Jonathan was unwilling to take responsibility, so he guided Lily toward bringing Justin down in his absense. Since this was brought up, they stated that Lily and Justin were the only ones that touched Why was Justin not there yet?With a frown, Lily sneered, “Granduncle Jonathan, who’s the accomplice you’re talking about? Could it be that you have someone in mind already?”“You…”“Sorry for being late.” A familiar voice sounded. Lily’s expression finally relaxed as she looked over and saw Justin walking into the hall. He was accompanied by both his personal assistant and a director of the company. Lily knew who they were.Jonathan frowned upon seeing the two people walking side by side with Justin. “Justin, we’re gathered today to discuss our family’s matters. Why are you late, and why did you bring outsiders with you? What’s wrong with you?”“Outsiders?” Justin laughed, glancing at both sides before averting his eyes back to Jonathan, then to Henry. “Humans are the most unpre
“Justin!” Henry roared. “It doesn’t mean you can disrespect your elders this way just because you’ve held on to the family seal for two years! We’re still uncertain about who the head of the family is before we know the truth behind your grandpa’s death!”Justin nodded. “Yeah, you’re right! We should know the truth about Grandpa’s death, so…”He nodded to his assistant, who picked up the phone, hunched over, and began talking. Vaguely, they could hear him say, “Okay. Got it.”Then he reported to Justin. “They’re about three minutes away.”“What are you doing?” Henry stared at him. “It doesn’t matter who you bring here today! We’re discussing an internal matter of the family today, so it should be settled within the family. We have the forensic report now, but if you are still going to deny it…”“You’re wrong!” Justin interrupted loudly. He had his hands placed behind his back, looking fair and just. “This isn’t just an internal matter of the Lodge family! Since we’re unclear abo
The development was obviously beyond Nathaniel and Arianna's expectations. Once the secrets of the rich and powerful families were out, the impact on their reputation was immeasurable.Regardless, this matter would be covered up and hidden so that it would never be known to outsiders. However, it had already spread throughout Sapphine and Brown City. At this point, the entire country was aware of this.The media were the most adept at excavating and expanding their imagination on such things. Not only was the Lodge family under a lot of chaos right now, but they were also busy giving their statements at the police station while they waited for Wilfred's cause of death from the forensics team.The Lodge family was in a mess, and their company was in turmoil when the news broke out. Reporters had already interviewed several high-level executives but had yet to learn what was happening.Everyone in the Lodge family was panic-stricken as the outside world continued to have their opinio
It had not been easy for Damian, growing up as an illegitimate child for so many years. His mother taught him to enter the Tanner family and inherit their properties. Although he had gathered much theoretical knowledge in business, he never had the chance to practice it. Now that he was in charge of a new project, he was eager to make achievements.Of course, Arianna read him like a book and did not object. "I think you're right, but Mr. Hall also has his points. He has experience in this field. Maybe there are things he sees that we can't."Faced with her words, Damian became even more furious."What can he see that we can't?! I think he's just deliberately trying to go against me. I think he's unhappy that I am the manager!" He slammed the table and continued, "Ari! I don't understand why you value him so much!“Don't you know how notorious he is in this circle? My friends said he was someone no one could get along with. How did he stomp all over you and make you put him on a ped
Not long after, Arianna's office door opened again, but this time, Nathaniel walked in.As soon as he entered the door and noticed the two glasses on the table, he smiled. "Did your little brother come to complain again?""If he doesn't show up one day, I'd think he's dead!" After a pause, she glanced at him. "Or you're dead."Nathaniel broke out into an indifferent laugh. "There's no way he'll be dead. Your grandpa treasures him too much. He'd have a hundred men protecting him. It's even less likely if I died."Arianna cut to the chase and said thoughtfully, "Haven't you heard the devil lives the longest? All right, enough. Let's get down to business. I've agreed to let him carry out his ideas and get the world's top perfumers. He can do whatever he wants." "Aren’t you afraid Damian might invite a renowned perfumer who creates an amazing perfume and then manages to make a name for himself? He might achieve something and steal your limelight," Nathaniel taunted as he sat across Ar
"Nothing's confirmed yet. Don't be so discouraged." Nathaniel shook his head and flicked his cigarette. "Don't forget, Henry didn't come back alone.""Are you talking about the group of so-called ancient kickboxers that he brought back?" Arianna raised her eyebrows disapprovingly, "I'm not trying to rain on your parade, but the so-called old kickboxer family is overstated. For years, no one has seen them in action, nor has anyone seen how powerful they are. I'm not trying to pry, but you've been with Lily for many years. Is she that powerful?"Nathaniel did not answer."See, although they may have been powerful in the past, don't forget what era we're in now. How can their skills be stronger than guns? Even if we don't have our weapons, if they are as powerful as the legend goes, why didn't Henry make a move? Why do they have to wait until the police get involved? From what I see, it’s all just a bluff!" Initially, she did not want to say any of these. If everything were smooth sa
