Chapter 241

Lillian felt a weight lift off her shoulders after responding to her mother's text. She pushed open the trailer door and called out, "Sophia, come here for a moment."

Her tone carried the casual authority of someone summoning a subordinate.

Sophia forced a smile despite her irritation and hurried over. "What do you need?"

'Obviously I need something, you idiot,' Lillian thought, masking her disdain with a practiced smile. 'Can't my assistant show some initiative for once?'

"You never respond when I speak to you," Lillian said sweetly, her flawless features glowing under the dim lighting.

Crew members carrying equipment passed by, glancing at the scene.

"It's just... you're six years my senior," Sophia hesitated. "I wasn't sure how to address you properly."

"Ms. Prescott" felt too stiff.

But calling her simply "Lillian" seemed inappropriate for a lowly assistant. Sophia still remembered the humiliation when Lillian had crushed her fingers under her heel.

Lillian's smile widened. "Just call me Lillian."

Nearby crew members overheard and murmured praises.

"You're so down-to-earth, Lillian!"

"I should've become your assistant instead of studying cinematography!"

Lillian basked in their admiration before retreating into her trailer to change.

As Sophia prepared makeup remover, she thought, 'The senior crew call her Lillian because they're her equals. If I do the same, she'll probably hold it against me.'

She resolved to find a more powerful patron and escape Lillian's shadow.

She would climb higher than Lillian Prescott ever could!

Later, in the RV returning to the city...

Lillian ignored the bustling cityscape, focused instead on repeatedly calling Maxwell's number.

At seven o'clock, he finally answered.

Lillian straightened, brows furrowed. "Why didn't you pick up sooner?"

Maxwell had just reclaimed his phone after leaving the police station. "What do you want?"

"I need your advice - you're the only one I trust. Meet me if you're free."

Lighting a cigarette outside the station, Maxwell exhaled smoke. 'Fine, pick a place.'

Their discreet dinner plans were inevitably leaked to the press.

But that publicity had served Maxwell well - it proved his legal marriage to Evelyn Sinclair!

The thought made him smirk around his cigarette.

As Maxwell approached his car, Katherine Prescott suddenly blocked his path, lawyer in tow.

"You can't frame my daughter, Maxwell Lockwood!" Her voice was raw from shouting.

The middle-aged woman lunged at him, only to be shoved away violently.

"Have you lost your mind? Want to join your daughter in jail?" Maxwell's gaze turned predatory.

The lawyer helped Katherine up.

"You're despicable!" Katherine laughed bitterly. "You claim my daughter orchestrated that kidnapping alone? Don't lie - you masterminded it!"

Maxwell remained composed. "Mrs. Prescott, Yvette and I are friends, and you know my family. If I'd done wrong, I'd admit it rather than blame a nineteen-year-old. I had no involvement."

Katherine scoffed. "The truth will come out!"

Maxwell continued calmly, "Yvette knew I loved Evelyn and suggested kidnapping her grandfather to force marriage. But I warned her - coerced relationships never last. Why would I resort to that when I could win Evelyn's heart properly? Yvette ignored my advice."

The lawyer stayed silent as Katherine wavered.

Could her daughter really be that reckless? Yet Maxwell seemed so convincing...

"Let's go," the lawyer urged.

Katherine left in a daze, still uncertain.

Maxwell knew if Yvette had been arrested, someone powerful was pulling strings.

Fortunately, all evidence pointed to Yvette alone.

What infuriated him was Dominic helping Evelyn.

At the hospital, Dominic and the children prepared to take Evelyn home. Sebastian opened the car door.

Alexander and Isabella behaved impeccably.

"Careful, Isabella..." Alexander steadied his sister as she climbed in.

Dominic's expensive watch glinted as he guided Evelyn into the vehicle.

Sebastian closed the door behind them.

Despite Evelyn's complicated history with Dominic, Sebastian thought her fortunate to have such support in difficult times.