Chapter 266 Return My Mother’s Inheritance
Lilith’s POV
I caught sight of Silas, Brett, and Vanessa all stopping in their tracks when they saw me. The tension in the air was immediate and palpable.
"Lilith," my father called out. "Have you come to see me? Why didn’t you bring Clara with you?"
I lifted my gaze to meet his. At that moment, I noticed Vanessa quickly removing her arm from Brett’s, as if embarrassed to be caught in such an intimate position.
"Sister," she said softly.
I didn’t respond. I couldn’t bring myself to acknowledge the woman who had taken everything from me.
Brett’s eyes fixed on me with cold intensity. I had carefully applied makeup to hide my illness, standing straight despite the pain radiating through my body. I could see the judgment in his eyes,he believed I had been playing some sort of game before, pretending to be sickly for sympathy. Now he thought I was showing my true colors, no longer bothering with the "act" in his presence.
His expression darkened, storm clouds gathering on his handsome face.
Without sparing him a glance, I addressed my father directly. "Mr. Hartwell, I’ve come for my mother’s inheritance left specifically for me.Is today convenient to discuss this matter?"
If it weren’t for Clara, I wouldn’t have bothered. The blood I’d been coughing up was getting worse, and I could barely function without painkillers every couple of hours. Death felt closer with each passing day. What use are material possessions to a dying woman? But for my daughter, I needed to claim everything rightfully hers. Clara would need money for education, for her future, for finding her mate someday.
My words caused everyone’s expressions to darken. My father clearly hadn’t expected me to be so direct about the money.
He sighed heavily, the warmth in his eyes vanishing as his face hardened. "What proof do you have that Lily left anything specifically for you?"
He was the one who had told me about it when I was little. If he hadn’t mentioned it, I never would have known.Without documentation, I found myself momentarily speechless.
Alfred,the Beta with unwavering loyalty to our family,unexpectedly intervened. "Alpha Silas, Luna Lily indeed set aside considerable assets for Lilith’s dowry. Many of us heard her final wishes before she passed."
My father shot Alfred a warning look. "I didn’t ask for your input."
To my surprise, Brett also joined the conversation. "Alpha Silas, if her mother truly left an inheritance for her, it should rightfully be returned."
I knew he hated me. His intervention wasn’t for my benefit. He only wanted to ensure that Clara would have a better life if I had financial resources.
Ignoring Brett’s comment, my father continued, "Lilith, your mother betrayed me, and you stabbed me in the back despite the twenty-plus years I raised you..."
Once, my mother and I had been the most beloved women in Silas Hartwell’s life,his cherished mate and daughter. Even with Vanessa’s mother Susan now by his side, he had never given her the title of Luna of the Shadowpine Pack.
He had once considered my mother Lily and me his entire world. Yet he believed both of us had betrayed him deeply.
"Do you intend to deny what’s rightfully mine, Alpha Silas?" I asked coolly.
My grandparents had passed away years ago, and my mother had been their only daughter. Though I had no formal proof, I knew my mother had left me a substantial inheritance.
Despite his resentment, something in my father’s expression softened slightly as he recalled our former father-daughter bond. Those happy memories seemed to temper his harshness.
With what he clearly considered magnanimity, he sighed. "We are family after all. I never intended to withhold your inheritance."
After a moment’s thought, he added, "Thursday evening, seven o’clock, come to the Hartwell estate. I’ll return Lily’s bequest to you in full. I’ve always been a man of integrity, never one to appropriate what belongs to others."
His agreement came too easily. Something didn’t feel right.
Thursday arrived quickly. I left Clara in Sabrina’s care and made my way alone to the Hartwell mansion.
To my surprise, the estate was bustling with wait staff preparing for what appeared to be an elegant soirée. Well-dressed guests mingled throughout,I couldn’t help but notice several single men in their thirties and forties among them.
Confusion filled me. I’d been summoned to collect my mother’s inheritance, not attend a social gathering. What was my father planning?
"Lilith!" a familiar voice called.
I turned to see Alfred approaching. "Alfred!"
His eyes immediately fixed on my sleeve. "There’s blood on your cuff. Are you hurt?"
It was from my coughing fit earlier, but I lied. "Just a nosebleed. I’ve been stressed lately."
The 50 milliliters of tramadol wasn’t working as effectively anymore.Pain crept through my body like thousands of tiny needles. I quickly steadied myself against a nearby lemon tree.
"Are you alright?" Alfred’s concern was genuine.
"I’m fine. Just old issues from giving birth to Clara in prison. My body never fully recovered."
I discreetly took out another dose of tramadol. The doctor had warned me,if increasing the medication no longer controlled the pain, it was time to prepare for the inevitable. My time was running out.
"Lilith, the reason your father invited you tonight is actually—"
Alfred’s explanation was cut short by Brett’s approaching footsteps. "Alfred, I need a word with her. Could you excuse us?"
After Alfred left, Brett studied me as I continued leaning against the tree for support. In the interplay of light and shadow, my poor condition was difficult to hide despite my makeup. Beads of sweat dotted my forehead, and exhaustion showed in my eyes.
For a moment,I thought I saw concern flash across his face, but it quickly disappeared. He probably believed all my previous signs of weakness had been an act, mere makeup tricks to gain sympathy. Why waste compassion on someone like me?
His complex emotions finally settled into cold hatred as he spoke. "I should warn you, Lilith.Your father has no intention of simply handing over your mother’s inheritance."
"Take my advice.Stay away from the feud between the Greystone Heights Pack,Blood Moon Pack,Shadowpine Pack. Leave Ravedale."
"If you agree to go, name your price. I’ll pay whatever you ask."
Perhaps it was the medication finally taking effect, but the pain began to subside. I released my grip on the lemon tree and stood straight, not bothering to look at him.
"As I’ve said before, my affairs are none of your concern, Alpha Brett. You have no right to dictate my actions."
Brett said nothing more.
I sensed his frustration. When I had shown vulnerability before him, perhaps it had been easier for him to bear.My current coldness and refusal to engage clearly bothered him more.