Chapter 20 LILITH 0 : 288 Vouchers For a second , I considered defying him . Pretend I didn't hear him and continue upstairs . But I thought better of it . Honestly , I'd been afraid of Julian since I was a kid . Maybe it was because he was older , or the way he always wore that calm , unreadable expression . Even though I was now mentally older than him , that fear hadn't faded . It was still there , not as as strong as before . Knowing there was no escaping this , I groaned inwardly and looked around for any of the staff : the two shopping bags were for them . While shopping , I suddenly realized that in my previous life , I'd never once bought gifts for the staff . Not even for Uncle Theo , who'd done nothing but care for me . Technically , it was their job to do so , but they had still put their hearts into it . Hoping to make up for that , I'd picked out some small gifts . Nothing extravagant - just enough to show my sincerity and appreciation . A leather wallet and sugar - free snacks for Uncle Theo - he was getting old and couldn't handle much sugar anymore . A hand cream set for Aunt Martha , the cook . In the absence of my family , she had always made sure I was well - fed . Sometimes , she even felt sorry for me and snuck me sweet treats . 0853 Chapter 20 Then , for the younger staff . I got leather wallets , pretty antelonka , mine chestates , weed candles , and decorative keychains But it seemed I'd have to put handing them over on hold . From the boks of things , the wall had been sent away . That was to be expected , after all , these people don't fancy airing their dirty laundry in the presence of unrelated people , I trudged slowly over to where my family was seated and squeezed into the edge of the coch -right beside Marissa - while dropping the shopping bags at my feet Then I leaned back , crossed my arms and lowered my eyes, ignoring everyone word me " Now that all the interested parties are here , let's get straight to the point , Julian said , his voice calm and composed . I wasn't sure if it was my imagination , but the room seemed to fall even more silent the moment he spoke . He seemed to have a natural talent of commanding attention . " But first of all , " he continued , " you two owe my sister an apology : " I glanced up at him , blinking in surprise . Honestly , I hadn't expected him to say that Or to be precise , I hadn't expected any apology at all . I knew these people well . Even when they were clearly in the wrong , they would never bow their heads . Their pride ran deep . 08:53 Chapter 25 Julian met and held my eyes , his gaze steady . And for some reason , I felt reassured . He made me want to believe that I could make them apologize . Get them to bow their head to me Curious as to how the others reacted , I turned to Brandon Not surprisingly , his face had stiffened , Clearly , I wasn't the only one caught off guard by Julian's demand . Beside him , his parents looked equally sour . Especially his mother , Paula - she looked like she'd just swallowed a fly . But in the end , Mr. Scott made the call , patting Brandon on the shoulder . Watching Brandon stand was like watching a slow - motion film . It took him nearly a full minute . I bit back the smile twitching at my lips . He hadn't even said a word yet , but that constipated expression of his was already satisfying . But in the next moment , my mood turned unpleasant . In the blink of an eye , his expression shifted - into something soft , disgustingly affectionate- as he looked at me , making my stomach churn . I had to resist the urge to poke his eyes out . " Lily , I'm sorry , " he began in a low and ' remorseful ' tone . Though , it might have been more believable if I hadn't just seen how reluctant he was moments ago . " I know I did you wrong . and nothing I say can erase it . " He stepped forward . 08.53 s Chapter 20 " But I still have to say this - what happened between me and Claire was nothing but an honest mistake . The one I love - and will always love - has always been you . " " BRANDON ! " The moment he said that , Claire's shriek cut through the room . I really wanted to look at her face - see what kind of expression she was making as her beloved man made declarations of love to another woman , in her in her presence . But I couldn't . Because ... I was dry heaving . His cheesy , pathetic declaration had triggered my gag reflex . Retch . 288 Vouchers I bent over , dry heaving . Then a soft chuckle beside me , followed by a slow , comforting pat on my back . Apart from else . Marissa , it couldn't be anyone Then she spoke . Her voice calm but cutting , soaked in venomous sarcasm , " So it was a mistake to get her pregnant twice in a row and have it aborted ? You really must have suffered , being continuously ' forced ' into such vile acts . " Was she implying Claire had been r - ping him ? 08:53 Chapter 20 288 Vouchers To a prideful egomaniae like Brandon , there was probably no greater insult . A laugh slipped out before I could stop it . But because I was still dry heaving , it turned into a coughing fit . By the time the coughing subsided and I sat back up , everyone else had caught on to the implication of her words . Paula turned sharply to my mom , her face red with fury . " Evelyn , is this how you raise your children ? You asked for an apology and he degraded himself to give it . What more do you want ? " Degraded himself ? I savored those words carefully . So in her eyes , making her son apologize was a form of degradation ? Suddenly , I realized I didn't want Brandon's apology . It wasn't sincere anyway . What I did want was for him to beg . On his knees . Pleading for mercy . Pleasing for me to spare . I wanted to destroy everything he was proud of . Everything his parents were clinging onto to look down on others and act with such arrogance . I wanted to see if they could still stay up on their high horses once I was done with them . My eyes glinted with cold intent . 08:53 Chapter 20 The banquet ? That was just the appetizer . The pain he caused me and my child- I'd return it to him , Claire , and his parents a hundred fold , I'd make them live a life worse than death . Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!