Chapter 201 I Protect You
Lily caught sight of Sophie and felt a flicker of contempt. Was she eyeing Mark, scheming to wed into a family with higher status?
Lily deliberately stepped back from Sophie. “I don’t know you well, either.”
Sophie's expression flickered, a carefully crafted air of hurt crossing her face. “Lily, we grew up together in the Roberts family. I may be adopted, but I’vealways considered you my true sister, even if you don’t feel the same.”
A twitch at the corner of Lily’s mouth betrayed her amusement. Great. Here she goes, performing again.
How annoying, always the same trick.
Once her act of wounded innocence was complete, Sophie turned to Mark. “Mr. Gonzalez, I’m sorry you had to witness that. Lily has always suspectedI’d try to win her brothers over—but that was never my intention.”
Mark arched an eyebrow. “If Lily doesn’t like you, then do yourself a favor—stay out of her way.”
Lily clearly didn't like this woman.
Then he didn't like her either.
Sophie's face tightened, surprise flickering in her eyes—Mark hadn’t expected to say that.
Damn it don’t all men fall for helpless women and feel the need to play the hero? Why doesn’t it work on Mark?
Lily fixed Sophie with a half-smile. “Do you really think everyone’s like those fools in the Roberts family, letting themselves be toyed with by you?”
Sophie’s carefully crafted mask was cracking.
But in front of Mark, she had no choice but to keep up the facade of fragility.
Sophie’s voice quivered, a carefully feigned weakness lacing her words. “Lily… Michael is in the ICU, Austin’s been detained, his team is about to bedisbanded, and they’re facing massive fines from the advertisers. Don’t you care about your family at all?”
She wanted to tarnish Lily’s reputation in front of Mark. She couldn’t stand the thought of Lily outshining her.
Lily let out a soft scoff, her lips curling with cold amusement. “I cut ties with the Roberts family long ago.”
“Lily, how long are you going to keep acting out? Michael even got hurt on your account. Don’t you feel any guilt?”
Sophie wore a mask of heartbreak, feigning weakness and innocence, and it easily drew the sympathy of the men around her.
Soon, a man in a team uniform stepped up beside Sophie. “Sophie, you’re far too kind. As an adopted daughter, you’ve already done more than anyone could ask for the Roberts family.”
Sophie shot a quick glance at the burly man before her, a twitch at the corner of her eye betraying her irritation.
Who was this ugly man?
But since he was willing to speak for her, she could use him.
Sophie dabbed at her tears, casting a plaintive look at Lily. “I know you hate me, but Michael truly cares about you. He even offered to give you the company as compensation. Could you at least visit him in the hospital? I’m begging you.”
The man standing by Sophie felt his heart sink instantly.
Sophie's admirerlashed out at Lily. “You’re so heartless! Your own brother is sick in the hospital, and you won’t even go see him. Sophie is the one running around, taking care of everything!”
“Taking care of Michael is my responsibility, but I sincerely hope Lily will go visit him.”
Sophie dabbed at her tears, turning her pleading gaze to Mark. “Mr. Gonzalez… you’re friends with Lily. Could you convince her?”
That way, wouldn’t Mark see Lily for the ungrateful person she really is—while I, the kind and dutiful one, have done everything for the family?
Mark glanced at Lily, but her expression was indifferent.
Mark had heard about Lily cutting ties with her family. He knew that the Roberts brothers had always favored the adopted girl, leaving Lily to face a much harder path.
On the day of the finals, he had heard firsthand how David had bullied Lily and tried to manipulate her with moral pressure.
Mark snorted coldly, "I should indeed give some advice."
Sophie forced a smile through her tears. “Mr. Gonzalez… you’re so kind. Thank you for helping me."
She knew no man could escape her acting skills.
“I want to advise Lily to stay completely away from all of you in the Roberts family.”
As he spoke, Mark stepped aside, his expression twisted in disgust.
Sophie froze, shocked that Mark hadn’t taken the bait and had even defended Lily. Something about this felt all wrong.
Sophie pressed on, refusing to back down. “Mr. Gonzalez, I don’t know what Lily told you, but the Roberts family will always havetheir doors open to her. She’ll always belong to this family—that will never change.”
Sophie's admirer also chimed in, "Sophie is right. Lily, you're just an ungrateful person."
Mark stepped forward and shoved Sophie’s admirer. “Watch your mouth! You don’t know a thing, yet you’re here slandering people. Believe me, you won’t like it if I lose my patience.”
