Chapter 234


    He was right—I was brought up with the Tanners. As a kid, I was treated like a princess by my father.


    Those memories had be so vague that I could barely remember them. Our family of three had


    once been so happy.


    “Dad, didn’t you disown me? It was even published in the papers. Everyone in Avenport knows. I’m


    only the firstborn of the Tanner family by name.” Steadily, I lifted the cup of coffee to my lips and


    sipped. The bitterness suited the atmosphere of the moment.


    “How dare you even mention that! If you had agreed to marry Mr. Lucas of the Goldstein family, our


    family would be listed among the top richest and not a third-rate little household.” At the mention of this


    incident, Nathan’s face became ck like thunder.


    “Tell me, do you and Christopher have something going on?”


    I sighed. “Prior to this, when Lyle had threatened that he would tell you about this, I had guessed that


    you would ask me, and I was right. Nevertheless, Dad, you must understand that I have no control over


    a man’s decisions. If I do, then why would Lyle divorce me?”


    “Since you are already Christopher’s mistress, what’s so hard about using your feminine wiles? Just


    take a page from Yvette’s and Crystal’s books, for goodness’ sake! They do everything better than you


    do. If you had been smart enough to marry Christopher Lane, I would have nothing toin about


    you.” Nathan shot me a hateful nce as if to say I was good for nothing.Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org.


    Hearing that had me sick to my stomach. My own father had just called me somebody’s mistress, and


    he was feeling shameful about it while, at the same time, he wanted to get some benefit from that. How


    ironic!


    “So, Dad, are you sure that there’s something between Christopher and me?” I spoke inly.


    “Don’t try to deny it. Crystal has told me everything. I’m telling you that it’s okay for you to hook up with


    Christopher, but try to keep it under wraps, or you would disgrace the Tanner family. He would never


    marry you, so you might as well get some benefit for the Tanner family while you still can. When he


    dumps youter, I can still give you a hand. Keep in mind that the Tanner family is your family,” Nathan


    said this with displeasure with a grunt.


    I must admit that Nathan was totally shameless when he talked about benefits. He did not know how


    despicable he sounded. That man could even say such things in front of me, his daughter, without


    flinching.


    Right now, he was being totally unreasonable, just like the time when he wanted me to marry Lucas.


    “Dad, you don’t need my help at all. Crystal is a famed new school artist, and long ago, she even saved


    Christopher. Let her talk to him on your behalf. Even the crumbs that fall through the hands of the Lane


    family are enough to feed the Tanner family. Besides, I’m sure Crystal is more than willing to help you.”


    “Don’t talk nonsense. Is Crystal the type who helps others for a reward? She is a public figure, so you


    must not do anything that ruins her reputation.” Nathan’s expression turned serious.


    “Is my reputation unimportant, then?” I could not help asking.


    “You have no reputation to speak of!” Nathan sneered. “If you still think of me as your father, just do as


    I say.”


    Indeed, it was true—I had no reputation. When I divorced Lyle, which, by the way, was not my fault, the


    public condemned me for my ipetence andughed at me for being an unworthy wife. They also


    made fun of me foring between Crystal and Lyle.


    I took a deep breath and sighed. “Dad, I just can’t figure out why you don’t think of me as your daughter


    but as an instrument to exploit. Did you really love me when I was a child, or was it all just my


    imagination? You treat Yvette well and love Crystal like your own daughter but refuse to show me any


    care nor concern.”


    Nathan gazed deeply into my eyes for a moment, and aplicated emotion shed across his dark


    eyes. “You’re the eldest, so you should bear the heaviest burden.”


    “Perhaps so, but I cannot help you with this. Dad, ask someone else.”


    I was the eldest, the firstborn, of the Tanner family—just howme could this excuse be!


    My phone had been vibrating just now, so I went to a street corner to check it. There were a lot of


    missed calls from Sabrina and Christopher. Suddenly I remembered that I had promised to apany


    Christopher to a friend’s gathering. I forgot it all when I was with Nathan just now.


    Oh, dear! Christopher is surely angry.


    Just then, a call came from Sabrina, and she yelled at me the moment I answered it. “Yvonne, what


    game are you ying? It’s my idol’s birthday today, and we agreed to celebrate together. How dare you


    disappear? Are you looking for trouble? Come over here at once!”