Family on Their Knees Heart Turned to Ice novel Chapter 776

Lillian spent the entire day holed up in the factory, only stepping away when Victor arrived in the afternoon to take over her shift.

Celia Bennett didn't disappoint. "Ms. Mercer, I had another breakthrough," she said. "Since we're rebuilding the equipment anyway, I think we can integrate your programming to push for a major upgrade. The previous version was great, but we can make this one even better."

"Are you sure?" Lillian asked.

"Positive. Not only will the performance improve, but it won't affect our timeline. We can still get it done in two weeks. I ran the numbers last night, and it's absolutely feasible," Celia confirmed.

Lillian smiled. "You really are incredible, Miss Bennett. You never let me down. Let's do it your way. Give it a shot."

"Ms. Mercer, you should head back," Victor urged. "Mr. Hayes is waiting for you to deal with Miss Bennett's family situation."

Lillian nodded and turned to Celia. "Do you want to come by later? Just to get one last look before they're gone?"

"I don't want to see them," Celia said softly. "I don't want to see any of them. All they've ever given me is trauma. Looking at them will only drag up everything I've had to endure."

Lillian gently squeezed her shoulder. "This is probably the last time you'll ever cross paths with them in this lifetime. If you change your mind, come over. I'll text you the location. You can stay out of sight; they won't even know you're there."

"I'll think about it."

In truth, Celia much preferred pouring every ounce of her energy into her work. At least her career offered positive returns. The Bennett family—those parasitic leeches—left her with nothing but suffocating despair. Just thinking about them made her blood run cold.

Lillian didn't push the issue, leaving the choice entirely in her hands. After leaving the factory, Lillian immediately met up with Ethan to handle the rest of the Bennett family.

Now, she had technically made it out of the mountains, but she was still chained to the toxic fate of her parents. It was a heartbreaking reality.

Lillian slipped Dolores's documents into her own purse for safekeeping.

Then she turned to Ethan. "I spoke with Celia on the phone last night. This kid isn't like the rest of them. Later, find an opening to pull the girl aside and leave her with me. Celia wants to take her in. Once the rest of this awful family is shipped off, their future will be bleak. If little Dolores goes with them, her life will be pure hell."

"There are countless families just like the Bennetts back in those mountains," Ethan sighed. "Who knows how many other little girls are doomed to a life like that."

"There are always exceptions," Lillian said firmly. "Like Miss Bennett. There's always a chance to break the cycle. Fate isn't just handed to you; you have to fight for it."