Chapter 7 The force behind General Hayes's punch was immense, sending Richard stumbling, blood streaming from his nose. Isabella screamed in shock. Richard was stunned, trembling as he stuttered. "G-General... what is the meaning of this? Even if there is a misunderstanding, resorting to violence is...uncalled for! I'm the one you personally promoted, the person you trust most!" General Hayes sneered and drove a powerful kick into his abdomen, forcing him down onto his knees. "Promoted? Trusted?" "Richard, that punch just now wasn't enough to wake you up." "Do you think I would have given you a second glance if you weren't married to my daughter?" The blood drained from Richard's face, and the whispers of the onlookers grew louder. "Oh my god! Did Mr. Sullivan actually climb the ranks using his wife's family? He's a kept man!" "And with such a prestigious wife, yet he has the audacity to keep a mistress and abuse his own daughter? What a complete scumbag!" Richard's spirit was almost broken, but he clung to a final shred of hope, looking at me desperately. "Catherine... General Hayes is your father? Why didn't you ever tell me? You led me to believe your parents were ordinary public servants!" I nodded calmly, expressionless. "A general is a public servant, is he not? We all serve the nation. What distinction are you trying to make?" Seeing his increasingly pale face, I continued. "Richard, no matter who my father is, it does not give you the right to cheat, abuse my daughter, or try to destroy me." "I was blind to have ever fallen for you-a man glided in gold but rotten at the core." "The only thing I've ever done wrong to my father was begging him back then to give you a chance. That's how someone undeserving like you ended up in the position you hold today." Richard finally grasped the reality. His face went completely white, and he slumped to the floor, muttering to himself. "So... it's true... It was always you pulling the strings from the shadows. Without you...I am nothing." I waved my hand at the guards, signaling that they could take him away. Chanter I 598%%% But he suddenly went berserk, scrambling toward me, trying to grab my leg. The guards held him down. firmly. me!" "Catherine! Please! One more chance! I...I never realized how much you loved me, all you've done for "It was all because I was blinded by greed! It was Isabella who seduced me! She pretended to be you, drugged me... that's how I ended up with her!" "And later, she trapped me with that child! I was innocent, Catherine! Who knows if that kid was even hers with some other man, trying to trick me!" I stared at him, expressionless, disgusted by how he twisted the truth to save himself, slandering both me and his own child. Isabella, hearing this, completely lost it. She screamed hysterically. "Richard, you bastard! You're not even human!" "You were the one who said you were tired of that wooden woman Catherine and only felt alive with me!" "You sweet-talked your way into my bed! You told me I was the only one you loved, that I was the true ambassador's wife!" "Shut up!!" Richard roared, cutting her off, then turned to me with a pitiful, pleading expression. "Catherine, my love, don't listen to her ravings. It's always been you. You are the only woman in my heart.' "} "Please... give me one more chance. I'll make it right..." I turned away, feeling nauseated even at the sight of him. "Richard, from the moment you betrayed me and hurt Emily, we were finished." "I will file for divorce and take everything you have. And you...you will stand before the Federal Military Tribunal and answer for every single thing you have done." With that, I gathered Emily in my arms and left, without looking back. Chapter 7 5.98%