Chapter 208 Unscrupulous Father
Maggie meticulously listed every expense, her expression very serious.
From Arya's pregnancy to giving birth, postnatal care, formula, and diapers before kindergarten, vaccination costs, illness and fever, clothes, shoes, toys, and so on.
Maggie then had the waiter bring a calculator and start adding up. "Mr. Jackson, some expenses are a bit fuzzy in my memory, so I'll give you an approximate total. Rest assured, I won't let you lose out. After the age of three, there's kindergarten, then tuition, living expenses..."
"From elementary school to high school tuition, tutoring fees, living expenses, study materials..."
With each item Maggie listed, Mark's face grew paler, filled with anxiety.
Even negotiating a deal worth millions of dollars didn't make Mark feel as uncomfortable as this.
When Mark talked to Maggie about emotions, Maggie did the same to him.
"Mr. Jackson, these expenses are all calculated now. Take a look; prices weren't high back then, totaling forty-four thousand dollars."
Maggie clasped her hands together, speaking gently, "Money is actually the easiest to calculate. Some emotions, however, can't be quantified. When I was sick, my mom took care of me day and night. Many things can be glossed over, but the toil and heartache can't be ignored, Mr. Jackson."
Mark looked at each expense with a mix of emotions and eventually moved. "Maggie, I'm truly sorry to you and Arya."
"You indeed owe us an apology. I'll reduce the amount for you to a total of forty thousand dollars. You and my mom share the responsibility of raising, so the costs should be split. You can give me twenty thousand dollars."
Maggie calmly asked, "Mr. Jackson, will it be cash or mobile payment?"
Although Maggie's actions were somewhat unexpected, Mark did owe her, and he couldn't avoid paying this sum.
Mark immediately took out his phone, his voice trembling slightly. "I'll transfer it to you now. Just give me your Facebook."
Maggie didn't hold back, presenting her phone for Mark to make the payment.
Twenty thousand dollars meant little to Mark.
To make amends to Maggie, Mark added a zero, transferring two hundred thousand dollars.
Upon receiving the notification, Maggie, unsurprised by the amount, she calmly transferred back the excess.
Mark was completely puzzled by Maggie's actions.
"Maggie, consider this money as compensation from me to you. Please accept it." Mark expressed regret. "These years, you and Arya have indeed suffered. I'm deeply sorry."
"I'll only take what's due." Maggie took a sip of coffee. "Mr. Jackson, you've fulfilled your duty of care towards me now. When you're old and unable to move, and you need me, I won't shirk my responsibility."
Throughout, Maggie remained composed, placing fifty dollars on the table. "I'll cover this coffee."
With that, Maggie stood up to leave.
Mark also rose. "Maggie, Melissa is sick. Please help her. I know you're a good kid. You'll help Melissa, right?"
Maggie smiled faintly. "Mr. Jackson, are you confused? You only had me with my mom back then. I don't have a sister."
Upon hearing this, Mark furrowed his brow. He thought Maggie's acceptance of the support fee acknowledged him as a father and would help save Melissa.
Mark lowered his pride. "Maggie, as long as you agree to help Melissa, I'm willing to give you one-third of the family's assets. In the future, you, Melissa, and your brother will split it equally. Let's be a harmonious family, and give me a chance to compensate you and Arya."
Maggie looked coldly at Mark with a smile. "Mr. Jackson, if it weren't for Melissa's illness, would you still remember me and my mom? Has your son been a bone marrow match? Is it not suitable? Also, I am your daughter. Even if my mom and you didn't have a marriage certificate, I am still your daughter. If we're dividing family assets, I have the right to fight for my share."
Mark felt ashamed. Indeed, Mark's son and daughter were a bone marrow match and could donate, but that was Mark's son, and he couldn't bear to do it.
Donating bone marrow would have certain impacts on life, such as lowered immunity, accelerated aging, and some unknown side effects, which made Mark even more reluctant for his son to donate.
At the same time, a surge of anger rose within Mark. He felt manipulated by Maggie.
Suppressing his anger, Mark said, "Maggie, take your time to consider. As long as you agree, one-third of the family's assets will be yours, and I won't go back on my word."
Just as Maggie was about to speak, a deep voice came from the direction of the door. "One-third of Mr. Jackson's family assets should be kept for your old age."
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