Chapter 254: Plane Tickets Aren’t That Expensive for the Lancaster Family

"Jay."

"Miss Lancaster."

As soon as Jane Lancaster came out, she saw Julian Lancaster and Lucy Finch waiting for her by the car.

Seeing her brother, Jane felt like it had been a lifetime since they last met.

Julian Lancaster had lost a lot of weight; the news online must have been causing him a great deal of trouble.

She hadn’t been home for the past few days, and Julian Lancaster hadn’t asked about her once, acting as if he didn’t have a sister.

But last night, needing her to keep up the pretense of a harmonious sibling relationship, he had given her two million to attend a wine-tasting event.

And yet, so much had ended up happening.

Just as Jane Lancaster was about to get in the car, someone called out to her.

Jasper Sterling handed Jane Lancaster an insulated bag that a staff member had brought over. "You forgot your medicine. The thermos has a medicinal soup I made. Drink it while it’s hot. If you still don’t feel well, you have to tell me."

Although the Western doctor said it would be fine once her body naturally metabolized it, he wasn’t at ease, so he found an old traditional Chinese medicine doctor to check Jane Lancaster’s pulse and prescribe these herbs.

Their main function was to clear heat and replenish the body, which was suitable for Jane Lancaster’s condition.

He’d already had Shawn Sutton test it, and the effects were decent, which was why he brought it for Jane Lancaster.

It was just that Jane Lancaster’s dosage needed to be reduced appropriately, making it perfect for a medicinal soup.

Julian Lancaster frowned. "What medicine? Jay, are you not feeling well? What happened?"

Lucy Finch also became instantly alert. "Miss Lancaster, did something happen at the winery last night?"

She had just noticed that Jane Lancaster looked pale and a bit haggard, and had assumed it was because she’d had too much fun drinking last night and was hungover.

Now, it was clear there was something more to it!

"It’s nothing." Jane Lancaster pulled open the car door and saw Adrian Lancaster sitting in the back seat.

Julian Lancaster turned to look at Jasper Sterling. The young man gave him a perfect smile. "Julian, is there anything else?"

"No." Julian Lancaster looked away and got in the car.

The estate had called him in the middle of the night last night. He was in the shower getting ready for bed at the time, so he missed it.

A little later, Julian Lancaster saw the missed call and quickly called back, but the person on the other end was vague, only saying the matter was resolved and nothing more.

That was clearly not right. Thinking back on it now, it seemed like they were deliberately hiding something from him.

And it happened to coincide with Timothy Lancaster’s return today...

There was no reason for the estate to hide it from him. They must have been instructed to.

What if Jane Lancaster went over his head and complained directly to Timothy Lancaster later? Then his failure to look after his sister would be an established fact, and the first thing he’d face upon returning home would be Timothy Lancaster’s wrath.

At this thought, Julian Lancaster’s knuckles turned white as he clenched his fists.

In the car, Adrian Lancaster spoke up. "You’re getting more and more high and mighty. You even need Big Brother to wire you money just to attend a party."

When he heard about it last night, he found it unbelievable. How was that any different from extortion?

It wasn’t the two million that Adrian Lancaster cared about. What he cared about was that Julian Lancaster had actually given Jane Lancaster the money.

That was something that had never happened before.

He had always known that Julian Lancaster had a strange possessiveness and desire for control when it came to money. In the past, he would only give him and their second brother money to spend freely; no one else got that treatment.

To give her money now, knowing full well she had ill intentions, was just too strange.

Jane Lancaster said, "Third Brother, do you think I shouldn’t have taken it? You’re right, two million is a huge sum of money. I’ve never had so much to spend freely. In that case, I’ll just give it back to Big Brother right now."

’I was only giving you face because of the money. Since you’re putting it like that, then let’s all be miserable.’

’Besides, Timothy Lancaster would definitely be happy to make up the difference for me.’

Adrian Lancaster’s expression stiffened. In the past, Timothy Lancaster hadn’t given Jane Lancaster much allowance because she was young, but now she was an adult...

He might really just let her have whatever she wanted!

Julian Lancaster rubbed the bridge of his nose. "No need to return it. It was meant to be your clothing allowance. It would be ridiculous to give it back."

Jane Lancaster wasn’t very satisfied.

’Is that all? How disappointing. You started this, and this is how you’re going to brush me off?’

She looked at the watch on Julian Lancaster’s wrist. "Big Brother, that’s a nice watch. A Richard Mille, right? I think even a secondhand one sells for six million on the market now..."

Adrian Lancaster’s brow twitched. Was she planning to rob them blind?

Julian Lancaster picked up his phone and directly transferred six million to Jane Lancaster. "Go buy whatever you like."

Jane Lancaster: "Thank you, Big Brother! You’re the best!"

’Sigh, your heart must be bleeding, right? But for the sake of the money, I guess I can make peace with you for now.’

She thought for a moment, then said in a calm voice, "Last night, someone drugged my drink. They also snuck into my room in the middle of the night."

Julian Lancaster froze, frowning at her. "Are you okay?"

"I drank it, but he didn’t succeed. After he snuck into my room, I beat the crap out of him. He’s already been taken to the police station." Jane Lancaster’s tone was very flat.

Julian Lancaster was silent for a moment. "I’m sorry. I didn’t know that would happen."

No matter what, he wouldn’t remain indifferent when his sister had nearly been assaulted.

For someone to dare to target the young miss of the Lancaster Family, wasn’t that a slap in the face to the entire family?

Julian Lancaster’s eyes were cold. "Don’t worry. This isn’t over. That person will pay the price."

Adrian Lancaster also fell silent and said nothing.

No matter what Jane Lancaster was plotting, this wasn’t something to joke about. He wouldn’t make sarcastic remarks at a time like this.

—

A car slowly pulled into the Lancaster estate.

In the courtyard, the entire staff of the Lancaster household was lined up and waiting.

The car door opened, and Timothy Lancaster slowly got out, supported by Butler Forbes.

Adrian Lancaster, feeling a little emotional, took a step forward. "Dad!"

But Timothy Lancaster’s gaze passed over him and landed on Jane Lancaster behind him. He smiled and opened his arms. "Jay!"

Jane Lancaster had no choice but to step forward and call out, "Dad."

Timothy Lancaster walked over and pulled her into a hug. "My dear, long time no see. I’ve missed you to death."

Butler Forbes also had tears in his eyes. "Miss Lancaster, the master is back. The family should never be separated again."

Jane Lancaster was completely stiff. Far from feeling warm and touched, she only felt awkward.

’Not to be a killjoy, but if you really missed me that much, why didn’t you come back sooner? Plane tickets can’t be that expensive for the Lancaster Family, can they...?’

Adrian Lancaster almost laughed in exasperation. Who did she think she was? Why should their father, who was recuperating abroad, have to travel back and forth just for her?

Timothy Lancaster noticed his daughter’s coldness but didn’t seem to mind, willingly letting go of her.

"Alright, it’s windy and a bit cold today. Let’s go inside to talk."

He took Jane Lancaster’s hand and led the way through the main doors, not even glancing at his two sons.

Julian Lancaster watched Timothy Lancaster’s back, a faint sense of unease growing in his heart.

Timothy Lancaster had always been cold toward his sons, but he, Julian, was the heir, after all. While his father was never exactly warm and friendly, he would at least acknowledge him.

He had never been so completely ignored.

—

The butler came over and invited everyone to move to the dining table for the meal.

It was just a simple family dinner, but several senior executives from the corporation were also present to accompany them.