Chapter 193 Lily, I Am Your Brother
Lily observed the scene with a cold, calculating expression.
She spoke up, "Mr. Roberts, did you hear that? I don't owe you anything. All that so-called pocket money you gave me, all those things you bought—basically everything went to Sophie. I didn't take a single thing."
"But I bought you that antique gold crown! It was from my first big profit after my business took off, and I bought it especially for you."
"Yes, but don't you realize? I gave it to Sophie as an apology gift."
David was instantly stumped. That did seem to be the case.
He opened his mouth, ready to argue against Lily's words.
But as he carefully thought back over all these years, it seemed that apart from that gold phoenix crown, he had never bought Lily anything decent again.
For a moment, David was speechless.
Lily asked sarcastically, "So, Mr. Roberts, have you decided what price you're offering?"
Now, David had no way to morally blackmail Lily anymore.
He said stiffly, "How much money do you want?"
"Depends on how much you think it's worth. Most of these are your competitors or former enemies. With this data, you could make a lot more profit." After speaking, Lily looked at David.
Finally, David said, "One million dollars."
"Two million dollars," Lily countered.
"Lily, don't push it! Is this data really worth two million dollars?"
Lily replied lightly, "Then forget it if you don't want it."
She casually tossed the USB drive into the trash can—after all, the data was useless to her anyway.
David watched as Lily tossed the USB drive into the trash like it was worthless.
Just because he countered her price, she'd rather throw it away than accept one million dollars?
David was furious, but he finally relented. "Two million dollars it is, then."
"Transfer the money now—cash and carry."
Lily was straightforward too—the data was useless to her anyway. Using it to annoy David while making some money was a win in her eyes.
David's mood remained sour, though.
He looked at Geraldo reluctantly. "Have finance transfer the money to her!"
Geraldo said tentatively, "Mr. Roberts, why not have Ms. Roberts help fix the system too? After all, we've tried so many people, and none could solve the problem."
"Did I ask for your opinion?"
David had no intention of asking Lily for help.
Michael tried to persuade him. "David, you've never trusted outsiders, fearing they'd steal company data. Why not leave it to Lily? At least she's family."
"Hold on! Who’s family with you guys? Don't drag me into this!"
She didn't want to be blamed if something went wrong later.
Lily refused outright, leaving no room for negotiation.
David looked at Michael. "Did you hear that? She doesn't want to. Stop humiliating yourself."
Michael smiled bitterly, gazing at Lily with hopeful eyes.
Lily's expression remained cold. "I won't agree to it."
Michael still wouldn't give up. "We can pay you at market rates—whatever terms you want."
Lily was speechless. "Mr. Michael Roberts, are you deaf? Didn't you hear what I just said?"
Michael wanted to say more, but Alvin beside him stopped him. "Mr. Roberts, if Ms. Roberts doesn't want to come, don't force her."
Michael glanced at Alvin. He simply wanted Lily to have more contact with the family, to show that she still had ties with the Roberts family.
Alvin sighed. "Mr. Michael Roberts, money can find the right person. Didn't Mr. David Roberts say he found an expert on the black market? They'll definitely be able to solve it."
David snorted coldly. "That's right, I've already found someone. The company's system problems will be solved soon. There are plenty of experts in the world. As long as I'm willing to pay, there's no problem that can't be solved."
When Lily heard "black market," a sudden, naive thought crossed her mind.
It couldn't be that coincidental, could it?
She was probably overthinking it. After all, the black market is huge—it couldn't be mere coincidence that the private job she took was for the Roberts Group.
Lily glanced at her phone and saw the notification: two million dollars had been deposited.
She leaned back and nudged the trash can forward. "Take it."
She wouldn't pick it up herself. It’s take it or leave it.
David's expression turned cold. "Lily, you want me to pick it up from the trash?"
"What else? I'm not picking it up. Whoever wants it can take it."
"What kind of attitude is this? I paid two million dollars!"
Lily's eyes turned cold. "Then you don't have to take it. I'll refund your money!"
"You!"
David was about to explode with anger.
He hadn’t expected Lily to be this stubborn now!
At that moment, Michael walked over and bent down to pick the USB drive from the trash can.
Alvin felt uneasy and tried to stop him. "Mr. Roberts, let me do it."
"It's fine; it's not dirty inside."
Michael picked up the USB drive and wiped it with a tissue. He glanced at Lily—he knew she still cared about the Roberts family.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have specially kept this data.
Although she charged two million dollars, it was only fair.
Michael spoke calmly, "Lily, I heard your relationship with Eric is pretty good, but do you know who he is?"
Lily disliked the way Michael was staring at her.
She frowned, "I only just found out, but that's between him and me. It has nothing to do with you."
David couldn't help but speak up. "Lily, you're still the Roberts family's daughter after all. You grew up privileged, and now you’re actually someone's mistress? How can you face Mom and Dad?"
Lily's expression instantly turned cold.
She stared at David, "Say that again?"
"David, stop talking, okay?" Michael spoke emotionally, his pale face streaked with red, looking like he might faint at any moment.
Seeing him like this, David couldn't say anything more.
Michael turned around but couldn't help coughing.
Alvin hurried over, worried, and handed Michael some medicine. "Take this."
"No need, I won't die," Michael said, forcing himself to hold back, and looked up at Lily, hoping to see concern on her face.
Unfortunately, Lily was expressionless, showing nothing.
Michael couldn't hide his disappointment. "Lily, we only came to ask because we heard about your relationship with Mr. Murphy from the Murphy Family. We're worried you'll be taken advantage of. The Murphy Family isn't just any wealthy family."
Even with the Roberts family's status, they couldn’t compare to the Murphy Family.
Lily sneered. "What, worried I'll be someone's mistress and bring shame to the Roberts family?"
David said coldly, "Good that you know!"
Lily laughed mockingly. "I cut ties with the Roberts family long ago. What I do doesn't need to be reported to you!"
"Lily, can you have some self-respect? A girl doing something like this, and you think it's something to be proud of? Can the shares of this little failing company really support you?" David said disapprovingly.
Suddenly, the door swung open violently.
Dennis walked in with a cold expression, staring at David. "Try saying that again."
David stared at Dennis’s face, his expression changing instantly.
Could he be...?