Chapter 221

S2 51. Independent Girl

Barbara shook her head firmly. “Sorry, Dad. I’ve made up my mind. I want to explore my own potential.”

Paul gaped wordlessly. His common sense was shaken and his heart still refused to believe it until Barbara grabbed his hand.

“Dad, you don’t need to worry. I will visit you on holidays and weekends, alternating with visiting Mom. Later, when I become a professional, maybe I can also help you with managing the company.”

“Where do you want to live? What work do you do? How do you survive when you never even go to the kitchen?”

“I’ll think about it in more detail later. Now the important thing is let’s meet Mom. We should settle everything so that no one else is

harmed.”

Paul’s eyes narrowed. “What do you want to talk to her? Why do you look so sure that it can make her change?”

“Actually, I’m not sure. But I have to tell Mom and I can’t delay an longer,” Barbara nodded slightly. “Just pray for me, Dad. I ho words won’t be in vain.”

Seeing Paul frown, Barbara tightened her grip. “How is it, Dad? Sh we meet Mom tomorrow?” she whispered slowly.

After a brief moment of contemplation, Paul sighed heavily. “Sorry, Darling. I want to support you, but I have an important agenda

tomorrow.”

“Then, I can handle it alone. I’ll bring the divorce papers to Mom.”

Barbara’s back straightened. Her hand patted her chest, while her eyes sparkled with hope. Paul didn’t have the heart to put it out.

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“After that, you are going home, right?”

Barbara fell silent before nodding slowly. “Yes. There are several things that I need to prepare before living independently. Of course I will come back here.”

Paul looked at Barbara uncertainly. However, after placing both hands on her shoulders, he sighed in resignation. “I didn’t think this moment would come so soon. You’re not a spoiled child anymore, Barbara.”

Barbara bit her lip, holding back a smile. “I can’t always rely on you and Mom. Of course I have to learn to survive.”

Paul nodded. While strengthening Barbara’s shoulders, he

emphasized, “Then go. Don’t let me down. I will die of disappointment if you betray me.”

Barbara laughed softly. “Thank you, Dad.” She hugged Paul tightly.

While her father patted her on the back, Barbara filled her lungs with hope. She couldn’t wait to see the other’s reactions when they found out about her decision.

“The twins will definitely give me thumbs up and Philip….”

Barbara stopped the words. She didn’t want to be embarrassed front of her father. Her cheeks always blushed every time Philip crossed her mind.

***

“Emily,” Louis shifted closer to his sister, “has Auntie contacted you today?”

Emily looked away from the window and shook her head. “Not yet. Maybe she contacted Philip.”

The twins turned to the other seat. Philip looked focused on his phone.

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“Philip, have you heard anything from Auntie?” Emily asked in her cute

little voice.

The man didn’t answer.

“Philip?” Emily called a second time.

However, Philip was still unmoved. His gaze was only glued to the phone.

“Look, Mommy, Daddy. We don’t lie. Philip is really upset. He often daydreams,” Louis reported in a teasing tone.

While his parents laughed, Louis shifted so he could nudge the assistant. However, the man still didn’t react. Emily started giggling. Only when Louis waved his hand over the phone screen did the man finally blink.

“Yes, Young Master?”

Louis sighed and shook his head. His tiny hands were hooked on his waist. “You can’t go on like this, Philip. If Auntie hasn’t come by the end of the week, we’ll have to go to her. You won’t be able to last much longer than that.”

Emily nodded. “Yes, if you don’t look at Auntie’s face for more th week, your heart will become out of shape.”

Philip’s eyebrows arched high at the teasing. His other hand wave However, before he had time to speak, Louis exclaimed, “Oh, wow! Philip even opened Aunt’s account. He must really miss her!”

“It’s not like that, Young Master,” Philip groaned. “Look at this!”

Philip put his phone into Louis’ hand and pointed at a series of pictures. “There are some new posts.”

Seeing the photos taken at their home, the toddler’s eyes widened. It’s definitely not Auntie!”

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As Emily poked her head out, Louis read one of the captions. “My favorite place in the house. Perfect for relaxing with tea and some fresh air.”

A second later, he snorted. “It’s not Auntie, but Grandma! Why is she pretending to be her?”

Emily also furrowed her eyebrows. Her hands were clasped in front of her chest. “Does Grandma have any evil plans?” She glanced at her

parents.

Kara rubbed Emily’s back. “Don’t make such assumption, Little Bee. That’s not good.”

“Yes,” Frank raised his chin, “maybe, Grandma is afraid that Aunt’s followers will decrease again. So, she keeps her account active.”

The twins’ eyes suddenly narrowed.

“I hope Daddy’s guess is right,” Louis muttered, seeming sarcastic.

“Yes, I want to live peacefully. Fighting with Grandma is tiring.” Emily supported her round face with both hands. Her pouting lips add to her

cuteness.

Frank and Kara laughed again. “If you keep being good kids, Gra will change faster,” Kara said softly.

Louis’ cheeks puffed up. His back stopped bending. “Okay, we’ll th

“No need to try, Louis. We are good kids.”

While the others forgot their worries, Philip returned to watching. Barbara’s account closely. His gut feeling said something wasn’t right.

However, when he arrived at the Harper residence, Philip’s anxiety disappeared. A taxi had just come out of the gate.

“Oh? Whose taxi is that?” Louis pressed his eyes to the window.

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Emily turned her head. However, when she checked, the taxi had disappeared into the distance. “Did anyone just come home from shopping?”

Philip smiled faintly. “There is no shopping schedule this afternoon.”

In an instant, the twins were slack-jawed.

“Is that Auntie?”

“Auntie has come?”

A second later, their screams of joy filled the air. When the limo stopped, they raced to get off faster.

“Auntie…. Auntie …!”

They didn’t care anymore about Philip being left behind or Kara shouting at them to watch their steps. However, when they entered the living room, they gasped. Their eyes shook when they saw how hard Melanie slapped Barbara.

“I was pregnant with you for months, and I have raised you for years. Is this your reply to me?”

After snorting, Melanie started to shake her head. Her eyes we increasingly filled with red streaks.

“How can you say you want to be separated from me? You think be happy if you live independently after saying one sentence of tha you? No! You haven’t even once shown your devotion.”

Barbara gritted her teeth. Lowering her hand from her cheek, she grimaced. “What’s wrong with me living independently? Daddy supports my decision. Besides, shouldn’t you be relieved? I won’t be a burden anymore.”

“Don’t you realize? If you leave now, it won’t be fair to me.” Suddenly, Melanie shook Barbara’s shoulder. The volume of her voice

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decreased until it was barely audible.

“You know what your role is. Do it first! Help me get the property then marry a rich businessman. Only after that, you can do whatever you

want.”

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