Chapter 1229: Chapter 1442

How can you be certain that I wouldn’t have granted your wish? You didn’t even trust your own sister, instead aligning yourself with Valerie against me!”

Graham murmured, “You’re going to marry Nathan.

Because of him, the Simmons family is no longer the most powerful and wealthy in the country.

He’s a cunning businessman.

I don’t trust him! If you marry him after inheriting the family’s wealth, you’ll simply hand it all over to him.

Our father was willing to take the risk and entrust everything to you.

But I had to stop him.

Only by becoming the head of the family can I feel secure, and the Simmons family can regain its former glory.

”

Tears flowed down Lucinda’s cheeks uncontrollably.

She offered a bitter smile.

“I see.

So, you’ve always thought this way?

But the cunning man you speak of took me in, provided comfort when both you and Valerie cast me aside.

Nathan willingly transferred all his assets, including shares, to me.

Even though he knew he would face consequences from the Payne family, he had no regrets.

Graham, how laughable!”

Lucinda’s words left Graham utterly speechless.

He never anticipated that Nathan would give up all his property and shares, disregarding the honor and interests of the Payne Group, all for Lucinda’s sake.

It was a truly ironic twist of fate.

“I’m sorry.

”

Those words were all Graham could muster to convey his overwhelming guilt.

Lucinda wiped away her tears, her heart shattered and filled with disappointment in him.

“Even if you didn’t commit these acts directly, it was your indulgence that allowed Valerie to be so ruthless.

Because you protected her and concealed the truth of her harm towards me, I ended up in Forden at the age of fifteen and suffered for six long years in the Roberts family.

Your mere financial punishment for her actions during those six months is not enough to make up for what I endured.

”

She continued, her voice trembling with emotion, “On Crane Bridge in Forden, she joined forces with Nikolas and hired forty assassins to end my life, forcing me to leap into the frigid river!

At Samsara Bar, she conspired with Nikolas to bribe Kyson into stealing the S404 Virus from the lab, trying to poison me with it.

She attempted to sow discord between Nathan and me, advising Melody to drug me and send me to Brinleigh’s bed.

She even instructed you to release Melody and Eleanor from prison to cause trouble for me.

You and Dad spoiled her far too much! I won’t forgive you.

If you want the money and power, I will give them to you, just to pay back for your protection to me all these years.

But from now on, I will sever ties with you and you’re no longer my brother!”

Lucinda’s gaze hardened with determination, her eyes burning with intense hatred and anger.

She brushed past Graham, leaving him in her wake.

Tears welled up in Graham’s eyes, and before she could open the door, he called out to her.

“I’m sorry, Lucinda.

I never imagined that I would hurt you so deeply.

I don’t expect your forgiveness.

I will make amends and do my best to make it up to you.

But please, don’t kill Valerie!”