Chapter 204: Is This Trying to Imprison Her?
Lily kicked off her slippers with a sharp motion.
Her voice was icy. “Give me my phone.”
Michael swallowed his bitterness, then attempted to shift the subject. “Would you like something to eat? Are you feeling unwell anywhere?”
Lily felt as though her fist had landed on a pillow—utterly powerless.
She looked up at Michael. “Why is it that none of you ever listen to what I say?”
They spoke endlessly of making amends, yet never offered what she truly desired.
“Lily, I know you’re angry with Peter. But you also know he’s always had a violent temper—don’t hold it against him. When you were bullied as a child, Peter did everything in his power to avenge you. Have you forgotten?” Michael pleaded earnestly, desperate to dispel her misunderstandings about Peter.
After all, Lily now harbored deep resentment toward the Roberts family, and he could not bear for things to continue this way.
Lily let out a derisive laugh. “Avenge me?”
“Yes. You were probably too young then to remember.”
“I remember all too well that it was his foul temper and oversized ego that made it impossible for him to get along with anyone. Those who couldn’t best him would simply turn their frustrations on me.”
Lily recalled how many times she’d suffered such bullying as a child.
It sounded noble to say Peter stood up for her, but the truth was, it was because of Peter that trouble found her in the first place.
Yet she pitied Peter; even when bullied, she still liked to trail after him.
Because, aside from her, no one else was willing to speak to Peter.
And once Sophie arrived in the Roberts family, with her subtle manipulations, Lily’s reputation at school plummeted, and she became ever more isolated.
Regrettably, in her previous life, she failed to see the truth, and instead felt elated whenever Peter intervened on her behalf.
Michael’s composure began to crack. “I didn’t know it was like that.”
Lily lowered her gaze.
But back then, she was the youngest.
David, Michael, and Nathan were all busy with work; James was reclusive, and Austin was simply Peter’s shadow.
She had no choice but to follow behind Peter and Austin.
Even though she knew that those Peter had beaten would ultimately come after her, she accepted it willingly.
Because Peter would fight back for her, and that made her feel she mattered.
Michael ventured cautiously, “I’ve already spoken to Peter. He won’t dare act that way again.”
A wry smile curled Lily’s lips. “Your actions now are no different from his.”
“Lily, I’m only worried about your health. Let the doctor examine you before you leave, all right? Stay and have a meal with me?”
“No,” Lily replied curtly, knocking Michael unconscious with a swift motion, dealing with one person was still within her power.
She helped Michael onto the hospital bed, suddenly noticing how much weight he seemed to have lost.
She felt his body was very light, like there was nothing but bones left.
Lily thought this absently, then let go and retrieved her phone.
She saw that Dennis had called several times and sent messages.
Lily put on her shoes and left the room, she had no desire to linger here.
But as soon as she stepped out, she saw a crowd of black-clad bodyguards waiting in the corridor.
Lily paused at the threshold, clenched her teeth, and strode forward.
The bodyguards quickly surrounded her. “Ms. Roberts, you cannot leave.”
“Since you call me Ms. Roberts, then step aside.”
“Sorry, Ms. Roberts.”
In the end, Lily was escorted back to the room.
Alvin hurried over with a thermos, addressing the bodyguards, “All of you, leave. Who gave you permission to lay a hand on Ms. Roberts?”
Lily looked at Alvin with impatience. “Let me go.”
“Ms. Roberts, I would if I could, but my words carry no weight.”
Alvin sighed. “Ms. Roberts, Mr. Peter Roberts was indeed out of line. Once Mr. Michael Roberts wakes, you’ll be free to go. Wait, what’s wrong with Mr. Michael Roberts?”
Noticing Michael’s lack of response, Alvin’s face drained of color.
“Ms. Roberts, call a doctor, quickly! Mr. Michael Roberts must have fainted from his illness!”
Lily cleared her throat. “There’s no need for a doctor.”
“Ms. Roberts, please, don’t joke about this.”
“I’m not joking. I knocked him out myself.”
Lily’s expression was a touch awkward. “He took my phone and wouldn’t let me leave.”
Alvin finally relaxed. “Mr. Michael Roberts wasn’t trying to detain you, he simply wanted you to stay a little longer.”
"But they never asked what I wanted, never asked if I was willing to stay with them."
Alvin gave a rueful smile. “I know. No matter how I advised Mr. Michael Roberts, he never listened. What use is regret now?”
Realizing she couldn’t leave, Lily grew increasingly irritable.
Before long, Michael regained consciousness. Seeing Lily still seated on the sofa, his face lit up with surprise. “Lily, you haven’t left yet?”
Lily replied coolly, “I’m going home to rest.”
“That’s fine, but have something to eat first. I’ll have Alvin drive you home afterward.”
“I have no appetite eating with you. I just want to go home now.”
Lily’s patience was utterly spent.
Michael looked crestfallen; he knew Lily had been the one to knock him out.
Alvin interjected, “Mr. Michael Roberts, Peter’s men are guarding the door. You need to let Ms. Roberts go. Forcing her to stay will only backfire.”
Kindness that must be coerced is no kindness at all.
Michael finally nodded. “Very well. Lily, I’ll take you home myself.”
“No need.”
“If I don’t, you won’t be able to leave. You know Peter’s temper.”
Lily had no choice but to acquiesce.
This feeling was utterly unpleasant.
She and Michael left the ward together, and as expected, the bodyguards dared not block their way.
Alvin personally drove her home. Now that Peter knew where she lived, there was no point in concealing it.
The whole way, Michael kept trying to find opportunities to talk to her.
But Lily simply gazed out the window in silence.
Michael sighed. He remembered how talkative Lily used to be.
Whenever he was exhausted from work, Lily would chatter beside him, recounting amusing anecdotes to lift his spirits.
He could not fathom how their sibling bond had come to this.
The car pulled up outside her apartment complex.
Michael spoke gently, “Lily, I’ll make sure Sophie stays away from you, she won’t have the chance to hurt you again.”
“Is Sophie the only one who’s hurt me?” Lily shot him a mocking glance, then stepped out of the car.
Immediately, she spotted a familiar figure. “Dennis?”
Dennis, upon seeing Lily, put down his phone and hurried over.
His tone was tinged with concern. “Why didn’t you answer your phone or reply to my messages?”
“There was an unexpected situation.”
Lily hadn’t anticipated being forcibly taken to the hospital by Peter.
Dennis studied her intently, sensing she wasn’t telling the whole truth.
Michael, seeing Dennis, quickly got out and caught up.
The two men exchanged a look, both brimming with hostility.
Lily addressed Michael coldly, “You should go.”
Michael said earnestly, “Lily, I know—I made mistakes.”
Dennis's tone was mocking, "Just moving your lips counts as sincerity? That adopted daughter is still doing fine in the Roberts family, isn't she?"
“You all know the surveillance footage was destroyed, David doesn’t believe my account.” Michael looked troubled. “Lily, I can’t drive Sophie away now. Her father gave his life to save our parents, and he once saved you, too.”
Dennis responded icily, “And you’re so certain it was that driver who saved Lily all those years ago?”