《CEO's Dumb Bride》


 Chapter 1 She Couldnt Speak

    Chapter 1She Couldn''t Speak


    Chapter 1 She Couldn¡¯t Speak


    Lilian Rossum stared at the clock on the wall, and the hour hand reached 12.


    The food on the table had gone cold again, so Lilian took them into the kitchen and reheated them.


    At twelve fifty in the morning, the front door opened. Lilian turned her head and saw Francis Landau


    coming back.


    With his suit jacket hanging on his arm and his handsome face showing a hint of drunkenness, he


    walked towards Lilian.


    Lilian stood up and poured him a ss of sobering fruit juice. However, just as she handed the


    ss over, he knocked it over.


    Then, he grasped her chin and kissed her lips.


    The smell of alcohol filled the air, mixed with the scent of a woman''s perfume. Lilian pushed Francis


    a few times but couldn''t push him away, and he lifted her up and headed straight to the bedroom.


    He turned her face towards him and gazed at her with his deep eyes. While caressing her face with


    his fingers gently, he asked, "Why don''t you speak?"


    Lilian stared at him intently.


    He knew she couldn''t speak.


    She was mute.


    But he would always ask, without getting tired of it.


    Sometimes, Lilian couldn''t distinguish if Francis was humiliating her ormenting.


    She held his hand that was touching her face, tilted her head towards his palm, and rubbed against


    it, like a little cat trying to please its owner.


    The light in Francis'' dark eyes dimmed a little, as if there was a surging undercurrent feeling about


    to burst out. He held her hand, lowered his head, and kissed her on the lips.


    ...


    When Lilian opened her eyes again, it was already bright outside. The other half of the bed was


    empty, but she could hear the sound of water from the bathroom.


    She picked up the clothes from the floor and put them on. Then, as she put on thest piece, the


    phone on the bedside table buzzed. It was Francis'' phone.


    Lilian nced at the blurry figure through the frosted ss door of the bathroom, and then looked at


    the phone screen. There were a few messages from Julian Quinn.


    "Did you go back?"


    "You do this every time. Do you have to go to that dummy to disgust and annoy me?"


    Lilian''s eyshes trembled a bit.


    The bathroom door opened, and Francis walked out, wrapped in a towel.


    There was still steam rising from his body, and his wet hair hung down. The tips of his hair were still


    dripping. The drops were falling onto his chest and then gathering into a line along the contours of


    his abs.


    Lilian averted her gaze and lowered her head to button her clothes.


    Francis approached the bed, picked up his phone, and nced at Lilian, who was still dressing.


    "Did you see my texts?"


    Lilian raised a faint smile and shook her head slightly.


    On their wedding day, he told her, "Be good. Don''t love me. We will be like before. I will take care of


    you for a lifetime."


    He told her not to love him.


    So why bother caring about if she saw his messages?


    He wouldn''t care anyway. He wouldn''t care if she felt jealous, upset, or sad.


    Those who were not being loved didn''t have the right to be angry.


    Instead, her love and emotions would only burden him.


    She was afraid that he would step on her heart like the others.


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    Lilian was afraid that Francis would no longer have her.


    She signed to him, meaning - "I''ll go make breakfast."


    Lilian, feeling sore all over, got up and walked out of the bedroom to the kitchen.


    Francis stared at her slender figure, then looked at his phone. He deleted messages Julian had


    sent.


    Lilian prepared breakfast and set it on the table. She poured a cup of coffee for Francis, and ced


    it in front of his seat, along with a te containing bacon, eggs, and some bread.


    After a while, Francis dressed up and came to the dining table.


    The dining room was very quiet. Francis had said before that when he was with her, he spoke as if


    talking to himself.


    Over time, Francis hardly spoke to her anymore. For a while, the dining room was filled only with


    the sound of cutlery lightly touching the porcin tes.


    "We''ll go back to the Landau Residenceter," Francis suddenly spoke up.


    Lilian paused a little and ced the knife and fork on the te.


    She signed an OK gesture to reply.


    Francis nced at her, and her expression remained docile like always.


    She was calm andposed, never causing a scene. She always had a docile smile on her face


    no matter how badly she was treated.


    Suddenly, Francis found the bacon tasteless.


    He threw the knife and fork onto the cemat, identally hitting the porcin te, creating a


    crisp sound that stood out in the quiet dining room.

 Chapter 2 The Landaus Family

    Chapter 2 The Landaus Family


    Chapter 2 The Landaus Family


    "Upon seeing this, Lilian''s body trembled slightly. She thought Francis was angry.


    Is breakfast not to your liking? She signed."


    Francis tugged at his shirt cor and replied somewhat impatiently, "It''s fine. Just finish yours."


    As he stopped eating, Lilian didn''t continue her breakfast. She stood up and began clearing the


    dishes from the table.


    Francis watched her coldly, saying nothing.


    After she finished tidying up the utensils and left the kitchen upstairs to change her clothes, Francis


    was already waiting for her in the car.


    As the car drove on the road, the scenery on both sides quickly receded. Lilian turned to the side


    window and watched the passing scenery outside.


    Lilian was brought into the Landau family at a very young age. It was Francis''s grandfather, Thomas


    Landau, who brought her back. Thomas loved her and treated her as his own granddaughter.


    Thomas loved and cared about Lilian so much. And he used to feel worried about her.


    Three years ago, Thomas was on his deathbed. At thest moment, he could leave this world in


    peace after he forced Francis to marry Lilian.


    At that time, Thomas said, "I can''t rest assured about Lilian''s situation if she marries someone else.


    Only by marrying you, Francis, can I die with peace."


    However, at that time, Francis already had a girlfriend, Julian Quinn.


    Perhaps it was because he and Lilian grew up together, or perhaps it was because he made a


    promise to his grandfather, but Francis married Lilian.


    He didn''t give her the cold shoulder or deliberately make things difficult for her. But that was all. He


    didn''t love her.


    He would never affectionately call her Lily again.


    They became the most familiar strangers.


    The Landau Residence was bustling today. It was because Ruby Landau, Francis''s younger sister,


    recently gave birth to a son. Today, he was going to be baptized.


    Lilian followed closely behind Francis as they made their way through the bustling foyer and into the


    main hall.


    In the main hall, Rosalie Landau, with a big smile on her face, was trying to make her grandson


    laugh. However, as soon as she caught sight of Lilian, her expression immediately turned sour.


    Lilian waved to greet her, but Rosalie just ignored her like she didn''t see Lilian at all. Then she just


    engrossed in a conversation with her daughter Ruby.


    "It is often said that a nephew resembles his uncle. I have to say, this little guy looks just like Frank


    when he was born."


    Gently touching her newborn son''s cheek, Ruby smiled and replied, "Everyone says he looks like


    Frank, but I can''t see it at all."


    Rosalie gently squeezed the baby''s tiny hand and chuckled, "Of course you can''t see it. When


    Frank was as little as your son, you hadn''t even been born yet."


    Despite being ignored, Lilian remained calm and stood quietly on the side.


    "Mom," Francis called out to Rosalie.


    Rosalie finally turned around and responded nonchntly, "You''re here? What are you standing


    there for? Have a seat."


    Ruby nced at Lilian. Then, just as Francis sat down, she suddenly asked, "Frank, when are you


    two going to have a baby?"


    Before Francis could respond, Rosalie scoffed, "Don''t you dare encourage him. Having one dummy


    in this family is embarrassing enough. Another little dummy? How much humiliation will our family


    have to endure then?"


    Upon hearing this, Francis looked at Lilian, who had her head lowered, making it difficult for him to


    gauge her emotions.


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    Bringing up the topic of having a baby, Ruby clearly had ulterior motives.


    Everyone was aware that Lilian was pregnantst year. But Rosalie was afraid Lilian would have a


    mute child, so she forced Lilian to have an abortion.


    When Francis found out, he didn''t say anything. So Lilian, who already had no presence, became


    even more insignificant in the Landau family.


    If that child had been born, it would be almost six months old by now.


    Except for Thomas, no one in the Landau family liked Lilian.


    Ruby hated Lilian, even more than Rosalie, starting from a very young age.


    Lilian was brought into the Landau family when she was five. Ruby bullied Lilian because Lilian


    couldn''t speak. She had locked Lilian in the storage room and burned her hair with a lighter back


    then. Once, she even pushed Lilian down from upstairs, and Francis saw it.


    At that time, Francis scolded Ruby. Being frustrated by the fact that her grandfather favored Lilian


    already, Ruby was scolded by her older brother, who used to love and dote her so much. How could


    she not hate Lilian?


    At that time, Lilian couldn''t do signnguage, write, or even report her sufferings to Thomas. Later,


    Ruby became even more brazen in bullying Lilian, taking out her frustrations on Lilian for any


    slightest unhappiness.


    Now that they were all grown up, Ruby no longer used such low-level methods. Her favorite trick


    now was to destroy people emotionally.


    "Muteness is a recessive gic trait. As long as regr prenatal checks are done, maybe the child


    won''t have such a high chance of inheriting it," Ruby said.


    Rosalie rubbed her temples, feeling a headache. "Enough, why are we talking about this? I''m doing


    it for Lilian''s good too. If she gives birth to a defective child, won''t she suffer the most? Frank, what


    do you think?"

 Chapter 3 Everything She Hoped for Would Be Shattered

    Chapter 3 Everything She Hoped for Would Be Shattered


    Chapter 3 Everything She Hoped for Would Be Shattered


    Francis stood up and said, "Ruby, I left the gift here. Lilian and I should leave now."


    Ruby got a bit angry and stood up too, saying, "Frank, why are you in such a hurry to leave? We still


    have guests who haven''t arrived yet. At least have a meal before leaving."


    "Don''t bother. I still have some work to do in the office," Francis replied as he took Lilian and left the


    Landau Residence without looking back.


    "Ruby became even angrier. She couldn''t understand what Francis meant. She could forget about


    his protection to this mute girl before. But what was he doing now?


    Because he was forced to marry this mute girl under the circumstances that he had a girlfriend at


    that time. However, not only did he not mistreat her, he even moved out of the Landau Residence


    with her."


    Did he like Lilian? He didn''t say anything when their child was aborted, and he was still entangled


    with his ex-girlfriend.


    He didn''t like Lilian? He always protected her and refused to divorce her.


    Back in the car, Francis lit a cigarette. It was clear that he was feeling irritated.


    Lilian sat quietly in her seat, waiting for him to finish smoking.


    After finishing the cigarette, Francis turned to look at Lilian.


    She still had that docile look, with a faint smile, as if a servant was waiting for the master''s orders.


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    Francis felt even more overwhelmed, but he couldn''t exin why.


    She was clearly no different from before.


    "What do you think about what Ruby said just now?" Francis asked.


    Lilian signed to him: "What?"


    Francis gripped the steering wheel and stared at her intently, replying, "About having a baby."


    He noticed that Lilian''s smile froze, and it took her a few tries before she managed to put on a faint


    smile again.


    She signed to him, meaning: "Your mother is right. We shouldn''t have children."


    From her own experiences, Lilian understood the lesson that everything she hoped for would


    eventually be shattered, just like a ss bottle being broken.


    The more beautiful her fantasies were, the more she felt the pain when they shattered.


    When she was a child, she wanted a birthday cake. Grandpa Thomas bought her one. As she


    eagerly prepared to make a wish, Ruby shoved her head into the cake.


    When she lifted her head in embarrassment, with her face covered in cream, she heard mocking


    laughter around her. They found the scene amusing.


    At that moment, Lilian could only sneak out her tongue and lick the crumbs of cake from the corners


    of her mouth, which didn''t taste as good as she had imagined.


    Because for thoseughing people back then, the cake was not meant to be eaten by her, just like


    Francis didn''t really want to have a child with her now.


    "We didn''t take any precautionsst night, did we?"


    Lilian signed back, meaning: "I took contraceptive pills."


    Francis looked at her signing fingers. Perhaps because she used them frequently, her fingers were


    slim and long. When she signed, her fingers moved like they were performing a dance. It was very


    beautiful.


    After looking at her for a moment, Francis withdrew his gaze. He started the car and said, "That''s


    good."


    Lilian lowered her head, knowing that he was still testing her.


    He, like Rosalie, was afraid that she would give birth to a mute child and embarrass them.


    She was grateful that she restrained the momentary impulse and did not expose her love for him.


    He told her not to love him, but he didn''t know that every time he helped her, he nted the seed of


    love in her heart.


    Sometimes, Lilian wondered if it would be better if he were like those people who bullied her. That


    way, she would only feel physical pain, not psychological torture.


    Francis drove her to the coffee shop where she worked. As soon as he parked the car at the


    entrance of the cafe, he found Julian standing there. She always found a way to locate him.


    Julian was an attractive woman. She was tall with long legs and had her curly hair down. Wherever


    she showed up, she attracted others'' attention.


    As she stared at Francis and Lilian getting out of the car, she felt her anger reached its peak. There


    were angry mes flickering in her eyes.


    This could easily lead an unaware person to assume she was Francis'' wife.


    "Why are you here?" Francis didn''t feel any guilt or unease upon seeing her.


    Clearly, this kind of situation was not new.

 Chapter 4 Julian Quinn

    Chapter 4 Julian Quinn


    Chapter 4 Julian Quinn


    ncing at Lilian beside him, Julian noticed the faint traces of hickeys on her neck. She forced a


    smile, even though she was furious, and replied, "How would I find you if I didn''te here?"


    Francis turned to Lilian and said, "You should go to your work now."


    Lilian nodded and walked past Julian into the coffee shop.


    The reason she worked here was that after searching and interviewing for so many jobs, this was


    the only ce willing to take her in.


    After she left, Julian walked over to Francis and took hold of his arm, yfully asking, "Are you still


    angry?"


    "Let''s talk in the car."


    Julian intimately linked her arm with Francis'', and he didn''t push her away.


    Before getting in the car, Julian took out a bottle of sanitizer spray from her purse and sprayed it


    several times on the passenger seat. Then, she looked up with a radiant smile and said, "Well, it


    needs disinfecting."


    Lilian had just sat there. She felt disgusted.


    Francis watched her, didn''t say anything, and silently approved of her actions, even though Lilian


    was right behind them.


    Through the window, Lilian witnessed it all.


    She saw how much indulgence and love Francis had for Julian.


    Those who were being loved were fearless. Francis loved Julian. So no matter how unreasonable


    or absurd Julian behaved, he found it eptable, even when she humiliated his wife in front of him.


    After disinfecting the passenger seat that Lilian sat on, Julian got into the car. She adjusted her


    curly hair and held Francis'' hand, saying, "Alright, why do you still have such a long face? I won''t


    say anything about hoping you get a divorce anymore. Is that alright?"


    Francis doted on her. But as long as she brought up the idea of hoping Francis divoicing that


    dummy, he would immediately be angry.


    Even though he always imed that he didn''t love that dummy and only felt responsibility towards


    her, and not to mention his promise to his grandfather, Julian still felt angry.


    What she wanted was to be the one and only woman around her, not this kind of hidden affection.


    Everyone else said that she was Francis'' love, that he gave her everything except marrying her.


    Only Julian knew that it wasn''t like that.


    If Francis truly loved her enough, he wouldn''t let her endure people''s judging and despise.


    He made a promise to his grandfather. So what? His grandfather has been dead for three years.


    Did he still have to care about that promise?


    If Julian were asked who Francis Landau truly loved, Julian would say that he didn''t love anyone but


    himself.


    Francis lit a cigarette, leaned back in his seat, and took two deep puffs. Then the car was filled with


    smoke.


    Then, Francis said, "Julian, I''ve said it before. As long as you stay with me, I promise you''ll have a


    worry-free life. If you never get married in your lifetime, I will still support you for your life. You have


    my word."


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    With that, he turned his head to look at Julian, and continued. "This is my promise to you. But at the


    same time, my promise to my grandfather will and shall be kept."


    Thomas forced Francis to swear before he passed away that he would take care of Lilian for a


    lifetime, even if he didn''t love her.


    Francis made a promise.


    He had only made two promises in his lifetime, one to his grandfather and the other to Julian.


    He promised! Again, this word. D*am! Promise! Julian almost lost control every time she heard that


    word!


    "Yes, I know you''ll keep your word," Julian suppressed her anger deep inside and said, "But I


    became your girlfriend first."


    After finishing hisst drag of the cigarette, Francis threw the butt out of the car. He held Julian''s


    hand, and his tone became more indulgent as he said, "I''m sorry for what I did to you. Just tell me


    what you want. How about that?"


    Julian tilted her head and thought for a moment before replying, "I don''t want to drive my Ferrari


    anymore. I want a Maserati."


    Francis replied with a faint smile, "No problem."


    "And also, you are not allowed to see that dummy for a month."


    "Okay."


    Only then did Julian smile contentedly. "Alright, let''s go to work."


    As Lilian watched the car drive away, she finally turned around. The cloth in her hand had been


    wrinkled by her grip.


    She ced the cloth on the table and smoothed it out, as ifforting her twisted heart.


    "Aren''t you angry at all?"

 Chapter 5 Im Used to This

    Chapter 5 I''m Used to This


    Chapter 5 I''m Used to This


    A figure leaned against the table, and a faint scent of perfume wafting over. Lilian looked up at the


    person speaking.


    It was Courtney Sachs, the owner of this coffee shop.


    Courtney was tall, standing at 5.8 feet. She had short hair and was dressed in a ck t-shirt and


    casual pants. When she didn''t speak, many people would mistake her for a boy.


    When Lilian came for the interview, Courtney lightly pinched her cheek, which scared Lilian. It


    wasn''t until Courtney started speaking that Lilian realized she was a girl.


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    Lilian put down the tablecloth and smiled, signing to her: "I''m used to it."


    Courtney stared at her fingers, catching a glimpse of Lilian''s reddened eyes.


    Courtney frowned a little. To her, the simple sign gesture of "I''m used to it" in signnguage


    contained too much bitterness and grievance from Lilian.


    Courtney handed Lilian a drink in her hand. "Here''s your favorite matchatte. Take it. Everybody


    has one."


    Lilian signed: "Thank you." Then she took over the drink and took a sip.


    The white foam stuck to the corner of Lilian''s mouth, and Courtney reached out her finger to wipe it


    off for Lilian. Then she took the opportunity to pinch Lilian''s cheek. "You''re such a fool."


    Courtney''s tone carried a hint of mncholy and affection, as if there was a deeper meaning behind


    her words.


    Lilian still had a bit of baby fat on her cheeks. Her eyes were big, with long eyshes, and she had


    a fairplexion. When she stared at someone, she looked like a little puppy, pitiful and adorable.


    That was why Courtney liked to pinch her cheeks. At first, Lilian wasn''t used to it, but gradually she


    got used to it.


    "Get used to" could be a terrifying thing.


    Courtney was nice. In order to understand what Lilian wanted to express, she specifically followed a


    signnguage video to learn. Now, she could understand most of Lilian''s signnguage.


    But Lilian was too scared to make friends anymore.


    Thest person she made friends with just sprayed disinfectant on the passenger seat where she


    had sat, over and over again.


    Courtney suddenly had an idea and pulled Lilian upstairs, saying, "Come help me with something."


    Lilian quickly put down her cup of mochatte and followed Courtney upstairs to a room on the


    second floor. When the door was pushed open, she saw colorful paintings inside.


    In addition to being the owner of this coffee shop, Courtney was also a famous painter. Well, at least


    she called herself a FAMOUS painter.


    Her family didn''t allow her to learn how to paint, so she opened a coffee shop as a cover to secretly


    paint here.


    As soon as they entered the room, Courtney pressed Lilian onto a chair and said, "Stay here. Your


    job today is to be my model."


    Lilian obediently sat on the chair, not moving.


    Courtney liked to practice drawing her. She had painted many portraits of Lilian.


    As time passed minute by minute, it was approaching noon when a heavy rainstorm started outside.


    The sound of raindrops on the window was soothing, making the room feel particrly quiet.


    However, downstairs in the shop, things were getting busier. Lilian and Courtney''s phones were


    constantly ringing. But Lilian dared not move.


    Courtney felt a bit annoyed. She put down her paintbrush and said, "Forget it. I''ll paint another day.


    Let''s go downstairs and see what these people are rushing about."


    Because of the rain, many people came into the shop, mostly seeking shelter from the rain.


    It was not right to take up space in the shop for free, so they all ordered something. So the shop


    suddenly became busy.


    "Boss, here are several delivery orders. No delivery personnel have taken these orders. Why don''t


    you go deliver them?" A female employee hurried over and handed the delivery orders to Courtney.


    Courtney casually took the orders and then frowned, saying, "So many? Forget it. Bring them all


    here."


    After speaking, Courtney looked around the shop and noticed that Lilian had once again immersed


    herself in her work at the coffee shop.


    Courtney walked up to her and grabbed her towards outside, saying, "Come on. Let''s go deliver the


    orders."


    Lilian quickly took off her apron and followed Courtney to the front desk. She carried several orders


    of coffee for delivery.


    Half of the orders were nearby, so they delivered the items quite quickly. But for a few orders that


    were far away, Courtney had to ride a motorcycle to deliver them.


    "Lilian, hold these and sit behind me. I''ll ride the bike," Courtney said as she put a motorcycle


    helmet on Lilian''s head without hesitation, and pulled her to the roadside.


    Lilian wanted to go back and get an umbre, but Courtney stopped her.


    Riding a motorcycle with an umbre? Then what was she riding a motorcycle for?


    So, Lilian had to hold the coffee in her arms and sit on Courtney''s motorcycle trembling.


    The rain was heavy, with lightning and thunder, and the sky was gloomy.


    It was only noon, but it looked like it was getting dark.


    When Courtney''s motorcycle stopped in front of a building, Lilian''s face changed slightly.


    It was Francis''pany.

 Chapter 6 You Are Just A Pet to Him

    Chapter 6 You Are Just A Pet to Him


    Chapter 6 You Are Just A Pet to Him


    Courtney helped Lilian take off the helmet. Both of them were soaking wet, but the coffee bags in


    Lilian''s arms were intact.


    "These people are crazy. How could they not have a coffee machine in such a bigpany?"


    Courtneyined, taking the coffee takeout from Lilian''s hand and smiling at her.


    "Sweetheart, wait for me here. I''ll be back soon."


    Lilian nodded and silently walked to the front gate to wait.


    The rain was getting heavier, and after this rain, winter woulde soon.


    Lilian looked at the heavy rain outside, and her look became somewhat distant.


    It was raining just as heavily the day Grandpa Thomas took her to the Landau family. At that time,


    she timidly hid behind Grandpa Thomas, enduring the surveying gaze of nine-year-old Francis.


    Francis asked who she was.


    At that time, Thomas joked, "She''s the wife I found for you. What do you think?"


    Nine-year-old Francis sneered, "I don''t want a skinny monkey as my wife."


    At that time, she was super skinny, with dry, yellow hair, weighing probably less than the monkeys in


    the zoo.


    But then he said, "If you don''t eat more, you will be too skinny to be my wife."


    She knew he was joking, but she took it seriously every time.


    Lilian was lost in thought when a voice brought her back to reality.


    "With such heavy rain, I don''t want to work today. I''m leaving now."


    Julian, who was on her phone, walked out of thepany gate in high heels with a model-like


    stride. She turned her head and saw Lilian, drenched.


    "Lilian?"


    She was on the phone with Francis, and he heard her calling out Lilian''s name from the other end of


    the line.


    Julian turned to nce at the building gate behind and then nced back at Lilian. She hung up the


    phone and asked her, "Are you here to see Frank?"


    Lilian waved her hand to indicate that she wasn''t here to see him.


    Julian raised an eyebrow and walked towards Lilian. Her surveying eyes were like x-rays.


    "Frank says you''re innocent, but I don''t think you''re at all. Coming here and getting yourself


    drenched like this just to see him?" Julian said mockingly, reaching out and pinching a wet strand of


    hair on Lilian''s shoulder. "Oh, you do look pitiful."


    "Lilian stared at Julian, whose face was full of smugness and pride.


    "But what will this bring to you? To Frank, you''re just like a pet," Julian sneered."


    "He pat a puppy''s head, and you think that''s love? Don''t bother with these thoughts."


    Lilian pursed her lips. Perhaps because the rain was too cold, her lips were slightly pale.


    She didn''t need Julian to tell her this. Lilian herself understood it.


    Many times, Francis looked at her with the same eyes as he looked at the pet cat at home.


    He really liked the cat. Sometimes, when he forgot to feed it before going to work, he woulde


    back home to feed it.


    Be liked was not to be loved.


    Courtney just finished delivering the coffee. She heard Julian''s words while she walked out of the


    gate. She quickly walked up to Lilian, shielding her and looking Julian up and down.


    "Oh God. Why is a pig here? What is this pig grunting about? What? Are you lost?"


    Julian''s expression changed, and she red at Courtney. "Did you forget to brush your teeth after


    breakfast? What sh*t are you saying? Who do you think you are? You have the right to join this."


    Courtney crossed her arms and looked at Julian yfully.


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    "And who do you think you are? Bullying Lilian and thinking you''re superior because she can''t


    speak? I''m telling you... I''ve never seen someone like you, who acts like a legal wife. Aren''t you just


    afraid that nobody knows the fact that you are a shameless home-wrecker who depends on her


    husband."


    "You..." Being choked by her words, Julian flushed.


    She hated being called a home-wrecker. If it weren''t for Lilian, she should have been the one to


    marry Francis! Why should she bear this shame?


    Taking advantage of Francis''s favor, Julian had always been arrogant. No one had ever dared to


    insult her like this. So, she raised her hand and was about to p Courtney in the face.


    But Courtney wouldn''t let this woman seed. Before Julian could p her, she pped Julian


    first.


    "Ah!!"


    Julian was wearing high heels. This p made her stagger back and fall to the ground.


    Julian held her foot in pain, and tears streaming down her face.


    This situation shocked Lilian.


    Courtney looked down at Julian and said, "You want to hit me? Who do you think you are? You


    shameless home-wrecker."


    Julian endured the pain and stared at Courtney, and her chest heaving violently with anger.


    Courtney pulled Lilian''s hand and said, "Let''s go."


    Lilian kept looking back. Then, she saw Francis rushing out and lifting Julian up from the ground.


    Even through the heavy rain, she could see his doting and caring for Julian.


    But he didn''t even nce at Lilian standing in the rain.


    Courtney started the motorcycle engine and drove away with Lilian. They disappeared into the rain.


    The heavy rain blurred Lilian''s vision, as well as the shape of the towering building behind them.

 Chapter 7 What Are You Up to Now

    Chapter 7What Are You Up to Now


    Chapter 7 What Are You Up to Now


    Inside the lobby of Franck''s building.


    "What''s going on?" Francis sat down next to Julian and grabbed her legs to check. Her ankle was


    already swollen.


    Julian snorted in frustration and turned her head away, refusing to look at him.


    At that moment, a security guard approached with surveince footage and handed it to Francis.


    "Mr. Landau, this is the surveince footage."


    As Francis watched the footage, his face instantly became gloomy. He had been to the ce where


    Lilian worked and naturally knew Courtney. Of course, he also knew Courtney''s real identity.


    Francis threw the pad on the table and said to Julian, "I''ll take you to the hospital."


    Julian became even more angry since he didn''t take a stand. "I''m not going! Let my leg be broken.


    So I don''t have to hear people calling me a shameless home-wrecker every time I go out."


    Frowning, Francis said, "Don''t be silly. We''re going to the hospital."


    "No!"


    Frank didn''t bargain with her and just picked her up and left for the hospital.


    ...


    Lilian sat behind Courtney. The rain was washing over her cheeks. She carefully reached out and


    held onto Courtney''s waist.


    Although the rain was cold, the warmth from Courtney''s back wasforting.


    She wanted to thank Courtney now, but she couldn''t speak.


    For twenty-three years, except for Thomas and Francis, Courtney was the first person to stand up


    for her.


    Courtney was taken aback. She looked down at the hands wrapped around her waist and let out a


    silent sigh.


    The raindrops were icy, but Courtney felt that the water droplets on her back were warm.


    They were Lilian''s tears.


    Taking advantage of this heavy rain, Lilian finally cried freely.


    Instead of going back to the coffee shop, Courtney sent Lilian Corona Vi.


    It was the residence of Lilian and Francis after they got married.


    Upon arrival, Courtney got off and walked Lilian to the door. Then she took off Lilian''s helmet and


    gently wiped her wet face for her.


    "Go inside and change your clothes quickly, or you''ll catch a cold. That jerk won''t care about you if


    you get sick."


    Lilian nodded and used signnguage to tell her to wait.


    After saying that, Lilian quickly ran into the house. When she came out again, she had an umbre


    in her hand.


    She handed the umbre to Courtney.


    Courtney smiled and epted the umbre. "Alright, I''ll take it. Now go inside quickly."


    Lilian didn''t go in. It seemed like she insisted on seeing Courtney leave.


    "Fine, you win." Courtney opened the umbre and casually put it on her shoulder. Then she got on


    her motorcycle and left in her pose.


    Her voice came to Lilian from the rain. "Bey!"


    This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    As Lilian watched her leave, she had a smile raising. If Francis were here, he would notice that her


    smile at this moment was different from the one he had seen before. Right now, she was smiling


    genuinely.


    Later, Lilian sneezed.


    She went back into the house, took a bath, and took some cold medicine, but she still felt light-


    headed.


    Then Lilian checked her temperature. 103 degrees Fahrenheit.


    She had a fever.


    She took some fever-reducing medicine and copsed onto the bed.


    When Lilian woke up, she saw someone sitting by the bed. But the room was too dark, and she


    thought she was seeing things.


    She rubbed her eyes, got up, and turned on the light.


    To her surprise, Francis was sitting there, with his legs crossed. He wore a ck shirt with his cor


    opened and his sleeves rolled-up, revealing a sturdy forearm with a simple but understated luxury


    wristwatch, showing his status.


    "He looked at Lilian with cold eyes, but she couldn''t read his emotions from his expression.


    "You slept soundly," said he.


    Lilian sat on the bed and signed - "Sorry, I overslept. Have you had breakfast?"


    Francis didn''t respond to her and just said, "Don''t work at that ce anymore."


    Lilian was slightly taken aback and signed hurriedly, "Why?"


    Francis said, "You will be influenced negatively there. You are not allowed to go anymore. I will find


    you a new job."


    Lilian alwaysplied with whatever he said. But this time, she didn''t.


    Lilian signed, "I really like that ce. I want to continue working there."


    "I said you''re not allowed to go!" His tone suddenly turned cold, and even his gaze seemed to be


    carrying ice des.


    Lilian bit her lip and stared back at him.


    For the first time, she dared to meet his gaze like this.


    Lilian signed, "Is it because of what happened at yourpany''s building?"


    "How dare you bring it up? Who let you take Courtney there?"


    Lilian lowered her gaze and didn''t defend herself, just stubbornly signing, "I want to work at the


    coffee shop."


    "I dare you."


    Then Lilian stopped signing back. And Francis stood up and walked out of the bedroom.


    As he reached the doorway, he turned back to Lilian and said, "Don''t let me catch you meeting


    Courtney again."


    Without looking back, he walked away.


    Lilian felt extremely dizzy. She touched her forehead, and it was still burning, and even her breath


    was burning.


    She shook her head, quickly got out of bed, and chased after Francis, grabbing onto his clothes at


    the staircase.


    Francis paused his steps, turned to look at her, and asked, "What are you up to now?"

 Chapter 8 You Can Marry Julian Once We Divorced

    Chapter 8You Can Marry Julian Once We Divorced


    Chapter 8 You Can Marry Julian Once We Divorced


    Lilian pursed her lips. After staring at him for a while, she seemed to have made up her mind and let


    go of his coat.


    She went downstairs and crossed over to the sofa in the living room. She bent down and pulled


    open the drawer below the coffee table.


    Francis followed her. As soon as he took a look, he saw a divorce agreement lying in the open


    drawer, which had been there for a long time.


    Francis didn''t know this.


    He hadn''t even opened this drawer before.


    Suddenly, he looked at Lilian with shock and confusion.


    Lilian looked at him seriously, and all she wanted him to know was in her eyes.


    ''Let''s get divorced.''


    Francis suddenlyughed, feeling irritated. He questioned, "Are you picking a fight with me?"


    Lilian waved her hand, signed, "I''m not picking a fight. I''ve wanted to give this to you a long time


    ago."


    "She wasn''t lying. But every time she thought of it, she didn''t have the courage to bring it out. But


    why did she do this time?


    Was it because she didn''t want to lose her friend, or was it because the high fever made her mind


    unclear?"


    She didn''t know.


    But when she took out this divorce agreement, she felt a sense of relief.


    It was like pulling out a thorn that had been stuck in her heart.


    "Is it because of Courtney Sachs that you want to divorce me?" he asked to confirm.


    Lilian replied in signnguage, "It has nothing to do with her. It''s me. I want to divorce you."


    She looked at him with determination, using her eyes to tell Francis that she was serious.


    Francis stared at her for a while, then suddenly sat down on the sofa. "Fine. I won''t give you


    alimony. You won''t get a penny of my property either. And return all the money I''ve spent on you


    over the years. If you agree to all of these, I agree to the divorce."


    Lilian then turned and ran back upstairs.


    Francis watched her back, and his gloomy expression eased a bit.


    After a while, Lilian came down from upstairs again and handed Francis a card.


    As he stared at the card, Francis''s just rxed expression darkened a bit. He looked up at Lilian,


    and anger flickered in his deep eyes.


    He asked, with a rtively calm voice, "What do you mean?"


    Lilian ced the card on the table and signed, "All the money you gave me is here."


    "Did you mishear me? I said, all the money I spent on you from childhood to now, not the money I


    gave you." His voice was low, and it seemed that he was suppressing anger.


    Lilian signed, "I can pay you back in the long term."


    Francisughed, "You, a dummy, can''t even survive once you step out of this door. Tell me, how are


    you going to pay me back?"


    Lilian took out the divorce agreement and ced it in front of him, with an unprecedented


    stubbornness on her face.


    Lilian replied in signnguage, "Once we are divorced, you can marry Julian. You can..."


    Her hands paused for a moment, as if frozen, but she rigidly signed to convey her message - "And


    then you two can be together forever."


    "Enough!" He suddenly grabbed the divorce agreement and threw it at her. The papers scattered all


    over the floor, and her hand also froze in mid-air.


    Francis stood up, looked down at her, and several red marks appeared on her face as those papers


    must have scratched her cheek a little while falling to the ground. And her scattered hair made


    those red marks even more distinct.


    He averted his gaze, and his tone also became more restrained. "You can talk about divorce after


    you repay the money."


    After saying that, he turned around and left the vi.


    Back in the car, he took out a cigarette, lit it, took a deep puff. And then he felt the anger in his heart


    calmed down a little.


    That little dummy got more temper than before and dared to bring up divorce with him.


    He hadn''t brought it up yet, and she dared to do it first?


    Francis had never been so angry with Lilian before. Perhaps he himself didn''t understand why he


    was angry.


    Lilian stood still in the room, not crying or making a scene.


    It was only when the sound of the car driving away came that she slowly squatted down and picked


    up the scattered divorce agreement.


    Why did he refuse when she mustered the courage to let him go?


    Her head was very dizzy, and she took fever-reducing medicine. This time, she couldn''t sleep.


    Francis left again, leaving the empty vi with only herself.


    This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    She curled up on the sofa, with the lights off in the vi, lost in her thoughts.


    Around ten p.m., she received a phone call from Michael Ball.


    Michael was a good friend of Francis. He knew that Lilian couldn''t speak, so after the phone


    connected, he got straight to the point.


    "Ms. Rossum, pleasee to Le Magique. Frank has gone crazy!"


    After saying that, Michael hung up the phone. Lilian heard some noise on his end, and she seemed


    to hear Courtney''s voice over the phone.


    Lilian got up from the sofa, changed her clothes, and headed out.

 Chapter 9 He Had Gone Insane for that Woman

    Chapter 9He Had Gone Insane for that Woman


    Chapter 9 He Had Gone Insane for that Woman


    Le Magique...


    It was a famous private club in Linnd City, a paradise for the wealthy. Here, any customer might


    actually be a prominent figure in Linnd City.


    This was Lilian''s first time here. Her simple attire stood out among the people here.


    Inside a private room, there were several people, including Courtney.


    She looked careless and casual, resting her hands behind her head, with a more casual posture


    than many of the men here.


    "Lester, my dear big brother, did you get me here just for Mr. Landau to question me?"


    While saying that, Courtney nced at Francis and Julian sitting next to him.


    Francis leaned back on the couch, expressionless, with his legs crossed. The dim light only


    illuminated his chest. His face was in the shadows, making him look mysterious.


    Lester Sachs furrowed his brow and spoke in a low voice, "Apologize to Ms. Quinn. Let''s get over


    this, okay?"


    Courtney sneered, "Who does she think she is? What right does she have to make me apologize to


    her?"


    "Courtney, don''t be foolish!"


    Everyone knew that Julian was Francis'' precious woman. Courtney was too bold. She offended the


    most beloved woman of Francis.


    "I''m not being foolish. I hit her because I didn''t like her. So what?! And, Lester, do you want me to


    apologize to a home-wrecker? What''s wrong with you?"


    Courtney''s reply made Julian''s face turn blue. She stood up abruptly but sat back down on the


    couch due to the pain in her ankles.


    "Don''t go too far! When Frank and I were together, he hadn''t even married that dummy yet!"


    Courtney nced at her and suddenly sat up straight, grinning while saying, "If you want to put it


    that way, they have been living together for over a decade. Where were you then?"


    "Can it be the same? She''s just an orphan. The Landau family let her stay because they pitied


    her..."


    "Bang..."


    Julian''s words were interrupted as Francis mmed his ss on the table. The force was too


    strong, causing the ss to shatter into pieces, and the liquor spilled out, spreading across the


    table.


    Francis leaned forward, and his cold and stern face was exposed in the light. His expression was


    terribly gloomy as he turned his head to look at Courtney. "Apologize," said he.


    Courtney raised an eyebrow and replied simply, "No way."


    Michael spoke hesitantly, "Frank, why you have to act so angry? We''ve all been friends for a long


    time."


    But Michael didn''t dare to speak out his real though - ''It''s really not worth it to act like this to your


    friends just for a woman.''


    Francis nced at him, and Michael shut his mouth awkwardly, shrinking back into the corner seat.


    Lester frowned and sighed, saying, "Let me apologize to her. You know how stubborn Courtney is.


    Making her apologize is harder than forcing her to kill herself."


    Francis grabbed a few tissues, leaned back, and returned to the shadows. He casually wiped his


    fingers and nonchntly said, "You want to apologize on behalf of her? Sure, finish all the alcohol


    on the table."


    Lester paused for a moment, noticing that there were at least twenty bottles of strong liquor on the


    table.


    Julian, sitting beside Francis, couldn''t find the right time to chime in. She just wanted Courtney to be


    humiliated, but Francis was challenging Lester. This made her wonder if he was standing up for her


    or taking out his frustrations.


    Lester was silent for a moment, andter he nodded and said, "Alright."


    All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Courtney suddenly stood up and eximed, "Lester, are you crazy? Apologize to this woman? Does


    she deserve it?"


    "Shut up!" Lester red at her, signaling her not to make it worse. He then grabbed a bottle of


    alcohol from the table.


    Courtney rushed forward, snatched the bottle from his hand, and forcefully smashed it on the


    ground, making a loud shattering sound.


    "Why are you listening to him?! Lester, I''m the one who hit her. It''s none of your business. And,


    Francis Landau, if you have the guts,e at me. I want to see what you''re capable of. If you''re


    truly reckless, just kill me!"


    As soon as she finished her words, several strong bodyguards rushed in from outside, blocking the


    private room''s exit.


    Lester''s expression changed. He was about to say something, but Courtney grabbed his wrist.


    Courtney looked at Francis with disdain and said, "Well, Landau, you are disgusting. Good for you.


    You have showed your best protection to this b*tch. But you never consider your wife at home once.


    I look down on you."


    Francis calmly stared at her without saying a word.


    "Frank, have you gone mad?" Lester wanted to say something more, but he didn''t know what to say


    next.


    It seemed like Francis truly loved Julian Quinn. He was willing to give up friendship for years for this


    woman.


    He had gone insane.


    Courtney realized that Francis was serious. She looked at Lester in dilemma. She knew Lester


    didn''t want to be enemies with Francis and didn''t want her to be mistreated either. So, in the end,


    she had to bear this injustice herself.


    Besides, she couldn''t possibly take down all these well-trained bodyguards.


    Courtney clenched her fingers and took a deep breath. And then she bent down to pick up a bottle


    of alcohol.


    "Fine. Apology? Is that what you want? Landau, don''t bother your people. I pped your mistress,


    and now I''ll return what I did to her doubly. I hope this can help Ms. Quinn vent her anger."


    With that, she grabbed the bottle and smashed it against her head.

 Chapter 10 That Gesture Was Francis Name

    Chapter 10That Gesture Was Francis''Name


    Chapter 10 That Gesture Was Francis'' Name


    With a loud bang, the bottle shattered into pieces. The liquid poured down, mixing with blood,


    blurring Courtney''s vision.


    Everything happened too quickly. No one had time to react. No one expected Courtney to be so


    ruthless towards herself.


    "Courtney!" Lester''s pupils contracted. He quickly supported falling Courtney and angrily shouted,


    "What are you doing!"


    His sister was too stubborn. She would rather smash the bottle on herself than apologize. He really


    didn''t know where she got her stubbornness from!


    Courtney leaned against Lester, took a breath, and looked at Francis, asking, "Is that enough? If


    your mistress is still not satisfied, I can do it again."


    As she was about to grab another bottle, Lester stopped her.


    Lester also got furious. He looked at Francis with red eyes and questioned, "Francis, we''ve known


    each other for almost thirty years. Are you sure you want to make tonight the start of us against


    each other?"


    As Lilian entered this box, she just happened to hear Lester''s angry words.


    She hurriedly ran to Courtney. Seeing the blood on her forehead, she had guilt and self-ming in


    her eyes, and her tears welled up.


    Courtney saw Lilian and asked weakly, "Why did youe?"


    Francis frowned and asked, "Who told you toe here?"


    Michael, in the corner, stuttered and said, "Emm... I... I asked her toe."


    Lilian turned her head and nced at Francis and Julian beside him. They sat together like a pair of


    amazing couple.


    She walked quickly towards Julian.


    Julian hugged Francis''s arm, not sure if it was out of fear or to assert ownership towards Francis.


    Francis frowned, and his gaze followed Lilian.


    Lilian stopped in front of Julian, and Julian raised her chin, looking at Lilian with a defiant gaze.


    After a few seconds, Lilian bowed to Julian.


    Lilian signed to her, "I''m sorry, it''s all my fault. Ms. Quinn, please forgive me."


    Julian turned her head to check Francis''s expression secretly. But other than noticing that he was


    frowning, she couldn''t figure out his other emotions.


    "What are you gesturing? I don''t understand," Julian muttered in a low voice, expressing her


    dissatisfaction.


    All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    She couldn''t understand signnguage, but she had known Lilian for a long time. So, in fact, she


    could understand basic signnguage expressions. "I''m sorry" was the mostmonly used sign


    by Lilian, and Julian was just pretending not to understand.


    Julian wants to escte the situation even further. It would be best if Francis and Lester turned


    against each other. If this news spreads, no one in Linnd City would dare to underestimate her.


    Lilian bit her lip and turned to look at Francis, and her eyes were filled with pleading.


    Francis remained silent, but had a chilling aura surround him.


    She walked over to Francis and crouched down beside him, shaking his arm, not in a flirtatious


    manner, but in a desperate plea.


    Courtney tried to intervene, but Lester stopped her. Lester pressed a tissue against her wound, but


    it quickly soaked through with blood.


    Julian held onto Francis'' arm tightly, afraid that he might soften towards this dummy.


    Lilian looked up, with tears streaming down her face, appearing pitiful.


    Using signnguage, Lilian pleaded, "Frank, I won''t work at the coffee shop anymore. I won''t go


    there ever again. Can you please stop making it difficult for Courtney?"


    Francis stared at her slender fingers, and he remembered when Lilian first learned signnguage,


    he had asked her what the sign that she just did again meant.


    Lilian used signnguage to tell him that the sign meant "brother" in signnguage.


    Only Lilian knew that the gesture was his name, not calling him "brother".


    She never regarded him as her brother.


    The atmosphere in the room became terrifyingly quiet, as if time was frozen.


    Everyone watched Lilian, witnessing her groveling before Francis and being humiliated in front of


    her husband''s mistress.

 Chapter 11 Stupid Francis

    Chapter 11 Stupid Francis


    Chapter 11 Stupid Francis


    A momentter, Francis withdrew his hand and turned his face away from Lilian.


    He turned to Julian and said gently, "I''ll take you back to the hospital."


    "But..." Julian was unwilling, but when she looked into Francis''s cold eyes, she stopped.


    Francis now looked like a cotton candy wrapped in a de. In spite of a soft appearance, it made


    the one bleed profusely when taking a bite. Julian dared not deliberately provoke him.


    "My foot hurts. Pick me up."


    Francis leaned over and picked Julia up in front of Lilian. Julian put her arm around his neck and


    gave Lilian a provocative look.


    She seemed to say to Lilian, ¡°See? You are nothing to him.¡±


    Francis took Julian and left Lilian without looking back. He passed by so quickly that a gust of wind


    blew and raised the fine hair near Lilian''s ear.


    Lilian looked down, and her hand in the air slowly hung down.


    When Francis left, the frozen air in the box finally rxed. Michael rushed over and pulled Lilian up.


    "Ms. Rossum, are you all right?"


    Having kept lowering her head and staying silent for a long time, she finally raised her head. She


    smiled at Michael and shook her head to show that she was fine.


    Michael''s eyes shed with an unbearable look. How could Lilian be fine? His love was attentive to


    another woman and he even didn¡¯t look at her.


    "Frank is a fool! Don''t be sad. "


    Everyone could see how deeply Lilian loved him, except Francis himself. He treated Lilian as a


    rtive and doted on another woman in front of her.


    What a stupid man!


    "Lester, take me to the hospital. My blood is running out," Courtney tried to liven up the atmosphere


    in a joking tone.


    Lester gave her an angry look, "Finally, you realize the blood is running out. Then why were you so


    impulsive just now?"


    Courtney curled her lips and said to Lilian, "Lily,e to help me. Psst¡­ I can''t walk any further."


    Lilian quickly ran over and held Courtney''s arm. She looked at Courtney guiltily, but Courtney put


    her head on Lilian¡¯s shoulder without giving Lilian a chance to apologize.


    Michael echoed, "Go quickly before you die on Ms. Rossum¡¯s shoulder!"


    "F*ck you! Don¡¯t say that sh*tty things!" Courtney kicked him.


    Michael dodged, "Wow! You are more and more vulgar. No man would marry a shrew like you!"


    "It''s none of your business!"


    The air came alive in an instant. Everyone was defending Lilian''s dignity, except Francis, who


    connived others to trample on Lilian again and again.


    Hearing the two arguing with each other, Lilian lowered her head and tried to hold back her tears,


    for fear of ruining the happy atmosphere.


    Lester stopped the pstick, "All right, go to the hospital first. Don¡¯t make trouble after getting


    injured."


    Lester took a nce at Lilian and felt sorry for her.


    However, he didn''t say anything, but held Courtney''s shoulder and walked out.


    Lilian followed him to the hospital.


    Lilian and Lester were waiting outside for Courtney''s examination. Because of the fever, her head


    was groggy and she felt so chilly that she stood there shivering all the time.


    Lester sensed her abnormality and asked, "Are you all right?"


    Lilian raised her head and forced a smile at him. She shook her head to show that she was okay.


    Lester didn''t say anything. He took off his coat and put it on Lilian.


    Lilian froze. She widened her eyes and looked at Lester with a little horror.


    Seeing that Lilian was going to take it off, Lester stopped her, "I see you are chilly. Put it on and give


    it back to me when you leaveter."


    Lilian pinched her lip. Lester didn''t know signnguage, so she couldn''tmunicate with him.


    Just then Courtney came out of the CT room, and Lilian and Lester looked at her.


    Lester asked, "Are you okay?"


    Courtney covered her head and rolled her eyes at him, "The result hasn''te out yet. I think I¡¯m


    fine."


    "You think? Can you hit your head that casually? You¡¯d better think about how to exin to Dad."


    Courtney was frightened and grabbed Lester''s arm, "No, don''t tell Dad, please! I''m not that stupid


    enough to hit myself with a wine bottle. It¡¯s just a beer bottle."


    While they were talking, Lilian leaned forward and fell t. This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

 Chapter 12 Pregnancy

    Chapter 12 Pregnancy


    Chapter 12 Pregnancy


    Fortunately, Lester held her fast. He felt the heat from her shoulder and looked at Courtney in


    surprise, "She has a fever."


    Courtney was startled, "Go to the doctor!"


    Lillian had had a long dream, in which she went back to her childhood.


    She was locked by Ruby in a storage room. She was swallowed up by the darkness as if falling into


    a ck hole.


    Lilian pped the door desperately, but no one answered her.


    As she was desperate, the door slowly opened, and a beam of light came through the crack of the


    door, growing bigger and brighter and illuminating her gloomy eyes.


    A tall and stalwart figure was bathed in that light, like a god''s arrival to dispel the haze around her.


    He held out his hand with the white shirt sleeves rolled up. The fair and slender fingers reached out


    in front of her, crushing all the defenses in her heart.


    It seemed like God''s hand to save the world. From then on, Lilian became his most devout believer.


    However, when she reached out her trembling hand to catch it, he suddenly withdrew his hand.


    Lilian got up in a hurry, trying to catch the hand, but it was in vain, and finally, the door was closed.


    She returned to the darkness.


    Lillian suddenly opened her eyes and saw the ring light above her head. She gasped, and the


    panic in her dream still lingered.


    "She wakes up," Courtney''s voice sounded from the side.


    "You tell her."


    "I... You''d better do it."


    "... Do you think it''s appropriate?"


    Lillian turned her head and saw Lester and Courtney in front of the bed arguing about something.


    Lester coughed, patted Courtney on the shoulder, and walked out.


    Lillian sat up and gestured to Courtney, "What are you talking about?"


    Courtney looked unnatural. She sat down on the bed with a sullen face, held Lillian''s hand, and


    hesitated.


    Lillian stared at her, but Courtney didn''t say anything for a long time.


    Lilian let go of Courtney''s hand and gestured, "Courtney, am I terminally ill? It doesn''t matter. Go


    ahead. I''m prepared."


    She wished it were a terminal illness so that she wouldn''t have to think about the meaning of living


    every day.


    Courtney patted her hand, "Bah, don''t talk nonsense. You don''t have a terminal illness. You are


    pregnant."


    Courtney closed her eyes in annoyance. Things were worse than getting terminally ill.


    Lillian''s mind buzzed as if a thunder had fallen on her head. She sat on the bed in shock and looked


    at Courtney nkly.


    After a while, she came back to her senses and signed with her fingers in a panic.


    "Slow down. It''s too fast for me to understand."


    Courtney had only learned signnguage for more than a year and had to think about the gestures


    slowly. She couldn''t follow such a flying speed.


    Lillian paused. She tried to calm herself down and slowed down her signnguage.


    Lillian signed, "Did the doctor misdiagnose it? I took the contraceptive pills and protective


    measures."


    Courtney understood this time. She took out a test sheet and handed it to Lillian, "Well, take a look


    yourself."


    Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org.


    Lillian took the paper and read it word by word. It said that she had been pregnant for five weeks.


    It was more than a month.


    Lilian pressed her chest against the pounding heart, closed her eyes, and carefully recalled what


    happened a month ago.


    It was Francis'' birthday. They went back to the Landau family. Francis drank too much that night.


    The next day, Lilian was scolded by Rosalie since she got upte and forgot to take pills after


    getting back.


    It must be that time.


    Courtney looked at Lilian''s pale face, sighed, andforted her, "It''s nothing. Just five weeks.


    Abortion wouldn''t hurt your body so much."

 Chapter 13 Keep Her Pregnancy A Secret

    Chapter 13 Keep Her Pregnancy A Secret


    Chapter 13 Keep Her Pregnancy A Secret


    Courtney said and was going to find a doctor, but Lilian stopped her.


    Courtney was surprised, "You... do you want to keep the baby? No, why do you have a baby for the


    bastard?"


    Lilian shook her head and gestured, "Francis won''t take it."


    "Then abort it."


    Lilian moved her fingers stiffly, "I want it."


    Courtney didn''t understand, "Why?"


    Lilian signed, "It is mine."


    Courtney kept silent for a while, not knowing what to say, but sat back.


    Yes, it was not only Francis'', but also Lilian''s baby.


    Lilian had no family and even her husband didn''t care about her. She was eager a family member.


    She was thirsty for love, no matter being loved or loving others. Anyway, she needed a carrier to


    rest her love.


    Courtney reached out her hand, touched Lilian''s cheek, and whispered, "Then give it birth, and I''ll


    help you raise it."


    Her words made Lilian''s eyes red.


    Lilian stared at Courtney, whose head was wrapped in gauze but whose eyes showed sincere


    tenderness and tenderness.


    Lilian never expected that there would be such a person to risk life for her.


    "Don''t cry, or the baby will be sad."


    Lilian swallowed her choke with sobs and tried to force a smile.


    She nodded and determined to divorce Francis.


    Only after the divorce could Lilian have her own baby.


    Lilian recalled the scene when she had been pregnantst year. At that time, she naively thought


    that if she gave Francis and Rosalie the pregnancy test sheet, they would be kind to her and


    Francis would love her more.


    But reality pped her hard.


    Francis threw the test sheet carelessly, and the paper fell lightly on the sofa, and her heart, like the


    paper, fell down to the earth from the clouds.


    Francis rubbed his temples andined, "What a troublesome!"


    Troublesome.


    Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org.


    He didn''t even think it was a life, just trouble.


    Rosalie asked others to hold her down, forcing her to lie on the operating table. An anesthetic was


    injected into her body. After Lilian woke up again, she was left on a cold bed with an empty belly.


    Now, after lying in the hospital all morning, Lilian felt her high fever was gone in the afternoon.


    Courtney apanied her to do aprehensive examination again. The fetus was a little


    unstable, but things were generally normal.


    "You must be cautious at the beginning of pregnancy. The fetus is tenacious. Don''t toss it again, or


    you will not be so lucky next time."


    The female doctor warned Lilian seriously with a straight face, and Lilian knew what the doctor


    meant. Her ears were hot and she nodded awkwardly.


    The doctor prescribed a bunch of anti-abortion drugs. Lilian walked out of the hospital with those


    drugs. After the rain, the sky turned fresh, and the air smelled like a smell of soil.


    Lilian looked up at the sky, seeing the sun hidden behind the clouds.


    Sporadic geese circled in the sky, and then flew to the boundless horizon and finally disappeared.


    Lilian had not seen the sky for a long time and surprisingly found it to be so blue and vast.


    Courtney wanted to send Lilian back by her motor, but Lester stopped her and sent Lilian back.


    When they arrived, Lilian didn''t get off. Instead, she took out her mobile phone, opened the memo,


    and showed Lester the words she had typed in advance.


    -I''m pregnant. Please keep it a secret, Mr. Sachs.


    Lester stared at the words for a moment and then looked at Lilian''s face, in which there was a little


    pleading feeling.


    "I see."


    Getting Lester''s reply, Lilian nodded and expressed her thanks to him, and then opened the car


    door and walked down.


    After returning home, Lilian put the medicine in the drawer under the coffee table and took out the


    B-ultrasound film to watch.


    There were two patterns in the middle of the film. Lilian stroked the unshaped baby, and her lips


    slightly rose unconsciously.


    From now on, she didn''t need to think about the meaning of life.


    The baby was the meaning of her life.


    "What are you looking at?"


    As Lilian was lost in thought, a male voice sounded behind her.

 Chapter 14 Watching A Cartoon

    Chapter 14 Watching A Cartoon


    Chapter 14 Watching A Cartoon


    Lilian was so scared that her fingers suddenly tightened and crumpled the pregnancy test sheet.


    After she reacted to what happened, she reversed the paper on the sofa.


    Lilian got up from the sofa and turned around to look at Francis, trying to calm herself down.


    Lilian said in bodynguage, "I''m reading the divorce agreement. Do you want to see it?"


    Francis stared at her finger, and his gaze moved to her face. As his eyes darkened, the air in the


    room felt to be cold by his gloom.


    He strode towards Lilian, stood in front of her, and held out his slender fingers, "Let me see it."


    Lilian froze, looking into his deep eyes, and her fingers clenched tightly together.


    "Do you want to divorce? Show me." He sent his hand forward and stared at her focused as if he


    could see through her.


    Lilian didn''t know whether Francis changed his mind or he saw that she was lying.


    Anyway, she didn''t dare to take it out. Lilian had lost a child, and she couldn''t gamble Francis'' mercy


    again.


    Finally, Lilian reached out her trembling hand and put her hand on his.


    Then she put her face on his chest and gently rubbed it.


    Francis looked calm and did not move.


    After a while, Lilian let him go, took a step back, and raised her hand.


    She signed, "No divorce. I know I am wrong."


    Francis picked up his brow, "Really?"


    Lilian nodded and stared at him with her clear eyes sincerely.


    After a while, Francis'' look eased. He stroked her face and said in a more gentle voice, "Then don''t


    let me hear the word, okay?"


    Lilian clenched her fingers, nodded, and smiled at him.


    N?velDrama.Org (C) content.


    Francis withdrew his hand and went upstairs.


    Lilian breathed a sigh of relief and sat down on the sofa feebly. She picked up the pregnancy test


    sheet again, tore it into pieces, kneaded it into a ball, and threw it into a trash can,pletely


    destroying it.


    Francis went to the study. Seemingly, he had no intention of going out at night.


    Lilian went to the kitchen and cooked many dishes.


    She went to the study and knocked on the door four times, which was Francis'' code word with her.


    Four times referred to ask him to have dinner, three times to have a talk with him, and two times to


    send him something.


    Not long after, Francis came down from the upstairs. He changed into a dark gray home suit. The


    loose clothes outlined his slender figure.


    His hair loosened, and all his coldness and fierce disappeared. Now, Francis looked much younger


    like a 20-year-old college student.


    When he changed into this suit, it showed that he wouldn''t go out no matter what happened.


    Facts proved that Lilian was right.


    While they were eating, the cell phone rang. Lilian nced at it and found it was Julian.


    Sure enough, Francis took a nce at it and turned the phone upside down on the table.


    Even his love who was injured in the hospital couldn''t break his rules.


    Francis looked at Lilian, who immediately lowered her head and ate silently.


    They finished the meal in silence.


    After Lilian washed the dishes and came out, Francis sat on the sofa and waved to Lilian, "Come


    here."


    Lilian stepped, went to his side, and sat down.


    Francis took out the remote control and turned on the TV. He put a hand around her shoulder and


    looked at her, "Which cartoon do you want to watch? I will watch it with you. "


    Lilian looked at his closing face and paused for a moment.


    For a moment, it seemed as if she had returned to her childhood.


    Seeing that Lilian didn''t respond, Francis found Happy Goat and Wolfy.


    As the familiar melody sounded, Lilian was almost tearful.


    When she was ten years old, she watched Happy Goat and Wolfy and wasughed at by Ruby,


    who grabbed the remote control and changed the channel.


    At that time, Francis came over and overbearingly changed the channel back. He sat next to her


    and watched with her.


    But... Lilian stopped watching cartoons long ago.


    She had already grown up.

 Chapter 15 Home

    Chapter 15 Home


    Chapter 15 Home


    Lilian was pregnant with his baby, but in his eyes, she was still a kid who liked cartoons.


    Francis seemed to notice something and turned to look at her.


    "Don''t you like it?" He touched her face, and his fingertips brushed the corner of her eye.


    Lilian came back to her senses, forced a smile, nodded, and gestured, "I like it."


    She hurriedly turned around to watch TV and touched her own cheek, wiping the cold tears.


    The mobile phone beside Francis kept ringing every ten minutes.


    After two episodes, Francis finally picked up his cell phone and answered it.


    Julian''s voice came from the phone, "Where are you?"


    "At home."


    His answer blocked Julian. It sounded ironic, like a thorn in Julian''s heart.


    "At home? Then what does my residence mean to you? A hotel?" Julian''s voice choked. She was


    jealous and angry every time she heard Francis say he was at home.


    Francis frowned, "What''s the matter with you?"


    "Didn''t you promise me that you wouldn''t go back to see Lilian for a month? How can you go back


    on your word?" Julian said in a tearful voice.


    The TV''s voice was so loud that Lilian couldn''t hear the voice on the phone, but from Francis''s tone,


    she knew that it was Julian on the phone.


    Francis sighed silently, "Talk about itter when you calm down."


    After that, he hung up without giving Julian a chance to speak.


    He threw his cell phone away and continued to watch the cartoon with Lilian.


    He watched carefully with her, even if he had no interest in it, and wouldn''t do anything else.


    Lilian knew that only when he was in a good mood would he apany her to do boring things.


    At the moment, he was totally different from the one in the clubhouse, who was so indifferent to her.


    Now, he came back to watch cartoons with her patiently.


    He had always been so unpredictable.


    Francis treated her as a child, and Lilian craved this false gentleness every time.


    She leaned her head on his shoulder and sniffed the aroma of his clothes. Every time she washed


    clothes, she would use a gardenia-scented softener.


    He was wearing the clothes she washed before.


    N?velDrama.Org (C) content.


    Francis raised his hand, rubbed her head, and naturally held her in his arms.


    Lilian was in his arms, listening to his heartbeat and smelling the familiar aroma. For a moment, she


    really wanted to tell him.


    "I am pregnant.


    We have a baby.


    Will you like him?"


    ...


    Lilian closed her eyes and her tears fell quietly.


    She knew clearly that Francis wouldn''t like the baby.


    Tears fell on his clothes and wet his chest.


    Francis lowered his head and asked softly, "Why are you crying? For Courtney? "


    Lilian raised her hand and wiped her tears. She shook her head.


    He raised her chin and kissed her lips. "As long as you are obedient and don''t see her again, I won''t


    embarrass her."


    Lilian pinched her lips and made noment.


    He kissed her lips again and pressed her on the sofa, and Lilian suddenly realized it.


    She grabbed his hand.


    Francis paused and looked at her puzzled.


    Lilian raised her hand and gestured, "I''m having my period."


    Francis stared at her a long time before he spoke in a low voice, "Why didn''t you say so earlier?"


    Lilian signed, "Sorry."


    He closed his eyes and calmed himself down for a long time. After that, he took a deep breath and


    sat up.


    Lilian noticed that he looked gloomy and gestured, "I, I will please you in another way."


    He nced at her dancing fingers.


    He taught Lilian so much, and she knew how to please him.


    She knew everything.

 Chapter 16 An Internet Celebrity

    Chapter 16 An Inte Celebrity


    Chapter 16 An Inte Celebrity


    He threw off Lilian''s hand, stood up, and said, "No need."


    After saying that, he walked to the bathroom. After a while, the sound of running water came.


    Lilian also breathed a sigh of relief. She touched her belly and suddenly started to panic.


    There was no way she could be on period for ten months.


    This panic pulled her back from the gentle quagmire. No matter how gentle it was, it was still a


    quagmire.


    He didn''t love her, just like there would be no flowers blooming in the mire.


    Her love, to him, was just a child''s y.


    Nearly 20 minutester, Francis came out of the bathroom, and his expression returned to normal.


    He picked up his phone, checked the time, and said to Lilian, "It''s ten o''clock, and you should go to


    bed."


    Lilian raised her head, but before she could speak, the man bent down and picked her up.


    This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    She hugged his neck, stared at the curvature of his chin, pursed her lips, and lowered her eyes


    silently.


    Lilian didn''t fall asleep that night. She kept her eyes open until midnight and fell asleep at some


    point.


    The next day, she was awakened by the ringing of her mobile phone. She reached for it in a daze,


    and just as she connected it, Courtney''s voice came from the other end of the phone.


    "Honey, check your message," Courtney hung up the phone after saying that.


    Lilian unlocked the screen, clicked on iMessage, and saw that Courtney had sent her a video.


    It was a painting painted by Courtney, and Lilian was in it. In the painting, she was sitting by the


    window and looking at the sky outside. The sunlight fell in her clear and clear eyes that shine


    brightly, but with a hint of sadness that did not belong to a girl.


    Below this video, there was another one.


    In the video, there was a white cat sitting on the windowsill, looking out the window in the same


    posture. Later in the video, the cat transformed into a portrait of her.


    It was like a cat suddenly transformed itself, and with the transition effect, it made people feel that


    she was just the cat. They even share the same expression.


    She clicked on several voice messages sent by Courtney.


    Courtney: Honey, do you know that you are go viral? This video now has more than two million


    likes!


    Lilian quickly typed a reply: Courtney, what''s going on?


    Courtney quickly called and told Lilian, "You know that I often make videos of my paintings and


    upload them, don''t you? I don''t know which blogger borrowed your painting, and then you became


    famous."


    "Manyizens found my ount and asked me if you are a real person. In order to prove to them


    that you are a real person, I also posted your photo, but they still didn¡¯t believe it and thought it had


    been edited.. Do you have time now? I''ming for you, and let''s make a video!"


    Lilian was speechless.


    "Is Francis at home now? If he is at home, I won''te. If he''s not at home, just tap twice on the


    screen, and I''ll be right over."


    Lilian looked around, but there was no sign of him in the bedroom. She quickly got out of bed and


    searched the living room. After finally confirming that Francis was not at home, she tapped the


    screen twice.


    After receiving the reply, Courtneyughed, "Okay, wait for me for twenty minutes!"


    After hanging up the phone, Lilian heard the sound of a motorcycle outside within twenty minutes.


    She quickly ran out of the vi and saw Courtney''s motorcycle speeding towards her and stopping


    steadily at the door.


    Courtney took off her helmet and shook her short flowing hair. The bandage on her forehead did not


    affect her handsomeness at all.


    "Lilian!" Courtney ran over quickly, held her hand, and walked into the house.


    Courtney took out her mobile phone and showed Lilian the videos, "Look, these are all the portraits I


    drew for you. Some people want to pay for them. You will be an Inte celebrity soon."


    Lilian looked at Courtney in confusion and gestured: Will there be anything difference after


    bing an Inte celebrity?


    "Of course, you can make money!"

 Chapter 17 Such A Beauty

    Chapter 17 Such A Beauty


    Chapter 17 Such A Beauty


    Lilian''s eyes widened in surprise, not understanding how Inte celebrities make money. She had


    never tried to get to know this before.


    Courtney said, "You can start your own video ount and then post videos, sell goods, advertise,


    etc., and you can make money."


    Lilian was stunned for a while and then gestured: Can I make a lot of money?


    "Of course. The more fans you have, the more money you make." Courtney touched her belly and


    said, "Don''t you want to make money and raise the baby?"


    Lilian nodded. Yes. She wanted to make money and a lot of money. Besides raising a baby, she


    wanted to divorce Francis.


    As long as she paid back all the money the Landau family spent on her, she could divorce Francis.


    He would have no reason not to get divorced then.


    Courtney started moving immediately. She registered a short video ount for her and taught her


    how to manage it.


    "By the way, an advertisingpany contacted mest night and asked if you could shoot an


    advertisement for them. Your image is very suitable for their products."


    Lilian blinked and pointed to himself: I am not a star.


    "Who said that only celebrities could do ads?" Courtney red at her, "Actually, it''s not an


    endorsement. They just want you to shoot a game promotional video and cosy the characters in


    the game."


    Courtney worried that it might be a scam, so she stayed up all night to check thepany and its


    previous promotional videos, and then she called Lilian after confirming that they were proper


    promotional videos.


    After watching thepany''s previous promotional videos, Lilian gestured: How much does this


    cost?


    "We haven''t discussed it yet. You have to go over for the interview. They want to meet you first."


    Courtney put her arm around her shoulders and said with a smile, "How about I being your agent? If


    you want to go, I''ll contact you now for an interview."


    Lilian hesitated for a moment, subconsciously touched her belly, and finally nodded in agreement.


    Courtney immediately contacted the person in charge, and soon the call came and the two talked


    for a while.


    They decided to meet at 3 pm.


    Courtney helped her dress up. Lilian was very beautiful, especially her big eyes, which exuded


    lovely innocence.


    When she stared at someone, it made people feel guilty as if they had done something heinous.


    N?velDrama.Org (C) content.


    Courtney was busy choosing clothes in the cloakroom when she said in surprise, "You have so


    many beautiful clothes, and why do you dress like a cleandy every day?"


    Lilian looked at the clothes. They were all bought by Francis, but he only let her wear them at home


    and never outside.


    "That bastard." Courtney pulled out a pair of whitece, silk stockings, suspenders, and a miniskirt


    from nowhere.


    When Lilian saw the stockings, her face turned slightly pink.


    Courtney subconsciously nced at Lilian''s legs, which were long and thin, and they must look


    good in these.


    Just imagining it made Courtney a little dizzy, and she was a woman, but it was a pity that she had


    never seen Lilian wearing it.


    Francis was really a lucky but selfish man.


    Courtney rummaged around in the cloakroom like a treasure hunt, and she really found some


    unspeakable things.


    The way she looked at Lilian became different.


    Lilian''s head was almost buried in the ground, and the tips of her ears were so red that they could


    bleed.


    Seeing her like this, Courtney stopped teasing her, took a white skirt, and asked her to put it on.


    Finally, she helped Lilian style her hair, using a curling iron to curl her long hair into a bun.


    Courtney looked at the person in the mirror and couldn''t help but swallow.


    The light from the window fell on Lilian, making her skin white and rosy as if her whole body was


    glowing.


    "It turns out there are people who are so beautiful that they don''t look like real people," Courtney


    murmured.

 Chapter 18 Cooperation

    Chapter 18 Cooperation


    Chapter 18 Cooperation


    In the cafe.


    Courtney made an appointment at her cafe. Lilian sat by the window. She looked at the injury on


    Courtney''s forehead and felt a little uneasy.


    Francis didn''t allow her to meet Courtney. If he found out, he would definitely be angry.


    Courtney thought she was nervous, so he patted her shoulder soothingly and said with a smile,


    "Don''t be nervous. I''ll help youter."


    Staring at the smile on Courtney''s face, Lilian also managed a smile.


    She had been so lonely for so many years.


    She didn''t have any friends except Francis, and everyone despised her.


    Courtney''s behavior the day before yesterday was just like Francis years ago, breaking into her life


    without warning and shining like a beam of light in her barren world.


    After waiting for about ten minutes, a figure hurried in from outside. He shook the umbre in his


    hand and walked quickly towards this side.


    Courtney stood up and greeted him, "Mr. Reese."


    William Reese was about forty years old, short and thin, wearing ck-rimmed sses, and his


    face was quite approachable.


    "Miss Sachs, right? The Linnd City is a ce where it rains continuously during this season,


    which is so inconvenient."


    There was still sunshine in the morning, but it started to rain again at noon, and it was foggy


    outside.


    Courtney stretched out her hand towards Mr. Reese and said, "Thank you foring over. Lilian,


    this is the manager of the SunRise Entertainment I told you about, Mr. Reese."


    Lilian quickly stood up and bowed.


    Mr. Reese looked at Lilian up and down with a sh of surprise in his eyes. He smiled and waved


    his hand, "Please sit down and let''s chat."


    "Mr. Reese, see what I told you before. She is exactly the same as what I drew, isn''t she?"


    Mr. Reese smiled and said: "It''s more than that. She is more beautiful than in the painting. Miss


    Rossum is the most ideal candidate in my mind."


    Courtney had told him about Lilian before. Lilian couldn''t speak, and Mr. Reese didn''t mind.


    "I have something to doter, so let''s keep the story short. Let me tell you briefly about this


    advertisement. It''s not actually an advertisement. It''s just a promotional video for New Year''s Day


    events. We have been using animation before, but a few days ago, the design department saw Miss


    Rossum''s photos and suggested we use real people."


    The SunRise Entertainment was a big gamepany. It had two games that were very popr at


    home and abroad. However, the two games were not held by the same person in charge, so there


    waspetition between the two.


    This event was also apetition between two games. Mr. Reese was being creative and wanted


    to use real people to shoot a promotional video.


    A character in their game was loved by many yers and had many fans, so naturally it must be


    chosen carefully.


    Lilian''s image fitted perfectly.


    After hearing Mr. Reese''s story, Courtney nced at Lilian beside her, and then said: "We have no


    problem with what you said, but what about the pay?"


    Mr. Reese said with a smile, "No need to worry about this. We have invited celebrities to do it for us.


    Although Ms. Rossum is not famous, we invite her sincerely. What do you think of this number?"


    He stretched out a p, but Lilian didn''t know whether it was fifty thousand or five hundred


    thousand.


    Lilian looked toward Courtney for help.


    Courtney smiled, "Mr. Reese is indeed very sincere. The price is quite proper. Let''s cut to the chase.


    When will we sign the contract?"


    This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    Mr. Reeseughed, "Okay, I like the way you do business, Miss Sachs. I will go back and have a


    meeting first, and then I will draft the contract and inform you two. Juste to ourpany


    directly."


    "Okay." Courtney stood up and shook hands with Mr. Reese, which was regarded as cooperation.


    Lilian also stood up and said goodbye to Mr. Reese with a smile.


    As soon as Mr. Reese left, Lilian''s phone suddenly vibrated twice. She took it out and saw that it


    was a message from Francis.

 Chapter 19 Come Back

    Chapter 19 Come Back


    Chapter 19 Come Back


    [Come back] There were only two words, no more.


    Lilian''s heart skipped a beat. She nced at Courtney, who was still immersed in joy, and silently


    put her phone back in her pocket.


    Courtney put her arm around her shoulders and said with a smile, "Lilipad, look, you can make


    money yourself, right? You can raise your own baby, and why do you need that stinky man?"


    Lilian smiled with her lips pulled up. She raised her hand and gestured: Courtney, it''s time for me to


    go back.


    "Why are you going back? Let''s have dinner together tonight to celebrate for you."


    Lilian waved her hand and touched her belly: I''m going back to take medicine.


    "Oh, yes, I forgot about this. Your baby is unstable now. Let me send you back. We can celebrate


    when the contract is signed."


    Lilian nodded with a smile.


    She followed Courtney out of the coffee shop and got on her motorcycle.


    Because she was pregnant, Courtney didn''t drive as rashly as before. She drove very steadily,


    stopped running red lights, and even prepared a raincoat for her.


    After returning to the vi, Courtney took off her helmet and raincoat, crumpled the raincoat into a


    ball, and said, "Okay, go in quickly. I''ll call you when Mr. Reese finalizes it."


    Lilian nodded, turned around, and entered the house.


    The door of the vi was open, which meant that Francis was at home.


    She nervously grasped the corners of her clothes and walked in slowly.


    Sure enough, he was sitting on the sofa in the living room, talking to someone on the phone.


    His legs were crossed, one hand was holding a mobile phone, and the other was resting on the


    back of the sofa. The cor of his shirt was open, and the corbone under the cor was clearly


    visible.


    Francis looked grim. When he saw Lilianing in, he said to the phone, "It seems that someone is


    up to something, and it''s not just one person. Find out what''s behind the restrictions in those


    countries."


    After saying this, he cut off the phone and looked at Lilian.


    Francis''s eyes swept around her body, from her hairstyle to the shoes under her feet, and finally


    returned to her face.


    "Where have you gone?"


    Lilian pursed her lips. She stood in front of him like a student who made a mistake.


    Lilian: I went shopping.


    Francis watched her gestures quietly, with no emotion on his face. "Going shopping dressed like


    this? What did I tell you?"


    Lilian pinched her fingers. She nced at Francis''s face and lowered her head again.


    She gestured: You can''t wear it outside.


    He stretched out his hand, pulled her onto hisp, put his arm around her waist, and said, "Then


    why are you disobedient?"


    "What if you meet a bad guy, huh?" He said, his hand already on her legs.


    She was wearing a long skirt with a loose sweater on top, which was considered a very


    conservative outfit.


    As his hands touched her, her skirt was lifted up, revealing a pair of white legs.


    All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Lilian sat obediently in his arms, hugged his neck, and didn''t reply.


    Then suddenly she heard him say, "Are you short of money?"


    As soon as these words came out, Lilian stiffened.


    He raised his head and met her dark eyes. The two were so close that she could clearly see the


    reflection in her pupils.


    Her face was reflected. It was a stiff and pale face.


    His scrutinizing gaze was oppressive, and Lilian''s fingers undoubtedly grasped the shirt behind his


    back.


    Francsi was still asking: "Tell me, what are you going to do with the money?"


    His eyes were zing. Although his voice sounded calm, Lilian could smell a hint of danger.


    Lilian''s face was pale, and she didn''t know how to answer him.


    He asked, obviously knowing what she was doing out there.


    In the past, when she didn''t want to stay at home all day and wanted to go out to work, he allowed


    her to do so. He didn''t take the petty money she earned in the cafe seriously.


    But this time, for fifty thousand dors, she even dared to ept a high-profile contract such as


    filming a video, and she mentioned divorce the day before yesterday.


    As long as Francis was not stupid, he could naturally guess it.


    There was a smile on his lips, but there was no smile in his eyes. This smile was a bit creepy.


    "Say it."

 Chapter 20 Selfishness

    Chapter 20 Selfishness


    Chapter 20 Selfishness


    His voice was not loud, but Lilian was startled.


    She gestured in a panic: I... I want to... want to buy something.


    "What?"


    Lilian swallowed: Clothes, for you.


    He stared at her with his deep eyes and suddenlyughed, "Buy me clothes?"


    Lilian nodded.


    "Lily." He suddenly called her name. It had been a long time since she''d heard him call her that way.


    He caressed Lilian''s cheek with his fingers and said in a cold voice, "You are a bad girl now. You lie


    without blinking. Did Courtney teach you this?"


    Lilian''s pupils shrank and she waved her hands repeatedly.


    Francis grabbed her hand and stopped her from exining. He put his other hand around her waist


    and kissed her lips.


    "Don''t be so nervous. I''m just kidding. What kind of clothes are you going to buy me?"


    Lilian''s hands were restrained and she could only stare at him helplessly.


    And he didn''t seem to want her to answer.


    Lilian nced outside the door. It was raining lightly and gray outside. It was only after five o''clock.


    She tried to break away from him, but he held her wrists tightly, and she had no way to


    communicate with him.


    She was breathing heavily, shaking her head, and could only plead with him with her eyes.


    And Francis, as he said, seemed to just want to tease her and didn''t do anything substantial.


    Until there were tears in her eyes, he finally let her go.


    Lilian stood up from hisp, arranged her clothes haphazardly, and gestured: I''m going to cook.


    He also stood up and said, "No need. You eat by yourself tonight."


    After saying this, Francis buttoned up his cor, walked two steps, and then turned back and said,


    "Don''t do this again."


    Lilian bit her lip, avoiding his sight.


    His eyes flickered, but he said nothing and turned around and walked out.


    Lilian fell weakly on the sofa and raised her hand to touch her lower abdomen. She knew what


    Francis meant.


    She couldn''t see Courtney again, and she couldn''t make money.


    He had said that he would agree to divorce after she paid back the money, but he stopped her from


    making money.


    It was obvious that he didn''t love her, but he refused to let her go.


    Perhaps it was like what Courtney said - selfishness.


    Even if he didn''t like it, he wouldn''t throw it away easily, let alone let it escape from his control.


    Even if he didn''t want it, he could only throw it away by himself, not her by herself.


    Francis drove his car through the drizzle. He arrived at the hospital and went straight to the inpatient


    department.


    Julian''s ankle was sprained. There was no need to be hospitalized, but she insisted.


    As a result, she stayed alone for two days, and Francis just came to once. It was not interesting to


    live in this hospital. She was ready to be discharged, so she called him and asked him to pick her


    up.


    Francis stood in the elevator, with a family of four inside.


    The woman held a baby in her arms, the man held the woman in his arms, and a five-year-old boy


    stood next to the man.


    This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    "It''s all your fault for giving your daughter the name Rund. The more I look at her face, the rounder it


    seems. Will she have a big round face when she grows up?" The womanined, but her


    mouth was shaped as a sweet smile.


    The man smiled and said, "It''s cute to have a round face. Our daughter will definitely look like you


    when she grows up."


    "It''s best to be like me. If she looks like you, she won''t be able to get married."


    "Then my little sweetheart will always be with me."


    The little boy pulled his mother''s hand and said, "Mom, I want to hold my sister too."


    The woman freed up a hand and rubbed the boy''s head, "Wait when we get home. Your baby sister


    won''t run away. There will be plenty of time for you to hold her from now on."


    The elevator door opened, and a family of four walked out chatting andughing. When they passed


    by Francis, he nced at the baby in the woman''s arms.


    He watched them leave until the elevator closed.


    When Lilian first came to the Landau family, her face was also round.


    When she grew up, her face became less round.

 Chapter 21 the Game Promotional Video

    Chapter 21 the Game Promotional Video


    Chapter 21 The Game Promotional Video


    "Frank, what''s wrong with you? You seem absentminded." Julian had been in the car for a while,


    and he had been smoking, already on his second cigarette, yet the car remained stationary in the


    parking lot.


    N?velDrama.Org (C) content.


    Francis Landau took thest drag of his cigarette, threw the half-finished stub out of the window,


    and turned to look at Julian Quinn.


    "Is your foot better?"


    Julian pouted, "Thanks to you, Mr. Frank, for remembering my foot. I''m not dead yet."


    She was still upset about the incident. She had hoped to make a big deal out of it, but it was


    brushed off so casually. And there was nothing bad to dummy (an offensive nickname that Julian


    made up for Lilian).


    ''''I am not in the mood tofort you, what do you want to eat?'''' Frank Landau rubbed his temples,


    his eyebrows and eyes showing fatigue.


    Julian Quinn was taken aback and looked at him in shock, "What happened? Did something go


    wrong at work?"


    "Just a minor hup." Frank Landau started the car and drove off.


    Julian Quinn, as his nominal secretary, didn''t really do much work. To be honest, she wasn''t even


    clear about the businesses Frank was involved in.


    Even if she wanted tofort him, she just could do nothing.


    She chose to remain silent.


    Julian Quinn took out her phone. She often yed games when she was bored at work. The game


    she was ying, "Magic Dragon", was very popr. She had spent quite a lot of money on it.


    Last month, she spent over 850,000 dors topete for the top rank, all charged to Frank


    Landau''s card.


    Frank Landau had given her a secondary card with no spending limit. However, forrge amounts


    exceeding ten million, she had to notify him in advance. He usually agreed.


    "Hey Frank, they''re shooting a New Year''s promotional video for this game. They''re looking for real


    people to participate. I want to try."


    "Mm." He responded faintly, his hand on the steering wheel.


    "Can you contact them for me? With your influence, they wouldn''t dare refuse, right?" Julian Quinn


    thought, she loved ying this game, and being a spokesperson for it would be a great opportunity.


    Usually, other yers in the game called her a richdy. If she could also appear in a promotional


    video, then all yers would know not only that she was wealthy but also beautiful.


    The mere thought of yers admiring her made her smile.


    Frank Landau would naturally not refuse such a request. After all, he always tried to fulfill Julian


    Quinn''s wishes.


    Many in their circle couldn''t understand why Frank Landau was so enamored with Julian Quinn. She


    wasn''t particrly intelligent or tactful, had a temper, and was arrogant,zy, and vain... The list of


    her ws seemed endless.


    Other than being beautiful, she seemed to have no redeeming qualities. Yet, there were many more


    beautiful than her, making this a perplexing mystery.


    Many said it was love. Frank loved Julian for who she was, for her naive soul.


    Only Julian knew the truth. Frank''s affection for her was like walking a tightrope. It seemed smooth,


    but it was precarious.


    She didn''t dare to y any tricks in front of him. Her little schemes were transparent to this man.


    So, she was very self-aware, acting as she should.


    Within the boundaries Frank set, she could do as she pleased. It was like a chicken kept in a pen;


    as long as it didn''t fly out of the enclosure, it could soar as high as it wanted without any issues.


    Frank Landau was decisive. After Julian Quinn expressed her desire to participate in the


    promotional video, he immediately called his assistant to handle it.


    The SunRise Entertainment had already finalized their ns. But a call from Frank left the


    producers dumbfounded.


    "Why is Frank Landau sticking his nose in this? Does he need the money?" Mr. Reese was


    puzzled.

 Chapter 22 Block Contact with Lily

    Chapter 22 Block Contact with Lily


    Chapter 22 Block Contact with Lily


    Another female producerughed sarcastically, "Julian Quinn is the top spender in our game and


    also Mr. Landau''s darling. He must do this to please her."


    A slightly overweight manmented, "I think using Julian Quinn isn''t a bad idea. Using her status


    as the top spender might be more appealing than using an unknown person Lilian Rossum."


    "Look, there''s no room for negotiation now. She''s spent tens of millions in our game. Do you dare to


    offend her?"


    "Why can''t we use both? There are multiple roles anyway."


    This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    "But Julian Quinn specifically wants to cosy Tsuki, and we had reserved that role for Lilian


    Rossum. Isn''t that a conflict?"


    "Let''s invite both of them to discuss. Maybe Julian Quinn, the great yer, canpromise."


    The next day, Lilian Rossum received a message from Courtney Sachs, asking her to visit the the


    SunRise Entertainment to discuss the contract.


    She hesitated. Frank Landau had warned her the day before. If she went, he might make things


    difficult for Courtney Sachs.


    After a long thought, Lilian Rossum replied to Courtney Sachs: [Courtney Sachs, I won''t go.]


    Within two minutes, Courtney Sachs sent back a 60-second voice message.


    "Why? Did Frank Landau say something to you? What right does he have? You''re not earning his


    money. You''re earning money on your own ability. Think about the baby in your belly. Do you want


    to divorce him?"


    "Think about it and let me know until you are clear. If you don''t want to leave him, I''ll decline Mr.


    Reese''s offer."


    Lilian, upon hearing Courtney''s slightly angry words, felt a pang in her heart. It seemed Courtney


    was also angry.


    She bit her lip, torn between choices.


    Lilian didn''t want to lose Courtney as a friend, and she was even more afraid that Frank would


    embarrass Courtney.


    She gripped her phone tightly, hesitating for a moment before replying to Courtney Sachs:


    [Courtney,Frank doesn''t want me to see you.]


    Lilian wanted to exin, but her message only infuriated Courtney even more.


    The voice message Courtney Sachs sent back was filled with rage: "Who does he think he is? Why


    can''t you see me? What gives him the right to stop you? Do you think I''m afraid of him? Lily (Lilian


    Rossum), let me make this clear: I''m not afraid of Frank Landau.


    "If you''re going to cut ties with me because of him, then so be it."


    Lilian started to panic. She quickly replied, but a prominent exmation mark appeared on the


    screen.


    Her heart tightened. Courtney Sachs had deleted her...


    She stood up in a rush, running towards the vi''s exit, while simultaneously hailing a car online.


    Lilian Rossum arrived at a coffee shop. It was empty, so she went straight to the studio on the


    second floor.


    Upon opening the door, she found Courtney Sachs.


    Listening to the sound, Courtney turned around, surprised to see Lilian in her pajamas, panting at


    the door.


    She put down her brush and walked over to Lilian, a smile forming on her lips, "Why did youe


    dressed like this?"


