Chapter 222:

Laurel staggered backward, bumping into the coffee table. Her lips moved, but no sound came out.

Kendrick let out a long breath and leaned on his cane. “Laurel, we gave Paola everything — top schools, fine clothes, society events… All of it should have gone to Rylie.”

A flicker of pain passed through his tired eyes. “And how did you repay us? With lies, tricks, and betrayal.”

“Enough!” Terrance snapped, grabbing Laurel’s wrist. “Haven’t you embarrassed us enough? Let’s go!”

At the door, Terrance paused and turned back. “Detour Inc stands tall today because of my leadership. Even if I hand it over, would shareholders trust a young woman with it? Felix, you know them well. Let Rylie learn the ropes first. Then I’ll pass the rest to her.”

With that, Terrance stormed out with Laurel by his side.

Outside the door, Paola was in tears. Her cries pierced through the silence. “Grandpa, please! I don’t want to leave Serenity Manor. Don’t send me away!” Kendrick didn’t flinch. He had been more than generous with them. But no one came before his granddaughter.

Meanwhile, Rylie sat by her bedroom window, sketching a lakeside view as the breeze played with her hair. A noise outside caught her ear. She turned and saw Percy stumbling along the garden wall.

He looked drunk. Their eyes met, and he froze.

There she was, sitting like a dream — her hair soft as silk, her face glowing in the golden light. Her white dress flowed like moonlight, its hem shimmering in the sunset.

Percy had always defended Paola. He’d never looked at Rylie properly — until now. And suddenly, he couldn’t look away.

Rylie set down her brush. “I heard you haven’t been home in days. Where have you been?”

Percy blinked, snapping back. “None of your business.”

He took a few steps, then bent over and vomited in the corner.

Rylie frowned and stepped down from the sill. By the time Percy looked up again, she was standing in front of him, tossing a small medicine box his way. “You’ve got alcohol poisoning. Take this.”

“I don’t need your help.” He pushed her aside and staggered on, but Rylie grabbed him with surprising strength and popped two pills into his mouth before he could react.

“You!” Percy stared at her in disbelief, unable to spit the pills out as they melted on his tongue.

“If you don’t take them, you’ll collapse. Medical bill’s a thousand. Pay when you’re sober.”

Rylie let go, her voice steady. “You’re barely in your twenties. Life’s just starting. Don’t crash it before the journey even begins.”

She turned and walked away, leaving Percy stunned. Back in his room, Paola was curled up on his bed, still crying. Laurel and Terrance were yelling next door.

When she saw him, Paola clung to him, sobbing. “That bitch Rylie wants us out of Serenity Manor! What do we do now?”

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