Shaun eyed Eve with his lips pursed and a cold expression. In a rather stiff tone, he scolded, "You go to the night club every damn day. And you dress so disgracefully. I shouldn't have to tell you to be aware of all the men around you!"
His comment about her clothing infuriated Eve. A frown overcame her face. Furious, she responded, hissing, "What do you mean by that, Dad? What did you just say? I cannot believe you are so narrow minded! It isn't strange that I go to night clubs. Perhaps you are the one who needs to adapt to the modern world!"
Even though she was angry, she dared not meet her father's eyes, afraid that she might cross a line and disrespect him.
"Humph! I'm your father. Who's going to look out for you if I don't?"
Eve glanced at her father's convulsed face momentarily. Seeing how angry he was, she decided not to provoke him any further.
"I mean, just look at how much make-up you are wearing right now! Go out all you want, but you have to learn to take care of yourself! Are you a child? Do I really need to explain these things to you?" Shaun's eyes went up and down her legs. Her skirt was as short as a prostitute's. His nose flared up in anger.
Eve's mother had died when she was very young. The girl had grown up without a mother's love. Back then, Shaun remained very busy with work and seldom paid attention to her. It still hurt Eve that he never even remembered her birthday.
Today was her twenty-sixth birthday. She went out with Jennifer and Bonnie to celebrate.
Most girls her age were already married, or at least had a boyfriend. Eve was neither in a relationship, nor was she married.
At least she should have the freedom to enjoy time with her friends and vent out her bottled up emotions. Inside this villa was where she felt the loneliest. Outside, these feelings of loneliness resided, although temporarily.
What a poor girl! Nobody, not even her own father, had remembered her birthday. If she hadn't told her friends, they'd never have found out.
Eve didn't think of herself as a vulnerable person most of the time. However, she did get sentimental from time to time.
Eve was too hurt to tell her father it was her birthday.
She guessed he had forgotten, like he always did.
"Yes, Dad. You are right. I don't know how to take care of myself. No one has loved or cared for me since mother died. Can you really judge me for it? Do you even know what day it is?" Eve shouted, at once forgetting her decision to not tell him. She simply couldn't keep it in anymore.
Shaun was shocked at the volume of her voice. He didn't know what she was talking about. What day was it? He only knew Nathan wanted to terminate all association with the Sus Bank.
Fred had paid a visit to him this afternoon.
Shaun could vaguely feel that Eve had deviated from the right track. Since she had moved out of the house, she stayed out late every night in the company of a group dominated by men. He had never tried to restrict her even after knowing some of her behavior was problematic. He had always wanted her to have full freedom.
"Yes, I hope you can do the necessary things. Mr. Jin says since JS International and the Sus Bank have collaborated for so many years, it would be a pity if there is a termination. He hopes that Miss Su would correct her mistakes." Fred deliberately stressed on the last part: correct her mistakes.
"I'll handle it. Thank you for coming, Mr. Zou. I'll talk to her when I go home," Shaun said softly.
Fred pressed lips into a thin line and gazed at Shaun with his bright, narrow eyes. He wondered how someone like Shaun could have a daughter like Eve.
Shaun had a commendable reputation in the industry as both a businessman and a person.
Nathan knew what the termination of the cooperation with the Sus Bank would mean: huge losses for both parties. However, no matter how much money he had, it wasn't more important to him than his own son.
"What day is it today?" asked Shaun in a calm tone, snapping back to the present. He was getting old, and he couldn't really remember dates of anything anymore.
"Ha-ha! I knew you didn't remember!" Eve's delicate red lips curved into an awkward smile. On the verge of tears, she looked at her father ironically.
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