His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex-Wife Chapter 290: Lily's Escape

She pushed herself up and broke into a run toward the room.

Two bodyguards immediately seized her by the arms.

"Harper... Harper!" she yelled her daughter's name toward the closed door.

But Harper didn't seem to hear her.

The men dragged her backward, her shoes scuffing against the floor.

As she struggled, her gaze caught Lily standing off to the side, perfectly still.

Lily was just watching—not moving, not speaking. There was something off in her eyes.

The dog that used to bite had finally won its owner's affection, even become his other half. So why was it so quiet now?

Why wasn't it barking at her?

Lily didn't throw a single insult her way. That felt wrong to Iris.

The bodyguards hauled her out through the door, into the elevator, and straight through the hotel lobby to the curb outside.

The helplessness of losing her daughter twisted like a knife in Iris' chest. The nightmare she'd feared for three years was finally happening.

She'd always thought that if Julian found them, both she and Harper would be locked away again.

She'd guessed wrong.

Julian had his own life now.

He only wanted his daughter.

When Iris, furious and desperate, tried to push back into the hotel, the bodyguards blocked her path.

She was just one woman—no match for Julian's hired muscle, let alone the man himself with all his money and influence.

For a moment, she just stood there, lost, unsure what to do next.

If even the police wouldn't step into a "family matter," who could she turn to?

Tears of frustration welling in her eyes, Iris finally turned to leave. Then she heard Lily's voice behind her. "Ms. Whitlow."

Iris looked back and saw Lily walking toward her.

So the dog wasn't refusing to bark—it just hadn't wanted to in front of its owner.

What was coming was coming anyway.

Lily had everything she'd ever wanted now. Why would she pass up a chance to rub it in?

Iris could already guess what she was about to say.

But what she didn't expect was Lily's demeanor.

The usual arrogance was gone. She actually looked nervous. She glanced back toward the hotel lobby a couple of times, then lowered her voice. "Julian and I... we're not married."

Iris frowned, confused.

What game was she playing now?

"If you still have feelings for him, I could—"

"Ms. Prescott," Iris cut in sharply, "I just want my daughter back. I have zero interest in you, or him, or anything to do with either of you. I want to be as far away from all of this as possible. So if you're here to mess with me, save it."

Lily let out a cold, bitter laugh. "Funny how things turn out, isn't it? It's all backfiring on me."

"What are you talking about?"

Clenching her fists, Lily spoke through gritted teeth. "The man I risked everything to take from you... he's different now. He's not the Julian he used to be. He's dark. Terrifying."

Iris felt like she was hearing the world's most ridiculous joke. "You loved him so much you schemed to break us up. Now you're having regrets?"

"Who could've predicted it?" Lily's smile was brittle. "Julian changed almost overnight. He's cold, calculating... I don't want to marry him anymore. I'm handing him back to you. Honestly—I hope the three of you have a long, happy life together."

Iris stared at her, stunned.

Coming from Lily's mouth, she didn't believe a word of it.

"So you've dropped the depressed act, the disability act, and now you're trying the saint act?" Iris eyed her suspiciously. "What's the angle this time?"

But Lily wasn't even looking at her anymore. Her attention was fixed on the main road.

Suddenly, a car pulled up to the curb.

Lily threw another anxious look toward the hotel, then—almost like a thief—hurried toward the vehicle.

Iris was completely thrown by the behavior. She just stood there, watching, bewildered.

The man who stepped out was Arthur.

He spotted Iris, and a flash of panic crossed his face. Then he opened the passenger door for Lily and helped her inside.

Their movements were rushed, frantic, like they were running from something.

Arthur shot Iris one last glance, slid into the driver's seat, and sped off.

Iris' heart tightened. She rushed to the edge of the sidewalk, watching the car disappear down the street.

What was that all about?

Did Lily just run off with Arthur?

What had happened over the past three years? Did Lily get Julian and then decide he wasn't worth it—was she cheating with Arthur now?

Iris' mind raced, trying to piece it together. She'd never seen anything so confusing.

None of it made sense.

But then again...

Iris let out a shaky breath. She needed to focus on getting Harper back.

She didn't have the energy to untangle other people's messy relationships.

*****

"Arthur, let's get married. I can't go back to Julian." Lily sat in the passenger seat, her voice trembling, tears in her eyes.

Arthur's lips curled into a cold smirk. "I've got nothing left because of Julian. I lost my job. My medical license is gone. I can't even practice. You think I'm in any position to marry anyone?"

Lily turned and grabbed his arm. "If you marry me, you can come work at my father's company. I'm his only child. The whole business will be yours one day."

A faint, calculated gleam flashed in Arthur's eyes—so quick it was almost missed. The corner of his mouth twitched. He pressed his lips together, paused, then said quietly, "I saw the news. Julian's planning to buy your father's company out."