Family on Their Knees Heart Turned to Ice novel Chapter 24

“Young Master, are you just going to watch?”

Leonard replied with perfect sincerity, “I can’t win a fight against them.”

“...”

Brandon was truly blindsided. Lillian had applied for a job as a cleaner at Nathan's company, only to end up as his assistant? He didn’t buy it. In his mind, a young, ambitious man with his stunningly beautiful but otherwise unremarkable sister by his side could only mean one thing: Lillian had used her looks to seduce Nathan.

But he was surprised that Lillian, fresh out of prison and no longer in her prime as a pampered heiress, could still pull off such a feat. For a moment, a different idea began to form in Brandon’s mind. He suppressed his anger, his tone softening slightly.

“Mr. Cole, I’m Lillian’s brother, Brandon. My sister has always been a bit flighty. I’m surprised she’s working at your company.”

Nathan replied, “Is there a problem, Mr. Mercer?”

“I’m just worried she’ll cause trouble for you.”

“Rest assured, Mr. Mercer,” Nathan said smoothly. “She never causes trouble.”

Never.

Neither Brandon nor anyone else caught the true meaning behind that single word.

The surrounding conversations paused. Nathan hadn’t intended to interrupt everyone; he just wanted to pull Lillian closer so she could hear the discussion.

“Please, continue,” he said. “I’m just letting my assistant listen in.”

Sebastian’s expression was thunderous. Bella, watching him, searched his face for any sign that he still cared for Lillian. For the rest of the discussion, Bella spoke very little, her attention fixed on the two of them. When the official event began and everyone took their seats for dinner, two awards were presented.

One was the Outstanding Entrepreneur Award, presented by the patriarch of an old-money family. The other was the Outstanding Industry Elite Award, presented by Nathan.

The awards went to Sebastian and Bella, respectively. As they stood on stage for a photo, the audience erupted in thunderous applause. Nathan clapped along politely, but Lillian remained perfectly still. Her eyes scanned the room, but she didn’t see Leonard.

Nathan leaned in close and whispered, “It’s all just industry politics. Whoever has a major project coming up gets the award.”

Lillian smiled gently. “The presenter holds more weight than the award itself.”

Nathan chuckled. “It’s all thanks to your algorithm. It gave me an unshakeable position in the industry. See how smart I was back then, clinging to you for dear life? Where would I be today otherwise?”

Bella said no more. Nathan was not someone they could afford to offend. The major project she was working on was stalled, lacking one crucial element: a powerful algorithm.

Sebastian had assembled the best team for her, even poaching top talent with exorbitant salaries, but they were stuck. Partnering with Li Algorithm was now her only way forward.

Lillian grabbed Nathan and pulled him back into his seat. “Don’t make such a scene. Remember who you are. You’re the CEO, I’m the assistant.”

As she spoke, upstairs at a private table, Leonard set down his knife and fork and delicately dabbed his lips with a napkin. “She’s divorced? Was that in the report?”

“Young Master, don’t tell me you’re interested in Ms. Mercer?”

“I’m determined to get her kidney,” Leonard stated flatly.

“Sir, Ms. Mercer doesn’t exactly look like she’s on death’s door. Perhaps you should make some backup plans. It would be tragic if you didn’t outlast her.”

“I’ve lost my appetite!” Leonard snapped.

Downstairs, Lillian, wanting to escape the stares, got up and headed to the restroom. Leonard saw her slip away and quickly followed.