Chapter 37
Lucinda pushed open the front door. The living room lights were still on.
Valencia stood up from the sofa and hurried over, her gaze sweeping over her daughter to confirm she was safe before letting out a relieved breath. "Cindy, you're back. Why so late? Have you eaten?"
"I have."
Lucinda changed into slippers and walked inside.
Tamsin had just messaged her about a major client willing to spend five hundred million dollars to purchase Amy's entire upcoming jewelry collection ahead of release. The collection was mostly finished, but some details still needed refining—she had to get started right away.
Valencia followed beside her, her gaze landing on the deep blue ring on Lucinda's finger. Her steps paused.
She opened her mouth, then turned to glance at Wesley.
Wesley also rose from the sofa, his eyes settling on the ring. A flicker of surprise crossed his face.
He knew quality when he saw it. The craftsmanship of that ring, the color of the gemstone—it was clearly no ordinary piece. It was the kind of heirloom that couldn't be bought at any price.
"Cindy, that ring..." Valencia ventured cautiously.
Lucinda glanced down at the ring on her finger, her tone calm. "Mr. Hayden Lancaster gave it to me."
Valencia's eyes lit up instantly. She exchanged a look with Wesley, unable to suppress the smile spreading across her face.
If Hayden had given her something like this, the marriage was as good as sealed.
She took Lucinda's hand, looking more and more pleased, then asked again, "Should I have Uma heat up some soup for you?"
"No need. I really did eat." Lucinda headed toward the stairs. After two steps, she stopped. "I'm going up now. I have some things to take care of."
"What things?" Wesley followed, concern in his voice. "It's so late—you're still working?"
Lucinda stood on the stairs, thought for a moment, and decided not to hide it. "I opened a small online shop. A client placed an order. I need to get it done."
Wesley's brow furrowed.
Valencia hurried over as well, her face full of worry. "Cindy, you're running your own shop? If you need money, just tell us. We'll give you—"
"It's not necessary." Lucinda shook her head. "I have enough. I just don't want to be idle."
Wesley looked at his daughter's earnest expression, silent for a moment. Then he pulled a bank card from his pocket and held it out to her.
This card had a higher limit than the others he'd given her before—it was a core family member card for the Douglas Group. Only a few people in the entire Douglas family had one.
"Take it. We're not telling you not to work. We just don't want you pushing yourself too hard. If you want to run a business, I'll invest in it. Don't shoulder everything alone."
Valencia nodded quickly. "That's right. Your father's absolutely right. You just got back—don't wear yourself out. If you want to do something, tell me. I'll support you. But don't stay up late, and don't overwork yourself—"
Lucinda looked at the two faces in front of her, both filled with worry and care. She glanced at the card Wesley held out, and something in a quiet corner of her heart stirred gently.
"I really don't need it." She pushed the card back, the corner of her mouth lifting slightly. "I have enough. As for work, I can handle it myself."
Valencia was about to say more, but Wesley placed a hand on hers.
He was silent for a moment before speaking. "Fine. You don't want the card, you don't have to take it."
Lucinda thought the matter was settled and was about to turn and go upstairs when Wesley added, "Then take this company instead."
She froze, turning back around.
Wesley had already picked up his phone and dialed a number, his tone brooking no argument. "Transfer that tech company in the southern district into Lucinda's name. Yes, right now. We'll handle the paperwork tomorrow."
"Dad, I don't—"
"You won't take the card, so you'll take the company." Wesley hung up and looked at her, his gaze firm. "It's not some huge corporation—just a small tech firm. Take it and practice running it. Manage it if you want. Leave it alone if you don't. There are professional managers watching over it—it won't lose money."
He paused, then added, "You just got back. You need to have something of your own. This is how we show we care."
Valencia chimed in quickly. "Exactly. You won't take the card, so you have to take the company. Otherwise, we won't be able to rest easy."
Her eyes began to redden again. "You were out there alone for so many years, and we never gave you anything..."
Lucinda looked at the two faces in front of her—both clearly saying, 'If you don't accept this, we won't sleep tonight'—and stayed silent for two seconds before nodding. "All right. I'll take it."
Only then did Valencia's face brighten. She patted Lucinda's hand. "That's my good girl. Go ahead and get your work done. Just don't stay up too late."
Lucinda turned and headed upstairs.
When she reached the landing, she heard Valencia's hushed voice below, unable to hide her joy. "Wesley, did you see the ring on Cindy's finger?"
"I did."
"That's the ring passed down from Hayden's late wife. It's only worn by the matriarch of the Lancaster family." Valencia's voice was soft and quick. "If he gave her that, it means he's completely accepted Cindy."
Wesley hummed in acknowledgment, his tone steady but with a slight upward lilt at the end—carrying a hint of pride. "Hayden's son has good taste."
"Then we need to start preparing right away." Valencia's voice grew more excited. "The wedding can't be shabby. It has to match Cindy's status. Let me think—those storefronts in the eastern district, that estate in the western suburbs, and—"
"Take your time. No rush." Wesley interrupted her, amusement in his voice. "Let the kids handle their own affairs."
In the shadows, Dahlia stood in the darkened hallway, her fingers clenched tightly around the staircase railing.
The tech company in the southern district. The matriarch's ring from the Lancaster family. The storefronts in the east. The estate in the west.
Mom and Dad were discussing the wedding. Discussing how to give Lucinda all the best things.
She'd been in the Douglas family for twenty years and had never received anything.
Lucinda—a country bumpkin from the slums—what gave her the right to take so much?
She turned and went back to her room, closing the door behind her and leaning against it, shutting her eyes.
Her chest felt like it was being crushed by a stone, suffocating her.
Ever since Lucinda came back, nothing had gone her way.
No. She had to do something to relax, or one day, the anger would kill her.
She took a deep breath, picked up her phone, and dialed a number.
"Dahlia?" A lazy voice came through—her friend Hazel Carter.
"Are you free this weekend?" Dahlia's voice had returned to its usual sweetness, but the light in her eyes was cold as ice. "Get a few people together. We're going to La Perle Blanche. My treat."
"La Perle Blanche?" Hazel's voice shot up. "That's the most expensive place in Starlight City! Did you win the lottery or something?"
"Win what lottery?" Dahlia laughed lightly, her tone airy. "I'm just in a bad mood and feel like spending money. You handle getting people together. I'll handle the bill."
"Awesome! I won't hold back then!"
Dahlia hung up and tossed her phone onto the bed.
She walked to the window, looking out at the heavy darkness of the night, and her lips curved upward.
When you're in a bad mood, you spend money.
Buying that Vortexal had nearly emptied her account, but she still had enough for a meal.
As for later... she had plenty of ways to make the money back.
In her room, Lucinda sat at her computer until late into the night.
The design on the screen was revised again and again, every detail precise down to the millimeter.
Her fingers moved swiftly across the drawing tablet, her gaze focused and calm—like a precision instrument.
Her phone lit up once. She ignored it.
It lit up again. Still ignored.
When it lit up a third time, she finally reached over and glanced at it.
Three messages, all from Reginald.
First: [Did you get home?]
Second: [Were you tired today?]
Third came with a location pin—his home address—and a few words: [I'm home. Good night.]
Lucinda stared at the three messages on the screen and tilted her head in confusion.
Was he... reporting his whereabouts to her?
She thought for a moment and replied: [Got it.]
Then, after another thought, added: [Good night.]
She put the phone back down and returned to editing her design.