With that said, Tegan hung up the phone.

However, just as she ended the call, it rang again. It was Mrs. Horner.

Tegan blocked the number without a second thought.

Unable to reach Tegan, Mrs. Horner called Uriah, immediately launching into a hysterical rant.

"That Tegan has absolutely zero regard for the bond we've shared all these years. She even has the nerve to complain that we didn't raise her well enough."

Uriah was still in the hospital. His wounds had shown signs of infection.

"It's simply outrageous," Mrs. Horner continued. "She even had someone hurt you. Even if she doesn't care about our relationship, what about you? You've always spoiled her!"

"If you ask me, she turned out this way entirely because of how much you indulged her."

"She isn't just ruthless toward Leslie now; she doesn't even show me an ounce of respect. We never should have..."

"Her father saved Dad's life. We never should have what?" Uriah interrupted her with a somber tone before she could finish.

"But she..." Mrs. Horner stammered.

"And you certainly didn't raise her properly," he added.

"You..."

Wait, why was he taking an outsider's side?

"At the very least, your attitude toward her has never been fitting for the daughter of

the man who saved our family," Uriah said firmly.

"What's wrong with our attitude? Did I ever let her starve or freeze?"

"Every meal she ate and every piece of clothing she wore was arranged by my executive assistant," Uriah countered.

"..." Mrs. Horner was speechless.

What was he talking about?

"If there's nothing else, I'm hanging up," Uriah said.

"Wait! How is Leslie doing right now?"

Whenever Leslie was mentioned, Mrs. Horner's tone brimmed with anxiety, terrified that her precious daughter was suffering.

Hearing Helena's claims about Leslie's beating left her unable to eat or catch a wink of sleep.

Her hatred for Tegan deepened into something truly toxic.

"I haven't been able to see her yet," Uriah replied.

"What did you say? You haven't seen her? You've been there all this time and still haven't seen Leslie?"

Learning that Uriah hadn't even laid eyes on Leslie sent Mrs. Horner into a sheer panic.

That was her darling girl. What on earth had she been put through over in Yoreland these past few days?

"I won't let Tegan get away with this!"

In her frantic state, Mrs. Horner's threats against Tegan grew even more vicious.

Meanwhile, Uriah rubbed his temples, fighting off a massive headache.

On the other side of things.

Ever since Lacey arrived in Litamark, Susanna's life had become incredibly comfortable.

Lacey had transferred a significant amount of assets into her name, especially properties belonging to Black Gate!

Although Susanna wasn't Derek's biological daughter, Lacey had calculated everything down to the last cent.

"Mom, isn't this a bit much?" Susanna asked.

She really didn't care for the Black Gate assets, especially since Hull had already taken over so much.

Particularly after the whole fiasco where people thought she and Derek were father and daughter!

Since she wasn't his daughter, she didn't want any part of his wealth.

Lacey scoffed coldly. "Too much? You

this is too much? You

2 what I've been throug

all these years." Content years."

"He and his lover made my life a living hell, hunting me down across the globe. Me having to drag you

around hiding in the shadows that was a bit much!"

"Be a good girl and sign the papers. His misery now is just making up for the misery

he put us through back then!"

"

"....."

.." Susanna was speechless. Her mother made it sound like a tongue twister.

Lacey patted her on the shoulder. "Your dad and I are heading to Black Gate for a meeting. Don't go running around."

Dad!!!

With that, Lacey turned and swept out of the room, every click of her heels radiating power and grace.

Since Lacey's arrival in Litamark, even though she hadn't officially taken full control of Black Gate yet, Susanna was already being treated like the organization's little princess.

Now, whenever anyone from Black Gate saw her, they respectfully addressed her

as 'Miss.'

It was clear just how high a status her mother held in the hearts of the Black Gate members after all these years.