The Unwanted Daughter: When Love Comes Too Late Chapter 231: Isn't Worth Keeping

The Renaults showing up was like someone putting out a fire right in front of the Jackmans. The heavy cloud over their heads suddenly cleared.

Everyone was happy, but Andrew still kept his guard up.

There's no such thing as a free lunch—especially with a businessman like Matthew.

He came representing the Renaults, stepping in to help the Jackmans at a time like this. He asked for nothing now and just said that he would ask later if he needed something.

That was basically writing a blank check. If they hadn't been desperate, Andrew would never have agreed.

So when he saw his family getting too excited, he had to remind them, "The Renaults really did help us out this time, but we don't know what Matthew's after. And this mess isn't totally over yet, so don't start celebrating too early."

Andrew still had a lot of influence in the family. Hearing him talk like that made the Jackmans calm down a bit.

But then Erin seemed to think of something, and her soft, delicate voice broke the quiet. "I think maybe Mr. Renault helping us isn't for no reason."

Everyone looked at her, not getting what she meant. Erin lowered her head, cheeks red with shyness. "Well ... I've actually been talking with Mr. Renault in private. While we were chatting, I might've mentioned I was in a bad mood lately because of the company's problems."

Her words made the Jackmans pause—then break into smiles.

Daphne grabbed her hand, excited. "So Matthew helped our family because of you? Erin, you're our lucky star!"

Benjamin patted her shoulder proudly. "That's my daughter. I'm proud of you."

Andrew looked at her warmly. "Erin, thank you for helping me and the Jackmans."

Erin looked embarrassed from all the praise, lowering her head shyly. "Maybe Mr. Renault didn't help just because of me. He never said that. But if I can make things easier for the family, that's what I should do as the Jackmans' daughter."

Of course, she wasn't about to tell them that she had chatted with Matthew, who replied politely, but he always stayed distant.

Forget spending a lot to help the Jackmans—he'd even turned her down more than once when she invited him to dinner.

But that didn't stop her from letting the Jackmans believe he'd done it for her.

The family sat together, chatting happily. The atmosphere was warm and cozy. That was when Liam came home.

Standing in the doorway, Liam felt like the scene in front of him was almost painful to watch.

Once, the person in the middle of all this love and attention was Tracy.

Now, all of it was given to Erin, like they'd completely forgotten the girl they used to treat like a rare treasure. They didn't even seem to notice he was home late.

Liam's chest sank. He stood frozen there for a long time.

Erin noticed him first. She walked up with her usual bright smile. "Liam, you're back! Where have you been these past few days? Every time something happens, we can't find you."

She pouted, pretending to be upset—just like she had so many times before, expecting him to apologize and promise to make it up to her.

But Liam only stared at her strangely for a long moment before saying, "Erin, I want to ask you something. Can you answer honestly?"

Maybe because she was in a good mood, Erin didn't notice anything off. She smiled and nodded. "Go ahead."

Liam locked eyes with her and spoke each word slowly. "Back then, on Suncord Mountain ... was it really you who saved me?"

Erin's smile froze. She hadn't expected him to ask that.

Haven't I already patched things up with him? What's wrong with him now?

She felt a flash of irritation but kept her gentle smile. "Of course, it was me. You saw the news back then, didn't you? Why are you asking now?"

"The news only showed us coming out of the mountains—a member of the rescue team was carrying me, with you walking beside us. That doesn't prove you saved me."

Liam grabbed Erin's arm in one quick move, his voice sharper. "Tell me the truth—who saved me back then? Was it Tracy?!"

Erin's face went a bit pale, and she stared at him as if he were a stranger.

What's wrong with Liam? The guy who never even raised his voice to me is now questioning me so aggressively.

I thought that even though Liam wasn't much, he was still Tracy's younger brother, so I was willing to put in the effort to take him from her.

But now, after he's been switching to Tracy's side again and again, even daring to doubt me, this useless pawn isn't worth keeping.

In that moment, Erin made up her mind.

Her eyes turned red, her delicate face twisting in pain as she cried, "Liam, you ... you're hurting me."