"My apologies for dropping by uninvited." Lilian arched a brow at the sumptuous feast laid out on the dining table, her gaze settling on Zane. "You still have the appetite for a feast? Gotta say, Zane, your nerves impress me." Olena was fiercely protective of her son. Seeing Lilian's mocking tone, she shot to her feet, pointing a finger at the intruder. "You little viper! What are you doing here again? I haven't settled the score with you from last time!" With Viktor not at home, the household staff answered to her. As long as she forbade it, neither the butler nor the maids would dare report to Viktor. So, Olena shed all pretense and restraint. Lilian wasn't the least bit surprised. This was Olena's true face, after all. A faint, cold smile touched her lips. "I'm here on Grandpa's orders. He says, for the sake of the Vance family's reputation, you and your son are to vacate the Vance Manor immediately." Olena froze, rooted to the spot. Zane felt as if a sledgehammer had slammed into his skull. But clarity returned quickly. Lilian's word couldn't be trusted. They had always been at odds. Why should he believe anything she said? "You're lying," Zane spat out. "Unless Grandpa tells us himself, we won't believe a word you say." Olena came to her senses too. Right—Lilian couldn't be trusted. Who did she think she was, ordering them out?! She wouldn't budge! Lilian didn't get mad, the same smile playing on her lips. "Olena, looks like you still don't know what happened to your son." She shifted her gaze back to Zane. "Really now, since it's already happened, you should have told her. The truth was bound to come out eventually." Zane's face darkened. "Shut up! My affairs are none of your concern!" Olena looked at her son, suspicion and worry warring in her eyes. "Zane, what does she mean? What happened?" Zane met his mother's gaze with a reassuring look. "It's nothing, Mom." "Oh, 'nothing'?" Lilian let out a soft chuckle. "Getting kicked out of your own company by your fiancée and your own subordinate in a coordinated scheme, then beaten so badly you were hospitalized for a week, and you call that 'nothing'? Zane, no need to put on a brave face. We're family. You can tell us. It's not like anyone would laugh at you." Her words said one thing, but the naked mockery on her face said another. A cold glint flashed in Zane's eyes, but his concern for his mother outweighed his anger at Lilian. "Zane, is... is what she said true?" Olena staggered, nearly falling backward.Zane caught her arm. "It's fine. I'll find a way to handle it." Olena burst into tears. Her son's reaction confirmed everything. "That vile little bitch, Zora!" she sobbed, her voice thick with fury. "How dare she do this to you! How dare she?! I won't let her get away with this! I'll tear that witch apart!" "Mom, please, calm down. I'll handle everything." Watching the satisfying scene of chaos unfold before her, Lilian's lips curved into a smirk. Before leaving, she instructed the butler, "My words are Grandpa's will. Since these two refuse to pack, you and the staff do it for them. I want them out by tomorrow evening at the latest." The butler and maids exchanged a nervous glance, not daring to disobey. They knew who held the real power in the Vance family now—Harlan and Lilian. Later, Zane told his mother everything.Overwhelmed with regret, Olena cried, "If I had known... if I had known, I would have rather you married Darcy than that snake!" A bitter smile twisted Zane's lips. He regretted it too, but it was too late. Life's a chessboard—one bad move, and the whole game collapses. He had lost. He accepted that. Olena struggled to her feet. "I'll call your father. I'll beg him to help you. He won't just stand by and do nothing!" "Mom." Zane grasped his mother's wrist, the rims of his eyes turning red. "I went to see Dad this afternoon. He's got his own troubles. Don't bother him." Olena's face went deathly pale. "You mean... your father... refused to help you?" Zane closed his eyes, a wave of humiliation washing over him. He chose his words carefully. "While Dad holds the title of Chairman, most of the company's old guard stands with Lilian. Even if he wanted to help, his hands are tied." He took a deep breath, squeezing Olena's hand. "Mom, don't let this cause a rift between you and Dad. No matter what, I'll find a way. If you fight with him because of me, that's exactly what they want." Tears welled in Olena's eyes, falling in large drops onto the back of her hand. Her son was so thoughtful. Why was fate so cruel to him? "It's all my fault!" Olena wailed, her eyes wide with despair. "I misjudged people! I thought Zora was good, that she could help you rise higher. I never dreamed I was letting a wolf into our home! I regret it so much, it's eating me alive. If I hadn't been so greedy, you and Darcy wouldn't have broken up. With her abilities, the company would have flourished long ago, and recognition from the Vance family would have followed!" Suddenly, as if grasping at a lifeline, Olena's eyes lit up. "Zane, go to Darcy! Ask for her help! She'll know what to do! She must still have feelings for you. If you ask her, she'll help! Besides, you two built SummitCore together—she won't just watch it fall into someone else's hands!"