"I see, Fiona," Serena said without much else.
Tomorrow was Brianna's coming-of-age party.
As her brother, Nicholas would indeed need to go back early to prepare.
But...
why hadn't he said anything to her before he left?
After all...
they had been living under the same roof for several days.
He should have at least said goodbye.
Serena didn't even notice the strange, unsettled feeling in her heart upon hearing that the charmer had left without a word to her.
She looked at Fiona. "Thank you and Nathaniel for taking care of me during this time. I'll be heading home now."
Fiona looked at the canvas bag on the girl's back. The young master had bought her a whole room full of clothes, and she wasn't taking any of them.
She couldn't help but feel...
that the young master was just like that room full of clothes, being left behind by Miss Lancaster.
She quickly asked, “Miss Lancaster, you're... not going to wait for the young master to come back?"
Serena glanced at the empty hall and shook her head. "No, my family is waiting for me."
Just as she was about to leave, Fiona called out to her. "Wait, Miss Lancaster... the young master prepared a gift for you. Please take it with you."
As she spoke, she hurried over with an elegantly wrapped, fairly large rectangular box.
A gift?
Why would he get her a gift?
Serena stared at the box for a few seconds before reaching out to take it.
It had some weight to it.
She nodded. “Please thank him for me. I'm leaving."
Fiona walked her all the way to the door. "Miss Lancaster, please be careful on your way. Come back and visit when you have time. Fiona will make you something delicious!"
When Serena arrived back at the
Lancaster estate, carrying her bag in one hand and the gift box in the other, her family, who had already
been notified were al
were all waiting for her at the manor entrance.
"Serena, my darling daughter, you're finally back..."
The moment Catherine saw Serena, her eyes reddened. She rushed forward to hug her. "Let Mom see, have you lost weight?"
"It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back." Edward was also emotional,
his eyes full of tenderness as he watched his wife and daughter embrace.
Julian stepped forward and took the bag and gift box from Serena's hands.
Feeling the weight of the box, he glanced down at it. "What's this...?"
Serena was talking with Catherine, but she looked over at the box when she heard her brother's question. “It's from Nicholas. I haven't opened it yet."
"That Nicholas..." Julian stared at the gift box, his eyes behind his gold-rimmed glasses darkening slightly.
He had asked Nicholas to help look after Serena, not to hit on her.
And now he was showering her with gifts!
If his Serena wanted something, he could buy it for her. He didn't need Nicholas showing off.
"Alright, why is everyone blocking
the entrance? Serena must be
starving, right? Let's go eat. Your mother knew you were coming,
home and personally cooked
your
favorite dishes," Old Mr. Lancaster said. Looking at his granddaughter, safe and sound, his wrinkled face was filled with relieved contentment.
He wheeled his wheelchair over to Serena. "Is everything on the outside... all taken care of?"
Just that one sentence was enough for Serena to know her grandfather had sensed something.
It made sense...
To have established the Lancaster Group in a place like Vaelion City, becoming its wealthiest family and ensuring their long-lasting prosperity, was a testament to Old Mr. Lancaster's iron will.
How could he not have noticed something was amiss?
Serena placed her hands on the wheelchair and began pushing her grandfather into
the manor. “It's all taken care of, Grandfather. You don't need to worry."
"As long as it's taken care of... that's good," Old Mr. Lancaster laughed heartily "If you need your family's help with anything you just have to ask Don't be a stranger with us, you hear?"
The coolness in Serena's eyes melted away, replaced by a warmth. “I know. If there's ever anything I can't handle, I'll definitely ask my family for help."