Chapter 75 You Are Not My Family at All
Lily slammed her fork down, her expression icy.
She turned to Michael beside her. "I'm just telling it like it is."
"Cutting ties is a big deal. You think you can just say it when you're mad, and it counts? I never agreed to it," Michael shot back, clearly irritated. "I've spoiled you long enough. You should be grateful. Without the Roberts family, you're nothing."
Lily's eyes filled with mockery. So, he couldn't keep up the act anymore?
Eric couldn't stay silent. "Mr. Roberts, what do you mean she's nothing without your family? Weren't you the one begging her for help this time?"
Dennis added coolly, "Without Lily, you wouldn't have closed this deal."
Michael felt humiliated. "But without me, would Lily, at her age, have had the chance to be part of this project? No way."
Sure, there were lots of talented people, but not everyone got this shot. He was the one who gave Lily this opportunity.
Eric didn't miss a beat. "Lily, Maple Leaf Corporation always welcomes you."
Lily nodded. "Okay."
"Lily, you'd better think this through. Other companies aren't as straightforward as you think. You only had it easy because I was there to protect you," Michael warned.
Lily looked up, her expression indifferent. "I don't need you worrying about me. If you can't handle it, you can leave."
Michael was taken aback but refused to leave.
He turned to Dennis. "Lily had some issues with the family before. Thanks for looking out for her, Mr. Gonzalez. I'll remember this favor and help if needed in the future."
"You're welcome," Dennis replied, pouring himself a glass of red wine and taking a few sips.
He wasn't usually one for drinking, but right now, he felt a strange urge to.
His gaze drifted to Lily. She sat quietly, her long hair cascading over her shoulders, looking unusually serene.
Dennis quickly looked away, feeling inexplicably agitated.
The meal continued in silence.
Besides the main players, no one else dared to speak, let alone propose a toast. They were the ones being toasted, and their status wasn't high enough to initiate a toast.
Lily stood up and left the private dining room, walking absentmindedly ahead.
Michael followed her, deliberately falling into step with Dennis. "I'll cover the bill today. Consider it a thank you for taking care of Lily."
Dennis walked leisurely. "If you know she's important, don't do things that hurt her."
"Lily is my sister. I'm the last person in the world who would hurt her."
"But also the one most likely to," Dennis countered coldly. "You know that better than I do."
Michael was angry. "But you have no right to take care of her. Who do you think you are? What do you take my sister for?"
Dennis's throat tightened. "A friend."
Lily heard the response and her lips curled slightly, her expression a bit disheartened.
Yeah, just a friend.
Lily quickened her pace down the stairs, her mind in turmoil.
The wind outside brought her some clarity.
"Lily, come home with me," Michael pleaded earnestly. "I promise things won't be like before."
Out of the corner of her eye, Lily saw Dennis approaching, his stride steady, his tall figure cutting a striking silhouette.
Her heart inexplicably quickened.
Eric pulled up to the curb and rolled down the window. "Lily, hop in."
Lily turned and walked toward Eric.
Michael was reluctant. "Lily."
Dennis stepped forward to block Michael, his expression cold. "Maybe you should learn to respect her choices."
"What do you know? I'm worried about her living alone. It's only natural! But you, a man with an unclear background, being so good to her, you're the suspicious one!"
Michael's expression was unpleasant.
Dennis's gaze was icy. "She'd rather go with a man of unclear background than return to the Roberts Mansion. Shouldn't you reflect on that?"
With that, he walked over to Eric's car and got into the passenger seat.
Lily sat in the back, turning her head to look at Michael outside. "I can manage on my own."
"Lily, I..."
Michael's words were cut off by a fit of coughing, his hands covered in blood.
Seeing the blood, Lily's lips tightened. "You shouldn't have drunk earlier."
"Lily, I really..."
Michael collapsed in front of the car.
Lily immediately got out. "Michael, are you okay?"
Alvin rushed over, worried. "Ms. Roberts, Mr. Roberts hasn't been receiving treatment. He insisted on leaving the hospital when he heard you were going to the branch office. His condition is quite serious."
Lily was frustrated. "Then he should go to the hospital!"
What did leaving the hospital for her sake even mean? She never asked Michael to do that.
"His temper is beyond my control. When we get to the hospital, please try to persuade him."
Alvin had the driver help Michael into the car and then looked pitifully at Lily. "Ms. Roberts, let's go to the hospital together."
Lily stood still. "I'm not a doctor. It won't make a difference if I go."
Eric, seeing the blood on the ground, couldn't help but speak up. "Why don't we all go and take a look?"
Lily finally nodded. "Alright."
"Yeah, no problem. We don't have anything else to do anyway. Let's go together."
Eric could tell Lily was hesitant. After all, Michael was her brother. If he were seriously ill, she should go see him.
Lily was silent during the car ride.
Dennis looked back at her. "Don't feel guilty. His illness isn't your fault."
"I know. I'll just go and see him, then leave."
Lily felt conflicted and irritated.
Eric glanced in the rearview mirror. "Lily, even though he's your brother, don't forgive him easily. What they did to you before can't just be brushed aside."
"I know. I won't go back."
Lily knew in her heart that she wouldn't forgive them.
One thing at a time.
When they arrived at the hospital, Michael was taken for tests.
But Michael refused to cooperate, stubbornly watching Lily get out of the car. "You came to see me?"
Did this mean Lily still cared about him?
Despite their conflicts, they were still family.
Lily got out and heard his words, her face expressionless.
Michael looked at Lily. "Will you accompany me for treatment? I remember you used to take me to the hospital."
Whenever he was sick before, Lily would be frantic, personally running up and down.
Lily's face remained blank. "No."