Seeing the confrontation, Sophie hurried to intervene. “Mr. Gonzalez, please… don’t get into a fight on my account.”
“Who’s fighting because of you? Are you out of your mind? Backstage at the finals, I heard exactly how you tried to manipulate Lily.Stop pretending to be some saint!”
After Mark finished speaking, Sophie was stunned.
Sophie hadn’t expected Mark to have overheard the entire conversation that day.
Sophie persisted, her voice tight with defiance. “Mr. Gonzalez, you’ve completely misunderstood us. Lily has always had problems with our family.”
“With a family like yours, it’s not just Lily who has problems—I have problems too,” Mark said, rolling up his sleeves. “Get lost. Get out of my sight, now.”
Sophie’s voice trembled with reluctance. “Lily… Michael really wants to see you one last time. Are you truly going to be this cruel?”
Mark snatched a glass of champagne and threw it in Sophie’s face. “Shut up, Sophie!”
He wasn't fooled for a second by her little games.
He hated Sophie the most.
Sophie screamed. She was wearing a very expensive new dress today.
But she didn’t dare show her anger at Mark—she couldn’t afford to alienate the Gonzalez family.
Sophie could only play the helpless role for the rough-looking man beside her. Her admirer, emboldened, snapped at Mark. “Don’t think you can push people around just because of your status!”
“Then I’ll handle it myself.” Lily strode forward, a glass of champagne in hand, her eyes locked on Sophie. “Stop your moral blackmail. Stay away from me!”
Sophie ducked behind her admirer, unwilling to humiliate herself in front of Mark.
In the end, Sophie had no choice but to retreat in humiliation, her dress drenched and needing attention. Once she was gone, Lily set the champagne down, her gaze lingering on the empty space Sophie had vacated.
She glanced at Mark, "You didn't need to get involved in this mess."
To anyone unaware of the full story, she would surely seem cold and heartless for refusing to visit her brother one last time.
"I can't stand Sophie the most. Samantha’s mother is exactly the same type so infuriating.”
Mark had disliked Samantha's mother since childhood, but she had always been close to Celeste, so there was no way to completely cut ties with the Harpers.
Moreover, protecting Lily was what he should do.
Bruce stepped forward. “Lily, don’t take what they say to heart. The Roberts family is only clinging to you now because they see how well you’re doing.They just want to leech off you.”
“Exactly. Stay far away from devilish family members like the Roberts, who only know how to play the moral blackmail game.”
Faced with their comfort, Lily nodded, "I know."
That's what she was doing in this lifetime, too.
Later, Lily mingled with numerous people in the industry, exchanging contacts and pleasantries. One of them leaned in with curiosity. “SweetLemon, are you single now?”
Lily replied, "I'm currently single."
“You beat me to it! SweetLemon, I’m your biggest fan. If you’re single, maybe you could consider me?”
Another voice chimed in eagerly, “SweetLemon, hey look at me too!”
Seeing the scene unfold, Mark dashed forward, his voice sharp with alarm. “Stay away from her! Don’t you dare set your sights on her!”
After all, this was his future sister-in-law.
"Mark, that's not fair. Let's compete fairly."
“Get lost! None of you stand a chance. Be careful, or I won’t hold back!”
Mark immediately ushered the group away, making sure they couldn’t bother Lily. If Dennis got involved, their fate would be far worse.
Lily breathed a sigh of relief and said quietly, "Thank you."
"No problem. I'm a professional at being a bodyguard."
Lily glanced at Mark , deciding to clarify. “About the other day, when I asked if you’d ever withdraw from a competition for someone… don’t get the wrong idea. I didn’t mean anything by it.”
"I know, I know. You're not that kind of person. I trust you."
Since Dennis had promised not to let Lily sway him into withdrawing from competitions, he felt a wave of relief.
Seeing that Mark hadn’t taken it the wrong way, Lily finally allowed herself to relax.
She put down her champagne glass, "I'm going to the restroom."
Lily lifted her dress and stepped into the restroom. When she emerged from the stall, Sophie was standing there, her face set in a stern expression.
Lily completely ignored Sophie, washing her hands with calm detachment.
Sophie’s anger simmered as she lowered her voice. “Lily, I really underestimated you. You actually got involved with Mr. Gonzalez… Aren’t you worried about Mr. Murphy finding out?”
The way Mark protected Lily just now clearly showed that Mark was interested in her.
Why was Lily so popular?
Lily shook the water off her hands and ignored Sophie.
As Lily tried to leave, Peter stepped in front of her. “Do you really think you can touch the Gonzalez family’s status? Come back with me!”