Family on Their Knees Heart Turned to Ice novel Chapter 169

Colin was rejected and didn't bother to press the issue, simply turning and walking away.

He felt like he was losing his place in this family. Everyone treated him like an errand boy, ordering him around when they needed something and forgetting he existed otherwise.

He had even less presence in the house than Lillian did.

As Colin left, Sabrina arrived.

Bella's impatient voice came from inside again.

Sabrina spoke gently, “Bella, it's Mom.”

Bella went and opened the door. “Mom.”

Sabrina knew her daughter well and understood what had happened. It was clear she had tried to set a trap and ended up catching herself.

Sabrina didn't blame her. She smiled, entered the room, and closed the door for a private mother-daughter talk.

“Bella, life is long. It's perfectly normal to stumble once or twice.

Victory requires the right time, place, and people. Sometimes, if just one little thing is off, you can't succeed.

You've actually done very well. I think you're brilliant. It was just bad timing, that's all.

If the timing had been right, she might have fallen right into your hands this time.

It's okay. We'll take it slow. There will be plenty more opportunities.

From now on, in this house, we mother and daughter will work together. What could we possibly fail to win?”

Despite her mother’s words, Bella's expression remained grim.

“Mom, you don't understand. I've been utterly humiliated.

That man, Victor, said he's going to dig up those old forum posts. I still don't know how that code even got leaked.

It was a concept Sebastian and I envisioned years ago, but we never pursued it because the project's difficulty was incredibly high.

You've seen how successful I've been with phones and appliances.

Sabrina soothed her, “Bella, don't worry. Mom will find a way to help you. These are not major problems.”

Bella nodded. “Mom, just let me be alone for a bit. I don't even know how I'm going to face my colleagues at the office in a few days. Lillian will definitely seize this opportunity to humiliate me. Victor has those posts from the forum where all those top developers mocked me. The thought of it is driving me crazy.”

Sabrina patted her shoulder gently. “Don't worry. Leave this little matter to me.

I promise, I won't let Lillian use this to damage your reputation.”

Bella looked up. “Mom, you have a plan?”

Sabrina smiled mysteriously. “I managed to win over her father. Do you think she can escape my grasp? Besides, she made me a laughingstock today, too. People might not have laughed to my face, but who knows what they're saying behind my back. I can't let this go so easily.”

Bella's spirits lifted slightly. “You're right. She had her moment in the spotlight today. She should pay a price for it. Mom, I'm counting on you.”

Sabrina said confidently, “Don't worry, Martin still listens to me. He can definitely handle a small matter like this.”

With that, Sabrina fiercely rubbed her eyes until her beautiful eyelids were red and swollen. Then, she took a bottle of eye drops from Bella's vanity and squeezed a generous amount in, creating the perfect illusion of having cried her heart out.

Then, wearing this pained expression, she went to find Martin.