Chapter 122: Isn’t This Just Being Fed Like a Pig?
The next morning, Jane Lancaster was all dressed up and ready to go to her bachelorette party.
The engagement banquet was the next day, and the ever-thoughtful Caleb Lowell had arranged this party for her to relax.
He had some work to attend to and wouldn’t be able to make it until the afternoon.
Alvin Lancaster walked over, volunteering, "Jay, let me go with you."
Before Jane Lancaster could even answer, he pulled open the car door and hopped in.
On the way, Alvin Lancaster chose his words carefully. "Jay, don’t worry. I already warned everyone in the group chat not to spread any rumors."
He was still shocked that Chloe Dave had been so brazen—showing up to persuade his sister to call off the engagement. Was the woman insane? It wasn’t just an insult to his sister; it was a slap in the face to the entire Lancaster family. No wonder their older brother had been so furious, leaving with both of them on the spot.
Luckily, Caleb Lowell had followed them to the Lancaster estate, offering gifts and apologies. His sister had also spoken up for him, and only then was the matter finally dropped.
Jane Lancaster’s mood was completely unaffected. "It’s fine. I don’t care anyway."
’I was quite satisfied with the apology gifts the Dave family sent over last night. What’s a little gossip? If this happens a few more times, I’ll make a killing, won’t I?’
Alvin Lancaster glanced at his sister, his eyes filled with a hint of pity.
’She must really love Caleb Lowell. That’s why even after being wronged, she just swallows her grievances and optimistically consoles herself with the apology gifts.’
Mama Knight also looked disapproving. "How can you not care? A person’s reputation is so important! That Chloe Dave has gone too far, time and time again. Just thinking about how she’s bullied Miss Jane makes me want to rip her mouth to shreds!"
Alvin Lancaster glanced at Mama Knight and, for some reason, found the older woman quite endearing.
"By the way, Mama Knight, you’ve been working very hard recently. My older brother and I discussed it, and starting this month, your salary will be raised by 20%. Also, since Jay’s engagement is a joyous event for the Lancaster family, everyone will receive a bonus. But please keep this part confidential."
He added casually, "Finance should have already deposited the money into your bank account. Why don’t you check if it’s arrived?"
Mama Knight hurriedly took out her phone and asked Jane Lancaster to help her check for the notification. Sure enough, there was a record of a bonus deposit.
Mama Knight’s face lit up with delight. "Thank you, Second Young Master! Thank you, Miss Jane!"
Alvin Lancaster secretly glanced at his sister’s expression. ’There,’ he thought, ’now you have to praise me.’
Jane Lancaster said, "Since my big brother and second brother are being so generous, you should mention such wonderful news in the staff’s group chat."
She sent a message to the group, deliberately hinting that the bonus amount was quite high.
’And if some of you didn’t get as much? Or maybe someone didn’t get one at all? Oh, that’s none of my business. Go ask the one who’s handing out the money.’
’So now he isn’t afraid of Mama Knight becoming a target for everyone’s jealousy? Heh. It’s not okay when I suggest something, but when Alvin Lancaster does it, it’s perfectly fine.’
’My eldest brother is a real piece of work. He’s always talking about how much he dotes on his little sister, but it’s all just lip service. He never gives me anything I actually want.’
’He loves making a show of these small favors, but he won’t give me a single cent of my own dividends. And on the rare occasion he gifts me jewelry, he has to make sure the whole world knows about it.’
’He’s not like this with other people, is he? He invested when the second idiot opened his shop and sponsored Adrian Lancaster’s research, all generously and without asking for anything in return. But his own sister? She absolutely cannot be allowed to have any extra money in her hands. Is he just stingy, or is he guarding against me like I’m some kind of thief?’
Alvin Lancaster froze for a second. ’That can’t be right,’ he thought. ’Our older brother dotes on her so much. How could he possibly refuse her anything?’
But as he racked his brain for the rest of the drive, he couldn’t think of a single time their older brother had been particularly generous with her.
’Still, she must have it wrong. Our older brother isn’t like that.’
’He must just think she’s too young, so he’s helping her manage her money.’
