Chapter 29 Her anger
Lilac looked at the video on Eric's phone trying to to keep her expression straight. She then proceeded to pick up her fork and start eating.
Eric watched her for a while, seeing that she would not answer him, he continued, "Why did you throw all that into the ocean?" He asked.
"What? Was it important or something?" Lilac asked raising a brow.
Eric could tell she was slightly annoyed.
"You tell me. What was in those crates and why did you throw them away? We're they more things your family had arranged?" He asked and Lilac immediately got up in anger. He is actually trying to deny that those crates had anything to do with him? Lilac scoffed. Loosing her appetite, she turned to leave.
"When you are done, get out of my home," she said.
"You should dress up, the family is gathering to see Grandpa," Eric said and Lilac paused.
"What is wrong with him?" She asked. The old man was the only one who seemed to actually like her in their family. But he was sick for so long.
"We are not sure he will make it through the week," Eric said and Lilac felt stiffled. She nodded and went back inside.
When she left, Eric took back his phone and called Jim.
"Check the footage you sent over yesterday and arrange to have those things retrieved from the ocean. I don't need everything, just as much as you can. And find out who that staff was," Eric instructed and ended the call.
It took a while go Lilac to be ready. She packed a small bag for a change of clothes and followed Eric out. They got in the car and drove over to the family home in silence.
When they arrived, most of the family was already there.
"How is he?" Eric asked his mother. She understood he was referring to their grandfather and shook her head.
"He comes in and out, barely staying awake," she answered, "when he wakes again, I will let you know."
Eric nodded while Lilac moved away from them leaving a small nod.
Lilac looked around the room, feeling out of place. For the longest time she wanted to be accepted by them and tried everything. But even in her past life, she had been thrown aside because of the Harold's family daughter. Lilac did not want to sit amongst them, so she made her way upstairs.
Eric noted her leave, noticing how she climbed the stairs slowly, her steps with a bit of a lump. He could tell her injuries hurt.
"Is she okay?" Tamara asked her son and Eric paused, unsure of how to respond.
Thankfully, Harris and Daniel dragged him away.
"What is it?" Eric asked.
"I tried finding out why the bid went wrong and it seems we have a mole," Harris said and Eric looked away.
"What? You know?" Daniel asked noticing his reaction.
"Let it go. I am looking into it," Eric said and walked outside to lounge by the pool withe the rest of the family, but Daniel and Harris followed. They felt Eric's reaction was wrong.
Daniel had not had the chance to sit down when he paused and looked towards Eric taking a seat.
"You know who stabbed us in the back, don't you?" He asked and the entire family looked his way.
"I said I will handle it," Eric said.
"You will handle it? Why do I find that hard to believe. You are more likely to protect her," Daniel said and Eric paused and looked right at him. As they stared at each other, Eric realized Daniel knew it was Lilac.
"Let's talk about this later," Eric said.
"Why? Who was it?" Harris asked. The entire family was confused at this point.
"What are you all on about?" Mr Black asked his sons.
"Our bid, the reason our bid failed is because someone slipped to the Miltons what our bid numbers were," Harris answered, then turned to Daniel, "You figured out who it was?"
"Let's be honest, it failed for more than just that reason. The mayor changed his mind about supporting us and we all know that," Eric said.
"Does that change what she did? Does it make it right? I thought you said this bid was between us. Apart from father, only we three brothers knew," Daniel asked.
"Who are you talking about? Are you saying Eric is protecting them?" Harris asked.
"Who else but his wife, Lilac?" Daniel said and the area stilled.
"I am sure you are mistaken. Lilac, would not do that," Tamara said trying to diffuse the situation.
"Then why does my contact say the Miltons received a tip from his wife on what our numbers would be? Am I wrong?" Daniel asked Eric.
"Daniel, that's enough," Eric scolded darkly. There was a long pause.
"How are you sure of this?" Mr Black asked.
"My contact is sure," Daniel said taking a seat.
"Then, she has gone too far, Eric. We have a rule, family first," Mr Black said darkly.
"I will handle it," Eric answered.
"Aren't you a little too passive all these years to have handled her? Or because she is your wife, you stall? You best handle that woman before I do," Daniel warned.
"Daniel!" Tamara scolded.
"Oh? How will you handle me?" They all heard someone say and turned to find Lilac by the door leading outside. It was clear she had heard them.
Lilac had come down to get some ice for her wounds, as putting her legs into shoes had agrievated her injuries, when she heard Daniels loud voice from the kitchen window.
She heard his accusations. And from what he said, she was sure Eric knew she was the one who had told the Miltons their bid number. Lilac had been shaken at first. She knew that with this information, their family could go as far as destroying her life for what she did.
But the more they talked the angrier she got, till she found herself walking out of the kitchen towards the outdoor sitting area.
"Well, how will you be handling me?" Lilac asked again and Eric immediately stood up.
"Let's get you upstairs," he started to say when Lilac pulled off her shoe. The eyes around trailed down to her bandaged legs.
"Your bid was so important? More important than my life, right?" Lilac said and they all frowned.
"Lilac..." Eric started, grabbing her arm, but she pulled away from him with all her strength.
"Your son, dared to use me as bait, basically handing me to be Miltons to be tortured, why? As a distraction? So you all can win your stupid bid?" Lilac asked? Her anger rising as she spoke.
The eyes in the room moved to Eric then back to Lilac's legs.
"Eric..."Tamara started, her eyes filled with disbelief.
"He has stalled dealing with me?" Lilac asked looking straight at Daniel.
"What are you going to do instead? Is that why he won't agree to a divorce? So that you entire family can take turns?" She asked and Eric immediately picked Lilac up with one arm.
"Alright, Let's go," he said, carrying her away from the now horrified family.