Chapter 3: Lilia Sorano Montenegro

After the meeting that happened at Kyle’s office, the Montenegro siblings dispersed in different directions. They have different appointments; thus, they have to be parted from each other. They are all reluctant, but they couldn’t do anything about it. Kyle remained confined to his office, surrounded by the papers that demanded his immediate attention. Kyle made his way to his father’s office since he had something to discuss with his father personally. Even though the meeting time and visiting time with his father are already over, he could still come and go as his reason is valid.

Meanwhile, Sherly, on the other hand, decided to return home. After all, her brothers both pushed her to go, and she lived at the villa with them. If she did, they would surely go home all night. They won't let her alone in the villa. Thus, this made Sherly decide to go and have a look. She also had something she needed to go and look at.

The Montenegro Villa is one of the most luxurious villas in a high-end community. If you look from the outside, you can see how much grandeur it had, and it could clearly mask herself out of the underworld. Since no one knows about it, she’ll shut her own mouth. No one could even imagine that she was part of the underworld.

Upon entering a lavish, luxurious estate, Sherly did not even think twice; she directly went to her own room. After her father brought her home, in just a day, she could draw the layout in her mind. Right now, no one knows the mansion more than she did. This is one of her gifts and the reason she was in the underworld.

‘I should take that thing and go before I see her.’

However, unfortunately, her plans took an unexpected turn. She was supposed to leave after taking the things she needed from her room, but she stumbled upon Lilia Montenegro in the hallway.

‘Strange, its not even the wings of her office nor her bedroom. Why is she here?’ Sherly thought.

Being in the underworld for a long time, she could give everyone the benefit of the doubt. Thus, seeing her in the left wings here in her and her brother’s room is really strange.

Lilia Sorano Montenegro is the wife of Hideous Montenegro. This woman always regarded Sherly as the person she hated the most, and her eyes were always filled with a longstanding resentment that Sherly couldn’t understand where it came from. After all, she only met her once.

“So, the prodigal daughter returns.” The air immediately thickened as Lilia spoke up.

Sherly knows how much the woman in front of her hates her. However, she did not do anything to her; thus, she only wanted to go and ignore her. If only she did not speak up, she would not have retorted.

Sherly, after being in the underworld for years, gained the ability to remain calm and elegant at all times. “Just fetching a few things, Lilia. There is no need to make a fuss here. There’s no one to watch your little drama,” she responded.

Hearing those words, Lilia glared at her. She isn’t the type of person to let one go. Lilia thought that it was a great opportunity for her, and she wouldn't let it pass.

Lilia snorted, and her eyes narrowed with disdain. It wasn’t masked because there were only the two of them in the hallway. No one was around, not even the maids. “Why don’t you just disappear from my sight, hmm? You’ve always been a curse, not only to me but to the whole family. Do you know that? If not, then you finally know.” Lilia then glared at Sherly even more. “Everything was fine until you showed up! Even in my mahjong last night, by just mentioning your name, I lost! It was because you brought a curse! Your presence is a curse! ”

Sherly only stared at the woman in front of her. She was still unrattled. She had heard a lot more curses than Lilia cursed out. Thus, it has no effect on her. With Lilia’s accusations, Sherly smirked. "Oh, are you blaming me for your mahjong losses now? Just because of my aura? What does it have to do with me? You lost at Mahjong, and you blame me. What if you lose at the casino and you still blame me? Your misfortune is yours; don’t blame it on others.”

Lilia, as someone who holds grudges, gritted her teeth. Fueled by her resentment, she continues to verbally assault Sherly. “You think you’re clever, don’t you? Just because you’re my husband’s child surrogate from another egg, do you think so highly of yourself?” Lilia snorted. “But everyone here knows the truth, right? You’re not a real Montenegro. You came from a nameless egg donor; you’re not real.”

Sherly couldn’t tell if Lilia was losing her mind by hating her or what. She really has no idea why she hated her, but since Lilia hated her, she also hated her. Respect is like a mirror, and if you want to be respected, respect others first. This woman in front of her, Lilia, isn’t worthy.

