When George brought the doctor to change Conrad’s bandages, he frowned and said, “You’ve been staying at home recently, so why hasn’t your injury healed? The poison from last time has already been tested, see for yourself.”
Conrad sat up shirtless, letting someone apply the medicine, took the documents George handed him, and lit a cigarette. “Have you given this to Python?”
“Yeah, he’s going abroad to investigate.” George sneered. “But if you keep pushing yourself like this, you won’t last long. Lillian will probably find another man, and that’ll be fine too.”
Conrad shot him a glance. “Did Melissa send you the divorce papers? And now you come here to throw a tantrum?”
George couldn’t be bothered to argue, glancing at Lillian in the yard playing with Ada. She still didn’t look upset, just like a delicate porcelain doll.
“Has she shown any improvement?”
Conrad remained silent. “It’s just… bad to watch.”
After he said that, he suddenly noticed the look of disbelief on George’s face.
“Conrad, do you even realize what you just said?”
He had expressed an emotion other than anger or happiness.
He felt bad?
It was damn absurd.
His own father and enemy teamed up to kill him, and he didn’t feel bad.
But watching Lillian like this made him feel bad.
George thought to himself, if this man wasn’t killed, he’d probably die because of Lillian eventually.
When Hogan and the others showed up, they were still planning to have Conrad take Lillian somewhere for a change of scenery.
Since Conrad returned, the chaos in the Brown Family Group had calmed down, and Kenneth had almost been sidelined.
The old man should know by now that his current relaxed position was thanks to having a son who could dominate the outside world. If not for that little bit of blood relation and Grandma’s sake, Conrad wouldn’t hesitate to take Kenneth’s life.
Conrad didn’t have time to deal with those people; he left it to his subordinates.
The last few days seemed calm, but everyone knew that the families associated with Kenneth’s old allies had been ruined.
Suddenly, Lillian came through the door from the lawn, and all the men stopped talking.
They all looked at her in unison.
Conrad stood up. “What’s wrong?”
Lillian’s gaze was unfocused. “I want to buy some clothes.”
Gordon raised an eyebrow, and Hogan was the first to react. “Buy? Good idea. The summer collection must be out now.”
Conrad said, “I’ll have Ford arrange it. Anything else you need?”
Lillian’s expression was neutral. “Just something beautiful, something expensive.”
Conrad didn’t lack for either of those.
With a single order, a flood of brand-new releases was immediately sent over.
However, the rules at Hillside Villa were strict. People could only enter with someone from Conrad’s inner circle, and they had to go through layers of security checks to ensure there were no listening devices or other suspicious items.
When Alice arrived, she thought she would finally get to see Conrad.
She no longer had the glory she once had, and since Conrad hadn’t been coming to the company much lately, it was nearly impossible to meet him.
This time, Ford had chosen to bring a trusted female employee, and since Alice had been to Hillside Villa the most, she naturally made the list.
Ford hesitated before bringing her along.
At least she was more reliable than people from outside. The Pink family had been among the first to align with Conrad, and because of this, they were loyal to him until the end-after all, Kenneth couldn’t tolerate them.
Ford’s decision to choose her made Alice feel deeply moved, almost to the point of tears. She was eager to see Conrad, and that alone made it worthwhile.
But when they arrived and went straight to the second floor, entering the walk-in closet, Alice’s expression completely faltered upon seeing Lillian sitting there.
Hadn’t her grandmother just died? And she was still in the mood to buy luxury goods? Not to mention, she was clearly going for the high-society goods. These were the new designs that hadn’t even been released to the public yet.
“Hello, Miss Lillian. This batch is from our latest designs, still unreleased. Mr. Conrad has already bought out the copyright, so no one in the world will be able to wear the same thing as you.”
Lillian stood up. All she needed to do was stand in front of the mirror, and the professional team would bring outfits and accessories, showing her how she’d look once she tried them on.
Lillian looked at her reflection, almost seeing her teenage self blending with the woman she had become.
Three years of a life full of indulgence and then downfall.
This life felt both foreign and familiar.
