Callie stared directly at him, not sitting down. Her black trench coat accentuated her tall figure, devoid of the innocence she once had.
“Meeting Mr. Ellison here can’t be a coincidence.”
Ahmad, dressed in simple clothes with gold-rimmed glasses, looked scholarly. If not told, no one would know he was the financial magnate of Ylosea; they would assume he was a university professor.
“Sit,” Ahmad said calmly, lifting his teacup as a gesture.
Callie hesitated but sat beside him, under the watchful eyes of the bodyguards behind her.
Ahmad sipped his tea and got straight to the point. “I heard that last night at Sky Pavilion, my Maeve met you.”
Callie didn’t deny it. “Are you here to stand up for his beloved daughter?”
Ahmad put down his teacup. “She cried last night because of you.”
Indeed, Callie thought with a smirk. The Ellison family’s darling could summon powerful figures with just a tear.
Callie remained silent, her eyes questioning his intent.
“You’ve been married to Nelson for two years. Many have probably offered you deals, but I won’t bother with that.” Ahmad stared at her. “However, I heard your father has recently gone missing.”
Callie’s gaze sharpened. “Are you using such despicable means to pressure me?”
“Not at all,” Ahmad chuckled. “If you agree, even if he’s turned to ashes, I can find him for you.”
The price would be heavy.
Callie met his eyes. “Honestly, your offer is tempting. My father means a lot to me.”
Ahmad gestured for her to choose.
“But in Ylosea, if the Oconnor family can’t find someone, why should the Ellison family be able to?”
The confidence in Callie’s words came from Nelson, making her statement thunderous.
Ahmad was momentarily taken aback by this woman, then he smiled. “The Oconnor family’s influence is in Ylosea, but the Ellison family’s reach is national and even global.”
Years of experience and wealth weren’t just for show.
Callie looked at him for a long time and sighed.
Ahmad’s smile faded. “Why are you sighing?”
“I feel sad.”
“When Maevelyn went missing and you searched in vain, your feelings must have been as complex as mine are now. But I never thought you’d one day use such matters to threaten others.”
True empathy doesn’t exist in this world.
Ahmad didn’t expect Callie to say that. She had seen through his thoughts and hit the mark.
His expression softened slightly, seemingly regretful. “… You’re a good girl, Callie. It’s a pity you don’t have the Ellison name.”
This statement made Callie’s heart skip a beat.
Yes, it’s a pity she doesn’t have the Ellison name and will never enjoy the protection of family power. Compared to Charlotte, their fates were different despite being similar people.
“Do you think it’s a pity? I don’t.” Callie smiled. “Though my family environment wasn’t great growing up, I had to work part-time to afford school and cover medical bills after graduation. My father treated me very well. He had no money or power but gave me the best love he could.”
“Even more than he gave his biological son.”
“Can you do that, Mr. Ellison?” Without waiting for an answer, Callie hit the nail on the head. “You can’t even treat your own children equally.”