Chapter 266

Chapter 266

Dahlia took a moment to collect herself, then walked slowly down the stairs.

She had changed into a carefully chosen white dress, a smile on her face.

"Dad, Mom, Lucinda."

She stepped forward, her voice gentle as water. "I just heard you talking about going to the International Research Institute. Since Lucinda's going too, why don't we leave together? We can look out for each other on the way."

She glanced at Lucinda. "I have some close friends at the institute. Once we get there, I can show you around so you don't feel lost or uncomfortable."

Every word was perfectly measured. Anyone listening would have praised the sisterly bond.

But beneath her skirt, Dahlia's fingers were knotting together furiously.

She'd already found out last night that Reginald was coming to send Lucinda off this morning.

If she left with Lucinda, it would be natural to have Reginald drop her off at the institute along the way.

As long as someone at the gate—or on the road—spotted her in the same frame as Reginald, rumors would spread.

And if she let slip something a little ambiguous afterward, it might even drive a wedge between Lucinda and Reginald. Maybe even spark a blowup.

But before Lucinda could say a word, Valencia cast Dahlia a cool, measured glance.

"No need to show her around. Cindy knows how to handle herself." She turned to Wesley, her voice rising with excitement. "Wesley, the car convoy I asked you to arrange last night—is everyone here?"

Wesley slapped his knee, beaming. "All present! Every last one! Cindy, I arranged eighteen of the world's most exclusive limited-edition luxury cars! All limited-production models, escorted through the whole city with road clearance! Today, we're going to give you the send-off you deserve, so all of Starlight City knows you are the most cherished jewel of the Douglas family!"

"Eighteen luxury cars?" Dahlia stood frozen beside them.

That many?

The premium cars in the Douglas family garage—her parents had never let her so much as touch them.

Yet now, just to give Lucinda face, they were pulling every prized vehicle out of storage without a second thought?

Before she could process that, the butler came rushing in from the front entrance.

"Mr. Douglas! Mrs. Douglas! Mr. Lancaster has arrived!"

His voice was barely contained. "Mr. Lancaster heard Ms. Wipere was leaving for the institute today. He's... he's personally brought twenty armored custom Maybachs! Says he's here to send her off in style!"

"What? Twenty Maybachs?" Valencia was beside herself with joy. "That boy Reginald—so thoughtful! He really is the son-in-law I always wanted! Quick, invite him in!"

Wesley stroked his beard, nodding in deep satisfaction. "Thirty-eight cars total. Now that's an entrance! Let's see anyone dare underestimate my Cindy!"

While her parents practically vibrated with excitement, Lucinda's mouth twitched involuntarily twice.

Thirty-eight cars.

Anyone who didn't know better would think they were heading out to take over someone's turf.

Beside her, Dahlia's face had twisted beyond recognition with envy.

Twenty Maybachs.

Reginald had actually gone this far for Lucinda?

"Come on, Cindy, let's go!" Valencia, oblivious to Dahlia's expression, grabbed Lucinda's hand with a radiant smile. The family swept toward the front entrance in a full procession.

Outside the Douglas Estate, the broad road was packed wall-to-wall with dozens of priceless luxury vehicles.

At the very head of the formation, beside the most striking custom black-and-gold Maybach, Reginald stood quietly waiting.

The man wore an all-black, hand-tailored suit, tall and immaculate, radiating an untouchable air of nobility.

The moment Lucinda stepped out, his eyes filled instantly with warmth.

"Cindy." Reginald stepped forward and took her hand. "Like the send-off? If it's not enough, I can have Aiden scramble a fleet of aircraft for an aerial escort."

Lucinda sighed helplessly. "Reginald, this is way too much."

"For you, it's not." He raised an eyebrow, effortlessly unapologetic.

He bent slightly, personally pulled open the passenger door, and guided her in with a hand at her head.

Just as Reginald moved to close the door, Dahlia panicked.

She bit her lip and forced herself forward.

"Reginald... um, I'm going to the institute too. Since we're heading the same way, could I ride in your car? I can keep Lucinda company..."

She twisted her handkerchief, doing her best to look pitiful, already angling toward the Maybach's back seat.

Before she got anywhere near the door, a figure stepped squarely in her path.

Aiden's expression was blank. "I'm sorry. Mr. Lancaster's vehicle is off-limits to all women except Ms. Wipere. Mr. Douglas's car is behind us. Please make your way there."

No room for negotiation.

Dahlia bit down hard on her lip, her face cycling through shades of pale and red, before stiffly making her way to the Douglas family's car.

With a chorus of engines roaring to life, all thirty-eight cars pulled out.

The black-and-gold Maybach led the way, the Douglas family's custom convoy following close behind.

Maintaining perfect intervals, the procession rolled out of the Douglas Estate and surged toward the International Research Institute.

When the convoy stopped at the institute's entrance, the security team had already been notified.

The twin iron gates swung slowly open. Thirty-eight vehicles filed in one by one, moving along the main drive before finally coming to a stop in the plaza in front of the administrative building.

Lucinda stepped out of the car. The moment her feet touched the ground, a figure came bounding down the steps of the administrative building.

"Lucinda!" Tamsin was in a loose cream-white hoodie, high ponytail bouncing, her grin wide enough to take over her entire face.

She took the steps two at a time and threw her arms around Lucinda.

"What are you doing here?" Lucinda steadied herself and looked down at Tamsin clinging to her, genuinely surprised.

Tamsin let go, stepped back, and shrugged matter-of-factly. "Master sent me. Said he wasn't comfortable with you coming alone and wanted me here to keep you company for a while. I was going to point out that I didn't take the exam, but he said it didn't matter—just come and we'd figure it out."

She leaned in and lowered her voice. "His exact words were: 'That kid's been in a rough patch lately. Go keep her talking. Don't let her sit alone with it.'"