"Nelson, are you done? I've put up with you for so long! You've been acting strange ever since Janelle came back. What exactly do you want?"
They had worked so hard to get to where they were today, yet he had changed the moment that woman returned.
Did he really love her? She deeply doubted it.
"You're putting up with me? Lillie, don't forget it was you who clung to me desperately to be together in the first place. You're only with me because I'm the heir to the Hills, aren't you? And now you say you can't take it anymore? Huh? Found a better branch to perch on?" Nelson's words were exceptionally harsh.
Lillie looked at him, stunned. How could he think that?
"So my love means nothing to you?" Lillie was genuinely heartbroken.
"Your love? You just liked stealing Janelle's things! Whether it was her possessions or the person she liked, you wanted to take it all." Nelson's heart felt like a gaping hole.
Before, when Janelle wasn't back, he could still delude himself that he had forgotten her. But now, she was back, and she had another man by her side. He couldn't stand it.
She was his. She could only be his for the rest of her life. He couldn't allow anyone to take her away.
Lillie's eyes reddened. Maybe, at the beginning, that had been her motivation. But during their time together, she had genuinely fallen in love with this man. She had tolerated so much, all for the sake of being with him!
"Nelson, you have no heart," Lillie choked out before rushing out of the room.
He was too cruel!
Did he still have feelings for Janelle? Was that why he was so obsessed with Janelle's every move?
Nelson tried to get up, but the pain from his broken ribs stopped him. She had actually hurt him for that man? How could she?
He couldn't bear it. If he couldn't have her, then he would destroy her. He would absolutely not let that man have her.
Amber and Westin returned just in time to see Lillie running out in tears.
Seeing their daughter cry pained them both.
"What happened? Did you argue with Nelson?" Amber asked with concern.
Lillie hugged her mother tightly. "Mom, I love him so much! How could he treat me like this? Everything I've done has been to be with him. But he doesn't care about me at all. There's no place for me in his heart!"
This was something Lillie couldn't endure. She had worked so hard, and now that Janelle was back, he couldn't see her anymore?
"Alright, don't cry. Nelson is just in a bad mood after being beaten up." Who could be in a good mood after being beaten like that?
"But Janelle was the one who hit him, not me! Why is he taking it out on me? Just because I love him?" She hadn't minded at first, but her heart wasn't made of stone! After all this time together, she truly wanted to be with him properly.
"Lillie, what have I told you! You have to coax men, understand?" Amber scolded gently. She'd taught her daughter so much, yet it seemed none of it had stuck.
"Dad," Lillie turned to Westin, "Janelle hates me. She's never seen me as her sister. She came back this time just to get revenge on me. Because I took you away, she's out for revenge now."
Westin put an arm around Amber. "Lillie, you are my most beloved daughter. Everything I have now will be yours in the future. As for Janelle... I won't let her off easy." He had already sent people to the border to fetch Madalyn. Once Madalyn was in his hands, no matter how capable Janelle was, she would have to obey. Madalyn was Janelle's only weakness.
"Now, go wash your face and take good care of Nelson. He's injured; this is when he's most vulnerable," Amber urged, giving Lillie a gentle push. "Oh! The video of Nelson hitting someone with the car... Janelle has it. If she releases it, Nelson won't be able to get into the Research Institute." Janelle was a lunatic; she was capable of anything.
"What?" Amber frowned. What kind of mess was this? Nelson had always been so rational before. How had he completely lost his mind since Janelle returned?
"That video absolutely cannot be released, or Nelson is truly finished."
"What can we do? Janelle demanded Nelson personally apologize, but in his condition..." And given Nelson's personality, he would never admit fault.
"The only option now is to have someone steal the video back," Amber said coldly. Janelle couldn't stay. If she remained, their lives would never be peaceful. No matter what it took, she had to drive Janelle away.
Meanwhile, after dropping Janelle off at Blue Whale Co., Ltd., Erik returned to the hospital.
In Nelson's room, Lillie was still keeping him company. After all, he was her fiancé. Besides, the Hills were now connected to the Lorenz family. So no matter how Nelson treated her, she had to endure it.
Seeing Erik push the door open and walk straight in, Lillie jumped up from the sofa, her face paling.
"What are you doing here? What do you want now?"
Nelson, lying in the hospital bed, also panicked. This man was a madman; there was no reasoning with him.
"You... y-you..." Just seeing Erik made Nelson feel pain all over his body. He had developed a visceral reaction.
"What else do you want?" Nelson stammered.
"Tch. Did you forget?" Erik's voice was dangerously low. "I still have the flash drive. Evidence of you trying to run me over."
"But you're not dead!" Nelson blurted out. How was this man's luck so strong?
Erik remained silent. His silence only made Nelson more terrified.
"You broke two of my ribs! I haven't settled that score with you yet!" The agony of having his bones deliberately snapped was unforgettable.
"Nelson," Erik commanded, his voice icy, "apologize to Janelle personally by the end of today. Otherwise, that Research Institute you've been dreaming about? You won't be stepping foot inside it."
"..."
Nelson's face twisted with humiliation. Apologize? He had two broken ribs, and they dared to demand he apologize?
Erik delivered his ultimatum and left. He truly detested hospitals.
Nelson refused to apologize. His pride and self-respect wouldn't allow it.
However, starting that afternoon, rumors began circulating online.
Whistleblowers revealed how the heir of a top Graham City elite family trampled on human life and disregarded the law.
At first, Nelson was unaware. Lillie saw the forwarded messages in a Graham City second-gen rich kids group chat.
The reports didn't name names, but every detail pointed squarely at Nelson and Lillie.
When Nelson saw the exposé, he smashed his phone in a fit of rage.
"Damn it! What the hell does Janelle think she's doing?!" Nelson roared.