’Once she’s better, he’ll definitely help her selflessly, just like he helps me and Chase.’
——
The moment Jane Lancaster arrived at the hotel, she spotted Clayton Lowell, who had been laying low for quite some time.
The man was a hedonist through and through—passionate about socializing, with a flair for the dramatic, and an insatiable need to be the center of attention.
She had assumed that being unable to go out and party would have caused him to lose some weight, but seeing him now, she realized she was wrong.
Not only had Clayton Lowell not lost weight, but he’d also packed on a few pounds. He was even starting to sport a beer belly.
He spotted the Lancaster siblings approaching from a distance and deliberately raised his voice. "I brought some ice cream bars today. Our housekeeper made them by hand."
"Our new housekeeper is wonderful. Not at all like those crude old maids. She’s incredibly skilled and competent, can cook any cuisine you can think of, and is especially good at making all sorts of snacks and desserts."
"Everyone else loses their appetite in the summer heat, but not me. I can’t stop eating all the delicious food she makes."
The wealthy socialites surrounding him all nodded in agreement.
It was a well-known fact that good help was hard to come by these days; finding a satisfactory housekeeper wasn’t easy.
Jane Lancaster was speechless. The man just loved being passive-aggressive.
’It’s bad enough that he’s throwing shade at me for not being a good homemaker, but why is he looking at Mama Knight? Did Mama Knight do something to offend him?’
’Looks like he and Mrs. Everett are getting along swimmingly. But... I seem to recall that Mrs. Everett isn’t a very good cook?’
Alvin Lancaster hadn’t been particularly demanding about Mrs. Everett’s cooking, but to be fair, it was hardly so delicious that you couldn’t stop eating.
But since it was no longer their business, he couldn’t very well argue that the woman’s cooking was bad. "Jay, let’s go."
A man beside them started flattering Clayton Lowell. "You must be in high spirits from all the recent joyous events! Not only is your complexion glowing, but you’re looking younger and younger! Your build is starting to resemble President Lowell’s, too. I almost mistook you for him from a distance just now."
’Younger? Isn’t this more like he’s being fattened up like a hog?’
"PFFT." Alvin Lancaster couldn’t help but let out a snort of laughter.
Clayton Lowell turned his head to look at Jane Lancaster. "What are you laughing at?"
"Sorry, that was me," Alvin Lancaster quickly clarified. He realized the man was his elder and that his reaction had been rude, so he added, "My apologies."
Clayton Lowell hadn’t thought much of it when he saw it was Alvin, but upon hearing the apology, his face instantly darkened.
"Do you think what he said was wrong, or do you have a problem with me?" He had been displeased ever since he heard that Caleb Lowell had sent a pile of apology gifts to the Lancaster family the day before.
’What right did the Lancasters have to put on such airs? The Lowells hadn’t demanded a massive dowry from them; they should be on their knees with gratitude!’
He kept a smile on his face, maintaining a gentle and gentlemanly facade, as if he were just making a lighthearted joke.
Alvin Lancaster grew even more awkward. "No..."
Clayton Lowell’s smile deepened. "Go on, say it. I don’t mind."
In reality, he cared immensely and was pressing the issue relentlessly.
Jane Lancaster spoke up. "Since you don’t mind, Uncle, I’ll be frank. Caleb is 6’1", and you’re 5’8". Based on build, you don’t look alike at all."
Then, with a hint of faux innocence, she added, "You don’t really mind, do you, Uncle?"
"Not at all," Clayton Lowell said, forcing a smile through gritted teeth. ’How does she know my real height?’ he wondered.
After a moment, he added, "But you’ve got my height wrong. I’m actually 5’11", so the difference isn’t that great. Otherwise, Jack wouldn’t have made that mistake, right?"
He turned his head to look for Jack, the sycophant.
However, Jack, seeing that things were going south, had already quietly slipped away.
"Then perhaps I remembered incorrectly," Jane Lancaster said, not bothering to argue. "But I do have a word of advice for you. If the food your new housekeeper makes is truly so delicious that you can’t stop eating, then you should be on your guard."