Daisy halted mid-step, turning to face Carissa, who slumped on the bed, lost in thought.
"If my family sees David, it's going to be chaos. My father will be furious because I kept David's identity as my boss a secret, and Duncan will explode because of his lingering dislike for David," Carissa explained, her voice tense with worry.
"Just relax. I'll go see what's going on out there," Daisy reassured her, walking up to Carissa and giving her shoulder a comforting pat before leaving the room.
As the door closed behind Daisy, Carissa let out a heavy sigh and rose from the bed, her mind swirling with anxiety. Unable to bear the silence any longer, she began pacing back and forth in the room.
Minutes passed, and the silence outside only intensified Carissa's unease. Unable to resist any longer, she approached the door, her heart pounding in her chest. Before she could open it, however, the door swung open, revealing her family, their expressions grim. Daisy followed closely behind them, her face solemn.
With a deep breath, Carissa decided it was time to come clean. "Actually, I was planning to tell you guys soon, but…"
"It was George!" Daisy interjected, stepping forward. She locked eyes with Carissa, silently communicating her message.
It wasn't Mr. CEO, phew. Great.
Carissa breathed a sigh of relief as she realized it was George, not David, who had paid them a visit.
"Oh, George. My boss," she exclaimed, mustering a forced chuckle, hoping to conceal the tension in her voice.
"He returned your jacket," her mother announced, holding up a bag.
Carissa's heart skipped a beat as she scrambled for an explanation. "I must have forgotten it at my office last night while I was leaving in a hurry," she lied, hoping her mother wouldn't detect the falsehood.
"It was dry-cleaned," her mother added, handing her the freshly cleaned jacket.
Duncan interjected, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. "Maybe you left the jacket at his house after spending a good time," he suggested, a smirk playing on his lips.
Carissa's eyes narrowed in disbelief. "Are you insinuating that…?" she began, her voice trailing off as Duncan chuckled.
"Come on, Carissa. It's not bad if you're having an affair with your boss," Duncan teased, earning a glare from Carissa.
"Duncan!" she scolded, shooting him a reproachful look before turning her attention to her daughter. "Angelina is here."
"Alright. Um, sweetheart, please excuse us for a moment," Duncan said to Angelina, motioning for her to leave the room.
"I'll go play with Daniel in the living room," Angelina replied excitedly, bouncing out of the room.
Duncan's words hung heavy in the air, casting a shadow over the room. Carissa's jaw clenched as she braced herself for the onslaught of his demands.
"It's okay if you're having a secret affair with your boss as long as he's wealthy. He can help us. Maybe you can ask him to give me a loan," Duncan suggested, his voice laced with desperation.
Carissa scoffed at his audacity. "What about the loans I've been giving you…?"
"They're not enough! They never were. Maybe you could give me a bigger loan," Duncan insisted, his tone growing more fervent.
Carissa's patience wore thin. "Really?"
"Yes. We need to reclaim our former prosperity. We've been languishing in poverty for the last six years," Duncan lamented. "I want to live a lavish lifestyle again, drive a Ferrari, and ensure my son's happiness, just like you want for Angelina."
He took a step closer. "You're in a good position now. If you can just manipulate your rich boss and please him sexually."
Carissa recoiled at the suggestion of using her position for personal gain. "Stop it!" she barked, her disgust evident. "You're gross."
"I'm just speaking the truth," Duncan retorted, undeterred.
"Stop speaking nonsense," their father interjected sternly.
"Please, Duncan, this isn't the time," Joyce, their mother, pleaded, her voice tinged with concern.
"Come on, Mother, I'm saying something good. Why are you guys against this like you don't want a good life again? Stop being fucking pretenders. You too, Carissa!"
Carissa glared at him, irritated. She shut her eyes, trying not to explode. "Duncan…?"
But Duncan persisted, his desperation driving him. "Listen. You need to put your shitty pride aside and do what's necessary for our family's future!"
Carissa's eyes blazed with anger. "Get out!" she commanded, pointing angrily towards the door.
"Fine!" Seething with frustration, Duncan stormed out, slamming the door behind him and leaving a stunned silence in his wake.
Sophie offered a sympathetic glance to Carissa, her expression apologetic. "Um, excuse me, everyone," she murmured before hurrying after Duncan, leaving Carissa seething with indignation.