Archie sneered as well. “Coming back now? That won’t be so easy. We’ll have to ask our Tiffany first-see if she’s even willing to let you return.”


    —


    Maria said coldly, “I told you once you stepped out of that house, don’t think abouting back. But if Tiffany is kind enough to let you return, then I’ll stand by her.”


    After saying that, she softened her tone and asked Tiffany, “Sweetheart, do you want to let here back?”


    Tiffany nestled in Maria’s arms, looking pitiful and helpless. “Mom, I’ll do whatever you say. It’s just… I’m afraid Archie won’t ept me in this family. But it’s fine. As long as all you want her back, I don’t mind. From now on, I’ll keep out of my sister’s way. Whatever she wants, I’ll step aside and let her have it.”


    Hearing this, Maria immediately got mad. “If she dares not ept you, then she doesn’t deserve toe back. Just let her go beg on the streets. Tiffany, remember this-you are the true daughter of the Lawrence family. Everything in this house belongs to you. You don’t owe her anything.”


    Hugh knew that, for his daughter to make a name for herself and be a disciple of Edward West, she would still need Alicia. After all, Tiffany had only just returned and had only just begun learning to paint. Even if she became Mr. West’s student, if she doesn’t produce good work, Mr. West would surely be disappointed in her. She would still need Alicia to paint for her for a few more years.


    Anyway, after going through this, Alicia will be even easier to handle. She tried to act tough this time, but couldn’t evenst a day. Next time, she probably won’t dare to rebel again.


    But he couldn’t agree too quickly. He needed her to feel thating home this time wasn’t easy, so she’d have fewer wild thoughts in the future.


    He signaled Aaron a knowing nce.


    Aaron was the eldest son of the family. Hugh had always kept him close, and so there was a natural understanding between father and son.


    Aaron caught on to Hugh’s meaning right away. He said, “Alicia, if you want toe back this time, you must give Tiffany a proper apology. At school, you’ll have to look after her. At home, you’ll do as you’re told. Pushing Tiffany into the pool was way out of line. Otherwise, you can wash her clothes by hand for a whole year as punishment, and only then will we let youe home.”


    Hugh listened, feeling satisfied. He stayed silent, waiting for Alicia to apologize. If she agreed, once she returned home, he’d add a few more conditions. With so many people around, he couldn’t mention making her paint for Tiffany just yet.


    After listening to the Lawrence family’s nonstop talking, Alicia smiled. “Sorry to disappoint you. I was just passing by. Mind letting me through?”


    Andrew had been chewing without saying a word. He finally swallowed and said, “Still so stubborn. If you’re not begging us to let you back, then why are you following us?”


    Only then did Brooke, standing to the side, react and speak.up for Alicia. “You must be mistaken. Miss Lawrence is only here because she’s ill, staying in the hospital.”


    “Tch, so you even found someone to act along with you? I’m telling you, if you apologize right now, maybe we’ll consider letting youe back. But keep being stubborn, and you’ll nevere home again,” Andrew said.


    Brooke felt like the Lawrence family couldn’t understand anyone else, just talking among themselves. Anxious, she wanted to exin again.


    But Alicia grabbed her and turned to leave. “Don’t waste your breath on people who can’t understand human words.”


    Brooke nodded and pointed toward the small garden on the other side. “Then let’s walk over there instead.”


    “Alright.” Alicia nodded, and the two of them went off to stroll somewhere else.


    The Lawrence family could only watch as Alicia walked away, all of them stunned. Could it be that she really hadn’te to beg toe back?


    Archie muttered, “This time, she’s actually showing a bit of backbone.”


    Andrew gave a cold snort. “It’s only the first day. There’s still a long stretch ahead. Let’s see how long she can


    hold out.”


    Aaron nodded, analyzing, “She’ll probably onlyst until she’s discharged. She’s got nowhere to live. For now she’s in the hospital, but how many days can she stay there?”


    Andrew and Archie both nodded in agreement.


    Hugh narrowed his eyes at Alicia’s back. It seemed he would have to trip her up somehow to force her back home quickly. Tiffany’s apprenticeship was the top priority now—nothing could go wrong. Alicia had to return as soon as possible.


    At that moment, Tiffany put on a show of guilt and self-me. “Alicia must be refusing toe home because I’m still here. It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t havee back. After all, she’s the daughter Mom raised.”


    With just those words, she managed to remind the family once again. It was Alicia who had stolen her identity and enjoyed the Lawrence family’s wealth for years—she was the one in debt.


    As expected, Maria’s heart ached at her words. Sheforted her gently, “Sweetie, you’re my darling, the one I love most. She stole your ce for so many years-don’t worry, I’ll make sure she pays back every bit she owes you.”


    Nestling in Maria’s arms, Tiffany’s eyes were shining with smug satisfaction. She had to make Alicia suffer every hardship she once endured. Why should Alicia get to enjoy the Lawrence family’s riches in her ce? Did she really deserve that?


    Just then, Hugh’s phone rang-it was Adam calling.


    “Dad,” Adam said, “a patient was just discharged from the VIP ward. A room is now avable, so Tiffany can be admitted.”


    Hearing this, Hugh felt displeased. He said coldly, “I told you to arrange a VIP ward for Tiffany. It took you a


    whole hour, and now it’s only because someone else was discharged that she can move in. I really don’t know how you’re managing at that hospital. You’re already an attending physician, and you can’t even secure a single room?”


    Adam felt deeply ufortable at his father’s words. “Dad, I’m a doctor, not the director. The VIP wards are full. What could I do? Someone else was already in there, I can’t just throw another patient out to make room for Tiffany, can I?”


    Hugh felt Adam was absolutely useless. All he ever did was bury himself in surgical cases,pletely ignorant of social dealings. If Hugh hadn’t pulled strings for him back then, how could he have ever be an attending physician? By now, he’d probably still be just an ordinary doctor-the kind who wouldn’t even be trusted to perform surgery.


    He was about to say more, but Maria cut him off. “Enough, stop talking. There’s a room avable now, isn’t there? Take Tiffany and get the admission done. She can’t stay in a regr ward. If we wait any longer, someone else might take that VIP room.”


    After all, Adam was still her own son, and Maria didn’t like hearing her husband criticize him all the time.


    Hugh said coldly, “I refuse to believe Adam can’t even hold onto a hospital room. What’s the rush? Tell him to keep it.”


    Listening to his parents on the other end, Adam hung up without another word. Lately, he couldn’t shake the feeling that his parents had changed. Ever since Tiffany came back, they had bepletely unreasonable. <fn8> The source of th?s content is Find_Novel(.</fn8>