Chapter 88: Going Home
I nodded and said, "Mr. Armstrong, you're right. I'll try to get back there in the next day or two."
"Good, let's drink!"
Miguel quickly finished the wine in his glass.
When Nancy wasn't looking, he grabbed the bottle and poured himself two more glasses.
Just as he filled them, Nancy looked up and caught him.
"Dad, what are you doing?"
Miguel quickly explained, "I wasn't sneaking a drink; Atlas poured it."
"I saw everything. Stop making excuses."
Nancy rushed over angrily to take away the glass. Sensing he was in trouble, Miguel quickly raised the glass and poured it all into his mouth.
After drinking, he smacked his lips with satisfaction, "See, I finished it."
"Dad, how can you go back on your word like this?" Nancy stamped her feet in frustration.
Miguel grinned and laughed, "This is called strategy, how is it going back on my word?"
"Atlas, how can you just stand there watching? Why don't you do something about my dad!"
Seeing Nancy turn on me, I quickly changed the subject, "Nancy, didn't you say last time you wanted to see Neon Paradox perform? I got you tickets to their show. I'll bring them over tomorrow."
This made Nancy happy, "Really? Thanks, Atlas, I love Neon Paradox's shows. I tried so hard to get tickets but couldn't."
"You spoil her too much," Miguel said, shaking his head with a smile.
I said casually, "I think of Nancy as my sister. Naturally, I'll do whatever I can to get her what she wants."
As soon as I said this, the atmosphere in the room instantly turned cold.
Seeing things going south, Miguel quickly tried to lighten the mood, "Verity, didn't you make soup for Atlas? Go check if it's ready."
"Okay."
As Verity brought over the soup, the dinner table returned to normal.
"Atlas, let me drive you home."
After dinner, Nancy offered to take me home.
I shook my head, put on my coat, and refused directly, "No need."
I'd always known how Nancy felt about me, but I only saw her as a sister.
After my mother died, I refused to return to the Lancaster family. Later, Miguel took me in. When we were young, Nancy and I ate and lived together like siblings.
Until later, when my grandfather personally came to take me back.
As an adult, Nancy focused all her attention on me. I'd turned her down more than once. I didn't know what she was still holding onto.
But after Helena appeared, I finally understood that when it comes to feelings, being rational doesn't mean you can avoid them.
That's how I felt about Helena, and perhaps that's how Nancy felt about me.
But in private, I tried to avoid being alone with Nancy.
Maybe one day, when I bring Helena home as my wife, she'll finally give up.
Thinking this, I looked back at her, "It's not easy for you to come back. Spend some good time with Mr. Armstrong."
Nancy had her own fashion design company and usually lived downtown, rarely coming back.
After hearing my words, a flash of disappointment crossed her eyes, but she still forced herself to sound cheerful, "Okay, Atlas, goodbye."
"Okay."
After getting in the car, I thought about it and finally decided to go home.
It had been half a year since my last visit, hadn't it?
At the entrance to the Lancaster Manor, two majestic lion sculptures stood guard, and behind the red gate was a manor both classic and understated.
This was where I was born, and also the place I least wanted to set foot in again in this lifetime.
As soon as I entered the gate, the butler appeared. The moment he saw me, he was overjoyed.
"Atlas, you're back?"
"Yes."
I responded softly.
"Perfect timing, your grandfather and father are both here. Please come in."
Walking on the stone path, past the rockery and waterfall in the courtyard, I headed straight for the main building.
"Mr. Wesley Lancaster, Mr. Evan Lancaster, Atlas is back."
The butler's voice startled the people sitting on the sofa. Hearing the sound, they all looked up.
When I entered, I saw my stepmother, Yvonne Ashcroft, with red, moist eyes.
My grandfather Wesley's face was full of anger, while my father Evan looked normal, frowning at me, "Why are you back?"
I smiled carelessly, greeted Wesley, then looked at Yvonne, "Seems like I came back at a bad time? Should I leave?"
"What nonsense are you talking about? Since you're here, sit down."
Hearing Wesley's scolding, I tossed my keys on the table, crossed my legs, sat down casually, and asked indifferently, "Looking at you two looking so miserable, you've run into trouble, haven't you?"
Evan's frown deepened, "Did you hear something?"
"Something this big happened, how could I not hear about it?"
I spread my hands, "I heard your second son got caught cheating at gambling overseas, and they're holding him. Oh, and I heard they want you to pay two hundred million dollars as ransom?"
Seeing the mockery in my eyes, Yvonne finally couldn't hold back.
"Zane was tricked by those people. He was led astray."
"Led astray?"
I laughed coldly, "Clearly he's just stupid!"
"Looks like our Lancaster family fortune is about to be ruined by Zane's hands."
"Atlas, that's your brother. Is that any way to talk?"
Yvonne shrieked at me. I casually cleaned out my ear, "Why are you yelling so loud? I'm not deaf."
"Besides, I'm just stating facts. If you don't want to hear it, you can choose to get out."
"You!"
My words made Yvonne tremble with anger. Her fingers shook as she pointed at me and said harshly, "Evan, aren't you going to do something? This is your son, and he's cursing at me!"
I looked up, my cold gaze falling on Yvonne's face, and said coldly, "The last person who pointed their finger at me now has a useless arm. Want to try?"
As I finished speaking, Yvonne shook even harder, whether from anger or fear, I couldn't tell.
Evan finally couldn't hold back, looking over coldly, "Atlas, you've gone too far!"
I laughed coldly, "Doesn't father know my methods? I've always been this excessive!"
"Enough!"
Wesley tapped his cane on the floor in displeasure, his gaze sweeping over us, "Instead of arguing here, why don't you think of a solution to rescue Zane?"
At these words, the room fell silent.
A cold smile hung on my lips. How to rescue him? Pay the money, of course. As long as the money's there, it's done.
But that was two hundred million dollars, not a small amount. I wanted to see if Evan was willing to pay that much.
Years ago, when my mother Ximena Cooper was seriously ill, one of the medications cost a million dollars a month, but Yvonne blocked it.
In the end, without the medication to sustain her, Ximena's body slowly failed.
I only hated that I was young and powerless back then, watching helplessly as Ximena passed away with no way to help.
Now the tables had turned. Back then, Evan watched Ximena die over money. Now, would he be willing to pay this two hundred million dollars?
This time it was two hundred million dollars, not a million. I wanted to see what choice he would make.
After a long while, Yvonne looked at Wesley, her lips moving, finally saying, "Dad, Zane is also your grandson. Could you possibly..."