Chapter 86: Sebastian Lancaster Changes Face Quickly

Chapter 86: Chapter 86: Sebastian Lancaster Changes Face Quickly

I watched Julian Fletcher warily, my expression grim.

’What is he freaking out about now?’

"Who are you calling? Don’t be disgusting." I pushed Julian Fletcher away, trying to get out of the elevator.

But Julian Fletcher suddenly grabbed my wrist, pulling me back with a deranged intensity. "You’re Cece, aren’t you..."

His voice was a little hoarse and held a hint of excitement.

I started to panic but forced myself to remain calm as I pushed Julian Fletcher away. "If you’re going to have a meltdown, don’t do it here. This is the Lancaster Group, not your home."

The elevator doors opened, and the other employees got off on their floor, leaving just Julian Fletcher, his assistant, and me inside.

Julian Fletcher said nothing more, but he kept staring at me. His gaze made my skin crawl.

"President Fletcher, this way, please." The elevator doors opened to reveal Assistant Foster waiting outside.

He didn’t seem at all surprised to see me.

Julian Fletcher gave me a complicated look before walking straight out of the elevator.

I followed, my heart still pounding with fear.

’He couldn’t have recognized me, could he...?’

’He’s just deceiving himself.’

My clenched fists slowly relaxed. I wiped the sweat from my palms and followed Assistant Foster. "Asher... did Sebastian Lancaster come to the company? Did they give him a hard time?"

Assistant Foster was calm as he glanced back at me. "Several of the businesses under Master Lancaster have run into problems and are being investigated by the police, so he doesn’t have time to come over for now. As it stands, no one else at the company has dared to take the lead in making trouble for the Young Master."

’I was a little surprised. Master Lancaster’s businesses were in trouble, too. Was it just that fool Sebastian Lancaster’s good luck, or...? It all seemed too coincidental.’

"The ones in the Lancaster Group who dare to cause trouble are all Master Lancaster’s people. With him away, they naturally won’t dare to make any big moves." I nodded.

’Master Lancaster’s prestige in the company wouldn’t just disappear after a few days of being sick.’

’Most people in the company were still wary of him.’

’Master Lancaster would need more time to completely replace the old guard at the Lancaster Group.’

"Master Lancaster won’t be tied down forever. Sooner or later, he’ll be back to deal with the Young Master," Assistant Foster said in a low voice, as if deliberately letting me hear. "That’s why this partnership with the Fletcher Group must be secured."

"I’ve looked into this partnership. Julian Fletcher came to the Lancaster Group in person, which makes it look like they’re the ones eager to work with us. Besides, with the Lancaster Group’s power in Meridia, we shouldn’t be the ones constrained," I said, lowering my voice. "Unless Master Lancaster and Julian Fletcher have a deal and are planning to pull something." ’Judging by Julian’s behavior, he probably hasn’t partnered with Master Lancaster yet.’

"No..." Assistant Foster said just before we entered the office. "It’s the Young Master... He refuses to partner with the Fletcher Group."

’It’s Sebastian Lancaster, unilaterally rejecting any and all cooperation with the Fletcher Group.’

’It’s Sebastian Lancaster who’s going after the Fletcher Group.’

"I saw in the news that several of the Fletcher Group’s projects have run into trouble..." I murmured, then suddenly looked up at Assistant Foster. "Sebastian Lancaster... he doesn’t have that kind of ability, does he?"

’He’s just a fool... He was homeless before, and he lived in an orphanage.’

’He just returned to the Lancaster Family. Where would he get the power to take on the Fletcher Group and go against Julian Fletcher?’

Assistant Foster remained silent, simply pushing the door open and gesturing for me to enter.

I stood at the doorway, hesitating for a long while before finally stepping inside.

In the office, Sebastian Lancaster sat by the floor-to-ceiling windows, dressed in a suit. He looked... cold, aloof, and unapproachable. ’But he was a drifter before this, with no experience running a company. It’ll take time for him to learn the ropes.’

’In the past, I always thought Julian Fletcher had a certain presence. At least when he was dressed to the nines and acting the part, he looked respectable.’

