The Lancaster family estate.
The atmosphere in the house was still a bit somber.
Catherine sat on the sofa, hugging a throw pillow with one arm and holding her phone with the other.
Her eyes were glued to the screen, staring at the message Serena had just sent.
She sighed, her face full of concern. "Serena's just now messaging me back. She must have been busy until now... It's past nine, I wonder if she's even eaten properly."
Old Mr. Lancaster frowned. "Serena's been gone for two days. The cafeteria at the research institute probably doesn't have anything she likes to eat. Tomorrow... let's have some soup made for her."
He then looked at Julian Lancaster. "Julian, you drive it over. Don't disturb Serena. Just leave it at the door and go."
Julian adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses and nodded. "Alright, I'll go tomorrow."
Listening to her family's conversation, Isabella sneered inwardly.
Worried about whether Serena was eating well at the institute?
She never even went to the institute!
She was lying to all of them!
Isabella couldn't wait to see the looks on their faces when they found out Serena had deceived them.
And now was the perfect time.
Isabella deliberately let her hand tremble, and the teacup she was holding fell to the floor with a crash.
The sound instantly drew everyone's attention.
With a flustered look, she quickly bent down to pick up the pieces. "I-I'm so sorry... Grandfather, Mom, Dad, Julian... I didn't mean to..."
"That's enough, let the staff clean it up," Edward Lancaster said, waving a hand. "You're usually so steady. Why are you so clumsy today?"
Isabella's lips trembled as she hesitantly glanced at her father.
But she quickly looked away, lowered her head, and mumbled, “I... I just lost my grip..."
"Isabella," Old Mr. Lancaster said, his brow furrowed as his sharp gaze fell upon her. He narrowed his eyes. Even in his old age, his commanding presence was still intimidating. “If you have something to say, say it directly. What's with all the hemming and hawing? Is that how the Lancaster family taught you to behave?”
Isabella bit her lower lip, her face a mask of panic.
After a long hesitation, she finally adopted a worried expression and said softly, “Grandfather, l-I'm just worried.....”
Her fingers clenched, as if she was steeling herself before she hesitantly continued, "I happened to run into Mr. Harrison's assistant today... he's an old classmate from my
novelalet
university. I casually asked about my sister's project, thinking maybet could join and help out somehow, but... but he said the institute doesn't seem to have any new, urgent national projects underway..."
Seeing the sudden change in her family's expressions, Isabella filled her voice and face with concern. "My sister... could she be in some kind of troubles why else would she, lieto everyone... about going to the institute? She's out there all by herself, I'm so worried about her... What if someone tricked her? What if she's out there doing something to harm herself..."
She trailed off, not saying more.
But her every word was designed to lead her family to question Serena's motives for deceiving them.
"Impossible," Julian countered, his eyes cool behind his gold-rimmed glasses as he looked up with a slight frown. “I spoke with Mr Harrison myselfyesterday. He confirmed that the institute does have an important project that requires our sister's assistance. She is at the institute right now."