Chapter 41 Exposed
Lily's eyes were dark and menacing, like she was ready to bite someone's head off.
Sophie took a step back. "Lily, why are you looking at me like that? It's not my fault your stationery fell on the floor."
Michael walked over. "Lily, what's going on?"
Lily took a deep breath, trying hard to suppress her anger. "The stationery is ruined."
"How could it be ruined?"
Michael glanced at the stationery, his face turning pale. "Go inside, I'll get you new supplies right away."
Lily felt a pang of regret. She shouldn't have stayed at the Roberts Mansion.
This time, she had been careless.
Lily decided to call Dennis. She didn't trust Michael's promise.
Sophie spoke up. "Michael, why don't you give Lily my supplies? I'll wait for you to bring new ones."
"No need, I'll buy them for her."
Michael turned to Lily. "Lily, trust me. Go inside now, or you'll be late."
Lily shot Michael a final look before turning towards the school, heading to the exam hall.
It was pouring rain, causing traffic jams, and time was running out.
But she had a bad feeling.
As Sophie walked past with an umbrella, she said insincerely, "I hope Michael comes back before the exam starts."
Lily held her black umbrella, staring ahead silently, ignoring Sophie.
Feeling snubbed, Sophie stomped her foot and walked away.
Deep down, Sophie was frustrated. She had hoped Lily would realize the stationery was ruined during the exam.
Lily was lucky.
The rain outside got heavier.
Lily immediately called Dennis.
He picked up instantly. "What's wrong? Shouldn't you be in the classroom?"
"My stationery is ruined. I'm waiting for Michael to buy new ones, but he hasn't come back yet."
Dennis sat up straight. "Wait in the classroom."
After the call ended, Lily continued staring outside until a teacher reminded her to go inside. She turned and walked towards the classroom.
She trusted Dennis.
Lily found her seat in the classroom just as the bell rang.
Richard rushed in, handing the stationery to the proctor, who then gave it to Lily.
Lily was surprised. Why was Richard the one delivering it?
But there was no time to think about it now; the exam was starting.
Time ticked by.
After the first exam, Lily felt a bit relieved.
She looked up at the sky as she left the exam hall, feeling pretty good.
When she reached the school gate, Michael rushed over. "Lily, are you okay? It was pouring, and the driver took a wrong turn. I searched for a long time to find the supplies, but it was too late."
Michael was soaked, looking guilty.
Lily's expression was cold. She should have seen this coming.
But she wasn't that angry anymore.
She was used to being disappointed by them.
Michael saw Lily's expression and felt scared. "Lily, say something! Or yell at me if you want!"
Lily took a step back, putting some distance between them.
Michael's heart sank.
At that moment, Sophie ran over. "Michael, you were late and didn't bring the supplies. That must have affected Lily a lot."
Seeing Lily's blank expression, Sophie felt a bit pleased.
Michael looked at Lily with deep remorse. "I'm really sorry. If this affected your exam and you're unhappy with your score, I'll retake the SAT with you!"
Lily suddenly laughed coldly. "Michael, forget it. It's fine."
Michael was stunned. What did she mean?
He would rather Lily get mad and blame him than be so indifferent!
It was like he was just a stranger to her.
Lily turned and walked toward the other side, where Dennis stood with a black umbrella, waiting quietly.
Lily quickened her pace and asked him, "Did you ask Richard to bring the supplies?"
Seeing her smile, Dennis figured she wasn't too affected by the incident.
Suppressing his displeasure, he replied calmly, "Yeah, I did."
"Thanks, you really helped me out!" Lily said, touching her stomach. "I'm starving. Let's grab something to eat. I need to get ready for the afternoon exam."
In the car, Michael's panicked voice called out, "Lily, where are you going? I want to talk to you!"
Michael held the car door, looking at Lily inside, feeling anxious.
Lily's face was expressionless. "There's no need."
"Lily, I didn't mean to be late!"
Lily's eyes were clear. "I know. So can you let go?"
But Michael didn't let go. Or rather, he didn't dare to. He had a bad feeling that if he let go, Lily wouldn't come back.
Eric couldn't stand it anymore. He grabbed Michael's collar. "Sir, this is pointless!"
"I'm her brother. What you're doing is pointless!" Michael was losing it.
Eric sneered. "Never seen a brother who makes things worse. You guys prepared the supplies, and they mysteriously got ruined. Then you made her wait, only to be late. Is your family that malicious?"
Eric had witnessed Lily's miserable day and couldn't take it anymore.
This was beyond belief. It was obvious the supplies didn't just break on their own!
Michael was stunned. "I didn't know."
"Then find out! Stop pestering Lily and forcing her to forgive you. I'm worried that if it's the supplies today, next time it'll be the food at the Roberts house, and she'll get sick and miss the exam!" Eric didn't hold back his anger.
Michael was pushed aside, stumbling as he watched Lily drive away. For the first time in his thirty years, he felt fear.
Sophie ran over, pretending to care. "Michael, Lily has every right to be mad. You were late, and the exam is important. Maybe she should stay at home."
If Lily left, how could Sophie continue her schemes?
Michael felt a breakdown coming on. His voice was hoarse. "Where's Barry? He prepared the supplies!"
He needed to find out why Lily's supplies were ruined!
Sophie tensed up. "Michael, why would you suspect Barry? He prepared my supplies too, and they're fine."
Michael stood up, his face stern, and walked away.
Sophie clenched her fingers, quickly messaging Barry: [Michael is coming to check on you. Be careful.]
Even though Lily left, this incident definitely affected her, and her performance would suffer.
Seeing Lily's reaction, she clearly didn't want to deal with Michael anymore. Lily sat in the car, watching the rain outside, which had lessened. The car was quiet.
Dennis looked at her, speaking calmly. "Don't let this affect you. For the next few days, don't go back there."
Lily nodded. "I was thinking the same. Staying at the apartment is simpler."
By the afternoon exam, the rain had stopped.
Lily went to the exam smoothly. The math questions were tough, but she felt confident.
Leaving the exam hall, she heard others groaning about how hard the math test was.
At the school gate, she saw Michael. She paused, then turned to walk the other way.
"Lily, I brought Barry to apologize to you."