ANMELDENShe felt cornered, with nowhere to turn.Even if she wanted to complain, there was no one she could turn to.She knew her son’s limits better than anyone.But Philip had already caught the flaw in all of this.And he asked it outright.“Who told you I was planning to hand the company to Edwin?”His temper flared instantly.He wanted to know exactly who had put that idea into the open.Because he had never once intended that.Lucas didn’t answer.Instead, his gaze drifted slightly toward Maria.She had been trying to stay out of it, but the moment she caught that look, she raised her hands in a panic.“That’s not true, Mr. Carter, you can’t just say things like that. I would never push my son into something like this.“I haven’t even said anything yet. Why are you so worked up?”Lucas’ presence shifted, the pressure in his voice unmistakable.“Unless, that’s exactly what you’ve been thinking?”Before she could respond, he went on, “No wonder you’ve been here every day, hovering around h
“So what, Grandpa? You think I’m exaggerating?“You saw it yourself. He was threatening someone in that video. The way he spoke and acted was completely unhinged.“He even grabbed the man by the jaw. What do you think that leads to?”Lucas widened his eyes slightly, his tone edged with deliberate disbelief, as if Philip were shielding something far worse.Philip fell silent.When had his grandson turned into this kind of performer?Every word and expression was layered and calculated.Even Maria was momentarily thrown.This wasn’t the distant and composed Lucas she remembered.Now he felt different. He was sharper.Philip opened his mouth, ready to say something in Edwin’s defense.After all, he knew his grandson well enough.Lucas might look polished on the surface, his words measured, but he wasn’t soft.If anything, he was far more ruthless than he let on.Breaking someone’s jaw was nothing.Even worse wouldn’t be out of the question.The family wasn’t criminal, but there were thin
Some things lost their weight when heard secondhand.If he was going to judge it, he needed to see it for himself.That was why Philip was truly curious—what could have pushed Lucas this far?Lucas didn’t hesitate.He placed the phone directly in front of him.“Take a look. I recorded all of this. See for yourself what your son’s been doing.”There was no warmth left in his gaze now.“There are things I haven’t said, not because I don’t know. So, you’d better have him give me an explanation. Otherwise, no one walks away from this clean.”His voice dropped, colder with every word.Maria’s heart sank.This was bad.There was no walking this back.She hadn’t expected Edwin to go this far.Watching Philip’s expression grow darker as the video played, she closed her eyes for a moment.If even half of this was true, then Edwin was in serious trouble, especially if Aurora had been dragged into it.She opened her mouth, wanting to say something in his defense, but there was nothing she could s
“Lucas, you know how this works. Whoever makes the claim has to prove it.”Philip’s gaze sharpened, turning firm.But beneath it, there was already a quiet shift, he was starting to believe him.Lucas nodded.“I know. That’s why I didn’t come empty-handed. I also know that without proof, none of you would believe me.”As he spoke, his eyes settled on Maria.Her heart skipped.It was clear now that Lucas hadn’t come unprepared.This wasn’t a bluff.For a brief moment, something like resignation flickered through her.Then instinct took over.She quietly slipped out her phone, intending to send a message.Whether Edwin knew about this or not—she needed to inform him right now.If Lucas had really come this far, and Edwin was caught off guard, the consequences would be disastrous.But before she could do anything, Lucas moved.He reached out and snatched the phone from her hand.Lifting it slightly, he looked at her with a faint, knowing smile.“What? Are you trying to warn your son?”“I…
She had always known Lucas didn’t like being addressed by name.Under the weight of that warning look, she corrected herself immediately.“I really don’t know what my son has done. I’ve been here at the hospital the whole time, taking care of Philip. He can vouch for that.“And lately, I haven’t had much contact with him either. If there’s something going on, wouldn’t it be better to speak to him directly?”She tested the waters carefully.In her mind, Edwin was better equipped to handle this—he was younger, sharper, and far more experienced dealing with Lucas.If anything, this was his problem to resolve.After all, if there was a grievance, it should be taken up with the person responsible.There was no reason for it to land on her.She had no intention of taking the blame.Lucas let out a cold scoff.“Don’t think I don’t know what you’re trying to do. I’m warning you. This ends with you today. Not only will you know about it… your son will too.”“What are you talking about?”Philip
Philip didn’t believe a word of it.“If you’ve got nothing to say, then leave. Don’t stand here getting on my nerves.”He waved him off, already done with the conversation.“Why should I leave?”Lucas didn’t budge.If anything, he seemed more set on staying.He rose to his feet, phone in hand, and walked straight toward Maria.She stiffened as he approached, unease creeping up her spine.Instinctively, she shot Philip a look for help.But Philip was just as uncertain.He had no idea what Lucas was about to do.“What exactly are you trying to do?” Philip demanded. “Can’t you just say what you want to say?“Why are you going toward Maria?”“Maria?”Lucas let out a soft, dismissive scoff.“Grandpa, have you really gotten to the point where you’ll just take anyone in?”Maria’s hands tightened at her sides.That stung more than she expected.No matter how much time passed, Lucas never seemed to change.He was still just as sharp and cutting.But this felt different.There was something heav
That meant Yvonne was absolutely enjoying it.That was what made her endearing.She never forced herself to endure anything.If his touch had truly made her uncomfortable, she would’ve pushed him away long ago by any means necessary.But instead of resisting, she responded with equal intensity. Just
All of this had already pushed the staff to their limit.So, when Aurora and Yvonne were compared side by side, Aurora’s sudden composure and decency actually caught everyone by surprise.They had always assumed that people like her—wealthy and privileged—lived entirely in their own world.After all
It could even be said that it never existed at all—it was entirely Yvonne’s wishful thinking.But how could parents possibly say something like that outright?No matter what, Yvonne’s original intention was not malicious. Wanting to climb higher would, in fact, benefit the family as well.If she tru
She never imagined that her most humiliating moment would be witnessed by the one person she least wanted to see.It felt as if the last mask she wore had been torn away.Just thinking about it made Yvonne feel unbearably ashamed.How had things ended up like this?She only wanted to preserve the la







