Chapter 110 Zachary the Bully
Winona wanted to see just how shameless Carlos could be, emitting lies with such ease, but the three people at the table turned to look at her almost simultaneously.
Winona smiled and sat down beside Zachary. She would have preferred another spot, but this was the only seat left.
"What are you talking about?" she asked.
"We were discussing the deep affection between you and your sister and how you've always doted on her since childhood," Zachary said with a smile.
He knew all about Winona's family situation—everything from when her mother passed away to the time her stepmother entered their lives, to even the minutiae such as when Carlos had punished her for Layla's sake and every exact date she missed school.
Winona looked at Carlos, who was staring at her intently, clearly wishing he could answer for her.
"Well, our bond is quite strong. After all these years, she's still living well," she remarked with a light tone.
Carlos's facial features relaxed slightly with her first few words, but as soon as she finished her sentence, his expression tensed up. "What nonsense are you spouting in front of Zachary? Are you not afraid of being laughed at?"
"He is my husband, and that makes us family. If we are family, why do we have to be so formal and measure every word?" Winona was in high spirits, clearly aware of Carlos's intentions. He just wanted to play out the loving father, show a deep sisterly bond, and have Zachary help Layla out of her troubles because of their family connection.
Winona smiled even more innocently and said, "Dad, you never saw Zachary as family. You just see him as a money tree, and that's why you're trying to ingratiate yourself, right?"
"Shut your mouth!" Carlos burst out in anger, his eyes bulging as if they would pop out. His hand on the table clenched tightly, trembling uncontrollably from the force.
Layla patted his back to calm him down, with tears flooding her red eyes, full of anger and grievance. "How can you talk to Dad like that?"
"With such a low tolerance, why are you even sitting here?" Winona's smile vanished, and without that facade, her impatience and indifference became starkly visible.
Layla was at a loss for words.
Before she could say anything more hurtful, Carlos held her back, realizing that playing the family card wouldn't work on Winona. "You must be aware of your sister's situation. Name your terms. Have Zachary step in and solve this. The creditors are vicious, and if she doesn't pay them back, they're going to drive her to her death!"
He would have approached Zachary directly, but he knew that despite being Winona's biological father, if she didn't speak up, Zachary wouldn't even give him his time, even if he plucked stars from the sky for him!
Winona's hand resting on her knee tensed. There was a glimmer of realization in her eyes, and her voice sounded detached. "Will you agree to my conditions?"
Carlos clenched his teeth. "Yes."
Tears fell down Layla's cheeks. "Dad…"
Watching the heart-wrenching scene unfold before her, a sour feeling welled up inside Winona, but she couldn't help letting out a snicker. "Don't be so dramatic. I didn't say I would help."
Carlos was so worried about Layla being hounded to death by debt collectors, but he never thought that Winona could have been driven to the same fate when he took her ID to borrow money at such high interest rates.
If he had been concerned, he wouldn't have done what he did, nor would he have run away with just the mother and daughter in tow.
Winona said, "I won't help, and I don't have the ability to help."
She turned her head to look at Zachary, who had been silent the entire time. "You're not allowed to help either. Even if you did, I wouldn't acknowledge it."
She held up her phone to show him that she had been recording.
Zachary was amused by her demeanor. She was clearly distressed, but she was still trying to put on a fierce, unrelenting face to hide her feelings. He smiled faintly before regaining his composure.
She had no appetite, especially not with the ferocious glare of the two people opposite her, who looked like they wanted to rip her apart. She was about to get up and leave when someone aimed a slap at her face—it was Layla.
But by the look on Carlos's face, it seemed like he wanted to hit her too. Yet, being older, he knew better than to act out of place, especially with Zachary still present.
Any man with the slightest shred of honor wouldn't allow someone to hit his wife in front of him, regardless of his feelings toward her. It was a matter of pride.
So, before Layla's hand could touch her face, it was firmly grasped by Zachary.
Then came a woman's agonizing scream!
Layla's delicate features contorted in pain as she screamed while struggling to pull her hand free from Zachary's grip.
Her hand had turned red.
When Layla used all her strength, Zachary suddenly released her, causing her to fall to the ground.
Carlos hurried over to help her. Layla bit her lip. She looked terrified and on the verge of crying.
Zachary looked at her like he was looking at a dead person. "Try to do it again, and you'll lose your hand."
Layla's body shuddered with fear. This was no gentleman, no refined nobleman—he was a complete tyrant!
Zachary then turned his attention to Carlos. "Although it's not exactly legal, the money I gave you was to sever your ties with Winona. Since you've taken it, you should follow the rules."
Winona looked at him in surprise. Was it the money that parachuted Layla into a high position at Mean Company?
Though curious, she did not ask him anything. Zachary took her to another table and said, "The food here is good. I'm hungry. Join me for a bite."
Winona wasn't hungry, but she sat down anyway.
Because Carlos and Layla were so repulsive, in contrast, Zachary didn't seem so bad.
Being familiar with the menu, Zachary ordered several dishes while Winona listened boredly. However, she realized later that he had chosen all her favorites.
She wasn't conceited enough to think Zachary had ordered based on her preferences, but she couldn't help thinking to herself what a coincidence it was.
How peculiar it was that two people, so alike in their tastes in food, could be so unhappy in their marriage.
Winona propped her chin in her hand as she watched him, her mind wandering, but Zachary was slightly unnerved by her gaze. He leaned in toward her, and his reflection in her pupils grew closer.
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