Verna felt a pang of guilt.


    Gand continued to y the emotional card. "If you don''t let me out, I''ll spill


    about when you wet the bed at 12. And when you were 13, you wrote a farewell


    letter during your first period. I still remember every word. I..."


    "Stop." Verna''s face darkened. "Be a gentleman, okay? If you dare say these


    things, you''re dead."


    "Verna, please, I really need to get out. I''m not Fermin. I want to live for myself.


    Debra and the others treat me like a friend. I can''t just hide here knowing they''re


    in danger. You understand me and will agree, right?"


    "I..." Verna hesitated.


    Just then, Bert stepped out of the room. Seeing his stern face, Gand tensed up.


    "I was bored in my room. Just chatting with Verna."


    "You think I don''t know what you''re nning? You want to go out? Not a chance."


    Before Gand could argue, he added, "But I do have a task for you."


    Gand scoffed, "You won''t let me out, and now you want me to work for you?


    Dream on."


    Bert''s face darkened. "Fine! We''ll ignore the situation in Seamar City now.


    Anyway, with Andrew there, nothing serious will happen."


    He started to head back to his room. Gand quickly grabbed him.


    "Dad, wait. What task?"


    "I want you to go to Seamar City as


    Fermin, strengthen our ties with the


    Potter family, and form a long-term


    strategic partnership with Debra.


    What do you say now?"


    Gand quickly nodded. "I''m in."


    "Are you sure?"


    "Absolutely. You''re the best dad in the world."


    He hugged Bert and rushed back to


    grab his already-packed luggage.


    Bert was surprised by his eagerness.


    "Dad, I love you. I''ll see you around."


    Gand said, dragging his suitcase


    downstairs.


    Liza slipped out of her room and hugged Bert. "Dad, I love you too."


    She rushed to grab her luggage and follow Gand.


    "Stop!" Bert called out to her.