chapter996

Pausing briefly, Lucy struggled to swallow the rage Thalassa had provoked. She simmered down,

glanced at Lucy, and said, "You know what, you better keep an eye on Lysander and watch for when he

falls from grace. That's your shot at opportunity."

"Nobody knows Lysander's whereabouts, let alone keeping tabs on him. I can't even catch a glimpse of

him. Mom, you're not the one walking in my shoes!" Susan lamented, still weighed down by the heavy

sense of defeat from her last fiasco.

She had hoped that inviting Thalassa over would put herself in a position of advantage.

But Thalassa had a silver tongue; with seemingly gentle demeanor, she had effortlessly stirred up

discord within their family.

First, it was between Bruce and Lucy, and now it was sparking tensions between her and Lucy.

No wonder Thalassa held her place by Lysander's side. She wasn't as simple as she appeared.

"It's just your bad luck." Lucy said sarcastically. "Even if Lysander fell from the sky, he wouldn't land

anywhere near you. Counting on another woman to help you seize Lysander is as impossible as

reaching the sky." Lucy sneered, casting a sidelong glance at Thalassa.

It was an insinuation at her for not genuinely wanting to help.

Who wouldn't want to be Lysander's woman?

And Thalassa had already secured the coveted position by Lysander's side; why would she ever give

that up?

Just because Bruce was her father, did she expect familial piety to move her to help? That was a pipe

dream.

"Mom, how can you say that? Why can't I make it?" Susan yearned to be Lysander's woman. Any hint

of discouragement was like a thorn in her side.

Even her own mother disapproved her ambitions, which made her irritable.

Annoyed, she shot back, "Don't you realize Dad is pulling out all the stops to help me..."

"Enough, Susan, don't argue with your mother!" Bruce cut her off sternly.

Susan halted, looking at Bruce's serious expression and warning eyes.

She begrudgingly suppressed what she was about to say.

Bruce had got something on Thalassa's mother, and he had been using it to threaten Thalassa into

helping Susan win over Lysander. He had informed Susan from the get-go to keep her mother in the

dark about it.

So, Lucy never knew that Bruce had coerced Evelyn and recorded it as blackmail against Thalassa.

If Lucy ever knew what had transpired between Bruce and Evelyn, she would be so enraged.

"Fine, I'll drop it. Dad and Thalassa talked all night, all for me to become Lysander's woman, and I

appreciate that. Especially you, Thalassa." Susan said, her eyes shooting envious daggers at

Thalassa.

Her words were of gratitude, but her gaze bore the intent of a murderer.

Thalassa was well-accustomed to the family's hypocrisy. None of this was new to her.

"I see Thalassa hasn't touched her food; maybe our home cooking doesn't suit your palate. I'll go get

some desserts for you." Susan said as she stood up and headed to the kitchen.

Bruce came to his senses, gently stroked Lucy's back, and soothingly said, "Alright, Lucy, no need to

get upset. I've explained everything to you. I indeed spent last night discussing with Thalassa how we

could get Susan close to Lysander."

"A whole night and you've come up with nothing?" Lucy questioned.

"You haven't seen how cold and ruthless Lysander can be. I've been hospitalized twice, both due to his

commanded violence. Susan’s life could be in danger if it isn’t well-planned." Bruce said gravely.

Lucy's brows furrowed, and a touch of fear flickered in her eyes.

Susan was her only daughter, cherished and protected since birth.

She couldn't bear the thought of her daughter losing her life over a man.

Yet, she wanted Susan to win Lysander over. After all, Lysander was a man at the pinnacle of success.

Having him was like having the world.

Susan’s success would be her own. Her entire family would benefit from Lysander’s glory, enjoying a

life of wealth and luxury.