    Lilian Rossum hadn''t caught her breath yet, her chest heaving violently. Her face was flushed red,


    looking as if she was about to cry. No, perhaps she had already cried on her way here.


    Lilian Rossum gestured with her hands: Please don''t cut ties with me.

 Chapter 23 Mr. Landau Get Married

    Chapter 23 Mr. Landau Get Married


    Chapter 23 Mr. Landau Get Married


    The smile at the corner of Courtney Sachs''s mouth faded. She opened her mouth, then quickly


    grabbed Lilian Rossum''s hand. "I''m sorry. I just wanted you toe over. I didn''t really want to


    delete you."


    "Now that you''re here, it means I''m more important than Frank, right?"


    Lilian pursed her lips, looking pitifully at Courtney.


    "Fine, I''ll add you back." Courtney Sachs took out her phone and added her back. Then she asked,


    "So, are you still going to the SunRise Entertainment?"


    Lilian nodded without hesitation.


    "That''s right. See, I''ve added you back. But you can''t go dressed like that. Wait a moment, I''ll get


    you some clothes."


    Courtney Sachs fetched clothes for her. Courtney''s clothes were casual and a bit ill-fitting on Lilian


    Rossum, but it wasn''t a big deal, after all, Lilian was over 1.6 meters tall.


    Soon, Courtney took Lilian to the SunRise Entertainment by bike.


    After exining their purpose to the reception staff, they were directly taken to the Publicity


    Department.


    Mr. Reese warmly weed them. However, to their surprise, they saw Julian Quinn sitting there


    upon entering.


    The atmosphere instantly became tense.


    Julian, leaningzily in her chair, yed with her newly manicured nails. "Mr. Reese, is this the


    person you said would cosy Tsuki?"


    "Yes, Ms. Quinn. You and Ms. Rossum have two different styles. If you cosy Tsubame, the effect


    might be even better."


    Julian Quinn sneered, "But what if I want to cosy Tsuki?"


    "This..."


    All the producers seemed a bit troubled. If she insisted on cosying Tsuki, then there would be no


    need for Lilian Rossum to cosy another character.


    Courtney Sachs frowned and turned to Mr. Reese, "What''s going on?"


    Mr. Reese closed her and whispered, "She''s the top spender in our game and was sent by Mr.


    Landau."


    Hearing this, Courtney Sachs couldn''t help butugh out loud, raising her voice, "The top spender?


    Mr. Landau is really generous. It would be nice if he was also generous to his own wife."


    This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    The office was instantly filled with murmurs. Julian Quinn''s face changed, and she stood up angrily,


    ring at Courtney Sachs.


    Lilian Rossum discreetly tugged at Courtney Sachs''s sleeve, signaling her to be cautious. After all,


    the wound on her head fromst time hadn''t healed yet.


    Someone whispered, "Mr. Landau is married?"


    "I don''t know. But listening to her words, Mr. Landau''s wife isn''t Ms. Quinn, is she?"


    "Who knows? People in their circle always have multiple rtionships."


    Julian Quinn''s face turned from pale to red as she heard the whispers. She could even see the


    disdainful nces thrown her way.


    She took a deep breath, suppressing her anger, and sat back down. "Mr. Reese, I''ve made myself


    clear. I want to cosy Tsuki. If you have any objections, discuss it with Mr. Landau."


    Mr. Reese looked troubled. He nced at Julian Quinn and then at Courtney Sachs. "Miss Sachs,


    what do you think..."


    Lilian Rossum tugged at Courtney Sachs''s hand, signaling: Let''s go back.


    "Why should we leave?" Courtney snorted. If it were anyone else, she would have let it go. But it


    was Julian Quinn, and she wouldn''t back down.


    "How much did she spend on your game?" Courtney Sachs asked.


    Mr. Reese hesitated, "Over 20 million."


    Courtney Sachs raised her chin and said, "I''ll give you 30 million. This role is reserved for Lilian!"


    "..."


    Lilian Rossum was stunned. She came to earn money, instead of spending it.


    Courtney Sachs''s intention was clear. She might not earn the money, but she wouldn''t swallow this


    insult.


    "Miss Sachs, why do this..."

 Chapter 24 Give the Role to Julian Quinn

    Chapter 24 Give the Role to Julian Quinn


    Chapter 24 Give the role to Julian Quinn


    Mr. Reese wasn''t a fool. Knowing Courtney Sachs''s connections with Julian Quinn and Mr. Landau,


    he realized that Courtney''s status was high and that she might indeed have the 30 million.


    Courtney Sachs motioned for Lilian Rossum to sit down, crossing her legs, "Discuss it. If 30 million


    isn''t enough, I''ll add more."


    Mr. Reese had never been so troubled by someone offering money.


    Julian Quinn retorted, "Fine, I''ll match whatever she offers. It''s as if only you have money."


    Courtney Sachs looked at her disdainfully, "You have money, but is it yours?"


    "Is your money truly yours?"


    Courtney Sachs replied, "At least it''s from the Sachs family. Even if I do nothing, I have my share.


    What about you?"


    "You..."


    Mr. Reese quickly raised his hand and intervened their argument, "Enough! Please don''t argue for


    that. Let me call Mr. Landau."


    ''''Call him, put it on speaker, we all want to hear!" Courtney Sachs was also getting angry. She


    wanted to see if Frank Landau was really favoring Julian Quinn.


    N?velDrama.Org (C) content.


    Mr. Reese hurriedly took out his phone. He didn''t have Frank Landau''s direct number, so he called


    his assistant.


    After the phone connected, Mr. Reese simply exined the situation.


    After hearing the name of Lilian Rossum, the assistant realized he couldn''t handle it and informed


    Frank Landau.


    "Mr. Landau, this is the situation. Ms. Rossum(used when Nelson Casey refferred to Lilian Rossum)


    and Ms. Quinn arepeting for the same role. What should we do..."


    Frank Landau, without looking up from his documents, said, "Give it to Julian."


    "What...?"


    Frank Landau nced at his assistant, "Didn''t you hear that?"


    "But Ms. Rossum(used when Nelson Casey refferred to Lilian Rossum)..."


    Frank Landau''s expression darkened, interrupting his assistant, "I said, give it to Julian. Don''t you


    understand?"


    The assistant nodded, "Understood. I''ll handle it."


    After receiving the call, Mr. Reese looked at Courtney Sachs with difficulty, "Miss Sachs, Mr. Landau


    has responded."


    From his expression, Courtney Sachs guessed the answer, "It''s for that woman, right? Mr. Reese,


    you give so much face to Frank Landau, does the Sachs family not deserve your respect?"


    "I... I..."


    Mr. Reese was on the verge of tears, deeply regretting his decision. He wished he hadn''t agreed to


    this ridiculous n, which now put him in a difficult position, making it problematic no matter which


    one he chose.


    Lilian Rossum hung her head, and the oue was as expected as her.


    She could feel Julian Quinn''s triumphant and mocking gaze.


    If Frank Landau wasn''t on her side, what right did she have topete with Julian?


    She wanted to leave, but Courtney Sachs wouldn''t let her go. Courtney seemed determined not to


    leave until the role was decided, and Julian felt the same.


    Mr. Reese and his team discussed for a long time but still couldn''te to a conclusion. In the end,


    they had to report to their superiors.


    However, the higher-ups didn''t care, just advising them to decide for themselves. Their suggestion


    was that since they would offend one side anyway, they should weigh the pros and cons and decide


    which side would cause the least damage if offended.


    The result was clear. Courtney Sachs, alone, couldn''tpare to Frank Landau.


    Frank Landau had already made his stance clear, and Courtney Sachs could only represent herself,


    not the entire Sachs family.


    After weighing the pros and cons, Mr. Reese had no choice but to apologize and decline Courtney


    Sachs and Lilian Rossum.


    "Miss Sachs, I''m truly sorry. After our unanimous discussion, we''ve decided to choose Ms. Quinn as


    the spokesperson for this campaign."


    Courtney Sachs mmed the table and stood up, "What do you mean? What does Frank Landau


    mean?! Is this how he treats his wife?"


    "Wife? Huh...? Who, who is..." Mr. Reese was taken aback, instinctively ncing at Lilian Rossum.


    Could it be what he was thinking?

 Chapter 25 Mr. Landau Came Here

    Chapter 25 Mr. Landau Came Here


    Chapter 25 Mr. Landau Came Here


    Courtney Sachsughed sarcastically, staring at Mr. Reese, "Mr. Reese, do you think I''m just fooling


    around,peting with Julian Quinn over such a trivial advertisement?"


    Mr. Reese''s forehead was covered in cold sweat. He finally understood that they not onlypeted


    for a role, but for pride!


    The way everyone looked at Julian Quinn changed again. The ambiguous nces made Julian feel


    like she was about to explode with anger.


    She mmed her hand on the table, pointing at Courtney Sachs, "Courtney, are you out of your


    mind? Is Lilian Rossum your mother? Why are you helping her so much? What benefit do you get


    from targeting me?"


    "I just feel like it! Her own husband doesn''t support her, so who else will if not me? Do you think that


    everyone is like you, fawning over men, shamelessly seducing someone else''s husband and


    unting in front of the original wife. Our Lily (Lilian Rossum) doesn''t have as thick a skin as you."


    "You, you!!" Julian Quinn, unable to contain her anger, lunged at Courtney Sachs.


    Fortunately, the people around them quickly intervened.


    "Mr. Landau is here!" someone shouted.


    The office fell silent for a moment. Everyone turned to look at the door. Frank Landau stood there in


    a suit, with his hands in his pockets, and indifferently observed the drama unfolding.


    His gaze swept over the room, from Julian Quinn to Courtney Sachs, and finally settled on Lilian


    Rossum.This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    The moment Lilian met Frank''s eyes, she quickly lowered her head.


    Julian Quinn, seeing Frank as her savior, limped towards Frank Landau.


    "Frank, you''re finally here. Courtney Sachs bullies me every time!"


    Courtney Sachs, seeing Julian''s act so pitifully, felt nauseated, "Please, keep your drama to


    yourself. It''s embarrassing."


    Mr. Reese, regaining hisposure, gestured, "Mr. Landau, what brings you here? Pleasee


    in."


    Frank Landau raised his hand to decline, and asked, "The role hadn''t been decided?"


    "Well, Miss Sachs is not willing topromise, you see..."


    Frank Landau nced at Mr. Reese, "Your game is well-made. I''ll invest two hundred million. If the


    Sachs family is interested, ask Lester Sachs to see me."


    His gaze shifted to Courtney Sachs as he spoke, making it clear that the message was also for


    Courtney.


    Mr. Reese: "..."


    "Frank Landau, what do you mean?"


    Frank Landau looked at her indifferently, "I mean exactly what I said. Courtney, you''re not qualified


    to negotiate with me."


    "You..." Courtney Sachs was taken aback by his audacity. Sheughed sarcastically, "Frank


    Landau, your wife is right here. If you don''t care about her, just divorce her. Don''t make everyone


    sick."


    Frank Landau''s eyes darkened, his tone chilling, "Who are you to her?"


    "It doesn''t matter who I am to her. At least I''m better than a decoration like you! At least I won''t let


    her be humiliated in front of others!"


    Frank Landau smirked coldly, "Is this how the Sachs family educates its members? To meddle in


    others'' family affairs? If you don''t want Lilian to be upset, you shouldn''t have taken her here. Do you


    think what you''re doing can change anything?"


    Courtney Sachs was momentarily speechless. She knew how Frank Landau treated Lilian Rossum,


    yet she still insisted on standing up for her. The result was evident, making Lilian theughingstock.


    Although Frank Landau yed a part in this situation, Courtney Sachs, knowing the oue and


    still persisting, bore most of the me.


    "Indeed, I have overestimated her position in your heart. This is my fault."


    As Courtney Sachs finished speaking, Lester Sachs rushed in.


    Breathless, as if he had run up. Lester entered the office and went straight to Courtney Sachs.


    "Courtney, you''re causing trouble again. Come home with me!" Lester Sachs tried to pull her away,


    but she resisted.


    Courtney Sachs held back her anger, nowhere to speak out.


    "Lilian,e here," Frank Landau suddenly called out.


    Courtney Sachs turned to Lilian Rossum, ring at her, "Don''t go."


    Lilian stood there, looking lost. Seeing the coldness in Frank Landau''s eyes, she hesitated to slowly


    step forward.


    Courtney grabbed her arm, "Things have alreadye to this. Why are you still going to him? Let


    Frank Landau make a stand today. Either divorce or break up with that woman. Everyone is


    watching. Show some backbone, will you?"

 Chapter 26 She Was the Extra One

    Chapter 26 She Was the Extra One


    Chapter 26 She Was the Extra One


    Lilian bit her own lower lip and looked at Francis.


    Francis just stared at her silently with his face darkening.


    Lester also got a bit angry and chided in a low voice, "Courtney, can you stop making trouble?


    That''s her private affair. What has it to do with you?"


    Courtney refuted, "Lilian is my friend, so her affair definitely has something to do with me! I''m going


    to take charge of it. They have to divorce today!"


    "Enough!"


    "Pa!"


    A crisp p rang in the office, making the entire roompletely quiet.


    Judging from the visible palm print on Courtney''s face, Lester used all his strength to p.


    Courtney looked at Lester incredulously. Lester''s eyes were filled with anger as well as a hint of


    imperceptible guilt andplexity.


    Lilian stared at Courtney in shock, and broke free from Courtney''s hand after realizing what had


    happened.


    Courtney didn''t say anthing and just stared at Lilian''s back.


    Lilian walked towards the door and came to Francis. She looked up at Francis and then at Julian


    next to him.


    Julian was holding Francis tightly, as if afraid that he might run away.


    Lilian couldn''t help but curl her lip and thought Julian and Francis were a perfect match and she was


    the extra one.


    Lilian crossed over the two and walked away without looking back.


    Lester then dragged Courtney away. When passing by Francis, Courtney sneered, "Francis, you''d


    better not regret it in the future."


    It was still raining outside, drizzling like mist floating above the city.


    Julian followed behind Francis, afraid to say a word, because she could feel that Francis was very


    angry at the moment.


    This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    After arriving at the parking lot, Francis suddenly stopped and said, "I remember you drove here, so


    go home on your own."


    Julian took his hand and said, "Won''t you drive me home? Come to my ce. I''ll cook for you."


    "I have something else to do. Go back on your own." After saying that, Francis withdrew his hand


    and got into his own car.


    After leaving the SunRise Entertainment, Lilian boarded a bus on the roadside.


    She didn''t know where the bus went, as she didn''t know the aim of her life.


    She fondled her own lower abdomen and looked up at the blurry scenery outside the window with


    her gaze wandering.


    No matter how far the bus was driven, it woud eventually reach the terminus.


    The driver turned around to look at her several times, wondering why she stood from beginning to


    end even though there were so many vacant seats in the bus.


    "Girl, the terminus is here."


    Lilian regained herposure and nodded to the driver to thank him, before getting off the bus.


    This was an old urban area, with buildings of only eight or nine floors. Many people were bustling


    around with umbres.


    With her hair covered in raindrops, she walked for a long time and then stopped outside a noodle


    restaurant.


    It was around four o''clock in the afternoon, so there were not many people in the restaurant. The


    boss of the restaurant called for her to enter after seeing her stand outside in a daze.


    Lilian waved her hand to express that she didn''t want to go in.


    But the boss thought she didn''t go in because she had no money, so he said sympathetically,


    "Come on in. I won''t charge you."


    Then a bowl of hot beef noodles was ced in front of her. Looking up at the boss who had a kind


    smile, Lilian couldn''t help but curl her lip and finally burst into tears.


    A stranger could give her warmth, while the closest person made her heart-broken again and again.

 Chapter 27 A Warm and Happy Bowl of Noodles

    Chapter 27 A Warm and Happy Bowl of Noodles


    Chapter 27 A Warm and Happy Bowl of Noodles


    The boss sighed with a look of pity and pushed the noodles to her,forting, "Hurry to eat, or the


    noodles will be lumpy soon."


    Lilian wiped her tears and showed a hard smile.


    Then she picked up the chopsticks and began to stuff noodles into her mouth.


    In the boss''s eyes, she seemed to eat nothing for several days.


    While stuffing noodles into her mouth, Lilian couldn''t control her tears. Big teardrops flew down into


    the bowl and were eaten by her with the noodles.


    The restaurant was run by a middle-aged couple who were in their forties. They once had a child


    when they were young, but the child had a car ident and left.


    This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    They had been running the noodle shop to try their best to help those who could not afford to eat,


    hoping their deceased child would have a good life in heaven by them doing good deeds.


    Lilian sat in the restaurant all afternoon and didn''t leave even after dark.


    The wife of the boss was a bit worried about Lilian, so she discussed with the boss, "This girl looks


    quite pitiful. Does she have nowhere to go?"


    "She can''t speak. She probably came here to look for a job."


    When the guests had almost left in the evening, the wife of the boss came to Lilian and said, "Little


    girl, where is your home?"


    Lilian shook her head.


    She didn''t have a home. urately speaking, she hadn''t had a home since she was five years old.


    The wife of the boss sighed, "If you don''t have a ce to go, why don''t you stay here and help us


    with our work? There''s a misceneous room inside where you can sleep. You just need to wash


    dishes and clean up the shop during the day."


    Lilian was stunned by her words and looked at her in surprise.


    The wife of the boss said with a smile, "But I can''t make much money by running the shop. I don''t


    have any sry for you."


    Lilian agreed with a nod. She thanked the wife of the boss with a gesture although she knew the


    wife of the boss couldn''t understand its meaning.


    The wife of the boss looked at Lilian in a daze, as if seeing someone else through her, and said, "If


    my daughter were still alive, she would probably be as old as you."


    Lilian lowered her eyes silently.


    The wife of the boss tidied up the misceneous room with an iron frame bed in it. The couple


    sometimes slept here when they workedte.


    Lilian slept in the small misceneous room at night. Although it was not as luxurious as Francis''


    grand vi, she had an inexplicable sense of stability here.


    She touched her lower abdomen and thought it would be good to stay here to wait for the baby to


    be born if Francis didn''te to find her.


    When returning home at night, Francis found there was no one in the vi.


    He lowered his head and nced at his watch. It was almost twelve o''clock in the morning, but little


    dummy had not returned yet.


    He went to the kitchen and then to the upstairs bedroom, but found nothing.


    He kept searching and his face was darker and darker as he searched more rooms but failed to see


    Lilian.


    He strode to the cloakroom after thinking about something and opened the door, revealing that


    Lilian''s clothes were still there.


    His look softened slightly.


    He returned to the living room, took out his phone and called his assistant, "Go find where Lilian is."


    "Is Ms. Rossum missing?"


    Francis lit a cigarette and took a strong puff, saying with an angry smile, "How dare she!"


    The assistant sensed the anger in Francis'' tone, so he quickly said okay and hung up the phone.


    It was not difficult to find Lilian. The surveince camera outside the SunRise Entertainment could


    show where she had gone.


    She got off at the terminal and went to the old city area.


    The assistant secretly nced at Francis'' expression, finding he kept staring at the security footage


    on theputer without any expression.


    The assistant asked tentatively, "Do you want to bring Ms. Rossum back?"


    Francis turned off the footage and said with a hint of coldness in his look, "No, just freeze all her


    cards. After having enough hardship, she''ll be back on her own."


    But the thing seemed not to develop as he had thought.

 Chapter 28 She Could Support Herself

    Chapter 28 She Could Support Herself


    Chapter 28 She Could Support Herself


    The business of the shop was not that good or bad. Many people woulde to eat noodles after


    finishing work in the afternoon, but a bowl of noodles was very cheap and the couple couldn''t make


    much money in a day.


    Lilian was very diligent. Apart from washing dishes in the kitchen, she took the initiative to tidy up


    the tables after the customers left.


    The couple couldn''t help but feel a little relieved at how well she did, and even felt a bit regretful not


    to pay her.


    And Lilian didn''t go back home because of difficulties as Francis thought. On the contrary, she really


    liked this ce.


    The boss and his wife treated her very well. They had meals and went shopping together, which


    made her very happy. She had never been so happy since she was with Francis.


    She almost thought she really had a family when being with the couple.


    The wife of the boss taught her to cook noodles and make other dishes, but actually she had


    already known how to cook.


    Francis had a sharp taste and could found every time she used the wrong ingredients. After getting


    married, she practiced cooking every day.


    She tried her best to train her cooking skills to suit all his tastes.


    After eating the dishes cooked by Lilian, the wife of the boss asked, "Lily, have you ever learned to


    cook before?"


    Lilian nodded with a smile.


    "That''s good. It seems that asking you to wash the dishes is really unfair to you. Why don''t you be


    the chef?"


    Lilian waved her hands repeatedly to refuse because she felt nauseous when smelling the odour of


    cooking oil, afraid that she might identally vomit into the pot one day.


    When the wife of the boss was about to say something, Lilian felt her own stomach churn and


    quickly ran to the trash can to retch.


    After retching for a long time, she only spat out a few mouthfuls of some sour liquid.


    The wife of the boss walked over to pat her back and asked, "What''s wrong with you? Are you


    feeling bad?"


    Lilian stood up after a breather, wiped the saliva away from her mouth, and then touched her lower


    abdomen, indicating that she was pregnant.


    The wife of the boss opened her mouth in shock and asked, "Are you pregnant? Where is your...


    Husband?"


    Lilian pursed her lips and took out her phone to type in the memo: He abandoned us.


    Lilian thought her description was right. She had been away from home for a few days, but Francis


    had not even sent her a message. Perhaps he had never even returned to the vi.


    He might be very happy to know her departure.


    Since she took the initiative to leave, he didn''t betray his promise to his grandfather, and he could


    be with Julian without any worries.


    It was a reasonable thing, but when thinking about it, Lilian still felt a bit heavy in her heart.


    The wife of the boss looked a little angry at the words and said, "What kind of man is this? He''s so


    irresponsible! He''s just an asshole! How can you live outside like this?"


    Lilian lowered her eyes and realized almost everyone felt that it would impossible for her to survive


    without Francis.


    The wife of the bossforted her after seeung her depress, "It''s okay. You stay here with peace of


    mind. You are so good at cooking. After you give birth to the baby, you can easily find a job as a


    chef. You definitely can support yourself and your baby."


    Her words ignited Lilian''s hope. Lilian raised her head to looked at the wife of the boss with hopeful


    eyes and nodded with a big smile.


    Lilian began to n for the future, but Francis appeared in the dpidated noodles shop half a


    monthter.


    When he saw her, she was squatting on the ground and washing dishes in a tattered gray sweater


    and an apron. Her sleeves were rolled up, revealing her slender arms.


    Her back was to him and her hair was tied up into a bun, making him see her fine neck clearly.


    Lilian wiped the sweat away from her forehead, put the washed bowl into another basin, and then


    continued to stir her fingers in the greasy and muddy water basin.


    The wife of the boss was surprised to see such a distinguished man standing at the door when she


    walked in with a bowl of noodles.


    "Who are you looking for?"This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    People in the world were actually divided into different sses. The wife of the boss could tell at a


    nce at Francis just by him standing there that he didn''t belong to ces like the noodle shop.


    Francis made no reply and just quietly gazed at Lilian who was busy washing the dishes.


    But Lilian heard the sound and turned her head to look over.

 Chapter 29 She Was Found by Him

    Chapter 29 She Was Found by Him


    Chapter 29 She Was Found by Him


    He stood at the door and faced against the light, looking tall and strong, but Lilian was unable to see


    his face clearly.


    Lilian subconsciously clenched the te in her hand.


    She didn''t know why he suddenly came here. Why wasn''t he with Julian now?


    He asked in a calm voice, "Have you had enough fun?"


    In his eyes, she disappeared for most of a month just for fun.


    The wife of the boss was stunned and her gaze wandered between the two of them.


    The wife of the boss asked subconsciously, "Who are you? You know Lily?"


    "I am her husband."


    The wife of the boss opened her mouth in amazement. Francis was totally different from what she


    had imagined. She thought Lilian''s husband was someone who waszy and just fooled around.


    It could also be a chubby and bossy man who dictated to her.


    She didn''t expect that Lilian''s husband was such a young, handsome and powerful man.


    "Lily said you abandoned her. What are you doing here?"


    Francis tilted his head slightly and nced at the wife of the boss, asking, "That''s what she told


    you?"


    The wife of the boss was stunned and didn''t know how to answer because she realized something


    seemed to be different from what she had in mind.


    This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    "Eh..."


    Francis curledhis lips slightly, showing a hint of approachable smile, and said, "She got angry with


    me and ran away from home. Sorry to disturb you."


    The wife of the boss breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, "Really? That''s great. In thisway, I can rest


    assured. I''m really afraid she will give birth..."


    Before the wife of the boss could finish speaking, the te in Lilian''s hands fell to the ground with a


    ng and broke into pieces.


    Lilian quickly walked up to the wife of the boss and gestured, "I''m sorry. I didn''t mean to..."


    In fact, she broke the te on purpose, because if she didn''t drop the te, the wife of the boss


    would tell Francis about her pregnancy.


    The wife of the boss couldn''t see the meaning of her gesture, so she could only smile awkwardly


    and then said, "It''s okay. I''ll clean it upter. Since your husband has already been here to ask you


    to return home, go with him."


    She took a look at Francis, and then Francis held her hand and led her away from the store.


    Francis drove her back to the vi but both of them remained silent all the way home.


    Happy times were always fleeting, and she would return to the cold and luxurious vi again, which


    was the opposite of the small noodle shop''s warmth.


    Francis looked gloomy all the way, and when they arrived at the vi, he suddenly grabbed Lilian''s


    chin with a terrifying cold air lingering around him.


    He questioned, "Lilian, how dare you run away from home?"


    He grabbed her chin with great strength, as if pouring all his anger into his fingers, making Lilian''s


    jaw painful and be about to be shattered.


    She looked at him with some pain in her eyes but saw a clearly visible storm brewing in his eyes.


    Lilian pinched her fingers and stared at him for a moment. Then she raised her hands and was


    about to gesture, but she was thrown onto the couch by him.


    The sudden turn made her dizzy. He walked up and mped her hands, asking, "Who taught you


    that?"


    Lilian curled her lips aggrievedly and stared directly at him with ayer of tears floating in her eyes.


    She seeded to tug her hands from his control and gestured, "No one taught me. Since you don''t


    care where I will go, why can''t I leave?"


    Although she could not speak, her grievances and anger could still be seen from her expression


    and actions.


    Francis stared at her intently and didn''t speak for a moment.


    Lilian gestured, "Since you like Julian so much, isn''t it good that I disappear? Why did you bring me


    back?"


    She rarely talked back to him and neverined. She was always like a obedient kitten that


    would do as he said and never asked him to take care of its emotions. That he just touched her


    head would make her satisfied.


    Francis realized all of a sudden that she could get angry.


    After a moment of confusion, Francis said, "Are you still angry with me?"


    Lilian was stunned for a moment with her fingers hanging in the air, and suddenly she didn''t know


    how to answer.

 Chapter 30 Desperate Blames

    Chapter 30 Desperate mes


    Chapter 30 Desperate mes


    She couldn''t tell if she was angry or not, but the thought that he wouldn''t care and like the baby in


    her belly made her want to escape this suffocating ce.


    At this moment, her phone suddenly vibrated.


    She took out her phone and looked at it, seeing a message from Courtney.


    Lilian took a nce at Francis, finding he was staring at her phone. Without waiting for Lilian to


    react, he took her phone away and clicked on the message.


    Courtney: [Lily, I have been locked down and the coffee shop has also been closed. I failed to


    protect my paintings, but I fought my best to keep yours. I''ve sent them to you. Remember to check


    them.]


    After reading this message, Francis nced at Lilian again who was with a hint of nervousness in


    her eyes.


    He sneered, "You''ve started not to listen to me?"


    The sneer made Lilian sense a hint of danger. She shook her head crazily, trying to exin


    something.


    But Francis threw her phone onto the tea table and turned to walk outside.


    Lilian realized something and quickly chased after him.


    There was a small room outside the vi that specialized in storing express delivery. Francis went


    straight to this small room and kicked away a pile of express deliveries.


    A box was found at the bottom.


    In it was the paintings sent by Courtney.


    Lilian''s pupils shrank because of panic. She rushed over quickly and squatted on the ground to


    protect the box.


    "Get away."


    Lilian shook her head with tears to beg him to let go of those paintings, which were not only gifts


    from Courtney but also a sign of their friendship.


    Francis got gloomy and raised his hand to grab Lilianti''s wrist and pull her up.


    Lilian''s strength could not match his. She tried hard to grab the box, but it still left away from her


    inch by inch.


    Francis picked up the box, turned around and walked to the yard. Then he threw the box on the


    ground like dumping garbage.


    Lilian wanted to rush over, but was dragged by him.


    She saw Francis took out a lighter, and some mes burst after he slightly flicked his fingers.


    Lilian stared at the flickering mes and anxiously widened her eyes. She opened her mouth but


    couldn''t make any sound.


    He gripped her hands, causing her lose the only way tomunicate with him.


    Francis looked back at her and asked, "Do you care so much about these paintings?"


    Lilian''s tears meandered down as she pleaded and looked at Francis, begging him not to burn the


    paintings.


    His smile was even cruel and cold-blooded.


    It seemed that the more she cared about something, the more ruthlessly he destroyed them. He


    seemed like to see what she cared about broken in front of her, leaving only him in her eyes.


    He just let go of his fingers, letting the lighter carrying a me fell onto the box, and then the me


    spread inch by inch on the box.


    Lilian suddenly struggled but still couldn''t break free. She had no choice but lower her head and bite


    Francis''s arm.


    Francis felt pain and almost let go of her, but with a move of his arm, he grabbed her waist and


    brought her against him.


    The mes danced in Lilian''s eyes, gradually magnified, and finally upied her entire pupils.


    She watched helplessly as the paintings were revealed from the box, were gradually engulfed by


    mes and finally turned into ashes.


    A gust of wind blew, pulling the mes longer, and the ck debris that had been burned to ashes


    swirled in the air.


    Francis didn''t let go of her from beginning to end. Her silent struggle and prayer seemed so


    insignificant.


    She stretched out her hands and could only catch a few flying scraps of paper in the air.


    Lilian weakly softened in his arms, and he finally let go of her. She fell to the ground and scraps of


    paper lingered around her as if mocking her like Francis that all the things she cherished were not


    important.


    She hadn''t even had a chance to take a look at the paintings before they disappearedpletely in


    front of her.


    This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    It was like they had never existed before.

 Chapter 31 Lilians Deeply Felt Emotions

    Chapter 31 Lilian''s Deeply Felt Emotions


    Chapter 31 Lilian''s Deeply Felt Emotions


    Lilian slowly reached out her hand, scooping up a handful of ashes from the ground. As the wind


    came, they were blown away from her hand.


    This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    She looked up helplessly at Francis.


    He naturally looked down at her as if he had destroyed nothing but some worthless trash.


    In his eyes, she was also like trash. Her friend, herself, and everything she cared about were all


    worthless to him.


    She got up from the ground and said in signnguage, "Why? Why do you treat me like this?"


    Francis stepped forward and wiped the tears from her eyes. He whispered, "These things don''t


    belong here. I told you to stay away from Courtney Sachs. Why didn''t you listen to me?"


    She even bit him because of this pile of trash.


    Lilian signed, "Can''t I have a friend?"


    "You have me. That''s enough. Why do you have to have a friend?" His voice was gentle, but it


    sounded bloodcurdling to Lilian.


    Lilian looked into his unfeeling eyes, which were even colder than the wind.


    She took a step back subconsciously, gesturing, "I''ve always only had you. You''ve been the only


    one in my heart since we were young, but you''ve had many people around you, except me¡­"


    Lilian gestured, "What am I to you? A cat or a dog?"


    Francis stared at her, silent.


    Lilian moved her stiff fingers tearfully, "I''m a human being, not a cat or a dog! I have a heart, I can


    feel sad, I can feel hurt, but you never care. I don''t want to be like a dog, sitting at home every day


    to wait for your return and happily wag my tail when you touch my head."


    Her hands moved slowly, and every gesture was her scream for being heartbroken.


    But she couldn''t speak, and her hand movements were soundless, so it was impossible to perceive


    her mind''s pain behind those movements.


    Francis would not know, and he would never know.


    She was just like a dog. Since dogs couldn''t speak, people would never know their grievances. Only


    they themselves knew, and they could only squat in the corner to lick their wounds.


    She kept talking to him in signnguage in the cold wind, but he was expressionless. Then, she was


    so much like a clown.


    Lilian gradually stopped moving her hands, hung them weakly on her sides, and put a wry smile on


    her lips.


    That was even worse than sadness and despair.


    Francis reached out to pull her, but she backed away.


    He darkened his eyes and grabbed her arm, pulling her over.


    The man held her in his arms and whispered, "You are not a dog or a cat. You are my family,


    irreceable family. You were, and you are."


    He said, "You''re my little friend."


    Lilian clenched her hands. She didn''t want to be his family. What she wanted was¡­the love he had


    for Julian.


    She looked at him. The wind swept up the paper scraps on the ground, and they floated to and fro


    between them.


    Her eyes were like the sparks struggling in the ashes on the ground. After a few struggles, they


    finally calmed down.


    Lilian signed, "I''ve grown up."


    She was trying to tell him that she was no longer his little friend, but one who was already twenty-


    four years old.


    But he still looked at her as he used to. He told her that he liked her, but his love was superficial.


    She was like a beggar, pleading for his love. Every time she tried to reach out to him, he would


    ignore her or turn away. He wouldn''t even give her love as alms.


    He would tell her that this door would never close, and that she would have to beg here forever,


    never going anywhere else.


    He brushed the corner of her eye with his finger and said softly, "You''ve grown up, so you shouldn''t


    cry as much."


    Lilian lowered her eyes. Did he really not understand?


    He was just selfish.

 Chapter 32 Coaxing

    Chapter 32 Coaxing


    Chapter 32 Coaxing


    She turned around and ran into the vi, locking herself in the room.


    Francis stood there. It was not until the pile of trash had been burned without a single spark seen


    did he walk into the vi.


    Lilian squatted on the ground, holding herself tightly, her gaze empty as she looked out the window.


    As the sky gradually darkened, the world fell into darkness once again.


    Later in the evening, Francis came in. He pushed open the door and walked to the corner, squatting


    down before Lilian.


    "Hungry?"


    Lilian turned her head away, not looking at him. After a moment of silence, he rubbed her head and


    said, "Your birthday ising soon. Let me celebrate it with you, okay?"


    Lilian was slightly stunned, instinctively looking at him.


    She didn''t know when her birthday was, but Grandpa Thomas had taken the day she came to the


    Landau family as her birthday.


    Oh, it had been 20 years since then!


    Seeing no response from her, Francis held her hand and pulled her up, saying, "Let''s go eat and


    buy new clothes."


    Francis lowered her head. He always had a way of slowly soothing her heart whenever it shattered


    into pieces.


    His affection, no matter how superficial it was, was not something she could refuse because he was


    the only one she had.


    She followed Francis into the garage. Looking at the passenger seat, she hesitated to get in.


    This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    In her mind, she saw Julian disinfecting the seat.


    "What''s wrong?" Francis suddenly asked.


    Lilian looked up at him, her eyes saying, "Am I dirty?"


    Francis looked into her clear eyes, where all her helplessness and hurt were shown.


    After a moment, he withdrew his gaze, held her hand, and walked towards another car, saying,


    "We''ll drive another one."


    Yes, he knew everything.


    He knew that Julian''s actions would hurt her, but he didn''t stop her.


    He let Julian hurt her. No matter when it was, she would never be his first choice.


    Lilian sat in the passenger seat of the new car. Since he didn''t often drive this Porsche, the car was


    already covered in a thinyer of dust.


    Of course, there was not the tenderness in the meal she had imagined.


    With his eyes on the phone, he had been replying to the messages, while Lilian sat across from him


    without anyone to talk to as if she was alone here.


    Francis took her shopping and bought a lot of clothes, which filled up the entire trunk of his car.


    There were dresses and the ones she usually wore. The clothes room was filled with her clothes,


    while he only had a few.


    His clothes looked so out of ce in the room as if he didn''t belong here.


    By the time they got home, it was already ten at night. He went to the study while Lilian tossed and


    turned on the bed.


    Courtney sent her a lot of messages, asking if she had received the paintings. She didn''t dare to tell


    her that before she could take a look at them, Francis had burned them to ashes.


    Courtney said that there were many beautiful things and people in the world, not just Francis.


    She also said that only by loving herself with care could she love the baby better.


    "Take a look at those paintings, where there are vast seas and skies, flowing rivers and high


    mountains, and the most beautiful you. They will make you feel better."


    Lilian looked at the lines of words, which formed a rope, twisting her heart.


    If Courtney learned that those paintings had been burned, she would be disappointed in her.


    Lilian pressed the phone against her chest and weakly closed her eyes. She didn''t dare to reply with


    a single word.


    Maybe a person like her didn''t deserve to have friends.

 Chapter 33 Picking up Lilian

    Chapter 33 Picking up Lilian


    Chapter 33 Picking up Lilian


    Throughout the night, Francis never stepped into the bedroom. When Lilian woke up in the morning,


    he had left the vi.


    Liliany in bed, staring at the ceiling for two hours, but finally climbed out of bed.


    Although she had no appetite, she cooked some porridge and forced herself to eat two bowls. Then


    she took the medicine prescribed by the doctor.


    When it was past 5 p.m., the doorbell rang.


    Lilian opened the door and found it was Francis''s assistant Nelson Casey.


    "Hello, madam. Mr. Landau asked me to pick you up." Nelson bowed respectfully.


    Lilian frowned in confusion. Nelson couldn''t know signnguage, so she didn''t gesture.


    Nelson exined, "Today is your birthday, madam. Mr. Landau tells you to wear the new clothes


    bought yesterday."


    Lilian was stunned. She had thought that Landau was just joking when he said yesterday he would


    celebrate her birthday with her. But it turned out he was sincere.


    She pursed her lips but didn''t move.


    Nelson asked, "What''s wrong, madam? Don''t you want to go?"


    Lilian fell silent. He had just burned her things yesterday, but today he could take her to dinner, go


    shopping with her, and celebrate her birthday with her, as if nothing had happened.


    This meant her feelings were not important to him.


    Looking at her, Nelson couldn''t help but sigh. He said, "Madam, no matter what, Mr. Landau is your


    husband, and the ce where you stay is his home. Legally speaking, he is yours."


    Lilian raised her head in surprise and stared into his eyes.


    Nelson continued, "Since he is still willing toe home and celebrate your birthday with you and


    also cares about you, you don''t have to hand him over to someone else."


    Nelson didn''t like Julian. In thepany, those department managers had to show him some


    respect, but Julian, who did nothing in thepany, always ordered him around. Besides, relying


    on Francis''s favor, she didn''t take the top leaders of thepany as anything important.


    If she became Francis''s wife, he was afraid he would have a harder time.


    "Madam, if you still care about Mr. Landau, don''t push him to anyone else. You have to learn to fight


    for yourself."


    Lilian clenched her lips. Nelson''s words had stirred up her emotions.


    But she was pregnant. She couldn''t give up her child and hold on to a man who didn''t love her.


    But Francis was unwilling to divorce her. He would find out about the child sooner orter, and she


    might be unable to keep the secret.


    Her mind was a mess as if there was a stone stuck in it. She turned around and went upstairs to


    change.


    This was not a matter of choice. In fact, she had no choice.


    As long as she loved Francis for a day, she wouldn''t push him away.


    He was the one she had loved for twenty years, the one she had watched grow from a boy to a


    man.


    For twenty years, her world revolved around him and only him.


    She couldn''t lie to her own heart.


    The clothes bought yesterday were thick ones. Now that it was cold, those clothes were just


    suitable to wear.


    She rummaged through them and finally picked a red sweater and white pants. She tied her hair


    into a high ponytail, a festive outfit.


    Nelson watched hering down from upstairs with some surprise.


    If the dullness in her eyes that had been umted over time was ignored, she would look like a


    seventeen- or eighteen-year-old girl. If she were at school, her smile would dazzle everyone.


    Maybe Francis had seen that smile before.


    But people would never cherish what they got easily.


    This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    Coming back to earth, Nelson made a gesture of invitation to Lilian.


    Lilian nodded and followed him out. Seeing the Bentley parked in the yard, Nelson suddenly


    remembered something. He turned his head and said to Lilian, "Oh, sorry, madam, please wait a


    moment. I have to go to the garage and get a new car."


    As he spoke, he took out two keys. He drove the Bentley back to the garage and took the Porsche


    out.


    He didn''t know why Francis wanted a different car, but Lilian generally knew.

 Chapter 34 The Gift

    Chapter 34 The Gift


    Chapter 34 The Gift


    Oh, he took what she askedst night seriously.


    She looked up at the sky, holding back her tears. No wonder Francis could tantly ignore her


    because she was so... easy to appease.


    Nelson took her to a lively restaurant, a ce usually filled with couples.


    But the seat at the window was still vacant. Nelson took her to it and said, "Madam, Mr. Landau will


    be here after his meeting. Please wait a while."


    Lilian nodded with a smile.


    Nelson didn''t stay long. After saying something to the restaurant manager, he left.


    Lilian sat by the window. Outside, there were colored neon lights and dazzling towering buildings;


    inside, there was a loud noise.


    Amotion broke out not far away. She turned to look and saw someone proposing.


    Everyone in the restaurant was blessing the couple, cheering, shouting, and even screaming.


    Thedy was moved and covered her mouth, tears streaming down her face. The young man held


    her hand, slipping a diamond ring onto her finger. Then, they embraced tightly amid the blessings.


    Seeing that, Lilian smiled unconsciously.


    They could embrace each other openly. They were truly blessed.


    But there was nothing on her finger.


    On the day of their wedding, Mrs. Landau, Francis''s mother, had said, "What ceremony does a


    mute need? Others willugh if she appears on the stage. It''s aplete disgrace!"


    Lilian said that he was busy and that a marriage certificate would be enough.


    She and Francis became husband and wife without being blessed.


    Over the years, he had given her many things-clothes, shoes, precious jewelry, everything but a


    ring.


    How could he easily give away something that symbolized love to him?


    *


    When Nelson returned to thepany, Francis had just finished his meeting.


    He entered his office to find that Julian was also present. She was idly fiddling with her phone in the


    cubicle, truly carefree.


    "Everything is ready, Mr. Landau."


    "Okay." Francis nodded. He picked up a document from his desk, hastily flipped through it, and


    signed his name.


    Seeing him return, Julian immediately came out of the cubicle. She nced at Nelson and cocked


    her chin, saying, "Why don''t you leave?"


    Nelson opened his mouth, intending to remind Francis of the time, but seeing him busy with the


    documents, he took out a box from his pocket and ced it next to Francis.


    "Mr. Landau, this is the gift you asked me to buy."


    Then he left the office.


    Julian caught sight of the box, raising her eyebrows. She reached out to the box, but Francis put his


    hand on it.


    Julian was taken aback. "This is not for me?"


    Francis didn''t answer her question or even look at her before he stowed the box in his chest pocket


    and continued to read his documents.


    His reaction made Julian a little angry. Without guessing, she knew it must be for that mute.


    Julian gritted her teeth and suddenly leaned over, whispering in Francis''s ear, "I''m pregnant,


    darling."


    This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    "Abort it."


    Francis was unmoved. As he spoke, he also signed his name on a document.


    Julian gnashed her teeth and angrily said, "I''m serious! I''m not lying!"


    Francis paused, turning to look at her.


    Julian winked at him, indicating that what she said was true.


    His gaze roamed over her face. After a moment, he said, "Then keep it. If it''s not mine, both of you


    will die."

 Chapter 35 Eating the Birthday Cake Alone

    Chapter 35 Eating the Birthday Cake Alone


    Chapter 35 Eating the Birthday Cake Alone


    Julian''s smile suddenly froze. She struggled for a while and finally forced a smile.


    "Just kidding! Why are you so fierce?"


    Francis raised his lips and said with a faint smile, "I''m kidding, too."


    *


    People came and went in the restaurant as Lilian quietly waited. Hours passed, but Francis didn''t


    show up.


    Resting her chin on her hand, she looked out the window. The lights of the city went out, and the


    crowded streets became deserted.


    Gradually, the restaurant emptied, leaving behind a deste wastnd, just like the one after the


    tide.


    As the lights outside went out, the lights in the restaurant were also turned off.


    The man who had promised to spend her birthday with her had never shown up.


    "Mrs. Landau," someone called her from behind.


    Lilian snapped out of her daze and turned her head, seeing the manager and two waiters standing


    beside her.


    The manager said with a smile, "We''re closing soon."This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    Lilian came back to her senses btedly. She looked at the dim lights inside the restaurant and


    found everyone else had left.


    She couldn''t exactly describe her feelings as disappointment, as she had grown ustomed to it.


    The wait wasn''t long-only five hours. Compared to the countless nights she had spent alone in an


    empty house, five hours were short indeed.


    She was about to stand up and leave when the waiter behind the manager brought a cake.


    "Mrs. Landau, today is your birthday. The cake was prepared for you in advance. Happy birthday."


    The waiter ced the birthday cake in front of her, and the manager said, "It''s almost midnight.


    Finish the cake or make a wish before you leave."


    Lilian stared at the flickering mes of the candles on the cake. It wasn''t a blessing but rather the


    manager''s sympathy.


    She tried to force a smile, though it wouldn''t be so beautiful.


    Lilian closed her eyes and said to herself inwardly, "Happy birthday, Lilian!"


    She didn''t make a wish.


    The wish made on a birthday cake wouldn''te true because she had tried it before.


    Looking at her frail figure, the manager sighed in his heart.


    He had noticed that she had been sitting here for hours. The man who had talked to him earlier had


    arranged everything, saying someone wouldeter. Yet, five hours had passed, and the one


    mentioned was nowhere to be seen.


    The one who had promised her didn''t show up to celebrate her birthday. What a poordy!


    Lilian opened her eyes and blew out the candles, and the manager immediately stepped forward to


    help cut the cake.


    Lilian shared the cake with them. The manager epted the piece to him with a smile and took out


    a stic figurine from his chest pocket, handing it to her. "This is a souvenir from our restaurant,


    Mrs. Landau. Consider it a birthday gift from us to you."


    Lilian looked at the figurine and took it. Then she nodded with a smile and said thanks in sign


    language.


    Only then did the manager realize that she couldn''t speak.


    In order not to take up too much of their time, Lilian picked up her fork and took a bite of the cake.


    As the greasy cream came into her mouth, her stomach churned. But she clenched her teeth and


    forced the cream down.


    She didn''t dare to take another bite. She typed a message on her phone for the manager to read,


    "Thank you. I''ll leave now."


    "Take care, Mrs. Landau. Would you like us to pack the cake for you?"


    Lilian nced at the cake. Although she couldn''t finish it, she had them pack it.


    Aftering out of the restaurant with the cake, she immediately rushed to the trash can to vomit.


    She threw up like crazy. Only when she had expelled the cream from her stomach did she feel


    slightly better.


    The night wind was cold, and she held herself tightly in her own arms. The air in the Linnd City


    was humid, and the wind carried cold moisture, making the tip of her nose red.


    She was walking down the sparsely popted sidewalk, and the dim streetlights on both sides of


    the road stretched her shadow. She trudged on, her steps on her own shadow.

 Chapter 36 Coming across Fabiana

    Chapter 36 Coming across Fabiana


    Chapter 36 Coming across Fabiana


    Not knowing how long she had been walking, Lilian seemed to see someone next to the trash can


    not far away.


    She blinked and walked towards the person.


    When she got closer, she saw that it was an old woman with a hunched back. Feeling that the


    woman was a bit familiar, she went up and tapped her on the shoulder.


    The elderly woman was startled and immediately turned her head. When she found it was Lilian,


    she breathed a sigh of relief.


    She took out half a piece of bread hidden behind her and started to gnaw on it in Lilian''s face.


    Lilian stared at her, took her hand, and shook her head, signaling her to stop eating.


    "Do you want some too?" The old woman looked Lilian up and down, finding that she didn''t look like


    someone who was short of money.


    Lilian put her cake on the ground and said in signnguage, "Don''t you remember me, Fabiana


    ud? I''m Lilian Rossum."


    The old woman looked at her fingers, which, illuminating in the streetmplight, were like dancing


    butterflies in the wind.


    After a while, she finally turned to look at Lilian''s face, her aged voice shivering, "Lily...Lily?"


    Lilian nodded in tears and signed, "Yes, it''s me! Why did you end up here?"


    "You''ve grown so much!" Fabiana sighed as tears streamed down.


    She picked up the cane next to the trash can and walked to the stone steps to sit down.


    Lilian followed her over.


    Fabiana had used to be a maid in the Landau family and a close attendant of Grandpa Thomas.


    After Lilian came to the family, it was Fabiana who had been taking care of her.


    Later, Fabiana broke her leg when she fell from the stairs while trying to save Ruby Landau. Then


    Grandpa Thomas let her retire early and go back to recuperate.


    Lilian had always thought that she had returned to her hometown, but she met her here today.


    She handed the cake to Fabiana and gestured, "Fabiana, today is my birthday. Please celebrate it


    with me."


    Fabiana was stunned but then put a kind smile on her wrinkled face. "It''s your birthday? Happy


    birthday, Lily! I''m sorry I don''t have anything to give you."


    Lilian shook her head, showing she didn''t need anything.


    Everyone wished her a happy birthday, but why didn''t she feel happy? ...


    Lilian sat quietly next to the old woman, watching her devour the cake. She wanted to buy a bottle


    of water, but found that her card had been frozen.


    Fortunately, there was still 20 dors of change in her Apple Pay.


    She returned with a bottle of water, handed it to Fabiana, and asked her what had happened.


    Fabiana told her everything. She had worked for the Landau family for a lifetime. After her


    retirement, her son and daughter-inw took all her savings and bought an apartment in the city.


    Before Grandpa Thomas died, the Landau family gave her a monthly allowance, and she lived well.


    But after he died, the family cut off her allowance, and her daughter-inw kicked her out.


    As an old woman with ame leg, she couldn''t get a job, so she could only pick up trash and sell it


    for a living.


    Looking at the miserable old woman, Lilian had mixed feelings. Fabiana had worked for the Landau


    family for a lifetime, but she couldn''t even afford food and clothing in the end.


    How sad it was!


    After Fabiana finished the cake, Lilian wanted to send her home.


    But Fabiana asked worriedly, "What about you? Won''t Young Master worry about you when you are


    not home sote?"


    Lilian lowered her eyes. He couldn''t even keep his promise to celebrate her birthday with her. Why


    would he have to worry about her then?


    Seeing her loss, Fabiana stopped asking and got up with the help of her cane. "Let''s go then. My


    ce is shabby. I hope you don''t mind."


    As for Francis, he had sent Julian home and put her on the couch.


    He was about to leave when Julian took his arm, whining, "Can''t you just stay? I''m in so much pain!"


    Julian''s knees and forehead were bandaged. When at thepany, she had been pestering


    Francis, asking him to have dinner with her. Francis refused, and she ran away in anger.


    As a result, she ran into the middle of the road and was almost hit by a speeding car. And she was


    still scared now.


    "Take good care of her, Marie." Then he said to Julian, "You stay at home and rest for a few days. I''ll


    come to see you tomorrow."


    This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    "What are you going to do sote?"


    Francis nced at his watch. Seeing it was 12:30 a.m., he froze.

 Chapter 37 Sleeping in a Shed

    Chapter 37 Sleeping in a Shed


    Chapter 37 Sleeping in a Shed


    "I''ve got to go."


    With that, Francis turned away. Julian almost jumped up in anger. "Francis!"


    But the man didn''t even look back.


    Julian was furious. She had just returned from the hospital, but this detestable man didn''t even


    bother tofort her.


    Francis drove towards the restaurant. But by the time he arrived, the restaurant was already closed,


    and it was pitch dark inside.


    He stared at the dark restaurant from his car. After a moment of silence, he took out his phone and


    called Lilian.


    But her phone was off.


    He lit a cigarette in irritation. After taking a few drags, he tossed it away and turned the car around


    to go back to his vi.


    But there was no one in the vi. The bedroom was neatly arranged, proving that Lilian had not


    returned.


    Only then did Francis remember that he had frozen Lilian''s card. She probably didn''t even have the


    money for a taxi fare home. How could shee back then?


    Thinking of this, he walked outside and called Nelson.


    As for Lilian, she had brought Fabiana back to her dwelling. It could hardly be called a house


    because it was just a shack built on an old car frame near the garbage dump.


    ording to Fabiana, the owner of the dump had given her the metal frame out of mercy and


    helped her build the shack.


    Lilian felt a mix of emotions. She put the things she''d bought from the 24-hour convenience store


    into the shack. As she leaned in, she smelled something unpleasant.


    Fabiana turned on the srmp hanging above. Finally, Lilian found how dirty the bedding


    underneath was.


    She opened her mouth and looked at Fabiana with aplex expression, her eyes in pain.


    Lilian remembered her childhood, when Fabiana taught her how to write and fold paper and told her


    stories to make her sleep. Those caring moments came flooding back, and her eyes turned red.


    The Fabiana in her memory shouldn''t be living like this.


    Fabiana tried to reach out to her, but her hand was thin and withered, covered in ck dirt like


    armor. Then the old woman quietly withdrew her hand.


    Lilian swiftly took her hand and sat down next to her.


    "This is so dirty! Your clothes will be smeared. They''re so beautiful," Fabiana said, her eyes red.


    Now she probably thought of her own son and daughter-inw.


    Lilian bit her lip and signed, "Fabiana, I will take care of you from now on."


    With tears shimmering in her eyes, the old woman forced a smile, "No need. You''re having a hard


    time in the Landau family. I''m already old. It''s enough if you cane to see me when you''re free.


    You don''t need to take care of me."


    Lilian didn''t reply. She generally tidied up the bed and then gestured, "Could I sleep with you


    tonight?"


    "This ce is too dirty, Lilian. Don''t make yourself ufortable," she said, choking up. She felt


    embarrassed and guilty to not even have a ce for Lilian to stay.


    Lilian shook her head and signed, "It''s not dirty at all. Your ce is cleaner than anywhere else."


    Fabiana couldn''t help butugh, though it was augh filled with indescribable hardship and


    mncholy.


    Lilian took off her shoes andy down next to Fabiana. She had spent all her money and couldn''t go


    home, and her phone was out of power.


    And it was sote that she didn''t dare to take a taxi.


    Even if she could go back, she would have to face a cold and empty house, so she would rather


    sleep here.


    "What a silly child," Fabiana sighed in the darkness.


    Lilian closed her eyes. Despite the bad smell, she fell asleep.


    In the morning, she woke up from the cold.


    As she opened her eyes, she turned her head and saw an unexpected dawn light coloring the


    buildings with a golden hue.


    This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Fabiana was already up. Sitting on a rock outside, she was boiling something.


    Lilian went over and squatted next to her. Only then did she find out that Fabiana was boiling eggs-


    the ones she had boughtst night.


    "Awake? Wait a while. The eggs will be ready soon."


    Lilian nodded with a smile.


    Francis had been searching for her all night. He had searched all the way home, including the areas


    near the restaurant, but he couldn''t find her.

 Chapter 38 Home Imprisonment

    Chapter 38 Home Imprisonment


    Chapter 38 Home Imprisonment


    He loosened his tie, but still couldn''t breathe properly. Then he took off his tie and threw it onto the


    sofa.


    Standing next to him, Nelson said awkwardly, "Madam mighte back in a while, Mr. Landau."


    "You haven''t found her, either?"


    Nelson shook his head and said, "No, there''s no surveince on the road where Madam


    disappeared, but we have narrowed down the general search area. The people we sent out will find


    her soon."


    "What a foolish woman!" Francis unbuttoned his shirt and sat down on the sofa. "She dares to


    follow anyone!"


    Nelson nced at him and criticized him inwardly, Now you''re worried, but you left her there alone


    last night.


    Of course, he didn''t dare to say that openly. Anyway, he didn''t want to lose his job.


    "I''ll go out and keep looking," Nelson said, turning around and leaving.


    Lilian left after finishing her eggs and met Francis''s men at the bus stop.


    She recognized them and followed them into their car.


    Back at the vi, she clearly felt a tense atmosphere. She looked up and saw Francis on the sofa.


    He looked serious, his hair disheveled with a few strands draping.


    And he was staring at her intently.


    The others didn''t dare to stay any longer and left the vi one after another.


    Lilian bit her lip and walked towards Francis.


    N?velDrama.Org (C) content.


    Before she could do anything, he suddenly stood up, startling her and causing her to take a step


    back.


    "Why are you backing down?" He grabbed her wrist and pulled her back. Sensing the fear in her


    eyes, he sneered, "What are you afraid of? Weren''t you afraid when you left with the stranger?"


    His grip was tight. Lilian struggled a few times but couldn''t break free, frowning in pain.


    Francis stared at her dirty appearance. Where had she been to fool around?


    Lilian signed with one hand, "It hurts."


    "So now you know it hurts?" Francis tightly held her wrist, disregarding the fact that it was turning


    red. "Now you can leave with a random person, but you know what pain is, eh?"


    Lilian wanted to exin that it wasn''t a random person but Fabiana, the one who had raised him.


    But Francis held her hand, giving her no chance to exin.


    "You''re bing more and more disobedient. It seems like I have to teach you a lesson."


    Lilian widened her eyes. Hearing his words, she subconsciously began to struggle.


    Francis dragged her towards the corner of the stairs. Realizing what he was going to do, she


    struggled with all her might.


    She held onto the sofa, but was easily pulled away by him.


    Francis brought her to a door, kicked it open, and threw her inside.


    "Reflect on your actions here. I''ll let you out when you''ve figured it out."


    Lilian stumbled, then rushed to the door, and held onto the door frame with dear life, shaking her


    head desperately.


    The storage room was her nightmare and the shadow of her life.


    He had saved her from here before. Was he going to put her back in now?


    Lilian''s eyes were filled with pleading, but Francis turned a blind eye. He held the doorknob. No


    matter how desperately she struggled, he closed it without mercy.


    She was instantly enveloped in darkness. The fears buried deep in her heart surged like a tide.


    She turned the lock but found out that the door had been locked from the outside.


    She pounded on the door, but the man outside didn''t respond.


    Lilian''s cry was too weak to express even a tenth of her inner despair.


    She pressed herself against the door, hoping to tell Francis that she was scared, so scared...

 Chapter 39 Desperate Banging

    Chapter 39 Desperate Banging


    Chapter 39 Desperate Banging


    Lilian pounded for a long time and finally slid weakly down on the floor. The small, narrow utility


    room was pitch dark.


    It was so quiet as if the air was still.


    The overwhelming darkness enveloped her like countless cobwebs entangling her, making it hard


    for her to breathe.


    She squatted on the cold floor, hugging her knees tightly.


    The only sound in the room was her breathing and heart beating.


    Francis asked her to reflect, but she didn''t know what to reflect on. Should she reflect on her waiting


    for five hours in the restaurant or on taking Fabiana home?


    She didn''t know what she had done wrong.


    Lilian rummaged in her pocket and took out her phone. It was dead and couldn''t be turned on.


    She curled up behind the door, her eyes shut and her ears covered, imagining she was in her


    bedroom at night.


    Back then, Ruby, Francis''s younger sister, had also locked her in a utility room like this, and she had


    stayed there for a day and night. There were asional mice and bugs crawling over her body. For


    her, a six-year-old, those things were undoubtedly the most terrifying.


    The most tragic thing was that she couldn''t make a sound to vent her fear. She could only


    desperately scratch or bang on the door. With her scratching, her fingers bled, but no one came to


    save her.


    In the end, Francis opened the door and took her out.


    This was the first time Francis had hugged her. The hug was still vivid in her memory, and she could


    still remember its warmth.


    The smell of sunshine with a hint of mint. That was his scent.


    Now he had personally thrown her into this abyss, bringing her back to the starting point.


    His image appeared in her mind. On it, there was a crack.


    Lilian remembered everything that had happened to her. Her heart seemed to be held by an


    invisible hand, and those bugs burrowed into it, gnawing at her memories. She gasped for air.


    She grabbed her cor, panting heavily. Her heart was beating faster, and she felt it harder to


    breathe.


    N?velDrama.Org (C) content.


    She knelt on the floor, hitting the door with thest hope. In the end, her movements even slowed


    down.


    But Francis had already left by then. He couldn''t hear her asking for help from inside the room.


    He was on his way to hispany when his phone rang. It was Courtney calling him. After a


    nce, he tossed the phone onto the passenger seat.


    Courtney kept calling for a long time, but he didn''t answer her call. She frowned, knowing that he


    wouldn''t answer her call.


    So she started banging on the door again in the room. "Juan! Juan!"


    Her voice was so loud that Juan, the housekeeper, rushed upstairs and asked respectfully at the


    door, "What can I do for you, Miss?"


    "Where''s my brother? Ask him toe here. I need to talk to him!"


    "Young Master Lester hasn''te back yet. Miss, don''t waste your energy. Even if hees, he


    won''t let you out."


    Courtney was infuriated by his response. She shouted at the door, "You better call him right now


    and ask him toe home, or I''ll jump off the third floor!"


    Juan was shocked. Miss Courtney was willful. She might actually do something like that.


    So he could only appease her and then go call Lester.


    Lester was in a meeting with a client. Receiving Juan''s call, he pinched the spot between his


    eyebrows in annoyance and got up, going out of the meeting room to call Courtney.


    "Can''t you stay at home peacefully for a few days, Courtney? It''s Dad''s order to lock you up. I can''t


    do anything about it."

 Chapter 40 Courtney Tries to Reach Lilian

    Chapter 40 Courtney Tries to Reach Lilian


    Chapter 40 Courtney Tries to Reach Lilian


    Courtney immediately said, "It''s not about that, brother. I''ve been trying to call Lilian, but she doesn''t


    answer. I''ve sent her messages, but she doesn''t reply. Can you call Francis and ask if something


    happened to her?"


    Hearing that it was again about Lilian, he said unkindly, "You can''t even get yourself out of trouble,


    but you want to meddle in someone else''s affair. Don''t you want toe out?"


    "I don''t care if I cane out or not. Please help me find out if Lilian is fine. She''s an idiot. Even if


    Francis bullies her, she won''t reveal a word."


    Lester was stunned. That was right. Lilian was pregnant. If Francis had done something to her and


    she took it to heart...


    "Got it. I''ll call and ask. Don''t worry. Although Francis doesn''t love Lilian, they grew up together, and


    he has some feelings for her. He won''t let her fall into trouble."


    "You must be joking! The detestable man is heartless. Can you really expect him to have any


    feelings?"


    Courtney was right. Francis was heartless. If he truly loved Julian, he would have divorced Lilian


    and married her a long time ago. He wouldn''t maintain a marital rtionship with Lilian while


    keeping ties with another woman.


    "Okay, I''ll ask," Lester interrupted her. Then he hung up the phone and called Francis.


    Francis answered his call, but Lester didn''t know how to start.


    "What''s up?"


    Lester cleared his throat and said in a stiff tone, "Courtney can''t reach Lilian. She wants to know


    how she''s doing."


    After two seconds of silence, Francis said sarcastically, "What? Are the Sachs family so interested


    in others'' affairs?"


    "Don''t talk like that, Francis. Courtney and Lilian are friends. It''s natural she worries about Lilian."


    "Is that so?" Francis smiled, but his tone turned cold, "Lester, Courtney is your sister. I don''t know


    her, but I don''t believe you don''t. You better keep your eye on her, or don''t me me for not warning


    you."


    Francis hung up after that. Lester looked at the disconnected phone and heaved a helpless sigh.


    Courtney was a little too unpredictable, not like a girl.


    In fact, she had not used to be like this, but things changed two years ago. The family arranged a


    marriage for her, and she ran away in anger.


    When she came back, she had short hair, dressed like a man, and dered that she didn''t like men.


    Once this news was spread, all those young men of the noble families in the Linnd City distanced


    themselves from her. But as her elder brother, he didn''t believe her.


    Yet, over the past two years, she had behaved more like a young man-racing cars, hanging out at


    bars, and riding motorcycles. Then he even began to change his mind.


    Francis probably didn''t believe it, either. But the recent events must have made him wary of her.


    This time, she had gotten involved in Francis and Lilian''s affair, which frightened her father, who


    was away on a business trip. Then he rushed back to the Linnd City overnight and locked her inThis content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    her room.


    Lester snapped back to reality and called Courtney.


    Courtney said, "Brother, go to her house and check on her."


    Lester was slightly taken aback. "Are you kidding?"


    "No, I''m not. I''m serious. Go take a look, please. Just take a look."


    Lester immediately refused, "No. Under what name should I go there?"


    "Lilian is pregnant. If something happens to her, can you forgive yourself?"


    "It has nothing to do with me."


    Realizing that she couldn''t persuade him, Courtney deliberately pushed open the window with great


    force. "Then I''ll jump off the third floor?"


    It was a loud noise, which Lester would definitely hear.

 Chapter 41 Lester Found Lilian in the Store Room

    Chapter 41Lester Found Lilian in the Store Room


    Chapter 41 Lester Found Lilian in the Store Room


    "You..." Lester got furious and said loudly, "Can you please stop messing around?"


    "I''m not messing around. Are you going or not?" Courtney had already sat down. She looked down


    at the height and couldn''t help but shiver.


    To be honest, she didn''t have the courage to jump, but she knew that this move would work on


    Lester.


    "Alright, alright... I''ll go!" Lester was afraid that she would act recklessly. "Now get off that window!"


    Lester said anxiously.


    Courtney smirked, gracefullynded on the floor, saying, "Go now. I''ll wait for your message."


    N?velDrama.Org (C) content.


    "You really are a troublemaker..." Lester sighed. But he really couldn''t deal with his beloved sister


    thoroughly.


    After ending the call, Lester apologized to the client and drove to Francis'' house.


    The vi''s door was tightly closed, he couldn''t see anything while sitting in the car, so he got out and


    rang the doorbell. But there was no response from inside.


    Just as he was about to go back to his car, Courtney sent him a message. It was the password for


    Francis'' house.


    Seeing this password, Lester went silent for a while. Was he going to break into someone''s house?


    But he only hesitated for a few seconds. Then, he input the gate password, and the door opened.


    Lester walked into the vi. But he didn''t go upstairs and just called out a few times in the hallway.


    After waiting for a few minutes, Lester was about to leave. But he suddenly heard a faint sound, like


    something heavy falling.


    Lester suspected it was just his imagination, so he pricked up his ear.


    After a few seconds, he heard the sound again, confirming his suspicion.


    Lester hurried towards the source of the sound and eventually stopped in front of a door. He


    cautiously called out, "Lilian?"


    But there was no response from inside.


    Lester called out a few more times and tried to turn the doorknob, only to find that the door was


    locked.


    "Lilian, are you in there?"


    Lilian moved her fingers slightly. Lester''s voice was a bit muffled, but she knew someone was


    outside.


    She had heard someone calling her earlier, but in her drowsiness, she thought it was just a


    hallucination. She reached out her hand, trying to grasp the voice that called her, but identally


    knocked something over.


    But now she could hear clearly that someone was really calling her.


    She struggled to extend her hand and lightly tapped on the door.


    The sound was very faint, almost inaudible. Lester hesitated, and then confirmed, saying, "Lilian, if


    you''re in there, tap three times."


    Soon, a very soft sound came from inside.


    Then, there was another light tapping.


    But he didn''t hear a third sound after waiting for a while.


    Lester was almost certain that there was something inside, but he didn''t know if it was a person or


    something else.


    After a moment of hesitation, he found a chair in the house and forcefully smashed the door lock.


    As the lock fell off, a gap appeared in the door.


    He had to exert a lot of force to push it open. It was a storage room filled with cardboard boxes and


    books.


    There was a pile of scattered books blocking the door, and as Lester was about to go inside, he


    noticed a human hand in those scattered books.


    Lester''s pupils contracted, and he quickly crouched down. Moving aside the pile of books, he then


    finally saw the person buried underneath.


    Lilian was curled up on the floor, pale-faced, with sweat covering her forehead, nose, and even her


    neck. Her hair was wet and messy, sticking to her cheeks.


    Lester usually avoided getting involved in other people''s business, but even he felt his heart in pain


    a little after seeing this.


    How could Francis do such a thing?!


    Lilian was his wife, and she was carrying his child. How could he be so heartless!


    Lester couldn''t afford to dy. He quickly picked up Lilian and rushed out of the vi, driving to the


    hospital.


    Courtney bombarded him with several phone calls. It wasn''t until he had taken Lilian to the


    emergency room that he had a chance to answer Courtney''s call.


    "How is it, my dear brother? Did you find her?"


    Lester looked back at the emergency room and. Just to avoid Courtney making any trouble, he lied,


    "Lilian''s fine. She''s at home."

 Chapter 42 Is the Baby Okay

    Chapter 42Is the Baby Okay


    Chapter 42 Is the Baby Okay


    "Why didn''t she respond to my messages?"


    "Frank took her phone. Anyway, don''t worry about it. Just stay at home and I have things to do


    now."


    "Hey, Lester..."


    Lester hung up the phone. He looked at Francis'' number on his contact list. He hesitated for a


    moment, but eventually he decided not to call Francis.


    He didn''t have the right to question Francis, and he had trespassed into Francis'' house first.


    Lester waited for about half an hour until Lilian was pushed out of the ER room. He quickly


    approached her and asked the doctor, "How is she?"


    The doctor said, "She fainted due to arrhythmia. Luckily, she was brought in on time. What


    happened to her?"


    Lester couldn''t exin to the doctor and just asked, "Is the baby okay?"


    "The baby is fine, but there was a slight disturbance in the amniotic fluid. She needs to have a good


    rest. And don''t let her engage in stimting activities during pregnancy."


    Lester forced a smile and nodded. Francis had caused all this trouble, but now the doctor thought


    he was the unforgivable bad husband.


    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    On the other side, Francis was in thepany when he received a notification about the doorbell


    and password input. He nced at it and threw his phone aside.


    Nelson Casey knocked on the door and entered. Seeing that Julian was not there, he secretly


    breathed a sigh of relief, and then handed the documents to Francis.


    "Mr. Landau, I''ve checked it out. Several countries im that our goods have safety issues, so they


    have restricted imports..."


    As Nelson was speaking, he noticed that Francis was distractedly staring at theputer, clearly


    not paying attention.


    "Mr. Landau?"


    Francis snapped back to reality and replied, "Hmm?"


    He then seemed to remember something and said, "You don''t need to go now."


    Nelson was momentarily taken aback. Then he suddenly realized that Francis had instructed him to


    go to the vi after finishing his work. Nelson nodded and responded, "Alright, should I show you


    the document?"


    "Forget about it." Francis leaned back and casually lit a cigarette.


    Nelson furrowed his brow, realizing that Francis seemed a bit off today. Normally, he didn''t smoke at


    the office.


    Nelson then thought that maybe it was because Francis had spent the night finding Lilian and hadn''t


    slept.


    So Nelson suggested, "Mr. Landau, why don''t you go back and rest for a while?"


    Francis nced at him. The smoke swirling around his fingertips. He then looked away and slid his


    chair backwards. He leaned against the backrest, closed his eyes, and said, "You can leave now."


    Nelson put the document on his table and left. Then he thought to himself, ''Julian''s absence today


    made Mr. Landau lose all interest in work.''


    He couldn''t understand why Francis was so crazy about her.


    In the hospital, Lilian gradually regained consciousness. She stared at the white ceiling for a


    moment and then suddenly remembered something.


    She sat up from the bed and touched her belly. Then she was relieved that she didn''t feel any


    obvious abnormalities.


    Lilian didn''t know how she ended up in the hospital. Could it be that Francis let her out?


    Thinking of his cold and indifferent face as he mercilessly pushed her in that store room, she still felt


    unfamiliar.


    Lilian didn''t stay long in the hospital. She lifted the nket and got out of bed. Just as she was


    wondering how to get back, she ran into Lester who had returned from paying the fees.


    Lester was taken aback and asked, "Why did you get out of bed?"


    Lilian patted her pockets. It seemed like her phone was left in the vi.


    She tried tomunicate with Lester using signnguage, but he couldn''t understand. He just


    made a rough guess from her signs, asking "You want to go back?"


    Lilian actually wanted to ask how she was sent to the hospital, but it didn''t seem to matter anymore


    since he couldn''t understand.


    So, she nodded.


    Lester nced at the housing contract he had just finished for her, sighed, and said, "Alright, I''ll take


    you back."


    Lester put away the documents and drove her back.


    Just as they arrived at the doorstep, they both saw a Bentley parked in front. The car was still


    running, with the rear lights on, as if waiting for someone.


    Lester''s expression turned grim.


    Because that was Francis'' car.

 Chapter 43 Lets Get a Divorce

    Chapter 43Let''s Get a Divorce


    Chapter 43 Let''s Get a Divorce


    Lilian nced at Lester. Lester was silent for a moment and said, "I''ll go down first."


    Lilian couldn''t let him go alone, so she quickly followed him out of the car.


    When they reached Francis'' car, they found the window was open, and Francis was sitting inside


    smoking.


    "Frank, I brought Lilian back to you. And..." Lester''s words were cut off by Francis''s icy gaze.


    Francis didn''t say anything. He flicked the cigarette ash with his fingers, then threw the butt on the


    ground, opened the car door, and got out.


    This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Lilian sensed the subtle tension between the two of them. She walked up to Francis and tugged at


    his sleeve.


    Francis nced at her coldly.


    "You go inside first."


    Lilian signed to him, "Lester saved me..."


    "Lilian!" Francis interrupted her action and showed a mockery look, saying, "He saved you, are you


    going to give him a medal?"


    Lilian''s hand froze in mid-air as she looked at the mockery in his eyes. Then she silently lowered


    her hand.


    Lester said, "Frank, don''t you know that Lilian has ustrophobia?"


    Francis remained his expression and nced at Lester, raising a cold smile.


    "You are such a know-it-all."


    Lester hesitated and had nothing to say. He sighed and then said, "Alright, I won''t interfere in your


    personal matters. Lilian just came back from the hospital. I guess you know the limits."


    After he finished speaking, he turned and got back into his car. Then he drove away.


    When Lester agreed to help Courtney, he already expected that there would be these kinds of


    things.


    Today was a cloudy day, and it was already dark at five pm.


    The lights at the entrance of the vi have been turned on, and a few small insects are flying around


    thempshade, as if searching for a gap to the light.


    Lilian stood beside Francis with her eyes downcast. He stared at her for a moment without saying


    anything, then turned and entered the vi.


    She silently followed him to the living room.


    Francis stopped suddenly, and Lilian also stopped just in time to avoid bumping into him.


    He turned around and looked at Lilian''s face. Her hair was messy, and there were some stains on


    her face.


    She kept her head down in silence motionlessly.


    "What did the doctor say?"


    Lilian slowly lifted her head and met his gaze. It seemed like he was just casually asking and didn''t


    really care about her, and he had also forgotten who had put her in there.


    He didn''t care about her ustrophobia at all.


    Lilian remained motionless to his question.


    Francis frowned slightly.


    Lilian pursed her lips and had a shimmer of tears shed in her eyes. She turned her head away,


    refusing to look at him.


    Francis gripped her chin and turned her face towards him, asking, "Feeling aggrieved?"


    His voice carried a hint of mockery, showing that he didn''t really care whether she felt aggrieved or


    not.


    Lilian broke free from his hold and signed to him. "Let''s get a divorce."


    Francis''s gaze turned cold, question, "Do that again?"


    Lilian looked at him. This time, she firmly made those gestures again.


    "Let''s get a divorce." That was what those signs meant.


    "So, you want a divorce?" Surprisingly, he didn''t get angry likest time. His anger was just in his


    eyes.


    Lilian nodded. It was true. She really wanted a divorce.


    He stared at Lilian for a moment, and Lilian couldn''t read his emotion from his face.


    Then he suddenlyughed, aloofly. "Alright, pack your things and get out of this ce. Come back


    in two weeks to sign the divorce papers."


    He casually said that and left the vi.


    Lilian stood still in the house and turned her head to watch him leave. She clenched her fingers


    tightly.


    She paused for a moment, then went upstairs to pack her things.

 Chapter 44 Bring Abducted under a Bridge

    Chapter 44Bring Abducted under a Bridge


    Chapter 44 Bring Abducted under a Bridge


    Lilian didn''t have many things. She didn''t take anything that Francis bought for her. She simply


    grabbed a small suitcase and walked out of the vi gate.


    Lilian looked back at the vi where she had lived with Francis for three years.


    But eventually she left without looking back.


    She didn''t know where she could go. She walked aimlessly along the road outside the vi in the


    dark night.


    What did he want to prove by giving her half a month?


    Did he want to prove that she couldn''t live without him?


    Lilian was penniless. She really had nowhere to go. Just like Francis said, if she left him, she would


    be homeless.


    She didn''t know how long she had been walking. The night grew deeper, and the temperature


    dropped lower. She hugged herself, shivering from the cold.


    Lilian arrived at a bridge tunnel. The tunnel was brightly lit, and there were several people there.


    They each upied their own space, doing their own things.


    Lilian hesitated for a moment, then walked to a ce far away from them and squatted against the


    wall, holding her suitcase.


    The people seemed to realize something and looked in her direction.


    Lilian curled up, not looking at them.


    The people who slept in the bridge tunnel were nothing more than a few types - penniless beggars,


    out-of-towners who came to work in the city and wanted to save some money on habitation, and


    gangsters.


    Among them, there were two gangsters. They were dressed better than the others and had


    cellphones.


    The two gangsters came up to Lilian and whistled at her, saying, "Hey girl, why are you alone


    here?"


    Lilian clenched her fingers around the suitcase, lowered her head, and ignored them.


    The two of them crouched down on either side of her, emitting a strong smell of smoke and the


    stench of sweat like they hadn''t taken a shower for a long time. When they spoke, she could even


    smell their bad breath.


    "We''re not bad people. Let''s just talk, baby."


    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    "That''s right. You''re dressed nicely. Why do youe to live under this bridge like us?"


    The two of them squeezed her in the middle, making Lilian feel short of breath. She quickly stood


    up to leave, but one gangster pulled her back.


    Lilian lost her bnce and ended up falling on the ground.


    "We''ve already said we''re not bad people. Why are you running away? Say something." The one on


    the left even put his arm around her shoulder.


    Lilian''s heart was beating fast, and she was so scared that her palms were sweating.


    "Why aren''t you saying anything? Are you mute?"


    One gangsterughed and reached out to touch her face. Lilian turned her head to avoid it. That


    gangster just wanted to tease her just now. But Lilian''s action made him taken aback a little.


    "Are you really a dummy?"


    Lilian clenched her lips tightly and looked up at him. Her pale face was exposed under the light.


    That gangster was amazed by her look.


    He was so surprised that such a beautiful woman woulde to live under a bridge.


    The gangsters exchanged a nce and silently made up their minds about her.


    Since she was mute, it would be easy for them to handle.


    "Sweetheart, it''s so cold here. Let us take you to a hotel."


    "Yes, a hotel room would be nice. It''s warm there."


    They acted together, pulling her arm and heading towards the exit of the bridge. Lilian wasn''t stupid.


    She knew these two men had ulterior motives.


    She started to struggle.


    The gangsters saw that she hadn''t made a sound even though she was struggling hard. They were


    more sure that she was mute. They became even more unscrupulous, pulling her towards a dark


    ce with no lights.


    Unable to free herself, Lilian lowered her head and bit a gangster''s arm in panic.


    "Ouch..." That gangster winced and let go of her.


    Just as Lilian was about to run away, the other gangster pulled her back and held her wrists behind


    her, rendering her unable to move.


    The gangster who was bitten just now grinned and rubbed the spot where he was bitten.


    "You are really a dummy." Heughed and he firmly held Lilian''s cheeks with force and pry open her


    teeth with another hand.


    "Come on. Bite me."

 Chapter 45 Her Existence Was Meaningless

    Chapter 45Her Existence Was Meaningless


    Chapter 45 Her Existence Was Meaningless


    Her tears mixed with her saliva streamed down from her chin, wetting that gangster''s palm. It was


    difficult to distinguish whether the sticky liquid was her saliva or her tears anymore.


    The gangster''s gaze at her became increasingly intense, and he asked in confusion, "You have a


    tongue? Why can''t you speak?"


    "Who cares if she has a tongue or not? Can we get down to business now!" The other gangster said


    impatiently, "I can''t hold it anymore."


    "What''s the rush!" One gangster withdrew his hand, wiped his fingers on Lilian''s clothes, and


    nced at her tear-streaked face. "Let''s find a safe ce."


    Even though she was mute, this ce was bustling with traffic. It would be troublesome if they


    encountered nosy people.


    Lilian listened anxiously to their conversation as her eyes were scanning around. Apart from a few


    indifferent people under the bridge, there were hardly any others here.


    Francis drove her out for half a month. And in just one night, he had proven to her that without him,


    she was nothing.


    Anyone could easily humiliate her.


    The two gangsters dragged her towards a darker ce. Lilian couldn''t match their strength and


    stumbled as they pulled her into a park.


    At this time, there was no one in the park, only a few scattered lights that couldn''t illuminate the


    entire park.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    Lilian was brought to a corner of the park, surrounded by evergreen trees. It seemed like a suitable


    ce for doing bad things.


    The two men revealed an evil and greedy smile, pressing Lilian onto the grass. Her hands and feet


    were held down, and she frantically shook her head. She opened her mouth in an attempt to call for


    help, but she couldn''t make a sound.


    As the gangster saw that she couldn''t scream, he became bolder.


    One gangster sat on her legs, pinning them down, while the other held her hands. No matter how


    she struggled, she couldn''t escape the fate of her clothes being torn apart. A chilling coldness


    enveloped her body, causing goosebumps to rise.


    The gangster''s neck above her head emitted a terrifyingughter like a demon. She closed her eyes


    with tears streaming down the corners of her eyes.


    The gangster sitting on her legs stood up and tried to take off her pants. But he touched something


    sticky.


    As he raised his hand and looked at it under the light, he saw that his fingers were all covered in


    blood.


    "D*mn!"


    The other gangster was also startled. They both leaned in to take a look. Lilian wore the white pants


    which Francis had bought for her on her birthday.


    Both of her legs were stained red with blood. It looked horrifying.


    "Is it her period?"


    "Such a heavy load?"


    They exchanged a nce and both felt a sense of fear, as if their rationality had suddenly


    awakened.


    One of them swallowed his saliva and reluctantly said, "Should we just forget about it?"


    "This dummy must have been impregnated by another man. It''s so disgusting. Let''s get out of here!"


    "You''re right, we''ll be in big trouble if we catch any diseases!"


    Because of what they were doing, they naturally thought that a dummy like her must have been


    taken advantage of by many others.


    Who knew what kind of diseases she might have.


    Both of them felt unlucky, so they stood up, spat on Lilian, and threw their clothes on her before


    quickly leaving the park.


    Lilian''s face turned pale. And her sweat dripped from her forehead. She tried to get up, but it was


    too painful. She tried several times but fell back down each time.


    She reached out her hand, trying to grab hold of those two gangsters, but they ran away too fast.


    Lilian tightened her fingers slowly, and her nails pinched into the soil. The damp mud oozed out


    from between her fingers.


    In the end, no one came to save her.


    No one came to save her child.


    Her consciousness grew increasingly blurred, and the distant streetlights began to cast ovepping


    shadows.


    Perhaps she was going to die.


    Actually, she was fine with it...


    After all, her existence was meaningless.

 Chapter 46 Applying The Ointment

    Chapter 46 Applying The Ointment


    Chapter 46 Applying the Ointment


    At the outset, if Francis had acted as he did now, refraining from rescuing her, perhaps... Would she


    now be graced with even a fraction of happiness?


    As Lilian abandoned all hope of survival, a beam of light pierced through the crevices of the leaves,


    casting its radiance into her eyes.


    Lilian''s eyshes trembled as sheboriously lifted her head, glimpsing faintly through the


    evergreen leaves of the silhouette of a solitary figure.


    Cradling her abdomen, she expended every ounce of her strength to inch her way out of the


    thicket.


    That person stood at quite a distance over one hundred meters away.


    Lilian was voiceless and forced to exert herself to the utmost in a bid to approach nearer.


    She sought to rescue her child...


    The beam of light emanated from a shlight wielded by a patrolling security guard. s, she


    remained prostrate on the ground, and the guard remained oblivious to her presence.


    The shlight swept briefly in her direction but quickly moved away, and the guard departed as


    well.


    Lilian gazed at the departing guard with her fingers ckening and dropping with feebleness.


    Consequently, thest vestige of light in her eyes dimmed.


    --


    "Hiss-"


    Startled by a cry of pain, Julian, who had been half reclining on the sofa, abruptly sat up.


    "Please, be gentle! It hurts me!"


    Her injured leg rested in the grasp of Francis, the deep wound on her calf still unhealed, the


    scabbed-over gash oozing with congealed, viscous blood. The surrounding skin disyed a


    bruised hue, presenting a somewhat disconcerting sight.


    Francis had just applied ointment to her wound with a cotton swab, inadvertently causing her


    considerable pain. She had almost burst into tears.


    Francis nced at the cotton swab in his hand and let out a distracted sigh. "Do refrain from


    moving."


    "I''m not moving! You''re so distracted even when you''re applying ointment to me. Are you thinking


    about some vixen?" Julian''s tone carried a touch of yful reproach, but itcked any real bite.


    Francis cast her a sidelong nce, a smirk ying on his lips. "Some vixen?"


    "There are so many vixens out there vying for your attention. Who knows which one you''re thinking


    about?" Julian rolled her eyes and added, "Be gentler, It hurts so much, and I can''t stand the pain."


    "Whom do you me?"


    "Myself, of course! Is it so difficult to have you apany me for a meal?" Julian grumbled with a


    hint of irritation.


    Francis fell silent, picking up the bottle of iodine. He meticulously continued applying the ointment


    this time with his head bowed.


    Julian observed his earnestness with a sweet smile on her face.


    Francis did indeed care for her, didn''t he?


    At the very least, his concern for her far exceeded that for the dummy (an offensive nickname that


    Julian made up for Lilian).


    Midway through applying the ointment, the phone on the table rang. It was a call from Nelson


    Casey.


    However, Francis did not answer it.


    Nelson hung up the phone, feeling a headacheing on. Nelson was pretty confident that Francis


    had not been sleeping, and his decision not to answer the call was likely prompted by a guess


    regarding its content.


    Mr. Landauprehended everything but was excessively cold-blooded.


    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    Seeing him remain silent, Julian picked up her phone and began ying with it. Suddenly, she


    thought about something and sat up again.


    "Darling, do you remember my birthday?"


    "November 25th." Francis''s head remained lowered. Although his tone had no emotion, his


    response filled Julian with satisfaction.


    Those who can be remembered by men of his ilk on their birthdays, must surely be a select few,


    right?


    With a contented smile on her face, Julianined, "You may not have forgotten, but please


    don''t be so perfunctory this year."


    "The ointment is applied. Take a rest earlier." Francis released her foot and stood up, "I''m leaving."


    Julian''s smile faded, reced by an anxious expression as she hastily grabbed onto him. "You''re


    leaving again?"

 Chapter 47 Community Clinic

    Chapter 47 Community Clinic


    Chapter 47 Community Clinic


    Francis retrieved his overcoat and cast a nce at her. "Is there something else?"


    Julian pursed her lips, looking somewhat aggrieved as she gazed at him. "Can''t you stay a while


    longer?"


