Drake, mustering up his courage, cast a stern gaze toward Sanford, his voice trembling slightly as he posed the question that weighed heavily on his mind. “Mr. Robles, do you intend to marry Maggie?"

To Drake, this union would resolve all their worries.

But Sanford's response was chilling. His eyes narrowed with disdain as he retorted, “And who are you to meddle in my affairs?"

Drake's face flushed with embarrassment, but he persisted, stuttering slightly, “I-I am Maggie's father. Naturally, her marriage is my concern."

Sanford's lips twisted into a cold sneer. "Father?" he scoffed.

"Please spare me the mockery of fatherhood. A father should be a protector, shielding his daughter from harm, not a brute who resorts to violence and disregards her well-being.”

How did he still have the audacity and speak as if he really cared about Maggie?

If it weren't for Maggie's sake, Drake would have taught him a lesson long ago.

Humiliated and chastened, Drake's expression betrayed his inner turmoil as he recoiled from Sanford's piercing gaze.

Drake's frustration boiled over, and he redirected his anger toward Maggie.

“Maggie Shear," he began, his voice trembling with suppressed fury, "do you still have the audacity to call yourself a part of this family? Do you still acknowledge me as your father? If you have an ounce of respect left for me, you'll sever ties with him immediately! Tomorrow, your mother and I will find you a suitable, honorable man to marry!"

Maggie's eyes welled with tears; Sanford's speech struck a deep chord in her heart.

She understood her father's bias toward sons over daughters, a sentiment shared by many in their traditional village.

Daughters were expected to shoulder the burden of housework and sacrifice, often sacrificing their own aspirations to support their brothers.

Though hurt by her father's words, Maggie recognized the societal norms that dictated her father's actions, and she silently bore the weight of his expectations, as she had always done.

However, what perplexed her the most was her father's unwavering allegiance to her uncle's household.

To him, her uncle was akin to a paternal figure, and his directives held great sway.

"Dad, if I don't heed your words, will you cast me aside?"

Upon hearing her question, Helena felt a surge of panic course through her.

She reached out to Drake, urging him to stop. "Drake, let's resolve this calmly."