Chapter 53
The Wipere family returned to the nursing facility entrance, only to see it cordoned off from a distance.
Several black commercial vehicles were parked at the gate, and more than a dozen security guards in black uniforms stood in a line, blocking the entire passage.
A crowd had already gathered at the entrance—people holding gift boxes, carrying fruit baskets, all dressed in suits and ties. But every single one of them was stopped outside the barrier.
"Let me in. I'm an old friend of Mr. Hayden Lancaster."
A middle-aged man in a gray suit held up an exquisite brocade box, smiling obsequiously.
The guard's face remained expressionless. "No appointment, no entry."
Another old man holding expensive wine stepped forward. "I'm just dropping off a bottle. I'll hand it over and leave—"
"No."
Allegra stood at the back of the crowd, watching the faces being turned away. Her heart sank.
She recognized a few of them—prominent businessmen in Starlight City. People who were usually surrounded by admirers wherever they went. Now they were being treated like ordinary strangers, forced to watch a security guard's expression just to get through the door.
She bit her lip, tugged Gemma aside a few steps, and lowered her voice. "Mom, it looks like Mr. Hayden Lancaster doesn't want to see outsiders."
Gemma's expression wasn't much better. She'd taken one look at the security setup from afar and her legs had gone weak.
Preston stood at the very back. After a moment of silence, he shook his head. "Let's go. We're not getting in today."
The three of them turned and left, their retreating figures dejected—nothing like the confident stride they'd arrived with.
In the VIP ward at the facility, Hayden leaned back against the headboard, holding a cup of tea and sipping it leisurely.
The butler stood beside him, quietly reporting. "Mr. Hayden Lancaster, quite a few people came by. All here to wish you a happy birthday. Per your instructions, we turned them all away."
Hayden set down his teacup and snorted. "It's my birthday, not a business expo. Every one of them shows up under the pretense of birthday wishes, but all they're really thinking about is deals. I don't want to see them."
"Yes, sir."
Hayden paused, then suddenly turned his head, his eyes lighting up. "By the way, did Reginald say anything else before he left today?"
The butler hesitated. "He said… he'd pick you up tomorrow to take you home."
"That's not what I'm asking about." Hayden waved his hand dismissively and leaned back against his pillow, looking somewhat aggrieved. "Is my daughter-in-law coming?"
The butler lowered his head and didn't dare respond.
Hayden sighed, his gaze drifting toward the window. He muttered to himself, "Tell me—what kind of good karma did that brat Reginald rack up in a past life to meet a girl like that? I wish I could see her more often, but that brat just sticks to her all day and never brings her around for me to see."
The butler stood beside him, listening to Hayden's rambling. His mouth twitched.
Hayden picked up his phone from the bedside table, scrolled through his contacts, and stopped at the name "Young lady". He stared at it for several seconds, his lips curving into a smile. "No, I have to call her myself. If that brat won't bring her, I'll invite her myself."
He pressed the call button.
At the same time, Reginald's car was gliding slowly through the streets of Starlight City.
In the back seat, Lucinda was tucked into his arms, leaning against his chest. She tried to pull away, but his arms were locked tightly around her, as if afraid she'd escape.
Her face pressed against his coat. She could feel the steady, strong rhythm of his heartbeat.
"Let go," she said.
"No." His chin rested on the top of her head, his voice muffled.
Lucinda reached up to push his arm away. It didn't budge.
She tried again. Still nothing.
The man looked lean, but his grip was like iron.
She was about to say something when her phone suddenly buzzed.
She pulled it out of her pocket. The screen displayed "Hayden".
She froze, her finger hovering over the answer button.
Reginald glanced down, his brow furrowing slightly. He reached out to hang up. "Don't answer. Why does everyone keep bothering you?"
Lucinda's finger paused. She glanced at him, her mouth twitching.
Instead of hanging up, she pressed the answer button. Then she lifted her head, looked at Reginald, and spoke—not loudly, but loud enough for the person on the other end to hear clearly. "Are you sure you want to hang up? What if it's someone important?"
"Hang up." Reginald's tone was firm. "You don't need to answer calls from just anyone."
Lucinda looked at him, her smile deepening.
She raised the phone to her mouth, her voice crisp and deliberate, carrying a hint of mischief. "Mr. Hayden Lancaster, did you hear that? Your son told me to hang up on you."
Hayden's indignant voice boomed from the phone, loud enough to fill the entire car. "Reginald! You brat! Are you trying to give me a heart attack? I finally get to call my daughter-in-law, and you want her to hang up on me? Do you even consider me your father anymore?"
The moment Reginald heard his father's voice, he straightened up instantly. His arms released Lucinda, and he sat upright in his seat, his expression shifting from shameless to utterly serious.
Lucinda watched the transformation and couldn't hold back a laugh.
"Dad." Reginald's voice returned to its usual calm composure. "Why are you calling?"
"Shut your mouth!" Hayden roared on the other end. "I don't want to talk to you! You won't even bring my daughter-in-law to see me—what right do you have to talk to me? Put her on the phone. I'm only talking to her!"
Reginald opened his mouth to say something, then ultimately closed it.
Lucinda took the phone, her tone polite. "Mr. Hayden Lancaster, you were looking for me?"
Hayden's voice instantly turned warm and kind, as if he'd become a different person. "Young lady, why haven't you come to see me lately? Is that brat not bringing you? Tell me. I'll deal with him."
"No, I've just been busy."
"Even when you're busy, you need to take care of yourself." Hayden fussed over her like a doting grandfather. "You're out there on your own—eat on time, don't stay up late. I'll have Reginald send you some supplements. Last time you visited, you looked so thin—"
"Dad." Reginald couldn't help but cut in. "She's fine. You don't need to worry—"
"I told you to shut up!" Hayden barked again. Then he continued speaking to Lucinda, his tone warm once more. "Young lady, don't pay him any mind. Let me tell you—I want to be discharged tomorrow. Could you come pick me up?"
Lucinda blinked. "Tomorrow?"
"Yes, tomorrow's my birthday. I want to go home and see the place. I've been cooped up in this facility long enough. I'll stay home for a few days, change up the scenery." Hayden's voice carried a childlike anticipation. "Come pick me up tomorrow, and stay for dinner. I'll have the chef make all your favorite dishes."
Lucinda thought for a moment. She didn't have anything scheduled tomorrow, so she agreed. "All right. I'll come get you tomorrow."
"Wonderful!" Hayden's voice shot up several pitches. Then he added, "You can't back out, okay? I'll be waiting for you."
"I won't back out."
Hayden was satisfied. He rambled on for a bit longer before reluctantly hanging up.
Lucinda put her phone away and turned her head to find Reginald watching her.
"You're really going tomorrow?" he asked.
"I promised."
Reginald's lips curved upward. He reached out to pull her into his arms again. Lucinda dodged sideways and shot him a look. "Sit properly."
"I just want to hold you for a bit." His tone sounded like he was bargaining.
"Sit properly."
Reginald gave in and obediently sat properly.
"So..."
As he spoke, he leaned toward her again, his hand naturally reaching out to take hers. "Now let's go eat. You promised—one meal with me every day."
"When did I promise 'every day'?"
"Last night."
His tone was matter-of-fact, as if stating an undeniable truth. "You said once every evening. You'd pick the time and place. You haven't picked tonight yet, so I'm picking."
Lucinda opened her mouth, then realized she had said that. He'd caught her.
She stayed silent for a second, then sighed. "Fine. Where are we eating?"
Reginald's lips curved upward. He gave the driver an address.