Chapter 490
Richard Lowell stared at Emily Lowell's contorted face, feeling the suffocating anger in his chest dissipate slightly.
A mocking smirk curled at the corners of his lips.
"Emily Lowell, do you really think we'd believe your lies now?"
He turned to leave without another word.
There was no point wasting more time if they couldn't retrieve the research data.
With the evidence in hand, the Cunningham family wouldn't profit easily from stolen research.
He had barely taken a step when Emily blocked his path.
Facing the furious gazes of the Lowell family, she remained eerily composed.
This was the Cunningham estate—her territory.
"Stay right there."
Her voice dripped with condescension.
"If you know what's good for you, groveling to the Cunninghams now might still earn you some scraps."
Her eyes narrowed, tone turning icy.
"Otherwise..."
"You'll find yourselves unwelcome in the capital."
A washed-up director.
A mediocre designer.
A has-been singer.
And an imprisoned actor.
These worthless people dared threaten her?
The disdain in Emily's eyes was unmistakable.
The Lowells watched their once-beloved adoptive daughter's haughty demeanor with hearts bleeding.
At that moment, they all thought of Sophia Laurent.
Her hopeful eyes when she first returned home.
Her quiet sacrifices for the family.
The headache medicine for their mother.
The project files for their father and brothers.
She had yearned so desperately for their affection.
Yet they denied her even the smallest warmth.
Forcing her into a therapeutic marriage with Alexander Valdemar in his comatose state.
Perhaps that was when her heart turned to ice.
Regret crashed over them like tidal waves.
If only they had sent Emily away...
If only they had treated Sophia better...
The Lowell empire wouldn't be crumbling.
Their research wouldn't have been stolen.
Their hatred for Emily burned fiercer.
"Scared?" Richard's voice was glacial. "This isn't over."
He strode past her with his family, not sparing her a single glance.
Emily faltered, rushing after them in panic.
Just as they reached the antechamber, Ryan Cunningham appeared with a polished smile.
"Uncle, Aunt, you rarely visit. Why not stay and meet some friends?"
His mind raced—if the Lowells pursued this, complications would arise.
Best to convince them to drop the matter entirely.