Chapter 421 - 424: A Smile Worse Than Crying

Before long, the soft sound of footsteps, along with suppressed and anxious whispers, could be heard outside the VIP lounge.

"What do we do? I don’t dare go in."

"Me neither. I’m so scared."

"If the Lancaster family doesn’t forgive us, we’re finished."

"..."

No amount of exquisite makeup could hide the panic and fear on the faces of the wealthy madams and socialites. Their usual dignity and arrogance had vanished without a trace.

They huddled together in twos and threes, standing awkwardly outside the door. No one dared to be the first to push it open.

But lingering outside and delaying the inevitable would only further enrage the person inside.

Adrian Lancaster had given them half an hour. Twenty-eight minutes had already passed.

After a moment’s hesitation, one of the madams at the front took a deep breath. "It’s come to this. Let’s go in. We’ll find out if we live or die once we’re inside."

She raised her hand and knocked gently on the door.

"Enter!"

Adrian Lancaster’s deep, cold voice came through the door, devoid of any emotion. It made their hearts tremble with fear.

Even through the door, they could feel his powerful, intimidating presence.

"..."

Bracing themselves, the women pushed the door open and filed in. They all kept their heads bowed, not daring to breathe too loudly as they lined up nervously.

They didn’t dare to meet the calm gaze of Wren Sutton, who was sitting on the sofa, much less face Adrian Lancaster’s sharp, glacial eyes.

Claire Sterling sat primly to one side. Her expression was serene as her indifferent gaze swept over the women, exuding the authority of a Lancaster family elder. Without saying a word, she was inherently intimidating.

The madam who had knocked took the lead, stepping forward with a mortified expression and an extremely humble posture.

"We’ve come to apologize to Mrs. Lancaster. We’re sorry, Mrs. Lancaster. We know we were wrong. Please be the bigger person and forgive us this time. We’ll never speak so recklessly again."

"Me too, Mrs. Lancaster. I’m sorry."

"I’m sorry."

"Mrs. Lancaster, I’m sorry."

"..."

One by one, the women bowed to Wren Sutton and apologized, their postures servile and their voices filled with remorse.

Adrian Lancaster remained unmoved. His gaze was bone-chillingly cold; his anger had not subsided in the slightest.

He snorted, his tone dangerous. "You think a few hollow apologies can erase your despicable actions? It’s not that easy."

His words made them all freeze instantly, their hearts leaping into their throats.

"President Lancaster, we truly know we were wrong. We’re sincerely trying to make it up to Mrs. Lancaster. Please, give us a chance."

"Or, tell us how much compensation Mrs. Lancaster would like to appease her anger. We will do everything in our power to satisfy her."

Adrian Lancaster cut them off coldly. "The Lancaster family doesn’t need your paltry compensation."

"My wife was maliciously drugged and plotted against. She was the innocent victim. Not only did you not offer a helping hand, you huddled in the hallway to mock and slander her, spreading rumors and turning the victim into a running joke."

"Putting aside your lack of manners and morals, you’ve shown absolutely no respect for the Lancaster family, and no respect for my wife."

"You think a simple ’I’m sorry’ is enough to turn the page on this? Do you take the Lancaster family for some insignificant household?"

Hearing this, the women grew even more terrified. After his tirade, they dared not even lift their heads.

"President Lancaster, we were momentarily confused. We believed the rumors... We’re sorry, so sorry..."

"Momentarily confused?" Adrian Lancaster sneered, his eyes growing even colder.

"The Lancaster family has worked with all of your families for years, and this is how you repay us? By blatantly humiliating my wife? You reap the benefits of your connection to the Lancaster family while trampling on our dignity for your own entertainment."

"It seems the Lancaster family has given you too many benefits, making you all far too bold." Adrian Lancaster ground out the last sentence through clenched teeth.

"How dare you bully my woman."

The madams and socialites held their breath, trembling where they stood. They were just short of dropping to their knees to beg for mercy.

"President Lancaster, you exaggerate. We would never dare again. From now on, we will follow Mrs. Lancaster’s lead and won’t show the slightest disrespect."

"President Lancaster, Mrs. Lancaster, we beg you both to forgive us this once. Please give us a chance to turn over a new leaf."

Adrian Lancaster shook his head. "Chances aren’t for people like you."

"..."

He had already decided on the specific measures to take.

"Now, all of you will bow to my wife at a ninety-degree angle. You will not straighten up for three minutes. Reflect on what you’ve done."

A tremor went through the group, but no one dared to disobey. They bent down deeply, holding the stiff posture as the seconds and minutes ticked by, their dignity completely shattered.

「After three minutes.」

Adrian Lancaster spoke again.

"Each of you will hand-write a letter of apology, sign it, and add your thumbprint. It will be published in the high-society weekly."

"!!!"

"Effective immediately, the Lancaster family is cutting all business ties with your families. When you learn to respect my wife, behave yourselves, and watch your words, only then will the Lancaster family consider resuming our partnerships."

