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Get Ready For Allvar Falck's Ruthless Return 242
242“You’re right,” she said after a beat. “I should stop letting people like him get to me. He’s always been like this, but I’m not going to let him ruin my day.”Allvar gave her a small smile. “That’s the spirit.”Lily laughed, though it was tinged with a hint of bitterness. “It’s just... tiring. You know? I’ve been dealing with this for years, and it never gets any easier.”Allvar nodded, his face softening with empathy. “It’s a battle, that’s for sure. But you’re stronger than you think.”Lily’s shoulders sagged slightly as she took in his words. “I don’t always feel that way,” she admitted, her gaze drifting to the ground. “Sometimes it feels like I’m just one step away from losing it all.”“You won’t lose it,” Allvar said, his voice steady. “Not as long as you keep standing your ground.”Lily didn’t respond right away. Instead, she let his words sink in, feeling the weight of them in her chest. Maybe he was right. Maybe she didn’t have to give up, no matter how much Tobias or an
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243“You’re pathetic, Tobias. You spend all your time belittling others because you think it makes you important. But the truth is, you’re just insecure. All of this? It’s just a mask for how small you feel inside.”Tobias’s face contorted with fury. His jaw clenched as he stared at Lily, his nostrils flaring with every breath. “You think you’ve figured me out? Please.” He scoffed, taking a step back. “You don’t know me. You’re nothing to me, Lily. But him?” He pointed a finger at Allvar, who stood silently, his face impassive. “You’ll see him for what he really is soon enough. It won’t be long before he’s just another disappointment in your life.”Lily could feel her heart race, her pulse pounding in her ears. Tobias’s words were like poison, but she was done being intimidated. She squared her shoulders, standing tall. “Don’t talk to me like that. Not anymore, Tobias. I’m done letting you walk all over me.”Tobias’s eyes gleamed with mockery. “Oh? You think that just because you stan
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244Allvar remained still for a moment, his gaze still focused on Tobias’s retreating form. Then he turned to Lily, his expression softening. “Don’t let him bother you,” he said, his voice low and comforting. “People like him don’t deserve your attention.”Lily shook her head, her frustration still lingering. “He’s always like this, though. It’s like he thinks he can control everything around him. And... I’m not supposed to fight him because he’s ‘important.’” She rolled her eyes, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Well, I’m sorry if I didn’t get the memo on who’s important and who’s not.”Allvar let out a soft chuckle, his eyes glinting with a mixture of amusement and disbelief. “Important, huh?” he said, raising an eyebrow. “Yeah, I’ve met plenty of people who think they have the world in their hands because of their last name or their bank account.”Lily glanced at him, her expression softening for a moment. “You don’t really care about any of that, do you?”Allvar shrugged, looking
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245She took a deep breath, feeling the tension in her shoulders ease just a little. “I guess it’s just hard when it’s someone you’ve known for so long. You start to wonder if they’re really as bad as they seem, or if you’re just seeing things the wrong way.”“You’re not seeing things wrong,” Allvar said with a seriousness that surprised her. “People show you who they are through their actions, not their words. And Tobias... he’s been showing you exactly who he is for a long time. Don’t ignore it just because it’s familiar.”Lily’s heart skipped at his words. There was something about the conviction in his voice that made her pause. It wasn’t like him to speak so firmly, but when he did, she found herself listening. Really listening.“I guess I’ve been hoping he’d change,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. “That one day he’d see me for who I am, not just... his idea of what I should be.”Allvar’s gaze softened, and for a moment, Lily thought she saw a flicker of empathy
