Lillian quickly turned around, and two unexpected tears fell from her eyes.
Gordon, sitting in a wheelchair, had been looking casual, but now he seemed taken aback.
She stood there, with the tears catching the light under her pointed chin, dazzling him so much that he was a moment too slow in reacting.
Once Lillian saw it was Gordon, she quickly wiped away the tear that had fallen from her chin.
“It’s nothing. How did you end up here?”
Gordon raised an eyebrow. “I told you in advance, I wasn’t stalking you. I was just getting bored in the hospital room and wanted to come up for some fresh air.”
“Don’t worry, I wasn’t thinking anything dirty.” Lillian believed him.
“You’re so trusting of me?” Gordon asked.
“We’ve known each other since middle school, but we haven’t really spoken much. Has something changed now?”
Gordon raised an eyebrow. “You’ve got a point, but back then, you always seemed like a delicate swan, too good for this world, always holding your head high. You had that group of little followers trailing behind you. I wasn’t interested in people like you.”
Lillian wasn’t offended. When she was younger, she had looked like a doll, and there had always been plenty of people around her.
“You weren’t any better back then. You dressed like some little thug all the time. You had plenty of lackeys around you. My dad even told me to stay away from people like you.”
“Are we digging up old grievances now?”
“Didn’t you start it?”
They both knew that in their circle, everyone was aware of each other’s existence. There were no secrets, but true friends were few and far between. Most were there for personal gain, not necessarily close, but they had witnessed each other’s youth.
As they spoke, they both laughed for no particular reason.
“Thanks for what happened last time.”
Gordon waved his hand. “If it weren’t you, I would’ve still stepped in. Hunter’s a madman. He caused trouble on my turf, and I couldn’t let that slide.”
“Still, thank you for risking your life to save me. You even got hurt because of it.”
Lillian understood how important a racer’s legs were.
“Alright, I appreciate it. But I’m not one for dramatic displays.” Lillian spoke earnestly. “Either way, I owe you a favor. If you ever need anything, just let me know, and I’ll do my best to help.”
“Fine. You’re actually pretty useful right now.”
Since Conrad could jump off a cliff for her, he wouldn’t let her go so easily.
If the outside world knew about this, if they knew how much Conrad cared for her, Lillian could have ruled City N.
But Conrad watched over her like she was his most precious possession, unwilling to let her go.
Lillian glanced at the time. “I’ll leave now.”
Gordon gave a slight nod.
Just as Lillian reached for the door handle, he called out to her.
“Lillian.”
She turned her head.
“If you’re unhappy being around Conrad, I can help you get away from him.”
Lillian froze for a moment. “Why would you help me?”
No one knew better than they did what it meant to go against Conrad. Gordon had no reason to risk it all and turn against him. It wasn’t that the Gordon’s family didn’t have the power, but Conrad was the type of person who would go to great lengths to help his friends, but if you crossed him, you’d have to be prepared for the consequences. If you weren’t careful, he’d strike without mercy, and you’d find your neck snapped before you knew it.
Gordon’s family, the Smith family, was powerful, with its entire business empire being one of the top players in the country. Their family connections ran deep, so it was better to stay steady and avoid unnecessary complications. There was no need for Gordon to get involved.
“I told you, just think of it as me having a white knight complex. I like doing thrilling, adventurous things.” Gordon smiled at her, confident and sure, as if the game could start any time, just waiting for her to make the move. “I’m sure you’ll come looking for me.”
Lillian thought he was just joking.
She didn’t think she had that much value. If the two groups were going to clash over someone like her, a mere mistress, what was Gordon really after?
When the time came, the two of them would probably shake hands and reconcile, and she’d be stuck in the middle. What would that mean for her?
When Lillian got downstairs, she received a call from Nancy.
“Miss Lillian, the house needs some temporary renovations, and the bags and jewelry need to be moved. Is there anything you need right now? I can bring it over to you.”
Conrad was a generous sugar daddy.
Whenever she couldn’t wait for him to return, Ford would bring back a limited-edition handbag. Later, it was jewelry, houses, and even a cruise…
During her three years with him, he never deprived her of material things. But Lillian knew that those priced items were just the price of her.
“Send a few bags over to me. I’m at the hospital.”
“Of course, Miss Lillian.”
Lillian thought that after the Lewis family went bankrupt, she’d never have a chance to go back to a luxury resale shop. After all, she had sold everything valuable to pay off debts. The jewelry her father had given her, including the car that was named after her, were all gone.
When she stayed with Conrad, aside from the two-thousand-dollar dress John bought for her when he sold her, she didn’t keep anything. And even that dress had been torn carelessly by Conrad.
“These bags are all authentic and quite collectible. If you want to buy them on the market now, you’d have to pay a premium.”
“I know. Name your price, but if it’s too low, I won’t sell them,” Lillian replied. Anyway, Conrad’s bags would always find a buyer.
“Understood, please wait a moment.”
Lillian gave Melissa’s bank account to the shopkeeper. She didn’t feel secure with the money in her own hands, afraid that Conrad might try something.
“May I ask why you’re selling the bags?” The shopkeeper seemed curious, as people who could afford these bags usually didn’t need to sell them unless they were facing financial trouble.
“Oh, I sold myself for them,” she replied. “I’m afraid if I don’t sell them, other women might get them.”
After saying this, Lillian smiled at the shopkeeper, who was stunned and didn’t know how to respond. She pushed the door open and walked out of the luxury resale shop.
The shopkeeper hurried after her, handing her a business card. “Our shop actually offers home collection services. If you have any rare or exclusive items, feel free to contact us. I guarantee we’ll offer you the best prices on the market.”
“Alright.”Lillian kept the business card.