Chapter 585 Awakening
"You got some nerve saying that!" Stephen bellowed, "This mess is all on you!"
Stephen glared at his son, fuming with rage. "Do you even get that the Flynn family swiped our business before? Do you know how messed up things are with them now because of Reese?"
He was livid, while Sebastian just stood there, stone-faced, almost ready to roll his eyes.
"And you still wanna marry Alyssa? Think you can handle her attitude?" Stephen knew Sebastian's temper all too well. The kid was flaky and immature, like a typical brat.
Now, Stephen was a ball of worry and stress. "Dad, can you quit blaming everyone else?"
Stephen's constant finger-pointing was driving him nuts, so he stood up and let it out. "They took our business 'cause of your crappy attitude towards Reese. The fallout's on you, too."
It was the first time Sebastian had ever talked back to an elder like this though he might've been immature before
"Reese doesn't hold a grudge against you, but you keep pushing her. You think she'll just keep putting up with it?" Sebastian had been fed up with his dad's antics for a while and had a soft spot for Reese.
This time, his dad's endless blame pushed him to stand up, full of youthful defiance. "What's wrong with Alyssa? She's just more real than most. Is that a crime now?"
Sebastian was mostly talking out of frustration; he didn't really want anything serious with Alyssa.
But everyone took it seriously, and Stephen's harsh words just made him more pissed.
"Why are you two always fighting? Can't you just talk it out?" Clara saw the tension rising and jumped in to calm things down.
"Sebastian, you know your dad's got a short fuse, but he's not totally wrong. That Ms. Flynn from the Flynn family..." Clara thought about all the snide comments about Alyssa at the socialite gatherings and felt bad. "Sebastian, be reasonable. It's better to steer clear of her."
Trying to avoid becoming a laughingstock, Clara did her best to talk him out of it.
But Sebastian wasn't having any of it and kept his focus on Stephen. "Dad, you know Reese is your daughter. Why don't you just acknowledge her?"
Sebastian's sudden question threw the room back into tension.
Stephen and Clara's faces turned sour, filled with embarrassment.
Sebastian said pointedly, "Actually, you don't need to say it, I already know. You're just scared Reese will come back and fight for the family fortune. Money's more important to you than anything else!"
"That's it!" Stephen snapped and slapped Sebastian.
Clara gasped, "Stephen, how could you hit your son!"
Stephen shot back, "Does he even see himself as my son anymore? Feels like he wants to be my dad!"
How dare he talk to him like that!
Clara quickly stepped in, "Sebastian didn't mean it. Don't blame him."
Sebastian, all proud and cocky, couldn't handle getting slapped in front of everyone.
He snorted, "Whatever, I stand my ground. Reese is your daughter. You can even acknowledge your own kid and only care about your money, but remember, not everyone gives a damn about your moeny."
With that, Sebastian stormed out.
Clara panicked, "Sebastian..."
"Don't chase him. Let him go!"
"You, you really drive me nuts!"
Clara watched her son leave, heartbroken and dashed back to her room.
Watching Clara's retreating figure, Stephen sighed deeply.
He plopped down on the couch, lost in thought, with Sebastian's words echoing in his mind.
Stephen had to admit, the kid wasn't entirely wrong. He hadn't been much of a dad to Reese.
Thinking it over, he felt a deep sense of guilt, though he didn't show it.
Alexander spoke up, "Dad, Sebastian's always had a soft spot for Reese, so don't take his words too hard."
Stephen waved his hand, "Yeah, Sebastian's always been blunt, but..."
He didn't completely ignore Reese. But with her strong personality, acknowledging her wouldn't end well, especially with Clara. Both were tough cookies and would definitely clash.
Reese staying away was actually better for her.
Suddenly, he remembered something and said to Alexander, "Sebastian's probably headed to the hospital to see Reese. Go keep an eye on him and check on her, too..."
Alexander fell silent.
At the hospital, Reese, who had been in a coma, finally awoke.
Everyone gathered around her bed.
Reese asked in a worry, "Where's Sebastian? Is he okay?"
First thing she wanted to know was if Sebastian was safe and if Nolan had hurt him.
Malcolm said assuringly, "Don't worry, he's fine and Nolan's been dealt with."
Reese finally relaxed, "Good. At least that ticking time bomb's defused."
Seeing her resilience, Malcolm felt only heartache.
She'd faced everything alone since she was a kid. He'd missed too much of her life. He couldn't change the past, but he wanted to be there for her future.
If danger came again, they'd face it together.
Malcolm's mind was filled with images of them embracing after a heartfelt confession, their bond growing stronger.
A beautiful love, a beautiful scene, everything he longed for.
Malcolm suggested, "From now on, let's face everything together, okay? Promise me."
Reese was stunned by the sudden heartfelt gaze, looking at Malcolm with confusion.
"You..."
"Reese, we came to see you."
"Reese."
The warm moment between them was abruptly interrupted by three people.
Calvin, Ryan, and Louis, who had come for their regular visit, rushed into the room upon hearing Reese's voice, successfully making Malcolm unhappy.
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