Chapter 200 Jessica's Background
Jessica stared at the hot dog in her hand, her eyes welling up.
It was still warm, heating her palm.
Growing up, she never felt any warmth from her father.
The word "father" was just a title, empty and meaningless.
But in this unexpected moment of affection, she realized she was just a kid, like everyone else, craving a father's love.
She didn't need much; even a hot dog would do.
Her eyes reddened.
Jessica took a deep breath and started eating.
It tasted just like her it had in her childhood.
Seeing her eat, Carter stood by her side and asked cautiously, "Jessica, how is it? Tasty?"
Jessica replied, "Not bad."
Carter encouraged, "Good, good, then eat up."
Jessica took a few more bites, but halfway through, Carter suddenly spoke, "Jessica, if you still acknowledge our relationship, help me this time. I'm really at my wit's end."
Jessica's hand froze.
He was asking for something?
Again?
She was still so naive.
Jessica said disappointedly, "So, you bought hot dogs today not to make up for lost fatherly love, but to soften my heart and get more money from me?"
Carter denied and said, "Jessica, you can't say that. I'm your father. Isn't it normal for me to buy you breakfast?"
"Normal?" Jessica sneered. "In over twenty years, you've only bought me breakfast once. Do you think that's normal? Carter, anyone can use that word, but you don't deserve to."
Jessica asked impatiently, "You want money, right? Fine, how much this time?"
Carter's eyes lit up in anticipation, and he held up two fingers.
"Twenty thousand dollars?" Jessica asked.
He shook his head and cautiously said, "Two hundred thousand dollars."
Jessica snorted and threw the hot dog into the trash. She said sternly, "Carter, listen up. Whether it's two hundred thousand or twenty thousand, I don't even have two thousand."
Carter's face darkened.
Carter remarked, "Jessica, no matter what, I'm still your father. Are you really going to leave me to fend for myself?"
"Same line every time? Carter, have you ever fulfilled a father's responsibility? Every time you come to me, it's for money," Jessica shouted.
Carter reasoned, "Jessica, I know I've wronged you, but ever since the Walton family's Xavier took you in, you've been living a good life. I can't give you that!"
Jessica remarked angrily, "Do I want money? I want a fatherly love, do you understand that?"
The more she spoke, the angrier Jessica became.
Carter explained, "I know, but I'm so poor. If I took you back, you'd live a hard life with me."
Jessica replied, frustrated, "A hard life is fine, I would still be happy!"
After shouting, Jessica didn't want to stay any longer.
She walked straight ahead.
Carter clung to her again. Jessica hailed a cab and quickly left.
But she didn't expect that Carter was determined to get money from her this time.
As soon as Jessica arrived at the hospital, a nurse rushed over. The nurse informed, "Jessica, there's an old man at the reception desk insisting on seeing you. Says he's your father."
Jessica replied, "Sorry for the trouble. I'll go right away."
Taking a quick leave, Jessica hurried over.
Seeing Carter, she immediately pulled him aside.
Once they reached a secluded spot, Jessica glared at him. She asked impatiently, "Carter, what do you want?"
Carter repeated, "I told you, if it's money you want, I don't have any, let alone two hundred thousand dollars."
Carter smiled ingratiatingly. He insisted, "Jessica, I know you don't have it, but Gabriel does. Twenty thousand dollars is just a drop in the bucket for him. He could easily spare a bit for me."
Jessica remarked in disbelief, "Ha? Going after Gabriel again."
She stated adamantly, "No matter whose money it is, I won't give you a cent. Stop dreaming."
Carter said impatiently, "Jessica, you heartless girl, do you not have any conscience? Do you know my situation? I owe someone two hundred thousand dollars. They said if I don't pay up in two days, they'll cut off one of my arms and one of my legs."
"Then let them cut them off," Jessica said without hesitation.
Carter immediately became furious and started cursing. He ranted, "You are so heartless. You won't even save your own father. What is your heart made of? How can you be so cruel?"
Jessica repeated, "I'll say it again, I don't have money. Stop coming to me."
"Fine!" Carter gritted his teeth. He threatened, "Then I'll go to Gabriel for money. Two hundred thousand dollars is nothing to him."
Jessica scolded furiously, "Carter, how can you be so shameless? Why should Gabriel give you money for no reason? How can you have the nerve to ask him? He's already supported you enough."
"Why?" Carter sneered. "Because he's my son-in-law. I don't have a son, so isn't it only fair that he helps me repay the money?"
Jessica looked at him, unable to hold back any longer. She blurted out, "Even if you go to him, it won't work. We're already divorced."
Carter stopped abruptly, then quickly turned around, looking at Jessica in disbelief. He said, "Jessica, what did you say? Say it again?"
He asked frantically, "Divorced? When did you get divorced?"
Jessica answered, "You don't need to know that. You just need to know that we're already divorced. So, he won't give you money. Give up on that idea."
Jessica's words hit Carter like a bolt of lightning.
He stood there, stunned, for a long time before reacting.
Carter demanded stubbornly, "Jessica, I don't care what your relationship with Gabriel is now. I have only one request: two hundred thousand dollars. You must get it for me by tomorrow."
"Impossible," Jessica firmly refused.
Carter sneered. He said, "There are some things I've never told you because I wanted to get some benefits from Gabriel. Fine, since I can't get money from him now, I don't care anymore."
He continued, "Since they will cut off my arms and legs, and you don't care about the bond between us as father and daughter, there's nothing left for me to hide. Do you know why Giselle, who is so beautiful, married me, a man who loves drinking and gambling? Do you know why I never liked you?"
Hearing this, Jessica's chest heaved violently.
She felt like some terrible truth was about to be revealed.
"Why?" Her voice trembled as she spoke.
Carter insinuated, "Because that bitch Giselle was already pregnant when she married me. No one wanted to marry her, so she begged me to."
