CHAPTER 58: THE BATTLE FOR THE GROUP’S INHERITANCE

"This—"

"Hey? Sophia, right? The one who calls the shots at home is Lucas. Right now this is our family business — none of your business!"

Some of them shifted in their seats, unable to hold back their protests.

Sophia let out a small, amused laugh. "You say one minute that he should get married, the next minute you call it your family business and exclude me. Don’t you find that ridiculous?"

"What’s ridiculous is you! Even if the six kids are Lucas’s — how old were you back then? Pregnant with sextuplets? Such an indecent woman!"

Sophia’s gaze cooled. She fixed her eyes on the woman who’d just sneered at her and spoke, cold and composed, "Angela."

Angela snatched up the cup that had been in front of that woman and, without warning, flung it away!

"Ah!"

"What are you doing?!"

"Have you no manners?!"

The woman swore loudly.

Angela’s face was expressionless, but the force behind her words betrayed that she was no ordinary girl.

"If you ever insult my mommy again, get out of Blackstone Manor."

"You! Lucas! Aren’t you going to do something about your child?"

Lucas’s look grew even colder, absolutely unruffled. "My woman is none of your business to talk about. My children are not for you to insult."

He clapped his hands, and two bodyguards at the door stepped forward. "Mr. Hilton."

"Escort that woman out."

His lips parted slightly; the chill in his eyes deepened.

"Yes, Mr. Hilton."

"You—what are you doing? Don’t come near me! Lucas! I’m your seventh aunt!"

Lucas sneered. "You’ve got one minute. I don’t want to see this woman here."

She was roughly hauled out. You could still hear her shouting as she was forced away, but in a short while even that noise faded.

"Sorry for the interruption, Mr. Phillip. Please continue."

Lucas’s mouth curled in a faint motion, indicating he should go on.

"Mr. Lucas’s point is reasonable. The six children can certainly serve as evidence. Whether or not Mr. Lucas is the biological father, your marriage should be legally recognized. I apologize."

Sophia watched the scene; any sane person could see Phillip had been bought off.

His gaze kept flicking toward Aiden.

But at this moment, if Aiden made a move, it would end badly for him.

Lucas wouldn’t let it slide.

Compared to Aiden, the gap between them was obvious and wide.

After Phillip announced that control of Hilton Group went to Lucas, Aiden sprang to his feet. "Phillip, you—!"

"Mr. Hilton, apologies, but as the notary I must remain fair and impartial. Mr. Lucas has fulfilled Old Mr. Hilton’s conditions; it’s only fitting he take over Hilton Group. As for you and Mr. Richard, the ten million Old Mr. Hilton left has already been allocated to you."

Phillip was a smart man; he wouldn’t do something that harmed himself.

"Mr. Hilton, since I’ve announced the will’s conclusion, I will take my leave."

Lucas rose and gave a perfunctory smile. "Thank you for your trouble, Mr. Phillip."

"Not at all, Mr. Lucas. I look forward to future cooperation."

Phillip left. The faces left behind were a mix of emotions.

"Everyone, I don’t know how you were misled, but the show is over. Isn’t it time to leave?"

Sophia took a step back and pointed to the door.

Aiden ground his teeth and glared at them.

"Remember, Mr. Hilton, don’t get too angry — it doesn’t look good on you."

Sophia wanted to make sure he stayed angry enough.

Aiden strode out, while Richard walked behind him, composed as ever.

Jessica, too, was furious — she had been poised to become the young madam of Hilton Group, and now she had nothing.

After they were all out, Lucas said in a deep voice, "Throw out everything they touched! Get a new set!"

They all turned back. Lucas glanced at them and closed the door.

Even if he was exchanging things, he wouldn’t give them the chance to take anything away!

"Dad, what do we do now?"

Jessica turned to Aiden anxiously.

"What do we do? Nothing! We’re going home!"

She flinched—he had never raised his voice at her before.

Inside the house, Sophia yawned and sat down lazily.

"You were right."

"Huh?"

"The idea didn’t come from Aiden. He’s not smart enough for that—but not stupid either."

She tilted her head, studying Lucas. "Tell me, who do you think hypnotized Sean? And who’s actually helping us?"

Lucas had made plenty of enemies, but allies? That was hard to believe.

If someone was helping him, it wouldn’t make sense.

And if they were helping her instead... that raised even more questions.

"Mommy, what are you guys talking about?"

Angela climbed onto the couch beside her.

"Angela, the driver who caused the crash has been caught. But we don’t know who caught him."

Sophia’s brows furrowed slightly, her eyes uncertain.

"Mommy, good people always have help from heaven. Someone must be looking out for you. Don’t worry too much, okay?"

Sophia chuckled softly. "You’re right. Whoever it is—they’ll show themselves eventually."

"Sophia."

"Yeah?"

Lucas’s long, veined fingers rested against his chin as he stared at her.

"I just want to know—when exactly was that paternity test done?"

"It’s fake. Don’t bother looking at it."

She answered casually.

"Fake?"

"Of course. You didn’t even know I did it. I didn’t either. Obviously, it was something they threw together to fool everyone. I just didn’t expect them all to be that gullible. Surprised?"

It was quite a surprise.

Lucas suddenly stood up, strode over, and before she could react—

He leaned down, bracing both hands on the couch, trapping her in place.

She instinctively leaned back. "Lucas, what are you doing?"

"Kissing you."

Before the words even settled, he was already pressing his lips against hers.

Sophia’s eyes widened.

"You—!"

"What, do I need to announce my intentions first?"

Then he kissed her again.

Sophia snatched up a little toy from the couch. "You! Lucas, don’t push it! I’m changing our three rules into thirty!"

"Even if you make it three hundred, do you really think you can escape now?"

His fingers slid into her soft hair, ready to kiss her again—

Until—

Sophia grabbed the nearest thing within reach and shoved it against his mouth.

It was a toy... a tiny plastic toilet plunger.

It fit perfectly over his lips.

Sophia smiled innocently. "Mr. Hilton, just a little self-defense. Enjoy your... toy."

She tried to slip away, body half-turned—

But before she could take a single step, the world spun.

He’d lifted her right off the ground, throwing her over his shoulder as he marched upstairs.

"Mommy!"

All six kids jumped to their feet. Lucas glanced back. "Mrs. Wilson, watch them."

Mrs. Wilson beamed. "Of course."

She turned to the six outraged children. "Oh, don’t fuss. When parents fight, it just means they love each other."

The kids exchanged blank looks. This... was not in any of their textbooks.

Upstairs, Lucas tossed Sophia onto the bed, leaning over her, his eyes dark and unreadable.

"Sophia," he murmured, voice low and dangerous. "You’re testing my limits."