Ida was stunned. "Horace, how could you hit Jessica? She''s your daughter!"


    Jessica clutched her sore cheek, her voice frembling. "I can''t believe you hit me! Why would you do that?**


    Horace''s face turned ashen, his eyes cold and sharp as he stared at fessica.


    "I think I''ve spoiled you way too much. Now, you''re even criticizing your mother? Brittany''s your biological mother. She almost died giving birth to you! You''re so selfish you only ever think about yourself. Just because your mother didn''t give you what you wanted, you want to swap her out? Don''t you understand what family means?"


    This was the first time Horace had ever lost his temper in such a manner.


    Both Jessica and Ida froze in shock. No one dared to make a sound


    Jessica''s tears finally broke through. "Dad-"


    "Don''t call me Dad! I''m so disappointed in you!" Horace snarled, then stormed upstairs and locked himself in the study.


    Soon after, his butler arrived and went up to the study as well.


    Jessica, feeling panic rising, grabbed Ida''s hand. "I''ve said everything you told me to say, but why did Dad react like that? I don''t think he ever nned to marry you!"


    Ida didn''t need Jessica to spell it out, as she already knew the truth. If Horace had wanted to marry her, he wouldn''t have waited all these years.


    She couldn''t believe Horace was defending Brittany so fiercely. Could he be truly in love with Brittany?


    Ida brewed a fresh cup of coffee and approached the study door. She raised her hand and gently knocked. "It''s me."


    A momentter, Horace''s voice came from inside. "Come in."


    She pushed the door open.


    Horace was sitting in his office chair, his butler standing nearby respectfully.


    Ida stepped inside and set the coffee down on the desk. "I''ve alreadyforted Jessica a bit. After all, she''s your biological daughter. You shouldn''t stay angry at her for long-”


    Horace cut her off. "Ida, is there someone you want to marry?"


    Ida stiffened.


    He looked at her steadily.


    "Your father died because of mine, so I promised you that as long as you didn''t want to leave, this would always be your home, and you could stay here forever. Over the years, I introduced you to many influential young men, but none of them caught your eye, and you let precious time slip away."


    "I know what you''re trying to say," Ida quickly replied. "Jessica misunderstood you. The truth is, you''ve taken me in all these years as an orphan and cared for me. I''m grateful."


    "l''allowed you to stay before, but now you have to move out," Horace said.


    Ida froze. "What are you saying? Do you want to kick me out?"


    "I''ve transferred one of my vis into your name," Horace said calmly. "And I''ve left you some money, enough to livefortably for the rest of your life."


    Ida was confused. Then, she nced down and saw a document on Horace''s desk it was a will.


    A will?


    Those two words stabbed sharply at her heart.


    She took a step forward. "Why are you making a will?"


    Horace''s voice was steady but grim. "I''ve found a way to save Brittany. She has something called the Coldost Curse. Now, I''m going to use my own life to save hers-a life for a life."