Lyla Hunt found it hard to accept the truth. She quickly picked herself up and tried to shove Saige Murray away. But her father was there in an instant, steadying Saige.
"My mom could never have been the other woman. You've been in cahoots to deceive her. Without my mom and my grandfather, Hunt Group wouldn't even exist today," Saige Murray was fuming, his finger shaking as he pointed at Lyla, his voice trembling with rage.
"Stop talking nonsense. Hunt Group reached its heights because of my remarkable foresight and skills," Saige quickly shifted to a placating tone, saying, "Honey, don't get upset. Lyla's just venting in anger."
Lyla stared intently at Edgar and Saige, a suspicion slowly building within her that perhaps the car accident three years ago, which killed her mother instantly and left her brother in a coma, might be tied to her father and Saige. Edgar, feeling her penetrating gaze, grew impatient and snapped, "Anyway, until you remarry Westley, I won't provide any more medical support for your brother."
Edgar had already given up on her brother's treatment if not for Lyla's persistence. It seemed ridiculous to keep hoping for a miracle recovery after three years of unconsciousness. When Lyla was married well, Edgar was willing to support her for Westley's sake. But now...
Edgar only had eyes for Anastasia Matthews, who was about to become part of the West family. Before leaving, Edgar ostentatiously handed Anastasia a credit card right in front of Lyla, urging her to buy whatever she liked.
Lyla clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging into her palms. To her father, only interests mattered, not family ties. Whichever daughter brought the most benefit, he favored.
Anastasia approached Lyla with a bright smile. "Seems like you could use some cash, huh?"
With only seven dollars left in her account, Lyla nodded as she watched Anastasia put the card away and pull out a wad of cash.
"Here, take this for now," Anastasia offered.
Instinctively, Lyla reached for the money, but before she could grab it, Anastasia let go, causing the bills to flutter down to the ground.
Taking a deep breath, Lyla knelt down to gather the bills, driven by a desperate need because pride couldn't pay her brother's medical bills. She couldn't afford to lose him after losing her mom.
As Lyla was nearly finished picking up the money, Anastasia's stiletto heel suddenly came down on Lyla's hand.
"Ah!" Lyla cried out in pain.
Annoyed, Anastasia pressed the heel harder before finally stepping back.
Suppressing her pain, Lyla collected the rest of the cash and slipped it into her bag, refusing to shed a tear.
Anastasia's voice was light and mocking. "You used to be the Mrs. Grant, with everyone jumping at your command. Who would have thought you'd fall so low as to accept my charity so quickly?"
Rising to her feet, Anastasia looked down at Lyla as if she were a beggar. "Once I marry Marcellus and become the CEO's wife of West Enterprises, I'll be sure to bless you with more of my charity, dear sister."
Lyla watched as Anastasia turned gracefully and walked away. Slowly, Lyla stood up, a faint smile forming on her lips.
Someday, the humiliations she suffered today, she'd repay tenfold.
Want to marry Marcellus and become the CEO's wife of West Enterprises? Dream on.
Her eyes sparkled with determination as she left the Hunt estate and headed to the hospital.
Anastasia had casually tossed her about a thousand dollars; Lyla kept a hundred for herself and allocated the rest to her brother's medical fund.
The Lyla who once only cared about Westley was gone. Now, she focused solely on money.
Leaving the hospital, she received a call from Norah Warren.
"Hey, darling, how's the job search today?"
Lyla sighed and recounted the events of the day to Norah.
Norah's first reaction was to transfer her entire thirty-thousand-dollar savings to Lyla, a generous gesture that warmed Lyla's heart and would never be forgotten.
"Thank you, Norah, but I can't accept your money."
Lyla knew Norah was an excellent lawyer, but she hadn't been working long, and her salary wasn't very high. Plus, Norah had a modest family background and two brothers to support.
"Why not? It's just a loan."
"When I really need it, I'll come to you. I'm heading to the Grant residence to gather my things. You focus on work and don't worry about me."
After ending the call, Lyla rode her scooter to the villa and instantly noticed something was off: a group of men in black stood by the gate.
The villa should only have been occupied by Lyla and Westley, no staff included.
Lyla approached the men. "Who are you guys?"
Ignoring her question, one of the men stated coldly, "Without Mr. Grant's permission, you can't enter."
Lyla clenched her teeth. These men in black were obviously referring to Westley Grant. She called him via WhatsApp, wanting only to retrieve her belongings—she wouldn't take a single item more than she deserved.
No answer.
Lyla seethed, convinced he was ignoring her on purpose, so she tried calling three more times until he finally picked up.
Without beating around the bush, Lyla shouted, "Westley, what's the meaning of this?"
Westley's voice was calm and gravelly. "Leaving with nothing means you don't take a thing."
With that, he hung up, not giving Lyla a chance to respond, leaving her furious enough to stamp her foot.
Eyeing the hulking men in suits, Lyla realized she couldn't force her way in, so she turned and headed straight for Grant Corporation.
She charged into Westley's office without knocking, unfazed by the others present. Her resolve was unmistakable.
"Westley, I need to talk to you alone."
Westley glanced at his watch, a slight smirk on his lips. Just as he thought, it took less than three days for Lyla to come back, seeking reconciliation.
But first, he intended to teach her a lesson she'd never forget about thinking too highly of herself.