After taking the flash drive, Nathaniel repeated it multiple times.Although it was just an audio recording, he knew Lily was aware of his meet-up with Henry the other day. She watched their every move, and they let her slip under their noses.Thinking back, Nathaniel felt a layer of cold sweat forming on his back. He used to think that he was stealthy while she was naive. He thought that he could slip past her and she wouldn't notice. Little did he know that she had eyes everywhere. He had to be more careful. However, Nathaniel reassured himself with the fact that Lily did not know much about his deal with Henry. As of now, Wilfred's cause of death had yet to be determined. After listening to the recording repeatedly, the only part that piqued his interest was how Lily managed to "poison" Henry. As it was just an audio recording, Nathaniel couldn't see what was happening and could only make guesses from the voices. Henry sounded like he was poisoned or that Lily managed to s
It was clear he put in a lot of effort to solve them. He would have spent less time if it were as easy as he said.Lily slowly looked out the window and said, “Reporting this matter to the police will definitely affect the Lodge family’s reputation.”“There’s nothing more important than Grandpa.” He said word by word.This incident would significantly impact the Lodge family if exposed publicly, but both of them had the same consensus on this matter.Justin was a taciturn person and not very good at words. Lily said a few words and could not continue the conversation further, and silence befell them once again.The car only took a short time to drive back to the Lodge family residence. The entire house was shrouded in darkness and seemed gloomy after the turmoil of the past few days.“Something’s not right!” Lily soon noticed something was out of place. She raised her eyebrows and focused on her hearing, sensing that the overall atmosphere was not right. The Lodge family house
Lily tilted her head up to fight back her tears, saying, “There’s something I find strange.”“What is it?” Mike asked after comforting his son.“Instead of detaining Prince Ross, Her Majesty has sent him back to Yudonia. If so, why couldn’t we reach him?”After some thought, Mike answered, “There are two possibilities. It’s probably due to poor signals, or he doesn’t want us to contact him.”The two shared a look, knowing what each other was wondering.‘Why can’t we contact Ross? Is he planning something?’…Three days later, Lily inserted the last needle into the queen’s leg and looked up at her, saying, “You should start feeling your legs tomorrow. Still, it’ll take some time before you can stand.”Suddenly, Lily chuckled.“Why are you laughing?” Yasmin touched her legs. She had begun to regain sensation in her legs over the last two days. She then began to believe that she could get up. However, the queen was hesitant when the queen heard Lily chuckle.Lily shook her head
Lily straightened up and said without resentment, “Of course, you wouldn’t.”“That’s… quite a pity,” the queen murmured thoughtfully.“Well, there’s a price to pay for everything. That’s how the world balances itself,” Lily continued, “I can’t stop you if you must carry on with R10. Still, I won’t witness whether or not it succeeds. I just wish the outcome isn’t something you’ll regret.”Lily smiled and turned to head out the door.Rick heard their conversation as he stood guard outside. After exchanging looks with Lily as she brushed past him, he entered the room and saw the needles in Yasmin’s legs. “Your Majesty, those needles—”The queen waved dismissively. “It’s okay. Lily will remove them later.”Even so, Rick was wary. “You’re being too careless, Your Majesty. What if that woman—”“She wouldn’t,” Yasmin interjected, shaking her head."Why do you trust her so much?" Rick asked despite himself. The queen fell silent. If Rick had not asked her that, she would not have rea
Lily took out a cloth and unfolded it, revealing a row of silver needles inside. Yasmin was surprised she carried the needles with her.“Tell me. What do you want?” The queen took a deep breath to calm herself. She then reminded herself that she could always say no to Lily’s request. Still, Yasmin was cautious about Lily trying to trick her.Lily casually said, "I left because Prince Ross wanted to help me. I hope you don’t punish him.""That's it?" Yasmin thought she had misheard Lily. 'Is she trying to talk terms with me just so that I won't punish my son?' she wondered in disbelief."Ross is my son. I won't harm him. Don't you think you've wasted an opportunity by making such a request?" The queen shook her head. "I wasn’t sure if you’d blame him, but he did rescue me once. If I don't do anything, it would be ungrateful of me," Lily said gently, "Also, didn’t you already lock him up?"Yasmin was puzzled. "No, I only sent him back to Yudonia. He kept trying to get me to sto
