The Day I Kissed An Older Man

Vince had to tell her the situation as it was. "You might've been assaulted if Sherman hadn't arrived in time. I don't know who did it, but all I know is that you were too careless."

Rita was speechless for a moment. She never expected someone would stoop so low to target her like this. That explained why she felt dizzy when she was going up the elevator. Her brain felt like it was encased in cement, unable to function properly.

After a moment, she dryly asked, "So it wasn't just my imagination. Sherman did come. But where is he now?"

She felt she could get a clearer picture of what happened from Sherman for some reason. Rita sighed internally. 'Dad has a new family now, so it's a given that he'll be unable to remain objective in the retelling of the incident.'

"Why are you even asking about him? He said you two are just friends. It was just the two of you in the room when I arrived. Who knows if he tried anything with you?"

Rita knew her father was only speaking out of anger, so she quickly stopped him with a frown. "Don't speak about him like that. He's not that kind of person. You said yourself that if it weren't for him, I might not even be able to talk to you properly right now. How can you speak so harshly about someone who saved my life? I just want to confirm some things with him, yet you're speaking so badly about him."

Seeing his obedient daughter standing up for Sherman as soon as she woke up angered Vince even more. "You trust a stranger more than you trust me?" asked Vince in disbelief.

Rita's brow remained tightly furrowed in discomfort. "That's not what I meant, Dad. Tell me who was there at the time, and I'll investigate what happened."

"Think about it carefully. Have you

been targeted at work recently? Why else would someone have a grudge against you? Not only do you need to investigate thoroughly, but I also need to find out who did this. I' make sure whoever dares todo something shameless like this to my daughter to regret the day they were born!" Vince said with a menacing tone.

"Dad, we live in a lawful society now. We shouldn't resort to using violence to solve our problems," interjected Rita.

Vince sighed. "You've become

obsessed with being a reporter, but look at what it's gotten you. Instead of getting any good out of it, you, only ended up hurt. I told you not to

he

become a reporter, but you did to

listen to me! You wouldn't have ended up like this if you just stayed at home!"

Rita turned her back toward Vince. She knew her father would seize the opportunity to persuade her not to pursue journalism if anything happened. However, this was her dream. How could she give up on it s easily?

"Dad, please stop. I need to rest now. It's getting late, so you should go back and rest too," Rita said, her exhaustion evident even in her voice and pale lips.

Vince wished he could shake some sense into her stubbornness, but seeing her like that made him reluctant to leave.

"How could I just leave you alone after all that had happened? I've already upgraded your room to a private one, and I'll be resting in the room next to yours. If you feel uncomfortable at any point, just call me, okay?"

Rita knew her father found it hard to fall asleep on any bed that was not his, so he would not be able to sleep well even in a private room.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

She hesitated before persuading

him, "Dad, I'm feeling better now. Besides, there are doctors and nurses in the hospital. You should go back. Judging by the dark circles under your eyes, you haven't been sleeping well, have you?"