Chapter 260: Your Obedience Was All a Lie

Chapter 260: Chapter 260: Your Obedience Was All a Lie

As soon as Mother Lloyd stepped into the entryway, a loud CRASH echoed in her ears.

Sharp porcelain shards flew everywhere, one grazing her cheek.

The living room was a complete wreck.

Floor vases, crystal glasses, delicate ornaments—anything within reach had been overturned and smashed, leaving the floor covered in debris.

Roya Winters stood in the middle of the ruins, her chest heaving with a towering rage. The frustration she had suppressed for days had finally erupted.

"What the hell is Terrence Lloyd thinking?" she rasped, her voice thick with extreme resentment.

"Imprisoning me here while he hides and never shows his face? Does he plan to keep me like a caged bird, trapped here for the rest of my life?"

The surrounding maids and bodyguards stood with their heads bowed, unfazed by her tantrum.

As long as Roya Winters didn’t hurt herself and the baby in her womb was safe, they were under orders not to interfere, no matter how much of a fit she threw.

Mother Lloyd raised a hand to her cheek. When her fingertips came away with a shocking smear of blood, her expression instantly darkened.

She strode forward across the shattered porcelain and, without hesitation, delivered a crisp, clean slap.

"My son isn’t home, so you think you can just run wild? Do you think you can tear this house apart?"

The sharp SLAP echoed through the dead-silent living room.

The force of the blow sent Roya Winters stumbling back, and she collapsed onto the soft sofa. She froze for a moment, then violently pressed a hand to her stinging, burning cheek. Her eyes shot up, filled with a vicious, cold light as she stared daggers at the older woman.

"You old hag, you dare to hit me?"

"What did you just call me?"

Mother Lloyd’s chest heaved with fury. She pointed a finger at Roya’s nose and spat, her eyes filled with contempt and disgust.

"You uncultured, shameless creature! If you hadn’t deliberately seduced him, why would my son be divorcing Jean Fanning? If it weren’t for the fact that you’re carrying a Lloyd Family heir, I wouldn’t let you off so easily. I’d teach you some manners!"

Roya Winters’s lips curled into a cold, mocking smile. Every word was laced with venom.

"Don’t trouble yourself. I never wanted to have this child. From start to finish, it was your son who schemed, manipulated, and forced me to get pregnant!"

These words utterly enraged Mother Lloyd, and her tone became exceedingly harsh.

"Still playing the innocent victim at this stage? Weren’t you the one who was promiscuous and debased yourself, throwing yourself at my son to seduce him? How can you claim you were forced?"

"My son is seriously injured and recuperating in the hospital right now! Instead of behaving yourself, you’re here making a scene. If you dare stir up any more trouble, just see how I’ll deal with you!"

"Injured and in the hospital?"

Roya Winters froze, a look of utter shock on her face.

She was under house arrest, completely cut off from the outside world. She hadn’t heard a single thing.

"How did he get hurt? What happened?"

Seeing that she still cared about her son, Mother Lloyd’s expression softened slightly.

"He wouldn’t go into detail. Starting today, I’m staying here until he’s discharged from the hospital and comes home. You will behave yourself. Don’t cause any trouble!"

With that, she turned and barked orders at the maids.

"What are you all standing around for? Hurry up and clean this place!"

"No! I won’t let you stay here!"

Roya Winters instantly lost control. She shot up to stop her, her eyes filled with resistance.

Mother Lloyd didn’t even spare her a glance, her tone hard and unyielding.

"My son bought this house. It’s not your place to make decisions!"

"If you want to live here, then you can have it! I’m going to find Terrence Lloyd!" Roya Winters bolted for the door.

"Stop her!"

At Mother Lloyd’s command, bodyguards on either side immediately stepped forward, grabbing her arms in a viselike grip.

No matter how desperately Roya Winters struggled and fought back, the men’s hold was firm. They unceremoniously dragged her back into the living room.