"Three days," Lily replied.“That’s it?!” Yasmin was in disbelief. She thought Lily would try to buy some more time and suspected she would say the process would take several months or even years.‘I haven’t felt my legs for over a decade. I wouldn’t mind waiting for three more days.’“Are you sure I can get up and walk in just three days?” Yasmin pressed her legs hard but felt nothing. She would have treated her legs long ago if it were that easy.The queen had visited many famous doctors from various countries, but they could only stop her legs from getting weaker. However, Lily confidently told Yasmin that she could fix her legs so quickly.Yasmin wanted to believe it.After some consideration, Lily said, “I can’t guarantee that you’ll walk as fast as you once could. After all, you haven’t used your legs for a long time, and your muscles have atrophied. Still, you’ll recover slowly.”Yasmin nodded repeatedly, thinking it was good enough. She never dreamed of walking as well a
“Because only our opinions matter." Lily thought of something and said, "Unless you choose to believe Rhea.""I… don't trust anyone." Yasmin’s expression stiffened as she turned her wheelchair away."Your Majesty, I know you're dedicated to the experiment, but there are other things in life. Have you ever considered letting go of your burden to sightsee? You’ve done enough as a queen over the last few decades. Aren’t you tired of living a lonely life?”Lily gently spoke as she gazed at Yasmin’s back.The older woman caressed her knees with both hands and stared down at her legs, murmuring, “Sightsee, huh? I’ve forgotten what that’s like.”Yasmin had not used her legs for many years. Initially, she could still stand up and sometimes took a few steps. However, she could no longer get to her feet.She had grown accustomed to sitting in a wheelchair, but she felt a pang of sorrow after hearing Lily’s suggestion.Lily asked, “What if I can help you stand again? What if you can walk a
"Yes, I returned not just for him but also for you," Lily said, "I'm sure you were anxious for my return, weren't you?"Yasmin scoffed dismissively. "Why would I be? I have my bargaining chip. Besides, did you honestly think I couldn’t bring you back?""Bargaining chip? Do you mean Nick?" Lily shook her head with a smile. "Don't forget that he's not my son. Do you think he'll be much of a bargaining chip to you if I choose to ignore him for my three children?"She did not wait for Yasmin to reply and continued, "Besides, Nick still has a father who’s willing to die for him. If Mike decides to take drastic action against you— Yes, you're a queen, and you don't care much about an insignificant businessman.“However, don't forget that his business spans worldwide. There's no guarantee what he might do. Who knows, he might spread information that can affect Your Majesty and Yudonia's reputation?""You…" The queen was exasperated but could not retort.Lily noticed it and casually said
Rick could only remain silent at that moment.Yasmin then turned her wheelchair around and blandly said, “Bring Lily over. I’d like to see what excuses that sly woman can come up with.”"Your Majesty?" Rick was puzzled. "You know she'll just lie to you. Why must you—"Yasmin interjected, "I'd like to hear what she has to say."Rick had no choice but to leave and do as she said.As Lily was about to doze off, she heard noises from outside and opened her eyes. Immediately after, the door opened, and Rick appeared. He glared at her and spoke coldly, “Her Majesty wants to see you.”Lily glanced at Rick calmly and stood up as if she had expected his appearance. On the other hand, Mike rose before her and headed out.However, Rick stopped him as he reached the door. “You stay.”"But we came together!" Mike glanced over his shoulder at Lily, signaling her to persuade the man. Rick added, "The queen doesn’t wish to see you. Just stay here!"Lily patted Mike's shoulder and said gentl
Everyone was shocked when Lily returned to the embassy with Mike. One of the staff members quickly left to report the news to Queen Yasmin.Meanwhile, Lily saw people peering at her and Mike from the corner. Afterward, several guarded-looking men appeared. Lilt recognized them as the queen’s attendants. They brought Mike and Lily inside and then gave the duo a thorough search.The men only relaxed after finding nothing suspicious about the duo. Even so, Lily could not see the queen as the men told her to wait in an innermost room instead.After returning to the embassy, Lily felt a sense of strange familiarity. Although she knew the place well, her mindset had changed.She previously hated the embassy and simply wanted to escape. However, she had returned with a critical mission. Not only did she have to complete it, but she also needed to leave the place in one piece.While she was calm, Mike was somewhat anxious. He clasped his hands on his knees and glanced around as he sat dow
"I promise I'll do anything you want, okay?" Mike begged. He was desperate to see his son, so he decided to follow Lily when she insisted on returning to the embassy.Mike continued, “If any of you go with her, they might stop or suspect you. They won’t do that to me. It’s natural for me to want to see and rescue my son. I’m the best candidate because it makes sense for me to sacrifice myself for him.”After a short silence, Lily said, “You’re right.” She then looked at Alexander, who pondered before slowly raising his head and saying, “Me too.”Dominic tapped the table. "So do I."Cameron thought for a moment before saying, "I've no objections."Seeing this, Austin spread his arms and said, "Since you all agree, what else can I say? Let's do it!"It did not matter whether or not he agreed, but he just wanted to support Mike. The latter nodded and became emotional, saying, “Thanks, you guys!”"Why are you thanking us? Just be careful, and don’t be rash like you promised," Aust