Chapter 19 A Real Apology Requires Genuine Remorse
Lily stood there, her face blank, watching them.
Did they really think she was the same old Lily?
They never asked for her opinion, always brushing her off like they were doing her a huge favor.
She was done caring.
Austin felt guilty and avoided looking at Lily, waiting for Michael to step in.
As the leader, Michael spoke up, "Lily, after this competition, you've shown us what you can do. No one can replace you on the team from now on."
He figured that would make Lily feel better, right?
Sophie's expression darkened instantly.
She couldn't stand it.
Despite all her hard work, why did Lily get to take her place so easily?
Even though she wasn't as talented, she worked just as hard as Lily.
Austin also looked at Lily with hope. He didn't say anything, but he wanted Lily to join the team.
They'd given her a way out; she shouldn't still be holding a grudge, right?
Lily's gaze was icy. "I refuse."
Austin was taken aback. "Why?"
"Because I joined this competition to defend my parents' honor, not to join the team." She replied.
"But you've clearly been practicing in secret. Isn't that to come back?"
Lily didn't become this skilled overnight.
She must have been practicing behind the scenes. If not to join the team, then what for?
Austin didn't buy Lily's words and stared right at her.
Lily's eyes were cold as ice. "No."
Austin's heart sank. He couldn't help but speak, "Lily, do you need me to personally apologize before you'll forgive me?"
Lily paused, "It's not about forgiveness. This world doesn't only have the Roberts family team."
She loved competing but wouldn't be confined to the Titan Team.
The meaning was clear.
"Lily, I know the person you hate is me!"
Sophie suddenly shouted, her voice breaking with tears.
Everyone turned to look at Sophie.
Sophie walked towards Lily, her tone humble, "Austin really wants you to join the team. If my presence makes you unhappy, I'll leave the team immediately. I won't compete for this spot with you!"
Lily was a bit impatient, "You should shut up. I'm not joining the team because I don't want to. It has nothing to do with anyone else. Stop flattering yourself."
"I knew it, you're still angry because I overstepped and took your place. I thought I could take the opportunity you didn't want, prove myself, and contribute to the Roberts family. But I'm just too stupid!"
Sophie sniffled, her voice pitiful, making people feel sorry for her.
Michael felt a pang of sympathy for Sophie's understanding nature, "Sophie, it's Austin who went too far and hurt Lily. It's not your fault."
Austin felt even more frustrated, seeing Sophie play the victim. He regretted letting Sophie join the team.
Sophie was better suited to be a sweet little sister, not a teammate in business!
Seeing Austin unmoved, Sophie steeled herself and suddenly pulled out an eyebrow razor, aiming it at her wrist, "Lily, if I die, I won't compete with you for this spot. You can rest assured!"
Lily stepped back, startled. Was Sophie crazy?
What did her joining the team have to do with Sophie?
Wasn't Sophie the one who least wanted to see her join the team? Now she was resorting to self-harm to force her hand? Was she out of her mind?
Austin was also shocked, "Sophie, calm down. This has nothing to do with you."
Sophie smiled through her tears, "Austin, it's all my fault. Maybe I shouldn't have taken the opportunity Lily didn't want from the start. Then I wouldn't have made her angry. Anyway, I'm already very satisfied growing up in the Roberts family. I'm willing to die!"
Austin's heart softened instantly. He had some issues with Sophie before.
Michael looked at Lily, anxiety etched across his face. "Lily, can you really just stand there and watch Sophie hurt herself?"
Austin frowned. He knew Sophie's actions were way out of line. But if Lily agreed to join the team, it would fix everything, right? She just needed to nod and agree.
Lily spoke with a cold detachment, "Are you all missing something here?"
Michael blinked, confused. "What do you mean?"
"First, I've made it clear that I'm not joining the team because I don't want to. It has nothing to do with any of you. Second, Sophie using self-harm to force me to compromise is just as ridiculous as me using self-harm to force King to marry me."
Her sarcastic remark hit home, striking a chord with everyone.
The teammates who were about to speak up fell silent, realizing she had a point.
Austin couldn't help but interject, "No matter what, Sophie is family."
Even though Sophie was bad at the game and lacked responsibility, she was still just a kid.
"Does that have anything to do with me? Whether Sophie self-harms or commits suicide, it's none of my business. Stop trying to guilt-trip me!"
"Lily, her father saved your life. How can you provoke her like this!"
In a fit of rage, Austin slapped Lily across the face.
Lily didn't react because she never expected Austin to hit her!
Except for Peter, who liked to use his hands, none of her other brothers had ever laid a hand on her.
But the slap didn't fully land.
Dennis, standing nearby, intercepted Austin's hand, his expression icy. "This is your second act of violence. By law, the victim can call the police and request personal protection."
Lily turned her head, staring blankly at him.
Why was he here?
Austin gritted his teeth. "Who are you? This is a family matter. You have no right to interfere!"
Michael recognized Dennis but didn't expect him to show up here.
Dennis spoke calmly, "If even an outsider can't stand it, it shows how excessive your actions are."
His eyes were cold. These people dared to lay hands on her again! He could barely hold back.
Michael frowned, "Dr. Gonzalez, you've misunderstood. This time is different."
"What's different? Your fake sister was slacking off and throwing tantrums, while it was Lily, your real sister, who won the competition and got the opponent to apologize. Instead of treating her well, you lay hands on her!"
Michael was helpless, realizing how overboard their actions were towards Lily!
He looked at Lily with guilt, "Lily, I didn't mean it that way. I just didn't want Sophie to impulsively hurt herself!"
Lily pressed her lips together.
Dennis's tone was mocking, "To prevent the fake sister from getting hurt, you choose to hurt the real sister? What kind of twisted logic is that!"
Michael's guilt doubled, and he looked at Austin, "Apologize to Lily right now! Who told you to lay hands on her!"
Michael was shocked by Austin's actions earlier.
Austin stood there, hiding his hand guiltily.
He hadn't expected to actually hit her. He looked at Lily, "I was just so angry at what you said that I lost control."
He didn't know why he had such a big reaction and hit her without hesitation, just like he used to scold her.
After all, no matter how excessive his actions were before, Lily never held it against him.
This time should be no different. He wouldn't do it again.
Lily's gaze was filled with mockery. "So what?"
She realized she had always been a doormat in front of Austin, which was why he looked down on her.
"A real apology requires genuine remorse."
Dennis grabbed Lily's hand and delivered a hard slap to Austin's face.