"Lock her in the bedroom and keep a close watch on her! Don’t let her destroy anything else!"

Mother Lloyd watched with cold eyes as Roya Winters was forcibly taken away, her heart filled with disgust.

’Does she really think my son’s money grows on trees?’

Meanwhile, after finishing her prenatal check-up at the hospital, Vesper Grayson went to Yvonne Lowell’s villa.

The moment Yvonne Lowell saw her, a flash of surprise crossed her eyes.

"President Grayson, what are you doing here?"

"I was in the area and thought I’d stop by to see you. Am I not welcome?" Vesper Grayson said with a faint smile.

"Of course not! Please, come in. Have a seat."

Yvonne Lowell quickly stepped aside to lead the way, attentively pouring a glass of fresh-squeezed juice and handing it to her.

"President Grayson, thank you so much for everything. If you hadn’t intervened, I’m afraid I would never have made it back to the country."

"You are Vaudin’s chosen brand ambassador. Ensuring your safety is part of my job," Vesper Grayson said as she accepted the juice. "You must have suffered during your time in Khemara," she asked softly.

Yvonne Lowell lowered her gaze, her fingertips tightening slightly as a flicker of residual fear crossed her eyes.

"I’m alright. I suffered a bit, but my chastity is still intact."

That was the only blessing in this whole misfortune.

When she was led out of the dungeon, she saw with her own eyes the other girls who had been trafficked to the compound. Every one of them had become a plaything for others to vent their frustrations on, their fates tragic, their lives worse than death.

’If it weren’t for President Grayson, my fate would have been the same as theirs.’

Even now, the memory sent a chill down her spine, leaving her heart pounding with lingering fear.

Vesper Grayson nodded slightly and took a small sip of her juice, her gaze gentle.

"What do you plan to do now?"

A film of moisture instantly clouded Yvonne Lowell’s eyes, and her voice was tinged with a helpless sorrow.

"I’m just a nobody, and my life isn’t my own to control. I’ve never been able to make my own decisions. Even if I knew who was behind it, I don’t have the power to get revenge. My only wish right now is to find my grandmother..."

"Your grandmother’s disappearance has nothing to do with Terrence Lloyd. It was Roya Winters who secretly had someone take her away," Vesper Grayson said, gently reassuring her. "I’ve already sent people to track her down, but it will take a little more time."

Roya Winters was currently under house arrest at the Lloyd family’s villa, making her inaccessible. They couldn’t get to her directly.

Yvonne Lowell could no longer contain the overwhelming emotion and sorrow in her heart. She suddenly bent her knees and knelt directly in front of Vesper Grayson.

"President Grayson, you saved my life. I will never forget this kindness for as long as I live."

"Don’t do that. Get up."

Vesper Grayson quickly leaned down to help her up, her voice full of helplessness.

"I helped you, but not for your gratitude."

"But when I had nowhere to turn and was in dire straits, you were the only one who cared whether I lived or died, the only one willing to pull me up." Yvonne Lowell’s nose tingled, her eyes red as she spoke through choked sobs. "After this ordeal, I finally understand. To others, a helpless person like me is as insignificant as dust, free for anyone to trample on."

"Don’t sell yourself short like that." Vesper Grayson gently patted the back of her hand, comforting her in a soft voice. "Everyone is unique. You don’t have to devalue yourself because of someone else’s misdeeds."

She had made a special trip today precisely because she was worried about the dark experience in Khemara, worried that Yvonne might suffer psychological trauma. It seemed now that although Yvonne had suffered physically, her spirit was still resilient.

「Three days later.」 Terrence Lloyd was discharged from the hospital and drove back to the villa.

As soon as he walked in, he saw his mother sitting leisurely on the living room sofa, cracking melon seeds while watching TV.

A trace of surprise flickered in his eyes.

"Mom, what are you doing here?"

"What? Found a woman and forgot your own mother?" Mother Lloyd put down the melon seeds and shot him a displeased look. "If I hadn’t come to keep things in order, this little troublemaker of yours would have smashed and ruined the entire house by now!"

