Just moments ago, everything Lily said had been maddeningly accurate. Jason couldn't help questioning his own judgment. Had he really believed Chloe Lin was incapable of petty schemes for over twenty years? Had he been blind?
In the living room, the three of them sat in stiff silence, each wrapped in their own thoughts, when a soft cough drifted from upstairs. The sound broke the tension like a knife through glass.
Chloe was the first to stand. She quickly moved toward the staircase to assist Grandpa Samuel Cross as he slowly descended.
"Grandpa," Chloe said sweetly, "you had just fallen asleep when Jason and Lily arrived. I didn't want to disturb you."
Jason heard the truth in her tone—she really wasn't trying to cause trouble. But now, thanks to Lily's inner commentary, his confidence in his childhood friend suddenly felt shaky.
Grandpa Samuel patted Chloe's hand warmly. "Good child. You're always the sensible one."
Jason pushed aside his thoughts and greeted him respectfully. "Grandpa."
Lily echoed politely, "Grandpa."
But the moment Grandpa Samuel's eyes fell on the two of them, his expression darkened. "I don't have useless grandchildren like you two! Since the day you got married, all you do is quarrel, talk about divorce, and embarrass our family. This time, you even crashed the car fighting! The whole city is laughing at you. What a pair of troublesome brats!"
Chloe's face froze, and she immediately stepped in. "Grandpa, please don't be angry. Jason has always been calm. There must be some misunderstanding—"
Jason didn't even have time to react before Lily's inner voice exploded like a firecracker.
"Oh wow, so now I'm the unstable one? Great! White lotus Chloe strikes again! Pretend to defend him while pushing me under the bus—classic move. No wonder Jason keeps her as a backup wife!"
Jason instantly stiffened. Backup wife??
He nearly choked.
He kept his expression controlled, but a vein twitched at his temple.
Grandpa Samuel's eyes narrowed in Lily's direction. "Lily, our Cross family doesn't need the money you earn in the entertainment industry. Spare us the embarrassment and give us a great-grandchild instead. That's more important."
Lily looked devastated, but her inner voice was sharp as a blade.
"Oh, please! If the Cross family is so rich, why did Jason only offer me 30 million in the divorce settlement? I can earn that much filming a single low-budget drama. Who is he fooling?"
Jason's jaw tightened so hard he nearly cracked a molar.
Thirty million is not cheap! he shouted inwardly, but he couldn't exactly say that in front of his grandfather.
Lily forced tears into her eyes, lowering her head. "Grandpa, you're right to scold me… but I only argued with Jason because he met with Mia privately. I misunderstood the situation and got emotional."
She choked on cue, putting on the perfect tragic expression.
Jason had to admit… her acting was Oscar level.
But her thoughts were a completely different story:
"Bring up Mia. Yes. That always triggers him. Then Grandpa will get angry and support the divorce. Perfect. Come on, scumbag Jason, take the bait."
Jason nearly strangled on air.
This woman… is plotting in front of me and thinks I won't notice?
Lily inhaled shakily, preparing for the dramatic final strike. "Jason! If you were a real man, you'd file for divorce and end this!"
Jason's fingers curled around the wheelchair's armrest, knuckles white.
For a full second, he considered yelling.
But he swallowed everything down, forcing a calm voice. "Grandpa, I won't argue anymore."
Lily blinked.
"…Huh? That's not the script. Why is he acting like a decent human suddenly? Did he hit his head that hard?"
Jason closed his eyes, counting silently to ten.
Grandpa Samuel's expression eased with satisfaction. "Good. Stop fighting."
"No! No way! Grandpa can't calm down! He needs to bring up the divorce topic again!" Lily screamed internally.
And then—
Lily suddenly burst into tears.
"Grandpa… there's something important I haven't told you. Jason was hurt badly in the accident. He's… beyond saving!"
Jason's head snapped up.
Excuse me?? I'm WHAT?
Grandpa Samuel froze mid-breath. "What?!"
"That's why I think we should go back and rest," Lily added, attempting to guide the conversation toward divorce again.
Jason gave Lily a death glare so sharp it could cut glass. She instantly shut her mouth.
Grandpa Samuel waved his hand. "Fine, you two go back. I'm tired."
Jason exhaled through his nose. "Let's go home."
Lily reluctantly stood to push the wheelchair, but Chloe quickly stepped forward, grabbing the handles first.
"Jason," Chloe asked shyly, "can I stay with you for a while? We haven't seen each other in so long."
Once, Jason would've said yes immediately.
But now… now he remembered Lily's mental commentary about Chloe being a "backup wife." His mood soured instantly.
"I heard your engagement ceremony with Leo Fang is at the end of the year," he said evenly. "If you have time, you should spend it strengthening your relationship."
Chloe froze.
Her eyes shimmered with hurt, but Jason didn't soften.
"You should be responsible for what you say and do," he added.
Chloe's lips trembled. She forced a smile—then turned and ran back into the living room, eyes red.
Lily watched her flee and sighed dramatically.
"Sigh… look at you, scumbag. Making the little beauty cry. Truly heartless."
Jason turned his glare toward Lily.
"Driver," he growled, "take Lily home first."
"Ugh, always angry. Exhausting," Lily complained in her mind.
She leaned back in her seat once they were in the car, crossing her arms.
Jason rubbed his temples, exhausted not from her actions… but from her thoughts. Her mind ran at the speed of a racetrack announcer.
They drove in silence—well, physically silent. In Lily's head, a full opera played.
"At least I'm free from Cross Mansion for a while. I should work. Make money. Get famous. Then divorce this scumbag with dignity!"
Jason's eyelids twitched.
He dropped her at her home on the way to his company.
Lily immediately called her agent Emma Yang. "Emma, what's my schedule? Just come over. I need to talk."
She hung up and collapsed on the sofa.
Life felt surreal. She'd lived a full life before rebirth—five grueling years clawing her way up the entertainment industry from obscurity to stardom. Now, she had a second chance… but as the notorious villainess Lily Yu.
The original Lily had everything—wealth, family, status—yet managed to ruin her own reputation spectacularly.
Lily sighed deeply.
"If only I could act as myself and not this brainless villainess…"
A teasing voice cut through her thoughts.
"Madam, finally remembered you have a career?"
Lily snapped her head up.
Emma Yang stood at the doorway, arms crossed, smirking.