Family on Their Knees Heart Turned to Ice novel Chapter 96

Toward the end of the banquet, Lillian received a text from Nathan updating her on the situation outside.

She was the talk of the evening. Everyone was curious about who this mystery woman was, who had managed to get an invitation to the exclusive inner dining room.

There was also buzz about her match against Bella, praising her impressive victory.

After all, they all knew that Bella had dominated every competition at the conference for the past two years, no matter the game.

To see her so thoroughly crushed was a thrilling spectacle for many.

Though it was just a game, winning against Bella made everyone wonder about the true extent of Lillian's capabilities.

Lillian read the messages and decided to slip out through a back exit as the banquet concluded.

She didn't want to step back into the spotlight, where she would undoubtedly be approached by people looking to network.

It wasn't that she was afraid of talking to them, but the thought of dealing with Sebastian, Bella, and the Mercers made her want to avoid the main hall altogether.

No matter what she did, her father and brother always found something to criticize. It was better to just steer clear of the drama.

Lillian hadn't been drinking, so she walked straight to her car after leaving.

Driving her car, Lillian planned to head directly back to Halfridge Villas.

Even though she was working again, she kept to a strict schedule, punching in and out on time.

If she had to work overtime, she brought the work home with her.

With her mother and grandmother at home, she wanted to spend as much time with them as she could.

Even if one was in a coma, never to wake, and the other didn't even recognize her.

Just seeing them brought Lillian a sense of peace.

As her car stopped at the first traffic light after leaving the venue, a Maybach pulled up beside her.

Lillian was lowering the convertible top to get some fresh air and didn't pay any attention to the car next to her.

Luxury cars were a dime a dozen in this area; no one would bat an eye at a Maybach or a Hennessey Venom.

Just as the top finished retracting, the light turned green. Lillian hit the accelerator, and the car shot forward with incredible speed.

She completely ignored the Maybach next to her, where two pairs of eyes were fixed on her.

"How can that be?"

Bella's composure finally cracked, her expression crumbling.

Sebastian's voice was flat. "She's always known how to drive."

Bella realized her tone had been overly dramatic and quickly reined in her surprise.

"Sebastian, that car Lillian is driving... is it yours?"

"I never drive supercars," he stated.

His choice in cars, much like his personality, favored stability and understatement. Flashy and dangerously fast supercars were something he never touched.

He was a reserved man, conscious of his business image. He typically drove a Rolls-Royce or, like now, a more discreet Maybach.

Bella pressed, "If it's not your car, could it be Nathan's? Mr. Cole's?"

Martin's voice rose. "Is she deliberately avoiding us? Have you found out where she's living now?"

Brandon shook his head. "I don't know. I checked, but there's no record of her staying anywhere. She's not in a hotel, and I even had someone check the properties under Nathan's name. But Nathan only has one large apartment and no other real estate.

I had people watch his place, but Lillian isn't staying there either.

It's bizarre. Lillian doesn't have any property under her own name. Where on earth could she be staying?"

Martin grew angrier with every word. "She could be living under a bridge for all I care, it's what she deserves. Ungrateful thing. The Mercer and Blake families are prestigious households; we gave her the best of everything.

Not only is she not grateful, she refuses to just be a good little wife and insists on making trouble. She'll be crying her eyes out when Sebastian finally gets rid of her."

Their plan to drag Lillian back to apologize to Bella had failed since they couldn't even find her.

So, the father and son had no choice but to go home, retrieve the jewelry themselves, and offer it as an apology on Lillian's behalf.

Sabrina's eyes lit up when she saw the jewelry set Martin presented.

She had seen it before.

Over a decade ago, Eleanor had worn this very set to celebrate her wedding anniversary with Martin.

At the time, Eleanor hadn't yet discovered her existence, so Sabrina had slipped into the party as a guest and had seen the set up close.

She had been captivated by its luxurious beauty even then.

She knew its value.

And now, today, Martin was holding it out to her.