Conrad was angry just seeing her like that.
He tossed the wet wipe casually, letting it fall on the crown.
Lillian finally realized the crown hadn’t been taken by Pandora.
“Aren’t you going to find your ‘movie queen’?” she asked, noticing how Conrad was specifically waiting for her.
Conrad shot her a cold glance. “What’s the rush? Do you think she’s like you? You just came out for a bit, and already attracting all sorts of attention?”
She wanted to piss him off, didn’t she?
When she got into trouble, all those men rushed to defend her.
Did his woman need help from other men?
That bastard George, with Melissa now, still dared to speak up for Lillian-when he got back, he’d find 200 men for Melissa to choose from, and the remaining days of the year would be her “holiday.”
But today, Lillian didn’t argue back. She just looked at the cruise ship getting farther away, lowered her gaze, and said, “I know. Today, you’re just helping me.”
Conrad scoffed, “Even if it’s Ada, if someone crosses the line with it, I’ll make sure they regret it. But everything I did today has nothing to do with you.”
Listen to that-he was still clearly angry.
Lillian hooked her finger around his pinky. “Conrad.”
“Huh? Don’t try that on me, Lillian.”
But then, she leaned against his leg.
“Fasten your seatbelt, no more of this.”
Lillian pouted. “No~ let me lean on you for a bit, I’m so tired.”
Conrad looked down at her without saying a word, staring out the window.
After a while, he clicked his tongue. “Why do you look so lifeless? Are you really still that upset? If you’re still upset, I can go to punish those women…”
“No need. I’m not angry with them, really.”
Lillian blinked, tears uncontrollably welling up. She tried to hide them, not wanting them to fall on Conrad’s pants or for him to notice.
She just really wanted… someone to lean on, to talk to, even if it meant getting scolded by Conrad, at least she wouldn’t have to face it alone.
Conrad hadn’t seen Lillian like this in a long time.
When she first followed him, she’d secretly hide her feelings of hurt. But when she showed up again, she was always cheerful, carefree, her eyes no longer reflecting him.
Back then, he didn’t care. He only liked her body and the feeling of dominating her in bed.
Her happiness? He’d already paid for it, so she had to pretend to be happy.
But now, he didn’t miss that old Lillian as much.
“Buckle up.”
The turbulence hit as the aircraft shook.
“I don’t want to buckle up.”
“Are you trying to die?”
“Then let me fall. If I fall, Mr. Conrad, will you save me?”
Conrad shot her an impatient look. “You think I’m bored enough to jump off and save you? You’d better stay alive because I don’t have the time for this. My life’s too valuable.”
“Oh.”
“Saving you isn’t out of the question, but you’ll have to listen to me from now on.”
“Isn’t your life valuable?”
“Are you joking? The people I want to save, I can save. Don’t forget the nickname people gave me.”
“Grim Reaper?”
“So, you know that too?”
“I know more than you think.”
“Lillian, are you crying on my leg?” He frowned, his voice filled with disdain.
“It’s just my saliva.”
“…”
“Am I an idiot?”
Conrad suddenly pulled her up, staring into her eyes. She had probably been crying for quite some time.
He couldn’t understand what the problem was. She was silently shedding tears without a word.
“Are you filming a TV drama?”
“You think you’re shooting a TV drama or something? What are you even crying about? If someone wronged you, I’ll go get it back for you.” Conrad’s face darkened.
If his people had to endure this kind of treatment, then he wasn’t going to last in this city.
Lillian glanced at the crown in the corner, then casually came up with an excuse. “You give other women such expensive gifts, and I’ve been with you for so long and haven’t gotten anything?”
Conrad was speechless. “Is that really why you’re upset? Who gave it to her? She’s the spokesperson for the Brown Family Group, the face of my company. If she dresses like a beggar, does that mean the Brown Family Group is bankrupt? I lent her the crown, and she managed to lose it. I don’t even know what the hell the team I’ve been raising is doing.”
“Pathetic. You’re crying over this cheap thing? Lillian, I only want to see you cry in one place.” Conrad kicked the crown away. “If you like, I’ll get you something better.”
Lillian knew he was generous, but crowns weren’t easy to sell, nor could they be exchanged for cash.
But sometimes, she really got lost in how Conrad pampered her. Apart from her father, Conrad was, at times, the only person willing to fulfill her demands.
No matter what had happened in the past, in this moment, at this second, she told herself not to care about the future-just enjoy it fully.
She pretended to be happy as she hugged him. “Thanks, Conrad. I prefer bracelets, bags, and little jewels. I never even get a chance to wear the crown out.”
She said these teasing words, but her eyes were hollow, and tears continued to fall.
Conrad patted her back, thinking that Lillian really had no idea how to make money. What was so great about those little trinkets?
Oh well, she was still young. She’d understand when she got older.
******
In the banquet hall, once Conrad left, the excitement faded. People scattered, and those who had nothing else to do gathered in smaller groups.
“Let’s go,” Simon said.
Paul said softly, “Conrad is ruthless. Is it reliable to cooperate with him?”
Simon raised an eyebrow. “Even the most ruthless person has a weak spot. When the tiger is cornered, it bleeds. He might be ruthless, but I’ve heard that those who do business with him don’t lose. Let’s wait and see.”
Gordon was called away by his family to send off Robin and his family.
Before he left, he told George, “Go find Lillian for me.”
She had disappeared in the blink of an eye.
George raised an eyebrow and said, “Although I shouldn’t say anything about Lillian, she’s closely connected to Melissa, so it’s only natural for me to help her. You’ve already done this more than once. Conrad’s had his little spats with you before. If you’re serious about pursuing Lillian, you and Conrad probably won’t even stay friends. I can see it clearly. Conrad isn’t going to let go of Lillian anytime soon. Besides, Lillian probably doesn’t want to leave him for now.”
Her grandmother was in Conrad’s hands. Even if she wanted to leave, she’d have to think it over.
Gordon, however, didn’t take this seriously. “Yes, I have been friends with him for so many years. However, not everything good is Conrad’s.”
“Are you serious?” George asked, surprised.
“Hard to say. Just help me find her,” Gordon said, then had his assistant push him away.
George thought things were starting to feel a little surreal.
Well, whatever. Lillian wasn’t his woman, so he didn’t care how they fought over her.
But Melissa’s phone was still unreachable.
George scrolled through her Twitter. Her status had been updated, but it looked like she had bought some useless junk.
Just then, his phone rang.
“What’s up?”
“Is this Mr. George? This is Amy Law Firm. We’ve received Ms. Melissa’s request for a divorce. Could you let us know when would be a convenient time to meet?”