At Ethan's command, the Emperor Group terminated all cooperation with the Miller group.
Not only were the projects that had not yet begun immediately terminated, but ongoing projects also had their funding withdrawn.
Banks were demanding repayment of loans from the Miller family group.
Suddenly, the Miller family group found itself in an unprecedented crisis.
Lloyd Miller didn't understand why Ethan suddenly decided to cut off all ties with the Miller family group. He immediately contacted Ethan.
However, Ethan only gave three words: "Ask your daughter."
Then he promptly hung up the phone.
When Lloyd tried calling again, it showed that the call couldn't be connected.
He knew he had been blocked by Ethan.
He rushed back home and saw Suzy crying bitterly and Sarah looking anxious.
He genuinely liked Suzy, being his daughter with Sarah. She had been outstanding since childhood, and later, she even gave birth to a son for Ethan, allowing him to become Ethan's father-in-law, bringing numerous benefits to the Miller family group.
So, he usually couldn't bear to say anything harsh to his daughter, always pampering her with gifts and affection.
However, this time, his tone was significantly harsher than before.
"Suzy, what's going on? Why did Mr. Steele suddenly terminate all cooperation with the Miller group? Did you offend him?"
At his words, Suzy cried even harder.
"It's all because of Samantha. If it weren't for her, why would Mr. Steele treat me like this? She's just like her mother, both scheming and harmful... Her mother made my mom forced to become a third party, and she made me get dumped by Mr. Steele..."
Her words made Lloyd's face darken.
"What do you mean? Mr. Steele dumped you?"
Bringing up this matter made Suzy even more aggrieved.
"Haven't you seen the news? Mr. Steele and I canceled our engagement, and he even forbids me from entering Chelsea Creek. There's no hope for me to marry into the Steele family anymore."
Lloyd furrowed his brow and immediately took out his phone.
As expected, the internet was flooded with news about Ethan and Suzy calling off their engagement.
At the same time, a news story of comparable popularity caught his attention.
The headline read: #Epic Drama in the Wealthy Family - Younger Sister Falsely Accuses and Frames Elder Sister, Ending in Backfire#
For some reason, Lloyd had a strong premonition.
This news must also be related to Suzy.
Driven by intense curiosity, he opened the news link.
After reading the content, his face instantly turned as dark as the bottom of a pot.
Fury surged to his head, and he fiercely slammed the phone onto Suzy's head, saying, "You disgraceful thing! How could you bring such shame upon me?"
Caught off guard, Suzy's forehead was hit hard by the phone, creating a large wound from which blood flowed.
Suzy, in pain, with a pale face, stared at Lloyd. She couldn't believe that her doting father would actually lay hands on her. All of this was brought upon her by Samantha.
Sarah immediately used tissue to press against her wound, angrily yelling, "This is clearly Samantha's fault. Why did you hit Suzy? If Samantha stayed out of trouble, kept her distance from Ethan, would Suzy do this? But no, she actually collaborated with the Stanton family to set up Suzy. She's truly a treacherous person. Despite my previous efforts for her, she ended up like this."
As she spoke, she even squeezed out two tears, pretending to wipe them away sorrowfully.
"My life is truly miserable. If I had known it would turn out like this, I would have just married anyone back then. Today, such a thing wouldn't have happened! What's the use of true love? It only brings humiliation to my daughter."
Lloyd lost his temper at the instant she started crying.
Sitting behind her, he softly comforted her, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to. I was just too angry."
Sarah seized this opportunity to tighten her grip on him.
Seeing him bow his head, a hint of triumph flashed in her eyes, even though her voice was louder with fake crying.
"Suzy is also a victim. Her fiancé was snatched away by Samantha. Who can understand her grievances? Yet, you come back without asking for the truth and just hit her! She is my flesh and blood, if you don't care for her, I will. If you want to hit someone, hit me. She is my daughter, and I am the one at fault."
Her words successfully shifted Lloyd's anger onto Samantha.
Lloyd immediately checked Suzy's wound, apologized to her with regret, "Suzy, I'm sorry, Dad lost control just now. Are you okay? Let me see..."
Suzy, seeing an opportunity to gain sympathy, didn't hold onto her anger. She threw herself into Lloyd's arms, crying heartbreakingly.
"Dad, you have to stand up for me! I really like Ethan, I can't live without him. When Samantha comes back, she snatched my man intentionally..."
The anger in Lloyd's heart surged.
"Don't worry, Dad won't let her succeed!"
After saying this, he handed Suzy over to Sarah and left angrily.
Watching his figure disappear at the door, Sarah's tears disappeared, replaced by a smug expression.
"With your dad stepping in, he will definitely force Samantha to leave Mr. Steele. Rest assured! Mr. Steele is yours, and Samantha will never be able to snatch him away."
Back then, Samantha's dead mother wasn't her opponent.
Now, she absolutely couldn't be her daughter's opponent.
...
After leaving home, Lloyd immediately called Samantha.
Samantha was busy packing her things.
Seeing the incoming call, she sneered.
Four whole years.
Her father had never called her.
Although she changed all her contact information, if her father really wanted to find her, he could have. But he didn't. He only announced their separation in the newspapers, severing their father-daughter relationship.
Now, Suzy was in trouble, and he finally came looking for her.
Huh...
Samantha sneered inwardly and answered the phone leisurely, "What's the matter?"
Her voice was indifferent, devoid of any emotion.
Lloyd's tone was even more cold and indifferent, condescending, "Where are you now? I want to see you!"
Samantha scoffed, "Who are you? Do I know you? If I remember correctly, four years ago, you already announced in the newspapers that we severed our father-daughter relationship. If that's the case, why should I see you?"
Lloyd emphasized, "Samantha, I am your father. My blood runs through your veins. This is an unchangeable fact."
Samantha bitterly closed her eyes.
Yes!
No matter what happened, her veins still carried Lloyd's blood. That was an unchangeable fact.
"One hour later, Summer Bar. Be there or be square!"
After saying this, she hung up the phone.
She knew what she was about to face.
But deep down, an uncontrollable spark of hope ignited.
But soon, her hope was shattered...
The moment Lloyd appeared, without asking for any explanation, he raised his hand and slapped Samantha across the face.
Samantha's head was knocked to the side, her cheek burning, and her lip split open. The pungent taste of blood instantly filled her mouth.
***