Chapter 660

Meanwhile, at the Lancaster family estate, news of Harrison’s imminent return sent a flurry of activity through the household.
The Lancasters had never divided the family estate since the time of the senior Mr. Lancaster. The old patriarch’s four sons-Harrison’s uncles Barry, Todd, and Victor, along with Harrison’s own father-all lived under the same roof with their families. The estate was not only vast, but also crowded.
“Why the sudden return after all this time?” Janice muttered to her husband.
Victor Lancaster snorted. “He’s probably on his last legs. Wants one final look at home before he kicks the bucket.”
Their brother Todd, a genial, portly man who was fiddling with a string of prayer beads, overheard the comment as he walked by. “Victor, show some decency,” he scolded. “Have you no shame, wishing death upon your own nephew?”
When Harrison, at such a young age, had bypassed his own father to inherit control of the family from the patriarch, it had naturally bred resentment. In the first few years after he took power, the ambitious members of the family had been relentless in their challenges. But once Harrison demonstrated his ruthless methods, some fell in line, while others learned to fear him, and a tense peace settled over the family.
But years later, Victor was still bitter. Though he lacked the courage to confront Harrison directly, he never missed an opportunity to voice his discontent in private. Harrison’s terminal diagnosis had been a cause for celebration for him. During Harrison’s long absence in Fairhaven, he had become bolder, even bringing his illegitimate son into the home with plans to install him in the family company.
He had been waiting every day for Harrison to die. The news of his return was an unwelcome surprise.
“Am I not speaking the truth? Countless doctors said he wouldn’t last long,” Victor scoffed. “He’s been quiet in Fairhaven for ages. Why else would he come back now if not to die?”
The thought seemed to dispel the flicker of fear he felt at the prospect of facing Harrison again. *So what if he’s back?* he thought. *I’ll just lay low for a while. He’s a dead man walking anyway. There’s plenty of time to secure my son’s future.*
The person who seemed least affected by the news was Harrison’s own father, Ryan Lancaster. While everyone else bustled about, he remained in his study, as detached as ever.
Susan Young stood beside him, her expression anxious. “Ryan, perhaps I should stay somewhere else tonight?” Thıs content belongs to.net
Ryan looked up from his book, his eyes cold. “Why would you do that?”
Susan bit her lip. Though she was nearly fifty, she had a girlish innocence about her that belied her age as a mother of three.
“Harrison will be upset if he sees me she said mournfully.
“Then let him be upset,” Ryan replied, his tone flat.
Her feigned deference was met with his cold permission, and a flicker of carefully concealed joy crossed Susan’s face, mingled with an unabashed adoration for him She didn’t dare disturb him further and slipped out of the study, only to run into her daughter, CrystabLancaster.
Unlike her mother’s anxiety, Crystal was practically buzzing with excitement. “Mother, I made soup for him myself in the kitchen. Do you think he’ll like it?”
The “he” she referred to was, of course, Harrison.
Susan smiled softly, tucking a stray piece of hair behind her ear.
dm sure he will at the
thought daring Content
This only fueled Crystal’s anticipation.
Just then, a servant’s voice echoed through the hall. “The Elder Madam and Mr. Harrison have arrived!”
Instantly, the entire household was in motion. Everyone, with the exception of the old patriarch, made their way to the entrance including Victor Dancaster, who, despite his earlier bravado, now had no choice but to go and welcome the nephew hé despised.