Chapter 652

Alexander was at a loss at her silence. "Did my words upset you?"

"Why do you say so?"

Lily hugged his waist, pressing her face to his chest. "Thank you," she said. "Thank you for appearing in my life. Thank you for protecting me, pampering me, and walking with me all the way. Thank you for always having my back and always fighting by my side."

"Silly!" Alexander gently rubbed her head, hugging her back. "They don't want the news to get out, and they're afraid the police's intervention will complicate things. They won't be able to control it." He continued, "If the police got involved and the son truly murdered his father, the news would ruin the Lodge family's reputation."

Lily smiled bitterly. "That's why Justin also decided against calling the police."

"What about you?" He lowered his head. "The public only knows about your grandfather's death. The inside story is unreported. You don't plan on calling the police, do you?"

"I can't help but think about the ramifications. Everything in the Lodge family is my grandfather's hard work. I won't let it go to waste, but I also won't let the person who harmed him go free!"

"Then what are you going to do?"

"As he said, the Lodge family has its own rules, and we have ours. I'll wait and see what tricks Henry has!"

Arianna returned home from a tiring day at the company, finding Joseph waiting at the door. They hadn't seen each other for a long time.

"Hi, Dad," she said affectionately, smiling. "Why are you back so early?"

However, Joseph didn't return her usual loving smile; he looked unhappy. "Arianna, come here!"

Stunned for a moment, Arianna immediately guessed the reason. She still walked over, smiling. "Dad, you don't look very happy. What's wrong?"

"Your brother came to see you today, didn't he?" Joseph cut to the chase.

Unable to feign ignorance, she nodded. "Yes! He wanted to lead the new project. I told him I had no say in the matter. He got angry and insisted on seeing you. Did he find you?"

"Damian wants to make progress, which is good. As his sister, you should help and encourage him. How could you undermine him like that?" Joseph gave her a cold stare. "Besides, you proposed the new project department. Why can't you make the decision?"

Arianna was again blamed, but she showed no anger, sitting beside him and taking his hand.

"Dad, you can't blame me. I could have asked Uncle Derrick for help. However, that requires a meeting with other department heads, and Uncle Derrick hasn't been at the company lately. It's not like you don't know the people in the company…"

"Your uncle hasn't returned yet?" Joseph interrupted.