Chapter 267: Dad, Come Save Me

Butler Forbes stood to the side, hesitating to speak.

He could tell that the news of Adrian Lancaster’s poisoning and collapse hadn’t much affected Timothy Lancaster’s mood, but there was something he had to report.

"Sir, several of the family’s senior uncles just visited Adrian. They’re on their way here now."

The smile slowly faded from Timothy Lancaster’s face. His tone grew heavy. "What’s it got to do with them?"

He looked up at Jane Lancaster, his smile returning. "Jay, you had quite a scare last night. Go hang out with some friends today, go shopping and take your mind off things."

He knew full well why the family’s senior uncles were coming over.

They were most likely incited by Julian Lanscaster, convinced that Jane Lancaster was the one who poisoned Adrian, and were now coming to demand an explanation.

Timothy Lancaster had always been iron-fisted; those uncles of his had never been able to get a word in edgewise with him.

Years ago, when he had insisted on grooming his youngest daughter to join the corporation, those old coots had used their seniority to stir up trouble.

But that time, they had all been utterly humiliated, thrown out by Timothy Lancaster with their tails between their legs. To add insult to injury, all their younger family members working at the corporation were collectively demoted.

Timothy Lancaster was merciless and showed no favoritism. After the elders realized they couldn’t cause any trouble, they behaved themselves for quite a while.

Later, Jane Lancaster voluntarily gave up her position as heir to Julian Lanscaster, and things had been peaceful between them for many years.

Timothy didn’t want his daughter to be berated, so he urged her to go out and lay low for a bit. "Those old men are stubborn fools. You don’t need to pay them any mind."

Butler Forbes hesitated. "Is it really a good idea for the young miss to go shopping at a time like this?"

"You’re right, it isn’t." Timothy took the point, pondering for a moment. "In that case, go to The Crestwood Hotel. You can get a spa treatment, and it’s very private..."

Jane Lancaster thought that was a nice idea, but reality was bound to be harsh.

’Usually, at times like this, the more I try to lie low and avoid trouble, the more likely I am to get caught right in the middle of it...’

She looked toward the main door, then got up and walked over.

Outside, Caleb Lowell averted his gaze, bypassed the eavesdropping uncles, and pushed open the ajar door. He stepped inside and discreetly positioned himself in front of Jane Lancaster.

The uncles walked in, their eyes immediately landing on Timothy Lancaster in the middle of the living room.

Obvious anger was written on every one of their faces. They had heard everything from outside the door!

"Timothy, at a critical time like this, you’re actually telling Jane to go hide and avoid the trouble?"

"Adrian is in the hospital, his life hanging in the balance, and it’s bad enough that you don’t seem to care, but now you’re only concerned with comforting Jane! How can you be so heartless!"

"Search your conscience! By treating your three sons so harshly, do you think you’ve done right by June Kent?"

Caleb Lowell spoke softly, "Jay, go back to your room for now."

The uncles’ fury wasn’t likely to be extinguished anytime soon. It would be better for Jane Lancaster to stay out of the line of fire.

Jane Lancaster glanced at him, then turned without much hesitation to head upstairs.

One of the uncles had sharp eyes. Spotting Jane Lancaster trying to slip away, he rushed forward to grab her.

"Where do you think you’re hiding? All of the Lancaster family’s misfortunes today are your fault!"

The man was strong, and his stubbornness flared. Jane Lancaster managed to drag him up several steps, which only made him pull at her more forcefully.

Jane Lancaster’s wrist throbbed with pain from his grip. She gritted her teeth and climbed a few more steps.

’Fine. If you won’t let me go, then don’t blame me for what happens next!’

Caleb Lowell had a bad feeling. This tug-of-war on the stairs was far too dangerous.

With a loud CRASH, a potted plant on the side of the staircase was accidentally kicked by Jane Lancaster, tumbling down and shattering to pieces.

