Jameson''s expression was visibly cold, while his eyes were filled with simmering rage.


    Josh uncovered a part of the Schmidt family''s scandal from back then.


    Despite the disgrace it brought upon the entire Schmidt family, Josh was determined to embarrass both


    Jameson and Lily, stoking Victor''s disdain toward them. He wanted Lily to forever remain a despised


    whore.


    The crowd gasped, intrigued by the unfolding drama. After all, who wouldn''t be interested to hear


    gossip about a wealthy family?


    "What does Mr. Josh mean by that?"


    "Why does it sound like Mrs. Schmidt did something to hurt Mr. Victor?"


    "I remember now!"


    Someone recalled the scandal and said, "There was gossip back then in the magazines, iming Mrs.


    Schmidt was keeping a lover on the side. She was caught in the act by Mr. Victor. That''s why she was


    exiled overseas."


    "Caught in the act?" Everyone was shocked.


    "At that time, we didn''t have the inte. It was all newspapers and magazines. Within 24 hours of this


    scandal being exposed, all the publications with the story disappeared from the market. The magazine


    that first broke the news even went bankrupt.


    "Come to think of it now, it might be Mr. Victor''s doing because he felt humiliated."


    "Doesn''t that only imply that Mrs. Schmidt really did cheat on him?"


    Alyssa stared at Lily''s pale, terrified face, and her gaze turnedplex.


    Since Winston was close to Victor, Alyssa often visited the Schmidt family.


    She always remembered Lily as gentle and humble. Given Lily''s less privileged background and the


    fact that the Schmidt family already had three children when she married Victor, the challenges of being


    a stepmother were all too apparent.


    However, Lily was kind to all the children and especially devoted to Victor. Even Alyssa, at a young


    age, could tell how much she loved Victor. How could she have had an affair when life seemed good?


    Despite being an outsider, Alyssa was willing to trust Lily. However, when the incident urred, Victor


    didn''t listen to Lily''s exnation at all. He heartlessly drove her and Jameson out of the Schmidt family.


    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    It was clear that the Schmidt familycked empathy.


    Growing up in such a heartless environment led the Schmidt children to be ruthless and deceitful


    toward each other.


    "Lyse, it seems that Jameson brought his mom here tonight to demand justice from the Schmidts,"


    Jasper whispered to Alyssa.


    "Anyone would want to seek this revenge."


    Though Alyssa despised Jameson, she felt sympathy for Lily. Frowning, she shook her head. "But Mrs.


    Schmidt can''t handle this kind of stress. Jameson is really putting her in a tough spot, subjecting her to


    all sorts of criticism and stares.


    "It''s only going to make her condition worse and could even push her to a breakdown. It''s so unfair to


    her."


    Lauren, beside her, nodded in agreement. "Alyssa, Mrs. Schmidt looks so distressed. If it were my


    mom, I''d only wish for her health and happiness."


    "Darling, you''re just too kind." Landon squeezed Landon''s cheek, pulling her close. "But remember, not


    everyone in this world has a kind heart—like that bespectacled guy—he may seem nice, but he''s rotten


    inside.


    "I get that you stood up for Alyssa to vent for her, but just remember, it''s best to steer clear of that guy


    in the future. Can you remember what I said?"


    Lauren''sshes fluttered as she nodded quickly. "Yes."


    "Good girl." Landon ced a warm kiss on her smooth forehead. However, his eyes betrayed worry.


    When he recalled Jameson''s unsettling gaze toward Lauren, he felt a chill down his spine.


    "Jimmy, I want to go home... I don''t want to stay here... Can we go home?" Lily clung to Jameson and


    pleaded like a child.


    "Mom, just a little longer. We''ll leave after the family photo," Jamesonforted her gently with hands


    on her shoulders.


    "A family photo? Jimmy, are you kidding?" Josh sneered as he stared disdainfully at Lily. "Your mom is


    so sick, and yet you bring her here to embarrass herself publicly. Aren''t you just trying to gain


    sympathy?


    "No matter what you do, it''s a fact that she betrayed Dad andmitted those shameful acts. You can''t


    just erase that. Dad initially spared her some dignity by keeping things under wraps. Why did you bring


    her here today? Is it to shame Dad?"


    The crowd was stunned.


    "Josh, enough!" Victor''s face turned livid. He coldly red at Jameson. "Jimmy, take her out of here


    now!"


    "No way." Jameson was expressionless.


    Victor''s anger boiled over. "Jameson!" he spoke through gritted teeth.


    "Josh, do you dare swear?" Jameson''s intense gaze locked onto Josh''s smug face. "Do you dare


    swear that you had nothing to do with my mom''s alleged affair and Dad catching her in the act at the


    hotel?"