Chapter 57
The security guard held out a hand to stop Dahlia. She lifted her chin, her tone measured and poised. "I'm from the Douglas family. I'm here to wish Mr. Hayden Lancaster a happy birthday. Please inform him."
The guard glanced at her, his tone distant. "Ms. Douglas, Mr. Hayden Lancaster is not receiving visitors today. Please go home."
Dahlia's smile froze for a beat, but she quickly steadied herself. She pulled out her phone, scrolled through her messages, and showed the screen to the guard. "Look. This is a message Mr. Hayden Lancaster sent me earlier. He said I should stop by the house when I had time. Today's his birthday, so I thought I'd visit. I don't mean any harm."
The guard looked down at the screen. It was indeed a message sent from Hayden's account.
He hesitated, then stepped aside slightly. "You may enter. But Mr. Hayden Lancaster isn't feeling well and can't sit for long. Once you've said what you came to say, please see yourself out."
Dahlia nodded and walked in, carrying her gift box.
Her steps were steady, her spine straight, but her heart pounded like a drum.
She was in.
In the dining room, Hayden sat at the head of the table. Reginald sat beside him, and Lucinda sat on Hayden's other side. The atmosphere was warm.
Dahlia stood in the doorway to the living room, staring at the scene. Her fingers tightened around the handle of the gift bag.
Lucinda sat beside Hayden. Hayden looked at her like she was his own granddaughter. And the way Reginald looked at her...
Like she was his entire world.
Dahlia took a deep breath, swallowed the bitterness rising in her throat, plastered on a sweet smile, and walked over gracefully.
"Mr. Hayden Lancaster, happy birthday." She placed the gift box on the dining table and bowed slightly, her tone obedient. "This is a small token of my affection. I hope you like it."
Hayden's smile faded slightly.
He glanced at Dahlia. His gaze wasn't warm like it had been when he looked at Lucinda.
"Ah, the Douglas girl. That's thoughtful of you." He paused, his tone flat. "Just leave the gift. I'm not feeling well and can't chat for long. If there's nothing else, you should head home."
Dahlia's smile stiffened.
She hadn't expected Hayden to be so blunt—not even offering her a seat, just showing her the door immediately.
Her gaze swept over Lucinda.
Lucinda sat there, fork and knife in hand, eating calmly. She didn't spare Dahlia a single glance, as if she didn't exist at all.
"Mr. Hayden Lancaster, I—" Dahlia opened her mouth, trying to say something.
"Go home." Hayden's tone remained polite, but a trace of impatience crept in. "I appreciate the thought. Drive safely."
Dahlia's nails dug into her palms.
She bit her lip, forced back the tears threatening to spill, and managed a tight smile. "Then please rest well. I'll come visit you another day."
She turned and walked out, her steps steady, her back straight.
When she reached the door, she couldn't help but glance back.
Lucinda sat in the same position, not even lifting her eyes.
Reginald was reaching over to serve her more food, his gaze impossibly tender.
Hayden was smiling, saying something to Lucinda, the wrinkles on his face smoothing out.
Dahlia pulled her gaze away and walked quickly out the front door.
She stood on the steps, took a deep breath, and forced down the rage rising in her chest.
Ridiculous.
She'd spent twenty years in the Douglas family. The first time she came to the Lancaster family, she didn't even get offered a cup of tea.
Meanwhile, Lucinda waltzed in and sat there like royalty. Hayden doted on her like a granddaughter. Reginald couldn't take his eyes off her.
What did Lucinda have that she didn't? She hadn't done a thing, yet she sat effortlessly in a position Dahlia couldn't reach.
She clenched her fists, her nails biting into her palms.
She glanced back at the Lancaster Estate gates, the light in her eyes cold as poison.
After Dahlia left, the Lancaster Estate returned to its peaceful quiet.
Reginald cut a piece of cheese-crusted lobster and placed it on Lucinda's plate.
His movements were natural. Lucinda glanced up at him but said nothing. She ate the lobster.
Reginald's lips curved slightly. He ladled a spoonful of truffle mushroom bisque into her bowl.
Hayden held his wine glass, pretending to look out at the garden, but his eyes were glued to them the whole time.
He watched Lucinda drink the soup Reginald served her. Watched Reginald fork a piece of short rib onto her plate. Watched their gazes meet briefly and then dart away. Hayden nodded with satisfaction, mentally giving his son a thumbs-up.
"Lucinda, eat more." Hayden personally forked a piece of roasted salmon and placed it in Lucinda's bowl. "You're too thin. Reginald, how are you taking care of her?"
Reginald glanced at his father but didn't respond. Instead, he added a serving of crème brûlée to Lucinda's plate.
Lucinda looked at the overflowing plate in front of her. Her mouth twitched. "That's enough. Really."
"Not enough, not enough. You've barely eaten anything." Hayden waved his hand. "Young people need to eat more."
The meal lasted nearly two hours.
Hayden was in excellent spirits. He drank three glasses of wine, told over a dozen stories from his youth. When he reached the funny parts, he slapped the table and laughed. When he reached the moving parts, his eyes reddened.
Lucinda listened quietly, occasionally responding, occasionally refilling his tea.
Reginald sat across from them, spending most of his time watching Lucinda and only occasionally glancing at his father.
After the meal, Lucinda's phone buzzed.
She looked down. It was a message from Kenna: [Boss, there are a few documents at Ridgeway Tech waiting for your signature. The new project proposal from BlueWave Tech just came in too. When's a good time for you to review them?]
She finished reading and was about to excuse herself when she looked up and found Reginald already standing beside her.
She didn't know when he'd moved, but now he stood there like a wall, his gaze fixed on the lit phone screen. His brow furrowed slightly, his lips turned down in a pout. He looked like a kid whose candy had been stolen.
"Leaving already?" His voice was low and sulky, carrying a tone that said, 'I don't want you to go, but if you have to, I can't stop you.'
"Yes. I need to go back and make money." Lucinda stood and nodded to Hayden. "Thank you for your hospitality. I—"
"Wait." Reginald cut her off. He pulled a black card from his pocket, holding it delicately between two long fingers, and held it out to her.
Lucinda glanced down at the card.
An unlimited black card. One of only a handful in the world. Supposedly, you could swipe it to buy a rocket.
She looked back up at him. His expression was serious, his gaze firm, his lips even carrying a hint of pride. He looked almost like a child.
"What's this for?" she asked.
"You just said you need to go back and make money." Reginald said. "There's enough money on this card to last you a lifetime. Take it. Give yourself the day off. Think of it as... your paycheck for spending the day with me."
Lucinda looked at him. She stayed silent for two seconds.
Only one thought crossed her mind: Has this man been reading too many CEO romance novels?
She took a deep breath, swallowing the urge to laugh and cry at the same time.
"Reginald, I have work to do." She pushed the card back, her tone patient, like she was reasoning with a three-year-old. "This isn't about money. My work can only be done by me. No one else can do it."
Reginald's hand froze mid-air, the card still extended. Disappointment flickered in his eyes.
Finally, he sighed and slipped the black card back into his pocket. "Fine. I'll take you."
The moment Hayden heard Lucinda was leaving, his smile collapsed.