Chapter 4 Then Kneel Down and Beg Me!

The next morning.

Wendy gave her staff a few quick instructions, changed into something casual, and took a cab to one of Washington's most exclusive neighborhoods.

Scott Mansion sat halfway up a hill, sprawling across a massive plot of land.

She stood outside the ornate iron gates, looked at the luxurious building in front of her, and let out a quiet scoff.

Jean's smug, high-and-mighty face from yesterday was still fresh in her mind. Since they were so desperate to get her back, she'd come see for herself what kind of den the Scott family was running.

The iron gate was half open, not fully shut.

Wendy pushed through, walked across the garden, and stopped at the front door, which was also slightly ajar.

Before she could push it open, Jean's sharp, raised voice cut through from inside.

"That little brat! She's completely out of control! You didn't see her yesterday — all poor and pathetic but acting like she owned the place. She even sicced a wolf on me!"

Jean sat on the leather sofa in the living room, her right ankle swollen badly, her chest heaving with rage.

"Mom, please don't work yourself up like this."

A soft, gentle voice followed, thick with concern.

Lily Scott was half-kneeling beside the sofa, holding an ice pack, carefully pressing it against Jean's swollen ankle.

"Wendy's been out there on her own for so many years. It's only natural she picked up some rough edges. She probably just resents you for not coming to find her all this time. She's not trying to hurt you on purpose."

"She resents me? What right does she have to resent me!" Jean swatted Lily's hand away. "If I didn't need her to take your place and marry that cripple from the Howard family, I'd never have set foot in that filthy slum in my life! I'm bringing her back to live well, and she has the nerve to give me attitude!"

The swat knocked Lily sideways, and her eyes instantly went red.

"Mom, I'm sorry... this is all my fault. If I hadn't taken Wendy's place, she wouldn't have had to suffer so much. Maybe... I should just be the one to marry into the Howard family. Stop going after Wendy — I don't want her making you angry again."

As she spoke, tears rolled down her cheeks one after another, the picture of helpless sorrow.

"Don't be ridiculous."

A sharp voice cut in from nearby.

The Scott family's eldest son, Ethan Scott, stood there in a well-tailored suit, his brow deeply furrowed.

"You grew up in this house. You're the pride of the Scott family. The Howard heir is wheelchair-bound and has a vicious temper. How could we let you marry into that and suffer like that?"

Ethan stepped forward and helped Lily to her feet, his tone unmistakably protective.

"What is Wendy, anyway? Some wild girl who grew up in a slum — didn't even finish high school, barely literate. She should count herself lucky she gets to take your place and marry into the Howard family."

"Ethan..." Lily looked at him with gratitude, her tears falling even harder.

"Alright, stop crying." Ethan patted her shoulder, then turned to Jean. "Mom, someone like that isn't worth your time. Just send a few people to drag her back. Why are you treating her like she's someone important?"

Outside the door, Wendy stood with her arms crossed, listening to the three of them talk. A cold, mocking smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

A substitute bride. The Howard family's cripple.

So this was the real reason Jean had rushed down to the slum to play the long-lost family reunion.

They wanted to use her as a pawn — to marry off in place of this fake heiress.

Quite the scheme.

Just then, another voice came from the living room — steadier, more composed.

"Alright, enough. Both of you."

Claire Howard came down the stairs, her well-maintained face carrying a look of quiet disapproval.

"Whatever the situation, Wendy is still a child of the Scott family. She's been out there on her own for over twenty years, going through God knows what. A little stubbornness is understandable."

Claire walked over and sat down near the sofa, looking at Jean.

"Jean, the Howard family alliance can't be called off, and Lily really isn't the right fit for that marriage. But Wendy is still our child. Going over there yesterday with people to forcibly take her — that wasn't the right approach. A Scott shouldn't be left living in a place like that."

Jean's expression softened slightly when Claire spoke, though her tone was still sharp.

"Claire, you weren't there. You have no idea how out of line that girl was. With an attitude like hers, what trace of Scott family upbringing does she have? Bringing her back would just be inviting trouble."

"Manners can be taught." Claire picked up her teacup and took a sip. "But she needs to come home. If it comes to it, I'll go with you myself."

Lily stood to the side, and she picked up on Claire's position right away.

Claire didn't hold any real power in the Scott family, but because Uncle Patrick Scott had married in as an adopted son-in-law, Claire carried real weight with Grandpa Warren Scott.

If Claire pushed for Wendy to come back, it was only a matter of time before Wendy walked through that door.

And once that happened, her own position as the fake heiress would get very uncomfortable.

Better to get ahead of it — make her move first, score some points with Claire before things went any further.

With that thought, Lily stepped forward, her voice warm and sincere.

"Aunt Claire, Mom, please don't fall out over this."

She took a slow breath, her expression full of quiet resolve.

"Yesterday, Mom went to bring Wendy back, and Wendy may have gotten the wrong idea. Let me come with you today."

Lily bit her lower lip, her eyes steady with what looked like conviction.

"Wendy is probably upset because of me. If it means she'll come home, I'd be willing to kneel at the door of that slum and beg her myself."

It was a beautifully crafted little speech.

It made her look gracious and selfless, while quietly painting Wendy as someone who was being unreasonable.

Ethan, predictably, felt a fresh wave of protectiveness.

"Lily! What are you talking about! Look at who you are and look at who she is. You, kneeling to her? She's not worth it!"

Jean chimed right in.

"Exactly! You're my daughter — I raised you with everything I had. Going to a place like that is already more than you should have to do. I'm not having you beg her for anything. Who does she think she is!"

Claire looked at Lily's earnest expression, and a flicker of approval crossed her eyes.

"This child is just too kind-hearted. But kneeling is out of the question. No one in the Scott family kneels to anyone."

Lily felt a quiet rush of satisfaction inside, though her face stayed soft and put-upon.

"As long as Wendy comes home, a little hardship on my part is nothing..."

Clap. Clap. Clap.

A sharp, unhurried round of applause rang out from the doorway, cutting right through the touching scene of family devotion playing out in the living room.

All four of them turned toward the front door at the same time.

A tall, slender figure stepped in from the light outside, moving at an easy, unhurried pace.

Wendy strolled in with her hands in her pockets, as relaxed as if she were wandering through her own backyard.

Her gaze swept across the room, taking in everyone's expressions, before settling on Lily's face — which had gone completely still.

"Nice performance. Tears on demand like that — it's a waste you're not going for an Oscar."

Wendy walked up to the sofa and looked down at Lily, a sharp little smile on her lips.

"Since you just made such a big promise — even threw in the bit about kneeling and begging me."

She pulled a single armchair over and dropped into it, legs crossed, chin slightly lifted.

"Go ahead then. I'm right here. Get on your knees."

The air in the room went dead still.