Chapter 177: Like a Little Kid

Chapter 177: Chapter 177: Like a Little Kid

Ian Sterling actually lowered his gaze and gave it some serious thought.

Seeing him look so serious, Lynn Winslow pounced into his arms, grabbing his cheeks and giving them a few good shakes.

"You’re actually thinking about it? Are you asking for a beating?"

Ian Sterling roared with laughter.

All the commotion had chased away any sleepiness, so Lynn Winslow got out of bed to go find her grandfathers.

The two grandfathers weren’t back yet. Lynn was about to go look for them, but just as she reached the villa’s entrance, a dark blue sports coupe came through the open gates and pulled into the driveway without a hint of ceremony.

Lynn Winslow frowned. The car was unfamiliar, but the brazen way it was driven seemed all too familiar.

Sure enough, when the car stopped, the man who emerged from the driver’s seat was a familiar figure: Zane Lancaster, whom she hadn’t seen in ages.

"What are you doing here all of a sudden?"

Zane Lancaster pushed his sunglasses up onto his forehead, pinning back his bangs. He retorted, "Can’t I be here?"

Lynn Winslow rolled her eyes. Zane Lancaster grabbed her and pulled her over. "Come carry the gifts for Mr. Winslow and Mr. Powell."

"You can have them carry it, why are you making me?" Lynn was reluctant and tried to shake off Zane’s hand, but he wouldn’t let go.

As they got closer, the trunk popped open automatically. Zane unceremoniously pulled out one gift box after another and shoved them into Lynn’s arms.

"They’re for your grandfather and maternal grandfather. If you don’t carry them, who should?"

"..." Lynn reluctantly took them. When a member of the staff came forward to help, she hesitated for a moment before declining and carrying the boxes herself.

The front door had been left open. Ian Sterling had come downstairs and was getting a glass of water in the dining room when he heard voices. At first, he thought Lynn was talking with Mr. Powell and Elder Winslow, but he frowned, thinking the other voice sounded too young.

He and Zane Lancaster didn’t know each other well, and from the other room, he couldn’t recognize his voice at all.

Ian Sterling set down his glass and walked outside. The moment he saw Zane Lancaster, his expression instinctively soured.

"What are you doing here?!" he demanded.

A smirk played on Zane Lancaster’s lips. Knowing Ian Sterling hated the smell of smoke, he deliberately lit a cigarette right in front of him. Through a cloud of smoke, Zane said, "I came to see my dear sister and Mr. Winslow. Is there a problem with that?"

They weren’t standing close, but Ian Sterling swore he could smell the acrid scent of tobacco.

He took a step back, glaring at Zane Lancaster with a deep frown.

Lynn nudged Zane with her elbow and whispered, "What are you doing?"

Zane Lancaster just laughed and took two steps to the side, just out of Lynn’s reach, and continued to blow clouds of smoke.

Seeing that Lynn was laden with boxes, Ian covered his mouth and nose, walked over to her, and took them from her hands. He then strode a safe distance away before turning back to call, "What are you doing over there? Come on."

His tone was even, but Lynn could still detect the faint hint of a threat in his words.

She let out a little "oh" and hurried after Ian. Zane Lancaster glanced at her, then looked away, his expression impassive as he finished the last half of his cigarette before heading into the villa.

Lynn and Ian were leaning against a table, chatting. Ian said, "They’ll be here soon, but Mr. Winslow and Mr. Powell still aren’t back. I’ll have someone go find them."

"Those two, they bicker every time they meet, and now that they’re out, they don’t want to come home," Lynn said, pressing her lips together to keep from smiling.

Zane Lancaster stood a short distance away, silently watching them. They weren’t doing anything in particular, but the intimacy between them was palpable. He stood rooted to the spot for a long moment before finally walking over.

He casually snatched the newly opened bottle of water from Lynn’s hand, twisted off the cap, and took a few gulps.

Ian Sterling shot him a furious glare. ’Lynn hasn’t had any yet, but what if she was about to?’

"Do you know what you look like right now?" Zane Lancaster raised an eyebrow with a slight smirk. Before Ian could respond, he answered his own question: "A little kid."

"You!" Ian’s anger flared, but it was immediately cut short as Lynn grabbed his arm.

Lynn shot a look at Zane, who was clearly enjoying the drama, then turned to soothe Ian. "Don’t listen to him," she said softly. "Just pretend he’s delirious from all the overtime he’s been working."

Ian Sterling pursed his lips, his eyes still holding a wronged look as he gazed at Lynn. She stood on her tiptoes, stroking his soft hair and chuckling. "Don’t be mad, baby."

At this display, Zane Lancaster made a deliberate gagging noise, rolled his eyes, and stalked over to the living room sofa to sit down.

Ian rolled his eyes at Zane’s retreating back before bending down to hug Lynn, whining, "He’s picking on me."

"Don’t stoop to his level. He’s just trying to get a rise out of you. The angrier you get, the happier he is," Lynn said, hugging him back and soothing him gently.

Ian Sterling pouted and shot another surreptitious glare in Zane’s direction.

Mr. Powell and Elder Winslow walked into the courtyard, laughing and chatting. From the sound of it, they were discussing a chess game they had seen between two other old gentlemen in the park, and how one of them had made a bad move.

Lynn pushed away a clinging Ian Sterling and walked to the door. Seeing the broad smiles on the two grandfathers’ faces, she couldn’t help but find the situation amusing.

’If you told anyone that these two, who could chatter on forever about a single game of chess, were from the Powell family and the Winslow family, no one would believe you.’

Lynn jogged over, linking her arms through each of theirs. "Grandpa, Grandpa, where have you two been off to?" she asked with a wide smile.

Elder Winslow said, "Well, the park out back was empty today, so your grandfather here took me to a plaza a little farther out."

"Oh my, and we were planning to take you to other provinces and cities. At this rate, it’ll take ages just to get through all the fun spots in Quartos," Lynn said sweetly. "Grandpa, are you still planning on traveling with us?"

"Of course I’m going! Why wouldn’t I? If it takes longer, I’ll just stay longer. Besides, with your father and Joel holding down the fort at the Winslow estate, I have nothing to worry about," Elder Winslow said, laughing heartily at her teasing. "Just as long as you and Finn don’t get tired of having me around."

Mr. Powell said with a hint of jealousy, "You’re her paternal grandfather. She might get tired of me, but she’d never get tired of you."

Lynn quickly placated them, "I won’t get tired of either of you!"

Mr. Powell finally broke into a smile and patted Lynn’s hand on his arm. It was only when he looked up that he noticed Zane Lancaster was there as well.

"Well now, Zane, what a surprise to see you here," Elder Winslow said first.

Zane Lancaster’s lips curved into a perfectly gentle and gentlemanly smile. "I went to the Powell residence to pay you both a visit," he explained. "A member of the staff there told me you and Mr. Powell were here, so I came right over."

"This young Lancaster is so considerate, still thinking of you," Mr. Powell said, turning to Elder Winslow.

’Zane was always such a sweet-talker when he needed to be.’

"I didn’t just come to see Mr. Winslow; I came to see you, too. Lynn and I grew up together, and I’ve always thought of her as my own sister. Since you’re her grandfather, you’re naturally my grandfather as well. I’ve always thought of you as family, that is, if you’ll have me."

Those words had Mr. Powell grinning from ear to ear. He stepped forward and began walking toward the villa with Zane.

As he passed Ian Sterling, who was standing to the side, unable to get a word in, his lips moved, silently forming a single word.

Ian understood perfectly, and fury surged to his head.

"Idiot."