My Best Friend Is My Dad's Mistress

I stood up, and Ava, still clinging to my dad, gave me a triumphant smile.

I wanted to rip her apart.

Thinking of how my mom had suffered all these years, unable to hold her head high in front of my grandmother just because she didn't give birth to a son, and how she worked like a servant at home, taking care of the old woman while my dad was here fooling around with someone else, I wanted to kill him.

But no, killing him wouldn't be satisfying enough—making him suffer would be much more interesting.

I couldn't stand to watch their sickening display any longer, so I went to pick up my mom from the apartment they had set up for me.

On the way, my mom didn't know what had happened and kept asking me questions. When she saw the look on my face, she sensed something was wrong and fell silent.

Over the years, my dad had built up a successful company, but none of it would have been possible without my mom's support. If she hadn't married him without hesitation, helped him set up a home, and used her savings to fund his startup, he wouldn't have what he has today.

The more I thought about it, the angrier I got. I swore to myself that I would seek justice for my mom.

The next day, I received an invitation from a friend to attend a banquet where many people from high society would be present.

I had planned to network at the event, but I didn't expect to see Ava there—as my dad's secretary.

As soon as she saw me, she quickly linked her arm with mine. "Penny, you're here!"

I pulled my arm away, glaring at her coldly. "What's the matter? Is this your family's event? Am I not allowed to attend?"

"No, Penny, you know I didn't mean it that way."

"Then what do you mean? That only someone who clings to old men can come?" I looked her up and down.

I used to bring her along to all my events, so almost everyone in my circle knew her.

Some friends had even warned me that Ava wasn't as simple as she seemed, but I hadn't paid attention at the time. Now, I was finally wide awake.

At this moment, my dad was socializing not far away, his eyes constantly darting in our direction, as if afraid I might bully his little lover.

Hearing what I said, Ava looked at me pitifully, as if she had suffered a great injustice, about to cry any second.

"My dad's not here, so don't try that act with me. Even if you cry to death here, no one will care."

There were a lot of big shots at the banquet, and I couldn't be bothered with her right then; better to spend my time finding a few investors.

I was about to turn and leave when Ava suddenly grabbed my arm and burst into tears.

"Penny, you're my best friend. Why are you treating me like this?"

I was about to push her away, but before I could, she deliberately fell to the ground herself.

I was still stunned when I heard a loud "slap!" My dad strode over and slapped me across the face.

That slap woke me up completely. I glared coldly at Ava as she pretended to pull my dad's arm, saying, "Why are you hitting her?"

The socialites around us started gossiping, but I wasn't afraid of their chatter. This scandal wouldn't embarrass me.

My dad helped Ava up, his eyes practically glued to her with concern.

By now, those around us more or less understood what was going on and gave me pitying looks.

After that, my dad kept Ava by his side, not giving me a chance to confront her. I later heard that after the banquet, my dad took Ava to the hospital for a check-up.

My dad hit me hard; my face was still stinging painfully when I got home.