Chapter 306: James, Is She Your Daughter?
As Caryn and Natalie walked down the hallway, Caryn spoke. "You must be wondering who your father is, so let me tell you—that’s not even worth knowing. Just focus on what’s coming your way and take those people down before they even think about harming you again."
Natalie understood Caryn was talking about the Belvorn family. Since the woman was unwilling to answer who her father was, Natalie knew it was useless to ask her.
Caryn continued, "If not for them coming after you even after I showed we have no interest in royalty, I would not have asked you to do anything. But those people simply can’t let us be. You have to pay for being of royal blood, though you never asked for it. I believe you are capable enough to protect yourself and then teach them a lesson."
What could Natalie say now when her mother had already said everything before she could even ask a simple question? Her mother was simply domineering, and Natalie found herself obeying her.
"Understood?" Caryn asked.
"I get it," Natalie replied, sounding distant. "I will take my leave now. Please take care of yourself, Ms. Shaw." Natalie offered a curt bow and left as if she had just finished talking business and had nothing to do with the person before her.
Caryn and Eric watched her leave.
"Caryn, you could be a little gentler—like a mother," Eric said. "She just found out her mother is alive and must have some expectations from you, but all you do is treat her formally like an outsider and instruct her on what to do. She even called you ’Ms. Shaw,’ not ’Mother.’ She’s drawing a boundary with you now. Why are you like this? Did you protect her all these years just for this—to have your daughter treat you like a stranger?"
"It is better this way. She won’t have any weaknesses and can do things without considering others," Caryn replied as her wheelchair moved forward. "She didn’t allow Clara to blackmail her and didn’t care if her mother was declared a promiscuous woman. That means Natalie is going the right way. If she had gotten emotional about her mother and allowed herself to be blackmailed, that would have been the worst thing I could ever allow. My daughter can’t afford to have any weaknesses."
"I understand, Caryn, but maybe at this moment, what she wants is her mother...."
"Is it not my care toward her?" Caryn interrupted him. "Now stop talking, and let’s head back."