Mysterious Mr.Richard

"That's all your order." In a restaurant near Sapphire Elementary School, a waiter served some dishes to a table in a corner.

"Thanks."

Pearl pushed a bowl of soup to the other end of the table and said, "Dad, have some soup."

Anthony's gaze focused on the children's play area. Bonny was very active. After sitting at the table for a while, she got bored and went to play. So Brandon went with her too. Now, the twins were occupying the slide.

"Dad?" Pearl called Anthony again in hesitate. Then Anthony came back to his senses and withdraw his gaze.

"The food is ready. You should ask the kids to come and eat." Anthony replied.

"It's okay. Bonny probably won't come even if we ask her to. She'll come back when she had enough fun."

"Eat when it's time to eat, and form good habits when they're young." Anthony was solemn as he told Pearl off.

Noticing that Pearl was indifferent, Anthony frowned and snapped, "Look at you, you can't even take good care of yourself. I really wander that how did you even raise the kids?"

Pearl looked down at her injured right hand and hid it under the table.

"What happened to your hand?" Anthony askekd directly.

"Just an accident, but it's nothing." Pearl answered.

"Really? It's no big deal to wrap it like this? Do you think that I'm senile?"

Pearl was choked.

She did not know what to say when Anthony slid a bank card to her.

Pearl's face changed, "Dad, what are you doing?" She asked.

"It's for the children, not you."

"Dad, I don't need it. I'm working and I get a high salary, so I can raise them on my own."

"How high can a doctor's salary be? Besides, what qualifications do you have at your age? As I said, it's not for you, but for children. The password is your mother's birthday."

Referring to the password, Pearl's hand froze while she was trying to push teh card back.

Anthony asked casually. "Do you still remember it?"

Pearl's voice was muffled and said, "Yes."

Of course she remembered? She remembered everyone's birthday in the Yonng family.

"Alright. Go and ask the kids to eat."

Anthony was really stubborn. Pearl knew that he would get angry if she turned him down again. It was very possible that he would slam down his napkin and leave directly. So she had no choice but to keep the bank card.

Pearl went to call Brandon and Bonny. The three generations of the Yonng family gathered together to have dinner for the first time.

Bonny still wanted to talk even with her mouth full. "Grandpa, are you here to visit us because Brandon and I are going to school soon?" She stared at Anthony and asked.

Anthony stared at Bonny, who was exactly same with Pearl when she was younger. He smiled lovingly and replied, "Yeah, I'm here just to see you, and I have prepared presents. I'll give them to you later." "Wow, presents!" Bonny was excited, "Grandpa, summer vacation is not over yet, will you come and visit us more?"

"Do you want me to?" Anthony asked.

NOW PLAY YOUR

FAVOURITE GAMES ON

"Yes." Bonny nodded seriously and continued, "I like Grandpa very much. Mommy said that Grandpa was the kindest person in the world. Brandon and I like people who're kind to Mommy!" Hearing this, Anthony raised his head to glance at Pearl. Coincidentally, Pearl raised her head just in time to meet her father's eyes.

Pearl was overwhelmed with emotions. No one knew more than herself how much effort her father had devoted to her since childhood. However, she left for seven years, and no matter the excuses, she was a horrible daughter.

The last time they met was at Evelina's birthday party, and then they did not keep in touch.

Actually, Pearl knew her father well. He was unwilling to talk to her first. Therefore he would not contact her even if he cared about her.

Pearl wanted to contact Anthony too. But, the incident seven years ago resurfaced at the birthday party. Ever since she returned to Kityall City, she could feel that someone was pushing her into an abyss. She dared not act rashly for fear that she would involve the Yonng family as she did seven years ago.

"Dad, here, try some potatoes." Pearl scooped some food into Anthony's plate, "It's lightly-seasoned." Anthony was not in good health. She infuriated him seven years ago, which made her feel guilty for it. "When will you guys hold the wedding?"

"Ahem... What? What wedding?" The unexpected question almost made Pearl choke.

Noticing Pearl's face, Anthony said unpleasantly. "You're not going to hold a wedding? Although our family is not as well-off as the Zellweger family, we should do things properly. You're the eldest daughter of the Yonng family, so how could you not take your marriage seriously? Are you trying to embarrass the Yonng family?"

Pearl came to her senses, and she panicked.

Amthony took her and Richard's marriage seriously.

"Dad, we'll hold the wedding."

"That's much better." Anthony softened a little, "When is it going to be?"

"Let's take things slowly. Well, I just returned back, and my job is still unstable. Brandon and Bonny need to go to school too."

Anthony nodded hos head thoughtfully and seemingly accepted her explanation. He uttered, "I should at least meet his parents before the wedding, ..."

"Dad," Pearl hurriedly interrupted, trying to calm down. She said, "Dad, things can be complicated in the Zellweger family, so I can't promise you anything now. "I'll let you know, after I handle everything, okay?"

Anthony immediately mentioned that he wanted to meet Richard's parents. Pearl knew very well that she was unable to arrange for a meetup. Even though she could, Mrs. Zellweger's arrogant attitude would trigger Anthony's heart attack.

"Okay." Anthony was considerate and did not push Pearl. After all, things could get complicated for wealthy families. It was rare to see simple families, like the Yonng family. After Pearl's mother passed away, Anthony did not remarry and raised his daughters on his own.

"Dad, try this." Pearl was awkward and wanted to change the topic, "This is delicious."

Richard got her out of trouble at the birthday party. Yet, she felt a headache when she thought that she needed to clean up the mess.

Anthony peeled some shrimps for Bonny and asked her to eat. "Bonny, is your father busy?" He pretended to ask nonchalantly.

Pearl just released a sigh of relief. However, she stared at Bonny anxiously at once she heard the question.

Bonny was eating shrimps, and she mumbled with her mouth full, "I think Daddy's quite busy. I went to find him with Brandon the other day, but he was in a meeting the entire afternoon. I fell asleep in his office and Mommy even quarreled with Daddy."

Anthony asked doubtfully."They quarreled?"

Pearl met Anthony's questioning gaze, and she felt like she was digging her own grave. The lie was not going to hold.

Sure enough, she should never have lied. The consequence was that she would have to come up with more lies to cover up.