Family on Their Knees Heart Turned to Ice novel Chapter 1405

"No matter what, Lillian's anger should have dissipated by now, right?" Martin pleaded. "I'm an old man! Having to stand there every single day in disgrace, groveling in front of all those servants at Halfridge Villas... it's incredibly humiliating!

"Aren't you two worried about Lillian living out there on her own? We need to finalize this and bring her home. The Mercer Group can't hold on much longer. Even if we seek outside investments, nothing will save us faster than Lillian coming back. She's the only one who can fundamentally solve the company's crisis!"

Colin frowned thoughtfully. "Dad makes a good point. But Lillian is independent now. She won't just listen to us because we ask nicely. Plus, we burned our bridges with her so badly. It's not going to be easy to invite her back."

Brandon spread his hands. "Dad, even Colin knows this. Why don't you? Furthermore, Sabrina's public video apology lasted an entire month. You've barely scratched the surface. You still have a long way to go before your month is up. Why don't you just suck it up?"

Martin slammed his fist on the desk. "Suck it up? Suck it up until when? You're not the ones taking the abuse and groveling every day, so you don't care, do you?!"

"Dad, how can you say that?" Brandon fired back. "Do you think we don't want Lillian home? As soon as she's back, I can launch my projects, reach the top of the industry, and get the success I deserve. I have every reason to want her back immediately!

"But she doesn't want to come back, so what am I supposed to do? Even if I went over there, groveled, and pampered her, would she magically return? Lillian isn't a child anymore. She knows exactly what she wants.

"Can't you just sincerely apologize for a month? Besides, Mom ended up in that horrible state because of you! God gave you and that woman a chance to repent and apologize to Mom. This is your penance!"

With that, Brandon turned and stormed out of the office.

Colin's brow furrowed. "Isn't that how you raised me? You taught me to always follow Brandon's lead and present a united front. 'Brothers of one mind will bring glory to the Mercer Group'—isn't that what you've been drilling into my head since I was a kid?"

Colin rolled his eyes at his father and walked out.

He was used to it. He knew he didn't have the grand vision his brother had, so acting as Brandon's loyal lieutenant suited him just fine. There was nothing wrong with letting his older brother take the lead.

Left alone, Martin fumed in his office, dreading the moment he would have to face Eleanor Lancaster for his daily slaps the next morning.