Marriage with my daughter's father: Darling please be gentle - Chapter 108

Chapter 108: Chapter 108: A man like him never changes
Inside the café, Winter sat across from the old man, who hadn’t spoken a single word since they arrived.

After dropping Seren off at school, Sylvester had insisted on having a serious conversation. The place he chose was quite a distance from her company, but despite her curiosity, she hadn’t questioned him and simply followed.

The silence stretched between them until, finally, he decided to break it.

“I… never got the chance to properly apologize to you,” Sylvester said, his voice measured as he met her gaze.

Winter frowned, confusion flickering across her face.

“I can’t defend what Rita did,” he admitted. “But that doesn’t mean I’m not upset with her. What she did was something none of us could have ever imagined.”

Winter pressed her lips together, gathering the resolve to speak.

“Regarding that,” she interjected, her tone firm but composed, “I don’t think it was your fault, Mr. Andreas.”

Rita had already faced Kalix’s wrath in the most terrifying way possible. Winter highly doubted she would ever dare to lay a hand on her daughter again.

“So I don’t need your apology,” she stated clearly.

“But that doesn’t mean I’ve forgiven Rita.” she added.

Winter wasn’t someone who forgave easily, especially those who crossed the line. And Rita had done more than that—she had targeted her daughter out of sheer insecurity.

Now, Winter was certain that Rita hadn’t acted alone. Diana had been involved as well. But when the truth came to light, Diana had skillfully slipped away, leaving Rita to face the consequences alone.

Sylvester observed her carefully, realizing that Winter was a woman of immense dignity, someone who refused to tolerate nonsense. It was something he had noticed from the very first time they met.

“Fair enough,” he sighed, leaving Winter momentarily stunned.

It was the first time the old man had agreed with her without adding a mocking remark.

“There’s something I wanted to talk to you about,” Winter said, her tone hesitant.

Sylvester merely gestured for her to continue.

“It’s about what you did at the school,” she said cautiously, watching his reaction.

But Sylvester simply waved a dismissive hand. “No one gets to point a finger at my great-granddaughter.”

His words silenced Winter.

A moment passed before she muttered, “Thank you for that,” sincerity evident in her gaze as she met his eyes.

If there was one thing she had come to understand about Sylvester, it was his deep, unwavering love for his family. Yet, for all his loyalty, the man remained unfazed by a simple expression of gratitude.

“Don’t flatter yourself, Winter. That still doesn’t mean I accept you,” he stated bluntly. “I can tolerate you for now.”

His words were sharp, but his tone lacked its usual hardness. Instead, it sounded more like a reminder, one that made Winter’s lips twitch slightly.

“And as for this meeting,” he added, standing from his seat, “don’t go running off to tell Kalix about it.”

Winter raised an eyebrow, watching him.

“Now, come on. I’ll drop you off at work before Kalix sends his men out looking for you.”

Winter couldn’t help but be amazed at how nonchalant he was. He had come all this way just to apologize, yet he still refused to accept her.

As soon as she slid into the car, she turned to him. “Can I ask you something, Mr. Andreas?”

Sylvester nodded in approval.

“Why do you think Diana is a perfect match for Kalix?”

Sylvester paused for a moment, his eyes clouded with guilt, something Winter had never expected to see in him.

“I owe them,” he said faintly, yet the weight of his words left Winter momentarily stunned.

For the briefest second, emotion flickered across his face, but he quickly masked it the moment he noticed her watching him.

“Diana is perfect in every way,” he snapped, his tone sharp as if trying to shake off whatever moment of vulnerability he had just shown. “Unlike you, who brings nothing but trouble.”

Winter’s lips parted in disbelief. The sheer audacity of his words struck her, but more than that, they ignited the anger simmering inside her.

She straightened, her voice firm as she met his gaze.

“Let me rephrase that for you, Mr. Andreas,” she said coolly. “Ever since I crossed paths with your grandson, my life has been nothing but trouble. I’m already at gunpoint from all sides.”

Sylvester shot her a fuming look, but Winter met it with indifference.

“Then maybe you should be directing that frustration at your grandfather,” he said sharply. “He’s the one who forced you into an arrangement neither of us wanted. A man like him never changes, always looking for profit in every deal. He didn’t even spare his own granddaughter.”

He let out a dry chuckle, shaking his head. “That’s just the kind of man he is.”

