Chapter 729: Save My Father
Hayley’s POV:
We arrived home just in time for dinner. The whole family was gathered around the table, but with Virginia and Peter absent—and Claudio went missing—the mood was a bit subdued.
Only Steven seemed to be enjoying himself, eating with obvious relish.
I’d known him for years and understood why. Though he was the son of an Alpha, his long-standing feud with his father meant he’d spent much of his childhood as a rogue, never knowing where his next meal might come from. That was probably why he cherished the warmth of a family meal so much.
“Mr. Lowe, you’re a financial tycoon with billions at your fingertips. At least try to eat with a little more decorum,” Stewart remarked wearily from beside me.
Steven paused, a sheepish grin crossing his face. “Heh… I’ll try, I promise!”
“Mr. Lowe, don’t listen to him! Eat however you like, as much as you want. Come by more often!” Henry, who had heard the legendary stories of Steven’s triumph with me as “X” in the capital markets, clearly admired him.
I was watching their banter with interest when a sudden clatter echoed from the front gate.
We all turned to look. Under the dim porch light, a thin figure was dragging a bag behind her, struggling to make her way into the yard.
As she drew closer, her face came into view.
“Isn’t that the Jaggeds’ daughter?” Steven frowned. “It wasn’t enough to try her luck on the street—now she’s followed us home? Looks like I wasn’t thorough enough with the Jaggeds.”
He set down his utensils and was the first to go outside.
As he walked, he called out sternly, “You have some nerve, sneaking onto someone else’s property. Take your things and get lost, or I swear, I’ll show you what real despair feels like.”
Vivian glared at him, her eyes full of resentment. “Fine, do your worst. I’ve got nothing left to lose—I’m not afraid of anything anymore!”
I couldn’t help but sigh with a wry smile. People with nothing left are always the hardest to deal with—they have nothing to lose, and so nothing to fear.
But Steven was no ordinary man. He’d once been a penniless rogue himself, clawing his way up to become someone both respected and feared. He’d seen every kind of person and used every kind of tactic.
Vivian’s outburst only made him radiate that unmistakable aura of a high-ranking werewolf. His eyes flashed dangerously, wolf-like and cold, his voice dropping to a menacing growl. “So, you’re not even afraid of death?”
I saw Vivian’s face twitch, fear flickering across her features.
But she still forced herself to retort. “You want to kill me? Go ahead—just get in line!”
With that, she brushed past Steven, took a few more steps into the yard, and called out to me in a loud voice. “Hayley, I know I can’t fool you. Yes, I approached you for a reason, but it wasn’t about Benjamin—it was for my father.
“Ever since he was stripped of his Alpha title, he’s been in a coma.
“I know you have a way to heal him. I’ll do anything if you’ll help. Even if you refuse, I’ll stay here and work as house staff for the Carsons until the day I move you enough to save my father!”
I took a sip of red wine, amused, as if I’d just heard a joke. “So if I don’t agree to treat your father, you’re just going to camp out here?”
“That’s right,” Vivian replied, her tone unwavering. “My father loved me all my life—I can’t abandon him now. Hayley, I’m begging you. I’ll even get on my knees if that’s what it takes.”
Almost before she finished speaking, Vivian dropped to her knees with a thud. “I’ll kneel as long as it takes, if that’s what you want. If it’ll calm your anger, I’ll do anything!”
I narrowed my eyes, unmoved by this attempt at emotional blackmail.
Still, since she was someone Benjamin knew, I glanced over at him to see how he would react.