Chapter 710 - 700: Marrying a Rich Man (3)

Chapter 710: Chapter 700: Marrying a Rich Man (3)

「Tridell. Southglen Villas.」

When Archie Lockwood arrived at Leo Joyce and Tiana Grayson’s home, he found Tiana rubbing her sleepy eyes, nestled in Leo’s arms. Meanwhile, Rory was sitting cross-legged on the sofa, hugging a bowl of snacks as she watched TV.

His face grim, he strode over, reached out, and lifted Shirley Lockwood right off the sofa, setting her on the floor.

Seeing that Archie Lockwood had arrived, Leo Joyce yawned and stood up. He bent down, scooped Tiana into his arms, and started heading upstairs, saying, "We’ll get out of your hair so you can discipline your daughter. We’re heading back to bed. If you’re not leaving tonight, just pick any guest room."

Shirley Lockwood watched Leo and the pretty lady leave, and she was on the verge of tears. ’Looks like I’m not escaping Dad’s lecture tonight.’

She quickly put on a fawning smile and said, "Dad, you must be tired, rushing all the way over here so late. You should get some rest. Whatever it is, it can wait until morning." ’Once morning comes,’ she thought, ’he definitely won’t have the heart to scold me.’

However, her wishful thinking was all for naught. If Archie Lockwood hadn’t listened to her, it might have been better. But the moment she spoke, his expression turned incredibly foul. He pointed at Shirley Lockwood and roared, "Shirley Lockwood! I lose touch with you for two days, and you run all the way back from Country M by yourself? You’ve really got some nerve! You’re something else, aren’t you!"

"Dad, I know I was wrong," Shirley Lockwood said pitifully, lowering her head to admit her mistake. She knew perfectly well that whenever her dad got angry, he used her full name. If she didn’t admit she was wrong right away, she was doomed.

"Shirley Lockwood, did it never occur to you that you might run into bad people on your way here? What if you’d been taken by traffickers? Shirley Lockwood, have you even considered these consequences?"

Hearing that her dad was worried about her safety, Shirley Lockwood suddenly found the courage to talk back. In a small, timid voice, she said, "Dad, I really know I was wrong, so please stop scolding me. Besides, I’m standing here perfectly fine, aren’t I? I didn’t run into any bad people."

"You didn’t run into anyone *this time*, but what if you had?" Just thinking about all the things that could have gone wrong made Archie Lockwood’s heart pound with anxiety and rage.

"Dad, there are no ’what ifs.’ I can take care of myself, what could possibly happen? Don’t worry. This isn’t the first time I’ve come back to the country alone." ’Her dad was just being an alarmist. It wasn’t the first time she’d snuck away. What could go wrong?’

Seeing that Shirley Lockwood wasn’t taking his words seriously at all, Archie Lockwood’s anger flared. "Fine. You’re really something else. First thing tomorrow morning, I’m arranging to have you sent back. And from now on, I’ll have bodyguards watching you twenty-four hours a day. We’ll see if you dare to sneak back again without a peep."

"Dad, no! Your bodyguards are so cold and impersonal. I don’t want them watching me! I’ll... I’ll swear I’ll never sneak back on my own again, okay, Dad?"

"Your words have zero credibility. How many times have you made promises to me since you were a child?" ’He never should have believed Rory would obediently listen to him and just stay home.’

Seeing that her dad truly didn’t believe her, Shirley Lockwood’s face fell. She said miserably, "Dad, you can’t really blame me. I was just so lonely and miserable all by myself in Country M."

"You have Flora to keep you company. You’re not lonely," Archie Lockwood said, shooting her a cold look, his voice devoid of sympathy.

Shirley Lockwood scowled and pouted in displeasure. "Dad, are you joking? Flora is a kitten. It can’t even talk."

"Shirley Lockwood, don’t you forget the promise you made when you insisted on buying Flora!" He didn’t particularly hate other animals—he was fine with fish, dogs, and so on. But cats were the one thing he couldn’t stand. They were always climbing onto the bed or the sofa, leaving fur everywhere. As a man who was obsessively clean, he absolutely detested them. But Rory had wanted one. She had begged him for days, making all sorts of guarantees, until he finally made an exception and let her have a cat. But this girl, as soon as she got her hands on it, started breaking her promises.

Called out on her little scheme, Shirley Lockwood deflated. She fidgeted, poking her fingers together, and mumbled meekly, "Well, I was just fibbing to get my way... Who knew you’d actually believe me?"