Her hand lingered over the multi-million-dollar haute couture jewelry, finally selecting a full-diamond necklace. She chose a deep V-neck gown with black fabric that sparkled, hugging her curves perfectly. With the diamond necklace, she looked like a quietly blooming, stunning mandala, staring at her reflection in the mirror.
Alice watched Lillian, a bitter feeling rising in her chest. As she went to fasten the watch onto her wrist, she whispered, “You’re still in the mood to change clothes, huh? Looks like your grandmother’s death didn’t really affect you.”
The next moment, it felt as if her scalp had been grabbed and twisted, her face slammed against the mirror.
Alice’s distorted features were pressed into the glass.
Lillian leaned in, gripping Alice’s chin, her voice cold as she spoke, “You know my grandmother’s dead! If I killed you right now, Conrad would help me bury the body. Wanna test me?”
Alice froze, a rush of pain and humiliation sweeping over her. “You-you’re just relying on Mr. Conrad!”
“Yeah, he’s really useful, why wouldn’t I use him?” Lillian smiled, her lips curving into a cruel grin. “So, don’t mess with me. If you don’t want to die, get lost!”
Lillian roughly shoved Alice away.
Hearing the commotion, Ford knocked on the door. “Miss Lillian?”
“Come in.” Her voice was cold and distant.
Ford hesitated for a moment before opening the door, only to find Alice on the floor, her hair in disarray.
“Assistant Ford, I don’t want to see this woman again. Get rid of her.”
Alice was stunned. “What gives you the right!”
“What gives me the right? I do, because I feel like it.” Lillian casually picked up the lipstick from the vanity, and applying it in front of the mirror. She glanced at Ford’s reflection in the glass. “Didn’t catch that?”
Ford replied, “Got it, let’s go.”
Alice felt like the world had turned upside down! Lillian was being so arrogant, and no one was doing anything about it! Hadn’t she been bullied enough?
Ford personally grabbed Alice and dragged her aside, escorting her out through the elevator.
“Assistant Ford! Are you really going to let her behave like this?”
“You’d better resign now. Mr. Conrad’s patience with you is running out. If it wasn’t for today’s need for reliable personnel to come and go from Hillside Villa, you wouldn’t even be here. But it seems you still haven’t learned your lesson.”
Where did her constant need to pick fights with Lillian come from?
Besides, Lillian wasn’t acting normal at all these days, and Ford didn’t want to waste any more time talking to an idiot like Alice. If the Pink family had any sense, they’d keep a better eye on their daughter.
“Assistant Ford! Assistant Ford!” Alice was immediately pulled into a car by Ford’s men and driven out of the villa grounds.
At the same time, someone had already started clearing Alice’s desk, and she could forget about ever entering the Brown Family Group’s doors again.
“Miss Lillian, would you like to try on a few more outfits?”
“No, this will do.” Lillian looked at the dress she was wearing and was quite pleased.
She glanced at the time on her phone and sent a message, instructing the person to release the information.
Then, she opened the door and slowly made her way downstairs.
Her graceful manner was something she had been taught since she was young, and Conrad had grown accustomed to seeing her in casual outfits-jeans, sweatshirts, and down jackets.
But when she descended the stairs in a sexy evening gown, George, Gordon, and the others were momentarily stunned.
Lillian was undoubtedly beautiful.
Her beauty was striking and almost confrontational, so captivating that no one could tear their eyes away.
Especially when she made an effort to dress up, it was hard not to feel regretful. If she had looked like this in the past few years, she would have easily kept Conrad wrapped around her finger.
“I’m going out this afternoon.” Lillian ignored the stares of the men and spoke calmly.
“Where to?”
“I’m attending a press conference.”
“I’ll take you.”
“I’d prefer to go alone,” Lillian replied, then turned to Andrew, who was standing nearby, and added, “They can come with me.”
Her tone wasn’t a question, but more of a notification.
This small shift in her demeanor didn’t go unnoticed, not just by Conrad, but by everyone present.
She wore a diamond necklace around her neck, layered over the black wolf necklace he had given her, a symbol of status.
He had thought she disliked it, but today, she had willingly worn it.
“Okay.” Conrad agreed.