Too Late to Hold Me Back novel Chapter 516

With a heavy thud, Fiona collapsed onto the floor, desperately pulling Mara down beside her.

"Adrian, please, I didn't teach her this! I swear on my life I had no idea she was doing any of this!"

Internally, Fiona was seething. *I'm the toxic one? You’re the billionaire who came looking for a mistress! It takes two to tango! You loved keeping a woman on the side, but now that it blew up in your face, I’m the scapegoat?*

But she swallowed her venom. For her daughter's sake, she had to play the victim. Even without the corporate empire, Adrian’s private wealth was enough to keep them dripping in luxury.

If they left, where would they go? Work minimum-wage shifts?

After decades of being pampered in penthouses, the idea of living like a peasant was utterly repulsive.

As long as they endured his temper, she and Mara would inherit everything when the old man finally dropped dead.

"You know she grew up on the streets! I didn't get to raise her.

We only reunited a few years ago. She doesn't tell me anything!"

Fiona deliberately pulled the 'abandoned child' card to spark his guilt. She genuinely hadn't known the depths of Mara's sabotage.

The videos had horrified her. She couldn't believe her daughter had been so incredibly stupid.

But stupid or not, Mara was her only child, and she would lie through her teeth to protect her.

After an hour of Fiona’s relentless weeping and hysterical begging, Adrian’s energy depleted. He didn't forgive them, but the brutal reality set in:

Mira had zero intention of ever acting like a Mercer again, but Ethan was a highly competent ally. She didn't mind collaborating with him.

For now, her immediate focus was the advanced pharmacological certification exam Master Ellis was forcing her to take.

Due to her ruthless business maneuvers and the university entrance exams, her medical studies had taken a back seat. She had been cramming for weeks.

Though they shared a bond closer to father and daughter, Master Ellis refused to show her any mercy when it came to academics.

She had failed the certification once before. This time, she was determined to pass.

But just as she was about to log into the secure testing portal, her encrypted phone buzzed.