Chapter 44

Mia and Lily strolled through the serene estate garden, the warm sunlight casting a gentle glow over the lush greenery. Lily turned to Mia, her eyes filled with affection. "Why didn't you move here, Mia? I need you," she said, her voice soft.

Mia's expression turned serious, her eyes flashing with a hint of anger. "No, Lily, if I moved here and saw Ethan, I would definitely kill him," she said, her voice low and even. "And I don't want his parents to see that. They're very nice people."

Lily's eyes widened slightly, amused by Mia's fierce loyalty. She smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude toward her friend. "Thank you," she said, her voice filled with appreciation. "And thank you for choosing to assist me at Gray Enterprises. You've been an incredible support system for me."

Mia's face softened, and she smiled back at Lily. "I'll always be here for you, anytime," she said, her voice filled with conviction. "You can count on me, no matter what."

Lily's eyes narrowed slightly as she turned to Mia, her voice laced with curiosity. "But I'm surprised, Mia. How did Mr. Lewis Evans easily accept your resignation? As far as I know, company policy and contract require a one-month notice period."

Mia's expression transformed, a sly smile spreading across her face before she became serious. "Mr. Evans wants me to be with you," she said, her voice low. "He said he knows you need me, and also that you can't always face Ethan... he called him an asshole."

Lily's eyes widened in surprise, her mind reeling with the revelation. She hadn't expected Lewis to be so understanding, let alone willing to waive the notice period for Mia's resignation. And the fact that he had spoken about Ethan in such a manner... it was intriguing.

Lily's thoughts swirled with confusion. Were Lewis's actions truly driven by care for her, or was it just a pretense? She couldn't help but wonder if he had ulterior motives. The more she thought about it, the more she felt uncertain.

Mia's words hung in the air, leaving Lily to ponder the complexity of Lewis's character. She looked at Mia, searching for answers, but her friend's expression was neutral, offering no insight.

Lily's gaze drifted away, her mind consumed by thoughts of Lewis and his motivations. She wasn't sure what to make of his actions, but one thing was certain—she was grateful for his support, even if she didn't fully understand his intentions.

Mia turned to Lily, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "So, what will you do now?" she asked, her voice filled with excitement. "You are a billionaire now, Lily. Do you have any idea what you want to do with your newfound wealth and freedom?"

Lily laughed, a hint of irony in her voice. "I don't know what I need to do," she said, shaking her head. "A few days back, I was broken, with no shelter to call my own. And now... I'm a billionaire." She chuckled, the absurdity of her situation not lost on her.

Mia's eyes widened, intrigued by Lily's transformation. "You're right," Lily continued, her expression turning determined. "No matter what I planned, God always had different plans for me. So, if I got a chance, why waste it?" Her voice took on a steely tone. "It's time for revenge. Ethan and Sarah both need to pay for what they did, and I'll make sure they'll regret forever crossing me."

Mia's face lit up with a fierce grin, and she clapped her hands together in excitement. "That's my girl!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with admiration. "You've been through hell, and now it's time to take back control. I'm with you, Lily, all the way."

Lily's eyes flashed with determination, a sense of purpose settling over her. She knew exactly what she wanted to do now—take down Ethan and Sarah and make them pay for their betrayal.

****

Mia and Lily sat in the luxury car, gliding smoothly toward Gray Enterprise. Mia's excitement was palpable, her eyes shining with anticipation. Lily, on the other hand, was calm, but a hint of nervousness lurked beneath her composed exterior.

As they approached the Gray Enterprise building, Lily's gaze fell upon the familiar structure, and she felt a wave of memories wash over her. She remembered the days when she was just Ethan's wife, working in another firm but always putting his needs first. She had planned his every meal, instructed his assistant on what he would eat and what he wouldn't, despite knowing he rarely appreciated her efforts.

The memory stung, a reminder of how she had been treated more like a pet wife than a partner. In his office, no one had taken her seriously, and she had been invisible. Lily's eyes clouded over, her thoughts consumed by the past.

Mia noticed Lily's nervousness and reached out, gently taking her hand. "You got this, Lily," she said softly, her voice reassuring. "You're not the same person you were back then. You're in control now."

Lily's gaze met Mia's, and she felt a surge of gratitude toward her friend. She took a deep breath, her determination renewed. She knew she had to prove herself to Robert, and she was ready to face Ethan every day, armed with the power and control she now wielded.

As they pulled up to the building, Lily's eyes locked onto the Gray Enterprise logo, her heart beating with a mix of emotions. She was ready to face her past and forge a new future, one where she was the one calling the shots.

As they walked into the building, the security guard, an old man with a warm smile, greeted them. "Good morning, ladies. Welcome to Gray Enterprise."

Lily and Mia returned the greeting, their voices friendly. "Good morning, sir. Thank you."

The guard nodded, his eyes twinkling with kindness. "You're welcome, ma'am. Have a great day."

As they walked toward the private elevator, the reception lady, a tall, slender woman with an air of superiority, stepped forward, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Excuse me, can I help you?" she asked, her voice cool.

Lily and Mia turned to face her, and the lady's gaze flicked to Lily, her expression changing from curiosity to surprise and then to a hint of disdain. "You're... Lily Everhart," she said, her voice dripping with condescension.

"Yes, I am," Lily replied, her voice calm and collected.

The reception lady's smile was patronizing. "I'm afraid the private elevator is only for the CEO, President, and special members of the Gray family. You're... not exactly in that category, are you?"

Mia's eyes flashed with annoyance, but Lily's expression remained serene. "Actually, I think I'll be using the elevator," Lily said, her voice firm but polite.

The reception lady, however, seemed to take it as an invitation to continue. "I mean, considering your... situation with Ethan, I'm not sure why you'd think you'd have access to—"

Mia's eyes flashed with annoyance, and she stepped forward, her voice low and even. "Are you stopping Gray Enterprise's CEO from using the private elevator?"