    "No," he replied curtly, but then added, "I can''t stay tonight."


    He had said it this way. Julian knew there was no way she could keep him at this point, internally


    grinding her teeth. She released her grip on Francis with a touch of resentment.


    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    "Never mind, go ahead."


    She had stayed upte to be with him, thinking that he wouldn''t leave at this time, but it seemed she


    had overly overestimated her ce in Francis''s mind.


    For a brief moment, she might feel that he cared deeply for her, but in the next second, he would


    ruthlessly bring her back to reality.


    If it weren''t for Julian''s resilient disposition, she might have gone insane long ago under his


    capricious demeanor!


    And Francis did indeed depart, without even a backward nce, as if the man who had tenderly


    applied ointment to her just moments ago had been a mere illusion.


    --


    Inside themunity clinic.


    Lilian leaned against the bedside with her pallid lips. Two policemen stood beside her, along with


    the security guard fromst night.


    "This is how it happened. I heard the sound of ss breaking, so I rushed over and found her. I


    called the police as soon as I brought her here."


    The residents of the house with the broken window were also present, demandingpensation


    from Lilian.


    The police ced the suitcase in front of Lilian''s bed and asked, "Is this suitcase yours?"


    Lilian lifted her head, looking at the young police officer in front of her, and nodded.


    "Then please make sure to put it away. I''ve reviewed your identification and already got a general


    understanding of the situation. We''ll do our best to locate those two individuals. Additionally, this is


    the address of the Disabled Persons'' Service Center in the Linnd City. If you have nowhere to go,


    you can visit here."


    Lilian stared nkly at the visiting card in his hand for a moment. She reached out and took it from


    him, expressing her gratitude.


    The police officer then turned to the woman whose house window was broken and said, "I''ve seen


    your window ss, and there are only minor cracks. You can simply use some ss glue to mend


    it, there''s no need to rece it. I''ll cover the expenses for you since she broke it out of desperation.


    Is that eptable?"


    The woman nced at Lilian, her eyes revealing a touch of disdain, though her face remained


    composed. "Alright, fine. What bad luck I have. While other people''s window ss remained intact,


    she had to break mine!"


    Listening to the woman''s words, Lilian remained silent with her gaze lowered.


    "That will be all for now." The young police officer turned to Lilian again. "I''ll cover your medical


    expenses for now. If you encounter any difficulties or have any leads, you cane directly to the


    police station."


    Lilian nodded.


    After the police left, the so-called "victim" woman did not depart. She stood in front of Lilian, saying,


    "Hey, dummy (an offensive nickname that Julian made up for Lilian)


    , you have topensate me for the ss."


    The woman was in her forties, and her appearance did not give away that she was a fierce or


    malicious person. However, as soon as she spoke, her rough tone was unmistakable.


    Enduring the pain, Lilian bent down and lifted the suitcase, opening it to indicate that the woman


    could take whatever she wanted.


    Because she genuinely had no money.


    These clothes had all been bought by Francis and were presumably not cheap.


    The woman nced at the clothes in the suitcase, picking and choosing. She even examined the


    stitching and found the workmanship to be quite good.


    "Let me tell you, I spent over three thousand on that window. As for these few pieces of clothing,


    they''re worth at most a thousand, right?"


    As she spoke, the woman gathered all the clothes from the suitcase. "Forget it, I just pity you. Don''t


    go around smashing people''s things next time, okay?"

 Chapter 48 Preventing Miscarriage

    Chapter 48Preventing Miscarriage


    Chapter 48 Preventing Miscarriage


    Lilian gazed at her empty suitcase, containing only two pieces of intimate clothing.


    She tugged at the corners of her mouth and chose to remain silent.


    At present, Lilian did not inclined to concern herself with clothing. Her primary worry was the child in


    her womb.


    Once everyone had left, Lilian mustered the strength to seek out a doctor.


    Themunity''s hospital was rather small. It''s just a clinic with just two floors. The ground floor


    served as an outpatient clinic, while the upper floor was reserved for infusions and hospitalization.


    There were only five doctors in total working in shifts.


    She arrived at the outpatient department, noticing that there were no other patients inside. She


    gently knocked on the door and entered.


    "How are you feeling?" The doctor asked and pushed a piece of paper and a pen toward Lilian.


    Lilian picked up the pen and wrote on the paper, "Doctor, how is the child in my womb?"


    Upon seeing her handwriting, the doctor fell silent for a moment before saying, "How should I put it?


    Although the child is quite resilient, the baby is currently weak. Even if we manage to save the baby,


    there will likely be various issuester on, possibly even stunted growth or a miscarriage."


    The doctor paused and continued, "My rmendation is to have an abortion. It would be better


    for both you and the child."


    She continued to write, "Why?"This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    The doctor patiently exined, "The underdevelopment of the baby may be rted to your usual


    dietary habits and other factors. Coupled with the recent episode of fetal distress, I would advise


    you to have an abortion now. Otherwise, you will suffer even moreter."


    Lilian pursed her lips, not hastily agreeing to the doctor''s suggestion.


    Everything she had done so far was for this child. The child was her hope. If she chose to terminate


    the pregnancy, she wouldn''t have thrown that stone through the windowst night.


    She would choose to die together with this child if necessary.


    The doctor continued to persuade her, and Lilian wrote down, "I want to keep it."


    The doctor furrowed his brows. "You''re quite stubborn. If you choose to keep it, you''ll endure the


    hardships."


    Lilian nodded and wrote, "I know. Thank you, Doctor. I''m prepared to bear any consequences."


    Seeing these words, the doctor sighed. "Alright, since you''re determined, I won''t dissuade you


    further. Go back and rest for a while and then you can leave the hospital. You should go to arger


    hospital. Our facility won''t be able to handle this."


    "Do you have any money?"


    Lilian was slightly taken aback. She had no money, not a single cent, and even her phone was still


    in the warehouse of the vi.


    Lilian held her empty suitcase at the hospital entrance, deliberating after a mental struggle. She


    ultimately decided to return to retrieve her phone.


    She walked back along the road, feeling a faint throbbing pain in her lower abdomen.


    She dared not walk too quickly, so she proceeded at a measured pace, taking breaks as needed. It


    wasn''t until four o''clock in the afternoon that she returned to the vi.


    At this time, Francis was likely not at home.


    So she confidently entered the password and pushed the door, making her way to the warehouse


    where she found her phone amid a pile of cluttered books.


    Holding her phone, she went upstairs to find a charger, but as soon as she pushed the door, she


    heard the sound of running watering from the bedroom''s bathroom.

 Chapter 49 Her Love For Him Hidden From The World

    Chapter 49 Her Love For Him Hidden From The World


    Chapter 49 Her Love For Him Hidden From The World


    Lilian''s breath caught, and she instinctively lightened her steps, moving silently to retrieve the


    charger from the table.


    She inserted the data cable into her phone, needing just two minutes. As long as the phone could


    power on, it would suffice.


    However, her hopes were dashed as her phone had barely charged for a minute when the sound of


    running water in the bathroom ceased abruptly. She quickly unplugged the charger and hastily


    rushed out of the bedroom.


    "Halt!"


    Lilian froze in her tracks at the sternmand, her lips clenched as she tightly gripped the charger,


    not daring to turn around.


    Footsteps approached from behind, and soon she heard a soft chuckle from the man.


    Thatugh conveyed a multitude of meanings, causing Lilian to blush deeply, her face filled with


    embarrassment.


    "Turn around."


    Lilian, her fingers gripping the charger tightly, reluctantly turned around, her eyes meeting the man''s


    smooth chest and the towel around his waist.


    Water stains adorned his chest, slowly tracing down the contours of his abdominal muscles and


    flowing into the towel.


    "Not leaving so decisively now? Why did youe back?"


    Lilian raised her head, showing him the charger she held.


    This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    Francis''s smile faded slightly, or perhaps it merely curved upwards without any smile.


    His tone grew colder. "You''ve got some backbone. I bought the phone. Who gave you the right to


    take it?"


    Lilian lowered her gaze, tightly clutching the charger. She needed to borrow money from someone,


    but without her phone, she had nothing. How could she keep this child?


    Francis''s words undoubtedly severed all her options.


    She couldn''t help but wonder, could she survive if she left this ce?


    The events fromst night were still remembered in her mind, and just thinking about it made her


    shiver with fear.


    His long and slender hand was extended in front of her. His intentions were quite clear.


    Her action amused Francis. "Give it here."


    Lilian closed her eyes momentarily, then slowly extended her hand, cing the phone and charger


    into his palm.


    The phone spun in his fingertips as he toyed with it, raising his eyes to nce at Lilian. "You can go


    now."


    Lilian lowered her head and turned to leave.


    Francis''s fingers delicately caressed the smartphone screen, his gaze fixed unwaveringly on that


    slender silhouette, yet his eyes suddenly grew chill.


    As she stepped out of the vi, a surge of heartache and sadness overwhelmed her. Tears welled


    up in her eyes, and she couldn''t hold them back. She clutched her abdomen and sat down on the


    steps beside the vi.


    She couldn''t keep this child.


    Perhaps the baby in her womb didn''t want a mother like her...


    She sat there all alone, bathed in the faint sunlight, appearing so small and lonely.


    Lilian had been walking for a whole day, barely eating anything yesterday. She was exhausted and


    weary, and eventually, she didn''t even know how she lost consciousness.


    She had a long dream filled with moments of her time with Francis.


    In the dream, the young man was cool andposed, tall and slender, dressing in a clean white


    shirt.


    He waited for her at the school gate after her sses, tilting his head with a smile in his eyes.


    Back then, he had already attracted the gazes of countless girls, but back then... His eyes were only


    her.


    He was her hero, always extending a helping hand when she was in trouble. His tall and impressive


    figure made even looking up to him feel like sacrilege.


    In her youthful innocence, she didn''t know what love was, only that wherever her gazended filled


    with his shadow.


    Her heart held nothing but memories of each moment they spent together.


    Yet, every time he said, "I''m her brother," it shattered all her delusions.


    She felt her thoughts were too impure, and her infatuation had tainted him as well as their


    friendship.


    She was like a mouse hiding in the shadows, her love for him hidden from the world.


    Lilian opened her eyes, and the ring light pierced into her gaze for a moment.

 Chapter 50 The Storm Of Divorce

    Chapter 50 The Storm Of Divorce


    Chapter 50 The Storm Of Divorce


    She closed her eyes for a moment before opening them again.


    She turned her head and found that it was a familiar room, but Francis was not there.


    Most likely, she had just woken up, and the sense of mncholy and loss from a dream still lingered


    in her heart. She felt sorrowful and heart-breaking.


    Lilian struggled to push up and sat on the edge of the bed. She found a sanitary pad in the drawer


    and was about to go to the bathroom when the bedroom door suddenly opened, and Francis walked


    in.


    She was stunned and clenched the sanitary pad in her hand.


    Francis also nced at the things in her hands but didn''t say anything. He only said, "Since you''re


    awake,e downstairs to eat."


    He turned around and walked out.


    Lilian pursed her lips, went to the restroom and was relieved to find no blood.


    Her gaze flickered with hope. Was it likely that the child was kept alive...?


    Lilian changed into another sanitary pad, washed her hands, and went downstairs.


    In the dining room, Francis wore home clothes while serving soup.


    Francis thought she had hallucinations, so she rubbed her eyes hard and looked again with full


    attention. He was indeed serving soup.


    Was the food on the table made by him?


    Lilian walked over worriedly and sat down, staring at the chicken soup in front of her. She felt


    absent-minded for a moment.


    She had never seen Francis cook. How could he?


    Seeing her in a daze, Francis suddenly said, "Are you not hungry?"


    Lilian recovered and quickly picked up a spoon to taste it. Surprisingly, it didn''t taste bad!


    She looked at Francis in surprise.


    Francis wiped his hands with a napkin and said, "What are you looking at me for? I have asked


    someone to make it."


    "..."


    Lilian silently lowered her head to eat, and indeed she thought too much.


    She was so hungry that she gobbled up a lot. But Francis didn''t eat much and watched her eat the


    whole time.


    Lilian put down the bowls and chopsticks only after she was stuffed, and she habitually stood up to


    clean up.


    By the time she washed the dishes, Francis had already gone to the living room.


    This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    Lilian paused for a moment. She thought that he didn''t go to the study room, which meant he


    probably wanted to talk to her.


    She walked over with wit and stood in front of Francis.


    He tilted his head with indifference, "Sit down."


    Lilian pinched her fingers and sat down opposite him, waiting for him to speak.


    "Are you still divorced? "He asked.


    Lilian hung her head and didn''t know how to answer his question. The incident that happenedst


    night had indeed cast a shadow over her when she returned to this familiar ce and listened to his


    voice.


    She was so depressed that she wanted to leave.


    She would like to be an ostrich that buried its head in the sand, pretending to be content with the


    status quo.


    If she didn''t crave too much, it was indeed the best choice for her.


    Well, he was so good to her that she hardly found any fault with him except that he didn''t love her.


    Francis took out the divorce agreement on one side and showed it to her, "Give you one minute to


    think about that."


    After he said, he lowered his head to set a time on his watch.


    Then he folded his legs and leaned against the sofa, silently staring at her.


    Lilian stared at the divorce agreement with a nk mind. She looked through these dense words,


    but she didn''t want to see a word at all.


    "You have only thirty seconds left. "


    Lilian pursed her lips and picked up the divorce agreement with the pen on the table, flipping over to


    the signature.


    She tightened her fingers and held the pen. The nib hung on the horizontal line of the signature and


    her fingers trembled uncontrobly.


    Francis looked at her with no expression. To be precise, he stared at her pen.

 Chapter 51 Divorce Failure

    Chapter 51Divorce Failure


    Chapter 51 Divorce Failure


    In one minute, many pictures shed across her mind.


    Francis''s ignorance, indifference, and coldness, as well as his thoughtful attention, his touch on her


    head, and his smile.


    If Francis didn''t love her, those ignorances and indifference seemed to be reasonable.


    With that in her mind, Lilian held the pen firmly. She wrote down her name carefully in the signature


    column.


    She should let Francis go to be with his true love.


    And she should let herself go and forget her desire and hidden love.


    As soon as Lilian finished her first name, the pen slipped and pulled a long stroke on the divorce


    agreement.


    The next moment, Francis took it.


    He said, "Time is up."


    Lilian stared at him, while Francis casually tore it apart and threw it into a trash can.


    He looked at Lilian deeply, "You have no chance, Lilian."


    Lilian didn''t know what to do but stared at him in a daze. She held the pen at a loss.


    Francis stood up and came to her in amanding position. With his back to the light, Francis cut


    off all the light and cast a shadow over her.


    "Don''t let me see you gesticting it again."


    Lilian looked up at him and her long eyshes quivered.


    Francis leaned over with one hand pressing on the sofa and close to her. Their lips almost touched.


    Francis asked, "Did you hear that?"


    Lilian looked into his deep eyes, opened her lips, and finally stopped herself.


    She didn''t respond.


    Francis blinked, and he grabbed her neck, not with great strength, but with an unspeakable


    ambiguity.


    "Did you hear that?" He called her name in a low voice like before, "Lily."


    The gentle voice took her back to the past. Through his eyes, she seemed to see the boy who was


    smiling at her under the sun.


    At that time, he also called her name full of bewitching.


    Curiously, Lilian nodded her head.


    "Good girl."


    Francis slightly hooked up his lips, and he leaned over and kissed her on the lips.


    Lilian widened her eyes and stared at him.


    Francis also looked at her, as if waiting for something or expecting the opponent in a chess game to


    give up in defeat.


    He looked like a strategic king, waiting for the enemy to bow to his knees.


    Lilian blinked. In the long-term game, she slowly closed her eyes to admit defeat.


    Francis kissed her impudently, and Lilian put her arm around his neck and responded.


    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    Francis knew she was in her period and didn''t force her.


    He would never wrong himself.


    The fifteen-day appointment ended like a farce.


    Francis hugged her. Hearing his breathing in his ear, Lilian suddenly felt that her insistence on


    divorce was a farce in his eyes.


    She touched her lower abdomen with her fingers, and his hand clutched hers, close to her lower


    abdomen.


    His palm was hot, and Lilian felt his temperature through her pajamas.


    Lilian''s heart jumped faster for no reason. She turned her head. It was so dark in the room that she


    couldn''t see his face.


    But the even breathing told Lilian that Francis should be asleep.


    Lilian couldn''t fall asleep that night.


    After tossing and turning until dawn, she fell asleep in a daze.

 Chapter 52 Protect Lilian

    Chapter 52Protect Lilian


    Chapter 52 Protect Lilian


    When Lilian woke up again, the bed beside her was already cold. She sat up and saw the mobile


    phone on the bedside table.


    She picked up it and saw that the phone was full of electricity.


    It was already at noon.


    Lilian got up quickly, changed clothes, and went to the hospital.


    When she registered, Lilian opened WeChat to borrow money from Courtney, but she saw a


    transfer from Francis.


    Lilian opened Francis'' dialog box and found he transferred 8, 000 dors.


    Lilian hesitated, thinking that she had only two dors, even not enough to pay the registration fee.


    Finally, she gritted her teeth and epted the money.


    Francis heard the phone ring, he picked it up and took a nce. He found that Lilian had received


    his transfer.


    Seeing the "received" money, Francis unconsciously raised up his lips.


    Nelson knocked at the door and came in with a pile of information, "Mr. Landau, this is the


    surveincest night. We have found those two people."


    Francis took the file, took out the photos inside, and flipped through them. Then he turned gloomy.


    There was no camera in the bridge opening. This shot was far away and fuzzy, but could get a


    general view.


    Nelsonined secretly. Francis didn''t answer his phonest night. He thought Francis really


    didn''t care about Lilian''s life.


    Nelson had followed Francis for a long time, and he was not sure about others but one thing about


    Francis'' feelings for Lilian.


    Though Francis was usually careless about Lilian and always bullied her, if anyone else dared to


    hurt Lilian, his protectiveness toward Lilian would be inspired.


    Francis threw the photos back to the table, "Where are they?"


    "They are imprisoned. How to deal with it? Call the police or..."


    Francis got up from his chair, "Go and have a look."


    Nelson answered and took Francis to the ce where two ckers were imprisoned.


    Francis came to an independent vi halfway up the mountain.


    It was so remote that took more than ten minutes to drive up, and this was the only vi in this huge


    mountain.


    If it weren''t for this vi, the road wouldn''t be built.


    In the backyard of the vi were many fierce beasts. Their sounds came outside.


    Dogs'' barks and wolves'' howl.


    In the vi, there were snakes and crocodiles in transparent boxes.


    Nelson was not the first time toe here, but he kept panicking.


    It was more likely to be a wildlife park.


    In the middle of those cages were two ckers lying, who were scared silly by the dogs and wolves.


    Those big beasts were howling at them.


    As they shivered, suddenly cry gradually stopped, those dogs sensed something and sat back one


    after another.


    They shook their tail and stretched out their tongues excitedly.


    The two ckers swallowed, followed the line of sight of the dogs, and saw a tall and upright figure


    walking this way.


    He was in a suit with a slim brown coat, outlining his long legs.


    Francis came to the two men and looked at them expressionless. He kept indifferent as if the two


    were garbage.


    "Sir, we didn''t offend you, right?" A cker said in trembling, and under the dominant aura, his


    words were trembling.


    Francis squatted down and asked calmly, "Do you know who I am?"


    The two shook their heads, "No, we have no idea. What are you arresting us for?"


    Francis hooked up his lips, and held out his hand, and Nelson sensibly put a dagger in his palm.


    This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    "Why are you arrested?" Francis smiled kindly, "I''ll help you remember."


    His smile made them tremble. It was the first time that the two ckers felt the murderous intent


    behind one''s smile.

 Chapter 53 Teach The Slackers A Lesson

    Chapter 53 Teach The ckers A Lesson


    Chapter 53 Teach The ckers A Lesson


    The two were terrified and shrank back when they nced at the dagger in Francis''s hand.


    This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    "We really haven''t seen you. Are you mistaking us for someone else?"


    Francis looked at them with a half smile, and put the tip of the dagger on the lower jaw of a cker,


    "Think about it."


    The cold dagger made the cker shudder, and he could even feel the sharpness of the de.


    He froze and recalled all the recent events. Though he did a lot of bastard things, he didn''t think he


    would offend the big shot.


    Was it due to thest night''s event?


    The cker''s pupil was widened. Obviously, he got it. He looked at Francis trembling, "Is it... for the


    dummy?"


    "Dummy?" Francis''s smile turned cold.


    "No, no, the beautyst night... We didn''t do anything to her..."


    "Didn''t or did?"


    The cker exined gingerly, "I wanted to do something, but when I touched the blood, I didn''t


    continue..."


    The cker thought the clear details would make his words more credible, but when Francis heard


    the cker touch Lilian, the smile disappeared instantly.


    Only terrible murder was left.


    "Which hand?"


    The cker swallowed. He didn''t dare to say the truth.


    Before he could figure out how to justify himself, a sudden pain hit his palm, and he screamed.


    The whole palm was pierced by a dagger, and blood was smudged on the ground.


    But that was not all. Francis pulled the dagger out slowly and made the cker suffer a second


    injury. The feeling of pulling the dagger out was much more painful than it was plunged into.


    The cker roared in pain, and he kept begging for mercy.


    "Sir, I was wrong, please give me a break!"


    Francis asked calmly, "Which hand?"


    "This, this one, this one." He shook his bloody hand and cried for mercy.


    "Really?"


    Francis stuck the dagger into the original wound, "This one?"


    The cker rolled his eyes in pain, and he made a painful sound. He fainted several times but was


    awakened by pain.


    Francis let go of the dagger and stood up, for no other reason but that both of them were so scared


    that they were incontinent and smelled bad.


    Francis turned to leave, and Nelson quickly followed.


    "Mr. Landau."


    Francis took out his handkerchief and wiped his fingers, and said calmly, "Open the cage."


    "Okay..."


    Nelson wiped the sweat from his forehead. He remembered that Mr. Landau left a dagger in it.


    It was more cruel to give them a glimmer of hope than to wait for death.


    ...


    Lilian stayed in the hospital all afternoon, waiting in line, epting examinations, and waiting for


    reports.


    It waste at night when the test results came out. The doctor read the list and turned to ask her,


    "Where is your family?"


    Lilian took out her mobile phone and typed, "He didn''te with me."


    The doctor frowned.


    "You want to keep this fetus, right?"


    Lilian nodded her head.


    "Then can you be hospitalized?"

 Chapter 54 Protect Each Other

    Chapter 54Protect Each Other


    Chapter 54 Protect Each Other


    Lilian hesitated. Francis would know about the hospitalization.


    Seeing her hesitation, the doctor said, "If you can''t be hospitalized, I''ll give you some anti-abortion


    medicine. You should have regr checkups. It depends on your fate to decide whether you can


    save the baby."


    Lilian nodded. When Francis took away her cell phone yesterday, she had been almost desperate.


    There was still a glimmer of hope now. God was blessing her.


    The doctor prescribed it, and Lilian went to get the medicine. When she walked out of the hospital,


    she suddenly saw Rosalie.


    Rosalie held a baby in her arms, waiting for someone.


    Lilian subconsciously grasped the medicine and prescription in her hands, bowed her head, and


    bypassed Rosalie, leaving the hospital quickly.


    Back to the vi, Francis hadn''te back yet. She hid the medicine prescribed by the doctor and


    prepared to cook dinner.


    It was until midnight that Lilian was sure that Francis would note back, so she ate some cold


    food.


    Lilian was reluctant to go back to her bedroom to sleep alone. She was more likely to sleep on the


    sofa and listen to the sound of TV.


    No sooner had Lilian turned on the TV than Courtney''s phone came in.


    Lilian passed for a moment. Why did Courtney call her at midnight? Lilian answered it anyway.


    "You finally answered my phone. What did you do these days? You didn''t answer my phone, or


    reply to my WeChat message. Take a look at WeChat now."


    Courtney hung up when she finished.


    Lilian opened WeChat and saw the messages sent by Courtney, who asked what Lilian had done.


    Lilian lied casually.


    Courtney sent some voice messages, "I''m d you''re okay. I escaped from the Sachs family. My


    dad has frozen all my funds. Please lend me some money."


    Lilian heard that she needed money and instantly transferred all the money sent by Francis this


    afternoon to Courtney, and only left more than one hundred dors for an emergency.


    After all, she had to checkter.


    Lilian asked Courtney if it was enough.


    Courtney answered, "That''s enough. I''ll pay you back when I earn the money back."


    It was windy in Courtney. Maybe it was blowing outside or Courtney was riding a bike.


    Lilian sent her a message worriedly, "Do you have a ce to live?"


    This time, Courtney waited for ten minutes before replying, "There must be. I''m going to my bike


    friend''s ce. They have a race in a few days. Do you want toe and cheer for me?"


    "If I win, I will get a car and a million dors. When you get divorced, I take you around the world


    with this car, okay?"


    Lilian saw thest sentence, and her fingers trembled slightly.


    Not only because of Courtney''s words, she also thought that Francis liked to race six or seven years


    ago.


    Every time she woulde to see it and cheer for him.


    When she was eighteen, Francis made a bet with a second-generation rich, and Francis wanted to


    win his red limited sports car as an adult gift for Lilian.


    He said that after Lilian grew up, he would teach her how to drive.


    Butter, when they raced, both of them didn''t drive back.


    Lilian and others looked for them at the foot of the mountain for a day and night.


    The first person that had been found was the second-generation rich. He rolled down the mountain


    with his car. He passed away the car was destroyed, and his body was in a mess.


    Lilian was afraid that Francis would fall like this, so she plunged into the woods and looked for him


    all night.


    She stumbled and fell ck and blue.


    Finally, she found Francis under a pile of broken branches. Francis reacted quickly. When his car


    rolled down, he opened the door jumped out, and fell on a tree. With the buffer of the branches, he


    saved his own life.


    When he was dying, Lilian sent a message and location to Julian and asked her to call an


    ambnce.


    She stopped Francis'' bleeding, carried him on her back, and walked out of the mountain step by


    step.


    She carried a man weighing more than 50 kilograms with her slim figure and trudged in the


    mountains, and even Lilian herself didn''t expect to carry him out sessfully.


    Francis was lying on her back, and in a trance, she heard his voice in her ear, "If I''m dead, the little


    dummy will be bullied. Help me protect her."This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

 Chapter 55 Wind And Flower

    Chapter 55 Wind And Flower


    Chapter 55 Wind And Flower


    In that desperate situation, he was still worried about the little dummy who could not speak.


    After hearing such words, what else could stop Lilian from loving him?


    At that moment, Lilian gave all her love to this man without reservations. At that moment, he


    became more important than her life.


    And she knew that all his protection for her was nothing but pity for a mute and that her love would


    not bear fruit.


    And so it was. And then he got together with Julian.


    He gave all his preference for her to another woman, and he went to protect another woman.


    She became the one who was not chosen every time.


    After they got together, Lilian lost both her lover and her only friend.


    While Lilian was dozing off, Courtney sent several messages.


    Lilian regained her senses, hurriedly typing, "Courtney, do not go. It''s dangerous.


    Courtney, "No, don''t worry. I will definitely win."


    Lilian was still not assured. she wanted to dissuade Courtney, "Don''t go. I give you money."


    Courtney saw this message and could not help but be amused. She said, "You give me money?


    Come on, I don''t want money from that shit man. You wait for me. I''ll take you away when I get this


    car."


    Lilian didn''t want to give in, but Courtney chose to pretend to be dead and ignore her.


    Finally, Lilian gave in and asked her where she would be ying. She could only go to the scene to


    persuade her.


    Courtney was a person who had no ambition. She did not want to participate in those business


    disputes at home or marry someone she didn''t like for the future of the family.


    She was a person who longed for freedom. She dreamed of taking her drawing board and driving


    the car to go around the world. Only when she had seen the world, her life was not a regret.


    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    Before this, she didn''t have Lilian in her ns. But now, she thought it was good to havepany.


    Courtney told Lilian the address.


    "Lilian, don''ttch on to this shit man. What''s good about him? I''ll take you to see the world. After


    you broaden your horizon, you will feel that men are actually optional."


    "A person''s life is only more than 20,000 days, so why should waste your time with a man who does


    not love you?"


    Lilian had a moment of trance, the world... What''s it like?


    She had lived so long, and she had never even been out of the Linnd City. She did not even


    know the world outside Linnd, so how could she know the big world outside?


    Lilian and Courtney were not the same. Courtney was like the wind, suitable for flying freely outside.


    But Lilian was a flower, and she was only suitable for taking root in the soil.


    If she drifted away with the wind, she would wilt.


    Unexpectedly, Francis did note back for several days. Probably, as Lilian no longer mentioned


    divorce, he could just leave her at home.


    With him noting back, Lilian also did not have to worry at all times, afraid that he would find out


    about the child.


    She could also go to Courtney.


    Knowing that she was going to cheer her up, Courtney drove to pick her up early in the morning,


    and she honked the horn madly outside the door.


    Lilian got up from the sofa, opened the door, and weed Courtney in.


    Courtney was wearing ck motorcycle clothes, and she looked exceptionally sharp and taller.


    As soon as she entered the door, she hugged Lilian, "So many days no see. Do you miss me?"


    Lilian startled, immediately took two steps back, and gestured, "Can you not go to the game?"


    "Why not? I have an appointment with them, and besides, how do you get money to travel the


    world?"


    Lilian pressed her lips. She was silent for a long time, and then she said, "I will not divorce Frank.


    Courtney''s smile stiffened, "No divorce? Did the guy say a few more nice things to you and you


    relented?"

 Chapter 56 Go or Stay?

    Chapter 56 Go or Stay?


    Chapter 56 Go or Stay?


    Lilian shook her head, not knowing how to express her feelings at the moment.


    She was worried about Courtney and didn''t want her to go to the game.


    Courtney sighed, went to the sofa, and sat down. She picked up the orange on the coffee table,


    looking at Lilian.


    "Have you told him about your pregnancy?"


    Lilian was stunned, and she shook her head.


    "Why don''t you tell him?"


    Naturally, she was afraid that he would let her get an abortion like he didst time.


    R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    "You won''t divorce him, and you don''t want him to know about the child, so how can you keep it


    secret?" Courtney carelessly peeled the orange, smiling at her.


    Lilian was silent and did not respond.


    Courtney asked her again, "Do you want to leave him?"


    Lilian pinched her clothes with her fingers, struggling in her heart. In fact, even if she left with


    Courtney, she was just transforming the attachment from Francis to Courtney.


    It didn''t make any difference.


    She didn''t have what it took to be out there on her own.


    Courtney could see her inner struggle. She stood up in front of her and patted her shoulder.


    "Lilian, I will not be as fickle as men, and I will never marry in my life. You will be happier with me


    than with Francis."


    Lilian looked at Courtney. She was smiling bright and looking good. Her smile made Lilian dazzle.


    Lilian, "Why me? Why do you want to take me away?"


    Courtney raised her eyebrows, smiled, and pinched her face, "Who let me have a good heart and


    could not bear to see the beauty suffer? I hate Francis Landau, he... Well, I can''t say that. Anyway,


    these two reasons together, is it enough?"


    Courtney''s hatred of Francis was well justified. That rich kid he raced against was Courtney''s


    childhood sweetheart.


    Even if there was no love between them, the friendship of growing up together was not something


    ordinary friends could have.


    Although it was not Francis'' fault, only Francis survived, and the rtives and friends of the


    deceased should at least have a carrier to vent their emotions.


    No one was more suitable than Francis.


    Lilian was silent for a while. In fact, only the second one was true.


    Only that she hated Francis was true.


    Seeing that she did not speak, Courtney said: "Don''t think too much. I am not taking you away to


    avenge against Francis. I am not that kind of person. I just simply regard you as a friend."


    Lilian''s eyes shed. She stared at Courtney and didn''t move.


    Courtney smiled, "Anyway, you think about it yourself. If you want to stay, you stay. If you want to


    go, I will take you to go."


    "Come and watch me y." Courtney pulled her to go out.


    Lilian was caught off guard by her pull, and when she came around, she was already sitting on


    Courtney''s motorcycle.


    Courtney picked up the helmet and put it on her head, stepped on the elerator, and rushed out.


    At the moment when the motorcycle rushed out, a car came from the side. Courtney''s pupil shrank,


    and she quickly stepped on the brakes.


    But the two vehicles got too close, and Courtney''s motorcycle hit the body of the car.


    Everything happened too fast. When Lilian came to her senses, she was already lying on the


    ground, and burning pain came from her arms and wrists.


    Lilian looked up and found the car door dented, but nothing serious except for a falling mirror. And


    Lilian was just a little in pain.


    The other side of the door opened, Francis walked down and looked at the two people from the


    ground scrambling up.


    There was a storm brewing in his eyes.

 Chapter 57 Bastard Son

    Chapter 57 Bastard Son


    Chapter 57 Bastard Son


    "What are you doing here in the morning?" Courtney dusted off and helped Lilian up.


    Francis'' eyes swept across the two''s faces. He ignored Courtney''s words and locked his eyes on


    Lilian''s face, "Where''re you going?"


    Courtney took the words and sneered, "What does it have to do with you? It''s her legs are on her,


    and she can go wherever she wants. Lilian is not your pet! Does she have to tell you where she''s


    going?"


    Francis turned his sight and looked at Courtney. There were no ups and downs in his tone,


    "Courtney, do not think that because of Lester, you can challenge my endurance once and once


    again."


    Courtney choked and immediatelyughed angrily, "Don''t talk about Lester all the time. You can just


    go for me, and do you think I''m afraid of you?"


    Francis turned the corners of his mouth into a sneer, "You are such a stupid and ignorant woman,


    and you''re trying to take Lilian away. If you are not Lester''s sister, do you think you can still live to


    now?"


    "Who are you talking about? You are stupid and ignorant!"


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    Francis didn''t bother to quarrel with her, dragging Lilian into the house.


    Courtney didn''t stop. She ran up and scolded angrily, "Francis Landau, stop! How good do you think


    you are? You are just a bastard of a mistress. Now you are learning from your father, hooking up


    with another woman outside. Like father, like son..."


    Before Courtney could finish his words, Francis suddenly grabbed her neck and pressed her on the


    wall. With her back head against the wall, Courtney''s eyes went ck, and the rest of the words


    were all swallowed back.


    Courtney looked into Francis'' ck eyes. Although there were no mood swings, her heart sank for


    no reason.


    Francis'' mother was not his father''s first wife, but his second, and when his mother took Francis to


    marry into the Landau family, Francis was already four years old.


    So there were often rumors outside that Francis was Everett Labdau''s illegitimate son and that his


    mother was a mistress.


    Such words could still be heard asionally.


    Lilian didn''t expect Courtney would actually say it in the face of Francis.


    Francis, however,ughed. He grabbed Courtney by the neck and whispered, "You should be d


    you are a woman."


    Courtney''s face grew red because she was out of breath. She wanted to refute but could not make


    a sound.


    When she was about to choke and faint, Francis let go of her.


    Francis didn''t beat women, but he would kill.


    And just now, Courtney did feel his intention to kill. As Francis said, if she was not Lester''s sister,


    she would have died.


    Courtney was a straight girl, and she was very stubborn. She was more of a lousy actor than Julian.


    She wore everything on her sleeve.


    Although Julian looked arrogant, she had a sense of boundaries. But Courtney did not. She had


    always been quick to speak.


    But because she was a Sachs, she could do whatever she wanted and did not need any disguise


    because she could afford to.


    However, it did not work very well here with Francis.


    Seeing Francis let go of her, Lilian was secretly relieved. She winked at Courtney, asking her to


    leave.


    Courtney also realized that he said something that should not be said. She just angrily stared at


    Francis and did not continue.


    God knew what he would do if you pissed him off.


    After all, Courtney did not know what she would do when she was mad.


    Francis ignored her and pulled Lilian into the house.


    The TV in the room was still on, and the sound of TV advertisements reverberated in therge living


    room, which was slightly noisy.


    Lilian was thrown hard on the sofa. Francisshed out all his anger that was pent just now in front of


    Courtney.


    She subconsciously protected her lower abdomen.


    Francis sensed her action, and his eyes shed.


    But he still grabbed Lilian''s neck and said in a deep voice, "Why do you take my words as crap?"

 Chapter 58 Accident

    Chapter 58 ident


    Chapter 58 ident


    "And you want to travel the world with her? Lilian, twenty years have passed, and you still won''t


    learn, will you?"


    Lilian''s eyshes trembled, wondering why he knew everything.


    She suddenly remembered that when she woke up in the morning, her phone was fully charged.


    He...


    He tampered with her phone.


    No wonder he showed up so coincidentally.


    Lilian found it hard to breathe. Her face gradually turned red, and she stared at the face hanging


    above her head, her eyes a little red.


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    She was born with innocent eyes, not cute. On the contrary, her looks were not cute at all. When


    everyone saw her at first sight, they would not think she was cute but innocent.


    Especially those big painted eyes, when she looked at someone, it was affectionate and


    compassionate.


    Her beauty was unreal. Francis had thought of many descriptions of her, only the elf was the most


    appropriate.


    She was like the spirits of an ancient epic, distant and unreal.


    Therefore, whenever Francis saw these eyes, no matter how great the anger was, it would die


    down.


    It made him feel that if she walked on the street, she would be kidnapped and that if there was a


    wind, she would go with it.


    Francis suddenlyughed, and his anger also disappeared in hisughter. But for Lilian, his smile


    was more terrible than his anger.


    Francis said, "But she probably won''t have a chance to take you away."


    Lilian''s pupil contracted, she flustered and gestured, "What are you going to do?"


    "You will soon find out." He slowly loosened Lilian''s neck, and his hand brushed across the corners


    of her eyes. His moves became gentle again, "Those who do not obey will be punished."


    Lilian''s heart sank. She looked at Francis. For a moment, she seemed not to know him.


    Francis had calmed down as if the anger on his face had been an illusion.


    He unbuttoned his neckline, was silent for a moment, and turned to Lilian and said, "Stay at home."


    Then he walked away without looking back.


    When he left, Lilian was finally relieved andy feebly on the sofa.


    There was a burning pain in her elbow. Lilian sat up, lifted up her sleeve, and looked, and as


    expected, she broke her skin.


    She wondered whether Courtney was injured.


    Thinking of Courtney, she was reminded of what Francis said just now, and she quickly picked up


    the mobile phone.


    But... Thinking of how Francis tampered with her phone, her fingers were stiff for a long time, and


    could not type.


    Finally, she gave up, leaving her phone on the couch and her hands over her eyes.


    Francis had never shown his cruel side in front of her, so she did not know what he would do to


    Courtney.


    But she soon found out.


    At night, she saw the news on TV. Courtney got into an ident when she was racing.


    Lilian looked at the scene of the Mosaic photos, and her pupils amplified. Her body could not


    restrain the tremor.


    Courtney was racing against those rich kids, and when her motorcycle returned, it went directly into


    the crowd of onlookers.


    Courtney... She killed people.

 Chapter 59 Race Accident

    Chapter 59 Race ident


    Chapter 59 Race ident


    This news made all the blood all over Lilian''s body condensed. Pervasive coldness spread to her


    limbs, and she was freezing.


    She stared at the TV nkly, her mind was full of Francis'' words.


    "She has no chance."


    Lilian had been worried about what he would do to Courtney, but it turned out that he made


    Courtney do things...


    Courtney was unscathed, but it was enough to condemn her to hell.


    Now with this ident, not only Courtney, but the whole Sachs family would be affected.


    Francis, however, was simply an outsider.


    Lester and the rest of the family were back home.


    Courtney was sitting on the sofa, looking dumb. She seemed out of her wits, and her voice was


    hoarse and a bit choked up.


    When Lester asked her about what happened, she just made some voice instinctively, not knowing


    what she was saying.


    After knowing about her meeting with Francis this morning, Lester sighed sadly.


    "Courtney, I have told you that you should not provoke Francis, but you did not listen." Lester''s tone


    was full of helplessness.


    Courtney''s face was pale, and her fingers were vaguely trembling. Although she was free and bold,


    she had never killed anyone.


    She could still see the picture of the car running into the crowd, and the feeling of the tire running


    over people was ying back in her mind.


    Just thinking about it gave her nausea in her stomach, and she couldn''t help but throw up.


    Their mother said with concern, "Now the ident is out, and the media can''t press it down.


    Besides, someone''s pulling strings. What can we do?"


    "Find out who did it to the car!" Their father said with a solemn face.


    Lester shook his head, "It''s useless. Courtney personally drove the car into the crowd, and there''s a


    video. No matter whether the person is alive or not, even if he is found out, the media and the public


    will not ept it."


    This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    "They will think we are throwing our weight around and deliberately cing the me on some


    scapegoat."


    Hearing this, their father frowned more deeply, "Has the casualty liste out?"


    Lester nodded, "Yes. All the dead have no background, and money can fix it."


    Hearing this, their father was also slightly relieved. How much was human life worth now?


    The price of a person was determined by his or her identity, and the life lost in car idents cost


    only one million.


    If the family kept fighting, then give them five million, ten million, and they would finally shut up.


    Now the most important thing was to block the mouth of the media and the public and to minimize


    the impact of this ident.


    Courtney did not say a word.


    In the past, she had always heard Lester say that Francis was cruel, but she had not seen or


    believed it.


    Her impression of him is scum, a dog.


    Now she knew that Francis was really not a good thing.


    He was really tough.


    From now on, Courtney would have to live with the sin of murder, which was more painful than


    killing her.


    "I''ll turn myself in," Courtney suddenly said.


    "Are you crazy?" Lester frowned.


    Their father also said, "This is only the brake failure, not intentional homicide. What are you turning


    yourself in for?"


    Courtney covered her face, and her voice trembled, "That''s murder, too. I killed them myself."


    Francis was right. She was stupid and ignorant. He gave her a lesson with action.


    As long as he wanted it, Courtney could die in thousands of ways.


    Their father said in anger, "Don''t make more trouble now that the trouble is already big enough! I


    have told you to stay at home, and you did not listen. You just had to run out. How good do you


    think you are, meddling with other people''s family affairs?"


    "Francis Landau, a bastard. Making his way in the Landau family and taking over the family


    business, what do you think he is?"


    Courtney covered her face and did not speak.

 Chapter 60 It Seemed She Was the Fuse

    Chapter 60 It Seemed She Was the Fuse


    Chapter 60 It Seemed She Was the Fuse


    Lester contemted for a moment and said, "I aming to find Francis. As long as he is willing to


    stop, this matter can be resolved."


    It was lucky that Lesterprehended the ideas of the overall situation. If they struggled to look


    into the issue of tampering with the brakes and confronted Francis head-on, they would ultimately


    be the ones to suffer.


    After all, it was Courtney who drove into people. Francis controlled all the situations.


    Thus, it was wisest to talk to Francis and persuade him not to do more.


    Mr. Sachs nodded and solemnly said, "Indeed, there is no better choice. You have a good


    rtionship with him, so go and intercede with him."


    "Well," Lester nced back at Courtney, whose arrogance waned. It was estimated that she could


    calm down for a while.


    --


    Lilian searched the entire Inte and found that all thements were directed at Courtney.


    Online discussions were characterized by hostility and bitterness. For a normal car ident, it


    would be a hot issue for one or two days, and then everything would be OK.


    But Courtney''s ident was different. She was an heiress from a prominent family. The


    seriousness of the ident, coupled with the provocation by bloggers seeking attention and the


    incitement by those who despised the affluent, turned this matter into an uncontroble wildfire


    within just a few hours.This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    There were many opinions on the Inte, and ultimately, no one could find out what would happen


    to Courtney.


    Lilian couldn''t resist sending a message to Courtney, but unfortunately, Courtney did not respond.


    Lilian dared not find Courtney again, fearing that it might annoy Francis and worsen the situation.


    She could only sit at home and fret.


    Nelson also reported the situation to thepany.


    "If the current trend goes on, it will not be able to be suppressed in the end, and the relevant


    departments will have toe forward to solve it. It seems inevitable that Courtney put into prison."


    Francis casually flipped through some documents and inquired, "What happened to those two


    individuals?"


    "They are deceased with no trace of their bodies remaining."


    "Get it. Go down."


    Nelson nodded and subconsciously looked towards the partitioned office. Julian recovered at home


    due to an injury and didn''te to the office these days.


    In her absence, the office atmosphere noticeably improved.


    However, Nelson never imagined that Francis would take action against Courtney for the sake of


    Julian.


    Courtney just pped Julian and Francis still held a grudge, which meant that Julian held a more


    significant ce in Francis''s heart than Nelson imagined.


    Julian was so delighted. She thought that Francis wouldn''t help her vent her anger, but it turned out


    he held back a big move. If it weren''t for the fact that she couldn''t move her legs now, she would


    rush to thepany to give him a passionate kiss.


    She posted on her Moments with her photos and words, "Someone who loves you will express his


    love in his way."


    Julian had many friends on Moments. Since she had always been around Francis, she added most


    of the people''s ounts in this circle.


    Furthermore, they had many mutual friends, so when one person gave her the thumbs-up, others


    would see it as well.


    Many people knew about the incident where Courtney pped Julian, and they were aware that


    Francis asked Courtney to apologize at Le Magique.


    About this matter involving Courtney, Julian posted words on Moments, and many people would


    guess what it was


    As a result, when this post was sent at Julian''s Moments, it immediately caused quite a stir.


    Lilian could also see Julian''s Moments. As Julian didn''t delete her ount, she posted content to


    show affection to Lilian from time to time.


    However, Lilian had fewer mutual friends with Julian, so she could only see a few of them.


    For example --


    Michaelmented, "Freaking awesome".


    Ruby Landau (Francis''s younger sister)mented, "Could it be what I''m thinking?".


    The nickname "Last Night''s Dream"mented, "From now on, Julian is my idol!".


    The nickname "Ryan"mented, "What are you all talking about? I had been abroad for a few


    days, did my Inte go down?".


    Lilian went offline for the Moments and lowered her eyes in silence.


    It turned out that it was all because of Julian. She worked at Courtney''s store previously, and


    nothing happened.


    But since Courtney pped Julian, Francis''s attitude towards Courtney had changed. Moreover,


    Courtney said the wrong words this time, and Francis settled both old and new scores together.


    It seemed she was the fuse.

 Chapter 61 To Find a Solution

    Chapter 61 To Find a Solution


    Chapter 61 To Find a Solution


    Le Magique.


    Lester Sachs sat opposite Lester Sachs, and today there were only two of them.


    There was enough wine prepared on the table and the video was ying on the big screen without


    sound.


    Compared to the noise outside, this private room looked particrly cold.


    Lester first poured a ss of wine himself and quickly drank it down, followed by a second ss.


    He drank a total of three sses of wine in a row.


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    Francis didn''t speak either. He folded his legs andzily leaned on the sofa with his hands resting


    on the backrest of the sofa. He was ying with the lighter while quietly watching Lester.


    After drinking three cups of distilled spirit too quickly, Lester almost vomited, but he held back so


    hard that his face was a little red.


    Lester then looked at Francis and said, "Frank, let''s have a good talk."


    "About what? " Francis casually said.


    "About Courtney Sachs."


    Francis raised the corner of his mouth and looked at him with a pinched smile. "She''s your sister,


    and it is wrong for you toe to me. Right?"


    "There is no one else here, soe on. Courtney Sachs has already learned a lesson this time and


    will not interfere with Lilian Rossum''s affairs in the future. I apologize for what she did before and


    hope you can prevent this matter from being worse."


    Francis stared at him quietly with a strange smile on his lips.


    After a long time, Francis said, "This matter will be over if I back off. Do you think so?"


    Lester was slightly stunned and said, "What do you mean?"


    "Lester, you have been in business for so many years. Don''t you understand the truth that everyone


    gives a shove to a falling wall?"


    Upon hearing this, Lester''s face changed. Of course, he got it. In business, there were no friends;


    sometimes the one who betrayed or cheated you may be someone intimate.


    The strong were afraid that you would catch up with them while the weak expected that you would


    fall behind them. So when you got into trouble, they all would like to hold you down and wait to see


    your jokes.


    That was how it was between people.


    Francis tilted his head and lit a cigarette with the mes reflecting his cold eyebrows and eyes.


    His voice was not warm, "I just light a fire and it starts burning on its own. Lester, it is wrong for you


    toe to me."


    Lester was sullen and didn''t speak for a long time.


    The private room fell into a brief darkness when one song in the video finished ying before


    switching to the next.


    "It is because you start this trouble that they dare to follow behind and continue to do lots of things. I


    am not wrong toe to you the leader. "said Lester.


    "Do you know the snowballing effect? When the snowball gets bigger and bigger, it will be hard for


    the person who starts to push the snowball to control."


    It was obvious that Francis would not stop.


    Francis was a person who would not easily take action, and once he did, he would not show mercy.


    Lester had known him for so long and was almost certain about that.


    "Frank, we are both businessmen who won''t struggle with money. You can put forward your


    condition." Lester sighed. Since it was useless to talk about rtionships, it was only to talk about


    business.


    Smoke curled up from Francis'' fingertips, and he pondered for a moment before speaking slowly,


    "You, the Sachs family, should be very familiar with business in Africa. Right?"


    "Well, that''s our main channel over there. "Lester said, frowning and asking," What are you going to


    do?"


    Francis said lightly, "There are several countries over there that restrict ourpany''s freight entry.


    You help me handle it."


    In Landau''s group, there was arge global freightpany with a transportation chain covered all


    over the world, but there were always some areas beyond its reach.


    It was quite troublesome for Francis to handle this matter, but it would be much more convenient for


    Lester to handle it.


    After all, the Sachs family over there was very influential.


    "That''s no problem." Lester nodded and said, " Only that?"


    Francis raised the corner of his mouth and said, "To handle this matter well first."


    Seeing the smile on the corner of his mouth, Lester couldn''t help but feel afraid. It seemed that this


    matter was not just about restraining orders, and there must be something else.


    "You wouldn''t have... shipped some contraband, would you? " Lester asked tentatively.


    "You only need to be responsible for resolving this matter. What have I done is not your business."


    Lester remained silent for a moment, "I get it."

 Chapter 62 A Small Dispute Before Sleeping

    Chapter 62 A Small Dispute Before Sleeping


    Chapter 62 A Small Dispute Before Sleeping


    Francis Landau picked up the ss on the table and took a slow sip.


    Lester Sachs suddenly thought of another thing, "Frank, are you doing it for Julian Quinn this time?"


    It was obvious that Julian''s Moments were seen, but he just didn''t give likes.


    Lester waspletely transparent in his Moments.


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    "You bother too much. The most important thing you should do now is to monitor Courtney Sachs


    well." Francis avoided his question.


    But in Lester''s view, this was his acquiescence.


    Lester couldn''t help but sigh, "Love is a magical thing."


    Some people didn''t need to be too excellent, and there would be people who loved her heart and


    soul.


    Francis rubbed his ss with an unclear expression, and he did not respond to Lester''s words.


    --


    Liliany on the sofa falling asleep in a daze. Her dreams were filled with images from the news and


    curses on the inte.


    She also dreamed that Courtney couldn''t withstand the impact of the inte storm and jumped


    down from the sky.


    At the moment when Courtney jumped down, Lilian''s heart also sank. The next second, she woke


    up.


    Lilian looked at the ceiling above her head, and the sound on the TV next to her continued. It was


    drizzling outside again.


    The Linnd City was rainy.


    Lilian was in a daze when she heard the sound of pressing the password lock outside the door. She


    sat up straight and stared straight at the door.


    The door opened and the figure of Francis appeared at the door.


    He patted the raindrops on his shoulders and walked into the room. He saw Lilian lying on the sofa


    with the footsteps paused.


    Francis lowered his head and nced at his watch. It was half past two in the morning.


    "Haven''t you slept yet? " Francis asked, thinking that this was nonsense.


    When did hee back to see Lilian sleep?


    But differently, this time he took off his coat and Lilian didn''te up to pick it up.


    Although it was just a small detail, he felt subtly a little different.


    He hung his coat on the hanger by himself, walked towards Lilian, and sat down beside her.


    "I told you not to wait for me. Right? " He touched Lilian''s face with his fingers, which were cold-


    affected by the air outside.


    Lilian stared at him intently, and he regained his usual look as if nothing had happened.


    That''s also right. She was just like a child in his heart. Did he need to be angry with a child?


    Lilian raised her hands and gestured, "Why?"


    Francis'' fingers on her face stopped, and he looked at her affectionately. After a moment, his smile


    was gone, and said, "Are you condemning me?"


    Lilian pursed her lips, and she thought she didn''t have the right to question.


    She even asked unnecessary questions.


    Just as he burned the painting that Courtney sent her, he didn''t need a reason at all.


    The only reason was that Courtney hurt the woman he loved.


    The living room was now silent again, but the sound on the TV was loud and clear, which infinitely


    amplified the emptiness of this vi.


    "To sleep."


    Francis didn''t go on arguing with her either, and he hugged her and walked upstairs.


    When he went to bed, he began to fidget.


    Lilian was in a bad mood. So she turned her back to him and refused him with her actions.


    But it was useless for her to refuse such a thing. He grabbed her shoulder and turned her around.


    He grabbed her injured parts with his fingers, so Lilian''s eyes darkened with pain. She couldn''t help


    but take a cold breath.

 Chapter 63 Love and Sexual Desire Were Never Equivalent

    Chapter 63 Love and Sexual Desire Were Never Equivalent


    Chapter 63 Love and Sexual Desire Were Never Equivalent


    Because the lights were still on, Francis instantly noticed her face, which was creased with worry.


    He hesitated briefly.


    Then he took hold of Lilian''s wrist and pulled up her nightgown sleeve to see a scrape and arge


    bruise on her elbow.


    He pulled back her cor, and there was also a bruise on her shoulder.


    Francis looked at Lilian. She closed her eyes, and her lips opened slightly. It took a long time for her


    to slow down the pain.


    "Why didn''t you apply for any ointment?" Francis asked, opening the adhesive bandage only to see


    that she had not applied ointment.


    Lilian opened her eyes and hid the pain on her face, and gestured to show she was alright and not


    too serious.


    She didn''t dare to apply for any ointment, fearing it might affect the child. After all, the child was in a


    precarious state.


    Francis got out of bed and rummaged through drawers and cupboards, and returned after a while,


    "Where''s the first aid kit?"


    The family was always cleaned up by Lilian. It was funny to say Francis was not familiar with his


    own home.


    Lilian shook her head. She didn''t want to apply ointment and gestured to show there was no first aid


    kit.


    Francis frowned slightly and walked over to pull her. He said, "Then let''s go to the hospital."


    Lilian was momentarily startled and quickly waved her hands, gesturing indiscriminately.


    She gestured, "No need to bother, I dealt with it. I am okay and the wound is already scabbed.."


    She gestured, "I''m sleepy and want to sleep."


    Francis stared at her for a moment, "Really not going?"


    Lilian shook her head vigorously like a drum-shaped rattle, for fear that she would shake slowly,


    making Francis think that she was ying hard to get.


    "Alright, we won''t go then." Francis finally listened to her andy back down on the bed.


    This time, he didn''t do anything to her. He simply wrapped his arm around her waist and went to


    sleep.


    The bedroom was brightly lit because he didn''t like to sleep in the dark.


    Over time, the lights in the bedroom were rarely turned off.


    They got married three years ago.


    They were in the same room, and Francis kissed her for the first time.


    Lilian''s innocent face looked at him. Francis stared at her for a long time. He said that he felt like he


    wasmitting a crime.


    At that time, Lilian thought this was the way toy love between men and women. So she obediently


    followed his words, doing whatever he asked of her.


    Butter, she realized that this wasn''t love.


    It''s a desire. It was a duty on the part of a husband and wife.


    Someone once told her that such things could be passionate even without love.


    Love and sexual desire were never equivalent.


    Lilian woke up again, and it was already noon.


    She checked her phone immediately, but there was still no reply from Courtney.


    As Lilian watched the messages she sent, all the messages disappeared to the top of the


    comments section, and her heart sank with it.


    All of this was because of her. Courtney would surely me her. It was only rational.


    After all, how could someone like Courtney have friends?


    Lilian sat nkly on the sofa. The sound of the TV had been ringing sincest night, but even at


    maximum volume, it couldn''t drown out the chilling emptiness that pervaded the vi.


    Lester agreed to Francis''s conditions, helping him with immigration matters. However, Courtney''s


    matter was not well controlled, but intensified.


    The value of the Sachs family''s stocks continued to plummet daily, evaporating by billions in just a


    few days. Mr. Sachs''s hair turned white in a short time.


    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    Standing at the study door, Courtney watched her father''s haggard appearance with mixed


    emotions.


    Francis just did a little something, yet she brought disaster upon the entire Sachs family.

 Chapter 64 Do Not Sell My Daughter

    Chapter 64 Do Not Sell My Daughter


    Chapter 64 Do Not Sell My Daughter


    Her lofty derations, dreams, and aspirations for the future now seemed like mere jests.


    Courtney knocked on the door, "Dad."


    Mr. Sachs raised his head. The exhaustion that could not be concealed between his eyebrows, as


    well as his disappointment in her, "Instead of staying in your room, why are youing to find me?"


    "I can get a business marriage," Courtney said.


    Mr. Sachs paused and looked at Courtney in disbelief, suspecting he misheard, and said, "What did


    you just say?"


    Courtney fell silent for a moment and her voice was somewhat hoarse, "Only through a business


    marriage can we resolve the current crisis facing the Sachs family and salvage the stock market."


    Mr. Sachs''s mouth hung slightly open and his expression was ever-changing.


    This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    In the past, he pressured Courtney to marry in the hope that she would find a good match and lead


    a stable life in her rest lives.


    But she talked to him about ideals, the meaning of life, poetry and distant ces.


    Now she suggested a business marriage of her own ord, and though unexpected, it was not


    what Mr. Sachs wanted. He never thought of trading his daughter''s happiness for profit.


    "How long will you continue £í£å£ó£ó£é£î£ç¡¡£á£ò£ï£õ£î£ä? Go back to your room!"


    However, Courtney did not leave, "I''m not messing around. This is the quickest way to resolve our


    predicament. Dad, please agree with it!"


    Mr. Sachs mmed what was in his hand onto the table, suddenly stood up and shouted, "How


    many times must I say it? Go back! Even if I, Simon Sachs, didn''t do well, I wouldn''t sell my


    daughter!"


    Marriages used to be about the equal status, butter they were about negotiations and


    transactions. How could Courtney possibly find happiness in such a marriage?


    Courtney looked at her father''s furious expression, and her once-arrogant heart was now reced


    with an indescribable dull ache.


    She realized only now that she misunderstood her father previously.


    Her dreams of soaring high were dragged back to solid ground by reality. The wings that yearned to


    fly were broken by the harsh winds of reality.


    Courtney went back and returned to her room.


    Someone sent messages on her phone. A lot of people sent messages, but she didn''t open any of


    their messages.


    She stared at her phone on the bed, its battery down to one percent.


    Just before the power off, a call came in from Lilian.


    Courtney remained silent for a moment, then reached out to pick up the phone and put it to her ear


    to answer the call.


    But Lilian didn''t say anything. There was only silence on the phone.


    Courtney also remained silent.


    Eventually, the call ended in silence.


    Lilian stared at the interrupted call and her eyshes quivered. She opened WhatsApp, fearing that


    she might miss a message from Courtney.


    The rain fell steadily outside, and there was a slight chill in the room.


    Lilian held her phone, waiting patiently for a long time as the day turned into night.


    Someone knocked on the door outside, and Lilian hesitated for a moment. She turned her head and


    listened carefully for a while.


    Indeed, someone knocked on the door, not ringing the doorbell.


    Lilian got up and went to open the door. When she saw the man outside, she subconsciously tried


    to close the door.


    But the man was quick with his hands and sharp-sighted, catching the door frame. "Don''t be


    nervous, Ms. Rossum (Lilian Rossum). My mother asked me to pick you up."


    The man was very beautiful. Indeed, he was exceptionally beautiful.


    But with a single nce, you could see he was male.


    Lilian couldn''t quite describe his appearance. His facial features were like... a masterpiece crafted


    by the gods, every facial feature was just right. If you were to iste any part of the facial feature, it


    would lose that special charm.


    Following what Ruby said, he belonged to the category of ssical-style handsome men.


    The man was dressed in dark red traditional attire, with male-style long hair that was just the right


    length to tie up. He stood in front of Lilian. His lips curved into a smile, but this smile was not


    sincere.


    He was Ruby''s husband -- Johnson Smith.

 Chapter 65 He Would Come If He Cared

    Chapter 65He Would ComeIf He Cared


    Chapter 65 He Would Come If He Cared


    No one knew how Johnson came to know Ruby. They married two years ago, making Johnson a


    live-in son-inw of the Francis family.


    However, Lilian was afraid of Johnson.


    Lilian subtly took a step back and gestured, "What''s up?"


    Johnson smiled, "Well, I''m not quite sure. Ms. Rossum, please."


    He made a gracious hand gesture "please", seemingly respectful, but the smile at the corner of his


    mouth did not have the respect it deserved, and his gaze carried a subtle aggression intentionally or


    unintentionally.


    Lilian recalled the day she saw Mrs. Francis (Francis''s mother) at the hospital, and a shiver ran


    down her heart. Could it be......


    Johnson gazed at her in silence, clearly intending the posture of standing here for one night if she


    would not go.


    Lilian gestured, "I''m not feeling well today. Could Ie over tomorrow?"


    Johnson shook his head slightly, "Ms. Rossum, you better go with me. Otherwise, when my mother


    comes in person, it might not be as easy to talk to as I am."


    Lilian gripped her phone tightly. She wasn''t entirely sure why Mrs. Francis wanted to see her, but


    she had a bad feeling about it.


    Perhaps, it was rted to seeing her in the hospital that day.


    Lilian thought that Mrs. Francis did not see her.


    Lilian gestured, "Then you wait for me for a while, I want to change my clothes."


    Johnson still smiled and nodded.


    Lilian turned upstairs. She took out her mobile phone, clicked on Francis''s WhatsApp and typed a


    long list of words. When she was about to send it, she hesitated again.


    If the situation was already settled and even Francis agreed with Mrs. Francis''s actions, what would


    be the meaning of sending this message?


    It would just be one more person stabbing a knife in her heart.


    In the end, she deleted the unnecessary words from the chat frame and sent only, "Mrs. Francis


    wants me toe over."


    When she moved out, it was because Lilian found it difficult to get along with the Francis family. And


    Mrs. Francis also didn''t want to see her.


    Seeing this message, Francis would surely understand that Mrs. Francis''s intentions were far from


    good.


    He woulde if he cared.


    But the message was like disappearing into the top of the chat section. Lilian waited for a few


    minutes and then exited the chat interface.


    She noticed a familiar icon in her Moments by chance. She subconsciously clicked on it and


    immediately regretted her decision.


    It was a post by Julian''s Moments, a beautifully wrapped gift box with a stunning bracelet inside.


    Today was Julian''s birthday, and he apanied her to celebrate.


    Lilian lowered her hand, and even her eyes dimmed down.


    Johnson shouted downstairs, "Ms. Rossum, are you okay?"


    Lilian was silent in ce for a few seconds, then walked out of the room. Johnson was still waiting


    at the door.


    Lilian walked out of the vi. Johnson''s car was parked outside the door, and he made a gracious


    hand gesture "Please".


    Lilian stared at the car door, her gaze flickering. In the end, she got in.


    Her only hope now was to pray to heaven that Mrs. Francis looked for her for something else.


    The inside of the car was quiet. Johnson was focused on driving, and Lilian lowered her head,


    staring at her phone.


    Whether it was Courtney or Francis, neither sent any messages. There were only two spam text


    messages.


    Suddenly, Johnson asked, "Is my brother workingte again tonight?"


    It seemed like a casual question, and he didn''t expect Lilian to answer.


    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    Lilian lowered her head, her fingers repeatedly refreshing the Moments. Julian posted several


    pictures in a row.


    There were pictures of candlelit dinners, exquisite gifts and intertwined fingers.


    That bony finger that held Lilian''s handst night was now holding someone else''s hand in the


    same way.


    These pictures felt like ps to her face, searing and painful. A bitter smile curled at the corner of


    her mouth.


    Soon, the car arrived at the Francis Residence.

 Chapter 66 The Crying Baby

    Chapter 66 The Crying Baby


    Chapter 66 The Crying Baby


    Lilian got out of the car and followed Johnson into the living room.


    Ruby was standing at the door. Seeing Johnson return, she immediately went up and held his arm,


    asking, "Why did it take you so long?"


    Johnson answered, "There was a bit of traffic on the way."


    Ruby nced at Lilian behind him. If it weren''t for Mrs. Landau, she wouldn''t have wanted Johnson


    to pick up Lilian.


    This mute woman might not be able to speak, but her eyes were seductive. Every time she saw


    them, Ruby wished to gouge them out!


    "Come in. Mom is waiting inside." Ruby led Johnson inside and looked back at Lilian after taking a


    few steps. "What are you waiting for, Lilian? Come in!"


    It was drizzling outside. There were fine droplets of water on Lilian''s hair.


    She entered the living room, where Mrs. Landau was holding her precious grandson, gently coaxing


    him to sleep.


    Lilian stood next to her, looking at the baby in her arms. He was chubby and fair-skinned, cutely


    babbling at Lilian with a grin.


    Lilian seemed a little entranced. This was her first time seeing a baby up close. The baby turned out


    to be so adorable!


    She subconsciously brushed his belly, wondering if her baby would be just as cute.


    The baby reached out his hand, seemingly hoping to touch her.


    Lilian looked at his chubby hand and impulsively reached out as well. Unfortunately, before she


    could touch him, Ruby stepped forward and pushed her away.


    "Lilian, you haven''t washed your hands, right? Don''t try to spread your germs to Bennie."


    Although Ruby was smiling, her push was not gentle. Lilian staggered back a few steps, almost


    falling to the ground.


    Lilian managed to steady herself by grabbing the sofa.


    Mrs. Landau handed the baby to Ruby and finally stood up to examine Lilian, her face no longer


    that kind.


    Her gaze was like a knife, sweeping over Lilian''s body and finally resting on her belly.


    "Hannah."


    Hannah, who had been waiting nearby, immediately came forward with two servants and gently said


    to Lilian, "Madam, Mrs. Landau wants to give you an exam. Pleasee with us."


    Lilian suddenly looked up and met Mrs. Landau''s cold eyes.


    She opened her mouth, fear and astonishment filling her eyes. She instinctively took a step back,


    her heart sinking. As expected, God was not on her side.


    Mrs. Landau sneered, "What? You didn''t think we would find out this secret you hid from us? I told


    you long ago not to indulge in wishful thinking, but you wouldn''t listen. Since you want to bring this


    upon yourself, you can''t me us!"


    Lilian shook her head, gesturing helplessly. Mrs. Landau looked away, not wanting to see her. "Take


    her away, Hannah."


    The two maids immediately stepped forward, grabbed Lilian''s arms, and dragged her towards the


    door.


    Lilian clung to the doorframe, casting her gaze into the room. Mrs. Landau had already picked up


    her grandson again.


    Ruby''s mouth curled into a malicious smirk, just like every time her trick seeded. Johnson


    watched her quietly, his expression unchanged.


    These cold faces were so terrifying. Although she had a newborn in her arms, Mrs. Landau showed


    no sympathy.


    What was inside her womb was also a life!


    Hannah pried Lilian''s hand from the doorframe and pulled her away.


    The vi remained quiet as if Lilian had never been here before. The only anomaly was the baby in


    Mrs. Landau''s arms, who began to cry. The loud wailing echoed throughout the vi''s hall.


    The drizzling rain fell on Lilian''s face. The crying seemed both near and far, each sound tearing at


    her heart.


    For a moment, she felt as if the cries wereing from the child inside her belly.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only

 Chapter 67 Mrs. Landaus Uneasiness

    Chapter 67 Mrs. Landau''s Uneasiness


    Chapter 67 Mrs. Landau''s Uneasiness


    Mrs. Landau and Ruby were frantically trying to soothe the crying child, but nothing seemed to


    work.


    Ruby asked, "What''s going on? Why is he suddenly crying so hard?"


    "It must be because of that mute woman. Nothing good ever happens when she''s around!" Mrs.


    Landau said irritably.


    Lilian was dragged into a small room, which was fully equipped. It had been prepared for Ruby, and


    also for Lilian.


    History repeated itself in this room.


    Lilian was pinned to the operating table, and a masked doctor approached her with a syringe. Lilian


    stared wide-eyed at the needle, which gleamed in the light.


    She struggled desperately, but the doctor pressed her hand onto the table and said, "If the needle


    bends, you''ll be the one to suffer."


    Lilian didn''t listen, trying to break free from the servants restraining her.


    She was like a cornered beast, making herst stand.


    The doctor watched as Lilian''s forehead veins bulged, her mouth open, trying to scream but unable


    to make a sound. Her face turned red from the effort, and her whole body trembled.


    Her dark pupils were fixed on the doctor, filled with pleading.


    The doctor furrowed his brow, suddenly feeling a pang of guilt.


    Hannah reminded him, "Doctor, Mrs. Landau is still waiting!"


    The doctor turned away, not looking at Lilian''s face. He held the syringe, lifted her clothes, and


    inserted the needle into her spine.


    The familiar, icy sting felt as if it pierced not her spine but her heart. It prated her spine.


    Finally, she gave in to despair. All her struggles and hopes vanished as the anesthesia spread


    through her body.


    No one would care if a mute''s heart broke or she felt the pain.


    If she couldn''t cry out, how could anyone know her suffering?


    Lilian''s hand, gripping the edge of the bed, suddenly went limp and fell.


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    She became quiet, staring nkly at the ceiling as tears slid down her cheeks and into her hair.


    Even the moment before she lost consciousness, her lips kept moving.


    The doctor stared at her lips, suddenly realizing what she had been trying to say.


    She had been calling, "Rescue me, Francis."


    Right, only Francis could save her now.


    But he didn''te.


    Her phone had slipped down in the courtyard, and raindrops kept falling on the screen. In the dark


    night, the screen lit up.


    The caller ID was Francis Landau.


    The faint ringtone was barely audible amid the pattering rain.


    After a few shes, the phone fell silent.


    In the living room, Mrs. Landau finally managed to calm the child down.


    She nced back at the door.


    Ruby, who seemed to sense her concern, said, "Mom, are you worried about Francising


    home?"


    Mrs. Landau sighed, "I don''t know why I just can''t shake off this uneasy feeling."


    Ruby smiled and held her arm, saying, "Don''t worry. He''s too busy celebrating Julian''s birthday to


    care about the mute woman!"


    Hearing the name Julian, Mrs. Landau had a look of disgust across her face. Right, she didn''t like


    Lilian, but she didn''t favor Julian, either.


    "The rascal never gives me any peace of mind!"


    Ruby said, "He likes her, and what we can do about it? Julian is at least better than a mute, right?"


    Mrs. Landau remained silent, her face stern. "I think he''s just deliberately going against me. His


    father has been dead for years, and I''ve been telling him to divorce her and marry someone of


    equal status. But not only does he refuse to divorce her, he''s also keeping a woman who''s not fit for


    public appearances! Isn''t he just trying to provoke me?"


    Ruby shrugged helplessly. "But Francis should have a child by now. He says he doesn''t like


    children, but every time hees to see Bennie, he brings a bunch of gifts."


    Mrs. Landau froze, thinking about something, her face mncholic.


    "Mom?"


    Mrs. Landau snapped back to reality and said absentmindedly, "That''s just him being polite."

 Chapter 68 It Was Late

    Chapter 68 It Was Late


    Chapter 68 It Was Late


    "Really?" Ruby furrowed her brows. Why did she feel uncertain?


    On the other side, Francis sat in the car, making several phone calls without anyone answering.


    It was drizzling outside the car window, and he felt an indescribable sense of frustration.


    Nelson also called Francis. Francis pulled at his tie as he answered the phone.


    "Speak."


    Nelson was startled by his tone and quickly got straight to the point, "Ms. Quinn is not very satisfied


    with the birthday gift. She asked me to tell you that after meeting with the client, you must go to her


    ce. Otherwise... she will ignore you."


    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    "Understood." Francis hung up the phone and stepped on the elerator. The car disappeared into


    the night rain.


    He drove to the Landau Residence where Rosalie and Ruby were still in the living room with their


    facial masks on.


    Ruby was the first to see him. He stood at the doorway, and his hair was slightly wet, a few strands


    falling down. He seemed to carry the chill from outside.


    For some reason, he looked a bit lonely and unhappy.


    "Francis, why are you back?" Ruby took off her facial mask and looked at him in surprise.


    Rosalie also looked over, and both of them felt a sense of inexplicable guilt.


    "Where''s Lilian?"


    Rosalie was stunned for a moment and then said, "Didn''t she go back a long time ago?"


    "Yes, she left almost an hour ago. She should be home by now. Why are you looking for her here?"


    Rosalie got up and walked towards him. She grabbed his arm and said worriedly, "You''re all wet. Go


    inside and change your clothes quickly."


    She felt a bit anxious. Had the dummy told Francis about that matter?


    But on second thought, even if she did, it wouldn''t matter. He had acquiesced to aborting that child


    last year.


    Would it be any different this time?


    Francis nced at her and turned around to leave.


    Rosalie''s face instantly darkened as she shouted at his back, "Frank!"


    She had just finished applying the facial mask, and her angry face looked particrly ferocious.


    But Francis didn''t respond to her. He returned to his car and drove back to Azure Shores, where he


    and Lilian lived.


    Francis pushed open the door and looked around the living room. The TV was still on, but Lilian


    was nowhere to be seen on the sofa.


    He searched every room, including the bathroom, but didn''t see her.


    Francis frowned. He subconsciously looked at the TV screen, which was still on the news channel.


    The image on the TV seemed out of ce in this vi. It should be ying a cartoon.


    Francis picked up the remote control and turned off the TV.


    Now, therge living room was truly quiet.


    The silence was somewhat eerie.


    Francis tugged at his cor and turned around to leave again.


    Just as he opened the car door, he vaguely saw a figure in front of him. He squinted his eyes,


    staring at the figure walking in the rain.


    He didn''t know when the rain had be heavy, and even his line of sight was somewhat blurry.


    The figure in the rain was walking slowly, giving the illusion that it would be knocked down by


    raindrops.


    Francis waited for five minutes before he could clearly see that it was Lilian.


    She was soaked from head to toe, her steps slow and shallow as she approached him.


    Lilian raised her head, her hair hanging on both sides. The rain washed her eyes, making it difficult


    for her to open them. Her hands hung by her sides, and raindrops fell from her fingertips like broken


    beads, silentlynding on the ground.


    She just looked at Francis like that.


    "Did you walk back?"


    Francis took out an umbre from the car and held it over her head, shielding her from the rain.


    Lilian looked at him numbly and opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but she didn''t even


    have the strength to lift her hand.


    It was toote.


    She was already drenched, and the umbre was useless.

 Chapter 69 Heartbroken

    Chapter 69 Heartbroken


    Chapter 69 Heartbroken


    Lilian sat on the sofa while Francis held a towel in his hand, wiping her hair.


    Her face was pale and lifeless, and when the overhead light shone on her, she looked as pale as a


    dead person.


    Lilian stared nkly, motionless. Francis lowered his head and nced at her.


    But he didn''t say anything, continuing to dry her hair.


    He didn''t even ask what happened to her in the Landau family. Lilian didn''t know if he guessed and


    didn''t want to ask, or if he simply didn''t care about what happened to her there.


    Just likest time, he remained silent even after he knew.


    He didn''t even ask if she was in pain.


    After all, how could a dummy feel pain?


    Francis finished wiping her hair and used a hairdryer to blow it dry. She remained in the same


    position, not moving at all.


    Her long, ck, and silky hair hung on both sides, making her face even paler as if it could turn


    transparent and disappear at any moment.


    Francis stood behind her, still not saying a word.


    The two of them remained silent like this.


    Suddenly, the abrupt ringtone broke the silence. It was Francis''s phone. He put down the hairdryer,


    took out his phone from his pocket, and went to answer the call.


    Lilian''s eyshes trembled, and she turned her head to see him answering the call with a serious


    expression.


    She looked away, lowered her head to look at her abdomen, and touched it with her fingers.


    This child was not weed just like her.


    Lilian closed her eyes. She didn''t cry. Maybe she couldn''t cry anymore.


    Crying could only express sadness, not despair which couldn''t be expressed.


    After finishing the call, Francis returned to Lilian''s side and rubbed her hair. "Go to sleep early. I''ll go


    out for a while."


    Lilian looked up, her gaze keen as she looked at Francis. A faint smile appeared on her pale face


    as she obediently nodded.


    Francis''s brows furrowed imperceptibly.


    He didn''t say anything and turned to leave.


    After taking a few steps, he turned back to Lilian and said, "When she calls you next time, give me a


    call."


    Lilian''s eyes shed. As she stared at Francis''s distinct features, a dense pain spread through her


    heart.


    Would there be a next time?


    Probably not.


    After finishing his words, Francis left.


    Lilian watched him leave, and the smile on her lips gradually faded.


    She didn''t know where Francis was going. She curled up on the sofa, guarding the empty vi.


    Not long after, she felt a dull pain in her abdomen. The pain seemed to be reminding her constantly


    that a life in her belly was gone.


    It was the second time.


    Each time, she couldn''t keep those two innocent children.


    Lilian forced herself to get up from the sofa and stumbled to find the medicine box. She found the


    painkillers inside.


    With trembling hands, she unscrewed the bottle cap, but because of her shaking, all the pills spilled


    out and scattered on the floor.


    She knelt on the ground, picking up those pills one by one.


    Cold sweat dripped from her forehead, dropping onto her palms and wetting the pills.


    She stuffed all the pills in her palm into her mouth and swallowed them all. Whether it was because


    the pills were too bitter or because the pain was too intense, a sour and bitter sensation surged up


    from her chest. She slowly curled up on the ground, trembling as she began to cry.


    Shey on the cold floor, crying heartbreakingly. The vast vi was quiet, with only the sound of rain


    tapping on the ss.


    Lilian didn''t know how long it had passed when she finally caught her breath. She got up from the


    ground and her gaze fell on a fruit knife not far away.


    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    She walked towards the fruit knife, numbly picking it up.


    The light reflected off the de shone on her face, and she stared nkly at it as if countless


    images shed across it.

 Chapter 70 Julians Trick

    Chapter 70 Julian''s Trick


    Chapter 70 Julian''s Trick


    Lots of scenes ended up frozen on the bloody lump.


    Her baby must feel very painful, right?


    Lilian closed her eyes, holding the knife to her wrist.


    The sharp de pressed against her skin, immediately leaving a trace of blood. If she just pulled


    the de lightly, she could be free.


    But at that moment, her phone in her pocket suddenly rang.


    Lilian opened her eyes and looked at the knife in her hand. She was stunned for a moment and took


    out her phone.


    It was a message from Courtney.


    She had been waiting for this message for so long, but she didn''t expect it toe at this moment.


    Lilian''s eyshes trembled as she opened WhatsApp and yed the voice message.


    She only heard Courtney sigh softly, "Lilian, am I really stupid? Francis said I was stupid, and he


    was right."


    R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    "What''s the point of a stupid person like me being alive? It''s just a waste of air, a waste of food... It''s


    better to just die."


    Courtney seemed to be drunk, her words slurred.


    The knife slipped from Lilian''s hand, making a crisp sound. She quickly typed on her phone, "Where


    are you?"


    Unfortunately, Courtney didn''t reply.


    Lilian sent many messages, but they all went unanswered. She searched through her contacts and


    found Michael''s ount on WhatsApp.


    She sent him a series of messages as well.


    Michael had a good rtionship with Courtney, so he wouldn''t just let her be.


    After a while, Michael replied to her.


    "Don''t worry, Ms. Rossum. How could someone like her who just talks big reallymit suicide?


    She was just saying it. People who really want to die would never say it."


    "Don''t worry too much. I''ll go find her right away. Take care of yourself! Courtney is just scaring you.


    I''ll make her treat you to something delicious another day!"


    Listening to Michael''s words, Lilian nced at the fruit knife on the ground with lowered eyes, but


    she didn''t have the courage to pick it up anymore.


    Perhaps it was Michael''s cheerful tone that dispelled the gloom in her heart and gave her a glimmer


    of hope.


    It made her feel like the world wasn''t so terrible.


    ......


    Francis drove on the road at night, with his phone constantly ringing beside him. He didn''t answer.


    Soon, he arrived at Julian''s house. He skillfully entered the password, pushed open the door, and


    heard crying from inside.


    "Marie, don''t stop me. No one cares about me, and no one cares whether I live or die. I don''t want


    to live anymore. It''s meaningless!"


    Julian held a fruit knife in her hand, ready to cut her wrist. Marie desperately held onto her hand.


    "Miss Quinn, please calm down! If something happens to you, Mr. Landau will kill me!"


    "Let go! It''s my own choice to die. It''s none of your business!"


    The two argued, and Marie looked up and saw Francis standing at the kitchen door. His hair was


    slightly messy, his clothes were still wet, and his face was gloomy. He looked so indifferent.


    "Mr. Landau." Marie frantically signaled to Julian. "Mr. Landau is here."


    Julian paused for a moment and said in a fit of pique, "So what if he''s here? Can he control whether


    I live or die?"


    As she spoke, she was about to cut her wrist.


    But Francis didn''t move. Julian held the knife and suddenly felt so embarrassed.


    Luckily, she had her back to Francis, so he couldn''t see that she was just pretending by using the


    back of the knife.


    Julian gradually calmed down. If she didn''t sense the coldness behind her, she would have doubted


    whether Francis had reallye.


    She braced herself and nced at Marie.


    Marie also looked helpless, as if saying, "You asked for it. Let''s see how you handle this now."


    "Why aren''t you cutting it?"


    Francis''s voice finally sounded from behind, containing a hint of subtle anger.

 Chapter 71 Visiting Fabiana

    Chapter 71 Visiting Fabiana


    Chapter 71 Visiting Fabiana


    Julian''s spine stiffened. She was overwhelmed by embarrassment and difort. More than


    anything, she felt wronged and angry.


    This caused her expression to be quite awkward.


    After a few seconds, she turned her head to look at Francis and caught a glimpse of the indifference


    in his eyes. Julian''s heart sank along with it, and she came to a conclusion.


    It seemed that he was not in a good mood today.


    Having been with Francis for so long, Julian might not have learned much, but she had be


    quite adept at reading his expressions.


    So at this moment, if she were to act impulsively and cut her wrist, there was a high chance he


    wouldn''t care.


    She paused for a moment, threw the knife on the table, and pounced towards him, burying herself


    in his arms.


    "I''ve waited for this birthday for a year, but you just asked Nelson to give me a gift, which was so


    perfunctory. Do you know how upset I am?" Julian''s voice was filled with genuine grievance.


    She knew that the only person who could make him ignore her was that dummy!


    Julian knew how to submit to him and act coquettish. Francis''s gloomy face softened a lot as he


    hugged Julian''s waist and said, "I''ll make it up to you another day."


    Julian raised her head and looked at his handsome face. Pouting, she muttered, "Really?"


    "Yeah."


    "You can''t stand me up again."


    "Okay." Saying this, Francis nced at her ankle. "Is it healed?"


    "It''s much better, just a little painful when walking." Julian hugged his neck and coquettishly said,


    "Carry me over."


    Francis didn''t refuse her and bent down to carry her in his arms, walking towards the living room.


    Julian held onto his neck and said in a dull voice, "I haven''t eaten yet, so apany me for a


    meal."


    Francis nced at her and nodded.


    Marie cleared the table and prepared a new set of food, recing the candles with new ones.


    The weather had turned cold, and it had been drizzling for several days.


    After getting drenched in the rain, Lilian had a high fever again. She curled up on the bed in a daze,


    not knowing what day it was.


    In the floating dreams, it seemed like she had been forgotten by everyone.


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    The only good thing was that being dizzy was better than being awake.


    Lilian felt fortunate that she didn''t need medicine or injections. She had endured the fever in bed for


    three days, and it eventually subsided on its own.


    Francis probably wanted to keep his promise to Julian and not see her for a month. So, since that


    night, Lilian hadn''t seen hime back.


    Lilian got up from the bed, took a shower, changed her clothes, and grabbed an umbre as she left


    Azure Shores.


    Courtney had transferred the money she had borrowed from Lilian at some point. Lilian used the


    money to buy many things, including a mobile phone.


    Lilian carried the things and went to find Fabiana.


    It was raining today, so Fabiana didn''t go out to pick up trash. She huddled in her small shed.


    Before Lilian even approached, she could hear Fabiana coughing.


    Lilian walked quickly and knocked on the shed.


    Fabiana opened the wet curtain and saw Lilian. Her cloudy eyes instantly lit up.


    "Lily, why are you here?" As she said, she quickly got off the bed to receive the things.


    Lilian looked around and realized that there didn''t seem to be any ce to put the things besides


    the shed. She ced the things at the end of the bed and sat down next to Fabiana.


    "You don''t look well. Are you sick?" Fabiana asked with concern.


    Lilian smiled and shook her head, taking out the newly bought basic phone from her pocket and


    handing it to Fabiana.


    She used signnguage to say, "My phone number is already saved in it. If you need anything, just


    give me a call."


    "No, this won''t do. It''s too valuable. Besides, an old woman like me doesn''t need a phone."


    Lilian gestured that it was a second-hand phone and not worth much. She urged Fabiana to take it,


    saying that it would be convenient for them to contact each other in the future.

 Chapter 72 Brought Fabiana Home

    Chapter 72 Brought Fabiana Home


    Chapter 72 Brought Fabiana Home


    She stubbornly handed the phone to Fabiana who tried to decline but eventually epted it with


    hesitation.


    Tears welled up in Fabiana''s eyes. "I never expected that you would be the one apanying me


    in the end."


    Lilian''s nose twitched for no reason as she held Fabiana''s hand, sensing a connection between two


    people who had experienced the same loneliness of being cast aside.


    She never would have imagined that she would be sitting next to an elderly person when no one


    supported her.


    Although Fabiana was almost a century older than her, they shared the same sense of solitude.


    It turned out that human loneliness was universal.


    Lilian looked around. Although there was a waterproof film outside the shed, the dampness still


    seeped in, leaving the bedding damp.


    It was hard to imagine how this old woman had managed to live in such conditions for so long.


    Lilian''s heart ached. She got up and bid farewell to Fabiana before going to the roadside to hail a


    taxi.


    Once she got in the car, she sent a message to Francis before calling him.


    Francis was in a meeting, but when he saw her calling, he immediately raised his hand to interrupt


    the speaker and hung up the phone.


    He opened WhatsApp and saw the message from Lilian.


    Lilian mentioned that she wanted to bring a maid back. Francis stared at the messages and fell


    silent.


    Over the years, Lilian had never asked him for anything, so this was the first time.


    Naturally, Francis didn''t refuse. He replied with just four words, "It''s up to you."


    When Lilian saw his reply, she was somewhat surprised. She hadn''t expected him to respond so


    quickly, let alone agree.


    Francis didn''t keep idle people around, so the only reason she could bring Fabiana back was to use


    Fabiana as a maid. Anyway, Francis wouldn''te back.


    With that in mind, Lilian quickly tapped the driver''s shoulder and showed him her phone.


    The driver understood and turned the car around.