Before continuing on her way, Sherly replied, “It’s not even my problem. You can believe whatever you want, Lilia.”

As she walked away, the encounter with this woman made her lose her good mood that was set up by her brothers.

Kyle and Keisley were given birth by Lilia. However, Lilia isn’t that close to his sons. That's what surprised her when she was brought up by her father. Instead, both Kyle and Keisley listened and were close to their father, Hideous, but not to their mother, Lilia.

On the other hand, Keisley went after Sherly after he got a call from their father to bring her along to play. Thus, when Keisley went home, he excitedly went towards the second floor. At the stairs, he spotted his mother, Lilia, in the hallway. He did not let himself know as he felt the tension in the air, especially when he heard his sister’s voice. He could feel that their argument was getting more and more heavy.

The accusing words and venomous accusations reached Keisley’s ear, and it made his heart ache for his sister. His sister had suffered a lot outside of their protection. She should have been pampered since she was young, but something happened, and she suffered a lot. However, right now, he couldn’t believe that his own mother said those things to her.

After Sherly walked away, as her footsteps that echoed in the hallway disappeared, Keisley made himself known. His jaw tightened, and his eyes darkened. Aside from anger at his mother for acting like this, there’s also concern and frustration for his sister.

His expression hardened when Keisley saw what his mother’s eyes meant. It was as if she wanted to kill his sister. “Mother, what was that all about?” Keisley demanded, and his voice was firm, leaving Lilia nothing but fear.

Lilia jolted as she was caught off guard. She wanted to play and give all the blame to Sherly, but looking at her son’s expression, she thought that she must have heard from the start. Thus, she calmly said, “Oh, we’re just having a disagreement. You know that both of us aren’t fond of each other, right? There is nothing for you to worry about.”

Keisley narrowed his eyes. He knows his mother too well, even though they aren’t that close. Seeing her expression and acting calm, Keisley did not sway easily. “Disagreement? That sounded more like a full-blown attack for me, Mother.” Lilia stepped back when she felt that her second son looked at her coldly. “Why are you making things difficult for her, Mother? Why did you say those words to Sherly?” he added.

Lilia stared at her son. She couldn’t believe it that her son was scolding her just because of that bastard sister of his. This is the first time that his second son has done this to her. If it weren’t for that bitch’s hypnotism, it wasn’t for her brainwashing; her family wouldn't have been like this! Indeed, for Lilia, it was all Sherly’s fault.

Lilia hesitated for a moment before responding. “Why are you scolding me?” She glared at her son. “It was all because of her anyway. She’s always been a problem in this family, right? I don’t know why you, Kyle, and your father tolerated her. She’s not even a good thing for this family!”

“Mom!” Keisley yelled, and his frustration grew even more. For him, it would have been much better if she did not say those words and kept her mouth shut. However, she didn’t. “Sherly may have something you don’t like. Sure, she had her own quirks; however, she is still part of the family, Mom. She still came from her father’s sperm. What’s going on, Mom? Why all this hostility?”

Realizing that her words wouldn't be able to make her son hate Sherly and that her words wouldn't be able to reach him, she softened her tone. “It’s just that…” She took a deep breath and said, “I’ve never liked her. And I don’t think she belongs here. So, don’t push me to like her because I wouldn’t. It was her fault for being born that I hated her so much! You father should have known better.”

Keisley's jaw dropped. He couldn’t believe what he just heard from his mother’s mouth. Conflicted by the words of his mother, he replied sternly. “This is our family, Mom. Sherly is a part of it, whether you like it or not.” He sternly and seriously looked at his mother; the joyful, lovely, and funny personality had been gone. “I suggest you find a way to deal with dad, Mom.”

With that, Keisley left. He doesn’t want to deal with his mother anymore. He did not think that his mother was this narrow-minded. His loyalty to the family, especially to his sister, Sherly, is much better than that of his brother. After all, from young to the age he is now, there’s no mother in his memory.