Chapter 209: As Expected of Her Cubs

Chapter 209: Chapter 209: As Expected of Her Cubs

Yvonne Lancaster stared daggers at Nathaniel Sloan, as if she would eat him alive if he dared to say a single word of refusal.

Nathaniel Sloan’s gaze flickered upward. "If he wants the land, he can bid for it like everyone else. I should just hand it over? Is he useless?"

Yvonne Lancaster was livid. She slammed her hand on the table. "Nathaniel Sloan! Do you know your place? Do you know Theodore’s? How dare you bid on something Theodore wants? What right do you have to compete with him!"

"I suggest you learn what’s good for you and obediently hand over that land. Don’t force me to get nasty!"

"Daddy~"

Just then, Mia called out sweetly, batting her big eyes. "Daddy, did you take something from someone else? That’s not right of you!"

Yvonne Lancaster, still fuming, heard this and sneered. "Nathaniel Sloan, look at that. Even your daughter is more sensible than you! She knows it’s shameful to take other people’s things!"

Mia continued her "earnest" plea. "Daddy, even though you said it’s a fair auction, it’s still not nice to compete with a child, you know? You should just give it back~"

Yvonne Lancaster felt like something was off.

After saying this, Mia turned and asked innocently, "Oh, right, Grandma Yvonne, how old is big brother Theodore? Is he five, just like Mia?"

The room fell silent once again.

Christian spoke up then. "Mia, you misunderstood. Theodore isn’t a big brother, he’s an uncle. He’s the same age as Daddy."

"What? The same age as Daddy~" Mia’s eyes widened. She looked from one person to another before her gaze finally landed on Yvonne Lancaster, full of confusion. "If he’s the same age as Daddy, why can’t they compete fairly?"

"Isn’t everything in the business world about fair competition? Why is it okay for Daddy to compete, but not Uncle Theodore? If he’s not skilled enough to compete, that’s one thing, but forcing Daddy to give it up... what kind of logic is that?"

Yvonne Lancaster said impatiently, "Because..."

"Oh~ I get it now! It’s because Uncle Theodore is useless!"

Mia finished the thought naturally, with a look of pure innocence.

Yvonne Lancaster nearly choked. Mia, however, looked as if she’d just had an epiphany. "I really thought Uncle Theodore was five years old, too. Running to his family to complain when he can’t win... Even Mia doesn’t tattle anymore. For shame~"

"But if all of this is based on the fact that Uncle Theodore is useless, then it all makes sense!"

"After all, he’s useless, so it’s totally normal that he can’t win at anything. His only choice is to tattle. Mia understands~"

"Uncle Theodore, Mia is so jealous of you. Even though you’re the same age as my daddy, in Grandma Yvonne’s heart, you’re still a child who never grew up. That’s pretty nice. Maybe that’s what they call being young at heart."

Zachery silently gave her a mental thumbs-up.

’Low EQ: You’re a man-child.’

’High EQ: Uncle Theodore is just young at heart~’

"You... you..." Yvonne Lancaster’s finger trembled. She had never been so humiliated. Her face was ashen as she shrieked in fury, "Nathaniel Sloan! So this is your daughter! Just like you, she’s—Agh!"

Nathaniel Sloan calmly raised his eyes. A ceramic cup flew from his hand, striking Yvonne Lancaster squarely on the mouth. The pain instantly silenced her.

Nathaniel Sloan lightly blew the tea foam from his cup. "Ms. Lancaster, if you don’t know how to speak properly, I can teach you."

He glanced coolly at the manager, his fingertips tapping lightly on the table as he narrowed his eyes meaningfully.

"Young Mr. Lancaster is welcome to bid on that land at any time. A property valued in the tens of billions is currently only at nine billion. The Lancaster Family should be able to afford that small amount."

Yvonne Lancaster clutched her mouth, her eyes filled with hate. The other Lancasters looked at each other, none daring to be the one to stick their neck out.

Zachery cleared his throat twice. "Daddy, you don’t have to be so mean. I think there are some things you just have to concede! Grandma Yvonne is only doing this for your own good!"

As he spoke, Zachery turned his head. "Don’t worry, Grandma Yvonne. I’ll definitely convince Daddy to give up the land!"

Yvonne Lancaster’s sullen mood improved slightly at his words.

’It seems Nathaniel Sloan’s son is the reasonable one...’

Before she could fully compose herself, she heard Zachery continue—

"Daddy, besides this piece of land, you have so many other projects. You have the skills. Even without this land, you can earn it all back on other projects."

"But Uncle Theodore can’t!"

"Uncle Theodore is useless. This might be his last chance! Do you know how many years he’s waited for this opportunity?! Twenty-eight years! A whole twenty-eight years! Oh my god! I can’t even imagine what Uncle Theodore would do if he lost this chance! What if his fragile man-child heart shatters!"

"A shattered ego is a small matter, but what if Uncle Theodore can’t handle the blow and just can’t go on living? What then?"

"So, Daddy, that’s why I’m advising you to give this opportunity to Uncle Theodore. After all, saving a life is more meritorious than building a seven-story pagoda. This might be the only chance Uncle Theodore gets in his entire life! *Sob sob*, I can’t bear it! Daddy, please just agree to it!"

The private room was plunged into dead silence.

Yvonne Lancaster’s fingers trembled, her face ashen, her whole body shaking with rage. "You... you people..."

"Oh, right." Zachery delivered the finishing blow. "Which one is Uncle Theodore? If he wants the land so badly, why isn’t he fighting for it himself? Don’t tell me Mia was right, and Uncle Theodore really is a man-child?"

Estelle Lockwood chuckled. ’As expected of my kids!’

Yvonne Lancaster’s face was beet red, and for a long moment, she couldn’t utter a single word. Behind her, however, Theodore Lancaster simply smiled, his expression natural, as if he hadn’t understood Zachery’s mockery at all.

"Mr. Sloan’s children are truly interesting."

Theodore Lancaster said with a smile, "Aunty, since Mr. Sloan is spending time with his children, why don’t we discuss this another day?"

Yvonne Lancaster composed herself and sneered. "Since Theodore has spoken, Nathaniel Sloan, I’ll give you two more days to think about it! Once the auction starts, it won’t be up to you anymore!"

"Oh, and let me remind you, the Lancaster Family’s financial power is nothing you can compare to. Don’t let things get to the point where we all drop the pretense of civility and make a scene. If that happens, you’ll be the only one who ends up humiliated!"

With that, Yvonne Lancaster flung her hand dismissively and stormed out, her high heels clicking loudly on the floor.

Theodore Lancaster, however, actually bent down, crouching in front of Mia. He said in a gentlemanly manner, "Mia, I’m very sorry that Uncle disturbed your meal today. My visit was abrupt. Next time we meet, Uncle will bring you a gift."

Mia pouted. ’If I didn’t already know what kind of person Theodore Lancaster was, I’d almost be fooled by his act!’

After speaking, Theodore Lancaster walked out with a calm and composed demeanor.

Mia pouted again. "So pretentious. He’s just like that mean grandma!"

Christian was speechless. ’Have to admit, you’ve hit on the truth,’ he thought.

After dinner, they returned to Imperial Crest. Once the children were asleep, Luke White followed Nathaniel Sloan into the study.

Nathaniel Sloan’s expression was calm. "What’s the status?"