Family on Their Knees Heart Turned to Ice novel Chapter 76

"I believe in your abilities," Leonard said.

Lillian smiled faintly.

That night, as she tossed and turned in bed, Lillian realized that given her current situation, starting her own business might just be her best option.

The Mercer and Blake families had blocked every possible avenue for her to find a job.

She probably couldn't even get hired as a janitor at this point; no company would dare take her on.

But her core competency—could the Mercers and Blakes really control that?

Lillian suddenly sat up in bed, a slight smile gracing her lips.

Actually, Leonard was wrong.

She didn't need to prove anything.

When she was just coming of age, she had already proven her talent and ability with the Li Algorithm.

Now, she just wanted to seize what little time she had left and live her life to the fullest, to shine as brightly as she could.

After a sleepless night, Lillian woke up feeling surprisingly refreshed.

Fueled by a cup of coffee and a nutritious breakfast, she walked over and knocked on Leonard's door.

Leonard, still in his bathrobe with a head of messy bed hair, opened his sleepy eyes to find a radiant Lillian standing in his doorway.

"You're up so early?"

"Thank you for your advice. I've decided to start my own company. I apologize in advance, but after all these years, I don't have many connections, so I'll have to shamelessly borrow Ethan from you."

Upon hearing this, Leonard's eyes lit up.

"Are you sure about this?"

Lillian nodded. "I should have realized this back when I was helping Sebastian start his business. I shouldn't be doing all the work just for someone else to take the credit."

Leonard suddenly leaped up and hugged Lillian. Perhaps it was because he had just been woken up and wasn't fully awake yet.

Lillian stood there, completely stunned. Leonard was always so composed and serious. How could he be so different right after waking up?

He was like...

Like a younger brother from next door?

But soon, Lillian smiled too. "Are you really this happy about me starting a business?"

Leonard let her go. "Of course! In my lifetime, I'm about to witness a second miracle. Lillian, I'm begging you, let me invest. When you become a success, I can brag for the rest of my life that I was one of your investors."

Lillian replied, "I was actually about to discuss that with you. I have some capital, but I'm afraid it won't be enough to sustain the initial burn rate.

"I'm a fallen heiress, a cast-off wife from a wealthy family, and an ex-convict—I've got all the disadvantages stacked against me.

"If I start a business, it's highly unlikely I'll be able to attract any other investors.

"The Mercer and Blake families probably won't allow me to get any funding either.

"As for Nathan, I don't want to jeopardize his partnership with the Blake Group.

"So, you're the only one I can turn to."

Leonard said, "You've come to the right person."

Leonard pulled Lillian into his room.

He picked up a folder from his desk and handed it to her.

"Take a look."

Martin said, "Bella is truly capable and talented. I'm sure the new product launch will be announced soon. This year's financial report should look much better than previous years."

Brandon placed a soup dumpling in Bella's bowl. "Bella, we're all looking forward to your good news."

Colin couldn't help but ask, "Sebastian mentioned before that he would have Nathan fire Lillian. Now that the contract is signed, does that mean Lillian has been fired?"

A sudden silence fell over the table.

It seemed that every time Lillian's name was mentioned, this would happen.

Sabrina gently kicked Martin under the table.

Martin finally spoke up. "Why are we talking about that disgrace while we're eating?"

Bella decided to add, "She resigned two or three days ago. She's looking for a job, but I hear it's not going well."

Martin knew exactly why Lillian couldn't find a job.

With him and Sebastian working together against her, she stood no chance.

Colin said, "This is bad. She took her grandmother and mother with her. With no source of income, what if something happens to them?"

Brandon casually ate his breakfast. "She wouldn't dare let anything happen to Grandma and Mom. When she can't handle it anymore, she'll naturally come back and beg us.

"Or, she'll go beg Sebastian. And at that point, she'll have no choice but to have a second child."

Colin thought that made sense.

"You're right. Lillian was spoiled her whole life and never had to worry about money. Once she's broke, she'll have to bow her head."

Sabrina said, "Martin, is this really the right thing to do? What if it just builds more resentment between you and your daughter? Wouldn't that be a bad thing?"

Martin replied, "I honestly don't know what I did in a past life to deserve such a disgrace. She's nothing but a walking debt. Selfish, heartless, and ungrateful. It would be better if she never came back, even if she's desperate. It would be best if she just died out there!"