Looking at Jay, William was embarrassed and said, "Jay, thanks for taking care of Lilith."
"I just did what I should do," replied Jay politely.
Kelly pouted her mouth and chimed in, "It seems Lilith is in a stable state, so I think it is time to take her back since it is not convenient for her to live here for a long time."
"Mom!" Lilith was anxious and tried to persuade her mother.
"Lilith, don't interrupt me," Kelly suggested.
Lilith bit her lip nervously, glancing at Jay, hoping to find support in his eyes. However, Jay remained composed and responded, "It's not the right time yet. Her drug addiction is still ongoing, and she experiences it daily at a specific time."
"If it occurs at a fixed time, I think we can handle it," continued Kelly.
"How? Do you still want to provide drugs to her?"
Kelly flushed immediately as soon as Jay finished his sentence.
"Aunt Kelly, Lilith was kidnapped because of me, and I feel responsible for her. I promise you that I will do everything in my power to help her quit drugs and regain her previous self," Jay declared firmly, his determination shining through his words.
Lilith tugged on her mother's shirt and pleaded, "Mom, I want to stay here." Her eyes were filled with a mixture of fear and desperation, longing for a sense of safety and stability.
Kelly glared at her daughter while Lilith lowered her head.
After contemplating for a moment, William reached a decision and handed the card to Jay. With a sincere tone, he spoke, "Jay, both Kelly and I are concerned about you. We understand that you must be exhausted from everything that has happened recently. Take this card and use it to buy whatever you need. Consider it a gesture of support and care."
"It's really not necessary to give me the card. I have already expressed that it is my duty to take care of Lilith," Jay replied, politely declining William's offer.
Although Kelly was reluctant to leave Lilith behind, she understood that it was the best decision for her daughter's well-being. Reluctantly, she agreed to let Lilith stay with Jay.
Lilith embraced Jay with her head leaning on his shoulder after her parents left. "Jay, I am so afraid right now."
"Why?" Jay felt itchy in his chest.
Lilith licked her lips and looked up into his eyes. "I am afraid you will ask me to go home with my parents."
"Lilith, you still need time to recover."
"But what if I have recovered?" Lilith continued to ask.
ƥandasnovel·ƈom Jay lowered his head, staring at her red lips. "Do you want me to drive you back?" asked Jay in a low voice, with his Adam's Apple bobbing slightly.
Lilith's heart twitched, and then she lowered her head without saying anything.
Jay also remained silent, lowering his head to kiss her gently.
Lilith shrugged while Jay moved aside slightly.
"Lilith, I am not going to leave you alone this time," Jay mumbled.
Lilith's eyes were filled with tears soon.
****
In Key Group.
The window sheltered the bustling scene outside.
Leo leaned on the couch with a cigarette in his hand. However, he didn't even take a smoke, and he didn't realize it until it burned out. Leo threw the snipe to the ashtray, and his furrowed eyebrows smoothed for a little bit.
He took out his phone and made a call.
The phone connected quickly, and a deep voice emanated from the other end of the line.
"Now I am sure you are playing a trick to get money," said Leo in an emotionless tone.
"Don't speak as if you've done me a favor. You simply coerced Joseph into leaving Runestone Group," the man's voice dripped with irony. He continued, "But rest assured, now that I have accepted your payment, I will handle the situation accordingly. Joseph is a capable individual, and he may attempt to return to Runestone Group. If that happens, we will need to take further measures. Remember, he has not been convicted yet, and he will likely hire top-notch lawyers. As long as he remains in this field, he will be a stumbling block that we must overcome."
Leo was annoyed to hear the man's speech, and when he was about to say something, someone knocked on the door.
"Come in."
It was Fredrick. Leo asked him to close the door and then said to the man at the other end of the phone, "Take the money, and I don't need you to do anything for me. Just quit your decision, and I don't need him to give up his job in this field."
"It appears that you are seeking retribution," the man asked.
"Yes, you are correct. Regardless of any past disputes between you before, consider the money as compensation," Leo responded in a cold and detached tone.
The man burst into laughter, his tone filled with amusement. He then remarked, "Since you suddenly have a change of heart towards Joseph, I won't trouble you any further. By the way, thanks for the money."
Without uttering a word, Leo promptly ended the call, cutting off any further conversation.
Fredrick also heard their conversation. Confused, he sat down and then asked, "Leo, what do you mean?"
"Nothing," replied Leo briefly.
"But why do you ask him to stop?" continued Fredrick.
Leo took the smoke and responded calmly. "Joseph has left Runestone Group. That's enough."
Fredrick felt a sense of absurdity upon hearing Leo's conversation. "Leo, you initially mentioned wanting to defeat him. But now, do you only want him to leave the Runestone Group?" Fredrick questioned, seeking clarification.
"What's wrong?" said Leo, who raised his eyebrows.
Fredrick leaned forward, emphasizing his point. "Don't be so naive. Do you think that's enough? Joseph will undoubtedly make a comeback sooner or later, as long as he remains in this field," Fredrick stressed, underscoring Joseph's potential resilience and determination.
Leo stared at Fredrick with a faint smile.
Fredrick shivered under his gaze, and his eyebrows knitted into a knot, "Am I wrong?"
Leo kept taking a smoke and snorted indifferently, "It seems that you are not just going to deal with Roy."
Fredrick squinted slightly but said nothing.
"Indeed, you want to kill two birds with one stone, right?" asked Leo directly.
"What do you mean?" Fredrick asked in reply.
"You aim to deal with Roy, but simultaneously, you also desire to defeat Joseph. However, you know that Joseph is not an easy opponent to handle, so you have chosen to collaborate with me. You understand that if Joseph departs from Runestone Group, Roy will lose his supporter," Leo paused briefly before continuing, "Hence, the true target you intend to confront is Joseph."
Fredrick clenched his hands and responded calmly, "You have the same goal as me. Are there any problems?"
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