?Chapter 277:


    I sneered at him and asked, “Aren’t you aware of the reasons why Frank and the others got beaten?”


    As expected, my father quickly averted his gaze, avoiding eye contact momentarily, but then he retorted with unwavering confidence, “Regardless, you had no right to provoke the prince into beating them. You’re cruel. How did I ever end up with a daughter like you?”


    I couldn’t help but find him absurdly amusing. Jessica was the one who stole my mate and plotted to kill me by sending me to the pce, yet here was my father, using me of being cruel.


    With a derisiveugh, I replied coolly, “I certainly don’t consider you my father anymore. We severed those ties long ago. Now that you’ve delivered your rant, perhaps you should leave.”


    “Leave? You should be apologizing to Frank and the others immediately. Also, you’ve earned a fortune from passing the assessment, which is enough to make amends for your mistakes.”


    My mistakes? His words sounded so ludicrous that I almostughed out loud. I couldn’t fathom what wrongs I was being med for.


    My father’s absurdity was so much that Alice had to step in to defend me.


    “How shameless you are, you old thing! Did you ever consider Makenna’s well-being when you sent her to the pce? Now you show up demanding money as if nothing happened. How do you even live with yourself?”


    My father’s face turned red, but he asserted firmly, “Who are you to speak? I’m disciplining my daughter. You are merely an outsider. Do not interfere!”


    As they bickered back and forth, I massaged my temples, feeling a weariness seep in. Something about the situation didn’t sit right with me.


    My father was far from being a noble official. How on earth did he gain entry to the pce?


    With a furrowed brow, I questioned, “How did you manage to get inside? The guards would have stopped you.”


    He tilted his chin up with pride and replied, “Fortune smiled upon me. A kind-hearted woman named Molly helped me in. She’s gentle, good-natured, and well-educated—a truly exemry youngdy…”


    He continued to sing praises of Molly’s kindness, contrasting them with my supposed viciousness. It was as if he wished she were his daughter instead. Unable to tolerate it any longer, I mustered all my strength and shoved him out the door.


    “What right do you have to lecture me? You’ve never earned the title of my father!”


    My outburst seemed to startle him. He was visibly shaken and stuttered as he tried to defend his position, “I raised you. How can you say I didn’t earn the title?”


    “Raised me?” I scoffed. Was providing just food enough to im fatherhood?


    I pressed him further, “Did you ever offer me a moment of warmth since I was a child? Did you ever truly act like a father should? You neglected me, and you even sent me to the pce, fully aware of the dangers. Sometimes I question whether I’m even your biological daughter.” How could any father willingly put his daughter in such dangers?


    I had once wondered if it was my fault. I questioned if myck of obedience made me unlovable. So I strived to be perfect, to fit their expectations, but it was futile.


    They still favored Jessica and sent me to face death in the pce.


    The deeper I thought about those painful memories, the more my disdain grew. I couldn’t bear to acknowledge a father so devoid ofpassion and empathy.


    However, for a fleeting second, I saw what looked like a glimmer of unease sh across my father’s eyes after hearing my words.


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