"George! Don't you dare leave me! George! Come back here!" Sofia yelled at her husband's back that was moving further and further away from her before she collapsed on the floor.
"Mother… Mother…" Liam immediately helped his mother up before easing her down slowly on the couch. He then signaled one of their servants to get him a glass of water. "What happened to Father? He is usually not this ruthless… What did you do that made him so angry?"
Liam was there when his father and mother argued and so he came to know that his mother had betrayed his father. While he understood that his mother's betrayal was painful for his father, he found it hard to believe that his father would be so heartless and unforgiving. It was as if his father had become a completely different person overnight. Was it just because of the scandal? No… Liam did not think so. It was as if his father had been suppressing all this anger inside him and then releasing it all on his mother earlier.
"I… I don't know." Sofia shook her head. She would never admit that she had once killed a woman just to have George Arison. Never! Not even if she dies. "Liam... what are we going to do now? I can't divorce your father. I love your father…. It was a mistake… you have to believe me. It was a mistake. I was drunk and I wasn't thinking clearly..."
"Shhh… I believe you." Liam enveloped his mother in an embrace. "Stop crying... We will fix this."
Sofia cried herself out in her son's arms. Although she calmed down within the hour, her eyes were still full of sorrow. "I know who did this," she said as she drank another glass of water. "It must be Lily."
"I know it was Lily who released my photos… but yours…" Liam did not continue his words as he contemplated. "Some of those photos of you online had dates on them and were from before we even got engaged. Why would she have someone to follow you around and take your photos before we were even engaged? NO… Lily is not that smart. She couldn't have foreseen the future. It must be someone else." Liam shook his head. He was sure that Lily could not possibly have asked someone to monitor his mother before they even got engaged. Someone else must have done it.
Sofia did not answer Liam as she clenched her hands into fists. Lily had once told her that she would release Liam's indecent photos which made her feel uneasy. However, when Liam told her that someone from Lily's past would be partnering with him to deal with Lily, she eased-up, thinking that they would be able to take Lily down a notch. Who would have thought that Lily would strike before they could even complete their plan?
"Where are you going?" Liam asked when he saw his mother rising from her seat.
"To rest," she answered without looking back. She needed to talk to Lily to find out the truth and she also needed a new plan against her. As Sofia was making her way back to her room, her mind was full of sinister thoughts about Lily. When she got back to her room, she immediately dialed Lily's number.
"Hello?"
"Sofia… this is a surprise. I hope you are doing well?" Lily's voice echoed inside the room as Sofia had activated the speaker function.
"I heard that you are in London?"
"I am."
"Can I see you? I think we need to talk."
"Hmmm… Of course. Text me the time and address." There was something in Lily's voice that greatly irritated Sofia. There was a softness to her voice that made her sound like a saint looking down on her.
"I will. I will see you tomorrow," Sofia said before she ended the call. Then she dialed another number as an evil plan started to form inside her head. Since Lily love to humiliate people, then why not reciprocate her gesture?
….
Tuesday came and Lily woke up really early with the intention to exercise. After getting ready, she came out of her room to see Fernando cooking. He was still wearing the same clothes as the night before, his hair was a little messy and he had a small smile on.
"Eat, your highness," he said as he took a seat across Lily. Then he gestured for Yang Mi to join them but the latter declined as she had already eaten her breakfast before she reported at Lily's place. After eating their fill, Fernando asked Lily to drop him off at the airport as he would be returning to Hong Kong.
"I'll be going in now. Thank you for breakfast and the whiskey." Fernando shoved his hands into his pockets. Lily was leaning against her car with her arms folded across her chest. They were already at the airport and Lily was still maintaining her silence. "Aren't you going to say anything to your big brother? Not a hug? A sweet take care?" Fernando then chuckled as he lowered his head. "Maybe I deserved it."
"You do," Lily answered as she walked towards Fernando. With Lily's five inch heels, her head was able to reach Fernando's chin. "I don't want to take sides but I still think you are an idiot," she said, her light brown eyes staring into his.
"Li Shanshan is a woman with the spirit of a survivor. She is a warrior. But she has a heart that is looking for love and affection. Please Fernando… please just talk to her," she advised.
Fernando gave Lily a hug, appreciating her concern. "I will. Thank you…" he muttered before he kissed Lily on the forehead and let go of her. He gave her a smile before he walked through the doors to the airport.
Lily pursed her lips while watching the back of her friend disappearing into the crowd. Though Fernando looked bubbly and happy all the time, she knew that he was just like Li Shanshan who craved for love and affection. She truly hoped that the two could be together and be given a second chance. Just like her.
Lily then boarded her car and asked Yang Mi to drive her to Facci Group's headquarters as she needed to finalize some more things before her meeting with Sofia Arison.
Unbeknownst to Lily, her interaction with Fernando was photographed by not just one but two individuals who had been tailing her since she landed in London.
…
Editor: Swaning
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