Family on Their Knees Heart Turned to Ice novel Chapter 1436

After hanging up, Lillian let out a soft, melodic laugh. She had been trying to figure out how to tell the Mercers that today's groveling session wouldn't be taking place at Halfridge Villas.

Naturally, she had no intention of granting them a 'leave of absence.'

She couldn't care less about their schedule. Her only concern was finding the most devastating way to shatter whatever dignity that wretched couple had left.

The current level of humiliation was merely phase one.

With such a spectacular public event happening today, it was time to dial up the intensity. Welcome to phase two.

Sensing the gears turning in her head, Leonard Prescott smiled. "Did they not catch your hidden meaning?"

Lillian's lips curved into a cool smirk. "When have they ever truly cared about me or anything I've had to say?"

It was a deeply tragic statement.

But Lillian's heart had been pierced so many times that the wounds had calloused over into impenetrable armor. Now, protected by that hardened shell, their blatant disregard didn't sting in the slightest.

Heartbreak was a thing of the past.

Yet, hearing her speak so nonchalantly only made Leonard's chest ache with protective affection.

Suddenly, he tilted his head, resting it gently against her shoulder. "Is my beautiful Lillian going to bring me to the gala today?"

Lillian's smile remained, but her eyes softened significantly.

"If I left you behind, you'd miss out on the greatest show of the year. How could I deprive you of that?"

Leonard beamed, thoroughly satisfied.

However, Lillian wasn't in a rush to leave. Even though it was Saturday, the Winthrop Manufacturing Plant had delivered the first batch of product samples.

Not wanting to waste time commuting, Lillian had Emma Ruiz bring the executive team, along with Celia Bennett and the lead engineers, directly to Halfridge Villas for an impromptu board meeting.

Emma, operating as the ruthless CEO she was, nodded sharply. Lillian preferred to leave the tedious legal wrangling to her capable hands.

By the time the meeting wrapped up, it was just past ten in the morning.

The timing was perfect to head over to Noah's Birthday Gala.

Glancing at her phone, Lillian saw a slew of missed calls and unread messages.

Among them were two frantic texts from Brandon, demanding to know where she was and if she was actually showing up.

Lillian ignored them. Replying was beneath her.

He would find out soon enough when she made her grand entrance.

She headed upstairs, quickly changed into a breathtaking designer gown, and touched up her makeup. By the time she descended the sweeping staircase, her security team had already brought Eleanor Lancaster into the foyer.