Chapter 12 A Series Of Questions
- Leaning against the door, Dominic watched with a smile as Yvonne tidied up his room, his arms crossed over his chest.
- “It's time to eat!” At that moment, Janet's voice could be heard.
- Dominic vanished from his spot, and the next moment, he was already in the kitchen.
- “Wow, it smells amazing! Mrs. Litchfield, what delicious food did you prepare tonight?”
- Dominic walked over without a hint of hesitation. He picked up the tableware, lending a hand in setting the table and serving the food.
- “It's just some home-cooked food. I'm not sure if you'll like it,” Janet said with a smile.
- “My absolute favorite has always been home-cooked food. The dishes look and smell good. I'm sure they taste good too.”
- “You sure have a sweet tongue.” Janet's smile brightened even more. “If you like it, I'll make more in the future, so you can have your fill.”
- “Thank you, Mrs. Litchfield.”
- At that moment, Yvonne walked in. Seeing Dominic and Janet engaged in such a cheerful conversation, she couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy.
- I just met him today, and he's already managed to make Mom smile so brightly. Those who don't know better might just think he's her son.
- She cast a resentful glance at Janet, wanting to say, “Mom, you've changed. You don't even call me for meals anymore.”
- Seeing Yvonne standing there unmoving, Janet shot her a look. “What are you still standing there for? Go and call your dad down for dinner.”
- “Oh, okay,” Yvonne responded with a hint of irritation, looking daggers at Dominic before she turned around and ascended the stairs.
- Unbothered, Dominic continued his conversation with Janet.
- He was acutely aware that pursuing a relationship with Yvonne required not just his dedication toward her, but also the necessity to earn the approval of her parents.
- Once he had won over her parents, there was no way she could possibly escape from his grasp.
- Soon, Yvonne entered, pushing a middle-aged man in a wheelchair.
- He was quite handsome, but his complexion appeared somewhat haggard. His chin was covered in stubble, suggesting he hadn't shaved in days. Overall, he seemed to lack energy.
- He was Yvonne's father, Gregory.
- Dominic stood up and greeted, “Hello Mr. Litchfield, my name is Dominic Lance. I just rented a room from your family today.”
- Gregory glanced at him, gave a nod, and said, “Hello.”
- He did not say anything else after that.
- Ever since he became paralyzed, he had turned into a man of few words.
- He had even started to neglect his household duties, spending all his time immersed in his own world.
- Dominic didn't seem to mind at all. He sat down with a smile and began to eat heartily.
- “Wow, Mrs. Litchfield, your cooking skills are truly amazing. It's been a while since I've had such delicious food.”
- Dominic devoured his food, finishing a bowl of risotto in just a few bites.
- He unabashedly stood up and went to serve himself another bowl.
- “Eat more if you enjoy it,” Janet said with a smile.
- Yvonne was speechless as she looked at Dominic.
- He eats so fast. Anyone who doesn't know better might think he just got out of prison.
- Is Mom's cooking that good?
- I've been eating what she cooks all these years. It's really not that delicious.
- At the dining table, Dominic and Janet were deeply engrossed in conversation, with Yvonne occasionally chiming in with a few comments. Meanwhile, Gregory remained silent throughout, quietly eating his meal.
- “I'm done. You guys take your time.”
- Suddenly, Gregory put down his bowl and wheeled himself out.
- Janet furrowed her brows, her gaze lingering on Gregory's retreating figure. After a moment, she sighed in resignation.
- Her husband had been a man of great ambition and courage. The grand promises he had made to her now seemed like distant memories, lost in the mists of time.
- She was aware of his suffering, but after all these years, she wondered if he had any idea about her pain.
- The atmosphere suddenly turned heavy.
- Yvonne looked at Dominic, pleading, “Dominic, please help my dad. If you can cure his leg and help him stand again, I'll do anything you ask.”
- “All right, I'll do my best!” Dominic nodded solemnly. “After we finish eating, I'll go see him.”
- He had noticed the despair in Gregory's eyes. It was a despair steeped in self-contempt, devoid of even the faintest affection for life.
- Such an attitude, when displayed by the breadwinner of a family, could be a massive blow to the household.
- Dominic was determined to change everything.
- Soon after finishing his meal, he arrived directly outside Gregory's study and knocked on the door.
- “Come in!”
- Gregory's deep voice echoed from within.
- Dominic opened the door and stepped inside, only to find Gregory sitting by the window, gazing out in deep thought.
- “Hello, Mr. Litchfield!” Dominic greeted.
- Then, without any hesitation, he took a seat on a chair.
- Upon seeing Dominic enter, Gregory couldn't help but furrow his brow.
- “What are you here for?”
- In his current state, he was not fond of engaging with outsiders.
- “I just wanted to have a chat with you,” Dominic said with a smile.
- “I'm feeling a bit tired and would like some time alone. Could you please step out?”
- Dominic didn't leave, but his gaze suddenly turned icy cold.
- “Do you know what happened today?” Dominic asked nonchalantly.
- Gregory remained silent.
- He was paralyzed, but he was not deaf. Of course, he was aware of the commotion caused by Scar and his gang that day.
- He also knew that Yvonne and Janet must have suffered.
- But there was nothing he could do.
- In his current state, he could only feign ignorance.
- “Do you know that Yvonne almost got dragged away today and assaulted by the son of the Sutcliffe family? Do you know that Mrs. Litchfield, in her efforts to protect Yvonne from harm, humbled herself before those sc*mbags, only to receive a slap in the face from them? Do you know how much hardship they've endured over the years because of you? As a man, don't you feel even a shred of guilt?” Dominic bombarded him with a series of questions that hit the soul.
- Gregory was still quite calm at first, but Dominic noticed his fists clenching toward the end.
- “Do you know how much scorn and disdain the mother and daughter had to endure out there because of you? They should be living happily and peacefully, but because of you, they spend every day in constant fear. As a man, you've done absolutely nothing. Don't you consider yourself useless?”
- “Ah!”
- Suddenly, Gregory roared in anger, ruthlessly pounding his legs that had lost all sensation.
- “Yes, I'm useless! I'm useless! I can't take care of the two of them. Instead, they have to look after me. I've truly let them down!”
- His eyes reddened as tears streamed down his face.