Ruby stood in front of a gorgeous and mammoth mansion. She had a weird feeling but she ignored it. She felt like she didn't belong here, like this was not her home. She adjusted the mask on her face and took in a deep breath. She turned her head to the car not far from her and instinctively ran back to the car. She opened the driver's door and hugged Gary, who was inside. Gary hugged her back and stroked her thick hair while saying in a playful tone
" Oh my, why being so emotional. Can't let go already, "
Ruby sniffed and hugged him more tightly, saying
" I'm going to miss you so much, uncle."
Gary felt his heart ache slightly. He was surprised at how he had grown so fond of the girl in his arms. He gently pushed her from his arms and said sternly while gently wiping the tears that was threatening to fall from her eyes
" Ruby, what have I told you not to do in front of me?"
Ruby quickly said
" I won't cry again uncle please don't be angry,"
Gary chuckled and said
" Ruby dear, never show your vulnerability to anyone. Show them you are strong. "
Ruby nodded vigorously and said with admiration in her eyes
" Yes, uncle, I will be like you. I would be a police in the future. "
Gary smiled and patted her head
" Good girl. Whenever you miss me, just go to the nanny and ask her to give you her phone call to me. I've also written my number in your dairy. So you can use anyone's phone to call me just in case "
Ruby smiled brightly
" Thank you so much, uncle."
Gary looked at her affectionately and said
" Remember these words, Ruby, never allow anyone to bully you. You must show them you are no pushover. Fight back but in a wise way. You are a special kid..... And I promise to help you regain your normal appearance. "
Ruby had a new determination and said
" I know, uncle, thank you very much, I appreciate your efforts,"
Gary smiled again and said
" it's good to know. You can also call me when you think the situation is getting out of hand. "
Ruby nodded again and said
" Goodbye, Uncle Gary,"
Without waiting for Gary to reply, she turned and walked away. She feared that if she waited a little but longer, she might tear up again. As she was walking, she heard her nanny's voice and stopped in her tracks
" Ruby "
Her nanny walked to her after getting out of another car and said
" Let's go,"
Ruby understood her intentions and walked in with her. If she went in alone, it might raise questions she didn't want to answer.
As they entered the hall, Ruby was astonished to see her father sitting leisurely on the couch and skimming through a bunch of magazines. She felt her heart ache at the sight in front of her. She had convinced herself over time that her father was extremely busy so he wasn't able to visit her or even pick her up from the hospital but seeing her father leisurely reading magazines while he perfectly knew that she would be discharged today made her heart sunk. She couldn't believe her father was this heartless. Just as she was about to greet and escape the suffocating environment, she heard her father's cold and low voice
" Ruby, I can see you are now close to inspector. You are not thinking of selling us out. Are you "
Even whilst talking. he didn't spare her a glance and kept his eyes focused on the magazine he was reading.
Ruby quickly shook her head and denied
" No, dad.... we are just friends. I would never ever think of selling you out. I know that whatever you do is for my well-being. "
Then she heard her father suddenly chuckling darkly. Mr. Evans slowly pulled the magazine down and said as he emitted a terrifying aura
" Hah Ruby, just friends, do you take me for a fool?"
Ruby shook her head. She was about to deny it when Mr. Evans continued
" Ok, ok, since you say so. But never let me see you having any interaction with him or else, your nanny loses her job and.... I strip him of his title. "
" You can try and see if I'm joking or not."
Ruby felt a chill down her spine. She couldn't believe her father's words, but she knew her father's threats were not to be taken lightly. She had to be careful or she lose her precious nanny and even her newfound uncle. She said
" Ok, dad, I will do as you say."
Mr. Evans nodded, and Ruby said
" I would now take my leave then,"
Mr. Evans nodded again, and Ruby turned to go. She couldn't believe her father, she had been in the hospital for three months, he visited her only once and just when she returned, his first question was about Gary not even her health. It seemed he cared about his reputation more than her. Ruby felt her heart ache. Just when she had taken two steps, she heard her father's voice
" Hold on... "
She halted and turned to her father. Mr. Evans then asked
" How are you doing now?"
Ruby felt an incredible surge of joy in her heart. she found it hard to believe her ears. Her father still cared about her after all. Tears welled up in her eyes. She replied with conflicted emotions
" I'm doing well,"
Mr. Evans nodded on understanding and said in curiosity
" Ok, take down your mask,"
Ruby was slightly shocked. Why would his father want her to take off her mask. She instinctively warned
" It might not be a pretty sight for you, dad. I don't think you would be happy with it. "
But Mr. Evans shrugged and said gently
" Just take it of "
Ruby felt excited inside. Her father didn't care about how ugly she might seem. Was her father going to show her his attention now. maybe her accident was worth it. She slowly took off the mask, feeling a little bit nervous. She never took her eyes off her father, trying to see his expression.
With his curiosity being quenched, Mr. Evans was a bit shocked, but at least he thought this was much better than Ruby's face when she was rescued. But he still couldn't believe that his daughter had turned into this. Her face was now akin to a hedious beast, and she looked like the ugliest person he had ever seen. The scars on her face were just too much. He was a bit disgusted, and just as he was about to ask her to put on the mask back on, a piercing screaming was heard
" Aaaaaaaaaah monster "
Both Ruby and Mr. Evans were a bit stunned. Mr. Evans quickly urged Ruby to put back her mask on knowing Christabel might have seen her hedious face
" What are you waiting for Ruby. Better put that mask on. Do you wanna scare everyone in this house. In fact, from today onward, never show your face to anyone. You can't be scaring people around just like that. See, you even made Christabel scared. "
Once Mr. Evans started reprimanding her. He wasn't going to finish. Ruby was shocked by his words. So, after all, Christabel still came first. She was just a burden on him. At the thought of this, the last shred of hope in her heart completely vanished, and her heart became as cold as an ice. She suddenly felt a surge of anger in her heart, she couldn't control her emotions again as they fluctuated. Then she bursted out
" I look ugly right, ohh dad, I never thought you would think of me in that manner. Why is my face like this. It is all because if you. You had the opportunity to save me in the fire but you chose to stay with miss 'perfect daughter' , you are the reason why I am in this mess and now you are telling me not to show my face to anyone. Hah, the world's perfect dad indeed. I used to think that you fought for my custody because you cared about me. Don't you worry, once mom come back for me, I would never bother you again. You can peacefully live with your family of three and I won't be the extra one "
With that, she turned and walked away.
Mr. Evans was stunned, He furiously yelled
......