Chapter 56
Not far away, Allegra and Gemma hurried out of a taxi and immediately spotted Marshall and Tatum in the crowd.
Allegra quickly smoothed her hair, plastered on a sweet smile, and tugged Gemma along as she approached.
"Mrs. Grayson, Marshall, you're here too?"
Tatum turned her head. Her gaze lingered on Allegra's face for a moment, then shifted to Gemma behind her. She gave a faint nod.
Marshall stood behind his mother and shot Allegra a warning look, signaling her to keep quiet.
Suddenly, Tatum seemed to remember something. She turned to Allegra. "The person in that car that just went in—was that your sister? The one the Wipere family used to have?"
Allegra's smile froze for a beat.
She bit her lip and lowered her voice, her tone deliberately pained. "Mrs. Grayson, you saw her too? That was my sister. I have no idea how she got in with the Lancaster family... Maybe she slept with someone."
"Watch your mouth!" Tatum's face darkened instantly. "Do you know where you are? This is the Lancaster family! If you've got a death wish, don't drag us down with you! Saying something like that in front of the Lancaster Estate—do you think you're invincible?"
Allegra's face went through several shades of red and white. She couldn't get a single word out.
She turned to Marshall, hoping he'd defend her.
Marshall stood behind his mother, shrank back, and shook his head at her.
Seeing him like that, Allegra's heart sank.
Just then, the gates of the Lancaster Estate opened.
A middle-aged man in a black suit walked out, his stride steady, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. "Mr. Hayden Lancaster is not hosting a banquet today. Please return home. We will not be accepting gifts, but we appreciate the sentiment."
A wave of disappointed sighs rippled through the crowd.
Some tried to say something, but the security guards stepped forward and made a polite gesture to leave.
Tatum's expression turned even uglier. She shot Allegra a venomous glare, then turned and left.
Marshall hurried after her without even looking back.
Allegra stood there, watching their retreating figures, her fingers clenched so tightly her knuckles turned white.
Gemma tugged at her sleeve and whispered, "Allegra, let's go. Don't just stand here."
Allegra took a deep breath, forced back the tears threatening to spill, and turned to follow her mother.
Tatum got into the car. The moment the door closed, her face darkened.
She stared out the window at the retreating street view, growing angrier by the second. Finally, she spoke. "That Allegra—she seemed like a sensible girl before. What happened today? Saying something like that in front of the Lancaster Estate—does she think the Grayson family has it too easy?"
Marshall sat beside her, head down, not daring to say a word.
Tatum glanced at him, her tone colder. "And you. I've turned a blind eye to you dating her. But remember this—the Grayson family's daughter-in-law cannot be someone who doesn't know her place."
Marshall's head dropped even lower. He mumbled, "I know, Mom."
The car continued forward.
Tatum leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes, but her mind kept circling back to that profile she'd glimpsed in the car.
The car stopped in front of the Lancaster Estate. The estate was a three-story independent villa with gray brick and dark tile, understated and dignified. Ancient oak trees in the courtyard stretched toward the sky, their sprawling branches evidence of the property's long history.
The moment the car stopped, two rows of people stood waiting under the portico.
Uniformed staff lined up neatly, stretching from the steps all the way to the car door, each one alert and respectful.
The driver got out first and opened the back door.
Hayden stepped out first. Lucinda followed behind him.
The two rows of staff bowed in unison, their voices ringing out. "Welcome home, Mr. Hayden Lancaster! Welcome home, Mrs. Lancaster!"
Lucinda's steps faltered.
She turned her head, her gaze sweeping over the rows of bowing staff. Her mouth twitched slightly. "I'm not Mrs. Lancaster."
The staff raised their heads, exchanging uncertain glances, unsure how to respond.
Hayden reached over and patted Lucinda's arm. "Don't listen to her. She is Mrs. Lancaster. Call her that from now on."
Lucinda looked at Hayden. He wore an expression that said, 'I make the rules,' and didn't even glance at her.
She opened her mouth to say something, then sighed.
Fine. It was the old man's birthday. She'd let it slide.
The group entered the house.
The living room was spacious and bright, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the entire garden.
Staff bustled in and out, busy setting up birthday decorations. Some hung balloons, others arranged flowers, and still others spread new tablecloths over the dining table.
The kitchen filled the air with delicious aromas—a mix of sweet baked cake and rich roasted turkey.
Lucinda stood in the living room, glancing around. Once she confirmed Hayden had made it home safely, she turned to leave. "Mr. Lancaster, you're home safe. I should—"
"Eat." Hayden cut her off. "It's my birthday. You should at least stay for a meal. I have no appetite eating alone."
Lucinda looked at him. Hayden stood in the center of the living room, his suit crisp, his spirits high, but there was a hint of pleading in his eyes.
She nodded. "All right."
Hayden's eyes lit up instantly. He took her hand and led her toward the dining room, chattering as they went. "I knew you wouldn't refuse me. Come, come, take a look at today's menu. I had the kitchen prepare it specially."
In the dining room, Reginald was already there.
He stood beside the table, speaking to a staff member. When he heard footsteps, he looked up. His gaze landed on Lucinda first, and his lips curved slightly before he turned to Hayden. "Dad, welcome home."
Hayden snorted and ignored him, pulling Lucinda to sit beside him at the table. "Don't pay him any mind. It's my birthday today. You sit next to me."
Lucinda sat down and scanned the dishes on the table.
Roasted salmon with lemon butter sauce. Cheese-crusted lobster. Truffle mushroom bisque. Slow-roasted short ribs. Every single dish was something she loved.
Beside them sat a serving of crème brûlée, its caramelized top perfectly golden and crisp.
She froze for a moment, then turned to look at Reginald.
He was pouring wine, head down. The tips of his ears were red.
Hayden noticed the spread too. His smile deepened.
He glanced at the food, then at Lucinda, then at Reginald, and nodded with satisfaction.
"Good, good, good." He said it three times, raising his wine glass. "I'm happy today. This is the best birthday I've ever had."
Lucinda raised her glass, clinked it against his, and smiled faintly.
Meanwhile, outside the Lancaster Estate gates, most of the crowd had dispersed.
The people who'd been stopped by security had waited over an hour. Seeing no hope, they left one by one, dejected.
But one white Porsche still sat parked by the curb.
Dahlia sat in the driver's seat, staring out at the scattered stragglers, her expression dark.
She'd come today to celebrate Hayden's birthday.
She'd worn a new dress, done her makeup carefully, and bought the latest luxury watch, hoping to make a good impression on the Lancaster family.
She'd originally planned to come with her parents, but Valencia had told her over the phone, "Mr. Hayden Lancaster said he doesn't want anything extravagant. He just wants to have a quiet meal with the family."
The family.
The words echoed in Dahlia's mind.
A family meal. Lucinda went. Hayden's idea of 'family' included Lucinda.
What did that mean?
Hayden had already accepted Lucinda.
She bit her lip, resentment churning in her eyes.
She couldn't let this go.
If Lucinda successfully married into the Lancaster family, she'd never have another chance.
She had to get inside. She had to let Hayden know that she, Dahlia, was the one who truly belonged in the Lancaster family.
She took a deep breath, pushed open the car door, grabbed her gift, and walked toward the gate.