Chapter 180
"Lily Collins, get out here right now! If you don't, I'll kick this door down and see who ends up more humiliated!" The man's arrogant shouts echoed through the hallway. Luna White peered through the peephole to see several neighbors poke their heads out before quickly retreating into their homes.
This wasn't the first time this scene had played out.
"Hiding won't solve anything," Luna turned to face Lily. The usually decisive doctor now looked like a helpless child. "He's taking advantage of your fear for your daughter to escalate his demands."
Luna couldn't help but think of her sister, Luna Whitaker. If she hadn't left the Lewis family with her children back then, she might have ended up just like...
The Lewis family should have received her "special gift" by now.
"Either fight for custody or let go completely," Luna said bluntly. "What you're doing now is supporting his entire family."
Twenty yuan was no small sum in 1985. With Lily's monthly salary barely reaching seventy or eighty, her ex-husband was clearly extorting her.
"I'm afraid..." Lily clutched the hem of her shirt. "I'm afraid he'll take it out on Phoenix when he gets home."
"But your daughter doesn't know your sacrifices," Luna shook her head. "All she sees is her father and grandmother treating her well while her own mother..."
The phone rang abruptly.
"Security? There's a disturbance at the specialists' building..." Luna reported the incident calmly.
"Don't!" Lily panicked. "This will only make things worse..."
"Worse for him!" Luna scoffed. "The more you retreat, the more he pushes. If it were me, I'd tell him he won't get another cent from now on!"
Lily paled. Only then did Luna learn that the man's family was still living in Lily's house.
"You..." Luna was speechless. This was practically inviting abuse.
The banging on the door grew louder. Luna yanked it open.
"Security is on their way," she said coldly. "Will you leave on your own, or should they escort you out?"
Frank Ferguson froze. He hadn't expected anyone to actually interfere.
"I'm her husband!" he blustered.
"Ex-husband," Luna corrected sharply. "And an ex-husband who's trespassing."
The sound of hurried footsteps came from the stairwell. Frank's face twisted, and he tried to bolt.
"Stop him!" Luna ordered. "This man is attempting extortion!"
Security officers rushed forward, cornering Frank in the hallway. His face cycled through shades of red and white.
"You wouldn't dare!" he roared weakly. "My daughter is waiting for me at home!"
Lily finally stepped out, pale but resolute. "Frank Ferguson, as of today, you and your family will vacate my house immediately."
A faint smile touched Luna's lips. The real drama was just beginning.