Lila lowered her head, her gaze falling on the bank card lying on the floor.
After a few moments of silence, she crouched down and picked it up.
This action, in Willy's eyes, only made him think of the term "money-grubbing."
But just as the thought arose, he watched Lila snap the card in two with her hands.
Before he could react, the card fell at his feet in the same manner.
The woman before him was expressionless.
She stepped toward him, grabbed his hand, and pulled hard, her voice filled with rage, "That is my daughter. She has nothing to do with you. Get out, all of you, get out of here!"
Her life was difficult, but she had never thought of using her child to get to Willy.
From the moment she insisted on giving birth, Lila was prepared to raise her daughter alone.
Years ago, Helen had repeatedly urged her to have an abortion, but she stubbornly refused.
She admitted that she had once been madly in love with Willy—it was her first blush of romance.
She also admitted that she had fantasized that one day he would suddenly remember her and come back for her.
But as time passed, that fantasy faded from overflowing to nothing at all.
Especially in the last two years, she rarely thought of him anymore.
Thinking of his words earlier and his superior attitude, Lila felt both humiliated and furious.
How dare he define her character that way?
How could he humiliate someone like this?
Amidst the anger, a wave of injustice surged through her heart.
Pushed toward the door, Willy swung back.
The difference in strength between men and women was undeniable—Lila stumbled backward several steps, her back slamming hard against the wall.
With a "thud," she winced in pain, sucking in a sharp breath.
Her eyelashes fluttered lightly as she lifted her gaze to meet a pair of eyes as cold as frost.
In Willy's memory, Lila had always been gentle and even-tempered.
He had never seen her lose her temper.
This was the first time, but he believed Lila lost control out of shame and anger.
He let out a cold laugh, gave her a deep look, and said, "I wonder how long you can keep up this tough act," before turning and leaving without looking back with his people.
The room fell quiet once again.
Lila stood there in a daze.
It wasn't until her hand was tugged that she snapped back to reality.
Looking down, she met her daughter's innocent eyes. "Mommy… are the bad people gone?"
Lila quickly masked her emotions.
She bent down slightly, cupped Lyra's cheeks, gave her a soft smile, and said gently, "There are no bad people. They came to discuss something with Mommy."
Her daughter was still young—she deserved the simplicity and innocence of her age.
Lila didn't want her exposed too early to the complications of the adult world.
Lyra seemed to understand but not quite, replying with an "oh." Her lips moved as if she wanted to say something, but in the end, she swallowed her words.
Helen, standing to the side, frowned.
She seemed to want to speak but held back.
It wasn't until she received a warning look from Lila that she turned and went back to her room.
A sleepless night passed.
The next day, after dropping Lyra off at kindergarten, Lila didn't go to her shop but returned home instead.
Helen was waiting for her in the living room.
As soon as she sat down, Lila said, "Lyra just needs careful nurturing now. As for Uncle William's medical expenses, I can handle them for now. If a kidney source becomes available, I'll find a way. Don't worry—even if I have to take out a loan, I won't give up on him."
William was Helen's second husband—Lila's stepfather.
He was a good man who loved Helen and treated Lila as his own.
She could never forget his kindness.
Upon hearing this, Helen's eyes reddened. After a moment of silence, she said, "Lila, you know perfectly well that with our means, we can't wait for a kidney source. Willy is different. If he's willing to help, it'll work much faster. Your Uncle William really can't wait much longer. I'm begging you—I can't take another blow. I'll go mad. My heart condition has only slightly improved these past two years. Lila, you can't be this heartless."
Lila looked at her mother, whose face was now covered in tears, but her own heart grew cold. "How is what you're doing any different from forcing me?"
Helen replied, "I'm just trying to find a better path for you and Lyra. You're an adult—you can handle many things on your own. But what about Lyra? Can she? Lila, from the moment you gave birth to her, you've already failed her. You made her different from others from the very start—without a complete family. Do you really want her to walk the same path you did?"
"In kindergarten, she's been called 'fatherless' more than once. Other children have both parents participating in activities, but what about her?"
"The more well-behaved she acts, the more it breaks my heart."
As she spoke, Helen wiped the tears from her face and stood up.
After waiting a while and seeing that Lila remained silent, she added, "I've looked into it. Willy has a very good relationship with his grandmother and always listens to her. The old lady said she'll stand up for you. Think carefully about what to do next."
Lila stood up.
She glanced at Helen, her eyes calm but her tone leaving no room for argument, "He won't marry me. Give up on that idea, and don't embarrass yourself by going to the Willy family again. My daughter—I decide for her. It has nothing to do with you."
Helen was furious. "A woman who's too strong-willed is just asking for a hard life."
As her mother, she knew Lila's personality all too well.
Soft on the outside but stubborn to the core—unyielding to the point of obstinacy.
Over the years, she had suggested countless times that Lila find a man, but Lila always refused.
After meeting Willy, she finally understood why Lila couldn't see anyone else.
After all, men with money, looks, capability, and youth were truly rare.Not to mention, he's the heir to the Willy family.
Lila didn't budge an inch. "If you go to the Willy family again, I'll cut ties with you."
The words were harsh, but Helen wasn't angry at all.
She sighed and replied, "Since it's come to this and I still can't change your mind, then forget it. You've chosen this hardship yourself."
Lila was surprised by her sudden change in attitude.
But she didn't overthink it. After hearing Helen's response, she left for work.
As soon as she was gone, Helen picked up her phone and made a call.
"Butler Li, has the old madam confirmed her arrival time in Shanghai?"
"The flight is booked for this Friday."
Upon hearing this, Helen was overjoyed.
Beijing.
Willy sat on the sofa, leaning back.
He lowered his gaze, his eyelashes casting tired shadows under his eyes. After a moment of silence, he lifted his eyes—their brown pupils as cold as glaciers veiled in morning mist.
At that moment, his childhood friend Henry took the cigarette out of his mouth.
When he spoke, his tone was full of disdain, "This woman is something else. To marry you, she endured all these years—what a ruthless character."
There was no doubt that the "woman" he referred to was Lila.
Willy merely glanced at him and didn't respond.
Seeing this, Henry changed the subject. "Are you picking up Stella from the airport tonight yourself?"
Hearing this, Willy, who had been silent, finally reacted. He grunted in acknowledgment.
Henry pursed his lips, sighed, and said, "She's been by your side all these years without any title or recognition, working tirelessly without complaint. Seriously, what are you thinking?"
Just as Willy was about to speak, his phone rang.
It was his grandmother.
"Willy, Grandma is going to Shanghai this Friday to see my little great-granddaughter and future granddaughter-in-law. Would you like to join me?"