Chapter 126: The Leverage
He knew he’d messed up this time—but the fact that no one blamed him only made it more unsettling. It felt like everyone was naturally choosing whatever situation benefited them most, and no one cared about Yunice’s sacrifice.
“Owen,” Elsie took his hand, her gaze firm. When Owen’s pupils trembled and his face twisted in painful hesitation, she said sincerely, “You did the right thing! Wyatt was born rotten, and Morgan just had a bad reputation. Yunice refused to follow your lead—she was bound to suffer for it sooner or later!”
Owen gave a half-hearted nod. It looked like he heard her… but also like he didn’t.
Then Lily sat down, a worried look on her face. She muttered, “Yunice is one stubborn kid. What I’m most afraid of now is what if she really tries to press charges against you?”
Owen replied, “She’s got no proof. The police won’t believe her.”
“But what if she goes to Wyatt for help?” Lily said anxiously. “Forget the lack of evidence—Wyatt could easily fake some and have you locked up!”
Owen froze; anxiety flashed across his face. Elsie clenched her palm, her face twisting with jealousy. Wyatt. It’s always Wyatt! How is Yunice this lucky? She’s fallen so far, yet somehow she still finds someone to rely on—someone who helps her turn everything around!
Lily was still racking her brain for ways to help Owen when she suddenly thought of something. “Owen, how did you even find Yunice?”
Owen’s expression grew uneasy. He didn’t want to answer.
Lily grew impatient. “Come on, tell me!”
Owen hesitated, stammered, and then finally gave up pretending. “I hired someone to pull off the cemetery theft…”
Afraid Lily would be furious, he quickly added, “But I didn’t touch my dad’s grave!”
Lily froze, needing a few seconds to piece it together. Far from angry at Owen’s disobedience, she actually seemed relieved, like a weight had been lifted. “So that’s what happened… Everyone’s got a weakness, something they can’t bear….”
Then, calmly, Lily said, “Yunice’s weakness is her father’s grave.” As long as she kept Will’s grave under her watch, she could control Yunice; Yunice wouldn’t dare take things further.
Owen and Elsie both understood Lily’s meaning, but neither said anything—neither wanted to be the bad guy. After all, they were the children; they couldn’t be the ones to disrespect their father’s resting place.
But Lily could say it. Gripping the armrest and frowning, she muttered, “The Saunders family’s been going through one storm after another lately. It’s gotta be the family tomb acting up. Owen, tomorrow, get someone to check your dad’s grave. If something’s wrong, maybe we should move him somewhere else and change our luck.”
Owen met Lily’s eyes, and it was clear there was more to her words. Sure, the grave might be moved, but only he would know where it ended up. He fell silent for a moment before giving a quiet nod. If this was what it took to keep Yunice in line, then so be it. Under control… because I don’t know what I’ll do if she doesn’t listen.
As she said that, the hand resting on the armrest trembled nonstop. It was the same hand that had held the knife earlier—almost slicing off Yunice’s finger. She knew she was being biased, but she couldn’t help it. Between Yunice and Elsie, she could only choose one. She couldn’t bear to see Elsie’s fingers broken. But the more decisive she was in the moment, the more guilt consumed her afterward. Yunice was her daughter too; she didn’t want to hurt her. She could only hope Will’s ashes would be enough to rein Yunice in. As long as Yunice behaved and didn’t cause trouble with Elsie, she wouldn’t have to keep making these painful choices—or force herself into doing something she’d regret.
Owen didn’t return that night. Elsie had already fallen asleep in the hospital bed. Lily lay on the caretaker’s cot, drifting off and waking up again and again. What haunted her by day found her in her dreams at night. Every time she closed her eyes, she dreamt of the scene where she nearly chopped off Yunice’s finger with the knife. And the last time she tried to force Yunice into marriage—she’d nearly strangled her. Those memories jolted her awake in terror. Again and again, she dreamt of Yunice lying lifeless on the bed after being strangled—and every time she did, she shot up in a cold sweat, flipping off the cot and crashing to the ground.
Heart pounding, she looked around in a panic, only to see the dim glow of the bedside lamp. She was still in the hospital; Elsie was still sleeping peacefully in the bed beside her. Lily let out a breath and wiped the sweat from her forehead. But just as she was about to get up, she felt her hand touch something on the ground.