Winter remained silent, but her fingers curled against her lap. There was an undeniable disdain in his words, one that she couldn’t ignore.

She knew Sylvester was well aware of the deal between Kalix and Bryson. Yet, for some reason, he seemed to place all the blame on her.

She wanted to ask what he meant and why Bryson was the only one at fault, but she held back. Sylvester didn’t seem to care and continued ignoring her as they drove away.

***

As soon as Winter arrived at the office, Kalix immediately summoned her to his office.

The blinds shut, enclosing them in privacy, and the moment she stepped inside, she was pulled into a tight embrace.

“Why did Grandpa visit the house? What did he say?” Kalix’s voice was urgent, his grip tightening around her. “Did he tell you to leave me again? Tell me, Angel. Is that why he was there?”

Winter wasn’t surprised by his reaction, yet hearing the desperation in his voice made her chest clench.

The fear of losing her was evident in the way he refused to let go, as if holding her close would fuse them together, leaving no space for her to slip away. The thought brought a small, unexpected smile to her lips.

“When did you start being afraid of your grandfather?” she teased, slightly pulling back, though her arms remained wrapped around his torso.

As much as he needed this embrace, so did she. And somehow, it grounded her, easing the tension weighing on her chest.

“Who said I’m scared of him?” Kalix scoffed. “I just don’t want his words upsetting you. If he did, tell me. I’ll go and talk to him.”

Winter let out a soft chuckle. Despite his cold exterior, Kalix somehow looked adorable when he stood up for her.

“You think I would’ve let it slide?” she teased. “But surprisingly, your grandfather was quite considerate this time. He actually apologized to me for what Rita did.”

Kalix’s brows furrowed in amusement. “Apologize? Grandpa?” He blinked, as if struggling to process her words. “Am I hearing that right? That old man can do anything but apologize. And to you? That’s… unbelievable.”

The ever-so-proud Sylvester Andreas had apologized to Winter. That was something Kalix never thought he’d witness in his lifetime.

“You don’t trust me?” Winter pulled away instantly, crossing her arms as she fixed him with a piercing stare.

Kalix let out a low chuckle before quickly pulling her back, her hands instinctively landing on his chest in defense.

“I don’t trust him,” he corrected with a smirk.

“Well, at least the old man is showing some progress,” he added. “Otherwise, he’s spent his entire life being nothing but overbearing.”

Winter pursed her lips, a fleeting silence stretching between them.

“Kalix, can I ask you something?” she muttered.

Without hesitation, he nodded.

Winter hesitated, unsure if this was the right moment. Before she could decide, a knock on the door interrupted them. She immediately dropped the idea and took a step back.

“I’ll take my leave,” she said, turning toward the door. As she moved past Sean, who had just entered, she offered him a small, awkward smile.

Sean, ever playful, had been ready to tease his boss, but the moment he caught Kalix’s expression, cold and unreadable, his grin faded. Kalix, without another glance, returned to his seat.

“Boss, I informed Miss Lily about the new collaboration with Flaming Entertainment,” Sean reported. “But she seemed a little skeptical.”

Kalix flipped through the documents in front of him. “Did you explain everything to her?”

“I did,” Sean confirmed. “But she still has doubts. She asked for some time to think it over.”

Kalix’s eyes darkened slightly, a knowing glint flickering in them. He nodded.

“Then let Roger handle it. I’m sure speaking to him directly will clear her doubts.”

Meanwhile, Winter returned to her desk. However, as soon as she took her seat, Felix approached.

“Miss Winter, can you help me with these reports?” he asked, his face etched with concern.

Winter glanced at the closed blinds of Kalix’s office before shifting her gaze to Felix. Offering him a small smile, she nodded.

“By the way, is Miss Winter free after work?” Felix asked, his tone casual yet hopeful. “I mean, I’m sure there isn’t any emergency… since you missed our last group dinner.”

Winter hesitated for a moment, considering his words. She wasn’t particularly fond of dining out, especially knowing her daughter would be waiting for her at home. But at the same time, she found it difficult to refuse, considering she had already missed the last gathering.

“I don’t think so,” she finally said, agreeing reluctantly.

Felix’s smile widened in response.

Winter could sense that he was trying to make a move on her, but she wasn’t interested, not when she already had someone in her life.