Must Marry into the Zhou Family

It wasn't to give Leopold face. She hadn't yet paid back the anger she suffered at home and was constantly thinking of a solution.

The Zhou family's press conference infuriated Brooks and Layla. They hadn't expected such drastic action. Even if they wanted to break off the engagement, they should have discussed it. Instead, they were blindsided by the press conference, feeling humiliated. L&S had recently lost several projects, and Brooks' investments had mostly failed this year. He urgently needed the Zhou family's support, but the engagement was canceled.

Layla, less informed about business matters, was angry because the Zhou family didn't inform them, essentially a unilateral decision to break the engagement. With the wedding approaching, her daughter was returned, causing widespread gossip and making her a laughingstock in social circles.

Lily walked in slowly, wearing high heels. Layla, still weak from anger and hospitalization, wasn't deterred from scolding.

"It must have been your foolish actions that angered Royce. You were engaged, why did you care about an outsider? Your sister said that Nadia, from a small county, could never enter the Zhou family. Why couldn't you tolerate it?"

Lily, removing her coat to reveal a waist-hugging burgundy dress, wearing five-centimeter heels, had even gotten a perm for the occasion, exuding confidence. She gave Layla a sidelong glance.

"You have the nerve to criticize me. Back then, when your husband kept a college girl, you didn't tolerate it either. You went to her school, humiliated her, threw money at her face, and incited cyberbullying, ruining her reputation until she dropped out in depression. I just pushed Nadia into the water. Compared to you, I'm much kinder. If you couldn't tolerate being cheated on, why ask me to be a saint?"

That college girl had been Brooks' sponsored lover, later becoming his secret mistress. Layla had caused a scene at her school, and Brooks had hit her for it. This was Layla's least favorite memory, and Lily's mention of it made her faint from rage. Leopold and Zoya quickly supported her. "Mom!"

In the ensuing chaos, Leopold carried Layla to her room, and Zoya called the family doctor. Brooks, once deeply invested in the college girl but now only focused on business, ordered Lily once they were alone.

"You're coming with me to the Zhou family to apologize!"

Lily smirked, "So I must marry into the Zhou family, right?"

"Yes!" Brooks' face was stern. "I don't care how you behaved before, but this time you must apologize and marry into the Zhou family, or I'll break your legs!"

Lily extended her hand, "Alright. You and Mrs. Mei each give me ten million, and I promise I'll marry into the Zhou family."

Edmond was also a Zhou.

Brooks was stunned, "Ten million?"

Lily: "Yes, I have to buy gifts to apologize and make amends.

"The Zhou family is prestigious. Even a gift worth 20 million might not suffice, and I still have to spend my own money. I am truly filial."

That night, she received two slaps. This was the compensation for those two slaps.

She hadn't yet firmly secured her backing. One million each for them was a bargain. Once her marriage to Edmond was confirmed, she would extort a couple of houses from them.

When Lily said she would apologize, Brooks didn't doubt her.

In his view, it was impossible for Lily to give up on Royce. The last time she said she wouldn't marry him, it must have been because she was provoked by Nadia.

Seeing Lily's good attitude this time, he was also generous.

Lily received the check and then remembered something, "It's easy to buy gifts for others, but it's difficult for Grandpa Zhou. How about I choose something from Leopold's collection room?"

This request was not excessive and seemed reasonable, so Brooks agreed.

"Sure, just tell your brother directly. If he disagrees, have him talk to me."

Brooks had to go to a company meeting, so he left after giving instructions.

On the coffee table in the living room were some freshly washed fruits. Lily sat down, crossed her legs leisurely, and started eating grapes. After popping in two, Zoya came down from upstairs.

"I'm really sorry. If I had known Nadia would drive you mad, I wouldn't have invited her to my birthday party."

Zoya sat on the sofa beside her, apologizing, but her words didn't sound sincere.

Lily spat out the grape skin, clapped her hands, and stood up.

She took two steps towards Zoya, rolled up her sleeves, and looked down at her. By the time Zoya realized what she intended to do, it was too late.

Lily's slap had already landed.

Smack! "You, an adopted daughter, dare to act high and mighty over me. Leopold and the others are blind and partial to you.

"Fine, take all the fatherly and motherly love and the brother's affection. I don't need it. As long as you stay quiet, we can live peacefully."

One slap was not enough. Lily bent down, kneed Zoya in the waist to immobilize her, grabbed her hair with her left hand, and continued slapping her with her right hand.