Chapter 404 Recognizing Father
Pearl's small, soft body gently hugged him. Michael's heart was pounding.
'So this is what it feels like to be hugged by your daughter with trust,' he thought.
It felt wonderful. He knew he could get addicted to this feeling.
Afraid of startling Pearl, he kept his arms at his sides, not daring to hug her back.
Suppressing his excitement, he softly asked Pearl, "Christmas is coming soon, Pearl. What gift would you like?"
Pearl's voice sounded in his ear, "Mom's not home, and I haven't had time to get a dress for the Christmas party. Can you help me with that?"
Michael nodded immediately, "Of course, leave it to me."
A dress? That's no big deal. He would personally help his princess Pearl pick out the perfect one.
Pearl tilted her head and looked at him, "What about you, Michael? What gift do you want? Tell me, and I'll see if I can afford it with my allowance."
Michael was stunned. For so many years, he had always been the one preparing Christmas gifts for others.
Although he wasn't interested in those so-called gifts, Pearl was asking him so earnestly that he had to think carefully before answering.
He squatted down slightly, looking seriously at Pearl, and replied in a deep voice, "Pearl, I have only one Christmas wish. I hope you can call me 'Dad.'"
Pearl was taken aback. She hadn't expected Michael's Christmas wish to be so simple.
She never really had any animosity towards Michael.
Now, seeing how much he cared for her and spoke to her so gently, she thought about it and realized there was no reason to continue disliking him.
She tilted her head and tentatively called out, "Dad."
She had never had anyone to call "Dad" growing up. If Michael had suddenly asked her to call him "Dad," Pearl might have felt a bit uncomfortable.
After all, the word "Dad" was somewhat unfamiliar to her.
However, recently, Carter had taken her to participate in a reality show where she had called Carter "Dad" countless times.
Now, calling someone "Dad" didn't feel awkward anymore.
Moreover, Michael was her biological father.
But this one word, "Dad," left the formidable Michael stunned.
He had never known that this word, coming from Pearl's mouth, could carry such a powerful impact.
His emotions surged, his voice hoarse, "Pearl, can you call me 'Dad' again? I want to hear it... Am I being too greedy?"
Pearl shook her head, suddenly feeling sorry for him.
Her bright eyes looked at him, "No, I don't think so. I know you're my dad. It's just that you haven't acknowledged Nolan and me yet."
Michael, overwhelmed, grabbed her hands, "Pearl, I acknowledge it! Of course, I acknowledge you and Nolan! You two and Francis are all my children!"
Pearl frowned slightly and whispered, "Dad, you're hurting me."
Michael quickly let go, "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Pearl, I was wrong."
Pearl laughed, "If you could apologize to Mom so easily, she would forgive you in no time. Mom is so gentle; she would definitely forgive you."
A knock on the door interrupted them. The bodyguard's voice came through, "Pearl, Mr. McGinnis is here. Mr. Palmer is back too, downstairs."
With Michael's reassurance, Pearl had already put the recent scare behind her. She excitedly ran to the door, "Awesome! Mr. McGinnis is here!"
She opened the door.
Dean leaned against the wall, looking at her with a hint of mock resentment, "Pearl, you heartless girl, am I less important to you than Carter?"
Pearl giggled, "Dean, you're here every day anyway!"
She had already run downstairs to greet Carter.
Michael followed her out of the room, locking eyes with Dean.
Dean walked over, his expression serious, "Is she okay?"
Michael looked at the lively Pearl downstairs, "She should be fine now."
Dean looked at him with concern, "I heard from Pearl that the thing is very important to you, right?"
Michael's face returned to its usual cold expression, "In this world, no one can threaten me. Once I find out who's behind this, they'll wish they were never born."
Dean shivered slightly. He definitely didn't want to mess with someone like Michael; it was too terrifying.
At the hospital's burn unit.
Delilah stood at the door of Margaret's room, watching the Taylor family's servants set the food on the small table.
"Margaret, come eat. Your dad had the family chef come here to make your favorite dishes. Come and see if they suit your taste."
She gestured to another maid, who immediately understood and went to the window to pull back the curtains.
Sunlight flooded the room. Margaret immediately raised her hand to shield her face, turning her back to them.
She whispered, "Get out."
Her throat had been damaged by smoke in the explosion, making it hard to speak loudly, and her voice was hoarse.
Delilah heard this and immediately waved her hand, signaling the servants to leave.
The servants bowed and left, closing the door behind them.
Delilah approached Margaret's bed.
Though nearly fifty, she was well-maintained, her makeup flawless, looking no older than her early forties.
She glanced impatiently at Margaret's back and then looked away, "Margaret, don't blame me for not warning you. Your dad has always valued Samuel, grooming him as the family's heir. If you hadn't been so rebellious, you could have married into a prestigious family, ensuring a life of wealth and honor."
"But you? You insisted on chasing after Michael all these years. Did you win him over? Did he agree to marry you? You've wasted your youth for nothing."
Margaret sat on the bed, slightly hunched, silent.
She sneered inwardly. 'What kind of mother talks to her daughter like this?'
Delilah, angered by Margaret's lack of response, stepped forward and pushed her shoulder hard.
Margaret winced in pain but bit her lip, staying silent.
Delilah continued her tirade, "You've always been like this, never giving me any respect! What, am I your enemy now after raising you? You resent me for favoring Samuel?"
She continued, "Your dad is old, and the Taylor family's future is in Samuel's hands. If I don't please him, how will we survive in the Taylor family? Why can't you understand my intentions as a mother?"
Margaret's eyes were filled with endless hatred.
Her mother thought she could deceive everyone and keep the truth hidden.
But Margaret had long ago discovered the unusual relationship between Delilah and her half-brother Samuel.
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