalia, "Why don't you change your dress? Choose a brighter color. You look better in brighter colors. And put more make-up on..."
What is she trying to do? Was she dressed like that, looking fragile and weak? We are holding the conference to show people the video was not true, not to prove to them the opposite. She must be doing it on purpose! If anything bad happens to my son, you are dead!
Anne grew impatient and irritated.
Tears filled Nathalia's eyes as she replied meekly, "Dr. Martin said I shouldn't wear make-up before the cuts heal properly, or they will scar badly. But I thought if I don't use any make-up, then it's too noticeable, so I put a bit on and covered most of the cuts."
What she said was understanding. Frank was convinced and left her to be, but Anne was not. "Just put more make-up on and cover all the bruises." She demanded.