Isaac knew exactly what he was doing. His performance became more intense, his voice choked with emotion, and his eyes filled with tears.
"Avery, you've been with the Murphy family for eighteen years. I've always treated you like my own daughter and did everything to help you become the outstanding person you are today. Even if our paths must part, I hope you'll remember the old times and give your father a way out…"
The Carter family looked visibly upset. Anyone unaware of the situation would think Avery wanted to kill him based on Isaac's words.
At that moment, Andrew jumped in to make his presence known. Clenching his fists, he shouted, "Avery, you've only been away from the Murphy family for a few days, and now you're forcing my father to kneel?"
Before he could finish, there was a sudden thud as Wesley knelt before Isaac, blocking his path.
Everyone was stunned. What was going on now?
"Mr. Murphy, I sincerely thank you for raising Avery for eighteen years," Wesley said solemnly. "But the things you're forcing her to do are beyond her capabilities. I ask you to consider that Avery once brought great fortune to the Murphy family, making you one of the richest in Rosemont City. Please, let her go."
With so many people taking photos and videos, this was the only way Wesley could think of to protect Avery's reputation.
Claire's eyes reddened upon seeing her husband kneel. Without thinking, she knelt beside him, suppressing her anger.
"Mr. Murphy, Avery is just an eighteen-year-old girl. You're forcing her to convince V Group to hand over their agency rights. How could she possibly do that?"
Arthur and Maria, witnessing this, teared up, clenching their fists to hold back their emotions. Little Josie clutched Maria's clothes, crying softly.
Their father, though an ordinary man, had always valued dignity and integrity, teaching them the virtues of self-reliance and self-respect. Now, having to kneel before someone like Isaac was utterly humiliating for him.
Arthur wanted to help his parents up but realized this was the best way to protect Avery. Helplessly, he joined in.
"If you, with all your wealth and power, can't achieve this, how can my sister Avery be expected to?" Arthur said. "Even if she once saved Mr. Freeman's life, he has repaid that debt by working with you for six years and bringing you nearly a billion in wealth."
The onlookers nodded in agreement.
The Carter family was right. The Murphy family was being unreasonable! Unable to convince the playboy themselves, they were bullying an eighteen-year-old girl to do it—how unfair!
Avery, feeling distressed, stepped out from behind the car.
"Mom, Dad, get up, don't—"
"Thank you, Avery!" Isaac interrupted, his eyes lighting up as he stood. "Does this mean you've agreed to help your father?"
Was he doing this on purpose? How shameless!
Arthur heaved a sigh of relief and quickly helped his parents up.
Avery fixed her gaze on Isaac, her voice steady and cold. "Mr. Murphy, I haven't agreed to anything. You've caused enough of a scene. It's time to go back before you make an even bigger spectacle of yourselves."
"A scene?" Regina felt the sting of Avery's words and exploded in rage.
"Who are you calling a scene? We raised you for so many years, turned you into a lady, and you repay us by stealing our business!" she roared like an enraged tigress, her voice echoing through the neighborhood.
She didn't give anyone a chance to interrupt her.
"When you were living as a Murphy, you helped us make money, which allowed you to live a good life. Now that you're no longer a Murphy, you've secretly handed our business to your new family so you can continue living like a princess while crushing the Murphy family!"
"Some people are just rotten to the core! You should've died in that fire eighteen years ago…" she spat. Her words were as venomous as they could be.
Arthur was livid, his fists clenched tightly, ready to fight.
Smack!
An egg flew through the air, hitting Regina and staining her designer dress with egg whites and yolk. She was furious, screaming, "Who did that? I'll kill you!"
Everyone turned to see where the egg had come from.
Little Josie peeked out from behind Maria, her cheeks puffed with anger, eyes wide, still holding the pose of having thrown the egg, and shouted, "You're evil!"
After yelling, she quickly hid again, leaving only her fluffy head visible.
Everyone thought, 'Oh my gosh, this is too cute! How can a child be this adorable?'
"You… you little brat!" Regina was livid, swinging her handbag as if to teach Josie a lesson.
At that moment, Avery spoke calmly. "Mrs. Murphy, your son is a newly debuted actor. If I were to pull off his mask and record your family's public tantrum, then upload it to social media, what do you think would happen to his career?"
She knew where to hit them where it hurt. Andrew was the apple of the Murphy family's eye; they would never risk his future.
Regina was even angrier, turning her fury towards Avery. "Say that again! I dare you…"
But Andrew had already grabbed her arm, pulling her away. "Stop it. Let's go."
The Murphy family sat in their luxurious black Maybach, each enveloped in silence and a somber mood. Regina was engrossed in her phone, checking her stock portfolio. With each glance, her expression grew darker. Andrew and Gia stared out their respective windows, the weight of their parents' ineffectiveness pressing heavily on them.
