When Love Is a Lie (Whitney and Damian) novel Chapter 81

Westley raised his hand and slapped his daughter across the face.

Whitney's cheek burned, and she covered her face in shock and grievance, her eyes quickly filling with tears.

She tilted her head back, determined not to let a single tear fall.

Rebecca, who was also in the room along with Stella and Matthew standing at the door, all stared wide-eyed.

In the past, Westley wouldn't have even raised his voice at his eldest daughter, let alone slapped her.

He had poured all of his fatherly love into Whitney.

Fuming, Westley pointed at her and shouted, "I've raised you all these years, and this is how you repay me? You talk about gratitude, but you don't even want to become the CEO's wife anymore! How do you expect to repay me, huh?"

At that moment, Stella walked over and stood beside Westley, raising her hand to help him calm down. "Dad, don't get so upset, your health is more important. Since Whitney is so ungrateful, you'll still have me and Matthew by your side."

Westley glared at Whitney. "Look at you! You're even worse than your little sister!"

He sat back down, his expression still angry.

Stella poured him a fresh cup of tea and placed it in front of him. She then turned to Whitney and said, "Whitney, Damian has already been very good to you. Why do you have to demand so much from him? Besides, who hasn't made mistakes? Are you telling me you've never made any?"

Whitney's gaze snapped toward her, her cold, sharp eyes cutting through the air like a blade.

"You tell me, what mistake have I made?" Whitney's voice was low and dangerous.

Stella smirked. "What mistake? You know it better than anyone. Damian knows too, but he hasn't said anything, has he?"

The words hit Whitney like a ton of bricks. Did Stella know? Could she?

Was she at Blue Night Bar that night? Had she been the one to secretly snap the photos and send them to Damian?

Whitney now understood that Stella, driven by jealousy, could easily have done this.

Stella continued, "No one's perfect, Whit. Listen to me. Be the Howard Group's CEO's wife. Don't bring up breaking the engagement again."

Westley ignored the conversation between his two younger daughters. All he cared about was stopping Whitney from going through with her decision.

Whitney shook her head and refused. "I know you're worried about the company, Dad. But I've spoken with a friend working at Moslea's Wall Street, and he told me that Spencer Group is struggling because its business model is outdated and hasn't kept up with the times."

She added, "It's a family business, and as long as those two issues are addressed and a competent professional manager is brought in, things will improve."

"Dad, if we keep relying on the Howard Group, we'll just be led by the nose. Now that I know what the problems are, I implore you—" Whitney pleaded, her voice steady but urgent.

"Shut up!" Westley interrupted sharply, his tone filled with unrestrained anger.

Westley couldn't take it anymore. His hand trembled as he interrupted her, his expression dark with fury.

"You never listen to me! Go to your room now, and don't step outside! If you do, I'll break your legs!" Westley shouted, his voice shaking as he pointed a trembling finger toward the door.

He then turned and yelled at Matthew by the door, "Take your sister back to her room!"

Whitney bit her lip, her eyes trembling with barely contained emotion. She felt utterly disappointed. Her father no longer cared about her feelings.