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246Lily’s heart sank as Tobias’s voice reached her ears again. His mocking tone was unmistakable, and she braced herself for whatever cruel words he was about to throw at her.“Oh, I see,” Tobias said, stepping back into the scene with a self-satisfied grin. “Are we done with this little emotional moment now? Or are you planning to start crying next?” He raised an eyebrow, looking between Lily and Allvar. “I just can’t seem to get enough of this charade.”Lily clenched her fists at her sides, determined not to let him get to her again. “Tobias,” she said, her voice low and controlled, “you really are pathetic. You think belittling people makes you important. But you’re just a coward hiding behind your money and status.”Tobias chuckled, as if her words didn’t faze him. “Oh, Lily, always so dramatic. I’m not the one standing here defending someone who can barely string together a sentence without embarrassing himself. You really think you can change anything?” He scoffed, turning to A
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“Allvar’s not the problem here,” Lily said, her voice trembling with fury. “You are, Tobias. Always have been.”Tobias let out a dry laugh, as if he found her resistance laughable. “Really?” he scoffed. “You think he—this nobody—can make you happy? Don’t kid yourself, Lily. You’ve been trying to break free from me, but you can’t. You won’t. I’m the one who knows you, the one who knows what’s best for you.”Lily's hands clenched into fists at her sides, every nerve in her body screaming to put him in his place. She turned to Allvar, her eyes locking with his for a moment, silently asking for support, silently telling him that she wouldn’t back down, no matter what Tobias said. Allvar nodded slightly, his expression unwavering.She turned back to Tobias, standing taller now, her voice steady and full of conviction. “You think you know me? You think you’re the one who gets to decide what’s best for me? Well, you’re wrong.” She shook her head. “You don’t get to control me anymore. I’m don
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248As Lily and Allvar walked toward her grandmother’s house, the earlier tension from their run-in with Tobias had mostly faded. The quiet neighborhood felt like a world away from the chaos of the day, and the modest house that came into view looked as welcoming as ever. With its weathered shutters and a garden brimming with winter blooms, it exuded a calm that Lily desperately needed.“This is it,” she said, gesturing toward the house. A small smile flickered across her face, though it didn’t last long.“It’s beautiful,” Allvar said, genuinely impressed. He slowed his steps as he noticed her expression falter. “But you don’t look too happy to see it. What’s wrong?”Lily sighed, her shoulders slumping. “It’s nothing.”“Lily,” Allvar said gently, stopping in his tracks. “Come on. I can tell something’s bothering you.”She hesitated, biting her lip. “I just... I wanted to get my grandma something special. Something original. She’s done so much for me, and I wanted to show her how much
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249Two days later,The cell door buzzed open, and Mrs. Abbott stepped out, flanked by two guards. Her movements were sharp and deliberate as she adjusted her blazer, her fiery determination evident. Jake and Edgar followed closely behind, their expressions a mix of confusion and relief.“How…?” Edgar finally stammered. “How are we out?”Mrs. Abbott smirked, her confidence fully restored. “Did you really think I’d let Falck win without a backup plan?”Jake frowned. “But the charges—the evidence—”“All part of the game,” a voice interrupted. The tall visitor from the previous night emerged from the shadows, their trench coat billowing slightly as they walked. “Let’s just say some strings were pulled.”Mrs. Abbott crossed her arms, her gaze piercing. “What’s your angle? Why help us?”The visitor’s lips curled into a sly smile. “I told you—I despise Falck. But more importantly, I see potential in you. With the right guidance, you could be more than just pawns in his game.”Jake glanced n