    Lilian happily ran back to find Fabiana, gesturing with a kind smile, "Fabiana, Frank agreed to let


    youe to our house."


    Fabiana''s expression momentarily flickered in confusion. She had only met Lilian twice, but she had


    never seen Lilian so happy before.


    "Is that... okay?" Fabiana hesitated.


    Lilian shook her head and gestured, "It''s not the Landau Residence. It''s... where Francis and I live."


    Fabiana looked surprised. "You two..."


    Lilian nodded and added the second half of Fabiana''s sentence herself, "We got married."


    Fabiana''s smile turned relieved. "I knew you would be together. Young Master has always treated


    you differently since you were young. He really likes you."


    Lilian''s smile faded slightly, but she forced herself to maintain it.


    He did like her, just like he liked cats and dogs.


    When she visited Fabiana, Fabiana liked her. When she was Courtney''s model, Courtney liked her


    as well.


    One could like many people, but love could only be given to one person.


    Fabiana sensed the loneliness on Lilian''s face and changed the subject. "But Lily, I''m already so


    old. I shouldn''t trouble you anymore."


    Lilian waved her hand and gestured, "Frank wants you to go back and continue taking care of him."


    Fabiana was taken aback. "Really?"


    She might have trouble with her legs, but she could still handle daily household chores. She just


    didn''t expect that Francis would still care about her. This reminded her of her biological son, and her


    eyes welled up with tears again.


    Lilian nodded. She had lied to Fabiana and Francis, but seeing the tears in Fabiana''s eyes made it


    all worth it.


    One only felt that life was meaningful when they were needed.This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.

 Chapter 73 Bitterness and Desolation

    Chapter 73 Bitterness and Destion


    Chapter 73 Bitterness and Destion


    It was the same taxi from earlier, and Lilian helped Fabiana carry her things and put them in the


    trunk.


    Fabiana didn''t have much stuff, and all those moldy nkets and tattered clothes were no longer


    usable.


    But Fabiana couldn''t bear to throw them away. After years of wandering, she was too afraid of


    poverty.


    She was afraid that if she was kicked out again, she wouldn''t even have clothes to wear.


    Lilian could understand Fabiana''s feelings, so she packed up Fabiana''s things and brought them


    back to the vi, cing them in the utility room.


    Perhaps due to her recent illness, as soon as Lilian finished arranging the things, she suddenly felt


    dizzy and lost control of her body, falling straight to the ground.


    Fabiana, who had juste out after changing clothes, immediately dropped her cane and rushed


    over. "Lily!"


    Lilian was helped up, her head hurting from the fall. After resting for a long while, she slowly opened


    her eyes.


    "What''s wrong with you?" Fabiana asked, relieved to see her awake. "How did you faint out of


    nowhere?"


    Lilian gestured with her hand, "It might be anemia."


    She had just had an abortion and then fell ill, so anemia was normal.


    "Hey, don''t worry about anything else. Go rest. I will make you some chicken soup."


    Fabiana supported her and led her to the sofa. Lilian looked at the caring person in front of her, and


    a long-lost smile appeared on her face,ing from the depths of her heart.


    Fabiana had washed her face and still looked so kind and friendly, giving Lilian a great sense of


    comfort and warmth.


    While Fabiana went to make chicken soup, Lilian took out her phone to check WhatsApp. Courtney


    still hadn''t replied to her message.


    This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    She looked at the shopping bag beside her, inside of which was a new phone of the same model.


    Lilian took out the phone, transferred the SIM card to the new phone, put the old phone in a box,


    and ced it in a drawer under the coffee table.


    Opening the drawer, she saw that the divorce agreement was still lying there quietly, just like before.


    Lilian stared at the words on the divorce agreement and remained silent for a moment before


    closing the drawer again.


    She sent a message to Courtney using the new phone and tried calling Courtney.


    Courtney had been getting drunk for the past few days, so her speech was slurred when she


    answered the phone. She didn''t even know who was calling.


    "What do you want? Are you guys done yet?"


    Courtney''s shout left Lilian stunned, and Lilian could only remain silent while holding the phone.


    Courtney also realized something and opened her eyes, looking at the screen of her phone. Her


    expression eased slightly.


    "Oh, it''s you. Sorry, I''ve been getting calls from a bunch of peopletely. A bunch of haters tell me to


    turn myself in, some scolding me, and someughing at me."


    As Courtney spoke, sheughed a few times, herughter filled with bitterness.


    "Only when you are down can you tell how hypocritical the people around you are, ha-ha!"


    Listening to Courtney, Lilian felt like her heart had been stabbed by a needle, but she couldn''t say


    anything, nor could shefort Courtney.


    Courtney muttered to herself, "Those people usually disguise themselves so well. Now I feel


    disgusted just listening to them. Compared to them, I even find Francis more likable. Isn''t it


    ridiculous?"


    Compared to those people with hidden agendas, at least Francis was straightforward about his


    feelings.


    Courtney thought that in these past years, she had lived toofortably, thinking that she had met


    a lot of people and could easily see through good and bad people.


    "Now I know, besides good and bad people, there are also monsters, all kinds of monsters."


    "You know what? A few nights ago, I was walking on the road when suddenly a group of people


    appeared. They threw stones at me and took pictures of me. They did things that werepletely


    opposite to justice under the guise of righteousness. Before that..."


    Courtney paused. "I just got off the phone with the person who imed to be my best friend."


    Lilian listened quietly. Courtney''s voice was hoarse, no longer filled with the carefree and unruly


    spirit from before, nor the untamed arrogance.


    Only bitterness and destion remained.


    She was not only sad because she had caused the deaths of so many people, but also because of


    the betrayal of her former friends.

 Chapter 74 They Were Leaving Her

    Chapter 74 They Were Leaving Her


    Chapter 74 They Were Leaving Her


    She couldn''t escape the me for Courtney''s current state.


    Courtney smiled bitterly. "She actually betrayed me, Lilipad... Why did she do that?"


    In the end, Lilian could clearly hear the sobbing and despair in her tone.


    Lilian swallowed, and her eyes were full of tears. She tightly held her phone and opened her mouth,


    but still couldn''t make a sound.


    After a long time, Courtney''s voice returned to normal. She said, "I want to turn myself in. Do you


    want toe see me for thest time?"


    "If youe, just knock once. If you don''t... just hang up."


    She couldn''t bear this torture. She would rather go to prison and atone for her sins than continue to


    live in pain.


    This way, she wouldn''t burden more people.


    Lilian held her phone, not hanging up, nor tapping the screen.


    Courtney was also a victim. She shouldn''t have endured all of this.


    But kindhearted couldn''t live an easy life after making a mistake.


    "What do you mean?" Courtney smiled bitterly.


    Lilian raised her stiff fingers, and after agonizing for a long time in her heart, she gently tapped the


    screen.


    Courtney finally smiled. For a moment, herughter was as clear and hearty as before.


    R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    Lilian hung up the phone, stood up, and ran out of the vi.


    By the time Fabiana came out with the chicken soup, Lilian had already disappeared.


    Lilian took a taxi straight to the police station, afraid that she would be toote and never see


    Courtney again.


    She arrived at the police station across the street and immediately saw the familiar motorcycle.


    Courtney was still wearing her casual clothes, straddling the motorcycle, and smoking.


    Lilian paid the fare and hurriedly ran towards Courtney.


    She arrived breathlessly by Courtney''s side. Courtney extinguished the half-smoked cigarette in her


    hand, grinning and looking Lilian up and down.


    Courtney seemed to be a different person from the one on the phone.


    She was still so lively and carefree.


    "Did you dress up toe see me?" Courtney joked.


    Lilian looked down at her outfit, a white sweater, and white pants. Wasn''t this her most ordinary


    attire?


    "Just kidding." Courtney pinched her cheek out of habit, and then her gaze shifted to Lilian''s lower


    abdomen.


    Courtney raised her hand and touched Lilian''s lower abdomen. "Is the baby behaving?"


    Lilian stared at her nkly, speechless.


    Courtney didn''t me her, and just like before, Courtney chatted about everyday life, which made


    her even more ufortable than being scolded.


    Seeing Courtney''s hopeful gaze, Lilian forced out a smile and nodded slightly.


    The baby was very well-behaved. Even when he was aborted, he didn''t cry or make a fuss, not a


    single sound.


    Courtney wiped away the tears at the corner of Lilian''s eye with her hand. "Why are you crying?


    Crying too much is not good for the baby. When Ie out, will he be able to walk?"


    Lilian tightly pursed her lips, tears running down her face even more intensely.


    The person she loved the most caused her two farewells.


    One farewell was to her child.


    The other farewell was to her best friend.


    They were both leaving her.

 Chapter 75 Lilian Protected Her

    Chapter 75 Lilian Protected Her


    Chapter 75 Lilian Protected Her


    Lilian held Courtney''s hand and shook her head, wanting to tell Courtney not to turn herself in.


    Courtney seemed to understand what she meant andughed angrily. "I finally managed toe


    out. If I miss this chance, it will be difficult for me toe here again."


    Lilian held onto her tightly, not letting her go.


    Courtney looked at her stubborn face, opened her mouth, and suddenly didn''t know what to say.


    It had stopped raining by now, with the clouds hiding the sun and the sunlight asionally peeking


    through.


    After a while, Courtney finally stopped smiling and looked deeply at Lilian. "Lilian, if it weren''t for


    those people''s death, I would have been grateful to Francis. He made me see through a lot of


    people."


    "But..." She smiled. "You didn''t make me regret it, so what I did was worth it."


    Lilian still didn''t let go of Courtney, though there was a vast difference in strength between them.


    Courtney could easily push her away with a flick of her finger.


    But Courtney didn''t do that.


    "Let me go."


    Lilian shook her head.


    Courtney was amused by her again. Just then, a car zoomed by, and a soda can flew out of the


    window, hitting Courtney''s forehead with a loud thud.


    It didn''t hurt, but the sound was loud.


    This hostile and humiliating blow instantly quieted the atmosphere.


    Lilian turned to look at the car which had already gone far away. It was a taxi.


    After a long time, Courtney turned back, and casually said to Lilian, "See? This is my current


    situation. I''m like a rat crossing the street, and everyone wants to beat me."


    Lilian let go of her and gestured with her hand, "It''s not your fault."


    "I''ve tried to convince myself the same way, but you may not understand that feeling. It''s different


    from killing fish or chickens."


    This guilt and panic would apany her for the rest of her life.


    After all, the dead couldn''t be brought back to life.


    Her family had been mentally and physically exhausted these past few days because of her, and


    she could imagine how the families of those who died must be grieving.


    Lilian looked at her, and now Courtney couldn''t feel her helplessness feeling like a headless


    chicken.


    Courtney continued, "You should have left Francis as soon as possible. He is not a good person.


    This man sometimes likes to y dumb, especially when ites to rtionships because ying


    dumb can solve ny percent of the troubles."


    She gave Lilian many instructions as if she were leaving herst words. Lilian listened and became


    even more reluctant to let go of her.


    Just then, several taxis came speeding towards them and stopped steadily in front of the two of


    them.


    Several men and women got out of the taxis and quickly surrounded them.


    "We finally found you, you murderer! Do you think you can settle things with 400 thousand dors


    after my sister died?"


    The man in his thirties looked disreputable, with a tuft of dyed red hair on his head. He didn''t seem


    like a decent person.


    Courtney surveyed them. There were also several middle-aged people in their forties and fifties who


    were most likely the family members of the deceased, and they started crying as soon as they


    arrived.


    "You rich people deserve to die. Howwless! How dare you kill people in broad daylight and still


    get away with it! You should pay for my son''s death with blood!"


    "Oh dear God, please punish these heartless people..."


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    Seeing how aggressive they were, Lilian nced back at Courtney.


    But Courtney seemed to be numb already, just looking expressionlessly at them as if watching a


    y.


    Seeing that she didn''t react, the men became more anxious. "Tie her up and take her straight to the


    police station! I don''t believe the police won''t arrest her today!"


    As they spoke, the crowd rushed forward, wanting to grab Courtney.


    Courtney got off the motorcycle and was about to speak, but Lilian suddenly stood in front of her.


    Courtney was slightly stunned as she looked at Lilian.

 Chapter 76 Confrontation

    Chapter 76 Confrontation


    Chapter 76 Confrontation


    Lilian opened her arms to block those people. She was afraid, her shoulders trembling, but she still


    bravely stood in front of Courtney.


    Her actions convinced everyone that she was an aplice.


    The victim''s family members became even angrier and went forward to push her away.


    But Lilian acted faster and pushed one of the men aside in panic.


    She used all her strength, causing the man to stumble backward and crash into the arms of the


    person behind him.


    "B*tch! You think you''re justified after killing someone?"


    The man swung his arm, trying to p her. Lilian instinctively raised her hand to block it, but


    Courtney, with quick reflexes, grabbed the man''s wrist and pped him.


    Just like what happened to Julian, the man was stunned by the blow.


    But her actions incurred the wrath of the crowd.


    "They are trulywless. Kill these two b*tches and avenge our family."


    They fiercely lunged at the two women. Lilian instinctively held Courtney, showing her back to those


    people.


    She had implicated Courtney. She couldn''t let Courtney suffer more harm.


    That was Lilian''s only thought at that moment.


    Courtney''s expressionless face now disyed anger and gratitude. She pulled Lilian behind her,


    taking out a baton from the bag on the motorcycle.


    The swing of the baton brought about a strong gust of wind which intimidated the crowd.


    She spoke coldly, "Since you all im I''m a murderer, then killing one or a hundred makes no


    difference. Come on and fight me. I''ll send you to hell to meet your family."


    Courtney had been in the spotlight since she was little, and her personality was straightforward. She


    tolerated no bullying and emitted an imposing aura.


    This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Those people thought they could take advantage of their numbers against Courtney, but they didn''t


    have the guts to kill. However, they believed that a poor girl like Courtney could kill.


    The leader of the crowd wavered, but he stiffened his resolve and said, "You have no regard for the


    law! The police station is right across the street. Do you dare to kill us?"


    "Try me, and you''ll find out."


    Who would dare to try?


    They looked at each other, trapped in a dilemma. They were afraid to attack, yet unwilling to leave.


    The standoff continued until a police siren sounded.


    The police station was right across the street, so it was not hard to notice the disturbance.


    "What are you all doing here?" A loud voice rang out, and the crowd dispersed.


    The policemen noticed the baton in Courtney''s hand. Lilian instinctively moved closer to her, trying


    to hide the baton from view.


    In the end, everyone was taken to the police station.


    Those people wanted justice. Since the person who tampered with the car had been caught, the


    Sachs family could settle the matter bypensating for their losses.


    However, they were not convinced and wanted to gain more money by riding on the trend.


    Fortunately, Courtney didn''t resort to violence, but her family had toe and bail her out.


    Lilian anxiously sat on the bench. If Francis learned that she hade to find Courtney and caused


    such a disturbance...


    She closed her eyes, afraid to think about it.


    The situation had escted beyond her expectations.


    While she was tormented internally, she heard a familiar voice.


    "I''m truly sorry for the trouble caused."


    "No trouble at all. It''s our duty. However, this girl from your family is not good atmunicating. She


    looks well-behaved, and I didn''t expect her to confront so many people."

 Chapter 77 Going Home

    Chapter 77 Going Home


    Chapter 77 Going Home


    As they were speaking, Francis and Nelson appeared in Lilian''s line of sight.


    Francis was neatly dressed in a suit. His knee-length brown coat set off his long legs.


    He looked down at Lilian and then nced at Courtney.


    Lilian felt guilty and lowered her head.


    Her ponytail had alreadye undone, and strands of messy hair fell on her pale cheeks like the


    mottled scratches on white jade.


    Courtney furrowed her brows but said nothing. Given the previous experience, she didn''t have to


    confront him since thetter didn''t provoke her.


    Just as the atmosphere became tense, Lester arrived.


    When he saw Francis and Lilian, his expression changed slightly. He strode over to Courtney and


    whispered, "Have you had enough? Come home with me."


    Courtney didn''t want to argue, nor did she have the strength to.


    Lester grabbed her and led her to leave. As they passed Lilian, Courtney looked back at her with


    concern.


    After the two were gone, Francis finally broke his silence. "Are you nning to spend the night


    here?"


    Lilian was taken aback and looked up at the man. His face was devoid of emotions.


    She hesitated for a moment and nervously stood up.


    Francis turned and left. The wind lifted by his coat, mixed with an unfamiliar fragrance, wafted faintly


    around Lilian''s nose.


    She quietly followed behind him while Nelson stood in front of the car door. As soon as he opened


    the door, Francis said, "You go back first."


    Nelson nodded, closed the car door, and stepped aside for the two people.


    Lilian got in the car. Neither of them talked, and the temperature inside the car was low.


    She fidgeted with her fingers and was anxious throughout the ride.


    When they arrived at Azure Shores, Francis took off his coat. Fabiana hobbled out of the kitchen,


    her eyes sparkling with joy and caution.


    She nervously wiped her hands on her apron and went up to take Francis''s coat.


    "I wanted to ask when you woulde back, so I could prepare dinner."


    Francis stared at the olddy''s face for a moment before shifting his gaze to her legs. "You''re the


    maid that Lilian brought here?"


    His straightforward gaze made Fabiana''s face stiffen, and she stood awkwardly, ncing at Lilian.


    Atst, she forced a smile and replied, "Y-yes, I... Don''t worry. It won''t affect my work."


    Lilian bit her lip, feeling ashamed. She secretly pulled on Francis''s sleeve, hoping he wouldn''t say


    anything too harsh.


    But Francis ignored her and continued, "You can''t even walk steadily. How are you going to work?


    This isn''t a welfare institute. You''vee to the wrong ce."


    Regardless of Fabiana''s pale face, he walked past her and went to the second floor.


    Lilian''s fingers loosened, and she stood there at a loss, guiltily looking at Fabiana.


    The olddy was stunned for a while, but she had lived for so long and understood everything.


    Once she regained her senses, Fabiana nervously wiped away the tears at the corner of her eyes


    and gave a wry smile. "Lily, I... won''t cook dinner for you tonight."


    Lilian''s heart tightened, and she grabbed Fabiana''s arm, shaking her head.


    She gestured. "Wait for me."


    Fabiana said, "It''s okay. I''m used to living in that shed. Don''t worry about me. I''ll go back."


    Lilian''s eyes turned red, and she looked pleadingly at Fabiana, gesturing again. "Wait for me."


    Was she really so worthless that she couldn''t keep anyone she cared about?


    God would pity her once and stand by her side.


    She turned around and went upstairs, standing in front of Francis''s study door.


    She knocked twice, even though the door wasn''t shut firmly.


    Francis was leaning against the window, talking on the phone with one hand in his pocket. The


    transparent ss windows revealed the dark clouds outside. The strong contrast between ck


    and white made the light that fell on his face appear a mncholy gray.N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.

 Chapter 78 Dilemma

    Chapter 78 Dilemma


    Chapter 78 Dilemma


    "If you can''t handle this position, then quit early."


    Francis hung up the phone and turned to look at Lilian.


    He didn''t say anything, but his deep eyes stared at her as he waited for her to speak.


    Lilian hesitated for a moment before gesturing. "Can we let Fabiana stay?"


    "Is that why you came to find me?"


    Lilian lowered her head, her scattered hair hiding her expression.


    She continued to gesture. "Don''t you remember her?"


    Francis''s eyes remained emotionless as he said ndly, "Remember or not, does it matter? Do I


    have to take care of all the servants in the house until they grow old and die?"


    His heartless words struck Lilian''s heart.


    She slowly raised her head and met his cold gaze. For the first time, Lilian doubted whether this


    man had a heart.


    Francis slowly approached her and leaned over. "If you want her to stay, you just have to cut off


    contact with Courtney."


    Lilian was taken aback.


    He smirked with a hint of coldness in his eyes. "Choose between her and Courtney."


    No wonder he had been so quiet along the way, without getting angry. It turned out he was waiting


    for this.


    He presented her with an unsolvable dilemma. No matter how she chose, it would be wrong.


    Francis stared into her clear eyes, silently waiting for her to make a choice.


    They stared at each other as time passed in silence.


    Lilian lifted her finger and slowly gestured. "Would you do the same to Julian?"


    His eyes fell on her fingers and dimmed before he shifted his gaze back to her face.


    "Are you questioning me?"


    Lilian pursed her lips, a rare stubbornness appearing on her fair face.


    Lilian replied, "I have never asked anything from you. Can''t I ask for it this time?


    Francis held her gesturing finger, stopping her movement. In a low voice, he said, "No."


    He added, "Not this time."


    The corners of her dry mouth twitched. This was her only request.


    "Don''t be too greedy." He grabbed her hands, denying her the opportunity tomunicate. His


    voice was as deep as before. "Since you find it so difficult to choose, let me choose for you."


    This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Lilian widened her eyes and tried to break free from his grip.


    But her struggle only made him grab her tighter until her wrists hurt.


    Desperate, Lilian opened her mouth, trying to make a sound, but not a single syble came out.


    Francis''s gaze turned cold. He held her hands and pressed her against the edge of the desk.


    The desk pressed against her waist, straightening her body, and a familiar pain came from her lower


    abdomen.


    Her only way out was to bite him.


    But in the next second, he pinched her chin and pinned her down on the desk.


    With one hand grabbing her wrists, he lifted her legs. He leaned over, putting all his weight on her.


    "Don''t let me touch you?" They were close, and the man''s breath enveloped her.


    Sharp pains coursed through Lilian''s lower abdomen, as if her internal organs were being stretched


    taut, on the verge of tearing apart.


    Cold sweat formed on her forehead as she opened and closed her lips silently.


    She wanted to shout, "No..."


    But he seemed unable to understand.

 Chapter 79 Giving Up

    Chapter 79 Giving Up


    Chapter 79 Giving Up


    Lilian gritted her teeth, the pain making her face grow even paler as she stared into his deep eyes.


    Gradually, she gave up resistance.


    Francis didn''t make any further moves. He just watched Lilian until shepletely quieted down


    before letting go of her.


    Lilian slid off the table and copsed weakly to the ground. Clutching her abdomen, she couldn''t


    move.


    The slightest movement would cause her a piercing pain.


    "Think carefully about what I said." The man''s voice came from above.


    He turned to leave, but his pants suddenly tightened. Looking down, he saw that Lilian had grabbed


    onto his trouser leg.


    Lilian slowly raised her pale face. Any normal person would notice her pain.


    Her lips quivered as she took two deep breaths to suppress the pain.


    Lilian let go of him, raising her hand and gesturing slowly. "Since you hate me and everything


    around me so much, why don''t you divorce me?"


    Francis''s eyes darkened, and he suddenly crouched down.


    He lifted her chin and said, "You''re bing more and more forgetful. Have you forgotten what I


    told you so quickly?"


    Lilian weakly stared at him. She hadn''t forgotten.


    He had warned her against seeing Courtney and bringing up divorce.


    But she defied his orders.


    Lilian felt like a dog locked in a cage. Having no freedom, she could only wag her tail and beg for


    mercy.


    "Is this how you take care of me for a lifetime? Locking me up in a cage forever?"


    Francis''s eyes that were locked with hers flickered with something, but it disappeared before she


    could catch it.


    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    After a while, he said, "If that''s how you want to understand it, then fine."


    His words struck her like a thunderbolt.


    She closed her eyes, tears sliding down her pale face. It was a sign of herpromise.


    After a moment, Lilian opened her eyes and gestured to him. "If I stop seeing Courtney, can you


    help her get out of her current predicament?"


    "Lilian, I''m not negotiating with you."


    Francis unhesitatingly rejected her proposal. He released her chin, stood up, and said, "It seems


    you''ve already made your choice."


    With that, he walked out of the study without looking back.


    Lilian sat slumped on the ground and hung her head. Her disheveled hair covered half of her face.


    Francis went downstairs, and coincidentally, Fabiana brought out her stuff. When she saw Francis,


    she awkwardly stood there, unable to hide what she held in her hands.


    Her tattered belongings were too dirty andpletely out of ce in this beautiful vi.


    Francis took the coat from the hanger, nced at her, and said, "Don''t let me see this pile of junk


    again."


    "I''ll just..." Fabiana paused and looked at him in confusion, "Young Master, what do you mean?"


    Francis calmly said, "Since she has let you live here, make sure you keep an eye on her."


    Fabiana stood still for a while, only realizing the meaning behind his words after Francis had walked


    away.


    A bitter smile appeared on her wrinkled face.


    Fabiana left her belongings behind and went upstairs to find Lilian.


    From the door to the study, she saw Lilian lying disheveled on the ground. Stunned for a moment,


    she hurried in and helped Lilian up.


    "Lily, what happened to you?"


    Lilian slowly opened her eyes, cold sweat covering her forehead and neck, as if she had been


    fished out of water.


    With great difficulty, she raised her hand and ced it on her lower abdomen.


    Only then did Fabiana see the scattered spots of blood on her pants.


    "You..." Fabiana changed colors. Losing no time, she took out her phone and prepared to call an


    ambnce.

 Chapter 80 Family Get-together

    Chapter 80 Family Get-together


    Chapter 80 Family Get-together


    Lilian checked Fabiana and shook her head.


    "You''re bleeding. How can you not go to the hospital?"


    Lilian gestured to indicate that it was her period and that taking painkillers would suffice.


    Seeing that the bleeding wasn''t too heavy, Fabiana was half-convinced. She helped Lilian up and


    brought her back to the bedroom.


    She found painkillers and pads for Lilian before going to the kitchen to make a bowl of sugar water.


    Lilian held the bowl, feeling the warmth spread through her palms, and herplexion improved


    slightly.


    Fabiana looked at her, wanting to say something but hesitating.


    After Lilian finished drinking, Fabiana took the bowl and finally asked, "What''s going on between


    you and Young Master?"


    From Francis''s attitude, it was easy to tell that their rtionship wasn''t as good as she had


    imagined. There was an indescribable subtlety.


    Lilian shook her head. She didn''t know the answer.


    She didn''t know what was going on between her and Francis.


    She didn''t know when it started, but she had be an indifferent presence to him.


    Perhaps it started from their marriage, or perhaps even earlier.


    Because of Thomas''sst wish, he reluctantly gave up his beloved and married her. He could


    manage not to hate her, but he could never treat her as well as before.


    That might be the reason for their subtle andplicated rtionship.


    Lilian looked at Fabiana. The fact that the olddy was still here meant that Francis had taken it that


    she would cut ties with Courtney.


    If she insisted on going against his wishes, Fabiana would be implicated.


    At her age, Fabiana couldn''t afford to be troubled like that.


    Lilian closed her eyes, leaned against the headboard, and listened quietly to the sound of rain


    outside the window.


    She had been lying at home for two days without contacting Courtney. Courtney only asked her if


    Francis had caused trouble when she went back.


    Lilian didn''t dare to reply. She had to ignore the message.


    This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    She picked up her phone and went online again. The buzz about Courtney''s incident seemed to


    have died down a lot.


    Magic Dragon developed by SunRise Entertainment suddenly became popr because of the New


    Year''s promotional video.


    They shot a live-action short film based on the story of Tsuki. The script was well-written, and the


    comments below each repost were full of people crying.


    The character was a disabled woman confined to a wheelchair, so Julian''s foot injury didn''t affect


    the filming.


    Because of Francis''s investment in promotion, it received a lot of attention, and this short film


    instantly went viral on the inte.


    Julian revealed her identity as the top-ranked yer at an appropriate time, and her fame


    skyrocketed. In just a few days, her social media followers increased by millions.


    Lilian checked out Julian''s ount, seeing quite a few videos and photos showing off her wealth


    and love.


    But in the photos, Francis''s face was mostly hidden. Only his hand or half of his body was revealed.


    His fingers were slender and beautiful, his shoulders broad, and his legs long. Even if his face was


    not shown, it could still spark endless imagination.


    Lilian flipped through those photos, each one depicting his indulgence and favoritism toward Julian.


    He was willing to apany her in her mischief.


    Lilian suddenly remembered that she hadn''t taken a proper photo with Francis yet, not even a half-


    body shot.


    While she was staring nkly at these photos, a message from Ruby suddenly popped up.


    "Dad wants you toe over for dinner on New Year''s Day, don''t forget."


    Everett, as the head of the Landau family, had absolute authority. Since Ruby said so, it must have


    been Everett''s decision.


    Lilian stared at the text message, her gaze flickering.


    She subconsciously touched her lower abdomen, which still throbbed with pain.

 Chapter 81 Taunts

    Chapter 81 Taunts


    Chapter 81 Taunts


    Without waiting for Francis, Lilian went to the Landau Residence alone.


    The evening rain in Linnd City made all the buildings blurry and indistinct.


    Lilian arrived and walked in with some casually bought fruits.


    After all, no matter what she bought, Rosalie would not like it.


    The Landau family was very lively today, with many cars parked in the courtyard and at the


    entrance.


    Everett and his ex-wife had a daughter named Angelica who had married early and hade with


    her husband and two children today.


    Francis and Ruby were full-blood siblings, both born by Rosalie.


    Everett had a younger son whom he had brought back from outside. It was said that the child''s


    mother had died due to an amniotic fluid embolism while giving birth to him, so Everett raised him in


    the Landau family.


    It had been Rosalie who took care of him, but since he was not her son, she naturally did not care


    as much about him, and he had been raised into a useless yboy.


    As soon as Lilian entered, she heard children ying andughing.


    The innocent and cheerfulughter of the children was like dense needles, piercing her heart and


    causing pain in her chest.


    She stood in the courtyard, holding an umbre, and the two children rushed toward her, with the


    seven-year-old boy running into her leg.


    Lilian stumbled and almost fell to the ground.


    "The mute is here!"


    "The mute is here!"


    The boy circled her, shouting in an innocent tone to poke at her soft spot. With his innocent look, he


    seemed not to know that his random words would hurt people.


    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    Lilian ignored him and walked toward the living room.


    The boy rushed up and pulled at the fruits in her hand. Lilian firmly held onto the bag, not letting go.


    "Give it to me!"


    The boy huffed, ring up at her. Lilian calmly looked at him and refused.


    As soon as she entered this mansion, she could feel the invisible hostility in the air, which also gave


    birth to resentment in her heart.


    She stubbornly held onto the bag, unable to distinguish whether it was pain or resentment sticking


    in her heart.


    Why could they be so happy?


    It was only because she was mute that both of her children had died at the hands of this family.


    Because she was mute, she was guilty, and she deserved to have no good ending.


    The boy grimaced in anger, pulled at the bag, and kicked Lilian''s leg.


    Lilian loosened her fingers, avoiding his foot, and the boy lost his bnce, falling onto the ground.


    The fruits in his hand scattered all over the ce, covered in mud and rolling everywhere.


    Feeling painful from the fall, the boy sat on the dump floor and cried bitterly.


    His crying echoed loudly, attracting the people in the living room.


    Angelica rushed over, helped the boy up, and patted the mud off him before asking with concern:


    "Oscar, are you okay?"


    While crying, Oscar pointed at Lilian andined about the grievances he had suffered.


    Everyone looked at Lilian with disapproving eyes, as if she were a heinous criminal.


    She clenched her umbre tightly, her knuckles turning white.


    Ruby half-jokingly taunted her, "Lilian, you''re an adult. How could you bully a child?"


    Angelica suppressed her anger and put on airs. "I heard it just now. My son is ignorant, and are you


    too? You can''t wrestle with a kid."


    Angelica was much older. She was 35 years old, but she maintained herself well and looked like


    she was in herte twenties.


    She even murmured "uncivilized" under her breath, but her low voice was drowned out by Oscar''s


    crying.


    "Forget it! Is Oscar all right?" Rosalie interrupted: "What''s the point of arguing with a mute? Come


    inside. It''s raining."


    Since Oscar was not her son, she didn''t care so much.

 Chapter 82 Drama

    Chapter 82 Drama


    Chapter 82 Drama


    This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Angelica held the child in her arms and cast a cold nce at Lilian before turning and entering the


    house.


    It was drizzling outside, and everyone followed suit and entered the house.


    Lilian remained standing in ce, watching as the whole family went inside.


    Johnson bent down to pick up the fallen fruit from the ground and put it back into the bag. He then


    walked over to Lilian.


    "Lilian, these fruits are all damaged. Do you still want them?"


    Lilian turned to look at the man. He still wore that perfectly ced smile on his face, neither close


    nor distant.


    His smile was like a mask, concealing his true nature and preventing anyone from catching a


    glimpse of whaty beneath.


    Lilian took the fruit bag, nodding in gratitude.


    When she had picked up the fruits earlier, her fingers inadvertently brushed against his skin.


    Johnson put his hand behind his back and caressed his fingertips, as if savoring the touch from


    earlier.


    Lilian lifted her head and caught a glimpse of the amusement in his eyes. She pursed her lips.


    After a moment, she selected an intact apple from the bag and handed it to him.


    Johnson raised an eyebrow. "Is this for me?"


    Lilian nodded.


    He chuckled and took it. "Thank you, Lilian."


    Lilian lowered her gaze, tightening her grip on the bag.


    Johnson said, "Let''s go inside. Dad is waiting in there."


    He took the lead, and Lilian followed behind him.


    When Ruby saw them enter together, her expression darkened for a moment, but she quickly


    regained her usual smile.


    "Johnson, it seems like Bennie needs a diaper change again. Can you take care of it?"


    Ruby lifted the child from the stroller and handed him to Johnson.


    "Sure, let me check." Johnson took the child, maintaining his smile.


    After he went upstairs, Everett scrutinized Lilian and asked her, "Where''s Frank? Why didn''t he


    come together?"


    Lilian shook her head and gestured. "I don''t know. Maybe he''s busy with work."


    Everett''s face darkened, and he turned to Ruby. "Ruby, didn''t you inform him?"


    Ruby hurriedly replied, "I sent him a message this afternoon, but who knows what he''s up to?"


    Maybe he was celebrating the New Year with someone he cherished. Ruby didn''t say this out loud,


    but everyone understood it implicitly.


    "That brat." Everett''s tone was unpleasant. He then said, "Give him a call."


    Ruby nodded and took out her phone to call Francis.


    While waiting for the call to connect, suddenly an orange hit Lilian. She looked up and saw Oscar


    making faces at her.


    Everett also noticed and quickly nced at the child. His imposing aura scared the child into hiding


    in his mother''s arms.


    "Angelica, you need to discipline this child properly. He has no manners at all!"


    Angelica''s face paled, and she exined, "Dad, he''s still young. I''ll teach him slowly."


    "He''s seven years old. When Frank was his age, he had already passed the French proficiency test.


    Look at your son now."


    Angelica''s mouth twitched. She found it both funny and annoying.


    She had no idea whether Everett was boasting or if he believed that all children in the world should


    be like Francis.


    Rosalie, who was beside them, couldn''t hide her proud smile. But the thought of her exceptionally


    talented son being overshadowed by this mute child made her furious.


    She turned to look at Lilian and whispered, "Why are you standing there like a lemon? Go and help


    with the cooking."


    Coincidentally, Francis answered the phone and heard his mother''s words.

 Chapter 83 Bathroom Encounter

    Chapter 83 Bathroom Encounter


    Chapter 83 Bathroom Encounter


    Lilian bit her lip and turned to leave.


    She went to the restroom and saw Johnson washing his hands inside.


    When Johnson saw her, he grabbed two disposable towels to dry his hands. "Come in. I''m done."


    Lilian nodded with a smile and walked in.


    "The floor is a bit slippery, be... " Before he could finish saying his words, Lilian slipped and fell


    backward.


    In a panic, she tried to grab onto something, and in the chaos, she grabbed onto Johnson''s arm.


    Johnson quickly reacted and caught her. His hand wrapped around her waist, and in an extremely


    ambiguous position, Lilian fell into his arms.


    Lilian held onto his arm tightly and looked up at him.


    Johnson was slightly startled, feeling that his hand on her waist suddenly became scorching hot.


    What Ruby said was correct. Lilian had a pair of mesmerizing eyes. In her pure and clear gaze, it


    seemed like there was an endless depth of affection.


    It was not seductive, yet it made people want to muddy that clear water.


    Just like how most people couldn''t help but want to cuddle and have violent impulses when they


    saw cute animal cubs, a crack appeared in Johnson''s usual expression.


    Just then, two maids passed by and eximed at the sight of their ambiguous postures.


    After realizing what they had witnessed, they hurriedly ran away.


    Johnson immediately let go of Lilian and had a slightly unnatural expression. "Are you okay?"


    Lilian also took a step back, pulling away from him and shaking her head. "I''m fine, thank you."


    Johnson nodded slightly, turned around, and walked out of the restroom.


    Upon hearing the door closing, Johnson halted and looked back at the closed door.


    The smile on his face faded.


    He couldn''t believe that the dummy was not afraid of him anymore.


    Interesting!


    In the vi, the gossip quickly spread like wildfire. The incident in the restroom where Lilian and


    Johnson held each other became known privately.


    "I knew it. Mr. Smith has a strange look in his eyes when he looks at the mute. There must be


    something going on between them."


    "That''s right. He doesn''t look at Ms. Ruby Landau in that way. His gaze is full of affection."


    "Indeed. But Ms. Lilian cannot speak, so even if there is something, she can''t express it."


    "Poor girl! I saw the Third Young Master getting physical with her before."


    R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    The discussion among the people heated up, and they were unaware that Ruby was standing


    behind them.


    One of them finally noticed and stood up in rm, stuttering, "Ms. Ruby Landau."


    Ruby looked at them coldly. "What are you talking about?"


    "N-Nothing."


    "Nothing? Continue speaking then. I haven''t heard enough yet." Leaning against the door frame,


    Ruby folded her arms across her chest and smirked at them.


    The maids'' faces turned pale and they looked at each other, afraid to speak.


    Ruby said, "Tell me everything you saw and heard in full detail."


    "We were just guessing..."


    Before the maid could finish her words, Ruby''s attitude suddenly changed. "Guessing? You dare


    guess about such matters. Don''t you want your jobs anymore?"


    She sneered and scanned the group of people before continuing, "Speak. Tell me everything you


    saw and heard in full detail."


    One of the maids swallowed nervously, tremblingly recounting everything they had witnessed.

 Chapter 84 He Defended Her

    Chapter 84 He Defended Her


    Chapter 84 He Defended Her


    Ruby''s expression was quite awkward, not because she didn''t trust Johnson.


    It was because they had been married for over two years, but she had never truly seen his true self.


    He always hid his true feelings, appearing close to her but actually never opened his heart to her.


    It was like a wall couldn''t be seen or touched, but it stood between them, keeping her at a distance.


    Every time Johnson and Lilian were together, Ruby would feel a sense of panic, without any reason


    for it.


    Ruby often wondered if it was because Lilian had deceived her older brother by pretending to be


    pitiful when they were children. That was why she was so easily frightened.


    Now even the servants had seen it, and the evidence was clear. What other reason could she use


    to calm the unease in her heart?


    Ruby warned, "Keep this matter to yourselves. If I hear anyone talking about it again, don''t me


    me for losing my temper!"


    After saying this, she turned and left.


    She returned to the living room, where Johnson was still casually chatting with others as if nothing


    had happened, not even giving Ruby a nce.


    Ruby sat down beside him and was about to say something when Francis returned.


    As soon as he appeared, the atmosphere in the room subtly changed, and the voices gradually


    lowered.


    "Frank, you''re back. Come over here." Rosalie greeted him warmly. Only when she saw Francis


    would she show such genuine joy.


    Francis responded ndly, nced around, and asked, "Where''s Lilian?"


    Rosalie''s smile stiffened. This was her son, but as soon as he came home, he asked about that


    dummy. mes of anger burned in her heart.


    Johnson said, "Lilian should be busy in the kitchen right now."


    Francis sneered and said, "Are there no servants in the house?"


    Rosalie became somewhat displeased. She nced at Johnson out of the corner of her eye,


    suspecting that he was deliberately causing trouble.


    "Frank, Lilian just went to the kitchen to help out. It''s not like she was being asked to go to war. Why


    are you so nervous? If someone doesn''t know, they would think that our family is bullying your wife."


    Francis looked at her and said ndly, "So many people are here, but why don''t I see anyone else


    going to help? Or are you saying that this meal can''t be made without Lilian?"


    Francis''s words carried a hint of aggression, which caught Rosalie off guard. She didn''t expect him


    to defend Lilian in front of so many people and not show her any respect.


    "Frank, what do you mean? Do you mean that I am intentionally making things difficult for her?"


    "I didn''t say that. I just think that if you don''t want to sit at the same table with her, there''s no need to


    go through the trouble of calling her over."


    "You..."


    Rosalie was furious and was about to retort when Everett spoke in a deep voice, "That''s enough! I


    called you all back for dinner, not to argue!"


    "If you want to argue, go outside and do it. It''s been going on every day. How disgraceful!"


    As soon as Everett spoke, everyone quieted down. Rosalie clenched her teeth and cursed him in


    her heart.


    When Lilian came out with a tray, she suddenly heard Francis calling her.


    Lilian paused, turned her head to look at him, and then ced the tray in the dining room before


    walking over.


    This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Francis held her hand and looked at her with a deep gaze. "Why didn''t you call me toe with


    you?"


    Lilian lowered her eyes and didn''t reply.


    Anyway, he was never there when she needed him. What was the point of calling him?


    "Alright, let''s eat first," said Everett.


    The others got up and walked towards the dining room. Lilian hadn''t taken a few steps when Oscar


    appeared out of nowhere, holding a toy gun in his hand.


    "Biu!"


    "I''ll shoot you to death! Dummy!"


    His face showed a self-righteous but actually ferocious expression as he aimed the toy gun at Lilian


    and pulled the trigger. The stic bullet hit her eye end urately.


    Lilian was caught off guard and a sudden pain swept over her. Her vision went ck and she slowly


    bent down, covering her eyes.

 Chapter 85 Not a Small Matter

    Chapter 85 Not a Small Matter


    Chapter 85 Not a Small Matter


    Everything happened too suddenly. When the bullet hit Lilian''s face, she didn''t make a sound, and


    everyone thought the child was just ying around.


    "Lilian!" Francis naturally saw it and immediately supported Lilian.


    Lilian''s eyes were in pain and she almost couldn''t stand steady.


    It wasn''t until Francis shouted that everyone turned their heads and btedly realized that Oscar


    had hit Lilian.


    Angelica pulled Oscar into her arms and scolded him pretending to be angry, "You brat! Stop fooling


    around."


    Oscar didn''t listen and struggled to shoot Lilian again, but his father stopped him in time.


    "No more nonsense, give me the toy." Mike held onto the toy gun and tried to take it away, but


    Oscar tightly held onto it and refused to let go.


    "This is mine!"


    Francis pulled Lilian''s hand apart and checked her eyes. Fortunately, it only hit the corner of her


    eye, but her whole eye was red.


    He turned his head to look at Oscar, and Oscar was frightened by his cold gaze and forgot to react.


    This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Angelica quickly tried to smooth things over and pretended to be caring as she went forward and


    checked Lilian''s eyes. Then she said, "It looks fine. It''s just a toy gun, so it shouldn''t hurt."


    Lilian''s eye was incredibly red, and the part where she was hit was slightly bruised.


    Francis nced at Angelica and asked, "Angelica, how do you know it doesn''t hurt?"


    "It''s just a small stic bullet. How painful can it be? Frank, I know you care about Lilian, but do you


    really have to argue with a child?"


    "Then should I argue with you?" Francis''s eyes carried a hint of mockery. "So, as the parent, how do


    you n to resolve this?"


    Angelica choked. She suppressed her anger and said, "It''s just a toy gun. Do you really have to..."


    "Yes." Francis ruthlessly interrupted her.


    "You..." Angelica couldn''t do anything about him, so she turned to seek help from Everett. "Dad, we


    finally came back. How could Frank target us like this?"


    "If you didn''t want to see us, you wouldn''t have called us back. This is not a meal. It''s just being


    treated unfairly. In the end, we''re still outsiders, and anyone can bully us."


    Rosalie became unhappy and took over the conversation. "Angelica, what you said is not right. If we


    treated you as outsiders, we wouldn''t have called you back. You can be angry, but don''t lump


    everyone together. When have I ever bullied you?"


    "Enough! Are you not done causing a scene?" Everett also got mad. He sternly said, "You make


    such a fuss over such a small matter. Have you had enough? I called you back for a meal, but now


    it''s my fault!"


    As soon as Everett spoke, both of them fell silent.


    But he didn''t mention anything about Lilian being hit. In the end, it was because he didn''t care about


    Lilian, and it didn''t matter.


    Everett continued, "I''ll ask you. Are you going to eat here or not?"


    Lilian lowered her head and stood there quietly, her eyelids burning hot. The stic bullet didn''t


    really hurt, but it depended on where it hit.


    The pain wasn''t really hurtful, but it was the feeling of being isted and ignored by everyone that


    hurt the most.


    Francis said, "Is there still a need to have this meal?"


    Everett coldly looked at him. "What did you say?"


    Francis calmly met his gaze and repeated word for word, "I said there was no need to continue with


    this meal. Do you think we can sit at the table peacefully in the current atmosphere?"


    Francis''s words made sense. At this moment, almost everyone had grudges in their hearts, so it


    would be difficult to eat in peace.


    At this moment, Mike stepped forward and tried to mediate. "It''s just a small misunderstanding.


    We''re family, so don''t let a small matter ruin our rtionship."


    "A small matter?"


    Mike''s mouth twitched. "Then what do you think?"


    Francis stared at him for a while and suddenlyughed. "It seems like I made a big fuss over


    nothing."


    "I didn''t mean that..."

 Chapter 86 Took Revenge

    Chapter 86 Took Revenge


    Chapter 86 Took Revenge


    "We''re supposed to eat, right? Should we stop?" Francis interrupted him, and his face returned to


    normal as if he wasn''t the one who had been angry just now.


    Johnson chuckled and said, "Let''s go to the dining room first. Everyone shouldn''t stay here like


    this."


    Ruby held onto his arm and looked up at him. Her expression didn''t look happy.


    Francis turned to Lilian, his finger touching the injured area. "Does it still hurt?"


    Lilian looked into his eyes. The concern in them didn''t seem fake.


    He was always like this, sometimes appearing so close, like the moon in the water, just a reach


    away.


    But when she truly reached out to grab the moon, she would realize it was just an illusion, easily


    shattered with a gentle touch.


    He was like that, leading her step by step, willingly jumping into a bottomless abyss.


    He led her to dive into the water and chase after that unattainable moon until suffocating in the tide.


    And he watched from the side, soberly witnessing her downfall.


    Lilian withdrew her gaze and lowered her longshes to cover the look in her eyes. She shook her


    head.


    Francis no longer spoke, holding her hand as they entered the dining room.


    Everyone at the table had different thoughts, and naturally, the atmosphere of a normal family


    reunion meal was absent.


    Francis seemed to have forgotten about the toy gun incident, calmly chatting with Mike about


    everyday matters and asking about the performance of Mike''s subsidiarypany.


    The Landau family''s business was extensive, and it was unknown whether Everett wanted equal


    treatment for his younger generation or had other intentions.


    The business under Landau Group was not explicitly delegated to anyone.


    Although Francis was his excellent son whom he was proud of, he only gave Francis the position of


    CEO and a 20% stake, while the real power remained in his hands.


    Although he had retired and rarely interfered in thepany''s affairs, he still held absolute control


    over thepany.


    The subsidiarypany in Mike''s hands was a dowry given by Everett to his daughter, with a 10%


    stake in Landau Group.


    The same went for when Ruby got married, she also received a subsidiarypany with a 10%


    stake.


    However, Ruby didn''t like to manage thepany, leaving it to Johnson to handle. In addition to


    that, Johnson also served as a vice president of thepany.


    The one who almost had no presence was Everett''s youngest son. He didn''t work in thepany


    or have any shares. Anyway, he spent his days leading a luxurious life and not doing decent work,


    and no one minded it.


    So, there were too many twists and turns in this big family.


    After finishing the meal, the family sat together, seemingly harmonious but distant, chatting about


    various topics.


    Francis sat alone on the side, not participating in their conversation. He smiled and waved at Oscar.


    Oscar looked at him warily. Perhaps he smiled too kindly, so Oscar became bolder and walked


    towards Francis.


    "What are you doing?" Oscar stared straight at him.


    Francis nced at the toy gun in his hand and smiled. "You''re so good at ying. Can you teach


    me how to y?"


    Oscar blinked his eyes, and his little face instantly became proud.


    "You''re really dumb, not even knowing how to y this. Let me teach you..."


    In all seriousness, Oscar naively exined to him how to y with the toy gun, and Francis


    maintained his smile, listening attentively.


    "Let me try." Francis took the toy gun from his hand, and Oscar generously handed it over.


    "Like this?" Francis pulled the trigger and aimed the barrel at Oscar with a faint smile.


    This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    When Oscar was stunned, he pulled the trigger.

 Chapter 87 Unpleasant Ending

    Chapter 87 Unpleasant Ending


    Chapter 87 Unpleasant Ending


    A sudden howl of crying broke the silence, and everyone turned their heads in unison.


    Oscar covered his face and squatted on the ground, crying bitterly, while Francis calmly yed with


    the toy gun in his hand.


    His expression was indifferent as if he didn''t see Oscar crying. His attention waspletely focused


    on the toy gun in his hand. He almost wanted to tell everyone that he made Oscar cry with the gun.


    Seeing this, Lilian clenched her sleeves subconsciously, her heart beating faster.


    Angelica and Mike were the first to rush over. Angelica picked up Oscar and anxiously checked the


    injury on his face.


    "What happened to you, Oscar?"


    Oscar was gasping for breath from crying, and the corner of his eye was red. He was little and his


    skin was tender. His entire face turned red when he cried, so the redness at the corner of his eye


    wasn''t as noticeable.


    But the sunken skin at the corner of his eyes made Angelica furious.


    She red at Francis and said, "Francis, what do you mean?"


    Only then did Francis shift his gaze to her face and casually said, "stic bullets don''t hurt."


    "You..."


    He retorted to Angelica with what she had said, leaving her speechless and unable to express her


    anger.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    Francis looked at her with indifference, and his cold and distant eyes seemed to be looking down on


    everyone. He said, "Or do you want to try it too?"


    "Francis, you''ve gone too far!" Angelica stood up and angrily said, "You''re already thirty years old,


    yet you quibble with a seven-year-old child. Are you a real man?"


    "Angelica, don''t speak so harshly. When did I quibble with him? But you are overreacting. It''s just a


    stic bullet, but you are so mad. Who''s the one quibbling?"


    Angelica was so angry that she almost fainted on the spot. She couldn''t win an argument against


    Francis, let alone a fight. This frustration made her feel suffocated.


    At this moment, Johnson walked over. He bent down to look at Oscar''s eyes and then said, "It''s


    indeed not serious. Angelica, I think we should just let it go."


    Angelica red at him, wanting to say that he, as a live-in son-inw, shouldn''t act so hypocritically


    here. But she didn''t want to offend Ruby.


    She took a deep breath, suppressed her anger, and coldly snorted. "Forget it. There are more of


    you here, so I can''t win. I shouldn''t havee today."


    Angelica held Oscar who was crying and came to Everett. "Dad, don''t invite me to such a gathering


    in the future. I can''t fit in. We''ll go first."


    Everett''s face turned livid, but before he could say anything, Angelica left with Oscar in her arms.


    Rosalie sighed. "Why is Angelica so hot-tempered?"


    Everett nced at her, suddenly stood up, and went upstairs, not wanting to deal with these people


    anymore.


    "Johnson, let''s go to sleep!" Ruby, who didn''t interfere, spoke with a stern face. Hearing what the


    servant said had made her so frustrated.


    Johnson openly supported Lilian just now, which made her more suspicious.


    Although Johnson was just a live-in son-inw, Ruby didn''t dare to oppress him. He was like the


    wind, elusive.


    Ruby often had the feeling that he could leave her at any time.


    After being married for over two years, she didn''t understand him at all.


    His temper was so good that it seemed like he didn''t care about anything and didn''t mind losing.


    Someone who couldn''t be controlled like him made Ruby live in constant fear.


    Johnson nodded slightly and walked towards Ruby, going upstairs with her.


    As he passed by Lilian, Lilian looked up at him and happened to see the meaningful look in his


    eyes.


    Before Lilian could react, Johnson had already averted his gaze as if their eye contact was just her


    imagination.


    Rosalie asked Francis if he wanted to stay there, and Francis refused without hesitation.


    He threw the toy gun into the trash can, but the gun was too long and knocked over the trash can.


    "Let''s go." He looked at Lilian.

 Chapter 88 He Was Avoiding Her Feelings

    Chapter 88 He Was Avoiding Her Feelings


    Chapter 88 He Was Avoiding Her Feelings


    Lilian pursed her lips and got up, walking beside him as they left the vi together.


    It waste at night, and the rain was pouring harder.


    Francis held an umbre, and the raindrops fell on the umbre, making a clear sound in the night.


    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    Lilian looked at his profile in the darkness, feeling inexplicable emotions. He had been so harsh to


    her before.


    Yet today, he came to defend her and even offended Angelica for her.


    What exactly was he thinking?


    She couldn''t figure him out at all.


    Suddenly, Lilian stopped walking. The umbre moved away from her head, and the heavy rain


    instantly poured down, blurring her vision.


    He paused for a moment, took a step back, and ced the umbre back over her head. "What''s


    wrong?"


    Lilian looked up at him. The light in the yard was enveloped by the heavy rain. When the light


    passed through the dense rain curtain and fell on his face, it was barely visible.


    She stared at Francis for a long time before gesturing with her hand, "Why?"


    Francis tilted his head, a hint of confusion shing across his eyes as he raised his eyebrows. He


    seemed to be asking her what she meant.


    Lilian gestured, "Why are you being nice to me?"


    Francis stared at her without blinking, his voice indistinct in the heavy rain. "Isn''t that what I should


    do?"


    Lilian shook her head. "No, if you''re too nice to a girl, she will fall in love with you."


    Francis didn''t say anything and just looked at her.


    Lilian didn''t wait for his answer. Perhaps, as Courtney had said, men liked to y dumb when it


    came to a rtionship. This way, they could avoid ny percent of the troubles.


    He shifted his gaze away from Lilian''s face and looked elsewhere. Besides the heavy rain, there


    was only the pitch-ck night sky, with nothing else.


    Just like his gaze, it was all emptiness.


    "Is that so?" His voice was even softer than before, not like he was talking to Lilian, but more like he


    was talking to himself.


    Then, he looked at Lilian and said, "I see."


    With just two simple words, he disyed his indifference and ruthlessness to the fullest. Lilian


    suddenly felt that the rain on her head was so heavy, and her heart sank.


    She had the urge to cry.


    His answer was avoiding her words and rejecting her unspoken feelings.


    He really... refused to give her any love.


    Lilian tightly clenched her fingers, her nails digging into her palm. The pain spread through her body,


    and even her breath felt painful in her chest.


    She tightened her throat, suppressing the urge to cry.


    Then, she took a step back, stepping out of the shelter of his umbre and letting the rain wash over


    her cheeks.


    She gestured, "I''m not going back. I want to continue living here."


    Francis didn''t step forward to shield her from the rain again. He silently watched as she got soaked


    by the rain. "Have you made up your mind?"


    Lilian nodded. "At least it''s lively here."


    "Alright, then stay here for a few days." He handed the umbre to Lilian, but she didn''t take it. He


    held her hand and ced the umbre in it.


    "I''m leaving now."


    Lilian held the umbre and watched him disappear into the rain without looking back.


    She pressed her hand against her chest, and the rainwater flowed into her mouth along her cheeks.


    The rainwater seemed to be bitter.

 Chapter 89 Johnsons Secret

    Chapter 89 Johnson''s Secret


    Chapter 89 Johnson''s Secret


    He proved his answer with his actions.


    He knew that Lilian wouldn''t live well at the Landau Residence, but this time he chose to agree.


    She stared nkly in the direction he disappeared, bitterness spreading in her heart. What exactly


    did she want to confirm?


    Did she want to confirm that he truly understood her words? Did she want to confirm his


    heartlessness?


    Lilian returned to the vi. After tonight''s drama, everyone went back to their rooms to sleep.


    This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    She also returned to her bedroom and found clothes to take a shower in the bathroom.


    As soon as Lilian closed her eyes, many things yed in her mind like a movie - the good and the


    bad. In summary, she had lived an utterly failed life during these twenty years in the Landau family.


    She didn''t know where she came from, nor did she know who she was.


    One day in the past, she woke up and saw Thomas''s face. Before that, her memory waspletely


    nk.


    Thomas told her that her name was Lilian and that she was an orphan who would be living with him


    in the future.


    She came to the Landau family in such a clueless manner and became someone who wasn''t


    considered a family member of the Landau family.


    In a daze, she lived these twenty years.


    God had never treated her kindly. Even the only bit of light had be dim and hazy, drifting


    further and further away from her.


    ......


    Le Magique.


    The private room was lively, filled with many youngdies dressed provocatively, twisting their


    waists in the colorfully lit private rooms.


    It had been a long time since Michael had enjoyed such a sumptuous feast. He held a microphone


    and rushed into the group of youngdies, dancing with them.


    However, his dance was subtle and stiff, making him look quite ridiculous.


    Lester and Francis sat together, quietly watching the group of beautiful women dancing, their faces


    devoid of any emotions.


    Lester took a sip of his wine and said, "The customs issue has been resolved. In the process of


    dealing with this matter, I came across something interesting."


    Francis crossed his legs and nced at him indifferently. "Oh?"


    Lester lowered his voice and said, "The people targeting you don''t seem to be involved in logistics.


    They are involved in scientific research and development. Don''t you find that strange?"


    "I know. Tell me something useful."


    Lester was somewhat surprised. It turned out that Francis had already found out, which exined


    why he was asked to handle it.


    The other party''spany was not based in the country, yet they chose to target the Landau family,


    indicating that it was a personal grudge, or rather, a target specifically aimed at Francis.


    There were many other ways to target the Landau family, so why start with the logisticspany


    managed by Francis?


    By doing so, Francis had also implicated the Sachs family.


    Lester paused for a moment, carefully considering his words before speaking, "This information is of


    great help to you. If I tell you, will you show some gratitude?"


    Although what Courtney did wouldn''t bankrupt the Sachs family, it did cause some serious damage.


    He needed Francis''s help, or the Sachs family would be in extreme danger if someone took


    advantage of the situation.


    "Whether it''s helpful or not, I won''t know until you say it." Francis casually yed with a lighter, the


    flickering me casting an uncertain light on his features.


    Lester said, "Your brother-inw, Johnson, once outsourced a project to thispany. They were


    the cooperation partners for that project."


    Francis paused for a moment and then turned to look at Lester. "Is that so?"


    Lester nodded. "You''ll find out if you investigate."


    "The project that was outsourced was recorded under Sky Media''s ounts. If I remember


    correctly, thispany should be the dowry your father gave to Ruby, right?"


    Although thispany was under Ruby''s name, it still held the majority shares of the Landau Group


    and was closely tied to the interests of the mainpany.

 Chapter 90 Think About Having a Child

    Chapter 90 Think About Having a Child


    Chapter 90 Thinking about Having a Child


    Francis remained silent. His gaze fixed on some distant point, and he was lost in thought.


    "What are you two talking about?" Michael came over, plopping down beside Lester.


    Lester smiled and said, "We''re talking about younger sisters. How about you, having fun?"


    Michael chuckled, "Of course, Mr. Landau, do you have some great news today? You''ve asked so


    many chicks to apany us for drinks. You never used to do that."


    Francis cast a nce at him and said, "I asked them to apany you, don''t waste them."


    Michael said, "What do you mean ''don''t waste them''? I''m still a pure-hearted young man!"


    Francis chuckled softly and ignored him.


    Lester couldn''t resist saying, "Really? You''re always moring for younger sisters, and now you


    im to be pure-hearted. It''s hard to believe, isn''t it?"


    Michael blushed., and he said, "Of course! You think I''m just like you, pretending to be all


    sanctimonious on the surface but sneaky behind others'' backs......"


    Michael realized that he said too much and something was wrong halfway through. He quickly


    covered his mouth.


    Lester raised his eyebrow, ncing at Francis from the corner of his eyes.


    There was a sly smile ying on Francis''s lips, with a hint of menace.


    Michael hurriedly tried to put the words back, "So, Mr. Francis, did you quarrel with that Julian? Is


    that why you came here to rx?"


    Francis retorted, "Why? Do I have to have a quarrel toe here and rx?"


    Michael scratched his head. He didn''t know what to say for a while, "Huh...... That''s not true."


    Francis indeed acted strangely tonight, although Michael couldn''t quite pinpoint what was odd.


    Lester intervened and tried to defuse the situation, "You are a pure-hearted virgin. You don''t


    understand the adult''s affairs, so don''t inquire blindly."


    Michael''s face turned more blushed, and he red at Lester, "You''re the pure-hearted virgin one! I


    meant the pure-hearted young man!"


    "What''s the difference?"


    "Of course, the former is physically not good, thetter is not in love, do you understand?"


    Lester smiled and shook his head, choosing not to retort further.


    Then he suddenly remembered something and semi-yfully asked Francis, "You are also not


    young, don''t you think about having a child?"


    Francis responded dryly, "What do I need a child for?"


    This response left Lester momentarily stumped. He contemted for a while and said, "Your words


    are not quite right. A child is the continuation of life, a source of hope and connection. Why you


    think having a child is for something?"


    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    "Connection......" Francis seemed lost in thought, "Isn''t it just an impediment?"


    "Mr. Francis, how can a child be an impediment? A little one like that, what can he impede you? You


    see you''re married, but you don''t have a child. It''s not aplete family."


    "Don''t you feel a little envious when you see someone else''s family of three?"


    Francis didn''t speak. Lester didn''t know what Francis was thinking.


    Michael pulled Lester''s sleeve, saying to his ear, "Mr. Sachs, why is Francis acting so strangely


    tonight?"


    Lester moved the corners of his mouth and didn¡¯t answer Michael.


    Lester saw Francis did seem odd tonight.


    It wasn''t like the result of a quarrel with Julian. Otherwise, he might drink heavily rather than sitting


    here lost in thought.


    He didn''t drink all night.


    Moreover, when they discussed the topic of having a child, Francis did not seem to be so disgusted.


    He lost in contemtion, thinking about many things, but it wasn''t a dislike for a child.


    Lester asked further, "What if Lilian identally gets pregnant? What would you do?"

 Chapter 91 For a Change of Mood

    Chapter 91For a Change of Mood


    Chapter 91 For a Change of Mood


    Upon hearing this, Francis''s gaze fixed intently on Lester, "What did you say?"


    Lester suddenly felt his scalp tighten. Francis''s expression in his eyes made Lester doubt if he


    omitted the "what if" part in his previous statement.


    He hurriedly exined, "I was just making a casual remark. No need to react so strongly."


    "Let''s not make such assumptions," Francis firmly rejected his words, and his attitude was


    extremely tough.


    Lester''s eyelids jumped, wondering if Francis seemed to not want Lilian to get pregnant.


    "Alright, I spoke out of turn," Lester chuckled, realizing that Lilian''s decision to ask him to keep her


    pregnancy a secret was probably the right one.


    He couldn''t understand why someone would not like their child.


    ......


    Lilian was caught in the rainst night, and she had a slight fever at midnight. She had been in bed


    the entire day.


    Nobody knew she was at the Francis Residence until the maid conducted a routine cleaning in the


    afternoon, discovering Lilian lying in bed.


    As soon as the maid lifted the quilt, she was startled when she found someone on the bed.


    "Ms. Rossum (used when Nelson Casey referred to Lilian Rossum)?"


    Lilian opened her eyes in a daze and saw the maid''s look of shock, and she propped herself up and


    sat up.


    "How could you be here?" The maid asked.


    Lilian gestured and saw the confusion in the maid''s eyes. She gave up and took out her mobile


    phone to type words to the maid.


    "I''m staying here for a few days," she typed out.


    The maid finally understood. "Alright, is there anything you need assistance with?"


    Lilian continued typing, "Please bring me two fever-reducing pills. Thank you."


    "Of course, please wait."


    The maid put down what she held and left to fetch the medicine.


    Lilian raised her hand to touch her forehead. Her hand felt as warm as her forehead, and naturally,


    she couldn''t discern anything by touch.


    However, she had the same dizziness and throbbing headache as herst fever. She went through


    this before.


    Soon the maid brought in the fever-reducing medicine and warm water and handed it to Lilian, who


    slept for several hours after eating.


    When she woke up again, it was already seven or eight in the evening.


    She sweated profusely, and her fever subsided somewhat.


    She heard Ruby''s voice downstairs. She was cooing at a child in her arms, her face filled with the


    joy and tenderness of a new mother.


    Upon seeing Lilian, Ruby was momentarily surprised. It seemed she hadn''t expected Lilian to still


    be here.


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    Ruby smirked, "Ms. Rossum, didn''t you go backst night?" "


    Lilian shook her head.


    Ruby then recalled what the maid said and her smirk faded slightly, "Why did you suddenly decide


    to stay here?"


    Lilian gestured, "I wanted to for a change of mood."


    Ruby''s eyelids twitched. For a change of mood? Why did she have to stay here?


    She didn''t say this, because there was no evidence. She didn''t want to guess indiscriminately, thus


    affecting her rtionship with Johnson.


    "Then, Ms. Rossum, how many days do you n to stay?"


    Lilian gestured again, "I don''t know, maybe just two or three days."


    At that moment, Johnson returned home from outside. Ruby caught a glimpse of him from the


    corner of her eye, returned to a smile on her face and asked, "Alright, Ms. Rossum just had a


    miscarriage, and your body is weak. It''s a good idea for you to rest here for a few days."


    This statement was not just said to Lilian, it was also to Johnson.


    If Johnson still had feelings for a woman who had two miscarriages of children, then it could only


    mean that he had a problem with his brain.


    Upon hearing this, Johnson didn''t react much. He walked in withposure.


    He was still dressed in that traditional attire, with slightly curly hair hanging down at the sides. He


    walked directly to Ruby''s side with a constant smile on his face.


    After sitting down, Johnson gently touched the baby''s cheek and asked with a smile, "Did he


    mess around today?"

 Chapter 92 Stabbing Her Heart With a Knife

    Chapter 92 StabbingHer HeartWith a Knife


    Chapter 92 Stabbing Her Heart With a Knife


    Ruby smiled as she handed the baby over to him. "He is very well-behaved today, hardly cried at


    all. Look at this little heartbreaker, he smiles when he sees you."


    The child grinned his toothless mouth and made a sound of babbling. Heughed as he looked at


    Johnson.


    Despite this, Johnson''s smile on his face remained unchanged. His smile, almost like a mask, didn''t


    waver even in the presence of his son.


    Observing the harmonious family scene of three, Lilian couldn''t help but subconsciously ce her


    hand on her abdomen. Each time, it reminded her of the profound emptiness she felt inside.


    She yearned to keep that child, escaping from Francis and those two ruffians'' contact. She endured


    any hardship for it.


    Yet, she couldn''t escape from the contact of the members of the Francis family.


    Ruby didn''t miss the opportunity to stab her heart with a knife, "Ms. Rossum, you''re still young.


    There will be more children in your future."


    Lilian looked at Ruby, whose smile was filled with mockery and scorn.


    Lilian raised the corners of her mouth slightly without responding to Ruby and walked over to the


    sofa to pour herself a ss of water.


    Seeing her this way, Ruby suddenly felt an inexplicable anger rising within her heart. She stood up


    abruptly, "Johnson, watch Bennie for me. I will go to the restroom."


    "Alright, go ahead,"


    Johnson hugged Bennie and sorted out the nket on his body for him. Lilian drank water next to


    him, and the living room was eerily quiet.


    Fortunately, the sound of babbling in the child''s mouth made the atmosphere in the living room less


    awkward.


    Johnson suddenly turned to look at Lilian.


    Lilian felt Johnson''s gaze and also turned her head. Their eyes met briefly.


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    Lilian quickly averted her gaze, lowering her head to sip the water.


    "Ms. Rossum, where''s my elder brother?" Johnson broke the silence and said.


    Lilian paused and then turned to look at him, shaking her head to indicate she didn''t know.


    Johnson said, "He didn''t go to thepany today. I thought he might be with you."


    Lilian lowered her eyes. When did he ever not go to thepany to be with her?


    Only Julian had this special case and could make him break that routine.


    Yesterday, Francis must have spent it with Julian on New Year''s Day.


    Thinking of this, Lilian took out her phone and opened her Moments.


    She wanted to know where Francis was. She only needed to open Julian''s Moments, and Julian''s


    Moments was Francis''s humanoid locator.


    Unexpectedly, Julian hadn''t updated her Moments at all yesterday.


    Lilian initially thought it hadn''t refreshed properly and tried several times. But there were indeed no


    updates Moments, with the most recent one being from a few days ago.


    She also opened Twitter, but the result was the same -- no posts.


    Johnson seemed like he wanted to say something. Then his phone rang. It was a call from Francis.


    He hesitated for a moment and put the child back in the stroller. He picked up his phone to answer


    the call.


    "Hello, Elder Brother?"


    "Now? Alright, I know."


    Lilian subconsciously turned her head to look at him. She noticed that Johnson''s expression


    became serious. She also began to feel anxious.


    After Johnson hung up the phone, he pushed the stroller to Lilian''s side, "Ms. Rossum, please help


    take a look, I''ll go out."


    Lilian was stunned, looking down at the baby.


    The baby was fair and tender with round, ck eyes and chubby cheeks. Every movement he


    made exuded vitality and liveliness.


    Lilian shifted her gaze away. She didn''t want to look at the child any longer.


    Every time she saw the child, he reminded her of the horrifying image of her child turning into a


    mass of dead flesh.


    Without a word, Johnson gently moved the stroller a little farther away, "I''ve ced Bennie here.


    Just keep an eye on him."


    At that moment, Ruby walked out.


    What she saw was Johnson handing her baby over to Lilian to look after.

 Chapter 93 Rubys Anger

    Chapter 93 Ruby''s Anger


    Chapter 93 Ruby''s Anger


    Ruby''s anger surged like a volcano. She strode over, gripping the baby carriage.


    "Johnson, how could you let Lilian take care of Bennie when she has just had a miscarriage?" she


    asked, implying that Lilian might harm the child if she harbored any resentment.


    Ruby knew what her family had done to Lilian. That''s why she had such worries.


    Johnson nced at her and said with a smile, "I''ve got to go out. Go to bed early. Don''t wait for me."


    "Going out again? Won''t you be back tonight?" A hint of loss shed across Ruby''s face. Every day,


    he went out early in the morning but came homete at night. What he did do out there?


    Ruby had investigated him but found nothing fishy: He kept no other women and rarely interacted


    with them, and he even seldom had female clients. He was careful, leaving her no evidence, but


    she still worried every day.


    "It depends. My brother needs me."


    "Oh."


    She believed Johnson wouldn''t lie about this, nor would Francis cover for him with a kind heart.


    Johnson didn''t say anything more, but nced at Lilian again. "Do you want toe with me,


    Lilian?"


    "What do you need her for?" Ruby was getting angry.


    R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    "Lilian needs to go home anyway. After she meets my brother, they can go back together, right?"


    Johnson said with a gentle smile, his face calm.


    Ruby''s grip on the baby carriage tightened, the veins on the backs of her hands bulging. She


    couldn''t even force a smile. "She said she would stay here for a few days."


    "Is that so?" Johnson seemed to finally realize it. "Then I was being nosy."


    Lilian immediately signed, "I''ll go with you."


    Ruby was losing herposure. She shot a dagger-like re at Lilian, barely maintaining her


    facade.


    This mute had just said she would stay here, but now she said she was going after hearing


    Johnson''s offer. What did she mean? Was she provoking her or afraid of being harassed if she


    stayed?


    Lilian didn''t look at her murderous gaze, focusing on Johnson as if asking for his opinion.


    Johnson nodded and said, "Come with me then."


    Lilian smiled and gestured, "Thank you."


    "You''re wee."


    Ruby watched their interaction, her face a kaleidoscope of emotions. If gazes could kill, Lilian would


    probably have been killed hundreds of times.


    Lilian followed Johnson out of the vi, ignoring the furious Ruby behind her.


    As she got into the car and closed the door, she faintly heard the noise of something shattering in


    the living room.


    Lilian subconsciously nced at Johnson, who seemed unperturbed, either not hearing or not


    caring.


    They didn''t speak on the way, but Lilian wasn''t worried about him doing anything improper to her


    because that was unnecessary. In her view, Johnson didn''t seem like a greedy or lustful person.


    She was afraid of him, simply because his look at her was like a hidden predator''s gaze at its prey,


    and the predator might be a wolf, fox, or falcon.


    She feared such mysterious, unknown terror.


    Johnson drove to thepany and even opened the door for Lilian, but she had stepped out before


    he did that.


    He asked, "Lilian, do you want to go up with me or wait for him down here?"


    Lilian looked around. At this hour, most of thepany''s employees had left, and the receptionist


    was also gone. Now the lobby was so deste in the dim light.


    She gestured, "I''ll be waiting for him in the lobby."

 Chapter 94 Two Mens Conversation

    Chapter 94 Two Men''s Conversation


    Chapter 94 Two Men''s Conversation


    "All right, I''ll go up first."


    Lilian nodded, watching him disappear from the corner leading to the elevator.


    Johnson came to the president''s office, knocked on the door, and pushed it open, walking straight


    in.


    Francis was leafing through a document on the sofa.


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    "Francis."


    He nced up at Johnson and said, "Take a seat."


    Johnson nodded slightly and sat down from cross him. "What''s so important that you had to call so


    late?"


    Francis threw the document at him and said, "You know about Frankie''s entry restrictions, right?"


    "Yes, I know. The problem has been solved, hasn''t it?"


    "It''s been solved, but there''re other problems."


    "What other problems?"


    Francis took out a cigarette, lit it up, and leaned against the sofa, faintly watching Johnson.


    "You''ve worked with thepany targeting Frankie before. Do you know about them?"


    Johnson pondered for a long while before saying, "I''ve worked with so manypanies. Which one


    are you referring to?"


    "TOPSUN."


    Johnson paused and finally remembered. "Oh, it''s them."


    Francis arched his brows but didn''t say anything, waiting for him to continue.


    Johnson picked up the document on the table. As he flipped through it, he said, "I''ve indeed worked


    with them twice. I was satisfied the first time, but they started to ck off the second time.


    "They also wished to sign a long-term cooperation agreement with us, and I kept asking them to


    revise their proposal. In the end, they probably got fed up and gave up. Does it have anything to do


    with the current issue?"


    Francis silently watched him, the cigarette burning between his fingers, white smoke drifting


    between them.


    Johnson''s expression remained unchanged from beginning to end-a smile he usually wore.


    He took thest drag, then extinguished the butt in the ashtray, and said ambiguously, "Maybe."


    "You summoned me here just for this, Francis?"


    "Yes and no."


    "There''s something else?"


    Francis looked at him intently, studying him for a long while, as he had when Johnson married Ruby.


    "Johnson, you''ve been diligent at thepany, and your work is impable, but it''s important to


    bnce work and rest. Don''t neglect your family because of your work."


    These words sound like his concern about Johnson, but the meaning between the lines might be


    that he should pay more attention to Ruby. And what was further beneath this meaning might be...


    someone as capable as him could make great achievements anywhere, but he chose to marry into


    the Landau family.


    He didn''t have shares in thepany, only the dividends he could get at the end of each year and


    his sry as a deputy general manager. But he was devoted to thepany and wless at work,


    almost treating thepany as his own.


    It was hard not to suspect his motives.


    Johnson''s smile froze, but then he said, "Thank you for the reminder. I may have been too eager to


    prove myself and show my value to the Landau family, neglecting Ruby in the process. That''s my


    fault."


    "It''s understandable, but be careful not to overwork yourself."


    "This is something I should be telling you. Your daily workload is much heavier than mine. I can''t


    match even a tenth of you."


    Francis said with a smile, "Let''s not talk about work tonight. There''ll be a gathering in a while. Go


    there with me."


    Johnson asked, "Is it a social event? I can go alone. Lilian is waiting for you down there! Go home


    with her. You should also take time to rest."


    Francis narrowed his eyes and said with a cold smile, "You brought her here?"

 Chapter 95 Plan Failed

    Chapter 95 n Failed


    Chapter 95 n Failed


    "What''s the matter? Don''t you want to see her?" Johnson asked.


    Francis looked at him again with a little more inquiry in his eyes.


    Immediately, Francis smiled, "Later I will ask Nelson to send you the address. Don''t bete."


    "Okay," said Johnson, nodding slightly.


    Francis got up and left the office. When he came out, the smile on his lips disappeared and was


    reced by indifference.


    When he came downstairs, he saw Lilian sitting on the sofa in the lobby, her eyes staring at the


    ground without focus as if she was wandering.


    The light in front of her was suddenly dim, and Lilian came back to her senses. She looked up and


    saw Francis standing in front of her.


    He was tall. When sitting, Lilian had to look up to see his face. But he was against the light, so she


    couldn''t see his look.


    He put his hands in the pocket, looking at her from amanding position. The coat draped behind


    him, making his body look more slender.


    Lilian paused and quickly stood up.


    Francis'' features became clear, as cold as ever, or even colder.


    "Go."


    After saying this, he took the lead, and Lilian silently followed him behind into the elevator, and then


    they came to the underground parking lot together.


    Today he changed his car again, a very low-key ck Mercedes.


    Lilian sat in the car and fastened the seat belt. Francis suddenly said: "Don''t mess up with


    Johnson."


    She made a motion and turned her head to look at Francis.


    Francis'' features were hidden in shadow, and only the outline of his side face could be seen.


    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    Sensing Lilian''s sight, he turned his head to her eyes and said again, "Do you hear me?"


    Lilian pursed her lips and tightened her grip on the seat belt.


    After a moment, she gestured, "Who else I can''t contact? Make me a list."


    Her words indicated her anger, and Francis could sense it.


    He stared at her for a moment before he said, "Who do you think you''re fooling with your little


    tricks?"


    Lilian froze.


    Francis said, "You want to get close to Johnson and drive a wedge between him and Ruby. Do you


    really think they have feelings for each other?"


    "..." Lilian lowered her eyes to avoid his sight, his words, and his eyes, which were like a knife,


    digging out the most shady things in her heart and exposing them to the sun.


    She seemed to be a transparent person, and everyone could easily see through her.


    Francis also said, "Johnson is not a fool. Do you think he can''t see it?" Not only did he see it, he


    took advantage of you, and here you are, gloating."


    Lilian clutched her seat belt and bit her lips, every word he said striking straight at her soul.


    Every word mocked her ignorance and foolishness.


    She didn''t know how long it took before she had the courage to look up and gestured, "How do you


    know?"


    Francis sneered and threw the mobile phone at Lilian.


    Lilian picked up the mobile phone, and it was Ruby''s message, "Francis, can you mind the mute in


    your house? Do you know what the servants are saying?"


    Ruby''s words had the meaning of sowing discord, but it is obvious that Francis was not deceived,


    and there was no misunderstanding.


    Until just now she followed Johnson to thepany did he piece together the mostplete truth


    ording to those intermittent clues.


    Lilian thought that Ruby wouldin and that Francis would do to Johnson what he did to


    Courtney.


    Lilian knew how much Ruby loved Johnson. And if Francis did something to Johnson, Ruby would


    totally turn against him.


    On the other hand, Ruby would also be jealous and angry, and have a rift with Johnson. In a sense,


    all her ns were no problem.


    But she underestimated the shrewdness of these two men, making her look like a fool.


    Francis started the engine and left the underground garage.

 Chapter 96 Light in Despair

    Chapter 96 Light in Despair


    Chapter 96 Light in Despair


    Lilian looked out of the window, and the less obvious drizzle drifted into the window, falling gently on


    her face.


    Today the temperature was only eight degrees in the Linnd City. The air was wet and cold, and


    the wind was piercing.


    Francis closed the window, cutting off the cold air outside.


    Back at the vi, Fabiana was not asleep, sitting on the sofa and napping.


    Hearing the footsteps, she woke up immediately, and picked up the crutch beside her hand to meet


    them.


    She was being so careful and discreet, which made Lilian''s heart ache. She began to doubt her


    decision to get Fabiana back.


    But there was no use in regretting now, for if he had not brought her back, she might have what it


    took to endure the cold and hunger of that little shack.


    But she was here. Lilian just knew how terrible it would be if the light emerged in despair and was


    gone again.


    Like her, Fabiana was also desperately grasping the hope and light at hand.


    "Young Master, you are back. Have you eaten yet?"


    She reached for the coat in the hand of Francis, but Francis shunned it away from her and threw the


    coat on the hanger.


    "Yes. Just cook it for her." Francis said and went upstairs, not staying too much.


    Lilian gestured, "Don''t bother, I''m not hungry."


    Fabiana was more at ease in front of Lilian, "That won''t do. You''re still recovering. I will make you


    something. Eat some."


    Lilian said, "I''ll make some myself. Go to have some rest."


    Fabiana held her hand. With a little earnestness and embarrassment on her wrinkled face, she said,


    "Lily, let me do something."


    Lilian was stunned. She looked at the old woman''s praying eyes and went speechless for a while.


    R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    This was not her original intention, yet everything she did did not go ording to her original idea.


    Everything was the same.


    A momentter, she nodded.


    Fabiana was d, "Wait for a moment. It will be ready soon."


    Lilian sat on the sofa and closed her eyes.


    About half an hourter, Fabiana came with a tray.


    "Lily, young master hasn''t eaten either, has he? You bring it to him."


    She saw Francis and Liliane back together and guessed so.


    But Lilian hesitated.


    "Go." Fabiana handed her the tray and said, "I could tell when you just came back. There must be


    some little trouble."


    Lilian did not answer. She was not clear what was it between them now.


    The few words he had answered the night before perhaps indicated that thest trace of affection


    was gone, and what was left between her and him?


    There was only one nominal marriage left, which was like a sapling on a shaky foundation, and the


    wind could blow it down.


    "Go," Fabiana said again.


    Lilian was silent for a moment. She took the tray and turned to go upstairs.


    She knocked on the study door and opened it.


    Francis was working. Knowing hering in, he didn''t even look up.


    Lilian ced the tray next to him and pulled his sleeve.


    Francis side-nced at her. Lilian gestured, "Eat something."


    "Who is it, Francis?"


    Julian''s voice came from the other end of the table. Lilian looked over, only to find that he was


    ying a video, and Julian''s face was on the screen.

 Chapter 97 Extravagant Dream

    Chapter 97 Extravagant Dream


    Chapter 97 Extravagant Dream


    Lilian was stunned in ce, not knowing where to ce her hands and feet. She was like a clown.


    "Leave it there," Francis said in a quiet voice.


    Lilian nodded, and she silently turned out of the study.


    She heard the voice of Julian from behind, "You said you would apany me to the conference


    tomorrow. Don''t stand me up."


    "Ok."


    "Yesterday I opened a live broadcast and earned more than 100,000. Am I good?"


    "That''s impressive." Francis was very perfunctory.


    "There are agents asking me to sign a contract. Do you think I should go? Do you think I could go


    into show business?"


    "Go if you want. I''ll invest in you."


    Lilian did not hear the following words, and there was no need to continue to listen.


    He had always been responsive to Julian. Julian was always free in front of him, and she could do


    what she wanted to do. She could make friends, be unreasonable, and pursue her dreams.


    Julian was aplete person, so she had aplete life.


    Lilian was just a mute, so she did not have aplete life and did not deserve it.


    Lilian grabbed a bite and went back to the bedroom to lie down.


    She could not sleep. Her insomnia was more and more serious, tossing and turning in bed for more


    than two hours. Francis came in.


    Hey expertly beside her but did not put his arms around her as he used to.


    He turned his back to her, both of them back to back. Two people lying on a bed, and the middle


    was an empty space of long distance.


    Lilian pinched the pillow with her fingers. She closed her eyes, trying to ignore the emptiness


    around her.


    The overhead light was harsh and still very bright when she closed her eyes.


    Lilian could not sleep, and after a while, she got up from bed, went to the bathroom, and came out


    of the bedroom to the sofa in the living room.


    She curled herself up on the sofa and buried her head in her arms to block out all the light.


    After more than half an hour, Lilian suddenly felt a weight on her body. She raised her head and


    found that it was a nket.


    Francis was standing next to her. He was wearing pajamas, hair scattered. Every time he dressed


    up, he looked somewhat boyish.


    This gave Lilian the illusion of returning to the past.


    She gasped and sat up quickly.


    Francis also sat down beside her and said, "It won''t be boring if you get a job."


    Lilian stared at him, and after a while, she raised her hand to gesture, "Work. Can I make friends?


    Francis said, "Make friends if you want and if you can."


    Jiann eyes shed. Was he saying that she couldn''t make friends?


    Right. She didn''t talk. Who wanted to talk to her?


    R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    Jiann, "Where do I go to work?"


    "What do you want to do?"


    Jiann, "I want to sing."


    "You want to sing." Lu Jingchi smiled, just a sneer, "Now you have begun to sing against me?"


    Lilian did not disagree with him. She really wanted to sing. This was her deep dream, no, her


    extravagant dream.


    She also wanted to get a divorce. Like she wanted to sing, this was just as impossible to achieve.


    Francis stopped smiling and looked at her calmly, "I''ll give you onest chance. What do you want


    to do?"


    Jiann, "I don''t know."

 Chapter 98 He Was Not Joking

    Chapter 98 He Was Not Joking


    Chapter 98 He Was Not Joking


    Francis ran out of patience and coldly said, "You must know! If you like washing dishes, you can do


    it."


    Lilian pursed her lips and intently stared at him, trying to find a trace of joking on his face.


    But unfortunately, he was not joking. He was vindictive. When she had disappeared for half a


    month, she had washed dishes in a restaurant. He had ignored her then. But now, he was making a


    fuss about it.


    Sometimes, Lilian envied Julian. Although she was not his wife, he loved her very much. She could


    go to work as she liked. And when she wanted to be a star, he supported her.


    But Lilian could only wash dishes.


    Seeing her nod to agree, Francis showed a gloomy face and said, "You seem to like the job very


    much. From now on, you will bear the living expenses of you and the servant you hired!"


    After finishing speaking, he got up and went upstairs. Then, he changed his clothes, came


    downstairs, and left the vi. In the past, he would not resign after changing his clothes. It seemed


    his principles could be changed.


    Nelson came to send Lilian to work early in the morning. He took her to a five-star restaurant, went


    straight to the kitchen, and handed her over to a plump middle-aged woman. Then, he gave Lilian a


    complicated look and said, "Ms. Rossum, take care of yourself. If you can''t stand it, please give in to


    Mr. Landau."


    Lilian was stunned to hear this. But Nelson left before she could figure out what he meant.


    The middle-aged woman came over, pulled her, and said, "You''re new here. Go to wash the dishes.


    They are urgently needed! You will wash all of them by yourself. You must be efficient, understand?"


    Lilian finally figured out what Nelson meant. Francis was punishing her instead of giving her a job!


    But she didn''t know what mistake she had made. Maybe it was because she had interrupted his


    video call with Julianst night.


    While thinking about it., Lilian walked to the sink. It was full of dishes of all sizes. The baskets on the


    floor were also filled with dishes. And people were bringing more over. The restaurant was popr,


    so there were many dishes to wash.


    The middle-aged woman then told her the requirements for washing the dishes. She must wash


    them three times and disinfect them. Thepensation would range from 100 to 500 dors if she


    broke any of them. But her daily wage was only 150 dors.


