Family on Their Knees Heart Turned to Ice novel Chapter 1045

After all, Bella's mother had been forced to livestream a humiliating public apology to Lillian for an entire month. The internet hadn't forgotten that.

Starting a fight with Lillian today meant making an enemy of the entire university, and Bella wasn't foolish enough to risk that kind of backlash.

She was only here for Sebastian. She could tolerate watching Lillian bask in the spotlight, but she absolutely refused to let Sebastian publicly crawl back to her.

She had to prevent him from declaring his love, and she desperately needed to keep the reality of their past secret marriage hidden.

This was a matter of survival for Bella.

Lillian already had too much. She had the money, the fame, the genius.

Why did everything good have to belong to her?

Bella couldn't accept this reality.

As Lillian spoke, Bella's manic eyes darted between the stage and the shadowy second-floor balcony where Sebastian stood.

Finally, the speech transitioned into a Q&A session. Bella's heart raced as she aggressively pushed her way forward, desperate to grab the roaming microphone.

Several students asked brilliant technical questions, which Lillian answered with ease.

Inevitably, the topic shifted to her personal life. Lillian handled it gracefully, offering lighthearted responses.

"Ms. Mercer, you're gorgeous! Your future kids with your partner are going to be stunning. Do you plan on pushing them to attend St. Kingsley too?"

Up on the balcony, Sebastian completely filtered out the word 'partner' and inserted himself into the fantasy, picturing his son, Noah.

Yes, once he brought Noah back home, he would definitely groom him to attend St. Kingsley.

It would be a beautiful legacy—both parents and the son graduating from the same elite institution.

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