Everyone Can Hear My Thoughts, and Now They're Panicking

Chapter 39: Chapter 39: This Is Something He Absolutely Will Not Allow to Happen

Lucy Finch frowned.

"That’s ridiculous. Miss Lancaster is known for her good temper. How could she possibly fight someone over a necklace?"

"Chloe Dave has been working for Young Master Lowell for years. I thought he would have matured by now, but I guess he’s still just as classless as ever."

Julian Lancaster: ...

For some reason, he found the word "classless" a bit grating.

In truth, he hadn’t just heard Jane Lancaster’s subtle digs—he’d heard her silent complaints, too.

The ability to hear his sister’s thoughts was so bizarre that he still couldn’t quite believe it.

He subtly glanced around at the crowd. Fortunately, it seemed he was the only one who could hear his sister’s thoughts.

Luna Morgan stepped forward, looking uneasy. "I’m sorry, Mr. Lancaster..."

Julian Lancaster’s expression was placid. "This has nothing to do with you. Chloe Dave was the one who said it. I won’t hold you responsible."

Luna Morgan breathed a silent sigh of relief, though she also felt a faint pang of disappointment.

’Thankfully, I was firm enough back then not to completely believe what Chloe Dave said.’

’As for the disappointment... that was harder to put a finger on. She just felt that their reunion, the one she’d imagined, wasn’t supposed to be like this.’

With a wistful expression, she became lost in her thoughts, unaware that several pairs of eyes had landed on her.

"Miss Morgan, this has nothing to do with you. Don’t be too hard on yourself," someone comforted her in a low voice, their eyes filled with a newly sparked protective instinct.

Not to be outdone, another gentleman saw Luna Morgan hug her shoulders and quickly shed his suit jacket, draping it over her.

"Miss Morgan, you just got over pneumonia. You mustn’t catch a chill."

’Leave it to the female lead to attract everyone’s attention, even now.’

Jane Lancaster, noticing the small commotion, couldn’t help but glance up at Julian Lancaster.

’Seriously, Bro, aren’t you getting anxious? With all these guys competing for her, shouldn’t you be getting jealous and whisking the female lead away using your contract or something?’

Julian Lancaster couldn’t resist raising a hand to rub his temples. ’What on earth is going through my sister’s head?’

"Jay, let’s go home," he said after a moment, lowering his hand.

"Now that everything’s been cleared up, I think we can all disperse," Lucy Finch said quickly, having read the room.

They had all rushed over the moment their plane landed. A flight of over ten hours, followed by a multi-hour drive, had left them all exhausted and in desperate need of rest.

Besides, the siblings hadn’t seen each other in a long time and surely had a lot to talk about.

Lucy Finch had even sent for Mama Knight, intending for them to head straight home.

Jane Lancaster, however, hesitated. "Go back so soon? I wanted to look around a little longer."

She paused, then added considerately, "You guys must be exhausted after such a long flight, Brother. Why don’t you all head back and get some rest?"

Lucy Finch seemed surprised. After a moment’s thought, she asked, "Miss Lancaster, were you unable to find any jewelry you liked? The young master actually bought several pieces at an overseas auction..."

Julian Lancaster raised a hand, and she fell silent.

"Lucy, you and the others head back and get some rest. Calvin Cole, you stay. I’ll stay with Jay and we’ll look around a bit more."

Calvin Cole couldn’t help frowning. The arrangement was fine for everyone else, of course, but it was asking too much of Julian Lancaster. He was far too tired.

As the boss, his mind was constantly running at high capacity to make decisions; he absolutely had to get enough rest.

Accompanying his sister to a jewelry exhibition, on the other hand, was a trivial matter that shouldn’t be taking up his time.

’If Jane Lancaster had any sense, she wouldn’t be so stubborn about going home right now.’

"But sir, you have meetings all day tomorrow and the day after," he couldn’t resist reminding him.