    Lilian had no time to calcte or think about whether she would feel tired. She needed money to


    support Fabiana and herself, so she could only work hard.


    She stood by the sink and washed the dishes with a dishcloth. Although it was warm water, her


    hands turned white after being soaked for less than an hour. She wanted gloves, but the middle-


    aged woman did not bother to help her but said, "Hurry up! If you can''t finish washing all of them, I


    will deduct your wage!"


    Then, she red at her, turned around, and left.


    Lilian bit her lips and could only continue washing the dishes.


    Noon was the peak time, so the tes piled up so high that she could barely wash them herself.


    Soon, her fingers turned white and wrinkled. And they stung when they touched the dishes.


    The middle-aged woman kept urging her. The more she urged, the more anxious Lilian felt.


    Suddenly, a dish slipped from her hand, fell to the ground, and broke into pieces.


    The middle-aged woman didn''t scold her. Instead, she calmly picked up a small notebook, wrote


    something down, and said, "You broke one. Clean the mess up and continue washing the dishes!"


    Lilian had not recovered from the cold yet, so she felt dizzy after standing for long. She grabbed the


    edge of the sink and took a few deep breaths before steadying herself.


    Then, she squatted down to pick up the broken pieces. When she threw them into the trash can,


    someone hurrying past bumped into her. She felt a stinging pain in her ring finger. When she looked


    down, she saw blood gushing out of the cut.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only

 Chapter 99 Dont Slack Off

    Chapter 99 Don''t ck Off


    Chapter 99 Don''t ck Off


    After Lilian sucked the finger, the salty taste immediately spread in her mouth.


    "Don''t ck off. Continue to work if you can. If not, leave here right away. Don''t waste my time,


    OK?"


    The middle-aged woman always found it when Lilian stopped working, as if she was always


    watching her.


    Lilian squatted down and sucked her finger without moving.


    It was Francis who ordered the middle-aged woman to do so. Therefore, when Lilian motionlessly


    squatted down, she just made bluff usations. She dared not take any practical actions because


    she did not know what tricks these rich people yed. If she went too far, she might suffer after they


    became reconciled.


    "Did you hear me? Get up and wash the dishes!"


    Lilian pursed her lips, raised her head, and looked at her with a frighteningly pale face.


    The middle-aged woman was stunned and murmured, "You..."


    Looking at Lilian''s pale face, she suddenly forgot what to say.


    Lilian rested for a while, stood up, turned around, and continued washing the sink dishes.


    She was light-headed. When her fingers were soaked in water, the chili pepper and oil prated


    the wound, causing bursts of sharp pain.


    The middle-aged woman stopped scolding her for fear that she would suddenly die. After all, her


    face had looked as pale as ashes.


    Lilian held on until 3 in the afternoon. When there were no more customers, she finally had a


    chance to rest.


    The middle-aged woman patted her arm and said, "Go for a meal ande back to wash the rest."


    Lilian nodded. When she went to the ce where the employees ate, only leftovers were on the


    table. She picked up a piece of bread, sat on the chair, and ate.


    The TV on the wall was ying entertainment news. She looked up and saw Julian on the screen. It


    was the event site of SunRise Entertainment, and Julian was the hostess. Lilian saw Francis in the


    first row when the camera panned the audience. He sat upright in a formal suit and solemnly looked


    at the stage. When Julian looked at him, he always showed a faint smile.


    There were many shots of him. The organizer did it on purpose because one shot of Francis was


    more expensive than ten on stage. The shots on stage were for the audience, while the shots of


    Francis were for the investors.


    "Did you see the handsome man in the first row?"


    "Yes! He is so handsome!"


    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    "Is he an actor? Do you know who he is?"


    Many restaurant employees were standing in front of the TV. And they soon spotted the handsome


    man with their sharp eyes.


    The organizer had invited many celebrities, but the handsome man was not an actor. However, he


    sat in the middle of the first row, so his status must be extraordinary.


    "I don''t know. I''ve never seen him before."


    "Do you think he is the hostess''s boyfriend?"


    "Who is the hostess? What did I miss?"


    "You don''t know her because you don''t y Magic Dragon. You can Google her. Her name is Julian.


    She has posted many photos of her boyfriend but never revealed his face."


    Hearing this, that person immediately took out his phone to Google Julian. Sure enough, he found


    information about her and the photos of her boyfriend.


    "You must be right!"


    "Cover his head, and you will find he looks the same as the man in the photos!"


    "Wow! What a perfect match!"


    Lilian quietly sat in the corner and listened to them talk about how deep they were in love and how


    well-matched they were.


    All the other employees felt envious, while Lilian quietly gnawed on the hard bread and had the


    remaining soup because she would continue to wash the dishester. After taking thest bite, she


    stood up and returned to the kitchen.


    Several female employees nced at her. And one of them whispered, "The new girl seems to be a


    dummy."

 Chapter 100 Lets Go to Confirm It

    Chapter 100 Let''s Go to Confirm It


    Chapter 100 Let''s Go to Confirm It


    "How do you know?"


    "Daisy told me."


    "I heard most dummies can''t hear. Is it true?"


    "Really? I don''t think so. I heard only deaf people can''t speak."


    "Let''s go to confirm it."


    ...


    Lilian washed thest basket of dishes and put them in the disinfection cab. When she turned


    around, she saw two female employees walking over.


    "Can you hear us?"


    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    "Are you deaf and mute?"


    They curiously looked at her because they had never met such people before. And they didn''t think


    their words were offensive.


    Lilian quietly looked at them without making any move.


    "She can''t hear us."


    "What a poor woman!"


    Lilian hated such sympathetic looks because they reminded her that she was disabled.


    She passed them and went to the locker room to nap. She was so tired that she didn''t even have


    the strength to raise her hands. After sleeping for two hours, she woke at about 5 o''clock and


    started work again. She must wash the dishes from 5 in the morning to 11 in the evening.


    When it was time to get off work, the skin on her fingers almost peeled off. And she felt sore in both


    arms. The middle-aged woman handed fifty dors to her and said, "Your wage! You broke a te,


    so you can only get fifty dors. If you can''t bear it, don''te tomorrow."


    Lilian silently stared at the crumpled notes in her hand for several seconds before taking them over.


    When she left the restaurant with the money, it was dark outside. And there was no one around.


    She took out her phone and opened Google Maps. It was 30 kilometers away from home. And it


    would cost 80 dors if she took a taxi, which was more than she had earned today.


    Lilian showed a bitter smile. Francis had sessfully proved to her that she couldn''t survive without


    him.


    She stood in ce at a loss. She did not have enough money to take a taxi and had missed thest


    subway and bus. She did not dare to walk back, so she could only stupidly stand in ce, not


    knowing what to do.


    Knowing she would live like this if she left, she quietly gave up getting a divorce.


    Suddenly, a car sped over and passed her. But it abruptly braked, reversed, and stopped in front of


    her. When she raised her head, the car window revealed Johnson''s face.


    "Ms. Rossum? I thought I mistook someone else for you."


    While speaking, Johnson opened the car door and got out. He looked around and asked, "Did you


    eat here?"


    Lilian shook her head and gestured, "I work here."


    He asked in surprise, "Work?"


    She nodded to confirm it.


    "Will Francise to pick you up?"


    She shook her head.


    "Do you need a ride?"


    She pursed her lips and stared at him for a while. When she suddenly thought of Francis'' words,


    she was discouraged.


    Johnson smiled, "Get in the car! I''ll send you back."


    As soon as he finished speaking, another car stopped before them.

 Chapter 101 Not Replying to Courtney

    Chapter 101 Not Replying to Courtney


    Chapter 101 Not Replying to Courtney


    The person who arrived was none other than Francis.


    He got out of the car and nced at Johnson, saying, "Looks like you''re free today."


    Johnson smiled and replied, "I was just passing by and happened to see Ms. Rossum, so I thought


    I''d give her a ride."


    "Is that so? I actually have something to discuss with you. Let''s go together."


    "Sure, get in the car." Johnson smiled.


    Francis looked at Lilian and took the lead in getting into Johnson''s car. Lilian followed him.


    Johnson didn''t mind ying chauffeur for the two of them. He calmly sat in the car, started the


    engine, and drove slowly into the night.


    "You just mentioned that you had something to discuss with me. What''s the matter?" Johnson


    asked.


    Francis leaned back and said calmly, "In the CRISPR project, I noticed that in the proposal you


    submitted, there''s TOPSUN. What are your thoughts on that?"


    Johnson said, "Oh, that was apany I discussed and selected with them. TOPSUN is quite good


    in electronic technology, but it''s just an alternative and not necessarily a coboration."


    "We previously coborated with their subsidiary, and this time it''s their engineering headquarters.


    We can trust their technology."


    Francis didn''t say anything, seemingly lost in thought.


    Johnson continued, "If you don''t want to coborate with them, I can remove theirpany from


    the proposal tomorrow."


    Francis replied, "No need, there are risks in coborating with anypany for this project. My


    suggestion is to invest directly. Many biotechpanies are researching gene editing projects now.


    Developing our own would not only consume time and energy but also carry high risks due to


    immature technology."


    "Your point is valid. I will discuss this project in detail during tomorrow''s meeting."


    Francis nodded and closed his eyes, no longer speaking.


    In thepany, Francis already had considerable influence. During his years as the CEO, he


    eliminated most of the old-timers, especially those loyal to Everett.


    Others might not be aware, but Johnson was well aware of it.


    Everett distributed those shares not to treat everyone equally, but to restrain Francis.


    It was simply to prevent the entire Landau Group from falling into Francis''s hands and to maintain


    his own prestige.


    After that, neither of them spoke. Johnson dropped them off at Azure Shores and left.


    Lilian looked up at Francis and found him looking at her. Their eyes met, and for a moment, neither


    of them spoke.


    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.


    Francis asked her, "How was work today?"


    Lilian nodded and gestured, "It was good."


    Francis smiled and said, "In this case, continue working there."


    After speaking, he turned and went into the house, bringing in a cold breeze that felt like a knife


    against Lilian''s cheeks, making her bones ache from the cold.


    Lilian entered the vi, and her phone suddenly rang. It was a call from Courtney.


    She subconsciously looked upstairs. Francis should have gone to the study.


    Lilian secretly took out her phone, opened WhatsApp, and indeed found a message from Courtney.


    Courtney sent, "Why aren''t you replying to my messages? Are you nning to ignore me from now


    on?"


    Lilian''s grip on the phone tightened as she looked at the message, feeling a suffocating sensation.


    She didn''t dare to reply.


    At the same time, she was afraid that Courtney would cut ties with her. She didn''t know what to do.


    Courtney still had family and friends, while Fabiana only had her. They were both homeless people.


    Two lonely individuals came together and became each other''s family like lost wanderers in the


    desert finding their kind.


    Courtney sent another message, "Just stay with that man. It seems that I can''t persuade you


    anymore."


    The car ident incident gradually died down in the past few days, and Courtney''s true nature


    began to emerge again.


    She started persuading Lilian to leave Francis again.


    Lilian put away her phone, still not replying to Courtney.

 Chapter 102 Help Her Wash

    Chapter 102 Help Her Wash


    Chapter 102 Help Her Wash


    After washing dishes all day, she was exhausted and copsed onto her bed when she returned to


    her bedroom.


    She looked at her peeling fingers and thought of Courtney''s messages, her expression somewhat


    dazed.


    Fabiana came to knock on the door and asked if she wanted something to eat.


    Lilian got up, surprised, and looked towards the door. Fabiana''s hunched figure stood at the


    entrance of the bedroom, and she was looking at Lilian with a worried expression.


    Lilian got up from the bed and gestured to Fabiana. "Why haven''t you slept yet?"


    R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    Fabiana said, "I was waiting for you toe back."


    Lilian gestured, "Don''t wait for us if it''s toote in the future. You should rest early."


    Fabiana smiled and shook her head. "It''s alright. I can''t sleep at night when I''m old. Haven''t you


    eaten yet? I''ll cook something for you."


    Lilian pursed her lips and stared at Fabiana''s kind face, feeling a warm sensation in her heart.


    It turned out that the feeling of being worried about and cared for was so wonderful.


    That sense of security was like finding a harbor for the heart and a ce to settle down. That was


    what it felt like to have a home...


    She finally experienced it.


    Fabiana went out with her cane and made porridge and a te of snacks for Lilian.


    They were the snacks Fabiana made when she had nothing to do at home during the day, and they


    were delicious.


    Lilian sat at the dining table, holding a bowl of porridge and drinking it in big gulps, stuffing the


    snacks into her mouth.


    Fabiana said lovingly, "Eat slowly. What have you been doing all day? Why are you so hungry?"


    Lilian paused, recalling her work during the day and thinking of Francis and Julian on TV.


    Suddenly, her nose twitched for no reason. She swallowed the snack in her mouth and finished the


    remaining porridge.


    Fabiana filled her bowl again.


    Lilian took the bowl from her hand and smiled slightly at Fabiana, who couldn''t help but smile back.


    Francis happened to see this heartwarming scene when he went downstairs.


    It was different from the smile she had in front of him. When facing Fabiana, Lilian''s smile was


    genuine,ing from within, and her eyes seemed to be shining.


    Francis stared at them for a while, turned around, and went back upstairs.


    After finishing her meal, Lilian went back to her bedroom with her tired body. She opened the door


    and heard the sound of running water from the bathroom.


    Looking at the blurry and tall figure on the frosted ss, she was slightly stunned.


    Soon, the water in the bathroom stopped, and Francis, wrapped in a towel, came out while drying


    his hair.


    "Did you shower?" Francis suddenly asked her.


    Lilian shook her head, staring at the abs on Francis''s chest for a few moments. Then she lowered


    her head and walked towards the bathroom.


    Just as she entered, a hand grabbed her arm.


    Lilian turned around in surprise and met his gaze.


    He stared at her deeply, drops of water from his hair falling onto her sleeve.


    "You didn''t take your clothes," Francis said.


    Lilian pursed her lips and was about to go out to get clothes, but Francis didn''t let go of her.


    Lilian struggled for a moment, but Francis held her hands tighter. The next moment, he pushed her


    into the bathroom.


    By the time she reacted, she had found herself pressed against the wall, and the bathroom door


    had been locked.


    Lilian looked up at him in confusion.


    His eyes were deep and turbulent, a gaze she was familiar with. Lilian''s gaze shed, and she


    instinctively struggled.


    He held her hands and pressed them against her head. He leaned down closer to her and


    whispered, "Let me help you wash."

 Chapter 103 Fabianas Son

    Chapter 103 Fabiana''s Son


    Chapter 103 Fabiana''s Son


    Lilian''s body stiffened, and she blushed. She turned her head, avoiding his gaze.


    He carried her and went to the bathroom, cing her in the bathtub.


    Lilian nervously squeezed her fingers. She felt a bit resistant because her lower abdomen wasn''t


    feeling well.


    But she had no right to refuse such a thing at all.


    Warm water poured down from above, and in an instant, she was soaked through.


    He was indeed helping her take a bath, but he had other intentions.


    Lilian endured the difort. In the end, she didn''t even know how she fell asleep.


    In a daze, she seemed to hear him saying something in her ear.


    Lilian wasn''t quite sure, but it seemed like he said, "Let''s have a baby."


    She half-closed her eyes, gazing at the blurry face above her head. Her whole body rxed, and


    she fell asleep.


    He wouldn''t say such things.


    She was indeed too tired, experiencing auditory hallucinations.


    When she woke up again, it was already bright outside.


    She picked up her phone and saw that it was already ten o''clock in the morning.


    A throbbing pain came from her lower abdomen. She endured the difort, changed her clothes,


    and found some painkillers to take.


    After finishing her morning routine in the bathroom, she prepared to go out to work.


    Fabiana was already preparing lunch in the kitchen. Lilian was about to tell her that there was no


    need to cook when someone suddenly rang the doorbell.


    She went to open the door, and there stood a man and a woman. The man was in his forties or


    fifties, wearing a down jacket, and the woman was simr.


    The two of them greeted Lilian with smiles.


    "You must be Mrs. Landau, right?" The man smiled and introduced himself, "I''m Paul, Fabiana


    ud''s son. Is my mom here?"


    Lilian furrowed her brows. She didn''t know if Fabiana''sst name was ud.


    She gestured with her hand, indicating that she didn''t know the person they were talking about.


    The man was slightly surprised to see her using signnguage. Was Mrs. Landau mute?


    Or was she just a servant here?


    At this moment, Fabiana walked out of the house. "Lily, I heard someone..."


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    Before she could finish her sentence, the spat in her hand fell to the ground, making a crisp


    sound.


    Lilian turned her head, only to see that Fabiana stood there with a pale face and was trembling


    uncontrobly.


    Paul saw Fabiana and immediately walked past Lilian, swaggering into the house.


    "Mom, you really are here. It was so hard for us to find you."


    Fabiana wasn''t just scared. She was also angry, her chest heaving violently.


    "What are you here for? Get out!" Fabiana picked up the spat from the ground and started


    chasing them away.


    Paul grabbed the spat from her hand, still smiling brightly. "Mom, what are you doing? We finally


    found you, but you want to kick us out. I''m your son!"


    "I don''t have a son like you. Get out! I''m already like this. Can''t you let me live peacefully for a few


    days?"


    "Hey, Mom, I have something to discuss with you!" Paul took away the spat from her hand and


    his tone became aggressive.


    "I can''t help you! Get out quickly. This is someone else''s house. Don''t juste in randomly!"

 Chapter 104 Borrow Money from Him

    Chapter 104 Borrow Money from Him


    Chapter 104 Borrow Money from Him


    It was clear that Fabiana was truly afraid. She was afraid that her son would ruin the stability she


    had worked so hard to achieve.


    "Mom, Dennis is getting married. I came to inform you," Paul said.


    Fabiana was slightly taken aback. "Is Dennis getting married?"


    "Yes, your grandson is getting married! Are you happy? Do you want to attend his wedding?"


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    Fabiana''s eyes suddenly turned red, and she choked up, unable to speak. Her grandson was


    getting married, and she truly felt old.


    But she understood her son. He wouldn''te to her just for this. "Are you here to invite me to


    Dennis''s wedding?"


    "Of course, but..." Paul''s tone changed. "The wedding is still two months away. The thing is, you


    know, wedding costs money. We need to buy a car and a house for him, and also pay for the


    betrothal gifts and banquet. Everything requires money."


    Fabiana understood now. "Are you here to ask me for money?"


    "Mom, how can you say that? Dennis is your grandson. You should help and support him, right?


    What do you mean by asking you for money?" The woman spoke at the right time.


    Disappointment was written all over Fabiana''s face. She patted her empty pockets. "Do I look like I


    have money?"


    "Mom, now that you''re back in the Landau family, how can you not have money? You worked for


    them your whole life. It should be easy for you to borrow some money from them, right?"


    Those words made Fabiana tremble with anger. She pointed at them. "You... How can you be so


    shameless?"


    "You two are incapable and can''t provide the money for your son''s wedding, so you turn your


    attention to me, an old woman. How have you treated me all these years? How dare you say such


    things?"


    Paul grew impatient. "What have I done to you? You told us you had no money, but you''re living well


    now, aren''t you? How did you manage to survive without money?"


    "You''ve been a servant in the Landau family for so long that you''ve forgotten who your son is and


    treated yourself as theirckey!"


    Lilian looked at Paul in shock. It was hard to believe that those words came from Fabiana''s son.


    She stepped forward and stood in front of Fabiana, gesturing for them to leave, "Get out!"


    Paul frowned. "What are you gesturing for? She is my mother. What does it have to do with you how


    we talk to each other?"


    Paul''s wife thought for a moment. She pulled Paul, gave him a signal, and said with a smile, "Oh,


    Mrs. Landau, we''re here to take Mom back. She''s getting old and can''t do these chores anymore.


    We want to take her back to take care of her."


    Lilian naturally didn''t believe what they said. If they really cared about Fabiana, they wouldn''t let her


    live in that rundown ce.


    Paul also realized and changed his words. "Yes, she is my mother. I have the right to take her back.


    Mrs. Landau, if you want my mother to stay here, give us 100 thousand dors. Otherwise, I''ll take


    my mother away!"


    Lilian was slightly stunned. She stared at Paul''s cunning eyes and knew very well that Fabiana


    wouldn''t have a good life after going back with them.


    Fabiana said, "Why are you making things difficult for her? You just want me to go back, don''t you?


    I''ll go back with you!"


    Lilian grabbed Fabiana and shook her head frantically.


    With red eyes, Fabiana patted Lilian''s arm. "It''s okay, Lily. I''ve made it through these three years.


    I''m not afraid anymore. I don''t believe they can kill me."


    Lilian bit her lip. She had finally managed to keep Fabiana. How could she let Fabiana go back and


    suffer again?


    Lilian fell silent for a while, took out her phone, and typed a message for Paul to see.


    "I''ll give you money!"


    Paul''s eyes lit up. "Really? Then hurry up and give me the money!"


    Lilian didn''t have so much money right now, so she typed, "Give me some time."


    "Okay, we''re not in a hurry. We''ll wait here for you."


    "Lily, don''t believe them. They''re like a bottomless pit. No matter how much money you give them, it


    won''t be enough. Don''t stop me. I will go back with them." Fabiana tried to persuade her


    desperately.


    Lilian had already sent a message to Francis.


    "Can you lend me 100 thousand dors?"


    When she mentioned divorcest time, she returned all the cards to Francis. Now, she was... truly


    broke.

 Chapter 105 Julian Was with Him

    Chapter 105 Julian Was with Him


    Chapter 105 Julian Was with Him


    The message was sent but received no response, and Lilian anxiously waited while tightly holding


    her phone.


    She waited for a full twenty minutes, but there was still no reply.


    Fabiana looked at her as her face gradually darkened. She couldn''t help but hold Lilian''s hand and


    said, "Lily, I appreciate your kindness. Thank you, really."


    Paul, who had finished eating an orange on the other side, turned around and asked, "Still not


    resolved? The Landau family is so rich. Don''t tell me you don''t even have 100 thousand dors."


    Lilian looked at Fabiana''s face, bit her lip, and dialed Francis''s phone.


    The call connected, but it wasn''t Francis who answered.


    "Lilian, Frank is busy right now. If you have something, just send him a message." It was Julian''s


    voice.


    Lilian''s heart sankpletely, and she lost all hope.


    Julian hung up the phone and ced it back on Francis''s desk, saying, "That dummy called you. I


    don''t know what it''s about."


    Francis picked up his phone and nced at WhatsApp. His gaze flickered, and he chose to ignore


    it, throwing the phone back.


    His actions sessfully made Julian smile. She leaned close to Francis, held his arm, and said, "I''ll


    go sign the contract with the agent this afternoon. You promised to make me a big star. You won''t


    go back on your word, right?"


    Francis put down the documents, held Julian''s hand, and smiled slightly. "Have you packed


    everything?"


    Julian red at him angrily. "Yes, I''ve packed everything! Do you not want to see me so badly?"


    Francis looked down, his gaze falling on her fancy nail art. "It''s not that I don''t want to see you. It''s


    just that you''re really not suitable for working here."


    "You still despise me!" Julian pulled her hand back as if she was mad.


    Francis nced at her and said ndly, "Do you know how many peoplein about you


    here?"


    "So what?" Julian said self-righteously, "It''s because you indulge me. They hate me, and you''re half


    responsible!"


    Francis raised an eyebrow, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.


    Julian bent down, hugged Francis, and kissed him on the cheek. "Then I''ll leave, okay?"


    "Be careful on the way."


    Only then did Julian let go of him and walk back to her desk. She carried her things and walked out.


    All she could think about now was bing a star, being in the spotlight, and shining brightly.


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    Actually, Julian wasn''t stupid. If Francis didn''t agree to marry her, she had no guarantee, so she


    might as well use Francis''s connections and resources to benefit herself. It could be considered as


    a form of security.


    Francis had pampered her too much over the years. If he really didn''t want her in the future, she


    would have nothing.


    Having money in hand was the most reassuring thing.


    And her portrayal of being sexy and brainless was just to appear without ulterior motives in front of


    Francis. Just like Francis said, those who wrote everything on their face were the most easily


    controlled.


    So she was living afortable life now. Francis would fulfill her every request, giving her whatever


    she wanted.


    She didn''t even bother to trouble Lilian, not only because it wouldn''t end well but also because it


    was unnecessary.


    If she wanted to marry Francis, the problem was with Francis, not with Lilian.


    The initiative in Lilian and Francis''s marriage was never in Lilian''s hands. She wouldn''t target Lilian


    unless she was insane.


    On the other hand, Lilian had given up on borrowing money from Francis and had no choice but to


    send a message to Courtney.


    Courtney quickly replied, "Lily, what do you need so much money for? All my cards are frozen now,


    and I don''t have that much money, but don''t worry. I''ll ask my brother."


    Courtney called Lester. As soon as he heard that she needed 100 thousand dors, he hung up


    without even thinking about it.

 Chapter 106 Did She Deserve Happiness

    Chapter 106 Did She Deserve Happiness


    Chapter 106 Did She Deserve Happiness


    His sister did not have a long memory. She hadn''t learned a lesson from the previous event but still


    wanted to intervene in Lilian''s affairs.


    Paul got impatient, so he stood up and said, "Ms. Rossum, can you give me the money?"


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    When Lilian nced at Fabiana in frustration, helplessness enveloped her. She wished she could


    have fifty thousand dors.


    Seeing her reaction, he knew there was no chance. So, he grabbed Fabiana''s arm and said, "Mom,


    let''s go home. She is paying lip service. Do you think she will give you fifty thousand dors?"


    Fabiana said, "Even if she gives me fifty thousand dors, I won''t give it to you!"


    Paul instantly got angry and said, "Whose mother are you? Why are you defending an outsider?"


    "You are my son. I gave birth to you. But you are inferior to this outsider!"


    While speaking, Fabiana felt sad. She red at him and said, "The thing I regret the most in my life


    is giving birth to you!"


    "What did you say, you old b*tch?"


    While speaking, Paul showed a fierce look and subconsciously raised his hand to p her.


    Fabiana was not afraid of him. She raised her head, pushed forward her face, and said, "Beat me!


    Beat me to death! I must have murdered people in my previous life. Otherwise, I would not have


    given birth to a beast like you!"


    The woman persuaded Paul, saying, "Stop it. Let''s take Mom home right now."


    Then, she hypocritically supported Fabiana and said, "Mom, let me help you."


    Fabiana shook her hands off and snapped, "Stop pretending. I can leave by myself!"


    Then, she grabbed her cane and looked back at Lilian, saying, "Lily, I''ve cut the vegetables. You


    can eat them after frying them. Remember to eat on time. You are not in good health. Don''t starve


    yourself."


    Lilian''s eyes turned red. She held Fabiana''s hand like a child, refusing to let go of her beloved toy.


    Soon, tears blurred her vision.


    "Take care of yourself."


    Fabiana''s cloudy eyes also turned red. She lovingly wiped Lilian''s tears and continued, "You are a


    good kid. You will lead a happy life."


    When Paul suddenly pushed Lilian, she lost her bnce and fell heavily. Then, they took Fabiana


    away and disappeared from her sight.


    Lilian clutched her clothes and looked at the empty door, bursting into tears. She wondered why she


    could never keep the people and things she cared about. She had lost Francis, Courtney, and her


    child. Now, even Fabiana had left.


    Did she deserve happiness?


    The vi became empty, and she was alone again. An olddy used to wait for her to return home


    no matter howte it was. But she had left.


    Lilian knelt on the ground and sadly cried in despair like a child losing her favorite toy.


    When she felt desperate, her phone suddenly rang. After she picked it up in a panic, she saw a text


    message from the bank and Courtney''s message on WhatsApp, saying, "I borrowed fifty thousand


    dors. You can use it to cope with the emergency."


    Lilian quickly wiped her tears, got up, and rushed out of the vi. She was running at her highest


    speed, but Paul was driving a car. She chased for a long time but failed to catch up with them.


    Suddenly, she stumbled and heavily fell to the ground, feeling burning pain in her knees and


    elbows. Her eyes gradually dimmed when shey on the floor and stared at the empty street.

 Chapter 107 Are You Okay

    Chapter 107 Are You Okay


    Chapter 107 Are You Okay


    "Lady, are you okay?"


    Suddenly, a pair of hands helped her up. When Lilian raised her head, she saw a man like a college


    student. He wore a white down jacket, had headphones around his neck, and carried a backpack.


    She wiped her tears off and shook her head.


    "Since you''re fine, you should go home."


    Then, he grinned at her, turned around, and left.


    When Lilian stood there, the cold wind blew by. And she felt unprecedently cold. Then, she sat on


    the stone step, took out her phone, and saw another message from Courtney asking, "What


    happened?"


    Lilian stared at the message but did not know how to reply. So, she sat there in a daze.


    Time passed by. After sitting for two hours, she suddenly stood up and took a taxi to the garbage


    dump where Fabiana used to live. After she arrived at the small shed, there was no one inside.


    They had taken everything awayst time, so only a bed was left there.


    Lilian walked over, sat on the bed, stroked the dirty sheets. Linnd was so big that she did not


    know where to find Paul. She took out her phone, nkly flipped through the address book, and


    suddenly saw Fabiana''s name. She had almost forgotten she had bought a phone for Fabianast


    time.


    Lilian quickly dialed the number. The phone rang for a long time, but no one answered. She did not


    give up but continued to call her. However, the phone was turned down. She lowered her hand andN?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.


    sat in the shed at a loss, worrying about Fabiana.


    Fabiana had not refused to answer her call, but her phone was in the water. Paul had tried to snatch


    it just now, so she had thrown it into the river outside the window in desperation.


    Paul was so angry that he mmed on the brakes. Then, he jumped out of the car, ran to the


    guardrail, and looked down. The river was rushing, so he did not see the cheap phone.


    He returned to the car, pointed at Fabiana, and angrily cursed, "You old woman, do you think I can''t


    get the money if you throw the phone away? I know where the dummy lives. I will go to meet her!"


    Fabiana was so angry that she trembled when saying, "If you dare to bother her, I will kill myself in


    front of you!"


    "What benefits did she give you? Why are you protecting her like this? Can''t you try to take care of


    your grandson?"


    Fabiana bitterly smiled, "I''m old! I can''t even take care of myself! How can you expect me to take


    care of your son? I will die soon, but you still want to use me to make money! Paul, you will suffer


    from divine retribution!"


    Paul angrilyughed, "Even if I suffer retribution, you won''t see it. Be obedient! The dummy cares


    about you very much. I am sure she will give me the money. You are useful. After all, you have


    worked as a dog for the Landau family for many years."


    Paul had been spending the money she had earned but despised her because she was a servant,


    thinking she made others look down upon him.


    When Fabiana closed her eyes, blue veins popped out on the back of her withered hands. She no


    longer wanted to talk to him.


    ...


    Lilian sat in the small shed until dark. Then, she got up and returned to the vi. Standing at the


    dark door and looking at the emptiness, she suddenly lost the courage to go in.


    Many things shed through her mind. How had Paul found this ce? He had ignored Fabiana for


    many years. Why did he know her address?


    When Lilian thought of some possibilities, her fingers trembled slightly.


    Suddenly, she heard a care from behind. Then, its headlight cast her long shadow into the vi.


    She slowly turned around and looked at the man leaving the vehicle. The dazzling light made her


    barely able to open her eyes.


    After Francis walked up to her, their eyes met. When she nkly stared at his expressionless face,


    he asked, "Why are you standing here?"

 Chapter 108 Did You Do It

    Chapter 108 Did You Do It


    Chapter 108 Did You Do It


    Lilian pursed her lips, raised her hands, and gestured, "Did you do it?"


    Francis calmly looked at her without replying. In her eyes, he was consenting. After all, he knew


    exactly what she was asking about.


    She stared at him in disbelief, and her fingers became highly stiff. She spent a lot of effort to


    gesture, "Why? Haven''t you agreed?"


    Francis held her gesticting hands to stop her and said, "Let''s go in."


    Lilian broke free from his grip and stubbornly asked, "Why? Why did you do this to me?"


    Francis'' eyes darkened when he coldly said, "Let''s talk after we get in!"


    His cold gaze stung her heart like a sharp knife, so she subconsciously stepped back and asked,


    "Why? Did I do anything wrong? Tell me!"


    Francis grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the vi.


    She desperately struggled, grabbed the door frame, and lowered her head to bite his wrist, refusing


    to go in.


    Francis paused in his steps, let go of her, grabbed her chin, and red at her. Then, he squeezed


    her chin and said, "The second time!"


    The tooth mark on his wrist was stained with saliva. When the light shone on it, it looked hideous


    and terrifying.


    "It is the second time you have bitten me for an outsider! What do you think the reason is?"


    Lilian felt pain in her chin, so tears flew out of her eyes and dripped on his hand.


    When she stared at him, the anger in her eyes seemed to devour him. He had harmed her but was


    angry with her as if she hadmitted a heinous crime.


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    Lilian raised her hands with difficulty and gestured, "I bit you because you hurt my friends! I have


    cut off the contact with Courtney! Why are you unwilling to let Fabiana go? Why did you go back on


    your word?"


    She didn''t understand why he had done this to her. He could not answer her question, so they


    silently confronted each other.


    After a while, he said, "She went where she should go. Lilian, we are family. You only need me. You


    don''t need anyone else. Do you understand?"


    Lilian was stunned to hear this and looked at him in disbelief. She had never felt him so strange.


    When he had made such remarks in the past, she had thought they were just his angry words. She


    had believed he was worried she would follow bad examples.


    But what bad examples could Fabiana give her? Fabiana was so old. But he was still unwilling to


    spare her.


    He was trying to control everything in Lilian''s life. What on earth was he up to? He did not love her


    but refused to let her go. How could they be counted as a family?


    Francis stared at her for a while, slowly released her chin, took her hand, and walked into the vi.


    Lilian''s eyes were dull. She stood in the empty house and turned to look at the open sofa. Then, she


    tugged on his sleeve.


    When he nced back at her, she gestured, "Do you love me?"

 Chapter 109 Were Alone at Home

    Chapter 109 We''re Alone at Home


    Chapter 109 We''re Alone at Home


    Francis calmly stared at her, gesturing without saying anything.


    Lilian waited a long time before raising her head and looking into his deep eyes. Then, she gestured


    the words again. But before she could finish it, he held her fingers and whispered, "Have you


    forgotten my words?"


    Lilian''s eyshes trembled. Then, she bitterly smiled and weakly dropped her hands. After all, he


    had asked her not to love him.


    Francis sighed, softened his expression, raised his hand to wipe the tears off the corner of her eyes,


    and said, like coaxing a child, "Stop crying. Look! We''re alone at home. No one will disturb us. Isn''t


    it good?"


    When she turned her head aside to avoid his hand, he narrowed his eyes, domineeringly turned her


    head back, and forced her to look at him.


    Then, he asked, "Don''t you agree?


    Lilian bit her low lip and refused to look at him. She started to feel suffocated when seeing the face


    she used to like the most. She felt an invisible chain around her neck. In the name of family, he tied


    her up in the house like a dog and did not allow her to have friends or freedom. She had nothing


    now.


    Francis lifted her chin as if he wouldn''t give up until he got a response from her. Although he had


    forced her to look at him, she did not respond because she realized it would be in vain no matter


    what she did or said.


    He murmured, "I treat you so well. Why do you still need other people?"


    His voice was full of fascinating power whenever he said such words, like a devil''s whisper.


    When Lilian tried to break free, he pulled her into his arms, lowered his head, and kissed her. After


    she turned her head aside to avoid him, he pressed the back of her head and turned her face back.


    When he bit her lips, it was like a warning instead of a kiss.


    She struggled and pushed his chest with both hands. But because of the disparity in strength, he


    forced her onto the sofa. When he pulled open her clothes, she felt the coldness. He bit her lips


    regardless of her will like a demon. Soon, she tasted blood in her mouth. When she was about to


    die of suffocation, she couldn''t help biting his lips hard.


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    Their blood instantly mixed. When the blood and saliva entered her throat, she blushed and


    violently coughed. After he finally let go of her, she slid off the sofa, sat on the floor, pressed her


    hands on the ground, and spat out a mouthful of saliva with blood. Then, she heavily panted with


    her mouth open and rested for a long time to regain her strength.


    Francis sat beside her, bent one leg, put one hand on his knee, wiped the blood off his mouth with


    the other, took out a cigarette, and lit it. The smoke soon filled the air between them. They were


    close, but the smoke caused a bottomless ravine.


    When Lilian fixed her clothes and turned to look at him, he was quietly smoking. His hair was a little


    messy, and his shirt was a little wrinkled. She had pulled two buttons off his cor. And there were


    two scratches on his chest.


    After she tugged at his sleeve, he calmly turned to look at her as if nothing had happened.


    Lilian gestured, "Can you let Fabianae back?"


    Francis looked away from her, leaned forward to put the cigarette in the ashtray, and asked, "Did


    you turn a deaf ear to my words?"


    Lilian lowered her eyes and tightly sped her hands.


    After a while, she plucked up the courage and opened the drawer, revealing the divorce agreement


    to him.


    He was not angry to see it. Instead, he calmly reached out to take it out, flipped through it, and


    asked, "When did you prepare it?"


    He didn''t even look at her. After reading the divorce agreement, he casually tore it and threw it


    away. Then, the paper scraps flew all over like their fractured rtionship.


    Francis pressed his hands against the floor and stood up. While walking upstairs, he unbuttoned his


    shirt and said, "Go to work in mypany tomorrow."

 Chapter 110 What About Julian

    Chapter 110 What About Julian


    Chapter 110 What About Julian


    He had casually decided on their marriage and her life.


    Lilian went to the bathroom to wash up and took out her phone to call Fabiana again, but she still


    couldn''t get through.


    She curled up on the sofa and slept for one night. When she woke before daybreak, she


    subconsciously went to the kitchen but did not see Fabiana. After a long silence, she had an


    overwhelming sense of loss; thinking habits were terrible.


    She washed her hands and made breakfast by herself. When she put the food on the table, Francis


    came downstairs.


    He had never eaten at home when Fabiana had been here. But today, he sat at the dining table.


    Lilian served him a bowl of porridge like before, ced it in front of him, and intently stared at him.


    He took a few bites, looked up at her, and asked, "What do you want to say?"


    Lilian pursed her lips and gestured, "Do you want me to work in yourpany?"


    "Don''t you want to go?"


    She asked, "What about Julian?"


    "She resigned," Francis said.


    That exined it. Julian had entered the entertainment industry, so he finally could give her a job.


    He was doing charity by offering her the job. Should she feel honored?


    "Hurry up and have breakfast."


    She asked, "Do I have to go?"


    He coldly stared at her and asked, "Why? Are you addicted to washing dishes in the restaurant?"


    She lowered her head and replied, "I''m afraid I am ipetent."


    "Really? Or are you unwilling to go?"


    She, of course, did not want to go. She could not speak. What could she do in thepany?


    People wouldugh at her.


    But she silently picked up the bowl and ate the porridge. She had no choice. Francis had asked her


    to go, so she must go.


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    After breakfast, she changed her clothes and went to thepany with him.


    After arriving, he left her to Nelson. Nelson was surprised that Mr. Landau let Ms. Rossum work in


    thepany. Except for him and Johnson, nopany knew she was his wife. If she worked here,


    she would have a hard time. But Nelson could only obey his order. Anyway, it was better than letting


    Julian work here.


    After Julian had left, everyone in thepany breathed a sigh of relief and almost held a party to


    celebrate.


    Nelson took Lilian to the HR department to go through the entry procedures. She would work as the


    president''s secretary like Julian. Nelson mentored her in person instead of letting the head


    secretary do it. Otherwise, he would feel worried.


    "Lilian, I will call you by your first name when we are in thepany. This is Julian''s daily work.


    Please read it. Don''t hesitate to ask me if you have questions."


    Lilian nodded, took the document from Nelson''s hand, and read it carefully.


    The work responsibilities were simple. She only needed to handle some daily chores for Francis,


    such as clearing the table, ordering meals, booking air tickets, apanying him to social events,


    etc. She did not need to do other things.


    Lilian had nothing to do now, so she sat in a daze.


    There were five people in the secretarial office except Nelson. And the other four people were all


    looking at her, wondering why she hade as soon as Julian had left.


    They had consented the position belonged to Francis''s lover. So, they suspected she was also his


    lover.


    While everyone was gossiping, Julian strutted into thepany. When she looked at her desk, her


    smile instantly disappeared. She flew into a rage, strode over, banged the desk, and angrily asked,


    "Who allows you to sit here?"

 Chapter 111 One Shouldnt be too Greedy

    Chapter 111 One Shouldn''t be too Greedy


    Chapter 111 One Shouldn''t be too Greedy


    Lilian Rossum was stunned for a moment, and when she looked up, she saw Julian Quinn standing


    in front of her, furious.


    She wasn''t angry about the seating arrangement. She was angry that Lilian had taken her seat as


    soon as she had left.


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    Lilian stared at Julian, making no move.


    Julian Quinn grabbed the documents on the table and nced at them, then red at Lilian before


    throwing all her stuff on the table into the trash bin.


    Thismotion attracted quite a few onlookers, and people were whispering to each other.


    Julian Quinn was notoriously domineering in thepany, so no one dared to provoke her.


    Although she didn''t do anything productive, she had backers above, so there was no way to deal


    with her.


    Julian couldn''t be bothered to argue with Lilian, so she went straight to Francis Landau''s office.


    Without knocking, she walked in directly, ring at Francis Landau angrily, "Francis Landau, what


    do you mean!"


    Francis Landau was looking at some documents. He paused and looked up at Julian, "What are you


    talking about?"


    Julian pointed outside the door and said, "That dummy (an offensive nickname that Julian made up


    for Lilian), why is she in thepany? I just left thepany yesterday, and you arranged for her to


    come to thepany today. What do you mean?"


    Francis Landau stared straight at her, not speaking, but his presence was overwhelmingly


    oppressive.


    Julian Quinn suddenly felt a bit guilty. Lilian Rossum was his legally wedded wife, and her words


    were indeed a bit presumptuous.


    But she was just angry. He could arrange anyone else, why did it have to be that dummy (an


    offensive nickname that Julian made up for Lilian)?


    Was he deliberately trying to disgust her?


    Francis Landau said, "I have my ns. Since you are going to act, just focus on your acting. Once


    you leave thepany, don''t interfere with thepany''s affairs."


    Julian Quinn bit her lip, feeling wronged, and couldn''t help but cry, "But I don''t want her to stay by


    your side. It''s enough that she has monopolized your marriage, but now she has to be around you


    even at work. What about me? What is my position?"


    "Anyway, I disagree and you better make her leave here quickly!"


    Francis Landau frowned and said in a deep voice, "Julian, don''t make a scene without reason!"


    Julian was stunned by his scolding. She looked at the man in astonishment. Was this considered


    making a scene without reason?


    After being stunned for a while, Julian Quinn finally spoke, "Frank, do you really not love her?"


    Francis Landau paused, his brows furrowing even deeper, "You came to me just to say these


    things?"


    Julian squatted down next to him, pulling his arm, and looked at Francis Landau, "I came to get


    something, but I didn''t expect to see Lilian Rossum in thepany. Frank, you said that you only


    have a responsibility towards her."


    "Since it''s just a responsibility, then just give her money and support her. Why do you have to


    arrange for her toe to thepany? She''s a dummy (an offensive nickname that Julian made


    up for Lilian). What can she do in thepany? Can''t you just let her stay at home?"


    Francis Landau held her hand, his tone softening, "Julian, I told you I have my ns. If you want to


    get something, get it. If not, just stay on the side. I have a meeting to attend, okay?"


    "So, you still want to keep her here?" Julian stared intently at him, trying to change his mind.


    "Do you want me to say it a third time?"


    Julian Quinn opened her mouth, tears uncontrobly falling, she said with a sense of grievance,


    "You don''t care about my feelings."


    Francis Landau looked down at her, his lips twitching slightly, but in the end, he didn''t say anything.


    "Frank, one shouldn''t be too greedy in life, or he will face retribution."


    Francis Landau''s mouth curled up in a mocking smile, he lifted Julian Quinn''s chin, carelessly


    wiping away the tears on her face, saying, "There''s no one who isn''t greedy, aren''t you the same?"


    Julian Quinn was taken aback, she stared deeply at the man.


    She always wanted to know that what kind of woman does it take to control such a man?

 Chapter 112 Like An Outsider

    Chapter 112 Like An Outsider


    Chapter 112 Like An Outsider


    He seemed affectionate, but only Julian Quinn knew that deep down, this man was cold and


    indifferent. He seemed to be detached from the world, coldly watching the ups and downs of life.


    No one could capture his heart.


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    "Yes, so we will all face retribution." Julian Quinn let go of him and stood up, "If you insist on


    keeping her in thepany, you have to promise me one thing."


    "You say."


    "For every day she''s in thepany, you can''t go home with her. I don''t want her to monopolize you


    day and night. Last time you promised me you wouldn''t see her for three months, but you didn''t


    keep your promise!"


    Francis Landau pinched the bridge of his nose and leaned back in his chair, "How can you be sure


    that I can do it this time?"


    "Yes, how can I believe what you said that you will support me for a lifetime?" Julian Quinn retorted.


    Julian had known for a long time that promises were just his excuse. He wasn''t the type to take


    promises seriously. He just used the word "promise" as a way to do what he wanted more easily.


    Francis Landau raised an eyebrow, "You can choose not to believe."


    Julian was choked by his words, she was at a loss for words, "Forget it, I don''t want to talk to you.


    At least that let Lilian help me move my stuff shouldn''t be a problem, right?"


    "You can ask her yourself. If she agrees, I naturally have no objections."


    But Julian Quinn picked up the inte on the table and yfully ced it in front of him, "I want


    you to tell her. You can''t even refuse such a small request, right?"


    Francis Landau nced at the phone in her hand but didn''t take it, "What do you want to move?"


    "Just some daily necessities. Don''t worry, how dare I let your wife do the heavy lifting!"


    The word ''wife'' was almost said through gritted teeth by Julian Quinn, and it seemed to have also


    struck a chord with Francis Landau, his eyes darkening.


    The next second, he grabbed the phone from Julian''s hand and dialed the inte.


    Lilian Rossum had picked up the documents from the trash bin and was seriously memorizing them.


    No matter what Francis Landau''s intentions were for bringing her to thepany, since she was


    here, she decided to do her best.


    Learning something was always good, and it could add some experience to her dull and boring life.


    She heard the phone ring and quickly answered.


    Francis Landau''s voice came from the phone, "Go help Julian Quinn move her things."


    He hung up after speaking, leaving Lilian holding the phone in a daze for a long time.


    After a while, Julian walked over with her high heels, swaying her hips. She patted Lilian''s table,


    "Did you hear? Help me move my things."


    Lilian looked at the phone in her hand. Francis Landau actually asked her to help Julian move her


    things.


    She pursed her lips, put down the phone, and stood up, gesturing: "What to move?"


    Julian Quinn didn''t understand and didn''t want to. She casually packed her things at her desk and


    ced a cardboard box on the table, "Move this."


    Lilian picked up the cardboard box. The box was big and heavy, blocking her view. She had to tilt


    her head to see the way.


    She followed Julian Quinn to the elevator. At the same time, Francis Landau also came over with


    some documents, and the three of them met face to face.


    Lilian''s view was blocked by the box, and she couldn''t see him, but Julian Quinn saw him and took


    the initiative to hold onto Francis Landau''s arm.


    "Frank, thank you. Otherwise, I wouldn''t know how to move such a big box."


    Francis Landau nced at the box in Lilian''s arms, his expression unreadable. He didn''t say


    anything, just pressed the elevator button to go downstairs.


    Lilian quietly stood in the corner, her fingers tightly gripping the box, like an outsider watching the


    two of them show affection.


    She was grateful that the box was big enough to shield her embarrassment.

 Chapter 113 Both of them Fall to the Ground

    Chapter 113 Both of them Fall to the Ground


    Chapter 113 Both of them Fall to the Ground


    "Are you going to a meeting?" Julian Quinn asked as if no one else was around.


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    Francis Landau responded with a hum. His meeting was just two floors below. As the elevator doors


    opened, he walked out directly.


    Once he left, Julian''s face fell.


    She looked serious and remained silent. Only when the elevator reached the second basement


    floor and they reached an area without surveince did Julian turn to look at Lilian Rossum.


    Lilian was holding a box and couldn''t see the path. Julian sneered and suddenly stretched out her


    foot to trip Lilian.


    Lilian tripped over her foot, lost control, and fell. The box in her hands flew out.


    The things in the box scattered all over the floor.


    Lilianid on the ground in a disheveled state, feeling a burning pain in her wrists and knees.


    "Oh my god, how can you be so clumsy to fall while walking?" Julian Quinn feigned surprise, "You


    broke all my stuff."


    Lilian Rossum pressed her lips tightly, her face smeared with dust. She took several deep breaths to


    calm herself.


    She got up from the ground and looked up at Julian.


    Julian raised her eyebrows, showing a provocative look, and said with a smile, "Why are you


    looking at me? Aren''t you going to pick up my things?"


    Lilian clenched her fists, staring intently at Julian Quinn.


    Seeing the smug and provocative look on Julian''s face, Lilian suddenly remembered the first time


    she met Julian, and how simr the scene was to now.


    She had been bumped into and dropped her things, and Julian had squatted in front of her, helping


    her pick them up, even saying she wanted to be her friend.


    How naive Lilian was back then, actually believing someone genuinely wanted to be her friend.


    Seeing Lilian not moving, the smile on Julian''s face faded, "Are you both dumb and deaf? I told you


    to pick up the things."


    Lilian pretended not to hear her and turned to leave.


    But Julian wouldn''t let her go and grabbed her arm, "Stay right there! Who said you could leave?"


    Lilian struggled for a moment, but when she couldn''t break free, she turned her head and red at


    Julian.


    Ever since that time, when Courtney Sachs hit Julian Quinn, her life had been turned upside down


    because of Julian.


    She lost her job, her friends, and now even Fabiana ud had been taken away.


    Thinking of all this, Lilian couldn''t help but feel a strong aversion to Julian Quinn. She didn''t know


    where she got the strength from, but she suddenly pushed Julian.


    Julian hadn''t expected her to dare toy a hand on her. Wearing seven to eight centimeters high


    heels, she stumbled and fell.


    "Ah-"


    Her nails dug into Lilian, and as she fell, she pulled Lilian down with her.


    Both of them fell to the ground. Lilian was hurt for the second time, and without the box to cushion


    her fall, she took a hard hit.


    Her vision went dark, as if her heart was about to be thrown out of her chest, and she felt intense


    pain in her lower abdomen.


    Julian''s foot injury hadn''t healed, and after this fall, she couldn''t get up.


    "You dummy (an offensive nickname that Julian made up for Lilian)..." Julian Quinn covered her


    foot, tears streaming down from the pain, "You''re dead!"


    Lilian, enduring the pain, nced at her. She couldn''t stand up due to the pain in her abdomen, and


    cold sweat dripped from her forehead.


    Julian Quinn took out her phone and called Francis Landau, sobbing andining on the phone.


    "This dummy (an offensive nickname that Julian made up for Lilian), she pushed me! My foot hasn''t


    healed, and now it''s definitely broken..."


    Lilian couldn''t speak, so she could only listen silently as Julian twisted the truth.


    In less than five minutes, Francis Landau arrived.


    Seeing the mess on the ground, he went straight to Julian, crouched down beside her, and helped


    her up, "What happened?"

 Chapter 114 the Apple of Mr. Landaus Eye

    Chapter 114 the Apple of Mr. Landau''s Eye


    Chapter 114 the Apple of Mr. Landau''s Eye


    Julian Quinn leaned into Francis Landau''s embrace, sobbing, "Ask her! Was it just about moving a


    box? Where did all this resentmente from? I just scolded her for throwing my box, and she


    pushed me. If you''re going to protect her, then I''ll just consider myself unlucky!"


    Upon hearing this, Francis Landau turned his head to nce at Lilian Rossum.


    Lilian had already stood up from the ground, her face dirty, staring intently at Francis Landau.


    She didn''t exin because the moment he walked towards Julian, he had already made his choice.


    Any exnation from her would be in vain.


    "Can you stand up?" Francis asked, shifting his gaze back.


    Julian shook her head. This was the second time she had twisted her foot, and it was the same one.


    N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.


    "I''ll take you to the hospital."


    "My things..." Julian, clinging to his neck, looked at Lilian with a pitiful expression, clearly not


    intending to let her off the hook.


    Francis Landau looked at Lilian Rossum, "Pick them up."


    Lilian pursed her lips and didn''t move.


    Without wasting words with her, Francis Landau directly called a female secretary.


    "Watch her. Make sure she picks everything up and then let her leave."


    With that, he carried Julian to his car and drove away.


    Lilian stood there, staring nkly as his car disappeared from the parking lot, as if it had never been


    there.


    While he relentlessly kept her by his side, whenever he had to choose between her and Julian


    Quinn, he always chose Julian.


    This was his promise to take care of her for a lifetime, and to treat her as he used to.


    Francis Landau was nothing but a liar. They were no longer like they used to be.


    The female secretary looked at Lilian with aplicated expression, "Why did you provoke Julian


    Quinn? In thispany, you can offend anyone but not her. Didn''t Assistant Nelson tell you when


    you came? She''s the apple of our Mr. Landau''s eye."


    Lilian looked away, pulling a bitter smile. Yes, Julian Quinn was the one he cherished the most.


    So, what was she?


    "I''ll help you pick them up. Just remember, in the future, avoid Julian whenever you see her, got it?"


    The secretary said as she crouched down to help Lilian pick up the items.


    Lilian held her abdomen, feeling waves of cramping pain. She endured the pain and bent down to


    pick up the items and put them in the box.


    Once all the items were picked up, the secretary said, "Alright, find a ce to put this box. I''ll go up


    first."


    Lilian nodded, giving her a grateful look.


    After the secretary left, Lilian looked at the box on the ground. After a long silence, she bent down


    and picked it up.


    However, just as she picked up the box, she felt a warm flow on her leg and stood still, not daring to


    move.


    She could clearly feel the warmth flowing down her thigh and into her shoe.


    Lilian took several deep breaths before slowly squatting down and cing the box on the ground.


    She lifted her pant leg to see that the entire heel of her shoe was stained with blood.


    Holding the box, she felt cramps in her abdomen, making it difficult for her to even take a step.


    Lilian was in so much pain that her entire body trembled. Eventually, she couldn''t hold on any longer


    and copsed to the ground.


    She took out her phone but didn''t know who to call.


    In the end, she silently opened a ride-hailing app and called for a car.


    She dragged her weak body to the outside of thepany, and when the car arrived, she took off


    her coat and padded her seat to the nearest hospital.


    She has been suffering from pain in her lower abdomen these days, relying solely on painkillers.


    This time, she really couldn''t hold out.


    After arriving at the emergency room, her tense heart rxed and her eyes darkened, fainting in the


    room.

 Chapter 115 Alone in the Hospital

    Chapter 115 Alone in the Hospital


    Chapter 115 Alone in the Hospital


    When Lilian Rossum woke up again, she was in a hospital bed with an IV drip in her hand, and the


    pain in her abdomen had subsided.


    Shey alone in the ward, with no one around.


    Lilian looked up at the IV bottle, which was almost empty. She propped herself up and pressed the


    call button.


    In less than two minutes, a young doctor walked in. He first changed Lilian''s medicine, then turned


    to look at her.


    "How do you feel?"


    Lilian stared at the doctor for a moment, touched herself, and finally caught a glimpse of the phone


    on the bedside table. She picked it up and typed.


    -Doctor, what''s wrong with me?


    The doctor looked at the words on the phone with some surprise, but quickly returned to normal.


    This was everyone''s first reaction when they found out she was dumb. Lilian was used to it.


    "You fainted. After the IV is done, go see the doctor. She''ll exin to you."


    Only then did Lilian notice the badge on his chest, indicating he was an intern.


    Lilian nodded,y back down, and quietly waited for the IV to finish.


    The ward was empty, with hardly anyone around. At the far endy a paralyzed old man who also


    couldn''t speak. The room seemed especially lonely with two dumb people.


    Lilian picked up her phone and saw that it was already past four in the afternoon. Her phone was


    silent, with no messages.


    She turned off her phone and looked towards the old man in the corner.


    After a while, an olddy with streaks of white hair walked in carrying bags. She went straight to the


    old man''s bed and skillfully took out a basin and towel to wipe him down.


    After cleaning him, she fed him, all the while muttering to herself about things like her grandson''s


    teacher again asked her to school and how much money her son had sent back...


    As she spoke, she began toin about how she never enjoyed any blessings after marrying


    him and how she still had to take care of him in their old age.


    The old man couldn''t speak, so he could only follow her with his eyes rolling.


    As the olddy spoke, her voice choked with emotion, "You were fine, and I''ve taken care of you for


    eight years. Every day I think of you lying in the hospital, and it still weighs on my heart."


    Lilian watched the two elderly people. Tears shimmered in the old man''s eyes, and his fingers


    trembled, probably wanting to wipe away the olddy''s tears, but he couldn''t.


    Lilian turned her head away, not looking at them. She gazed at the sky outside the door, where dark


    clouds loomed low, signaling rain.


    After thest IV was finished, she went to find the doctor.


    Coincidentally, it was the same doctor as before. The doctor looked at her with a mix of


    helplessness and frustration.


    "Have you been here before?"


    Lilian nodded and handed her ID card to the doctor, who entered her name and pulled up her file on


    theputer.


    The doctor''s face showed a hint of anger as she reprimanded, "Didn''t you want to keep the fetus


    last time? What have you..."


    She paused, unable to find the right words, as scolding her would be too harsh, so she held back.


    "I really don''t understand what''s going on in the heads of young people these days. You just had


    surgery, and you couldn''t even wait a month?"


    Lilian understood her meaning and lowered her head in embarrassment.


    "You have uterine inmmation leading to bleeding, and judging by the timing, you''ve had this


    inmmation for several days. Why did you wait until it got serious toe to the hospital?"


    Lilian pursed her lips, her fingers pinching the corner of her clothes. Every word of this private


    conversation made her face flush.


    The doctor continued, "Youngdy, don''t me me for not warning you. If you don''t pay attention, it


    won''t just be inmmation. Cervical erosion can turn into cervical cancer. I''m not exaggerating."


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    The doctor probably remembered that she couldn''t speak, so her tone softened a bit, "Where''s your


    family? Have you informed him?"

 Chapter 116 He Loves No One

    Chapter 116 He Loves No One


    Chapter 116 He Loves No One


    Lilian shook her head.


    "Get him here. How could he be so careless? He doesn''t care about your body at all!"


    Lilian was slightly stunned. She quickly took out her mobile phone, typing, "He went on a business


    trip and can note. "


    The doctor stared at her suspiciously for a moment, and finally sighed and said, "You should pay


    attention to this kind of thing yourself and try tomunicate with your husband. Ifmunication


    doesn''t work, you can seek legal aid. You can''t just let him mess around."


    "I''ll give you some medicine, and the infusion needs at least five more days. You muste. Do


    you hear me?"


    When hearing this, Lilian''s head was almost buried in the earth.


    The doctor told her a lot and then gave her a lot of medicine. Lilian took the medicine and fled out of


    the hospital.


    She walked out of the inpatient department, only to meet Francis just as she was ready to walk out


    of the hospital.


    Lilian subconsciously clenched her hands, which were holding the medicine.


    But he did not seem to see her. The man''s full attention was on Julian.


    Julian was walking with a crutch. Her whole person was lying in the arms of Francis. She was


    comining about something.


    "I don''t know why I am so unlucky. This foot sprained twice in a row. I was going to sign the contract


    today. That mute was really my nekryptonia!"


    "Keep your mouth shut when you''re hurt." Francis supported her. Although his words didn''t sound


    very nice, his face did not show extra emotions.


    It was like their daily squabbles, just the way they got along.


    Lilian rolled her eyes at him, "Distressed, ah? You bad man. I hurt my foot like this, and you scolded


    me."


    "You still have the strength to curse, so I guess it''s not very serious."


    Julian was so angry that she gave Francis an arm pinch.


    Julian looked up and saw Lilian. She frowned, and her tone suddenly became strange, "Right, right.


    There''s nothing serious with my foot. Your wife is more serious. You go to care about her!"


    Hearing this, Francis also looked up. His eyes met with Lilian''s.


    Lilian took back her sight, pressed down the dull pain in her heart, bowed her head, and left.


    The two seemed so much in love, and she shouldn''t bother herself.


    Julian raised her eyebrows, "She''s leaving."


    Francis also withdrew his sight and did not speak.


    Julian was also a little confused, "What is the mute doing in the hospital? The way she walks, it


    doesn''t look like she''s sprained."N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    She suddenly felt a little uneasy. She lifted her eyes to nce at Francis, only to find nothing in his


    face, only some absent-mindedness.


    Julian was very angry. Although Francus seemed to stand on her side every time, he had never said


    anything ill about Lilian and never used her of doing this kind of thing.


    Everyone thought he loved Julian deeply, but only Julian knew that he did not love anyone.


    "I can''t walk any further. Can you carry me to the car?" Julian said, displeased.


    Francis did not say anything. He leaned over to pick up Julian and went to the parking lot.


    It was past closing time. Lilian did not go back to thepany and directly took a taxi back to the


    vi.


    As soon as she got off the bus, she saw Paul standing at the door of the vi.


    Seeing Lilian down from the taxi, Pual immediately came up.


    "Ms. Rossum, how is it? A day has passed. Can''t you manage just fifty thousand dors?"

 Chapter 117 Disguise

    Chapter 117 Disguise


    Chapter 117 Disguise


    Lilian stared at him. After a few seconds, she took out her mobile phone and typed, "If I give you


    money, will you let Fabianae back?


    Paul smiled and said, "Of course. With someone providing for her, the burden on me is less, right?


    You really like my mother, don''t you? It shouldn''t be a problem for you to give her some money to


    support her, right?"


    Lilian was silent for a moment, and then continued typing, "If you bring Fabiana over, I will give you


    money.


    The smile on Paul''s face disappeared. He said with displeasure, "She is too old to run around. You


    give me the money first, and I will send her backter."


    Lilian didn''t believe him. Fabiana said that he was like a bottomless pit. If he didn''t send Fabiana


    back after getting the money this time and continued to threaten Lilian for money, she wouldn''t have


    the money.


    --"You bring her her, and I give you the money."


    "You..." Paul was a little angry. He really didn''t think about stopping at just 80,000 dors.


    The Landau family was a business empire, and 80,000 dors was just a drop in the bucket to


    them. If he couldn''t get 800 thousand dors, how could it be worthy of the trouble he went


    through?"


    "If you want to talk to me like this, fine, then I won''t beat around the bush with you. 800 thousand


    dors. If you can get it, I''ll bring her over right away. If you can''t get it, then there''s no need to talk!"


    Lilian was slightly startled. She looked at Paul in astonishment, not expecting him to ask so much.


    Paul knew as soon as he saw her reaction that she couldn''te up with 800 thousand dors


    now, so he said again, "Tell me when you can give me the money, and I will bring my mother here


    directly."


    Lilian couldn''t give him an answer because she borrowed the 80,000 dors from Courtney. Where


    would she find 800 thousand dors to give to him?


    Paul held out five fingers and said, "Five days, okay? I''lle to you in five days."


    Lilian, "I can''t afford that much money."


    Paul frowned, "Who are you fooling? The Landau family is so rich, and you can''t even afford 800


    thousand dors? Do you think I will believe it?"


    "Anyway, I don''t care. Just five days. If you can''t give me that much by then, you will not see my


    mother anymore!"


    Paul dropped these words, turned around, got into his Volkswagen, and drove away.


    Lilian''s abdomen suddenly started to hurt again. She held her belly and walked quickly into the vi,


    took out the medicine prescribed by the doctor, poured a ss of water, and drank it.


    After taking the medicine, it still didn''t work. She found another painkiller, poured seven or eight


    pills, and stuffed them into her mouth like jelly beans.


    One or two painkillers no longer worked for her, and she had to take many to achieve the pain relief


    effect.


    After taking the medicine, she let out a long breath. When she came out, the world suddenly spun


    again. Her eyes went dark, and she fell straight down.


    This time, Lilian had another dream. The dream was no longer filled with the past with Francis but


    was filled with redness.


    The whole world was scarlet, and there was only one color in the world, the color of suffocation.


    Lilian ran wildly in the red mist, trying to escape from this suffocating color.


    But she couldn''t run out, the air was being sucked out bit by bit, and it became increasingly difficult


    to breathe.


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    "Lily."


    Suddenly, she heard someone calling her. The voice was so ethereal that it seemed to being


    from the sky.


    She raised her head and followed the sound. The next second, her feet were empty, and she felt


    weightless.


    Lilian opened her eyes suddenly, opened her mouth, and breathed desperately, filling her lungs with


    air.


    This feeling of suffocation was so real. It was like reality brought into a dream.


    "Lily, are you having a nightmare?"


    This voice came from above her head. Lilian froze. She turned her head and met Johnson''s smiling


    eyes.


    Lilian quickly got up from the sofa and gestured, "Why are you here?"


    Johnson smiled lightly and said, "I came to see Francis. The door was not closed, and I thought he


    was there. But I saw that you fainted, so I waited for a while."


    Only then did Lilian realize that she was on the sofa.


    She suddenly remembered what Francis saidst time, and when she looked at Johnson''s face


    again, she felt creepy.


    If he knew everything but could still pretend as if nothing had happened, then this person''s disguise


    was terrible.

 Chapter 118 Suffocation

    Chapter 118 Suffocation


    Chapter 118 Suffocation


    Lilian, "Thank you. I''m okay now."


    "Good," Johnson said with a smile. He turned his eyes andnded on the medicine bag on the


    coffee table. "Lily, are you not feeling well?"


    Lilian grabbed the medicine on the table, stuffed it into the drawer under the coffee table, and


    gestured, "Just a little cold."


    Johnson nodded, "You have to pay attention to even a small cold. The flu is very serious this


    season."


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    Lilian pursed her lips and stared at him. He seemed to have no intention of leaving.


    She gestured, "Francis is with Julian, and he probably won''te back."


    The subtext was to tell him to leave quickly, but he didn''t seem to understand. He said, "This is his


    home, and why won''t hee back? I''ll just wait. I''ve been waiting for so long anyway."


    Lilian was silent.


    When she was alone with him, she would always feel inexplicable uneasiness and fear, just like the


    suffocation in the dream just now.


    She even suspected that it was Johnson who covered her mouth and nose just now to kill her.


    Lilian stood up, using the excuse of pouring him water. When she came back, she sat diagonally


    across from him, keeping her distance from him.


    Johnson always had a smile on his face, and his slightly curly mid-length hair was scattered on the


    side of his face, casting a light shadow and making his facial features look particrly soft.


    He suddenly said, "Lily, I don''t know whether I should say this or not."


    Lilian looked up at him.


    Johnson said, "Francis is with that Ms. Quinn every day, and aren''t you angry?"


    Lilian was startled, not expecting that he would ask this question.


    "Have you ever thought about divorcing him?"


    Lilian pursed her lips. How had she ever thought about it? She had thought about it many times, but


    she had no right of choice about divorce.


    Johnson tried to guide her, "Do you want a divorce?"


    Lilian took a breath. His voice was so seductive, and she clenched her fingers subconsciously.


    Johnson looked at her intently as if he wanted to see through her.


    With a slight smile on his lips, he said softly, "You want a divorce."


    It was a firm statement, not a question.


    Lilian turned her head away, not daring to look into his eyes again.


    His eyes were like a devil''s eyes, which could hypnotize people and lead them to hell.


    Johnson didn''t mind. He took out a business card from his arms, pressed the business card with his


    long white fingers, and pushed it in front of Lilian.


    Lilian nced at the business card out of the corner of his eye. There was only a name and phone


    number, but no introduction.


    "You can contact him."


    Johnson said softly, and he stood up. "It seems that Francis would note back. I shall leave."


    After he said that, he turned and left. He disappeared in a moment. There was no trace, except for


    the business card on the table, and it was as if he had never been there.


    Lilian stretched out her hand and picked up the business card. She stared at the phone number on


    it, her eyes dull.


    She squeezed the business card tightly with her fingers, and her knuckles turned slightly white as


    everything that happened during this period shed through her mind.


    The unformed child turned into minced meat in her body, the scene of Courtney being thrown


    garbage while walking on the road, and Fabiana being ruthlessly taken away...


    And what the doctor said to her just now.


    Everything grabbed her throat, and she had to use all her strength to even breathe.


    Lilian took out her mobile phone, entered the phone number, and sent a befriending request.


    The request was approved in three seconds.

 Chapter 119 Cold

    Chapter 119 Cold


    Chapter 119 Cold


    The man''s alias was "N", and his avatar was a ck suit.


    Lilian wanted to click into his moments to take a look, but he sent a message first, "Hello, do you


    want to file awsuit?"


    It seemed that there was no need to check his moments. He was awyer.


    R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    Seeing that Lilian didn''t reply, N sent another message, "Not many people know this ount. One


    of my friends must have rmended me to you, right? d to serve you.


    Lilian''s fingers trembled. This man''s enthusiasm did not make him look like a very goodwyer.


    She quickly typed a reply, "I have something to ask you. What should I call you?"


    N, "My name is Wilfred Vaughn.


    Lilian changed his note to Mr. Vaughn. Just as she was about to type, she suddenly heard footsteps


    coming from the door and hurriedly put her phone in her pocket.


    She looked back and saw that Francis was back.


    Lilian got up from the sofa and stared at the door nervously. He took off his coat, walked straight to


    Lilian, and threw the coat on the sofa.


    Francis asked her, "Why did you go to the hospital today?"


    There was no expression on his face, and it was impossible to tell what he wanted to express


    concern or questioning.


    Lilian was silent for a moment and gestured, "I caught a cold."


    "Cold?"


    Lilian nodded.


    Francis stopped talking. He turned his eyes and locked his eyes on the business card on the coffee


    table.


    Lilian was shocked. She wanted to go over and pick up the business card, but Francis took it one


    step ahead of her.


    He held the business card between his fingers and looked at it carefully, then raised his eyes and


    nced at Lilian with unclear meaning.


    A little cold sweat broke out on her nervous forehead. Would he notice anything?


    Fortunately, Francis just nced at her lightly and threw the business card back on the table, "If you


    have a cold, take a good rest and go to bed early."


    After saying this, he turned and went upstairs.


    Lilian let out a long breath, picked up the business card, tore it into pieces, and threw it into the


    trash can.


    She remembered that she hadn''t eaten yet, so she went to the kitchen to take a look. There were


    still many dishes in the refrigerator, which Fabiana had bought before.


    Thinking of Fabiana, Lilian''s eyes dimmed again.


    She took out the noodles and made two bowls of noodles out of habit. She didn''t realize until they


    were ready that Francis might have already eaten.


    Lilian brought the noodles to the restaurant, and she sat at the dining table alone, eating the


    noodles quietly


    The bowl of noodles ced opposite her was still steaming, but slowly cooled down, leaving only


    the shriveled dough lying in the bowl.


    She then went to the bathroom to wash up, took medicine, and then slept on the sofa.


    When she woke up the next day, Francis seemed to be gone, and she was covered with a nket.


    Lilian came to the restaurant. The bowl of noodles was still on the table, but it was extremely cold.


    She didn''t know why, but when she saw the cold noodles, she felt a faint tingling sensation in her


    heart.


    It was like something important, like this bowl of noodles, was getting colder little by little.


    There was a sudden stabbing pain in her head, and her vision began to go dark again. She


    hurriedly grabbed the edge of the table, slowly sat on the stool, and waited for a moment to avoid


    falling to the ground.


    She didn''t know how many times this had happened, but she always feel dizzy and then faint.


    Lilian calmed down on the chair for a moment, suppressed the dizziness, and then changed clothes


    and went to thepany.

 Chapter 120 Message

    Chapter 120 Message


    Chapter 120 Message


    She couldn''t take the bus here, and she could only take a taxi to thepany.


    She took out her phone and clicked on WhatsApp. The next second, the rosiness on her face was


    reced by a paleplexion.


    A huge panic enveloped her, making her hair stand on end and her scalp tingle!


    Because Mr. Vaughn sent her a message, but there was no unread reminder, indicating that the


    message had been read.


    There were just her and Francis in the vi, and she hadn''t read the text... Then the answer to who


    moved her phone was already self-evident.


    She trembled and opened the message. The message from Mr. Vaughn was, "What''s the problem?


    It doesn''t matter if it''s inconvenient on our phone. We can meet and chat."


    Lilian took a breath, and her phone slipped from her fingertips to the ground. She closed her eyes,


    and a cold wind came from outside the car window, causing pain in her cheeks.


    "Miss, we''re here."


    R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    Lilian regained herposure and picked up her phone on the ground to get out of the car. She


    came to thepany, lost in spirits, checked in, and sat in front of theputer.


    She turned on herputer and found a message from Nelson on her work ount, which was her


    task for the day.


    "Rookie, help me make a copy of this document. I need twenty copies, and I''ll need them for the


    meetingter." A stack of documents was thrown in front of Lilian.


    Lilian looked up and saw a curly-haired woman with a badge on her chest that read "Secretary


    Office - Katie Colon."


    Previously, it was Julian who sat in this position, and they were all oppressed by Julian. Now, this


    position had a different owner, but it did not affect their hatred, which now was channeled to Lilian.


    Lilian stared at the document for a while before standing up and picking it up to print.


    Katie hugged her arm and looked askance at Lilian''s back. A colleague next to her leaned over and


    whispered, "Katie, she looks like she doesn''t know anything, but she can work here. I think you


    should try to restrain yourself."


    The colleague''s subtext was clear, meaning that this neer might not be the second Julian.


    Katie sneered and said, "Didn''t you hear about yesterday?"


    "What''s the matter?"


    "That Lilian helped Julian move things and identally knocked over her things, causing a dispute


    between the two. Mr. Landau was so worried that he skipped the meeting. That Lilian was scolded


    and didn''t evene to work yesterday afternoon."


    Circting to this day, yesterday''s gossip had been deformed, but in fact, it was pretty much the


    same version.


    Katia said, "So, how many Julian can there be in this world? Don''t think too much about it. I think it''s


    probably a rtive of some leader who came through the back door. You don''t need to be polite


    to this kind of person."


    She didn''t give a damn about anyone except for Mr. Landau in their department. Of course, she


    wouldn''t care about Lilian no matter whose rtive she was. She would not give her an easy time.


    Lilian took the document to print. She really didn''t know anything, she did not even know how to use


    a printer.


    She couldn''t distinguish between printing and copying, nor did she understand how to manage the


    front and back sides. After a long while, she couldn''t make aplete copy.


    Lilian once again began to doubt herself. Could she really survive without Francis?


    Just as she was daydreaming, someone suddenly called out to her behind her, "Lily."


    Lilian was startled and suddenly turned around to see Johnson standing behind her with a


    document. He smiled and said, "You don''t know how to use it?"


    Lilian seemed a bit embarrassed, and she grabbed the document at a loss.


    She didn''t even know how to use a photocopier. Working here was really a shame for her.


    Johnson took over the document in her hand, "I teach you. ce the paper along this line. Here is a


    selection button here. This icon means double-page copy, and this is the number of copies. Just


    enter the number you need."


    Johnson was being really patient with her, "When the countes to zero, just open the lid and turn


    over the paper to copy the back."


    He pressed the button, and sure enough, the document came out of the printer. Lilian quickly picked


    it up. This was the first one, and she needed twenty.


    "You try it." Johnson got out of the way and let her do it herself.


    Lilian nodded and put the second piece of document in.


    They did not see that behind them, Francis stopped and stared at them.

 Chapter 121 Johnsons Feelings

    Chapter 121Johnson''s Feelings


    Chapter 121 Johnson''s Feelings


    Nelson followed Francis. He nced at Francis in fear but couldn''t tell anything on Francis'' face.


    What Nelson could feel was the fall of temperature around.


    Nelson was about to say something while Francis had turned around and left, so he had to follow


    Francis quickly.


    Under the guidance of Johnson, Lilian has learned the printer. She gestured, "Thank you, I''ve


    already learned it."


    Johnson smiled and nodded, "OK, then I''ll go first."


    Lilian nodded and gazed after him.


    Many people saw their interaction, including Katie, who wanted to urge Lilian to hand over the


    information but didn''t expect to see this scene.


    Katie frowned suspiciously.


    Johnson was easy-going in thepany, but he never wasted time on such trifles, let alone giving


    directions to a new employee.


    "Did they have an affair?"


    Katie thought about it. She took out her mobile phone and sent a message to Ruby.


    Ruby liked Johnson so much that she certainly worried that Johnson flirted with other female


    employees, so she arranged many informers in thepany, and Katie was one of them.


    Getting the news, Ruby almost crushed her mobile phone in rage.


    "Bitch! Whore!"


    Ruby swore angrily, and Rosalie took a strange nce at her and asked curiously, "What''s the


    matter? Why are you so angry?"


    "The dummy! I really want to know what Francis is thinking about. Why did he arrange for the


    dummy to join thepany? What could the dummy do except seducing men?"


    There were only Ruby and Rosalie in the room, so Ruby was in no mood for pretending. She


    comined about Lilian frankly.


    "What do you mean?" Rosalie didn''t understand, "Frank took the dummy to thepany, right?"


    This was the focus of Rosalie, who had always regarded Lilian as a disgrace to the Landau family. It


    was shameful enough for Rosalie to have such a daughter-inw. Now, she couldn''t ept that


    Francis even took Lilian to thepany.


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    "Yes, mom. The dummy doesn''t know her ce. She seduced Johnson aboveboard in the


    company! Mom, what shall I do..."


    Rosalie red at her irritably, "Don''t think foolishly. Even if Lilian wants to seduce him, Johnson


    would keep a distance from her on such a formal asion as thepany. Don''t always believe


    the rumors of those employees and be terribly suspicious all day."


    "But..." Ruby remembered what she had heardst time. She couldn''t suppress her suspicions. But


    how could she tell Rosalie about such a thing?


    "Okay. I don''t think Johnson is such a yboy. Don''t focus on him all day. Think about it. How could


    the dummypare with you? How could Johnson fall in love with a dummy?"


    Ruby felt more relieved by Rosalie''s words, but she was notpletely at ease.


    A woman''s sixth sense was urate, especially in terms of feelings.


    Johnson''s feelings for Lilian were definitely not as in as they seemed. Ruby had felt it since


    Johnson first came to the Landau family and saw Lilian absent-minded.


    "Mom, I don''t want to see the dummy anymore," Ruby recalled the past and murmured


    subconsciously.


    Rosalie was shocked, "What did you say?"


    Ruby came back to her senses and quickly suppressed her ferocious expression, "No, nothing, I''m


    talking nonsense."


    Rosalie stared at her and didn''t believe her exnation.


    The dummy was an eyesore. Even if she was not in the Landau family, her existence still troubled


    Rosalie and Ruby.


    However, Lilian was under Francis'' protection, and they dared not act rashly, because they were not


    sure what feelings Francis had for Lilian.


    "Ruby, what are you worried about? Are you hiding something from me?"


    Ruby raised her head and looked at Rosalie. She hesitated but finally said, "Mom, I''m not hiding


    anything from you. I just have a feeling. Do you feel the same thing?"


    "What feelings?"

 Chapter 122 Mockery

    Chapter 122Mockery


    Chapter 122 Mockery


    "I feel Johnson doesn''t like me and he''s not interested in the Landau Group... I don''t know. I don''t


    know what he really wants."


    Rosalie frowned and asked confusedly, "What nonsense are you talking about? Isn''t he kind to you?


    If he didn''t like you, why did he marry you and have a baby with you? Ruby, do you want to see a


    doctor? "


    Rosalie suspected that Ruby was suffering from postpartum depression.


    Ruby copsed, "Mom, don''t you believe me? I can feel whether he truly loves me or not. Love...


    can be faked."


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    Rosalie was silent, and she didn''t know whether to believe it or not.


    Hearing Ruby''s words, she also felt a little strange.


    ording to Johnson, he was an orphan who had lost his parents in his childhood and had been


    growing up in an orphanage. but his temperament was totally different from that of an orphan.


    However, they had already investigated and found that Johnson did grow up in an orphanage. The


    dean and those people in the orphanage all knew Johnson.


    It was contradictory.


    "Well, stop thinking about it. If they had feelings, they would have been together and not wait until


    now. I think you are idle at home and daydreaming. Maybe you need a work."


    Ruby lowered her head and didn''t say anything.


    ...


    Lilian gave Katie the copied information. Katie took a look at her and said, "Take it to the conference


    room."


    Lilian held the file and stood still.


    Katie was unpleasant. She stared at Lilian, "What are you standing for? Take it over! If you don''t


    want to do any work, why are you joining thepany?"


    Katie heard that Mr. Landau seemed to be in a bad mood, and she didn''t want to be a punchbag.


    Lilian kept silent for a while. Then she picked up a pen on the desk and wrote down, "Where is the


    conference room?"


    Katie froze. She looked at the words and then at Lilian full of wonder.


    "Are you a dummy?"


    Lilian pinched her lips and nodded.


    Katie was shocked. Other colleagues in the office also looked at Lilian. Their shocked, surprised,


    and strange gazes were like needles stinging at Lilian.


    They uncovered her scar bit by bit and exposed it to the public execution.


    Every gaze was telling that Lilian was different from the ordinary.


    She was an alien or a monkey in the zoo for people to have fun.


    "Turn left, and then go straight to the corner at the end," Someone kindly reminded her.


    Lilian took a grateful look at the one and then rushed out of the office with the file. Aftering out,


    she could still hear the discussion inside.


    "How can thepany recruit a dummy? How on earth did she apply?"


    "Backdoor deals, of course. I saw her and Mr. Smith act intimately. They might be..."


    "Interesting. Does Mr. Smith learn from Mr. Landau?"


    "Shh... keep your voice down. Mr. Smith is different from Mr. Landau. He is a matrilocal... He dares


    not have affairs."


    They talked one after another. Lilian forced a smile and didn''t listen anymore. She left with the file.


    Everyone knew that Mr. Smith had a wife, but had no idea of Francis'' wife.


    Lilian thought Francis took her as a disgrace.


    Did Francis let her join thepany to make her listen to these cruel words?

 Chapter 123 Clyde

    Chapter 123Clyde


    Chapter 123 Clyde


    Lilian came to the conference room with the file in her arms. There were many people in it, and


    almost all the executives who needed to attend the meeting were here.


    Lilian knocked on the door and went in. Everyone looked at her in a surprised gaze.


    Why did the assistant change today? Didn''t Julian do it before?


    Lilian lowered her head, ignored their gazes, and handed out those documents one by one.


    When she came to Francis, he looked up and stared at her deeply. His gazes were like a deep pool


    to suck her into it.


    Lilian lowered her head and didn''t look into his eyes. She put the document in front of him and went


    to the next person.


    "I haven''t seen you before. Are you a neer?"


    A middle-aged man stared at Lilian. She was really beautiful in silence to win a man''s heart.


    As the man was close to her, he clearly saw her fair skin and fine pores without makeup. Under the


    bright light outside the window, her skin was rosy and delicate.


    N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    Lilian didn''t answer him but went on to the next person.


    The man was a little angry and turned gloomy, but he didn''t vent his anger.


    He secretly bore a grudge against her and intended to ask about her after the meeting. Thinking of


    this, the man suddenly noticed a line of sight.


    He subconsciously followed it and met Francis'' eyes. Francis was expressionless, but the man felt


    being seen through. He quickly lowered his head and pretended to look through the documents.


    Lilian went out after delivering the documents. As soon as she sat down in her seat, Katie brought


    her another pile of documents.


    "Sort out these materials and send me a form."


    There were not many workers in this department, which was named the president''s secretary, but


    the personnel was handymen. Only the secretary-manager and Nelson had ess to the core of


    the business.


    Katie left almost all the work of the department to Lilian.


    After all, Lilian couldn''tin. Katie was in no mood tomunicate with Lilian. She left the


    work and went to the tea room to stack off.


    Their life had been much easier since Julian left.


    Julian thought of herself as Mrs. Landau all day. As long as she saw someone cking off, she


    would criticize them and write down their names to deduct their wages and merit pay.


    All personnel hated her, but they couldn''t do anything, because Francis was her background.


    What background did Lilian have?


    Francis pretended not to know her, nor admit her identity to the public, so Lilian was doomed not to


    have Julian''s confidence and treatment.


    Lilian was left in the office alone. She was quietly sorting out the information and paying attention to


    the time because she had to go to the hospital for an infusion after work.


    Katie was cking off when the middle-aged man came in with a water cup and said hello to her.


    "Ms. Colon, you are free and easy today." He walked over andughed.


    Katie responded with a smile, "You caught me for such a short spare time. If Ms. Quinn hears it, all


    my merit pay will be deducted this month."


    Katie smiled on the surface, but her eyes were contemptuous. The middle-aged man was the head


    of the finance department, who was a lecherous.


    He always came to the personnel administration, staring at the beauties'' asses and thighs every


    day. He was notorious in the circle of female employees.


    Clyde thought something. He suddenly asked, "Speaking of Ms. Quinn, I haven''t seen her these


    days. Did the neer I saw rece her?"


    Katie picked up her eyebrow. She knew what he wanted to do when he asked.


    "Aren''t you informed? Ms. Quinn resigned. This neer is a dummy. We are all curious about


    how she applied."


    Clyde was surprised, "Dummy? Ms. Colon, are you kidding me?"


    How could a dummy be a secretary?

 Chapter 124 Sexual Harassment

    Chapter 124 Sexual Harassment


    Chapter 124 Sexual Harassment


    What a joke!


    "Forget it if you don''t believe me." Katie put down her cup and walked out.


    Clyde stared at her long legs in stockings and narrowed his eyes. Was the neer really a


    dummy?


    He still didn''t believe it.


    When Katie came back, she subconsciously looked at Lilian. Now that she knew Clyde''s mind,


    naturally, Katie had to help.


    After all, Ruby told her to provide a special treat for Lilian.


    Thinking of this, Katie came to Lilian''s desk and knocked on her desk, "Take the invoices to the


    finance department and give them to Clyde."


    Lilian paused. She looked at the invoices and wrote on the paper, "I haven''t finished sorting out the


    documents."


    "It won''t take much time. The financial department is downstairs. Go there. The invoices are for Mr.


    Landau''s hotel and business tripst week."


    Lilian pinched her lips, took the invoices, and went out.


    She went to the finance department and went straight to the manager''s office inside, but she didn''t


    know who Clyde was.


    The door was open, and she saw Clyde instantly. It was the man who had asked her in the


    conference room just now.


    Lilian knocked on the door, and Clyde raised up his head, looked at her, and made a smile


    immediately, "Ms. Rossum, why are you here? Come in, please."


    Lilian walked in with the invoices and handed them to Clyde.


    Seeing that she didn''t talk, Clyde wanted to tempt, so he looked at the invoices and frowned, "They


    can''t be reimbursed."


    Lilian blinked and looked at him puzzled.


    Clyde looked at it and had a conclusion. He stood up, approached Lilian, and pointed to the invoice,


    "Look, it has the wrong format. You have to find the seller to rece it."


    He leaned close, and there was an indescribable smell in his mouth. Lilian held her breath and


    nodded, trying to get the invoices back.


