Chapter 690 - 686: A Man Must Have Ambition

Vincent Coleman was genuinely happy to see his good friend, Shawn Lane, acting so carefree.

"I’m relieved you’ve completely let it go. Come on, Shawn, let me give you a toast."

The two raised their glasses and once again drained them in one go.

It was nearly midnight when Shawn Lane stumbled home, reeking of alcohol.

"Oh, dear, why did you drink so much?" Mrs. Lane asked with concern, helping her son with his shoes and his down jacket. "Weren’t you supposed to be on a date with the Churchill’s younger daughter? You two were drinking?"

Shawn Lane was still lucid enough to wave a dismissive hand. "No, I was out with an old classmate."

"Tsk. Why drink so much? You’ll wake up with a headache tomorrow. Are you hungry? I can get you..."

"Stop nagging," Walter Lane cut his wife off from the sofa. "You’re so noisy. He’s been back for days, and today’s the first time he’s gone out to eat with a classmate. What’s wrong with having a few drinks? He’s not a kid anymore."

Shawn Lane had changed a lot since coming back, and Walter Lane was very satisfied with his son’s current transformation, so he had become more lenient with him.

Mrs. Lane, on the other hand, was now walking on eggshells at home, especially around Walter Lane, terrified he might send her abroad again.

So she didn’t get angry. She just said, looking wronged, "I was just worried about our son. I’ll go make him some tea to help him sober up."

Walter Lane ignored her. Instead, he looked at his son leaning against the sofa and asked, "Shawn, did you see Mr. Churchill today?"

Shawn Lane nodded. He was drunk, but his mind was still clear. "He was at Cirrus Palace discussing business today. I heard from Kylie that Mr. Churchill wants to acquire Cirrus Palace."

"How are things between you and Kylie?"

Shawn Lane tilted his head to look at his father, smiled, and nodded. "They’re good."

"I knew you’d like her. If you two get along, then date her properly. Mr. Churchill has a very good impression of you, too."

"Dad, I know you just want me to get close to Kylie so you can work with the Churchill Family. I don’t see a long-term future with her. I’m going back abroad to study soon anyway.

Once the partnership is finalized, we’ll probably be done."

"Is that what you think?" Walter Lane’s expression grew serious as he moved closer to his son. "Do you really think I’m that short-sighted?"

Shawn Lane looked at his father through hazy, drunken eyes, a hint of confusion on his face.

Walter Lane chuckled and shook his head, then sighed. "You still have so much to learn. I’m paving the road for your future."

"What do you mean?" Shawn Lane sat up straight, the words sobering him up a little. "Dad, you... you really want me to be with Kylie?"

"Is there a problem?" Walter Lane spread his hands. "You think she’s great, she likes you, and both Mr. Churchill and I approve. It’s the natural course of things!"

Shawn’s brow furrowed deeper the more he listened. "But... but I thought I just had to put on an act! The way I ’like’ her is all for show. I don’t actually like her!"

’It was just an act, so he didn’t care.’

He even thought he was a pretty good actor, having Kylie Churchill completely smitten.

"Shawn, you’re still too young. Think carefully. If this relationship with the Churchill’s daughter works out, whether you like her or not is completely unimportant. What’s important is what this relationship can bring you."

Walter Lane slowly picked up a cigarette and lit it. After taking a long drag, he continued, "To put it nicely, feelings can be cultivated over time. I’ve met the Churchill girl a few times. She’s beautiful, has a simple and cute personality, and is well-mannered. She’s a very good kid."

"But to be blunt, even if you can’t truly bring yourself to like her, can you possibly dislike the power behind the Churchill Family?"

He looked at his son, his expression serious. "One day, you will take over the Lane Group from me. But this is all I can give you. The heights the Lane Group can reach are predictable."

"To ordinary people, our family is certainly wealthy. But among the elite of Lorcain, we’re mid-tier at best!"

"If you can get the Churchill Family’s power and support, only then can you pull the Lane Group to greater heights after I’m gone. You’re a man now. Don’t take things like love and romance so seriously. You need to be ambitious, you understand?"

The speech completely sobered Shawn Lane up.

"I added some honey to the tea. Be careful, it’s hot." Mrs. Lane, unaware of what the father and son had been discussing, came out with the tea and placed it in front of her son.

Shawn Lane slowly came back to his senses, his mind in turmoil.

’I thought I was just putting on an act for the sake of the Group’s partnership. I never expected Father to be thinking so far ahead.’

’But Father was right. To normal people, our family might seem like titans of industry, but compared to the truly elite families of Lorcain, we’re nothing.’

’And Kylie Churchill likes me. If I really do get together with her like Father expects, I might actually be able to leverage the Churchill family’s influence in the future.’

’With the Churchills backing me, I’ll have free rein to make big moves after I take over the Group!’

Influenced by Walter Lane, Shawn Lane suddenly began to think long-term as well.

The alcohol, combined with these thoughts, began to stir the ambition that had long been dormant in his heart.

’After all, this wasn’t just any ordinary assistance...’

’This was the Churchill Family!’

At the thought, Shawn Lane’s fists clenched unconsciously, as if he had made a firm resolve.

「Meanwhile, the Sterling residence was also bustling with activity.」

Cecilia Sterling had told her mother earlier that she had invited Mr. Jennings over for dinner that night, asking her to cook a few extra dishes.

And Lily was also home today.

"Sis, what happened to Yoda’s fur?" Lily asked, holding the dog and not knowing whether to laugh or cry. "It’s short on his body and long on his head. He looks like a little lion."

Cecilia explained, "I got a call about something halfway through the grooming, so I had to grab him and go. I’ll take him to get it redone tomorrow when I have time."

"When are you joining the cast for Director Alan’s show?"

"Still waiting. But I have a brand event to attend in a few days."

Cecilia Sterling frowned. "I thought we agreed you weren’t going to do these kinds of events anymore."

"It’s an endorsement event, Sis. I don’t have a choice," Lily said understandingly. "Connie worked really hard to get me this ’Brand Ambassador’ title. I have to go."

’It is a major international brand, after all.’

Cecilia Sterling nodded lightly. "In the future, if there’s an event you don’t want to go to but don’t know how to refuse, remember to tell me. I’ll take care of it for you."

"Sis, I know you’re good to me." Lily leaned forward and hooked her sister’s arm, her tone sincere. "But I’ve found that the longer you stay in this industry, the less you can be selfish and just do whatever you want."

"I see it very clearly now. Compared to when I first started out, there are more and more people and interests tied up with me. With you looking out for me, I know I can be well-protected, and I could afford to be selfish and headstrong. But you know me... I can’t just ignore everyone else involved."