Chapter 119

William Lowell drummed his fingers on the desk, his brow furrowed.

The bank transfer notification on his phone screen weighed on him like a stone.

"Big brother..." Emily Lowell's voice quivered through the phone. "Mom's really upset."

A vein throbbed at William's temple.

He knew all about Sophia Laurent's outrageous demand for nine million.

"Sophia doesn't deserve this money," he ground out.

But the image of Emily's tearful face softened his resolve.

"I own an apartment downtown," William exhaled sharply. "Sell it and give the money to Mom."

The words felt like a knife twisting in his chest.

That property was his grandfather's wedding gift—a prime location now worth over ten million.

"Really?" Emily's voice brightened instantly. "You're the best, big brother!"

Her saccharine tone eased his pain slightly.

"Anything for you," he forced a smile.

Consider it disaster prevention money.

After Sophia sent her own father to prison, who knew what she'd do next?

Emily hung up, a cold smirk curling her lips.

She immediately dialed Victoria Lowell.

"Mom..." she drawled, injecting vulnerability into her tone.

"What is it?" Victoria sounded exhausted.

"Don't be angry," Emily softened her voice. "I've secured the nine million..."

Silence.

"Where did you get that kind of money?" Victoria's pitch rose sharply.

"A friend loaned it to me." Emily kept her tone light. "I couldn't let you face a lawsuit."

Victoria's voice cracked.

"My sweet girl," she choked out. "Those ungrateful sons of mine are useless in a crisis!"

Emily's eyes glinted with contempt.

"The boys care about you too," she lied smoothly.

If not for the Lowell Entertainment shares, she wouldn't lift a finger for the old hag.

"Come for dinner tonight," Victoria's mood visibly lifted. "I'll have the kitchen make your favorite sweet and sour ribs."

"Of course." Emily's reply dripped honey.

She hung up and immediately opened a real estate app.

She'd had her eye on that apartment for ages.

Not only would this solve the immediate problem, but she'd profit handsomely.

That fool Sophia had unwittingly done her a favor.