    Clyde, however, clenched the invoices, "You are a neer and don''t know the correct invoice


    format. Let me show you."


    Clyde took her hand, took Lilian to hisputer, and opened a document, "See, this line pressing is


    wrong, and the content couldn''t be ovepping."


    N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.


    He almost stuck to Lilian''s back, blowing into her ear with a terrible smell.


    Lilian''s neck froze. She nodded to show that she understood, but her reaction made Clyde even


    more presumptuous.


    A neer always had a silent resentment of the leader''s sexual harassment. Moreover, Clyde


    was clever. He didn''t do any substantive sexual harassment, but some unpleasant behaviors.


    Ordinary employees would choose to endure it.


    "Clyde..."


    Clyde forgot to close the door. Just then, an employee came in to look for him and saw their


    intimate action at the door. He was in a dilemma for a time.


    Clyde took some steps back and distanced himself from Lilian, "Well, you can take the invoices


    back, correct them, and bring them back."


    Lilian was relieved and ran out with the invoices.


    However, the gossip about them had been spread in thepany wildly.


    It was known that the new secretary, a dummy, had been having an affair with Clyde in his office.


    Others guessed that Lilian was Clyde''s lover.


    As time passed by, Francis heard of the rumor.


    "Where is she?" Francis pulled his tie and asked in a gloomy expression.


    Nelson faltered, "She''s gone, at five o''clock..."

 Chapter 125 Francis Irony

    Chapter 125Francis''Irony


    Chapter 125 Francis'' Irony


    Francis'' finger paused for a moment and took a look at Nelson. He thought of something and his


    eyes darkened, "She runs fast."


    Lilian had to go to the hospital for an infusion, so naturally, she ran fast. To get off work on time, she


    didn''t have lunch and worked overtime to sort out those documents.


    She took the doctor''s prescription, got the medicine, and went to the hall for infusion.


    After the transfusion yesterday, her abdomen felt morefortable today. Though it was still a dull


    pain, she could stand it without taking painkillers.


    Lilian found a vacant for infusion. There were many patients at this time, but fortunately, family


    members could note in, and everyone was sitting there alone for infusion.


    Lilian took out her mobile phone and clicked on the dialogue box with Mr. Vaughn on WhatsApp.


    Lilian didn''t reply to his messagest night, so he didn''t continue to send it.


    Lilian typed, "I want to ask you about supporting the elderly."


    Yes, that was what Lilian wanted to learn about. She couldn''t afford so much money for Paul, and


    Lilian tried to resort to thew.


    After almost two minutes, Wilfred replied, "Could you tell me the specific situation roughly?"


    Lilian didn''t know the details either. She just told Mr. Vaughn that Fabiana had been kicked out and


    Paul ckmailed her with Fabiana.


    A few minutester, Wilfred asked, "Can we make a voice call?"


    Lilian paused for a moment. She bit her lip and told Wilfred that she couldn''t speak.


    Wilfred was silent for a while, expressing his understanding and sending a voice, "I know all about


    it. The Paul you mentioned may be involved in the crime of abandonment. If there is enough


    evidence, he may go to jail."


    "For the civil matter, we usually takemunication and consultation first, and if it fails, finally we''ll


    resort tows because this is likely to damage the family rtionship."


    His voice was calm and maic, showcasing a sense of righteousness, and Lilian had a favorable


    impression on him.


    She replied, "I have met him, and I don''t think coordination is useful."


    Wilfred answered, "Well, then we can resort tows. First of all, the testimony of the elder herself is


    important. Then we need evidence, including the testimony of witnesses, friends or neighbors,


    medical records, surveince videos, andmunication records."


    It was no problem to get the testimony of neighbors. The monitoring of Paul''s house might be


    something wrong, but the monitoring that Fabiana rummaged garbage outside might be useful.


    ording to Wilfred, things depended on the specific evidence, and it was no use talking on the


    phone now.


    "When you are free, we can meet and talk in detail."


    Lilian looked at the date on her mobile phone. It was Wednesday, and she wouldn''t be free until


    Saturday.


    She made an appointment with Wilfred at 9: 00 a.m. on Saturday. Lilian gasped and looked up and


    she found that the infusion bottle had bottomed out.


    She stood up, took down the infusion bottle, and went to the reception staff to change medicine.


    The nurse told her, "You can call me. No need to bring it here."


    Lilian pinched her lips and couldn''t tell the staff that she was dumb.


    The nurse changed her medicine. Lilian opened WhatsApp again and deleted the chat record with


    Wilfred.


    Francis was responsible for Fabiana''s taking-away. If he knew that Lilian interfered with Fabiana''s


    affairs, he would do something else.


    After the transfusion, it was already past 8 P.M.


    Lilian went home by bus, and it was a long way to get to the vi after getting off the bus.


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    When she got home, Lilian saw Francis sitting on the sofa with crossed legs. He leanedzily on the


    sofa, holding the remote control and casually changing channels.


    Lilian tightened her fingers and walked over carefully.


    Francis stared at the TV without looking at her, "Where have you been?"


    Lilian lowered her head. He didn''t look at her, so she couldn''t exin it by gestures. Obviously,


    Francis didn''t want to hear her exnation.


    Lilian sat opposite to Francis and gestured, "Have you eaten?"


    Francis looked at her quietly, with irony and coldness in his eyes, "Why are you so hypocritical?"

 Chapter 126 A Furious Struggle

    Chapter 126 A Furious Struggle


    Chapter 126 A Furious Struggle


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    Lilian was slightly startled. His cold tone made her feel strangely suffocated.


    Francis said, "Do you want to divorce me? You''re performing again. Lilian, why didn''t I realize your


    acting skills were so good before?"


    She tightened her fingers and looked at him at a loss.


    What he said was right. The thoughts of divorce had indeed crossed her mind frequently. When she


    was alone, she thought that he favored Julian Quinn. It was the same when it was in the evening.


    The thoughts at this time would be more extreme, just as someone made the decisions before


    going to bed. They would more or less regret the next day.


    When she consulted Mr. Vaughn, she thought of asking about divorce, but the next day she just


    wanted to ask about Fabiana ud.


    She couldn''t exin herplicated and contradictory feelings to him.


    In a sense, Francis''s words were correct.


    Francis firmly kept his eyes on her, "Don''t you want to exin?"


    Lilian clenched her clothes and fell into silence.


    He stared at Lilian for a moment, and then he leaned back. He became calm again, "Lilian, I have


    told you that it''s futile for you to ask someone for help. Don''t be too naive."


    Lilian looked at him in surprise. She had less and less understanding about why he loved Julian


    Quinn so much but refused to marry her.


    He disliked her, treated her coldly, and thought she wasn''t sortable, but he refused to divorce her.


    Was it because of his oath to Grandpa Thomas?


    Was he really that true to his word?


    Francis tilted his head slightly and said, "Come here."


    Lilian pursed her lips. She stood up and walked to Francis.


    He pulled her gently, and Lilian was unsteady on her feet and fell onto hisp.


    Francis held her waist, came close to her, and whispered in her ear, "Tell me who is trying to trick


    you into getting a divorce?"


    Lilian was slightly startled, then turned to meet his sight.


    His eyes were deep and dark, and any information could never be delivered from his eyes.


    Lilian looked at him intently, but the next second, he raised his voice suddenly, "Say! Who is it on


    earth?"


    Lilian was frightened by his voice, causing her to shiver. She wanted to stand up and retreat in fear


    but her wrist was grabbed by the man.


    "Lilian, have I been too indulgent to you? Why do you turn a deaf ear to my words again and again?


    Huh?"


    He grabbed Lilian so hard that her eyes turned red because of her pain. She struggled to break free


    from his grasp, but he got her in a death grip.


    "Why don''t you speak? Why?"


    The previous calmness andposure on his face gradually changed along with his words, and he


    revealed a hint of a ferocious look.


    Lilian was extremely afraid of his present look as if he had transformed into someone else, a


    madman.


    She backed away desperately, trying to escape from him.


    He grabbed her wrist, pulled her back, and threw her hard on the sofa.


    Lilian was dizzy, and that dizziness just swept over her again. She closed her eyes in pain, feeling


    the whole world spinning.


    Francis pinched her chin and said in a deep voice, "Look at me."


    Lilian struggled to open her eyes and looked at him with red eyes.


    He stared at her eyes, took a deep breath, and then said calmly, "Don''t force me to do something I


    don''t want to do, okay?"

 Chapter 127 She Was Destined To Get Nothing

    Chapter 127She Was Destined To Get Nothing


    Chapter 127 She Was Destined To Get Nothing


    Lilian''s fingers tightened as she stared at the man''s impassive face, her gaze briefly lost in thought.


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    She would never truly know what he was thinking.


    Francis tightened his grip on her chin, a touch heavier this time, "Did you hear me?"


    Lilian felt pain,ing back to her senses, and nodded.


    He continued, "This is thest time. If you don''t obey again, I''ll break your legs and lock you up. Do


    you understand?"


    Lilian''s body tensed all over. His expression didn''t seem like a joke. He really did it.


    She had to nod with difficulty.


    Francis finally released her, his fingers gently caressing her cheek, "That''s better."


    He leaned in to kiss her lips, but Lilian recalled the doctor''s words and subconsciously turned her


    head away.


    Francis narrowed his eyes and turned her face back towards him. His voice carried a dangerous


    undertone, "Did you already forget what I just said? Was your memory bad?"


    Lilian desperately wanted to exin with gestures, but her frantic movements seemed like


    resistance to him.


    He seized her hand and ripped down his tie to bind her wrists together.


    She shook her head vigorously. Because the amplitude of her struggle was toorge, she fell off the


    sofa onto the hard floor, causing her head to spin with pain.


    Lilian curled up on the floor and looked at him full of pleading, her blurry teary-eyed eyes mixed with


    a bit of fear.


    Francis clutched her cor, lifting her up and staring deeply into her eyes.


    "Are you afraid of me?"


    Lilian looked at the sinister curve of his lips and couldn''t know if she was more scared or if her lower


    abdomen was painful. Her body trembled uncontrobly.


    He smiled. That was a chilling smile, with no trace of a smile in his eyes.


    "Why?" He kept his gaze fixed on Lilian''s eyes as if searching for answers within her eyes. "Why


    were you afraid of me?"


    Lilian closed her eyes and turned her head, tears streaming down the corners of her eyes.


    She also wanted to know why.


    They were never like this before.


    Was it her greed?


    She wanted freedom and his love, so she was destined to get nothing.


    She shivered violently, and the curve of the corner of Francis''s lips slowly disappeared.


    In the next moment, Francis hugged her up, holding her tightly, and his grip was so strong it felt like


    he was embedding her into his bones and blood.


    He changed his tone, speaking softly into her ear, "Don''t be afraid. If you obey like you used to, we''ll


    be fine."


    He carried a faint scent, the one Lilian loved the most. She had heard people say that the scent of


    gardenia symbolized a lifetime of waiting.


    From then on, she fell in love with gardenias. Every time he wore clothes sheundered, smelling


    the scent of gardenias, she felt that he loved her.


    In this world, there were always pitiable people, especially those who deceived themselves were the


    most pitiable.


    Francis loosened the tie binding her wrists and held her face, gently wiping away her tears.


    Lilian didn''t want to look at him. Sometimes, he was like schizophrenia with unstable emotions.


    Every time she thought he was about to explode, he would suppress hisplex emotions, as if


    nothing had happened.


    Just like now, he held her face and seriously gazed into her, his voice softening, "Let''s have a child.


    Do you like children?"


    Lilian''s eyelids quivered slightly. She suddenly raised her head, meeting the man''s inexplicable


    gaze.


    He said, "I''m serious."


    In an instant, a chilling sensation swept over her limbs. The great grief rushed to her throat. The eye


    sockets burned badly, and the limbs were cold to the point of numbness.


    She moved her lips but felt as if her heart was weighed down with lead, her breath pulling at her


    chest causing pain.


    Lilian lifted her hand, wanting to say something, but what could she say?


    Should she say that our child was gone?


    Should she ask why he didn''te to save her?


    Should she ask why he suddenly wanted a child now?

 Chapter 128 Courage Was Needed For Living

    Chapter 128Courage WasNeeded For Living


    Chapter 128 Courage Was Needed For Living


    It was devoid of significance.


    Her fingers remained frozen in mid-air as her shattered gaze looked at him.


    Francis''s brows lowered as he fixed his gaze on her unmoving fingers for a moment. Then, his


    attention shifted back to Lilian''s face.


    He raised his slender fingers and ced them on her cheek with a hint of coolness. In a self-


    absorbed tone, he asked, "Do you prefer a boy or a girl?"


    Upon hearing these words, Lilian suddenly burst intoughter. Tears streamed down her face,


    making it difficult to discern whether herughter outweighed her tears, or vice versa.


    Francis''s gaze remained intense, stubbornly waiting for her response.


    Lilian tugged at the corner of her lips, raising her hand to slowly gesture a few words, "I prefer a


    girl."


    He gently caressed her cheek, tucking away her disheveled strands of hair behind her ear, and


    softly murmured, "Girl is good and obedient. We shall have a girl."


    Her tears fell like unstrung pearls.


    If he had said this a month ago, how good it would be.


    Then, she could have openly announced to everyone that she was expecting a child.


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    She wouldn''t have to hide and skulk like a thief. She could have confidently bought lovely little


    clothes and, like any other mother, looked forward to the arrival of her baby.


    And perhaps, none of the subsequent events would have happened.


    Lilian smiled and nodded, her smile as deste as her gaze.


    The smile was so fake.


    Francis tried to wipe away her tears in vain, his voice husky as he said, "Stop smiling like this."


    Lilian slowly withdrew her smile in the corner of her mouth, revealing her most genuine self at that


    moment, which somehow irritated more than her smile did.


    Francis sighed soundlessly, his brows showing some impatience. He suddenly stood up, didn''t say


    a word and went upstairs.


    Lilian sat on the cold carpet. She closed her eyes for a moment, summoning great effort to push


    away what had just happened from her mind.


    Many things cease to be trouble when you stop thinking about them.


    She opened her eyes, pulled open a drawer, and retrieved some pills from it before heading to the


    kitchen.


    She poured a ss of water and stared at the pills in her hand. Thoughts of Francis''s words caused


    her to be distracted once more.


    For a fleeting moment, she found the world devoid of interest.


    The knife in the kitchen utensils glistened as if it were beckoning to her, tempting her to pick it up, to


    free herself from this world.


    Lilian stared fixedly at that knife, and the pills in her hand grew heavier.


    By the time she snapped back to reality, she was already standing in front of the gleaming knife.


    "What would you like for dinner tonight?"


    Just as she was about to reach for it, Francis''s voice suddenly appeared from the doorway. Lilian''s


    hand paused.


    The frenzied notion that had possessed her mind moments ago dissipated silently with his words.


    Courage was needed for living, just as it was needed for dying.


    She put down the ss, turned to look at Francis, who was standing there just as he always did and


    began speaking to her.


    He didn''t need to do anything, merely standing there could sway Lilian''s thoughts and emotions.


    Lilian gestured with her hand, "I''d like some porridge."


    "I''ll have someone bring it over," Francis said, and then his gaze briefly fell on the ss with her


    hand.


    But he just looked at it and turned and went out.


    Lilian heaved a sigh, ncing back at the knives on the kitchen shelf.


    She grabbed the ss, ced the pills in her mouth and swallowed them whole.


    Soon, the meal ordered by Francis arrived, delivered by Nelson.


    After setting the table with the dishes, Nelson sensed the stifling and eerie atmosphere between


    Francis and Lilian. Feeling it was best to leave quickly, he finished arranging everything and


    departed.


    Out of habit, Lilian stood up to help him serve the porridge.


    Suddenly, she heard him say, "In thepany, besides listening to me and Nelson, you needn''t


    listen to anyone else."

 Chapter 129 A Enough Sense of Security

    Chapter 129A Enough Senseof Security


    Chapter 129 A Enough Sense of Security


    Lilian was slightly stunned. The spoon did tilt unheedingly, and the porridge poured into the bowl


    sshed on her hand, and the bowl almost fell into the pot.


    She endured the pain, cing the bowl on the table and gingerly touching the scalded area. and


    nodded towards Francis.


    For thepany matters, how could anyone hide from him? It was not surprising that those gossip


    and rumors about Clyde reached his ears.


    Francis remained silent. The two ate dinner quietly, with only the clinking of cutlery breaking the


    silence.


    After dinner, Francis went to his study.


    While Lilian turned on the television, curling up on her couch.


    The sofa was narrow enough to provide her with a sense of security.


    On the following day, she went to the office as usual, and the news that she was a dummy had


    already spread. People she encountered along the way couldn''t help but cast curious nces her


    way.


    In a conglomerate as massive as Landau Group, renowned for its stringent hiring standards, it was


    inconceivable to most that a dummy person could secure employment.


    Some attempted to approach Lilian with greetings, but she merely responded with polite nods and


    smiles, refraining from engaging in lengthy conversations.


    They weren''t genuinely interested in getting to know her. It was simply a matter of satiating their


    curiosity and indulging in office gossip.


    When a person who was not as good as them endured hardship, they felt sympathy. However,


    when a person who was not as good as them lived like them or better than them, they felt a sense


    of unease.


    They believed she was unworthy of her position, and subconsciously, they perceived themselves as


    inferior to even a dummy colleague.


    They were inclined to undermine her, to push her down to what they believed to be her rightful


    ce. So they could subsequently disy their benevolence and magnanimity, embellishing their


    noble character.


    Indeed, the majority of people were hypocrites.


    Upon arriving at her office, before she could even take her seat, Katie appeared and burdened her


    with a mound of tasks.


    Because of Francis''s wordsst night, Lilian also had confidence, and she shook her head and


    refused.


    On a sheet of paper, she wrote, "My assignments should be arranged by Assistant Nelson."


    Katie was stunned as if she didn''t expect Lilian to dare to refuse herself, so she lowered her face


    and said, "This wasn''t arranged by me. It was instructed by Ms. Osborne! Since you''ve joined this


    department, shouldn''t you follow Ms. Osborne''s directives?"


    Ms. Osborne, the manager of the secretariat, held the same authority as Nelson.


    Ms. Osborne and Nelson were both Francis''s right-hand assistants. It was said that Ms. Osborne


    was Francis''s college ssmate.


    Had it not been for Julian''s presence in thepany, many would have surmised that there was


    more to the rtionship between Francis and Ms. Osborne.


    Lilian pursed her lips and fixed her gaze on the documents Katie had brought. After a moment of


    silence, she persisted in writing, "Then it should be Ms. Osborne''s instructions, not you."


    Katie''s eyelids twitched, and she chuckled derisively. Her tone grew less friendly as she asked, "So,


    after just one night, you''ve suddenly found your confidence. It seems Clyde must have rewarded


    you well?"


    Lilian stared directly at Katie, or more precisely, at Nelson, who was standing behind Clyde.


    "Secretary Katie, if you find yourself with too much free time, should I arrange a transfer to another


    department for you?"


    As Nelson spoke, Katie was frightened. She quickly turned around, her gaze filled with nervousness


    as she looked at Nelson, "Assistant Nelson, howe you''re here?"


    Nelson replied, "I have tasks assigned to Lilian. Do you also require her assistance?"


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    Katie let out a nervous chuckle, "No, no, Assistant Nelson. How could I dare topete with you for


    personnel?"


    "I overheard you mentioning that Ms. Osborne assigned these tasks to Lilian."


    Katie''s face underwent a subtle change. How unfortunate that Nelson heard her words. Ms.


    Osborne hadn''t assigned Lilian any tasks. It was arranged by herself and in the name of Ms.


    Osborne.


    If she said this, she would offend two people at once, and naturally, she did not dare to admit it.


    "Um...... Yes, it was Ms. Osborne who assigned these. I''m just a bit busy, so I thought I''d ask Lilian


    for help."


    "As busy as you are, Secretary Katie, what exactly is keeping you upied?"


    "I......", Katie suddenly hesitated, feeling as though Nelson was deliberately picking a fight. Normally,


    he wouldn''t concern himself with such trifles.


    Seeing that she couldn''t answer, Nelson didn''t continue to embarrass her, otherwise doing so would


    have appeared overly contrived.

 Chapter 130 All Depended On His Attitude

    Chapter 130 All Depended On His Attitude


    Chapter 130 All Depended On His Attitude


    He said to Lilian, "You go to the CEO''s office. Mr. Landau wants to see you."


    Lilian was momentarily taken aback. Why did Francis want to see her?


    She rose from her seat and followed Nelson to the office. Nelson helped her to knock on the door,


    then gestured for her to enter on her own.


    Lilian pushed open the door, and inside, she found Francis engaged in a phone call.


    She took small, measured steps toward Francis, positioning herself opposite from him, waiting


    patiently for him to finish his call.


    He was d in a simple ck shirt, with two buttons at the cor left undone. The cor was slightly


    opened. When he propped his elbows on the desktop to make a phone call, Lilian could clearly see


    his indistinct chest from the cor.


    She had seen him countless times under his clothes, but this subtle hint of allure, the tantalizing


    suggestion of whaty beneath, stirred the depths of her imagination like never before.


    Francis hung up the phone. Upon raising his head, he noticed her fixed gaze on his partially


    unbuttoned cor.


    He lightly tapped the desk with his fingers to draw her attention back to him.


    Lilian hastily averted her gaze, lowering her gaze to the floor and waiting for his instructions.


    "Come closer."


    Lilian circled his office desk and moved beside him. However, as she did, there was a sudden


    tightening around her waist, causing her to sit down, rather unsteadily.


    She found herself seated securely on Francis''sp.


    She panicked, attempting to stand up, but he held her firmly in ce. He leaned her closer, his


    warm breath brushing against the tip of her nose.


    Francis said, "This way I can see you more clearly."


    A rush of heat surged to Lilian''s cheeks, reddening her face considerably. She nced anxiously at


    the door. She had the constant feeling that someone might walk in at any moment.


    She gestured, "Soon someone mighte in."


    Francis remained unfazed, "Are you afraid?"


    Lilian was slightly startled and puzzled by his question. But soon, she understood his implication.


    Whether she was afraid or not depended on his attitude. If he didn''t recognize her identity, she


    would be perceived as a temptress around thepany, which was naturally to be afraid.


    Lilian sidestepped this topic and asked, "Why did you want to see me?"


    "I will be away on a business trip for a few days. Would you like to apany me?"


    Lilian''s face shed stunned, he actually...... invited her to go on a business trip together, shouldn''t


    he go with Julian?


    Before she could respond, there was a sudden knock at the door.


    Lilian hurriedly stood up, retreating a few steps to put some distance from him.


    Francis nced at her and then leaned back, raising one hand to casually fasten a button, "Come


    in."


    It was Ms. Osborne, the manager of the secretariat -- Harriet.


    This was the first time Lilian had seen her since joining thepany, which took her by surprise.


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    Harriet was remarkably attractive, appearing to be in herte twenties. She wore professional attire


    and had shoulder-length curly hair.


    She exuded an air of intellectual, pretty, smart and charismatic. And there was also a vague


    resemnce to Julian.


    They were simr facial features, but upon closer scrutiny, they were entirely dissimr.


    Lilian stared at Harriet''s face, her mind momentarily nk. It was filled with jumbled fragments that


    merged into a blur of confusion and emptiness.


    Harriet seemed to sense something and turned her head to nce at Lilian, "A neer?"


    Lilian came back to her senses, trying to calm the emotions on her face, and she nodded.


    Harriet pressed her lips into a faint smile, "I''ve been on a business trip for the past few days, so I


    haven''t been paying much attention topany matters. Mr. Landau, did you hire her?"

 Chapter 131 A Dangerous Encounter

    Chapter 131 A Dangerous Encounter


    Chapter 131 A Dangerous Encounter


    She might not have been paying attention to the affairs of thepany, but that didn''t mean she


    was clueless about everything.


    Instead of answering her, Francis looked at Lilian and said, "Lilian, give us the room."


    Lilian nodded and left the office.


    As she walked out, she nced back at the closed door and then silently looked away.


    Nelson passed by and noticed her downcast expression. He asked, "Madam, what''s wrong?"


    Lilian looked up at him and pursed her lips. She gestured, asking if they could talk somewhere else.


    Nelson instinctively nced in the direction of the office and then nodded. He led Lilian to another


    empty meeting room.


    "Madam, what do you want to talk about?"


    Lilian hesitated for a moment. After looking around to make sure no one woulde in, she


    gestured tomunicate. "I just saw Ms. Osborne."


    Nelson hummed. "You want to ask about her?"


    Lilian nodded slightly.


    Nelson said, "To be honest, I''m not quite sure. When I joined thepany, Ms. Osborne was


    already by Mr. Landau''s side. I heard they were ssmates, but I don''t know if it''s true."


    After exining the situation, heforted her. "Madam, don''t worry about it. If there were


    something between them, it wouldn''t have happened until now, right?"


    Lilian wasn''t really concerned about that. She wanted to ask him if he found Harriet and Julian


    resembling each other.


    She just didn''t know how to bring it up. It was just her guess, and speaking it out might lead to


    suspicion of spreading rumors.


    Lilian let out a sigh and decided to give up. Maybe she had thought too much.


    She gestured. "Thank you, Nelson. This is all I want to know."


    Nelson stood up and said, "Then I''ll go back to work."


    Before leaving, he kindly reminded her, "Madam, don''t think too much. You are the most important


    person in Mr. Landau''s heart."


    Lilian forced a smile.


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    Nelson was indeed a capable assistant, fully grasping worldly wisdom.


    It seemed that even if he knew something, he wouldn''t reveal it to her.


    After Nelson left, Lilian sat alone in the meeting room for a while before getting up to leave.


    But someone opened the door from outside. The two were surprised to see each other.


    Lilian subconsciously took a step back.


    Clyde narrowed his eyes, closed the door behind him, and asked with a smile, "Ms. Rossum, what


    are you doing here?"


    Lilian pursed her lips, not knowing how tomunicate with him.


    She reached out for the doorknob, but Clyde pressed it, preventing her from opening the door.


    Lilian looked up at him, puzzled.


    Since they were in the office, she didn''t think he would act recklessly. But she had underestimated


    Clyde''s audacity.


    He leaned closer to her and asked, "I heard you can''t speak. Is that true?"


    Lilian looked away, trying to open the door, but Clyde grabbed her hand.


    Panicking, she tried to shake him off, but Clyde grabbed her wrist and used his other hand to touch


    her buttocks.


    Lilian widened her eyes, her breathing bing rapid from fear. Clyde could tell she was trying to


    make a sound but couldn''t.


    "So, you''re really mute." Clyde''s tone wasced with excitement.


    Mortified, Lilian raised her other hand to p him.


    Clyde was caught off guard and was hit hard. His face immediately fell, and his eyes flickered with


    anger.


    "Stupid mute, how dare you hit me?" He barked fiercely.

 Chapter 132 The Escape

    Chapter 132 The Escape


    Chapter 132 The Escape


    Lilian struggled to push him away, but Clyde grabbed her and mmed her against the door,


    causing a heavy thud as her forehead collided with the door frame.


    Lilian felt dizzy.


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    Clyde circled behind her, grabbed her arms, and lecherously took a breath at her neck. The more


    she struggled, the more excited Clyde became.


    To him, her silent resistance seemed like a flirtatious game.


    "Who let you into thepany? If you tell me, I''ll let you go," Clyde probed.


    If it was someone more powerful than him, he would have to reconsider his approach. But if it was


    someone with less influence, then he wouldn''t hold back.


    But he forgot that Lilian''s hands were locked by him, so how could she answer?


    Clyde took a breath, feeling hard to contain his lust.


    "You won''t tell me?"


    Lilian was at a loss. Tears welled up in her eyes. When he reached into his cor, she turned her


    head and bit down hard on his arm.


    She put all her strength into that bite.


    Clyde grunted in pain and instinctively let go of her.


    Seizing the chance, she opened the door and ran out. She sprinted and stumbled.


    Her disheveled hair, flustered expression, and ruffled cor seemed to be telling the passersby what


    had just happened.


    Regardless of their gaze, she rushed into the restroom and locked herself in a cubicle.


    Leaning against the door, she couldn''t suppress her trembling.


    Clyde was bitten quite severely. He rubbed his arm, feeling anxious. Lilian managed to escape


    before he could clean up the mess he caused.


    If someone saw it, his reputation would be tarnished.


    Of course, that was secondary. The point was that he still didn''t know who arranged for Lilian to


    work in thepany.


    He needed to figure that out first before he could decide what to do next.


    He adjusted his clothes and calmly went out.


    Even though there weren''t many people on that floor, some people saw Lilian storming out in a


    hurry, followed by Clyde.


    They could tell that something fishy was going on.


    The first thing Clyde did aftering out of the conference room was go to the human resources


    department and find the employee who handled recruitment.


    "Stacey, I have something to ask you."


    The girl blinked, asking, "What is it, Mr. Mcgee?"


    "How did the new secretary in the CEO''s Office, the mute one, get into thepany?"


    Stacey tilted her head and thought for a moment before shaking her head. "I don''t know. I didn''t


    handle her employment procedures. Our manager did. Why don''t you ask her?"


    When Clyde heard that, a cold sweat broke out on his forehead. "What''s her background that


    requires your manager to handle her employment procedures?"


    Stacey shrugged. "I''ve no idea."


    Clyde didn''t ask any further. Anxious and uneasy, he left the human resources department, unaware


    that Stacey rolled her eyes at him from behind.


    His reputation wasn''t good, and every female employee in the administrative and human resources


    departments disliked him.


    If he were handsome, maybe they could tolerate him, but he was bald and fat. It was disgusting for


    him to try hooking up with beautiful female employees.


    Previously, there was a new girl who was na?ve and easily fooled by Clyde. When she got pregnant,


    Clyde denied having anything to do with it and used her of ndering him.


    In the end, the girl couldn''t bear it any longer and resigned.


    Lilian squatted in the restroom for half an hour before she finally calmed down. She opened the


    cubicle door and walked out.


    She looked at her disheveled state in the mirror, with a red mark on her forehead. She despised her


    own looks.


    As she tidied her hair, a figure entered and washed her hands next to her.


    Lilian looked up and met her eyes in the mirror.

 Chapter 133 The Unknown Connection

    Chapter 133 The Unknown Connection


    Chapter 133 The Unknown Connection


    Harriet smiled at her out of courtesy but said nothing. After washing her hands, she left.


    Lilian looked at her graceful figure and then at the disheveled reflection in the mirror. The sharp


    contrast in their temperament was evident.


    She truly felt dwarfed.


    Everyone was supposed to admire this kind of woman.


    Lilian looked at her messy hair and weakly curled her lips. How could anyone like someone as


    terrible as her?


    She tidied up her hair and walked out of the restroom.


    When she went back to her cubicle, Harriet was standing next to Katie. She was leaning over to


    look at Katie''sputer, and they were discussing something.


    Katie caught a glimpse of Lilian from the corner of her eye and whispered, "Ms. Osborne, do you


    know where the mute persones from?"


    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.


    Harriet paused for a moment but soon regained herposure. "Just focus on your work, and don''t


    gossip."


    Katie pouted, manipting the mouse and keyboard to modify the documents.


    Harriet subconsciously turned to look at Lilian. There was a hint of indiscernible emotions in her


    eyes. Shortly after, she stood up and returned to her office.


    Since Harriet had returned, Katie restrained herself and didn''t cause Lilian trouble again.


    Although Nelson gave her a stack of work, he did it by himself, leaving her idle every day.


    However, something happened to Clyde. When Lilian left work on Friday, she suddenly heard


    people discussing how there were problems with Clyde''s ounts and someone hade to


    investigate. Clyde might end up in jail.


    As they talked, everyone looked at Lilian with sympathy.


    The people in thepany mistakenly believed that Lilian had a fling with Clyde. Now that he was


    in trouble, no one would protect her.


    Lilian pretended not to notice their gazes and silently stood in the corner, waiting for the elevator to


    arrive. Once it did, she quickly walked out.


    Francis didn''te home that night. Mr. Vaughn, thewyer, texted her, telling her about their


    meeting ce tomorrow.


    With her phone in her hands, Lilian slept on the sofa and went to the designated ce early the


    next morning.


    It was a caf¨¦.


    Lilian found thewyer at the designated location. It was a man around 30 years old, dressed in a


    well-tailored suit. His hair was meticulously groomed, and his features were sculpted. Just like his


    voice, he looked resolute and upright.


    Lilian walked over and sat across from Mr. Vaughn.


    Thewyer looked up at her, knowing that she couldn''t speak, so he nodded to her with a smile.


    "Ms. Rossum, right?"


    Lilian nodded slightly.


    Mr. Vaughn said, "We have already discussed the details on WhatsApp, so let''s go and visit the


    elderly person''s house now."


    Lilian was taken aback because she didn''t know where Paul lived.


    From her expression, Mr. Vaughn realized the situation and asked, "You don''t know, do you?"


    Lilian blushed and nodded. It seemed that Mr. Vaughn had made the trip in vain.


    Thewyer furrowed his brows and said, "Thisplicates things. Wait here, let me ask someone."


    He took out his phone and made a call.


    "Can you help me find someone? Yes, I''ll send you the information shortly. Thank you."


    After hanging up the phone, he asked Lilian, "Do you only know his name? Do you have any other


    information?"


    Lilian took out her phone and typed. "The olddy is named Fabiana ud, and Paul has a


    grandson who is about to get married."


    Mr. Vaughn nodded. "I see."


    The two of them waited for news while Mr. Vaughn picked up the menu and asked Lilian, "What


    would you like to drink?"


    Lilian touched her cheek. She had never had coffee before, and she was currently receiving an


    infusion, so she couldn''t drink.


    She only ordered a ss of water.


    Mr. Vaughn stared at her for a while and suddenly spoke again, "Take no offense, Ms. Rossum, but


    may I know if you are born mute or..."


    Lilian bit her lip and shook her head, indicating that she didn''t know.

 Chapter 134 The Investigation Began

    Chapter 134 The Investigation Began


    Chapter 134 The Investigation Began


    Thomas had taken her to the hospital for examinations before, but the doctors couldn''t find anything


    wrong. They said her vocal cords were fine.


    She had been to several hospitals afterward, but the results were the same. There was nothing


    wrong with her, but she just couldn''t speak.


    When asked if she had experienced any frightening incidents during her childhood, she couldn''t


    remember.


    Some doctors spected that it might be congenital.


    Mr. Vaughn looked at the words on her phone and nodded knowingly. "If it''s congenital, the issues


    should be detectable. As I see it, it is made."


    N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    Lilian blinked, unsure whether her condition was congenital or made. If it was made, could it be


    treated?


    Then it would not be passed on to the next generation.


    When she thought about the next generation, her eyes dimmed.


    They chatted for a while before the news came in. Mr. Vaughn nced at his phone and smiled.


    "We''ve found it. Let''s go."


    Lilian immediately nodded, sorted out her thoughts, and followed him out of the caf¨¦.


    Mr. Vaughn drove to Paul''s residence.


    It was an upscalemunity where housing prices were not cheap, starting at least at 8,000 dors


    per square meter.


    For someone aszy and gluttonous as Paul, he should have gotten a lot of money from Fabiana.


    After all, Fabiana had a decent sry when she worked for the Landau family.


    Mr. Vaughn didn''t go directly to Paul''s house. Instead, he went to collect evidence from their next-


    door neighbor''s house.


    There was no one next door, but someone was home across the street.


    It was a woman with a child. When she saw the two of them at the door, she became somewhat


    wary.


    Mr. Vaughn handed her his business card and said, "Hello, madam. I am awyer and would like to


    ask you some questions."


    The woman took the business card and grew even more cautious. "I don''t think we''ve done


    anything illegal."


    "No, we''re just here to ask you about what''s going on at that house across the street."


    The woman''s expression eased a bit, and she let them in.


    Lilian was a little nervous since she had never dealt with legal matters or been involved in awsuit.


    Some things sounded simple, but they were difficult in practice.


    Mr. Vaughn asked the woman some questions, and after obtaining her consent, he took out a


    recorder. The woman then revealed everything she knew.


    "Well, their family used to be harmonious. A filial son and a loving mother. But it seems that a few


    years ago, Paul said the olddy went back to her hometown. I''ve never seen her again."


    A few years ago. That should be after Thomas passed away.


    The Landau family cut off Fabiana''s supply. Paul couldn''t get more money from her, so he sent her


    away.


    "Is there anything else?"


    The woman pondered. "I''m not really sure. That''s all I know. But a few days ago, they brought the


    olddy back, didn''t they? There have been arguing voices in their house these past few days.


    "I couldn''t hear clearly, so I''m not sure if they were arguing with the olddy."


    Mr. Vaughn listened quietly. Following a nod, he got up and put away the recorder. "Thank you for


    your time."


    Lilian and he walked out and visited other houses.


    Almost everyone who was home was asked, and except for those who didn''t want to be recorded,


    the testimonies were almost the same.


    Paul treated his mother poorly. Someone had seen it outside when Paul pointed at the olddy and


    scolded bitterly.


    He called her a hag, an old fool... It was terrible.


    Lilian couldn''t believe that there were such heartless and selfish children in this world. It only


    strengthened her resolve to help Fabiana resolve this matter.


    While her mind was wandering, the door to Paul''s house opened.


    He came out and saw Lilian and Wilfred. Delighted, he came up toward Wilfred, mistaking him for


    Francis.


    "Mr. Landau? I didn''t expect you toe in person."

 Chapter 135 A Mothers Fury

    Chapter 135 A Mother''s Fury


    Chapter 135 A Mother''s Fury


    Wilfred raised an eyebrow, but he didn''ty it bare.


    He shook hands with Paul and said, "Hello, can we go inside and talk?"


    "Of course, pleasee on in." Paul was going out, but since the two had arrived, he dismissed the


    idea.


    Lilian didn''t know what Wilfred was up to, but this man was reliable enough, so she followed them


    inside.


    Paul warmly invited them inside, serving water and fruits.


    Once inside, Wilfred nced around the room. The sofa was slightly messy with a worn-out nket


    piled on top,pletely out of ce in this luxurious room.


    He picked up the nket, and without even sniffing it, the unmistakable scent of an elderly person


    wafted into his nose.


    "Oh, Mr. Landau, it''s dirty. Let me take it inside." Paul grabbed the nket and hurried into the


    bathroom, tossing it into theundry basket.


    Wilfred walked around the room, noticing a bowl and a set of kitchenware resting on top of the wine


    cab beside the dining room.


    Someone was cooking in the kitchen, but the door was closed, so he couldn''t see who it was.


    After Paul came out, Wilfred asked him, "Is your wife cooking in the kitchen?"


    Paul''s expression changed. His wife had gone to her mother''s house, and it was his mother who


    was cooking.


    He forced a smile and said, "Well, it''s my mother. You know, old people can''t sit still."


    Wilfred nodded and returned to the sofa, sitting down. "Let''s get down to business."


    Paul''s eyes lit up, and he rubbed his hands together. "Did your wife tell you?"


    Wilfred nodded. "Yes, she did. So, there''s no need for you to put on a show here. Get straight to the


    point."


    Paul chuckled. It seemed that the old woman still had some status in the Landau family after all


    these years. Now that Mr. Landau was here, he could extort a sum of money.


    Suddenly, he felt that 800 thousand dors wasn''t enough.


    "Alright, I won''t beat around the bush. Give me 800 thousand dors, and you can take my mother


    away. No bargaining."


    Lilian grew anxious, trying to say something. It was a shame that she couldn''t speak, and Paul


    didn''t understand signnguage. She could only fret silently.


    Wilfred gave her a reassuring look.


    "What you''re doing is ckmailing. She is your mother, yet you''re using her to extort money. It''s


    tantamount to kidnapping. Aren''t you afraid of us filing awsuit against you and sending you to


    prison?"


    Paul''s expression changed. The pleasing smile he had before disappeared.


    His face fell, and he said, "You can go ahead! She''s my mother, and I can do as I please. Do you


    think you can scare me? Do you have any evidence? If you want to sue me, go ahead. I didn''t


    kidnap her."


    "But you are ckmailing us. That can be used as evidence, right?" Wilfred said.


    Paul froze and then grew impatient. "Why did youe here? Do you want to talk or not? If you


    don''t, then leave quickly. Your family is rich, but you''re unwilling to give us 800 thousand dors.


    Shame on you, bah!"


    "If we leave, will you treat your mother well?"


    Paulughed and spat. "Why do you care? If you don''t want to give me money, then stop pretending


    to be good people."


    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.


    Fabiana emerged from the kitchen and knocked Paul''s head with a spat.


    "Beast! Do you want to trade me for 800 thousand dors? Why don''t you just kill me?"


    Paul covered his head and turned around, ring at Fabiana. He raised his hand, ready to p her.


    "You old hag, do you have a death wish?"


    Fabiana wasn''t afraid at all. She stubbornly presented her face to him and said, "Hit me! Go ahead


    and hit me! Let them see how you treat your mother, you heartless beast. You deserve to be


    penniless."


    Paul''s chest heaved with anger. If it weren''t for the fear that this old woman couldn''t bear the blow,


    he would have already struck her.


    He only wanted money, and he didn''t want tomit a crime.

 Chapter 136 Confront with Fabianas Son

    Chapter 136 Confront with Fabiana''s Son


    Chapter 136 Confront with Fabiana''s Son


    As she spoke, Fabiana was overwhelmed with emotions. Tears streamed down her face as she


    said, "Why would I give birth to you! You are such a monster! It''s karma!"


    "Look at the house you live in, the clothes you wear, and the car you drive! You bleed me dry! But


    you''re never satisfied. You want $800,000. You ungrateful wretch! You''ll get what''sing to you!"


    Since returning home, Paul made her sleep on the couch, with only a tattered nket. He served


    her meals separately, not allowing her to eat at the table until the rest of his family had finished.


    But what hurt Fabiana the most was even her grandson had been influenced to be cold and


    indifferent. The boy just silently observed his father''s behavior.


    What kind of ungrateful monsters had she raised?


    Paul shouted out to interrupt her, "Shut up! Just get the f*ck in and make your own food. Why are


    you bbering here?"


    With her back hunched, Fabiana stared at Paul, then nced at Lilian. Her eyes were filled with


    determination.


    She said, "Paul, if I die, you won''t get any money."


    Paul''s expression changed, and Lilian stood up.


    "What nonsense are you talking about?"


    "Well, I''ve lived long enough. If you dare to ask Lily for money again, I will m my head against


    your door. You want to get married? Just dream it! You''re nothing but a murderer! I''ll make you go to


    jail!"


    Paul was infuriated and wanted to beat her up, but he didn''t dare after all.


    At that moment, Wilfred stood up.


    "Mr. Patton, there is something I must tell you."


    Paul turned his head and stared at Wilfred suspiciously.


    "I am not the ''Young Master'' you referred to. My name is Wilfred Vaughn. I am your mother''swyer.


    I have recorded everything you just said. When we go to court, it will serve as evidence of your


    elder abuse and extortion."


    As Wilfred spoke, he took out the recording pen from his pocket.


    Paul''s face turned pale as soon as he saw the recording pen. After realizing what was happening,


    he red at Lilian angrily and said, "You silent fool, are you plotting against me?"


    Lilian tightly pursed her lips and stared back at him, unwilling to back down.


    Since they had already made their position clear, if they didn''t resolve this problem now, things


    would only get worse.


    "What do you want from us?"


    Wilfred said, "There are two options. Either we take your mother away and you sign an agreement


    promising not to see her again, or we go through the legal process. I have already visited your


    neighbors on this floor and gotten their testimonies, along with the recording from earlier..."


    "The evidence is solid. If we go to court, you won''t stand a chance. You''ll be facing imprisonment for


    more than three years."N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    Paul had no idea about thew, and was stunned by Wilfred''s words.


    He stood still for a while, unable to say anything. He was so close to getting the money. How could


    he ept this?


    "If I sign the agreement, you won''t sue me?"


    Wilfred said, "As long as you cut off contact with Ms. ud from now on and don''t cause any


    trouble in the future, we won''t sue you. But I will keep this evidence, and if you breach the


    agreement, you will still receive a subpoena."


    Paulughed bitterly and stared at Lilian. "You dumb, I didn''t expect you to be so cunning."


    But in the end, hepromised. He gritted his teeth and said, "Fine, since you want this old woman


    so badly, you can take her away!"


    Listening to his heartless words, Fabiana trembled with anger.


    Lilian quickly ran over and held Fabiana''s arm, feeling like she had finally found a beloved family


    member she had lost.


    But before she could fully rejoice for a few seconds, her phone vibrated. She took it out and saw a


    message. It was from Francis.


    "Where are you?"

 Chapter 137 Installing Surveillance Cameras

    Chapter 137 Installing Surveince Cameras


    Chapter 137 Installing Surveince Cameras


    Holding the phone, Lilian subconsciously tightened her fingers.


    He didn''te backst night, and she changed her phone. How was he still able to track her


    whereabouts?


    Lilianforted herself in her heart, ''Maybe it''s just a coincidence.'' She chose to ignore this


    message and turned to look at Wilfred.


    Wilfred was still talking to Fabiana, asking if she wanted to leave.


    Seeing Lilian hesitate, Fabiana didn''t want to add more burden to her.


    Lilian signed to Fabiana, "Come with us. Don''t stay here."


    Fabiana''s eyes flickered, and her expression was hesitant. She opened her mouth and said in a


    trembling voice, "Don''t bother..."


    Lilian shook her head, signed to ask, "We''re here already. Why note with us?"


    Now that things came to this point, if Fabiana didn''t leave, she would be treated even worse. Lilian


    didn''t want to see this.


    Fabiana patted Lilian''s hand and looked at her with an incredibly loving look in her eyes, saying with


    tears shimmering, "I''m too old to move. Lily, thank you so much."


    N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    "You two just said that you already have evidence against Paul? If Paul treats me badlyter, you


    can help me sue him. Okay?"


    Tears welled up in Lilian''s eyes, and she stubbornly shook her head.


    She wanted to take Fabiana away, whether it was for Fabiana''s future or for her own sake.


    She wanted someone to love her...


    Even just for her own sake...


    Fabiana pulled Lilian to the door, lowering her voice, and said, "Lily, I''m already happy for you


    thinking about me. I''m old enough. I''ve gone through all kinds of hardships and suffering. And


    there''s nothing happier than meeting you."


    "You''re a good child. You must take care, you know?"


    Listening to these words that sounded like a farewell, Lilian couldn''t help but shed tears and shook


    her head.


    Fabiana continued, "That day, I overheard Paul talking on the phone. I heard him calling ''Young


    Master'' to the person on the other end. Lily, I may be old, but I''m not senile yet..."


    She didn''t say anything further, but Lilian understood what she meant.


    Fabiana was taken away at Francis''smand. So, if Fabiana went back with her, the


    consequences would be even more severe.


    Not only Fabiana, but Lilian would also be implicated.


    That was why Fabiana would rather suffer here than go with her.


    They were both considering each other''s well-being and cherished this hard-earned warmth. But


    between the two, one had topromise.


    Lilian held Fabiana''s hand. She knew what Fabiana meant, but she was reluctant to let go.


    She didn''t understand why Francis, who had already promised to let Fabiana stay, would let Paul


    take her away.


    She also followed his instructions and stopped contacting Courtney. But why was he still not


    keeping his word...


    Wilfred walked up to her and advised, "Since Ms. ud doesn''t want to leave, let her stay here. I


    just had a conversation with Paul, and he won''t do anything to harm her again."


    But Lilian didn''t believe Paul. She knew that once they left, Paul would reveal his true colors again,


    and he might even treat Fabiana worse than before.


    Because Fabiana didn''t want to burden her, she would never tell her about the suffering she had


    endured.


    Fabiana appeared to Lilian, saying, "Alright Lily, you should go back now. Don''t worry about me.


    You have the evidence against Paul. So, there''s nothing to fear."


    Fabianaforted Lily, just like she used to soothe her to sleep when she was a child, assuring her


    not to be afraid.


    But how could she not be afraid? The thunder was so loud and the rain was pouring, but she was all


    alone.


    Lily looked at Fabiana with tears streaming down her face.


    She hated this feeling of helplessness. Just like being forced to get an abortion, no matter what she


    did, she always ended up defeated.


    Wilfred suggested, "Ms. Rossum, if you''re still worried, let Paul install surveince cameras in the


    living room.


    His proposal was to have the cameras installed, which Lilian didn''t have direct ess to


    surveince Paul''s house. But the footage would be uploaded to the cloud. In case something


    happened in the future, they could retrieve the footage whenever they need it.

 Chapter 138 Four Thousand Dollars Per Hour

    Chapter 138 Four Thousand Dors Per Hour


    Chapter 138 Four Thousand Dors Per Hour


    Paul felt frustrated. He didn''t get Fabiana''s money, and now they wanted to install surveince in his


    house? Of course, he wouldn''t agree to that.


    Wilfred said, "If you don''t want to install it, then we''ll go through legal procedures. In any case, this


    matter must be resolved today."


    "You..." Paul was furious and red at Wilfred, saying, "What kind ofwyer are you? Installing


    surveince to monitor us? Don''t you know that''s illegal?"


    Wilfred replied, "I''ve already said that we won''t watch the surveince footage. We would only


    upload the footage to the cloud, which is just to prevent you from deleting it. We don''t have ess


    to watch it. Only the police will have the right to view the footage if you hurt Ms. ud. Do you


    understand what I mean?"


    Paul choked for a moment. He couldn''t find a reason to refute him since Wilfred had already


    exined it.


    In any case, Wilfred''s attitude was clear. Either they installed surveince or went to court. Those


    were the only two options.


    "Fine, be my guest! Do whatever you want!" Paul angrily turned his head and sat on the couch. He


    didn''t want to argue anymore.


    What advantage could he gain from arguing with awyer?


    "Alright, it''s settled then. If you don''t want to pay, we''ll cover the cost of installing the surveince."


    "Whatever, just hurry up and finish it. What the f*ck!" Paul cursed with a grim face.


    Wilfred nodded, then discussed with Lilian. Lilian agreed to cover the cost.


    With the surveince installed, Lilian felt slightly relieved. She bid farewell to Fabiana with


    reluctance and left Paul''s house with Wilfred.


    Next, they would go buy the surveince equipment.


    Lilian looked gratefully at Wilfred and typed "Thank you" on her phone.


    Wilfred smiled and said, "You''re wee. I''m d I could help, Ms. Rossum. By the way, do you


    know that I charge by the hour?"


    Lilian was slightly taken aback. She hadn''t asked about his fees before.


    She nervously typed to ask him, "How much will it cost?"


    Wilfred smiled, "Four thousand dors per hour."


    Lilian widened her eyes and thought to herself, ''How could he be so expensive...''


    Wilfred looked down at his wristwatch and said, "Well, it''s exactly five hours. I charge different rates


    for different stages, but since your case took a rtively short time, let''s just go with the standard


    price."


    Lilian clenched her phone. She had money in her bank ount, but... The money she had now was


    borrowed from Courtney, and she had to pay her back.


    But if she didn''t pay Wilfred now, he might sue her...


    She gritted her teeth and typed, "Give me your ount."


    Wilfred took out his phone and sent his bank ount to her WhatsApp, "We''ll need to sign a


    contractter. Well, after we finish the work here."


    Lilian sighed and transferred twenty thousand dors to Wilfred''s ount.


    Although she felt a little frustrated about the high price, the money was well spent, since Wilfred


    helped her resolve Fabiana''s problem, which relieved her worries.


    "Do I need to apany you to buy surveince equipment?" Wilfred asked.


    N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.


    He smiled kindly, but Lilian sensed a hint of cunning. She used to think he was an upright person,


    but now she had to change her impression of him.


    Lilian signed to him, "Is there a fee?"


    Wilfred chuckled at her message, "Haha... No charge. Just consider it a free gift service."


    Lilian breathed a sigh of relief and nodded.


    After all, if she went to install the surveince without Wilfred, she was afraid that Paul would go


    back on his words.


    Wilfred opened the car door and said, "Get in."


    Lilian got in the car. And as the car left the neighborhood, it headed straight to the electronics


    center.


    Unbeknownst to them, there was a car parked on the side of the road behind them, and a pair of


    cold eyes were watching them.


    "Follow them."

 Chapter 139 Lets Have a Talk

    Chapter 139Let''s Have a Talk


    Chapter 139 Let''s Have a Talk


    Sitting in the car, Lilith couldn''t help but shiver, unsure if it was because the heat in the car was not


    turned on.


    Wilfred noticed and took the initiative to close the windows and turn on the heat.


    "Sorry, I don''t really like the smell of it. I forgot to turn it on."


    Lilian shook her head, indicating that it was okay.


    The two arrived at the electronics store. Wilfred expertly went to a store selling surveince


    equipment. Obviously, he knew the owner.


    Lilian couldn''t help but take another look at Wilfred. As awyer, he had a wide range of contacts.


    Previously, when they were investigating Paul''s residence, he finished it within a few minutes. Now


    they came to buy surveince equipment. He even knew the person in charge.


    Wilfred had a conversation with the owner for a while and confirmed the model of the surveince


    equipment. The owner arranged for someone to install it for free.


    After leaving the electronics store, they originally nned to go to the parking lot, but several cars


    came speeding towards them, blocking their way.


    Lilian looked at the luxury cars and felt a tightening in her heart.


    Several men in suits got out of the cars. Nelson came out of the Bentley in the middle and walked


    around to open the car door.


    Lilian unconsciously swallowed and stared at the car door.


    Then she saw a man getting out of the car. When his shiny leather shoes touched the ground, she


    felt as if they were stepping on her heart. She unconsciously clenched her fingers.


    N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    It was Francis. He had a ck coat draped over his shoulders. As he stood in the middle of the


    group of bodyguards, his aura instantly overpowering everyone present.


    Wilfred''s expression also became serious, and he instinctively nced at Lilian.


    Francis walked slowly towards Lilian. His gaze, devoid of warmth, swept across Lilian''s face and


    came to Wilfred''s face. He asked, "Is this thewyer you found?"


    Wilfred stood upright and asked, "Who are you?"


    "She hired you, and you don''t know who I am?"


    Wilfred frowned and was about to speak, but Lilian hurriedly stepped in front of him, eager to


    exin.


    However, Francis grabbed her hand and pulled her to the side, handing her over to Nelson.


    "Take her back first."


    Nelson caught Lilian and said with aplicated expression, "Young Madam, let''s go back."


    Lilian shook her head, struggling to go over and exin. Nelson held her hand and stopped her,


    whispering, "Don''t cause any more trouble."


    Nelson signaled to the surrounding bodyguards, instructing them to pull Lilian into the car.


    Lilian couldn''t resist their strength and was dragged into the car. She turned her head and stared at


    Wilfred, feeling her heart sink.


    After the car was driven away, Wilfred withdrew his gaze. It seemed like he understood something.


    "Sir, it seems like you''ve misunderstood. I''m just Ms. Rossum''swyer."


    Francis''s lips curled up, but there was no sign of joy on his face. He stared at Wilfred casually.


    "Then I guess we have no misunderstanding. Mr. Vaughn, let''s have a talk."


    Wilfred turned his head and looked at the surveince cameras on the gate of the electronics


    center. He smiled and said, "Alright."


    He took the initiative and got into Francis'' car by the roadside.


    Although Wilfred was mentally prepared, he couldn''t help but feel a bit uneasy when he heard the


    roars of those wild beasts as he was taken to the vi halfway up the mountain.


    Fortunately, with his years of professionalposure, he quickly calmed down. He followed Francis


    closely as they walked through the vi at a leisurely pace, as if they were taking a stroll.


    If it weren''t for the many bodyguards following behind, the two looked like two old friends catching


    up.


    "Mr. Vaughn, how did youe to know my wife?" Francis asked.


    Wilfred thought for a moment and replied, "Mr. Landau, I guess you should ask Ms. Rossum about


    that. She contacted me first."


    Lawyers had their own regr clients, so he wasn''t sure who introduced him to Lilian. However,


    only a few people knew the ount through which he received Lilith''s friend request. So when


    Lilian told him her intentions, he was willing to go above and beyond to help her.


    If it were anyone elseing to him for such a small case, he wouldn''t have taken it.

 Chapter 140 Francis Pets

    Chapter 140Francis''Pets


    Chapter 140 Francis'' Pets


    Francis paused his steps and turned his head towards Wilfred. His gaze was sharp, as if trying to


    see through Wilfred.


    Wilfred met his gaze candidly. After all, he was speaking the truth.


    "Is that so?" Francis muttered thoughtfully, as if thinking about something. Then, he chuckled.


    "That''s the only connection between us."


    Francis withdrew his gaze and looked towards the distant cage that was faintly visible. He said, "Mr.


    Vaughn, you are a smart man. It''s better not to take on cases that shouldn''t be taken on, so as not


    to invite trouble."


    Wilfred didn''t understand and asked, "The case of Ms. ud? It''s just amon family dispute. I


    don''t see why I shouldn''t take it."


    "Mr. Vaughn, it seems that you didn''t understand what I said." Francis walked over to a nearby


    bench, sat down with his legs crossed, and calmly looked at Wilfred.


    Wilfred didn''t quite get it. After all, he didn''t know much about what was going on between Lilian and


    Francis.


    And just then, arge wolf-like dog rushed out from somewhere. Its fur was shining in the sunlight,


    and it was barking loudly as it ran towards Wilfred.


    Wilfred froze, standing still and almost forgetting to react.


    In the blink of an eye, the wolf-like dog rushed in front of him, about to bite his leg.


    "Eric!"


    Francis shouted, and the wolf dog braked suddenly, stopping steadily in front of Wilfred, with its


    tongue out and drooling at the corners of its mouth.


    Wilfred''s face turned pale.


    "Come here."


    The wolf-like dog reluctantly nced at Wilfred, then wagged its tail and came to Francis,


    obediently sitting on the ground.


    Francis stroked Eric''s head with his slender fingers and looked at Wilfred. "Mr. Vaughn, do you


    understand now?"


    Wilfred slowly released his clenched fist, and his palm was all sweating. He forced a smile and


    replied, "I got it. I won''t take on Ms. Rossum''s case anymore."


    A faint smile finally appeared on Francis''s face. He said, "I''m sorry, Mr. Vaughn. Eric is not too well-


    behaved. Did he scare you?"


    "Wilfred nced at the wolf-like dog. It appeared cute in front of Francis, but when it looked at him,


    it was like a predator was looking at its prey.


    He knew Francis was doing it on purpose."


    Maintaining a polite smile, Wilfred replied, "No at all. This dog is quite adorable. Mr. Landau, I didn''t


    expect that you would be fond of dogs."


    "Well, I''m not just fond of dogs. I have many other animals as pets. Mr. Vaughn, if you are


    interested, you can go have a look."


    Actually, Wilfred didn''t have any interest in this.


    N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    But Francis still let Nelson take Wilfred to have a look. And after seeing the "pets" Francis kept,


    Wilfred could only think of one word to describe this man - domineering!


    Francis was so domineering. The visit was just an excuse. His real intention was to intimidate him.


    Just by going around in Francis'' pets'' ce, people might even wet their pants out of fear.


    These so-called pets had abnormally dim-red eyes. And they didn''t just look like cannibal animals. It


    seemed that they had been trained specially for this purpose.


    If a living person was thrown into these animals, these monsters wouldn''t leave the person with a


    full skeleton.


    Francis'' move was clearly telling Wilfred that he could leave today unharmed, but he might not be


    able to leave free if he had apse in judgment in the future.


    ...


    Lilian nervously sat on the sofa, unsure of what Francis would do to Wilfred.


    Courtney and Fabiana were examples. Fabiana didn''t do anything wrong, yet Francis still targeted


    her.


    Would Mr. Vaughn be targeted too?''


    Just as she thought about this, the bodyguards guarding the door unitedly greeted in low voices,


    "Mr. Landau."

 Chapter 141 Punish Her

    Chapter 141 Punish Her


    Chapter 141 Punish Her


    Lilian stood up abruptly, her eyes fixed on the man entering the door.


    Francis walked in with long strides and came to Lilian''s side. He took off his coat and casually threw


    it on the sofa.


    He raised his hand and gestured towards his shoulder. The bodyguard standing at the door


    immediately understood and silently left.


    His calm gaze fell on Lilian''s face, a calm before the storm.


    Lilian instinctively took a step back.


    Francis took a step forward, pressing closer until Lilian fell back onto the sofa.


    He leaned down, staring into Lilian''s eyes as he said, "Do you remember what I said?"


    Lilian nervously intertwined her fingers and looked up at his piercing eyes. A trace of fear came


    from her heart.


    Francis said, "Did I say that if you didn''t behave, I would break your legs and lock you up?"


    Lilian''s pupils contracted, and amidst panic and fear, there was also a hint of pleading in her eyes.


    She bit her lip and shook her head slightly.


    Francis''s slender fingers lightly held her chin, his tone unexpectedly gentle. "But how could I bear to


    break your legs? What should I do?"


    If he was furious, Lilian would have some room for resistance. But since he was calm like this, she


    was left with only fear.


    Because of fear, her shoulders trembled uncontrobly, and she couldn''t help but want to stand up


    and escape from there.


    Francis stared at her eyes for a while, suddenly straightened his body, and turned his head slightly.


    "Then I can only lock you up for now."


    Lilian''s eyes widened, and she anxiously gestured with her hand, but Francis had already turned


    away and no longer looked at her.


    "Nelson."


    Nelson was waiting outside. When he heard his name, he quickly ran in.


    "Mr. Landau."


    "I leave it to you."


    She reached out to pull his sleeve, and Francis nced at her.


    Tears welled up in Lilian''s eyes as she shook her head, begging him not to lock her up.


    Francis raised his hand, pulled back his sleeve, and coldly looked down at her. "You should learn


    your lesson."


    After speaking, he walked out without looking back.


    Lilian watched his gradually disappearing figure, opened her mouth, and tried to make a sound, but


    it was useless.


    She could only watch him disappear from her sight.


    Lilian could only turn her gaze to Nelson, regardless of whether he could understand or not. She


    gestured, "Please don''t lock me up."


    The look in Nelson''s eyes wasplicated. Although he couldn''t understand, he could read her


    meaning from her eyes.


    He chose to avoid Lilian''s gaze. "Ms. Rossum, I am just following orders. Please don''t make it


    difficult for me."


    Lilian''s hand paused in mid-air. She stared at Nelson, and tears uncontrobly rolled down her


    cheeks.


    She clenched the edge of the sofa. The pitch-ck environment and the lingering panic constantly


    shed in her mind.


    Just the thought of it already made her suffocate.


    Francis knew what she feared the most, which was why he used this thing that terrified her the most


    to punish her.


    He knew it all.


    All her pleas were in vain.


    Nelson said, "Ms. Rossum, don''t waste any more time. If you anger Mr. Landau again, thewyer


    you hired might suffer as well."


    Lilian froze slightly.


    Mr. Vaughn...N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.


    Nelson didn''t want to take action, but he could always find a weakness to handle her and knew she


    wouldn''t want to implicate innocent people. Therefore, no matter how unwilling and scared she was,


    she would do it.


    Lilian stiffened for a moment on the sofa. Her fingers clenched and then rxed.

 Chapter 142 Her Fear

    Chapter 142 Her Fear


    Chapter 142 Her Fear


    She closed her eyes in resignation and chose topromise.


    When she opened her eyes again, she stood up and walked towards the storage room with heavy


    steps.


    The door that was brokenst time had been fixed, and it was wide open, beckoning to her like the


    gaping mouth of a demon, waiting for her to fall into its trap.


    She took difficult steps. The moment she stepped into the room, fear engulfed her.


    Lilian trembled all over. Driven by fear, she dared not move forward. She turned around to leave,


    but Nelson closed the door before her.


    With a loud bang, the door to the storage room shut tightly, cutting off thest ray of light in her


    eyes.


    Lilian''s legs turned weak, and she fell to the ground feebly.


    The space was small and narrow. It was suffocating, and fear enveloped herpletely.


    She sat on the ground, hugged her knees, and closed her eyes, refusing to acknowledge that she


    was in a small dark room.


    She opened her mouth,forting herself.


    Don''t be afraid... It was not scary...


    Someone had said that to her before. He held her and gentlyforted her, saying, "It''s okay, Lily.


    Don''t be afraid."


    Lilian curled up into a ball, silently speaking to the person in her imagination, "I''m not afraid."


    As long as she convinced herself like this, she wouldn''t be afraid.


    He had once told her that.


    ......


    After Francis left the vi, he went straight to thepany.


    Nelson followed closely behind him. He caught up to Francis''s pace, and they entered the elevator


    together.


    "Mr. Landau, Clyde has been taken away. Once the ounts are checked, he should be sent to


    prison."


    Francis stood with his hands in his pockets and leaned against the elevator wall without saying a


    word.


    Nelson paused and continued, "Um, the tickets for the business trip tonight have been booked.


    Should we cancel Ms. Rossum''s ticket?"


    Francis finally showed some expression. He nced at Nelson gloomily.


    "Cancel it."


    Nelson nodded. "Alright." Thinking of something, he hesitated and asked, "What about Ms.


    Rossum? Shall we leave her alone?"


    "It''s just three days. She won''t die." He said coldly, finishing his sentence just as the elevator


    arrived. He stepped out.


    Nelson frowned. Would it really be okay for her to live without eating or drinking for three days?


    Nelson had never tried it himself, but he had experienced being too busy to eat for a day, and he


    couldn''t bear it.


    Moreover, Lilian was a girl.


    Nelson sighed, but he couldn''t persuade Francis. After all, Francis was still angry, and no matter


    who tried to advise Francis, it would be useless.


    N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    After working for Francis for so long, Nelson had some understanding of him. When he got


    extremely angry, he would be calmer than ever.


    When Julian found out that Francis was going on a business trip, she immediately limped to the


    company and said that she wanted to go with him.


    "Frank, just take me with you. Since my leg is still injured, I can''t work anyway. It''s a good


    opportunity for me to rx with you."


    Francis pulled at his tie irritably, nced at her, and said, "I''m going on a business trip, not for


    leisure."


    "I know. I just want to go with you. You go on a business trip, and I go for leisure. There''s no


    conflict." Julian clung to his arm, acting spoiled.


    Francis sat down on the sofa and nced at her injured foot. It had been swollen badly before, and


    she even had blood drawn at the hospital. Although it had subsided now, there was still a faint


    redness.


    He found it somewhat amusing. "You''re injured like this, but you still want to have fun. Don''t you


    want your leg anymore?"


    Julian sat down next to him, smiling at him. "I just want to be with you, and that''s all. I don''t really


    want to go y. If you go on a business trip for three days, I won''t be able to see you for three


    days."


    Before Francis could say anything, the office door was pushed open, and Harriet walked in wearing


    high heels.


    "Mr. Landau, we should leave now."

 Chapter 143 She Was Gone

    Chapter 143 She Was Gone


    Chapter 143 She Was Gone


    Julian''s expression changed when she saw Harriet, and she became unhappy.


    Julian was arrogant in thepany, and even Nelson had to consider her mood. But Harriet


    completely ignored her, and she had already ssified Harriet as her number one love rival, just like


    Lilian.


    Harriet seemed to not even see Julian, not even giving her a single nce. Julian''s anger surged as


    she felt ignored.


    "Frank, you''re taking her and not me?"


    Only then did Harriet look at her. "Ms. Quinn, if you can help me, that would be great. Mr. Landau,


    how about letting Ms. Quinn handle this negotiation?"


    Julian choked. She didn''t know anything, so how could she negotiate?


    Francis stood up and raised his hand to rub Julian''s head. "Alright, stop causing a fuss. Just stay


    home and rest. I''ll only be gone for three days."


    Julian pouted and red at Harriet with displeasure.


    Harriet, with a professional smile, calmly met her gaze. Julian felt an unprecedented provocation.


    Francis didn''t say anything more and left first, followed by Harriet.


    Julian looked at Nelson and asked in an angry tone, "Why aren''t you going?"


    Nelson replied, "I''m not included."


    Julian furrowed her brows, bing even more displeased. "So, only the two of them are going on


    this business trip?"


    Nelson nodded. "Yes."


    "What a tease," Julian muttered under her breath.


    Julian only bullied the weak and feared the strong. She didn''t dare to confront Harriet directly


    because Harriet had strong business abilities and was highly valued by Francis. If she acted


    unreasonably, Francis wouldn''t side with her.


    Nelson''s eyelids twitched, and he couldn''t help but take another look at Julian.


    Every time he saw her, he would doubt Mr. Landau''s taste. This woman was all looks and no brains,


    completely unaware of her own position. There were countless women more beautiful than her in


    the world, so why did Mr. Landau choose her?


    Nelson felt that... Harriet was even better than her.


    No, if Francis really ended up with Harriet, Lilian would have no chance at all.


    Having worked with Harriet for so long, Nelson knew that in terms of tactics, IQ, and EQ, Harriet


    was extremely outstanding. She was very smart and tactical.


    So, it was understandable that Julian regarded her as a rival in love.


    ......


    Francis left for three days, and Lilian was really locked up for the entire time.


    Fear was already nothing. Even a normal person couldn''t bear to go hungry for a day, let alone


    Lilian who was already weak.


    She had already lost consciousness in the small dark room on the second day.


    Lilian slowly opened her eyes. The hunger she felt before losing consciousness had disappeared,


    but she realized that she couldn''t move her hands and feet.


    She shook her head, and her awareness became a bit clearer. Looking around, she couldn''t get


    used to the bright light.


    It was a bedroom that she wasn''t familiar with.


    Lilian suddenly panicked. She tried to stand up but realized that she couldn''t move. Her body felt


    constricted, and when she looked down, she saw that her hands and feet were tied to a chair.


    She began to struggle, but the ropes were tied too tightly. She struggled until her wrists and ankles


    were scratched, but she couldn''t free herself.


    Finally, she realized that she had probably been kidnapped.


    But who had kidnapped her?


    Lilian looked around, but it was quiet, not a single sound could be heard.


    If it weren''t for the sound of her own breathing, she would have thought that she had gone deaf.


    Meanwhile, Francis returned from his business trip and headed straight to the storage room.


    However, when he reached the door, he saw that it was damaged and about to copse.


    Light shone through the door frame, illuminating the scene inside the storage room - a dusty floor,


    with one area wiped clean as if an irregr circle had been drawn in the dust.


    Through this clean area, he could even imagine how Lilian curled up on the ground.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.

 Chapter 144 Who Kidnapped Her?

    Chapter 144 Who Kidnapped Her?


    Chapter 144 Who Kidnapped Her?


    On the damaged door, there were faint scratch marks, and some of the paint on the door panel had


    been scratched off by fingernails.


    The expression on Francis''s face darkened quickly.


    Nelson thought to himself that this was not good. He stole a nce at Francis''s face and felt


    uneasy.


    He hadn''te to see Lilian in the past three days, afraid that he would soften his heart when he


    saw Lilian''s miserable state. Anyway, her husband didn''t care, so why should he bother?


    "Mr. Landau, it seems someone has taken Ms. Rossum away. I will go investigate."


    Francis turned and left the storage room, heading to the living room. He noticed aplete divorce


    agreement ced on the coffee table. Lilian''s signature was on it.


    Without saying a word, almost instinctively, Francis tore the divorce agreement into pieces and


    threw it away. The scraps of paper scattered all over the floor.


    Francis looked around again, but besides the divorce agreement, he didn''t find any useful clues.


    "Check the surveince."


    "Yes."


    There were surveince cameras outside the vi, so it would be easy to find out who hade.


    In less than twenty minutes, Nelson copied the surveince footage around the vi and handed it


    to Francis.


    "Mr. Landau..." Nelson hesitated, wanting to say something but holding back. He silently looked at


    the surveince footage and had a vague feeling that a bloody storm was about to happen.


    Francis opened the surveince footage, and the picture was clear. Indeed, someone hade,


    and it was not someone else but Courtney.


    Courtney left with Lilian on her back.


    Francis acted as if nothing was wrong. He slid the progress bar of the surveince footage to the


    end.


    That was the ce where Courtney''s car disappeared, a blind spot in the surveince, so he


    couldn''t see what happened next.


    At that moment, Lester called him.


    Francis looked at the caller ID and nced at Nelson, startling Nelson with a cold sweat.


    Yes, after he finished checking the surveince, he informed Lester, and Lester must have seen it


    too.


    The phone rang for a long time before Francis slid to answer. He turned on the speakerphone and


    ced the phone on the coffee table.


    "Frank, I will exin this to you. I can''t reach Courtney now, but I feel that there''s something fishy


    about this."


    N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.


    Francis didn''t speak. He stared at the phone, his fingers rubbing his wristwatch.


    Lester continued, "Courtney hasn''t left the house these past few days, so how could she suddenly


    go and take Lilian away?"


    His implication was probably that Lilian had contacted Courtney, and they had said something that


    made Courtney run away.


    If it was Lilian''s initiative, it shouldn''t be med on Courtney.


    "Three days," Francis suddenly said.


    "What?"


    "I''ll give you three days. I want to see both of them."


    Lester fell silent on the phone for a moment. "Alright, I understand."


    After speaking, Lester hung up the phone.


    Francis closed his eyes, leaning back on the sofa, his fingers gently rubbing his wristwatch. "Find


    them. No matter what you do, you must find them for me."


    Although his expression seemed calm, if Nelson looked closely, Nelson could still see the raging


    fury he was suppressing in his eyes.


    Nelson nodded in agreement and quickly fled the scene.


    As for Lilian, she was exhausted from struggling and had given up. She slumped in the chair,


    watching as the sky outside gradually darkened.


    It was still quiet, so quiet that she could hear her own heartbeat.


    Just as she wondered who could havee to the vi to kidnap her, she suddenly heard the


    sound of the door lock turning.


    Lilian widened her eyes, staring fixedly at the door.


    The door was pushed open, and a figure walked in slowly.

 Chapter 145 Johnsons Torture

    Chapter 145 Johnson''s Torture


    Chapter 145 Johnson''s Torture


    Lilian widened her eyes and stared straight at the person in front of her.


    She looked from his slender legs to his waist and the corner of his mouth with a faint smile.


    Johnson!


    Lilian never expected that the person who tied her up would be Johnson! She couldn''t help but


    struggle again.


    Unfortunately, it was useless. The ropes bound her hands and feet. Besides eye contact, she lost


    her only means ofmunication.


    Johnson came to her, slightly leaned down, and looked at Lilian''s frightened eyes.


    "Ms. Rossum, you look shocked."


    "That''s right. After all, no one could have thought it was me. I wonder if Francis can guess it."


    Johnson spoke in a gentle voice. If it weren''t for Lilian still being tied up here, she would almost


    think he was just casually chatting with her.


    Lilian''s gaze flickered, and she stared straight at Johnson with doubt in her eyes.


    Johnson''s smile deepened. He smiled and said, "You want to ask me why I brought you here and


    kidnapped you, right?"


    Lilian pursed her lips and didn''t respond, but indeed, this was the most confusing thing for her right


    now.


    Johnson extended his finger and gently touched her face. His finger was very cold, like ice.


    Lilian was gooseflesh all over and couldn''t help but keep shrinking her neck.


    Johnson muttered to himself, "Can you really not remember anything?"


    There was a moment of trance in his eyes.


    Lilian was slightly stunned, and a hint of confusion appeared in her eyes.


    His finger slid to Lilian''s chin and suddenly held her jaw, lifting her face.


    N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    "It seems that you need help."


    Lilian didn''t know what he was going to do, but seeing the smile on his face, she only felt scared.


    The force of his finger suddenly increased as if he wanted to crush Lilian''s jaw.


    She winced in pain, and her face crumpled up. Tears uncontrobly ran down her face, wetting


    Johnson''s hand.


    Although he was smiling at her, his eyescked warmth. His actions werepletely opposite to his


    appearance.


    Before Lilian could recover from the pain, he exerted force on his wrist, causing both Lilian and the


    chair to fall to the ground.


    Her head hit the floor, her mind buzzed, and everything went ck before her eyes.


    Her mind buzzed, apanied by a sharp ringing in her ears.


    She closed her eyes painfully, unable to even cry out in pain, only able to keep her mouth open and


    inhale.


    Suddenly, her scalp tightened as Johnson grabbed her hair and lifted her.


    "Forgetting is okay. I will help you remember."


    His gentle voice sounded in Lilian''s ear, but to her, it sounded more like the chant of a demon.


    Chills kepting from all directions, prating her pores and freezing her blood, making her


    hands and feet ice-cold.


    After finally recovering, Lilian struggled to open her eyes and stared at the man in front of her.


    Sure enough, her intuition was right, he was a wolf in sheep''s clothing!


    In the two years in the Landau family, everyone thought he was humble, gentle, approachable, and


    easy to talk to.


    But now, in front of Lilian, he revealed his true nature and showed his most terrifying side.


    Lilian moved her wrists, but she was tightly bound, unable tomunicate with Johnson.


    He also had no intention ofmunicating with her and just wanted to torment her.


    Johnson grabbed her hair and forcefully pulled her up.


    Lilian''s scalp tightened, and the pain was indescribable. It felt like her neck was being strangled,


    making it difficult to breathe.


    When she sat up, Johnson let go of her hair, and there were many strands of hair on his fingertips,


    all pulled from her head.


    Back then, Lilian only dreaded him, but now she truly feared him.


    She shrank her neck and wanted to retreat, but the chair almost tipped over, so she could only


    endure the fear and lower her head timidly.


    Johnson lifted her head, forcing her to meet his gaze.

 Chapter 146 What to Remember

    Chapter 146 What to Remember


    Chapter 146 What to Remember


    "Do you remember anything?"


    With tears in her eyes, she looked at Johnson Smith, trying hard to recall everything that had


    happened over the years.


    She didn''t know what he wanted her to remember.


    What exactly was she supposed to remember...


    Lilian looked at him helplessly, hoping to hear the answer from him.


    He just smiled, as if he understood what she was thinking from her eyes. He gently shook his head


    and said, "I won''t tell you. If you remember, you wouldn''t look at me with such eyes."


    Lilian opened her mouth, and Johnson suddenly walked closer to her.


    Her eyelids trembled slightly, and she instinctively tilted her head back.


    He leaned closer and closer to Lilian, and his face almost touched her. Lilian instinctively wanted to


    avoid him. But Johnson pinched her chin, not allowing her to move.


    His nose touched hers, and their breaths intertwined, exuding a sense of ambiguity.


    Lilian held her breath, afraid to move.


    Johnson said, "Lilian, you should die."


    Lilian shifted her gaze and met his smiling eyes, feeling her heart skip a beat.


    The next second, he suddenly grabbed the chair and pushed her away.


    The chair flipped and fell to the ground, and Lilian once again hit the ground hard, which made her


    feel like her internal organs were smashed out.


    She curled up in pain, and her face devoid of color. Large beads of cold sweat were dripping down


    her forehead.


    No one knew how painful she now felt.


    Because she couldn''t make a sound.


    Johnson no longer bothered with her, turned around and left the room, closing the door, leaving


    Lilian lying alone on the ground.


    Her wrists and ankles were scraped, and the ropes stained red with her blood.


    Lilian opened her eyes slightly and stared at the door through her messy hair.


    For a moment, she couldn''t distinguish between the pain in her body and the pain in her heart.


    She couldn''t understand Francis, nor could she understand Johnson.


    All their actions were so confusing to her.


    Francis wanted to iste her from the outside world and keep her as his pet in a cage. He treated


    her with indifference but refused to divorce her.


    Johnson brought her here and forced her to remember something, but didn''t tell her what she


    should go search in her memory.


    She didn''t even know him.


    Overwhelmed by a strong sense of sleepiness, Lilian closed her eyes in despair, feeling like the


    whole world was against her.


    Was it just because she couldn''t speak?


    These were Lilian''sst thoughts before falling into aa.


    ...


    N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    Night fell.


    Francis sat on the sofa in the living room, surrounded by scraps of paper from the torn divorce


    agreement, lying quietly at his feet.


    In the past, whenever he tore up the divorce paper, Lilian would obediently stay in this house.


    But this time, the scraps of the divorce paper were on the floor for a whole day, and he didn''t have


    any news from that little dumb.


    Nelson paced at the door, hesitant to go in.


    Because he searched all day and found no trace of Lilian. After Courtney disappeared in the blind


    spots of the surveince, he couldn''t find any trace of Lilian and her.


    Linnd City was a big city. They didn''t use their phones or the inte. It meant that even if they


    started an inch-by-inch search in the city now, it would take at least half a month.


    By that time, Courtney and Lilian might have left Linnd City already.


    He peeked inside from the doorway. The living room was dark with no lights on, but he could faintly


    see the silhouette of a person on the sofa.


    Just when Nelson didn''t know what he should do, a car sped in and stopped outside the vi.


    Lester quickly got out of the car and came to Nelson, whispering, "How is it? Any leads?"

 Chapter 147 Where Were Them

    Chapter 147 Where Were Them


    Chapter 147 Where Were Them


    Nelson sighed and shook his head, replying "No, what about you?"


    Lester, with a grim look, shook his head and said, "These two girls. I never expected that they would


    be so good at hiding."


    He had exhausted all his connections, but still couldn''t find any clues about these two girls. It was


    possible that they were no longer in Linnd City.


    "Yeah, I find it strange too. Forget about Young Madam. She seldom goes out. Miss Sachs doesn''t


    seem like a careful person. How could they have evaded our search?"


    Lester pondered and said, "Exactly. That''s what I was thinking too. That''s why I wanted to discuss it


    with Frank. But I couldn''t reach him on the phone, so I came here to find him."


    As Courtney''s older brother, no one knew Courtney better than him. Giving to Courtney''s carefree


    character, it was impossible for her to master anti-detection capability, let alone escape the trap set


    by him and Francis.


    These two girls disappeared without a trace in just two days. Even if they were being secretive, they


    would have had to take a car or a ne to leave Linnd City.


    No matter what, they needed money. They would have to withdraw some cash. Otherwise, how


    would they eat and survive?


    But they couldn''t find any traces of these activities, which was very strange.


    Nelson hesitated and spoke, "Mr. Landau has been sitting there after noon. Are you really going


    in?"


    Lester also hesitated for a couple of seconds. But he decided to go in.


    Things need to be resolved, and how could the problems be resolved if they didn''t face them?


    Lester got into the dark house. He couldn''t find the light switch inside the room, so he had to rely on


    his instincts to find Francis.


    "Frank."


    As soon as he spoke, the lights in the room instantly turned on, making it too bright for him to open


    his eyes.


    Lester raised his hand to shield his eyes and took a moment to recover before putting his hand


    down. He walked over and sat down across from Francis.


    "I''ve discovered some suspicious points. I believe you must have noticed too."


    Francis tilted his head slightly and looked at Lester, "So?"


    Lester said, "I guess Lilian was kidnapped by someone else."


    "And who might that be?"


    Lester choked for a moment. Suddenly, he was unsure of how to continue the conversation.


    Francis took a cigarette and showed no emotions as he said, "You have two days left."


    Lester frowned slightly and replied, "This matter should not have much to do with Courtney..."


    "But she took Lilian away, didn''t she?" Francis nced at him, and said indifferently, "Whether it


    was her own action or being used, she is still involved in this."


    Hearing his words, Lester remained silent for a while.


    "You''re right," he replied.


    "Lester, find her. If I find her first, don''t me me for not considering the past."


    Lester''s expression changed slightly as he said urgently, "Frank, even though it''s not right for


    Courtney to take Lilian away, she still cares about Lilian. On the other hand, you, you don''t care


    about Lilian and yet repeatedly hurt her."


    "Have you ever put yourself in Lilian''s shoes? Sometimes I really can''t understand, are you keeping


    her or torturing her? What do you want?"


    "If you like her, you should treat her right. If you don''t, then let her go. Don''t you feel the


    contradiction of your actions?"


    Francis didn''t say anything and quietly smoked his cigarette.


    The smoke apanied the silence, spreading in the air, making the room''s light blurry.


    Lester stared at Francis for a while but didn''t get a response.


    Lester continued, "Let''s put Courtney aside for now. The top priority is to find the two of them.


    Frank, do you have any guesses?"


    Francis remained silent, and Lester thought he wouldn''t speak again tonight.


    But after a while, he suddenly spoke up, "Of course I do."


    "Who is it?"


    Francis leaned forward and extinguished the cigarette in the ashtray unhurriedly, as if he wanted to


    crush the cigarette into pieces.


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    "I can''t tell you," Francis smirked with a subtle light flickered in his eyes. "Some people just think


    themselves so clever."

 Chapter 148 I Lost My Pet

    Chapter 148 I Lost My Pet


    Chapter 148 I Lost My Pet


    N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    "He will understand what it means to reap what he has sown."


    Lester listened, feeling a bit confused. He wanted to ask more questions, but Francis stood up and


    grabbed his coat from the couch, walking out.


    As Francis walked away, a gust of wind lifted up some pieces of paper from the ground.


    One scrap of paper lightly floated down andnded at Lester''s feet, and he saw the iplete


    words on it, which he couldplete to the original word - DIVORCE.


    From the doorway, Francis''s voice, devoid of warmth, came to him. "Lester, bring her back to me


    before I find her."


    Lester watched his disappearing figure, sighing heavily.


    In truth, Francis''s words had given him a few people of interest in mind, but he couldn''t be certain


    yet.


    Lester also got up and walked out. Nelson hurriedly approached him and asked, "How did it go?"


    Lester shook his head and replied, "Let''s search. They should still be in Linnd City."


    "How do you know? Did Mr. Landau tell you that?" Nelson asked.


    Lester patted his shoulder, not answering, and walked past him.


    The next day...


    Francis went to the office as usual, acting as if nothing had happened.


    He informed everyone about the meeting, and Johnson was there too. The two of them met at the


    entrance and exchanged a nce.


    "Frank, you don''t look well. Did you not sleep well?" Johnson asked with a smile.


    Francis raised a faint smile and replied, "My pet is lost. How can I sleep well?"


    Johnson maintained his smile, pretending not to understand, saying, "What kind of pet is so


    important?"


    "Take a guess."


    Johnson frowned and thought for a moment, replying, "I heard you had a cat before. But I didn''t see


    it when I visited you. Could it be that cat?"


    Francis said, "Who knows."


    With that, he walked into the meeting room with his folder. And he started the meeting as usual.


    The meetingsted for over two hours, and thepany''s executives experienced an


    unprecedented ordeal.


    No matter who spoke, Francis would find their faults. And none of the proposals submitted passed.


    Everyone couldn''t help but suspect that Mr. Landau was acting a little off today.


    Did he have another argument with Julian?


    Well, every time he argued with Julian, he always vented his anger on others, but it was never this


    serious before.


    Finally, the meeting ended, and everyone left the conference room dejected.


    Francis also got up to leave, but before he could stand up, Johnson handed him two documents.


    "These are the investment proposals you suggestedst time. Take a look."


    Johnson didn''t hand them over during the meeting because he knew very well that Francis would


    reject him.


    Now that everyone was gone except Francis and him. He took them out now, clearly with a


    purpose.


    Francis casually took the files and nced at them. Then he threw them back on the table.


    It was the expected reaction to Johnson. So, Johnson didn''t get angry. He just smiled and asked,


    "What''s wrong? Can''t focus on the documents because you lost your pet?"


    Francis pulled his tie a little and didn''t rush to leave. He leaned back and calmly stared at Johnson.


    Johnson then said, "Frank, do you need my help to find your pet?"


    "No need. Your proposals are not good."


    "What''s wrong with them?"


