Chapter 539

Chapter 539 The Role Of Parents

Had Lysander not been sitting next to him, Maverick would surely have slammed the table in anger by

then.

However, Maverick restrained himself, saying, “This b*stard is a cheater, always wanting what he can’t have. He caused so much pain for Lysa in the past, and now he has the audacity to come back and bother her. As Lysa’s biological father, are you just going to stand by and let him harass her?”

Josiah was well aware that any further explanation at this point would only make matters worse. He remained silent, his head bowed in resignation, sighing softly.

Caught in the middle, Howard truly found himself in a bit of a bind. “Maverick, please calm down first. I’m aware of some of the past events. The situation with Josiah was indeed handled poorly, causing Lysa to suffer. However, Josiah didn’t intend for this to happen. He simply misunderstood-”

Maverick raised his voice and interrupted, “He didn’t intend for this to happen? What do

you mean? Everything I’ve said is what I’ve seen with my own eyes and heard with my own ears. If you don’t believe me, go back and ask your adopted daughter! Ask her what she’s been up to!”

Because of Lysanne, Maverick had a prejudice against the Thorne family, and inevitably, he also held resentment toward Howard.

Howard tactfully assessed the situation and said, “I’ve watched Josiah grow up, and I understand his character. We can’t deny him the chance to better himself, can we?”

“Character? His character is nothing but a cheap knock–off!” Maverick was so infuriated he could barely breathe.

He then proceeded to criticize Josiah by roaring, “This man once deceived Lysa, forcing her to divorce and make way for another woman. Now he regrets it, but it’s too late!”

Howard knew the woman he was referring to was Lysanne, his expression shifting through a myriad of

emotions.

Maverick couldn’t stand his dilly–dallying on such a crucial matter and asked again, “Can you just tell me if you can agree to these three conditions or not?”

“The first two points are fine, and I have no objections to the third. However, it’s true that Lysa could use some help right now. Setting personal matters aside, in terms of business, Josiah is indeed the best choice.” Howard was also considering Lysander’s interests.

Maverick was entirely intolerant of this. “As long as there’s any professional interaction, this guy just won’t give up!”

Seeing that Howard was still somewhat hesitant, Maverick directly gave Josiah a thorough dressing–down. “Even if I were to believe that the sun could rise from the west, I would never believe that this b*stard could truly change his ways. He is still involved with other women in a very shady way. I saw it with my own eyes today!”

Howard was immediately taken aback. “Josiah, what’s going on?”

When Josiah thought about Tiffany and Dillon’s coincidental appearance that day and how they had deliberately made sure Maverick saw them, he felt a wave of unease in his heart. “This time, it was truly a micunderstanding. I’ve already instructed the PR department to iecue a statement”

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Chapter 539 The Role Of Parents

Howard attempted to mediate between the two parties, humbly suggesting, “Maverick, I understand that you’re protective of Lysa, but could you possibly give Josiah a chance to speak? He genuinely regrets his actions now. After all, this is a matter between the two kids. Perhaps we should let them resolve it

themselves.”

“All right. Since you’ve put it that way, there’s no need for further discussion. This is where I draw the line.” Maverick was resolute, not backing down. He immediately took Lysander’s hand. “Lysa, come with me.”

He didn’t give Howard another chance to speak. Instead, he shielded Lysander and led her downstairs. As they passed by the front desk, he casually settled the bill for the jasmine tea.

Throughout the journey, Lysander kept stealing glances at Maverick, worried that he might become ill due to his anger. However, he merely maintained a stern expression and said, “We’re going back to the hospital.”

She walked ahead, and her sorrow was evident with every step. “Dad, getting I explain everything to you slowly?” she pleaded, her voice tinged with distress.

