The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Even if Otis picked on Annalise now, she could stand up for herself without having to ask others for help.

He was planning his next move in earnest when his phone rang. He glanced at the screen and frowned when he saw Yelena's name flashing on it.

At first, Otis loved Yelena, believing she was a product of his and her mother's love. Yelena was his daughter, after all, and he truly cared for her.

He might have continued to love her if she and her mother hadn't run off with his money after he was thrown behind bars, or if they hadn't been so condescending toward him after he was released from prison.

"What do you want?" Otis demanded, not bothering to hide his contempt.

"You incompetent geezer!" Yelena snapped. She had no respect for Otis and was unafraid to show it. "You could've stood up for me after I was attacked online!" Otis was surprisingly calm when he heard this. "Are you blaming me?"

Yelena and her mother were the ones who wanted to reconcile with him, not the other way around. He didn't owe them anything, and he hoped they would remember that.

A long pause later, Yelena bit her lip and said, "I'm sorry, Dad."

Otis pointed out disgruntledly, "Besides, I only told you to pick on Annalise online, not make a fool of yourself! I didn't think you'd be so stupid as to mess up a simple job like this!"

Yelena took several deep breaths but could not contain her anger. She barked, "How is that my fault?"

"Was it mine, then?" Otis countered.

"You were the one who suggested that I picked on Annalise online, remember?" Yelena retorted.

He chuckled at her venomous

words. "You might have forgotten something before running your mouth, Velena-I've made it big now, and you and your mother are the

ones who want to reconcile with me.

"Did you think Noved both of you that much that I'd do whatever you say and forgive you unconditionally? How deluded must you be to think you'd have any sway with me and dare to raise your voice at me?"

Yelena was stumped.

At that moment, a brilliant idea crossed Otis' mind. Yelena might not be the

brightest, but she was young and beautiful, not to mention single.

She had plenty going for her compared to Annalise, and if she

could make Zane notice her, she

could very well win him over. Henetnoveldrama

might even be persuaded to divorce Annalise and marry Yelena instead!

Once Yelena had successfully gotten Zane's attention, Otis would only have to persuade her to speak up for him. If that happened, Zane would side with him and help him take down Annalise.

In other words, Otis' revenge would be successful.

Prompted by this thought, Otis asked Yelena, "Do you like Zane?"

"Of course," Yelena answered, baffled by the sudden change of topic. "Why do you ask?"

"I'll do my best to get him to notice you." Otis slowed his speech as if to caution her, "But it's up to you to woo him. Got it?"

"Are you serious?" Yelena asked excitedly.

"Yes." After hanging up, Otis fell into deep thought. All would be well if Yelena succeeded, but what if she didn't?