Lilian and Derek had reached an agreement: for the time being, they would remain friends. Yet both Derek and Cayden stood firmly by her side, becoming her shade against the sun's rays, her umbrella against the rain, and her bulwark against any storm.
Perry, on the other hand, turned to his father for help. President Morgan Jerome quickly sent a petition to the state, claiming that Lilian Asienwegher was married to Perry Jerome and had stolen two billion dollars from him.
The verdict was swift and brutal: Lilian's entry ticket was revoked, and she was to be deported back to Avaldos City immediately.
---
The announcement shook Lilian to her core. Fear overwhelmed her, and she lost her footing, nearly collapsing. Cayden caught her, supporting her quietly as he listened to the accusations with a deep frown.
Lilian's eyes blazed with hatred as she looked at Perry. She gritted her teeth, realizing his father had already played his schemes, manipulating the judge into issuing a verdict without even holding a trial. Not once had anyone bothered to hear her side of the story.
Just as two police officers stepped forward to take Lilian, Cayden's cold voice rang out.
"Whoever dares to touch her will have their hand amputated!"
The officers froze in shock, stepping back immediately.
Cayden turned to the senior officer, his voice sharp. "Is there even a law in this country anymore? Who made this verdict?" He added firmly, "My lawyer is on his way."
---
Soon the Russel's lawyer arrived. After learning all the details about Lilian and Perry, he acknowledged Perry's power but reminded them of one crucial fact: Perry was a foreigner. That was Lilian's advantage.
"With the Russell family's influence," the lawyer assured her, "Perry will not be able to win."
The case was taken to court. Perry's lawyer presented evidence claiming Lilian was Perry's wife—her signature and face, they argued, said it all. As for the alleged theft of two billion dollars, they had no proof. Their only claim was that Lilian had no money to start her company.
Lilian's lawyer countered by presenting her signature from the sale of her late father's two‑storey building in Avaldos City. The proceeds from that sale had funded her company.
Thank goodness for that evidence.
---
Derek had also arranged for Xander Campbell to forge transaction documents showing a five‑billion‑dollar loan the Russell family had signed with Lilian's company five months earlier. Even Lilian was incredulous at the sight of the forged papers.
Regarding the marriage certificate, Lilian's lawyer requested thumbprint verification. Perry grew tense. The lawyer declared, "Besides, my client is an indigene. It is not proper for her entry ticket to be revoked."
At last, the court declared Lilian not guilty, and the case was closed.
---
Outside, Perry rushed after Lilian, who was being escorted by his rivals toward a Rolls‑Royce Sweptail. Ignoring Cayden, he called out desperately, "Lee!"
He sighed heavily, his eyes pleading, emotions flooding his heart. "Can we talk alone, please?"
Cayden tightened his grip around Lilian's waist, declining without hesitation.
But Perry's eyes remained fixed on Lilian, unwavering. "I promise we'll only talk."
Lilian thought to herself: We're in Beverly Hills. Derek is here. He wouldn't dare try anything. Besides, she knew she and Perry had to divorce. Her lawyer had explained that she couldn't remarry unless she divorced Perry; otherwise, she would be charged with bigamy.
Taking a deep breath, she looked at Perry coldly. "Don't even think about playing tricks. Remember, you're in Beverly Hills now."
Perry nodded obediently, his heart giddy that Lilian had agreed to meet him alone.
---
Embarrassed, Lilian turned to Cayden. "I'm sorry. I want to talk to him. Can you wait for me, please?"
She dared not trust Perry's words completely and would never go anywhere alone with him.
Cayden smiled calmly, nodding. He opened the car door, helped her sit inside, and closed it. As he glanced at Perry, a cold, dangerous glint flashed in his eyes before disappearing.
Perry noticed the subtle change but ignored it. He entered his car and drove away, watching as Lilian's car followed behind to a coffee shop.
---
In a private room, Lilian sat down. Perry immediately fell to his knees, tears streaming.
"Lilian, it was my fault. I didn't cherish you. I scared you away. Please come back to me. I'll love, cherish, and listen to you. I promise I'll do whatever you want. Lilian, I love you so much."
Fury burned in Lilian's heart. Her voice was cold. "Stop wasting your time. Not even if you kill yourself here will it move me—"
Her words were cut off by a cold, angry voice.
"You've gone too far, Lilian Asienwegher!"
Morgan Jerome entered, sitting across from her. He looked at his son kneeling with hot, dry tears in his eyes, then turned his disdainful gaze on Lilian.
"I wonder what is so special about you. You should be thankful my son married you."
---
Lilian met his gaze without flinching. "I think you've mistaken me for someone else. I wasn't the one who married your son."
Perry looked at her, frustrated and resigned. "Lee, it's true we're legally married. With this certificate, you won't be able to marry anyone else unless we divorce."
Lilian's eyes were cold. "Stop being delusional. The thumbprint isn't mine. And even if that certificate were valid, we'd still have to divorce."
Perry looked as though he might cry.
Morgan grew angrier. "Miss Asienwegher, you stole my son's money—over two billion dollars. How do you intend to pay him back?"
Lilian's eyes blazed. "With due respect, President Jerome, if you don't have proof of your accusations, don't bring them up. Besides, how much of your money could ever pay me back for the purity your son forcefully took from me?"
---
Both Perry and Morgan fell silent.
Lilian stood tall. "I hope I've made myself clear, Mr. Perry. I'm not your wife. Stay away from me. Your face disgusts me."
Morgan, enraged, raised his hand to slap her.
But to their shock, Perry quickly blocked the blow, looking at his father with disappointment.
Lilian stared at Morgan with disdain, then quietly walked away.