Filed to story: Billionaire Bride’s Revenge (Vera & Howard)
Lily’s jaw tightened, her fists clenched tightly in her sleeves.
When did Tricia suddenly become so sharp? She wasn’t so easily controlled anymore.
For a split second, Lily’s face twisted with spite, but she quickly masked it with a calm facade.
Her voice turned firm. “This is the clearest evidence we’ve got. Vera and Victor have been close for ages. If things sour between our families, the Adams Group will swoop in and snatch up both companies for a steal.”
She paused, her gaze locking onto Delmor’s, her expression tense. “If we keep battling like this, we’ll both lose more than we gain.”
Gritting her teeth, Lily lifted her chin, her eyes narrowing. “Mr. Guerrero, you know exactly what I mean.”
Tricia might be naive, but if Delmor was just as clueless, they’d have no shot at winning.
Delmor shifted his gaze from the scene, his eyes landing on Lily, whose nervousness was almost palpable. A scornful smile curled his lips.
“Cut the act. You’ve tried to hurt my daughter more than once, and I remember every attempt. Now you’re suddenly concerned about the Guerrero Group? Where was your concern when you were plotting against her?”
Even though he was a businessman, his role as a father always came first.
Tricia’s gaze grew dark, and her fingers balled into tight fists beneath the blanket.
She had worried that Delmor might put business concerns before her well-being,
But it was clear now that her fears were misplaced.
Lily’s frustration was mounting.
She glanced at Tricia, clearly exasperated. “Do you keep arguing with me like this? Do you want to see the Guerrero family go under? And don’t forget, your family is on the brink too!”
Delmar stepped closer, his tone unyielding. “Even if the Guerrero family falls, I’ll make sure the Montgomery family goes down with us. Everyone will see what your family is really like.”
Lily’s voice caught in her throat, her eyes blazing with a mix of anger and frustration.
Why had she picked someone as inept as Tricia?
And it wasn’t just Tricia-everyone in her family seemed equally clueless.
Delmar’s frustration erupted as he pointed at the door. “Lily, don’t think I’m oblivious to your schemes. You’re pulling my daughter into your chaos just to get back at Vera? No way! Leave now, or you’ll regret it!”
Lily’s hands tightened into fists, her nails digging into her palms as she struggled to control her anger.
She inhaled deeply and turned to Tricia as she approached the door, her voice carrying a note of warning. “Think this through,” she said, her words sharp and deliberate. “This argument is pointless for both of us. I don’t want that conniving Vera to come out ahead, but I also don’t want Victor to gain from our struggle. If you don’t believe me, just watch how our families’ businesses fall apart and see who ends up buying them.”
Lily was halfway out the door when Tricia’s voice pierced the silence.
A spark of hope ignited in Lily’s eyes, and a smile tugged at her lips.
So, Tricia wasn’t entirely beyond help after all.
Delmar’s gaze shifted to Tricia, his expression a mix of astonishment and skepticism. Could it be that Tricia was actually contemplating Lily’s proposal and momentarily willing to let go of her resentment?
But even if Tricia had wanted to give in, Delmar wouldn’t have it.
Lily was going to pay for what she’d done to Tricia.
With effort, Tricia pushed herself out of bed, her movements slow and painful. Delmar quickly moved to her side, his face etched with concern as he held her steady. “The doctor said you need to rest.”
Tricia shook her head, determined, and began walking toward Lily, one slow step at a time.
Lily let out a deep breath, her voice rising as she began to speak.
But before she could finish, Tricia’s hand shot up. With a swift motion, she slapped Lily across the face. The sting hit before Lily even had time to blink.
Although Tricia was weak, she had gathered all her strength to slap Lily.
Lily looked at Tricia in disbelief and anger, not expecting the slap. “How dare you hit me?”
Tricia coughed, her pale face twisted with contempt. “You did this to me. A slap is nothing compared to what you’ve put me through.”
Delmar quickly stepped in front of Tricia, his voice booming with anger. “Get out of here, now!”
Lily’s hands clenched into fists so tightly that her nails bit into her palms. Her face contorted with rage. “You’ll pay for this. All of you will pay!”
She had involved the Guerrero family, trusting them with her plans, only to have it all backfire.
The consistent slaps she had received over the past few days twisted Lily’s heart with resentment. The moment she got home, she began smashing everything in the room.
Expensive cosmetics and luxurious items lay shattered on the floor, but the wreckage didn’t faze her. She stamped on the pieces, her rage only growing.
“Die! All of you go to hell!” she screamed, her voice trembling with unhinged fury.
But Lily didn’t notice the figure standing in the doorway. Howard watched silently, his feelings tangled, as he witnessed the woman he once knew unraveling before him.
Howard found himself struggling to understand who this woman really was.
Was she the caring, considerate Lily who always seemed to think about his feelings?
Or was she the cold, calculating person who would go to any lengths, even if it meant destroying someone, to achieve her goal?
As if sensing the shift in the room, Lily turned quickly and met Howard’s intense stare.
A flicker of fear crossed her face, her eyes narrowing in alarm. But she quickly masked it with a smile as she approached him. “Howard, why are you here?”
She reached out, but Howard recoiled, avoiding her touch. Her smile wavered.
With a hard look, Howard took another step back, widening the space between them.
“I need to know if what Tricia said is true.”
Lily’s head shook rapidly, her tone defensive. “No, it’s not true! Vera and Tricia are conspiring to ruin me. Howard, you’ve known me for so long. Don’t you know my character by now?”
Her eyes brimmed with tears.
“Do you really think I’d do something like that? Your doubt hurts more than their lies. God, Howard!”
Her voice quivered as if she were on the verge of breaking. In that moment, Howard felt his certainty begin to slip.