?Chapter 78:


    Lise struggled to keep her smile from faltering. She responded with a soft voice, “Mom, with everything our family is going through, I want to see if there’s anything I can do to support you and Dad.”


    Sharon’s tension eased, her heart warmed by Lise’s words. Parents usually didn’t expect anything in return from their children. Their joyrgely came from knowing their child cared about the family. She grasped Lise’s hand and let out a deep sigh.


    “We do need your help now, Lise. Please hand over the bank card your dad gave you and the luxury items I bought for you. The money could make a significant difference in getting us out of this crisis.”


    Lise’s smile wavered; her teeth clenched tightly. “The resale value of those items drops if they are second-hand. Even though they were expensive when new, you will only get half of what they cost, at best. It’s hardly worth it.”


    Sharon’s face tightened with worry, her resentment toward the Guerrero family intensifying. If it weren’t for the Guerrero family, their tax evasion would not have been exposed.


    “Every little bit helps. We are running out of options. We have just a week to raise the money. If we fail and thepany goes under, your dad will end up in jail.” Sharon paused, as if remembering something, then added, “Do not worry. Once things improve, I will buy more luxuries for you.”


    Lise could not suppress a sneer. Her mother must have thought she was naive. Even if they managed to pay off the debt, keeping the Bailey family’spany afloat would be an uphill battle. The idea that her mother would buy more luxury items wasughable.


    Just then, Jeff emerged from the study, his gaze settling on Lise, who looked conflicted. With a frown, he said, “We are in a crisis, Lise. Now is the time for us to stand together and face it head-on. I hope you will not disappoint us.”


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    Though he had always been fond of Lise, the gravity of the situation made him more pragmatic than Sharon. He could sense her hesitation to part with her card and luxuries. His tone carried an unmistakable warning.


    Lise’s heart raced. She quickly responded, “You misunderstood me, Dad. I would never disappoint you. I was just thinking that even if we sold all my luxury items, it wouldn’t be enough. Where else can we find the money we need?”


    Sharon quickly picked up on the tension in the air and shot a sharp look at Jeff. “Lise is our daughter; she cares about this family. Do you think she is anything like Katelyn, that ungrateful brat? Not a single call from her after everything we’ve been through. We spent years raising her, pouring our hearts into it. I would have rather raised a dog than someone so thankless.”


    Lise suddenly had an idea. She had nearly forgotten about Katelyn. Not too long ago, Katelyn had wired a billion to sever ties with the Bailey family. It wouldn’t be difficult for Katelyn to offer more. With Aimee’s and Vincent’s considerable wealth, Katelyn could easily request a loan from either of them.


    Excitedly, Lise sped Sharon’s hand. “Katelyn has plenty of money. We can ask her to help us get through this tough time.”


    If Katelyn covered their financial gap, the Bailey family would not lose a dime, and Lise could keep her status. The Bailey family wouldn’t face decline.


    Sharon was momentarily stunned, but then eagerly agreed, “You’re absolutely right. How did I forget about her? It’s time that ungrateful girl repaid us for raising her. She must give us all the money we need to cover the taxes.”


    As Jeff listened to the two women talk about Katelyn like she was some rich fool, he frowned and said, “You should let go of that idea. Katelyn already paid us to sever ties. Do you really think she’s going to help us after everything that has happened between us?”


    After they brought Lise back into their lives, they shattered whatever trust Katelyn had left. No one in their right mind would be willing to offer them help after that.


    Sharon shot him an irritated look and scoffed dismissively. “Not everything can be resolved with money. I will call her right now.”


    With that, she dialed Katelyn’s number.


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