Jane Lancaster’s face suddenly filled with panic, her voice tinged with tears. "Dad, I’m going to fall! Help me!"

As she spoke, Jane Lancaster lost her balance and began to fall backward.

Caleb Lowell lunged forward to catch her.

But in her apparent panic, Jane Lancaster shoved him, and he failed to catch her.

Timothy Lancaster arrived just in time, using his own body to shield his daughter. The immense force of the impact sent him tumbling down with her.

Through it all, he remembered to protect his daughter from harm, holding Jane Lancaster securely in his arms.

"Jay, are you alright?" Timothy Lancaster asked with concern.

Jane Lancaster’s palm was cut, and her face was pale.

Timothy Lancaster instantly flew into a rage. "Uncles, what is the meaning of this? Using such force on a young woman—were you trying to make her fall to her death?"

The uncle was frightened too, but at his advanced age, he would never admit his mistake. "I only gave her a light tug, and she fell! Caleb Lowell was clearly about to catch her. Who knows if she didn’t do it on purpose to frame an old man like me!"

That’s right, that’s what it was. Jane Lancaster was deliberately framing him!

The more he spoke, the more self-righteous he became. "Cut out your pathetic little tricks! You’re an embarrassment!"

The other uncles quickly chimed in to support him.

"You’ve been vying for favor since you were a child. Your three brothers could never compete with you, and that’s why you’ve brought them to such a miserable state."

"And now you’re framing us old men? What do you take us for?"

"Julian is just too righteous, and Adrian is too naive. That’s how you managed to harm them so badly."

"You’re a troublemaker, a menace to this family!"

Caleb Lowell pressed his lips together. He wanted to speak up for Jane Lancaster, but he didn’t know where to start.

After all, Jane Lancaster had indeed fallen on purpose. The uncles weren’t wrong about that.

He was unwilling to twist the truth, so he could only remain silent.

Timothy Lancaster shot back, "You’re turning this around on her! What reason would she have to do such a thing?"

"Dad!" Jane Lancaster suddenly cried out. "Your hand is bleeding!"

Timothy Lancaster froze, lifting his hand to look. He hadn’t noticed before, but his palm was torn open with a large gash, dripping with blood.

Butler Forbes was terrified. "Sir, we must call the family doctor to treat this!"

While deeply concerned about his daughter’s minor scrape, Timothy Lancaster was completely dismissive of his own injury. "It’s nothing. Just get the first-aid kit and bandage it for me."

He glanced at the cut on Jane Lancaster’s hand and urged, "Jay’s hand needs to be treated as soon as possible, too. Hurry up!"

The housekeeper had already run over with the first-aid kit and was frantically cleaning Timothy Lancaster’s wound.

The uncles stood to the side, watching as Timothy Lancaster was being bandaged. Knowing they were in the wrong, none of them dared to speak.

The housekeeper and Butler Forbes worked quickly, wrapping Timothy Lancaster’s palm in gauze in no time.

The small cut on Jane Lancaster’s hand was also cleaned and dabbed with iodine.

Timothy Lancaster glanced at Jane Lancaster several times. Seeing her staring at her own hand, he asked gently, "Does it still hurt?"

Jane Lancaster shook her head. "Dad, what about you?"

Worried she would feel guilty, Timothy Lancaster replied, "It doesn’t hurt anymore. It’s already fine."

Jane Lancaster lowered her gaze.

’Really? I don’t believe you.’

She glanced at Caleb Lowell beside her, the corners of her lips curling up slightly. "Zion, give me a hand. My ankle seems to be hurting a bit."

Caleb Lowell was confused. What was she planning now?

But it was a reasonable request. He reached out to support her, only to feel a sharp pinch under his arm.

His hand slipped, and Jane Lancaster fell back again.

In the heat of the moment, Timothy Lancaster reached out and caught Jane Lancaster.

He shot Caleb Lowell a look of displeasure. How could he not even hold someone steady?