7. Daniel was scolded as well

After trying to talk to Mr. Frank, Mrs. Emily felt frustrated and sad. She had hoped her husband would listen to her concerns about the restrictions imposed on Stefany, but unfortunately, her efforts failed.

After giving Mr. Frank a cup of coffee, Mrs. Emily tried again to discuss the matter. With a gentle voice, she said,

"Darling, I understand your worries about Stefany. But we also have to give her the opportunity to live her life outside the house. She needs to study hard. Especially since she has to skip school for a week. Stefany will miss the subjects."

Mr. Frank looked at his wife with a sharp gaze.

"I've already said, Emily. Stefany is not allowed to leave the house for a week! I don't want her to be influenced by Daniel out there."

Mrs. Emily felt desperate.

"But Darling, Stefany needs to experience things outside the house. She needs to learn how to interact with others, face challenges, and make her own decisions. We can't keep restricting her like this. Besides, Daniel is a good boy. He always protects our daughter."

Mr. Frank got up from his seat with a flushed face.

"I already said no, Emily! I don't want to endanger our daughter. Why do you keep defending Stefany? Don't you care about me as a father who is very worried about his daughter?"

Mrs. Emily cried, feeling hurt by her husband's anger.

"Of course I care about you, Frank. But I also care about Stefany, our daughter. I want to give her the opportunity to grow and learn. I don't want her to feel restricted."

Mr. Frank sighed deeply, but his anger was still evident,

"You don't care about me at all, Emily. You don't understand how precious Stefany is to me. I won't take risks with her life. Especially with her future! Now she and Daniel are just ordinary friends! But they will grow into adults! The feelings between the two will also develop! You have to know that!"

Mrs. Emily tried to calm herself down. "Frank, Dear. I know you love Stefany very much. But as parents, we also have to give our child trust. We have to teach and guide her, not restrict and protect her constantly."

Mr. Frank shook his head hard.

"I can't do it, Emily. If you don't agree with my decision, then that's your own problem!"

Mrs. Emily felt devastated and disappointed. She didn't expect their conversation to end like this. She tried again to calm her husband.

"Frank, let's find a good solution for everyone. We can give her looser restrictions, but still supervise Stefany. We can do it together."

Mr. Frank looked at her with a cold stare.

"There is no compromise, Emily. Stefany is not allowed to leave the house for a week. That's my decision and it won't change!"

Mrs. Emily felt struck. She felt unheard and unappreciated by her husband. She felt alone in her struggle to provide the best for Stefany.

The Alexander Family Residence,

Daniel had just arrived home after spending time with Stefany, the daughter of the Madison family. When he entered the house, his father, Mr. Carlos, called him seriously. Mr. Carlos had heard from his men that Daniel had spent time with Stefany until the evening.

Mr. Carlos, a stern man, had a negative view of the Madison family. He knew very well that Stefany's father, Mr. Frank, often spread slander about the Alexander Family. Therefore, he forbade his son from being friends with Stefany.

"Daniel, Daddy needs to talk to you!" Mr. Carlos said in a serious voice.

"Yes, Dad," Daniel said briefly.

"Daddy received a report that you spent time with Stefany Madison today! Is that true, Daniel? Answer honestly!" the father snapped.

"Yes, Daddy. I was with Stefany."

"Useless! Daddy already told you before that Daddy forbids you from being friends with the child from the Madison Family!" the father snapped again.

Daniel felt tense hearing his father's prohibition. He knew that his father had strong reasons for forbidding him, but the teenage boy also felt guilty because he liked Stefany as a friend.

However, Mrs. Miriam, Daniel's mother, stood beside him and defended her son. "Carlos, I don't agree with your prohibition. Daniel is our child, and he has the right to choose his own friends. Don't let prejudice hinder their friendship."

Mr. Carlos looked at his wife with a sharp gaze. "Miriam, you know how bad the Madison family is. I don't want Daniel to be influenced by them. I forbid him for a good reason."

Mrs. Miriam remained firm in her stance. "Carlos, we have to give Daniel trust. He is old enough to choose his own friends. Don't let prejudice hinder his friendship and growth. Besides, Stefany is a good, beautiful, and friendly child. I really like her," Mrs. Miriam said from the sincerity of her heart.

Mr. Carlos felt frustrated with his wife's opinion. He felt cornered between protecting his son and preventing him from getting involved with the Madison Family. However, he also loved his wife and respected her opinion.

When Mr. Carlos found out that Mrs. Miriam allowed Daniel to be friends with the child from the Madison Family, he felt angry and disappointed. For him, the prohibition still applied and he didn't want his son to get involved with the Madison Family.

Mr. Carlos sat upright in the family room, his face full of expressions of dissatisfaction. Mrs. Miriam stood in front of him with a determined face, ready to defend her stance.

Mr. Carlos said in a firm voice, "Miriam, I can't trust you to let Daniel be friends with the child from the Madison Family. You know how bad that family is and what they say about our family."

Mrs. Miriam looked at her husband with conviction. "Carlos, I understand your worries. But I also believe in Daniel's ability to choose his friends wisely. He is our child, and we have to give him the opportunity to grow and learn from experience."

Mr. Carlos got angry and got up from his seat. "This isn't about giving him a chance, Miriam! It's about protecting him from bad influences! I don't want him to get involved in problems because of associating with members of the Madison Family!"

Mrs. Miriam didn't back down at all. She also kept talking,

"Carlos, we can't protect Daniel from everything. He has to learn to face challenges and make his own decisions. We have to give him trust and support him. Not restrain him! He's a boy!"

Mr. Carlos sighed deeply, but his anger was still evident. "I can't accept this, Miriam. I don't want our child to get involved in unnecessary problems. I forbid him for a good reason!"

Mrs. Miriam looked at her husband with emotion. "Carlos, we have to trust Daniel. He is our child, not someone who will be easily influenced. Don't let hatred hinder his growth!"

Mr. Carlos felt annoyed with his wife's opinion. He felt that he was only trying to protect his son, but he also couldn't ignore his wife's opinion and wishes.

"He's still too young, Miriam," Mr. Carlos said with a softer voice this time. "I just don't want Daniel to get hurt or be badly influenced. I'm just trying to protect him, from the Madison Family!"

Mrs. Miriam approached her husband and held his hand gently. "Carlos, I know how much you love Daniel. But we also have to give him freedom and the opportunity to learn. We have to trust that we have educated him well."

Mr. Carlos pondered for a moment, looking into his wife's loving eyes. He felt torn between his worries and his trust in his son.

Finally, with a soft voice, Mr. Carlos said, "Alright, Miriam. If you're sure that this is the best for Daniel, I will try to understand. But I still want him to be careful and not get too involved with the Madison Family. I will keep monitoring him!"

Mrs. Miriam smiled in relief and held her husband's hand lovingly. "Thank you, Carlos. I know you love Daniel with all your heart. We will take care of and support him together.”