Before they returned to the Murphy family, everything seemed prosperous. But as soon as they came back, the family's assets dwindled, and challenges arose. Even though Avery was labeled as the cause of their troubles, their parents seemed utterly incompetent at managing the situation.
The Maybach came to a halt at a red light. Isaac, gazing listlessly outside, suggested, "It's getting dark. Why don't we find somewhere nearby to eat?"
Just as he finished speaking, his eyes landed on a building ahead.
Harmony Hospital?
That was where his mother was hospitalized. He had almost forgotten she was still alive. A sudden idea sparked in his mind, and he turned to Regina.
"Dear, why don't we stop by and visit my mom?"
Regina didn't even look up. "What's the point of visiting an old woman who's practically a vegetable? If you want to go, do it yourself. I'm not interested."
Isaac coaxed her. "Sweetheart, remember? Avery was raised by my mom and is very close to her. If we can't persuade Avery, maybe my mom can." He added slyly, "Would she really ignore the plight of her own son and grandchildren?"
Hearing this, Regina looked up, both surprised and delighted. "You're right! How could I forget that? No grandparent can resist their grandchildren. Once your mom sees Andrew, she'll agree to anything he asks."
She spoke as if it were the most natural thing in the world, completely blind to the immorality of her plan.
Gia, however, felt her mood darken, a flicker of displeasure in her eyes. Was her mother implying that her brother was more important, more valued than she was?
Having grown up abroad, Gia hadn't been exposed to traditional ideas of male preference, though she had heard about such views from others. She hadn't thought much of it then, but now, she was seeing it firsthand. Determined, she resolved to prove through her actions that she was every bit as capable as her brother.
Isaac instructed Micah to park the car at the entrance of Harmony Hospital, then led his family to the inpatient ward.
To their disappointment, despite the surgery being a month ago, the old lady was still in a coma.
Regina complained, "She can't die, and she can't wake up. Just lying there, wasting the family's money. Such a burden."
Isaac, feeling frustrated, said, "We'll wait for an hour. If my mom doesn't wake up by then, we'll leave."
He turned to Andrew and Gia. "Are you hungry? Should I order some takeout for you?"
Andrew, engrossed in watching his own TV series and interacting with fans, didn't even look up. "Not hungry."
Gia, touching up her makeup in a compact mirror, replied, "I don't want to eat takeout in a hospital."
Regina lay on the couch, playing cards on her phone, not bothering to say a word.
Isaac had no choice but to chat with the nurse.
"Miss Carter is very good to the old lady," the nurse praised Avery. "She visits about every three days, stays for half a day each time, personally feeds her, gives her medicine, and massages her hands and feet. She's incredibly attentive. The other patients here are quite envious, saying the old lady has a very filial granddaughter."
Isaac smiled.
Avery clearly cared a lot about the old lady. As long as his mother was in the Murphy family's hands, Avery would have to comply.
He sent the nurse off for a meal and called Micah in.
"Stay here and watch over my mom. If she wakes up, call me immediately."
Micah nodded obediently. "Yes, sir."
Isaac thought for a moment and added, "When she wakes up, make sure she stays awake until I get here. And make sure to tell her about Andrew and Gia, and the crisis the Murphy family is facing. Ask her to plead with Avery on our behalf."
Micah looked worried. "I… I'm not sure I can convince the old lady…"
Isaac said, "If you handle this well, I'll double your year-end bonus."
Micah straightened up immediately. "Don't worry, Mr. Murphy. I'll do my best to persuade her."
With Micah staying behind, Isaac was ready to leave.
"Andrew, Gia, we can go now."
Micah quickly offered, "I'll escort you out."
As they left the room, Andrew suddenly thought of something. "What if she never wakes up, or if she wakes up but can't speak?"
A cruel glint flashed in Regina's eyes. "Then we'll move her somewhere else, so Avery will never see her again." She smirked. "Since Avery isn't our biological child, she has no right to interfere with the old crone. We can treat her however we want. If Avery wants to see her, she'll have to give in to us."
The others smiled in agreement.
"You're so clever."
They didn't notice that the old lady on the bed had slowly opened her eyes and was trying to say something.
But the door had already slammed shut, and no one heard her voice.
Her eyes revealed a deep sadness, but even more so, a profound disappointment.
"It's just as well that Avery has left. This old body of mine doesn't have much time left. At least I won't drag her down anymore…"
She lamented silently.
"Avery, Grandma is so sorry… If I had known that Isaac and his wife would use my illness to force you into doing things, I wouldn't have gone through with that surgery. I should have just joined your grandfather in the afterlife."
She murmured these words as she closed her eyes again, as if she had never awakened. Tears continued to flow silently down her cheeks.