Chapter 3 Move Out

"Sorry, Mr. Westvale." Levi, the usually flawless assistant who always said 'yes,' was saying sorry for the first time.

"The director of Hospital A is Adrian Lewis, but the largest shareholder is actually that doctor who performed the surgery. Without her approval, Adrian's signature means nothing."

"Then make her approve it."

Under the moonlight, the man's tall figure grew even colder. Patience was never his virtue.

"Sorry, Mr. Westvale. I haven't found her yet."

One second.

Two seconds...

Levi felt the temperature drop several degrees as Evander, who was about to head inside, suddenly turned his head toward him, tugging his necktie.

"Levi, do you think the African branch is a nice place to be?"

"Boss, mercy!"

Hearing that, sweat broke out on Levi's forehead.

"I still want to follow you, Mr. Westvale. I'll find that female doctor, buy the hospital to care for the Old Madam, and make amends!"

After saying this, Levi cautiously followed behind him, sneaking glances at his expression.

"And about the Davenier family matter..."

"Good job on that."

"But Miss Esther Davenier's appearance..."

Having almost been sent to Africa but now just narrowly praised felt like a second life to Levi. He didn't dare show Evander Esther's photo. While her face, features, and skin were good, the disfigurement was undeniable. If the guy were just any ordinary rich heir, that'd be one thing. But Evander was different.

"She really does kind of not match you-she's not pretty."

Thinking back on his public declaration earlier-'My Boss has a very particular taste. He likes girls just like Miss Esther Davenier'-Levi suddenly felt a little guilty.

"Is there any woman in this world worthy of me?"

Cold, sharp, and untouchably powerful-that was Evander Westvale. A man so feared and respected, people joked he could order both the King of Hell and the God of Wealth around.

Levi immediately replied with utmost respect, "No, there isn't!"

"No? Then why waste words..."

"Sir, you're finally back!"

The nanny rushed out as soon as she heard the helicopter land, interrupting him. "The little miss has been crying the whole time. The little master tried soothing her for a long while, but she insists on having Daddy with her!"

At that, the man's icy, murderous aura vanished instantly. Before anyone could react, Evander was already rushing-half running, half walking-toward the children's room upstairs.

Levi finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He's stopped wasting time!

The little miss really is his saving angel!

But as his hand reached into his pants pocket for his phone, the photo he had accidentally received earlier flashed through his mind again-Esther's disfigured face. Should he show it to the boss? Or not?

...

At the Davenier family mansion, Chloe's welcome banquet had been abruptly cut short-thanks to Levi publicly exposing the truth and humiliating her.

When Esther headed upstairs, she was immediately stopped at the door by Maris.

"Esther," Maris said coldly, "today was your sister's recognition banquet. You shouldn't have shown up. Doing that in public-aren't you ashamed? Do you have any gratitude at all for the Davenier family raising you?"

"Mom, why waste your breath?" Chloe added tearfully. "She doesn't care. She just wants to marry into a rich family!"

Before Maris could respond, Chloe's eyes filled with tears as she stepped forward dramatically.

"I'm not even insisting on marrying into the Westvale family! But if my sister wanted to marry, couldn't she at least tell me? And to humiliate me like that in public-now people are calling me a mistress! I'm the Davenier family's real daughter! Sis, if you don't want me back, just say so. Are you trying to drive me to my death by embarrassing me like this?"

Esther: "..."

Look at that. The villain complains first-and so righteously, too. A true biological daughter.

She raised an eyebrow. "What if I am trying to drive you to death? Will you die?"

Chloe blinked. "...Of course not."

"Then what's the problem? If you're not dying, what's the point of your performance?"

"Mom, did you hear that?" Chloe pointed at Esther, sobbing. "This is the girl you raised for twenty years!"

Then she turned away dramatically. "Forget it. I'll leave. Since I'm not welcome, I might as well go. Better than being bullied to death in my own home..."

"The daughter I carried for ten months and gave birth to-who dares to let you leave!"

Maris cut in sharply before Chloe's tears even dried. Her expression was dark.

"Besides," she added coldly, "Levi said it in public-and you heard it too. The Westvale family only respects Esther because she's a Davenier. But what if she's not?"

She picked up her phone and shoved it in Esther's face, showing her a freshly posted announcement:

[Entrepreneur Alan Davenier publicly declares: social orphan Esther is no longer his daughter and all ties are severed.]

"See that?" Maris sneered. "From this moment on, you're no longer a Davenier. Whether you live or die-it's not our problem anymore."

Esther: "..."

So this is what it feels like to be kicked out.

Actually, not bad.

At least this way, she didn't have to pretend to be ungrateful. If they kicked her out, she didn't owe them anything.

For the first time in years, she felt a weight lift off her chest.

The Davenier family's collapsing business had drained her long enough. Her spoiled younger brother had left mess after mess. She'd sacrificed more than enough.

Now, she could finally let go.

She almost wanted to say "thank you" out loud-but her pride wouldn't let her.

Instead, she simply said, "Fine. Since that's the case, I'll move out tonight."

***