Nelson hung up the phone, feeling drained, then dialed Kenneth.
This time, the call lasted for a long while. When Mrs. Nelson and Daisy entered, Nelson didn’t even want to look at his daughter.
“What are you getting so angry at your daughter for? Look at what’s happened to her. Don’t you feel any sympathy?”
“The White family is on the brink, and you’re still worried about her?” Nelson closed his eyes. “We shouldn’t have been so greedy from the start, always focused on Conrad. We thought we could handle him, but in the end, we just dug our own graves.”
Nelson regretted it, but Mrs. Nelson didn’t understand. “What are you talking about? Conrad never listens, but we already sent the invitations out. If our daughter doesn’t marry him, she’ll be the laughingstock of everyone.”
Daisy’s infatuation with Conrad had turned into a joke behind closed doors in City N.
Before Lillian’s incident even hit the news for three hours, public opinion quickly flipped, and people started secretly mocking Daisy.
“She cried all night last night. Hey, don’t blame her.”
Nelson didn’t say anything, just muttered, “Martin’s not getting any younger. Before Daisy gets engaged, reach out to the Wood family. I remember they have a daughter about Martin’s age. If it’s possible, let’s settle it soon.”
Conrad was a wolf.
He had his eyes on the juicy project.
He wouldn’t stop until he had it.
Forget just an engagement; even if they got married, the guy could still turn cold and ruthless.
The engagement day…
Conrad, do you really think the White family is just yours to destroy?!
******
Melissa stayed at Taylor Mansion for a few days, and the next day, George showed up.
This situation had gotten so big that Thomas family had started treating Melissa better, hoping she’d cooperate with George and publicly support Lillian. At least if they could show off their relationship, it might calm things down.
Though Melissa was reluctant, she agreed for Lillian’s sake.
But when she went downstairs and saw George had already arrived, she couldn’t help but ask, “Where’s Conrad? Ever since the incident, he hasn’t really shown up. If he cares so much, maybe he should just let Lillian go.”
George took her bag from her. “He’s busy.”
Cleaning up Kenneth’s faction and organizing his own people were all decisions that Conrad had to make.
It could be said that Conrad had been incredibly busy lately.
While they enjoyed a peaceful life at Taylor Mansion, the people outside had it rough.
But what she didn’t know was that every night, Conrad would return, see Lillian, and sleep beside her before leaving again.
Melissa got into the car, her face blank. “Just so you know, I’m not helping you because of you.”
“Got it.”
George started the car, and Melissa fastened her seatbelt, glancing at Taylor Mansion. “Lately, I’ve been getting a lot of messages. Some people I don’t even know, asking me to put in a word with Conrad. Do you know what he’s up to?”
“I know.”
“What’s he doing?”
“He’s cleaning up the Brown family. He’s trying to become the head of the Brown family.”
Melissa’s eyes widened. “But his dad’s still around. Is he trying to force the chairman out?”
“Yeah, more or less. Conrad’s trying to seize power.”
Melissa frowned. “If that’s the case, doesn’t that make it even harder for Lillian to leave?”
George pulled over to the side of the road. “Why does she have to leave?”
“Are you asking me, or Lillian?”
“Both.”
“I don’t want to answer that. You already know. As for Lillian, we’re pretty much the same. When you don’t want a relationship and that person is always in front of you, what’s the point? All it does is add more burden. Besides, Conrad’s done so much for her; she doesn’t want to carry such a heavy price, and she definitely doesn’t want to get in the middle of him and Daisy.”
“And what about us? You really don’t want to answer, or are you just avoiding the question?” George’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he slowly spoke.
“George, there were so many times when I hoped you’d respond to me. But it’s been so long, and I gave you so much love. Now, I think it’s time for me to love myself.” She answered him calmly.
George’s grip tightened on the steering wheel. “What should I do? Now it seems like I’m the one who won’t let go.”
******
When Melissa left, the house felt empty.
Ada wasn’t there either.
Lillian often sat for hours, lost in her thoughts.
Sometimes, when she thought back to that chaotic morning, she felt an overwhelming discomfort.
Conrad returned unexpectedly.
Lillian was still holding Alvin’s black-and-white photo when he opened the door. She jumped in surprise and quickly turned her head.
“Do you want to go for a walk?”
Lillian shook her head. “I don’t want to go out.”
“Don’t want to go back to your house either?”
The Lewis family home was in the South Mountain villa area.
Twenty years ago, it was considered the most luxurious neighborhood.
But as times changed, the younger generation had stopped living there.
There were only ten houses in total-independent, single-family homes with large yards.
Just walking to the house across the street required a long detour, and the privacy was exceptional.
When Conrad’s car drove in, Lillian stared at the classical Western-style iron gate and gripped the jade necklace in her hand.
She never thought she’d return here one day.
She saw the rose wall she grew up with, Maple Lane, the swans in the artificial lake, and the small dock. The basketball court near the activity center, the reading room.
Every memory made her throat tighten with emotion.
She used to sit in the passenger seat with her dad, complaining about the day’s events.
Her dad would always listen patiently and then discuss things with her like a good friend.
As they wound through the familiar roads, by the time they reached the house, Lillian’s vision was blurred.
“Aren’t you going to get out and take a look?”
She really wanted to say no.
She wasn’t the same Lillian anymore. How could she face the home she once knew?
But Conrad opened the car door and pulled her out.
“This villa was bought by me back then.” He placed the key in her hand. “Nothing inside has changed.”
Lillian was shocked. She looked at him. “When?”
“The day after we got together… it was up for auction. I figured since I had to pay off your debts, I might as well buy this. Back then, I just thought if I missed it, I’d regret it one day.”
Lillian looked at the villa. It still looked the same as when she had lived there.
The yard had probably just been redone, and the fresh scent of new grass lingered in the air.
She looked at the peonies her father had planted for her, and when she pushed open the front door, the largest photo displayed was of her and her father together.
She had been so bright, so beautiful in that photo.
She didn’t go inside, just stood there, staring at the old version of herself.
Conrad stood quietly behind her. “You see, as long as you’re willing, nothing has to change.”
She slowly stepped inside, running her fingers along the natural cracks in the sofa, and smiled faintly. How could nothing have changed?
It was all just self-deception.