Jasper pulled the hood over his head before nonchalantly walking away.
Sophie blinked her eyes. Her voice came out in a daze.
"Lillian."
Her call brought Lillian out of her thoughts.
This wasn't her first encounter with Jasper. In her past life as well, he rescued her although she did not know his identity back then.
Bunch of Noah's men cornered her at an alley with an obvious intention to hurt her. One of them brought over a large metal bat, directing the attack at her leg when Jasper showed up and protected her.
However, no matter how strong Jasper was, he couldn't be a match for dozens of trained thugs. When Lillian tried to step in, he gestured her to call for help.
Seeing how he was being brutally beaten up, Lillian slipped out to call for the police and find nearby help. However, by the time help appeared, Jasper was long gone. Only a bloody scene after a fight was left behind along with battered bodies few of Noah's men.
Lillian didn't have the means of finding his identity and buried the incident at the back of her head.
However, the novel's perspective made her realize the man was Jasper, her third brother. The brutal fight wasn't without consequences. The incident crippled him, making him unable to walk properly. This mentally pulled him down.
In the series of twisted events that followed, Jasper met his miserable end. A wealthy, perverse man took fancy of him. The man forcefully took possession of him, played, and sent him to his companions' beds. When Jasper was sick, he had been discarded on the roadside to die.
However, never once did he blame Lillian.
If he didn't get hurt by protecting Lillian, he would have been able to fend for himself against the rich man.
What a fool!
This made her realize how the Lu Family was a bunch of fools.
Lillian included.
"Hmm?" Lillian responded.
"I think I am in love," Sophie dreamily said. Her dark eyes were bursting with affection.
Her words cracked Lillian's expression, making her wonder if she misheard.
"What?"
Sophie went over to Lillian and placed her hand on Lillian's shoulder, pulling her close. There was a twinkle in her eyes.
"Baby, that man was totally my type. Those eyes of his- they are too tempting. It ignited my desire to push him down on the bed and tie him up. Then-"
Lillian raised her hand and placed her palm on her friend's mouth. Staring at her friend helplessly, she said, "He just rescued us. Let's not pay kindness with depravity."
Sophie pulled her hand down. The pair of brightly sparkling eyes stared at her, eager to say something, but Lillian's eyes sharpened, warning her.
Thinking about all the obscene things Sophie could say about her brother brought chill to even someone as composed as Lillian.
Sophie pouted.
"Drive me home, alright? I am exhausted," Lillian urged.
The drive home was quiet. Indifference and disinterest was etched on to Lillian's face as she stared out the window. The passing streetlights reflected in her eyes. This gave Sophie no chance to initiate a conversation.
The car stopped once it entered a familiar run down neighborhood.
Lillian opened the car's door and stepped down.
Sophie rolled down the window and brought up. "Your suspension will be lifted in two days. What are you going to do?"
In her previous life, due to the influence of Chen Family, she was normally able to carry on with her classes. However, the mark of cheating was left on her. All her professors no longer wished to associate with her, and they alienated her from the research projects.
"Clear my name," Lillian responded firmly.
The confidence in Lillian's voice reassured Sophie. Since her friend had said so, Sophie knew Lillian had already thought of a way out.
"Knock me if you need any help."
"Sophie," Lillian brought up, "get a legal job."
Although Sophie brought in a lot of earnings with her shady dealings, they were dangerous in nature. She wished for her friend to get a safe office job and lead the life of a normal girl. There was no need for her to stand out.
Sophie furrowed her brows, waving her hand dismissively. "So I can rot in an office and develop lumbar issues? No way. You only live once, Baby."
Lillian sighed.
After that, the expression on Sophie's face shifted. She tilted her head, and her eyes were vibrant.
In her excitement, she said, "Say, Baby, what if I hack all the nearby CCTV cameras? I will be able to find out where he lives. Or I can run a face recognition software on him."
Lillian didn't even attempt to hide her exasperation this time.
"Go back," Lillian said, not willing to entertain her friend.
Half of Sophie's body hung out of the car, grinning like a maniac. She eagerly stated, "Hear me out. He looks like he needs touch of a mother, and I can be the mother for him."
Even Lillian's expression cracked at her proud claim in disgust.
Due to Sophie's support in her previous life, Lillian treasured her greatly and thought she had infinite patience when it came to her friend.
But now, she only ignited her violent urges.
"He has a mother," Lillian blankly said.
"Lily, Dear, is that your friend?" Grace's voice came.
Lillian turned her head to find Grace's figure standing under the flickering light. There was a warm smile on her face, and shawl was wrapped around her figure. She made her way over to Lillian.
Lillian nodded before stiffened.
Whether it was her mini dress and high heels or the mix of scents on her, it easily gave an idea of where she had been. When Lillian left earlier, Grace was at her work.
"What are you doing out here?" Lillian asked.
"I returned and saw you haven't returned yet. Thought I would wait out here for you," Grace gently said.
This was a first for Lillian.
Receiving direct concern because she returned late.
In Chen Family, she would be scolded and punished before she had the chance to explain. They brought up how trying to teach her was useless. Later, when she reached adulthood, they wouldn't care if she died outside unless she brought shame to their family.
"I went out to hang with Sophie and a couple of friends. We are a bit late," Lillian said.
That's when, Sophie pushed the door open and sprang out. Waving her hand energetically with a wide smile on her face, she greeted, "Hello, Aunt Lu, I am Sophie!"