Chapter 126

Slap!

The sharp sound of a hand striking flesh echoed through the living room. Lily White staggered back, clutching her cheek, her eyes wide with shock.

"Dad... you hit me?"

Stella White immediately rushed forward, shielding Lily behind her as she glared at Vincent White. "Have you lost your mind?! Lily just got out of police custody, and instead of comforting her, you hit her?!"

Vincent let out a cold laugh, his bloodshot eyes burning with fury. "Comfort? Do you have any idea what I've been through these past few days?! The Sullivan Group cut all ties with us. I had to grovel just to get you two out!"

"Isn't that your job as a father?!" Stella snapped.

"My job?" Vincent slammed his palm on the table. "If you hadn't provoked Evelyn Sullivan, would the White family be in this mess?!"

He pointed at Lily, his voice icy. "Tomorrow night, at the gala, you will both apologize to Evelyn—publicly."

"No!" Lily lifted her chin defiantly, tears welling in her eyes.

Vincent's expression darkened. "Then consider our father-daughter relationship over."

The words hit Lily like a bucket of ice water. She trembled uncontrollably. "For an outsider..."

"Outsider?" Vincent sneered. "Ethan Sullivan is crushing our family for her sake. If this continues, White Enterprises will be bankrupt within a month!"

Lily's face turned deathly pale. "That can't be... Isabella said Ethan loves her..."

"Idiot!" Vincent barked out a humorless laugh. "If he truly loved Isabella, why hasn't he divorced Evelyn?"

"It's because Evelyn refuses—"

"You believe everything Isabella says?" Vincent shook his head in disgust. "When you were in trouble, did she lift a finger to help?"

Before storming out, he delivered his ultimatum. "Apologize, or lose your place in this family. The choice is yours."

Silence swallowed the room.

Lily turned to her mother, lost. "Mom..."

Stella's gaze was complex. "Lily, do you know who came up with the idea to vandalize Evelyn's property?"

"Stop!" Lily covered her ears.

"Haven't you realized? Every time something happens, we're the ones who suffer! Isabella is using us!"

"That's not true..." Lily's voice shook.

Stella's tone turned frigid. "From now on, stay away from her."

She headed upstairs, a ruthless glint in her eyes. This debt would be repaid—Isabella would pay.

Lily collapsed onto the sofa. Her phone rang.

"Miss White, the production team has decided to terminate your contract..."

Evelyn pushed open the villa door. Warm golden light spilled over the dining table, where Ethan sat waiting.

"You didn't have to wait for me," she murmured.

Ethan looked up. "You seem pleased."

"I am." A faint smile touched Evelyn's lips. "Vincent came to apologize today. He said Lily and Stella will make a public apology tomorrow night."

Ethan chuckled. "Finally, someone with sense."