chapter616

"Dad, Mom, stop making the same mistake over and over."

Luke's voice rang out across the hall, sharp and unexpected. Milana and Jenson froze, staring at him in shock, their minds scrambling to catch up.

"Luke? You... but you said you..." Milana stammered.

He looked so fragile, just out of the hospital, his face still ghostly pale. It was as if all the color had been washed from him by time and illness. His eyes, once so bright, now looked tired and dull, like someone had drawn a thin curtain over them. Every step he took toward the stage seemed to cost him everything he had.

Milana couldn't believe what she was seeing. Luke was here, and he wasn't alone. Lydia was beside him.

Milana's expression twisted in anger. "Lydia! It's you! You brought Luke here, didn't you?"

Jenson's voice shook with barely contained fury. Lydia! Luke said he wasn't feeling well, but you went to the hospital and dragged him here anyway? What is wrong with you? What are you trying to do?"

He was livid. After everything he'd done to save Smith Corporation, Lydia had to show up and ruin it all. And now she'd gotten Luke involved too. It was unbelievable.

Lydia just smirked, her tone bold and carefree. "It's his birthday party, isn't it? Why shouldn't he be here?"

That left both Milana and Jenson completely speechless.

Milana finally managed, You... Lydia! You know this is Luke's birthday, so why are you here making trouble?"

She shot a desperate look at Luke. "Luke, don't listen to her. Come to us. She's just a backstabber who wants nothing more than to tear this family apart!"

Luke's eyes were full of pain as he looked at them. His voice was rough and tired. "Who's really been lying to me?"

"Luke, it's her, of course," Milana insisted, her voice rising in panic. "She wants to ruin our family. You can't believe a word she says!"

Milana's heart was pounding out of control. Her son meant everything to her. Now he was listening to Lydia, turning away from them. How could she not freak out?

Luke didn't back down. "It's you! Why didn't you tell me Grandma was hurt and in a coma all this time?"

He'd always been a bit of a wild kid, never really cared for school, but he knew one thing. His grandma had always been good to him.

Milana rushed to explain. "Luke,

you've got it all wrong. We didn't tell you because you were still recovering. We were afraid it would set you back, so we decided to keep it from you for a while."

Luke's eyes flashed with cold disbelief. "Really?"

"Of course, that's it. Jenson, tell him!" Milana nudged Jenson hard with her elbow.

Jenson jumped in. That's right, Luke. We only kept it from you for your own good, nothing else."

Luke's voice turned icy. "Then what was that video you just played for everyone?"

Jenson was silent, completely thrown.

Milana jumped in again. That was fake viden Lydia made.

trying to trick you with that edited footage. You can

trust ha ge

Luke just let out a tired, humorless laugh and fell silent.

Lydia stood tall and unbothered, her eyes cold as she stared at Milana and Jenson: Her voice was calm, but every word hit like a punch. "You abused Grandma. You ignored her, and while she was lying therein a coma, you snuck around transferring her assets and selling off her shares to cover your company's losses. And now you're too scared to admit it?"

She paused, her gaze unwavering. "You did it, but you can't even own up to it?"

That set off a wave of shock through the room. The guests started whispering, some gasping out loud.

So that was the truth.

How could they treat their family like that?

Some of the older shareholders, faces dark with anger, stood up right away.