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263Mrs. Penrose's lips tightened into a thin line, the weight of Lily's accusations settling heavily in the room. She opened her mouth to speak but stopped short when Lily’s piercing gaze landed on her."Don’t even try, Grandmother," Lily said coldly. "You’ve done enough covering for him. For all of them. I’m done being the puppet in your perfect little show."Mrs. Penrose’s composure faltered for a split second, but she quickly recovered, her voice sharp. "Watch your tone, young lady. You may think you’re making a grand statement, but all you’re doing is embarrassing yourself."Lily let out a bitter laugh, crossing her arms. "Embarrassing myself? No, Grandmother. What’s embarrassing is how long I let myself believe your lies. Tobias isn’t the golden boy you’ve painted him to be, and I’m not the naive little girl who’ll fall in line anymore."Tobias, clearly panicked, stepped forward, his voice desperate. "Lily, you’re overreacting. I swear, none of this is true. You’re letting your
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262Lily turned her back to the room, her hands gripping the edge of a nearby chair to steady herself. Her knuckles whitened as the tension in the room became unbearable. The audacity of her grandmother’s words and Tobias’s melodrama made her stomach churn. "Lost my way?" she whispered, her voice low but sharp enough to cut through the suffocating silence. She spun around, her eyes blazing. "No, Grandmother, I haven’t lost my way. I’ve finally found it. And it’s not on the path you all forced me to walk."Mrs. Penrose raised a brow, her expression unwavering. "Lily, don’t be so dramatic. This tantrum is unbecoming."Lily let out a dry laugh, shaking her head. "Tantrum? Is that what you call standing up for myself? Because if it is, I should’ve thrown one years ago."Tobias took a cautious step forward, his hands raised in a gesture of peace. "Lily, please. Let’s not do this here. It’s your birthday. We should be celebrating, not—""Not what?" Lily snapped, cutting him off. "Not expos
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261**Lily’s jaw tightened as the whispers erupted around the room.** “Allvar,” Tobias said softly, his face etched with the perfect blend of shock and hurt. “That’s a serious accusation. I would never—” “Don’t,” Allvar interrupted, his voice sharp enough to slice through the tension. “Don’t play the innocent act with me. You’re not fooling anyone who’s paying attention.” “Enough!” Mrs. Penrose’s voice rang out, silencing the murmurs. Her icy gaze fell on Allvar like a blade. “You will not disrespect Tobias in my home.” “Disrespect?” Lily interjected, stepping forward. “You’re seriously defending him after everything he’s done?” Mrs. Penrose’s lips thinned, her face a portrait of restrained fury. “Lily, this is not how a lady of your stature should behave. Tobias has been nothing but kind to you, and yet you bring *this man*—this *brash, uncultured* individual—into my house on your birthday, of all days?” Allvar scoffed, but before he could respond, Lily’s fists clenched a
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260**Back in the Dining Room...**The murmurs among the guests had only just begun to subside when the door to the dining room opened. All eyes turned expectantly as Thomas returned, stepping aside to allow Lily and Allvar to enter. Lily walked in with her chin held high, her eyes scanning the room with steely defiance. Allvar followed closely behind, his hands tucked into his pockets, his stance casual but his eyes sharp as they landed on Tobias. “Ah, Lily,” Mrs. Penrose greeted, her voice icy yet polite. “I trust Thomas delivered my message.” “Oh, he did,” Lily replied smoothly, the edges of her tone cutting through the room. “I just wasn’t sure why I should bother returning, considering the lovely discussion you were having about me.” A faint ripple of unease passed through the room, and Mrs. Penrose’s lips tightened. “This is a family matter, dear. It requires all of us to be present.” “Does it?” Lily countered, folding her arms. “Because it sounded more like a gossip c
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259 **Meanwhile, outside the estate...** Lily stormed toward Allvar’s car, her heels clicking furiously on the cobblestone driveway. Her breaths came in sharp bursts, her chest heaving with a mix of anger and humiliation. “Allvar!” she snapped over her shoulder, her voice sharp enough to cut through the chilly evening air. “Why didn’t you just keep your mouth shut?” Allvar followed a few paces behind her, his normally calm demeanor cracking ever so slightly. “Lily, wait—” She spun around abruptly, her eyes blazing. “Wait for what, Allvar? For Grandma to come running out here and apologize? For Tobias to suddenly admit he’s a lying snake? It’s never going to happen!” “Lily, I didn’t say that!” Allvar countered, his voice firm but not unkind. “But you need to breathe for a second. Yelling at me isn’t going to change anything.” Lily let out a bitter laugh, the sound laced with frustration. “You don’t get it. This is my family, Allvar. They’re supposed to have my back. Instead, the
