I Married My Ex's Billionaire Father-Chapter 189: Stripped Of Her Dignity

The sun streamed through the large windows of Levi’s penthouse, casting a warm glow across the tastefully decorated living room. Lyse and Levi were enjoying a rare moment of peace, curled up on the plush sofa, a comfortable silence enveloping them.

They had spent the day simply enjoying each other’s company, a stark contrast to the chaos and uncertainty of the past days. They talked, they laughed, they simply existed in each other’s presence, grateful for the normalcy that had finally returned to their lives.

Suddenly, the tranquility was shattered by the jarring sound of Lottie’s voice booming from the television. Lyse, who had been idly flipping through channels, froze, her blood running cold. There, on the screen, was Lottie, her face contorted with anger, her voice dripping with venom.

"...and I tell you," Lottie was saying, her voice laced with dramatic flair, "that man, Levi Van Doren, has escaped justice once again! He’s a murderer! He killed my husband, he killed those two young people, and he has gotten away with it! It is a travesty, He is a monster!"

Lyse stared at the television in disbelief, her mouth agape. Her mother, still publicly accusing Levi of murder, even after he had been exonerated. Even after the truth had come out. It was unbelievable.

"That’s it!" Lyse exclaimed, her voice rising in anger. She grabbed the remote and switched off the television, the abrupt silence amplifying her fury.

"I have had enough! This is too much!"

She turned to Levi, her face flushed with rage. "Levi, you have to sue her!" she demanded. "You have to! She can’t keep doing this! She’s ruining your reputation! She’s slandering you!"

Levi sighed, his expression weary. He reached out and took Lyse’s hand, his touch calming. "Lyse," he said, his voice gentle, "I can’t sue your mother."

Lyse stared at him in disbelief. "What? Why not?"

"She’s grieving," Levi said. "She’s lost her husband, and she’s looking for someone to lash out at. I understand her pain. I can’t...I can’t do that to her."

Lyse’s anger flared. "But what about you?" she argued. "What about your reputation? What about everything you have been through? She’s destroying you! She’s making you look like a criminal!"

"I know," Levi said. "But I can’t bring myself to do it. She is your mother, Lyse. I respect that. And I respect her pain, even if it’s misguided."

Lyse felt a wave of frustration wash over her. She understood Levi’s compassion, but she couldn’t understand his inaction. Her mother’s accusations were not only hurtful, they were damaging. They were jeopardizing Levi’s future, his career, his life.

"How is it going to look if I come after your mother, simply because she slandered me on tv?" Levi asked patient."

"This isn’t right," she said, her voice trembling with anger. "She can’t just get away with this."

Levi squeezed her hand gently. "I won’t let her get away with it, Lyse," he said. "I promise you that. But I will handle it my own way."

"How?" Lyse asked, her voice filled with skepticism. "How can you stop her without suing her?"

"There are other ways," Levi said, a glint of determination in his eyes. "And I will make sure she understands the consequences of her actions."

"I feel so guilty, she is my mother." Lyse said sadly.

While she had no expected her mother’s sympathy, she had also hoped that with the new info about Levi’s innocence she would back down instead of doubling down.

"Let’s not think about all of that." Levi said and held Lyse’s face. "Why don’t we go somewhere sunny and Sandy after you have won the competition?"

Lyse raised her eyebrows at him. "How sure are you that I will win?" She asked.

"Because i know that I have a very capable and talented wife," he said confidently. "I expect nothing less than excellence from you."

Lyse blushed at his compliment, she felt a burst of energy. She was motivated even more by his words and she imagined spending all day lazing around while the waves lulled her to sleep beside Levi.

*

Anya sat in her living room, a half-empty glass of wine in her hand when her phone buzzed, interrupting her thoughts. It was a message from her manager. Anya frowned, a sense of foreboding washing over her. She knew this was not going to be good.

She opened the message, her eyes scanning the words. Her heart sank. She was no longer going to be a judge on the prestigious Golden Fleece competition. The words seemed to blur on the screen, each one a hammer blow to her already fragile ego.

"What?" she muttered aloud, rereading the message several times as if the words would change.

She quickly typed a reply, her fingers trembling with anger. "What do you mean I’m no longer a judge? What happened?"

The response came almost immediately. "The planning committee has discovered that you have personal ties to one of the competitors, Ms. Anya."

Anya’s blood ran cold. She knew exactly who they were talking about. Lyse, Levi. That arrogant, self-righteous man. He had done this. She had no doubt in her mind. He had used his influence, his connections, to get her removed from the competition. The thought filled her with a burning rage.

She fired off another message, her fingers flying across the keyboard. "Personal ties? What personal ties? I made a statement, yes, but it was based on past events. It had nothing to do with any personal ties!"

"The committee has evidence to the contrary, Ms. Anya," her manager replied. "They have decided to proceed without you. I am sorry."

Anya’s hands clenched into fists. Evidence? What evidence could they possibly have? This was the worst time for this to happen to her, she needed this job. High profile modeling jobs were not coming like they used to and her income wells were drying up. She could not afford to lose this job.

She paced the room, her anger growing with each step. She had been so close. The Golden Fleece competition was her chance to shine, to solidify her position as one of the most respected people in the fashion industry. And now, thanks to Levi, it was all gone. She had been stripped of her dignity.