"You... come back here. I have something to say. I'm not..."

In his panic, Derek hurriedly softened his tone.

After a few encounters, he had finally figured it out-the moment he lost his temper, Susanna would call for backup.

"I won't hurt you!"

God as his witness, he genuinely never intended to harm Susanna. The paternity test showed she was his daughter. How could he possibly do anything to hurt her?

Susanna looked at him with sheer skepticism, refusing to return to her seat.

"Susie," Derek pleaded softly.

"Just say it from there, and don't even think about touching me."

Her hand remained firmly glued to the doorknob.

If Derek made even the slightest sudden move, she was going to rip that door open and let Barnaby handle him!

Seeing how heavily Susanna guarded herself against him, Derek felt a sharp pang of bitterness in his chest.

He took a deep breath. "Yes, I am angry. I'm angry that you, my own daughter, would so easily accept your mother being with another man."

"But I'm not!" Susanna shot back.

"I am your father! You should be on my side!"

At that moment, Susanna was absolutely certain of one thing.

Derek had been driven completely mad by the recent trauma.

The untouchable love of his life, whom he had spent years protecting, had ended up deceiving him for decades.

Now, he was desperately craving a child of his own and a woman who loved only him!

That was why he vehemently refused to believe a single word she or her mother said.

"But you're not!" Susanna retorted.

"You..."

"Look, I know the only reason you keep trying to get close to me is because of my mom."

"But Derek, did you forget that she was just a pawn you used to protect Adelle all those years ago?"

"If it had just been Adelle's doing, that would be one thing, but you hunted her down too!"

"After everything you put her through, do you actually expect her to still be in love with you?"

If that were the case, her mother would have to be severely brain-damaged to still hold a torch for him.

He should have been able to figure that out with half a brain. Why was he still questioning everything her mother had told him?

Susanna simply couldn't fathom his logic!

"But she gave birth to you," Derek insisted.

"!!!" Susanna was speechless.

"The paternity test clearly proves you are my daughter!" Derek proclaimed.

It was absolutely impossible to argue with this man!

"You have a twin brother! I'm his daughter," she blurted out.

"I don't have a twin," Derek stated coldly.

When it came to the matter of a twin brother, Derek was absolutely certain he didn't have one.

"Fine, I'm done discussing this with you. You should go check on the love of your life."

They had already been over this twin theory, and he refused to believe it!

Susanna yanked the door open.

venet

Barnaby was leaning against the

wall smoking a cigarette h glanced at Susanna. "Is he done harassing you?"

"!!!" Susanna was rendered speechless, shooting Barnaby a helpless look.

See? Even Barnaby thought Derek was just here to harass her.

Hearing Barnaby's blunt remark, Derek's expression turned terrifyingly dark.

"Time to go," Barnaby said, locking eyes with Derek.

Derek's face was ashen. He knew all too well that when Hull's men told him to

leave, sticking around would only earn him a beating.

Finally, Derek let out a heavy sigh and stood up to leave.

As he walked past Susanna, he gave her one last look. "Stepfathers are always vicious. You're an adult now. I hope you can understand what's really at stake here!

"!!!" Susanna stared at him in disbelief.

Barnaby escorted Derek out.

Once they were inside the elevator, Barnaby shot Derek a sideways glance You know, you really don't need to worry. With Hull around no stepfather is going to lay a finger on Susanna. You can save your breath."

"What really matters right now is who makes her mother the happiest!"