Edmund bowed and exined, "Mister Lucas, it was Madam Beatrice who forbade me to tell you. I..."


    Lucas scoffed. "Don''t bother with my grandparents'' orders next time something like this happens. You''re to inform me immediately! Alright, you can go now."


    After Edmund left, Lucas leaned against the desk, sighed, and furrowed his brow. He was well aware of his grandmother''s thoughts, but he could not bring himself to ignore Stepletely. Years ago, Ste''s father had done him a great favor. On his deathbed, he left only one wish-for him to take care of his only daughter, Ste.


    He agreed, and he had to live up to his word.


    ...


    As the servants brought out the final dish to the dining room, Lucas still had note down yet.


    "That brat! All he cares about is work. Does he think thepany will go bankrupt if he rests for a while? What''s the point of employing so many people if he can''t even take some time off?" grumbled Beatrice. Beatrice deliberately nced at Edmund, who remained indifferent. Lucas'' words had fully sobered him, and he learned to do nothing when Beatrice asked him to do something.


    Suddenly, Ste leaned in, saying softly, "Grandma, it''s so challenging for Lucas to manage such argepany. Everything has to be approved by him, and it surely won''t function properly without him. Please don''t worry. I''ll go upstairs and call Lucas down. No matter how urgent his work is, it shouldn''te in between his meals. After all, it''s important to take care of one''s health." Melody wanted to go call Lucas, but upon hearing Ste''s words, she hesitated mid-step. Since someone had offered, she might as well let her do it.


    ''Lucas would probably prefer seeing Ste anyway,'' thought Melody with her gaze lowered to hide theplications she was feeling.Text content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Beatrice snorted. "Miss Ste, you''re our guest today, so how can we let you run errands? Melody, go and call Lucas down. He usually listens to you. Hurry up."


    Beatrice looked at Melody affectionately, which waspletely different from the cold and mocking gaze she reserved for Ste.


    Every word and action of Beatrice was a warning to Ste.


    Melody quickly called Lucas down. They came down the stairs hand in hand again. Lucas was gripping her hand so tight that it was starting to hurt her.


    "Hey, Lucas..." She leaned into Lucas''s ear, wanting to say something.


    Lucas instinctively lowered his head and turned to the side. "Yes?"


    "Go easier on my hand. It hurts..."


    Lucas nced at her and loosened his grip somewhat, but it was still tight enough to cause difort. Melody could not understand why he held her hand so tightly.


    ''Is this guy afraid I''ll run away if he lets go?'' thought Melody.


    When they got downstairs, Beatrice could not help butin, "You''re always busy with yourpany''s affairs all day long. We have a guest right now, and you can''t evene down to apany her?"


    Ste was about to say it was alright when Beatrice continued, "Luckily, Miss Ste is a sensible guest and doesn''t take things to heart! Otherwise, you would''ve been quite rude today!"


    Ste forced an awkwardugh. "It''s nothing, really. I know how hard it is to run apany..."


    Beatrice made it abundantly clear, both explicitly and implicitly, the distinction between Ste and Lucas, reminding her that she was merely a guest.