Julian Lancaster shot him a warning glance. Calvin Cole’s heart skipped a beat, and he immediately fell silent.

"Jay, let’s go check over there," Julian said, taking the lead and guiding Jane forward.

But Jane Lancaster shook her head, smiling. "Brother, let’s just go home."

Julian Lancaster looked down at her. "Jay, you don’t have to force yourself to come back for my sake..."

Jane Lancaster linked her arm through his affectionately. "I’m not. I know you want to spend more time with me, Brother, but my heart aches seeing you so exhausted from your trip."

Julian Lancaster mulled it over for a moment. "In that case, why don’t we find a quiet place to have dinner? It’ll be a good chance to thank Pauline for taking care of you."

His gaze settled on Pauline Shaw, who was standing to the side.

—

Calvin Cole quickly arranged for a place to dine.

It was a private, members-only club designed like a classical Chinese garden. With its serene atmosphere and excellent cuisine, it had been one of Julian Lancaster’s favorite places for business negotiations before he went abroad.

The only difference was that he usually hosted business tycoons here. Today, his guests were two young women.

After the tea was brought out, Calvin Cole prepared to pour for everyone, but Julian stopped him.

A moment later, a waiter brought over two lidded porcelain cups.

"Tea this late will keep you up," he said. "I had the chef prepare some almond milk with bird’s nest. Have a taste."

Julian Lancaster held one of the porcelain cups to test the temperature, then lifted its lid. He placed the cups before the two young women. "The temperature is perfect."

The sweet aroma of almonds blended perfectly with the milk. The bird’s nest was cooked to perfection, giving it a soft, smooth, and sweet texture.

Pauline Shaw was a bit overwhelmed by the attention. "Thank you, Julian."

He had only treated her to something like this when they were children. By the time she was in middle school, Julian was already a rising business mogul, always busy, and had gradually drifted apart from her and her friends.

For him to personally invite her to dinner now made Pauline Shaw feel she was hardly worthy of the honor.

Jane Lancaster, in contrast, was far more casual. She sipped her drink while casually flipping through the menu.

What she saw made her jump, and she nearly spat out a mouthful of milk.

’This is highway robbery!’

The other two couldn’t help but glance over at her.

Jane Lancaster realized her sudden movement had almost knocked over her cup.

Playing it cool, she downed the rest of the almond milk in a few quick gulps. "This is delicious, Brother. I’ll have another."

’Good thing it’s not *my* money they’re after. Besides, the Lancaster family is going bankrupt eventually, so I might as well get my money’s worth.’

"No more for me, thank you," Pauline Shaw said, her expression composed, her manners polite and impeccable.

’After so many years of disciplined self-improvement, she found Jane Lancaster seemed much more frivolous than she used to be.’

Julian Lancaster waved a waiter over, his gaze fixed on his sister’s face. "You still look pale. Jay, you need to eat more."

Jane Lancaster smiled. "Maybe it’s because the food at home doesn’t agree with me, and the atmosphere isn’t great either."

Calvin Cole, who was in the middle of pouring tea for Julian, was so stunned he froze. He never imagined Jane Lancaster would tattle so brazenly.

’Seriously, is she not even going to try and hide it?’

Julian Lancaster frowned. "The cup is overflowing."

Only then did Calvin Cole notice the tea spilling over the rim, and he hurried to wipe the table.

Jane Lancaster stood up. "I’m going to the restroom."

’Honestly, why is Calvin so surprised? Did he think I wouldn’t snitch?’

’I have to make use of him now while I still can. Am I supposed to wait until he’s lost everything?’

’Without the power and charisma that money gives him, he’s nothing but a simp.’

Pauline Shaw: ...

’What the hell is a simp?!’ She didn’t even dare to look up at Julian Lancaster across from her.

She didn’t notice, however, that the expression in Julian Lancaster’s eyes was gradually growing solemn.

He pushed aside everything else and latched onto one key point: the Lancaster family would go bankrupt in the future.

And that was something he would never allow to happen.