’But now, in front of Sebastian Lancaster, his presence seemed completely crushed.’

Neither of them looked pleased. Sebastian Lancaster hadn’t said a word, and it was Julian Fletcher who spoke first. "Heh... The Lancaster Group’s sincerity is truly astonishing. Sending a fool to receive the Fletcher Group. It looks like we can forget about this partnership."

"You’re right, there’s no need to talk," Sebastian Lancaster sneered. When he went into one of his unhinged states, he looked like he was ready to kill someone at any moment.

Especially when facing Julian Fletcher, Sebastian Lancaster looked like he could morph into a demon at any second and rip him to shreds.

Julian Fletcher frowned. ’If there was nothing to discuss, why make me come all the way here? Is Sebastian Lancaster just trying to humiliate me?’

’Even if the Fletcher Family couldn’t compare to the Lancaster Family before, things were different now. Without Master Lancaster, and relying solely on this fool, their decline was only a matter of time.’

"The Lancaster Family must have run out of people for it to be your turn to sit here," Julian Fletcher said, maintaining a relatively calm facade. "With you in charge, the Lancaster Group will be ruined sooner or later." He stood up, clearly having no intention to talk further.

I walked over to Sebastian Lancaster and gave him a little nudge. "President Fletcher, sincerity in business is a two-way street. The Fletcher Group stands to profit from this partnership, yet we’ve seen no sincerity from your side. You do nothing but call him a fool. My husband is already showing you great courtesy by not having security throw you out. If you actually want to negotiate, then come back next time with some genuine intent."

’If this deal really falls through, there’s no telling how Master Lancaster will put him down when he gets back.’

’He shouldn’t be so willful when he’s trying to establish his authority in the company.’

The look Sebastian Lancaster gave Julian Fletcher was icy, but when he turned to me, his eyes instantly switched to a pitiful, puppy-dog expression.

’Does this guy have a split personality or something? He switches back and forth so seamlessly.’

I felt a bit awkward and cleared my throat. "President Fletcher, Master Lancaster is ill, which makes Sebastian Lancaster the sole heir to the Lancaster Group. So, when you learn some respect, we can continue this discussion."

’This was the first time I’d ever spoken to Julian Fletcher so assertively.’

’Back when I lived under their roof, I never thought of fighting back, no matter how terribly Julian Fletcher bullied me. I was just afraid of making things tense and hurting Mrs. Fletcher’s feelings.’

’But now, I’m not Cecilia Caldwell anymore. I don’t have to care about any of that.’

"If you want to help Sebastian Lancaster secure his position in the Lancaster Group, you can’t afford to lose this partnership with the Fletcher Group." Julian Fletcher looked at me, seemingly well aware of the Lancaster Family’s current situation. "So... you’re the ones who need my help."

’As expected. A leopard can’t change its spots. The man still can’t kick his habit of threatening people.’

"The Fletcher Group isn’t the only one capable of handling this project," Sebastian Lancaster said, standing and pulling me protectively into his arms. "It’s not yet clear who’s begging whom."

His voice was raspy, as if damaged by smoke, but it wasn’t unpleasant. In fact, it carried an inexplicable, commanding weight.

Julian Fletcher’s expression darkened as he stared at Sebastian Lancaster, his gaze falling to the arm holding me. "Fine. We’ll wait and see."

’He would see, then, just who would come begging to whom.’

’Sebastian Lancaster is a fool. And even if he isn’t, the Lancaster Group is teeming with sharks. He can barely protect himself, and he wants to compete with me?’

"President Fletcher, this way, please." Assistant Foster opened the door, showing Julian Fletcher out.

Julian Fletcher walked to the door with his assistant, then glanced back at me.

"Investigate Silvia Lynch. I want a detailed file," Julian Fletcher said, glancing at the assistant by his side.

...

Once I was sure Julian Fletcher had gone, I let out a sigh of relief and turned to Sebastian Lancaster. "Why did you have to refuse to work with the Fletcher Group?"

Sebastian Lancaster huffed and ignored me.

’Huh? What did I do to make him angry?’