Chapter 245: The Real Power Play
Wyatt stared at her. “Your daughter’s dead, and you’re apologizing to me?”
Lily froze. Maybe Wyatt’s gaze was too sharp—too unfriendly. She could only lower her head and silently follow Freya into the building.
Freya told her to wait at the office door before slipping inside.
Inside, Yunice was seated at the desk, taking the pulse of one of Carl’s acquaintances. Upon learning Lily had arrived, Yunice and the patient moved to the lounge room in the back.
When Lily entered, Freya left, and only she and Carl remained in the office. Lily relaxed and greeted Carl like an old friend. “Mr. Wyatt was sitting outside. I thought you had guests.”
Carl said, “That boy comes by all the time. I’ve never agreed to see him.”
Lily’s face lit up. At least Paul could still get an audience with Carl—that must mean Carl was leaning toward Paul’s side.
Seeing that Carl was willing to speak with her, Lily grew bolder and asked, “We haven’t seen each other in almost twenty years. You’re forty-seven now, and still not married?”
She stole a careful glance at Carl. “Freya seems to like you. She’s quite a catch…”
There were blinds between the lounge and the office—Yunice could hear everything clearly from inside. She gently withdrew her hand from the patient’s wrist and started writing a prescription.
Carl lifted his eyes and looked at Lily. After a few seconds of silence, he replied, “You haven’t considered remarriage all these years either.”
Lily’s face instantly went pale. She clutched the silk pouch in her hands tightly and lowered her head. “I don’t dare… I get scared every time I see a man…”
After a pause, she changed the subject. “Now I just want Pingwei’s children to live safe and smooth lives… After Yunice passed, both her brothers fell apart. They can’t sleep through the night. If this keeps up, what will we do…”
Yunice blinked slowly and set down her pen.
“Ms. Yunice, do you recognize the person outside?” the man asked.
Yunice gave a small nod, then looked up and said, “Heart and spleen deficiency. Irregular sleep schedule. Mental fatigue from stress. Common among workhorses.”
He was still young, and despite the complaints, he smiled as he mentioned work.
He accepted the prescription Yunice had written and handed her his business card. “A chance meeting is fate—let’s be friends.”
Carl held Yunice in high regard. Exchanging contacts seemed only natural. Yunice’s new WhatsApp account, registered under her new identity, was slowly gaining connections.
In the office, Lily talked about her children and Pingwei, even shedding a few tears. Carl finally promised to speak with Oscar and Owen, and only then did she agree to leave.
Before going, she asked Freya for her contact information, saying she’d get in touch directly next time she wanted to see Carl.
Freya smiled politely, though it never reached her eyes.
When Yunice was ready to go, it was Victor who escorted her out. As they walked out side-by-side, Wyatt’s gaze scanned them both coldly.
Victor stepped forward, offering his hand. “Mr. Wyatt, I’m Victor, the Northvale project coordinator from Crawford Group. I look forward to working with you.”
Wyatt didn’t shake his hand. His smile was icy. “Yunice is the Northvale liaison. I’m just working under her. If you need anything, ask her.”
Victor withdrew his hand, maintaining his polite smile. “Ah, I think you misunderstood, Mr. Wyatt. I know your wedding with Yunice is coming up. Carl assigned me to gain experience—nothing more.”
Wyatt tilted his head and sneered. “So, are you done gaining experience?”
Victor’s smile faltered. He’d heard Wyatt had a temper, and now he knew firsthand—it wasn’t an exaggeration. He nodded stiffly.
Wyatt grabbed Yunice’s hand and stood up, brushing past Victor like he didn’t exist.
“You’re joining the Northvale project too?” Wyatt’s tone was unreadable.
When Yunice had nothing to rely on, she was like a little sparrow—easy to cage, easy to control. Marrying her would’ve posed no threat. But now, Carl had handed her the golden ticket everyone craved. Yunice was no longer the type to stay tucked away in the kitchen.
It looked like Carl had done Wyatt a “favor,” only to load it with fine print.
Still, she answered, “Yes.”
Even without Carl’s backing, she would never let herself be someone’s pet in the back garden. She braced for Wyatt to explode. But he said nothing—only opened the car door and told her to get in.
Yunice climbed in, uneasy, her brow furrowed tight. Wyatt had been treating her well lately, but instead of easing into it, she found herself getting more and more anxious. Wyatt was twisted. She hadn’t forgotten the rumors.