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There was no one else around. Once Lysander had started speaking, she simply decided to finish what she had to say. “I have no interest in Thorne Constructions and Energies and their properties. However, you once told me that the hardest debt to repay in this world is a debt of gratitude. My involvement with Thorne Constructions and Energies‘ affairs this time is simply to clear what I owe them. In the future, I will still be your daughter, dutifully honoring you and taking care of Michelle,”

Once Lysander finished speaking, she leaned in to look at him.

It was evident that Maverick’s eyes had reddened at some point, his teeth gritted as he fought to keep the tears from falling. The usually resolute face was then marred with an indescribable sense of sorrow and reluctance.

Lysander’s heart felt as if it had been struck by a heavy hammer, making her breathing difficult. “Dad…”

“Ugh…” Choked up, Maverick responded, pausing in his tracks to lean against a tree by the sidewalk. He carelessly wiped away his tears with his hand.

In Lysander’s memory, he had always been tall and dependable. Although he was not one to joke around, his affection for her and her sister was unparalleled. Yet, this was the first time he had shown such vulnerability.

Even his once straight back had unknowingly begun to stoop over time.

Lysander felt an unbearable ache in her heart. She walked over and gently took his hand, rough and calloused from years of hard work. With teary eyes, she said, “Dad, don’t be upset. I remember everything you’ve said. No one could ever compare to you and Mom in my eyes. When I was sick as a child, it was Mom who looked after me throughout the night. Besides, you would always bring me tasty treats after work. And then there’s Michelle, who was always there for me when I was feeling down.”

Memories of the past filled Lysander’s heart as she uttered with overwhelming emotion, “Without all of you, I might have silently passed away in some unnoticed corner long ago. I wouldn’t have grown up, let

alone become a doctor.”

Unable to contain his emotions any longer, Maverick let his tears fall. Just as he used to when Lysander was a child, he reached out and gently touched her head, saying, “I’m fine. I’m just moved. You are my pride and joy. I should have told you this sooner.”

L

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Chapter 539 The Role Of Parents

Lysander took a deep breath as if she had transformed back into that liter

over and hugged him, breaking into tears.

girl from the past. She rushed

Upon seeing his daughter’s distress, Maverick quickly consoled her by saying, “No more tears. There’s no need for you to worry about anything. As long as I’m here, no one will dare to bully you again!”

“I know.” Lysander lifted her head, wiping her face with a smile. Her nose was red from crying, but she felt an unusual sense of relief in her heart. It was as if she had cried out all the worries that had been plaguing her recently.

Maverick wanted to wipe her tears away, but as he raised his hand, he realized it was also wet with tears. He awkwardly dried his hand on his clothes first, let out a sigh, and said, “You’ve been crying like a little kitten.”

Only then did Lysander remember that she had tissues with her. She quickly found them and handed half to her father.

Maverick and Lysander each took half of a tissue and began to wipe away their tears.

Maverick didn’t anticipate that, despite his repeated restraint, he would still lose his composure in front of his daughter. Embarrassed, he found himself absent–mindedly touching his face.

Lysander, understanding the situation, said, “Dad, let’s stand here a while before going back. Otherwise, Mom and Mich will worry when they see us. When we left, she was constantly looking out, clearly

anxious.”

Maverick thought of his wife and younger daughter left in the ward, pausing for a moment beneath the hospital wing to collect his emotions.

Lysander refused to return first to seek shelter from the wind, choosing instead to stand there with him. “Dad, I’ll always be there for you and Mom, and Mich will forever be my little sister.”

Maverick was worried that his recent behavior had frightened her, so he reassured her, “It’s okay. Didn’t I say that no one can bully you, not even your biological parents? As for that b*stard, he shouldn’t even think about getting close to you again. If he bothers you again, I’ll confront him!”

Afraid that she might burst into tears again, Lysander simply nodded in silence.

Maverick’s expression was softer than ever before. He said with a loving gaze, “Actually, I know I’m just an ordinary man in this life, and there’s no chance of becoming someone influential. If I truly want you to live well, we still have to rely on the influential Thorne family. So, it’s a good thing that you’ve acknowledged them.”

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