Her Heart Her Terms (Lily and Xavier)

Lily anxiously asked, "Can I visit Hayden?"

Sylvester tried to reassure her, "I'll file a request for visitation. Once it's approved, I'll let you know. Actually, I've already found some clues. For now, just don't make any appearances and take care of yourself..."

Sylvester had made an appeal right in courts earlier, which stirred up dissatisfaction among many.

People felt that the Joyner family was relentlessly trying to shield Hayden, who was a suspected murderer.

As she represented the Joyner family, Lily knew she wouldn't have peace anytime soon.

"Alright, tha "Lily nodded as she replied. Before she could finish her sentence, someone grabbed her wrist roughly. Smack!

The slap was loud and hard, making her head whip to the side and her ears ring.

The

person holding her wrist tightly was Bobby. His face was twisted in anger at that moment.

"Lily, this is all your fault for hiring that useless lawyer! Are you trying to get Hayden locked up so you can take the family's fortune? No fucking way!"

Hazel came over next. She cried as she shoved and yanked at Lily's arm.

"What were you thinking? You're going to drive your father and me to our graves! Hayden was so good to you. Don't you have a shred of conscience? How can you stand here without shame?" Lily covered her cheeks. Tears streamed down uncontrollably as she was shaken back and forth. How could she not be worried when things had escalated this far?

She had been doing everything she could. She had been brainstorming with Sylvester about what to do next, desperate to figure out a way to free Hayden.

What was she supposed to do? Storm the courtroom?

Not far away, Maryanne was on the phone. She was asking Terence for help. Hearing the commotion, she cursed under her breath, ended the call, and rushed over.

She pulled Lily away from her parents.

"What the hell are you two doing? Lily has been running around day and night for your son. She's barely been sleeping. Even if she hasn't succeeded yet, she's been working her ass off!

"What about you guys? You two were hiding like cowards, leaving her to take the heat and fight for Hayden. Do you even have a conscience as parents?"

Maryanne's temper flared. Veins bulged on her forehead as she lashed out.noveldrama

Intimidated by the Devereux family's influence, Bobby glared hatefully at Lily but didn't dare retaliate.

"Lily, if you can't get Hayden out, I'll deal with you later!"

With that, he stormed off in anger.

Hazel shot Lily a disappointed look, as if wanting to say more, but Bobby's angry shout of "Let's go!" made her wipe her tears and hurry after him.

Sylvester's expression was a mix of sympathy and concern. "Ms. Joyner, should we keep working on your brother's case?"

"Yes, absolutely!" Lily replied without hesitation. She nodded. "I'm so sorry for the trouble, Mr. Hammock. Please continue your investigation. We must find the evidence to save Hayden!" Alan couldn't represent Hayden in court, and Bobby had no other options either. Sylvester was their only hope, and they couldn't give up on him.

"Alright, you take care of yourself. I'll continue the investigation."

Sylvester was committed to seeing the case through, so he ignored the hostility from Lily's parents.

Maryanne pulled Lily's hand away from her swollen cheek. "Look at this. It's already bruising. Is he even your dad? How could he hit you like that?"

The burning pain from the slap radiated through Lily's entire body.

Her heart was overwhelmed with a mix of emotions. Not only did she feel bad for Hayden, but she was also desperate and unwilling to accept the situation.

"I'm okay. I can handle it," she said coldly in her raspy voice.

Suddenly, her phone rang a few times, snapping her out of her thoughts.

She checked the notifications and saw that breaking news reports were flooding in.

The media was covering a live interview, focusing on Sarah and Xavier.

"I honestly feel bad for using public resources over a dog, but the other party was just too much. Luckily, Xavier was there to support me. He wanted to pursue legal action to set things right, but this issue has gone on for too long.

"We don't want to burden everyone anymore. Thank you to the media and everyone who's shown concern, and to Mr. Siester for his professional advice. Please, everyone, continue to care for animals..."

Sarah did all the talking, while Xavier accompanied her.

Yet even without speaking, his mere presence commanded respect, and reporters showered Sarah with praise.