Chapter 42 Sharp-tongued
Lily walked ahead, but Michael quickly caught up.
"Lily, I went back to check, and it was Barry's mistake. He's here to apologize," Michael said.
Barry stepped forward. "Ms. Roberts, my old eyes must've been playing tricks on me. I didn't see that there was an issue with one of the stationery items. It's all my fault. Please don't blame Mr. Roberts."
Sophie joined them. "Lily, Barry's getting old, and mistakes happen. Don't hold it against him."
Lily stood still, her expression distant and cold.
Did they really think that hurting someone and then apologizing would make it all okay?
"That's rich, isn't it? Old eyes playing tricks, yet he managed to mess up Lily's stuff and not yours?" Eric said as he stepped out of a car parked by the roadside.
Dennis rolled down the window, his deep gaze fixed on Lily. "Get in."
Without hesitation, Lily turned and walked over.
Michael quickly stepped forward. "Wait, Lily, we've cleared everything up. Can you come back home?"
Lily shook off Michael's hand. "No!"
"Lily, what will it take for you to calm down?"
Dennis stepped out of the car, his face cold, and pushed Michael aside. "You're selfish."
"Selfish? I'm just worried about her!"
"If you were really worried about her, you wouldn't force her to accept your apology before her exams were over. If she doesn't accept, you think she's just being difficult. Her emotions are the most important right now. But you're only concerned about clearing your name and pushing her to accept an apology without considering how it might affect her. If that's not selfish, then what is?"
Dennis's words were sharp and relentless.
Michael was left helpless. That wasn't what he meant.
"I was just worried Lily might misunderstand, so I wanted to explain quickly!"
Dennis retorted, "But did you consider if now is the right time for her to hear your explanation? What if your words affect her performance in the exams? Is apologizing noble? You think an apology absolves you of responsibility?"
Michael couldn't say another word.
Sophie gritted her teeth. "Michael was just overly concerned. He cares about Lily the most; he would never harm her!"
Eric scoffed. "Is this the fake sister? Pretending to be nice? You all line up to apologize, thinking it shows how good you are at it? Should I stab you all and then apologize? Lily doesn't need this selfish concern! Let's go!"
Lily bent down and got into the car.
Michael couldn't help but step forward. "Lily, I didn't mean it that way. I was just too anxious."
He was afraid of losing Lily!
Lily looked at Michael through the car window, her tone calm. "I know. I'll come back after the exams are over."
Michael's mind was a mess.
Why did Lily say she would come back, yet he didn't feel relieved at all?
He was increasingly unable to understand what Lily was thinking.
Michael nodded. "Alright, I didn't consider everything. I'll wait until your exams are over and explain properly."
He stepped back a few paces. Even though he was unwilling, he didn't dare to block her.
Dennis was no ordinary person.
If Michael forced it, he wasn't confident he could handle it.
The most crucial thing was not to affect Lily's exam state.
He was backing down for Lily's sake, not because he was afraid of Dennis!
Sophie watched Lily leave and clenched her fists. She couldn't believe Michael let her go.
Sophie casually remarked, "Michael, if David finds out Lily isn't coming home during her exams, it'll be a disaster!"
"Enough!" Michael's expression turned cold. "As long as you don't say anything, and I don't say anything, David won't know."
Sophie's face twisted with frustration. "Of course."
Damn it, if Lily weren't at the Roberts Mansion, it would be harder for Sophie to mess with her.
Lily returned to the apartment.
Eric was fuming. "What kind of people are they? Apologizing now and forcing you to accept it?"
Initially, Eric just thought Lily's brothers were a bit biased.
Now, he finally saw it. This wasn't bias; this was blindness!
Lily handed Eric a glass of water. "Calm down, I'm not even angry."
"How can you not be angry?"
"I'm used to it. It's always been like this."
Lily's tone was calm as she spoke.
Eric clutched his chest. "Damn, I can't take it. I'm going to the balcony to smoke and cool down."
Dennis walked out with a fruit platter, his long fingers distinct and elegant.
He placed the platter in front of her. "Eat some vitamins. After the exams, are you planning to go back?"
So he heard that.
Lily picked up the platter. "To pack my things."
Dennis sat on the sofa. "Just don't be foolish!"
"I know. I won't be soft-hearted or forgiving."
Lily's gaze was resolute.
The rest of the exams went smoothly.
After finishing the last exam, Lily felt much lighter.
She had endured for so long, and it was finally over!
Lily walked out of the classroom in high spirits, encountering many classmates discussing the recent exam on the way. Sophie was among them.
Violet looked at Lily. "How did you do? I heard your first test might be affected by the stationery issue, but as long as the content is fine, you shouldn't lose points."
Sophie immediately feigned concern. "Lily, even if you didn't do well, it's okay."
Lily glanced at her. "I still did better than you!"
Sophie's expression stiffened. "Lily, don't be angry."
"Even if I'm angry, I still did better than you!"
Lily's words were sharp.
Violet was stunned.
Lily's usually gentle demeanor had changed in the last few months, but she rarely spoke like this. She seemed to have become quite sharp-tongued.
Lily leisurely turned and walked away, her figure standing out in the crowd.
Sophie was furious.
Lily must have lost her mind!
She put on a pitiful face and looked at Violet. "I was just trying to show concern."
Violet replied bluntly. "Are you really concerned about Lily, or are you trying to mock her by hitting her sore spot? Only you know."
"Exactly. Do you think we can't see through your actions? Only Lily was foolish enough to be bullied by you for so many years."
Sophie's eyes reddened, but Violet and the others walked away, leaving her alone.
Sophie stood there, her gaze dark and brooding.
But she quickly picked up her pace, knowing Michael would come.
Lily had just walked out of the school gate when she saw a row of red sports cars, each adorned with a banner: [Wishing Lily great success!]
This display was a bit over the top!