For all I know the daughter stopped speaking to him out of her mothers death and the father had to work, do the household and try to build a connection to his daugther while recovering from the death of his wife. Under such circumstances someone tried to help him, which is why he uncontiously has build an emotional connection to that person. As a father and boss he did try to do his best under fairly harsh circumstances. He may be weak, but not a bad person. Or have I missed something?