Ashley stormed off after leaving behind a check.Watching Ashley leave, Margot quickly pulled out her phone and called Curtis. As soon as he answered, she blurted out, "Curtis, you need to go to the nursery and pick Lilac up right now. Your mother is trying to take her from me!"Curtis was in the kitchen learning to cook from Calvin. Despite the urgency in Margot's voice, he calmly asked, "Did my mother visit you?""Yes! You need to hurry and check if Lilac has been taken away. Don't let your mom take her away, or she won't give Lilac back to me.""Alright, I'll go now. Don't worry, Margot. My mom is Lilac's grandmother after all. She won't hurt Lilac.""But she wants to separate me from Lilac. I'm warning you, Curtis. I will never forgive you if your family takes Lilac away from me."Still feeling uneasy, Margot hurried out of the pizzeria.Royce followed her and started the car.Curtis could hear the panic in her voice through the phone. As he untied his apron, he reassured h
Margot lacked confidence in Curtis's ability to safely retrieve Lilac. She felt compelled to go herself and bring Lilac back. If the Crosby family refused to cooperate, they would face her wrath.Observing Margot's anxiety, Royce provided reassurance as he drove toward the Crosby residence."Lilac will be fine. I'll speak with Pamela. I'm sure Martin will return you Lilac after Pamela discusses it with him."After all, Martin indulged Pamela, who in turn always fulfilled Royce's requests.Margot glanced at Royce. Considering Royce's status, she nodded in agreement."Very well. I'll rely on you if they refuse to hand over Lilac."Margot didn't want to ask for the Morris family's help now. Even though they were quite powerful, she didn't want to have anything to do with them unless absolutely necessary. She was especially grateful for Royce's help.Royce gently patted her head and continued to reassure her."Stay calm, Margot. We're almost there."…Curtis arrived at the Crosby
"I spoke with Margot. She seemed furious when I offered her money to leave you, Curtis. Despite your grandfather and my wishes for you to part ways with her, if you insist on being with her, we won't intervene any longer if she comes to collect Lilac."Moreover, another reason Grandpa consented to your reunion is to secure another child, a boy who can carry on the Crosby family lineage."Ashley had gone to see Margot earlier because she was angry at Margot for deceiving everyone and leaving back then.After all, Curtis got into trouble and almost lost his life because of Margot. Upon seeing Margot again, Ashley felt frustrated that she couldn't express her anger.That was why Ashley purposely intimidated Margot.As a mother, Ashley knew her son's personality all too well. Curtis would resent her profoundly if she became truly hostile toward Margot.Over the years, the elders had observed Curtis' attachment to Margot. They didn't want to drive Curtis into a corner. Nevertheles
Curtis reached out and took Margot's hand, motioning toward Royce. You're not needed here. Go on," he indicated."I'm here to visit my sister," replied Royce before turning to Margot. "Margot, you should talk things out with him. Give me a call when you're ready to leave. I'll be waiting over there.""Alright," Margot replied.Curtis' gaze remained cold as he watched Royce leave.Margot shook off Curtis' hand and demanded again, "Curtis, tell me what they want you to negotiate with me about."Only then did Curtis look at Margot. He spoke frankly, "Grandpa doesn't want to take Lilac away from you. However, they have a request.""What is it?""They want you to stay too and bear a son for the Crosby family." As Curtis said this, he appeared somewhat guilty, his gaze flickering for a moment. "But having a son isn't something you can decide on your own. As long as you stay, they probably won't interfere as much."Margot was surprised to hear that.They wouldn't take Lilac away. Als
Margot hesitated upon hearing Curtis' words. For the sake of Lilac and her own peace of mind, she tried to convince herself to reconcile with him.And yet…Her mind drifted back to three years ago, when she struggled through Lilac's birth and narrowly escaped death due to severe bleeding.The doctors informed her that although she was fortunate to survive, she wouldn't be able to conceive any more children in the future.Back then, she hadn't fretted over it, feeling content with her daughter. Remarrying or expanding her family hadn't crossed her mind. But now, the Crosby family expected her to bear another child.How could she fulfill that expectation when she physically couldn't conceive again?Tears welled up in her eyes, turning them crimson as she gazed sadly at the man towering before her."I can't do it, Curtis," she rasped. "You should find someone else to bear the child for you."With that, she pushed his hand away and turned to walk toward Lilac.Curtis only stood fr
Ashley had escorted Martin upstairs to rest. Upon returning downstairs and finding Curtis alone in the hall, she inquired in a somber tone, "Where are Margot and my granddaughter?""Mom," Curtis informed, "I've talked to Margot, and we'll comply withl your wishes. However, Margot says she doesn't feel comfortable living here, so I allowed her to return home first. If you wish to see Lilac, I'll arrange for her to visit you later. Just please, don't interfere in in our lives anymore.""You let them go just like that?" Ashley demanded angrily.Curtis' expression darkened at those words. "They're not used to this environment, so I allowed them to leave""Why would they be uncomfortable living in such a grand house with numerous servants? What could possibly dissatisfy her? Curt, why do you always take her side? Aren't you concerned she might disappear with Lilac again?"Curtis wasn't worried at all. "Margot won't leave again," he asserted firmly. "This isn't acceptable. A Crosby ch
"I won't be with him," Margot replied, rejecting Royce's assumptions.The Crosby family's pressure for her to have more children was futile; she couldn't conceive anymore. And if she couldn't meet their demands, they would continue to push her to leave Curtis.Rather than succumb to their coercion, Margot preferred to establish clear boundaries with Curtis on her own terms."What are you talking about, Mommy? Who won't you be with?" Lilac's innocent voice interrupted, her head tilted as she observed her mother's troubled expression.Margot hugged her tight. "It's nothing."Even though Royce had clearly heard what Margot said about her not being with Curtis, he couldn't bring himself to believe her words.The Margot he knew was susceptible to influence. Unless he adopted a more ruthless approach and extended a helping hand.Suddenly, Margot's phone rang. She glanced at the screen—it was from the hospital.The doctor on the other end of the line informed, "Ms. Stone, the patient
Anthony's sister, Zyla, was standing right there.Anthony and Zyla had grown up together until she got lost at the age of three. But Frederick had found her two years later and brought her back.Zyla was his real sister. How could Margot possibly be a part of the Morris family?Regina must have lied to him because she didn't want him to be with Margot.He didn't believe it."Anthony, don't overthink and get some rest. Lilac and I hope to see you recover soon." Seeing that he was being emotional, Margot immediately comforted him.She did not know what was wrong with this family. They clearly knew that Anthony was not in the best condition. He had just woken up, but the Morris family had already told him that she was his sister.This would obviously agitate him."Margot, answer me first. You're not my sister, right?" Anthony asked urgently again.Anthony would remain dissatisfied without a clear answer. How could she be his sister?Fate was playing a joke on him. He was about t