Cost of Her Father’s Freedom

Oliver was heading toward his apartment when his phone started to ring, he looked at the caller ID and picked it up immediately.

"Mr. Knight, there's news from the police station." Uncle Joe's voice came from the other side.

"What is it?" Oliver asked in a calm voice.

"According to the police investigation, there is no evidence to prove that Green Group's fraud was related to Jacob Adam."

"No evidence? Then we'll create evidence, and put that Jacob Adam in jail before tomorrow morning." Oliver spoke in a calm voice as if he was talking about the weather, but his eyes were full of fierceness.

"Did Miss Green upset you tonight?" Uncle Joe asked sarcastically.

"No," Oliver said simply, but Ava's shadow lingered in his mind.

Uncle Joe didn't believe him but didn't say anything either. He knew him too well, he saw Oliver grow up in front of him. He suspected Oliver may have started to grow feelings for Ava.

"Well, I'll do it right away." He simply said and disconnected the call.

By morning the next day, the news of Jacob's imprisonment exploded the whole city. The headlines of all the major media were talking about how he framed James Green. Poppy was also arrested for suspected leakage of business secrets and her involvement in the fraud.

When Ava saw the news it was already noon, she looked at the news on her phone, again and again, she was puzzled. Jacob was in prison? How did that happen? So does that mean her father was free now? She couldn't believe it, she was so happy she felt like she was about to explode.

Then a possibility occurred to her, was it Oliver's doing? Was that what he meant last night? A chill ran through her body by thinking of Oliver's ability, it turns out he was more dangerous than she actually thought. Ava felt fear in her heart, anyone who dared to offend Oliver Knight was destined to be destroyed. She thought, the moment Oliver Knight lay his eyes on her she was doomed for life, there was no escape. But she still felt happy for her parents.

Ava immediately got off work and went back home she found Lily in the living room. Lily was very happy, the mother and daughter held each other and cried for a long time, all happy tears.

"Ava, Thank goodness, the police must have found evidence and cleared your father's name after all your father didn't do anything wrong. He was an honest businessman." Lily said with tears in her eyes, she could finally breathe in relief.

"Yes, Mom." Ava smiled happily.

she could not tell her mother that this might not be done by the police although she was not sure but her intuition told her Oliver had something to do with Jacob's imprisonment. Ava's thoughts were interrupted by a phone ring. Ava checked the ID and went back to her room to take the call.

"How was it, satisfied enough?" Oliver smiled coldly on the other end of the phone.

Ava's suspicion was confirmed she asked quietly "When can my father come out?"

Oliver was a gentleman when he was in a good mood and a monster when he was not. Ava was afraid of his mood swings.

"It depends on when you will accept my terms. If you promise me now, your father will be released now." Oliver was playing with an important document in his hand, which was the one that sent Jacob into prison.

For a while, Ava was too nervous to speak, her hold on the phone got tighter. She whispered, "Didn't you say you wanted me to come willingly?"

"Are you telling me you are not?" Oliver's delicate lips made a charming smile. Everything was his plan, he was the master of the game, and naturally controlled the progress of it.

Ava sighed, she knew she couldn't win this game, he was too powerful, so she said without any hesitation "OK! I promise you, whatever that is you want, as long as my father can come out harmless." Ava closed her eyes painfully, and under her thick lashes, there was a grief that could not be seen by others.

"Well, move out, day after tomorrow, from that day onward for a month you will be living with me. Your father will be home before 6 p.m., you and your mother can also go back to Green Villa." Oliver suddenly lay down on the floor and started to do pushups.

Ava was shocked, her eyes showed reluctance. She bit her lips hard but didn't dare to say no. After all, it was because of Oliver her father could finally be free, she had no ability to get him out of the prison by herself, so she owed him and she had to pay whatever the price was.

"OK, but how would I get there?" Ava said lightly.

"I'll send someone to pick you up. As your father is coming home today so I will give you one day with him for a reunion." Oliver's words were more like official orders, without any human feelings.

Ava touched her heart with her hand, her heart was shaking violently. She breathed heavily, but it was hard to hide her pain. Once she goes into a live-in relationship with him, she will become his mistress! Ava thought her life had become a joke. These days, her life had gone through tremendous changes. Jacob's betrayal, the Green family's downfall, meeting Oliver, and even becoming his woman were all unexpected.

Once upon a time, she expected to fall in love and live her life with her true love happily till the end, however when she did fall in love that person not only betrayed her but also tried to destroy her family and now to save her family she had to make a deal with the devil. All hope seemed to be lost. She wanted to cry but there were no tears, the grief, the pain felt unbearable yet she could only face it with a brave smile.

Oliver was true to his words. Before six o'clock in the evening, James went home. Lily and Ava were waiting at Green Villa. The moment James opened the door, Ava couldn't stop her tears. She cried and fell into her father's arms. "Dad, you're back at last." Ava cried hysterically, her heartache seems to be vanished seeing her father's face.

"Silly girl, why are you crying, didn't I tell you I will come back." James was feeling guilty. His face had no more bruises, but his eyes were full of heartache. He was the pillar of this family, for all these years he kept his wife and daughter safe from every storm but this time he let his family suffer, he let them down.

"Welcome home, husband." Lily untied her apron and walked out of the kitchen. Her eyes were wet. She went to the kitchen the moment they came back to Green villa to cook a table full of meals to welcome James.

"Don't cry. I'm back now, I won't let this happen to you ever again, I promise." James said in a choked voice.

Golden sunshine sprinkled on the city and this fragmented home also finally reunited.