"She’s pregnant. Women are naturally more emotional and temperamental during pregnancy. You should be more understanding. There’s no need to get angry with a pregnant woman," Terrence Lloyd said gently, subconsciously defending Roya.

His defense of her completely infuriated his mother.

"I haven’t even said much and you’re already defending her! You’re hopeless!" Mother Lloyd scolded him with exasperation. "She’s spoiled, uncultured, arrogant, and willful. I really don’t know what you see in her! She can’t hold a candle to Jean Fanning, who’s so sensible and proper!"

"Mom, to each their own. You don’t need to say any more," Terrence Lloyd said, avoiding the topic, not wanting to argue. "I’m going upstairs to see her."

He headed upstairs, and the bodyguards standing guard at the door immediately bowed.

"President Lloyd."

"How has she been these past few days?"

"Miss Winters has been locked in her bedroom the whole time. She rarely comes out and has been eating very little."

Terrence Lloyd pushed the door open and went inside.

The bedroom curtains were half-drawn, and the light was dim.

Roya Winters was curled up in the middle of the large bed with her head down. She was visibly thinner, her face gaunt and dejected, lacking all her usual spoiled vibrancy.

A weight settled in Terrence Lloyd’s heart. He walked over slowly, his voice gentle.

"Roya, have you not been eating properly these past few days?"

Roya Winters slowly lifted her gaze, her eyes holding days of suppressed grievances and a chilling coldness.

"Your mother moved in. It’s obvious she’s here specifically to torment me. How could I possibly have an appetite?"

"I’ll have her go back today. She won’t be an eyesore for you anymore."

"I heard you were injured and hospitalized a while ago?"

"Someone secretly kidnapped me and used it to threaten me, forcing me to let Yvonne Lowell return to the country." Terrence Lloyd’s expression turned grim, a shadow passing through his eyes.

Roya Winters’s heart sank. "Who captured you?" she asked urgently.

"We’re investigating. It’s not clear yet."

Roya Winters’s face paled instantly. "So you really gave in? You really let Yvonne Lowell come back?" she asked, her voice sharp.

"What other choice did I have?" Terrence Lloyd sighed. "If I hadn’t given in, I probably would have lost my life."

Roya Winters clenched her hands into fists, absolutely furious.

’Yvonne Lowell is back. Doesn’t that make all my previous endurance, compromises, and concessions a complete joke?’

Terrence Lloyd reached out and pulled her into his arms, resting his palm gently on her lower abdomen.

"Don’t be upset. Just because she got lucky and made it back this time doesn’t mean she’s safe. I have plenty of ways to deal with her."

Then, he changed the subject slightly. "I hear you’ve been throwing quite a few tantrums at home these past few days?"

Roya Winters’s mind was a tangled mess. She shoved him away, her expression impatient.

"I want to go out! I want a normal social life! If you keep me trapped here, I’ll go crazy sooner or later!"

"That’s a request I cannot grant."

Terrence Lloyd’s eyes suddenly turned cold, his tone demanding.

"You will stay here peacefully, focus on the pregnancy, and give birth to our child. Then I will restore all your freedoms. Once my divorce from Jean Fanning is finalized, I will register our marriage."

Before Roya Winters could respond, he added a cold warning.

"Roya, don’t refuse me. Otherwise, I will assume that your recent obedience and good behavior were all an act to deceive me."

"And you should know what happens to people who try to deceive me."

The Terrence Lloyd of the past had always been gentle, considerate, and completely doting on her, indulging her every whim.

But the man before her now was grim-faced, his eyes cold and predatory, sending an inexplicable, bone-deep chill through her heart.

Roya Winters stared, stunned, at the viciousness in his eyes that she had never seen before, and her heart trembled.

She lowered her gaze slightly, feigning obedience as she leaned back into his embrace, her voice soft and pliant.

"I understand. I’ll listen to you."