Chapter 1 I Have A Daughter

• Autumn winds cast a chilly spell over Summerbank in September.
• Withered leaves fluttered in the air, landing on Emmanuel Kirsch's broad shoulders. The imposing man seemed unbothered by the falling leaves as he stood outside a dilapidated clinic, looking stoic as ever in his black trench coat.
• “Take this mad child with you and leave Yeringham. Don't ever return again and sully the Kirsch family's good name.”
• Ten years ago, Emmanuel lived with the Kirsch family—one of the three great families in Yeringham.
• However, he suffered from an unusual disease known as intermittent explosive disorder, and he was exiled from the family along with his mother. They ended up living in Summerbank.
• His mother operated a small clinic to make a living.
• Despite their strapped finances, they were very happy and content with their lives.
• Alas, his intermittent explosive disorder disrupted their peaceful lives.
• An unfortunate relapse led Emmanuel to defile the Cabot family's precious daughter, Eleanor Cabot. He was promptly slapped with an eight-year-long prison sentence.
• His mother returned to Yeringham, begging the Kirsch family for help.
• All she gained from that visit were tears and humiliation. She could only watch helplessly as her son was sent to prison.
• She left Summerbank after that and settled in a church in Chanaea.
• She devoted the rest of her life to chanting prayers and even turned vegetarian, hoping to atone for her son's sins.
• Before her departure, she had said to Emmanuel, “Manny, I don't blame you, but promise me one thing. Once you're released from prison, you'll spend the rest of your life making up to the girl you hurt.”
• Emmanuel struggled to maintain his composure as he recalled his mother's words. His eyes soon became red-rimmed with tears.
• The prison sentence had turned out to be a blessing in disguise. The head warden recognized Emmanuel's exceptional medical skills and natural strength.
• After putting him through some special training, he secretly dispatched his prodigy to the Northern Border warzone as a soldier.
• Over the past eight years, Emmanuel fought many battles and won many accolades. He eventually became the commander of the warzone and was known as Devil Kirsch.
• His outstanding combat skills and incomparable medical skills helped to keep Chanaea and its countless residents safe.
• Now, he had finally returned to society.
• Just then, Emmanuel's trusted aide, Freddie, approached him reverently and handed him an envelope.
• “Boss, here's some information on the young woman you asked me to investigate.”
• In the past eight years, Emmanuel had never once forgotten about the young woman whose modesty he had outraged.
• Unfortunately, thanks to his agreement with the head warden, Emmanuel could only leave the Northern Border and return to Summerbank after the eight-year prison sentence.
• He had long since lost any means to contact the young woman, nor had any news on her current life.
• With shaky hands, Emmanuel opened the envelope.
• He froze in disbelief when he saw the photographs of the young woman.
• In the first photograph, the young woman looked pallid, and her gaze was hollow. She drank alone in the corner of a bar, her gaze affixed to the dance floor bustling with youths dancing. The hesitation and longing in her eyes were palpable.
• The second photograph depicted the young woman sitting beside a river, staring blankly and despondently into the night sky.
• A faint sparkle had returned to her gaze in the third photograph, a positive sign that she had not sunk further into despair. She also held an adorable girl in her lap.
• Emmanuel's heart throbbed as he stared at the lady in the photograph. He could not describe the regret he felt toward her.
• The Cabot family's daughter, Eleanor, had always been the talk of the town.
• Charming and devastatingly beautiful, Eleanor was more than just a pretty face.
• She was also a gifted dancer and a kind, elegant young woman.
• It was a far cry from the woman in the photograph.
• Emmanuel's hands shook as he held the photograph. He asked, “What happened to her?”
• Freddie explained, “Eleanor Cabot has led a dreadful life since the day you bedded her. She was a gifted and aspiring dancer who was preparing to train abroad. After the incident, her personality changed completely. She became demoralized and dejected. The talented dancer soon became a wretch who drowned herself in alcohol and tobacco.”
• He added, “The Cabot family banished Eleanor and her parents. Her father couldn't bear the social stigma and attempted to take his own life. He failed and ended up wheelchair-bound after breaking both his legs. In the meantime, her mother runs a small stall selling fruits and vegetables to make a living.”
• Without moving his gaze away from the photograph, Emmanuel asked, “Who's that girl in her lap? Is she married?”
• “That's your biological daughter.” As Freddie spoke, he paid close attention to Emmanuel's expression.
• Emmanuel immediately lost his grip on the photograph as an expression of disbelief filled his gaze.
• “What did you say?”
• Emmanuel's reaction was entirely within Freddie's expectations, and he bent down to pick up the photographs.
• He also replied calmly, “A year into your imprisonment, Eleanor gave birth to a daughter named Evangeline Cabot, who's now in her second grade at Sunshine Elementary School. Eleanor was no longer dispirited after her daughter's birth but instead, works hard to raise her child. Sadly, she has suffered from depression for a long time, and her mood swings diminished her opportunities of working at bigger companies. She could only toil away in a small company, though I'm not sure if she's still working there. I can, however, confirm that young Eva is selling vegetables with her granny at the market now.”
• “Let's go.” Emmanuel immediately left for the market with Freddie.
• Ten minutes later, the men arrived at Magnolia Farmer's Market.
• They stood among the crowd and stared at a girl some distance away. She waved a cabbage leaf while shouting, “Hello, everyone, please look at our vegetables! They're really fresh. My grandma just plucked them from the farm.”
• Emmanuel's eyes reddened as he watched the adorable girl who was shouting her lungs out to sell vegetables. I see so much of me in her. Is that girl truly my daughter?
• Thanks to her twin braids and red Mickey Mouse hoodie, which brought out her fair skin, Evangeline looked exceptionally adorable.
• She was as cute as a doll; anyone would feel the urge to pinch her chubby cheeks.
• She was also the spitting image of Emmanuel when she smiled.
• “Boss, that's your biological daughter, Eva.”
• Nodding lightly, Emmanuel muttered, “Don't disturb me. I want to look at her for a bit longer.”
• That young girl had instantly become the most precious thing in the world to Emmanuel.
• Her every action tugged at his heartstrings and swayed his emotions.
• I... actually have a daughter.
• Sadly, only several customers visited the stall despite Evangeline's efforts.
• A helpless expression flitted across the little girl's face.
• When she turned around and noticed how exhausted her grandmother, Rosalind Johnston, appeared, her helpless expression was quickly replaced by a determined look. She began shouting even more loudly.
• The clamor of the market was interspersed with her childish voice.
• “Sweetie, I'll take all the vegetables you're selling.”
• Evangeline looked up and saw Emmanuel standing in front of her stall.
• Their gazes met, and the young girl suddenly fell silent. She tilted her head and scrutinized the man.
• She felt a sense of inexplicable familiarity with the man.
• She wondered if she had seen him before.
• “It's you?”
• Just then, Rosalind lifted her head. She went berserk upon recognizing Emmanuel.
• He harmed my daughter and ruined her future! Eleanor went from being the most enviable young lady in the world to a disparaged madwoman! It's because of him that I'm running this stall instead of enjoying my life as a richling's wife!
• Rosalind immediately pulled Evangeline into her arms and roared warily, “Get lost! Don't touch my Eva!”