Behind The Spotlight Chapter 161
"First, I would like to apologize for all the things my daughter did and for the tremendous trouble she caused."
Collin and Lawrence couldn't tell if Terrier Blackstone was being sincere or simply maintaining an image. Regardless, Lawrence was in no state to care, his mental stability had already taken enough damage from the stalker's obsession.
"Collin, Lawrence, I believe I have to talk to you privately."
"We would love to," Collin lied without showing a hint of nervousness. He had no desire to stay on the rooftop of an expensive hotel with an influential billionaire, but given the situation, he had to act composed and play along.
"Emma, let go of Lawrence. I want to talk to them."
"Why? I'm not allowed to listen? I just want to be next to Lawrence, isn't that right?" Emma clung tightly to Lawrence's shoulder.
'... Bitch, you stalked me for weeks, took pictures of me, and even soaked them in blood. You almost pulled out a gun. The last thing I want is to be anywhere near you, not even within ten miles.' Lawrence hid his disgust behind a strained expression. The patience he had not to slap her across the face was remarkable.
"We need to talk alone. You can meet Lawrence later." Terrier gave her a stern look, making Emma click her tongue in annoyance.
"Tch, alright. See you later, hubby~"
She waved flirtatiously before leaving. Lawrence's team also had to leave the rooftop.
Now, aside from the bodyguards at the door, only Collin, Lawrence, and Terrier remained.
Terrier led them to a shaded table with wine and fruit laid out, though none of them had the appetite to touch anything.
"Emma did bad things to you. I'm sorry about that."
"..."
If Lawrence didn't know the danger of the man sitting across from him, he would have punched him. All the stress caused by this ordeal had worn him down physically and mentally. He thought things would improve after identifying the stalker, but fate dealt him a cruel turn. The stalker was the daughter of a billionaire, making everything infinitely worse.
"For the damages my daughter caused, I'm going to pay you $15 million. I'll send it to your account whether you listen to my favor or not, as an apology and compensation."
"Mr. Blackstone, my client was deeply affected by what happened to the point it disrupted his daily life," Collin stated.
"I know, and I am ashamed of that. You can blame me if you want. I failed as a father. Emma was not like this when she was young, but she changed after my wife died. Out of grief, I spoiled her and gave her everything she wanted. She grew up badly because of it, and I regret it every single day."
"I have no reason to listen to your heartbreaking story. Everyone has their own sad story, but it doesn't justify what Emma did to me." Lawrence gritted his teeth as he spoke. Nothing could make him sympathize with Emma, not even her tragic upbringing.
"Just like my client said, we are not here to listen to sad stories. Mr. Blackstone, we simply hope your daughter will stop stalking Lawrence. As for the $15 million, we don't want it. As long as Emma stays away from him, everything will be fine and peaceful again," Collin added.
"About that... I'm not sure if I can stop my daughter from doing what she wants. She rarely listens to anyone."
"What!?" Lawrence snapped, his anger rising. Collin quickly tried to calm him before he exploded.
"You have to understand my situation as a father. I want what's best for my daughter. I can't just lock her up in a mental asylum."
"You..." Lawrence clenched his fists, trying to keep his reaction in check.
"I know my daughter is delusional. She thinks she's your wife and genuinely believes that fantasy."
A cold chill ran down Lawrence's spine.
"Lawrence, I have a favor—"
"Mr. Blackstone, I think our conversation has to end here. We're leaving." Collin stood immediately. He felt the direction of the conversation turning into something unacceptable, something they were not prepared to handle.
"If you leave, Emma will never stop stalking you. I know my daughter. She'll do anything to get what she wants, even if it destroys her life."
They halted, turning toward Terrier with anger and disbelief.
"Please, sit down first. This favor can help all of us. I spoke to a psychiatrist, and he said he has a method to fix Emma."
"Your daughter is not in her right mind. And you're also crazy. Can't you just send her to another country and keep her away from me?" Lawrence burst out.
"She'll come back to America without my permission. She's done it before."
"Stop giving her money."
"She'll find a way on her own. She once almost sold an organ just to travel somewhere she wanted."
"Assign bodyguards to monitor her."
"I already did. She escaped them. She lies to them easily."
"Why don't you just kill her then?"
"... I'm trying to be polite here. I know we are in the wrong, but don't push me too much." Terrier stared at him with a cold, threatening gaze.
Despite the sunlight shimmering on the pool, the atmosphere turned freezing.
"Anyway, hear me out first. My daughter will go to extreme lengths to get what she wants, and she loves playing games. The psychiatrist said she needs a strong reality shock, something that will break her delusions. Lawrence, I want you to marry my daughter for a year and break her heart. Teach her how the world works. Out of all her obsessions, you're the only one who can fix her."
"And you think I'll agree to that insane request?"
"Apart from the $15 million, I'll pay you $50 million if you help treat my daughter. She needs to face reality and learn the world doesn't revolve around her. If you successfully wake her from her delusions, I'll give you 1% of Blackstone Corporation."
"First of all, it's your fault she grew up like that. Second, I don't care about your money. I want your daughter out of my life forever."
"I admit my shortcomings. That's why I'm asking for your help."
"..."
Lawrence closed his eyes, trying to collect himself.
"Mr. Blackstone, I want to talk to my client. Please give us a moment."
"I'll wait."
Collin and Lawrence moved to another spot on the rooftop, far from anyone's ears.
"Lawrence, don't agree to him. I can just hire more bodyguards. Don't worry about what he said. You're going to be fine," Collin assured him.
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