Chapter 1416 - 1410: Bribery (2000+)
"You scoundrel! If you keep talking nonsense, get out!"
Daemon Lancaster roared in displeasure, and Callum Lancaster instantly wilted. Though he looked disgruntled, he didn’t dare say anything further.
Maximilian Lancaster shot a glance of obvious disdain at his brother, then turned back to continue discussing strategies with their father.
"Dad, relying solely on Avery’s words isn’t sufficient evidence. After all, a little tussle isn’t a big deal, and besides, the uncles and aunts in the family might not necessarily believe a housekeeper’s words."
"What kind of evidence counts then? Do we need to catch them in bed together to prove infidelity?"
Callum Lancaster interjected suddenly, prompting Daemon Lancaster to glare at him again. Before he could reprimand him, his eldest son, Maximilian, nodded thoughtfully.
"Pretty much. Evidence is needed for everything, otherwise it’s just baseless accusations. We might even be counter-sued for slander by Joseph Lancaster."
"Big brother, you’re always so cautious! If you ask me, Joseph Lancaster not marrying his whole life is evidence enough!" Callum shouted again, eyes widened as if he were arguing with someone.
"Think about it; Joseph Lancaster isn’t short on money or looks. Naturally, when a man has money, he tends to stray. Given Joseph’s conditions, women should be flocking to him like flies!"
But look at him now—has anyone ever heard of him being with a woman?
If you ask me, something’s wrong. Either he’s physically defective, secretly loves a woman, or it’s scientifically impossible for him not to be with a woman for life."
In the end, Callum shook his hand impatiently, wearing the look of a seasoned pro.
While Callum’s words were uncouth, there was a grain of truth.
As a man of striking looks with a successful career, Joseph Lancaster had never dated anyone. When their grandmother was alive, she arranged a marriage for him, but somehow he canceled it.
Back then, all the Lancaster Family members voted in favor of the marriage during the meeting, but Joseph only told his elder brother, the then Family Head, "Big brother, I don’t like the woman. If you still value our brotherly bond, please let me make my own decisions regarding marriage, don’t force me!"
Joseph’s simple sentence was something no one in the Lancaster Family expected, as Daxton Lancaster surprisingly agreed and even ordered all family members never to introduce a potential partner to Joseph again!
Since then, the Lancasters dared not mention helping Joseph find a girlfriend, and neither had he ever seemed to be involved with any young lady from any family, let alone in a formal relationship.
Although more than thirty years had passed, the past remained vivid.
Back then, Daemon Lancaster felt that the Family Head’s reaction was odd, now thinking about it... it seemed even more suspicious.
The Lancaster Family was prominent, and prominent families valued passing on their lineage.
His father had two sons: himself and his brother Michael Lancaster, with a younger sister below them.
Though his father was the second son of the old Family Head, he settled down and established himself before his elder son, Bodhi Lancaster.
Arthur Saunders married and also had two sons: Daxton Lancaster and Joseph Lancaster. Though they were biological brothers, Daxton Lancaster, as the future Family Head, carried an inherent sense of superiority, thus he wasn’t particularly close to his brother.
Improvement in their relationship came after Daxton Lancaster settled down, when he became noticeably more caring towards his biological brother, even instructing the kitchen to prepare tonic soups for Joseph, under the guise that the younger brother needed nourishing while still growing.
Back then, they were all young, and nobody cared about such matters, but reflecting on it now... something seemed off, though it wasn’t clear what. His intuition told him that there was definitely an unknown secret between the two brothers.
Perhaps the Family Head, Daxton Lancaster, had some leverage held by his brother and thus indulged and appeased him.
Daemon Lancaster smirked and said, "Whether Joseph Lancaster secretly loves a woman, I don’t know, but as for any physiological defects..."
Daemon Lancaster deliberately elongated his speech, and with a sudden cold chuckle, a calculating glint flashed briefly across his eyes.
"Why don’t we just test it to find out?"
"Dad, what do you mean?" Maximilian Lancaster looked sternly at his father, who withdrew his gaze and smiled at him, saying, "Let’s find Joseph Lancaster a woman, and by then, all mysteries will be revealed!"
Daemon Lancaster was quite adept at co-opting people; he transferred Avery Stuart’s son, fresh from graduation, to his own company to work. Although he only managed print jobs, for an intern college student, being able to join such a big company was a great privilege.
As a result, Avery Stuart was exceptionally grateful to Daemon Lancaster. Her son went on his first day to Daemon’s residence to thank him personally, standing in the living room, bowing repeatedly, laughing obsequiously.
"Master, thank you so much; you truly are a reincarnated Bodhisattva, a living Buddha..." Avery got so excited that she began speaking indiscriminately, using all the "idioms" she knew to praise Daemon Lancaster.
Victoria Thornton snorted scornfully, deep down disliking such sycophant maids who behave one way to your face and another behind your back. People like her were ungrateful wolves!
Daemon Lancaster laughed gently, gesturing for Avery to cease bowing.
"Enough, Avery, there’s no need to be so polite. You’ve served the Lancaster Family for several years; it’s only proper to help with such a small matter!"
Daemon’s words were grand, but they reached Avery’s ears differently; even the master acknowledged her hard work, but what about their madam?
Knowing her son was about to intern, she didn’t even ask about it and flew abroad for work—who believes that?
Heard that the second master also went abroad to meet friends; could they have secretly rendezvoused?
There was a reason why the public didn’t suspect anything about Joseph Lancaster and Violet Zimmerman; they never overtly avoided suspicion, displaying normal uncle and sister-in-law harmony.
For instance, this time Violet said she went for work, and Joseph opted to visit friends abroad, instructing the staff to book tickets, claiming convenience.
However, such an upright manner of travel would never lead anyone to think otherwise, and of course, it was all the second master’s idea.
The more open you are, the less the outside will suspect. Conversely, even without any incidents, outsiders remain paranoid.
Thinking about her madam’s actions, Avery’s expression turned resentful as she stood in the center of the living room, saying, "Master, gratitude must be expressed; one must have a heart of thanks, otherwise, are you still human?"
Noting Avery’s reaction, Daemon Lancaster continued smiling nonchalantly, saying, "Avery, from your reaction, it seems you’re unsatisfied. Should I transfer your son to the market development department for training?"
Once more, Victoria Thornton snorted, while Avery hastily waved both hands, "Cannot, cannot, Master; my tears of gratitude, despite working for the Lancaster Family I’ve never served you a single day. How could I, Avery Stuart, deserve such favor from you!"
Once Avery spoke, Victoria Thornton’s face immediately soured.