Chapter 15
Before Lillian even reached the Wilson residence, she could hear Mindy crying inside, mixed with Yetta’s furious accusations. “It’s okay she pretended to be sick to scam money and disrespected me. But how could she hit Mindy?
“If you feel you owe her something, that’s on you. I have never wronged her, so why is she treating me like this and hurting Mindy?
Tve been managing this house for years and now I’m being humiliated by Lillian. Bradley, if you side with her today. I will take Mindy and go back to my own home.”
As Yetta spoke, she held Mindy close, both of them in tears and looking heartbroken.
Bradley looked grim as he saw Lillian walk in.
Mindy, her hair still wet, wrapped in a blanket, was sobbing and struggling to breathe. She was still scared from earlier, and when she spotted Lillian, her fear grew.
“You dare to come back!” Yetta shot a glare at Lillian, filled with rage. She felt like rushing at Lillian and slapping her, but instead, she just hugged Mindy even tighter.
“Don’t be afraid, sweetheart, she whispered, making sure Bradley could hear her.
Lillian acted indifferent, seemingly ready to walk straight upstairs without acknowledging her actions. Bradley fought to keep his temper in check. “Don’t you have anything to say for yourself?”
Lillian replied casually, “Are you going to hit me back for her?”
Yetta couldn’t hold it in anymore. She jumped up, furious. “You hurt Mindy and still act like this? You’re completely out of controll You’re just a kid, and instead of trying to be better, you’re being so cruel
“Mindy is your sister! What has she ever done to you? You even tried to drown her, at school, of all places! Are you really trying to kill her?
“Do you
have in
any
idea what she’s been through just to get out of that school? How do you expect her to go about our family’s reputation?”
Lillian shrugged. “She should feel lucky this happened at school, otherwise, I might have really hurt her.”
back? And what
“Lillian Wilson!” Bradley slammed the table, his anger boiling over. He shot a fierce look at Lillian and ordered, “Apologize to Mindy”
“Apologize? You think just saying sorry will cut it?” Yetta stared at Bradley in disbelief, then turned to Lillian. “Listen up. Either you leave the Wilson residence today, or I’ll call the cops and have you locked up.”
Lillian replied coolly, “Go ahead, report me. She slandered me in front of the whole class, accusing me of cheating and talking to me like I was nothing.
“She was so furious that she ran to the bathroom to confront me I had no choice but to defend myself. She insulted me first and tried to hurt me. The whole class can testify to that.”
“Lillian, if you keep telling these lies, I swear Ill make sure you regret it! When did I ever try to hurt you? You’re the one who hit me, Mindy shouted, shocked that Lillian could lie so easily
Lillian shot back, “I had no reason to hit you, but your intentionsare clear,”
Yetta snapped, “How dare you twist the story! Mindy has always been a good kid; she wouldn’t even raise her voice. And you think she attacked you? Lillian, you’re just making things up.”
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Chapter 15
Bradley was on the verge of losing his patience. “What in the world is going on here?”
Yetta retaliated, “Mindy grew up right in front of you, and you don’t know her at all? You trust this country bumpkin who skips class and pretends to be sick for money instead of believing Mindy?”
With her words, however, Bradley started to doubt Mindy. She ld always been well–behaved around him, but as a businessman, he could sense her spoiled nature, not to mention he was her dad.
Mindy cried, “Dad, I didn’t do anything. Please believe me. I just wanted to ask her how she knows Zack.”
“Zack Smith Bradley asked, confused about how this had anything to do with him.
“Lillian must have tricked Zack and Kevin to get into Fillcrest High, Mindy complained bitterly. Just the thought of Zack being friendly with Lillian made her furious.
Bradley turned to Lillian. ‘Did Kevin help you get into Fillcrest High?”
Yetta’s expression shifted slightly–how dis Lillian know Kevin?
Lillian didn’t answer Bradley’s question but said, “If all you can do is have kids but not restrain them, I can step in anytime With that, she headed upstairs.
“Stop there. We’re not done here! You can’t just walk away,” Yetta shouted, trying to pull Lillian back.
Bradley held Yetta back firmly. “That’s enough.
What do you mean ‘enough‘? Is this just over? Do you really believe her lies? Mindy gets hurt for nothing?”
“I’ll talk to Michelle to get to the bottom of this.”
“What do you mean ‘talk‘? Can’t you see the bruises on Mindy’s face!”
Meanwhile, Lillian listened to the chaos below, feeling pretty good as she scooped up General, who rushed over to her and got a big cuddle.
Yetta had wanted to use this chance to kick Lillian out of the Wilson family. But when she met Bradley’s unwavering gaze. she could only cling to Mindy, sobbing and pretending to be the victim
Bradley called Michelle and learned that Mindy had indeed accused Lillian of cheating. “You’re saying even Kevin and Zack couldn’t figure it out? So they put it on the test and asked Lillian for help?”
Michelle replied, “Yes, Zack came to the school today to defend Lillian. Mr. Wilson, Lillian’s math skills might even surpass Mindy’s and Zack’s. You should think about nurturing her talent.
“And if you have time, it would help to guide Mindy and give her some support, Michelle added,
But Bradley wasn’t really listening anymore. Mindy was always seen as a math genius, and he took pride in that. He never thought that Lillian, who often skipped school, might actually have math skills that outshine Mindy’s
Even someone as respected as Kevin and math whiz Zack had to seek Lillian’s help Zack even came to her school to back her up. Lillian’s talent might really be greater than Mindy’s–and maybe even Zack’s.
Just then, a servant walked over with a landline phone in her hand. “Mr. Wilson, it’s Mr. Smith on the line.”
Immediately, Mindy stopped crying.
Bradley shook himself back to reality and took the phone. “Is this Mr. Smith?” he asked, thinking about what Kevin wanted Yetta also quieted down, ears perked
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Chapter 15
Kevin’s friendly voice came through, “Yeah, it’s me. How are you Mr. Wilson?”
I’m doing well, thanks for asking”
“Glad to hear that. Is Lillian home?”
“She’s upstairs. I’ll have someone call her down.”
“Let’s not disturb her,” Kevin said. “I just found out today that Lian is your daughter. You have an amazing girl.” After a bit of small talk, he ended the call.
t
Bradley felt confused. It didn’t seem like Kevin truly wanted to talk to Lillian. If so, he should have called her directly
Then it clicked–Kevin’s call wasn’t really about reaching out to Lillian. It was his way of showing support, maybe worrying that Mindy would take advantage of Lillian.
The Wilsons can’t recognize true talent. It’s really sad to see such a gifted girl stuck in a family like that,” Kevin said, shaking his head.
After hanging up, Zack felt a wave of relief. He usually didn’t care much about anything beyond math, but after he left Fillcrest High, he began to look into the Wilson family.
Just as Bradley had thought, Zack was concerned that Lillian might be facing mistreatment from Mindy. That was why he asked Kecin to make the call.
*Lillian moved to Jerisburg and might attend Jerisburg University later. We’ll probably see more of her,” Kevin said, giving Zack a reassuring pat on the shoulder. If you can win her over and make her your wife, I’ll even call you Grandpa!”
Whenever Lillian came up, Zack lost his cool and couldn’t help but blush. He smiled and replied, “I’ll do my best. But let’s skip the Grandpa thing. I think my dad might flip.”
Kevin chuckled, clearly in a good mood. “I’ll be waiting for your news then.”