    "As someone who has been a vice president of thispany for so long, how could you not see the


    problems? Or do you think I''m so easy to fool?"

 Chapter 149 Have Some Backbone

    Chapter 149 Have Some Backbone


    Chapter 149 Have Some Backbone


    Johnson Smith was slightly taken aback, but soon resumed his smile, "Is that so? Let me check


    again."


    He picked up the document again and said, "Wait for me to make the changes, then I''ll show you."


    Francis Landau didn''t speak, tacitly agreeing.


    Johnson Smith took the document and left. Francis Landau took off his tie and unbuttoned two


    buttons.


    All expressions disappeared from his face, and he sat silently in the conference room, his gaze


    drifting.


    Until Harriet Osborne knocked and entered.


    "Mr. Landau, I couldn''t reach you on the phone yesterday. I went to liaise with the client, and


    everything has been settled. Here''s the contract for your review."


    Francis Landau took the contract from her hands, flipping through it casually, "Hmm, you continue."


    "Alright."


    Harriet Osborne took the contract back, unable to resist taking another look at him.


    Hesitating, she asked, "Mr. Landau, is something bothering you?"


    Francis Landau looked up at her, "Is it that obvious?"


    Harriet smiled, "Indeed, it''s obvious. You only flipped through two pages of the contract without


    really looking."


    Francis Landau remained silent for a moment, then stood up and left the conference room.


    ......


    When Lilian Rossum woke up, she was still on the ground. After a night''s rest, her whole body


    ached.


    The ground was cold, and the side of her face that was pressed against it had lost all sensation.


    She looked around, still in the same room as yesterday, her wrists still tied.


    What was different was that there was a bowl in front of her, filled with cold food.


    She pursed her lips. Even though the food was cold, she could still smell its aroma, which tantalized


    her taste buds, making her salivate.


    But in her current position, eating from that bowl would be no different from a dog.


    She gripped the armrest of the chair, staring intently at the bowl. She moved her lips, and after a


    few seconds, she closed her eyes and turned her head away.


    Perhaps her will to live wasn''t that strong, so the feeling of hunger wasn''t too unbearable.


    Just then, the door suddenly opened, startling Lilian, who looked up.


    Johnson Smith was still wearing that dark red traditional attire. He crouched down in front of Lilian,


    tilting his head slightly as he stared at her.


    His slightly curled short hair hung down, casting a faint shadow on his face, making him look


    especially gentle.


    He then shifted his gaze to the bowl of food and chuckled lightly, "You do have some backbone."


    His words didn''t sound like apliment, and sure enough, the next moment, he grabbed her hair


    and yanked her up.


    She was still tied to the chair, and her hair could hardly bear the weight and fell off. Who knew how


    many strands were pulled out, causing her face to turn pale and her veins to bulge, distorting her


    features.


    "With such backbone, why are you still by Francis Landau''s side, acting like a groveling dog?"


    He seemed to be mumbling to himself, but also seemed to be speaking to her.


    Johnson picked up the bowl and brought it to Lilian''s mouth, his voice still gentle, "Eat, or you''ll


    starve to death."


    "Hmm, perhaps you want to die?"


    He chuckled, "You can''t die."


    The gentler his smile, the more twisted his actions. Holding the bowl, he pressed Lilian''s face into it.


    Lilian''s mouth and nose werepletely blocked by the food, making it impossible for her to


    breathe. Rice grains got sucked into her nostrils, causing her to cough desperately.


    Johnson Smith pressed her head firmly, and her coughing caused the rice to spill out of the bowl,


    falling on his hands and scattering all over the floor.


    She struggled, but being tied up and having been starved for so long, she had no strength left.


    She even began to feel oxygen-deprived, her consciousness gradually blurring.


    Johnson Smith''s voice came from above, "Weren''t you able to make a sound? Why can''t you speak


    now?"


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    In fact, her coughing wasn''t very noticeable. Rather than a sound, it was more like the sound of


    gasping.


    Lilian felt dazed and couldn''t hear what he was saying. Eventually, she lost all her strength and


    gradually stopped struggling in his grasp.


    Johnson removed the bowl, and air rushed back into her nostrils, carrying with the grains of rice, all


    of which were inhaled into her trachea.

 Chapter 150 Just a Bowl of Rice

    Chapter 150 Just a Bowl of Rice


    Chapter 150 Just a Bowl of Rice


    Lilian Rossum''s face turned red from suffocation, and shey on the ground coughing, her voice


    very hoarse.


    She coughed out those grains of rice, mixed with saliva, dribbling from her mouth.


    Johnson Smith stared at her intently.


    Although she looked miserable, the more pitiful she appeared, the more he wanted to see her even


    more distressed.


    After coughing out the rice, she gasped with her mouth slightly open, saliva still dripping from the


    corners of her mouth.


    Lilian looked at Johnson Smith with red-rimmed eyes hopelessly, her lips moving without sound, but


    Johnson could understand her lip movements.


    She said: Kill me.


    Johnson Smith smiled faintly, raising his hand to tidy up Lilian''s messy hair, "Didn''t you forget? I just


    said, you can''t die."


    He said, bringing the bowl of rice to her mouth, "Eat."


    Lilian Rossum instinctively closed her mouth and turned her head to avoid the bowl.


    Johnson Smith said, "If you die, your good friend will also die. Think about it."


    Lilian was taken aback, not understanding Johnson Smith''s words.


    Johnson continued, picking up a remote control from the bed and turning on the TV on the wall.


    On the screen, someone was tied to a post, blindfolded, with her mouth taped shut, asionally


    struggling.


    It was-Courtney Sachs!


    Lilian suddenly looked at Johnson Smith.


    Johnson said, "Aren''t you curious about how you ended up here?"


    "She brought you out."


    "She received a message saying you were in danger, and she came to take you away without


    hesitation."


    "She wanted to take you away from the Linnd City and even forged a divorce agreement. Even if


    I don''t kill her, Francis Landau won''t let her go, right?"


    Lilian stared at him in disbelief, not knowing whether she was angry or scared, her whole body


    trembling.


    N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    She really deserved to die...


    She shouldn''t have befriended Courtney in the first ce. Now anyone can threaten her using


    Courtney.


    She harmed Courtney Sachs and also Fabiana ud.


    She deserved to die. She didn''t deserve to live!


    Guilt, remorse, and endless regret overwhelmed her like a tidal wave, making her feel even more


    suffocated than when her face was buried in the bowl.


    Tears streamed from Lilian''s eyes, and shey weakly on the ground, wanting to cry out with all her


    might, but she couldn''t.


    Johnson Smith brought the bowl to her mouth again, "Eat."


    Lilian Rossum''s lips trembled slightly as she stared at the messy food in the bowl, tears dripping


    from her chin into the bowl.


    It''s just a bowl of rice. She couldn''t let Courtney lose her life over it.


    She slowly approached the bowl, enduring all the humiliation, burying her head in the bowl, and


    took a big bite of rice.


    Johnson Smith looked down at her with a yful smile, as if looking at a cute puppy.


    Lilian swallowed the rice in her mouth and took another big bite, looking as if she was starving.


    Only when the bowl was empty did she raise her disheveled face to look at Johnson Smith.


    "You didn''t eat it all. Wasting food isn''t what a good child does."


    Lilian Rossum''s gaze shifted back to the bowl. The rice stuck to the bowl was sparse. She would


    have to lick it with her tongue to clean it up.


    She pursed her lips, her cheeks and hair still smeared with rice. She tried several times but still


    couldn''t bring herself to do it.


    Johnson Smithughed, "What? Do you want dignity?"


    "You''ve been Francis Landau''s little dog for so many years, where''s your dignity?"


    "Now you want dignity, even at the cost of your friend''s life?"


    His words pierced her heart, every word hitting her pain points and vulnerabilities.


    Lilian Rossum swallowed hard, closed her eyes, and brought her head closer to the bowl.

 Chapter 151 Take off Your Clothes

    Chapter 151 Take off Your Clothes


    Chapter 151 Take off Your Clothes


    Yeah, by Francis''s side, she was just like a dog locked in a cage.


    When he was in the mood, he would pet her, but when he wasn''t, he would leave her aside and


    even forbid her from wagging her tail at others.


    She had no dignity and no status as Mrs. Landau... In everyone''s eyes, she was just a joke.


    How could she hurt Courtney for the sake of her meaningless dignity?


    Johnson looked at her with lowered eyes that were shimmering, the smile fading from his face.


    Her messy hair really made her look like a puppy.


    Lilian finished thest bite of her meal and bit her lip as she looked up at Johnson. Her eyes were


    shimmering and with tolerance.


    Even though she believed she had no dignity left, she felt a sense of humiliation that made her feel


    ashamed.


    Johnson smiled as he put down his bowl and then shook the phone in his hand. "Do you want to


    see how pathetic you looked just now?"


    Lilian''s pupils slightly contracted as she shifted her gaze to the phone screen, her body stiffening.


    There was a video of her just now.


    The sense of humiliation grew even stronger without reason. She even wished she could disappear


    from this worldpletely...


    Johnson yed with his phone, enjoyed the video on it, and smiled. "I really want to show it to


    Francis."


    Lilian clenched her fists and naturally understood what he meant. She turned her head in shame,


    refusing to answer him.


    Johnson suddenly reached out and slowly untied the rope around her wrists. In that moment of


    release, Lilian felt as if her whole body had be lighter.


    She weakly slid off the chair, falling to the ground like a feather, light and ethereal.


    Johnson grabbed her clothes, pulled her up, and dragged her towards the door.


    Lilian was already too weak to struggle. The cor choked her neck, and her throat felt like it was


    being strangled by a rope, almost suffocating her.


    Johnson dragged her into the bathroom and threw her onto the floor before turning on the


    showerhead and spraying it at her.


    The cold water poured down, making Lilian shiver uncontrobly. She hugged herself, crawling to


    the corner and curling up.


    Johnson held the showerhead and squatted in front of her. "Take off your clothes."


    Lilian trembled all over and stared at him in disbelief. Water sshed down from above, washing


    down her cheeks. Her wet hair stuck to her face and covered her eyes.


    N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.


    Johnson smirked. "Don''t worry. I''m not interested in you, a woman who Francis has already slept


    with."


    It was hard to imagine that a man with such a refined face would say such vulgar words.


    The water from the showerhead gradually became warm, washing away the coldness from her


    body, and her shivering became less severe.


    Johnson''s voice sounded along with the sound of water. "If you want for me to undress you, it might


    not be gentle. You better think it over."


    "Oh, by the way, your friend is still in my hands."


    Lilian tightly pursed her lips, staring at him with a mix of shame, anger, and fear.


    She had so many feelings inside but couldn''t express a tenth of them with her pitiable appearance.


    The only thing that could capture his attention were her reddened eyes and disheveled hair.


    When a woman looked at a man with a sense of humiliation in her eyes, it stimted the man''s


    desire for conquest and cruelty.


    Especially when the woman was beautiful.


    Johnson stared into her eyes, his gaze darkening. "Don''t make me say it a third time. Take it off."


    Lilian''s fingers slowly tightened, clutching her clothes. She was struggling inside.


    Johnson lost patience and suddenly threw down the showerhead. It fell to the ground, twisting like a


    snake.


    Water sprayed everywhere, falling on the two of them and wetting his clothes as well.


    He grabbed Lilian''s arm and pulled her closer. She instinctively held herself tightly and shook her


    head desperately at Johnson.

 Chapter 152 Threaten Her

    Chapter 152 Threaten Her


    Chapter 152 Threaten Her


    "Pretending to be pitiful won''t work on me," Johnson said, grabbing her ankle and pulling it lightly,


    causing Lilian to fall to the ground.


    Her head hit the floor hard, and it hurt so much!


    In her dizziness, he had already torn off half of her clothes.


    Lilian didn''t have time to care about her pain. She crawled up and kept retreating backward, curling


    herself up in the corner as if it were the only safe ce.


    But in reality, there was no safe ce. She was just deceiving herself, just like her feelings for


    Francis.


    Johnson wasn''t angry. He just looked at her with a faint smile and reached out to touch her hair, but


    Lilian managed to dodge it.


    She hugged her knees, curling up in that corner and burying her face in her knees. If there was a


    hole, she might have already crawled into it.


    "Look at you, all dirty. I just wanted to help you take a bath, What are you afraid of?"


    He caressed her wet hair. The next second, his fingers went through her hair, tightened, and


    grabbed onto her hair.


    He held onto Lilian''s head, forced her to look up, and said, "Are you challenging my patience?"


    Lilian frowned hard in pain, looking miserable.


    She struggled to gesture with her hand, "Spare Courtney. If you let her go, I''ll do whatever you say."


    Johnsonughed when he heard this. "Do you think I''ll believe you?"


    Not only was heughing, but there was also a hint of indulgence in his tone if she ignored the fact


    that he was still holding onto her hair.


    "If I let her go, will you still be obedient?"


    Lilian bit her lip. Her little scheme was exposed.


    If he let Courtney go, she wouldn''t behave and would do everything she could to end her own life


    rather than continue to be humiliated by him.


    Johnson suddenly sighed lightly and slowly released Lilian''s hair. "I''ll give you onest chance to


    undress yourself. Otherwise, I''ll go and undress Courtney. Understand?"


    Lilian''s pupils slightly contracted.


    She already understood Johnson''s intentions. He did it on purpose and just wanted to humiliate her.


    She swallowed her saliva and gestured with her hand, "Why? Why do you treat me like this?"


    Johnson stared at her without blinking and spoke after seven or eight seconds, "When you


    remember, you won''t ask this question."


    Lilian asked, "What exactly do you want me to remember?"


    Johnson said, "It wouldn''t be meaningful if I told you. Lilian, I want you to remember it by yourself.


    Understand?"


    Lilian''s head was about to explode. She didn''t know what she was supposed to remember. Her


    memories had always been there. There were so many memories. What exactly was it?


    If he didn''t give her any hints, how was she supposed to remember?


    N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    He just wanted to find an excuse to humiliate her.


    Johnson didn''t want to continue this topic anymore. He said again, "Take off your clothes and wash


    yourself clean."


    Lilian was still hesitating.


    Johnson said, "My patience is limited. This is thest time."


    Lilian quickly gestured, "You''re not interested in me, right? You go out, and I''ll wash up myself."


    Johnson smiled. "I''m not interested in you indeed, but that doesn''t mean I can''t watch you, right?"


    When he said this, the smile on his face disappeared, and he lost all his patience. He sternly


    ordered, "Undress!"


    Lilian trembled at his shout.


    She thought of Courtney. If he was just using Courtney to threaten her and not harm Courtney, she


    could endure this humiliation...


    Lilian closed her eyes, slowly reached out her trembling hand, and gripped her wet sweater.


    With determination and courage, she took off her clothes.

 Chapter 153 Francis And Johnson Met

    Chapter 153 Francis And Johnson Met


    Chapter 153 Francis And Johnson Met


    Johnson smiled and watched as she took off each piece of clothing.


    Then she hugged herself and faced the wall, wishing she could bury her head in it. Her ck hair


    cascaded behind her, contrasting with her fair skin.


    "Pants."


    Lilian''s back stiffened, and she squeezed her arms with so much strength that her fingers turned


    pale. Her slender and thin figure trembled in the water.


    She no longer hoped for someone to save her.


    Because no one woulde to save her. She knew it...


    Countless times before, when she begged for someone to save her, no one extended a helping


    hand to her, not even a simple gesture.


    She was no longer the mute girl who had someone to protect her when she was a child.


    Grandpa Thomas was no longer around.


    Francis no longer paid attention to her.


    Her surroundings were already a desert, empty and devoid of anyone. The only person who cared


    about her like a friend was now being held captive by Johnson.


    What meaning did her struggles and dignity have?


    Lilianpromised. She no longer struggled. Whatever Johnson wanted her to do, she would do it.


    If he wanted her to undress, she would undress. If he wanted her dead, then she would die.


    Her worthless life was of no concern to anyone.


    It didn''t matter anymore.


    Perhaps she was too tired, or perhaps it was too cold in the bathroom, or perhaps she had been


    tortured too harshly by Johnson.


    She suddenly felt dizzy, and that familiar dizziness swept over her once again.


    Lilian''s body swayed, and she fell to the ground.


    ......


    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.


    It was the third day since Lilian went missing, and Nelson still hadn''t found her.


    He was so anxious and paced back and forth in the yard outside the vi.


    While everyone else was worried, Francis was surprisingly the calmest. He went to work and came


    home as usual these past two days as if Lilian was still there.


    No, he was even more diligent than when Lilian was there, almosting home every day.


    No one knew what he was thinking.


    After Nelson paced in the yard for about ten minutes, the door of the vi suddenly opened, and


    Francis walked out in proper attire.


    Nelson hurriedly approached him. Francis''s expression was normal, his eyes indifferent. After


    ncing at Nelson, he walked towards the car.


    Nelson sat in the driver''s seat and looked at the back seat through the rearview mirror.


    Francis was already leaning back in the seat, tilting his head slightly and resting his eyes closed.


    Nelson didn''t dare to speak. He started the car and drove to thepany.


    When Francis walked towards the elevator, he encountered Johnson again. The two exchanged a


    nce, exchanged pleasantries, and entered the elevator together.


    Johnson nced at him twice and suddenly spoke, "Haven''t you found your pet yet?"


    Francis didn''t look at him. "What''s the use of finding someone ungrateful?"


    "Is that so?"


    "She always feels that the outside world is beautiful. Whether it''s beautiful or not, she''ll know once


    she goes see it herself."


    Johnson''s smile faltered for a moment, but it was only a fleeting moment. "You''re right. After


    experiencing hardships, maybe she will go home herself."


    Francis turned his head slightly and suddenly looked at Johnson.


    Johnson met his gaze calmly.


    Neither of them spoke. The elevator was particrly quiet, almost as if the pause button had been


    pressed except for the numbers jumping on the elevator.


    Ding.


    The elevator reached the 20th floor, and Francis walked out. Before leaving, he said, "Remember to


    pick up those investment proposals."


    Johnson was stunned. Before he could respond, the elevator doors closed again.


    Later in the evening, Johnson went to the CEO''s office to pick up the two proposals. He took a look


    and found that Francis had already signed them.


    "These have been approved?"


    Francis rubbed the ce between his eyebrows and looked somewhat tired. "Follow up on them


    properly and don''t dy too long."

 Chapter 154 Dangerous But the Safest

    Chapter 154 Dangerous But the Safest


    Chapter 154 Dangerous But the Safest


    "I know. I''ll take care of it right away."


    These investment ns had almost taken up fifty percent of thepany''s working capital. The


    longer it took, the greater the risk of losses.


    If there were any issues with other projects and the funding chain broke, thepany would be in


    trouble.


    After Johnson walked out of the office, he flipped through the documents in his hand.


    There was no difference between these documents and the ones he received two days ago. There


    were hardly any changes, but this time it was approved.


    What did this mean?


    Did Francis not read carefully, or...


    But it didn''t matter. Francis signed it himself anyway.


    Johnson''s eyes flickered, and he left the office with the documents in hand.


    Nelson knocked on the door as he entered. Taking the opportunity to deliver the documents, he


    hesitantly reported the results of the search in the past two days.


    "Mr. Landau... We still haven''t been her."


    Not only did he not find Lilian, but there were also no clues from Lester. It was as if Lilian and


    Courtney had disappeared into thin air.


    Francis calmly flipped through the documents. "Then continue searching."


    "Yes... But we have searched all the ces we should have, and I don''t know where else to look..."


    Nelson said with some embarrassment. He considered himself to have strong work abilities, but this


    time there was no progress at all.


    Francis paused. He suddenly closed the documents and nced at Nelson.


    Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org.


    "Nelson, you need to learn to think more."


    "Ah... Yes, I understand. I''ll think of another way."


    Francis said, "What I mean is, sometimes what your eyes see may not be the truth. Understand?"


    Nelson was stunned for a few seconds. Honestly, he didn''t understand.


    "Mr. Landau, forgive my stupidity... Please enlighten me."


    Francis impatiently threw the documents onto the table. The force was not strong, but the noise was


    loud, causing Nelson to tremble.


    Francis leaned back in his chair, staring at Nelson with a gaze full of intimidation.


    Nelson''s forehead started to sweat.


    After a while, Francis said, "Have you heard the saying that the most dangerous ce is also the


    safest ce?"


    "What can you find by constantly looking in the direction they disappeared in on the surveince


    footage?"


    Only then did Nelson suddenly realize. "I understand. I will go look right away!"


    Francis tugged at his tie with some irritation. Then he directly took it off and threw it into the drawer.


    After Nelson came out, he immediately arranged for people to search in the city center.


    Previously, due to his habitual thinking, he always believed that the ce where Courtney and Lilian


    disappeared was definitely where they were hiding.


    As a result, the more he searched, the further he went, and he forgot about the city center.


    No normal person would think that someone trying to escape would hide in the city center, right?


    That wouldpletely defeat the purpose of escaping, wouldn''t it?


    Although Nelson was puzzled, he dared not argue. After all, he had been searching for days but got


    no clues.


    What if Francis''s guess was correct?


    When Lilian woke up, she found herself lying on a bed.


    She opened her eyes and stared at the white ceiling for a few seconds. Remembering what


    happened before, she suddenly sat up.


    It was already dark outside, but she could vaguely see the buildings.


    Johnson didn''t tie her up, so her first reaction was to escape, to run out of there and find someone


    to save Courtney.


    She lifted the nket and found herself wearing an oversized T-shirt. It was very thin, almost like


    nothing.


    Even if she dared to go out like this, she would probably freeze to death.


    Lilian got off the bed and searched for clothes in the room. It was a two-bedroom house, and the


    other bedroom was locked and couldn''t be opened.


    There were no clothes that could cover her body in the living room, so she searched the bathroom


    and the bedroom where she slept.


    In the end, she concluded that Johnson had taken her clothes away!


    She was about to go to the balcony outside the living room to see where she was, but before she


    could open the sliding window, she suddenly heard the sound of a door opening behind her.

 Chapter 155 Let Her Go

    Chapter 155 Let Her Go


    Chapter 155 Let Her Go


    Lilian was startled and quickly closed the curtains, turning to stare at the door.


    Johnson walked in holding a shopping bag and casually threw the keys on the TV cab.


    Lilian pressed against the sliding door, cautiously watching him as he approached.


    Johnson paused in his footsteps, his gaze slowly moving from Lilian''s face to her chest.


    Lilian quickly raised her hand to cover herself.


    Johnson chuckled and walked up to her, saying, "What''s the point of covering yourself like that?"


    He leaned in close to her ear and spoke in an extremely ambiguous tone, "When you were


    unconscious, I was the one who helped you take a bath."


    Lilian''s pupils dted as she turned to re at him, but her lips brushed against his because they


    were too close.


    In that brief touch, they could already sense each other''s warmth and touch.


    Johnson maintained his bent posture and tilted his head slightly, with his slightly curled short hair


    falling on the side of his face.


    Their eyes met, and they were close enough to hear each other''s heartbeat and breath.


    He lifted his slender fingers and slowly ced them on his lips, his eyes emitting a dangerous aura.


    As Lilian looked into his eyes, she couldn''t help but feel afraid again. She kept moving backward,


    but the ss door behind her left her with nowhere to retreat.


    She gripped the curtain with her fingers, her knuckles turning pale.


    "Are you trying to seduce me?" His voice was no longer as gentle as before, but rather cold.


    Lilian quickly shook her head, the fear in her eyes visible, making her look like a startled deer.


    Pitiful yet alluring.


    Johnson held her chin and gently caressed it with his thumb. Moving inch by inch, his palm


    enveloped her cheek.


    Lilian''s gaze flickered as she lowered her eyes, following his hand''s movement.


    She felt like he could p her at any moment.


    "Is this how you seduce Francis too?"


    "No wonder he refuses to divorce you."


    He said to himself, his fingers brushing against her earlobe, threading through her hair.


    Lilian''s lips trembled, her heart racing.


    Suddenly, his fingers grabbed the back of her head and forcefully smashed it against the ss door.


    Lilian''s mind buzzed again, and her vision darkened. She slid down the ss door, feeling


    completely powerless.


    Johnson crouched in front of her and lifted her chin. "Why aren''t you answering?"


    "Oh, I forgot that you''re mute. But the doctor said your brain needs some stimtion to remember.


    How is it? Have you remembered anything?"


    At this moment, Lilian''s head was spinning, her mind buzzing, and she couldn''t hear what Johnson


    was saying.


    Johnson sighed and ced the shopping bag in her arms. "It''s a pity that I can''t y with you


    anymore."


    "Francis is amazing. He already suspects me, or rather, he already knows it''s me."


    He continued, "But do you know what he said?"


    "Forget it. He doesn''t care about you anyway. Lilian. Should I say you''re pitiful or pathetic?"


    Lilian had just managed to suppress the pain when she heard Johnson''s words which stabbed her


    heart.


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    She stiffly raised her head. A drop of blood flowed from her hair, running down her eyebrow, and


    finally reaching her lips.


    A fresh, winding bloody mark appeared on her face.


    Johnson seemed to not notice, taking out the clothes from the bag. "Put them on. Your friend is


    waiting outside for you."


    Upon hearing the word ''friend'', Lilian suddenly snapped back to reality. Ignoring the pain in her


    head, she grabbed the clothes from his hand and stumbled back to the bedroom.


    Johnson stood up. This time, he didn''t intentionally humiliate Lilian but allowed her to hide inside


    and change her clothes.

 Chapter 156 Save Courtney

    Chapter 156Save Courtney


    Chapter 156 Save Courtney


    He stared at the door and was wondering something.


    When Lilian got dressed and came out, he had disappeared from the living room.


    Her mobile phoney on the coffee table.


    Lilian was thinking about Courtney, and she had no spare time to guess whether Johnson had any


    conspiracy. She picked up her cell phone and walked out.


    The apartment was equipped with an elevator. She was on the top floor, the 32nd one. Lilian took


    the elevator to the ground floor but found no sign of Courtney.


    She thought for a moment and then went back to the elevator and came to the underground parking


    lot.


    After getting out, Lilian looked around and saw a ck Volkswagen car nearby, with four lights on.


    Lilian plucked up courage and walked over, and vaguely saw a figure in the car.


    When she got closer, Lilian found it was Courtney sitting in the car. Courtney''s hands and feet were


    tied, and her mouth was sealed with tape. An eyeshade covered her eyes.


    Lilian quickly opened the car door and got in.


    Courtney heard the noise and purred, which sounded like angry swearing.


    Lilian pulled down the eyeshade on her face.


    Courtney saw Lilian and forgot to struggle out of shock.


    Lilian looked at her with aplicated look and then untied the rope in her hands.


    As soon as Courtney''s hands were free, she immediately tore off the tape on her mouth.


    "Lilian, why are you here?"


    Lilian bent down to untie the rope on her feet and then looked at Courtney.


    She gestured, "What happened?"


    Courtney frowned. She thought carefully for a moment and said, "I received an anonymous


    message at midnight. It said you were in danger. If I don''t go, you will die."


    Lilian blinked her eyes. It was exactly as Johnson said.


    Courtney went on, "Then I followed his instructions and went to your house to find you. Anyway, I


    thought it would be no loss for me. After all, what if you were really in danger?"


    "After I went here, I found you fainted in the utility room."


    "You couldn''t imagine how furious I was. At that moment, I decided to take you away anyway. As


    long as you can escape from this love rat, I''d like to be hunted down by Francis."


    "So I left him a divorce agreement and took you out while Francis was not in the Linnd City.


    Later, I intended to take you to a clinic."


    "The anonymous one seemed to know my n, and he asked me to take you to him and promised


    to find a doctor for you, so I followed his words."


    After that, Courtney drove to the ce where the anonymous one directed. After getting out of the


    car, she carried Lilian on her back to the appointed ce. However, after a few steps, she was hit


    by a stick.


    Courtney lost consciousness and then woke up, with her hands and feet tied and her eyes


    blindfolded.


    Fortunately, she was tied up but didn''t get injured. She couldn''t tell how long she had been tied up


    until Lilian took off the eyeshade on her face just now.


    This was all her experience.


    Courtney holds Lilian''s hand, "What the hell is going on here? Who did kidnap us? Did they do


    anything to you?"


    Lilian pinched her lips and didn''t intend to tell Courtney the truth in case Courtney was involved.


    Courtney didn''t get Lilian''s answer, and her gaze moved to Lilian''s forehead.


    Despite a simple hemostasis, there was still noticeable blood at the hairline.


    "Are you... hurt?"


    Lilian shook her head and gestured, "I identally fell. I don''t know who the kidnapper was. He


    sent me a message saying you were down there, so I came to find you."


    "That''s weird. What does this man want?"


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    Lilian looked at her with mixed feelings. No matter what Johnson wanted to do, if they went back


    now, Francis would not let Courtney go.


    She suddenly held Courtney''s hand and stared at Courtney seriously. After a while, Lilian gestured,


    "Courtney, let''s leave the Linnd City."

 Chapter 157 Separate With Courtney

    Chapter 157Separate With Courtney


    Chapter 157 Separate With Courtney


    Courtney stared at her hands in shock and didn''t respond for a long time.


    "What, what did you say?" Courtney raised her head automatically and looked into Lilian''s eyes,


    almost thinking she misunderstood Lilian''s gestures.


    Lilian repeated it, "Let''s leave here and never go back."


    "Are you serious?"


    Courtney had never convinced her before, and every time Lilian refused to leave. After a long time,


    Courtney gave up the idea.


    Now that Lilian brought it up, Courtney became nervous.


    Lilian nodded solemnly. She had already made it clear that Courtney and her certainly couldn''t go


    back.


    She didn''t know how to face Francis, nor could she persuade him to let Courtney go.


    Thest time she didn''t go out, he still punished Courtney cruelly, and now Courtney took her out


    and disappeared for a few days.


    Lilian could hardly imagine the result.


    Courtney kept silent for a long time before she grabbed Lilian''s hand and stared at her.


    It seemed that she was making up her mind.


    After a while, Courtney said, "OK! Let''s go."


    Courtney grabbed her short hair, took away the odds and ends on her body, got out of the car, and


    went straight to the driver''s seat.


    She paused when she saw that the key of the car had not been pulled out. A thought hit her, "Was


    this car specially prepared for her?"


    Lilian sat in the passenger seat. Seeing Courtney staring at the key, she was puzzled.


    Courtney looked up at her. "Lily, I feel something wrong."


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    Lilian looked at her puzzled, waiting for Courtney''s exnation.


    Courtney pointed to the key. "Look at the car key. What kidnapper would be so kind as to tie us up


    and let us go unscathed?"


    "And is he to let us go back or to let me leave with the car?"


    Lilian was also lost in thought.


    It has nothing to do with this car. Their end must be miserable if they left or came back.


    Lilian hesitated and gestured, "Courtney, what do you think?"


    Courtney frowned and sighed, "I don''t know."


    Last time, Francis almost ruined her family because she wanted to take Lilian away. Now, she


    risked taking Lilian out.


    Seemingly, she had no reason to go back.


    If she didn''t go back, Francis, for Lester''s sake, probably wouldn''t vent his anger upon the Sachs


    family.


    If she went back, the Sachs family might be implicated.


    Courtney had a firm eye at this thought, and she said, "Let''s go."


    Lilian gestured, "Let me get off when you take me to the railway station, and we''ll go separately."


    "Why?" Courtney didn''t understand.


    Lilian smiled and gestured, "Let''s meet somewhere. In this way, we won''t both be caught back."


    "But no matter who is caught, the other one wouldn''t escape alone." Courtney gave her a


    suspicious look.


    Lilian gestured, "I''ll be fine even if Francis catches me, but it''s worrying that he catches you."


    Courtney frowned and thought it made sense.


    Lilian kept smiling and looked at her sincerely.


    Courtney hesitated and agreed, "All right."


    She must leave because she could not go back. From the moment she decided to save Lilian,


    Courtney knew that Linnd City had no ce for her.


    Lilian breathed a sigh of relief. Her hand hidden in the sleeve was covered with sweat.


    She tilted her head slightly and looked at Courtney''s side face with aplicated look. The wind


    blew in from the open car window, which messed up Courtney''s short hair.


    Lilian''s eyes were a bit sad for parting.


    Courtney was still thinking about the meeting ce and didn''t notice Lilian''s eyes.

 Chapter 158 Being Found By Francis

    Chapter 158Being Found By Francis


    Chapter 158 Being Found By Francis


    Soon, Courtney took her to the train station.


    The train station was crowded with people, and Courtney was relieved to see the crowds.


    To find Lilian among so many people had no difference to find a needle in a haystack. Courtney was


    relieved and she was not afraid Francis would find Lilian.


    "Lily, I''ll see you in Hamiton. Be careful when you take the train. Call me if you have anything wrong,


    okay?"


    Lilian nodded and gestured, "OK, you too. Be careful on the way."


    "Well, I''ll go first." Courtney didn''t dare to dy, for fear that Francis would find them.


    They would not be safe until they got off the freeway.


    Lilian stood there and watched Courtney''s car go away.


    She didn''t intend to leave. Johnson wanted to frame Courtney and make others believe Courtney


    took her away.


    If she really left with Courtney, it would fit in exactly with his wishes. And if she were caught, the


    consequences would be unimaginable.


    Luckily, Courtney had gone. She could definitely not be caught by Francis.


    When Francis found her, he wouldn''t hunt for Courtney.


    Lilian wondered if she had the chance to see Courtney again.


    She stood quietly on the tform. People came and went around, as the cold wind shuttled back


    and forth on the tform. It began to drizzle and the dense rain hung over the pedestrians like fog.


    Everyone was in a hurry, but Lilian stood still.


    After a long time, Lilian took out her mobile phone and bought herself a ticket online.


    She didn''t bring all her certificates, so even if she bought a ticket and got on the train, she couldn''t


    survive in a new ce.


    Lilian sat in the hall, listening to the radio.


    ...


    When Nelson led people to find the room, it was empty.


    Through monitoring, he found that Lilian had appeared on the first floor and then went back.


    But no one was there. He waste.


    Nelson was about to vent his anger, when he got a call, saying that Lilian bought a ticket.


    Lilian sat in the hall for over two hours. It was gettingte and there were fewer people in the hall.


    The people around her had changed a lot, and only she was sitting here.


    Suddenly a shadow was cast overhead. Lilian was dazed and then slowly raised her head.


    Nelson was standing in front of her.


    "Ms. Rossum, pleasee back with us."


    Nelson was breathless. He rushed there for fear that he would bete and Lilian left by car.


    If Lilian went out of the Linnd City, it would be more difficult to find her.


    Lilian pinched her lips. She stood up and nodded.


    Nelson was relieved to see her promise and couldn''t help reminding her, "Mr. Landau is outside."


    Lilian was slightly puzzled. She turned to look at Nelson.


    Nelson gave her a look, indicating her to look out for herself.


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    Lilian''s fingers clenched subconsciously. She pinched her lips, suppressed her anxiety, and walked


    out.


    She came to the parking lot outside the railway station. The rain had stopped and there was some


    water on the ground.


    She stepped on the wet ground and walked to Maibakh, the most eye-catching car.


    Lilian came to the window and stood quietly outside.


    The window slowly fell, revealing Francis'' handsome face. He tilted his head and looked at her with


    cold eyes.


    As the lights in the parking lot were dim, his face was hidden in the darkness, and Lilian couldn''t see


    his expression clearly.


    Lilian''s fingers tightened, and her nails pinched her palm hard.


    Nelson came over and reminded Lilian, "Ms. Rossum, get in the car."

 Chapter 159 Irritate Francis

    Chapter 159Irritate Francis


    Chapter 159 Irritate Francis


    Lilian kept silent for a few seconds. She opened the car door and sat in it.


    Francis was next to her. Lilian clearly felt his cold gaze, as if to tear her into pieces.


    Lilian buried her head deeply, and she dared not look at Francis''s expression.


    Fortunately, Francis didn''t speak anything.


    Nelson also held his breath. He tried his best to reduce his sense of existence and drove smoothly.


    The car was so quiet that Lilian could even hear her breathing.


    The car drove slowly and steadily on the way home. Lilian looked at the retrogressive night scene


    outside, and her heart became tense with the shortening of the journey back.


    Forty minutester, the car stopped at the door of the vi.


    Nelson got out of the car and left here wisely, leaving space for the two.


    Francis still didn''t speak.


    Lilian bit her lip, got up the courage, and turned to peek at him. Francis leaned back in his seat,


    hidden in the dark. Lilian could only see his figure.


    Lilian hesitated and then tugged at his sleeve.


    Francis tilted his head and cast his eyes on her face.


    Lilian lowered her head.


    Francis reached out and lifted her face. "What have you done these three days?"


    Lilian''s body froze, and she couldn''t help recalling the sufferings in these three days.


    Her head began to ache again.


    Lilian raised her hand and exined, "Courtney and I didn''t do anything. We were kidnapped. The


    one..."


    Francis interrupted her, "I know who he is, and my question is what have you done."


    Lilian was shocked and her eyes widened slowly.


    He knew?


    He knew everything indeed.


    But for three days... he didn''t evene to find her.


    Now he asked what she and Johnson had done in the past three days.


    Lilian should get used to his indifference and ignorance.


    But his words still hurt her mercilessly, like a knife cutting her heart and making it blood.


    She moved the corners of her mouth and suddenly smiled.


    Lilian mocked herself. She had ttered herself for so many years. In fact, her long-term affection


    was so cheap.


    Johnson was right. She was really cheap.


    "Answer me."


    Lilian looked at his face in the dark deeply and suppressed the dull pain in her heart. She raised her


    hand and gestured, "What else can single man and woman do?"


    She gestured to him little by little, "We''ve done everything."


    Lilian''s face wrinkled with pain when the hand pinched her jaw suddenly.


    "Really?" He suddenly approached her, and his face appeared under the light.


    "What did you do? Show me."


    Lilian froze. She stared at him with a terrible pain in her heart, as if someone were clenching her


    heart.


    It throbbed.


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    She gestured, "You taught me so. Haven''t you seen everything?"


    Francis''s face turned gloomy bit by bit, and his calm mask was cracked.


    "Voluntary?"


    Lilian pinched her lips and forced a smile hard.


    Seeing his gloomy expression, Lilian wanted to see the calm maskpletely unveiled.


    Even if he didn''t like someone or something, he would never allow others to get their hands on


    them. It was a p in his face.


    Lilian stared at him straight, and with the determination of mutual destruction, she nodded.


    Unfortunately, Lilian only heard a heavy inhtion, and then Francis suddenly opened the car door,


    grabbed her hand, and dragged her down.


    Lilian was rudely dragged out of the car. When she got out, she stepped on the air and fell heavily


    to the ground, causing pain in her knee.


    Francis didn''t even look back, dragging her hand and moving on. Lilian stumbled up and caught up


    with him.


    Francis took her into the bathroom.


    And then she was thrown into a bathtub.


    The water in the bathtub waspletely cold.


    Before she got up, a hand grabbed her chin and pressed her back.

 Chapter 160 Suicide

    Chapter 160Suicide


    Chapter 160 Suicide


    As the cold water kept getting into her nose and throat, Lilian felt choked, and her lungs hurt so


    much.


    Lilian instinctively struggled in the water with her hands and feet and sshed the water in the


    bathtub all over the floor.


    After a few struggles, Francis grabbed her by the cor and pulled her out.


    Lilian breathed in the air desperately and spat out a lot of water from her mouth and nose.


    "Tell me, were you voluntary?" Francis asked it again.


    Lilian opened her eyes. Water kept flowing down from her head and blocking her view.


    She tried to see Francis'' face but failed.


    "Were you voluntary?" He asked again.


    Lilian still nodded.


    As expected, Francis pressed her into the water again.


    Lilian didn''t struggle this time. Shey in the water, letting the cold water drown her, and her hands


    hung down in the water weakly.


    She had never been brave enough to face death. Now Francis helped her.


    Death was not bad. It was a relief.


    As long as she died, no one would be implicated by her, and Lilian herself would be in no pain.


    A woman like her should have died a long time ago.


    Lilian closed her eyes, and memories over the years shed across her mind little by little. She felt


    suffocated and started to lose her consciousness.


    Just then, Francis pulled her out again. As her chest was squeezed, she spat out a lot of water.


    Francis let her go.


    Liliany prone on the bathtub and coughed desperately. She was dripping water from head to toe.


    Water dropped down her sleeves and onto the floor.


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    Francis was also wet. The water spitted out when Lilian struggled had stained his clothes.


    Francis took off his coat and threw it on the ground.


    He squatted down in front of Lilian and raised her chin. "Now tell me, were you voluntary?"


    Lilian forced a smile. She tried tough but failed after many attempts.


    Why did he care so much about her willingness?


    Did it matter whether she was voluntary or not?


    When he chose not to look for her, he should have expected the result.


    He did expect what might happen, but he didn''te to her.


    What was he doing now?


    Was he ming her for not being able to keep herself for him? And making him lose face in front of


    Johnson?


    Lilian didn''t even have the strength to raise her hand. Her head was dizzy and she felt the whole


    world was spinning around.


    Lilian felt her body turning cold, but it was iparable to the coldness inside of her.


    She stared at Francis and nodded again.


    Francis stared at her intently. He was getting increasingly angry and mightsh out at any moment.


    The next second, he threw her into the water hard, "Wash yourself."


    After that, he went out without looking back.


    Liliany in the cold water. In the winter, it felt no different from ice.


    She turned to look at the closed bathroom door, her hair dripping with water, flowing down her neck


    into her cor. The coldness ran down her spine.


    Lilian''s eyes blinked. She closed her eyes and slowly slid into the water, her clothes and hair


    lingering in the water.


    Actually, it was not hard to die.


    Lilian closed her eyes and let the water pour into her nose, feeling the suffocation caused by the


    bursting of water filled with lungs.


    Lilian tried to ignore the physical difort and kept thinking about the past happy times.


    She missed many scenes: Francis held her hand to go to school; he smiled indulgently; he


    rubbed her head and asked her to eat more; he said he didn¡¯t like a skinny wife.


    It was ridiculous that she took the coaxing seriously every time.


    What a stupid woman she was!


    Lilian sighed and made a bitter smile.


    That was it.


    Everything was over.


    She slowly sank to the bottom of the water.


    Francis stood outside for a few minutes but didn''t hear any movement inside. He frowned and


    suddenly kicked the bathroom door away.

 Chapter 161 Lilian Had A Fever

    Chapter 161 Lilian Had A Fever


    Chapter 161 Lilian Had A Fever


    Lilian had a fever.


    The fever was higher than ever before, 42.5 degrees Celsius, which terrified the doctor when he


    saw it.


    He hurried to cool her down physically, administered fever-reducing medication, and used any drugs


    that should be used.


    Francis stood quietly to the side, his gaze falling on her wrist.


    Her wrist was raw with a circle of broken skin, which after blistering, had red dots that were more


    obvious, whitish flesh, and deep indentations that were especially conspicuous.


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    After two hours of busy work, when the doctor saw the temperature drop on the thermometer, he


    copsed exhausted into a chair.


    "Mr. Landau, the fever has subsided, it''s now 39 degrees. We''ll check again in the middle of the


    night to see if it rises again. If it doesn''t, then it should be fine."


    Francis nodded, then asked, "Does she have any other injuries?"


    The doctor paused, as he had been busy trying to lower Lilian''s temperature and hadn''t noticed


    that.


    "I''ll check again," said the doctor, who noticed Lilian''s wrist injury at first nce.


    He took Lilian''s hand and lifted the quilt to look at her ankle.


    "This... It seems that Ms. Rossum has been tied up? These are abrasions from struggling. Looking


    at this part, the rope has nearly cut into the flesh."


    "There are also bruises, I''m not sure if they are from being hit or from a fall."


    Francis pursed his lips, staring at the person on the bed, without saying a word.


    The doctor looked at her head and face, "There seems to be a wound on the head, and some


    bleeding from the scalp, which looks like someone pulled her hair."


    As the doctor spoke, his voice trailed off, what kind of torment had she undergone?


    He nced back at Francis.


    Francis''s expression was unreadable, but his eyes wereplex, "Mr. Landau..."


    "Treat her well, if you can''t, then you might as well die," Francis suddenly spoke, startling the doctor


    with his words.


    The doctor looked at him dumbfounded, this man seemed not to be bluffing.


    "Okay, okay, I understand," the doctor dared not rest. He scrambled up and opened his medical kit.


    Francis sat not far away, watching him like a pair of surveince cameras.


    Even if he had nothing else to do, he had to look busy, so he pressed on Lilian''s wrist, taking her


    pulse.


    Not knowing until he took the pulse, he was startled once he did.


    Ms. Rossum''s body was much weaker than it appeared, as if it had been hollowed out.


    If he guessed correctly, Lilian must have had a recent miscarriage, and then not paid attention to


    recuperation, allowing all sorts of misceneous ailments to take advantage of her weakened state,


    which caused her to now look like an empty shell.


    The doctor looked at Francis cautiously.


    "Speak." Francis spoke abruptly, startling the doctor who retracted his hand and silently swallowed


    the words "it doesn''t look like she will live long."


    He was afraid that if Francis asked him to treat her and he failed, he would die.


    The doctor lied, "Ms. Rossum only has some superficial skin injuries, nothing serious, and her body


    is fine."


    Francis scrutinized him intently, as if to see right through the doctor.


    After a while, Francis withdrew his gaze and looked down at his phone.


    Someone was calling him.


    It was Julian Quinn.


    "Frank,e and save me. A producer wants to take advantage of me! The bastard, he actually


    doesn''t recognize me."


    "Give the phone to him."


    "No, I''m in the restroom. I think I have drunk something dirty. These bad guys, you have toe to


    save me..."


    Francis nced at Lilian on the bed, silent for a moment, and said, "Send me the address."


    Quickly, Julian sent the address.


    Francis stood up and walked out. At the door, he turned back to the doctor and said, "Take good


    care of her."


    The doctor nodded nkly.

 Chapter 162 Dont Use Such Low Tactics

    Chapter 162 Don''t Use Such Low Tactics


    Chapter 162 Don''t Use Such Low Tactics


    Francis left without looking back.


    The doctor let out a long sigh, copsed in the chair, and looked pitifully at the unconscious Lilian.


    Francis arrived at the club, found thedies'' room, and called Julian.


    After a while, Julian came out staggering.


    When she saw Francis, she threw herself into his arms, her eyes blurry with tears, "Frank, you


    finally came. If you hadn''t, I would not have been able to go back tonight."


    "If I can''t face you in the future, then I will just have to die."


    "Don''t talk nonsense," Francis bent down and picked her up, "I''ll take you back."


    Julian wrapped her arms around his neck, coquettishly asking, "Are you afraid that I am dead?"


    Francis looked down at her.


    Julian had a very delicate makeup today, with fiery red lips, bewitching but not gaudy, worthy of the


    term ''little demoness.''


    But Francis said, "Don''t wear such heavy makeup when you go out at night in the future."


    Julian was stunned for a moment, and she buried her head in his chest, feeling downcast, "Frank, I


    feel terrible."


    "Don''t touch me indiscriminately."


    "Where did you park the car?"


    Francis didn''t answer her, carrying her to the parking lot and cing her in the back seat.


    Just as he was about to get up and leave, Julian unexpectedly grabbed his tie, pulling him down.


    "Frank..." Julian looked at him deeply, her eyes bewitchingly as if they could hook away someone''s


    soul.


    Francis watched her impassively.


    Julian mustered her courage to get closer to him, but in the next second, Francis mped her hand


    and pulled his tie back.


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    Julian''s heart fluttered, "Frank!"


    Francis was already standing outside the car, straightening his tie, his gaze slightly warning, "Don''t


    use such low tactics."


    Having said that, he mmed the car door and went to the driver''s seat.


    Juliany half sprawled in the back seat, her gaze somewhat vacant. How did he know?


    The producer indeed had intentions towards her, but he hadn''t given her anything-it was her own...


    She wanted to take advantage of this opportunity to get Francis, with the producer taking the me


    anyway.


    She didn''t expect to be seen through by Francis. Julian was both angry and annoyed, but more than


    that, she was sad.


    Perhaps no one would believe if she told them that Francis doted on her, held her, was affectionate


    with her in front of others, and even stayed at her house.


    Whenever someone tried to set him up with another woman, he would say his girlfriend would get


    angry. For those women who tried to approach him, Julian would beat and scold them, drive them


    away, and he indulged her in all of it.


    Even withdies from prestigious families, Julian dared to hit them, and Francis would personally


    apologize to them afterwards.


    In the eyes of others, he loved her immensely.


    But only Julian knew that for all these years, he had never once touched her.


    Yes, not even once.


    Although Julian knew that he only loved himself, she didn''t know, apart from loving himself, how


    much he really cared for her.


    Julian was probably feeling the effects of the alcohol. She couldn''t help but lie down in the back and


    start to cry.


    She cried and made a scene.


    "Francis, do you love me at all?"


    "Why are you so indifferent to me!!"


    "I hate you, you''re such a scumbag!"


    "Falling in love with you has been the worst luck of my life!"


    Julian cried and beat the back of his seat, but Francis remained unmoved, driving quietly, letting her


    cry and fuss in the back.


    "Say something..."


    Julian cried in despair, "Do you love me?"

 Chapter 163 You Are Awake

    Chapter 163 You Are Awake


    Chapter 163 You Are Awake


    Francis remained silent throughout.


    Julian grew tired from the fuss in the back, but because she had drunk dirty liquor, she twisted and


    turned, asionally making noises.


    Any other man might have been unable to resist, but Francis was as still as the deep waters,


    unaffected.


    He drove to the hospital, got out, opened the car door, and carried Julian out.


    "Frank, I feel awful." Julian''s wrist clinging to his neck, her head pressing against his chest, like a


    radar, she actively moved towards the man''s lips.


    "Do you love me..."


    "It''s okay, I don''t want you to take responsibility. I want you..."


    "I don''t want anything. I just want you..."


    Francis frowned, and suddenly put her back in the car. He tore off his tie and tied her hands


    together.


    Julian was momentarily stunned, and in a daze, Francis picked her up again and strode towards the


    hospital.


    Julian was choked with anger, and she struggled a bit but couldn''t free herself. In a huff, she turned


    her head and bit Francis''s arm.


    Francis''s face darkened, he restrained his anger and said, "Julian, if you keep acting up, believe it


    or not, I''ll throw you down!"


    Julian bit his arm, blinked her eyes, and although she didn''t let go, her grip lessened a lot.


    It came to the next day.


    Lilian opened her eyes in a daze, her gaze somewhat vacant as she looked at the snow-white


    ceiling.


    Her mind had just regained consciousness and was still chaotic. For a moment, she couldn''t


    distinguish between dreams and reality.


    Slowly, the events that had happened began to flood her mind, and her expression changed.


    "Ms. Rossum, you''re awake." came the doctor''s joyful voice.


    Lilian turned her neck to look at the doctor.


    The doctor hurriedly took out a thermometer and handed it to Lilian, "Let''s take your temperature to


    see if the fever has gone down?"


    Lilian stared at the thermometer, her eyes flickering. She tried to lift her hand, but she couldn''t


    muster any strength, not even to raise her hand.


    Seeing this, the doctor hesitated for a moment, then ced the thermometer by her mouth, "Then


    hold it in your mouth, but it might not be very urate."


    Saying this, he moved the thermometer closer to her mouth.


    Lilian tugged at the corner of her mouth, slightly opened it, and bit down on the thermometer.


    She watched the doctor''s busy figure, her gaze momentarily dazed and a bit forlorn.


    She thought that she really could have been dead.


    Unexpectedly, she still had to endure the torment of this mundane world.


    Lilian closed her eyes, feeling groggy, having given up on trying to think.


    A few minutester, the doctor took the thermometer out of her mouth, looked at it closely, and


    finally sighed in relief.


    "Great, the fever has gone down, but since medication was used, I still need to observe further," the


    doctor muttered to himself, shook the thermometer, and put it back in the medicine box.


    The doctor sat down next to her, hesitated before speaking, "Ms. Rossum, if I may be so bold, have


    you had a miscarriage before?"


    Lilian was slightly startled and turned her head to look at the doctor.


    The doctor hurriedly said, "I mean no offense, just asking casually. Your body is particrly weak


    now, and you need to take good care of yourself."


    "Otherwise..." The doctor didn''t conclude, speaking very generally, "Otherwise, it would be very


    troublesometer."


    Lilian stared at him, silent from beginning to end.


    The doctor looked quite young, around twenty-seven or twenty-eight, with a full head of hair,


    wearing ck-rimmed sses, and his nodding demeanor gave him a somewhat naive


    appearance.


    Lilian paused, then extended her hand from under the covers and gestured: Do you understand


    signnguage?


    The doctor stared at her fingers for a moment, then said embarrassingly, "Ms. Rossum, I don''t


    understand."


    Lilian dropped her hand, ceasing to gesture.


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    The doctor scratched his head, showing no surprise or other expressions, which Lilian found


    somewhat unustomed to.


    "Oh, right, your phone has been ringing all night, it seems like someone has been sending you


    messages, would you like to check?"

 Chapter 164 An Invisible Cage

    Chapter 164 An Invisible Cage


    Chapter 164 An Invisible Cage


    The doctor handed the phone to Lilian.


    Lilian took the phone, looked at it, and as expected, the messages were from Courtney.


    She asked Lilian how much longer until she reached Hamiton, where she was, why she wasn''t


    replying to her messages, whether something had happened, and so on.


    Lilian read the messages one by one, pursed her lips, and typed a reply to Courtney.


    -[Sorry, Courtney, I''ve gone home. I can''t make it to Hamiton.]


    Courtney was still resting at the service area, and when she saw the message, she was stunned for


    a moment, feeling a hint of anger rising in her heart.


    Courtney: [What do you mean?]


    Lilian seemed to sense her anger from these few words.


    Lilian closed her eyes, steeled her heart, opened her eyes and typed on the phone: [I''ve realized


    that I still can''t leave him.]


    Lilian: [I''m sorry, Courtney.]


    Lilian: [Take care of yourself out there, and if there''s a chance to meet, I''ll apologize to you in


    person.]


    After typing this series of messages, Lilian''s hand fell weakly.


    Ayer of mist formed in her eyes.


    She also wanted to leave the Linnd City, and to go out with Courtney to see the world, whether to


    wander or to travel around the world.


    It was better than being trapped in Francis from beginning to end of her whole life.


    For twenty years, her joys and sorrows, her life and time, have all been upied by him,


    everywhere and in everything.


    She was Francis''s wife, the mute of the Landau family, the adopted daughter of the Landau family,


    and the poor orphan.


    The only thing she wasn''t is herself.


    the Linnd City was like an invisible cage, trapping her here, by Francis''s side. For her entire life,


    she was unable to glimpse the outside world.


    But she couldn''t. She has been trapped in the cage and couldn''t get out. She couldn''t break


    Courtney''s wings for her own freedom.


    Courtney could fly far on her own and go see the outside world for her.


    Courtney stared at the message for a long time, not knowing how to reply.


    After a long while, she typed a reply to Lilian.


    [Forget it, this is your own choice, and I don''t me you, but you have to take care of yourself. The


    path is your own choice, and you have to walk it on your own from now on.]


    After typing this, Courtney sent the message and irritably tossed the phone onto the passenger


    seat.


    It would probably be several yearster before she woulde back again.N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.


    A few years are neither long nor short, but enough time to change everything beyond recognition.


    Lilian looked at the message, felt a twinge at the tip of her nose, and finally, tears uncontrobly fell.


    For a moment, she didn''t know whether it was she who had saved Courtney, or Francis who had


    intentionally driven Courtney away from her.


    Otherwise, why did he only appear after Courtney had left, three dayster?


    Lilian didn''t want to think about it, nor was she willing to.


    She knew that no matter what she did, she could never outy Francis.


    She couldn''t even win against Johnson, let alone Francis.


    The doctor beside her watched and couldn''t help but sigh again.


    Although he didn''t know why Lilian was crying so desperately, he stillforted her, "Ms. Rossum,


    please don''t cry, and crying too much is bad for your health."


    "You need to cheer yourself up now, so your body will recover faster, otherwise, your health will get


    worse and worse."


    Lilian turned her head to look at the doctor, tears rolling down her cheeks onto the pillow.


    The doctor looked at her deste figure, feeling an inexplicable tightness in his heart, wondering


    why a good person had ended up like this.


    The doctor couldn''t help saying, "This way you won''t live long."


    The moment these words were spoken, Francis happened to push the door open.

 Chapter 165 It was All an Illusion

    Chapter 165It was All an Illusion


    Chapter 165 It Was All An Illusion


    The voice wasn''t loud, but it was enough to startle both of them.


    Lilian watched hime in after a long journey and her eyshes trembled, that once longed-for


    face now made it hard for her to breathe just by looking at it.


    Not living long is good. If she couldn''t live long, she wouldn''t have to suffer every day.


    The doctor felt somewhat guilty. He didn''t know whether Francis had heard his words, so he stood


    up sheepishly, "Mr. Landau."


    Francis strode over, still carrying a chill with him, and sat down beside Lilian, "How is she?"


    The doctor said, "Her fever has gone down. If she doesn''t have another fever tonight, she should be


    fine."


    Francis nodded, "You can go out first."


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    The doctor sighed with relief and hurriedly left the room.


    The bedroom was quiet, and Lilian gazed at the man''s face with a heavy heart. All her emotions


    compressed inside like a stone pressed on her heart.


    Francis looked down at her and reached out to touch her forehead, but Lilian turned her head to


    avoid it.


    Francis''s gaze darkened, but he still ced his hand on her forehead.


    His hand was cool yet not freezing.


    "Lily," he called her softly.


    Lilian was taken aback, and her lips pressed tightly together, refusing to look at him.


    Francis cupped her face, turning it towards him, "I''m sorry, I shouldn''t have treated you like thatst


    night. Ca you stop being angry?"


    Lilian bit her lip, lifting her eyelids, staring straight at his face.


    A rare tenderness appeared in his eyes and he seemed to have returned to being that gentle man.


    But it was all an illusion.


    It wouldn''t be long before he became that indifferent and horrifying man again.


    He was just trying to get back control.


    Francis''s hand slipped under the quilt, taking her hand, he said to her in a low voice, "No matter


    what you did with him these past three days, I won''t ask about it in the future."


    "But what he did to you, I will take back little by little, okay?"


    Lilian pursed her lips, her eyes flickering, trying to discern something from his face.


    But he hid it too well, nothing could be seen.


    "Don''t be angry, okay?" He pinched her hand, then suddenly leaned over to touch her cheek.


    His every act of tenderness made her fall for him again. She would want to forgive him and take him


    back with just a few words of his.


    He always had a firm grip on her. Because he always gave her the illusion that he loved her.


    Looking into his affectionate eyes, she could no longer hold back the grievances and resentments


    buried in her heart and started sobbing.


    She raised her hand, gesturing: Why didn''t youe to save me?


    Francis watched her hand, suddenly falling silent.


    Lilian held up her hand. There was no need to ask the rest. His silence was the best answer.


    She slowly lowered her hand, disappointment climbing into her eyes.


    The disappointment inside slowly overwhelmed her.


    But Francis took her hand, sighed softly, and said three words, "I''m sorry."


    I''m sorry...


    How ironic the apology was! Did he think these words could change everything?


    She would appear petty and narrow-minded if she didn''t forgive him after he made the apology,


    wouldn''t she?


    Lilian withdrew her hand, gesturing: I''m tired.


    Her gesture silenced Francis.


    Francis looked at her with aplex expression, and after a while, he said, "Eat something before


    you sleep."


    Lilian shook her head and grabbed the quilt to cover herself.


    Francis wasn''t asking for her opinion. He stood up, walked out of the bedroom, and in less than


    twenty minutes, brought back a bowl of porridge.


    He pulled Lilian''s head out of the quilt, "Get up and eat."


    Lilian still shook her head.

 Chapter 166 Be Obedient

    Chapter 166 Be Obedient


    Chapter 166 Be Obedient


    He held her shoulders, forcefully let her sit up, picked up the bowl, scooped a spoonful of porridge,


    and put it to her mouth.


    Lilian tightly pursed her lips, refusing to open her mouth.


    "Be obedient. Open your mouth."


    She angrily turned her head aside.


    He suddenly called her name and gloomily said, "It seems the porridge is not to your liking."


    Lilian was stunned to hear this.


    And he soon continued, "There seems no need to keep the chef''s hands."


    Lilian abruptly turned her head back and stared at him in disbelief.


    Meeting his cold eyes, she did not think he was joking. She intently stared at him. If it were in the


    past, she would have thought he was scaring her. But after what had happened to Courtney, she no


    longer dared to doubt his words.


    He asked onest time, "Will you eat it?"


    Lilian kept silent for two seconds with her head down. Then, she raised her head, leaned over, and


    took the spoon in her mouth.


    Francis''s expression returned to normal. He smiled and slowly fed her.


    After she quietly finished the porridge bite by bite, heid her down and allowed her to sleep.


    She turned her back to him and kept her eyes open, unable to fall asleep. She stared out the


    window. There were dense water drops on the ss. It was drizzle, and the sky was gray.


    N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.


    The lights in the bedroom were on. Although it was daytime, she could see the reflection on the


    window.


    When she saw him sitting next to her and looking down at her, she closed her eyes and stopped


    looking. After a while, he walked out. She didn''t open her eyes until she heard the door close.


    In the next few days, Francis visited her every morning, noon, and evening, supervising her eating


    and taking medicine. After she almost recovered, he came less frequently.


    Francis went to thepany as usual and bumped into Johnson outside the elevator.


    Johnson smiled, "Francis, have you found your pet?"


    Francis put his hands in his pockets, nced sideways at him, and said with a fake smile, "When


    did you be interested in my pet?"


    He implied something, but Johnson pretended not to understand and said, "I''m not interested. I''m


    just worried about you. You work hard every day. Seeing you waste energy on a pet, I''m afraid your


    body can''t bear it."


    Francisughed, "Really? Thank you."


    "Don''t mention it. That''s what I should do."


    Francis said, "You should also pay more attention to your health. You must be busy with those


    investment projects now, right?"


    Johnson was stunned. After the smile froze on his lips for two seconds, he replied, "No, I''m not very


    busy."


    "That''s good. Since you''re watching, I won''t ask about those projects."


    Johnson nodded, "Thank you for your trust."


    Francis smiled in response and stopped talking.


    When entering the elevator and going upstairs, they both remained silent.


    When Francis entered the office, Harriet knocked on the door, came in, and said, "Mr. Landau, Lilian


    hasn''te to work for half a month. It''s Nelson who brought her here. But when I asked him about


    it, he said he did not know. It''s weird."


    Francis picked up a file on the table and said without raising his head, "Help her apply for a leave."


    Harriet paused and nodded, "OK! How long?"


    "A month."


    "So long? I''m afraid it is not inpliance with ourpany regtions. Moreover, she is new.


    Others willin."

 Chapter 167 Do As I Say

    Chapter 167 Do As I Say


    Chapter 167 Do As I Say


    Francis paused and looked up at Harriet who calmly stood there with a professional smile in a


    businesslike manner.


    He asked, "What do you think I should do?"


    She was stunned to hear it and said, "Mr. Landau, I am just reporting to you the problems it may


    cause. Everything is up to you."


    "Do as I say."


    She nodded, "Yes, Mr. Landau. I''ll help her ask for a one-month leave."


    "You can go out now."


    Harriet turned around and walked outward. When she arrived at the door, she looked up at Francis


    and saw him still reading the document in his hand with his head down. Then, she closed the door


    and silently left.


    After a while, Nelson came in and reported to him about Clyde¡¯s affair.


    "Clyde has been convicted of embezzlement. Because he returned part of the money, he was


    sentenced to seven years in prison."


    "What else?"


    Nelson hesitated and said, "It is rumored in thepany that I brought Ms. Rossum here. I..."


    He wanted to nip the danger in the bud. Otherwise, he might follow in Clyde''s footsteps after the


    rumor got more outrageous.


    Francis replied without even looking at him, "I know. You can leave now."


    Nelson breathed a sigh of relief, nodded, and exited. When he met Harriet at the door, he politely


    greeted her.


    She said, "Nelson, Mr. Landau asked me to help Lilian apply for a one-month leave."


    Nelson unthinkingly replied, "I see. Thank you very much."


    Harriet''s gaze wandered on his face before she smiled, "You''re wee. Do you owe me a favor


    now?"


    Nelson smiled, "Sure. Please don¡¯t hesitate to tell me if you need my help."


    "OK! I will tell you when I need your help."


    Harriet had the answer in her mind, so she didn''t ask any more questions.


    After casually exchanging pleasantries, they parted and got back to work.


    --


    Lilian had almost recovered. The doctor came to check on her every three days. Most of the time,


    she sat in the room alone in a daze.


    The doctor took her pulse, examined her injuries, and nodded, "Ms. Rossum, you have gotten over


    your cold. And your injuries have almost healed. However, you are still weak. Don''t let yourself


    catch a cold again. Otherwise, the consequences will be disastrous."


    Lilian looked up at him, nodded, and picked up a piece of paper with ¡°Thank you¡± on it.


    The doctor couldn''t helpughing every time he saw these two words. He was not mocking her.


    Instead, he thought she looked cute when she raised the paper.


    There were several pieces of papers on the table. In addition to "Thank you," there were other daily


    expressions such as "You''re wee" and "Sorry".


    "Ms. Rossum, please be happy. When you are in a good mood, you will recover sooner."


    Lilian pursed her lips and looked at the TV broadcasting entertainment news. The drama had cost


    300 million dors and had a luxurious all-star lineup. The protagonist was Julian. When she stood


    among the stars, she was in the limelight.


    N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    Francis was generous to Julian. When Lilian couldn''t even afford the medical fees, he invested 300


    million dors in Julian¡¯s y to help her enter the showbiz.


    Julian could do whatever she liked and get into trouble. But Lilian couldn''t do anything. At the same


    time, Francis asked her to wash the dishes. When she worked in hispany, he had others look


    down upon her.


    When the doctor called her Ms. Rossum, she felt it was ironic.


    The doctor pondered for a while, took out his phone from his pocket, clicked on a video, and


    showed it to her, saying, "Ms. Rossum, please watch."


    Lilian looked away from the TV and looked at his phone.


    It was a collection of funny videos about pets. The animals in it were naughty. Some puppies could


    even dance. She did not know if it was post-produced but thought it was fun.


    Watching the video, she couldn''t help smiling.

 Chapter 168 But He Didnt Reply

    Chapter 168 But He Didn''t Reply


    Chapter 168 But He Didn''t Reply


    Cute things were always healing.


    "I will send this ount to you. It has many such videos. Please watch them when you have time."


    Lilian nodded, took out her phone, and friended the doctor.


    After sending the ount to her, the doctor stood up and said, "I''ll leave now."


    She nodded and picked up the paper with "Goodbye" on it.


    The doctor smiled, picked up his medicine box, and left.


    After Lilian watched the video, her mood became much better. Then, she thought of something and


    sent a message to Wilfred to ask about how Fabiana''s matter was going on.


    But he didn''t reply.


    She lowered her head, yed the video from the doctor, and repeatedly watched it.


    She was so focused on it that she didn''t notice someoneing in. When a shadow enveloped her,


    she btedly raised her head.


    When she saw theer, her fingers trembled. Then, the phone slipped from her hand and fell


    heavily onto the ground. She subconsciously shrank back and stared at him in horror.


    Yes, theer was Johnson.


    He politely smiled, "Ms. Rossum, what''s wrong?"


    If he hadn''t grabbed her head and smashed it against the door with such a smile, she would have


    thought he was not the attacker.


    When she tightly held the sofa, her shoulders shook violently.


    Johnson asked, "Are you feeling unwell?"


    While speaking, he reached out to touch her forehead. Lilian was so frightened that she pushed his


    hand away and rolled off the sofa. She didn''t even have time to care about the pain in her knees. As


    soon as she got up from the ground, she ran to the nearest room.


    Seeing her run away like a frightened rabbit, Johnson couldn''t helpughing.


    After entering the room, Lilian locked the door, leaned against it, and gasped for air.


    Johnson didn''t chase her because Francis came back.


    He turned around, looked at Francis entering the door, and said, "Francis, it seems I came at the


    right time."


    Francis stared at him for two seconds and then nced at the TV. The news was still being


    broadcast, but he did not see Lilian.


    He walked over, expressionlessly looked at Johnson, and asked, "Why are you here?"


    "Nothing. You are so busy that you have no time to answer my calls. So, I came here to meet you."


    "What do you want to talk about?"


    Johnson replied, "I want to discuss those investment projects with you. I..."


    Before he could finish speaking, Francis''s phone suddenly rang.


    After Francis took it out and saw the caller ID, he nced at Johnson. He maintained a smile so


    Francis couldn''t guess what he was thinking. When Francis answered the phone in front of him,


    Everett roared on the phone, "Where are you now?"


    "At home."


    "Come back right away, no matter where you are. Did you hear me? Come back!"


    Francis pretended not to hear his anger and calmly said, "OK."


    "Dad called you?"


    Francis hung up the phone and nodded, "Johnson, it seems you need to return with me."


    "What''s wrong?"


    Francis sarcastically smiled, "Isn''t it obvious? Stop pretending. Let''s go."


    Johnson pondered for a moment and followed him outward.


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    When he noticed something, he looked back at the room. The door opened a crack, revealing a pair


    of frightened eyes.


    Seeing him nce back, Lilian closed the door in panic.


    Johnson raised his eyebrows. Looking away from the room, he met Francis''s deep gaze.

 Chapter 169 Wheres Dad

    Chapter 169 Where''s Dad


    Chapter 169 Where''s Dad


    Johnson nonchntly asked, "Francis, don''t you need to lock the door?"


    Francis quietly looked at him briefly and said, "Mind your own business."


    Then, he turned around and got into the car outside the door.


    Johnson''s smile faded when he got into his car.


    Lilian hid behind the door. When she heard the cars moving away, she carefully opened the door


    and walked out. Johnson had caused severe psychic trauma to her in the past few days, so she felt


    scared when seeing him.


    When Francis returned to the Landau family, Ruby and Rosalie anxiously waited in the living room.


    Seeing them back, Rosalie took Francis''s arm, saying, "Frank, wee back."


    Francis nodded as a greeting and asked, "Where''s Dad?"


    N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.


    She replied, "He is in the study room. It would be best to have a nice attitude after you go in. He is


    angry."


    Francis nodded and went to the study as if nothing had happened.


    When he knocked on the door and walked in, Everett stood before the floor-to-ceiling window with


    his back toward the door.


    He was over sixty and had gray hair. But he was hale and hearty and stood with his back straight.


    Francis came up behind him and said, "Dad."


    Everett turned around to nce at him in reading sses. And the look in his eyes behind the


    sses was full of anger.


    "Look at the mess you made!"


    Everett took a stack of documents out of nowhere and heavily threw them at Francis''s chest.


    Seeing the documents scattered all over the floor, Francis remained calm. He bent down, randomly


    picked up a piece of paper, and read the information.


    "It is Johnson''s project."


    Everett red at him and said, "He says you signed your name. You say it is his project. Are you


    two trying to pass the buck? Who should I talk to? Both of you are working in thepany. I did not


    expect you to make such a mistake. How can you two be so useless?"


    Francis raised his eyes to nce at him and said, "I signed my name because there is nothing


    wrong with the project n itself. It is he who made a mistake when operating it."


    Hearing this, Everett became even angrier. He nced at the door, lowered his voice, and sincerely


    said, "How dare you let him operate such a big project alone? What are you thinking?"


    Although Johnson had worked in thepany for two years, Everett had not fully trusted him. And


    the fact proved his vignce was correct.


    It had been only a short while after Johnson had invested in severalpanies. But every one of


    them had gotten in trouble. One had gone bankrupt. One''s owner had made off with money. And


    one''s owner had gone to prison.


    Was it a coincidence? It was normal for people to feel suspicious.


    "I''m sorry, Dad. It is my negligence. He has worked in thepany for two years and is capable.


    So, I didn''t ask about his project. I should not have trusted him so much."


    Francis lowered his eyes, pretending to be remorseful.


    Everett was so furious that he paced back and forth in front of the window, looking troubled.


    After a while, he looked back at Francis and asked, "What should we do now? Can we get the


    money back?"


    Francis replied, "It depends on Johnson."


    Everett snorted, "Johnson is a bastard! Frank, I suspect he is using this project to transfer our


    company''s assets. You must get the money back! Otherwise, thepany''s capital chain may


    rupture. The entire Landau Group will get into crisis! Do you understand?"


    Francis slightly nodded, "Yes."

 Chapter 170 Hows It Going

    Chapter 170 How''s It Going


    Chapter 170 How''s It Going


    "It''s good that you understand. We can''t fall out with him for now. You must find the evidence of him


    transferring the assets and force him to return the money!"


    "Yes."


    Everett waved his hand and said, "OK. Go out and call Johnson in."


    Francis nodded, turned around, and walked out.


    Johnson was talking to Ruby downstairs. When they saw Francising down, they both stood up.


    Ruby was more nervous. She feared Johnson would be kicked out or jailed because she did not


    want her love wasted.


    She asked, "How''s it going?"


    Francis said, "Johnson, Dad asked you to go to the study."


    Ruby instantly became anxious, held Johnson''s hand, and said, "Will you get in trouble?"


    Ruby had overheard this matter when her father had talked on the phone. So, she had been on


    tenterhooks for long.


    Johnson soothingly patted her hand and said, "No. I''ll be back soon. Don''t worry."


    Then, he retracted his hand, turned around, and went upstairs.


    Ruby walked to Francis and pleadingly looked at him, saying, "Francis, please help Johnson. He


    has worked hard for thepany for the past two years and has never made any mistakes. You


    know it."


    Francis nced at her and emotionlessly said, "Don''t worry. He will be fine for the time being."


    "For the time being? What do you mean?"


    Francis slowly said, "Take it literally."


    Ruby felt highly anxious. She wanted to say something more, but Francis pushed her hand off and


    walked out.


    After she anxiously paced back and forth in the house, she went to beg Rosalie. But thetter was


    tired of such words. Her thought was simple. As long as her son was OK, she would not bother to


    care about other people.


    Half an hourter, Johnson came downstairs. Ruby did not know what they had said in the study,


    but his expression was the same as usual.


    She hurriedly stepped forward and asked, "How is it?"


    "Ruby, I must go out now. I''ll talk to you when I return."


    He smiled, touched her head, and walked outward.


    The baby suddenly cried. So, she let him go and turned around to coax her son.


    After Johnson went out of the house, his smile instantly disappeared. He walked to a deserted


    ce, took out his phone, and made a call.


    After answering the call, the person on the other end remained silent, waiting for him to speak.


    Johnson asked, "Did you act so quickly? Have you transferred out the money I invested in those


    companies?"


    After being silent for several seconds, the person replied, "Will you believe me if I say I did not do


    it?"


    Johnson widened his eyes and asked, "What do you mean?"


    "I mean, thosepanies have gotten in trouble before I act. I didn''t transfer a penny out."


    Johnson could no longer remain calm. And his face turned a little pale.


    "Are you lying to me?"


    "Do I need to lie to you? We are cooperating, and our goals are the same. We did not do it for


    money, right?"


    N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    Johnson pondered for a while and said, "I know. I''m not talking about money. But if you didn''t do it,


    things might not be simple."


    "What do you mean?"


    "It''s Francis. Only he would have done such a thing."

 Chapter 171 Scheme

    Chapter 171 Scheme


    Chapter 171 Scheme


    The man was confused, "Why? He has no reason to do this. He is now the only son of the Landau


    family, and the entire Landau Group will be his in the future. What is his purpose in doing this?"


    "Only son?" Johnson sneered, "Are you saying this to me? I''m afraid he already knew something."


    The man sighed.


    "Let''s stop here." Johnson hung up the phone and walked out quickly.


    On the way out, he saw Francis''s car. The car was parked quietly on the road with its lights still on,


    seemingly waiting for him.


    Johnson walked over and saw Francis sitting inside through the car window.


    Francis put his arm on the car window, holding a cigarette between his fingertips, and his cor was


    casually open, looking a bit carefree.


    Johnson raised a smile at the corner of his mouth and greeted him, "Boss, are you waiting for me?"


    Francis turned his head and stared at him indifferently. Smoke curled up in the air, making his face


    look a little more inscrutable.


    "My dear brother-inw. You are so smart, and how could you make such a mistake?" Francis''s


    tone was unclear, and it was hard to figure out what he wanted to express.


    Johnson smiled, opened the car door, and got in.


    After he sat firmly, the car drove out and stopped at a remote fork in the road.


    Francis lowered the window, took out another cigarette, leaned against the window, and lit the


    cigarette.


    The light of the lighter reflected on his face and was quickly extinguished.


    Johnson turned to look at him, "I was still a little confused and wanted to ask you about it, but now it


    seems that there is no need."


    "It''s all something we know well, so why bother asking again and again?"


    "Then what do you want me to do?"


    Francis flicked the ashes from his cigarette and tilted his head slightly, "Where is that person?"


    Johnson paused for a moment, then felt relieved, "You do know."


    Francis said nothing.


    Something came to Johnson''s mind. Heughed self-deprecatingly, "So, you were just pretending in


    front of me before?"


    "That''s right. In fact, I already guessed it. The first n didn''t pass while the second did so easily."


    "It''s a pity that I didn''t guess yourst step. I feel bad for Lilian Rossum."


    Johnson said with a sigh. He only told Lilian that Francis didn''t care about her because he wanted


    to arouse her.


    Now it seemed that Francis really didn''t care about her.


    He knew that Lilian was in his hands, but he pretended not to know and acted anxious in front of


    him to make him rx his vignce.


    It was only after the n was submitted and approved that he began to search for Lilian''s


    whereabouts.


    Johnson thought that he was really worried about Lilian''s safety, so he was not interested in working


    and submitted the n with reassurance.


    N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    Although heter guessed that Francis might have done it on purpose, since everything was signed,


    all he had to do was transfer the moneyter.


    Anyway, it was signed by Francis Landau.


    At that time, with some strings pulled, thepany''s capital chain would be broken and turnover


    would be difficult, and they would have only two options, either to sell the shares or to dilute the


    original shares bt adding new shares.


    Either way, it gave him an opportunity to take advantage of it. He could use the transferred money


    to pocket Landau Group''s shares bit by bit.


    Unexpectedly, Francis guessed hisst step and did what he wanted to do before him.


    Francis''s eyes dimmed. His hand was hanging outside the window, and the cigarette was half-


    through. The white ash broke off and fell lightly to the ground.


    Francis ignored the question and asked him, "Why did you do this?"


    Johnson said, "Shouldn''t I ask you this?"


    Francis still ignored the first half of his sentence and asked, "I want to know why you did this. What


    is your purpose for lurking in the Landau family?"


    Johnson also lit a cigarette, leaned against the car window, looked at the night scene outside, and


    said, "What if I don''t tell you?"

 Chapter 172 Battle

    Chapter 172 Battle


    Chapter 172 Battle


    Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org.


    "It doesn''t matter. If you don''t want to talk about it, you can find a way to spit out the asses you


    transferred," Francis said lightly.


    Johnson couldn''t helpughing when he heard this.


    "Is it proper for you to say that?"


    "Johnson, this is not my words, and you should know that. You do not have to y a word game


    with me here. I have no recording."


    Johnson''s cigarette-holding finger paused a little. Since he got in the car, he had been very careful


    with his talking.


    With Francis withholding, he did not say too many words. He only followed Francis.


    He was afraid that Francis might have a recording pen in his pocket, if he leaked a word, he would


    not be able to get out of the Landau''s house tonight.


    Johnson did not expect that he should guess his mind so quickly.


    He knew before that Francis was not easy to deal with, so in the past two years, he had been acting


    within the rules and dared not do anything reckless.


    This time, he finally seized an opportunity, but was backfired.


    Now, Johnson had to view this man from a new perspective.


    He turned his head to stare at Francis. The smile on his face disappeared, and his short curly hair


    covered his sides, making his face look inscrutable.


    " Francis Landau, I only have one question for you."


    "Say it."


    "Do you know anything about Lilian''s family?" Johnson''s voice was not the same as usual, less


    mild, more serious.


    Hearing this, Francis frowned but did not answer.


    Johnson waited for a few seconds and put on his usual smile.


    Francis''s silence let both sides know the answer.


    He opened the car door, turned to Francis, and said, "Francis, if you want to be a good person, do it


    to the end. If you want to be a bad person, do it more thoroughly."


    "Or else... You won''t get anything."


    That said, Johnson got off the car and walked away without looking back.


    The sky was drizzling. In the light of the streetmp, it was like ayer of fog, and the entire city


    buildings were shrouded in that fog, hard to be seen.


    Johnson''s shadow stretched under the streetmp, gradually moving away, and finally disappeared.


    Francis stared in the direction of his leaving and looked inscrutable.


    With everything put on the table, the true battle had just begun.


    ...


    Azure Shores.


    Francis stood in front of the sofa, looking down at the girl on the sofa.


    She curled herself up in a ball, her whole head buried in the sofa, hugging herself tightly, like a


    puppy dog in a sleeping position.


    Lilian was not a deep sleeper. The moment the sofa sank, she woke up.


    She looked back in panic and saw Francis. Then she sighed in relief, disappointment climbing up


    her eyes.


    "Why are you sleeping here again?" Francis reached out his hand and touched her cheek.


    Lilian stared directly at him, still maintaining the posture of curling up.


    His fingers were a little cold. When they fell on Lilian''s face, she cringed.


    Francis slightly bent over and leaned in front of her, the faint smell of toboing from his body.


    He took her face in his hands and whispered, "Go to bed, okay?"


    His voice was very soft as if he were coaxing a child.

 Chapter 173 Illusion

    Chapter 173 Illusion


    Chapter 173 Illusion


    Lilian looked at him, and before she could speak, the man picked her up.


    Lilian subconsciously hugged his neck, looked at his chin, and then lowered her eyes silently.


    Francis put her on the bed, grabbed her hand and looked at it. There were scabs on her wrists, and


    some of them had begun to fall off, revealing the red skin.


    He held her hand and looked at it carefully for a moment, then turned to look at Lilian, "Does it still


    hurt?"


    Lilian shook her head.


    He held Lilian''s hand and rubbed it carefully, with an illusion of tenderness in his eyes.


    Lilian closed her eyes, not wanting to look at this face.


    He was always like this. With just a few words, she could deceive herself and then be immersed in


    the illusion she spun.


    Francis stared at her reaction, and the air was a little condensed.


    Suddenly, a sudden cell phone ringtone broke the tense atmosphere.


    Francis let go of her and walked aside to answer the phone.


    Lilian opened her eyes and turned her head to look. He turned his back to her, whispered


    something, and left the bedroom without looking back.


    Lilian pursed her lips, grabbed the quilt next to her, and held it tightly in her arms.


    Just as she closed her eyes, her head suddenly buzzed, and she covered her head with a painful


    expression.


    After the buzzing, there was a pinprick-like pain, as if countless needles and arrows were firing.


    She curled up alone on the bed, her shoulders shaking slightly.


    No one knew how long it took before she gradually calmed down.


    Lilian looked at the ceiling. Her health condition was getting worse.


    She closed her eyes, her hands hanging weakly on her sides, and the bedroom was eerily quiet.


    Francis... went to find Julian again, right?


    Lilian tossed and turned for a long time and fell asleep just before dawn. She only slept lightly for


    two hours before she woke up.


    The vi was still empty, so Lilian got up to make breakfast.


    After preparing two breakfasts and serving them on the table, she went to the study and knocked on


    the door.


    After knocking for a while and seeing no response, she finally remembered that Francis didn''t seem


    to be backst night.


    She went downstairs silently again, sat at the dining table and drank porridge, looking at the te


    opposite, and the food in her mouth tasted tasteless.


    Lilian went to thepany.


    She walked into the department, and everyone around her looked at her strangely.


    Lilian leaned on the grid on the table and asked, "Lilian, didn''t you take a month''s leave? Are you


    coming to work so soon?"


    Lilian paused and looked up at Katie. She didn''t know that she took a month''s leave.


    Katie said, "You are really one of the few exceptions in thepany. Except for Julian before, you


    are the only one who can take a month''s leave when you firste here."


    As soon as Katie finished speaking, Harriet came over with the documents and knocked on her


    desk.


    Katie came back to her senses and greeted Harriet nonchntly, "Ms. Osborne."


    "Go to work." Harriet dropped these words, came to Lilian and handed her a piece of document.


    "Lilian, take a look at this document. If you have time today, just input it into theputer and send


    it to me, okay?"


    N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    Lilian took the document and nodded. Harriet''s attitude was much better than Katie''s. Her nice


    inquiry left people with no reason to refuse.


    Besides, Harriet was her boss.


    "Okay, thank you for the hard work," Harriet said, turned around and walked out.


    "Mr. Landau didn''te to thepany today. Do you think he is having fun with Julian and lost


    track of time again?" Katie whispered to the colleagues around her.

 Chapter 174 Gossip

    Chapter 174 Gossip


    Chapter 174 Gossip


    "I don''t know. In the past, when he waste, he would asionallye to thepany with


    Julian. Now that Julian is not here, we can''t know."


    "I don''t know what kind of luck Julian bumped into, always favored by our Mr. Landau. She is


    beautiful, but I think she is not as beautiful as Ms. Osborne."


    "That''s right, and she is not as capable as Ms. Osborne."


    They had gossiped about this in private countless times, and it was still an unsolved mystery.


    But this did not prevent them from being jealous and discussing it from time to time.


    Katie looked around and then whispered, "Speaking of Ms. Osborne, I heard that she is Mr.


    Landau''s ssmate, and she has been here since Mr. Lu first joined thepany, so I have made


    a bold guess."


    "What?"


    Katie whispered: "Are they having an affair? Is that Julian Quinn actually just a shield?"


    "How dare you say such nonsense? You will lose your job for this!" The colleague next to her was


    frightened and quickly returned to her seat.


    "Well, it''s just a small talk. I don''t know if you''ve noticed, but the way Ms. Osborne looks at Mr.


    Landau every time... Anyway, I don''t think it''s simple."


    "Then what? What does this mean?"


    There were so many women who liked Mr. Landau, but they were all driven away by Julian. It was


    normal for Ms. Osborne to like an outstanding man.


    "It means they are not innocent. Just think about those who are even slightly interested in Mr.


    Landau, is there any of them not chased away by Julian?"


    "But Ms. Osborne''s position is still unshakable. With Julian blocking the women outside, they could


    do what they want."


    Katie fumbled her fingers with a mysterious smile on her face.


    Her colleagues couldn''t help but twitch the corners of their mouths after hearing her nonsense,


    thinking she was suffering from delusion.


    On the contrary, Lilian stared at theputer screen, looking dazed.


    --


    Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org.


    In the coffee shop.


    "Francis, what''s the matter? Do we must do this outside?"


    Francis put a stack of documents on the table and pushed it in front of Ruby.


    Lu Wanrou took the documents over suspiciously, opened it and took a few nces, then her


    expression suddenly changed.


    "So much?" She raised her head in surprise, but she didn''t expect that the loss this time was much


    greater than she imagined.


    "That''s right." Francis also took out a recording pen, opened it, and Everett''s voice came from


    inside.


    "If he can''t spit out the money, well!"


    Ruby''s face became increasingly condensed, and she said, "What does dad mean?"


    Francis replied, "Dad suspects that he transferred this asset."