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258 The atmosphere in the dining room remained thick with tension after Lily and Allvar's abrupt departure. Mrs. Penrose, now calm and collected, surveyed the table with her usual air of authority. Her steely gaze dared anyone to speak out of turn, the weight of her presence ensuring no one did—at least, not immediately. Finally, one of the guests, an older man with a finely tailored suit and a sharp nose, cleared his throat. “Mrs. Penrose, if I may,” he began, his voice oozing with faux diplomacy, “I can’t help but agree with you. Tobias has been nothing but a loyal and upstanding gentleman in every interaction I’ve had with him. This... Allvar fellow, on the other hand—well, who even is he?” A ripple of murmured agreement passed around the table. The other guests, emboldened by his words, exchanged knowing glances, their expressions laced with thinly veiled contempt. “He’s no one,” chimed in a woman with perfectly coiffed hair and a diamond necklace that sparkled under the chand
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257Mrs. Penrose slammed her hand on the table, the sharp sound echoing in the tense silence. “Enough!” she barked, her piercing gaze landing on Allvar. “Who do you think you are, coming into my home and stirring up trouble on my *birthday* of all days?”Allvar remained calm, though his jaw tightened ever so slightly. “With all due respect, Mrs. Penrose, I’m only trying to ensure—”“I don’t need your interference!” she snapped, cutting him off. “This is a family matter, and you are *not* family. How dare you ruin my special evening?”“Grandma, Allvar is only trying to help,” Lily interjected, her voice pleading.“Help?” Mrs. Penrose scoffed, her glare shifting to Lily. “By accusing Tobias of baseless nonsense in front of everyone? No, Lily, you’ve been stirring up drama for years, and now you’ve roped this man into your schemes.”“Schemes?” Lily repeated, her voice cracking. “Grandma, I’m telling the truth! Tobias has been manipulating you for years. Can’t you see it?”“Tobias has bee
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256As the door to the dining room shut behind Mrs. Penrose and Tobias, Lily turned to Allvar, her voice trembling with frustration. “He’s wormed his way into her trust for years, and she always believes him over me. Always.”Allvar folded his arms, his gaze still fixed on the now-closed door. “Trust me, Lily. Tobias just played his hand. The more desperate he gets, the sloppier his lies will become. We’ll catch him.”Lily frowned, shaking her head. “It won’t matter. Grandma’s too stubborn to see reason when it comes to Tobias. He could light the house on fire, and she’d still blame me.”Before Allvar could respond, the door creaked open, and a soft voice interrupted them. “Lily?”Lily turned to see her younger cousin, Clara, peeking into the room, her wide eyes darting nervously between Lily and Allvar. “I... I think I saw something,” Clara whispered.“What did you see?” Lily asked, stepping toward her.Clara hesitated, wringing her hands. “I didn’t want to say anything earlier becau
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255Tobias’s anger dissolved into feigned sorrow as he turned to Lily’s grandmother, his expression desperate and pitiable. “Mrs. Penrose,” he began, his voice trembling, “I’m so sorry you had to see this. I never wanted it to come to this point, but Allvar has been trying to turn Lily against me. He’s been manipulating her, feeding her lies about me. I only wanted to protect her.” Lily’s jaw dropped. “What? That’s not true, Grandma! He’s lying!” Mrs. Penrose held up a hand, silencing Lily. “Tobias,” she said softly, her piercing eyes fixed on him. “You’ve always been like family to us. Tell me exactly what happened.” Tobias cast a quick glance at Allvar, his expression carefully crafted into one of righteous indignation. “It all started when Allvar came into the picture. He’s been filling Lily’s head with nonsense, telling her I’m possessive and controlling. I only care about her well-being, Mrs. Penrose. I’d never hurt her. But he... he’s turned her against me.” “That’s not
