She had learned her lesson well: with people like Marlene, it was imperative to make a lasting impression swiftly. Otherwise, she would find herself entangled in constant nuisances and irritations.

Marlene, under the mistaken belief that Lilah could do nothing further, left with a sense of relief, her spirits lifting as she walked out the door. Yet, before she departed, she couldn't resist the urge to throw a few cutting remarks over her shoulder.

No sooner had Marlene left than Gerard descended the stairs.

"What happened to your hand?" he inquired immediately, noticing her injury at a glance. He swiftly directed the servants to fetch the medical kit.

"It's not a big deal," Lilah reassured him, placing her uninjured hand on his shoulder and giving him a reassuring smile.

Despite her familiarity with Gerard's features, she couldn't help but be struck anew by his handsomeness each time she saw him.

"Was it Marlene who hurt you?" Gerard pressed, seeking confirmation. Lilah remained silent, her silence serving as tacit agreement.

"She is not a good person," Gerard stated, as he carefully disinfected the wound and wrapped it with gauze. "Leave it to me. I'll ensure they get what they deserve."

Lilah nodded.

She knew that if Gerard took charge of the situation, he would handle it far more effectively than she could have, ensuring no future troubles would arise.

On the afternoon of the following day, Marlene arrived in a tumultuous state, crying and shouting for Lilah.

Unaware of the recent developments, Lilah walked gracefully to the living room to meet her.

"Bitch, what did you do? Even if I had offended you, why would you do that to my father? What benefit will you gain from destroying his company?" Marlene screamed upon seeing Lilah, her voice echoing with desperation and anger.

It was only then that Lilah began to piece together the gravity of the situation.

"Are you seriously speaking to me like this?" Lilah accepted the coffee from the maid and stirred it gently, the spoon chiming softly against the cup like a serene but distant bell.

Marlene looked dreadful. Her eyes, wide with shock, glared at Lilah as if she had committed an unforgivable act.

"Lilah, I've told you, if you have a problem, bring it up with me, not my family. You're completely out of line!" Marlene was trembling, her eyes blazing with a fury that scorched the air between them.

"Are you done yelling? Then leave," Lilah replied, her expression ice- cold and clearly unbothered.

Tears started rolling down Marlene's cheeks. "No, no, you need to figure something out now. Save our company!"

"Why should I?" Lilah scoffed, her disdain palpable. "Remember when you Photoshopped that picture of you and Kaden to frame me? Did you think about today's consequences back then?"

Marlene's face drained of color; she shook her head, stammering, "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, I just..."

Before she could finish, her father, Onyx, called. "Marlene, quickly transfer your shares to me; someone's looking to buy, and it could help us through this crisis."

Onyx's voice was extremely agitated, frighteningly loud over the phone. Marlene stepped back in shock.

What a coincidence! How could this have happened? Marlene thought.