I Walked Away And He Lost His Mind (Zephyra and Steven) novel Chapter 556

After breakfast, Nora cleared the table, a kind smile on her face.

“Mr. Lancaster has been noticeably happier since you’ve come back home, ma’am.”

I looked at Nora. “Is that so?”

Nora nodded enthusiastically. “Oh, yes. Mr. Lancaster has wanted to make amends with you for a long time. He had me maintain all of your things, and he even transformed the empty garden. Have you seen the flowers? Mr. Lancaster planted them himself, all because you like them.”

“Mr. Lancaster only knows business; he’s never bothered with things like this. When he couldn’t figure it out, he hired experts to analyze the soil and select seeds. It took a lot of effort to get those flowers to bloom so beautifully. He usually tends to them himself, only occasionally asking me to water them.”

“Mr. Lancaster really wants to build a good life with you this time.”

I finished my milk and smiled faintly. “It’s too little, too late. I don’t need it now when he’s finally offering what I wanted back then. Nothing he does now will impress me.”

Nora froze, staring at me blankly. I didn’t want to discuss it further, so I grabbed my bag and left.

I thought about Yves from yesterday. He carried himself with a quiet dignity and was cautious. The fact that Steven trusted him with two major projects meant he was likely very capable. It would be great if Noah could poach him.

But as a high-level employee, he probably had a non-compete clause, making poaching useless.

I’d have to stick to the plan and find a way to get the bidding information.

I went to a high-end store and bought an extremely expensive bottle of liquor. Yves probably wouldn’t accept it. Yesterday, I noticed his cufflinks didn’t match his shirt. If he refused the liquor, he’d likely accept the cufflinks.

I came prepared with two options.

As I was about to leave the store, a sweet, pleasant voice called out to me. “Zephyra, what a coincidence.”

I turned to see Megan Cooper in a gray dress and a long, apricot-colored coat, wearing tassel earrings. She looked understated yet fashionable. “Ms. Cooper.”

During the Sonha competition, Megan was the only person on the team my professor arranged that I was willing to talk to.

Megan walked toward me excitedly. “It’s been so long! I can’t believe I ran into you here. I saw your design rankings—you made it into the top ten! Why didn’t you show up for the semi-finals?”

On the day of the semi-finals, I was kidnapped and forced into a life-or-death choice with Verna.

“Want to get coffee?” I asked Megan.

Megan glanced at the two women and nodded. “Sure.”

But Mrs. Lancaster blocked my path, her eyes blazing. “Running away the second you see me? So you do have a sense of shame!”

My expression turned cold. “Haven’t you learned your lesson from last time? I suggest you leave me alone.”

Seeing my defiance, Mrs. Lancaster scoffed, her gaze fixed on my flat stomach.

“How far along are you? Is it Steven’s? Let me tell you, even if it is my grandchild, I will never let Steven remarry you after you give birth. My son’s new wife has already been chosen! She’s from a world you and your low-class family could never dream of touching!”

I glanced at Antonia, who looked away guiltily before puffing out her chest. I chuckled, guessing Mrs. Lancaster wanted Antonia to marry Steven.

Compared to Verna, Antonia was a definite downgrade. The illegitimate daughter of a mistress was now a treasure in Mrs. Lancaster’s eyes. How surprising.