Chapter 171: Her Parents
"Mom? Dad? What are you doing here?" Tiana asked when she saw the man and woman blocking their way.
"It’s been so long since we’ve seen you, our precious daughter," the middle-aged man, relatively good-looking, said with a smile.
"I asked what you’re doing here," Tiana frowned.
She couldn’t understand why her parents were here. She had clearly told them before that she never wanted to see them again.
"There’s no need to get angry, sweetheart. We regret everything we’ve done," a woman’s voice said. Everyone turned to look at the woman who had spoken.
Her face somewhat resembled Tiana’s — the same facial features and hair color.
’So these two are Klein and Liz, huh?’ Daniel thought as he looked at them. Even though he wanted to step in and support Tiana, he decided to stay quiet for now.
It was better for her to face this herself — especially since he could feel she still wasn’t able to completely let go of her family.
Though, he had another reason too. Just looking at those two bastards and remembering how the guy had tried to raise a hand against his mother made his blood boil.
He was barely holding himself back from turning them both into dust and ashes right here.
Similar thoughts were going through Alice and Liana’s minds. They, too, decided not to say anything for now.
"If everything could be fixed with a simple apology, wars wouldn’t exist," Tiana growled coldly.
How was she supposed to forgive these bastards after everything they’d done to her? Impossible.
"Sweetheart, I think you should think about this rationally. We’re your parents. We’ve always wanted what’s best for you," Liz continued, then glanced at her husband.
With just one look, the two understood each other. In truth, they hadn’t planned to meet Tiana before the trial since they were warned not to.
But they came here today to watch their daughter’s exam. To see if she was even worth the money needed to win her back.
And the results had far exceeded their expectations — she had gotten second place!
How could they possibly let go of a genius like her?
"Sweetheart, we even went to therapists and psychologists. We know the problem was with us. But now we’ve completely changed! We promise none of the old stuff will ever happen again," Klein said.
Of course, he was full of crap. Psychologists? Doctors? Like he’d ever spend his money on something so "pointless."
Tiana hesitated. She looked into her parents’ eyes and could see what looked like sincerity in them.
’Maybe they really have changed?’ After all, they were her parents. It’s not like she could just erase them from her life, right?
But Daniel frowned. Seeing her hesitation made him frown. She was even more naive and innocent than he thought.
Alice and Liana simply exchanged glances and stayed quiet. Liana took a step forward and gently placed her hand on Tiana’s shoulder.
Liz and Klein saw that and got angry, about to say something, but a calm, confident male voice interrupted them.
"Did you know what you’re doing right now is a crime?" Daniel stood beside Tiana as he spoke.
"Who the hell are you? What right do you have to interfere in our family matters?" Klein snapped.
"Me? I’m Daniel — your daughter’s current brother."
Tiana looked up at Daniel when she heard that, smiling as warmth filled her chest.
"Don’t be ridiculous! She’s our daughter, and she has nothing to do with you," Liz said, then turned to her daughter.
"Sweetheart, don’t fall for the lies of these leeches! They only want to use your talent!"
"..."
For a second, everyone was dumbfounded. But the most shocked of all was Tiana. She even thought she’d misheard them.
Daniel? Liana? Alice? Trying to use her talents? Did they even need to?
Alice was miles ahead of her. As for Daniel... he was on a completely different level — they weren’t even comparable.
"Sweetheart, you’re too pure and naive to understand the real world. Even if you don’t want to come back with us, that’s fine. But don’t let them take advantage of you," Klein suddenly said.
He was just trying to drive a wedge between her and that family. This was part of the plan he and their lawyer had come up with.
According to their lawyer, if they could somehow break her bond with that family, then everything else could be handled.
He was hoping his daughter was still that same naive fool who’d fall for his words.
"An idiot, huh?" Daniel was the first to speak.
"Hah? Did you just call me an idiot?" Klein frowned, furious. How dare this kid insult him?
"Get the hell out of my sight right now!" Tiana suddenly roared before Daniel could say anything else.
"Huh? Sweetheart, this—" Liz tried to say something, but Tiana’s voice rang out again, louder this time.
"I don’t care if you insult me, but I won’t stand here and let you insult Alice, Daniel, or Auntie Liana! Get lost before I do something I regret!"
Liz and Klein didn’t move — instead, they tried even harder to change her mind.
"You really think you can trick me with those pathetic words? You think I don’t know what kind of trash you two are? You only ever saw me as a money-making machine!" Tiana snapped again.
"Hmph. Looks like they’ve brainwashed you completely. Once we get you back through court, I’ll make sure you go back to being the good daughter you used to be," Liz sneered and signaled her husband to continue.
"As for all of you — the trial is in two days. And for abusing my daughter, insulting us, and spreading false accusations, I’ll make sure you all spend at least a year in prison," Klein added with a smirk.
They wanted to say more, but Tiana couldn’t take it anymore. She released her aura, causing the two to flee.
Without saying goodbye, they left.
The four looked at each other — Daniel felt like just being near those two idiots had lowered his IQ.
How could such brain-dead people even exist?
"Tiana, there’s something I need to tell you," Liana suddenly said, and all eyes turned to her.