She Quit Her Family and Found Herself novel Chapter 19

Just as she suspected, the moment Nadia fired off that barrage of questions, Bertram's face darkened drastically.

"Nadia, having a curious mind is a good trait. But poking your nose into absolutely everything is a very bad habit. Do we understand each other?"

Nadia had never seen him look at her with such intense anger before. It genuinely terrified her.

Her face drained of color as she nodded frantically. "I'm sorry. I know I crossed a line. I'll never ask again."

Seeing how badly he had frightened her, the hard lines on Bertram's face softened, and his tone returned to a gentle cadence. "Just remember, your only job is to focus on elevating yourself. I will provide you with every resource and advantage in the world. As for things that don't concern you, stop asking questions. Got it?"

Nadia sniffled, nodding obediently. "Yes, I understand."

"Alright, stop crying. It ruins your pretty face," Bertram coaxed, using his rather stiff, awkward version of comfort.

Nadia wiped her tears away, leaving her nose slightly red. She looked like a sweet, innocent deer.

Sensing that his guard was down, she smoothly shifted the conversation. "Uncle Bertram, why are you so incredibly good to me?"

After all, even as the legitimate heiress, she was only the daughter of the secondary branch. She wasn't his actual child, yet he treated her as if she hung the moon, giving her anything she ever asked for.

Bertram stared at her face, his eyes distant, as if he were trying to find someone else's reflection in her features.

"You know that I had a daughter once."

Hulda looked nothing like Nadia's father, and therefore, nothing like Bertram. He couldn't project his dead daughter onto a stranger's face. That was why his affection for Hulda had never been anything more than polite indifference. And it was exactly why he hadn't shown a shred of mercy when he kicked her out.

Realizing this, Nadia felt a euphoric rush of triumph. She was overwhelmingly grateful to have inherited her father's genetics.

She knew perfectly well she was just a substitute for a ghost. But she didn't care. She would gladly play the substitute for the rest of her life!

She was so thrilled she could barely suppress her smug smile. To hide it from Bertram, she threw her arms around him in a bold, affectionate hug, acting like the perfect daughter. "You're the best, Uncle Bertram! I promise I'll always take care of you, just like a real daughter would!"

"Good... good girl..." The simple, sweet reassurance cracked the powerful billionaire's composure, his voice choking with tears.

Nestled safely in his embrace, Nadia felt absolutely invincible.