Thinking for a moment, Nunu wrapped her arms around Navid's neck and said in her sweet little voice, "Daddy, let's not waste money. Mommy works really hard to earn it."
Navid was filled with emotion. Having a wife and daughter, this simple family life was all he ever wanted.
"Let's go home!" he said, hugging his daughter tightly with a big smile.
The thought of soon enjoying his wife's homemade meal made Navid incredibly happy. Who needed fancy dishes when he could have a home-cooked meal? He wished to eat at home forever.
The family of three returned to Priya's small house, right next to the kennel of the Yarrow family's villa. Nunu was right; it was quite noticeable.
The reason was simple: even the grand kennel of the Yarrow family was far better than the house Priya Yarrow lived in.
"You've been living here all these years?"
Navid Byrd's heart ached. He had taken his daughter from a pigsty, and now looking at this dilapidated building, worse than a rundown shack, it was damp and low like a rural woodshed. How could anyone live here?
Priya was the rightful eldest daughter of the Yarrow family. What had happened over the years? And where had the old man gone?
"Having a place to stay is good enough. Don't be picky, just go inside!" Priya felt a pang in her heart. Since the old man passed away, her life had been worse than a dog's.
But even so, she had to struggle to survive. Even if it meant selling her blood and flesh, she would raise her daughter.
"We're not staying here. Let's go to the villa!" Navid said with a stern face, already heading toward the Yarrow family villa.
The suppressed anger in his heart began to ferment and spread. How could his wife and child live here? He was determined to reclaim everything Priya had lost.
Immediately! Right now! Not a moment more to wait!
"Can you stop being so reckless? Our daughter is hungry. Can we eat first?" Priya felt defeated but tried to suppress her bitterness.
Seeing Navid's stubbornness, she frowned and continued, "We've been living here just fine all these years. Sierra Yarrow is unpredictable. Provoking her will only bring us trouble!"
"Don't you want to live this hard life with us? If you don't, then I also..."
"What nonsense are you thinking? Come on, let's get inside!"
Navid Byrd turned around, speechless, and ducked into the house first. He couldn't understand Priya Yarrow's thinking. How could this silly girl think like that?
Seeing the tough life Priya and her daughter were living filled him with guilt and compassion, not disdain. However, something Priya said earlier struck a chord with him. Since they had endured such hardships over the years, he should experience it too. It was about weathering the storm together, sharing the burdens as a family.
Navid had spent years fighting on the battlefield, earning great honors for his country and people. But for his family, all he felt was guilt.
The house was incredibly bare, with nothing but a bed and a simple stove. Navid clenched his fists, vowing to give Priya and their daughter the best life possible in the future.
Before he could figure out how to persuade Priya to leave this place, he heard Sierra Yarrow's arrogant voice outside the door.
"You dare come back? You must have a death wish!"
Navid placed his daughter on the bed and found a decently wrapped piece of cake on the stove to give her something to eat. Then, he strode out the door, facing Sierra Yarrow, Humphrey Walker, and the dozen black-clad bodyguards behind them.
"Priya Yarrow, you left work early today, didn't you? Your whole month's salary is gone!" Sierra sneered, looking at Priya with a sense of superiority.
"Sister, let me explain. There was an unexpected situation today..." Priya hurriedly said. Her monthly salary was only $500.
If they deducted all of it, how would she and her daughter eat and drink this month?
"Explain? What's there to explain! You little brat, how dare you disobey me? From now on, I'll make sure your little brat lives in a pigsty every day!" Sierra Yarrow sneered disdainfully.
Navid Byrd stared at Sierra's familiar face, feeling a surge of hatred in his heart. This was the woman who deceived him and humiliated his wife and daughter.
He vowed to make her pay back tenfold for the suffering his family endured over the years.
"What are you staring at? What? Thinking of hitting someone again?" With bodyguards behind her, Sierra taunted without restraint.
She laughed coldly, looking at Navid with contempt. "I'm here to settle scores! Navid Byrd, you injured four of our servants and the old butler. How do you plan to resolve this?"
"The worst part is, you offended the young master of the Wang family. I doubt you'll even keep your life today!" Sierra leaned flirtatiously against Humphrey Walker, feeling triumphant.
"This morning, I was caught off guard without my guards. Now, you won't escape!
Prepare to die!" Humphrey Walker growled, his head still buzzing, likely with a concussion.
"Who's dying isn't certain yet. Listen to the barking dogs!" Navid smirked coldly, dismissing them.
To him, they were nothing more than ants he could crush with his little finger.
Watching Navid's reckless bravado, Priya Yarrow was anxious. She tugged at Navid, trying to stop him from speaking further.
With a pleading face, she apologized repeatedly to Sierra, "Sister, Navid just returned and doesn't know the family rules.
He offended you and your esteemed guests. Please, be generous and forgive him."
"I'll cover the medical expenses for the butler and the four servants. I'll work tirelessly to pay it back." Priya's heart pounded with uncertainty, unsure if they could get through this ordeal today.
Even if they got through this situation, there was still the matter of the Wang family's young master, who was injured by Navid Byrd today. He wouldn't let it go easily.
"Priya Yarrow, you're such a traitor, siding with outsiders!" Sierra Yarrow glared with disgust. She couldn't stand Priya's pitiful demeanor.
"You can't say that. Don't you think this ugly duckling and that loser are a match made in heaven?" Humphrey Walker said, watching Sierra's starry eyes with interest, feeling a bit of regret.
This ugly duckling, if not for her scars, would have been a hundred times prettier than Sierra. What a pity!
Not only was her face ruined, but her mind wasn't sharp either. She spent a night with that worthless guy back then, and now she dares to defend him?
"Dear sister, could it be that you've fallen for this heartbreaker? Or maybe Humphrey is right, the ugly duckling and the loser really are a perfect pair!" Sierra laughed, covering her mouth.
When she found out that Priya's face would never heal because she saved Navid, she couldn't have been happier.
Hearing them call her ugly over and over, Priya, who had been through a lot today, couldn't hold back her tears any longer.
Each tear felt like a stone hitting Navid's heart. He gently held Priya in his arms and said seriously, "Don't worry, I'll make sure your face heals."
Every woman cares about her appearance, after all.
"Showing off your love right in front of me, disgusting! Have you no shame?"
Seeing Navid like this, Sierra felt an indescribable discomfort in her heart.
"Priya Yarrow, don't forget this man is still my husband in name. Even if I don't want him, you won't be the one picking up the pieces!" Sierra spat through gritted teeth.
"For the trouble you've caused today, there must be consequences. This trash should die to apologize to Humphrey! As for you?
The little money you make isn't even enough for the butler's medical bills. Starting tomorrow, you'll work at the Moon Palace!"
Sierra Yarrow sneered, saying that the Moon Palace was known for its shady business.
With her sister's reputation and curvy figure, she would quickly earn a lot of money there.
Although Sierra didn't care about the money, the thought of pushing Priya Yarrow into a pit from which she'd never escape was delightful to her. This was the kind of thing Sierra loved to do.