Chapter 1698: Where the Gaze Falls, There Lies Eternity: Scheming

The people on this side of the main branch all knew perfectly well why Daemon Lancaster’s chopsticks had snapped; they just didn’t want to stir up trouble.

Everybody knew Daemon Lancaster was eyeing the Family Head’s seat; the second branch definitely wouldn’t seize on this to make a fuss, afraid that if things blew up they’d get punished again.

The old master had been in low spirits lately, and didn’t have the energy to watch the two branches bicker. He glanced at Daemon Lancaster, clear dislike showing in his brows. “Eat, eat, stop staring. It’s cold now—once you finish dinner, go back to your own rooms and hole up!”

Joseph Lancaster was eating fast today. After shoveling down a bowl of rice, he put down his bowl and chopsticks. “Grandpa, you all take your time. I’m heading back first.”

“Mm, go on,” the old master didn’t even lift his head, but when Joseph Lancaster turned around, he said, “We were just saying, that girl you’re seeing hasn’t come by in quite a while.”

As soon as the old master finished, Lorelei Howard chimed in, “Joseph, when is Xiaoling going back to T City? Tell me, why did you have her transferred away for no reason! You two living in different cities like this, sooner or later you’re gonna split up!”

Bodhi Lancaster also set down his chopsticks and looked at his second son. Only Daxton Lancaster kept calmly eating.

Joseph Lancaster turned back again, thought for a moment, lifted his hand to his lips and coughed, putting on a troubled look. “Grandpa, Dad, Mom, I’d planned to tell you a bit later, but since you’re asking I’ll be straight with you. The two of us are done. Xiaoqian’s fallen for someone else.”

“What did you say! Xiaoling’s gotten together with another man? When did this happen!” Lorelei Howard thought she’d misheard, frowning at her second son.

In her arms, Robert Lancaster had already swallowed the food in his mouth. Grandma hadn’t kept feeding him; the little guy reached out and grabbed for the bowl in front of him.

A big bowl of pork and pickled cabbage, still steaming hot. The old master and Bodhi Lancaster and his wife were all focused on Joseph Lancaster; only Eva Hayes noticed Robert Lancaster’s movement, curled her lips into a sly, vicious smile, and didn’t stop him.

Joseph Lancaster scratched at the end of his eyebrow, pretending to struggle for words, hemming and hawing, not yet saying anything—when a sudden wail burst out, and Robert Lancaster kept flinging his little hands.

“Son, what’s wrong!” Daxton Lancaster sprang up and shot over in one swift stride.

Joseph Lancaster moved just as quickly; the two brothers rushed toward Lorelei Howard at the same time.

Lorelei Howard, heart aching, blew on the little guy’s hands. “Oh my, my precious grandson, how could you be so careless,”

“Give Robert to me!” Daxton Lancaster snatched his son over in one go, his tone as dark as his face—clearly displeased.

Beside them, Bodhi Lancaster was also blaming her. “You—at your age, how can you not even keep an eye on a child!”

Lorelei Howard stretched out her hands, then drew them back. Her grandson had burned his hands; as his grandmother, she felt awful.

Atlas Lancaster watched the two brothers blowing on the little guy’s hands non-stop and suggested, “If it’s serious, hurry and take him to the hospital. If it’s not, go buy some burn ointment.”

Eva Hayes had been secretly pleased; when she heard Atlas Lancaster say that, she glared at him in annoyance. “You and your big mouth!”

Aurora Lancaster also set down her chopsticks and came over, gently wiping her nephew’s tears. The three sons of the second branch kept eating as if nothing had happened.

Maximilian Lancaster was too young to know what was going on. Chewing his food, he asked his mother, “Mom, why is Robert crying?”

“It’s fine, your little brother burned himself.”

Victoria Thornton gently touched her son’s head, set down her chopsticks, and stood up. “Daxton, I’ve got some burn ointment in my room. How about I go get it for you?”

Daxton Lancaster’s face was frosted over with cold, his voice just as icy as he refused, “No need. Joseph, go bring the car around—we’re taking Robert to the hospital!”