Chapter 46

"This initiative will not succeed," Lilly stated firmly, using a red pen to scrawl "FAIL" across the cover of the project document before slamming it onto the table. Everyone present was taken aback by her assertiveness.

"I already sanctioned that project. What makes you believe it will fail?" Peter inquired, puzzled by his daughter's reaction. Her grandfather had insisted that she participate in the project signing, requiring her endorsement on all ventures undertaken by the Blake empire.

She was only supposed to review the project and sign off, but instead, she had done this?

"This project took months to develop," Peter added, feeling ignored by her silence.

Kate, standing apart, felt her anger rising at Lilly's actions. Did Lilly realize the effort their father had invested in this project? She clenched her teeth in frustration.

The other CEOs were equally shocked. Why would she reject a project meticulously prepared by her father? They had reviewed the details and found them thorough. What was she thinking?

"You might want to review the plan thoroughly again," Lilly suggested.

"We've already done that," one of the directors involved in the project stated.

Lilly turned to him. "Did you visit the rural area to assess the land conditions and work environment, or did you rely solely on secondhand information and online research?"

The director was at a loss for words; he hadn't conducted any field research.

Seeing his silence, Lilly addressed her father. "Mr. Blake, as the president overseeing all CEOs, it is your duty to scrutinize the projects they propose. Did you not think to verify the suitability of the rural area for this resort before approving the project?"

The attendees began murmuring among themselves, re-examining the project documents before them.

Peter looked at his daughter. She had referred to him as Mr. Blake, which hurt him deeply. He couldn't recall the last time she had called him father or the affectionate terms used by his late daughters.

How did she know the rural area wasn't suitable for the resort? He acknowledged her intelligence but doubted it was enough to make such a determination.

"How can you be so certain the project will fail when you haven't personally inspected the area?" he questioned.

Lilly sighed. "The area needs development, but building a resort and other recreational facilities there is impractical. Do you think I haven't done my research?"

She advised, "Send a team for a proper inspection, and you'll understand why it's unsuitable."

Before the meeting, Lilly had received the project and conducted her investigation, discovering that natural disasters frequently occurred in the area, making it unfit for the planned development.

A hush fell over the room; there were no counterarguments. Kate felt the urge to retaliate but had no concrete basis to do so.

The only option left was for everyone to conduct further research on the rural area.

Lilly's grandfather, silent until now, smiled with pride. She continually proved herself as a worthy heir. Without her intervention, the company would have faced a significant loss.

"Since there's nothing more, I'll take my leave. Notify me when a revised project is ready," Lilly stated professionally before leaving the meeting room.

Everyone watched her with admiration. The top employees present were in awe of her intelligence and capability, already envisioning her as the future president of the company.

Peter excused himself to follow her.

Lilly, escorted by some directors, was called by her father. The directors bowed and left the father and daughter alone.

"Lilly," Peter greeted with a smile.

"Is there something you need?" she asked, maintaining a professional tone.

Peter sighed. "What must I do to restore the relationship we once had before your sisters passed away?"

Lilly raised her hand to stop him. "Never mention my late sisters again," she said, her voice breaking, pointing at him with pain in her eyes.

Peter's heart ached seeing her so broken.

"Lilly, I..." he began, stepping closer, but she stopped him.

"Stay away from me," she said, clenching her fists.

Peter's heart shattered at the hatred in her eyes. He had lost their bond when their mother died, and he quickly remarried Brenda, breaking his daughters' hearts. He had hoped to regain their love over time, but now it seemed Lilly harbored a new level of resentment after her sisters' deaths.

"What's wrong? I'm your father. You can tell me," he pleaded, but she just glared at him.

He persisted, "I'll do anything to restore our relationship."

"Are you finished?" Lilly asked after calming down.

"What must I do?" Peter asked, desperate.

"Find the people who killed my sisters. Then, I'll consider mending our relationship," Lilly replied before walking away.

She held back her tears until she got into the car. Pedro and Samuel noticed but remained silent, having been instructed to report her actions to their boss.

Remembering she wasn't alone, Lilly wiped her tears. Samuel drove towards the family residence without asking for directions, apparently pre-instructed by Alexander.

Leaning against the car door, Lilly stared outside. She had seen the hurt in her father's eyes but felt her own pain more deeply.

They arrived at the family residence at 6 pm after being stuck in traffic for two hours.

Pedro opened the car door for her, and Lilly headed into the family house.

"Welcome, ma'am," Camila greeted with a bow.

"Good evening, Camila," Lilly responded with a smile, observing the maids preparing for the event.

A large "Welcome Back Home" banner adorned the entrance and other areas of the house.

"She's here early," Grandma Helen noted, descending the stairs slowly.

Lilly moved to help her grandmother, who initially refused but eventually accepted her assistance. "I missed you, Grandma."

"I missed you too. I'll give your husband an earful for keeping you away from me," Grandma Helen said with a smile.

Lilly helped her grandmother sit on a couch in the living room. "Has Sandra arrived?"

"No, her flight was delayed. She should be here by 8 pm. Everyone needs to arrive before then."

"Will Sandra's friends be here?" Lilly asked, recalling Sandra's high school friends.

"Yes, they'll be here," Grandma Helen confirmed, examining Lilly closely. "You look more beautiful than ever, but why are your eyes red? Did you cry?"

Lilly was surprised her grandmother noticed. "No, Grandma."

"Did that grandson of mine do something to you?"

"No, Grandma. I'm fine. Something just got into my eyes," Lilly lied.

Grandma Helen scrutinized her before nodding. "Have you eaten?"

"I had an early lunch. I'll eat later when everyone arrives."

"Are you sure? What if the baby is hungry?" Grandma Helen asked, smiling at Lilly's flat tummy.

Her pregnancy was still in the early stages, and she wasn't experiencing cravings or increased hunger yet. "I'll eat if I get hungry."

"Alright, why don't you rest in Alexander's room? I'll have Camila call you when everyone arrives."

"Okay, Grandma," Lilly agreed and went upstairs to take a nap.

The rest was what she needed to calm herself after the confrontation with her father.

By 7:30 pm, everyone had arrived.

Sandra's friends, close family friends, and Ethan, Richard, and Sophia were there to welcome her.

Lilly joined them after waking up and freshening up, greeting and conversing with them.

"Isn't Alexander here yet?" Sophia asked.

"Maybe he doesn't plan to welcome his beloved sister home," Ethan commented.

"He might still be busy with work," Lilly speculated, unsure of his plans.

Outside, a beautiful young woman with dark hair stepped out of a car and looked at the mansion.

"Home sweet home," she said with childlike excitement.