Chapter 650

"Okay," Lily said, her smile deepening as she glanced at her phone. It was a bittersweet irony. This matter would soon conclude. Then, her grandfather would be buried. Everything must end, but this was a Lodge family affair, and sentimentality was unavoidable.

A warm hand enveloped hers. Looking down, she saw Alexander's large hand covering her own. He whispered, "Let's end this quickly. I'm sure your grandfather wouldn't want to see the Lodge family tearing itself apart."

"Yeah," Lily murmured, closing her eyes as she leaned against her husband. She needed rest; a disastrous situation awaited her at home.

The brightly lit lobby offered no welcome; instead, it felt indifferent. Lily and Alexander entered the house side by side. Jonathan sat in the middle of the room, his gaze rising to meet theirs. A frown creased his brow upon seeing Alexander; his displeasure was evident.

Lily recognized the animosity. Jonathan and Henry, she knew, resented Alexander—the "outsider," too powerful to dismiss, yet a constant, invisible thorn in their side. She sometimes wondered if her situation would be worse without him.

"Granduncle Jonathan, why are you still awake waiting for me?" Lily asked casually, removing her scarf.

Henry's absence was noted. Had he left Jonathan to handle her?

"Do you know the media reported your grandfather's death?" Jonathan asked, his eyes fixed on Lily.

"I know. I released the news," Lily replied, settling onto the sofa. She shook her head, rubbing her neck, her weariness apparent.

Jonathan was unprepared for her admission. He'd already confirmed the news originated not from Sapphine, but Brown City, tracing it back to someone connected to Lily. He'd intended to present the evidence, but her immediate confession left him speechless.