The Captain I Married by Chance novel Chapter 217

Leonard abandoned his act of the loving, repentant father in an instant, glaring fiercely at his driver. "You've been driving for years! How do you make a rookie mistake like that?"

He assumed the driver had lost focus and had to brake abruptly.

The driver looked terrified. "It wasn't me, Mr. Hayes! It's... Miss Mia cut us off."

"What?"

Leonard looked out the window and noticed a painfully familiar luxury sports car parked diagonally across the lanes, blocking their path. He remembered exactly when he bought it—he had personally taken Mia to the dealership for her birthday last year. She had been ecstatic, throwing her arms around him and showering him with sweet affection.

Leonard's gaze drifted back to Nora. The elegant gown and subtle jewelry she wore were all paid for by him. The only thing she actually owned on her person was her cell phone. He knew she lived in a standard-issue police apartment and drove a cheap, entry-level sedan.

Compared to Mia, Nora had been given absolutely nothing in life.

Leonard lowered his head, a heavy wave of remorse washing over him. He pushed the door open, stormed out of the car, and aggressively banged on Mia's driver-side window.

Mia stepped out, her eyes already brimming with pathetic tears.

"Dad! Why aren't you taking me to the Devereaux gala today?"

She was dressed in a breathtaking, wildly expensive gown. Even though Nora didn't care much for high fashion, it was glaringly obvious that Mia's dress was leagues above her own in terms of luxury and craftsmanship. Nora didn't feel jealous; she just found the entire situation painfully ironic. Leonard needed her help, yet he still treated his daughters with such aggressive disparity. It just proved that in this man's heart, she and her mother were truly worthless.

Growing up completely spoiled, Mia knew exactly how to play her father. She had always gotten whatever she wanted just by acting sweet and throwing a few tantrums, taking every shortcut life offered. She never thought ahead, careful to only push boundaries when she knew it wouldn't threaten her luxurious lifestyle.

But today, Mia had panicked.

Finding out that Leonard was taking Nora to the Devereaux gala instead of her had sent her into a spiral of paranoia. Was her father regretting his choices? Was he trying to officially bring Nora back into the fold?

She couldn't let that happen. If Nora reclaimed her status as the true Hayes heiress, Aaron might leave Mia. Worse, if Nora gained Leonard's backing, she would undoubtedly seek revenge against Mia and her mother.

Mia had to ensure Nora stayed in the dirt. Nora belonged with the rotting corpses she worked on. There was only one true heiress to the Hayes family, and that was Mia!