Chapter 10 LILITH 1288 ( Vouchers The room had gone deathly quiet . On the projector screen , two nearly identical medical records were displayed . Both bore Claire's name as the patient , and Brandon's as the guardian . They were for the same procedure - an induced abortion . One was dated two years ago , and the other was just from last month . "... Two abortions ? " someone exclaimed in shock . " ... She's been pregnant twice ? " " So their affair has been going on that long already ? " " Wasn't she supposed to be Lilith's best friend ? " " I feel bad for Lilith . She really has the worst luck when it comes to people . " " I know , right ? But I'm kinda curious how she's going to react to all this ." " Compared to you , I'm more interested in who leaked all this . The Caldwells don't look like they expected this either . " " Of course it's not them . Think about it - what kind of businessman spends a fortune throwing a lavish banquet just to sabotage himself ? " 0.00 % 08:48 Chapter 10 The room buzzed with whispers and wild guesses , but I ignored thems Instead , I slowly turned to face my parents . My mother's eyes were wide in disbelief , lips parted . Beside her , my father looked like he'd aged ten years in the span of seconds , his expression a thundercloud . And yet even now - their eyes weren't on me . Not to check if I was okay . Not even to speak to me . They certainly had their concerns , but unfortunately , none of them had anything to do with me . I tore my gaze away and turned toward Brandon . He stood just behind Claire , his figure wobbly . His lips moved - probably trying to say something - but no sound came out . And then came a shriek , high - pitched and sharp . " Turn it off ! Shut that screen down immediately ! " I didn't even need to look . I knew that voice . Mrs. Scott had finally reacted . Furious and embarrassed , she stormed toward my parents with her husband trailing behind . Mr. Scott's expression looked stiff as he glared at his son with a mix of disbelief and mortification . " Whose idea was this ?! " she demanded the moment she reached us . " Did you host this banquet just to humiliate our family ? " 14.48 % 08:48 Chapter 10 288 courbers " Even if ... " Her voice faltered . " Even if Brandon made a mistake , we could've handled this privately . Why air such dirty laundry in public ? " " It's not like that , Paula , " my mother said quickly , grabbing her hands with an apologetic look . I didn't miss the side - glance she shot me - half warning , half blaming . " We were just as shocked . We didn't plan any of this . We were completely blindsided . " Mrs. Scott narrowed her eyes . " You expect me to believe that ? " " Think about it , " my mom replied smoothly . " What benefit do we gain from revealing this ? Why ruin everything an event we'd meticulously planned ? " She gave a pause for effect . " Besides ... the union of our families doesn't sit well with many . Any of them could be behind this . " Competitors or rivals will never fail to serve as convenient scapegoats , I thought as I listened to my mom's excuses . If I didn't know the full story - if I weren't the one behind it all - I might have believed her too . Mrs. Scott clearly did , judging from her softening expression . But ... I narrowed my eyes . Why did it feel like - despite everything - the engagement was still on the table ? I turned to my father . He avoided my gaze . 20 179 08:48 Chapter 10 My heart turned cold . : Even now , with everything laid bare , they still wanted me to marry him ? Why ? Why were they being so cruel to me ? I felt a sharp , stinging ache in my chest . 117 * XXXX And then , I had an epiphany . If they could do this now - turn a blind eye and prioritize reputation and interests over my pain - then what about back then ? Had they really not noticed ? Not noticed when I was locked away , confined like a prisoner ? Or ... Had they simply chosen not to ? The thought alone made me feel as though I'd been punched in the gut . " Lilith . " Just then , a hand clamped around my wrist . Looking up , it belonged to my dad's secretary . 50.31 % 08:48 Chapter 10 11 288 Vouchers " Uncle Robert , " I said slowly , my voice eerily calm . " Is something the matter ? " He didn't meet my eyes . " Your father asked me to take you home ahead of them . He said ... he and your mother will speak with you later . " Heh . Of course . They wanted me gone so they could salvage the situation without my interference . The moment I left , they'd likely come to some arrangement with the Scott , one that no doubt involved sacrificing me again . No matter what , I couldn't , and wouldn't let that happen . Uncle Robert's grip wasn't forceful , but I knew it would tighten the moment I tried to resist . My eyes flicked to the wine bottle sitting on the table beside me . If I wanted to get away , I'd have to make a scene ... .. The thought was still forming when I felt a second hand wrap around my other wrist . I froze . Another one ? But then he spoke , his voice low and velvety smooth . " Lily . " 60.50 % 08:48 1 Chapter 10 I glanced up , and felt my heart skid to a stop . He was tall , at least 190 centimeters . 1 288 Vouchers He had soft silver - blonde hair , fashionably tousled with his fringe falling lightly over his forehead . His facial features were striking - symmetrical and refined - with a sharp jawline , high cheekbones , and almond - shaped eyes framed by lashes most women would kill for . Despite the pastel pink suit he wore and that ridiculously exquisite face of his , nothing about him came across as effeminate . His tall , athletic build , paired with the lazy , unrestrained air he exuded , made sure of that . If angels walked the earth , this one had just touched down in a three - piece suit . And he had dimples . Oh my god , he had dimples . No one knew I had always been weak at resisting any good - looking person with dimples . As for why ? I guess it's because I'd always wanted one for myself since forever . Somehow , I ended up projecting my obsession on other people . The next second , I yanked myself back to reality . Seriously , Lilith . Was this the time to go gaga over a man's looks ? What does him being handsome have to do with me ? Get your priorities set straight , girl ! 74 12 % 08:48 Chapter 10 11 299 Moochers My self - admonishment worked like magic . " Are you also working for my dad ? " I asked coolly , " Here to assist Uncle Robert in ' helping ' me home ? " At that , he chuckled - low and teasing . His dimples deepened , and my brain fried a little . So embarrassing , I screamed internally while I fought to stop myself from blushing . He tilted his head and leaned in ever so slightly , eyes twinkling . " No , " he said , " I just didn't like the idea of someone dragging you away before the show's even over . " Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!