Chapter 6 Repay a Debt

• Shannon's POV:
• I, his biological daughter, was out there, caught in a precarious situation, while Hank Stapleton—my so-called father—was throwing a lavish birthday celebration for his illegitimate daughter.
• How ridiculous!
• Jerome, embodying the typical Anderson attitude, posed just two straightforward questions, and yet he had Megan Stapleton and Shelina fidgeting uncomfortably, ensnared in their own embarrassment.
• I crossed my arms, relishing the spectacle as this mother-daughter pair squirmed in their awkwardness.
• Having just reentered this household, I wasn't eager to stir up any major conflicts with them. My priority was to stealthily uncover the truth behind my mother's death and my own abduction by traffickers.
• From my previous investigations, most of the clues pointed to Hank and Megan. I wasn't surprised to discover they were behind what had happened to me and my mother.
• What truly shocked me was realizing the Andersons appeared to have played a role in the events from that time.
• Unfortunately, as I delved deeper into the Andersons' involvement, all my leads abruptly vanished. So, I had no choice but to return, conceal my true identity, uncover the past, and reclaim my mother's inheritance.
• When Jerome approached me, I stood there in my tattered clothes, looking like what they called a "homeless person," yet somehow, I had become the focus of everyone's attention.
• His voice was low, laced with confusion as he asked, "Are you certain this is what you really want? It's not too late to reconsider."
• I raised an eyebrow, perplexed. "What are you, some kind of genie? I told you you only had to send me here."
• As soon as I spoke, whispers rippled through the crowd.
• No one had expected this girl, dressed like a wanderer, to know a member of the Andersons.
• Jerome's dark eyes locked onto mine, and at last, he asked, "Is my life really that insignificant to you?"
• It seemed he had been lingering nearby, claiming he wanted to grant me a wish, just to showcase his value.
• "No ... "
• I was about to turn down Jerome when he added, "You could even wish to marry me."
• At that, the room erupted in disbelief.
• Was Jerome out of his mind? There were far better ways to prove his worth than through a marriage proposal.
• I was still trying to figure out how to refuse this absurd offer when a booming voice interrupted from behind me.
• "Mr. Jerome! Why didn't you give me a heads-up before arriving? This is quite a surprise!"
• I turned to see a man I recognized, wearing an expression of disapproval.
• That man was my father, Hank.
• I didn't hold him in high regard, but at that moment, I felt a flicker of gratitude for his timely interruption—it saved me from the pressure of Jerome's unexpected wish.
• I exchanged a look with my father, and it was painfully obvious that he didn't recognize me. His brow furrowed, and his expression was one of utter contempt.
• "What's happening here? How did a homeless person find her way into this important birthday celebration?"
• A cold laugh bubbled up inside me. My own father couldn't bear to look at me.
• That was fine; I'd make him remember everything eventually.
• "Dad!" I called out, making sure everyone could hear. "Don't you recognize me? It's Shay."
• Shay had been my childhood nickname.
• "Shay ... " Hank's eyebrows shot up, and after a brief moment, he asked in disbelief, "You're ... Shannon?"
• "Yes, it's me, Dad." I took a step closer to him.
• After a decade apart, I didn't have any memories of my childhood, but I had researched Hank thoroughly and recognized him instantly.
• I fixed my gaze on Hank, and I could see him instinctively recoil slightly.
• Fear flickered in his eyes—a fear of hidden truths being revealed.
• Feigning ignorance to his unease, I continued, "Dad, it's been so long since we last saw each other. I missed you so much."
• I wanted to observe how my biological father would react to my presence.
• Clearly, he wasn't eager to accept me as his daughter.
• His demeanor was stiff as he reached out to awkwardly pat my shoulder. "My little girl, you've finally returned! It's great to have you back ... though you and Mr. Jerome seem to be a bit worse for wear."
• Regrettably, I didn't have a mirror handy, but a glance at Jerome confirmed that his clothes were wrinkled and somewhat grimy.
• We looked like we'd just emerged from a dumpster.
• I chose not to respond, neither affirming nor denying the nature of my relationship with Jerome.
• "I'm going to marry her," Jerome insisted again, irritation flashing across his face at being interrupted. Anyone who interrupted him within the Andersons' circle would certainly find themselves in hot water.
• "What?!" Gasps echoed throughout the room.
• "What are you talking about?" His declaration felt like a bombshell dropped right at my feet! Was he completely out of his mind?
• Megan seized the moment, clearly desperate to keep Jerome lingering at the party a bit longer.
• "Is that true?" Hank asked, regarding me with an inquisitive gaze, clearly expecting an answer.
• Who would use marriage as a way to repay a debt? How could the future heir of the Andersons really choose his partner so randomly? Just because I had saved him? If that were the case, everyone I helped would be lining up to marry me!
• "Mr. Jerome, what do you mean?" Hank asked incredulously. It seemed to sting him that his beloved Shelina hadn't caught Jerome's interest while his ragged daughter had.
• "Dad, Mr. Jerome is just joking. He's a bit odd and has a knack for these kinds of jokes. Do we have any clean clothes at home? I think both Mr. Jerome and I could really use a change."
• "Yeah, Sir. Looking at Mr. Anderson, he definitely needs a fresh outfit," Megan jumped in, eager to redirect the conversation away from the idea of Jerome marrying me.
• I initially thought Jerome wouldn't want to remain with the Stapletons, but to my surprise, he nodded!
• What in the world?!
• Why would he agree to stay at the Stapletons' residence?
• Did he genuinely want to talk about marriage with my father?