The Day I Kissed An Older Man

Sherman maintained a straight face and remarks. Instead, he remarked, "They say you're a most impartial and selfless man, and I'm surprised to see that it seems to hold true. You treat your daughters very equally regardless of whether you have blood ties to them."

Karen's expression soured as she seemed to pick up some sort of insinuation from Sherman. She had just known about Sherman's position as the president of the Parr Group, as well as rumors about his exceptional accomplishments despite his young age. She found it surprising that he would be so blunt.

Vince sensed that there was something more to what Sherman said. He glanced curiously at Rita, then returned his attention to Sherman. They should be strangers, yet Sherman seemed to be siding with Rita.

Rita, too, glanced at him before lowering her gaze. She had a confused expression and wondered what Sherman's intent was. 'Is he trying to apologize for taking my seat earlier?' she thought to herself. However, the thought of her family affairs being aired in public seemed to trouble her more than Sherman's apparent concern toward her.

"I'll be leaving if there's nothing else, then,' said Rita tersely.

Sherman found her remark a little amusing. Despite enduring such injustice, she straightened her posture and acted as though nothing happened. He wanted to know what she felt deep down when her father treated her as less important than someone else's daughter.

Vince immediately scolded her when he heard that. "That is very rude of you. You can't leave before our guest takes his leave. Our family is the host. I've warned you earlier to behave because tonight's occasion is an important one.

"I'm sorry, Mister Sherman. I've been too lenient on her, so she's grown more excessive in her behavior. Let's leave all that aside for now. The banquet is about to start, so it's about time we head downstairs.'

Vince's scolding had gone overboard. Even if he did not truly care for his biological daughter, the least he could do was refrain from embarrassing her publicly in front of an outsider like Sherman.

Rita's stiff posture drew some empathy from Sherman. She looked incredibly fragile to him, almost as if she could break at the slightest touch. He answered with a frown, "Let's go."

He decided right then and there that there was no need to linger too long there. A banquet with such an uneasy atmosphere was not worth the time or the effort. Furthermore, there was also a need to reassess the potential cooperation with the Russells.

Vince had no idea that he had offended Sherman. He felt rather pleased with himself that Sherman had attended the banquet, as Sherman was considered the most esteemed figure in their social circle. Not everyone had the privilege of hosting him.

As they reached the staircase's comer, Vince tugged Rita aside. "Stay by my side. I'll introduce you to some guests later on. You've already upset me once today, and I hope you won't do it again."

Rita frowned in silence. She did not think that she did anything wrong. Karen and Sadie were simply manipulators of the highest order who were quick to play the victim at the first sign of Vince's presence. It was absurd.

She was confident they would slip up eventually, and there was ample evidence from the surveillance footage should Vince want to know the truth. It all depended on whether he truly cared to get to the bottom of it.Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

"Listen to me and stop being so stubbom, okay? Everyone is already getting into relationships at your age, and you're the only one who is toiling hard at a job. You don't truly believe that I don't care for you, right?"