    "How is that possible?!" Ruby stood up excitedly. But thinking of something, she sat down again and


    whispered, "Francis, he will never do such a thing."


    Francis raised his lips, "But Dad doesn''t believe it, and it''s not something you and I can decide. If


    this hole cannot be filled, someone has to take responsibility. Do you understand?"


    And Johnson was the best scapegoat. Firstly, he was not from the Landau family, and secondly, this


    matter was handled by him.


    Ruby looked a little panicked. She had to grab the documents again. The more she looked at them,


    the tighter her fingers squeezed, almost crumpling the paper into a ball.


    "Then... what should I do? Francis, for my sake, can you please help Johnson?"


    Francis said thoughtfully: "It''s not that there is absolutely no way."


    As if seeing a savior, Ruby immediately asked, "What can I do?"


    "Just fill up the hole," Francis said in a calm tone as if in his eyes, the hole was just an ant hole.


    "This is more than 14 billion. Francis... are you kidding me? Where can we find so much money to


    pay for it?"


    Francis''s lips curved into a half-smile, "Of course. It depends on you."

 Chapter 175 Fill in the Hole

    Chapter 175 Fill in the Hole


    Chapter 175 Fill in the Hole


    Ruby hesitated for a moment, "Me? What could I do?"


    Francis said, "Don''t you have shares in your hand? Sell them to fill the hole for Johnson."


    Ruby was stunned, and her pupils dted slightly.


    The shares in her hand...


    They were what kept her head held high in the Landau family. If she sold the shares, she would


    have nothing.


    Francis leaned back and yed with the coffee spoon casually while looking at her.


    He said leisurely, "Reluctant? Then there is nothing you can do. It seems that he is not very


    important to you."


    Ruby was caught in a dilemma, "But my shares won''t be worth so much money."


    "It can do for the time being, and you can take your time to figure out the rest. What do you think?"


    Ruby pursed her lips, looking hesitant. It was difficult for her to choose between the shares and her


    beloved husband.


    "I have to think about it." Ruby still couldn''t make up her mind immediately.


    "Sure, but there''s not even enough left. If you arete, you may not know if Johnson will run away


    one day, and you won''t be able to find him."


    Ruby was stunned and she was thinking maybe she should sell her shares.


    She hesitated and said, "But who can I sell them to? Who cane up with so much cash at


    once?


    "As long as you want to, I can help you," Francis said.


    Ruby stared into his eyes, nothing could be seen in them, it was like a deep pool that she could not


    see through.


    But he was her eldest brother, and Ruby would never doubt her eldest


    brother.


    After a while, Ruby gritted her teeth, closed her eyes and took a deep breath, "I''ll give you an


    answer tomorrow."


    Francis raised her lips and stopped talking.


    Ruby couldn''t sit still anymore. She took back the documents on the table and left.


    Francis reminded her again, "You''d better not tell anyone about this matter, including Johnson,


    otherwise, you will know the consequences if our father finds out."


    N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    Ruby''s body stiffened, and she tightened her grip on the document, immediately turned around and


    left.


    It was around four o''clock in the afternoon when Francis came to thepany.


    He went to the office, and Harriet came in, "Mr. Landau."


    Francis flipped through the documents on the table and asked casually, "Where are the documents


    from thosepanies?"


    "Well, I asked someone to sort them out. I''ll ask her to bring it over."


    Harriet said, picked up the inte on the table, and dialed a number, "Lilian, where are the


    materials I asked you to sort out this morning? Just print them out and bring them over. No need to


    send the electric copy to me. Mr. Landau wants them now."


    When Francis heard Lilian''s name, he paused slightly.


    Harriet hung up the phone and smiled at him, "Oh, I came here to tell you that Lilian came to work


    today."


    "I saw that she had nothing to do, so I arranged some simple work for her. She''d better not sit idle."


    Francis''s face was implicit. He just said calmly, "This is your department''s matter, and you don''t


    need to report to me."


    "Okay, I won''t report to you from now on." Harriet looked at him. He was still rummaging around the


    desk. "Mr. Landau, what are you looking for?"


    "A box."


    "Red?"


    "Yes."


    Harriet thought for a while, "I think I have seen it somewhere. It should be here."


    Harriet walked to him and squatted down, opening the unlocked drawer at the bottom. All important


    documents were locked in the cab, and she could move the unlocked drawer.


    Harriet searched in the drawer, found the red box, and handed it to Francis, "Is this it?"


    Francis took it and said, "Yeah."


    He didn''t even look at it and just put it into his pocket.


    Lilian knocked on the door and came in, holding the documents and walked over. Just then Harriet


    stood up from behind the desk.


    Lilian paused for a moment. She looked at the distance between the two of them, and her fingers


    holding the documents suddenly tightened.

 Chapter 176 Rejecting Her Request Without Mercy

    Chapter 176RejectingHer Request Without Mercy


    Chapter 176 Rejecting Her Request Without Mercy


    Harriet exined with a smile, "I''m helping Mr. Landau look for something. Why didn''t you knock on


    the door when you came in?"


    Lilian pursed her lips and looked at Francis again.


    He frowned a bit but said nothing.


    Lilian lowered her head and put the document down on the table, then bowed, turned around, and


    walked out.


    Harriet watched Lilian leave the office before withdrawing her sight. When she lowered her head,


    she found Francis staring at her.


    "What''s wrong, Mr. Landau? Is there something on my face?" Harriet touched her cheek.


    Francis''s eyes wandered over her face for a while, making Harriet feel a little guilty.


    He suddenly withdrew his sight and said, seeming to imply something, "Ms. Osborne, focus more


    on your work."


    Harriet was slightly startled, and the smile at the corner of her mouth faded a bit, but she calmly


    said, "I will, sir."


    After Harriet finished speaking, she walked out on high heels.


    After she came out, the smile on her face changed with somewhat coldness.


    Lilian sat in front of theputer in a daze, staring at theputer screen until it went ck.


    "Hey, it''s time to get off work." Someone knocked on her desktop.


    Lilian came back to her senses, nodded towards the person, and stood up to pack her things as


    well.


    Suddenly her phone rang and someone sent a WhatsApp message.


    Lilian picked it up and looked at it. It was from Mr. Vaughn with very few short words.


    [She''s been hospitalized. ]


    The hospital address and ward number were added to the back of the message.


    Lilian was slightly startled. She naturally knew who he was referring to.


    She didn''t dare to dy, so she immediately grabbed her things and ran out of thepany


    quickly.


    There were too many people taking taxis near thepany and she couldn''t get one, so she had to


    run further and order on Uber.


    While waiting for Uber, it started to drizzle. After a while, there were a lot of raindrops on her hair.


    Suddenly a Bentley stopped beside her, the window lowered, and she saw Francis''s face.


    He held the steering wheel with one hand and tilted his head sideways to look at her.


    "You ran fast. Get in."


    N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.


    Lilian stared at him for a few seconds, shook her head, and gestured, "I have something to do."


    "What''s up?"


    Lilian pursed her lips and gestured again, "I''m going to the hospital to see Fabiana."


    Francis narrowed his eyes, and his tone suddenly became a bit colder, "I said, get in!"


    Lilian stood in the hazy drizzle, her figure was skinny, with a bit of pleading and stubbornness in her


    eyes.


    Francis ignored it and said coldly, "Don''t let me say it a third time."


    Lilian tightened her hands, reached out one of them to open the door, and got in obediently.


    She thought that if she behaved better, he would agree.


    If she went against him, she would definitely not be able to go today.


    Francis drove the car out. The road was heavily jammed, and the car went less than 300 meters in


    twenty minutes.


    He lowered the window irritably, took out a cigarette and lit it. He leaned casually against the back of


    the chair, raised his head slightly, and blew out a puff of smoke. The white smoke drifted out of the


    window.


    The remaining half drifted towards Lilian''s side, which was a bit choking. She suppressed a cough,


    reached out her hand, and pulled his sleeve.


    Francis turned his head, nced at her, and then withdrew his sight.


    "Don''t think about it." He rejected her request without mercy.


    Lilian became more and more anxious when she thought about Fabiana''s condition and Paul''s


    attitude.


    She pinched Francis''s sleeve and pulled it again.

 Chapter 177 His Decision Had Never Been Changed

    Chapter 177His Decision HadNever Been Changed


    Chapter 177 His Decision Had Never Been Changed


    Francis remained a sullen face and wasn''t going to pay any attention to her. Lilian stared at him


    eagerly, but he didn''t even look at her, which also made Lilian lose the chance tomunicate with


    him.


    Lilian let go of his sleeve and silently withdrew her gaze.


    Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org.


    Francis''s decision had never been changed, so it was useless for Lilian to show any more kindness.


    He took her back to the vi. After getting out of the car, Lilian stared at him, obviously having


    something to say.


    However, Francis left without looking back.


    Lilian could only follow him. After going inside the vi, he took off his coat and threw it on the sofa.


    He turned to look at Lilian and said, "Go to cook dinner."


    Lilian opened her mouth, but he only left her with his back.


    She had to go to the kitchen.


    Francis''s phone rang again. It was from Julian. He nced at it and casually threw it on the sofa.


    Julian called several more times without giving up, and when she got to the eighth call, Francis


    finally answered.


    Lilian poked out her head from the kitchen and pricked up her ears to listen to what was going on


    outside.


    Francis''s tone was a little impatient, "What''s going on?"


    Julian said on the other end of the phone, "Didn''t you say you were going to apany me to a


    film exchange meeting tonight? Where are you? Where have you been?"


    Francis leaned back, holding his mobile phone in one hand and pinching his eyebrows in the middle


    with the other.


    "Did you have to go?"


    "Of course, I told everyone you wereing. How could I get off the stage if you didn''te? You


    were not going back again, were you?"


    Julian almost gritted her teeth when she said thest sentence. This man went home more


    frequently than he drank water recently.


    Every time he went back, Julian couldn''t help but wonder what the two of them were doing at home,


    whether their rtionship would suddenly be intimate, and whether they would sleep on one


    bed together.


    Although Julian canfort herself that Francis won''t even touch her, and he certainly won''t touch


    that dummy (an offensive nickname that Julian made up for Lilian) either.


    But she still couldn''t convince herself and felt angry every time she thought about it.


    "Isn''t it normal for me to go home?" Francis''s tone was calm as if he didn''t hear the anger in Julian''s


    words.


    "Yes, it''s normal for you to go home, but I just don''t want you to stay with that dummy (an offensive


    nickname that Julian made up for Lilian). I don''t care. Come on. If you don''te, I will freeze to


    death here."


    Francis sighed, and his voice tinged with a bit of helplessness, "Send me the address."


    "That''s more like it. I''ll send it to you on WhatsApp."


    After saying that, Julian hung up the phone and sent the address to his WhatsApp.


    Francis stood up, grabbed his coat, and was about to leave when he suddenly noticed something.


    When he turned his head, he saw the head poking out from the kitchen.


    The moment he looked over, Lilian immediately retracted her head.


    She took out the vegetables from the refrigerator and put them on the chopping board to cut them.


    She was still thinking about the time it would take to go to the hospital and back.


    While she was lost in thought, her wrist was suddenly grabbed. Lilian was startled, and the kitchen


    knife fell on the chopping board with a nking sound.


    Lilian suddenly raised her head and met the man''s prating gaze.


    "Come with me."


    Francis dragged her and walked out without any exnation. Lilian didn''t even have time to untie


    her apron.


    He pulled Lilian all the way outside and shoved her into the car.


    Lilian was a little anxious, not knowing where Francis was taking her. She also wanted to take


    advantage of his absence to visit Fabiana in the hospital.


    After he got in the car, Lilian gestured, "Where are you taking me?"

 Chapter 178 Witnessing Their Love

    Chapter 178WitnessingTheir Love


    Chapter 178 Witnessing Their Love


    Francis nced at her, said nothing, held the steering wheel and drove out.


    Forty minutester, he took Lilian outside arge hotel. This hotel was different from the kind of


    single-family hotel.


    It was a bit like a vacation resort. You had to drive a long way to get in. There were several vis


    inside that were not too high, and in the middle was a mansion with more than 30 floors.


    After entering the hotel, Francis turned his head to Lilian and said, "Just stay here. As long as you


    don''t leave the hotel, you can go anywhere. Remember?"


    Lilian was startled, and she tried to struggle a bit, "When can I go to see..."


    Halfway through her gesture, Francis grabbed her wrist and interrupted her movement, "Lilian, I will


    only tell you once, don''t mention anything about Fabiana in front of me in the future. If you dare to


    go to see her, I guarantee that you will be thest time you see her."


    Lilian''s pupils shrank slightly.


    The threat in his words couldn''t be more obvious. Lilian really couldn''t understand why he wouldn''t


    even let her see Fabiana anymore.


    If he was worried about her learning bad things from Courtney, what about Fabiana? What can


    Fabiana teach her badly?


    Could it be that she really couldn''t have anyone by her side?


    Lilian was finally a little angry. She stared at Francis with her red eyes, and twisted her wrist to


    break free from his shackles.


    She gestured, "Why? I''m not a dog that you raised, why do you stop me?"


    Francis''s eyes suddenly turned cold, and even the winding in from the window seemed to be


    carrying thorns, which made every cell in Lilian''s body hurt.


    She was filled with grievances and resentments, but she couldn''t help but finally burst out.


    Lilian gestured, "Even a dog has the right to make friends andmunicate with others, right? If


    you want to control me, you can simply tie me up with a chain!"


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    Francis suddenly clutched her wrist and dragged her over. Before the seat belt was unfastened,


    Lilian''s chest hurt from the stranglehold.


    He pinched her chin and whispered, "Dogs have this right, but you don''t, understand?"


    Lilian''s eyes widened as she stared into his cold gaze, and her eyes were filled with soreness.


    She tried to forcefully break free from him, but his hands were like pliers. The harder she struggled,


    the tighter he pitched.


    Lilian was furious, lowered her head and bit his wrist.


    This time Francis didn''t let her seed. He pitched Lilian''s chin and shook off her head.


    "You want to bite me again for those unsavory people, Lilian, why don''t you always remember?"


    Lilian tilted her head, and her short hair scattered and covered her cheeks.


    Francis held her face, turned her around, and said again, "Don''t challenge my patience."


    "Since you are so disobedient, then don''t go anywhere and stay in the car."


    After saying that, he unbuckled his seat belt, twisted his head and got out of the car, turned off the


    engine, and locked the windows.


    However, he still gave Lilian a glimmer of hope. There was a crack in the car window next to her,


    just a crack so that she would not suffocate to death inside.


    Lilian quickly unbuckled her seat belt and pulled the car door, but it couldn''t be opened.


    She patted the car window again.


    Ignoring Lilian''s request, Francis had already left without looking back.


    Lilian stared at his figure, and he never looked back until Lilian saw him standing with Julian in the


    corner.


    Julian jumped herself into his arms with a smile like a flower, and he raised a doting smile on the


    corner of his lips and hooked Julian''s waist with his backhand.


    The two of them hugged each other, looking like a divine couple, making others envious.


    Lilian pressed her hands against the car window and stopped patting. She stared directly at the two


    figures and witnessed their love.

 Chapter 179 It Was Ridiculous And Pathetic

    Chapter 179It Was RidiculousAnd Pathetic


    Chapter 179 It Was Ridiculous And Pathetic


    Lilian lowered her hands and leaned against the car window, looking at the flowers and nts in the


    courtyard outside.


    It was really ridiculous that Francis went on a date with Julian and even took her with him.


    Did locking her in the car count as a dog watching the car for him?


    It was a bit like...


    Lilian twitched the corners of her mouth, showing a self-deprecating arc, but her tears fell


    uncontrobly.


    After following her faith for twenty years, he treated her like a dog.


    It was ridiculous and pathetic.


    Julian took Francis''s arm and put her hand into his pocket, "It''s so cold, why did youe here


    now?"


    "Why don''t you wear more clothes?" Francis took a look at her clothes. She was still wearing a


    sleeveless evening gown on a cold day, and both her arms were frozen outside.


    "Isn''t this the asion? I brought a coat, but I can''t wear it now."


    After Julian finished speaking, Francis took off his coat and handed it to her, "Put it on."


    Julian looked at the coat in his hand and looked happy. She took his windbreaker and put it on


    herself.


    "Thank you, dear."


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    She said that word and was about to move forward to kiss him, but the man pushed her face away,


    "Go inside."


    Julian curled her lips, but still took his arm and walked in.


    The so-called film exchange meeting was nothing more than an exchange meeting between a


    group of directors and investors. Some celebrities would also participate, but the threshold was


    generally rtively higher.


    Especially for a neer like Julian, who had just entered the circle. Although many people knew


    that there was someone behind her, no one had ever seen the person behind her, so she was


    naturally unconvincing.


    This time she was specially invited to see the person behind her. It could also be said that tonight''s


    exchange meeting would determine Julian''s treatment in this circle.


    If the person behind her was really Francis, no matter how bad her acting skills were, she would


    have endless resources in the future.


    When Julian took Francis''s arm and came in, she instantly became the focus of everyone''s


    attention.


    As an investment giant, Francis was still difficult for ordinary people to see. Many of them were


    looking forward to seeing his real face this time.


    In fact, he had more temperament in real life than what everyone saw on TV. His facial features


    were more three-dimensional, and he was more intimidating.


    Julian walked beside him, raising her chin proudly with a fox-like appearance.


    "Mr. Landau, I''ve heard a lot about you and admired you." A middle-aged man stepped forward and


    reached his hand to him with a smile, "I am the organizer of this exchange meeting, and my


    surname is Foster."


    Francis nodded and reached out his hand to shake the man''s hand, "Mr. Foster, I heard Julian


    mention that you are the leader of this circle."


    Mr. Fosterughed and waved his hand modestly, "No, it''s entirely Ms. Quinn''s praise, but I''m just


    an ordinary businessman."


    There were no business dealings between them, and naturally, there was nomunication. They


    may have all heard of the names of each other, or perhaps met at a cocktail party, but generally,


    they had no chance to make friends.


    This time it was Mr. Foster''s home court. Francis was willing toe, so naturally he wanted to


    make friends.


    "This way please, Mr. Landau, please let me introduce a few people to Mr. Landau. They would


    definitely be of great help to Ms. Quinn''s future career."


    Francis nodded slightly and walked to the second floor with Mr. Foster.


    Lilian sat in the car for a long time outside. Although the windows were open, the air in the car was


    still a little rare.


    She felt ufortable sitting there and gradually became dizzy. Instead, the cold air that came in


    through that crack made her shiver.


    Lilian curled up on the chair holding her knees.


    Every time someone passed by, she would pat the car window, but unfortunately, no one outside


    could hear her.


    At this moment, she saw a young man smoking in front of the car again. Lilian immediately cheered


    up and smashed the car window with his fist.


    After smashing for a long time, the man didn''t respond. Just when Lilian gave up, he suddenly


    walked over.


    Hope reignited in Lilian''s eyes.


    Unexpectedly, when this man came to the car, he bent down and arranged his hair in the mirror.

 Chapter 180 Letting Her Out

    Chapter 180Letting Her Out


    Chapter 180 Letting Her Out


    Lilian pursed her lips.


    She rolled her eyes and saw a lighter on the shelf.


    Lilian immediately picked up the lighter and found paper towels in the storagepartment. She


    rolled the paper towels into a ball and lit it with a lighter.


    The smoke then drifted out along the car window.


    The young man who was looking in the mirror sniffed and finally realized something was wrong. He


    turned around and looked over.


    Finally, he saw the smoke drifting out of the car window.


    He frowned in confusion, walked around the car, and muttered, "Who is smoking in the car with the


    windows closed?"


    But he thought about it, there was something wrong. He touched the cool hood, so was the car not


    ignited?


    He went back to Lilian''s car window and tapped it with his two fingers.


    Lilian also responded quickly to him and smashed the car window several times.


    The man heard it and said in shock, "Is there someone inside?"


    Lilian opened her mouth and couldn''t make a sound. She could only smash the car window with her


    fist. Because she had just lit the fire, the smoke in the car was a bit thick.


    It was indescribably choking when she breathed into her lungs.


    The man listened carefully and found that there was indeed someone inside, but he looked at the


    car logo and didn''t dare to smash it.


    So he said to the person in the car, "Just wait, I''ll go in and ask whose car this is."


    After the man finished speaking, he turned around and ran into the hotel lobby.


    He stood at the door of the hall and shouted, "There is a Maybach outside with a license te of


    five eights. There is someone locked inside. Whose car is going out to take a look?"


    After he yelled, everyone looked at him.


    Everyone was talking, "Whose car is it?"


    "My car is Maybach, but my license te number is not that Freaking awesome."


    "I don''t know, whose is it?"


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    "Could it be that one''s?"


    Everyone was guessing whether could be Francis''s, but he was on the second floor now and they


    didn''t dare to call him.


    "Sir, Lucas. It could be Mr. Landau''s. He is with Mr. Foster on the second floor. Why don''t you go up


    and ask?"


    This young man was Mr. Foster''s youngest son, Lucas. His appearance here today was purely


    idental, but everyone was familiar with him.


    Lucas said oh, he didn''t think too much. After all, human life was at stake.


    He quickly went up to the second floor, pushed open the VIP room, stood at the doorway and


    shouted, "Who is Mr. Landau? Is the Maybach''s license te of five eights yours? Someone was


    locked in your car!"


    As soon as he spoke, the sound in the room suddenly stopped.


    Francis tilted his head slightly and looked over towards him.


    Julian''s expression changed even more. She subconsciously grabbed Francis''s sleeves. Why was


    there someone in his car?


    He won''t bring Lilian here, right?


    If this was really the case, then in a moment when the car door opened and Lilian appeared in full


    view, how could she exin her own identity?


    "Lucas! Don''t make trouble. How could there be someone in Mr. Landau''s car? Get out quickly!" Mr.


    Foster scolded.


    Lucas was a little anxious, "There was really someone. I heard the sound of knocking. If you don''t


    believe me, go and take a look!"


    When Julian saw Francis about to stand up, she clutched him hard, almost using up all her strength.


    She forced a smile and said, "It''s a golden retriever we raised. We didn''t bring it down. Don''t worry,


    Lucas. It''ll be fine."


    After saying that, she turned her head to look at Francis, "Right?"

 Chapter 181 Unlocking

    Chapter 181 Unlocking


    Chapter 181 Unlocking


    There was a subtle plea in Julian''s eyes. She hoped Francis wouldn''t embarrass her.


    Francis stared at her for a few seconds, then looked away, and nodded slightly. "Okay."


    Julian breathed a sigh of relief and turned around, revealing a hint of pride.


    "Really?" Lucas furrowed his brows. He thought that was unreasonable. The knock on the window


    didn''t seem like something a dog could do.


    "Why are you still standing here? Get out!" Mr. Foster snarled, signaling to his son.


    Lucas said yes and walked away.


    Leaning against the back of her seat in the car, Lilian tugged at her cor. She felt it was getting


    harder for her to breathe, especially in a car filled with smoke.


    She kept her mouth open, desperately trying to breathe, but she could hardly inhale any air. Her


    lungs began to hurt.


    Lucas returned to the car window and knocked on it, asking, "Is there anyone inside?"


    Lilian slowly turned her head to look. She saw someone bending over, scanning the interior.


    Unfortunately, the ss was too dark for Lucas to see inside from outside.


    Lilian struggled to raise her hand and tapped on the car window.


    Maybe her palm was sweaty. When her palm touched the ss, Lucas did see a hand.


    The sudden appearance of the hand startled him, causing him to take a few steps back. Then he


    saw the hand slowly slide down.


    "Oh, God..."


    He finally realized something. There seemed to be a person inside!


    He looked around, walked to the side of the road, and picked up a stone, ready to smash the car


    lock. But when he saw the license te, he hesitated.


    In the end, he called his good friend.


    "Hurry! Come over immediately! You have five minutes! It''s a matter of life and death!"


    Before his friend could even speak, Lucas hung up the phone.


    He pocketed his phone, squatted down to study the car lock, and took out his tools from his pocket,


    working on the keyhole for a while. But he realized it was not working. Right, he didn''t have the


    expertise.


    His friend hade with him today. In three minutes, instead of five, he came with a toolbox.


    "Bro, I''ve installed the bug in Mr. Foster''s car. You''ll immediately know when he goes out with any


    woman..."


    Lucas pped the back of his head. "Be careful. See if you can open this."


    Right, he was here tonight mainly to install bugs and surveince in his dad''s car.


    His mother had been suspicioustely, using his dad of having an affair and threatening to


    divorce him.


    She even forced Lucas to secretly collect evidence, saying she wanted to kick William, his father,


    out of the family without giving him any property.


    Lucas''s friend touched the car lock and sighed, "It''s a Maybach! It''s a little difficult, but I can try."


    "Go over there, not here."


    There were people everywhere here, while the green belt on the other side could block the view,


    preventing this secret act from being seen.


    The young man picked up his toolbox and went around to the other side, squatting down and


    starting to work with his tools.


    The young went around with his toolbox to the other side, squatted down, and started to work with


    his tools.


    Lucas was keeping an eye out.


    He smoked a few cigarettes and waited for about half an hour. Unable to bear it anymore, he urged,


    "Can you do it or not?"


    "Almost there." The young man wiped the sweat off his forehead.


    Holding the tool in his hand, he turned it to the right and heard a click. Finally, he heaved a long sigh


    of relief.


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    "I''ve got it!"


    Lucas hurriedly ran over, bent down to look inside, and was stunned.


    There really was a woman lying inside. She was wearing a white sweater and a red apron, her


    ponytail tangled and falling out of its band.

 Chapter 182 His Fathers Phone Call

    Chapter 182 His Father''s Phone Call


    Chapter 182 His Father''s Phone Call


    The light from outside the car streamed in, casting a dreamy glow on her silhouette.


    "Bro, what are you looking at? Bro!"


    Lucas''s friend''s voice was louder, and Lucas snapped back to reality. He hurriedly climbed into the


    car and pulled Lilian out.


    "Hey, are you okay?"


    Lilian opened her eyes in a misty state, unable to see the face in front of her clearly. She heard a


    buzz and closed her eyes weakly.


    "Bro, she doesn''t seem well. Should we take her to the hospital?"


    Lucas hesitated for a moment, then looked at the dying person in his arms, and said through gritted


    teeth, "Bring my car!"


    "Okay!"


    In no time, his friend drove a low-key white Ford over. Carrying Lilian in his arms, Lucas kicked


    open the car door and carried her into his car.


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    In the car, he checked Lilian''s breathing from time to time. She was still breathing, but it was very


    faint.


    "Faster," he urged.


    "Bro, it''s my top speed! If I drive faster, the tires will catch fire," his friendined.


    Lucas sighed and looked down at the person on hisp. Even with her eyes closed, her features


    were breathtaking.


    Was she a student?


    As he stared at Lilian in a daze, the car came to a sudden stop at the hospital.


    "Bro, we''re at the hospital!"


    Lucas quickly carried Lilian out of the car and rushed into the emergency room, shouting, "Doctor,


    doctor! Someone''s dying!"


    His shout startled the doctors. Immediately, a doctor came and examined her, finding her breathing


    was weak indeed.


    The doctor immediately wheeled her into the emergency room.


    Lucas finally let out a long sigh of relief and slumped onto a bench, exhausted. "I''m so tired."


    "Bro, who is she?"


    Lucas leaned against the wall and shook his head. "I don''t know."


    "... Bro, you took her away without knowing who she is? Aren''t you afraid her man wille after


    you?"


    Lucas froze for a moment. He suddenly remembered that the car seemed to belong to someone


    called Mr. Landau and that even his father had been very polite to him.


    But why did he lock her in the car?


    Thedy was wearing an apron. Could she be their maid?


    The emergency room door suddenly opened, and the doctor came out. Lucas didn''t have time to


    think any further and immediately asked, "How is she, doctor?"


    "She fainted due to oxygen deprivation, but you brought her in just in time. She''ll be fine after


    breathing oxygen for a while."


    "Oh... that''s good."


    Lilian was transferred to a regr ward with an oxygen mask on her face. The doctor said she


    needed to breathe oxygen for two hours.


    Lucas felt torn between staying and leaving, wondering if he should go back and inform Mr. Landau.


    Before he could make a decision, he received a call from his father.


    As soon as he picked up his phone, he heard his father''s furious shout, "Where are you, boy? Get


    back here right now!"


    His father''s voice was deafening, almost piercing his eardrums.


    "Did you hear me? Get back here in ten minutes, or I''ll break your legs!"


    "I get it!" Lucas hung up the phone irritably. He knew in his gut that he had been caught.


    After hanging up, Mr. Foster smiled apologetically at Francis, "I''m terribly sorry, Mr. Landau. My son


    is a little wild. I''ll give him good discipline when he gets back."


    Francis stared at the empty car, my eyes cold with disdain. "You''re a lucky man to have such a kind-


    hearted son."

 Chapter 183 Go to the Hospital

    Chapter 183 Go to the Hospital


    Chapter 183 Go to the Hospital


    William''s expression kept changing, looking so embarrassed.


    Julian held Francis''s hand and whispered in his ear, "Darling, let''s go first. It''s not a big deal."


    She was afraid that Lucas woulde backter and reveal that there was someone in the car,


    though she knew Francis would protect her.


    However, she was still guilty, as she was not his legal wife. She disliked being seen together with


    Lilian in front of others.


    Francis nced at Julian and said, "You go back first. I won''t send you."


    Julian instinctively held him tightly and said, "No, I want you to send me back."


    "Be good, okay?" Francis''s voice was gentle, but his eyes carried a warning.


    Julian was a little angry. She gritted her teeth and still didn''t want to give up. "Then I''ll wait here with


    you."


    "Whatever." Francis didn''t care.


    He had no intention of waiting for Lucas anymore. He opened the car door and sat in. Julian


    immediately opened the passenger door and sat in as well.


    Francis frowned and turned to nce at her.


    Julian fastened her seatbelt on her own. She smiled at Francis. "It''s okay. I don''t need you to send


    me back. I''ll just follow you."


    She knew what Francis was going to do, so she couldn''t let him and Lilian be alone together.


    "Are you sure you want to follow me?" Francis asked.


    Julian nodded. "Yes, can''t I follow you? I haven''t seen you for so many days. What''s wrong with


    staying with you for a while?"


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    Francis stared at her for a moment, turned his head, and started the car, driving away.


    He hadn''t gone far when Lucas came back.


    Lucas opened the car door and walked towards his father. "Dad, what''s going on?"


    As soon as he finished speaking, William suddenly pulled out a belt from somewhere and swung it


    at Lucas''s back without warning.


    "Ah!"


    Lucas covered his arm and took several steps back, ring at William in anger. "Dad! Have you


    gone mad?"


    William pointed the belt at him, trembling with anger. "You b*stard, all you know is how to cause


    trouble for me. I''ll kill you!"


    After saying that, he swung the belt again.


    This time, Lucas didn''t let William hit him obediently. He turned around and ran away. "Dad! There


    really is someone in the car. Why don''t you believe me? I really saved someone!"


    "Shut up! You never learn your lesson, always hanging out with those shady characters and causing


    trouble. How did I end up with such a useless son like you!"


    As he spoke, William didn''t care about the onlookers'' gazes and chased after Lucas with the belt.


    Inside the hotel, Lucas ran and William chased, causing quite a scene.


    Many people were making fun of them. Of course, this wasn''t the first or second time. William''s son


    was notorious for being mischievous, and William used to care about his reputation.


    Now William had given up struggling. He was almost driven to death by this unfilial son, so why


    should he care about his reputation?


    This brat actually dared to break into Francis''s car and even took the dog inside. William couldn''t


    bear it anymore and wished he could beat this brat to death on the spot.


    Lucas ran and dodged, but in the end, he could only run back to his car. "Sam, drive fast!"


    The young man called Sam responded with a grunt and stepped on the gas pedal. The car shot out


    like an arrow.


    Even the railing at the entrance was hit and broken.


    William was so angry that he felt like he was having a heart attack. He clutched his chest and


    gasped for breath, almost passing out several times. Fortunately, someone next to him supported


    him.


    "Lucas, where are we going now?" Sam turned back and asked, "You''re definitely going to have


    your pocket money frozen again."


    Lucas copsed weakly onto the seat. "Whatever, I don''t need that little money."


    His gaze became dazed, and that pitiful face shed before his eyes. Lucas paused, raised his


    hand, and patted the front seat. "Go to the hospital."

 Chapter 184 Visit Lilian

    Chapter 184 Visit Lilian


    Chapter 184 Visit Lilian


    "What? Why are we going to the hospital?"


    "I need money. I''ve paid so much for her in advance. Don''t I deserve to get it back? How are we


    going to live in the future?"


    Lucas''s argument was logical, leaving Sam unable to refute it. "Alright then."


    The car made a sharp turn and turned onto another road.


    When Lucas arrived at the hospital, Lilian was still unconscious. She had an oxygen mask on her


    mouth, and ayer of white mist covered the mask as she breathed.


    Lucas bent down and stared at her for a while, but unfortunately couldn''t see anything.


    After he waited for over half an hour, Lilian finally woke up slowly.


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    She took a deep breath and abruptly opened her eyes. A wave of exhaustion rushed over her. She


    tried to move her fingers, but she had no strength left.


    It was as if that breath just now had used up all her energy.


    "Lucas, she''s awake!" Sam turned to look at Lucas.


    Lucas was almost falling asleep in his chair, but he sat up straight when he heard the news.


    He pulled the chair and walked towards the bed, revealing a smile. "You''re awake?"


    Lilian turned her head to look, her vision still a bit blurry. After a while, she finally saw the boy''s face


    clearly.


    His skin was a bit tanned, but his features were well-defined. He had arched eyebrows and bright


    eyes, with white teeth when he smiled.


    Lilian struggled to reach out and took off the oxygen mask on her face, attempting to sit up but


    failed.


    Her face appeared extremely pale under the light, almost transparent, while her ck and white


    eyes appeared even more bright and clear.


    Lucas paused. "Hey, have we met before?"


    Lilian also paused, carefully examining Lucas. He did look somewhat familiar, but she couldn''t


    remember where she had seen him.


    Lucas waved his hand. "Forget it. I can''t remember either. Let''s get to know each other again this


    time. My name is Lucas. What''s yours?"


    Lilian pursed her lips and didn''t speak, just staring at him with her head tilted.


    "Huh? You don''t want to get to know me?"


    Lilian shook her head. She was silent for a while before raising her hand and gesturing.


    "Ha-ha, so you can''t speak." Lucas saw her gesture and,bined with her pitiful appearance, he


    found her even cuter while gesturing.


    She was like a child.


    Lilian was stunned again, unsure if Lucas had identally understood her signnguage or if he


    genuinely understood it.


    So she gestured again, "Can you understand what I mean?"


    Lucas nodded. "Yes, I can understand."


    Saying this, he pulled Sam over. "There are also several deaf-mute children in the orphanage where


    he lives. I''m their teacher."


    Sam smiled awkwardly. "Yes, that''s right. Lucas is very kind, and the children in the orphanage all


    like him."


    Lilian was somewhat surprised, but at the same time, a warm feeling rose in her heart.


    She gestured, "Thank you."


    Lucas waved his hand. "It''s no bother. But why were you locked in the car? Did you forget to get out


    or..."


    Lilian pursed her lips, her gaze bing dim.


    Why was she locked in the car? She had to ask her so-called husband. Most likely, he was afraid


    she would cause trouble and embarrass Julian if she went out.


    Seeing that she didn''t want to talk about it, Lucas didn''t ask further. "The doctor said it was justck


    of oxygen, and there''s nothing serious."


    Lilian nodded, and the atmosphere became awkward.


    Sam patted Lucas''s shoulder and whispered, "Weren''t you here to ask her for money, Lucas?"

 Chapter 185 The Warm Lucas

    Chapter 185 The Warm Lucas


    Chapter 185 The Warm Lucas


    Lucas''s back stiffened, and he turned his head to re at Sam.


    He turned back to Lilian and smiled awkwardly. "Don''t believe his nonsense. I just happened to pass


    by to take a look. But since you''re awake, there shouldn''t be any major problems."


    Lilian gestured, asking, "How much did you pay?"


    Lucas felt a bit guilty. "Not much, don''t worry about it."


    Lilian looked at his attire, which didn''t seem like that of an ordinary person, and he must have had a


    significant status to appear in such a situation.


    She would find a chance to repay himter.


    Lilian gestured again, asking, "What is the welfare home you mentioned earlier?"


    Lucas exined with a smile, "It''s just a welfare home. My dad started some kind of charity


    association, but he doesn''t go there, so I help him out."


    "But after going to these ces, I realized that those people are truly pitiful and in need of help. So


    now I volunteer whenever I have the time, and also keep an eye on my dad''s association."


    Lilian nodded, understanding now.


    No wonder he saved her. If it were an ordinary person and they knew it was Francis''s car, they


    would choose to mind their own business.


    Lilian gestured, "You''re amazing."


    Sam said, "What''s so amazing about that? Lucas even set up a stray animal shelter and takes care


    of many stray cats and dogs."


    Lucas felt a bit embarrassed by his praise and waved his hand. "It''s just a small effort."


    Lilian saw in them that vibrant and energetic spirit of life. She suddenly felt envious.


    They could do meaningful things and do what they loved.


    Lucas noticed the disappointment in her eyes and couldn''t help but ask, "What''s wrong? You don''t


    seem happy. When you''re better, I''ll take you to see those cute kittens and puppies."


    Lilian nodded. She wanted to go, but she held back and shook her head.


    She gestured, "I''m not interested in those things."


    She couldn''t even see Fabiana, so why would she go see stray cats and dogs? She had even


    implicated Courtney.


    These two boys were so kindhearted, so she''d better not get involved with them.


    Lucas felt a bit regretful. "That''s a pity, but it''s okay. When you''re interested, I''ll take you there."


    Lilian nodded and gestured, "How much medical expenses did you pay for me? I''ll give you the


    money."


    Lucas waved his hand. "No need, really! This little money of yours isn''t even enough for me to buy a


    day''s worth of dog food."


    Lilian lowered her gaze in silence.


    Lucas looked around and asked, "By the way, do you need me to contact your family?"


    Lilian gestured, "No need, I''ll go back on my ownter."


    "Well then, I''ll take my leave too. If you want to find me, just give me a call... or add me on


    WhatsApp."


    After saying that, Lucas ced a business card on the table and then stood up and left.


    Lilian looked at the door until the two figurespletely disappeared before silently withdrawing her


    gaze.


    At the same time, Francis drove back to the Landau family. Julian''s expression turned sour when


    she saw the gate.


    "Why did you bring me here?"


    Francis nced at her indifferently. "Didn''t you follow me here yourself?"


    N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    Julian was speechless. "How was I supposed to know you woulde here..."


    "Then where do you think I should go?"


    "I thought you were going to find that dummy. Forget it." Julian sullenly opened the car door. "I''ll go


    back on my own."


    Julian didn''t like this ce. She had been here twice before, and even the servants'' eyes when they


    looked at her were like they were looking at some low-ss trash.

 Chapter 186 Sell the Shares

    Chapter 186 Sell the Shares


    Chapter 186 Sell the Shares


    And she had no status of Francis''s wife. Outside, she could be arrogant, but here, she could only


    hold it in.


    Especially, Rosalie treated Julian with disdain every time. Julian was living well outside, so why


    bother trying to get close to someone who treated her coldly?


    If Francis had ns to marry her, she could tolerate it. But now, there was no need at all.


    Julian had just prepared to leave when suddenly a car blocked her way.


    It was Ruby getting out of the car, holding a child in her arms. She froze for a moment when she


    saw Julian.


    "Julian, why are you here?" Ruby nced at the maning out of the car in front and then smiled.


    "It''s been a long time since Francis brought you here. Let''s go in together?"


    Julian forced a smile. "No need, I have something to do. I''ll visit you next time."


    "But you can''t get a taxi here, and it''s not safe for you to go back sote. Stay overnight." Ruby


    continued to warmly invite her.


    Although she also looked down on Julian,pared to that dummy, she preferred Julian a bit.


    Julian nced at Francis.


    Francis said, "I''ll have the driver take you back."


    Julian''s mouth twitched. She managed to maintain an awkward smile and said, "Alright, then I won''t


    call someone to pick me up."


    Francis took out his phone and called a driver. Before long, Julian was sent away.


    Only then did Ruby look at Francis, her expression bing serious. "Francis, let''s talk


    somewhere private."


    Francis guessed what she wanted to say. "Get in the car."


    Ruby nodded and handed the child to the nanny beside her. She followed him into the Maybach.


    After getting in, Francis drove to a slightly secluded ce.


    "Francis, I''ve made up my mind. I want to... sell those shares."


    Francis yed with a lighter but did not ignite it. When he heard her words, he finally lit the lighter


    and lit the cigarette in his mouth.


    "Have you made up your mind?"


    "Yes, I''ve made up my mind. No matter what, I can''t leave Johnson alone. He is Bennie''s father and


    my husband."


    Ruby''s tone was firm. This was the decision she had made after a night of internal struggle.


    She even thought that if she helped Johnson fill this gap, he might change his attitude towards her.


    Would their rtionship be deeper?


    When Francis heard the words "Bennie''s father", he smiled with an indescribable meaning.


    He took the cigarette out of his mouth and turned to look at Ruby. "Alright, I''ll call him over


    tomorrow, and you can talk to him."


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    "Is it reliable?"


    "Do you trust me?" Francis asked in reply.


    Ruby hesitated for a moment but quickly became determined. "Of course, I trust you. You''re my


    brother. If I can''t trust you, who can I trust?"


    "Then it''s settled. You can walk back by yourself. I still have something to do."


    Ruby said, "Okay," and opened the car door to get out. It wasn''t far from home, and it would only


    take her a few minutes to walk back.


    After she left, Francis drove to the hospital.


    Lilian was already able to leave the hospital. She looked at the name of the hospital and realized it


    was the same hospital as Fabiana''s.


    Without much thought, she immediately walked towards Fabiana''s ward.


    Fabiana was in a regr three-bed ward. The beds in the regr wards were almost full, and there


    were even beds in the corridor, making it quite messy.


    Lilian didn''t find her in the ward and searched the corridor again. Finally, she found Fabiana in a


    corner.


    There was a nurse next to the bed,ining about something.


    "What''s wrong with those people? They brought her here and then ignored her. They don''t answer


    the phone ore. Do they want to treat her or not?"

 Chapter 187 Took Care of Fabiana

    Chapter 187 Took Care of Fabiana


    Chapter 187 Took Care of Fabiana


    Lilian''s breathing hitched when she heard these words. She slowed her pace and walked to the


    bedside. The nurse was still trying to call Paul, but her number was blocked and she couldn''t get


    through.


    Lilian nced at the olddy lying on the hospital bed. She didn''t know what had happened during


    this time, but Fabiana seemed much older than before.


    Fabiana had her eyes closed, and it was unclear whether she was in aa or just sleeping.


    Lilian tugged at the nurse''s sleeve.


    The nurse turned to look at her, her expression rxing. "Are you Fabiana''s family?"


    Lilian nced at Fabiana on the bed and nodded slightly.


    The nurse visibly breathed a sigh of relief. "That''s great. Now that you''re here, can you decide


    whether she should continue receiving treatment or not?"


    Lilian nodded quickly.


    The nurse furrowed her brows. "Then go pay the fees. She needs an infusion now. If she''s not


    getting treated, it''d be best to take her back as soon as possible. The hospital beds are in high


    demand right now."


    Lilian quickly took out her phone and typed a message for the doctor to see, "I''ll go pay the fees


    now. Please treat her first."


    The nurse was slightly surprised that Lilian couldn''t speak, but it was only for a moment before she


    regained her professional demeanor. "Once you''ve paid, take the receipt to the doctor."


    Lilian nodded and turned to run to pay the fees for Fabiana. It wasn''t actually expensive, just over a


    thousand dors for these two days.


    She had initially thought that Paul had a change of heart and was willing to send Fabiana to the


    hospital, but now she realized that she was overthinking things.


    Paul was afraid that Fabiana would die at home, so he sent her to the hospital and left her to sink or


    swim. He never intended to treat her.


    Lilian had never known that a son could stoop so low. She couldn''t even see a trace of conscience


    in him.


    After paying the fees, Lilian took the receipt and went to find the doctor.


    The doctor told her, "Older people have more health issues, especially age-rted ones. She


    should be more careful in her daily life. It''s impossible topletely cure her, but we should try to


    make her life morefortable."


    Lilian nodded and wrote a question, "How is she doing now? Is it serious?"


    The doctor looked at the test results in his hand. "The blood test doesn''t show much. It would be


    better to do a CT scan. Based on my current observations, she is in aa due to osteoporosis


    and malnutrition."


    "Older people have fragile bones. Falling like that is very dangerous. You should be more careful."


    So Fabiana had fallen. How did she end up falling?


    Lilian thanked the doctor with a worried expression, took the receipt, and returned to the corridor.


    Fabiana was still unconscious on the bed, but luckily the nurse hade to administer the infusion.


    Lilian stayed by her side.


    The nurses were all busy, and in a situation like this, where they weren''t in the infusion hall and it


    was so busy, the nurses usually wouldn''t notice unless the patient or their family called for a change


    of medication.


    Lilian saw someone leaving nearby, so she grabbed the small stool and brought it over to sit by


    Fabiana''s side, just like when Fabiana used to sit by her bed when she was a child.


    But she wondered if Fabiana, in her old age, lying alone on the hospital bed, felt the same fear.


    Lilian reached out and held Fabiana''s withered hand. Looking at Fabiana''s face, she felt like crying.


    Perhaps it was a spiritual connection, or perhaps the medication was taking effect, but when she


    held Fabiana''s hand, Fabiana finally woke up.


    Lilian felt a surge of joy in her heart and immediately tightened her grip on Fabiana''s hand.


    Fabiana seemed to realize something and turned her head to look at Lilian. When she saw Lilian,


    tears poured from her clouded eyes.


    "Lily, why did youe?" Fabiana''s voice was weak as if it took a lot of effort to say those words.


    Lilian gestured, "I came to see you."


    Fabiana was eighty years old, but at that moment, she cried like a child.


    Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    Lilian gestured, "What happened?"


    Fabiana shook her head and wiped the tears from her face. "Nothing, I am fine. Don''t worry."

 Chapter 188 Why Are You Here

    Chapter 188 Why Are You Here


    Chapter 188 Why Are You Here


    Lilian pursed her lips, not believing her words. She was lying here, but Paul had never shown up.


    He was even unwilling to pay the medical expenses. So, she must not be OK.


    Fabiana said, "Why are you here? Don''t you need to go back? Mr. Landau will be angry, right?"


    Lilian did not care. She had alreadye to the hospital. If she had not visited Fabiana today, she


    might never see her again.


    Lilian shook her head and gave Fabiana a reassuring look, asking her not to worry.


    But she was lying. She remembered Francis''s words. She didn''t know if he had been trying to scare


    her but would not feel surprised if he did such a thing for real.


    She gestured, "I will leave after you finish the infusion. And I will hire a carer for youter.


    Fabiana repeatedly shook her head and said, "No! Don''t waste money. I am old. And I am happy to


    see you again. I was wondering whether I would turn over in my grave if I could not see you before I


    die. Now, I feel relieved and will rest in peace."


    Hearing this, Lilian couldn''t help shedding tears.


    Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    Although they were not blood-rted, they were like grandmother and granddaughter. They were


    like real family because they were both alone. They could feel each other''s bitterness and sadness,


    so they truly empathized.


    "Come on, Lily. Don''t cry. I am happy to see you. And I want you to be happy too."


    Fabiana raised a hand and tried hard to wipe her tears.


    Lilian sniffed, raised her hand, casually wiped her face, and smiled at her.


    Fabiana also smiled, "What a good kid!"


    But their smiles were both bitter.


    Lilian shook her head and gestured, "I''m not a good kid. If I were so good, I wouldn''t have let you lie


    here. I''m sorry."


    "Don''t apologize. You''ve done enough for me. I am happy to meet you."


    Then, Fabiana mumbled to herself and promised, "Lily, you will lead a happy life. I will guard you in


    heaven."


    Lilian cried even worse. She desperately shook her head and gestured in panic, "I don''t want your


    guard me in heaven. I want you to recover!"


    Fabiana bitterly smiled because she could not make such a promise.


    Lilian tightly held her hands and couldn''t stop crying because she had to leave soon. While wiping


    her tears, she stood up and poured Fabiana a ss of water.


    Then, she went out to hire a carer. Employing a carer to take care of Fabiana in the hospital was the


    only thing she could do now.


    The hospital provided carers. The daily wage ranged from 500 to 100 dors, ording to the


    services included.


    Lilian hired a 300-dor one. After she paid the money and told the carer about Fabiana''s condition,


    thetter said, "Don''t worry. I will look after her."


    Lilian breathed a sigh of relief and smiled at the carer to express her gratitude. But when she turned


    her head, she saw Francising in. He looked travel-stained when he strode over. Although he


    was still far away, she could feel the chill from him.


    Lilian subconsciously clenched her fists and nkly stood there, watching him walk toward her.


    When he strode over and condescendingly looked at her in silence, she could feel his rage.

 Chapter 189 Lets Go

    Chapter 189 Let''s Go


    Chapter 189 Let''s Go


    Feeling the chill from him, Lilian unconsciously took a step back.


    He did not lose his temper here. Instead, he grabbed her wrist and said, "Let''s go."


    Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    Lilian pursed her lips and silently followed him. He walked so fast that she could barely keep up and


    almost fell.


    After he threw her into the car, he mmed the door before she could sit firmly. The sound was


    deafening. Then, he silently drove back to the vi.


    After getting out of the car, he opened the car door and dragged her out.


    When she staggered behind him, she struggled because he held her wrist too tightly.


    Suddenly, he threw her away. After she fell forward, her knees hit the ground. It hurt so much that


    she had a ckout.


    She opened her mouth and pressed her hands on the ground when her tears uncontrobly flowed


    out in pain. Before she could move, a pair of hands grabbed her cor and pulled her up. When she


    raised her head to look at the angry man, she blinked her eyes.


    He stared at her and angrily smiled, "Lilian, am I spoiling you too much? Why did you repeatedly


    turn a deaf ear to my words?"


    Lilian noticed the murderous intent in his tone, so she flinched and desperately shook her head.


    She raised her hands to gesture. But before she could finish it, he threw her back to the ground and


    said, "Stop gesturing!"


    Lilian was stunned to hear this.


    He mped her hands so heavily that she felt he intended to crush her bones.


    "What''s the use of gesturing? You turned a deaf ear to what I said. You can''t remember a word. You


    can''t speak. It seems your hands are also redundant. How about I turn you into a real dummy?"


    Lilian was shocked and looked at him in disbelief.


    When Francis stared into her eyes, he seemed to want to cut her into pieces. She could see he was


    furious. She opened her mouth and tried to make a sound but failed.


    Seeing this, he became more furious and tightened his grip on her slender wrists.


    Lilian trembled with pain and could even hear her bones cracking, so she curled up and pleadingly


    looked at him. But he remained unmoved.


    Francis didn''t want to talk anymore. No matter how much he spoke to a dummy, it was like talking to


    himself. When he held her wrist and dragged her upstairs, she stumbled and almost crawled behind


    him.


    He threw her on the floor of the bedroom, leaned over, pinched her chin, and said, "Lilian, I''ve


    warned you. Since you care about Fabiana so much, you will never see her again!"


    Lilian desperately shook her head, grabbed his sleeve, and pleadingly looked at him.


    Francis mercilessly pried open her fingers and stood up to leave.


    She rushed forward and hugged his legs to prevent him from leaving.


    When he sullenly looked back, she looked at him in tears and shook her head. She hated herself for


    being unable to speak. She couldn''t even make the most straightforward plea, so she looked funny


    and powerless when she held his legs.


    She clutched his legs and slowly stood up from the ground despite the sharp pain. Then, she


    wrapped her arms around his waist and pressed her face against his chest, trying to calm him


    down.


    Francis stood still but closed his eyes and took a deep breath.


    Hearing his heartbeat much faster than usual, she knew he was furious. So, she hugged him, raised


    her head, and looked at him pleadingly.

 Chapter 190 She Sadly Lowered Her Eyes

    Chapter 190 She Sadly Lowered Her Eyes


    Chapter 190 She Sadly Lowered Her Eyes


    She gently opened her mouth and silently uttered, "No."


    When Francis lowered his eyes to look at her, she still tried hard to speak. Although she looked


    clumsy, her movements were standard when she mouthed, "Please."


    He raised her chin and said, "Don''t you think it''s toote to beg me now?"


    Although his voice was low, it sounded less furious.


    Lilian shook her head and hugged his waist tighter. Although she knew he did not love her, she


    knew this method worked every time. Even if it could not make him change his mind, it could calm


    him down. So, she coquettishly rubbed her face against his chest. Probably no one was immune to


    such actions. When a puppy rubbed its head against its owner''s palm, thetter could not resist


    either.


    Although calmer, he indifferently stood there and did not hug her.


    When she raised her head, stood on tiptoes, and kissed him, her clumsy but ttering look ignited


    the fire in his eyes gradually.


    He suddenly raised his hand, pressed the back of her head, deepened the kiss, picked her up, and


    walked to the bed.


    Lilian tensed up but quickly rxed. Then, she closed her eyes and responded to his kiss.


    When he was angry, his movements were rough. Although he was kissing her, he almost broke her


    lips. However, only at such times could she feel he loved her, although it was short-lived, like a sh


    in the pan. It was why she had insisted on staying by his side for the past few years. But now, her


    desire was no longer that strong. He had asked her not to love her. Maybe, she could do as he had


    ordered soon.


    Lilian''s eyelids trembled when she slowly closed her eyes. Then, a tear flowed down from the


    corner of her eye.


    After she got exhausted, she fell into darkness.


    When she woke up, she habitually touched the ce next to her. She thought she would feel the


    sheet as usual. But she touched a firm and hot chest this time. So, she instantly opened her eyes.


    Then, she met a pair of deep eyes.


    Lilian held her breath and thought she was hallucinating. Therefore, she couldn''t help raising her


    hand to touch his face. When she felt the warmth of his skin, he grabbed her hand.


    When they nkly stared at each other, they both remained silent.


    Then, Francis stretched out his hand to touch her eyebrows. He had just woken up, so his voice


    was hoarse when he mumbled, "Lily, there seems to be something missing in your eyes."


    Lilian looked deeply at him without replying.


    He didn''t expect her to answer, so he continued, "I don''t like you looking at me like this."


    He sighed, turned around, andy t next to her. When he looked at the ceiling, she did not know


    what he was thinking.


    Her eyshes trembled while she stared at his chiseled face. Then, she sadly lowered her eyes.


    Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org.


    After they kept silent for a long time, Lilian thought of an important thing. So, she reached out a


    finger to poke his shoulder.


    Francis then turned his head to look at her, waiting for her to speak.

 Chapter 191 Her Heart Slowly Sank

    Chapter 191 Her Heart Slowly Sank


    Chapter 191 Her Heart Slowly Sank


    Lilian hesitated momentarily, raised her hands, and gestured, "I will never go to see Fabiana. Don''t hurt her.¡±


    Francis pursed his thin lips tightly, intensely stared at her, and kept silent.


    She continued to gesture, "She is old and will soon die. She is pitiful. Can you show some mercy to her because she has taken care of you before?"


    She did not know if he had seen her signnguage because he kept staring at her eyes instead of her hands.


    She felt helpless because she could not speak. If he didn''t look at her hands, she would never be able to express her thoughts to ormunicate


    with him.


    When he was in a good mood, he would watch her gestures. But when he was in a bad mood, he wouldn''t even look at her. He could refuse to


    communicate with her at any time.


    After she gestured for a long time, he still looked at her eyes. So, her heart slowly sank.


    When she lowered her hands and stopped moving, Francis suddenly asked, "Do you know why I don''t allow you to have contact with those people?"


    Lilian raised her eyes and looked at him in a daze. She desperately wanted to know the reason. She wanted to know why she did not have the most


    basic human rights or freedom.


    When she waited for the answer, he raised his long fingers and gently stroked her cheek, saying, ¡°But I hope you will never know."


    Lilian blinked her eyes because Johnson had said simr words.


    He had said, "If you remember it, you won''t ask such a question or look at me like this."


    Although they had talked about different things, they had implied the same reason. Lilian''s mind began to buzz when she tried to recall what she had


    forgotten.


    She had tried her best but stil


    couldn''t remenber anything. They


    had asked her to do puzzles, forced


    her to recat¡¯ and forbidden her from


    having.contact with outsiders, She


    felt torn by two forces. Although she


    woutd break in half soon, she" was


    desperate and helpless. Sh¨¦ could


    only silently bear it and watch them


    break her into pieces. Conten


    Text content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    When Francis suddenly sat up, the nket slipped, revealing his perfect figure. The red marks on his chest and back were crisscrossed and clear.


    She had no nails, but the scratches were shocking. After all. he had gone crazyst night. Lilian could move only her hands now.


    He got out of bed and got dressed. Hearing the rustling sound, she watched him transform from a crazy man into Mr. Landau everyone admired.


    He picked up the watch from the


    bedside, aut it on, turned around.


    and said, "You don''t need to gat to


    work, today. Have a good rest at


    home Don''t go out. Courtney finally


    lefts I don''t want Lucas to rece


    h¨¦r."


    After finishing the warning, he picked up a coat and went out without looking back.


    Liliany on the bed in a daze and turned her head to look at him leaving. After the bedroom door closed, it blocked her sight.


    She silently withdrew her gaze and


    looked downat her arms covered


    with bruises. ¡®She felt a dull pain in


    her lowerabdomen. She had not + S


    fully reeovered yet and had suffered


    a lot de tock of oxygenst ¡°night.


    She didn''t know how many.1 more


    such sex acts she could stand, But it


    did not matter anymore.

 Chapter 192 How Long Will It Take

    Chapter 192 How Long Will It Take


    Chapter 192 How Long Will It Take


    After all, the lifespan of a pet was short.


    Today was the day when the doctor came to examine her. But he did note until the afternoon.


    Lilian slept until she heard him ringing the doorbell. Then, she got up and dragged her tired body to open the door.


    The doctor gave her a professional smile with the medicine box and said, "Ms. Rossum, good afternoon. How have you been feeling for the past two.


    days?"


    Lilian forced a smile, unable to answer his question


    The doctor didn''t intend to let her answer. He had asked the question out of courtesy. After he entered the house, he let her sit on the sofa, asked her


    to stretch out her hand, and felt her pulse. Then, his smile gradually disappeared. He looked at her with aplicated expression and asked, "Why is


    your condition worse thanst time?¡±N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    Lilian pursed her lips and motionlessly stared at him


    The doctor felt worried and could not help reminding her, saying, "Ms. Rossum, you need to be happy. And you can¡¯t do it because you have not


    recovered yet.¡±


    He had said it euphemistically, but Lilian understood what he meant. Her ears flushed when she silently retracted her hand


    The doctor continued, "My master is a well-known traditional medicine doctor and has a good rtionship with the Landau family. I am his most


    satisfactory disciple. So, you can believe what I say. I will not deceive you."


    She took out her phone and typed, "I know. Thank you."


    He sighed, "How about I prescribe some traditional medicine for you?"


    She shook her head.


    The doctor feltslightly embarrassed


    and did not. Know what else to say.


    But he desided to find an


    opportunity to talk with Mr. Landat


    aboutit. After all, he had a guilty¡±


    conscience whenever he saw Lilian


    sofrust ated.


    6


    ~


    ~


    au


    Ruby looked at the two men sitting across from her in the cafe. One was Francis, and the other was a lean middle-aged man. While reading the


    documents she had brought here, the man did calctions on his phone.


    When Ruby nervously nced at Francis, he was absentmindedly swiping at his phone as if nothing had happened.


    "Ms. Landau, I''ve read all the documents. The information isplete. I will ask my people to verify the financial statements before valuing your


    shares.¡±


    She asked, "How long will it take?"


    "It will take three days if things go on smoothly.¡±


    Ruby hesitated momentarily and asked, "How much do you think my shares value?¡±


    The man pondered momentarily and replied, "I estimate they are worth 2 billion dors.¡±


    Ruby felt slightly angry, so she gloomily said, ¡°Are you kidding me? They are the Landau Group''s shares! But your estimation is only 2 billion?¡±


    ¡ê


    The man motioned for her to calm


    down and said, "The shares of the


    Landau Group are indeed valuable.


    But they have no market. Even if I


    want your shares, must partner <


    with seve Fal people to buy them alll


    Fewpanies can afford 10_billion


    in cash now! If you don''t believe me,


    your can ask others aboutdt Maybe


    many people want to buythem, but


    few can afford them. After all, in


    addition to the funding problem,


    there will be various subsequent


    problemster. It will be tricky."


    Ruby opened her mouth but didn''t know what to say. After all, she knew little about such things and could not fully understand his words.


    But Francis had introduced him to her, so she had no reason to doubt him


    "Are you sure they are worth only 2 billion?¡±


    The man pondered for a while and


    said, "I can add 300 million dors.


    I''ve shown enough sincerity. Even if


    you don''t-trust me, you should trust


    Mr. Lamdau, right? If you find oO


    someone who offers a highek price


    byyourself, will you dare toSign the


    agreement?" Content bngs to

 Chapter 193 Illegitimate Children

    Chapter 193 Illegitimate Children


    Chapter 193 Illegitimate Children


    It was true that, for such arge sum involved in the transaction, she really couldn''t trust a stranger easily. If the other party was just bluffing or signed


    the contract and didn''t pay, she wouldn''t know where to turn to.


    "Then please proceed as quickly as possible," Ruby sighed weakly. She wasn''t in the mood to think too much right now. She still had to discuss with


    Francis what to do about the rest of the money.


    "Alright, Miss. Ruby . rest assured. We willplete the procedures within three days, so I will go to handle this matter now."


    The man gathered all the documents, stood up, and took his leave.


    After he left, Ruby turned to Francis, ¡°Brother, this little money is not enough at all. What about the rest? What do we do afterwards?¡±


    Francis also stopped fiddling with his phone and lifted his gaze to look at Ruby. "Do you care about Johnson that much?¡±


    Ruby replied irritably, "I''ve even sold my shares, what do you think?¡±


    ¡°Is it worth it?¡±


    "Of course it''s worth it! Whatever I do for him is worth it!" Ruby said with conviction, not knowing what kind of spell Johnson had cast on her to have


    her so utterly bewitched.


    Francis nodded as if seriously considering it, his fingers tapping on the table nonchntly, "I see, and there are ways to do it. I''m just afraid you


    wouldn''t dare.¡±


    "What''s the way? I''ve even put up my own shares. What else would I not dare to do?"


    Ruby asked eagerly, "Come on, tell me, what other ways are there? Where can we get more money?¡±


    The corner of Francis''s mouth curled up. He suddenly leaned forward, gazing into Ruby''s eyes, and whispered, "You don''t have it, but dad does."


    Ruby''s eyes widened slowly, "What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°Aren''t the shares in dad''s hands worth even more?"


    Upon hearing this, Ruby swallowed hard, staring at Francis in disbelief.


    Her heart was racing, and she even felt a hint of danger from the man in front of her, her own brother, for the first time in many years.


    "Are you crazy? How could dad''s shares possibly be taken out?"Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org.


    "Like I said, as long as you want it. I have my own ways. I''m just afraid you wouldn''t dare."


    Ruby thought this was ridiculous. She even felt that selling her own shares was a mistake and had some vague regrets.


    .." Ruby took a deep breath, and lowered her voice, "What if dad finds out?"


    Francis said, "As long as it''s


    sessful, it doesn''t matter if hes


    finds out, because by that timehe


    wont have any shares left, would


    you still be afraid of him?".   ~


    Ruby''s eyes began to light up bit by bit


    Everett Landau had illegitimate children outside, and both she and Francis knew it.


    Rosalie Landau had also told her ~~


    that her dad was holding onto his~


    sharesand might just be prepating


    thend for those illegitimate chi Idren


    outside.


    -


    Remembering these words. when Ruby looked at Francis again, her gaze was different.


    She might not understand, but that didn''t mean she was foolish.


    In fact, she could already discern what Francis meant.


    ¡°Brother, you couldn''t possibly..." She didn''t finish her sentence, but both knew what she meant.


    Francis naturally didn''t answer her. He sat up straight and leaned back,zily reclining on the sofa.


    His lips were curved, his eyes twinkling with an enigmatic light.


    Watching him like this, Ruby''s heartbeat couldn''t help but speed up a bit


    Her elder Brother, Francis, was no &


    simple man. Over these years, singe


    entering y the Landau Group, he had


    beerclearing out thepany¡¯s


    elders with thunderous methods.


    And now, he was even targeting his own father.


    It was too terrifying!

 Chapter 194 Such A Fickle Man

    Chapter 194 Such A Fickle Man


    Chapter 194 Such A Fickle Man


    He was practically a devil who didn''t acknowledge his kin, but on second thought, since he could still talk about this with her, didn''t that mean she¡¯s


    still quite important to him?


    Having her be part of such an important n. after all, they were siblings, different from those outsiders.


    Thinking this way, Ruby''s tense body also gradually rxed.


    "Brother, what if something goes wrong?¡±


    Francis said, "If something happens, won''t I still be there? Do you think I would risk myself?"


    "Moreover, our urgent priority now is to plug the hole Johnson has poked. If we can''t, how can we exin it to father, right?"


    "The best way, actually, is to make sure that he has no say, and that solves the Johnson issue, doesn''t it?"


    Hearing this, each word struck Ruby''s pain points, and her frown gradually smoothed out.


    She pondered for a long time before finally making up her mind, ¡°Okay, since you said so, then I''m reassured. After all, you''ve got my back. You tell


    me what to do. I''ll listen to you.¡±


    Francis looked at her with deep meaning, not in a hurry. He stood up, hands in his pockets, "Wait for my message, and just remember, you can''t tell


    anyone about this, including Johnson."


    "Ok, I know.¡±


    Francis dropped this line and turned to leave the caf¨¦.


    Ruby sat there, her mood unable to calm down for a long time. She even felt that her ten percent of the shares were nothing at all


    She grabbed the coffee on the table and drank it all in one gulp, finally calming herself down a bit.


    Francis returned to the vi.


    Lilian was sitting on the sofa with her knees hugged, watching TV. Today, she had been obedient, not going out nor contacting anyone.


    Francis walked over and sat down beside her.


    Lilian came back to her senses and turned her head to look at him.


    "Have you had meal?¡± he asked.


    Lilian shook her head.


    "Let''s go, I''ll take you out for dinner." He lifted his hand and rubbed her head as if nothing had happened.


    This man was always so fickle.


    Lilian stared at him for a long while before nodding and standing up to go upstairs to change clothes.


    She put on a red coat and jeans, with a gray-blue turtleneck sweater underneath to cover the marks on her neck.


    Francis drove her to the restaurant where he had stood her upst time.


    Looking at-the familiar ce, Lilian.


    could only remember how she had


    waitechhere for five hours. Withrthe


    most familiar stranger, she felt


    nothing romantic.


    -


    Francis didn''t ask her what she wanted to eat, but he ordered a series of dishes that happened to be her favorites to make.


    Lilian couldn''t help but look up at him


    Today, he also wore a brown turtleneck sweater that tightly covered his neck, with arge ck coat on the outside.


    Simr to Wearing a suit, such attire.


    was still cold and indifferent. = =


    Although it was just an appearance,


    it was enough to deceive these who


    were not familiar with him.


    ~


    He focused on looking at the menu, the ambient lighting casting upon him, highlighting his features like a painting. surreal as if not a real person


    "Stretch out your hand," Francis suddenly said.


    Lilian cameback to her senses,


    hesitatedtfor a moment, and slowly


    stretched out her hand. The marks


    from_being tied upst time were


    OY . .


    not yet fully healed, leaving acircle


    of-ted traces still conspicuous.


    And when she rolled up her sleeves. there were bruises on her arm from his pinchst night.


    Francis stared at her arm, silent for a good while, before taking out a red box from his embrace.


    Lilian stared straight at the box, her breathing suddenly became a bit unsteady.


    Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org.

 Chapter 195 An Additional Hint of coldness in Franciss Eyes

    Chapter 195 An Additional Hint of coldness in Francis''s Eyes


    Chapter 195 An Additional Hint of coldness in Francis''s Eyes


    He opened the box, and inside it was a delicate diamond bracelet.


    Lilian''s eyshes trembled, not knowing whether to feel disappointed or relieved


    Francis took out the bracelet himself and put it on her wrist, "The birthday present I bought for youst time, and I forgot to give it to you. let''s


    consider it made up for today."


    After saying that, he fastened the bracelet, which seemed a bit toorge


    He had clearly customized it ording to the size of her wrist, but it mysteriously turned out to be toorge. slipping to her palm when she raised her


    hand.


    Francis frowned slightly.


    Lilian stared at the bracelet, feeling a sense of familiarity. She suddenly remembered that Julian had shown it off on Moments before.


    No wonder it was too big. It was rejected by someone else.


    Lilian wanted to retract her hand, but Francis held her wrist and took off the bracelet.


    ¡°It''s too big, and I will send it back for adjustments,¡± he said.


    Lilian pursed her lips, remaining silent.Text content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Francis seemed to notice something, and nced at her again, "If you don''t like it, we''ll exchange it for a new one."


    Lilian nodded.


    He asked again, ¡°What else do you like?¡±


    Lilian shook her head.


    Indeed, he noticed that from before until now. Lilian had notmunicated with him. She either nodded or shook her head.


    She couldn''t speak, and now she even stopped using signnguage.


    Francis silently put the bracelet back into his pocket. When he was agitated, he had the habit of pulling at his tie.


    But today he was not wearing a suit, so he could only tug at the cor of his sweater, and then he sighed silently.


    After the dishes arrived, Lilian buried her head in eating, stuffing everything into her mouth, whether it tasted good or not.


    She seemed to enjoy the food, but in reality, her numb expression revealed that she was absent-minded.


    Francis leaned back in his chair, motionless, just watching her eat


    She did not look at him, nor did she intend to stop, just kept eating and eating.


    The dishes were finished one by one, leaving only those in front of Francis, which she couldn''t reach.


    She put down her chopsticks and looked up at him.


    Their eyes met, and she saw an additional hint of coldness in Francis''s eyes.


    Lilian purg¨¦d her lips, silently os


    lowered Rer head, looking at the ~ ~~


    empty bow! in front of her,


    wondering if she ate too much,


    which made him angry?


    ~~


    Indeed, she hadn''t left any for him.


    Francis withdrew his gaze, pinched the bridge of his nose, and turned his head to look at the traffic outside.


    Lilian quietly watched him, waiting for his next instruction


    And just at that moment, suddenly a familiar voice came from behind.


    "Aren''t you that someone..."


    Lilian was slightly startled, turned her head to look, and her expression changed.


    Standing behind was Lucas Foster, along with Sam, and another girl.


    Seeing him greeting Lilian, the girl''s expression changed slightly, looking at Lilian with a wary gaze.


    Lucas left the two people beside him


    and quickly walked towards Lilian,


    smiling-and greeting her, "We meet


    again;-You left in such a hurrytast


    timesI still don''t even know your


    name."  ta.


    -


    After he said this, Lilian nced at Francis nervously.


    Lucas noticed her gaze and finally became aware of Francis next to her. He then turned his head to greet Francis.


    ¡®Mr. Landat, you''re here too. I i


    haven''t. had the chance to exin


    aboutst night. I saved herst


    night You can ask her. Later, please


    help me exin to my dads as well.¡±


    Lucas rambled on and then looked expectantly at Francis.

 Chapter 196 My Name is Lucas Foster

    Chapter 196 My Name is Lucas Foster


    Chapter 196 My Name is Lucas Foster


    Francis slightly raised his eyes and calmly looked at Lucas. He was in no hurry to speak.


    After they looked at each other for a few seconds, Lucas could no longer maintain the smile on his face, so he said, ¡°Mr. Landau?"


    Francis looked at him for a while and asked, "Lucas?"


    "Yes, my name is Lucas Foster."


    Lucas looked between Lilian and Francis and became more confused about their rtionship. He had thought Lilian was a maid yesterday. But now,


    they were having a meal in the restaurant together. No man would ask his maid out for dinner. But if she was not his maid, why had Francis dated


    another womanst night?


    Lucas could not figure it out, so he asked, "Mr. Landau, what''s your rtionship?"


    Francis showed a faint smile with a hint of sarcasm and said, "It''s none of your business, right?"


    Lucas had not expected him to be so rude. He was stunned and sullenly said, "I''m just casually asking because you locked her in the car. You..."


    Before he could finish speaking, he felt someone tugging at his sleeve. After he turned around, he saw Lilian stare at him with a pleading look and


    slightly shake her head. She was signaling him to stop talking


    Lucas opened his mouth and sighed, "Fine! I won''t ask any more questions. I hope you enjoy your meal.¡±


    Then, he smiled at Lilian and said, ¡°Let''s talk sometime."


    Staring after him. Lilian felt nervous. When she cautiously nced at Francis, he was expressionless. But she vaguely felt ill at ease. When she was


    about to exin, he stood up and left.


    Lilian hurriedly followed him. He walked so fast that she could barely keep up. So, she trotted along the way. After arriving at the parking lot, she


    quickly got into the car and turned her head to observe his reaction.


    He leaned against the car window and lit a cigarette. The car was quiet. He didn''t say anything but kept smoking. After finishing a cigarette, he started


    the car and drove it out.


    When Lucas and the two people came to the private room, he had doubts. So, he looked a little absent-minded.


    Sam scratched his head and puzzledly asked, " Lucas, why are you unhappy?"N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    Lucas rested his chin on one hand,.


    yed with the spoon with the otter,


    and absently asked, "What da.you


    think their rtionship is?¡¯Gontent


    belongs to  -


    The girl angrily said, ¡°Why? It has nothing to do with you. Why do you care so much about them?"


    Hearing this, Lucas raised his head.


    to look ather and dissatisfiedly said,


    "What''s wrong with you? I didn


    offend you. Why did you yelvat me?"


    The girl coldly snorted and turned her head aside with a long face, not bothering to reply.


    Lucas frowned and thought something was wrong with her, too, wondering why he was so unlucky tonight.


    Sam smiled, "Lucas, Phoebe is jealous.¡±


    Hearing this, Phoebe red at him and said, "What''s the matter with you? Why did you say I am jealous?"


    Sam shrank his neck and did not dare to speak anymore.


    Lucas suspiciously nced at Phoebe but said nothing.


    After Francis took Lilian back to the vi, he didn''t speak. So, she could only silently follow him


    After he entered the study alone in ~


    silence, sghe stood downstairs, ?.


    watched him close the door, and


    pursed her lips.


    Swnovel i?


    She was not sure whether he was angry again. He didn''t vent his anger out as before, but the quiet made her scared.


    Francis received a call upstairs and knew Fabiana was dying

 Chapter 197 Youd Better Come Now

    Chapter 197 You''d Better Come Now


    Chapter 197 You''d Better Come Now


    Lilian also received a call from the carer, who said she could no longer do the job.


    Lilian wanted to ask what was wrong but could not speak. So, she was worried on the other end of the phone.


    Everything had been fine when she had left the wardst night!


    The carer continued, "How can I refund that money to you? Can youe to me tomorrow? You''d bettere now. I feel Francis will soon die."


    Lilian tightly held the phone in panic and hated herself for being unable to speak.


    After hanging up the phone, she immediately sent a text message to the carer, told her she could not speak, and asked her te tell her about Fabiana¡¯s


    condition.


    Then, she looked up upstairs. After hesitating for a long time, she gave up asking him for help. She walked to the sofa, sat down, tightly held the


    phone, and waited for the carer''s reply.


    The carer was so busy that she didn''t have time to check the text messages, so she did not reply after Lilian waited for a long.


    When Lilian looked at the clock on the wall, she found it was ten in the evening.


    She was too anxious, so she had a prickling headache again. She heard something buzzing in her mind and felt dizzy. The entire world was spinning.


    She covered her head, curled up on the sofa. grabbed her hair, and gritted her teeth to endure the pain. She thought she would be fine after she got


    through it, so she hugged herself tighter.


    After a few minutes, she felt one hundred years had passed.


    Suddenly, her phone vibrated. She hurriedly forced herself to sit up and picked up the phone from the ground. Then, she endured the headache and


    tremblingly unlocked it.


    It was the carer''s reply, saying, "Fabiana¡¯s son Paul came and said he would stop her treatment and take her back. The medical expenses had not


    been spent yet. so the doctor asked Francis to continue her treatment. But Paul made a scene in the hospital and asked them to refund the money.


    Fabiana was so angry that she passed out. After she was wheeled out of the emergency room, the doctor kept shaking his head. Paul was scared, so


    he didn''t insist on refunding the money and let the doctor continue to treat her. He has left. Fabiana is alone in the hospital.


    The carer was afraid Paul would ckmail her if anything happened to Francis. So, she wanted to quit the job.


    The doctor had issued a critical illness notice, so she thought it would be difficult for Fabiana to survive.


    Lilian''s heart twitched when she :


    read the long message. She grabbed


    her cor because she had difficulty


    breathing. She wondered why Paul


    had-appeared in the hospitabWas it


    a egincidence?


    -


    She knocked on her head and tried to calm down. When the pain subsided a little, she slowly looked upstairs, wondering whether he was so cold-


    blooded.Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org.


    She forced her weak body to stand up and walked toward the study. She swayed at every step as if she would fall at any time.


    When she went in without knocking


    on the door, Francis was sitting i


    cross-legged,zily leaning back-on


    the sofa, holding his phone in his


    handy and listening to the pefson on


    the-other end of the phone Speaking.


    When he raised his eyes to nce at her, he noticed her pale face and slightly frowned. Then, he turned his attention back to his phone.


    Lilian slowly walked over and intently looked at him


    "OK, I know."


    After speaking, he hung up the phone and looked at her again.


    She stared at him and gestured, "Why?"


    He looked at her fingers without replying.


    She continved, "I have promised not


    to see heragain. Why can''t you let


    her go? When I woke ups night, I


    found was i in the same hospital as


    Fabiana, So, I went to visit her. I


    did''t specifically go there. to see


    h¨¦r."


    Francis suddenly reached out to pull her over.

 Chapter 198 Why Did Paul Show Up in the Hospital

    Chapter 198 Why Did Paul Show Up in the Hospital


    Chapter 198 Why Did Paul Show Up in the Hospital


    Lilian lost her bnce and fell heavily on hisp. When she raised her head, she met his emotionless eyes.


    He stretched out his fingers, touched the end of her eyes, and whispered, ¡°Everyone has his destiny. This matter has nothing to do with me."


    She stared at him with tears and tried to tell whether he was telling the truth from his expression. But she couldn''t mean anything. She shook her


    head and gestured, ¡°Why did Paul show up in the hospital?"


    "I don¡¯t know."


    His voice was calm as if he didn¡¯t take this matter to heart.


    Lilian tightened her fists. She didn''t know whether to believe him. Paul had left Fabiana alone in the hospital. But he had gone there as soon as she


    had paid the medical bills and deliberately angered Fabiana.


    Francis had said she could not see Fabiana again. And these things coincided with his words.


    At the thought of this, Lilian couldn''t help trembling and felt more unfamiliar with him. She struggled to stand up and squatted down next to him.


    Francis knew what she was going to say, so he grabbed her wrists to stop her from gesticting.


    "Lilian, don''t do unnecessary things. Otherwise, you will harm others and yourself.¡±


    Lilian was startled and weakly slumped to the ground.


    Francis stood up and left without looking back.


    Hearing him locking the door, she crawled over and turned the doorknob. Sure enough. she couldn''t open it. She smashed the door with her fists, but


    there was no response.


    Knowing he had locked her up again. she slowly slid down against the door and hugged her knees. She felt groggy, as if she were drunk, and


    gradually lost consciousness.


    Ruby met the middle-aged man alone the next day in the same coffee shop.


    "Ms. Landau, please sign this share transfer agreement if you have decided. We have prepared enough money.¡±


    Ruby took the agreement over and?.


    flipped itthrough. She couldn''t <>


    understand it, so she was oO


    pretending. Francis was not present,


    SO. She felt unsure.   7


    The man was notin ahurry and


    quietly waited for her. After a few.


    minutes, she picked up the per


    hesitated for a second, gritted her


    teeth, and signed her name: ¡®  ~~


    Seeing this, the man could not help smiling but maintained a calm face.


    After signing her name, Ruby took out her seal, stamped it. and asked, "I''ve signed it. When can I get the money?"


    The man took the contract over, :


    confirmedthe signature, and smiled,


    ¡®lll transfer it to youter. But the


    amount isrge, so it won''t instantly


    arrive in your ount. You may


    have to wait."


    -


    Ruby was a little hesitant because she was afraid he would default an the payment.Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    The man added, "If you have any questions, you can ask Mr. Landau. I am very close to him."


    Hearing this, Ruby felt less worried. After all, she could only believe Francis now.


    "OK. Please transfer the money to me as soon as possible.¡±


    Ruby didn''t bother to exchange banalities with him, so she got up. picked up her bag, and left.


    Then, the man walked down the street behind the cafe, came to the corner, and got into a Bentley.


    "Mr. Landau, she signed the contract. Please review it."


    When Francis took the contract over and looked through it, the man asked, "Will you give her the money?¡±

 Chapter 199 Is There Anything Wrong

    Chapter 199 Is There Anything Wrong


    Chapter 199 Is There Anything Wrong


    Francis said without raising his head, "Yes. Otherwise, we can¡¯t continue the n."


    The man was startled and then nodded in understanding, "I see. I will ask people to make the paymentter.¡±


    "OK."


    After Ruby left the coffee shop, she called Johnson, who had not returned home since thepany had gotten in trouble. She hadn''t seen him for


    days.


    He did not answer the call until she called him again. Hearing his voice, she felt happy and asked, "Johnson, where are you? Can we meet?"


    Johnson said with his usual smile, ¡°What''s up? Is there anything wrong?"


    Sheined in a faint voice, "Can''t I meet you when nothing is wrong? I have something important about those projects to tell you. There is good


    news.¡±


    Johnson raised his voice and jokingly asked, "Really?"


    Ruby frowned, wondering why he was not anxious after making such a big mistake. How could he be so calm?


    She suppressed her doubts and said, "Where are you now? I''ll go to meet you."


    "I''m in thepany.¡±


    Ruby responded, hung up the phone, and drove straight to the Landau Group.


    She didn''t go Dpstairs because there


    were too maty people in the


    companyNt was inconvenient to talk


    about sueh a thing there, so she =>


    calledYohnson and asked himtto


    come¨¦down. And he arrived after


    less''than five minutes.


    os


    b¨¦longs  ?


    He wore the suit as usual. His


    mid-length hair was slightly curly.


    When he smil¨¦d, he looked like a


    prince in a fairy tale. They had been.


    married for two years. But every ~


    time she saw him, her heart would


    . nN a to gel


    skip beat as if it were their first


    eeting. She hadn''t seen him for


    days. When she saw his uaworldly


    face, her heart beat faster than


    usual. She wanted to see more


    desire on his face. If he did not want


    anything, it would be hard to control


    him.


    3


    Johnson naturally opened the car door, sat in the passenger seat, and smiled, "What do you want to say to me?"


    Ruby starectat him in a daze for a


    few seconds. When she returnedto


    her senses, she held his hand and


    said, "tnned ofort you. But


    you-seem fine. So, I don''t ne¨¦d to


    sayanyforting words.now."


    Johnson smiled, ¡°Why do you think I need to hearforting words?¡±Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org.


    Ruby frowned, ¡°Because you are in trouble. I know thepany lost arge amount of money. We can barely hide it from the media. Some people


    have heard about it and begun to sell the stocks."


    Johnson nodded, "I know. Selling stocks now is indeed a wise choice.¡±


    "Do you think I am talking to you about stocks? I''m talking about the funds!"


    Ruby was a little angry and didn¡¯t know if he was pretending not to understand


    Johnson calmly withdrew his hand and smiled, "Go ahead. I''ll listen."


    When Ruby looked at her empty hand, her heart sank.


    She suppressed the strange feeling and said, "I just want you not to worry. I will help you.¡±


    When Johnson heard this, his expression did not change. He looked at her with a smile and said, "I don''t need it. But thank you all the same.¡±

 Chapter 200 Its Up to You

    Chapter 200 It''s Up to You


    Chapter 200 It''s Up to YouExclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org.


    Ruby bit her lower lip. Although he smiled at her, she somehow couldn''t help feeling ufortable.


    She seriously said, "I will help you fill the hole. Believe me!"


    When Johnson heard this, his expression slightly changed.


    "What? What do you n to do?¡±


    She sullenly replied, ¡°Don''t worry about it. I will help you anyway.¡±


    Unexpectedly, he grabbed her wrist and coldly said, "Tell me the truth! What on earth did you do?"


    His grip was so tight that Ruby frowned in pain and said, "What are you doing? You hurt me!"


    Hearing this, Johnson let her go, regained hisposure, and said, "I''m sorry."


    She rubbed her wrist, suspiciously looked at him, and said, "You are weird. You did not panic when you got into trouble. Why are you so nervous after


    I said I would help? What on earth are you thinking?¡±


    Johnson meaningfully looked at her, held her hand, and softly said. ¡°Ruby, what did you do? Can you tell me? I don''t need your help with this matter.


    And I don''t want you to get in danger.¡±


    Ruby shook her head, "Don''t worry. I won''t be in danger. I can solve the matter."


    Johnson intensely stared at her as if he wanted to see her through.


    "Really?"


    ¡°Really! I came to you to discuss this because I don''t want you to worry. Can you return home? Bennie and I are waiting for you every day."


    Ruby felt a little aggrieved, so tears welled up in her eyes. Although challenging, she was always humble and meek like a kitten in front of him


    Jonnson looked at her momentarily,


    retracted hisgaze, turned to face the


    window, and sighed, "I will make =>


    time to go back. As you said, this


    matteris serious. I have to deat with


    atthepany, So I don¡¯t have


    inte to go home." Content t belongs


    4


    ss


    Ruby took his mon pitifully looked~


    at him, and said, "I know. Ican I<


    understand you. And I know you ¡®are


    afraid of Dad. You don''t dare.to go


    haine to face him, right?" Content


    ~~


    Ruby thought for a moment, made up her mind, and said, ¡°I''ve thought about it. Why don''t we move out like my brother? We will stop living with


    them."


    When they hathgotten married,


    Rosalie had-suggested they live


    together t ta test Johnson''s =


    character And Ruby had believed


    her then. They had lived in peace for


    a long time, so she had not a¡±


    proposed to move out. Content


    b¨¦longs  ¡°>


    Ruby wanted to move out now because she wanted a real family life with Johnson and their own home.


    Johnson stretched to touch her head and smiled, "We will move out if you want to. It''s up to you.¡±


    He always listened to her and agreed to whatever she said as if he had no opinions. He had no sense of participation in their family at all.


    Suddenly, he asked, "Are you and your brother nning something?"


    Ruby was slightly startled and showed a guilty look in her eyes. She looked away and said, "No! Don''t overthink."


    When Johnson saw her reaction, his smile faded a little. And there was a subtle emotion in his eyes


    "Fine! I won''t ask anymore. I must get back to work now. Go home and take care of Bennie.¡±


    Ruby obediently nodded and affectionately looked up at him. Unexpectedly, he opened the car door and got out without looking back.


    When he quickly walked into thepany and entered the elevator, the smile on his face disappeared. Then, he took out his phone and made a call


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