Chapter 354
Merida’s voice was innocent and pure, while the teachers standing behind Harvey exchanged amused, gossipy looks.
Harvey froze, offering only a pale explanation, “I didn’t…”
He glanced up at Elara, and there was a wave of frustration bubbling up inside him. “Daddy has never slept with Niamh! That absolutely never happened!”
His words seemed directed more at Elara, and he watched her reaction closely. However, Harvey’s explanation still didn’t resolve the logic in Merida’s mind.
“But Aunt Niamh is your best friend, and Lesley is Mommy’s best friend. Isn’t it the same thing?”
“It’s not the same!” Harvey denied.
Merida puffed out her cheeks, her eyes filled with defiance as she looked at Harvey.
She even began to lecture him, “Mr. Harvey, you can’t be lenient with yourself and strict with others. That’s just being hypocritical!”
Harvey’s breath hitched. This kind of topic, involving adults‘ private lives, was something he didn’t know how to explain to a five–year–old.
Suddenly, he thought of something and turned to Elara. “What have you been telling Merida to make her see my relationship with Niamh this way?”
Elara let out a soft scoff through her nose. She didn’t bother to explain, nor did she care to respond to Harvey.
“Mr. Harvey, you’re misunderstanding my mommy.”
When Merida spoke, Harvey’s heart softened. He lowered his voice and said to her, “Maybe Daddy’s past behavior gave you the wrong impression.
“Let me make it clear to you now that Aunt Niamh and I are just friends. We’ve never been like your mommy and this person…”
Lesley, who was still hugging Elara with her head resting on Elara’s shoulder, looked at Harvey and taunted him. ” Oh? So you’ve never hugged your best friend like this?”
Harvey’s voice faltered.
Then, Merida answered for him, “I’ve seen Aunt Niamh and Mr. Harvey hugging before!”
The teachers standing nearby wished they could hide in a corner, munching on snacks while enjoying the drama.
Lesley squinted and smiled. “It’s normal for best bros to hug each other, and it’s normal for best girlfriends to give each other a little kiss!”
As she spoke, she planted a kiss on Elara’s cheek.
Harvey instantly felt a surge of anger rising in his chest, the taste of blood filling his mouth. His hands clenched into fists as veins bulged on the back of his hands, the skin turning pale over his knuckles.
For the first time, he clearly realized he couldn’t stand the thought of another man being close to Elara. Although Harvey knew Lesley was deliberately provoking him, trying to anger him, he couldn’t help but fall into her trap.
His rage erupted like lava, consuming his rationality.
+25 BONUS
Chapter 354
“Merida…” Harvey tried to reason with his daughter. “Niamh and I have never acted like that. She and I are like siblings, but I know she’s a woman,
and there should be boundaries between men and women. Your mommy, she…
“Mr. Harvey, you don’t need to tell me what you think. Your thoughts don’t matter to me or Mommy anymore.”
His heart felt as if it were being tightly wound by countless threads
and each breath was a struggle. Merida crossed her arms in front of her chest. Her hands were clasped as her thumbs were gently pressing against her fingers.
“Mr. Harvey, you’re already so far removed from our lives. No matter how you change, it has nothing to do with me or Mommy.
“Besides, I’ve changed my name to Merida Jones. You can’t call yourself my daddy anymore.”
At this, Merida looked up at the teachers from the arts department. She hadn’t forgotten why Elara had brought her to the administration building in the first place.
Harvey was so annoying! It was all his fault for interrupting her chance to talk to the teachers.
“Dear teachers, when is the deadline for signing up for the talent show?”
The teachers glanced at Harvey before answering Merida, “We’ll be finalizing the program list for printing and poster production by 2:00 pm on Monday.”
Merida’s eyes widened in alarm. “That means I only have three days to rehearse!”
She turned to Elara, and their eyes met. Elara asked her, “Can you do it?”
Merida nodded firmly. “I want to try! Uncle Finn always tells me to push beyond my limits!”
Elara felt inspired by her daughter’s determination and smiled. “Alright, let’s give it a shot!”
She addressed the teachers present, “On Monday at noon, I’ll bring Merida back to show you her performance. If her performance impresses you, I hope you’ll do whatever it takes…”
Elara glanced at Harvey, then continued, “…to give her a chance to perform on stage.”
The “whatever it takes” was clearly directed at Harvey.
Elara took Merida’s hand and said to Lesley, “Let’s go.”
Harvey stood there, watching them leave. Suddenly, a wave of overwhelming helplessness washed over him. His chest felt as if it had been soaked in vinegar, and the sour ache was making it hard to breathe.
Harvey pulled out his phone and called Cyrus, instructing, Go tell Theodore Snapp that he’s the other man.”
