What woman was he unable to attract?
Still, all he saw in Lacey's eyes was impatience and disgust.
Even so, she smiled generously on the outside.
What a pain that must be for her.
Lacey locked her gaze on Sam, her brow furrowed so deeply that she might kill an ant. Had he had enough?
"All right, let's go back and get some rest!" Finally, Sam stopped teasing her. Grinning, he threw his arm around her shoulders and headed back to the hospital.
However, as soon as they turned around, a voice of disbelief sounded.
"Sam—"
It was a light call.
The voice drew everyone in, and as they turned around, they were stunned.
"Isn't that Miss Lacey?" Someone called out.
Yes, Lacey Carter, the second daughter of the Carter family, whom Bailey had brought back despite her bad name.
Lacey turned around and looked back, also slightly stunned. Lillianna?
Lillianna couldn't help but clench her fists as she saw the two standing together.
Why?
Hadn't he just said he had something to do?
Was this what he meant? To find Lacey?
She wouldn't have known what was happening if Cadence hadn't sent her a message telling her to watch the live broadcast.
Lacey frowned and gave Sam a look that said, "Karma is real."
"You're Lacey, aren't you?" Those who were curious began to inquire.
"Your father certainly treated you well. He had just brought you back and already provided you with designer clothes. Indeed, wealthy families are different!" Those who were envious expressed their displeasure in a jealous tone.
Lillianna ignored the crowd. She walked up to Sam and Lacey slowly.
Meanwhile, Sam stood still. His demeanor was as icy as ever.
"Look, why is she staring at her brother-in-law?" Someone muttered.
"Yeah, look at her eyes. She seems aggrieved. Is she trying to steal her sister's man?"
Lacey could clearly hear the gossip even if it weren't loud.
She shook her head helplessly. She'd just managed to keep the truth hidden!
Why did it have to be exposed again?
"Why are you here? Didn't the driver send you back?" Sam asked instead of calling her name.
Lillianna bit her lip. Then she turned to Lacey and said, with slightly red eyes, "You—"
"Miss Lillianna, is that your sister? Is she here to see you?" The entertainment reporters hurried forward and asked.
Lillianna shifted her gaze from the reporter to Lacey.
What Lacey did on the broadcast, she saw it all.
Her rage overtook her at this point.
She was furious that Lacey impersonated her!
Sophia was right. Lacey was trying to steal her man!
And yet, why hadn't Sam refused?
Lillianna was perplexed, and all she felt was a blockage in her heart.
Even so, she managed to keep a grin on her face. "Lillianna."
She called out.
Lacey was stunned by the way Lillianna addressed her.
What did she mean by this?
Wasn't she going to expose her?
"Are you feeling better, Lillianna? Dad was afraid you'd feel uncomfortable in the hospital, so he sent me to pick you up." Lillianna smiled as she came forward and took Lacey's hand.
Lacey remained silent. She guessed why Lillianna had decided to swallow her anger.
Lillianna was probably pleased with her responses throughout the broadcast.
Otherwise, given Lillianna's character, she wouldn't have let her off so easily."
"Thank you, Lacey!"
Since Lillianna had decided to act, Lacey naturally went along with it.
Besides, she was itching to get away from Sam.
Lillianna's eyes flickered with a glimmer before she made a sad look at Sam. "Sam, we'll be leaving now!" she said through clenched teeth.
"Please step aside!" Just then, two bouncers appeared out of nowhere.
Everyone quickly moved out of the way.
Soon the door of a multi-million dollar luxury car opened.
A pair of expensive high heels stepped out, followed by a glamorous figure.
Everyone took a deep breath.
Wasn't that Mrs. Garrison, Lillianna's mother-in-law?
Not only was the crowd stunned, but so were Lacey and Lillianna.
"Mom, what brings you here?" Sam smiled and walked up.
"I've just finished a gathering. What are you doing in this place?"
Tilly's face was devoid of any smile. Her demeanor was strong.
So much so that those around her who were watching couldn't help but back away.
Sam smiled deeply and replied, "Nothing. I'm just about to leave."
Tilly raised her eyebrows. "Lillianna, what happened to you?" she asked, shifting her focus to Lacey, who was dressed in a hospital gown.
Lacey was taken aback. She turned her sight from Tilly to Lillianna, then to Sam.
A bewildered look on her face.
Sam stood still. He did nothing else than raise the corner of his mouth.
"Auntie, I—" Lillianna took a step closer at that point, intending to say something. However, she hesitated on second thought.
Tilly glanced at her before scanning her clothing. "It's better to improve your attitude rather than your appearance," she snorted.
Lillianna was anxious to hear this. "Auntie, no, I—"
"Mrs. Garrison, are you here to visit your daughter-in-law?" The entertainment reporter cut Lillianna off and turned the topic to Tilly.
The bodyguards were smart. They encircled the two, preventing anyone from approaching them.
Lillianna's eyes suddenly turned red, and her voice sounded aggrieved. "I'm the real Lillianna."
"I know," Sam said in a calm tone.
"Why did you—" Lillianna stammered.
"Now that the lie has begun, we must continue to act it out. Do you think my mother will forgive you if she finds out we put up a show?" Sam let out a sigh.
What he said astounded Lillianna.
Indeed, lying and dishonesty were two of Tilly's pet peeves.
"Don't worry. I know who she is. I won't do anything to her. I'll send her back in the morning." He gave her an adoring smile and stroked her hair.
Lillianna sobbed uncontrollably. "Okay."
She knew he still loved her.
He'd never fall in love with a horrible woman like Lacey!
"There, there. Go home and get some rest. I'll see you in the morning." Sam then turned around and got into the car.
With tears in her eyes, Lillianna had her eyes fixed on Sam, sitting in the passenger seat. Her expression seemed aggravated.
In the car, however, Sam's doting smile suddenly cooled.
In fact, he, too, despised dishonesty above all else.
Forty minutes passed—
And they arrived at Garrison's house.
Lacey felt as though she were on pins and needles the entire ride. Tilly had been holding her hand and chatting with her with enthusiasm.
She had no choice but to smile in response.
Tilly was even more pleased by Lacey's manner. She couldn't help but feel that her daughter-in-law was obedient.
A dozen servants rushed forward to carry their belongings and tidy their clothing as soon as they entered the house.
And just as they sat down on the sofa, the servants brought them top quality black tea.
"Where's Sophia?" Tilly asked, looking at Aunt Paige.
"Ma'am, Miss Sophia has fallen asleep." Aunt Paige replied respectfully.
Tilly couldn't help but smile as Sophia didn't usually go to bed so early.
"Aunt Paige, have the kitchen make Lillianna some soup," Tilly ordered.
"Yes, ma'am." Aunt Paige hurried off to the kitchen.
When Sam returned home, he took off his suit and put on a shirt. Then he leaned back on the sofa and sipped his coffee, all the while smiling at Lacey.
Lacey lowered her head, not knowing what to do.
"Lillianna, drink some black tea," Tilly said, pointing to the tea.
"Okay." Lacey picked up her black tea and took a sip. In the back of her mind, she was trying to find an excuse to take a break.
Otherwise, she would be exposed sooner or later.
"Lillianna, now that you and Sam are engaged, you two won't need birth control anymore," Tilly suddenly said.
"Plink."
Lacey accidentally spilled her tea.
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