Chapter 120

Two weeks had passed, and the people of Aurora City had stopped discussing the drama involving the Kanes and the Blakes. It had been two full weeks since the trial ended, and Lilly had resumed her normal life. Today, however, she decided to visit Jamila, Ariana’s former assistant, in prison.

Lilly and Alexander arrived at the women's correctional facility.

"Do you want me to come in with you?" Alexander asked.

"No, it's okay. I'll just go in, see her, and then we can head over to pick up Viola from Grandpa's place."

"Alright, but be careful," he said, squeezing her hand.

Lilly smiled. "With all the security you’ve arranged in there, I’m sure nothing will happen to me."

"I know, but still..." Alexander trailed off, looking concerned.

Lilly understood his worry and nodded. "I'll be fine, don’t worry."

Alexander gave a nod, watching as Lilly stepped out of the car and made her way toward the prison entrance. He kept his eyes on her until she disappeared behind the prison gates.

Lilly was escorted to the visitor's area, where she would meet Jamila. She sat down behind a glass divider, waiting until Jamila was brought in. When Jamila finally appeared, Lilly barely recognized her. Her hair was messy, and her face and hands were covered in bruises. It was clear she had been mistreated by other inmates.

Once Jamila sat down, Lilly picked up the phone on her side of the glass partition.

"Hi, Jamila," Lilly greeted her.

Jamila glanced at Lilly but avoided eye contact, the guilt and shame apparent on her face.

"Why did you do this?" Lilly asked, voicing the question that had been on her mind ever since the trial.

Jamila bit her lip nervously. "I don't know what you're talking about. I did something wrong, and now I’m paying for it. Isn’t that how it’s supposed to be?"

Lilly sighed. "We both know you're not the real villain here. Yes, we met once in country B, but you didn’t hold any grudge against me from that time. I know because you left when I went to get the money for you. You’ve been using that encounter as an excuse for your actions, but it’s not the real reason."

Lilly leaned forward, her voice firm. "Ariana did all of this, didn’t she?"

Jamila’s face revealed a flicker of surprise, her eyes widening briefly before she tried to hide her reaction.

Lilly smiled knowingly. "I already know the truth, and I have proof to back it up."

Jamila’s eyes widened further, this time in fear. She quickly looked up at Lilly, panic etched across her face. "Wha... what are you saying? My boss had nothing to do with this. I did it all," she stammered, fidgeting nervously with her hands.

Lilly glanced at her trembling hands. "Calm down, Jamila. I’m not going to give the evidence to the police, and do you know why?"

Jamila stared at Lilly, confused. "Why?" she asked, desperate to understand why Lilly wouldn’t expose Ariana.

Lilly leaned back in her chair. "The reason you took the fall for Ariana is that she threatened you, and probably made you a promise, didn’t she?"

Jamila was stunned, unable to respond. She knew Lilly had hit the truth but was too afraid to confirm it.

"You must be wondering how I know all this," Lilly continued.

Jamila gave a small nod, unable to deny it.

"I’ll only tell you this—your boss is playing with the wrong person."

Lilly paused for a moment before addressing Jamila’s unspoken question. "I’m not revealing Ariana’s involvement yet because sending her to jail isn’t what I want. You’ll have to remain in prison for now, since that’s the choice you’ve made. If Ariana gets arrested now, it’ll ruin my entire plan."

Tears began to spill from Jamila’s eyes as she fell to her knees. "Please, I’m begging you. I know you’re the only one who can help my family. Ariana threatened to harm them if I didn’t take the blame. I’m terrified she might hurt them even while I’m here. She’s unstable."

"Get up," Lilly said firmly.

"Please, Mrs. Kane," Jamila pleaded, tears streaming down her face.

"If you don’t stand up, I might change my mind," Lilly warned.

Jamila quickly rose to her feet, wiping her tears as she sat back down.

"Good," Lilly said calmly. "Just stay in prison for now. I’ll make sure your family is safe, but only because I don’t want them to suffer because of your poor choices."

Jamila wiped away more tears, whispering, "Thank you."

"Don’t thank me yet. Remember, you’re just as guilty. You knew exactly who Ariana was, yet you still chose to help her. That’s why prison is where you belong right now. Consider this your lesson."

With that, Lilly stood up, casting one last look at Jamila before leaving the room. Jamila wept silently.

Outside, Alexander anxiously checked his watch, only looking up when he saw Lilly walking back toward the car. Once she got in, she exhaled deeply.

"How did it go?" Alexander asked.

"It went well. I got her to admit that Ariana threatened her using her family."

"So, what’s the plan now?" he asked, his frustration evident.

"I’ll wait to see what Ariana does next. She’s after you, Alexander. She’s obsessed with you, and she’s willing to do anything to get what she wants. But I won’t let that happen."

"You think she won’t try to hurt you in the process? How can you expect me to stay calm and let her keep playing these games?" Alexander's patience was wearing thin.

Lilly grasped his hand, pleading softly. "I’ll ask for your help when I need it. But for now, please don’t do anything. Ariana wants you to act recklessly. Don’t give her that satisfaction."

Annoyed, Alexander pulled his hand away. "Take us to the Blake estate," he instructed the driver, clearly frustrated.

Lilly pouted, sensing his anger. The ride to her grandfather’s house was silent, with Alexander focused on his laptop, barely acknowledging her presence.

When they arrived, the staff greeted them politely.

"Welcome, sir. Welcome, ma'am."

Lilly nodded in response, while Alexander ignored the greetings, walking straight into the house and asking Victor where their daughter was.

"She’s with her great-grandfather in the study," Victor replied. "He requested not to be disturbed."

Knowing where to go, Alexander headed toward the study to retrieve Viola, who had been with her great-grandfather for two days.

Lilly followed behind.

When Alexander knocked on the door, Caleb’s loud voice responded, "Didn’t I say not to disturb us?"

Ignoring the comment, Alexander opened the door and stepped inside.

"Daddy! Mommy!" Viola shouted, running to her parents.

Alexander scooped her up, hugging her tightly. "Did you miss Daddy?"

Viola nodded enthusiastically. "I missed you so much, Daddy."

Lilly approached Caleb and bowed respectfully. "Hello, Grandpa."

Caleb studied his granddaughter. "You look exhausted. The trial is over, but you still seem worn out."

"I’ll be fine, Grandpa," Lilly assured him.

Caleb’s eyes narrowed in concern. "If your husband isn’t treating you well, you should come home. I’ll take care of you. It’s because of him that you’re so emotionally drained. He’s the one who got involved with that crazy woman, yet you’re the one paying the price."

Caleb’s words, spoken in front of Alexander and Viola, caused tension to rise in the room.

Sensing the growing anger, Victor approached. "Sir, perhaps I should take Viola away for now," he suggested, realizing the child shouldn’t witness any conflict.

Alexander handed Viola over to Victor, who quickly left with her.

Turning to Caleb, Alexander spoke firmly. "Do you think I want Lilly to go through this? I’ve told her from the start that I should handle Ariana, but she won’t let me."

"Enough," Lilly interrupted. "Grandpa, I’m fine. You don’t need to worry."

"Of course I have to worry," Caleb insisted, glaring at Alexander. "If you don’t deal with Ariana, I’ll make sure my granddaughter divorces you and comes back home. I’ll find someone more suitable for her."

Alexander’s fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white. Holding onto Lilly, he vowed, "I’ll never let that happen." Without another word, he left, guiding Lilly firmly by the hand.

Caleb seethed, worried that history would repeat itself—that another woman would destroy the happiness of his family.

As they reached the living room, Alexander retrieved Viola from Victor. He wasn’t about to let anything tear his family apart.