Chapter 417


    Callum’s expression changed instantly. He took a swift step forward and positioned himself before


    Lillian, saying, “Mr. Youngblood, Lillian is only doing this because of her friend. If her actions have


    offended you in any way, I’m willing to bear the consequences for her.


    “Callum, you don’t have to help me. I can handle it myself!” Lillian replied firmly.


    “How are you going to handle it?” Callum asked angrily. “Do you really think you can bear the


    consequences?”


    “What’s the worst that can happen? I’ll just let him beat me to death, then! I’m mentally prepared for


    it!” Lillian retorted.


    “Lillian Quinn, are you trying to piss me off?”


    Callum could not shake the feeling that his usuallyposed demeanor would waver whenever he


    faced Lillian.


    Meanwhile, Jonathan stared coldly at Lillian. Clearly, he was not nning to let her go just like that.


    However, at that very moment, Rosalie, who had passed out from drunkenness, suddenly nuzzled


    her head against Lillian’s shoulder. “Lillian… Don’t be afraid… I’ll protect you,” Rosalie mumbled


    incoherently.


    Upon hearing her words, tears welled up in Lillian’s eyes. “Oh, Rosalie. How are you still thinking of


    protecting me even when you’re drunk?” she thought.


    Jonathan stared intently at the intoxicated Rosalie. After a while, he turned around and left without


    saying a word.


    Carlos hurriedly followed behind.


    I


    The cold wind blew past Lillian. Only then did she realize there was cold sweat on her back.


    “You got lucky just now. Next time, you may not be this fortunate,” Callum said to Lillian.


    Lillian bit her lips. She knew she was indeed lucky. Jonathan had let her off the hook because of


    Rosalie.


    If it were not for what Rosalie said, she might faced dire consequences.


    “Okay, let’s get in the car first,” Callum remarked. The two of them then helped Rosalie into the


    headed toward Rosalie’s rental home.


    car.


    After that, the vehicle


    After arriving at Rosalie’s ce, Lillian assisted her in changing into pajamas. Once she was


    comfortably in bed, thetter and Callum left the rental home.


    In the car, before Callum could say anything, Lillianmented, “I know I acted recklessly today.


    But I couldn’t control myself. At the thought of how Rosalie suffered because of him, I… Really


    wanted to p him!”


    “But he’s Jonathan! The Jonathan Youngblood of Strico!” Callum responded.


    “But Rosalie is my best friend!” Lillian’s voice sounded somewhat dull. It was as if that statement


    was enough to justify her


    actions.


    A hint of shock shed in Callum’s eyes. He had always known that Lillian and Rosalie were very


    close. Back when Rosalie was in jail, Lillian had given up the opportunity to study abroad and


    rushed back to the country to fight for Rosalie’s case. Such sacrifices were not something just


    anyone would do for a friend.


    He thought the women had reached the highest level of their friendship, but little did he know it went


    far beyond that.


    “Why can you do so much for her?” Callum asked hoarsely!


    “Because Rosalie chose to believe when I was at my most helpless moment,” Lillian answered. It


    was as if the scene from back then hade back to life before her eyes.


    She continued, “Back then, I was falsely used of stealing money in my ss. Everyone thought I


    was the thief. The teacher lectured me sternly, asking me to admit my wrongdoing. My parents even


    offered to repay the money I was used of stealing. But the truth was, I hadn’t stolen anything!”


    As Lillian spoke, she sniffed as she was on the verge of tears. “I don’t know if you can understand


    that feeling of helplessness. It’s like the whole world has betrayed you, and you be isted


    and defenseless. It was useless no matter how much I tried to exin my innocence. But… Rosalie


    chose to believe me. She even helped me find the person who stole the money.”


    Speaking of that, Lillian smiled. “At that moment, I decided that I would consider Rosalie my best


    friend for the rest of my life!”


    Callum pursed his thin lips tightly. He was somewhat in disbelief that Lillian was willing to risk


    everything for Rosalie because of that minor incident.


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    Nevertheless, he could understand the feelings she described.


    Callum was an Illegitimate child. Hence, since he was young, he often encountered deceptions and


    maniptions. Although he was frequently set up and wrongly used, Callum would endure it


    without retaliating. That was because he understood that building his capabilities was better than


    clearing his name. Callum believed that once he had the abilities, he


    would seed when he struck back.


    Just like now, he chose the most opportune moment to be the head of the White family, while


    the former matriarch and her two sons could only depend on his mercy.


    “So, when Rosalie was imprisoned, you chose to believe her too?” Callum asked.


    Lillian responded, “Yes! I believe in Rosalie’s character. Since she said she didn’t do it, she


    definitely didn’t. Isn’t this what true friends should be like?”


    Upon hearing her words, Callum fell silent and wondered, “This foolish woman. Doesn’t she know


    how many people have been betrayed by their good friends?”


    Just because Rosalie had helped her before, Lillian was willing to give without holding back. In


    Callum’s eyes, Lillian seemed to be a foolish person.


    However, her “foolishness” also made him, who was ustomed to the dark side of human nature,


    unable to resist his affection for her.


    It was as if being around Lillian was the only way Callum could genuinely rx and ignore the


    scheming and power struggle.


    Callum let out a sigh. Then he raised his hand and gently ran his fingers through Lillian’s hair.


    “Please don’t be as reckless as you were today anymore. You’re lucky that Jonathan let you off


    because of Rosalie.”


    Lillian hesitated momentarily and nodded. She knew she was indeed reckless that day.


    But did she regret it? In fact, she was not precisely regretful of her actions. However, Lillian feared


    Jonathan would go after her parents instead of her.


    “In the future, if you’re genuinely furious and want to confront someone, just tell me. I don’t mind


    supporting you in dealing with people. But please, don’t rush into things recklessly by yourself,


    okay?”


    Callum had spoken with utmost sincerity. He was still shaken by the woman’s impulsiveness.


    Lillian was taken aback after hearing that. Her round eyes fixed on the person before her. Suddenly,


    she remembered when she pped Jonathan, Callum had immediately stood in front of her, facing


    Jonathan. Callum was even willing to bear the consequences of her recklessness.


    At that time, the situation was too chaotic. Moreover, she was angry. Hence, Lillian did not think too


    much about it. However, right then, as she thought about it more carefully, an inexplicable emotion


    welled up within her. Wasn’t he supposed to seek revenge on her? Yet, it seemed like he was


    protecting her.


    “Even if… I’m dealing with Jonathan. You’d be willing to support me?” Somehow, those words had


    slipped from her lips.