Chapter 192

Octavia looked at his gentle face and sneered inwardly.

She'd seen too many people like this—harmless and mild on the surface, but sharper than anyone underneath.

Patrick was like that. Lucas was too.

No one in the Seymour Family was simple.

Besides, Patrick only made snide remarks because he didn't like her. At the end of the day, he was still Leopold's brother—he wouldn't actually do anything. But Lucas? That was a different story.

Even while still reeling from Leopold's words, Octavia remembered Leopold's suspicions about Lucas.

"Nothing's on my mind," she said. "I just came out for some air. I'll head back in soon. You should get some rest too."

She turned to leave.

"Miss Boleyn." Lucas called after her.

He was still sitting on the bench, posture relaxed, smile unchanged. In the darkness, Octavia couldn't make out the look in his eyes.

"Your sister Octavia's situation—it's blown up online. But don't worry, Leopold won't let this affect the Seymour Group. What he cares about most is the Seymour Family's reputation."

Octavia didn't respond.

Lucas continued, "Though, to be fair, Octavia has been a bit too high-profile. Being so bold on that show—it was only a matter of time before people came after her. And now look, you've been dragged into it too. Worse, it's affecting the Seymour Group. Leopold can't be happy about that."

Octavia caught the manipulation in his words. He was insinuating that Leopold was upset because all this had damaged the Seymour Family, that Leopold would hold it against her and Octavia for causing trouble.

She smiled faintly. "You're overthinking it. Octavia will handle her own business. It won't affect the Seymour Family. As for Leopold, I'll talk to him."

Lucas looked at her, something flickering in his gaze before his smile covered it up.

"That's good to hear." He stood, brushing off his clothes. "It's cold out here. Head back and get some rest."

Octavia nodded and turned away.

After a few steps, she stopped and looked back.

Lucas was still standing there, facing her direction, smile on his lips.

She looked away and walked quickly toward the house.

Behind her, Lucas's smile faded bit by bit.

He stood there, watching Octavia's figure disappear through the door, his expression growing colder.

---

The next morning.

Lucas sat in a café drinking coffee, with Imogen seated across from him.

"Good coffee." Lucas set down his cup with a smile. "This place you recommended really does have a nice atmosphere."

Imogen looked at him, the corner of her mouth lifting slightly, though the smile seemed shallow—not quite genuine.

"Lucas, you didn't ask me out just to drink coffee, did you?"

Lucas's smile didn't waver. He picked up his cup and took another sip.

"That stuff online—did you do it?" he asked casually, as if discussing the weather.

Imogen leaned back in her chair, watching him. She neither confirmed nor denied.

"What do you think?"

Lucas lifted his cup, swirling it gently, looking quite pleased.

"That piece Marshall wrote was well done," he said. "Framing it as defense while actually smearing—much smarter than outright insults. The internet eats that up. The more they read, the worse Octavia looks. Honestly, it's got your fingerprints all over it."

Imogen smiled slightly, picking up her coffee cup only to find it cold. She set it back down.

"You see through things clearly."

"But here's the thing." Lucas set down his cup, looking at her. "Your move was clever. Start with Octavia, dig up Claire, then use Claire to drag in the Seymour Family. One thing leads to another—no one escapes."

The corner of Imogen's eye twitched slightly, and her smile took on a hint of genuine satisfaction.

"Thanks for the compliment," she said. "But in that chain reaction, you played your part too. That mysterious account's content—didn't you have someone write that?"

Lucas didn't deny it. His smile deepened.

"I just gave it a push," he said. "You're the real mastermind."

Imogen picked up her phone to check the time, then set it down.

"Now that public opinion has spread to the Seymour Group, how's the board reacting?"

Lucas leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers lightly on the table.

"A few of the old directors are getting restless. They think Leopold brought home a troublemaker who's damaged the Seymour Group's reputation and stock price. But they don't dare say it outright—after all, Leopold holds controlling shares. They can't make much of a fuss."

Imogen's brow furrowed slightly.

"So the board can't touch him yet?"

"For now." Lucas emphasized the words. "But if public opinion keeps fermenting, the shareholders' patience will wear down bit by bit. Eventually they won't need anyone to lead—they'll jump out and apply pressure themselves."

Imogen's fingers drummed on the table, faster than before.

"Keep a close eye on Marshall. He's key right now. We can't afford any slip-ups."

Lucas nodded. "He won't dare step out of line. We've got him by the throat. Those things from back then—he's more afraid than we are of them coming to light."

Imogen picked up her now-cold coffee, took a sip, frowned, and set it down again.

"I didn't expect Leopold to still not distance himself from Claire. Given his usual approach, shouldn't he have thrown her under the bus as a scapegoat by now?"

Lucas smiled, a hint of amusement in his expression.

"He's changed," he said. "Ever since he married that woman, he's been different. Before, he was like the Seymour Group's robot, completely focused on the company. And now? For Claire's sake, he's ignoring the Seymour Group's reputation. He's even protecting Claire's sister."

Imogen's smile turned mysterious. "He's protecting Octavia?"

"Who do you think helped suppress public opinion after Octavia's livestream?" Lucas set down his cup. "After Grant was exposed, his accomplices wanted to fight back, but they were shut down before they could even move. Who else besides Leopold could pull that off?"

Imogen fell silent for a moment.

It seemed there were secrets even someone as cunning as Lucas hadn't discovered.

If she revealed them at the right moment, wouldn't that be the ultimate weapon?

At the thought, Imogen smiled again.

"Either way, the wind's blowing in our favor now."

Lucas listened, that gentle smile still on his lips. "With such favorable conditions, aren't you going to press your advantage?"

Imogen smiled confidently. "I have my follow-up moves. As for what they are, that depends on finding the perfect timing."

Lucas raised his cup toward her.

"Then here's to your success."

At the same time, Octavia woke up still feeling unsettled. Before she could sort through her thoughts, Sierra's call came through.

"Octavia, guess what I found?" Sierra's voice carried excitement mixed with urgency.