The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Mom should have fought the lawsuit fairly and demanded more money from Otis and his wife.

Otis remained silent.

I continued, "Besides, Mom had a job in the beginning. After you two got married, she rarely asked you for money. Even later, when you made her a housewife, she still rarely asked you for anything. Most of what she spent came from her savings. "So when you say you've been good to me, can you be specific? In what way exactly have you been good to me?"

I felt that Mom and I had similar personalities-we were both fiercely independent.

Otis hesitated for a long time before finally forcing out a response. "I admit, when I was with your mom, I didn't treat her well. But without me, would you even exist? I'm your elder! Even if for no other reason, you should respect me because I gave you life."

I laughed coldly. "If Mom hadn't been with you, she would've been with someone else. I would've been born all the same. So no, you're not irreplaceable."

Otis stared at me for a long time before turning to Zane to complain, "Look at her! She doesn't even respect her father!"

Willow overheard this and was utterly confused. "Dad, if a father treats his daughter poorly, does the daughter still have to be filial?"

She thought that if she were in Annalise's position, she definitely wouldn't treat Otis well either.

Yet, Otis acted so self-assured, as if everything he said was absolutely right.

Willow began to question whether her understanding of the matter was flawed.

Zane's icy gaze lingered on Otis for a long time before he finally spoke. "Of course not."

Willow's brow furrowed in confusion. "Then why does Otis expect Mom to be good to him?"

With the patience he always reserved for his daughter, Zane prompted, "Think about it carefully."

Willow tilted her head, listening intently.

"What's the deeper meaning behind his words?" Zane asked.

After a long contemplation, Willow still couldn't figure it out.

Zane offered another hint, saying, "Even though he's failed his wife and daughter so badly, he's trying to justify his actions. Why?"

Realization dawned on Willow's face. "He wants to make Mom look bad!"

She frowned and continued, "But Mom is wonderful. He just didn't appreciate her! How could he be like this?"

Zane nodded approvingly and stroked Willow's hair. It was great that she was learning to see beyond the surface.

Willow continued, "He's at fault for asking others to steal Dad. He claims to apologize, but he's pushing all the blame onto Mom."noveldrama

She glared at Otis, silently vowing he was the most detestable man she had ever encountered.

Seizing the teachable moment, Zane summarized, "When listening to others, don't just focus on their

words. Analyze the context, their et

actions, and behavior. Look at what the person they're criticizing has done. Try to hear all sides to

understand clearly."

Willow nodded, a glimmer of understanding in her eyes.

Zane didn't mind if Willow didn't fully understand now. After all, he had ample time to explain these lessons to her.

ét

"Everyone speaks from a position that benefits themselves. They do this to gain support and sympathy. Just like what Otis is doing now," he remarked.

A light of comprehension dawned on

Who after she heard that

"So a person isn't right just isn't right just because he or she sounds pitiful?"