Chapter 177
The table fell silent.
Wallace glanced at Harold. Seeing no indication that his father intended to speak, Wallace swallowed his words despite his frustration.
Only after dinner did he broach the subject again. "In just a few years, Charles has built Everpine Group from nothing into something impressive. If he were to bring Everpine under the Lancaster Group umbrella, it could be a tremendous asset for our future development."
Wallace's praise for Charles was unmistakable.
Harold sat on the sofa while Sterling methodically prepared tea nearby. Charles sat properly at the farthest spot from Harold, waiting for his grandfather's response.
"Ster, what do you think?" Harold asked his youngest son lazily.
Sterling continued brewing, responding with casual indifference. "I'll defer to your judgment, Father."
It was the same answer he'd given when Harold proposed bringing Wallace back to the Lancaster Group.
Harold was well aware of Wallace's recent complaints about Sterling. Nevertheless, he had no intention of intervening.
In his view, helping Wallace return to the Lancaster Group and giving him a chance to compete with Sterling was already generous enough. Whether Wallace could actually outmaneuver Sterling depended entirely on his own abilities.
Now it seemed Wallace couldn't handle Sterling alone and wanted to bring in reinforcements. The question was whether Sterling would allow it.
Harold gave the three younger men a meaningful look before settling his gaze on Charles. "What about you, Charles? Did you leave the Lancaster Group because of that woman?"
Charles suppressed his eagerness, maintaining a respectful demeanor. "Grandfather, I only wanted to prove myself. Now that Everpine Group has developed sufficiently, I'd be willing to return and contribute what I can to the Lancaster Group."
The implication was clear—he was ready to come back.
Harold understood immediately that the two must have already discussed this privately. The final decision, however, still depended on Sterling.
"Return if you wish, but the Lancaster Group doesn't clean up other people's messes," Sterling said, finishing brewing the tea. He poured cups for himself and Harold, passing one to his father.
Wallace and Charles sat with nothing before them. Both frowned almost simultaneously.
Hearing Sterling's comment, Wallace gave Charles a suspicious look.
Charles tensed inwardly but maintained his composure. "Of course. Everpine Group has always conducted business ethically. There's nothing for Uncle Sterling to worry about."
Sterling glanced at him sideways. "I heard you invested in a film production base a few years ago. How's that going?"
Charles's expression froze instantly. He cautiously assessed Sterling's face, his mind racing through possibilities.
Ultimately deciding not to risk lying, he admitted, "It hasn't officially launched yet. Everpine was just starting then, and in my youthful enthusiasm, I jumped in when I heard it was quite profitable. Looking back, it was a mistake."
Sterling let out a meaningful scoff. "Was it? The 'quite profitable' part was certainly true though."
Charles's face drained of color.
Wallace, noticing his nephew's reaction, silently cursed Charles for keeping secrets from him. Nevertheless, he quickly changed the subject.
"The entertainment industry has been booming these past years. Once the production base is operational, it will eventually become profitable."
"Besides, since Charles has decided to marry the Smith girl, her family will become an asset to the Lancaster Group after their wedding."
Wallace spoke as though he had everything planned out.
Harold, the consummate businessman, would inevitably relent if Charles could bring value to the Lancaster Group. Indeed, Harold's expression had already softened somewhat.
Charles, however, had stopped mentioning his return to the Lancaster Group. Instead, he kept studying Sterling's face.
Earlier that morning, he had intended to attend the funeral and see Willow. But just as he was leaving, he received a call from his company about a project crisis—a partner had suddenly backed out of a deal. He'd had no choice but to head to the office instead.
Charles had thought it was simply bad luck. Now it seemed more like someone had orchestrated the situation. That someone must be Sterling.
Sterling must have attended Hannah's funeral today. Otherwise, how would he know so much about the film production base?
And his reason for attending the funeral...
Willow's face flashed through Charles's mind.
For a moment, even in Harold's presence, he struggled to maintain his composure.
He couldn't help wondering—if Sterling knew, did Willow know too? If she did, she must hate him now.
After a pause, Charles casually remarked, "I do plan to marry Rachel, though I have some concerns. Uncle Sterling, as my elder, you have remained unmarried for so long. If I, a younger family member, remarry so quickly, wouldn't that reflect poorly on both our reputations?"
He stared directly at Sterling.
Since Sterling was making things difficult for him, he wouldn't make it easy for Sterling either.
At his words, everyone except Sterling looked startled, uncertain why Charles had brought this up.
Charles continued, "I've heard the mayor's daughter has been interested in you for some time. If you were to marry her, it would be a tremendous advantage for the Lancaster Group."
Harold's expression shifted as he turned to his youngest son. "Ster, is what Charles saying true?"
Sterling gave Charles a heavy look before answering Harold. "It was just a joke at a banquet years ago. Nothing serious. She's been abroad for some time now."
Harold relaxed at this explanation.
Sterling continued, "As for Charles's concerns, if I recall correctly, your marriage was never made public. The outside world won't know about your divorce—they'll simply think you and Rachel are a natural match. How could there be rumors about a second marriage?"
Charles clenched his jaw.
His secret marriage to Willow had always been a sore point. He hadn't wanted to shortchange her, but what could he do when the Lancaster family wouldn't accept her? Giving her a wedding ceremony was the most dignity he could offer.
"Uncle Sterling, don't be so quick to judge. When it's your turn, you might not do any better!" Charles blurted out in response to Sterling's cold mockery.
Sterling's lips curled slightly, but he didn't respond. Having learned what Charles had done, he refused to put himself in the same category.
"Henry invited me for drinks. Father, if there's nothing else, I'll be going now." Sterling stood up.
Harold sensed the strange atmosphere between Sterling and Charles. It reminded him of when Sterling first returned and the family had dinner together with Willow present, causing a scene.
Now, though neither had mentioned Willow's name, her presence somehow weighed on Harold's mind—especially when Charles also asked to leave right after Sterling.
After they both left, Harold kept Wallace behind.
"Charles made a valid point. It's time we arranged a marriage for Ster."