Chapter 924

Lily frowned at Margaret's mention of her parents' untimely deaths, a sensitive subject from their first encounter.

"All I know is that respect is reciprocal," Lily stated. "I don't know who you are, yet you expect me to know how to address you."

"Well, didn't we already tell you who we are?!" Celine snapped. "Why haven't you greeted us?"

"You introduced yourselves, but how would I know if that's true?" Lily replied.

Celine felt Lily was being deliberately difficult, and she suppressed the urge to slap her.

Margaret raised a hand. "Enough. What's the point of games? You know I'm Alex's grandmother. I also know who you are. I'm not here to play games. If you want to be part of the Russell family, you'll have to go through me. Alex's approval means nothing compared to mine."

Lily smiled faintly.

Margaret's eyes narrowed at Lily's unmoved expression. "Why are you smiling? Don't you believe me?"

"I'm smiling because you seem mistaken," Lily responded. "I have no intention of being part of the Russell family."

"You don't want to marry Alex?" Margaret asked, doubtfully.

"Marrying Alexander is separate from joining the Russell family," Lily explained. "If I marry him, it's him I'm marrying. I don't care about Russell family acceptance, and as for your approval…" Lily trailed off, laughing. "I'm sorry, but I truly couldn't care less. After all, I'm not marrying you."

Silence fell over the room. Celine was speechless, shocked by Lily's audacity. Her own difficult mother-in-law had been silenced by the Russell family's power. But Lily's dismissal of Margaret was unheard of. Margaret's face paled with fury.

"You're daring," Margaret spat. "Do you think you're invincible because my grandson supports you?"

"You're wrong," Lily retorted. "I don't need anyone's support. My relationship with Alexander is our decision, and I won't let anyone dictate it."

Margaret thought, This woman is remarkably composed. She was finding Lily far more challenging than anticipated.

Rolling her eyes, Margaret said, "You won't get what you want."

Lily raised an eyebrow, her confusion turning to hesitation as Margaret laughed.

"At my age, do you think I don't know your motives? I know what you want. I'm not sending you away with a large sum of money. You're smart; you know what you'd gain from being with Alexander. However…" Margaret paused, a smug smile playing on her lips. "You don't understand our family rules. Even married to Alexander, you won't receive a cent of our family property. Only your child will inherit. You're merely a vessel to continue our bloodline."