Chapter 14 Won’t Use Any Money from Home Anymore
Lily's interest was piqued immediately.
They hid behind a rock, watching Austin lead his team to battle the monster.
Taking down a boss required teamwork, and by the time they were close to winning, everyone was usually low on health.
Typically, no one dared to steal a boss from a well-known team like Austin's. But there were always exceptions.
Lily had studied this boss before and knew the perfect moment to strike.
She and Dennis worked seamlessly together, swooping in at the last second to land the final blow.
The boss was successfully taken by Lily and Dennis.
The game's world channel broadcasted: [Congratulations to SweetLemon for defeating The Peach Blossom Spring's boss]
Austin was furious when he saw this result, yelling into his headset, "You guys are useless! How could you let someone steal our boss?"
Sophie added fuel to the fire, "Those two look like new players. Do they not know who we are? How dare they steal our boss?"
Austin was livid, "Kill them for me!"
But soon, Austin's game screen turned black and white, followed by the rest of his team falling one by one.
Austin stared at the name "SweetLemon", feeling a strange sense of familiarity with their playstyle.
It reminded him of Lily!
Could she have created a new account just to steal his boss?
No, Lily couldn't be that skilled yet.
Meanwhile, Lily and Dennis not only got the boss but also the loot it dropped.
But nothing compared to the satisfaction of beating Austin and Sophie.
After playing for a while, their food delivery arrived.
Dennis paused the game, "Let's eat."
Lily noticed a small cake among the food, the same brand as the one Sophie had received earlier that day.
She glanced at him, "Why did you get a cake?"
"Don't all girls like these? Consider it a reward for your good performance. You didn't embarrass me!"
Lily felt a sudden wave of emotion.
Dennis looked a bit uncomfortable, adding, "It was just a part of the delivery."
Lily took the small cake, feeling like it was specially hers.
She took a bite, lowering her gaze, unable to calm her emotions.
Dennis noticed her silence, "Is the cake bad?"
It shouldn't be; it's the most popular one.
Lily shook her head, "It's delicious. It's been a long time since someone got me a cake."
Since her parents passed away, she hadn't celebrated her birthday.
Her brothers never remembered that she liked this cake; she never had a share.
Dennis's gaze softened, "No cake on your birthday?"
Lily was silent for a moment, "My parents died in a car accident on my birthday, so I haven't celebrated since."
Because that day became their death anniversary.
Every year, the atmosphere at home was somber on that day.
She didn't feel entitled to celebrate her birthday.
Dennis felt a sharp pain in his chest, struggling to breathe.
He turned his head, lips pressed tightly together, his face a mix of anger and guilt.
His hand clenched, veins bulging.
Sensing the tension, Lily looked up and casually said, "I don't really care about birthdays. I'm not in the mood anyway."
After all, it was her parents' death anniversary.
How could she celebrate?
Dennis suppressed his emotions, seeing her quiet face, as docile as a small animal.
She stayed silent, barely noticeable.
Her understanding nature was both infuriating and heartbreaking.
His voice was hoarse, "It's late. You should head home. Don't stay out too long."
"I know. Can I come here to see you again?"
Lily looked at him, uncertainty in her eyes.
Dennis looked at her, "You trust me that much? Aren't you afraid I'll deceive you?"
"I don't have anything worth deceiving," Lily looked at him earnestly, "Dr. Gonzalez, you're my only friend right now."
Dennis smiled faintly, then pretended to be serious, "Don't trust people so easily, especially men."
"Got it. I'm leaving."
Lily waved, slinging her backpack over her shoulder as she left the clinic.
After she left, Dennis sat in his chair, staring at the cake on the table, remembering the shattered cake from the accident years ago.
His head began to throb.
Since that accident, he hadn't eaten cake either.
After a while, he received a call, "Mr. Gonzalez, Ms. Roberts has arrived home safely."
Dennis hung up, his shadow stretching long in the sunset.
When Lily returned to the Roberts house, she saw Michael waiting on the couch.
She greeted him coldly, "Hello, Michael."
Michael looked up, seeing his distant and stubborn sister, unsure of what to say.
He had doubted her improved grades, suspecting she might have cheated.
But her results were real.
How had she improved so much when her grades had been average for years?
Michael felt a mix of happiness and loss.
The Lily who used to revolve around him seemed gone.
Her achievements showed real effort, not rebellion.
Michael reflected on how he had viewed Lily, realizing he had overlooked her feelings, especially after Austin's actions at school.
Maybe that was why she changed so much?
Michael sighed, "You're home late. Were you at the study room again?"
"Yes."
Michael sighed, "Isn't home better than a study room? It's safer here. Don't do your homework outside anymore."
Lily pressed her lips.
Once again, decisions were made for her.
Michael continued, "Because Sophie's grades dropped, I hired a tutor. You should join. If Sophie doesn't understand something, you can help her since you're classmates. Take notes for her when she's absent."
Lily's eyes filled with sarcasm.
So it was for Sophie that Lily was asked to do her homework at home.
Lily straightened her back, "I don't want to."
"Lily, I know Austin was wrong today, and you proved your ability. But we're family. Sophie's grades dropped because of the team competition. Since you're not competing, you should help Sophie improve. You have the experience."
Lily found it ridiculous, "I refuse!"
This was her only response; explaining felt like a waste of breath.
Austin stormed out, yelling, "Lily, do you have any conscience? You've been living off the Roberts family, contributing nothing. Aren't you ashamed?"
Lily felt it was ironic.
In her past life, she had worked hard for the Roberts family, training in gaming to help the team win championships.
And what did she get in return?
Sophie's tears easily replaced her, taking her champion spot.
This time, she wouldn't make the same mistake.
She calmly replied, "Fine, I'll move out of the Roberts house and won't use a penny of the Roberts family's money."
The break started now.