Chapter 8 Deliver the Coffin

• Daphne couldn't help but laugh bitterly. Was it appropriate for a grandfather to propose such a scheme, essentially urging his granddaughter to marry a fool and cut ties with her own daughter?
• "Daphne, if only you hadn't given birth to that child, your future would have been brighter than any of your cousins'. I should have insisted on you having an abortion," Carsen remarked callously.
• "Mr. Lewis, please refrain from using such disrespectful language. She's not a b*stard," Daphne responded evenly, her expression unreadable.
• Carsen, taken aback, erupted in anger. "Daphne, have you no remorse?"
• He commanded, "As a member of the Lewis family, you must obey me, marry into the Bensons, and become the mistress of their household.
• "I'll reclaim the house, and you won't need to bother with work."
• Carsen made a strong threat, leaving Daphne with no room to manoeuvre. "Don't even think about finding employment. I'll pull the strings and make sure you're blacklisted from every company."
• Daphne's complexion paled. Carsen was ruthless, leaving her with no options.
• "Think it over carefully," Carsen advised with a smirk, knowing Daphne had little choice. Unless she decided to abandon her child and her parents, marrying Magnus was her only option.
• "Carsen Lewis! You're not worthy of being called my grandfather," Daphne spat bitterly.
• "It does not matter whether you acknowledge me as your grandfather or not. I've arranged the dowry and selected an auspicious wedding date for you. One day, you'll thank me," Carsen asserted.
• Unable to bear any more, Daphne hung up the phone.
• Glancing at her elderly parents, particularly her father with his graying hair, a surge of anguish washed over her.
• Forget it! First, she needed to deal with Hugo and his gang.
• "Round up your goons and get out of my house. I'll comply and marry into the Bensons," Daphne declared, shutting her eyes to block out the sight of Hugo's disgusting expression.
• "Daphne, you could have spared us the wait," Hugo chuckled heartily. He rose from his seat, swept his gaze around the room, and then intentionally pushed the dishes off the table, creating a noise.
• "Whoops! My apologies for the mess. You'll have to clean up. I'll make my exit now. Look forward to receiving the good news from you."
• Hugo chuckled again before departing with his cohorts.
• "I'm going to tell Dad everything. He'll teach those nasty people a lesson," Tahlia vowed, observing her mother's closed eyes.
• Daphne's tears flowed freely.
• "Quiet!" she snapped, her eyes brimming with tears. She warned sternly, "Tahlia, I'm warning you. That man is not your father. If you continue to associate with him, I'll disown you."
• "Mom," Tahlia said, feeling hurt. Rushing to her mother's side, she pleaded, "I'll do as you say."
• "Daphne, what now?" Jose approached anxiously. Could he stand idly by and watch Daphne wed a simpleton?
• "I'll think of something," Daphne said, wiping away her tears hastily. Crying wouldn't solve anything; she needed a solution. She refused to allow that fool to shackle her and dictate her destiny in such a manner.
• "Tahlia, let's head out. I'll take you to school," Daphne announced.
• She mounted her electric bike and escorted Tahlia to kindergarten.
• At the school entrance.
• Daphne issued her customary reminders. "Tahlia, you must behave. No fighting, understood?"
• "But Mom, what if those kids keep calling me names? Shouldn't I fight back?" Tahlia's eyes reflected her distress. The boys in her class often taunted her, and she retaliated each time.
• She didn't back down. Even though those boys were tougher, enduring their insults silently would only invite more scorn.
• Now that her father had reappeared, she no longer felt like a fatherless child. She refused to be labeled as such.
• "Tahlia," Daphne gently touched her daughter's forehead, a twinge of pain in her heart. With a smile, she instructed, "If someone hits you or says mean things, you must tell the teacher and let them handle it. Do you understand?"
• "What if the teacher does nothing?" Tahlia pouted.
• "If that happens, I'll file a complaint," Daphne reassured.
• The kindergarten Tahlia attended had a solid reputation in the community. Despite the challenges, Daphne was determined to provide her daughter with a good education, despite the hard work she needed to put in.
• "Okay then," Tahlia waved goodbye. "Bye, Mom. I'll study hard."
• "Alright," Daphne waved back as she rode off on her electric bike.
• As soon as Daphne was out of sight, Tahlia hurried to a nearby shop.
• "Excuse me, can I use your phone to make a call? I need to call my dad," she asked the shop owner politely.
• "Of course," he replied.
• "Thank you."
• The shop owner handed the phone to Tahlia.
• Tahlia dialed Maxwell's number. "Dad, it's Tahlia. Mom was bullied by someone. You need to do something about it."
• "What happened? Tell me everything." Maxwell's voice was concerned.
• Tahlia recounted the incident at home in detail.
• "Don't worry, I'll take care of it. Your mom won't marry that man. Wait for my update."
• "Okay, Dad. I have to go to school now. Can you pick me up after school?" Tahlia asked, longing to have her father pick her up like other kids.
• "Of course, I'll be there," Maxwell promised.
• After hanging up, Maxwell immediately contacted John. "Find out how many people are in the Bensons, prepare as many coffins as needed, and deliver them to the Bensons' doorstep within an hour."