Chapter 62 Never Return to the Roberts Family
"I don't want to repeat myself!"
Michael, usually so gentle, could be quite intimidating when angry.
Michael glared at Austin through gritted teeth. "Did you forget why we're here today?"
Austin finally calmed down. He had come to the party hoping to reconcile with Lily.
But how did things end up like this?
Sophie sensed the tension and cautiously said to Austin, "Austin, let's go. My foot hurts."
Reluctantly, Austin led Sophie away without even apologizing.
Lily watched the whole scene unfold, finding it utterly ridiculous.
It didn't evoke any other feelings in her.
Sophie's same old tricks, Austin's same old reactions—they both filled her with boredom and disgust.
Michael swallowed his discomfort and looked at Lily with concern. "I apologize on Austin's behalf. I didn't expect him to act like this."
When Austin had so confidently demanded an apology from Lily, Michael felt even more guilty.
Lily's voice was cold. "I don't accept his apology."
"Lily, I understand why you're angry. I'm angry too. But you really can't sign with Crayfish. This industry is complicated, and I don't want you to suffer."
Michael looked at her expectantly. "I know you've always been obedient and sensible. I neglected you before, but that won't happen again. If you sign with GreenFruit, all their resources will be at your disposal."
"I've already agreed to sign with Crayfish."
Lily's response was casual.
Michael's face froze. He hadn't expected Lily to act so quickly.
He was incredulous. "You decided something this big all by yourself? Didn't you think to discuss it with us?"
"My decisions are my own."
Lily turned to leave, not wanting to say anything more to Michael.
Michael watched her walk away, feeling a familiar sense of helplessness and sorrow.
Lily had changed a lot. She no longer depended on him or revolved around him.
The party's little drama was quickly forgotten by everyone else.
As a popular gaming streamer with a twelve-win streak, Lily was quite the star at the event.
Finally, the manager from Crayfish approached Lily with a contract in hand. "Ms. Roberts, no time like the present. Let's sign the contract today."
Lily nodded. "Alright."
Michael watched silently, downing his wine, feeling suffocated by his frustration.
Lily stood on stage, confident and impressive.
Michael realized that Lily had grown up without him noticing. She was no longer the little girl who relied on the family.
After the party, Lily met a lot of people.
She left with Violet, who was ecstatic. "Today was so satisfying. Seeing Sophie get what she deserves—I could laugh about it in my sleep."
Lily smiled. "After all this time, Sophie's tactics haven't changed a bit."
But she wouldn't sit back and let herself be framed.
"Ms. Roberts, let me drive you home."
Bruce approached them, eager and friendly.
Just as Lily was about to decline, Michael walked over. "No need to trouble anyone else. I'll take Lily home."
Bruce raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure she wants to go with you?"
"She's my sister. You better not get any ideas."
Michael didn't want Lily to have any ties with the Bubble Buddies Team.
Lily stepped back, putting some distance between herself and Michael. "I can walk myself. I don't need either of you."
"Lily, I want to talk to you."
Lily's expression remained calm. "I don't think there's anything to talk about."
"Lily, I know you're mad. Austin's behavior today was out of line. I'll make it up to you. But are you really going to distance yourself from the whole family because of Austin?"
Lily found it laughable.
Didn't the whole family always side with Sophie?
She spoke coolly. "It makes no difference to me."
As Lily walked to the curb to hail a cab, a familiar car pulled up in front of her.
Lily knew who it was.
The window rolled down, and Dennis looked at her. "Get in."
Lily opened the passenger door and got in. Just as she closed the door, Michael approached. "Lily, I know you're tired today. Can we talk another time?"
Lily pressed her lips together. "We'll see."
Dennis hit the gas and drove off.
Michael stood there, feeling awkward and defeated. He turned to Bruce. "Bruce, Lily won't sign with your team. You should give up."
"The Roberts family is so confident. Why are you afraid of a little competition? I've never seen such blatant favoritism. This is a first for me."
Bruce watched where Lily's car had gone.
If he wasn't mistaken, the driver was Dennis?
No wonder Lily had a twelve-win streak!
But why was he here, personally picking up a girl? This was getting interesting.
Lily glanced at the man beside her in the car. "What are you doing here?"
"Just passing by."
Dennis's long fingers rested on the steering wheel, his expression a bit unnatural. "Did you have fun at the party?"
"It was pretty fun."
Lily thought of Austin and Sophie's reactions, and her mood lifted considerably.
Dennis glanced at her. He knew what had happened at the party, which was why he came to pick her up.
He had expected her to be affected, but she was stronger than he thought.
Lily's phone buzzed with a message from David.
She didn't bother to check. It was probably more guilt-tripping messages.
They weren't tired of saying it; she was tired of hearing it.
Lily put her phone down. "Let's get some barbecue."
"Where do you want to go?"
"There's a good barbecue place behind my school. I used to sneak there all the time. Every time, I worried about the smell lingering on my clothes."
Dennis played along. "Why sneak?"
"Michael didn't allow it. He said it was unhealthy..."
Lily trailed off, not wanting to continue.
Dennis noticed her change in mood. "Deciding to leave the Roberts family, no regrets?"
"No regrets."
Lily lowered her eyes. "In small things, they were good to me. But when it came to important matters, like choosing a school after the SATs, or anything involving Sophie, they always made me compromise."
She didn't care for such small favors. And she wouldn't be guilt-tripped because of them.
Dennis's lips curved slightly. It seemed he had worried for nothing.
The car stopped at the back of the school.
Dennis frowned at the cleanliness of the area but still sat down slowly.
Lily ordered a lot of her favorite dishes. "Haven't had this in ages. Let's get two beers too."
The barbecue shop owner glanced at Dennis and asked Lily, "What does your boyfriend want?"
Lily was taken aback.