Chapter 29 Richard's Miscalculation " You're Danny's biological father ? " Nathaniel asked slowly . Richard sat stiffly upright , his face etched with remorse . " I apologize , Mr. Nathaniel Whitfield . Back then , I was immature Nathaniel cut him off coldly . " I don't see much maturity now , either . " " I'm sorry . I should have come to see you and Mrs. Cordelia Whitfield much earlier . But Rebecca said the timing wasn't right … " Nathaniel interrupted again , " Are you saying Rebecca also told you to abandon her back then ? " Cordelia sat silently beside him , her eyes scrutinizing Richard from head to toe , her thoughts unreadable . Richard was left speechless . After a long pause , he stood up and -right in front of Nathaniel and Cordelia - slapped himself hard across the face . The sharp crack of skin against skin echoed through the room . Richard's face burned , but he clenched his teeth and endured the pain . Chapter 29 Richard's Miscalculation 2/7 " Mr. Nathaniel Whitfield , Mrs. Cordelia Whitfield , I was young and reckless back then . I know I was wrong . But I swear- Rebecca is the only one I've ever loved . Please forgive me , and please allow us to be together . " Nathaniel remained unmoved . " Do you know what I did to Alistair six years ago when Rebecca brought him here and claimed he was Danny's father ? " A flicker of unease passed through Richard , but he quickly steadied himself . Why should I compare myself to Alistair ? He's nothing - a nobody with no power or influence . Even if they beat him half to death , they'd just throw some money at the problem and call it done . I'm different . I have the entire Morgan family behind me . No matter how angry Nathaniel is , he'll have to think twice before crossing my family. Nathaniel continued , " If you can endure the same suffering he went through , then I'll consider your proposal . " Richard was certain Nathaniel was bluffing to test his sincerity . With unwavering resolve , he declared , " I can . I'll accept any punishment for my mistakes . As long as you don't separate me from Rebecca , I'll do anything . " Chapter 29 Richard's Miscalculation Nathaniel smiled , " Good . That's all I needed to hear . " He stood , leisurely picking up the alligator leather belt he'd prepared in advance . Richard straightened his spine , his handsome face set in an expression of steel - like determination , as if ready to face . martyrdom . Nathaniel raised his arm high and - crack - the belt sliced through the air , landing squarely across Richard's back . 3/7 Caught completely off guard , Richard let out a pained cry and crumpled to the floor . Without hesitation , Nathaniel raised his arm again . Though Richard's mother had been a mistress , he'd grown up spoiled and coddled , never experiencing such brutality . Stunned , he saw Nathaniel preparing for another strike and instinctively grabbed his wrist , his eyes flashing with venom . Cordelia gasped , clutching her chest , her face pale . Nathaniel , however , seemed to have expected this . He smiled amiably , " Didn't you say you'd accept any punishment for Rebecca ? One lash and you're already breaking your word ? " Richard jolted and immediately released him . " I'm sorry , Mr. Nathaniel Whitfield . I just wasn't prepared . Please , vent your anger on me . This time , I won't make a sound . " Chapter 29 Richard's Miscalculation Nathaniel tossed the belt aside dismissively . " Forget it . This matter is closed . You may leave . " Richard brightened . " Then , does that mean- ? " 4/7 I heard Alistair was whipped so badly he spent half a month in the hospital . But I only took one hit . That means Nathaniel still favors me . His resentment toward Nathaniel faded considerably . " Marrying Rebecca isn't entirely impossible , " Nathaniel said , sitting back down and sipping his coffee as if his earlier fury had been nothing but an act . Richard suppressed the searing pain in his back and looked at him eagerly . " But first , answer me this . Do you love Rebecca for who she is , or for her family's status ? " Richard acted as if insulted . " Of course , it's because I love her . Mr. Nathaniel Whitfield , Mrs. Cordelia Whitfield , if I could , I'd cut out my heart to prove it to you . " Nathaniel's smile was faint . " Spare us the empty words . We can't actually ask you to carve out your heart . I'll allow you to marry Rebecca on one condition . " Richard bowed his head . " Name it . " Chapter 29 Richard's Miscalculation 5/7 " Before the wedding , the two of you will sign a prenuptial agreement . Once Rebecca marries you , she becomes part of your family . That means the Whitfield name and all associated assets . will have nothing to do with either of you . If you agree , you can get your marriage license tomorrow . " Richard's jaw dropped . This was nothing like what he'd envisioned . Cordelia watched his reaction , her eyes darkening . Without a word , she stood and left . " That's all . It's late . You may go . " Nathaniel's tone was icy as he , too , stood and walked away . Richard returned to Rebecca's penthouse in a daze . Rebecca sat curled on the sofa , clutching a pillow , her expression hollow . At the sound of the door , she looked up and saw Richard's grim face . Her voice was small . " Rick … did you convince my parents ? " Richard frowned , studying her for a long moment before suddenly asking , " Are you really their biological daughter ? " Rebecca's eyes welled up . " Why would you say that ? " Irritated , Richard yanked off his tie and sat beside her in silence . Then , as if struck by realization , his frustration evaporated . Chapter 29 Richard's Miscalculation I'm still too impulsive . He pulled Rebecca into his arms . " I get it now . Your parents must be testing me . " Rebecca murmured distantly , " Rick … do you love me ? " 6/7 Richard replied without hesitation , " Do you even need to ask ? Of course , I do . Who else would I love ? " " Then why did you abandon me back then ? " " Rebecca , how many times do I have to explain ? My parents forced me . I had no choice . " Rebecca's voice took on a hollow edge . " Rick , do you really love me ? " Richard's patience frayed , but he forced himself to soothe her . " I love you . Forever . Until the end of the universe . " " You're just saying that . " Richard feigned hurt . " Rebecca , your father whipped me so hard my back is still bleeding . I didn't even stop at the hospital because I was worried about leaving you alone . If you keep doubting me , it'll break my heart . " Rebecca tilted her face up to his . Under the bright lights , the five stark finger marks on her cheek were impossible to miss . Her voice was icy . " If you really loved me , how did you not Chapter 29 Richard's Miscalculation notice half my face is swollen ? "