Chapter 179: Congratulations... huh?
Since Lola arrived earlier than she should’ve, she was told to wait in the drawing room while the Lancasters finished their family drama. Lola wasn’t alone, though. Hiding in the drawing room was Caullen.
"Lola, why do you even bother with that piece of shit?" Caullen scoffed at her, watching her munch on cookies to calm herself down. "Also, now that I think about it... did you lose weight?"
Lola stopped mid-chew, giving Caullen a flat look. "Caullen, we’ve seen each other a few times already, and you’re only asking me now if I lost weight?"
Wasn’t it obvious?
Lola used to be chubby because of her slow metabolism. On top of that, when she got depressed, her coping mechanism was eating. She couldn’t be sad and starving at the same time, right? But even then, her weight had just been one more thing people ridiculed her for.
"I’m trying to break the ice," Caullen frowned. "Just pretend we’re having a nice conversation."
"That’s not how you break the ice," Lola said, dropping herself into a chair, cookie in hand. Tilting her head, she eyed him. "Caullen, for someone who’s never without a girlfriend, you really don’t know how to start a conversation."
Caullen smirked. "That’s because I don’t need to talk much," he winked. "I’m not much of a talker, you know."
"..." Lola deadpanned, staring him straight in the eye. "Fine. I’ll just ignore you."
She shook her head and continued eating, uninterested in his romantic escapades. Among the Lancasters, Caullen was infamous as the family’s player. With his good looks and family position, he switched girlfriends every other day or at least once a week.
Lola wasn’t up-to-date with his life, but she was sure of one thing: if she ever hosted a party with only his ex-girlfriends as guests, she’d need a bigger venue.
Caullen chuckled at the "living horror doll" sitting across from him. He shook his head, almost getting used to the sight of her by now. At least Lola looked better in all-black than the horrible pumpkin-themed outfit she’d worn the last time.
"Lola, should I invite you?"
"Hmm?" She raised her brows, chewing her cookie innocently. "Invite me where?"
"My engagement," he said casually. "I’m a bit nervous, you see, and I think if I had someone like you there, I’d feel okay."
"You mean you need a mascot?"
"Exactly."
"No way."
"Come on, dude."
Lola clicked her tongue as he laughed at his own nonsense. Then her brows shot up when the words finally sank in.
"Wait—you’re getting engaged?" she gasped, her eyelashes fanning to her forehead. "How? I mean, when? I mean—please don’t!"
"Don’t? Why? You want me for yourself?" He frowned. "That’s fine with me too."
"Ew."
"Haha! Hey, Lola, if you had me as your fiancé instead of Derek, I bet you wouldn’t let me go!"
She snorted. "I’d do my best to break off our engagement — FAST, that’s for sure."
"You’re being mean now."
"But seriously—you’re getting engaged?" Lola asked again. "How come I never heard of this?"
"Because, unlike Derek, I’m not someone who needs attention. It’s an arranged marriage." He shrugged. "So, it doesn’t really matter."
Lola blinked, staring at the relaxed Caullen as he reached for the tea—only to wince at the taste. Pursing her lips, curiosity flickered in her eyes.
"Caullen," she called, watching him glance up. "Have you heard from Aileen?"
The second her words landed, the relaxed look on his face vanished. Caullen just stared at her, expressionless.
He set the tea down and leaned back. "Why are you asking?" His tone had turned colder, drier.
"Nothing," Lola blurted quickly. "I just remember the two of you being very close before, and I thought... you were still on good terms."
"Haha!" He laughed, but with mockery laced in it. "Lola, what do you mean good terms? She’s a childhood friend, despite being a maid’s daughter. I haven’t heard from her in a long time. In fact, I’d almost forgotten about her until you mentioned her."
"Oh..." Lola’s mouth formed a small o-shape. She stared at Caullen, who spoke so easily yet clearly forced himself to sound unaffected.
I always thought he liked her... but I guess that’s not my business.
Knock knock.
Suddenly, a knock came at the door. Both Lola and Caullen turned to see one of the helpers poking her head in.
"Miss Lola, the chairman says to wait for him in the greenhouse."
Lola smiled politely. "I’ll be there." Rising to her feet, she turned on her heel to leave. But after a few steps, she paused and looked back at Caullen.
"Caullen, I’m not attending my half-sister’s engagement, so I don’t think I should be at yours either," she said with a small smile. "Anyway, congratulations on your engagement. I hope... you’re happy with it. I mean that from the bottom of my heart."
With that, she resumed her steps and closed the door behind her.
Meanwhile, Caullen watched her go. A bitter smile tugged at his lips, followed by a faint scoff.
"Congratulations... huh?"
*****
As Lola walked out of the drawing room and reached the entryway, she stopped. Derek was stomping his crutch against the floor, his face red and twisted with anger.
Lola crossed her arms, silently watching him storm off.
"He should be glad he’s only being removed from the project," she muttered. "That man could’ve done worse."
No matter how good things were with Atlas, Lola never forgot one thing: Atlas was Atlas. He might let kids cling to his leg or sit calmly while Slater had a meltdown, but beneath it all, that man was dangerously powerful.
"Oh well," she shrugged, resuming her steps. "Not my problem."
*
*
*
[Summit Partners]
"Mr. Derek Lancaster has already been removed from the project," Allen reported as he placed a new set of documents on the table. "Travis Lancaster will take charge, and he’s already sent a draft of the project."
He paused, then added, "I’ve checked the drafts. They’re decent. Better than the final proposal Derek’s team submitted."
Atlas didn’t react much. The fact that Allen had handed these papers to him without being asked meant they were already in good shape. After all, Allen always made sure files were thoroughly reviewed before they reached Atlas’s desk—unless, of course, Atlas demanded them earlier.
"Just leave them there," Atlas said, straightening his back. He reached into the drawer and pulled something out, handing it to his assistant.
Allen took it before Atlas could even finish giving instructions.
"Sir, what are these?"
"I want you to look into the origins of these funds," Atlas ordered. "Lola asked me for this favor, and I don’t want to disappoint her. I need an answer by the end of this week... and maybe a wedding ring. She might say yes if I asked her the same time I give her the result."
He paused as if a solid plan had already formed in his brain. "Call the best jeweler."