Thomas nodded as he turned his face away. His son grew up around the old man. Thus, his views are similar to the old man’s principle. “He is fragile…”
“Adult.” Lily interrupted. “Your son is already an adult. He can make his own choices. His destiny is crafted by him and his stupid ideas.”
Understanding flashed in Thomas’ eyes before he glared at Lily. “How dare you talk to me like that? I am your elder!” He raised his voice as his gaze shifted towards Adrian who was walking their way. “I think you have done enough damage, Miss Lily.”
Lily lifted an eyebrow. However, when she saw Adrian approaching their way, she smiled. “Oh… this is just the icing. If the old man won’t stop whatever it is that he is planning then… I won’t hesitate to take over and protect what’s mine.”
“What a nasty woman,” Adrian chided. He narrowed his eyes at Lily. “Thanks to you, my grandfather is not feeling well. What do you think will the media say if we release the news of what you did tonight?”
Lily snorted. She gave Thomas a meaningful gaze before she edged closer to Adrian. “It wasn’t my fault that your old man is weak.” She said in a low voice, just enough for Adrian and Thomas to hear. “It wasn’t my fault that his heart could not handle someone talk back at him. It wasn’t my fault that he couldn’t handle a woman like… me.” Her red lips curled up. “Now… as much as I enjoyed our dinner, I have to leave and attend to my husband’s needs.”
Lily walked past Adrian, only for him to grab her arms. “You will regret doing this to my family.” He hissed.
“Is that a threat?” Lily returned the man’s gaze. “Are you threatening me, Mr. Adrian Lee?” Lily watched as Thomas paled while staring at his son. Disbelief flashed in his eyes. For a moment, Lily thought she could see regret in the older man’s eyes. Did he regret exposing his own son to Isaac’s views? Lily couldn’t tell. All she knew is from this point on… Adrian would suffer just like his grandfather.
“This is not Hong Kong or Europe. You can’t do anything in this country.” Adrian said. “Let’s see if you have the strength to maintain that smirk on your face once something happens to your branch in Singapore.”
“He is threatening me,” Lily turned towards the pale Thomas. “Your son… had the guts to threaten me.”
“I don’t do threats.” Adrian tightened his fingers around Lily’s arms. “You have embarrassed and disrespected my grandfather. You deserve to suffer.”
“You know what your first mistake was?” The smirk on her face did not falter as she leaned closer. “Touching me.”
Adrian seemed to realize his actions as he let her arm go.
“I would love to see Zhou Jingren’s face once I show him my bruised arm.” She laughed a dry sarcastic laughter. “Don’t worry. He won’t kill you. However, I cannot assure you that he won’t cut your filthy hands and let you watched as he fed them to the dogs.”
“You— “
“Your second mistake was underestimating me and my husband.”
He took a step back as he narrowed his eyes at her. “Your arrogance will be your downfall.”
“And your stupidity will be the death of you.” She fired back before turning around and walking towards the elevator of the restaurant. Once she was inside the elevator, Lily examined her arms and as expected she can already see small purple marks around it. She sighed. How could Adrian think that Zhou Jingren would let this go?
Lily immediately dialed Zhou Jingren’s number and told him to come to pick her up.
After exiting the elevator, Lily had to wait in the lobby of the building as she needed to wait for Zhou Jingren. She sat on one of the sofas and decided to check her emails.
“It is about to rain.”
Lily turned towards the woman who sat next to her. It was none other than Samantha. Her eyes somehow trailed down Samantha’s neck.
“I have to endure,” Samantha only smiled as she noticed Lily’s eyes on her neck. “It was worth it.”
Lily was about to open her mouth to say something. In the end, she chose to keep her thoughts to herself.
“You are lucky,” Samantha continued, her eyelids dropped as she let out a sharp breath. “If only I am as… strong-willed as you.” Her lips lifted into a painful smile.
“Are you sure talking to me at this public place is good?” Lily asked, ignoring the tear that rolled down in Samantha’s cheeks. If Adrian would know that they are having this conversation, he would surely flip.
“He is still talking to his father. And by talking… I mean — wines. Lots of wines.” She smiled. “I will go up and join them in a while.”
“How do you do it?” Lily asked. The woman next to her might be smiling but her eyes were dead. There is no trace of life in it. Lily wondered what kind of emotion does Samantha feel to have the kind of stare that she had now.
“How do I do what?”
“You seemed like a smart woman. Why did you choose this?”
“This life?” Samantha scoffed. “I am a smart woman and that is the reason why I am here.”
Lily pursed her lips in response. “I don’t judge you.”
“I know,” Samantha said. “And I am jealous of you. You are exactly the person that I want to become, someday.”
“Someday?”
Samantha only gave her a smile. In two months, she will marry a man whom she does not love because this is the only thing that she could do to save her father. A heavy atmosphere seemed too wrapped around her, suffocating her insides. The thought of marrying Adrian is enough to make her miserable. “If one day… If one day you decide to ruin Adrian.” She lowered her gaze and bit her lips.
“Don’t hesitate,” Samantha added. “Do it for me.”
“You are talking as if you don’t have any other choice anymore,” Lily said. “If…”
“I never had one,” Samantha said as she stood from the couch. “I am not as lucky as you, Miss Lily. But I am happy to know that a woman like you exists. It gives me a little hope. A little delusion that someday, somehow… I will have the courage to stand up for myself.”
Lily stood next to her and handed her a piece of paper. “Meet me at… this place two days from now.” She smiled as he walked towards Zhou Jingren’s car. “I will see you soon, Samantha. I will see you soon.”