"And if I find out any of you has said so much as half a bad word about my wife in private, I will personally bankrupt her family and run them out of Aston, never to return."

Adrian Lancaster’s punishments grew harsher with each decree. They were not up for discussion; there was no room for negotiation or appeal.

Their faces turned pale, their legs went weak, and they shivered from a bone-deep chill.

A handwritten public apology was tantamount to complete social suicide, a total loss of face.

Cutting business ties meant colossal financial losses.

No one dared to argue or complain. They even had to thank Adrian Lancaster for his "mercy," their smiles looking more pained than a grimace of tears.

"We’ll do as you say... We’ll definitely turn over a new leaf..."

Wren Sutton leaned quietly against Adrian Lancaster throughout the entire ordeal. She didn’t speak up to stop his decision, nor did she plead on anyone’s behalf.

’When I was helpless and at my lowest, these people kicked me while I was down, humiliating, slandering, and trampling all over me.’

’They were the ones who maliciously hurt me first. Why should I forgive them?’

’Bad people should be punished. They should pay the price for their mistakes.’

Adrian Lancaster: "Have the letters of apology on my desk within three days. Don’t even think about slacking off or cutting corners. If there is a single mistake, you will bear consequences you cannot afford."

"Get out."

As if granted a royal pardon, the madams and their daughters fled in a disheveled hurry.

The lounge fell silent again.

Claire Sterling was just as unrelenting, nodding in approval.

"Adrian, you did the right thing. This is exactly how you should discipline them. If you forgive them too easily, they’ll never learn their lesson. They’ll just get worse and keep gossiping behind your backs."

Adrian Lancaster grunted in agreement and looked down at Wren Sutton.

"No one who bullies my people ever gets off easy."

Wren Sutton wrapped her arms around his neck, feeling a genuine sense of bliss.

"It feels so good to have someone in my corner."

Adrian Lancaster affectionately tapped Wren Sutton’s nose, then scooped her up by the waist. "Let’s go home."

Wren Sutton let out a small cry of surprise, worried about Adrian Lancaster’s health.

"You just recently recovered. You shouldn’t be straining yourself. Let me down so I can walk on my own."

Adrian Lancaster carried Wren Sutton out, seemingly without any effort at all.

"Honey, I can carry you."

His steps were steady as they walked through the luxurious corridor, showing no sign of weakness from someone who had just recovered from a serious illness.

Wren Sutton rested her head gently on his shoulder. His clean, pleasant scent filled her senses, and all the hurt and anxiety that had built up inside her dissipated completely.

"You were so angry just now. Does your head hurt?" Wren Sutton raised a hand worriedly, gently touching Adrian Lancaster’s temple.

Adrian Lancaster looked down, his gaze impossibly gentle. He was a completely different person from the man whose icy demeanor had intimidated everyone just moments before.

"Don’t worry, I’m fine."

They walked out of The Zenith Hotel and reached the car, where the driver hurried forward to open the door.

Adrian Lancaster carefully settled Wren Sutton in the back seat, then got in beside her, pulling her into a tight embrace.

"Honey, I’ve decided. From now on, no matter what event you attend, I’m going to stay by your side. With me there, no one will dare to bully you."

Wren Sutton curled up contentedly in Adrian Lancaster’s warm embrace, clearly hearing his strong, steady heartbeat.

"Today’s incident was my fault, too. I was careless. I knew Claire Bennett had bad intentions when she approached me, but I still clinked glasses with her and drank that sip of wine."

"If I had just completely ignored her and not clinked glasses, none of this embarrassing mess would have happened, and I wouldn’t have shamed the Lancaster family."

Adrian Lancaster tightened his arms and leaned down to kiss Wren Sutton.

"Don’t be silly. Fame, fortune, and face are not even a fraction as important as you are."

"In my heart, you are the most important."

"The reason you clinked glasses with Claire Bennett wasn’t because you truly wanted to. It was to maintain the Lancaster family’s dignity in front of everyone. Claire Bennett knew that, which is why she so brazenly proposed a toast. She was certain you wouldn’t refuse."

Wren Sutton nodded. Adrian Lancaster really did understand her.

"Honey, your analysis is spot on."

Adrian Lancaster sighed, a mix of heartache and helplessness in the sound.

"In the future, if you encounter a similar situation, as long as you don’t want to do it, just refuse outright. Don’t hesitate, no matter who it is."

A prickling sensation stung Wren Sutton’s nose. She pressed closer into Adrian Lancaster’s embrace and wrapped her arms around his waist. A thousand unsaid words passed between them in that moment.

Adrian Lancaster’s fingers gently stroked her hair as he spoke in a serious, resolute tone.

"Honey, remember this. The Lancaster family is your backing, and I am your support. You don’t have to worry about what anyone thinks. Just be yourself."